Azimuth: The Elden Throne (New Version)

Chapter 254 The Hanging Gardens Part 2

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/Step step… Stop/

Just a few steps away from the entrance of the Tower, in front of a massive arched passageway that led into the unknown, Dale stopped walking, turning to the right as he made his way to the edge of his platform.

Once the Inquisitors calmed everyone down and the people started to follow the arrows, space became much broader as people naturally started avoiding each other thanks to the slow and consistent guidance of the system, thus allowing him to pass by unimpeded.

"..."

/Shuaa…/

Feeling the wind blow in his face across the small openings of his helmet, Dale gazed downward.

There, a sea of clouds awaited him, together with many other platforms as well.

'There are clouds above and bellow… It's impossible to tell where we are.'

"Where's the sunlight coming from? The clouds?..."

'The tower of Babylon, what is it exactly and where is it located?' He thought silently as he closed his eyes

'And most importantly, what is its purpose?'

No matter how much he stood here, the answer wouldn't come, so with a decisive expression, he made his way inside.

…

/Step… Step…/

As he crossed the gates and entered the dark corridor, Dale quickly realized everyone around him had seemingly vanished.

/Stop…/

Turning his head, he saw only darkness.

"Seems like the entrance was a loading zone of sorts, now it's explained how everyone just kind of disappeared."

'Given how bright the entrance was, it was impossible for the darkness to take over within only a few steps.'

/Flash…/

Just as he thought about that, he saw a small light flash in the dark, revealing a figure he was very much used to by now…

The Inquisitor.

"Welcome! HardCore Player Number 0000000001, ID: DareDevil" The pyramid said as it spun in the air, shining faint light onto him through a shinning hole in one of its faces

"Your presence here today greatly honors us! Please, proceed through the passage and into the Lobby Zone calmly as we finish up all preparations."

"Preparations?" Dale asked as he raised an eyebrow

As if replying to his words...

[DING]

[Player assessment has been completed, overall Combat Potential surpasses that of an Overlimit Warrior]

[Releasing Class 3 Priviliges]

[Releasing Class 2 Priviliges]

[Releasing Class 1 Priviliges]

[Entrance Card has been created]

As the notifications finished, a Golden Card manifested in the air.

It was rather simple, being completely golden. A closer look displayed many hidden runes and strange symbols as he angled it in the light, like a watermark of some sort.

(Image?)

"This is…?"

"That is your Entrance Card, it is your registry. All of your activities and rewards will be recorded within and all features of Babylon can only be activated through it."

"Some player features such as direct trading will be disabled during your stay within Babylon, but with the card, trading can be done, but it must be performed through the card."

"It is your proof as a Challenger." The Inquisitor replied frankly

"Is this really necessary? Why not perform all of them through our IDs?"

"..."

The Inquisitor did not reply, it likely did not know, it was only here to offer assistance as a simplistic AI, nothing else.

'This is my first time actually meeting an AI that won't answer my questions, even the very first AI I met, the one during character creation answered my questions correctly.'

"Well… What are Privileges?"

"Privileges refer to access. It is your ability to access higher and more complex activities within the confines of Babylon."

"All Challengers are given Class 3 Priviliges, those of great Skill are given Class 2 Priviliges, and as of now, you're the only one in possession of a Class 1 Privilige, though that should soon change."

"Players can complete activities and build recognition, once enough has been gathered, Class Ascension will be performed automatically."

"I see… Some it's kind of a difficulty bar, to limit the amount of things everyone has access to as to not overwhelm them at first."

This means that only people at a certain Level of Power and Skill will be able to be here…

And most importantly, it means I can go after harder content and potentially gather resources faster while others will have to grind a bit first.

I wouldn't say this is a race, it doesn't matter who makes more faster.

Although it's good to make a lot, I just need to make enough to get what I want... Whatever that may be, and in the meantime, maybe grow a bit from whatever I experience around here.

I already have a pretty good training Skill so I don't know if that'll happen...

"Will this affect my activities? I heard there would be PVP. How can I match with someone if I'm the only one with this card?"

"The Card Grade does not affect pair-ups, only by completing activities and building recognition will you be matched with those of similar Skill and Ability."

"Okay, then what is Recognition?"

"Recognition is the method through which a player's ability is measured."

