Tower Ascension Tale Ch.1 (Unedited)

A Tower Ascension Tale

By: Bubbajack

Editors/Co-authors: Icysnowsage, First Hassan/Darklord331, Antagonist, Loamy Coffee

Special Consultant: Heliosion

Obligatory First Chapter Disclaimer: We do NOT own the following series: Arifureta, Akame ga kill, Bastard!!, Black Clover, Bleach, Demon Slayer, The Martial God Who Regressed Back to Level 2, Medaka Box, Nasuverse, RWBY, Redo of Healer, Re: Monster, SSS-Rank Suicide Hunter, Shinju no Nectar, Solo Leveling, other things to be added as needed.

Special thanks go out to my Super Donors: Alexander Murry, Bobby Glass, JackHanmer, Jareth Norris, NeroSolas, Selmephren, and Lucas White, my sole Supreme Tier Donor.

Ch.1: Floor 1.

“Shirou… I love you.” 

Those were the last words Saber, Altria Pendragon, his Servant and love of his life, spoke to him before she disappeared forever. It was a bittersweet pill for him to swallow. Up until two weeks ago, Emiya Shirou was a third-rate magus, a wannabe hero, and admittedly a failure at both. Now though? He had survived a Holy Grail War. He had drive. Something to strive for. Someone he wanted to see again. Clenching his fists in determination, Shirou thought, ‘I won’t let you down, Saber. I’ll show you I have what it takes.’ So thinking Shirou gave one last wistful look at the spot where she once stood before heading back home.

(...)

The Emiya Residence was louder than usual, and Shirou found himself thankful for it. The place really was too big for just one person in his opinion. Shirou sighed to himself, ‘I do wish my guests would get along though.’ Such thoughts were brought forth by the sound of bickering that reached his ears the moment he unlocked his front door.

Illyasviel von Einzbern’s voice rang out down the hallway, “Haven’t you ever heard of noblesse oblige, Tohsaka-san?” 

“Don’t give me that crap, you little gremlin! You’ve already eaten half the box!” Rin shot back at Illyasviel’s obvious jibe.

Shirou heard Illya sigh as he kicked off his shoes in the entrance hall, “I suppose I really shouldn’t have expected things like manners from Eastern Barbarians who just a century or two ago sliced their bellies open.”

“Why you little!”

Shirou came into his livingroom to find Rin and Illya pulling at each other’s faces, fighting over a box of rice crackers.

“Can’t you two get along?” Shirou asked half-heartedly as he picked up the remaining rice crackers for himself.

“But Onii~chan! Tohsaka is being mean!” Illya complained, giving him her best ‘look how cute I am’ pout. “She said I’m going to get fat!”

“You will if you keep eating that you will… and we both know, no matter how much you eat, one place won’t get any bigger…” The Tohsaka heiress snarked as she looked down on the Einzbern Homunculus, specifically her chest.

In response, Illya summoned Degan, a sword made of pure mana and aimed it at the Second Owner of Fuyuki City all while smiling innocently. “I’m sorry, perhaps I misheard you? Would you like to repeat that?” Illya said in saccharine-sweetness.

“I um I ah…” Rin realized too late she had stepped on a landmine.

“Enough you two, you’ll spoil your dinner if you fill up on snacks.” Shirou commented not at all perturbed at how casually Illya was resorting to murder in his own home.

“Pff… Fine Oniichan, but only because it's you.” Illya huffed… After a moment’s silence she said in a more subdued tone, “How did it go?”

“We said what needed to be said, Saber and I.” Shirou replied a bit bummed out all things considered, but he didn’t have time to feel sorry for himself. He had guests to feed after all. “But you two must be hungry. Wait here and I’ll throw something together. Probably should make extra since we should probably be expecting Sakura and Fuji-nee too.”

As he bustled off to the kitchen, Illya stared after him before stating, “Something’s wrong with Oniichan. He does know it's okay to mourn, right?”

“Emiya-kun has always been like that for as long as I’ve known him. He seemingly never lets anything get to him, outwardly at least,” Rin said, biting her lower lip in concern as she too stared at the kitchen door. “Who knows what’s going on in that head of his, though.”

