《Cosmic Awakening: Ascension of the Cosmic God》 1: The Beginning Sometimes, I feel like I''m living two lives. In one, I''m Seun Adebayo, a quiet Nigerian university student shuffling between lectures, assignments, and exams. In the other, I''m... something more, someone bigger than this routine existence. I''m a dreamer-lost in thoughts of alien worlds, epic battles, and adventures that defy the laws of physics. Maybe that''s why I spend hours scrolling through forums, chatting with my "friends" online-people who, like me, seem to exist more in their heads than in their real lives.Let me clarify: my grades are okay. Not bad, but not great either. In my first year, I was solid-Bs and occasional As, the kind that earned me my parents'' proud, approving smiles. But now? Each semester, it feels like I''m slipping. My Bs are turning into Cs, and the As? Rare as rain during the Harmattan season.The frustrating part? I know I can do better. I want to do better. But I can''t seem to focus anymore. Every time I sit down to study, my mind drifts. It''s not laziness-I know what laziness looks like, and it''s not me. It''s just that the worlds in my head are so much more vibrant than the equations and theories in my textbooks.I''ve tried to fix it, too. Timetables, study groups (okay, I joined one on Zoom-baby steps, right?), even motivational videos on YouTube. They work for a while, but then I catch myself staring out the window, wondering what it would be like to step into a portal and leave all of this behind.And friends? That''s another thing. I don''t have any-not in the "let''s hang out this weekend" way. Sure, I talk to people online. Some of them feel like kindred spirits, even though I''ve never seen their faces. We chat about books, movies, theories about alternate dimensions, and everything in between. They don''t know the real me, though. Not the Seun who feels like he''s running in place, or the Seun who''s slowly watching his grades slip through his fingers like grains of sand.Sometimes, I wonder if my life is stuck on pause, like I''m waiting for something-or someone-to press play. What if my dreams mean something? What if the reason I can''t focus is that I''m not supposed to be here? What if there''s a world out there where I truly belong?Crazy thoughts, right? But that''s me: Seun Adebayo, the introverted dreamer who wants to pull his grades up, even if a small part of him whispers, What''s the point? I moved to the table, where my laptop and some scattered papers sat. Turning on the laptop, I input my password. The ping of an email notification snapped me out of my thoughts just as the desktop loaded. Probably another spam message. Lately, my inbox had been a mess-promos, random newsletters I didn''t remember signing up for, and course rep emails I barely read. I almost ignored it, but something about the subject line caught my attention:"Seun Adebayo, Are You Ready to Become a Hero?" I stared at the screen, my fingers frozen above the keyboard. Was this a prank? My online "friends" were jokesters, but this felt... different. The email''s body was surprisingly short:"The time has come. Your unique traits in the whole of the dimension have been noticed, and we need someone like you to save a dimension. Who knows-it might even be your current dimension.If you accept, click the link below. This is not a scam. This is your destiny." At the bottom of the email sat a glowing link. No sender name, no fancy signature. Just those words.Before I could process it, my bedroom door burst open, nearly giving me a heart attack. "Seun! You promised I could use your computer!" my younger sister, Ayomide, announced, stomping into the room with her hands on her hips. Her clothes was rumpled, her tie half undone, and her face set in that infuriating I''m-the-boss-here expression she''d perfected over the years. "Relax, Ayo," I muttered, minimizing the email window. "I''m in the middle of something." "Middle of what? Daydreaming again?" she teased, plopping onto my bed. "You''ve been glued to that laptop all day. What are you even doing? Watching another one of those sci-fi movies?" "I''m not watching anything," I said, trying to keep the defensiveness out of my tone. "Yeah, right. You''re probably chatting with your imaginary friends. By the way, when are you moving out? You said you were planning to get that private hostel, abi? Good riddance, honestly. Maybe I''ll finally get some peace in this house." "Very funny," I said, rolling my eyes. "And yes, I''m working on it. I just need to finalize a few things with the landlord." Moving out was something I''d been thinking about for months. Don''t get me wrong-I loved my parents and Ayomide, but living under the same roof as two university lecturers was... intense. Dad''s lectures about punctuality and Mom''s obsession with making sure I "maximize my potential" were suffocating. Plus, living so close to FUTA meant I had zero excuses for being late to class.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. "You promised I could use your laptop today! My friend is here, and we need it for our project," Ayomide said, smiling sweetly-too sweetly. "So, she''s here now? Great. Double the trouble," I muttered under my breath. "What was that? I''ll tell Dad you didn''t give me the laptop if I fail!"I sighed, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temple. Ayomide was relentless when she wanted something. "Fine, fine. You can use it, but just for an hour." Her grin was triumphant. "An hour and a half." "One hour, Ayo. Take it or leave it." "Deal," she said, then smirked mischievously. My introvert senses detected incoming danger. "When you move, will you finally get a girlfriend? Or will you still be too busy talking to your invisible ones?"I glared at her. "Ayo, get out." "Ooooh, touched a nerve, did I?" She laughed, standing up. "Seriously, Seun, you''re twenty-one! No girlfriend, no social life. It''s embarrassing. Even I have more game than you." This from the girl who had just turned sixteen a few weeks ago. Infuriating."Out!" I snapped, feeling heat rise in my face. She laughed harder but finally left, pausing at the door. "I''ll be back in five minutes for the laptop! No excuses this time!" Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. Not because they were wrong. I hadn''t dated anyone-not seriously, anyway. I''d had crushes, sure, but they never went beyond that. Speaking to girls I liked? Impossible.Relationships are just distractions, I reminded myself. And distractions are the last thing I need.Still, Ayomide''s teasing had a way of making me feel like a loser. I sighed and turned back to my laptop, reopening the email. "Are You Ready to Become a Hero?"I stared at the glowing link. Ayomide''s mocking voice echoed in my head. Maybe I wasn''t ready for a girlfriend or anything resembling a social life. But this? This felt different. It wasn''t real life-or at least, it didn''t feel like it. The cursor hovered over the link. My finger twitched, tempted to click. A hero. Someone important. Someone needed. Maybe this was more interesting than my current reality. The idea was ridiculous, but wasn''t that what I wanted deep down? To matter? To escape this monotonous, half-lived life?I glanced at the door, half-expecting Ayomide to burst in again. The house was quiet. My parents were probably in their study, preparing for Monday''s lectures. I glanced at the time on my taskbar: 10:04 a.m.Without thinking too hard, I clicked the link and hit "Accept." The screen went dark for a moment. Then it shimmered, like ripples spreading across the surface of a still pond.The glow from the email surged outward, expanding until it filled the entire room. It wasn''t just light-it felt alive, humming with an energy that made my skin tingle.I pushed back in my chair, heart pounding as a golden ring began to form in the air in front of me. The edges crackled with energy, sparks flying like a thousand tiny fireworks. At the center of the ring was a swirling vortex, shimmering with colors I couldn''t name-like oil on water, but far more vivid. "What the..." I whispered, frozen in place.The portal pulsed, as though responding to my voice, and a strange wind erupted from it, tugging at my clothes and the papers on my desk. The pull intensified, and I grabbed the edge of my desk, panic rising. "Seun!" Ayomide''s voice cut through the chaos as she burst back into the room. "What''s going on in here?!" "Stay back!" I shouted, my grip slipping. The force of the wind was too strong.Before I could react, the portal expanded, engulfing me completely. The sensation was indescribable-like being stretched and compressed at the same time, while a surge of warmth flooded through me. For a moment, I was weightless, and then everything shifted.The last thing I heard was Ayomide''s scream. ===== [System Log: Dimension #44567782] [Detection of a special dimension.] [Dimension #44567782 contains only one planet with significant life forms.] [Dimension cannot be integrated as life forms evolved differently from predetermined rules.] [Proceeding to search for individuals with special qualities.] [10 individuals with transcendent souls detected.] [System initiating summoning in 3... 2... 1.] [Error!] [Error!] [Error!] [Causality level too high for this dimension. Direct interference will result in total extinction of life forms.] [This violates rules set by ********.] [System will employ alternative methods.] [Approaching individuals in unique ways to obtain permission for summoning.] [Permission received: 2/10... 5/10... 6/10... 9/10... 10/10.] [10 transcendent souls successfully summoned.] [To increase chances of success, expanding summoning to 100 individuals.] [Permission received: 90/90.] [System has enlisted Explorers from Dimension #44567782.] [Dimension successfully integrated.] 2: Awakening in the Unknown I gasped as my feet touched solid ground¡ªor something close to it. My head spun, and my body tingled as if I''d just walked through an electrified field. The air around me felt heavy, thick with energy. Blinking rapidly, I tried to take in my surroundings. The sky above was a deep, shimmering indigo, dotted with stars that seemed far closer than they should have been. In every direction, the landscape was strange¡ªrolling hills of silver grass, crystalline trees that refracted light like prisms, and floating islands suspended in midair. "Where am I?" I murmured, my voice echoing oddly in the open air. Before I could make sense of anything, a soft, mechanical voice spoke directly into my mind as a pale blue screen shone before me: "Welcome, Seun Adebayo. You have been summoned as one of the chosen challengers to save dimensions and climb the tower." "Wait, what?!" My heart pounded as I spun around, searching for the source of the voice. "Who''s there?!" "This is the System. You and others like you have been brought here from your dimension because your unique qualities are critical to the survival of multiple dimensions." "This has to be a dream," I muttered, pinching my arm hard enough to hurt. But the surreal world around me didn''t fade. "This is real, Seun Adebayo. Prepare yourself." A bright light enveloped me, and in an instant, the peaceful landscape vanished. ??? All around me were others¡ªpeople of all shapes, sizes, gender and ages. Some looked as bewildered as I felt, their eyes darting around in confusion. Others stood with purpose, their expressions grim, as if they''d been expecting this. Before I could process more, a ripple of light shimmered in the center of the chamber. From the glow stepped a figure that made me blink twice: a humanoid rabbit. She stood upright, clad in a sharp, black tailored suit that didn''t quite fit with her fluffy