“What shall we do with them?” Sofia asked.

  Behind her and the pair tied up on the ground, the remaining survivors of Climbers were taking whatever they could from the monster corpses. Crystal Fragments, useful furs, antlers, and any weapons or guild cards left strewn about the desert floor.

  “You’re asking me?” Mik wondered aloud, looking at the pair.

  Dominick was badly injured, his face was severely disfigured now after Mik had hit him with his electrified chains. Sasha was in a better state only because Mik had grabbed her and shocked her. But better didn’t exactly mean good.

  Sasha’s entire torso was burnt, her palish blue skin had been turned a light pink and an ugly red in others.

  Both of them were breathing heavily.

  Sofia nodded, “They might have almost killed me, but you were the one to strike them down.”

  She looked at them with abject disgust and hatred, “I no longer see them as people. They plotted to take my life in the tower, if it was up to me death would be too kind a sentence.”

  Mik felt very uncomfortable. He didn’t want to be the judge and executioner.

  Who would want something like this as a responsibility… He thought to himself. Their lives in my hands? I suppose I already did that when I decided to stop them.

  He looked at Sofia. The time they spent together was brief but they had been through so much. Could he really imagine not having her in this world anymore?

  The thought made him angry.

  She didn’t deserve to die. She had done nothing to deserve it. These two on the other hand? They had wanted to kill her for their own gain. To get in better standing with Sofia’s brothers as they fought for some stupid title.

  But even still.

  “I don’t know…” Mik replied.

  “They will die regardless unless you choose to save them.”

  Sofia was right. Both their injuries would most likely kill them. After everything had started to calm down and the rest of the surviving group had heard what happened. None of them were willing to spare any help for the pair.

  To them. What they did was deserving of losing their lives.

  The tower was dangerous enough as it was. Having people willing to backstab others, in the heat of a Monster Flood no less? Most would say good riddance without a second thought.

  “What will happen if I let them live?” Mik asked.

  Sofia’s scrunched brow deepend.

  “They will most likely be bck listed from the guild. My family would never associate with them, even if my brothers were the ones that plotted to kill me. They would live their life in squalor. At least if they are lucky.”

  “Why would that be lucky?”

  “My family can not have people who know that my brothers were pnning to kill me. It would ruin the family reputation as well as guarantee my seat as the head of the family. The most likely scenario is that my brothers will have them killed to silence them as soon as they learn that I am still alive.”

  Mik couldn’t imagine paying someone to end another person’s life. It was hard to come to terms with.

  Is this just the difference between our statuses… He thought a little mencholy. She is technically nobility. I’m just an orphan.

  But a thought passed his mind.

  He was close to level 10 now. And if he was able to keep it up, he would reach F-Rank. Eventually E-Rank. And at E-Rank, well…

  That would mean that he could get a permit to retake some of the wilds. Receive rights to recim the nd, nurture it and turn it into a glorious city that everyone from the orphanage could live in. Be happy in. James, the Sister, all the kids.

  Sofia too… Then maybe I could marry…

  Mik shook his head. His eyes widening at where his mind had just gone. He was getting far too ahead of himself.

  F-Rank was still more than 15 levels away. And it would only get harder as he advanced floors and increased in levels. He would need more people. But would anyone join him?

  He looked back to Sofia. Would she join? If he let Sasha and Dominick live, would she dislike him?

  Mik groaned at the thought.

  “Sofia… I don’t think I can let them die. I know what they did and I hate them both for it. But I don’t think I can do it,” Mik sighed. But he added, “And if your brothers are as determined as you say they are. It’s better they get some of what they deserve, sleepless nights, looking over their shoulders every second in fear of someone coming after them. Let them feel a little of what you had to go through.”

  Sofia looked like she had just ate a lemon, her brows furrowing in obvious agitation. But she had left it up to Mik.

  “I think you are making a mistake allowing them to live, but I did pce their fates in your hands for saving me.”

