Mamon turned around expecting the Gatekeeper but it was a different person. He was a lot more fit. His graying hair and wrinkled face painted a picture of an old man while his body was completely opposite to it with his muscular build. He looked like someone who did not miss a hard day of work for half a century.
- Gatekeeper eh? Haven't been called one for a few decades. My name is Garry and you should call me as such!
- I'm sorry Mr. Garry! I have mistaken you for someone else.
The old man laughed heartily.
- I'm joking with you young man.
He hit Mamon's shoulder so hard he could barely keep his balance while smiling at him.
- I haven't seen you around. Are you new in town?
- Yes sir. I have just arrived. My name is Mamon and I came here to climb to the top of the tower and see what can be done to help with the corruption.
Garry stopped smiling and looked at him with a lot more serious look.
- If you want to get to the top, then you will have to get through all the guardians locking down the portals at every 5th level. At least usually. You know that right?
While talking he waved towards one of the houses on the side showing the way.
- Yes I know and I will need some help with that. That is also the reason I came here to look around and go to the temple, but the village is in a lot worse position than I thought.
The old man sit down on a chair on the terrace of a house and slapped on top of another one next to it inviting him who took it gladly.
- We had a lot of issues. Opposed to humans who we gladly invite in and help in any village, monsters showed up. First they were the usual feral wolves, giant foxes, bears and such we are used to, but a few days later a horde of undead showed up. The situation was worse and worse each day until we were left with no choice but to set fire to the forest to purge them.
He stopped for a moment and sighed.
- We didn't think the after effect would be this bad. The fire got a lot bigger than we thought and it burned down everything. The only reason the wall didn't catch on fire was because we doused it with water constantly until we ran out from almost all the water near the walls. This was over a month ago and the fire, at least the hot embers are only walkable since last week.
He stopped and looked at the well in the square. But didn't say anything more.
- Then why did no one leave to get food and water from the nearby village? It's outside the forest isn't it?
Garry shook his head.
- I don't know how you got here, but every group that left were hunted down by a giant undead that looks like skeletons glued together by zombie parts... and the only reason we even know this is because a person got away from it and returned. Since then we ran out of food and water because even the rain has forsaken us.
- Huh? A giant skeleton golem? That is supposed to be the 5th level's guardian! What is it doing here?
The old man shrugged.
- We have no idea. You should speak with the priest. He is the only one who could have an idea about it.
- I see.
Mamon stood up.
- Thank you for the information Garry! Rest assured, I will definitely do something about it. Even though I have no idea what.
As he walked away waving backwards the old man shouted after him.
- Don't do anything reckless. Enough people were lost already...
But he didn't care. Even though he is under levelled and underpowered this sounded like a quest. A quest with possibly a really juicy reward.
He walked across the square and behind a house to find the building. The temple was a simple wooden building with straw roof like any other, just bigger and with a bell tower next to it reaching towards the sky. The entrance was open and inviting to anyone who wanted to enter.
The inside was spacious with benches on each side leading up to a platform with an altar on it. A few people were sitting on the benches and praying while the priest was talking with an old man in the front. The young and bald priest wore white robes with yellow lines and stars on it which were the glorious symbols of his god.
Mamon walked up to the front row and sit down to pray.
'This is the first thing any player should do after visiting the statue. Praying to the god of light will grant you a bonus.'
He prayed for good fortune and help with the climb. A blue window and a flash of light around him proved his actions were right.
"The God of ***** has given you a blessing. All your damage against undead is increased by 50%."
'That is weird. Is the name changed to a set of stars because the god is corrupted, or something else is blocking it? ... Well! I got the buff anyway and it will help against the undead on the 3rd to 5th floor greatly.'
When he looked up, everyone was looking at him and the priest walked towards him slowly with smile on his face then bowed.
- This humble follower of the God of Light greets the warrior destined to rid us of this curse!
Mamon looked confused.
'He knows about the prophecy from the game? But it should be different from what I heard from the Gatekeeper...'
As he opened his mouth to talk the priest continued on.
- We were waiting for someone such as yourself to help us banish back the corrupted guardian to its place. Its presence is something that is an error in the tower's order and will lead to further catastrophe.
'Never mind. He is talking about something else I guess.'
He stood up and placed his hand on the shoulder of the priest.
- Greetings my friend. I have come to help in this great peril indeed. I am destined to climb the tower and rid of it it's corruption. The first step is to help you all with this issue. However...He stopped and looked around at the people who were looking at him with sparkling and hopeful eyes.
- However I feel that I am still too weak to face the guardian. That is why I came to you for guidance.
The priest smiled at him and held his hand between his.
- Just as God has sent you to me for help, I will guide you. Come with me and I will tell you what to do.
The priest walked towards the entrance leading Mamon by hand.
'This is so cringe every time. You have to take up on every roll they throw at you to make the climb easier. Champion, guardian, great warrior, and so on. All these weird titles. But if you don't play the part you will miss out on treasures so let's just go with it.'
He was led to the bell tower where the priest pulled out a stake with a gold star symbol embed onto it's end.
- This is the last one we have left. All the others were lost when we tried to use them against the guardian.
He handed the item over to Mamon.
- If you keep this close to it for about five minutes when the stake of banishment lights up with golden light you have to stab it into the guardian. It will banish it back to the 5th floor. But you have to be really close to it. With which, the guards who tried to do it failed.
A blue window popped up saying he has received a quest.
- Thank you brother! Trust me and our God's guidance. I will certainly succeed!
- It is a relief to hear!
The priest said a short prayer. Then continued on.
- You should ask the guards for help. They will surely be happy to do it.
He shook his had.
- No, I can not do that. They have suffered enough already!
'If I do the quest alone it will give me enough Soul Power for three whole levels, while with help it would only be one. Dodging the boss for five minutes should be easy.'
The priest sighed but smiled at him.
- As you wish. But please return safely. I would be feeling guilty otherwise.
He smiled back.
- You don't have to worry about me. Please just stay and pray for my success. With God on my side I will surely succeed!
They said their see you later and the priest bowed once more as he turned around and walked towards the gate.
'The whole situation was warped around so much! But it's actually really good for me. Only five minutes and I will get three whole levels which would take a few hours otherwise. I wonder when will the alarm...'
He stopped for a moment as his mind went blank. Then started walking again.
'I wonder how long will it take to find the golem.'
He reached the gate and talked to the guard briefly before he left Mamon out.