ears and twitching nose. Her fur was pristine white, her eyes a sharp, unnatural gold. A wide, almost-too-cheerful smile stretched across her face. "Greetings, dear Challengers!" she announced, spreading her arms theatrically. Her voice was warm, almost soothing, yet tinged with something unsettling. "I am Alice, your guide for the tutorial phase. Before you officially become Explorers, you must pass through this necessary initiation." Some murmured in confusion, others in disbelief. I just stood there, frozen, trying to reconcile the bizarre sight in front of me with the surreal situation I''d found myself in. Alice continued, her smile unwavering. "Now, pay close attention. During this tutorial, no matter what you do¡ª" Her tone turned sing-song. "¡ªyou cannot die. Not permanently, anyway. But that doesn''t mean you won''t feel pain or... break, let''s say, mentally." She clapped her hands together, the sound sharp in the otherwise silent chamber. "But don''t worry! It''s all part of the process." The words sent a shiver through the group. I wasn''t alone in noticing the strange gleam in her eyes. "I''m not doing this!" a booming voice interrupted. A man built like a professional wrestler shoved his way to the front, his face contorted in anger. "I don''t care what game this is¡ªI''m not playing! Send me back home! I need to prepare to get my child from piano lessons!" Alice''s ears twitched. For a moment, her cheerful expression faltered, replaced by a cold, predatory glare. "Interruptions are... inefficient," she said sweetly. With a snap of her fingers, the man vanished in a burst of light. Gasps erupted around the room. "Let that serve as a reminder," Alice said, her smile now razor-sharp. "The tutorial is mandatory. Complaints? Questions? Disobedience? All irrelevant. Now, let''s keep moving." The tension was palpable. No one else dared to speak. A new chime echoed, and suddenly, screens appeared in front of each person, floating in midair. Just like the one I had seen before. They displayed a dazzling array of weapons¡ªblades, hammers, staffs, bows, even firearms¡ªall glowing with otherworldly energy. The words "Select Your Weapon" blinked at the top of the screen in bold text. People around me started tapping at their screens, each weapon vanishing as it was chosen. I stared at mine, overwhelmed. A glowing spear caught my eye, then a sleek katana, but my hands refused to move. Fear rooted me in place. "Why is this happening to me?" I muttered under my breath, my heart pounding. My mind spiraled as I stared at the selection, unable to decide. "This isn''t a game. This isn''t my life," I whispered harshly, my breathing shallow. "I should''ve been studying. Why did I waste my time daydreaming about this kind of stuff?" Tears pricked my eyes as guilt and self-loathing consumed me. "I''m sorry, Mom. Dad. Ayo..." My voice cracked as I thought of my younger sister, imagining the look on her face if she could see me now¡ªparalyzed by fear. Behind me, Alice''s voice rang out, cheerfully oblivious to my inner turmoil. "Remember, Challengers, the weapon you choose now will define your first steps in the Tower!" I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing I could disappear. But I knew the choice wouldn''t wait forever. My 1 minute had already turned to 30 seconds. The screen before me glowed brighter, the vast array of weapons displayed in intricate detail. A hammer wreathed in lightning. A bow that seemed to shimmer and shift like liquid silver. A pair of daggers that pulsed faintly with a sinister red glow. The variety was overwhelming, and all around me, others were already reaching out to select their weapons. Alice clapped her hands, drawing our attention. "Wonderful progress! I see most of you are making your choices. For those curious about our earlier... volunteer¡ª" She gestured toward where the wrestler like man had vanished, her smile stretching unnervingly wide. "¡ªhe has already begun his tutorial. Don''t worry! He can''t die, not permanently. But whether he''ll emerge... intact? Well, that''s up to him. Now it''s your turn!" The room grew colder at her words, her chipper tone only making the statement more chilling. "You see," Alice continued, her golden eyes glinting, "this is a learning experience. Think of it as a crash course in survival. You''ll emerge better for it¡ªor you won''t emerge at all in one piece. But no one leaves without completing the tutorial." She gave a mock bow. "So, make your choices, and we''ll proceed." Despite the urgency in her words, my fingers still wouldn''t move. Around me, weapons continued disappearing from the screens of others as they made their selections. Anxiety clawed at me, freezing my thoughts. I wanted to scream at myself, to demand action, but I couldn''t. My vision blurred. A spear vanished from my peripheral vision. Then a sword. Soon, my choices would dwindle to nothing. "Tick-tock!" Alice called, her voice playful. "No pressure, but if you can''t pick a weapon, the System will be forced to assign you one. And let me tell you¡ªit doesn''t always have your best interests in mind. Just joking!!! You get NOTHING!!!"Stolen novel; please report. I clenched my fists, bile rising in my throat. "Too late!" Alice chirped. "Time''s up! Congratulations to those who chose hard Mode!" With a snap of her fingers, my screen dissolved, and I felt a sickening pull in my stomach as the entire room shifted. "Good luck, Challengers!" Alice called, her voice fading as darkness consumed everything. When my vision returned, I was alone. The silvery chamber was gone, replaced by a dimly lit space that reeked of rot and just turned soil. The ground beneath my feet was slick and uneven, and the air was heavy with the stench of decay. "What... is this place?" I muttered, gagging at the smell. A screen suddenly lit up in front of me:
Tutorial Survive.
