Ash and Ravok approached the stone gate.
A guard stood waiting.
Silent.
Watching.
"…Do you wish to go to the next floor?" the guard asked.
Ash stepped forward.
"…Yes, we do."
The guard studied them.
Then nodded.
"…Very well."
A deep hum filled the air.
Light twisted behind the gate.
A portal formed.
Bright.
Unstable.
"…Proceed."
Ash and Ravok stepped forward.
The light swallowed them.
Then—
Heat.
Blinding.
Crushing.
Ash staggered as his boots hit burning sand.
"…What the—"
Endless dunes stretched in every direction.
The sky burned overhead.
No shade.
No shelter.
Only heat.
Only sand.
And a village stood a couple of kilometers away.
"…Floor Four."
Ravok exhaled slowly.
"…Desert."
Ash wiped sweat from his forehead.
"…Great."
"…Dig."
Yes, Participant Ravok.
"…What's the trial for this floor?"
A brief pause.
Then—
The trial for Floor Four is…
Scavenger Hunt.
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"…Seriously?"
Ravok glanced sideways.
"…Explain."
Dig continued:
All participants will be placed inside a designated zone.
Within that area, multiple treasures will be hidden.
Half of the participants will pass.
Half will fail.
Ash frowned slightly.
"…Meaning?"
If there are twenty teams…
Ten treasures will exist.
If there are fifty teams…
Twenty-five treasures will exist.
Ash smirked faintly.
"…So only the ones holding a treasure pass."
Correct.
Ravok narrowed his eyes.
"…What happens if we find one?"
"Do we automatically win?"
A short pause.
There is a time limit.
If you are not holding a treasure when the bell rings at the end…
You will fail.
Ash's expression sharpened.
"…So even if I find one early…"
"…someone can steal it later."
Correct.
Ravok exhaled slowly.
"…So we just need to protect the one we find."
Ash smirked slightly.
"…Or steal one if we can't find it."
Ash wiped sweat from his forehead.
"…It's really hot out here."
Ravok exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…And I'm starving."
Ash smirked slightly.
"…Same."
He glanced toward the distant buildings.
"…Let's find a tavern."
"…Eat something."
"…And find a place to sleep."
A brief pause.
"…Hopefully it's cheap."
Ravok chuckled faintly.
"…At least we got three thousand credits for the last floor."
They continued walking.
Soon—
They reached a tavern.
Warm light spilled through the doorway.
Inside—
They sat at a table.
Ordered food.
Food was placed in front of them.
A bowl of thick stew was placed in front of Ash.
And a big plate of ribs in front of Ravok.
Steam curled into the air.
After they ate,
Ravok spoke first.
"…Ash."
Ash glanced up.
"…Yeah?"
"…Do you have any ranged abilities?"
Ash shook his head.
"…No."
A pause.
"…What about you?"
Ravok exhaled slowly.
"…Same."
"…I asked Dig before."
"…No ranged options available to me."
Ash frowned slightly.
Thinking.
Then—
"…Dig."
Yes, Participant Ash.
"…Do I have any ranged abilities I can learn?"
A short pause.
Yes.
Ash blinked.
"…Seriously?"
A pause.
"…Can I unlock it now?"
No.
Ash frowned.
"…Why not?"
You do not yet possess full mastery of your wings.
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly.
Listening carefully.
While your flight ability has improved…
Your precision remains incomplete.
Unlocking ranged feather-based abilities requires advanced wing control.
Ash leaned back slightly.
Thinking.
"…Could I train it here?"
A short pause.
Yes.
However—
It would require several months of dedicated training.
The most efficient method is to continue using your wings in life-and-death situations.
That will accelerate your progress.
Silence followed.
Ash glanced at Ravok.
"…Sounds delightful," Ash said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ravok crossed his arms.
"…Not worth delaying."
Ash nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
"…We keep climbing."
"…Besides…"
Ravok raised an eyebrow.
"It won't be only us two forever."
"…We will build a team."
"…Four or five members."
A pause.
"…Maybe someone with ranged abilities."
Ravok smirked faintly.
"…Yeah."
"…But if not… I'm more than enough."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.