Entering the common room, Joe was struck by how normal everything seemed—or as normal as things got in a murder tower made of living Kaiju parts. It reminded him of back home when someone you loved died. For you, it felt like the world had shattered, but for everyone else, it was just another day.

  He spotted them in a corner booth, heads bent in quiet conversation. Dawn raised a hand to catch his attention, and Joe made his way over. Sliding into the seat, he tried to shake off the strange weight pressing on his chest.

  Brian motioned toward him. “We’re going over the fifth floor titan. Check the alliance chat. Folder labeled ‘Drillmaw.’”

  Joe pulled it up. “Drillmaw? That’s the titan’s name?”

  Brian nodded, adjusting his posture like he was ready to give a lecture. “Not the most creative, considering it has drills for hands, or, well, insect equivalents.”

  Joe skimmed the shared notes. “Sounds charming.”

  “Sounds like a burrower to me,” TJ cut in. “Back in my world, we had plenty of them. The little ones, like wood-boring weevils, weren’t so bad. But the big ones? Stone burrowers? Dumb, destructive, and impossible to stop. And don’t even get me started on brain-burrowing parasites—”

  Rose groaned, raising a hand to cut him off. “Please stop. My stomach’s already on thin ice.”

  Brian stroked his goatee. “According to Dawn and Nick, the terrain is earthen. Lots of twisting paths and tunnels.”

  Dawn’s eyes went distant for a moment as she checked her map. “It looks like a monster-sized termite mound or ant colony.”

  Joe’s stomach churned. Claustrophobic tunnels filled with who-knew-what waiting to jump out? Fantastic.

  Brian’s brow furrowed as he inhaled his vape pen. “Anyone else notice the elemental pattern?”

  Joe glanced at him, not following.

  “Think about it.” Brian lowered his vape. “Floor two was fire-dominant, floor four water. Now, floor five is earth.”

  Joe thought back to the past floors. Crustacean Cove had been water-focused. Floor two had been a fiery hellscape. “Okay, but what about floor three?”

  “That industrial nightmare?” Brian shrugged. “Could have been wind, given all the machinery and gas vents.”

  It clicked for Joe. “So if the pattern holds, floor six will be wind-based?”

  “Could be.” Brian released a puff of smoke. “But for now, we need to focus on this floor. Earth-based monsters will likely resist earth attacks.”

  Joe sighed, already strategizing how to use his water affinity. He’d have to rely on it more than earth this time.

  Movement near the bunk entrance caught his eye. Gaia appeared, her steps deliberate. She poured herself a glass of water, nodded in Joe’s direction, and returned to the bunks without a word.

  “Ryan okay?” Joe leaned in close.

  Dawn nodded, but her face was tight. “It’s hard on all of them. They’re determined to push forward for Luna’s sake. Grizzle made Ryan drink another potion before we all head to the fifth floor. He said it might be a while before we get another chance to rest.”

  Joe nodded. The quiet in the room felt heavier now.

  Brian cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So, about Drillmaw. It says here it’s a velvet ant.”

  Joe froze, the name sparking a memory. “Cow killers. My granddad used to call them that. Only the ones here are probably big enough to eat an actual cow.”

  “Or bigger.” TJ rubbed his chin. “What I want to know is, what’s Drillmaw burrowing for?”

  Dawn traced a line on the table with her finger, mimicking twisting tunnels. “Could be expanding its colony or laying groundwork for something worse.”

  “Sounds like one of those chicken-and-egg questions.” Joe’s attention drifted as a sudden gust of air ruffled his hair.

  With a loud whoosh, the entrance to floor five peeled open like a grotesque, blooming flower. Dirt crumbled from the edges, and Lucky scurried inside, his eyes gleaming with delight. He clapped his small, dirt-caked paws together, scattering clods onto the floor. A slug-like creature slithered out of the wall, dutifully cleaning up the mess with a strange, suctioning noise.

  Rose handed him a wet wipe, which he accepted with a sheepish smile.

  “Such an interesting ecosystem!” Lucky rolled down the sleeves of his green hoodie. Despite his greying fur, he moved with the energy of someone half his age.

  “Early bird catches the worm.” TJ’s eyes narrowed. “Bet Andras sent you out to scout the floor with that Scavenger’s Luck trait of yours.”

  Joe gave a subtle nod, keeping his thoughts to himself, but TJ waved Lucky over.

