When Adam entered the Dimensional Tavern, Charlie the ant immediately came over, a spring in her step. He could guess why and it made him feel bad for breaking the news to her.

  “Sorry Charlie, Bel isn’t here.”

  The ant paused and her whole demeanour changed.

  Goddamn…

  “Would you like something to eat and drink?” she then asked, returning to business mode. Her voice lacked its usual cheer.

  “A root beer float and a cheeseburger.”

  “Of course.” The tavernkeeper moved away towards the kitchen.

  “Oh and Charlie,” Adam said, stopping her mid-step. “I’ll find a way to bring Bel back. I promise.”

  “Thank you,” she said without turning around. Then she left.

  Adam sat down on the same stool he always used and the tables immediately filled with holograms of people. There were a lot less crying and despair going on this time around as the holograms were cycled through. It gave him an ominous feeling in his gut.

  “Shitbox, how many people survived Stage Four?”

  [39 million Players survived the Siege of the Elphin Sanctuary.]

  Fuck. That’s a lot of deaths… Like 140 million if I’m not mistaken.

  Adam let out a slow breath.

  “Show me Willow Martin and Lenard Schulz.”

  [One of the Players is not currently seated in the Tavern.]

  “Connect me to the one who is.”

  Willow appeared opposite him.

  “I’m glad you’re still alive,” she said.

  “Likewise,” he replied. “Did you hear how many died?”

  She nodded. “It’s a lot. Two of the people I talked to after last Stage are dead…”

  Adam frowned. “At least the three of us are still here. I was a bit worried for Lenard to be honest.”

  “Me too,” she admitted.

  A moment of silence passed between them.

  Then Adam asked, “Do you think there’s a way to save Bel?”

  “I actually came here as soon as I returned to try and find out.”

  “And?”

  “There are no results if I ask the Tavern to show me those who saved her. I don’t think it’s possible.”

  Adam shook his head. “Shitbox told me this super weird thing when I confronted it. It said that we’re supposed to defy the System and alter destiny.”

  “How?” she asked.

  “I have no idea.”

  “Do you think it has something to do with the Secrets perhaps? All the Elphin worship the All-Mother, so maybe that necklace has a role to play?”

  Adam frowned.

  “What?”

  “I sold it…”

  “Can you buy it back?” she asked.

  “I actually don’t know. It might be possible perhaps? But I’d probably have to pay double what I sold it for or something stupid.”

  He turned to the cube floating next to him. “Is it possible to buy back things I sold?”

  [No.]

  Crap.

  “Nevermind, Shitbox says I can’t.”

  “It might be too late to test it out anyway,” Willow said.

  “I’ll give it a try on my next loop,” he blurted out.

  She frowned. “Are you preparing yourself for that? If you go back in time, I won’t remember you. Hell, it won’t even be the same me you end up meeting.”

  Adam lowered his head. “Sorry, that was a dumb thing for me to say.”

  “You need to respect your own life more,” she scolded him. “That person who’s after you clearly went crazy from repeatedly looping back. If you’re not careful, you could end up like that too. Life would lose all meaning for you.”

  “I don’t really have a choice. It’s not like I can stop going back in time when I die,” he defended himself.

  “At least promise me you won’t throw your life away just to go back in time.”

  Adam gritted his teeth, but nodded slowly. “I promise.”

  Sometime later, Lenard joined them in the Tavern. There were still a couple hours of daylight left.

  Out of all of them, the German was taking Belamouranthe’s fate the hardest. Adam could understand why, since he’d admitted that the Elphin girl was similar to one of his children. Children he couldn’t see. Children who’d been consumed by the All-Seeing System…

  “Did you also get the Flawless bonus?” Lenard asked them. He was wearing a tattered blue cape, similar to what the Forlorn Captain had used.

  Willow shook her head. Like Adam, she hadn’t gotten any bonuses.

  Adam grinned. “You got Flawless!?”

  “I found out that you could command the Elphin, so I told them to defend the centre of the city, while the archers joined me at the top of the large tree. We basically sniped all the mini bosses and soldiers from there. Although my crossbow couldn’t reach beyond the city walls.”

  “I’m impressed,” Adam admitted. “That’s a clever use of your weapon.”

  “It felt kind of like an exploit,” he replied sheepishly.

  “Who cares, as long as you win?” Adam said.