Illyasviel shook her head. “His behavior isn’t normal. I don’t like this.”

Rin just shrugged. “We’re Magi, define normal for us Einzbern.”

Locking her crimson orbs with her aquamarine, Illya continued, “You know very well what I mean, Rin,” Illya had never before used her first name. That’s how Rin knew she was serious. “Shirou has always been odd but now… I’m afraid of just how odd he might be.”

Rin froze. ‘What should I do?! Go “Oh by the way there’s a good chance your older-brother-figure might sign a contact with the World in the future becoming a Guardian in the process?” Or do I keep training him and trying to subtly steer him away from that in the process?’

“You know something.” Illya accused after a moment of staring at Rin’s face.

“I do not? Just what are you accusing me of?!” Rin replied.

Pointing a finger at her, Illya replied, “Of knowing something… which you do, it's written all over your overly flustered face!”

Flushing, Rin deflected, “I am not overly flustered! I’m annoyed at having to deal with a pint-sized homunculus!”

“Nice try but you can’t get me angry so easily right now, Rin…” Illya replied, serious for once before she spoke in an unusually calm tone with just a hint of pleading to it. “Rin please, this is Shirou we’re talking “about… he’s the last bit of…” She paused. If she called him family that would confirm their strictly familial relationship. Taking something more off the table. Illya was a lot of things. Lesser Grail, Super Homunculi, Master of Heracles himself, but she wasn’t an idiot when it came to her own emotions. What she felt towards Shirou… well at first, it was pure vitriolic hatred for thinking her father had replaced her with him. But then, those feelings changed over the course of the Grail War. Hatred turned to a desire to possess Shirou for herself. A feeling she didn’t really understand until recently. She liked Shirou. She liked-liked Shirou… The only problem with that was, she looked at best, like a ten year old… and she could feel it… She was living on borrowed time. Homunculi, even one created through what could almost be described as immaculate conception such as her, could only live so long. Once their prodigious mana reserves ran out… they died. She knew her time was limited. If she did nothing that is. She was the Magus Killer’s daughter however. She wasn’t going to sit around, do nothing, and waste away. She was going to fight.

“Earth to Illya!” Rin said, snapping her fingers in front of her face.

“Oh sorry, what?” She said coming back to herself.

“You zoned out for a minute there, Einzbern. Shirou is what exactly to you?” 

“He’s the last connection I have to my Papa.” Illya replied quickly. “That makes him very precious to me. So Tohsaka, what’s going on with him?”

Rin was saved from answering by the doorbell suddenly ringing, “I’ll get it!” She called getting up “It’s probably Fujimura-sensei and Sakura.”

“This isn’t over, Tohsaka,” Illya promised to herself as muttered under her breath, “I will find out what you know!”

(...)

After a crazy dinner that ended with Taiga drinking too much and sleeping it off in a spare room, Shirou returned to his own room for a good night's sleep…

When he woke up, he found himself not in his room, like he expected, but somewhere else entirely. It was a room made entirely of stone with nothing but the bed which he was lying on as the sole bit of decoration or furniture in the room. There wasn’t even a door showing how he got in here in the first place. ‘What’s going on here? Did I somehow get teleported to… wherever this is? Where are the others?’ Shirou’s mind was racing with thoughts but there was no way he could answer any of these questions at the moment. 

[Welcome to the Tower, Challenger Emiya Shirou. Entrance to the 1st Floor will be granted in 00 hrs: 59 mins: 59 secs. Please wait until it is time for you to enter the 1st Floor.]

‘Is this some kind of game?’ Shirou wondered to himself. “Umm, how do I leave?” He asked aloud only to receive no answer. ‘Perhaps I should ask something else?’ He decided to go with, “What do I get if I clear the first floor?”

[User: The Love: Getting past the first floor unlocks your ‘special trait.’ Each person's trait is usually unique to them, but they have special grades from E-SSS Rank.]

“I’m sorry, but who are you and what’s going on?” Shirou asked politely.

[User: The Love: Oof you must’ve gotten dragged here huh kiddo? Well, the Tower is indiscriminate. It picks people it thinks can survive the Trials, the floors. And it’s not big on asking. As for who I am, well, I’m a fellow climber of the Tower. We higher-ups get to watch you guys and support you, like this.]

