A test of skill.

As I walk towards the door, the four windows one by one disappeared. First to go was the status screen. The last thing I saw on it was a rapidly filling orgasm bar and the number 180% under it. As each window closed, the room becomes progressively quieter. When the last window closes, the door in front of me opens, and I step through it, onto the stairs down.

A new window opens, informing me of my quests completion.

Plants, people, and pleasure.

Congratulations, you have survived something an entire civilization could not. Oh, and you permanently prevented some poor player from ever doing this event again, have you no shame?

Rewards: A new skill, known by the opposing player.

A skill book containing one random skill is placed in your inventory. You have already received all other rewards.

I close the quest window, and I notice the inventory icon blinking. Before me, the stair proceeds down into the darkness towards the next floor

With no clear goal in mind, I decided to flip through my inventory, not only to inspect my rewards but also to look for anything that could potentially provide light. However, I realize that if there were dangerous creatures residing within this level, such light could also expose my position. I sigh when I realize that I, nonetheless, have no source to see through the darkness.

Slowly hovering my finger over the newly-appeared screen, I select the reward book and patiently wait for my new skill. I also open up my stats window, before making sure I was in the best equipment for this unknown situation. (One short sword, A set of light armour, and a set of throwing knives.) After doing so, I continue my journey down the stairs, careful to not make loud sounds nor to slip.

The book appears in my hands after I select it. It is medium sized and on the leather cover is a picture of a bag with an open hand above it.

Read skill book and learn theft? WARNING: reading this book destroys it.

I immediately select the "Yes" option and wait for the skill to formalize. The book lights up in my hands and images begin to show before my eyes.

They all show me various ways to steal items without being discovered. I learn ways to pick the pockets of people in a large crowd. I discover ways to use distractions to my advantage during said pickpocketing. I learn of the subtle art of stealing an item when it is just me and my target and no one else.

All these and more I see as the book flips through its pages, and its contents pour into my brain. After a minute or so, the book slams shut, and upon inspection reveals that it is an empty book.

New skill learned: theft.

Grants you the ability to steal a random, unequipped item from the target's inventory.

I have just enough time to read the description when the window flashed and the description changes. I also feel the knowledge of the skill change slightly in my mind.

Your class as an arcane rogue has **** the theft skill to change. Theft is now arcane theft.

Arcane theft: allows you to steal a random, unequipped item from an unsuspecting target from up to one meter away.

As I slowly walk forward, Sconces along the walls lit up one by one. Before finding myself at what seems like a flat ground beneath the flights of stairs. Eventually, the tunnel opens up in a tranquil forest glade.

In the distance, I hear the sound of a stream, and birds of all kinds flutter from tree to tree. It is warm, but unlike the stifling, tropical heat from the floor above, this warmth is comfortable like a warm summer day. A gentle breeze blows through the glade and a few stray hairs that had come loose during the chaos of the previous floor sway back and forth and tickle my cheek.

The chirping of the birds, the calming warmth, and the overall peaceful environment put me at ease. I am so calm in fact, that the sudden appearance of the quest window startles me.

Chasing the rainbow.

Well, you had a test of strength with the rats, a test of intellect with the puzzle, Three guesses what kind of test this will be. And the first two attempts don't count.

Objective: Capture as many butterflies as you can before the time runs out. Each butterfly extends the time you have. Capture at least 10 to proceed. More than 10 MAY result in additional rewards.

Rewards: access to floor 10, one (1) point to agility. Maybe more?

Your time starts when you pick up the 'awesome net of butterfly catching'.

On the ground next to me is a pretty ordinary looking net used to catch small flying objects. As I look back up to my surroundings, I notice that butterflies of every colour imaginable had appeared, and they are flying around the glade in a fast-paced, chaotic pattern.

My eyes widen in surprise as I hold the net up for better inspection. The net looks ordinary enough, and I casually gave it a swing. This was one oddity of a quest, and there was no clear penalty for failure.

"Hmm, I guess the creator just wanted to give me an easy break."

I immediately began advancing towards the area with most butterflies. I cast the magical restraint spell from the ground while swinging the net downwards. Stone hands reach upwards from the ground, forming a cage with the net as the top. Somehow, I suspect there is a catch to this.

The moment my magically created hands shoot from the ground, the butterflies in the area scattered. I manage to capture one in the hands before the swarm breaks apart. I hastily change the direction of the net in an attempt to catch some more, but I can see that the sudden appearance of the hands has startled them.

I watch as the game slows to a crawl, and the familiar icons that indicate skill choice appear. The only one that has colour is the one relating to acrobatics, so I choose it, hoping that can help me.

Using the skill, I deftly adjust the course of the net towards a small group of butterflies. Startled by the sudden presence of the net, I manage to capture four of them in a single swing before they scatter. The butterflies disappear from the net, and as I look around, I see a large glass chest sitting on a tree stump. In it are five multicoloured butterflies.

I raise an eyebrow in annoyance. This level was far too stupid to be completed like such. There must be another way. I look through my inventory to find two unopened stone cylinder. I shake them gently. I hear a clanging sound from one, and a thick paper like rustling from the other.

My attention was drawn by a subtle beep from my HUD. There, at the top, I can see a clock in soft blue numbers ticking down.

14:40...14:39...14:38.

"That's easier then I thought," I thought to myself. "I ought to maximize my rewards through this level."

I quickly chase after other butterflies, using my erotic visions to mimic the sight, sound and smell of butterflies looking to mate to attract them towards the net. Using my spell, I manage to attract a few of them towards each other and me. However, as I swing to catch them, the net gets caught in some branches. The snapping sound startles them, and as they scatter I just manage to capture one of them.