  “If they let you do it, you shouldn’t feel shameful about it,” Willow added.

  He smiled. “Thanks.

  “Did either of you notice a guy on a hill?” Adam asked.

  Willow shook her head.

  “Did he look like a nobleman?” Lenard replied, surprising him.

  “I actually have no idea. I just saw the hill with the chair and thought it looked suspicious.”

  “I tried to shoot at him, but he was too far for me to hit,” Lenard said.

  “Oh, I did notice that hill, now that you mention it,” Willow realised. “I didn’t really investigate it though, but I was also running out of time looking for the termite nest.”

  “Termite nest?” Lenard asked. “Was that a Secret Relic?”

  “It unlocked the Builder in the Market,” Adam said. “She sells very expensive upgrades to the Player House.”

  “I only found the Rotmaker Idol,” he replied.

  “Did either of you try it out? I didn’t find it until the end,” Willow said. Since all three of them had found the Glass Acorn in Stage One, the location of the Idol had been quite obvious.

  Lenard shook his head. “When I found it, one of the archers told me it was an infection and should be destroyed. I think if I’d used it in their Sanctuary, they’d probably have gotten mad.”

  “I didn’t find it until after killing the captain either, but I also thought that the wording was a bit suspicious. It says nothing about the monster fighting on the summoner’s behalf, so it may be as big a risk to us as to any enemies we’re facing.”

  Lenard nodded. “I think I’ll sell mine.”

  “Me too,” Adam said.

  “I’m going to put it in my storage,” Willow decided. “Never know if it’ll come in handy later.”

  “Do you think Ilya was trying to make you waste time?” Lenard then asked. “He gave you the wrong location.”

  “I don’t know,” Adam admitted. “The person who told him probably twisted the facts a little.”

  Especially if she knew it’d get back to me…

  “I don’t understand why people don’t just freely share what they know,” Lenard said. “What’s there to gain from lying? It’s not like we’re competing to win the Trials.”

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  It’s because knowledge is power, Adam thought to himself.

  “I think there may be future Stages where Players have to work together,” Adam said, though he didn’t mention that the time-looper had all but confirmed this through her crazy pawn who wanted him dead. “If you have the ability to see the future, you could perhaps manipulate things to end up with an outcome that favours you. Ensuring someone has less Points or that someone dies could end up benefitting you.”

  “That’s awful,” Lenard said.

  “If cooperative Stages do appear,” Willow added, “it’s likely that they won’t split rewards, which could lead to Players killing each other just to get ahead.”

  “We can’t let that happen,” he insisted.

  “There are over 35 million people left,” Adam said. “Do you want to try and warn everyone? I don’t think that’ll work.”

  “We should at least make sure it doesn’t happen in the groups we end up in,” Lenard said.

  Adam nodded. “That’s more reasonable.”

  “Trying to police others will be dangerous,” Willow cautioned.

  “It’s better than to let evil go unpunished,” Lenard replied.

  Guess I know why he became a policeman. I mean, he isn’t wrong, but nor is Willow. Regardless, it’s a tough situation.

  Adam changed the topic. “What do you think the next Stage could be?”

  “No idea,” Willow said. “None of the Elphin would tell me what the ritual was for, other than to ‘Save their people’.”

  “Maybe they are trying to attain the favour of a God?” Adam suggested.

  “By sacrificing a child?” Lenard asked, appalled.

  “If they are drawing inspiration from our history to create these fictional worlds, then it does make sense,” Willow remarked. “Virgin sacrifices were a common practice to plead to the Gods.”

  “Doesn’t this All-Mother already protect them?” Lenard asked.

  “Perhaps it’s not enough?” Willow suggested.

  “It’s possible that something goes wrong,” Adam guessed, “and that in Stage Five we’ll have to fight the Elphin we just helped defend.”

  “You two seem a lot less certain about what comes next,” she remarked. It was true of course. The way the story had unfolded was taking a turn neither of the two had an immediate answer for.

  Lenard hummed. “I’ll think about it some more while I’m at the Market.”

  “Guess I’ll head there too,” Willow said.

  Adam nodded. “Don’t forget to check in on the Glass Acorn on the way.”

  “Oh right, I almost forgot about that,” Willow replied.

  They all got up from their chairs and Adam left behind his half-finished root beer float.