[User: The Love Donated Five Coins. The better you do, the more people will watch, and the more coins you gain.]

Shirou rubbed his head, “So it's like reality tv, almost?”

[User: The Love: Lol yeah something like that. Hang in there newbie, I’m gonna check in on some of the other greenhorns.]

“Wait, umm could you do me a favor please?” Shirou asked hastily. “I need to know if anyone else in my house was also taken. One of them could be my little sister.” He finished with a bow.

[User The Love: Shit! Give me a description and I’ll do what I can.]

He gave a brief description of Illya, Sakura, Rin, and Taiga. While also explaining that Illya was his adoptive sister. 

Shirou checked the timer. [Trial begins in 03 mins]

[Difficulty not chosen. Reward is dependent on difficulty. Challenger Shirou Emiya must choose a Difficulty or automatically fail the first floor.]

“Okay that doesn’t sound so bad. What happens if I fail?”

[Death]

“That’s bad,” Shirou noted. “Well if I’m going to do this I might as well do it properly. What difficulties are there to choose from?”

[Easy, Normal, Hard.]

‘Hmm, well, hard makes the most sense doesn’t it?’ At least that’s what Shirou thought to himself. ‘To be a magus is to walk with death after all.’ So thinking, he picked Hard difficulty.

[Thank you for choosing a difficulty. Your first Trial will begin in 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1… now.]

[User Chat blocked during tutorial dungeon.]

Shirou’s vision is clouded by light and finds himself in a throne room. In front of him was a giant of a knight that reminded Shirou of Heracles in height. The knight wielded a poleaxe. The knights helm covered the entire face and it stood as still as a statue. A screen then appeared in front of Shirou.

[Floor One Mission: Eliminate the Knight of the Lion King.

Success: Unlock Special Trait.

Failure: Death.]

Shirou looked around and was a little annoyed, “How do I fight this knight without a weapon?”

[A Weapon shall be provided!]

A simple cross-hilted bastard sword appeared before Shirou and landed in front of him. Shirou grabbed the sword and prepared himself for combat. 

A red glow appeared behind the knight's helm and moved into its stance, “Heretic of the King. Your soul is deemed corrupt! I shall purge you in the name of our king!”

The knight moved quicker than his giant frame would portray. Shirou jumped out of the way as the knight’s weapon smashed into the ground, shattering the stone floor. Shirou struck quickly with his sword and felt immense resistance as the sword shook from hitting the knight's armored leg.

The knight turned to Shirou and started to glow golden, “In the name of my king, I give this oath. All who stand before me shall be exterminated.” 

Faster than Shirou could react, the poleaxe was in front of him. Shirou tried to block but he was thrown across the room barely holding on to his sword. 

Shirou felt if the knight’s face was revealed, he would be smirking at him. “Foul knave. You will fall before my axe and your soul shall be offered to the king. May your soul find some measure in death boy!”

Again, the knight came and tried to strike Shirou down. Shirou tried to dodge but he was beginning to tire as with every blow, he could only dodge as blocking the blow shook his body and made his body quake.“I can’t give in! I can never surrender. She is waiting for me!” yelled Shirou as he struck the knight with every dodge. He noticed for all his speed, the knight still slowed with every attack. Almost as if the striking of the axe required too much momentum to stop.  

Little by little, Shirou whittled away at the knight even as he started to become exhausted and his clothes drenched in sweat. Finally, Shirou’s endeavors were rewarded as a mighty crack was heard throughout the room as the greaves on the knight's leg broke and fell off showing the unprotected flesh beneath.

Shirou, taking his chance, stabbed his sword into the knight’s leg. A scream of agony was his answer, “Foul blight. You have sundered my armor and now you dare draw my blood.” 

The golden glow around the knight ended and Shirou noticed slight haggard breaths as the knight shook slightly as his blood flowed from Shirou’s wound.

Shirou took a moment to breathe, but was vigilant as his limbs felt heavy from swinging the sword repeatedly at the knight before him. “Surrender. You are bleeding. If that wound isn’t treated you will die. Is death truly what your king would want?”

