Frost immersed herself within the city streets.

Wide lanes of yellow paths flanked by lavish double-storied homes summarized the City of Diamonds. It was like walking through a historical neighborhood, save that nearly everything was adorned with gold and every person dressed like it was their last night alive.

The erotically dressed bunny-women were nowhere to be found on the streets to her relief. Patrols of horse-drawn carriages carrying people from the Golden Middle periodically drove around certain blocks like guards.

The civilian life was highly lavish within the City of Diamonds, which saw beautiful sights no matter where she looked. The city itself was designed heavily around each of the five towers. The DJ Sector for instance was the internal city Sector belonging to the Golden Thumb and saw little variety in combatants.

Only the City Defenders were spotted in this sea of life. Even at the cusp of midnight she saw countless faces drinking at open-roofed bars. The irresistible scent of coffee and sizzling meat were wafted over by an invisible wind from massive bistros and restraunts.

“Even the citizens here are considered personnel of the Golden Index, huh.” Frost, although speaking to no one in particular, was quickly answered by the only person who deeply insisted to tag along.

“They’re the luckiest people in the world. And you fit right in here with that get up. Aha. To think I’d be walking alongside you personally. An Archetype!” This voice belonged to Cer.

This woman, despite her obnoxious personality, was actually quite reliable when it came to this kind of informational work. While Frost was confident that she’d eventually reach the Carpal Tower on her own, there were certain avenues, twists, and turns that she would not have understood.

The city was, after all, not built on one horizontal plane. It consisted of multiple stairwells that led to networks beneath the streets. At some point they reached a stone bridge that crossed a near endless pit where massive pipework and sewerage lines protruded like the veins of the city.

“I feel like I’m in a completely different world. This all leads into the ocean I’m assuming.” Frost’s voice echoed in this vast, hollowed place where little light reached.

“Straaaaaight into the ocean where the gravity wells gobbles them right up. You know, you always struck me as a devourer of knowledge. Asking this, wanting to know that. Do you really need to stick your nose into everything?” Cer said judgingly, leading the way on this thin bridge with her hands held behind her head.

“I mean, there’s little I know of this world to begin with. Not to mention I was betrayed by a Star who you, by the way, told me I could trust with my life. Put yourself into my shoes for a second.” Frost suddenly complained with vice as they then exited this strange, vast abyss and entered a semi-underground section just beneath one of the main streets.

The bustling sound was muffled by ceilings of brick and soil, entering through ventilation and sewerage gaps. This wide tunnel they traversed was similar to the ancient city tunnels found in modern cities back on Earth.

Except here even these places were polished to the same standards as above.

Frost held some degree of spite towards the triplets for this misinformation, but it was ultimately very little since it wasn’t their fault to begin with. And after her encounter with Iscario and that unapologetic Red Giant – Stars were no longer trustworthy to her.

A Beholder on the other hand? There was potential. After all, these people were of the highest order within the Nexus. If she could at least speak to one directly then perhaps she’d understand the Ateliers situation better.

And also why the fuck they were so inactive in the first place, aside from being in the equivalent of a total cold war with one another. From what she also understood, the Director had also personally spoken to Beholder Carpalis.

This was why she was also looking forward to meeting this Beholder, for better or worse.

Not more than the potential Archetype, however.

“I hate the way you speak. This world? You talk like you’re not from Elysia. But it wouldn’t be the first time someone spoke like that.” Cer stated.

“If I said I’m that I’m actually from a different world then would you believe me?”

“My instincts tell me yes. But I got a brain. The brain of a hunter. Testing me for my loyalty? Nice try. I’m 30 steps ahead of you.” Cer dismissed this, tapping at her head as she took multiple steps forward. “You can at least tell me the name of your fictional world. Live the lie. You’re good at that, aren’t you~?”

“Earth. Sometimes called the ‘Big Blue’. Lots of oceans, cities like these. Around a few billion years old.”

“Billions? You’re not making your lie any more believable. But… heh. That snake’s got something in common with you then.” Cer chuckled, tilting her head back enough to meet with Frost’s eyes.

“Beholder Galia? She knows what Earth is!?” Frost inadvertently yelled at the notion of Galia being another person from Earth. It caused Cer’s ears to twitch as she growled in minor pain, right before she wore a somewhat conflicted face.