Objective Defeat the predator hunting you.
Time Limit 8 hours.
"Predator?" I whispered, dread curling in my stomach. A guttural snarl answered me. Then I heard it¡ªheavy footsteps, slow and deliberate, accompanied by a guttural snarl that sent a chill racing down my spine. I wasn''t alone. I turned slowly, my heart pounding. Emerging from the shadows was a creature so hideous it made my stomach churn. It was something I had seen so often in games that I was used to it. The so-called beginner monster: A Goblin. But a very ugly one at that. If I could qualify it, I would say it was a failed experiment of a mad scientist. The goblin stood no taller than my waist, but its twisted, sinewy form radiated malice. Its skin was a mottled green, covered in boils and patches of oozing sores. Its eyes were sunken and glowing yellow, and its mouth stretched unnaturally wide, filled with jagged, blackened teeth. The knife in it hand was no better, it was a rusted and old knife which has seen ages of use. I couldn''t hold it in. I bent over and vomited, the acrid taste burning my throat. The goblin let out a wet, hacking laugh. It had prey it had set its eyes upon in the name of me. Anger flared within me, but it was buried beneath layers of terror and helplessness. "You''re disgusting," I spat, wiping my mouth. "I hate this. I hate all of this." The goblin''s laughter stopped abruptly. Its glowing eyes narrowed, and it began to move toward me, its gnarled claws dragging against the ground with a screech that made my teeth ache. I stumbled back, panic surging as the creature closed the distance. My mind screamed at me to run, to fight, to do something, but my legs felt like lead. The goblin lunged. I braced myself, knowing I couldn''t stop it. The goblin lunged at me, its gnarled claws scraping against the ground as it closed the distance with terrifying speed. Before I could react, its blunt, rusted knife raked across my left arm. Pain like I had never known erupted from the jagged tear. It wasn''t the clean cut of a sharp blade but the brutal force of something meant to crush rather than slice. The sheer strength behind the goblin''s strike, despite its diminutive size, drove the dull metal deep enough to rip my flesh. It felt like my skin was being chewed apart by a machine. A raw, guttural scream tore from my throat, and my legs buckled as the fire of pain coursed through me. I staggered back, clutching my bleeding arm. "You little bastard!" I spat, the words raw and shaky as anger momentarily broke through my terror. But the searing agony soon drowned that defiance. My chest heaved, and for a moment, the world spun. Blood oozed between my fingers, warm and slick. The goblin sneered, its jagged teeth gleaming as it raised the blade again, licking its lips with grotesque anticipation. My instincts screamed louder than my pain. I turned sharply, my legs finally obeying, and I bolted in the opposite direction. The effort sent white-hot sparks of pain radiating from my wound, but adrenaline pumped through me, dulling the edges just enough to keep moving. I ran blindly, my breaths ragged and uneven, until my foot caught on something hard and unyielding¡ªa jagged stone jutting from the uneven floor. With a strangled cry, I tumbled forward, hitting the ground hard. The impact jolted my injured arm, making me scream out again. "Shit!" I hissed, kicking at the stone in frustration and pain as I scrambled to push myself up. But it was too late. The goblin''s laughter echoed behind me, wet and guttural, as it stalked forward with sickening confidence. It wasn''t running¡ªit didn''t need to. It knew I was cornered. It dragged its knife lazily along the ground, the screech of metal against stone making me flinch. Its posture was not appropriate for a fight, but having me as its opponent didn''t make a difference. Tears spilled freely down my face, mixing with the drool that I couldn''t keep from dribbling out in my panic. My chest heaved with sobs I couldn''t control. I felt like a child, powerless and humiliated, my fear only feeding the goblin''s twisted amusement. Its laugh deepened, guttural and mocking, as it savored my helplessness. I lashed out, my right hand grabbing the stone that had tripped me, and hurled it with all the desperation I could muster. The rock flew wide, missing the goblin entirely. I cursed under my breath, my head spinning with hopelessness. But as the stone arced upward, I noticed something¡ªa glint of light reflecting off jagged metal spikes embedded in the ceiling above. The goblin paused briefly, its laugh faltering as the stone clattered against the wall behind it. That moment was all I needed. My mind raced as I scanned my surroundings, forcing myself to think past the terror. The spikes. The ceiling. The goblin''s strength. A plan began to form, shaky but better than waiting to die. The goblin was small, but its raw power was undeniable. If I could use that strength against it... Swallowing hard, I pushed myself to my knees, my uninjured right hand pressing against the slick, uneven ground. My body screamed at me to run, but I knew that wasn''t an option. My chest tightened as the goblin resumed its slow