The knight seemed to shake in anger before it started to glow this time silver, “You foul heathen dare to understand my king?! The king is above human emotions. I swear on my name, blood, and my very life that this blow shall be my last and with it your death!”

[Enemy: Knight of the Lion King has entered an enraged state. Knight is susceptible to further damage. Knight’s damaged increased by 200% but damage received is increased by 100%]

Shirou realized this would be the last blow and either he would die or survive. He readied himself and took the stance Saber taught him. He stood still as a statue and watched as the poleaxe came swinging right for his head. Shirou ducked, dodged the blow, and  swung his sword with all his might. The chestplate of the knight shattered and blood sprayed across the throne room. Shirou yelled as the poleaxe bit into his shoulder. Luckily at the last second, Shirou had reinforced his shoulder where he saw the blade coming so he didn’t lose the arm entirely.

The silvery glow dissolved from around the knight as he fell to his knees and blood spewed from his helm. Shirou ran to the knight and tried to staunch the bleeding.

The knight looked at him and Shirou felt disbelief from the knight, “Even tending to the enemy who dared kill you? What levels of insanity is this? Strike me down already, boy.”

“Just because we are enemies doesn’t mean we didn’t fight for our own dreams. In this duel. I am the winner, thus your life is mine.”

The knight's helm looked at Shirou only to hear chuckling, “Maybe if our king had met you…….. That is only a what if. Live boy. And if fate is kind, you might meet our king. Maybe you can do what I could not." With those words the knight collapsed on top of Shirou and slowly dissipated into motes of light coalesced into a shiny sphere of silver. 

Shirou stared at the silver sphere in wonder. He approached the sphere, he placed his hand near it, wondering what it might do. Tendrils reached out and were absorbed into his palm and then a new screen popped up.

[Unique Trait: Soul of Steel (E-) Activated! Soul of Steel allows you to absorb the skills and powers of those you defeat in battle. Permanently absorbing those souls will increase the rank of absorbed skill. 1/5 souls absorbed. Skill: Swordsmanship: E-: The basics in the use of the sword have been attained. Your Proficiency has increased to 15%]

Shirou was in awe as he swung the sword covered in the blood of the knight. His reflexes felt quicker, more strength behind his blows. If this was just Rank E what would the higher ones offer?

[First Trial complete! Head back to the waiting room.]

Shirou turned to see a blue portal swirling behind him. He had already decided he didn’t like this Tower. It forced him to kill people. ‘Didn’t it know people died when they were killed?’ He hated it. He had to find some way to stop it. ‘But first, I need to find the others’ So thinking, he stepped into the portal.

(...)

Once again, Shirou found himself in the spartan room with the single bed. The moment he arrived, pop-ups invaded his personal space.

[The Love: That was amazing! How did you pull that off?! The Love Donated x200 Coins. The Love is now Following you. The Love has Favorited you.]

[X-Of-The-Matter: WTF?! He beat a KotLK?! They aren’t supposed to show up till like, the higher lvl floors right? We’re talking Floor 60+! X-Of-The-Matter Donated x800 Coins]

[RainbowObserver: Quite the spectacle! Very entertaining. RainbowObserver Donated x1000 Coins. RainbowObserver is now Following you. RainbowObserver has Favorited you.]

[Demon-like Judge of Fire (Admin): Very Impressive Challenger, I will be keeping an eye on you in the future. Demon-like Judge of Fire Donated x1500 Coins. Demon-like Judge of Fire is now Following you. Demon-like Judge of Fire has Favorited you.]

[Queen of Shadows and Death (Admin): I too am impressed by your sheer grit, but your swordsmanship is terribly shoddy. It needs work. Queen of Shadows and Death Donated x1500 Coins.]

“Thank you everyone,” Shirou said humbly. “I’m not quite sure what I should do now, though. Do any of you have advice?”

As if in response, a new window invaded his view. [Congratulations on passing the Trial. You now have access to the following commands. Next Trial, Community Board, Inventory, and Shop.]

“Oh, well okay then… Community Board?”