  When he reached the Player House and went into the garden in front of it, he immediately noticed a difference. A tiny sapling had replaced the acorn. Nearby a new critter had joined the ensemble and it looked like a small version of the captain. Him and the goblin were sparring, while the imp was bouncing on the slime.

  What a weird sight, Adam thought to himself.

  He stooped down and touched the sapling.

  < < Secret Relic > >

  < Glass Sapling (Rare) — All Stats grow by 5% for every Stage completed | Grows for 5 Stages >

  That’s pretty good.

  “Is that effect retroactive?” he asked the tesseract.

  [No.]

  Shame. Still not a bad thing to have passively boosting me in the background. I guess it’ll get even stronger when I’ve completed Stage Nine.

  Just gotta survive whatever is coming for me in Stage Six…

  He peeked inside the Player House through the door and discovered that the small bed was gone. It stung more than he realised it would. Even though he’d never been someone who actively wanted children, he’d enjoyed having Belamouranthe around. It made the island feel a lot less lonely.

  Adam continued on to the Market, where Yenna was now playing the Song of Storms on the ocarina. He gave her a nod as he passed by her and went over to Lucca’s stall.

  < < Relics For Sale > >

  < First Strike Earring (Rare) — The first hit against a target deals 25% additional damage, subsequent hits deal 10% less damage >

  < Tainted Oil (Uncommon) — The Player’s weapons are coated with the darkness of the Forlorn, imbuing their attacks with Taint, lowering target’s Stamina regeneration by 40% for 30 seconds. The coating lasts for 2 Stages, after which the Relic disappears >

  < Paralysis Venom (Uncommon) — Paralyses target on attack. Relic disappears after attack >

  < Spirited Defence Nose Ring (Rare) — Successfully blocked attacks stagger the attacker and increases the following attack’s damage by 10% >

  After a quick look at the options from earlier, he decided to reroll.

  While the nose ring might be useful, the parry shield is not effective for blocking, so it’s bad to build towards something like that.

  < < Relic Purchased > >

  < Reroll Die (Uncommon) >

  < 429 Points Remaining >

  The chest closed and popped open a second later. He immediately noticed the Epic that appeared, along with the blue cape he’d seen Lenard wearing.

  < < Relics For Sale > >

  < Sanctuary Defender’s Robes (Rare) — Increases Movement Speed by 25% | Increases dodge chance by 10%. Breaks after 2 hits >

  < Tainted Helmet (Epic) — Attacks inflict Taint, lowering target’s Stamina regeneration by 40% for 30 seconds | When an afflicted target dies, its afflictions are spread to nearby targets | Healing effects are 75% less effective >

  < Committed Attack Ring (Uncommon) — All Cooldown-based Relics gain a second use that can be triggered within 10 seconds of the first activation, but the cooldown is tripled >

  < Captain’s Cape (Rare) — Increases Movement Speed of allies by 10% | Increases Attack Speed by 25% >

  A shame that the Tainted Helmet and Overflow Diadem take up the same spot, otherwise they’d pair together ridiculously well.

  The Captain’s Cape is pretty interesting. I wonder if Attack Speed affects the reload of Lenard’s crossbow. I’ll have to ask him about that. It’s also the first cooperative Relic I’ve seen. I guess it’d work with summons as well as Stage allies and Players.

  If it wasn’t for the fact that I can’t equip a second ring without needing to swap out my Slime Glove or Bolt Ring, then Committed Attack would actually be pretty powerful for damage potential, especially when paired with Spear Dancer’s boost and how it works with the Spring Boots.

  The Robes are really good as well, although they break pretty quickly.

  Still, I think that might be my best pick here, unless I try to reroll again.

  Adam shook his head.

  No, I’ll save the remainder of my Points for Luvicidix.

  “I’ll sell the Rotmaker Idol and buy the Sanctuary Defender’s Robes,” he said.

  “Excellent,” chittered Lucca.

  < < Relic Purchased > >

  < Sanctuary Defender’s Robes (Rare) >

  < 179 Points Remaining >

  The off-white silken robe appeared over his shirt and pants, which was a bit awkward and probably looked weird, but he could immediately feel the boost to his speed. It was actually two separate pieces, one which covered his torso and arms like a thin sweater, and the other like airy lounge pants that covered his legs down to where his boots began.

  “Status.”

