Chapter 3: Trials of the Physical Tower
As Marvin and his friends ventured deeper into the Physical Tower, the oppressive heat intensified. The air vibrated with raw energy, making the hairs on their arms stand on end. Ancient runes adorned the walls, pulsing with a faint, ethereal glow that illuminated the path ahead. The distant echo of combat resonated through the corridors, a stark reminder that they weren't alone in this trial, and that others were vying for the same rewards, facing the same dangers.
"Remember," Kaito said, his voice steady and cutting through the ambient noise, "this is the Physical Tower. The monsters here will prioritize brute strength and physical attacks. We need to be ready for anything. And since we're E Rank hunters, we'll be facing E Rank monsters – basically, other new hunters like us, but in monstrous form."
Lilia nodded, her bow held at the ready. The polished wood gleamed in the runic light. "Let's keep our distance and utilize our strengths. I can provide cover fire while you all engage up close."
Elianore, still clutching his worn leather-bound tome, added his input. "We should also be mindful of our surroundings. The tower is designed to test our physical abilities, but it may also contain traps or environmental hazards. Observe everything."
Axel, ever the eager berserker, cracked his knuckles, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's just find some monsters and smash them! I'm ready to show off what I can do!"
Marvin smiled at his friends' readiness, a calming presence in the face of potential chaos. "Alright, let's move forward. Stay alert, and remember to communicate. No lone wolfing."
They continued their advance, the oppressive heat growing ever more intense. The rough-hewn stone beneath their feet was warm to the touch. After a short while, they encountered their first challenge: a group of Guardian Golems. These were hulking constructs of crudely assembled stone and metal, lumbering toward them with slow but deliberate movements. Their eyes glowed with an ominous red light, and the ground trembled with each heavy step. They resembled animated statues, powerful but seemingly unintelligent.
"Here we go!" Kaito shouted, stepping forward, his shield raised in a defensive posture. "I'll take the lead! You guys provide support!"
The golems charged, their massive fists swinging down toward Kaito with earth-shattering force. He braced himself, activating his Shield Block ability just a fraction of a second before impact. The shock reverberated through his entire body, but he held firm, the reinforced shield absorbing the brunt of the blow. A lesser shield, or a less skilled defender, would have been pulverized.
"Now!" Marvin called out, channeling his Healing Radiance to bolster Kaito's health and stamina. A warm, golden glow enveloped Kaito, easing his strained muscles and replenishing his energy. Marvin kept one eye on the flow of the battle, already preparing his next healing burst.
Lilia took aim, her fingers deftly nocking an arrow. "Moonlit Shot!" she declared, releasing the arrow with practiced precision. The arrow soared through the air, leaving a faint trail of shimmering light, striking one of the golems squarely in the chest. The enchanted arrow exploded on impact, momentarily stunning the golem and causing it to stumble backward.
Elianore, sensing the shift in energy, began to chant an incantation in a low, resonant voice. "Magic Missile!" he shouted, his hand outstretched, as a bolt of pure magical energy shot forth, homing in on another golem. The projectile struck true, detonating in a shower of sparks and causing the golem to falter, cracks appearing in its stony armor.
Axel, fueled by adrenaline and the thrill of battle, charged forward with a fearsome battle cry. "Blood Frenzy!" he roared, entering a state of unrestrained fury. His fists glowed with crimson energy as he unleashed a flurry of brutal strikes against the nearest golem. Each hit landed with devastating force, chipping away at the golem's stone exterior.
The battle raged, a chaotic dance of steel, magic, and brute force. Kaito held the line, absorbing the majority of the damage and protecting his more fragile allies. Lilia and Elianore provided essential ranged support, peppering the golems with arrows and magical projectiles. Marvin, the linchpin of their strategy, ensured everyone remained healthy and energized, his healing spells keeping them in the fight. Axel, meanwhile, was a whirlwind of destruction, his relentless attacks keeping the golems on the defensive.
After a fierce struggle, the last golem crumbled to the ground, its animated form reverting to a pile of inert rock and metal. The group stood panting, sweat dripping from their brows, adrenaline coursing through their veins.
"That was intense!" Axel exclaimed, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "But we did it! We totally smashed them!"
As the dust settled, a shimmering light enveloped the fallen golems, and several items began to materialize before them. The group exchanged excited glances as they approached the loot, their fatigue momentarily forgotten in the anticipation of reward.
"Look!" Lilia pointed excitedly. "We got some equipment drops! And maybe even some crafting materials!"
Marvin knelt to inspect the items, his fingers tracing the contours of each object. "We have… a set of worn leather armor, a crude iron sword, and some basic experience points. Not bad for our first fight!"
Kaito picked up the crude iron sword, examining its balance and sharpness. "It's not much, but it'll help us in the next battle. We should equip what we can to improve our stats."
Elianore opened his tome, jotting down observations. "We should also keep track of our experience points. Each monster we defeat will help us level up, and we can allocate points to our stats afterward."
"Right!" Marvin agreed. "As we level up, we can improve our Strength, Speed, Constitution, Mind, Intelligence, and Mana. It's crucial to our growth as hunters, not just for combat but also for crafting and other skills."
Lilia added, "And as we progress, we'll unlock new abilities and upgrade old ones. There are different skill levels, from Novice to Perfect Harmony. That one guy from the Hunter's Guild told me all about it, and that we need to aim for the highest mastery possible."
Axel grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's keep smashing monsters! I want to see what else we can get! Maybe some epic weapons or powerful armor!"
With renewed determination, the group pressed on, deeper into the Physical Tower, steeling themselves for even more challenges. They knew that each battle would bring them closer to their goals, closer to becoming recognized hunters, closer to earning respect and renown. But they also knew that the tower held dangers they couldn't yet imagine, and that failure would mean not just defeat, but potentially, death. The air hung heavy with the weight of their ambition and the looming threat of the unknown.