approach, its grin widening. "Come on, you ugly freak," I whispered, trying to steady my shaking voice. "One more shot." The goblin''s glowing yellow eyes narrowed, and it snarled, lunging toward me once more¡ªthis time a little faster than before. I clenched my teeth, bracing for the impact. The blade bit into my right shoulder this time, the blunt edge tearing through muscle with brute force. The pain was blinding, worse than before, but I grabbed onto the goblin''s slimy wrist with my good hand and screamed, pouring every ounce of adrenaline I had into a desperate, final effort. With a guttural yell, I twisted my body and heaved the goblin upward. Its wiry frame was lighter than I expected, but its strength made the motion feel like wrestling with a steel spring. My muscles burned as I threw it toward the ceiling. The goblin''s screech turned into a gurgled howl as its body slammed into the metal spikes above. The jagged tips pierced through its grotesque form with a sickening squelch, and its limbs flailed weakly before going limp. I collapsed onto the ground, every inch of me shaking, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The pain was unbearable, but the sight of the goblin''s lifeless body dangling from the ceiling brought a flicker of grim satisfaction. For the first time since I''d arrived in this nightmare, I felt a sliver of hope.
[Ding!]
[You have successfully killed a very ugly goblin!]
[Kill evaluation: A+]
[You have passed the tutorial!]
[System will distribute rewards!]
[You possess a transcendent soul. Will you forgo your rewards to awaken it?]
[Yes][No]
I swiftly considered the options before me. I knew I didn''t have much time left. I was bleeding and was probably infected with tetanus or whatever disease had been in that unclean knife the goblin cut me with. But I was not about to waste this chance. The results of not choosing a weapon had almost cost me my life. Not that I could trust the fact that Alice said we can''t die in the tutorial 100%. I will go with whatever is best for me and try to survive! I clicked the Yes button. 3: The System ¡­
[System will begin to consume the causality you have collected to increase the level of your soul.]
I heard the sound of breaking glass immediately. Something inside me shattered. I felt like I was breaking apart at the seams, my very being splitting into pieces. And then, for a moment. I was nothing. I was not even sure I was existing. But then, something inside my self-came out replacing everything I could call my former self¡ªsomething huge, something... that I could not quantify. And just like that, the shackles on my soul broke. And just like that, the shackles on my soul broke. My limbs ached and my movements were sluggish, as if I had been immersed in thick, sticky engine oil. Every step felt like wading through molasses, and my muscles protested with each movement. Yet amidst the pain, there was a peculiar warmth¡ªan energy flowing through my veins like molten gold. My wounds began to close, the flesh knitting itself together as if time had reversed its cruelty.
[Ding!] [System has successfully awakened your Transcendent Soul!] [You have earned 10 Dimension Coins (DC)] [Check your status to see.]
A glowing menu materialized in front of me, flickering with an array of options:
Status Forum Store T-Tube
"I... I feel okay," I murmured, surprised at how quickly my strength was returning. Tentatively, I reached out and clicked the Status icon, the button blinking insistently until the screen transformed.
Name: Seun Adebayo Level: 1 HP: 100/100 Cosmic Energy: 1000/1000 Strength: 15 Intelligence: 20 Agility: 15 Attack: +1 Defense: +1 |Transcendent Skills| [Cosmic Energy Manipulation (1%)] |Acquired Skills| [Cosmic Radiation Resistance Lv.Max] |System Skills| [Storage Space] |Titles| [Transcendent Mortal], [Master of Cosmic Radiation]
I blinked in disbelief, my mind racing to make sense of the strange words scrolling on the screen in front of me. The voice of my video game character echoed in my head as I looked around the room, trying to find a logical explanation for what was happening. But there was none. This was real. The sound of footsteps drew my attention and I turned to see Alice, the mischievous guide from before, standing behind me with an oddly serene expression on her face. "Just when did she get here?" I wondered. Her hand hovered over the screen next to mine. "You activated the system," she said, her tone filled with admiration. My eyes widened as I turned back to the screen, studying the stats and skills displayed before me. "What is all this?" I asked, my voice trembling with excitement and fear. "This system... these abilities..." "Allow me to assist you." She motioned towards the hovering menu. "This system is a straightforward tool created by the gods to connect and aid mortal beings in their growth. The [Cosmic Energy Manipulation] skill displays your aptitude for interacting with the fundamental forces of existence. You may be the only being born with this power in existence. It''s currently at its most basic level though, only one percent. In other words... it''s still very weak. Click on it to see for yourself."
