Isla Wynn!?
The girl Fenric overheard on the phone—the one arranging a 20+ million gold Samsara trade—was none other than Isla Wynn, the school belle.
And from what she’d said—gold bars, handling fee... tonight’s trade—there was no doubt.
She was "Arke," the masked samsara player who’d negotiated to buy his Infernal Affairs strategy.
What are the odds...?
Fenric was stunned for half a heartbeat, then smoothed his expression and walked past her as if nothing had happened.
—--
Fenric slid into his seat. "Fatty, what do you know about Isla Wynn?"
Jitto looked up, eyes narrowing in gossip mode. "Why? Don’t tell me you’re aiming for Goddess Isla? Forget it! That guy Dororo rolled up with a supercar motorcade to confess last month—total rejection. Think you’ve got better odds?"
Fenric sighed. "I’m not chasing her. Just asking—her family well off?"
"You didn’t even know? And you thought of chasing?" Jitto slapped the table. "Her old man is Fernando Wynn, chairman of Wynn Real Estate. One of the biggest developers in our city!"
Then he leaned in, voice all mock-brotherly wisdom. "Dreams are fine, but don’t fly into the flame, Ric. Listen to your Big Bro—pick a reachable target."
"Yeah, yeah. You done eating? Let’s get back."
"Hold up—I’m paying. Don’t steal my moment!"
"No one’s stealing it."
"Say thanks at least, you heartless donkey!"
—--
They returned to school and settled into the grind. Fenric pretended to listen; his mind was elsewhere.
He had a Dungeon Cooldown Refresh Card. No month-long wait. He could queue again tonight.
But what to run?
By the final bell, after thinking the whole class, he’d decided: the Samsara Tower!
The Tower was the most dangerous content in all of Samsara Space: 99 floors, each a deadly world. Fail a mission there and you weren’t penalized—you were erased. Real death.
For most players, entering the Tower was gambling your life on a nine‑in‑ten chance of never coming back.
For Fenric? Not necessarily.
He knew plots. And in the Tower, knowledge was a blade.
After class, Jitto wanted to hit an internet café. Fenric declined and went straight home.
His father was on another night shift; the apartment was dark and quiet. Fenric made a quick meal, ate, and booted up his computer.
He logged into the Samsara Forum.
Shura chatter was still pinned all over the front page. Some lunatic buyer had already bumped the Infernal Affairs strategy offer to 40 million. Tempting—but Fenric stayed firm. Better to close with a known buyer (Arke) than chase clouds.
He closed the thread and pulled up Tower Research instead.
The forum had a sticky banner: [Official Notice · Samsara Tower Safety Guide]. Fenric clicked.
Warning:
Floor 1 Dungeon World:World War Z
39
Viral outbreak. Nearly all humans are infected. Zombies are fast, strong, and lethal.
Infection Rule: A scratch is enough. Transformation can occur in 10 seconds.
Mission Objective:
• Kill at least 10 zombies.
• Survive 10 hours in the infected world.
Sound Alert: Zombies are highly sound‑sensitive. Gunfire or loud combat can trigger mass swarms. Plan your kills.
Official Recommendation: Do not attempt Floor 1 unprepared. Accumulate Safe Zone points first and raise Agility to 25+. Lower agility drastically reduces survival odds under pursuit.
Prep Window: Upon entry, Samsara players receive 30 minutes of preparation. Use this time to secure a defensible high position.
Clear Reward: Survive 10 hours and meet the 10‑kill requirement to clear. Return transport and rewards granted on completion.
Injury Reset: Unlike Safe Zone dungeons, Samsara Tower clears restore health at extraction—even severe wounds. (Only if you survive to mission complete.)
Performance Note: The more zombies you eliminate beyond the 10‑kill minimum, the higher your evaluation—but also the higher your exposure risk. Proceed within your limits.
"..."
Fenric leaned back.
Fast zombies. Sound aggro. Tight prep window. Agility recommended 25+... His was 15. Below standard.
But he had plot knowledge—and now, with Master Camouflage, creative mobility, and ranged proficiency, he might not need flat stat superiority to survive.
It wouldn’t be safe.
But it would be worth it.