Shirou’s face was spammed with messages of people complaining about suddenly ending up in the Tower, wondering where loved ones were, and generally just what was going on. His heart ached over the fact that he couldn’t help all of these people in need. ‘But I don’t even know where the other’s are at the moment,’ He thought to himself. Which reminded him. “Umm The Love-san, did you by chance happen to find anything on my sister or friends?”

[The Love: I managed to locate your sister. She managed to pass her trial no problem. I actually felt sorry for the Golem; she killed it so quickly. O_O]

‘That sounds like Illya. She ‘is’ the Old Man’s daughter after all…’ Shirou thought ruefully as he rubbed the back of his head. Bowing at the waist he said, “Thank you, I’m glad to know she’s alright.”

[The Love: :] No problem, happy to help. Now, open your reward for the Trial.] 

“Oh right, I got something else didn’t I?” Shirou half-muttered to himself as he said “Inventory,”…

A screen popped up showing he had a present box in his inventory. Tapping it, a rather large red box wrapped in a silver colored bow plopped itself on the ground. Its sheer size surprised Shirou as it was up to his knees in height. He blinked owlishly as he stared at it for a moment. “Are they supposed to be this big?”

[The Love: No, no it's not. O_O]

[X-Of-The-Matter: It’s HUGE!]

[RainbowObserver: That’s what she said. :)]

[The Love: Boo! Boo! Ba dum tiss.]

[X-Of-The-Matter: throws tomato at RainbowObserver. That was lame and we both know it.]

[A-Box-in-Alcatraz: Even I thought that was lame Observer. Good job fighting the Enforcement Knight though kid, good show! A-Box-in-Alcatraz Donated x2000 Coins. A-Box-in-Alcatraz is now Following You. A-Box-in-Alcatraz has Favorited you.]

“Thank you Alcatraz. I’m going to open the box now.” Shirou slowly opened the lid, whose contents glowed with a golden light for a moment and then there was a slight chime of ‘dadada’ before he could finally see inside.

Inside the box was a comically large sack of money, a golden card of some kind, and what looked like a voucher. Picking up the coin pouch first he received the notification. [This bag contains x5000 coins which will immediately be added to your inventory on contact.]

Picking up the golden card, it said, [Random Class Card. Grants random Class to the User on use.]

[The Love: Holy shit! You got a Class Card on the first floor?! 777!]

Lastly, he picked up the voucher [You get one free spin at the summoning circle with this voucher.]

[The Love: howeijoefwijwojepowpoer! A Summon Voucher?! During the Trial?! How?!]

[RainbowObserver: Hax! I call Hax!]

[A-Box-in-Alcatraz: I declare Shenanigans!]

[X-Of-The-Matter: Shirou luck OP plz nerf.]

[Bearer of the Scales (Admin): There will be no weakening of luck this is just and fair. Don’t make me weigh your sins for bullying a new challenger.]

“I’m guessing the voucher is good, then?” Shirou asked no one in particular.

[All: YES!!!!]

[Lapis Lazuli Sloot (Admin): Silly little Challenger, you do know that a voucher lets you summon a minion for free right? Also who changed my name to… that.]

[NotGayifClay: Hhaha!]

[Kingof$$$: Begone from my garden, Thot!]

[Lapis Lazuli Sloot(Admin): Ugh! I hate you both!]

[LonelyInKur (Admin): Well if you were nicer to people, maybe they wouldn’t bully you, sis.]

[Lapis Lazuli Sloot (Admin): Whatever! You're just jealous because I can actually get a man that isn't a stiff!]

[LonelyInKur (Admin): I’m sorry but whose stupid ass ended up getting naked and loafing in my house again? Because it sure wasn’t me!]

Shirou was starting to get a headache from all the messages then one last message appeared shutting everyone up.

[OGMilf (Head Admin): That is enough from everyone. Let the challenger enjoy his rewards and save your squabbles for later. Don’t make me give you a spanking. Now then. Challenger Shirou you have been given appropriate rewards for succeeding where others have failed. The ticket is to summon a minion similar to what you would experience in a holy grail war but isn’t limited by mana or relics. Second, the Class card lets you gain abilities similar to a hero of legend but is mute or diluted so the vessels do not break carrying their power. If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to reach out to an admin. The tower is watching.]