  Mik now faced the problem of helping the two recover. He had no potions to speak of, no ability to heal others. At this rate they would both die regardless of how merciful he was being.

  He looked around for an answer, spotting Drake.

  “What’s one more favor I guess…” Mik grumbled walking over.

  Feeling a big anxious, Mik couldn’t help but rub the back of his head as he approached.

  “U-um sir..? Mr. Drake?” Mik mumbled.

  “Sir..?” Drake scoffed, “No one calls me sir. What’s with the snake oil salesman routine kid?”

  Mik was taken aback, forgetting again that this man happened to be one of the strongest Climbers in existence currently.

  “Uh… No I just. I don’t have any way of healthing those two,” Mik said pointing to the pair on the ground, “They would die without help and I just. I don’t think I can see them die because of something I did.”

  Drake gave a sympathetic look. Almost as if he had been through the same situation once before.

  “And?” he asked.

  Mik blinked. He was surprised he had gotten this far and frankly forgot what he was going to ask. Shaking his head the thoughts returned.

  “And… I was wondering if you had any more potions that I could buy from you or if you had a spell that could heal them? Just enough to keep their lives out of danger.”

  “I’ll give you the potions,” Drake smiled, “On one condition.”

  Mik felt a bad offer coming his way but nodded.

  “Do you know the F-Rank Climber tournament coming up?”

  Mik shook his head.

  Drake smiled again, “Perfect. I’ll give you two potions,” he expined, pulling two red vials from seemingly nowhere, “If you agree to enter it.”

  “Is that it…?” Mik asked, slightly confused.

  “That’s it.”

  Mik was dubious, “Can I ask about the tournament first?”

  “Nope. Yes or no, right now or no deal.”

  Mik’s eyes thinned. He knew he was being led on, but he didn’t have much of a choice. He looked around at the other Climbers. Most of them just as exhausted and injured as he was. None of them would be willing to spare any sort of recovery items he guessed and especially not for free.

  “Fine…” Mik finally agreed.

  “Good! Sign right here,” Drake said, shoving the vials into one of Mik’s hands, putting his other into some ink that appeared out of nowhere.

  How the?! Where is he getting all of this? Mik thought as Drake pushed his hand onto a piece of paper.

  Drake waved the paper, drying it as he smiled.

  “No takesy backsies now.”

  “You talk funny,” Mik said absentmindedly.

  Realizing what he had just said and who he had just said it to. Mik quickly covered his mouth, scrambling to think of an apology.

  But to his surprise, Drake belted a ugh, spping Mik on the shoulder.

  “I do don’t I! My wives always tell me the same thing! Don’t you Ga?”

  “Wives? You have more than one?”

  Ga sighed, pushing her thumb into Drake’s back, “He has several… It’s a miracle we haven’t smothered him in his sleep.”

  “You couldn’t live without me. Or my charming personality!” Drake chuckled, “Anywho. Deals done. I’ll find you when I need to for the tournament alright? Better get those potions to those criminals before they kick the bucket. And we need to get out of this dungeon sooner than ter. I have more climbing to do.”

  Mik nodded. A little shaken by the pace at which Drake moved, but he couldn’t compin. He had gotten what he wanted and for no upfront cost. Just a mildly ominous guarantee that he would join a tournament he had never read about in the journals.

  Regardless he moved back to where Sofia was staring down murderously at Sasha and Dominick, her arms crossed. Seemingly more to keep them from strangling the two to death than to keep herself calm.

  “I got them,” Mik said, announcing his return.

  “What did he ask for in return?” Sofia asked, not turning her head.

  Oh… She’s mad at me huh… Mik thought, feeling the bite of regret.

  But he had stayed true to his own morals. He wasn’t ready to end someone’s existence. Mik just wasn’t raised that way. Sister Mary had always said every life was precious and Mik tended to agree. His best friend James would have been left for the crows because of his disability. However the orphanage let him in, giving him the chance he deserved.

