Chapter 243: In Two Hours
Jacob crossed the next 10 floors fairly easily, placing him at exactly Level 44. He was really pleased at how easily he had defeated all of his opponents, and it was only the middle of the day, according to how time moved in the Tower of Sun.
He stood in the lobby and looked around as multiple people and creatures entered their battle arenas at once. He had decided to take a break for a while before ascending to Level 45.
...
"You’re still alive."
A voice came from behind Jacob. He was almost startled, but he recognized it. There was no one else it could be.
Drammond.
He was still wearing the same pair of undergarments from the previous day, and his torso was laced with sweat, dripping down below the crevice of his waistline. His hair was messy as though he had just concluded a grueling battle, but he slicked it back quietly and let out an exasperated sigh.
"I could say the same about you." Jacob looked the boy up and down and smirked. Even he had never been this exhausted after a fight, let alone 10.
"What floor are you currently on?" Drammond’s ears perked up immediately as he listened for Jacob’s response, in hopes of mocking him for being on such a low level.
"Oh... I’m currently on Level 45. What about you?" Jacob inquired casually and picked at his left index fingernail. He did not like the idea of being dirty after a battle, and it seemed as though one of his opponents had left their dead skin residue under his fingernail.
Drammond’s eyes widened. He could not believe that this young man, who had just come to the tower a few days ago, was already on Level 45! But he also had to maintain his cool and not let Jacob know that it bothered him.
What he did not realize was that Jacob was already aware of what level he was truly on and that it bothered him that he was higher.
"Well... I haven’t really been fighting the entire time, as I’ve dedicated most of my time to training. That’s why I’m still on Level 34." Drammond was truthful about his level, but like all young masters, he wasn’t truthful as to why he was on that level.
The truth was that Drammond was struggling to clear the tower. He had a skill that could definitely beat anyone in battle, but it drained a lot of his stamina. That was his only weakness. So, it made him tired after every battle.
He had long since resigned himself to just clearing the tower slowly and carefully until he reached the top. But after seeing how fast Jacob was ascending, and without so much as a bead of sweat on his forehead or a drop of blood on his skin, he had started to grow suspicious.
"Hey, you’re doing better than most people." Jacob patted the young man’s shoulder and started walking away.
Drammond gritted his teeth. He hated patronage, and this white-haired fellow was patronizing him. He did not quite like it. So, he turned around to face the departing Jacob.
"When is the sparring session?" Drammond inquired.
Jacob turned back with a smile plastered across his face. "Whenever you’re ready."
"What if I’m ready now?"
"I would suggest you rest first. You look very tired. I don’t want to have an unfair advantage in this battle." Jacob told him with sincerity. There would be no use in fighting a man who already had depleted stamina and could no longer move.
After a few moments and a lot of thought and consideration, Drammond finally replied, "You’re right. Let’s meet here in two hours. By then, I would be fully rested, and we can go about our duel."
"Fine by me."
The dark-haired young man said no more and walked off. He was determined to show the other young man that he was no small fry at all, and that he could, in fact, be totally victorious in this tower.
Jacob watched the young man’s back silently as he disappeared into the distance.
A faint smirk materialized on his face as he thought about how interesting it was going to be to fight someone who possessed Drammond’s particular skill. If he was able to beat the young man, then most people in this tower would pose no threat.
...
Jacob turned to Uga, who had been standing beside him silently. Uga had even neglected to exchange greetings with the Meereen that stood beside Drammond, a round Meereen of the same height but more robust.
Maybe they had greeted each other, and neither Jacob nor Drammond realized. This was just how the Meereens behaved.
"Why does he seem rather vexed?" Uga asked, equally watching as Drammond walked away.
"Beats me. Tell me, Uga... duels are allowed here, right?"
"As long as they do not cause destruction and they stay within the confines of this building. Like I have mentioned before, upon entry, the only time a competitor is allowed to leave is if they lose." Uga responded flatly.
"That’s interesting. I would have to fight him in my pocket world then. That way, there would be no damage incurred in the tower." Jacob slid into the floor, but not in a tired manner, in a way that just said he was through with standing.
"That’s perfectly fine."
...
In the distance, he could see a figure approaching him, a woman that seemed to make time stop. Her silver hair flowed all the way below her waistline, and her eyes were gleaming. There was a knowing smile plastered across her face as her eyes were locked only on Jacob.
In fact, no one else seemed to notice this woman as she moved towards him, swaying her hips from left to right in a very seductive fashion. She was certainly voluptuous, in a way that would make most women across multiple worlds deathly jealous, and many men fall weakly to their knees in awe of her.
Indeed, she was the goddess of grief, the Weeping Goddess.
Elyssara.