“Oi. If you’re gonna yell, then at least yell my name! Tch.” She shook her head like wet dog and slowed herself until she was by Frost’s side. “Not sure where she’s from, but you… how do I put it. You remind me of her. We go waaaaaay back in the day. To think it’s almost been 30 years already since...”

Cer’s mouth suddenly sealed shut as her voice betrayed her. She seemed rather hesitant to speak, but as she scraped a single nail along the wall, she began talking again.

“Frost. Listen. This is kind of out there, but you’re lucky. Lucky that Iscario was your only threat, and probably still is. But I don’t know that. I’m just running my mouth to get shit out of my head.”

She breathlessly uttered, her nail digging deeper into the wall, scraping straight through like a hot knife through butter.

“If Grandis was as bad as it was 50 years ago, then trust me, you would’ve transformed into something worse than those Wandering Healers. The world’s antagonist I bet. And rightfully so~”

These words alone carried the emotional storm that surged in her heart. Unspeakable things had happened to Cer, and she sounded like she had also witnessed other harrowing transformations. Perhaps of the Wandering Healers themselves.

Cer was an interesting person. Despite her insisting that she despised helping others, she gave Frost some valuable insight. Just like any receptionist would. Her crude way of talking was also charming and felt more like advice stemming from true experience, rather than something pulled out of a book or script.

“Me as the antagonist? I don’t know about that.” Frost was a little offended by this.

“That’s what they all say until they become the most violent. How about you hit me to prove me wrong!” Cer slapped her flat chest and presented herself, begging to take a strike.

Frost could only shake her head and place a warm hand onto the woman’s head.

“Cer, I think I might have to heal your brain. That’s not how reverse psychology works.” Frost could almost hear Res apologizing to her for this little troublemaker.

“Heh. So you’re smarter than you look. How about this, hit me and we’ll be on our way again!” She abruptly stopped them in their tracks.

“Look, I get you have certain kinks… wait a minute, is this why you bothered the fuck out of the others just to tag along!?” As she said this, she could feel a number of people gather right above them.

It was then she realized that their voices could be heard.

“Naturally!”

Frost, annoyed by this little wolf, inexplicitly whacked the top of her head with [Goodnight], marking her first ever act of battery against a person. And as per Frost, she immediately apologized before they carried on their way.

Cer was left dazed in place, her eyes sparkling with delight as she stared at the back of Frost like a starstruck dame.

 

* * *

 

In about an hour’s time the two found themselves within DQ, the territory of Carpal Tower, the Golden Index and the Golden Middle. Security was tighter here as a result, but it never felt like they were being scrutinized or suffocated.

Rather, these City Defenders were as much more of a pedestrian as the citizens themselves. It was also here where the City Defenders carried varying pieces of equipment.

There was no uniform or standard weapon like what the Justica Arms possessed. It was almost like they were hired mercenaries than anything else.

“That’s because they are technically hired. The Golden Ticket was the price of this paradise. So you end up with people from all around Elysia serving the Golden Index.” Cer explained as Frost paid for two meat skewers from a food stall. “And you really let them check your coins for a counterfeit?”

“Huh? And you didn’t? Do you want me to applaud or something?” Frost joked, passing the meat skewer to Cer as they followed the main strip leading straight towards the Carpal Tower.

Thousands paraded here, whether to dine, shop or to simply socialize. The entire strip was laid with a pristine red carpet as feather-like shrubs reached into the skies and arched beautiful over the strip.

Right before they left the Reception of the Golden Index, the Diamond Suit asked them to reveal any and all coins they had in possession. Frost, understanding that the counterfeit coins could explode, complied for safety reasons.

Cer on the otherhand?

“C’mon. And risk losing this gold coin? A cute healer gave me this you know!” Cer sincerely spoke as if this coin was a memento of sorts. She held it deep in her palms and uttered: “I like to wonder where she is now. Her name was Sana.”

“Ah. I see. I didn’t know it was important to you.” She sympathized with her all of a sudden, right before Cer then tossed the coin into the air and mischievously smiled.

“So that’s why I’m going to use it to earn some big fucking stacks in there! When your little runt comes along we’ll cheat the system!” Cer proclaimed, catching the coin which was supposed to be ‘precious’ to her.