"There are two kinds of Recognition, Local and General, referring to Recognition that affects mainly one type of activity and the kind that affects all."

"As an example, a player can gather 1000 Recognition is 1v1 Duels, but his general score may remain at 10."

"General Scores affects all Activities, so if one raises 1000 Recognition in PvE activities prior to entering PvP, they will be matched against players of similar Recognition scores, whichiver the highest."

"I see, so it's the MMR huh…"

(Matchmaking Ranking)

"Hum… Then I don't have any more questions." Dale said as he shook his head

'There's still much left in my head, but that'll have to wait to later.'

"Thank you very much for your patience! Babylon is now open to you!"

"To complete synchronization, please place your Entrance Card in your inventory."

"..."

As the Inquisitor requested, Dale opened his inventory, placing the card within.

/Dinn…/

With a clear chiming sound, the card vanished, reappearing somewhere next to his Game ID.

He now had a brilliant golden card next to his name.

'This is a bit… Over the top… But that's fine, it's exactly what I wanted.'

'As long as I keep my identity a secret, it doesn't matter how prominent Dale the player is. It may even prove beneficial in the long run.'

[DING]

[Inicialization has been completed]

[You have been awarded 1000 Favor]

"Favor?..."

"Favor is the currency of Babylon, it can be gained via a multitude of sources and exchanged for rewards at the Shop of Boons, Favor cannot be traded with players in any circumstances, aside from exchanges where the value of the item to be exchanged for is predetermined by the System to avoid artificial growth."

"It can, however, be used not solely as currency but as a substitute for other things as well, including even resources during particular activities that allow for 'intervention'."

"Higher Class also means more products at the shop of boons."

"All players are given an initial 1000 Favor which isn't little, nor anything substantial, but just enough to start gathering more."

"Uhum…"

'So in here, we use money to make more money then we use that money to exchange for things?'

'It reminds me of how Casinos work...'

[DING]

[Hidden Achievement: Chosen 100]

[You have been awarded 1000 Favor]

[Hidden Achievement: Named Challenger]

[You have been awarded 10000 Favor]

[Hidden Achievement: First to reach Class 1]

[You have been awarded 15000 Favor]

[Hidden Achievement: Overlimit Warior]

[You have been awarded 20000 Favor]

[Hidden Achievement: Highest Level Player]

[You have been awarded 25000 Favor]

[Hidden Achievement: Strongest Player]

[You have been awarded 30000 Favor]

[Hidden Achievement: Favored by the Gods]

[You have been awarded 50000 Favor]

"Huh?!..."

Just when he thought everything was over, the world decided to throw stuff at him once more.

"Achievements?..."

"Activities aren't the sole way through which players can acquire Favor, completing certain challenging tasks can result in the completion of Achievements, some Unique, others staples for one's progress."

"Achievements are only one of the many hidden ways Favor can be bestowed upon a player, seek other forms so you may gather a throve and exchange it for the best rewards Babylon has to offer!" The Inquisitor said as it spun in the air once more

"... Thanks…"

'That wasn't the reason I was surprised…' Dale thought as he processed the situation

'I can tell that the first one was given to me because I was one of the Beta testers... But some of the rest...'

"Urg... Why did I gain so many Achievements?"

"Upon Initialization, your current self has been evaluated and the proper Achievements were released."

"... I won't complain." Dale said with a chuckle as he took a step forward, leaving the Inquisitor behind

"Once again, thank you for participating in this Event!" The Inquistor said as it followed Dale with its little light

"May you achieve glory and take everything you desire. We hope to see you there, on the Elden Throne!"

"..."

Without turning back, Dale continued walking, leaving the floating pyramid behind in the dark hall as it shone faintly in white light.

/Shine.../

And soon enough, he stepped into a brand new world.

A massive 'open' room encased by walls, the ceiling so high and so bright that it was hard to say if it was the sky or not.

Massive columns rose from time to time, supporting this entire megastructure.

The area seemed divided into sections, with him being in one of the many entrances at the edge, with more constructions appearing as he went to the center of the room.

/Chatter/

In the many gardens around the entrance, Players walked around, talking to each other as they discussed their next steps.

[DING]

"..."

And as he looked at them, he received a message... And smiled.

It was time for him to do the same.

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Notes

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