Ultimate Level 1
Chapter 520: Conversations with Chromie

Chapter 520 - Conversations with Chromie

“You five have reached the last stage of the tower. Know that so few reach this point and those that do, some stop right here, choosing not to go further.”

“Wait, tower climbers, stop? Even coming this far?”

Their host nodded his shiny head slowly at their healer.

“Yes. I will explain why in a moment, but know that with your accomplishment comes many rewards. All five of you have now reached the first tier in your stats. That milestone is not one most believe is possible, but the tower provides a chance for power beyond what any can truly comprehend.”

He snapped his fingers and an image of what Max recognized as their world appeared, floating above the table.

“Your world is one of so many that to give you a number might break some. There are countless creatures, insects, and other life forms that all try to grow stronger. Some are docile while others are bent upon destroying everything they set their eyes upon. Each world is created and set with a certain plan. Some stay within those lines and others evolve outside them.”

He snapped again and the world vanished, the images of Phaius, Ockrim, and Thuyja appearing now.

“Your gods came together to fashion this world and set rules in place, choosing the system that you live under. I am aware that you all have traveled to a different one and witnessed that they live within different boundaries. Soon, you all shall be faced with some decisions that will require you to choose if you stop the tower climb or continue.”

“First, there are rewards to be earned. You shall receive something unique and tailored specifically to you. Know that power like this is only a small taste of what comes in the next realm.”

“Next realm?” Fowl asked. “What do you mean, next realm?”

Their host’s head turned to gaze at their warrior, his mirrored face reflecting the things around it.

“There are many realms of power and all I can say is that this world is one of the lowest forms. Keep your questions for later. More will be explained as I talk.”

Once more, Chromie snapped his fingers, and five different worlds appeared before them. Each of them looked different, some with more water, others with what appeared to be more forests or mountains.

“The true goal of any tower climber is to beat it. Doing so enables you to proceed to the next realm and become what many call a world champion. That title, which one of you currently owns even though you lost your world, provides you access to a new system. It is similar in many ways to how crafting works on your world. You will be allowed to design a new world that is your own and choose the system under which all life on your new home will operate under.

“It is from that place you will earn… currency. Similar to experience, it is how you will choose the course of your next path.”

“But can’t a world champion be defeated?” Cordellia asked.

“They can. There is too much to get into right now, but yes, world champions can challenge others. Defeating them adds the world to their domain and thus is leveling up like you call it. Again, I am not here to discuss everything yet as a time takes place when all this knowledge is given. For now, just know this is what awaits you.”

The planets vanished and Max felt his pupils dilate as Bob began to growl.

An image of a stone building that somehow felt familiar through their shared memories appeared above the table.

It was crafted from so many different materials and looked like a combination of different types of construction. Round shapes, square corners, diamonds, donuts, and more were combined, yet they didn’t look awful. Somehow, it all seemed to fit perfectly.

“This is the place you desire to reach. Here is the first step in being a true god.”

That is where the real power lies. We need to reach there.

What is it?

The home of those who control everything. Seeing it brings up a… rage… a desire to destroy and pillage. Whatever happened in my previous times, that is a place I know I loathe and yet desire.

Bob went silent, the sensation of one brooding flooding Max’s mind.

A snap came and the image was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

“Now, let me tell you what comes next before I offer you another alternative.”

Chromie stood, his immense size towering over them.

“Five floors are what you must face. These floors will be difficult because the creatures on them are the strongest we throw at you right now. If you manage to get past them, you will reach the 96th floor. There, we will meet again. Once more, you shall be granted a gift worthy of your achievement and I will give you one last reprieve before you ascend the final floors.

“This means I shall offer you a chance many have taken. That is how you all are here today.”

Max felt his eyebrows drawing closer and could sense his friends doing the same.

“If you choose not to continue the tower, there are gods who are willing to accept you right now as the starting being for their new worlds. You will become the king or queen of legends. The one who gave birth to the race you belong to right now.”

“Wait… you mean… the original dwarven king and queen were tower climbers who gave up?” Batrire asked, her jaw unable to close completely.

“Yes. Each of your races comes from a tower climber who reached that place long ago and chose not to risk death, instead becoming a legend and setting forth the direction of their race for the god they align with.”

“What… I mean… why?” Cordellia asked. “Why would one want to be… that?”

“Because often they have seen a friend or loved one die during their journey to reach this floor.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Chromie’s last words seemed to come with a physical force as Max felt pressure pressing upon him from every direction.

“Death is the end. You will be no more. There is no rebirth for your kind. You simply cease to exist.”

“Wait… I thought our–”

“It is a lie, told to make you sleep at night and not cry when someone you love is gone forever,” their host said, cutting off their healer.

A pit grew in his stomach and pain blossomed in his chest as Max thought back to the funerals he had been to, the ones he had seen people only make it through because of what they believed came after.