  “How come you didn’t head straight back to the green zone common room?” TJ leaned back in his seat. “If I were a green zoner, I’d be living it up…fancy food, fresh-squeezed citrus drinks, all the best resources.”

  Lucky’s expression twisted into a frown, like TJ had spoken a foreign language. “I came straight here because I knew you’d be excited to hear about the monsters on this floor. Nobody listens to me in the green zone. Andras only cares about what my Scavenger’s Luck turns up.”

  Joe leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of him. “Find anything yet?”

  Lucky’s shoulders sagged. “No…well, nothing Andras finds useful. He told me to stay out there until I did, but using my trait and skills drains me, you know?”

  Brian grinned and opened his tin, pulling out a few pellets. He dropped them into Lucky’s waiting paw. Lucky sniffed them, nibbled, and smacked his lips with audible delight.

  “Yum. I feel better already. You guys are the best.”

  Joe waved him off, grinning despite himself.

  Rose chimed in, her tone warm. “So are you, Lucky. Don’t forget that. You’ve helped a lot of people.”

  Lucky’s ears twitched, and he beamed at her. “Why thank you, Rose. I like to help. What’s the point of anything if we can’t help each other out?” His gaze swept across the room, landing on Robyn, the ratfolk who’d recently joined their faction. “Heard you rescued that fella over there.”

  Joe opened his mouth to ask how Lucky knew, but TJ jumped in with a different question. “Alright, spill. What can you tell us about the monsters? What’s Drillmaw doing with those drills?”

  Lucky’s eyes lit up, dust sprinkling the table as he clapped his paws. “I’m so glad you asked! Drillmaw uses the drills to burrow holes for its larvae. They’re big brutes—hungry, aggressive, and relentless. Normally, they’re detritus feeders.”

  “Detritus?” TJ raised an eyebrow. “What now?”

  “They eat dead and decaying matter. But here?” Lucky’s expression darkened. “Everything’s different. These aren’t scavengers. They’re meat-eating predators. All of them, except the workers.”

  “Let me guess.” Joe smirked. “You thought the workers were adorable.”

  Lucky’s grin stretched wide. “Yes. They’re so adorable and fluffy! I nearly died from cuteness overload.” His grin faded. “However, I kept a respectful distance. Their bright red and black stripes serve as a clear warning.”

  “Are they toxic, like poison dart frogs?” Joe crossed his arms.

  “Normally, I’d say no.” Lucky bit his lip. “But I wasn’t about to test their defense mechanisms. While the system calls them velvet ants, they’re actually a type of wasp. These ones aren’t nomadic like their real-world counterparts. I think either they hijacked an underground nest, probably Yellow Jackets, laying their eggs near the defenseless pupae, or they made the nest themselves and adapted.”

  Joe tilted his head. “Any way to tell for sure?”

  Lucky’s nose twitched. “You’d have to go down into the tunnels, all the way to the nest and the queen. Not something I was about to risk alone. The floor’s vast, riddled with tunnel entrances, but the real pests are the weevils. They’re not interested in wood here. They’re interested in making you lunch. I ran before they got a taste.”

  Joe grimaced. “Yeah, sounds like the right thing to do. We don’t want you becoming fast food.”

  Brian leaned back, his eyes distant. “Looking at the titan queen’s stats, she’s incredibly damage-resistant.” Brian’s fingers traced the data on his interface. “I’ve got some red bamboo left over from the last floor, but I’d prefer to use it as seed stock. If we burn through it now, we might not have any when we really need it.”

  Lucky nodded, his whiskers twitching. “The system won’t tell you, but you need to be ready for some system-variant attacks based on real-world versions. Andras thinks the Lich uses knowledge from all our worlds to shape these monsters and titans.”

  That clicked for Joe. It also added weight to his growing suspicion about Caspar’s role. The memory-stripping and the meticulous cataloging wasn’t simply about control. It was a treasure trove of intel. Joe thought back to the Lich’s smug demeanor during the induction. The way he casually dropped knowledge about Earth. How many humans had the Lich pulled into the tower before him? How much had he stolen from their worlds to fuel this nightmare?

  TJ broke Joe’s thoughts. “So what gives us an edge in the boss fight?”