  < < Player Status > >

  < Adam Fischer >

  < Son of Thetis >

  < Level 21 >

  < Stats >

  < Health — 100 >

  < Stamina — 150 >

  < Mana — 0 >

  < Damage — 100% >

  < Defence — 90% >

  < Speed — 190% >

  < Evasion — 10% >

  < Upgrades >

  < Force (Rare) >

  < Movement (Rare) >

  < Defence (Rare) >

  I’m almost double my normal speed now. That means if I use the boots I’ll get up to 570% Speed!

  I’ve gotta test that out against the dummy later.

  After saying goodbye to Lucca, Adam ran to the centre of Interim Island, while the sun raced towards the horizon. He made it there just as the sun vanished from the sky and he thought he was too late, until a rain of silvery scales fell down from above. Then came Luvicidix, alighting on the street in front of him.

  “Hello again, Adam.”

  “Hey. I’d like to invest my remaining Points into the Rewards upgrade.”

  “Of course.”

  < < Meta Upgrades Progress > >

  < Rewards — Increase Reward Options by 1 — 625/4000 Points >

  Still so far to go…

  I should probably prioritise spending my Points on these permanent upgrades, but I promised Willow I wouldn’t throw my life away. If I don’t invest in this loop and my potential to go far, then it’s the same as giving up on this life.

  I know she’s right, but if other time-loopers are struggling to complete the Trials, then these upgrades have to be the solution, right? And I’m in a unique position to grind out Points by repeating Stages quickly, while those using the Self-devouring Eye have to make it far enough to get the Relic to be able to go back.

  Adam shook his head. He’d honour his promise to Willow and his promise to himself. He knew she was right. If he gave up believing in this loop and the next, and just threw his life away to grind out Points, then he’d stop being human.

  Luvicidix spoke up.

  “Since you have no Points left, I will take my leave. See you tomorrow,” she said knowingly.

  “Maybe,” he replied.

  After he watched the white moth fly away, he went towards the Garden and the dark-blue tent. By the time he arrived, darkness had set across Interim Island and a glow emanated from within.

  Adam pushed aside the flap and entered.

  “You’re… back. Again,” Alivida said when she saw him.

  “I got another Mastery Shard,” he told her. “I’m wondering what to invest it in. Could you show me your upgrades again?”

  The black moth waved an arm over the crystal ball.

  “I hope you will find something you like.”

  < < Mastery Upgrades For Sale > >

  < Hardmode — Unlock a toggleable Stage Hardmode — 1 Shard >

  < Orb of Insight — View info about the upcoming Stage — 3 Shards >

  < Visiting Stone — Visit the Dimension of a known Player — 8 Shards >

  < Vanity — Turn an Interim Island Denizen into a humanoid — 10 Shards >

  Adam thought about it for a bit, recalling her previous explanations.

  I think the Orb of Insight might be a good one to work towards next.

  Although… Hardmode would be good for when I go back to Stage One.

  He sighed.

  If I go back.

  “I’ll put my Shard into Orb of Insight.”

  “Thank you.”

  The pyramid gem emerged from within him and floated to the crystal ball in front of the small black moth.

  < < Mastery Upgrades Progress > >

  < Orb of Insight — View info about the upcoming Stage — 1/3 Shards >

  “I’ll be back when I have more Shards,” he said.

  “I will be… waiting.”

  He left the dark-blue tent and returned to the Tavern.

  After entering the building and sitting down on a stool, he was immediately hit with an announcement. Unlike the previous times, it was soft-spoken and less urgent-sounding. Nevertheless, it still made him jump in surprise.

  [Another Player is trying to communicate with you. Do you wish to talk to them?]

  “Christ,” he muttered.

  [I lowered my volume as instructed.]

  “I know… I’ll think up a better way for you to announce stuff to make it less of a jumpscare.”

  [I will await your updated instructions.]

  “Anyway, who is it? Willow?”

  [No. The Player is called Mórrígan.]

  “No last name?”

  [No.]

  “Odd. Connect me to them.”

  A figure appeared in front of Adam. Directly in front of him. She was sitting cross-legged on the table and not even touching a stool.

  What the fuck!?

  Adam then immediately recognised her appearance from Ilya’s description.

  And her eyes.

  They were purple spirals that had an ominous red glow.

  She was looking him right in the eyes, while playing with a marble within which was a symbol of two crossed blades.

  “Adam Fischer,” she said, drawing out his name. “You’re not supposed to be here.”