[Cosmic Energy Manipulation (1%)] Type: Transcendent Core abilities encompass creating cosmic constructs, manipulating energy, and exercising control over time. They also include astral projection, cosmic awareness, and the power to influence planetary bodies. Additionally, there is mastery over cosmic elemental forces, the capability to enhance physical attributes, and the power to create and destroy. A skill possessed by a mortal named Seun Adebayo, it provides the title [Master of Cosmic Radiation]
As I pondered the implications of my new abilities. Alice continued her explanation. "The acquired skills section shows the skills you''ve gained through your experiences. As for the system skills, they are unique to each individual and are granted by the system to aid in their growth. And finally, titles are bestowed upon individuals for their achievements or accomplishments and also due to a skill. The system also shows everything to help you understand it." I nodded, still trying to process everything she was telling me. "But... how is this possible?" I asked, my mind reeling with possibilities.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "Anything is possible in this place," Alice replied with a mysterious smile. "You have been chosen by the system to possess these abilities and it''s up to you how you use them." I couldn''t believe what I was hearing. A part of me wanted to reject it all as some sort of elaborate prank or dream, but deep down I knew it was real. And if it was real... I had a responsibility to use my powers for good. No. The first and most pressing need for this power is survival. This is not a matter of jest or humor, but a life-or-death situation that cannot be taken lightly. I have no desire to meet my demise prematurely and will do whatever it takes to ensure my continued existence. "We should check the Forum next," Alice suggested, sensing my inner turmoil. "There you can interact with other players and learn more about this world and its inhabitants." With a newfound determination, I followed Alice''s lead and clicked on the Forum icon. The screen changed once again, revealing a bustling online community filled with discussions and debates on various topics related to the tower world. It looked exactly like the online forums on Earth, where I usually discussed aliens and conspiracy theories. As we scrolled through the forum, I couldn''t help but feel overwhelmed by all the information being thrown at me. There was so much to learn about this world and its intricacies. The first pinned post read:
@Tower Master: A guide to the tower of Transcendents. If you can see this, I am happy to congratulate you on the occasion that you have been selected to represent a dimension or you may have explored into the tower yourself. Anyways you are welcome and I am happy to know you. I won''t bore you much with too many details, but the first thing you should know is that this is real; abandon any sense of illusion and focus on survival. Due to the current policies to help more explorers survive, you can now be resurrected at the last checkpoint or registered area. But take note that the higher the floor, the more DC is required to resurrect and the more penalties you will get for resurrection. Also know that you absolutely cannot die on the first floor; this would go against the rules of the safe zone. Now let''s go to the most important thing: the floors above the 1st floor. The tower of transcendent values efficiency so each floor is usually tailored to match the climbing explorer. There may be occasions of group quests, but floors for each explorer are usually different. I won''t tell you more so experience it yourself. Yours faithfully: Tower Master
@Skywalker: "This sounds so exciting! Can''t wait to explore the Tower of Transcendents! ???"
@DarkVortex99: "Resurrecting with more DC? That sounds like a nightmare. I''m already broke after a few attempts. ??"
@WanderingSoul_07: "This seems like it''s going to be way harder than I thought. I don''t know if I can handle the pressure... ??"
@AceHunter3000: "Okay, now this is a game-changer! A guide from the Tower Master? I''m feeling lucky now! ??"
@LostTamer21: "First floor safe zone? Then what about all the crazy traps and challenges I''ll face on the higher floors? Ugh, this is going to be stressful. ??"
@Inferno_77: "I don''t care about your rules, Tower Master! This is ridiculous! Don''t even get me started on the resurrection fees. ??"
@GloriousKnight: "I''m definitely going to try my luck here! A chance to represent a dimension? What a cool concept! ??"
@SilentReaper: "I thought this would be a fun adventure, but now I''m seriously reconsidering. The higher floors sound impossible. ??"
@ThunderClash_32: "I thought the first floor was a safe zone, but now I''m worried I won''t even make it past the first few floors. The penalties sound brutal. ??"
@IronWillX77: "I trust the Tower Master''s wisdom! I''ll figure it out along the way. ??"
@FuryBlade_22: "Why do you always have to complicate things? More penalties just for trying to survive? Ridiculous. ??"