  Lucky’s tail flicked. “She’s big, fast, and wingless, which means she’s built for ground speed. Her exoskeleton’s practically indestructible, and her stinger? It’s about half her body length. If you get skewered, the venom’s a solid three out of four on the pain scale. Think deep-fryer oil splashing your guts.” He shivered, his ears flattening beneath his mushroom hat. “It’ll hurt.”

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  TJ winced. “Lovely. Anything else?”

  “She’s got a stridulatory organ in her abdomen. So expect some nasty sonic attacks. And if you smell something sharp, like burnt sugar and acid? That’s her alarm secretion. It’ll call every drone and soldier within range straight to you.”

  Brian tapped his temples, his lips pressed in concentration. “Got it. I’ve added all of this to the alliance chat.”

  Joe’s interface pinged with a notification.

  Gaia: Thanks for the update. We’ll be ready to leave shortly. Ryan needs at least another ten minutes to rest.

  Ryan: I feel fine.

  Gaia: You’re not moving for an hour after taking that potion.

  Nick: Drop a pin, Dawn. We’ll meet you there. Looks like there’s plenty of green zoner activity already. Monster swarms aplenty. Be careful.

  Joe glanced toward the floor entrance as another gust swept through the room. A group of ascenders stepped out onto the floor. Using Quick Wit, Joe zoomed in on the mucky terrain. The sky hung heavy and gray, threatening rain. Puddles the size of ponds were scattered everywhere, their surfaces rippling as the ascenders tested for rain before stepping out. The door whooshed shut behind them. Every time it opened, it dropped you into a random location. Finding other factions without a pin drop was next to impossible.

  He turned to Lucky. “We’re heading out. Wish you could come with us.”

  Lucky’s whiskers quivered, and his ears drooped. “Me too, but the system won’t allow it. Andras called me back to the green zone. Hopefully, I’ll catch up with you before the boss battle.”

  “You don’t have to dance to his tune.” TJ crossed his arms with a half smile. “At least top off your mana before you go back out there, okay?”

  Lucky gave a quick nod, his glossy eyes flicking like he was reading a notification. “Best of luck out there.” He flashed a small smile, turned, and left with a swish of his tail.

  Joe watched him go, his gut twisting with unease. “All right.” He turned back to the group. “Let’s move.”

  As the group stood, the screen flickered to life, drawing a hush over the room. The Lich’s pale, ghoulish face filled the display.

  Joe leaned closer to Dawn. “Bit heavy on the try-hard villain chic, huh?”

  The Lich’s gaze seemed to sweep the room, a spark of satisfaction flaring in his hollow sockets. “How delightful to see so many of you alive and scheming. Planning. Hoping.” His words dragged out like nails across a chalkboard. “Brute strength will only get you so far in this tower. I’m an equal-opportunity type of fellow, and those of you with well-balanced factions will soon reap the rewards.”

  Joe tensed, already anticipating the verbal knife twist.

  “Not to make examples of anyone…” The Lich’s grin widened in mock sympathy. “But consider the Merry Miner Brotherhood. Thuggish, single-minded, but with an impressive kill count…until they met their match with my defensive tower guardians.”

  Joe’s eyes flicked to Merv. The dwarf’s expression was murderous, his lips moving in a low mutter that even Joe’s Quick Wit couldn’t catch. Beside him, Robyn, the little ratfolk, shifted uneasily, his chair scraping as he edged away from the psycho dwarf. Merv’s face had taken on an alarming shade of crimson, veins bulging in his neck. His orange hood shadowed his gnarled brow, but it couldn’t hide the unhinged fury in his eyes.

  “I want to congratulate all of you who have surpassed level 21.” The Lich’s voice carried a smug edge. “As for those still at a measly level 20 or lower? They have perished—one way or another.”

  Protests erupted from the crowd, fists shaking in the air as voices rose in anger. The Lich remained unfazed, waiting for the noise to simmer down with an almost theatrical patience.

  “There’s no need for such foul insults. Not simply because I could have you GORED in an instant, but because it’s unnecessary. And rude.” The Lich clasped his skeletal hands as if addressing a group of unruly children. “I warned you what would happen and gave you ample time to level up. This tower is harsh, yes, but it’s merely a playground compared to the apocalyptic wasteland that awaits you outside. If this tower doesn’t claim you, natural selection will.”

  Joe’s chest tightened. Every word felt like a taunt, a reminder of how precarious their existence here truly was.