  Mik looked down at Sasha and Dominick. He didn’t think they deserved a second chance. He wasn’t a fool. But he also knew it wasn’t his pce to take it from them, nor that he was capable of doing so even if he wanted.

  He didn’t want to admit it, but Mik knew silencing the pair was the best decision to protect Sofia. He also knew that it was something he didn’t have the strength or determination to go through with.

  If it had happened in the heat of the moment it would be a different story of course, however this was after the fact. There was no longer adrenaline overwhelming his body. The part of him that was still just a young teen simply didn’t want to take a life.

  Mik sighed but finally answered, “He wanted me to enter some tournament. He didn’t even say when.”

  Sofia’s head turned to face Mik, “The endorsement tournament?”

  “He said it was just for F-Rank Climbers, he didn’t say anything about endorsement. At least not directly.”

  Sofia’s eyes thinned as if working through something but if she had come to a conclusion, she kept it to herself. She eventually nodded, waiting patiently for Mik to administer the potions.

  Mik took the hint and bent down, pouring a bit of the potions onto Sasha and Dominick’s wounds and the rest into their mouths.

  Visibly the pair healed, but thanks to the other Climbers they were restrained with rope. It was apparent that the pair was low level.

  By all accounts of the other Climbers, including Borik, if they had been at a reasonable level for the floor. They wouldn’t have dropped after just one spell from Mik.

  Sasha and Dominick grumbled in pain, but Mik ignored them.

  “You two are going to come with us to the exit. I’ve decided to let you both live. But if you ever show your faces in front of us again. I’ll make sure you won’t be able to recover next time,” and then added, “That’s if Sofia’s brothers don’t find you first.”

  Mik saw them both visibly shake from the statement. Which he had to admit made him feel a little better about his decision.

  He stood back up as he pulled them both up to their feet.

  “We’re going to the exit now, so don’t try anything funny.”

  The pair waddled forward in front of him and Sofia. They eventually followed behind once they were out of hearing distance.

  Eventually, they rejoined Drake, Ga, and the rest of the Climbers a few minutes ter. The group had finished gathering what they needed and who they needed to return with. Some of the Climbers lugging rge covered makeshift stretchers of wood that Mik could only guess were monster corpses, or compatriots that had fallen during the long battle against the flood of monsters.

  The walk back was far less interesting than the journey to the halfway mark. Drake and Ga took care of anything that remotely came close, if they even did.

  It seemed as if the monsters could tell they couldn’t win any longer now that A-Rank Climbers were present. And they gave the group a very wide berth, only watching from afar.

  Mik and Sofia didn’t converse much as well. They stayed close to one another, but Mik was at a loss of words as to what to talk about. He didn’t know much about her, not really. However it seemed inappropriate to ask about her past in their current situation.

  He couldn’t bring himself to ask what he was really thinking either.

  I wonder what she’s going to do after this? Is she just going to go on her own? Will she ask me to party up with her? Or is she going to join another Family? I know she’s strong, she has a great hybrid css as well. Any Family would be lucky to have her. He thought, the questions running rampant in his head.

  Before he knew it, they were already at the first floor crystal to the outside.

  Drake ushering the Climbers to the exit who all quickly ran to it even if he hadn’t asked them. Every surviving Climber was happy to leave the Tower as fast as possible.

  Mik and Sofia lingering slightly, but made their way towards Sasha and Dominick.

  “We’ll be giving you a head start. Just remember what I said,” Mik said untying their hands.

  The pair ran off without a second look or thought, disappearing as they touched the crystal.

  Mik felt a sp against the small of his back. Turning he found Borik and his group.

  “You did a fine job in this whole bloody mess Lad! We could use a bright eyed mage such as yourself!” Borik bellowed with a smile.

  “He’s right. With how you handled yourself, you have a bright future ahead of you,” Madaline agreed, “Our Family would be honored to have you join.”

  Mik was fttered. He hadn’t heard praise like that his whole life. But he was confused. Why were they only talking about him?