@EchoMancer_56: "I don''t know if I''m cut out for this... the pressure and all those penalties are too much for me."
@CursedWanderer_88: "You call this a safe zone? I''m not convinced! I''m sure things are gonna get worse, and I''m not ready for it. ??"
@LunarShade_123: "The first floor being a safe zone is a relief. At least I can breathe before diving into the chaos! ??"
@VengefulGhost_42: "This whole ''resurrect with more DC'' thing is honestly just a scam to take all my resources. Screw this. ??"
It felt strange even reading the comments. "It''s a lot to take in," Alice said sympathetically as she noticed my expression. "I... I don''t even know where to start," I admitted, feeling slightly intimidated by the wealth of knowledge available on the forum. "Don''t worry," Alice reassured me. "You''ll get used to it soon enough." "Anything else I should know?" A soft smile graced Alice''s lips, but her gaze remained unwavering. "You''re inquisitive, and that''s a good trait to have," she said calmly. "Let me show you something." With a graceful wave of her hand, a holographic projection shimmered into existence before us. The image was both breathtaking and haunting¡ªa cascade of dimensions collapsing in on themselves, their once-vibrant landscapes dissolving into chaotic voids. I couldn''t tear my eyes away from the destruction unfolding before me. Worlds that were once teeming with life became barren wastelands in mere moments. The displayed hologram ended. My voice trembled as I finally found the words to ask, "What... what is this?" "This," Alice began, her tone gentle yet weighted with importance, "is the fate of countless dimensions caused by interference from beings I cannot name at the moment." She paused, allowing for her words to sink in. "Their destruction is inevitable unless gods and individuals like strong explorers intervene. You see, Seun, you have been blessed with a Transcendent Soul ... a rarity among mortals." Her words hung heavily in the air as the weight of my newfound destiny settled upon me. "A Transcendent Soul? What does that mean?" "In most dimensions, mortals cannot possess souls like yours. They often die at birth because their bodies can''t handle the strain. Only gods are naturally born with Transcendent Souls.Your dimension is unique¡ªevolved abnormally without the protection of Gods, Mana or any other being. It allowed you to survive purely with a normal physical body in exchange for your true power being sealed." I swallowed hard, her words sinking in. "So, what you''re saying is... I''m some kind of miracle due to the dimension I came from?" "In a way, yes." Her smile returned, soft and reassuring. "And because of this, you''ve been granted an opportunity to change the course of fate." I glanced back at the screen. "These Dimension Coins... DC... What are they?" "Ah, good question!" Alice said brightly. "DC is the official currency in the Tower of Transcendents. You can use it to buy anything you need¡ªequipment, skills, even information. The Store is where you''ll find all of that." "And the T-Tube?" "T-Tube... think of it as entertainment, educational content, and news about the Tower¡ªall rolled into one. You can even live stream your actions to earn DC from donations. Every feature here is designed to help you survive and thrive." I nodded slowly, trying to absorb everything. "And the gods? What about them?" Her expression darkened briefly before she brightened again. "The gods... rule over concepts, often playing their own games. But we can discuss them later. For now, you need to focus on your survival." I frowned. "Why are you being so... helpful?" Alice tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly. "Orders from above. Transcendent Souls are to be cared for¡ªespecially in the early stages. Consider it... an investment in potential." Her answer left me uneasy, but I didn''t press further. "Now," she continued, standing gracefully, "it''s time for you to proceed to the first floor of the Tower: the Town of Adventurers. It''s a safe zone with safe rules, a city as large as Jupiter in your dimension, where you can prepare for the challenges ahead. The real trials begin from the second floor." "You even know Jupiter? A planet from my dimension?" "Yes," Alice said proudly. "I have been given the information of your dimension as the guide. I even know that only 100 people were summoned from your dimension." "I see. I was not the only unlucky one." "Don''t sweat the details," Alice said and snapped her fingers. "I will open a portal for you to the explorer guide building; you will meet the others there." I hesitated, staring at the portal that had appeared nearby, shimmering with a soft, inviting glow. Strangely, I could sense where the portal was opening to, the amount of energy required to open it, the amount of energy required to destroy it, even the amount of energy required to modify it. "Is this a result of my power?" I wondered. My stomach churned with apprehension, but a flicker of determination ignited within me. "Okay," I said finally, squaring my shoulders. "Let''s do this." Alice nodded approvingly. "Good choice, Seun. Your fate is in your hands." I entered the portal at those words. 