Shirou felt a small headache just from reading the admin’s message. Deciding to do something productive, he used the summoning ticket. ‘How do I use this thing though?’ He silently wondered to himself. Taking a shot in the dark, he fired the mental hammer in his mind activating his magic circuits, and running prana down his arm and into the voucher before tossing it to the floor. As it fluttered to the floor it burst into innumerable motes of red light which then swirled together to form a crimson magic circle that crackled with magical energy. Gusts of wind issued forth and lightning crackled from the circle, the energy coming from the magical array reached a sudden fevered pitch and everything was bathed in a blinding flash of white light!...

When it cleared a girl, no older than Sakura was standing where the magic circle once stood. She had slightly messy dark green hair, with two long strands of hair held in place by a trio of beads startling blue eyes, ivory skin that was only broken up by a smattering of freckles on her face. She was wearing unless Shirou’s eyes deceived him a ruqun hanfu consisting of a green top, burgundy skirt and green flats. She also looked utterly confused as Shirou himself felt at the moment.

“Ehh? Where am I? Who are you? What is this place…?” She didn’t seem overly flustered, more curious than anything.

Deciding to get introductions out of the way he said, “Hello, my name is Emiya Shirou and I imagine you have a lot of questions… Miss?”

“Maomao.” She replied promptly as she gave him a once over. ‘He has the name of someone from Nippon yet had the same crimson hair as Consort Gyokuyou,’ she noted ‘He’s unusually tall for a Nipponese too,’ Another observation. ‘Golden brown eyes are also uncommon. All information I have points to him not being from Nippon at all but from the West.’ Still, it was none of her business if some Westerner wanted to claim Nipponese descent. What she wanted to know is what she, a mere workhand to the outer palace of the Emperor, was doing here… and where she was.

“Maomao-san, would you like to sit down?” Shirou offered, motioning to the sole piece of furniture in the room, a rather plush looking bed. Following his lead Maomao hesitated for a moment. Surely someone of her station wasn’t permitted to sit there? Perhaps she was meant to sit on the floor? But no, he sat down and then patted a space on the mattress a respectful distance from him. So she sat, and almost sighed in contentment at the springly softness of this mattress. ‘What is this thing stuffed with? Downfeathers?’ She wondered. The mattress was springy but soft. She’d never sat on something this comfortable before.

“I’m sure you're wondering what’s going on and how you got here,” Shirou began, thankful to whatever ran the Tower that it saw fit to not make communication an issue. “But to be honest, I don’t think you’ll believe me even if I tell you, so I’ll just show you, is that alright?”

Maomao stared at her… host for a moment before nodding. Whatever he was about to tell her, must seem far-fetched indeed if he was going to give a demonstration first. But she was never one to turn down physical evidence. After all, there was a logical reason for everything. Things like curses and magic didn’t really exist.

That was what Maomao firmly believed right up until Shirou held out his hand and cocking the hammer in his mind said, “Trace on,”

One second there was nothing and the next, sparks like heaven's own lightning coalesced in Shirou’s palm seconds before they took the form of a knife. No, not a knife, but a simple dagger that he held by the hilt. She saw an act that she could not believe. One second his hand was empty, and the next, a dagger materialized in it! Maomao blinked and shook her head in denial. “No… that can’t be! It’s… it's almost like your a…”

Shirou just smiled at her kindly, and recalled a certain memory from his childhood, “I’ll tell you what my Old Man told me shortly after he adopted me after saving me from a fire. You should know Maomao, that I’m a mage.”

Maomao’s eyes flicked back and forth from the dagger to Shirou's golden-brown eyes. She saw no deception in his gaze and she knew she couldn’t deny what she’d seen just seconds ago no matter how much she would’ve liked to. So, she did the only thing she could. She took a breath, let it out, and told herself. “Okay, magic is real.” It was no different than a child learning some new facet of life adults took for granted as common everyday knowledge. She then turned to her host with a gleam in her eye and said, “I have so~o many questions!”