A better idea soon came to mind. I created a cage with the magical restraint spell and hovered the net above. I then cast Erotic Visions again, drawing the butterflies towards the "trap". I also decided to open up the stone cylinders.

The clanging sound, it turns out, was made by a fairly large collection of larger than normal gold coins. They carry the stamp of a long forgotten empire, and I am unsure of its true value without asking an expert. The best I can tell is that they are no longer used as currency. The second cylinder reveals a scroll of thick parchment. A band encircles it to keep it closed. On it, I can see another icon I now recognize as a skill. The icon is shaped like an arrow, and around it is the various symbols relating to the elements.

The gold coins seemed of high value based on the fancy details. I slowly slide the coins back into the container before placing it in my pouch. Feeling that there was no harm in gaining an extra spell, I quickly tap on the screen, choosing to learn it. After which I do the same trick once more, chasing after the butterflies before taking a glance at the timer.

The scroll disintegrates as it contents flow into my mind. I see an image of an archer shooting arrows infused with various elemental effects.

Skill learned; elemental arrow.

Infuses an arrow or bolt with the power of fire, air(lightning), earth, or water(frost).

Higher levels allow for multiple elements to be infused at the same time or fewer with more power. Costs increase accordingly. Requires bow or crossbow.

Unfortunately, the time it took me to learn and read the new skill, made me mess up the timing. They fly away from me, gathering in a new cluster on the other side of the glade. As I look at the time at the top of my HUD, I see that I have just over 10 minutes left. I frown. These butterflies were nothing special, but certain classes definitely will have an advantage over others in this. Unfortunately, my current spells or skills do not have an AOE attack with stunning or such.

"Urghh, can't you all just cooperate?!" Staring at the butterflies, I yell with frustration. "How I wish I was an ice mage."

I slowly raise my net, before chasing after the butterflies. My Erotic Visions spell accurately covers the horde of butterflies, luring them toward my net.

"Well, I guess this level might be a test of determination after all?" I raise an eyebrow, before slamming the net down on the butterflies.

My first swing misses, in my frustration I mess up on the timing, and my swing goes wide. Taking a deep breath to calm me, I take another swing, this time I manage to capture a few. Progress is slow, but I realize that this floor is indeed a test of determination, as well as patience.

"Phew, I guess I am going to have to just grind this level then..."

I sigh, realizing that the reward was worth the effort. Continuing with my strategy, I charge at the butterflies once again. I spend the next two minutes chasing more of the multicoloured butterflies and manage to capture an additional six. A soft ping draws my attention to my HUD, and I see that the clock has changed from light blue to light green.

6 minutes left.

My lips curls upwards knowing I have reached my goal. However, the promise of additional rewards peaked my curiosity as I continued with my actions. I continue to swing away at the scattered clusters of insects, some of my swings are slightly off, resulting in only one capture. Some are so wide I'm a bit ashamed of myself. But my last swing went right through the last cluster of butterflies, capturing 5 of them. As I look around, I begin to notice that the glade is beginning to clear out. There is still enough left, but not nearly as much as when you started. The clock showed 4 minutes left.

I silently pump my fist into the air, giggling in joy like a small child as the butterflies appear within the treasure box. Now that the number is going down, the difficulty will only increase. However, that does not stop my determination as I rush forward to capture more of them. those last few butterflies turned out to be remarkedly tricky, and most of my swings go wide or are to slow. One, at least, manages to capture three more. But you see that the clock has started ticking down to its last minute.

"Come on..." I grit my teeth. Charging at the butterflies once more with determination, I cast my Magic Restraint Spell before swinging the net. I swing fanatically at the last large cluster I can find, and remarkedly, I manage to catch quite a few. Unfortunately, the ringing sound of an alarm clock informs me that time has run out. I tiredly walk back towards the glass cage in the centre to see the end result.

As I approach the glass box, the swarm of insects begin to glow. After a short moment, the glow subsides, and in the box are three items. One is a book not unlike the skill book I got earlier. The second is what looks like a jewel case, about the size of one or two pieces of jewellery. And the third is a small ornate box of delicately carved ebony.

Picking up the book and flipping through it, I quickly realize that this will give me the point in agility that was part of the main reward. When I open the black ebony box, I see that inside is a collection of gems as colourful as the butterflies. My best guess puts its worth at about 3 gold. The jewel case contains a hairpin shaped like a fairy in mid-flight. when I pick it up, I can sense a faint magical aura coming from it.

I smile, admiring the intricacy of the hairpin before carefully placing it on my head. Picking up the agility book, I choose to use it immediately. I place the collection of gems back into my pouch and inspect the box to see whether it possess a value of its own.

Upon using the book, my mind starts to fill with knowledge, much like the theft book. Only this time, I'm shown tricks to move more silently, more gracefully. Tips on how to run more efficiently, or how best to jump or climb. It is over in a matter of seconds, but I feel the knowledge settling in my brain. The ebony box is worth maybe two or three silver, it's not worthless, but its more something you see at the houses of a higher class woman. The description window conveniently marks it as "vendor trash"

As I look around the glade for the exit, the hairpin begins to warm up. It gets warmer and warmer until, just before it becomes unbearable, it emits a flash and I hear the flutter of small insect-like wings near where I had placed the hairpin in my hair. As I turn my head in the direction of the sound, I see floating in the air, a fairy. She's just a bit bigger than my hand and looks at me. In the back of my thoughts, I feel an emotion: curiosity.