  “Take poor, na?ve Ascender 36, for example.” The Lich released an exaggerated sigh. “She fell victim to a time-thieving scam artist and met her end. Tragic, isn’t it? Some of you are beginning to take your respawn tokens for granted. Whether you have twenty years or three hundred, they are privileges I have generously bestowed upon you. And privileges,” his grin sharpened, “can always be revoked.”

  The room seemed to pulse in response, the fleshy walls shifting as the veins running through them bulged, rippling under the surface. Joe’s gaze snapped to the entrance as Ryan appeared, flanked by Gaia, Grizzle, and Nick. Ryan’s face was a mask of calm, but his clenched fists and tight posture betrayed the storm brewing beneath.

  A notification pinged in the alliance chat.

  Gaia: Ryan, please calm down. Whatever you’re doing is affecting the quantum threads powering the tower.

  Joe: What do you mean?

  Gaia: Think of my quantum sense like a seismograph. It detects fluctuations in the quantum threads, and right now, Ryan’s interactions are setting it off like an earthquake.

  Joe’s eyes darted to Ryan, whose expression remained unreadable. Gaia nudged his arm, breaking his trance, and he exhaled.

  “I got a notification from the system,” Ryan said finally, his voice low as he shook his head. “It says I’m corrupted.”

  Joe’s stomach sank. The word hung in the air like a curse.

  The Lich’s gaze zeroed in on Ryan, his empty sockets narrowing in a way that made Joe’s skin crawl. The silence stretched, heavy and ominous. Joe couldn’t tell if the Lich was intrigued, amused, or both.

  “I know you’re worried, Ascender 62,” the Lich said at last, his voice dripping with mock concern. “Worried about what’s happening to you. Your memories are fading, your body changing, turning into something monstrous.” His grin stretched impossibly wide across the screen. “But here’s the good news: you can exert your will, influence system-bound guardians. And here’s a hint…there are other benefits you haven’t yet discovered. How exciting for you.”

  Joe’s fists clenched at his sides. The Lich always had a way of making even “good news” sound like a death sentence.

  “However,” the Lich’s bony fingers clinked as he tapped them together, “access to such power is a double-edged sword. You can feel it already…the transformation, the growing connection to the system. In time, will the system influence you more than you influence it? Something to ponder while your thoughts remain your own. Happy hunting everyone!”

  Ryan took a step toward the screen, fists clenched and his scaled hand twitching like he was barely holding himself back.

  Gaia moved swiftly, placing a firm hand on his arm to stop him. “Not now.”

  The screen flickered off, leaving only the distorted reflections of stunned faces. The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the faint hum of the tower itself.

  Ryan turned, his pace urgent as he approached Joe. “Need to confess anything?” His voice was tight, loaded with something unspoken.

  Joe blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure.” He nodded. Joe understood the look in Ryan’s eyes. It wasn’t about guilt; it was about privacy. “I’d like to make a confession,” he added louder, triggering the menu to appear.

  Selecting the same faith as before, Joe barely registered the soundproof bubble forming around them. His mind was already spinning, thoughts piling up like debris in a storm. He studied Ryan’s face, his features harder now, the faint lines of exhaustion etched deeper. The scaled hand flexed at his side, the transformation more defined than before, veins of dark green webbing across the clawed digits.

  Ryan exhaled, the sound heavy and raw. “The Lich is taunting me, trying to break me,” he began, his tone measured but simmering with restrained anger. “I won’t let him win. I’ll use every advantage this kaiju infection gives me while I still can. But…” His voice faltered for the briefest moment before he pressed on. “There will come a time when I’m no longer in control. When I’ll be a danger to everyone.”

  Joe’s chest tightened. “If that happens—and that’s a big if—we’ll find a way to fix it.” He refused to accept the implication.

  Ryan shook his head, his expression both resigned and determined. “I’m not giving up, Joe. I’ve always had hope, like Luna did. But I need to be realistic. If it comes to that, I need you to promise me something.”

  Joe’s stomach churned. He already knew where this was headed. “Don’t.” His voice cracked. “Don’t ask me to—”

  Ryan placed his scaled hand on Joe’s shoulder. “I’ve already spoken to Gaia. She knows what needs to be done if the time comes. All I’m asking of you is not to stop her.”

  Joe’s throat tightened, the request twisting something deep inside him. He lowered his gaze, unable to look Ryan in the eye. “Please don’t ask me that.”