Giving an awkward little laugh at her sudden eager expression Shirou held out his hands awkwardly, “While I’m glad to see you're so eager I’m afraid I’m still something of a novice myself. Still, I’ll tell you what I can.”

Maomao opened her mouth, closed it then pouted a little upon learning her host wasn’t the font of knowledge she had hoped he would be. Still one always had to start at the basics no? “Okay then, how does magic work? Like what makes a mage like you different from a normal person if anything?”

“Magic Circuits, the organs of the soul. It’s something you either have, or you don’t. That’s what determines whether or not one can be a mage, at least where I’m from. The more you have, the more powerful you are.”

Maomao nodded, “Okay and do you use your life essence to cast spells like in stories?”

“Yes, but we call it prana. Our life essence is processed in our magic circuits into prana, a more usable form if you will.”

The apothecary murmured to herself, “So it's much like an apothecary combining ingredients to create medicine.” 

“Oh, you're a doctor?” Shirou questioned politely.

Maomao shook her head,“An apothecary, or I was, before I was kidnapped and sold to the Emperors Outer Palace as a servant.” She said it like it was nothing.

“I’m so sorry, they didn’t hurt you, did they?” Shirou said immediately concerned for her well-being even more than he already was.

She waved him off, thinking him overly concerned for a stranger, “Other than throwing me in a sack? No.”

Shirou gave her a once over to check her for any injuries no matter how minor. Finding none, he nodded, “Alright then. Now, I’m sure you're wondering where we both are and how you got here…” Shirou sheepishly rubbed his head, “That last bit is partially my fault. However, today has been strange even for me.”

Maomao had just learned magic was real, and if magic was real, the possibilities were endless! ‘I might even be able to make an actual Panacea!’ She thought to herself half giddy at the prospect. Still she should pay attention, this could be important. “Go on…”

“I’m not exactly sure how I got here, or where here is, but you coming here is my fault,” Shirou bowed in apology before continuing, “I was given the opportunity to summon something… someone and I got you. It was totally random, like drawing lots!” He swore to her. “I had no idea what or who I was getting until it was done!”

“I believe you,” Maomao interrupted. She may not have known Shirou long, but he had a naively earnest air about him that made it near impossible for him to lie. ‘Who just comes right out and says they're a mage after all?’ The apothecary thought to herself. “So that’s that then. The question is, what do we do about it?”

[The Love: Who is that? Anyone recognize her?]

[King of $$$: Fool! You dare question the King?!]

[NotGayifClay: Calm down $$$, I don’t recognize her either Love.]

[X-of-the-Matter: No idea who she is… is this a good or a bad thing?]

[RainbowObserver: Hohoho. So that’s what Emiya Shirou’s luck is like eh?]

[The Love: Oi, RO you recognize her?! Spill!]

[RainbowObserver: Sorry… no spoilers! jajajajaja!]

[X-of-the-Matter: Traitor!]

[Box-in-Alcatraz: A hint Observer?]

[RainbowOberser: Okay…Healer]

The Love: That doesn’t help at all!]

[RainbowObserver: Jajajaajaja!]

[Redshift: What did I just walk in on?]

[RainbowObserver: Nothing much, just the typical madness of a wannabe hero.]

[Hound_of_Answerer: Wait… that last name… O.O…]

“Shirou-sama… what is all this?” Maomao asked, motioning to the sudden floating letters that popped up in midair.

Shirou scratched the back of his head. How did he explain reality tv to someone for whom televisions didn’t exist? “Umm well, from what little I understand, this place, this Tower, has floors. Every level between this one has some kind of Trial. People on higher floors can observe people on lower floors and donate Coins to them, if they do well they get… something in return.”

[The Love: We get Twice our investment everytime a floor is cleared. It’s like gambling everytime a newbie clears a floor, depending on how much we’re willing to wager on their survival, we can make bank on them, which in turn increases our own odds of survival further up in the Tower.]

Shirou nodded, “That makes a twisted sort of sense… but it also feels like a pyramid scheme…”

[The Love: Because it is, but unfortunately it's the only system we’ve found that works here in the Tower. Don’t be mad m’kay? The Love Donated x500 Coins.]

