—One week later—
Five seconds remaining…
Ash's vision blurred. A sharp jolt hit the back of his head.
"Stop! Stop! STOP!" he screamed. "This isn't working! I've puked more than I can count this week!"
He slammed his fist against the ground, dizzy and nauseous.
"All I do is go to the tavern to sleep, eat, and come back here all day! And I see nothing! My sight hasn't changed! This is useless, Dig! It's not helping at all!"
The guide's calm voice replied.
Alright. I'll ask you a question. Can you see the clock?
Ash glared at the distant tower.
"Yes… but I still can't see the time! Nothing's changing!"
Look behind you. Can you see the trees?
Ash groaned. "Yes! This isn't helping, Dig! We're wasting time!"
The guide's tone softened slightly.
What you haven't realized, Ash… is that you're seeing far more than before.
Ash blinked. "What do you mean?"
Before, the clock was a blur. Now… you see the clock.
Ash's eyes widened. He looked at the distant city tower. It was small, but he could make out its edges, the blurry numbers—everything was clearer than before.
Before, the trees were just shapes. Now, look at them. Every branch, every leaf, the texture of the bark. It's like you're standing right next to them.
Ash's jaw dropped.
You've improved a lot.
"Wait… what? I don't feel any different!"
It's not exponential. Improvement is gradual. You think nothing has changed because you're the one changing step by step.
Ash frowned.
Think of it this way: if I gave you your current level of perception a week ago, you would have been amazed. But because you've improved slowly, you perceive this as normal.
Ash blinked slowly, taking it in.
It's like losing weight. You look in the mirror every day, and nothing seems different. But someone who hasn't seen you in a while would notice immediately.
Ash exhaled slowly, finally understanding.
"…So… I'm improving?"
Yes.
Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Alright, Dig… sorry about that. I was being a crybaby."
The guide responded immediately.
Training resumed.
Ash focused his eyes back on the distant clock.
—
A week and a half passed.
The training had become routine.
Shock.
Nausea.
Recovery.
Focus.
Repeat.
Sweat soaked through his vest.
Ash stood under the midday sky, staring at the tower.
Ten seconds remaining.
The guide's voice echoed calmly.
Ash inhaled slowly.
He didn't complain anymore.
He just watched.
—
Time passed.
The sun shifted slightly.
Leaves moved.
The clock hands slowly rotated.
Five seconds remaining.
Ash's eyes narrowed.
He suddenly spoke.
"Stop the countdown, Dig."
Silence.
The guide paused.
Ash didn't look away from the tower.
"It's 11:58 a.m."
While looking at the clock, Ash noticed something standing atop it.
"Is that… someone?" he whispered,
But when he blinked, the figure was gone. He sighed.
"...I must be too tired."
A beat of silence passed.
The guide processed the information.
Then—
Correct.
Ash's lips slowly curled into a grin.
For the first time…
He had read it.
He hadn't guessed.
He hadn't estimated.
He had actually seen it.
Enhanced Perception Path completed.
Ability Unlocked: Corvus Vision.
Ash stood in the open field, breathing slowly.
The past two and a half weeks had been brutal.
Shock.
Training.
Observation.
Pain.
But now…
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Finally…"
He flexed his fingers.
"It's been two and a half weeks… and I've unlocked my second ability."
His eyes reflected the distant horizon.
"Only one more to go. After that, I can finally leave this floor and start climbing the Tower of the Animal Kingdom."
The guide responded instantly.
Acknowledged.
Ash tilted his head.
"Alright, Dig. What's the next ability?"
There was a short pause.
Whichever you choose.
"But what do you recommend?"
I would recommend two potential paths.
Ash frowned.
"Two?"
The screen displayed faint symbols:
•Potential Path One: Talon Combat
•Potential Path Two: Flight
Ash didn't hesitate.
He smirked slightly.
"Come on… you know the answer."
He lifted his gaze toward the sky…
A crow flew overhead, its wings cutting through the wind.
"There's only one obvious choice."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.