[Fiona's POV]
I was ready to be teleported to Silver Spire and have a mouthwatering dinner, but suddenly I felt an unexplainable weight in me, and before I processed a single thought, I was lying flat on the ground.
The pressure only increased further, and I started feeling fear very deep in my soul. I tried moving my body, but it felt like the weight of the whole planet had been put on me.
At that instant, an image of Boss flashed in my mind, and I was scared for him because whatever this was, I didn't even see it, but then again, watching all the impossible deeds of Boss, a tiny hope bloomed in my mind.
The more I tried to move, the more I felt the weight pressing me down. I didn't even know how much time passed, as even a single thought seemed to span hours and days.
I slowly moved my head towards the side of Boss; he was standing, but something about his posture felt different, and then the weight on me suddenly became dreadful. All of my worst memories surfaced simultaneously; I seemed to be living my worst nightmare.
I was sweating from head to toe, and my eyes were glued to him; it's like I couldn't even move my thoughts from him even if I wanted to.
I just kept staring because I couldn't even think of moving and kept living a nightmare in my mind.
Then in an instant, the pressure vanished, but the horrors felt didn't. I just lay there on the ground, thinking about what, how, and why I felt such existential horror, but nothing came to my fear-stricken mind.
I heard the boss's voice, but I was in no position to respond to his call. He came near me and moved his hand towards me; my body instinctively flinched back.
His voice reached more clearly this time, "It's still me, Fiona. I am sorry for what happened. I will tell you about it; first let's get up and go freshen up at Silver Spire."
His touch—I didn't know why but exactly opposite to the dread I felt—helped a lot in calming my mind, and I just nodded. Boss teleported us to the hotel, and we had a silent dinner and went to our rooms. I wasn't tired per se, but this experience left me mentally drained, so as I entered my room, I just fell asleep on the bed instantly.
The next morning, I felt much better and was in better shape. I came out for breakfast; Luna was still absent. I sat down quietly and ate my meal.
After finishing my meal, as I stood up to get ready because after crossing floor 10. It's not easy to get back to Floor 1 until you spend some Myth Points, and cost increase as you climb higher floors.
"Wait, Fiona," Boss spoke for the first time today. "I want to tell you about yesterday, so please sit down."
"It's okay, Boss, you don't have to explain yourself to me. It's more than enough that I get to climb the Tower with you," I voiced my opinion because whatever I may have faced or felt, I can't blame the one guy who has given me a second chance to fight for myself.
"I was angry," Boss continued. "After clearing the floor yesterday, I got to know that I was betrayed in a way just after I was born. Because of that I had to face so many things; I always thought that it was because of me, but that was not the case, so I unintentionally let that happen."
"I didn't know what you felt or went through in those seconds, but still I am sorry, and you don't have to worry; there is a mechanism in place so that it won't happen again."
"So, I hope that episode won't change how you see me," he finished his explanation.
I sat on the chair as he finished speaking, but in the end I noticed something that I didn't think I would ever see in his eyes. It was not fear but slight unease and anxiety; I was able to notice them easily because that was the state of my eyes most of the time before meeting Boss.
Seeing those eyes, all my memories of time spent with Boss resurfaced in my mind, which worked like a soothing treatment against that horrid feeling of yesterday. I smiled, for the first time after yesterday's experience, and spoke, "Don't worry, Boss, you are and always will be Boss Max to me."
I didn't want to see those emotions resurface in his eyes. I always think that I had it bad, but I didn't even know how his life pre-tower was. He only talked to me and Luna; both of us had signed a contract with him. I didn't even know what the reason was behind this deep distrust and natural aversion to people.
The boss's voice broke my chain of thoughts; he spoke, "Good then, let's go get ready. I had asked maids to prepare food for more than a week. I will go store the food; meet me here in 10 minutes."
"Yes, Boss," I replied and turned to leave, but the slight smile on Boss didn't miss my eyes, and I was happy that I am associated with such a simple and honest person.
We returned after completing our chores in the agreed time frame, and Boss teleported us to the 11th floor, ready to continue our adventure.
Boss again pulled out a new element, the light element, this time, and we continued our monster hunt. We didn't speak much; Boss continued to give me new tips and encouraged me to experiment with new skills and broaden my thinking on how to use my elemental affinities.
Floor 11 had changed layout again with 7 Dungeons, 4 Domains and 3 Labyrinths but this only added 2-3 hours to our clear schedule—nothing else.
After 100% clearing floor 11, Boss teleported to floor 12, from which, according to my knowledge, players encounter native cities and kingdoms.
[Max's POV]
I was slightly worried about how she would react after yesterday's mishap, but I guess my trait calmed her down, and the explanation helped get her some understanding.
I know I had her under contract, but it hadn't specified something related to such events. I had used the contract as a safeguard from betrayal, but I still hoped that whomever I had personal contact with wouldn't be forced or solely based on needs, and I was satisfied that it didn't steer that way.
I used another element on this floor; I wanted to use every element before I used my idea of merging them into one.
I wanted to have as much information as possible before I tried something that could cause damage because whenever I have used my talent, it has only resulted in some reality-altering or universe-ending things.
We cleared the 11th floor and transported to the 12th floor. As we landed on the ground, my eyes caught the sight of high walls, which was a first for me after the 1st floor.
Before I could say or ask anything, the system presented the information with its panels.
[Congratulations on reaching the 12th floor]
[You have encountered the natives of Mythus Tower; a new tab, Reputation Index, will be added to your profile]
[Would you like to get more information about RI?]
I looked at the panel, Reputation Index, that was new. I looked at Fiona and asked, "Do you know something about the Reputation Index?"
She nodded and questioned, "You don't know about it, Boss?"
She looked slightly confused, like it was a universally known thing.
"Apparently, I don't," I answered, and accepted the system opinion about getting more details. The system panel flickered to life with more info about the new tab.
[Reputation Index]
[Description:]
An index of a Player's impact, conduct, and influence within the Tower.
[Components:]
Contribution, Ethics & Conduct, Strength & Influence, Social impact and Social stability.
[How to earn:]
Players can earn RI through witnessed actions, completing quests, major and minor achievements, and crisis resolution.
[Use:]
A minimum amount of RI is needed to clear the floor and get access to full tower function on that particular floor.
Higher RI gets you better access to Tower natives, and your 'reputation' increases among the people of the Tower of Mythus.
[Note:]
RI doesn't affect natives' response, loyalty, or friendliness towards you; it only gives you more access and better chances.
[Penalty:]
Players will be penalized if they cause unnecessary harm, chaos, violations, and destabilizing behavior.
[Administrator Note (for you):]
Don't even think about merging RI with your grade.
A Player's grade is their importance in functioning and access of the tower system, but RI works as the player's value to residents of the tower.
As I read through well-detailed information, I was slightly worried. Interactions with people to clear the floor—I don't do interaction. It looks like I have to ready myself for some uncomfortable things to clear floors from now on.
When I reached the end and saw the Administrator Note, I chuckled inwardly, 'Whoever you are, you already know me very well.'
I looked at the wall of settlement in front of us, and I said, "Well, let's see what's behind this wall."
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[AN: Please leave your response about chapter in the comments and support the novel with Powerstones.
I will upload bonus chapter tomorrow, thank you to all the readers and those who support this novel]