Tower of Ruin 2: A LitRPG Adventure (Afterlife), page 1
Tower of Ruin 2
A LitRPG Adventure
Copyright © [2024] by [Wolfe Locke]
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. The Story So Far
2. Threshold
3. Second Floor
4. Rising Tide
5. Tunnels
6. Waterlogged Village
7. What'll It Be?
8. Answered
9. The Void Below
10. Split Path
11. Face
12. Kraken
13. Dust
14. Sanctuary
15. Interior
16. Game
17. Flesh Tide
18. Fall
19. Fourth
20. Fodder
1
The Story So Far
Previously on "The Tower of Afterlife"...
In a realm beyond the abyss, a demon prince named Helion ruled over a tower called Afterlife.
A tower of madness that he created as a imitation of the world of men and then he filled it with nightmare creatures and nightmarish challenges to test those he imprisoned and trapped with it.
All to refine the products of the tower.
The tower was endless, with floors spanning into eternity.
Helion had made a pact with the mad god Aeon to provide product, powerful sacrifices from the cultivated climbers in exchange for survival during the god's purge.
The story began at the ending with the last four survivors of the tower, and then quickly transitioned to just that of Daniel Elder, reborn as a young man.
Unknown to him, the Tower of Afterlife continually resets, and the Chronos Hourglass instead of returning him to the past like he thought, allowed Daniel to keep his memories of his climb once the Tower restarted.
He woke up at the base of the Tower of Afterlife, on the ruined airport tarmac. However, Daniel believed he had been sent back in time from a future where he and his friends had fought their way up the tower.
Eventually, he found himself near the gathering place of all those whom were getting ready to start their climb and the next iteration. All of whom had been taken to Afterlife against their will. Arguments among them broke out.
Suddenly, a disguised but monstrous being known as a Wraith materialized before them. This particular Wraith, called Legion, had taken the form of an angelic figure to communicate with the humans.
Legion welcomed the assembled individuals to the Tower of Afterlife, explaining that they had the opportunity to climb the tower and gain incredible power.
Even godhood was possible.
If they were ruthless enough.
To prove the point, Legion killed one of the humans and absorbed his essence into an orb called a Sol. Sols, Legion explained, were the key to gaining power within the tower. They could be earned by killing monsters and other players.
Special golden discs were also scattered around, which could be redeemed at a Gacha Machine for random items and abilities. Killing another climber would earn another golden disc.
Waves of ferocious wolves then descended upon the group. Daniel, armed with his knowledge of the future, rallied the survivors to fight back. He earned the emblem "Wolf's Bane" for achieving the most kills.
Yet in the chaos, many climbers panicked and fled, only to be killed by wolves. As the waves intensified, Daniel managed to slay the alpha single-handedly, saving the few remaining fighters.
Impressed by Daniel's power, Legion reported to his master Helion that a promising candidate had emerged. Helion, however, was not satisfied. He ordered Legion to push the climbers to evolve beyond human limits, in order to fulfill his pact with Aeon.
Meanwhile, Daniel took charge of dividing up the earned Sols and golden discs. He allocated them based on merit, a decision that some of the other survivors resented but ultimately respected.
During a lull in the fighting, before the sandstorm that marked the edge of the floor could advance, Daniel went to explore the abandoned airport terminal that served as the tower's first floor, hoping to gain an advantage using his foreknowledge.
Sturgess, a former soldier, joined him, wanting to become Daniel's right-hand man. However, disaster struck when Sturgess accidentally triggered a trap in an old food court. A burrowing blood worm latched onto his arm.
Daniel was forced to amputate the limb to stop the spread of the worms. As the tainted food turned into monsters and drew in more creatures, they managed to grab a mysterious drink from an arcade claw machine before the lights went out.
Daniel drank it. In doing so, he gained new power. He transformed into a powerful monster known as the Grave God, gaining incredible strength and stamina.
Daniel rampaged through the horde until the effect wore off, leaving him normal but exhausted. A giant monster called the Whelk then emerged from beneath the shattered food court carousel.
Daniel and Sturgess barely managed to defeat the creature by infecting it with blood worms, causing it to be eaten from within. Battered but alive, they hurried to rejoin the other survivors as a deadly sandstorm approached outside.
Upon exiting the terminal, Daniel made a horrific discovery. Gavin, one of the climbers, had slaughtered everyone else to take their Sols and golden discs.
Armed with powerful gear granted by the prize machine, Gavin tried to kill Daniel. He and Daniel engaged in a brutal duel in which Daniel just barely managed to win.
After absorbing the slain Gavin's Sols, Daniel confronted the Wraith Legion. In a desperate gamble, Daniel activated his Godhand ability, a power granted by his mysterious benefactor Mr. Black that corroded some of the protection on the Wraith and allowed Daniel to deal lethal damage to it.
