Dig continued calmly.
…However…
…Even if you unlock this ability now…
…you will not be able to use it at full power.
Ash frowned slightly.
"…What do you mean?"
…You will begin at only twenty percent synchronization.
Silence followed.
Nyro blinked.
"…Twenty percent?"
Dig continued.
…Power growth does not follow simple percentages.
A short pause.
…Reaching ninety-nine percent…
…and reaching one hundred percent…
…are vastly different.
Ash narrowed his eyes.
"…Different how?"
Dig answered without hesitation.
…The gap between ninety-nine percent…
…and one hundred percent…
…is greater than the gap between zero and ninety-nine.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Even Ravok's expression shifted slightly.
Nyro frowned.
"…So you're saying…"
"…even if we get close to one hundred percent…"
"…we will not be close to our full power?"
…Correct.
Ash crossed his arms.
"…Alright."
"…But why does it work like that?"
Dig paused briefly.
…Because Primal Unity is not meant to be unlocked early.
A short silence followed.
…Normally…
…participants cannot unlock this ability until after Floor Thirty.
Nyro's eyes widened.
"…Floor thirty?!"
…Yes.
…By that point…
…their bodies are far more synchronized with their animal.
…Which allows them to begin at approximately fifty percent power.
Ash exhaled slowly.
"…So we're getting it earlier…"
"…but weaker."
…Correct.
Dig continued.
…You are receiving this ability under special circumstances.
…An advantage not normally granted.
Ravok stepped forward slightly.
"…Then why give it to us now?"
Dig answered calmly.
…Because unlocking it early can create long-term benefits.
A short pause.
…If you begin at twenty percent now…
…your synchronization will grow over time.
Silence followed.
Ravok narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Then answer this."
A short pause.
"…Is it worth unlocking now…"
"…or to unlock another powerful ability that would be fully unlocked from the start?"
Dig responded without hesitation.
…That depends on your strategy.
Silence lingered.
Then—
…However…
…my recommendation…
…is to unlock it now.
Ash tilted his head slightly.
"…Why?"
Dig answered calmly.
…Because even at twenty percent…
…Primal Unity will grant a significant advantage…
…On the next floors.
A short pause.
…And by the time other participants begin unlocking this ability…
…you may already be far ahead of them.
Silence settled across the group.
Heavy.
Strategic.
Nyro let out a low whistle.
"…That sounds broken…"
Dig corrected immediately.
…That is the power of the ticket you have received.
Ravok exhaled slowly.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Ash remained silent.
Then—
…There are also other powerful abilities available.
Dig's voice remained calm.
…Abilities that may provide more immediate benefits…
…instead of long-term growth.
Ash nodded slowly.
"…So it comes down to this…"
A short pause.
"…Short-term advantage…"
"…or long-term dominance."
Silence lingered.
Thick with tension.
Meaningful.
The decision wasn't simple anymore.
Not even close.
Ash exhaled slowly.
"…We can figure that out later."
Silence followed.
Then—
He looked at the others.
Calm.
Decisive.
"…How about we use the other ticket now?"
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Then—
"…Time to go to the Tenth Floor."
Ravok grinned.
Nyro smiled.
And Korin—
Korin was still nervous.
Still unsure.
But he didn't step back.
Then Ash spoke.
Calm.
Decisive.
"…Dig."
A short pause.
Ash looked toward the towering mountain in the distance.
"…Use the Skip Ticket."
A faint glow formed around them.
Understood…
But…
Skipping floors may expose participants to higher difficulty risks.
Ash smiled.
"Sounds like fun."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.