The tower entrance was an enormous archway carved from a single piece of blue stone. Ancient runes decorated its surface, pulsing softly with a blue light. As Silas approached with Kirath beside him, he felt a subtle pressure, like walking through dense fog.
"Remember," Kirath said as they neared the entrance, "the first floor is designed to test basics. Don't get overconfident."
"I know," Silas replied. "Stay alert, watch for ambushes, don't engage enemies I can't handle."
Kirath gave him an appraising look. "You sound like you've done this before."
Silas quickly shook his head. "Just repeating what you told me during training."
"Hmm." Kirath didn't sound convinced. "Well, as your guardian, I'll be with you until you evolve. I can assist with guidance, but the tower's rules prevent me from fighting your battles. You need to grow on your own strength."
Silas nodded, secretly relieved that Kirath would be accompanying him. Having an experienced dragonkin nearby, even as just an advisor, was reassuring.
"Ready?" Kirath asked.
"As I'll ever be," Silas replied.
Together, they stepped through the archway. The world blurred around them, and for a moment, Silas felt weightless. Then the sensation passed, and they found themselves standing in a clearing surrounded by enormous trees. The sounds of a forest filled the air. Birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant burbling of a stream.
They'd entered the first floor of the Tower of Babel.
A series of notifications appeared immediately in front of Silas:
[Quest Completed: Tower Entrance Examination]
[Reward: Basic supply pack]
[EXP Earned: +70]
[Skill Effect: Increased Experience has granted +7 bonus EXP]
[Total EXP: 77/100]
[Silver has gained +7 EXP]
[Total EXP: 7/10]
Silas blinked as the supply pack materialized at his feet. A simple leather backpack containing basic supplies. He checked inside to find water, dried rations, a small knife, flint and steel, bandages, and a rudimentary map of the first floor.
"The Forest of Beginnings," he murmured, examining the map.
The memories from his gaming days flooded back. The first floor was designed to be challenging but survivable for newcomers. It contained various low-level monsters like wolves, slimes, and rock elementals scattered throughout the forest. The floor boss was a giant bird monster that resembled a toucan with a ten-foot beak lined with razor-sharp teeth. It patrolled the center of the floor.
But there was something else Silas remembered. In a cave guarded by goblins on the western edge of the floor, there was a hidden treasure. A ring that increased movement speed by 10%. A small advantage, but in a world where every edge mattered, it could make the difference between life and death.
Silas studied the map, orienting himself. Most new entrants would head toward the center, gathering experience by hunting the easier monsters near the entrance before attempting the boss. But Silas had a different plan.
"We should go this way," he said to Kirath, pointing west instead of north.
Kirath frowned. "West? The path to the next floor is north. Why would you want to go west?"
"There's something there I need."
"Need? What could you possibly need that isn't in the direction of advancement?" Kirath's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Silas realized his mistake too late. He couldn't exactly explain that he'd played this game for thousands of hours in another reality.
"I... heard rumors," he said lamely. "Before the test. Other candidates were talking."
"Rumors," Kirath repeated, clearly not believing him. "About a specific location with specific contents, which you somehow memorized while preparing for the most important test of your life."
Silas shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I have a good memory."
"Clearly," Kirath said dryly. "And what exactly is supposedly in this direction that's worth delaying your advancement?"
"A ring," Silas admitted.
Kirath blinked, seeming genuinely surprised. "That's... actually correct. There is indeed such an item in the western caves. But how did you..." She shook her head. "Never mind. The point is, those caves are dangerous for someone at your level. Goblins may be weak individually, but they fight in packs, and their shamans can use debilitating magic."
"I know," Silas said, then quickly added, "or at least, that's what the rumors said. But I still want to try. The ring would be useful."
Kirath studied him with renewed interest. "You're not like other hatchlings, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Most are impulsive, rushing toward the most obvious path. Few would take the time to gather information or seek advantages before advancing." She tilted her head. "It's almost as if you've done this before."
Silas felt a drop of sweat slide down his neck. "I just like to be prepared."
"Hmm," was all Kirath said, still watching him carefully.
Silver, apparently bored with the conversation, launched himself into the air and managed a wobbly flight of about three feet before landing on a nearby bush. He began batting at a colorful beetle with his tiny claws.
"Your familiar seems eager to explore," Kirath noted. "At least one of you has the appropriate level of caution for a first-floor expedition."
" The goblins have killed many overconfident beginners. What exactly is your plan for dealing with a pack of enemies when your only ally is..." She glanced at Silver, who had somehow managed to get stuck in the bush and was squeaking in distress, "...not exactly combat-ready?"
"I'll be careful," Silas promised. "Scout first, avoid direct confrontation, look for an opportunity to slip in and out without fighting if possible."
Kirath's expression softened slightly. "That's... actually not a terrible plan." She reached into a pouch at her belt and pulled out a small vial of green liquid. "Here. Healing potion. As your guardian, I'm allowed to provide basic supplies and advice."
Silas accepted the vial gratefully. "Thank you."
"Don't waste it," Kirath warned. "And if things get too dangerous, retreat. There's no shame in living to fight another day."
Silver had finally extracted himself from the bush and flew back to Silas's shoulder, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"We'll be careful," Silas assured her. "All of us."
The journey west through the forest was peaceful at first. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of massive trees, creating dappled patterns on the forest floor. Birds and small animals scattered at their approach. Occasionally, Silas would spot a slime oozing along the ground, but they seemed uninterested in him.
As he walked, he considered his plan. The goblin cave, as he remembered from the game, contained about a dozen goblins, including a shaman. In the game, he'd simply overwhelmed them with high-level attacks. Now, as a level 1 hatchling with a tiny dragon, that approach wouldn't work.
"We need a strategy," he told Silver, who was now dozing on his shoulder.
The dragon opened one eye lazily.
"The direct approach won't work," Silas continued, thinking aloud. "But maybe we can create a distraction. Or find another entrance. Or wait until night when some of them might be sleeping."
Silver chirped questioningly.
"Goblins are nocturnal," Kirath said from behind him. "They're more active at night, not less. Their eyesight is better in darkness."
The forest grew denser as they continued west. The trees here were older, their trunks wider, their branches forming a thick canopy that blocked much of the light. The terrain became more difficult as well, with rocky outcroppings and fallen logs creating natural obstacles.
Silas was climbing over a particularly large fallen tree when he heard it. A low growl from somewhere to his left. He froze, then slowly turned his head.
A wolf stood about twenty paces away, its gray fur blending with the shadows of the forest. It was larger than any wolf Silas had seen in the real world, with shoulders that would reach his chest and teeth as long as his fingers. Its eyes gleamed with an intelligence that seemed almost unnatural.
[Encountered: Timber Wolf (Level 5)]
Kirath tensed but remained still, watching to see how Silas would handle the situation.
Silas slowly reached for his claw weapons, but before he could equip them, Silver suddenly stiffened on his shoulder. The tiny dragon's scales seemed to shimmer, and he let out a high-pitched sound that was something between a squeak and a roar.
To Silas's astonishment, the wolf's ears flattened against its head. It took a step back, then another, and finally turned and ran away into the forest.
"What just happened?" Silas asked, staring at his tiny companion.
Silver puffed his chest out proudly and chirped.
"Did you... scare it away?"
Another chirp, this one clearly affirmative.
Silver snorted, a tiny curl of smoke emerging from his nostrils that somehow conveyed indignation.