Incremental Torture - Chapter 89

It was gratifying to hear that she had done well, despite missing out on the finale. Evelyn could care less about what the tower thought. All that mattered to her was how damn fun the World Event had been.

She did spare a few minutes of remembrance for the eleven thousand people who had fallen, but many of them were her enemies– they deserved little of her kindness. She gave it anyway. If they had been worthy of the challenge they may have lived to see another day.

Evelyn was beyond thrilled. For the first time in a long time she had a huge pile of skill crystals and attribute points to spend, along with a myriad of loot chests. The temptation to just open them all immediately was extraordinarily difficult to resist.

However, the guild had done this together. It was not her achievement alone. So, they would share in the rewards together.

Things were often far more satisfying when shared. And she would be able to brag when she got better loot than everyone else. Or at the very least, better than Kayla. Hopefully.

One thing she was curious about was the fact that she seemed to be buried in the ground up to her knees and sported plenty of fresh wounds that she didn’t have before she passed out. Something to ask the others about. Anthea was rushing over, her dependable new pet in tow.

“I can’t believe you’re fine after that beating you took! Kayla was right about how tough you are, but it was still mean of her to do that,” she exclaimed, pulling Evelyn into her embrace the moment she reached her.

“Mean of her to do what?” asked Evelyn.

And so she listened as Anthea explained Kayla’s grand strategy to bring down the hyper boss. Oh I’m so getting revenge for this. Just you wait, darlin’.

***

The five of them sat in the lobby of Defiance’s headquarters. They had arrived covered in blood and grime, the aftermath of two days of brutal warfare and struggle.

Each of them had been desperate to open their rewards, but had come to a mutual agreement that washing up and slipping into clean, dry clothes first was the smartest course of action– and the comfiest.

“So, are we ready?” asked Evelyn. “I wonder if everyone earned the same rewards or if there was some variation.”

“The only difference would be in our individual rewards for the World Event. Everything else was a universal reward or a guild participation reward,” replied her father.

It was strange seeing his face again. He’d been wearing his visored helmet for the better part of the last two days and she had grown used to seeing only his eyes through the narrow slit. The stoic, armoured knight persona suited him well, but Evelyn preferred him this way– he seemed more human.

“With that in mind, I think it would be fun to start with the guild rewards.” Evelyn looked around at the people closest to her in the world. Her family; found and reignited. “There may also be better options in the guild shop, because we ranked up.”

“Are you sure I can’t open my rewards while you sort that out, Eve? I’m so excited,” squeaked Anthea. The girl was giving her puppy eyes.

“Have some patience, dear. The guild rewards do affect you, show some interest,” said Mei, with a warm smile.

Anthea grumbled and sat on the marble tiles, leaning against Antoinette. The ant just clicked its mandibles and nuzzled her back. A heavy contrast from the furious beast it had been during the World Event.

Evelyn had seen the ant tear more than one monster to shreds with the same mandibles that now delicately stroked Anthea’s hair. She needed to have a serious talk with the girl about how she was taming the creature.

“Alright, I’m opening the shop. Let’s see what we unlocked.”

** Guild Shop **

〖Common Guild Chest〗- 1 Guild Point
〖Uncommon Guild Chest〗- 3 Guild Points
〖Rare Guild Chest〗- 7 Guild Points
〖Unusual Guild Chest〗- 25 Guild Points

Increase your Guild Rank, or build production facilities to unlock further offerings.

Evelyn stared in silence at the screen. Her brow furrowed and her lips curled downwards. Our relationship was improving, tower. Why did you have to go and scam me…

“What’s the matter, darlin’? Why’ve you got your knickers in a twist.”

Everyone was staring towards her with expectant gazes. They all wanted to hear what the guild shop had unlocked upon ranking up. She wasn’t sure how to break the news.

“There’s nothing new…” she said with a disappointed sigh.

“What? The tower was lying?” exclaimed Anthea.

“Well, we might get something if we rank up again. Let’s just wait and see,” said Kayla.

“Actually…” interrupted Mei.

“What’s the matter, dear?” asked Anthony.

“I unlocked something new. In the property management screen. Evelyn should be able to see it too, as the de facto Guild Master.”

“What is it, mother?”