  “What about Sofia?” he asked.

  The air became awkward.

  “The ss did a top job as well. The problem is her Family,” Borik sighed, “I don’t have a problem with making a few more enemies as it were. But it isn’t just my decision. Sorry girl, but it would be a hard ask even with a css like yours.”

  Sofia didn’t seem surprised. She almost seemed to expect the answer outright.

  She nodded in understanding, “I can not say that I bme you. Taking on the risk of fighting my Family would not be worth it for most, all for the sake of one person. There are no hard feelings and I wish you the best.”

  But Mik got the distinct feeling she wasn’t only saying that to Borik and his group. And a tinge of annoyance began to bubble up.

  “Then I'll have to decline your invitation. I have other pns,” Mik said firmly.

  “Is that so?” Borik replied, “Damn shame. What are your pns if you don’t mind me askin’ d?”

  Mik blurted out without thinking, “I’m going to start my own Family with Sofia. I can’t have her going it alone after everything she’s had to go through.”

  Borik and the others looked dumbfounded for a moment before all chuckling in unison.

  “Are you sure you mean a Family? Or a family?” Lissandra giggled, poking fun at him.

  Mik’s ears reddened.

  “You know what I mean!”

  Borik spped him on the back again, “Aye we know what you mean boy! But making a Family is a hard thing. And it’s only the two of ya?”

  Mik looked over at Sofia who was eerily silent, but didn’t protest to Mik including her in his pns.

  “So far, yes… I have a friend who would probably join as well to help as support. Maybe…Probably….”

  “Aye then you’ll be needing more party members at some point…” Borik muttered to himself, then pulled something from under his armor. A small brown slip of parchment which he quickly wrote some directions on.

  “Not sure if ya will be looking soon, but here is a good pce to start. My cousin Samantha just came back from the salt life. She’s got a foul mouth worse than mine but she is handy in a fight. Just got to convince the bsted idiot!” Borik guffawed.

  Mik gave a wry smile back, rubbing his increasingly sore back, “I’ll keep it in mind, thank you.”

  Before he could take the parchment though, Lissandra also handed him something.

  “Here is your share of the monster crystals. We also gathered as much useful materials as we could and split them.” She winked, “Don’t worry I already took what you owed us for the antidote.”

  Mik took the bag in awe, opening it up.

  “There’s three full crystals and change in here!”

  “We did kill quite a lot of those little bastards didn’t we!” Borik roared.

  Mik was busy ughing with them when he felt a prod in his pack forcing him to turn.

  Grace held out a pair of daggers, “You forgot to keep them with you. The daggers. From the Field Boss. Here.”

  Mik grabbed them by the handles and bowed his head slightly.

  “T-thank you. I totally forgot about them. I’m really getting a bunch of rewards for doing nothing huh?” he ughed awkwardly.

  “What do you mean boy! You survived a monster flood! How many new Climbers can say that!” Borik bellowed.

  “He has a point ya know,” Drake agreed.

  Both Drake and Ga had stepped over, entering the conversation.

  “The flood won’t be over for at least another week. And if your pn is to start up a Family, you have your work cut out for you. Do you have a patron? What about a permit for a base? Is there an E-Rank Climber willing to help?” Drake asked, firing off several questions that made Mik’s head spin.

  “N-no…” he replied.

  “We will figure it out all the same,” Sofia stepped in, “There are plenty of Fallen walking the streets of the capital. We merely need to find one that will help us.”

  She gred at Drake. Almost hovering over Mik to shield him.

  Drake smiled back, “Is that so? Then you best be off. All of you.”

  Borik, Madaline, Lissandra, and Grace gave their goodbyes to the two. As well as to their rescuers, Drake and Ga.

  Mik and Sofia gave one st goodbye to the pair as well. Mik took one long look at the expansive dessert to take the scenery in. He would be seeing it soon. But not too soon.

  Both he and Sofia touched the crystal together, vanishing from sight.