In the end, it was Frost’s fault for expecting anything more from her.

“You sound more tired than usual.”

Imagine how Res must feel! But it’s not like Cer’s that bad. She’s just… well, you know.

“An idiot?”

No, just kind of funny. But downright obnoxious. I feel like a parent trying to keep a child from running off into the crowd.

Indeed. Frost needed to strap a collar on this woman if she wanted to tame her. Cer would approach machines highly reminiscent of a slot-machine back on Earth and zap them with her fang, causing a few silver coins to spill into a tray for her taking.

This was why Frost currently held her by the collar as if she was escorting a highly dangerous dog, leaving the woman equally as irritated as she was satisfied with the outcome.

Those aren’t operated with electricity, are they? Those gambling machines?

“Magic. They’re operated by fairies much like the Diamond Suit. Fairies are essentially magical creatures capable of manipulating objects. You’d probably call them a poltergeist in your world. Why do you ask? Is the Electric Fang shocking them to spill coins?”

Are you a genius Nav? It’s exactly as you say.

Basically, Cer was zapping the fairies that individually managed the slot machines somewhere within. The fact that Cer did this without a second thought meant that this wasn’t her first time cheating the system.

“Cer. You don’t think it’s dumb idea to cheat in the territory of a Beholder, do you?”

“Beholder Carpalis? C’mon. Surely you’re not joking. She ain’t that strong. The weakest of the weak compared to the other Beholders. Her technology lets her send out tickets. TICKETS. What’s a ticket booth to a galvanizing wolf!?” Cer assured with absolute certainty as Frost gazed up at the approaching tower.

“Hey, you do you. But I’m right here too and I am not going to get wrapped into your antics. Stay put for a second. A single second. You can do that, can’t you?”

“When you treat me like a kid it makes me want to zap the shit out of you. But you’re lucky I got a thing for those eyes!”

“You can do that, right?” Frost pressed, wanting this damned wolf to settle down.

“… alright. Alright! I get it. I borrowed enough coins to last a good while, so take your time up there. But I’m surprised. For someone who despises the Ateliers you’re awfully optimistic. Walking into Atelier turf like you won’t get killed. We’ll you’d be right. Just don’t put anything past them.”

“I am well aware. Do you know if Beholder Carpalis is anything like the Scarlet Logic’s?”

“I’ve only seen Beholder Galia in person so I can’t say much. But she’s notorious for being hands on. Hardly ever in the Nexus as well. Like that’s a bad thing~”

They eventually reached the golden arcs of the massive estate, which spanned hundreds of meters left and right. Countless people moved through the doors in this city which never seemed to sleep, with children and parents alike gazing up at the near neon-lit stars that masked the night sky.

“Well, this is our stop. Good luck up there. Not like you’ll need it to begin with. If you need my help then don’t worry. I’m more reliable than you think!” Cer promptly dismissed herself with folded arms as she disappeared into the crowd, leaving Frost entirely alone in this foreign place.

Very convincing.

She followed suit, brushing past the crowd until she entered perhaps the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

 

< Entering Carpal Tower for the First Time >

 

< Welcome to Carpal Tower >

 

Her eyes twinkled to the countless lights that lined the golden walls which endlessly rose as far as the eye could see. Up to 52 entirely furbished floors filled with exemplary-crafted casino tables left Frost starstruck as she strolled through this bizarre place.

It was somewhat magical. More magical than most places, despite how modern it appeared. Fairies operated every machinery in this place, moving like glowing orbs highly reminiscent of the Will O’ Wisps folklore back on Earth.

How fitting of them to operate the slot machines.

Frost could only find it humorous. These things were considered entities of false hope, and for them to be in a casino of all places caused her to inadvertently smile to herself.

These were the true bodies of the Fairies that hid underneath the floating suits and various other magical machinery, like coin dispensers and even the hovering lights themselves.

The floating ones which illuminated the entirety of the casino as if they were stars were named the Surveillance, and the yellow-dressed guards here were given the title of Casino Security Personnel.

Bunny-eared dealers dealt out cards on green fabric-coated tables where games of blackjack, poker and the like were staged. For these Earth-like games to be held here left her wondering once again if someone of Earthly origins arrived here in the past, or if Beholder Carpalis acquired this knowledge in the Eternal Library when scouring for her technology.

