Shammus continued onwards, away from the heavily damaged ghost town, at least what he had hoped to be one. It certainly was one after what he and his old compatriot had done within it. The previously quiet street with buildings on either side had nothing now, but dirt and stone paving.

  His compatriot put up a damn good fight, Shammus admits that, but they too were simply turned into Experience by the System that made Shammus what he is today. He may be ageless at 40, but he is at the least level-

  

  
• Several Years Later, within the very same tower.


  

  The Tavern was homely, differing from the other stone walls and halls. Bariton had taken a seat in the corner, and simply began to play a story, one of great renown in his hometown, while the other four were taking in information.

  It was but a story of a man, who left to his own home, his level was higher than anyone else’s had ever been. He retired over 15 years ago, with no one but the King knowing where he was. He was strong enough to vaporize nations without a trace, so no one ever decided to order him around.

  Dungeons were pointless in his wake, and nothing else had a high enough stake. There was nothing to leave him dead, so instead he made everything else stand in dread. This man held all the power, and with it he made nations cower.

  But that’s besides the point, Sornid was busy talking to some others. While an arrogant noble, he ensured to keep his words sweet as honey, with an undertone of vinegar to keep the intelligent away.

  His words were simply traps and snares for information, “How’s the kids” to a clearly married man, “The Cost of Groceries, huh?” to those who clearly shop for themselves. With this information, he finds out plenty about the social status of those in the Tavern, and the economic state of this city.

  Turns out this information isn’t too important to Pallad, who’s busy starting a drinking competition with many, placing over 15000 Gold on the line personally. That wasn’t even just a month’s worth of Salary, that was a quarter of a year’s. The others bet similar amounts for themselves, including 15 Gold, 25 Gold, and even a noble’s 100,000 Gold.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  Clara is busy finding out the status of the sick, helping some people with life changing advice. Her advice motivates many to help out in their community, whether they have funds to make everlasting change, or time to make temporary change. Those with just time learn the true route of Change, and Life being the arbiter of it.

  Judine on the other hand is busy watching the people, how they carry themselves. Some carry themselves poorly, and she routes them towards Clara, some carry themselves small, so she routes them to Bariton, others carry themselves Proud, and those are sent to Pallad, and then the others who are in between are routed to Sornid.

  This team, working together, is capable of changing people for the better or the worst, and the Tower prefers one way over the other. The question they are constantly left asking themselves is which path to take, and whether they must follow the Tower’s design…

  Despite all the research taking place, and all the joy being spread for that day, all good stories come to a close, as the five are placed upon a ship by General Wrath, who shakes Pallad’s hand.

  “Take care young heroes, for your journey must continue onwards!” Wrath speaks these winged-words, as he leaves a small item within Pallad’s hand. He waves them off as he cuts the rope tying the ship to the pier with his own pocket knife, both a show of power, and a display of sorrow.

  Going from fighting for one’s own life on the seas to being cared for on a navy’s battleship is a massive twist, only helped by the joyous night of the Tavern. The five had finally gotten to relax, from changing the people’s hearts, for the people who were stuck on this ship with them were already changed.

  Changed by the seas, their own wills eroded into what the waves made them. As such, they didn’t even attempt it, lest the small pebbles were eroded to dust by clashing tides of beliefs. These men were their own, and the group of five the same yet differing.

  This trip lasted days, with all five of them getting bored, but never letting loose. Bariton and Pallad sparred once every few hours, with Clara there to ensure they never got weary. Judine studied law, having borrowed a few books from the library beside Sornid.

  Sornid himself were studying magic, every location has different theories as to what made it tick. Some believed that Skills were something locked, every letter written by some Divine ruler, somebody far beyond whatever strength they may hold.

  Others believed the Skills were something to reread constantly reinterpreting whenever it’s used. Sometimes it differed per area, sometimes it differed between people, but almost always, there was a singular thread between theories.

  That was what Sornid sought out in this Tower.