  Ryan sighed. “I know it’s unfair. But I trust you, Joe.”

  Joe felt sick to his stomach. What Ryan was asking wasn’t just hard, it was unbearable. Standing by while Gaia ended Ryan’s life felt like a betrayal, no matter how much logic told him it was for the greater good.

  “What about your respawn token?” Joe tugged the cord on his hoodie. “You’ll keep coming back.”

  Ryan shook his head. “Gaia and Grizzle have been working on that. I didn’t bring it up in the alliance chat because it’s not something everyone needs to know just yet.” He flexed his scaled hand. “Gaia examined her own respawn token using her mana sense. She thinks the tether to our soul banks can be unraveled. If that’s true, respawns could be used differently or even transferred. But breaking the tether would require a high-level artificer and sorcerer working together.”

  Joe stared at him, stunned. “You’re telling me…these tokens could be hacked? Transferred? Like, to anyone?”

  Ryan nodded. “In time, yes. That’s why Andras has been hoarding them. Right now, he can’t manipulate the years on the tokens he’s collected, but if he figures out the tether? He’ll have an infinite supply of respawns. No one would be able to stop him.”

  Joe’s stomach churned. It was all starting to make sense—the hoarding, the promises, Andras’ smug confidence. “Andras doesn’t only want power; he wants to make himself untouchable.”

  “Exactly.” Ryan nodded. “That’s why we can’t waste time.”

  Ryan’s eyes bore into Joe’s, his scaled brow furrowed. “Will you do what I ask?”

  Joe clenched his fists. Every fiber of his being wanted to shout “no,” to reject the very idea. But he couldn’t ignore the trust in Ryan’s eyes, or the weight of the situation pressing down on them all. Finally, he nodded. “I will. But I swear, I’m going to do everything I can to stop the system from taking you over.”

  Ryan’s smile was faint but genuine. “You’re a good friend, Joe. Thank you.”

  The confession bubble popped with a soft hiss, and the hum of the common room filled Joe’s ears again. He felt like he was surfacing from deep water, the weight of the conversation still dragging at him.

  Merv approached them as Joe led the way toward the entrance to the fifth floor. The dwarf looked as shifty as a con artist at a cop convention. He scratched his beard and leaned against the wall. “Eh, you guys go on ahead. I’ll catch up.”

  Robyn tugged at TJ’s arm. “My legs are healed now. I can keep up with you out there.”

  TJ exchanged a concerned look with Brian. “You know what? I bet you can, but how about you stay here with Merv instead?” He leveled a hard stare at the dwarf. “You’ll take good care of him, won’t you?”

  It wasn’t phrased as a request, and Merv’s lip curled in irritation. “I’m no babysitter.”

  “I’m not a baby.” Robyn huffed, his furry chin trembling with indignation.

  Joe, sensing the tension rising, decided to steer the conversation. “So, Merv, where are you heading?”

  Merv’s posture straightened. “I hate that bastard Lich, but he’s got a point. The Merry Miners were all brawn, steel-hard determination, and, well…big hairy balls.” He thumped his chest, his eyes glossing over. “And it got my men killed.”

  The raw emotion in his voice silenced everyone for a beat. He cleared his throat. “But I owe it to their memory to rise up as the last of the crew. I was generous to a fault, y’know. Gave Fupa some extra time when he was on the verge of getting gored. Bit of a gambler, Fupa was, but hey, nobody’s perfect.”

  He paused, as if daring someone to challenge him. When the group stayed quiet, he continued. “So I’m off to the red zone battlebox. Easy pickings there.”

  Joe frowned. “That’s a tough slog, though. There’s not much time up for grabs.”

  Merv shrugged, his expression hardening. “I’ll take what I can get. The battles’ll be over before they start. No red zoner’s got the skills to beat me. Green zone challenges would be nice, but let’s face it, no faction’s gonna sponsor the likes of me.”

  “Indeed.” Robyn nodded with a little too much enthusiasm. “You’ve got an awful reputation.”

  Merv glared at the ratfolk, his jaw tightening. Robyn shrank back, looking sheepish.

  Joe rested a hand on Robyn’s shoulder. “TJ’s right. Stick with Merv and make sure he stays out of trouble, okay?” He gave Robyn a playful grin. “If you need us, just send a message in the alliance chat.”

  Robyn’s chest puffed up with determination. “I can do that!”