By killing Legion and absorbing some of Helion's essence, Daniel took a key step in gaining the strength to challenge the demon prince. As Legion's body was destroyed, a copy of Mr. Black emerged from within it.
This entity explained that he had taken over the Wraith's body and taken its form as part of their plan to overthrow Helion. However, Mr. Black warned, it was not a secret that could be kept from Helion forever that a Wraith had been killed. Daniel had a year at most before Helion would come for him.
To stand a chance, he had to kill seven more Wraiths and absorb their share of Helion's power. Mr. Black gave Daniel the enchanted armor Gavin had as a reward.
With a final warning that his mission must remain secret, the copy of Mr. Black faded away. Daniel steeled himself, knowing that even greater challenges and more deadly foes awaited on the upper floors. He was determined to succeed.
2
Threshold
Between one floor and the next, Daniel passed. His thoughts were heavy with Helion's Tower, the Tower of Afterlife and the first floor he had just finished.
The ending had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
The tower was a climb whose end would only come with the death of its master.
Defeating Helion had become Daniel's new goal, more than survival, it was the goal that mattered most, reaching the end of the tower and killing its master.
In his first life, he had been the team's healer, the supporter.
It hadn't been enough.
This time, things would be different.
This time, things had already been different.
He would be whatever he needed to be.
This time around he would carry the mantle of responsibility single-handedly. He'd been offered a second chance at life, an opportunity to redo from the beginning.
But this time would be different.
He kept his memories and was granted the [Godhand] ability that let him do what no other weapon could. It would let him kill a god. But things never work out quite as intended. Not even for Daniel, who knew what was coming.
He was prepared to fight, to lead the other climbers, and it was all for nothing. In a tower full of monsters, the worst monsters were people. The burden was his, a chance given at the sacrifice of his comrades.
His thoughts turned to Legion, Sturgess, and Gavin. The Wraith of the tutorial floor was no more, having been destroyed by the [Godhand], and Mr. Black's fragment would buy Daniel time to grow, and time to prepare for what was coming. The calamity that was the mad god beyond the tower whom even the Dark Lords feared.
He was already many times stronger than he'd been in his previous life.
Tower of Afterlife
Status - Daniel Elder
Strength 3, Agility 4, Stamina 3
Activated Form: Grave God 1/8 – Allows the user of this ability to transform into the legendary undead Ur'Goth.
Activated Ability: Forked Lightning - Forked Lightning channels the very energy of the surrounding environment, channeling it into a single point that travels through enemies, causing massive damage and having a chain to stun.
Activated Ability: Ice Spear - Creates a javelin of ice from the surrounding moisture. Causes a minor explosion of energy on impact.
Permanent Passive Ability: Godhand - When striking while unarmed, this ability applies time damage. This effect is cumulative and stacks up to 50% degradation. Additional effect???
Permanent Passive Ability: Ironskin Type I - Puncture immunity granted from [Crude Blades] and biting attacks by lesser creatures and lower monsters.
Permanent Passive Ability: Stop the Bleeding - Those under the care of possessors of the Field Medic emblem will be granted a temporary status of "stabilized" until out of hostile regions. This status cannot prevent death or additional damage while stabilized.
Passive Gained: Dame Fortune - Blocks the first ability used against the possessor of this ability during a battle.
Emblem: MacGyver Type II. You may now craft with 100% success rate a [Crude Spear] [Crude Club].
You have a 50% success rate of crafting a [Basic Shield], [Crude Knuckles]
You may craft any basic armor component into [Crude Boots] [Crude Chest Piece] [Crude Bottoms].
You have a 10% chance of creating a higher tier piece of gear when crafting.
Emblem: Wolf's Bane: All attacks do true damage to Wolves. This damage cannot be prevented or reduced by armor.
Emblem: Army of One: While in combat, gain a minor aura of regeneration that restores both your body and your stamina. This aura will remain dormant while around human minions and allies. While outside of combat, this regeneration is greatly increased.
Emblem: Field Medic - Grants the "Stop the Bleeding" ability
Emblem: Lone Survivor - Grants the "Dame Fortune" ability
Nothing further is unlocked
Yes. I've grown stronger. Strong enough to face the challenges ahead. Daniel focused his thoughts on the twisted abomination that ruled over the tower. One day, you'll learn that even gods can die.
Daniel carried a heavy mantle, but he was determined to see it through.
I've learned from my experiences.
His thoughts turned to Gavin who had been a harsh but necessary lesson; that overreliance on past knowledge could blind him to what was happening in real time in the present.
He set his jaw resolutely. All the sacrifices so far, in this life and the last, had been nearly undone by one man's lust for power and greed.
I won't be caught off guard again.
He gripped the [Inagi Blade] tight.
It was a tainted blade, a killing sword.
The weapon would never dull, never break.
There was nothing he could do but push onward, using everything he could to keep going.