Whatever the case was – Frost was glad to see these familiar games. But she didn’t have the luxury to pick a seat and play. She needed to find a way to reach the top. And so, she followed the green carpets towards the main staircase and began to climb through each floor one by one.

Various people of all kinds greeted her along the way, many of which recognizing the card she held in her hand.

“You have a personal meeting with the Consigliere of our leader!? That magician is something else!”

“Please, do have a drink before heading up. It’s on the house.”

“Lucky you! That magician of a man is such a delight! And a snack for the eyes!”

“Four swords huh? My late brother was given a card with 10 swords a day before his accident. Apparently those cards resonate with people or something like that.”

“Up, up – up you go! Head up darling! Oh, my – what a fancy dress as well! It really accentuates your chest!”

Frost was… taken aback in many more ways than one to say the least. Each floor, while near identical with the others, each had their own unique quirk to them as well as a designated number and suit.

It went from the lobby, which was the Ace of Clubs, to Diamonds, Hearts, and then Spades. Each suit also had their color scheme shift to match, as well as the dresses of the casino workers. Each floor upwards from the 39^th saw the security tighten and required her to show each guarding person the card in hand.

Their levels quickly climbed with each floor and before long, people with levels reaching as high as 110 were present, named only as Casino Soldiers. Eventually, upon reaching the black carpets of the 51^st floor, she came face to face with a floating suit reminiscent of the Diamond Suit.

 

 

Their encounter was brief, brisk, and straight to the point. The man did not exchange a single word and simply floated aside after inspecting the tarot card in hand. This spade-faced individual had insane magic stats, and left her intrigued as she explored this near empty floor.

0 HP as well, like all the fairies. I’m guessing their MP replaces it.

“Indeed. Magical races utilize MP instead of HP. They are essentially immune to all physical attacks. Save for certain effects. Like your bite, for instance.”

Are you egging me on to eat them?

“No. I merely wished to remind you that your bite bypasses all forms of defenses and immunities.”

Except for when the condition explicitly grants a Corrupted invulnerability. Like the One Thousand Eyed Bird… thanks Nav.

“For what?”

Giving me a heads up. Depending on how things go, I might have to bite this Carpalis Beholder.

Frost eventually climbed the final set of stairs, reaching the 52^nd floor in this grand tower after a total of 30 minutes worth of exploration. She imagined it would take the average person around an hour to an hour and a half just to reach this floor.

Nothing save for a single table situated in the distant center was present.

It was a rather featureless place, and the light were significantly dimmed. A spotlight seemed to shine over the table as the card in her hand grew warmer with each careful step she took.

Could this be an ambush?

“Unlikely. I am hearing the voice of someone nearby. They wish for you to sit at the table with them.”

Who could it be?

“Unknown.”

And then at some point she felt like she had just pierced through something. Like she had walked into a wall of plastic wrap. It was a barrier of some kind, and upon freezing momentarily to fathom this sensation, the world around her began to swiftly change.

The floors became transparent, revealing the entire length of the casino below as vibrant lights suddenly illuminated this dim room, vanquishing every shadow imaginable. The tarot card then suddenly slipped out of her grasp the moment she reached the poker table, and as her eyes followed the fleeting card in the air –

– A man dressed in a fabulous golden suit strolled towards her with a diamond-encrusted cane in hand.

“It seems that fate has chosen for us to meet in this most esteemed place! But the strands and gears of such a preposterous mechanism has no place in a world that desperately requires hope, don’t you think~?” His voice was smooth and the kind that one would expect a highly regarded butler to wear.

It was neither deep or high and fell into a perfect middle ground.

This man caught the card between his black-gloved fingers as he bowed like a respectable gentleman, pulling his golden top-hat to reveal a head that was no more than a giant pale card with eyes that revolved like a slot machine.

“Four of Swords my Amalgam friend! This is but a sign of respite before your departure to the uncharted roads ahead!” He announced, waving his hat and cane around as his left eye landed on the roman numeral equivalent of 4, and his right on the symbol of a sword.

Frost needed a moment to process this. Not because of the strangeness of it all.

But because this was indeed another Archetype.

 

 

“Now then – shall we play a card game as an icebreaker, my friend~?”