“Some worlds provide that chance. Some gods choose to invest power in recycling souls. Your gods did not.”

A few grunts came, and Max wasn’t sure if he had done the same, feeling like someone had kicked him in the stomach. He turned to see Tanila with a few tears running down her cheeks.

“So… those worlds… if one becomes a queen there?” Cordellia asked. “What about those worlds? Do they return?”

“It would depend upon the god you strike a bargain with,” Chromie replied. “Now then. I have spoken all that I can and am allowed to for now. Will any of you choose that path? Rejecting the tower and departing for a new world?”

After he had spoken, the silence in the room felt almost deafening. Each person looked at the other, trying to guess what they might say.

“I will continue forward,” Tanila said.

“As will I,” Batrire declared.

“Guess that means I’m stuck as well,” Fowl joked. “Can’t let my wife go on without me.”

Max turned to look at Cordellia, who was frowning, her whole body tight.

“It’s your choice. No matter what you say, you get to choose,” he stated. “Just know we won’t fail. I already promised you I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I… I know,” she replied. “It’s not that… It’s everything. All the lies and things we were told. The people I loved and thought I would see again. I’m angry… I’m pissed… I’m… ready to be different from the god I gave everything for. I’m going to keep climbing.”

Max smiled and nodded, turning to where their host still stood.

“I will continue to climb also.”

“Very well. Then we move to the next part.”

Chromie clapped his hands once, and the table with all their food and drinks vanished.

“Hey, my ale!” Fowl protested.

Their host snapped his fingers, and each of them had a small plain plain-looking metal chest appear at their feet.

“Inside is a reward crafted explicitly for you. The tower has decided what you need to continue this journey. You will be returned to your world after retrieving your items. When you are ready, the 91st floor will be available.”

As soon as he had finished speaking, Chromie vanished, leaving the five of them sitting in their stone chairs, looking upward.

Max shouldn’t have been surprised that as he sat there, about to ask Bob a question, Fowl bent over, grabbed the chest and opened it.

He reached into the small, one-foot-wide chest and began to pull out a shield that grew as it came out. Their warrior stood up, still lifting his hand, and eventually, the chest vanished as a thick silver metal shield as wide as him and to his shoulders was held in his hand.

“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh…” Fowl stood there, words not working as he stammered.

“What is it?” Batrire asked.

“I… this…” He turned, showing the shield with two crossed hammers in the center of it. Lining the outer edges of the metal were dwarven runes. “It says it increases my damage reflection ability but gives 200 to Strength and Constitution.”

With those words spoken, everyone moved quickly to grab their chest, reaching in and pulling out the item explicitly designed for them.

Tanila stood there with a staff that radiated magical energy. It was completely clear, yet elven and dwarven runes glowed either blue, orange, or red.

Batrire’s hands trembled as she held a robe that was made from a dark grey color. Golden runes glowed along the bottom of it.

“Holy mother of–”

A pair of forest green leather gloves covered their ranger’s hands. She stood there, holding them close to her face, unable to stop touching them.

Max stood there, watching everyone else admire their equipment, wondering what could have caused them to act in such a way.

You need to see what yours is. I cannot fathom what it might be.

He stood there, staring down at the unimpressive metal chest, knowing there was something in there the tower had picked out just for him. Every item he had run through his mind and Max tried to consider what might be replaced.

Bending his knee, he lifted the lid, sticking his hand inside the swirling vortex.

His hand clamped onto something, and as Max began to pull it out, it stopped moving and something clamped onto his wrist.

Yanked down to the ground, his entire arm was pulled into the vortex, and Max braced himself against the floor with his other hand, unsure if he could be pulled inside.

“Max!”

The others came close, and Fowl reached out to grab him.

“Don’t!” Max shouted, unsure what would happen if he did get pulled inside.

Something was holding his arm steady, not allowing him to pull free while the sensation of multiple fingers tried to undo the grip he had on whatever the object was. Two fingers were almost pulled from it, and it seemed he couldn’t overcome the power of it.

Bob didn’t wait, and Max went with it.

[ Ultimate Form ]

Every part of him grew, and his fingers wrapped around the object in the void, undoing whoever or whatever was trying to break his grip.

With a roar, Max thrust with his legs and yanked his arm back, breaking free from whatever had been holding onto him.

He leapt into the air, fingers wrapped around his prize, and almost needed Bob to use his wind magic to prevent him from smacking into the ceiling fifty yards above.

Landing on the floor, he huffed, turning to see his friends all staring at him in shock.

“What in the gods was that?!” Fowl exclaimed.

“I… I don’t know, Max replied. “It tried to take away what I've been given.”

“And what is it?” Cordellia asked.

Looking at the object in his hand, Max froze.

Now we know why someone or something tried to keep that from you.

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