The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 247: The Towers

Back in my previous life...

Many years ago, I, Jan Ates, fell victim to the greatest calamity.

Before being dubbed the hero of my world, I was a man-made super soldier, a creation of the towers.

After it was all over, I resolved most of the world's problems and eventually achieved peace.

Destruction, Evil, Despair, Chaos, and Ascent.

These represented the towers' embodiment and system. They encompassed everything that "it" was.

Born into an era of war, I was used as a soldier and scout, exploring the towers' secrets.

I despised them, believing they caused the outbreak and natural affliction of war.

People blamed it on politics conspiring with dark mages.

Others saw it as a sign from God, but I believed it was simply our unfortunate luck.

I adventured and searched the endless expanse of the towers, and to my surprise, they were unique, with otherworldly environments introducing creatures, NPCs, and structures that had never existed in my world.

I met many people on my journey, differentiating between NPCs and beings from other worlds.

drip...

I also realized that these towers weren't connected to a single world but linked to all worlds affected by the calamity. I met countless people who shared the same burden, and their claims proved true.

The goal was to reach the top of each tower and defeat the entities controlling them.

drip...

But most worlds failed due to the increasing difficulty of each ascending floor.

...DRIP!

"...!"

My eyes opened, and I felt a drop of liquid on my head. Peering up from the ground, I saw a vial dripping from above, as if to recover my stamina and mana all at once.

"That guy... he didn't kill me?" I was confused. Why hadn't he finished me off along with the others?

But I could only guess that if there was an interference, it was most likely guided by that golden light.

As I stood up, I felt that my pockets were empty, and my pouch, which held the Golden Orb, was gone.

"No..." I panicked, realizing the item might have fallen into the wrong hands.

"I need to replace him..." I clenched my fist, but a sudden migraine erupted.

ACK...

That fight earlier, too... it hurt so much, especially that attack.

Then that's when I realised...

"The orb!"

My hands frantically searched through my pockets, my heart pounding in my chest. The Orb... it was gone! A wave of panic washed over me. Had it fallen out during the fight? Was it lost forever?

Then, I saw it. A small, folded piece of paper, shaped like an orb, tucked discreetly beside me.

_______________

To stranger:

In exchange for me sparing your life, I've taken a few things from your dungeon rewards. FYI, the fight you started, however long ago, was stupid and uncalled for. The entire time we fought, I tried to tell you those were blood mimics, but you ignored all my attempts to communicate. Especially seeing that all you had to do was look inside the skull. So once again, if I ever see you, I will kill you.

P.S. Don't give that golden orb to anyone or show it... it's very special.

Extra P.S. You were worried that the orb got lost hahaha!

Extra Extra P.S Be grateful that I didn't take it, dumbass.

From: Stranger you shouldn't mess with

_______________

Underneath the paper, nestled safely in my pocket, was the Orb.

I let out a relieved sigh, then chuckled. The letter's tone... it sounded like someone I knew.

I couldn't put my finger on his name, but at the very least, everything was okay.

Getting up from my spot, I gathered my belongings and left the dungeon with the golden orb tucked in my pouch.

I had a lot to think about, a lot to process.

But for now, I still need to keep my promise and move on.

**

As Jan stepped out of the dungeon's entrance, a wall of guild members blocked his path, their shields raised to deflect the prying eyes of the media.

Confusion flickered across his face until he recognized the crest emblazoned on their uniforms.

It was the emblem of the Miracles Guild, owned by Valencia's father.

Jan recognized the crest on their uniforms immediately.

It belonged to the Miracles Guild.

"...!"

His heart skipped a beat as he realized Gerrard, Valencia's father, was leading the group.

Gerrard's eyes widened in surprise.

"Jan?" he exclaimed, rushing forward.

"You came out alone? Was there anyone else in there?"

[Gerrard Freya - Leader Of The Miracles Guild [Hero Rank: 2] - [World Class Hero] -]

He grabbed Jan, concerned not only for his safety but also for anyone else who might have been caught in the dungeon disaster.

Dungeons typically remain locked until cleared or failed, then reopen. The only exception to this rule is Rel, who possesses the unique ability to enter locked dungeons.

"No-"

Rumble...Rumble...Rumble...

A loud rumble echoed from the cave, followed by a whooshing sound.

WOM!!!

The air shimmered, and the dungeon entrance vanished, leaving behind an ordinary, unremarkable cave.

Gerrard let out a relieved sigh.

He had been prepared to enter the dungeon himself, but it seemed his intervention was unnecessary.

WHOOOSH!

— Sir Freya... We've arrived to subjugate the dungeon on your behalf.

[Chevalier Bastien Luc Foix - Vice Leader Of The Miracles Guild [High Grade Hero] -]

Just then, the team leaders, Fredrick Bronze and Chevalier, arrived on the scene.

Both wore the white cloak and the leader's uniform, consisting of golden epaulettes on the shoulders, an all-white suit with golden buttons, and the cloak on the back with their names and positions within the guild.

Chevalier also wore a white hat with the Miracles Guild crest, while Fredrick's brown hair remained uncovered.

— Gerrard, we've received intel on this dungeon...

[Fredrick Bronze - 3rd Captain Of The Miracles Guild [High-Mid Grade Hero] -]

Fredrick presented a tablet to Gerrard, showing that the dungeon had been classified as a unique-graded dungeon, not a special unique one.

"But... the dungeon has been cleared," Chevalier observed, frowning in puzzlement.

He turned to Fredrick, stroking his chin. "Was the information wrong?"

"It's what our scouts and analysts told us," Fredrick replied, his voice laced with confusion.

"And they're the best of the best."

"Enough, you two punts!" Gerrard interrupted.

RAH!

Raising both his fist in the air he swung downwards to both their heads.

"...!"

WHOOOSH!

Gerrard's right-hand attack phased through Chevalier, and the other missed entirely as Fredrick sidestepped.

"It seems you guys have learned from the last meeting, WAHAH!" Gerrard laughed, seeing how quickly his two leaders dodged.

He regained his composure and pointed towards Jan.

"This boy cleared the dungeon."

Fredrick gasped in astonishment, while Chevalier's expression remained stoic.

"Jan cleared it on his own?" Fredrick's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Jaaaan!!!!"

He rushed over to Jan, ruffling his hair enthusiastically.

"Who knew the little kid I've known for years could achieve something like this?!"

"Ack... Stop, Mr. Fredrick!"

Jan basked in the praise while trying to evade Fredrick's grip, but he was trapped in a headlock.

A nagging feeling of unease remained. It was as if someone was watching him, their gaze unseen but distinct.

He broke free from Fredrick's grip and turned his head, scanning the surrounding trees, but nothing seemed out of place.

"Something wrong, Jan?" Fredrick asked.

"No... nothing," Jan shook his head and smiled.

"Odd..." Jan muttered under his breath.

As Fredrick continued to celebrate, Chevalier remained focused.

"Leader, if the dungeon is clear, I need to head back to 'that' mission."

His expression turned serious, and Gerrard nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, sure," he waved his hand, signaling Chevalier to leave.

"Thank you, Leader," Chevalier said with a respectful bow, then vanished into thin air.

Gerrard turned back to Fredrick and Jan.

"Get the media out here," he instructed Fredrick. "Tell them this boy cleared the dungeon."

BOOOOOM!

Gerrard closed the distance in a blink of an eye, placing a palm on Fredrick's chest and sending him flying through the air.

"Yes, sir!" Fredrick exclaimed while soaring.