Evelyn was curious and went to open the guild headquarters management menu, but her mother would be able to explain it to everyone while she had a look.

“We have the option to build some production facilities. They don’t cost any essence–”

“What?! Build them all right now, momma Eve!” Anthea exclaimed.

“Relax, dear. They don’t cost any essence, but they do cost guild points. We have the option to build two right now. The Artificer’s Abode and The Chamber of Trials.”

“That sounds straight out of a fantasy novel,” chuckled Evelyn. “Though we’re already living in one, I suppose. Does it offer a description?”

“You know what the tower is like. A rudimentary one. The Artificer’s Abode is an area for crafters of all vocations to hone their skills. It comes with tools and facilities to assist them in those endeavours and can be upgraded to unlock more advanced techniques as the guild ranks up,” explained Mei.

“And the other, more exciting one?” asked Kayla.

Evelyn shot the woman a smile and they shared a beautiful moment. They both loved a challenge and the other upgrade sounded like a lot of fun.

“Even more vague. The Chamber of Trials offers members of a guild the opportunity to challenge themselves and earn appropriate rewards.”

“Buy it.”

“I agree.”

“It does sound like the best option,” said her father.

“None of you even know how much it costs,” muttered her mother.

* Guilds *

>Information< | Guild Shop | HQ Menu

Guild Name: Defiance
Members: 5
Guild Rank: 2
Guild Points: 31
Facilities: None
Guild Position: #3

Only third? It has to be the size of the other guilds working in their favour. I can’t imagine it’s much else. Or perhaps I need to get back to climbing the tower… As soon as I’ve opened all my rewards I’m heading to the 17th Floor. No more delays.

* Guilds *

Information | Guild Shop | >HQ Menu<

HQ Integrity: 100%
Available Production Facilities: Artificer’s Abode [8 Guild Points], Chamber of Trials [12 Guild Points]
Expand HQ Area - [5 Guild Points]
Restore HQ - N/A

“This complicates things,” muttered Evelyn.

“They aren’t cheap, my dear. Are you still so eager to buy them now?”

“Well, my original plan was to either get one unusual guild chest and two uncommon ones, or four rares and one uncommon. This makes my life easier.”

“Easier? How does having more options make it easier?” asked Anthea. “That doesn’t make any sense, does it Antoinette?” She nuzzled into the ant and made noises usually reserved for talking to human babies. As long as she’s happy…

“Two reasons. Most of the items we’ve obtained from personal loot chests suck. They don’t last long before breaking or becoming useless. And from my personal experience long term investments pay off very well within the confines of the tower. We should get both facilities. We still have enough left over to purchase a rare guild chest and an uncommon one. That way we can test if they’re better than personal loot chests at the same time,” she explained.

“Sounds good to me, darlin’.”

The rest of them agreed. Anthea nodded sagely as though digesting a nugget of profound wisdom and her parents simply took it in stride. Evelyn purchased everything, leaving them with just one guild point.

She could’ve bought a common guild chest, but that would certainly be a waste of resources. Better to save it for the future, when they unlocked more facilities or could purchase more chests– if the rewards turned out to be worthwhile.

The moment she made the purchase there was a grinding noise from both above and below them at the same time. A staircase appeared to a basement which hadn’t previously existed. The group was split.

Anthea rushed upstairs, with her mother and father in tow. Evelyn and Kayla made their way to the basement.

It was a rather simple room, keeping the same style as the lobby with marble tiles and walls with only a few pillars.

At the other end of the room there was an archway inscribed with inert runes and when they drew near the system sent a message.

Would you like to enter the Chamber of Trials?
As it is your first time entering, a user profile will be created and assigned to you.
Y/N

“I want to enter right now…” said Evelyn with longing.

“Me too, darlin’. All in good time.”

They went back to the lobby, leaving the mysterious chamber behind for now.

“A corner of the second floor was remodelled into a multi purpose crafting area, just as it described. Blacksmithing equipment, a forge, leatherworking tools and more. I’m excited to try it out to be honest,” said her father.

“There’s an archway downstairs adorned with runes. The tower asked if we’d like to enter and said it would create a user profile. All rather mysterious. And thrilling.”

“Now, the guild chests. Let’s see what we get,” said Anthea with a wide grin. Everyone loved loot.