Everything. Including the armor he gained when he killed Gavin.
Tower of Afterlife
Item Equipped [Elite Gear of the Monarch]
Details: This armor provides moderate protection from bashing and some protection from slashing damage. This armor provides moderate protection from cold and frost-based attacks and minor protection from fire-based attacks.
Set Bonus ACHIEVED: 4 of 4 – Increases power against enemies less powerful than the possessor.
Daniel's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. He was well-equipped for the challenges ahead. But equipment alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to be smarter, more powerful, more ruthless.
The first floor had been a wake-up call. In a tower full of monsters, the worst monsters were people. Daniel had learned that lesson the hard way, but he wouldn't forget it. Not again.
"The monsters are always human," he muttered to himself, a mantra to keep him focused. "But some things I can count on, like the wolves for enemies or the drink."
The Grave God's Transformation would be key to his progress. It was a powerful tool, one he hadn't had access to in his previous life. He'd need to learn its strengths, its weaknesses, how to maximize its potential.
And gain other forms.
Daniel's mind raced, strategizing, trying to think of the next thing when the first floor had taught him just how fast the future he knew could change.
The next floor would be harder, the challenges more intense.
He needed to be ready for anything. The wolves would come again, he was sure of that. But what else? What new horrors did the tower have in store?
He thought back to his previous climb, trying to remember what had happened on the second floor. He couldn't be sure the second floor he was heading towards was even the same floor. His actions on the first floor had already caused ripples, changes to the tower's structure.
He couldn't rely entirely on his past knowledge.
Adapt, improvise, overcome, he thought, another mantra to keep him focused. The tower changes, and I'm changing with it.
Daniel took a deep breath, centering himself. He couldn't afford to be distracted by what-ifs and maybes. The only thing that mattered was the climb, the next challenge, the next battle.
He thought briefly of his old companions - Kain, Jacobs, Audry. They were out there somewhere, starting their own climbs and already making progress.
But they weren't his concern, not now. He had his own path to follow.
If we meet again, so be it. If not, it changes nothing.
Daniel's resolve hardened. He had a job to do, a god to kill. Nothing else mattered.
The stairs groaned under his weight as he climbed. They were metal, industrial-looking things, probably part of some service gantry before the tower shifted everything around. Now? They led up to his next trial.
A literal door in the sky.
It was impossible, of course. But so was everything else about the Tower of Afterlife. Daniel had stopped questioning the impossible a long, long time ago. It was easier to just accept the madness and move on.
He gripped the handrail, the rough metal cold against his palm.
The [Inagi Blade] hung on one side.
He had made the killing blade his while the [Soul Blade] hung from the other hip.
He moved upwards, step by steady step, each one taking him higher and closer to that impossible door.
It wasn't glowing or pulsing like some magical portal.
No, this door was just... there.
A solid-looking oak door, complete with a brass handle and a mail slot, set into a wall that shouldn't exist. A wall that hung in the air with nothing supporting it.
Below him, the ruined tarmac stretched out. The air was thick with the stench of death and the lingering memory of violence and blood. He could still see the faint outlines of the jet bridge.
The sandstorm had started to retract as the floor prepared for reset. Soon, there would be no trace of the battles fought here, the lives lost. The tower would refresh itself, ready for the next batch of climbers.
But Daniel wouldn't be among them. He was moving forward, always forward.
In front of him, the door beckoned.
Daniel paused for a moment.
The next floor awaited, and with it, new challenges, new opportunities to grow stronger.
Satisfied, Daniel nodded to himself. He was as prepared as he could be. Whatever lay beyond that door, he would face it head-on.
The door looked odd. It rippled strangely from time to time, but nothing ever came from it. Daniel reached out, his hand closing around the simple wooden handle.
He took one last deep breath then, with a decisive motion, he pulled the door open.
He found only a swirling mass of energy and a light that hurt his eyes to look at directly. Daniel didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward into the vortex, into the unknown.
The sensation that followed was impossible to describe. It felt like being torn apart down the middle and then back together, like falling and flying at the same time. Daniel gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain focused through the sudden feeling of vertigo and then some.
And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.
Daniel found himself standing on solid ground once more, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the new surroundings. The second floor of the Tower of Afterlife spread out before him, a landscape completely alien to him.
Gone was the ruined airport, and the lingering reminders of the world he'd left behind.
In its place was... something new.
3
Second Floor
New...
As Daniel stepped through the doorway that led from the tower's base to the second floor, he found himself in unfamiliar territory.
The Survivor's Crucible he had expected was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, Daniel found himself on a narrow stone ledge overlooking a vast underground cavern.
The ceiling arched high overhead, disappearing into a complete and unending void of darkness. Faintly glowing blue crystals embedded in the rock walls provided dim, otherworldly lighting that cast shallow reflections on the wet surfaces.
