18 Day 2 (2/2)

'I've hit the maximum limit of Life Orbs I can currently carry.' As the third Life Orb was borne into existence, Micheal could also feel a very faint level of pressure settle upon his soul. While these three orbs provided him with a feeling of refreshment, they also required a certain level of power to maintain.

'With my average Soul stat, I can have 3 Life Orbs present. That means I can die 3 times and still survive.' His eyes flashed as he considered this. The fact that he could literally have 3 extra lives… it was incredible.

He would've killed for an Ability like this on the 6th or 7th Layer.

While the Ability didn't increase his Strength or give much offensive power, and even had the negative aspect of not allowing a Type, it was so incredibly useful an Ability that he couldn't pass it up. It was also one of the rare Limited Abilities that could be purchased from the Shop. That meant if he hadn't picked it up when he had, it was likely he never would've gotten the chance to snag it.

”Ouch!” As he was considering the Ability, he winced out loud. He quickly stretched his arm as a cramp appeared.

”I'm not in nearly as good a shape as I used to be.” He ruefully muttered as he began to stretch. His entire body was aching, sore from all the exertion of yesterday. Even his increased Recovery wasn't able to fully fix him up.

His body simply wasn't used to all of his rapid movements and attacks. It would take some time for his physique to adapt to how it used to be, let alone gain anywhere near its previous strength.

”Still, I have that time to spare. I can't leave this Cluster till the Great Bridge appears in a month.” He nodded sharply.

”Should I break one of the Orbs? If it will bring me back to life, does that mean it will heal all my injuries?” He rubbed his chin.

Soreness like his was caused, in part, by micro-tears in the muscles of one's body from using them in ways they weren't used to. Micheal had learned this, and as much information as he could about developing himself, years ago in the middle of the 7 Layers when he was desperately trying to catch up to the First Wavers. These tears would eventually heal and the muscles would become stronger than before, but that took time.

”Maybe I should test it…” He thought it over and then shook his head.

”No, I'm currently too weak. I need every advantage I can get, including the full 3 lives. I'll wait till tomorrow, I'll just have to suffer through the soreness for now.” He made his mind up.

After reaching that conclusion, he stood up and began to leave.

When he opened his door, he opened it very carefully, removing the doorstop. He listened to the sounds of the world around him, putting his ears near the ground, where a tiny slit was open between the door and floor.

He heard nothing.

While it might seem overkill, especially with his level of skill, Micheal didn't make it through the 7 Layers all the way to the end by being careless.

He quickly moved through the hallway, not seeing or hearing anyone else. His footsteps were quiet and confident.

In no time at all, he made it to the stairwell. Just as he was about to open the door to go up, he froze.

Faintly, he could hear voices drifting down.

”…It's bullshit, Merkel should've gotten the Points for it. We clearly had it at the edge…”

”…Tommy I know, but the Points go to the person that hits it last, that's just how it is…”

”…it's not fair. We woke up early just to find…”

Micheal could hear a pair of male voices arguing. Two men that had just hunted a Morenkai and apparently had the kill stolen from them, or one of their allies, were complaining as they moved to their floor.

Eventually, the voices faded away as they entered a floor that was several ones above Micheal's.

'So there are other people in this skyscraper.' He frowned. It couldn't be helped, there were only so many skyscrapers in the Cluster, and many more people.

'Still, they sound like a small group. At the least, they don't sound like they are part of any major power. I highly doubt they have this skyscraper locked down.' While the big groups would often lock down entire sectors, the smaller groups or forces that lived in the dangerous central area were less territorial.

Part of it was a manpower issue. They simply couldn't afford to waste time blocking off areas, especially when Morenkai would appear frequently.

Micheal entered the stairwell.

Everything was quiet, for now, anyway. He quickly clambered up the stairs, taking quick steps to get the blood flowing in his sore legs. After a few moments, he breathed out lightly as he reached the top.

He frowned slightly as he saw a small spot of red.

'They must've been injured.' It was blood.

He shook his head. He could remember his own dangerous trials when he was here the first time around.

He put his ear to the door for a moment and then opened it up fully, his eyes cool.

It was the start of his second day here.

'I have 150 Points now after buying breakfast… By the end of today, I want to have 4,000.'

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