BXBX NOVEL Chapter 22 - Entering The Third Gate
Mack moved fast as lightning. Running in the dark tunnel for hours.
He passed several safe zones during this time. But each time the safe zones became farther from each other.
His ancestor clearly wanted to make the ones who entered to adapt to the increased Essence density.
\'But Why?\'
Mack could not figure the motive. Of course, he did become faster and stronger. But clearly it was not for this reason only.
Then while running, Mack came to a realization. .
\'Must be because in other worlds or dimensions the Essence density is several times stronger compared to Earth.\'
Mack could only guess the reasons.
~tap~
Mack stopped running.
This time, the Essence density was several times more strong than when Mack did his self-mutilation training.
He did not counted the steps anymore but was over one hour already that he passed the last safe zone.
He could not run anymore. For the first time, he had to walk since he left the first safe zone.
\'Maybe this is the last one.\'
Thought Mack, walking in the dark tunnel.
After a few more minutes of walking, Mack could finally see something different in the dark tunnel.
Indeed, this was the last part of this test, because Mack could recognize, far in the distance, another gate like the one he entered before.
And after walking a few more meters, he saw another distinct figure he already saw before.
A cube on top of a small altar.
Mack kept walking forward in the direction of the small altar. He guessed this was like the last time. A gift for the ones who passed the test.
After walking half the distance, he heard the familiar voice in his head.
[Congratulations human, you have passed the Gate of Sloth test, go to the altar for your reward]
\'Cold as always. tsc.\'
[You know I can read your thoughts, right?]
Mack raised his hand and shook them in the air pretending to not know what she was talking about.
"I don\'t know what you talking about. I was thinking about this tunnel. It\'s way too cold here."
[...]
Mack pretended to be a fool but could not fool even himself. His smile while talking could not be more obvious.
Walking a few more meters, Mack finally approached the altar, just like before, a sign was there and with the same inscriptions too.
Mack made a small cut on his finger and dripped blood over the Cube.
The Cube glowed, and after a few minutes of waiting, a very small cylinder appeared. The cylinder had the size of a baby thumb and was bright red in color.
Mack took the cylinder from the Cube and inspected it for a few seconds.
(Modified health monitor device, common grade, made by Cube Inc)
"Is common for all aliens to have so many devices in the body?"
[No. Most use spells for this. But some wealthy people that can\'t use spells end up using it. Some warriors use it too. But only the ones rich enough to afford that]
"I see. spells again. My life would be much easier with them."
"How should I use this?"
[Just use it as a pill. Swallow.]
Hearing that, Mack gave a look at the small device one last time and threw it at his mouth.
~gulp~
And nothing happened.
"Let me guess. Need to wait a bit?"
[Indeed. This device was modified by my creator to communicate with the one in your eyes. Wait a few minutes and then say \'Status\'. Be it aloud or with your mind, just like you do to inspect objects]
"Ok."
After a few minutes.
[You can try now.]
\'Status\'
Then, like magic, a screen appeared in Mack\'s view.
|----------------------------------------------------|
| GENERAL INFORMATION |
|----------------------------------------------------|
| RACE HYBRID |
| HEIGHT 1.90 CM |
| WEIGHT 85 KG |
| AGE 29 |
| CONDITION NORMAL |
|----------------------------------------------------|
| BODY STATISTICS |
|----------------------------------------------------|
| CONSTITUTION [02] |
| DEXTERITY [02] |
| STRENGTH [13] |
| AGILITY [11] |
|----------------------------------------------------|
| ESSENCE SATURATION |
|----------------------------------------------------|
| BODY [14] |
| ENVIROMENT [16] |
|----------------------------------------------------|
"So, I\'m indeed an alien. tsc."
Said Mack, looking at the first information that displayed his race.
[You are human from Earth but your ancestor was not from there, it is expected.]
"Indeed. But still leaves a bad taste in the mouth."
"What about those numbers?"
"I mean. Why constitution is 2 while strength is 13?"
[Those numbers are based on before you entered the Tower of Chaos versus your current situation]
[01 is equal to you when you entered the Tower]
"So that means I\'m 13 times stronger than before?"
[Correct.]
"I indeed knew I was way faster while running. But 11 times faster? That\'s a lot"
"What constitution means? Is it my bones or something else?"
[Constitution represents your body toughness as a whole, bones, skin, muscles, etc. For example, If a normal human punches you in the face now with all his force, he probably will break a bone in his hand while leaving you with small scars in the skin.]
"So this is more of my body sturdiness. I see."
[For now, you can consider this, yes.]
"But why is the difference so discrepant?"
[Normally, a body constitution should actually be forever the same. It rarely increases. It\'s more related to the species characteristics. It\'s not something easy to change]
"But mine changes."
[As said, normally, it would not change]
"You are not going to give me one of your long explanations?"
[Why? You already know how you achieved this change.]
"Indeed."
"The rest of the stuff is not really important. It\'s not like I didn\'t know those informations. I just didn\'t have the exact numbers."
[The most important feature for you is to know the Essence saturation in the environment and the device can also inform if you get poisoned and which poison was used, the same is valid for a large number of disabling and lasting spells that may influence you negatively.]
"I see. So his most useful function is to monitor my health and provide accurate info about whatever may be wrong. That alone is indeed very useful"
Said Mack, pondering on how far those aliens had advanced in combining technology and magic. Truly marvelous races.
"Alright, let\'s move to the next game. I\'m anxious to know what gifts grandpa left to me."
Said Mack, already walking toward the giant gate.
After walking for a few meters, he approached the giant gate, touched it with his hand, and disappeared.
The dark tunnel that composed the second gate of the Tower of Chaos becomes devoid of life once again.