“I’m not and thank you for the donation.” Shirou replied. Turning back to Maomao he continued, “As to what you were saying earlier,” He handed her the golden Class Card. “I think you should use this. You need it more than I do.”

[Redshift: Giving her a Class Card? Are you nuts? Can she even use it? Then again you're looking after someone who’s weaker than you, and I can’t fault you for that.]

[RainbowObserver: An interesting choice, one I expected you to make.]

[The Love: Grr, you're such a bleeding heart, Shirou!]

Shirou shrugged, but stood by his decision, “I’m sorry, but I think this is the best decision.”

“Umm, what does this do exactly?” Maomao asked as she held the golden card and looked down at it curiously.

“It's a magical object that will give you a class related to a hero from legend. It’ll also make you stronger, faster, and more durable.”

“But I don’t have those magic circuits you were talking about earlier.” Maomao reminded him.

[Tower Tool Tip: Upgrades can be bought from the shop.]

“Well,” Shirou said after he read the message, “I think we know how we can fix that.”

(...)

It took a moment for the two to figure out how to transfer Coins, but once they did, Maomao bought herself a brand new magic circuit. Shirou trained her in how to turn it on, with her mental image being that of a mortar grinding ingredients in a pestle and she felt an uncomfortable heat race down her right arm. She could now use magecraft. Reaching out with her magic imbued arm, Maomao touched the Class Card, the moment she did, it flashed with golden light. When it disappeared Maomao was in different garb. Gone was her traditional chinese garb, and in its place she was wearing an elegant dark purple and gold trimmed dress and cloak, tassels replete with gold and  lapis lazuli and a purple turban on her head with a headdress of feathers trailing down behind her neck, and instead of flats she now wore black leather and gold boots. Shirou noted Maomao’s blue eyes had turned an insidious purple hue. He also noticed that various types of mushrooms had begun to spontaneously bloom at her feet.

“Maomao-san…?” He called hesitantly, “Are you alright?”

Grinning like a loon, the apothecary replied, “I feel great! Like I just got bit by a venomous snake or something.”

‘What?’ Shirou thought to himself.

[All of Chat: What?]

Clearly there was more to Maomao than there first appeared to be. Well it's not like Shirou had room to talk, he’d always been told by people he was odd too, not like he listened.

Clearing her throat, Maomao said, “I’m fine thanks Shirou-sama. Hmm?”

“What is it?” He asked.

“I see a timer, in the upper left hand corner of my vision it's counting down from ten minutes.”

[The Love: That’s how long you can stay in Servant Form before you run out of Mana. It takes one unit of mana per minute to stay in the form and use the card’s abilities. The more you have, the longer you can stay Servant Form. It takes half as long for you to regenerate any mana once it's gone, so be careful. If it runs out in a fight you're screwed.]

Both Maomao and Shirou nodded, taking Love’s warning to heart. “Next Trial,” Shirou said, feeling Maomao could use some practice in her new state.

[Error: Next Trial can not take place for 20 hrs 15 mins. Rest up and prepare, Challenger.]

‘Well that was a bust,’ He thought to himself.

“Umm, Shirou-sama?” Maomao said, getting his attention.

“Yes?” He replied.

The apothecary brought up something he hadn’t thought of till now, “Where is the bathroom in this place? It’s just a single room without even a bucket.”

“Well shit,” Shirou swore.

[RainbowObserver: Not yet, but give it time Emiya! Jajajajaja!]

Shirou was starting to get annoyed by some of the people in his chat.

(...)

Word Count: 6,132   Number of Pages: 19   Date Completed: 4/29/2024

(...)

AN: Welcome everyone to my attempt at a South Korean Tower Climbing story. I’m rather fond of those manwha so I thought I’d try my hand at it so here we are. I hope you like it. If so, review, like, follow, fave, all that good stuff. Till next time this has been Bubbajack… Oh speaking of next time… we’ll be finding out what’s going on with Rin, Sakura, Illya and the others. So look forward to that. Now, here’s Snowy and Hassan to wrap things up.

Snowy: So we heard your views. We saw the votes. and BEHOLD THE TOWER ASCENSION TALE!

Hassan:

Thanks again for reading! This has been an Inkblot Bros Production Peace!