Challenges 134

Iris

Bibi, I can feel something ominous from that tower and labyrinth. They do not let just anyone enter, do they?

Bibi

Sharp as ever. The way opens only to adventurers who have trained Endurance to the fifteenth rank. Choose between the Trial Tower and the Rewinding Labyrinth.

Iris

A trial tower... I suppose I have to climb patiently from the bottom?

Bibi

Exactly. You may face only the floor just beyond the highest one you have conquered. Break through to the end, and the floor and its Cycle Stones are yours.

Iris

Surely I do not have to fight my way through a conquered floor every single time?

Bibi

Pay some gold and the keepers will deliver that floor's reward without another battle. It still uses one of the tower's allowances for the day.

Iris

Each labyrinth guardian offers three paths: Novice, Adept, and Elite. Can I choose Elite first?

Bibi

Do not get greedy. Victory on one path opens the next. Bring the Endurance that guardian demands, and defeat it before time runs out.

Iris

It seems the tower and labyrinth grant their chances separately. What if I lose or retreat?

Bibi

A chance is spent only when you win or claim a reward without fighting. Defeat and retreat do not count. The record by the entrance tells you what remains and when it will be restored.

Iris

Then I can pay gold to claim rewards from a labyrinth path I have already beaten too?

Bibi

Correct. The tower yields Cycle Stones, and the labyrinth yields Rewind Thread. Save them to trade for rare goods at the exchange.

Iris

But while I am fighting here, does the expedition I entrusted to others keep moving?

Bibi

It rests while you fight. Once you return here, it continues from where it stopped, so keep your eyes on the foe before you!

Iris

Wait, when I fall back during an expedition, I am preparing to leave the fight. Does retreating here mean giving up the challenge too?

Bibi

No. Battles here work a little differently from expeditions. Retreat only stops your attacks and puts some distance between you and the enemy. Advance when you are ready to face the enemy again!