Nameless wiped sweat from his forehead as he climbed yet another flight of stairs. "Damn, how many stairs are we supposed to pass?" he complained, his voice echoing through the narrow pathways that twisted through the skies of the town.
"Don't worry, we're almost there," Donnie replied casually. "I was about to say something snarky, but I realized you're actually tired."
After several more steps, Donnie opened a door. Inside was a room with Dianne and two other children sitting in conversation. Their voices quieted as the door creaked open.
"Hi Donnie!" one of them greeted.
"Hey! What are you guys talking about?"
"About the layer above. It's really tempting to go there."
"Maybe one day, when you become better," Donnie said with a chuckle.
Nameless stepped in, unsure if he should say something.
"Oh yeah," Donnie added, "this is Nameless. He's a new friend."
"Hey everyone," Nameless greeted with a slight wave.
"Yeah, he definitely looks new—and kinda out of place," the other child noted.
"Trust me, he's a talented individual," Donnie said, smiling.
"Okay, master," both of them replied in unison.
Dianne leaned forward. "Oh yeah, I was in the middle of telling my story. In the layer above us, people live almost like they used to—peaceful, comfortable. I felt jealous just seeing how normal their lives were."
"That sounds too good to be true," Nameless said. "But if it's so nice up there, why isn't everyone trying to go?"
"Good question," Dianne said. "The place is heavily guarded. Every corner has someone stationed to kill anyone who doesn't belong."
"Tempting as it is... maybe one day, when I go up there, you can come with me. We could bring back some loot."
Dianne raised an eyebrow. "You're too new. Are you sure about that?"
"I did survive the layer below," Nameless answered calmly.
"The layer above is *far* worse than the Death Rings!" Dianne snapped, startling everyone. "Robots made of steel, claws like surgical knives, and lasers that can melt anything. Don't underestimate what you don't understand."
"She's right," Donnie said, raising a hand. "Also, Nameless, did you know we started that mission with fifteen people?"
Nameless blinked. "L-let me guess... they were all the best?"
"Yeah. And I was the last one standing. Without help, I couldn't carry enough loot. So I came back."
"That's terrifying," one of the children whispered.
"I wonder what it's like living up there without having to fear robots," the other added.
"Take it slow, kids," Donnie said. "We'll get there when it's time."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and after a while, everyone seemed drained.
"I think that's enough. I'm tired," one of the children said.
"Okay, let's wrap it up," Dianne said. The others left the room.
"Who were those kids?" Nameless asked.
"Our students. We found them during one of our old adventures," Dianne said.
"So... you adopted them?"
"Yeah. Now they mostly go off on their own."
Nameless yawned. "I forgot I was tired. That was a good talk."
His body slumped forward. Dianne caught him mid-fall and gently carried him to a nearby bedroom. She placed him on the bed, careful not to wake him.
While Nameless slept, Dianne took a glance at the rod and gun beside him.
"A guard rifle, huh? So he wasn't lying," she muttered.
Then she picked up the rod. Her eyes widened.
"This... this is peculiar. I've never seen anything like it."
"Yeah, me too," Donnie said, stepping into the room.
"Where were you?"
"Watching the kids, duh."
"Oh, right. That's your thing."
Dianne handed him the rod. "Have you seen anything like this before?"
"No. But judging from what that Giant said and the way the rod worked... this is probably a relic from the Death Rings."
"The rod disabled the collars with just electricity," Dianne said. "But we always thought the collars were indestructible."
"Which makes this rod one of the strongest weapons we've seen so far," Donnie replied. "It stores electricity and uses it on command."
"Where the hell did Nameless even find this thing?"
"Only one way to find out: wait for him to wake up."
---
Nameless stirred awake. Outside the room, Donnie and Dianne waited. Their silence was full of questions.
"Uh... do you guys need something?" Nameless asked.
"Your rod," Dianne said. "Where did you get it?"
"In the layer below. The Death Rings, I guess you call it. I found it in the room where I fought that collarless Giant."
"So, the real Death Rings," Dianne said with interest. "Thanks for telling us."
Nameless stretched and grabbed his things.
"Before I go, I'm planning to ask someone who might know more."
"It's okay. We'll wait," Donnie said.
Nameless exited and ran through the winding tunnels, heading toward where he believed Gerald would be.
He finally reached a quiet place where three Giants sat around a fire. One of them turned to him.
"So you came," Gerald said.
"Yeah. You okay here?"
"We're just chilling."
"Good. I've got questions, and I think you're the best one to answer them."
"Yeah. Count us all in," Gerald said.
"First question: What's the layer above us like?"
"They call it the Mid-Class layer. People live normal lives there—more or less."
"Someone said they live in luxury."
"Makes sense. This layer *is* the Low-Class layer."
"I plan to go there. Any tips? Someone said it's tough."
"It is. Harder than the Death Rings, honestly. Your rod gives you an edge, but... you'll need to charge it."
"Any idea how?"
"There's something called a Nuclear Charger. Not sure if it still exists."
"Nuclear? That sounds deadly."
"It's not. Even broken, it's safe."
"Thanks. About the rod... you got any idea what it really is?"
"We don't. It's odd that you figured out how to use it right away."
"Yeah... that was strange."
"Anyway, if you really want to go to the layer above, don't hesitate to ask."
Nameless nodded. "I don't even know why you're helping me."
"I just feel like it."
"Well, that's all I came here for. Thanks again, Gerald."
"You're always welcome. Come back anytime."
"Of course," Nameless said, turning to run back toward town.
---
Back in town, Nameless returned to where Donnie and Dianne were. They were still there, relaxing quietly.
"Anything about the rod?" Dianne asked.
"My friend doesn't know, I'm afraid. But you know what? What if we go there anyway?" Nameless asked.
"We can," Donnie said, stretching his arms. "But if you really want to, let's rest for a few days."
"Yeah, it's easy to lose track of how tired you are," Dianne added, "just like what happened to you earlier."
"Yeah, I will rest after each adventure," Nameless agreed.
"I think that's too much," Dianne said with a light laugh.
The three of them kept talking—about plans, their pasts, and random ideas. Slowly, their conversations faded into drowsiness. One by one, they drifted to sleep.
---
Nameless woke up first, followed shortly by the others. Over the next few days, the three of them wandered the town together, meeting people along the way. Nameless discovered special places—an old blacksmith who fixed scrap tools, a hidden pharmacy behind a vine-covered door, a quiet library filled with half-burned books.
He also learned about the Nuclear Charger, a device often found in the layer below.
After one last stroll through the market paths, the three of them climbed back to their usual hangout spot.
"I learned a lot in the past few days," Nameless said. "Thanks, guys."
"Yeah, it's important to know stuff before leaving," Dianne replied.
"So, Nameless," Donnie began, "tomorrow, after we wake up, we go down to the Death Rings. Are you ready?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Nameless said with a grin.
They all chuckled. Then, without another word, they closed their eyes and let sleep take them again.