4: The City of Explorers ... I entered the portal at those words. The sensation was different this time. My newfound cosmic awareness made every moment of the transition crystalline in its clarity. The portal''s energies weren''t just visible¡ªthey were a symphony of forces I could almost taste.Streams of cosmic radiation flowed around me like liquid starlight, each particle singing its own microscopic song. My 1% mastery felt like having a droplet of understanding in an ocean of potential, but even that droplet was enough to sense the magnificent complexity of spatial travel. Through my enhanced perception, I could feel the precise moment when space folded around me, the exact amount of energy required to tear a hole in reality¡ª10 units of cosmic energy, my mind supplied automatically. The journey lasted both an instant and an eternity. Then reality reasserted itself, and I stumbled out onto solid ground¡ªor rather, onto perfectly transparent crystal that seemed to float in the sky. I gasped. Below me stretched Luminaris, the City of Explorers, and the largest metropolis I had ever seen or imagined. From my vantage point in what appeared to be a massive transparent cube suspended high above the city, I could see everything. The city sprawled beyond the horizon, a tapestry of impossible architecture that defied earthly physics. Crystalline spires twisted into the clouds, while floating islands drifted between them like lazy clouds.Streets of light pulsed with energy, carrying countless beings of all shapes and sizes. Some areas glowed with perpetual twilight, while others blazed with the light of artificial suns."Welcome to Luminaris," a cheerful voice announced. I turned to find another humanoid rabbit, this one with steel-gray fur and wearing a crisp white uniform. Unlike Alice''s unsettling cheerfulness, this one''s smile seemed genuine. "I''m Bernard, and I''ll be your guide to one of the Newbies Districts." The rabbit''s paw moved with a fluid grace, and as it waved, the wall seemed to melt away, revealing a bridge that shone with pure, ethereal light. It connected to a floating island, reminiscent of a medieval village but with a futuristic twist. The cobblestone streets were lined with Tudor-style buildings, and every surface was adorned with glowing runes.The air itself seemed to shimmer with the sudden appearance of the bridge, made of pure and dazzling light. It extended from the transparent cube to the floating island, which looked like a scene out of a medieval fairy tale. Cobblestone streets wound their way through the air, and Tudor-style buildings with glowing runes decorating every surface floated above them. The bridge felt solid beneath my feet as I stepped onto it, but at the same time, there was a slight tingling sensation, as if I was walking on electricity. The air itself felt charged with energy, making the hair on my arms stand on end, but there was also a sense of security I could feel from everything around me. As the wall dissolved, a warm and tingling sensation spread across my skin, as if being touched by the soft rays of a gentle sun. The bridge of pure light seemed almost weightless, but as my feet stepped onto it, it felt solid and sturdy, like walking on firm ground. Gasps and murmurs of "Whoa" echoed around me as we all stood transfixed, the energy in the air leaving us in awe. The bridge of pure light seemed to pulse with energy, its ethereal surface inviting to the touch. It was warm and almost electric, sending a slight tingling sensation through anyone who dared to touch it. "The Newbies District is where all fresh explorers begin their journey," Bernard explained as we walked across the bridge. "You''ll need to reach level 10 before you can access the rest of Luminaris. Consider it a tutorial area." The district was a fascinating blend of medieval charm and magical technology. Wooden signs creaked in the wind next to holographic advertisements. A blacksmith hammered away at what looked like a normal sword, except it glowed with impossible colors.The district''s most striking and imposing landmark was the Explorers Guild, a titanic structure that merged elements of a gothic cathedral with a dazzling crystal palace. Its jagged spires clawed at the heavens, while its sprawling base resembled the gnarled roots of an ancient tree, seemingly rooted deep in the earth. "This Guild provides everything a new explorer needs," Bernard continued. "Training facilities, a library, dining hall, shop, and free accommodation for those low on DC. The receptionists are..." He didn''t need to finish. Through the grand entrance, I could see several rabbit humanoids in uniform behind the counter. Some of the other explorers visibly flinched at the sight. Bernard was a guy serious about his work, so once he pointed at the places he mentioned, he walked away from our group with a "survive newbies" note. But that was after he made us enter the strangely empty guild hall. The main hall was now packed with people¡ªspecifically, the other ninety-nine individuals who had been summoned from Earth. Some huddled in small groups, already forming alliances. Others wandered alone, looking as lost as I felt. It was nice seeing fellow introverts like me. Well, my introverted nature kicked in hard, and I found myself drifting toward the edges of the room.Alone, just as always, I tried my best not to get in the spotlight. I should probably visit the dining hall to bite into something. Who knows the type of otherworldly foods that will be present there?This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Excuse me," a confident voice called out.I turned to find a group of nine people approaching. Or more like I faced them since I had already felt that they were walking toward me. Their leader was a striking woman with olive skin and artistic hands stained with various colors. Something about her commanded attention without demanding it. She looked a little abnormal, but after everything I had experienced today, I was not going to sweat the details as Alice had said. I could swear that she was Russian, but hearing a near-perfect English accent from her made me think some other powers were at work here. Now just as I thought about it, everyone seemed to be able to communicate together despite being different. Even the rabbit humans could communicate in English. "They are probably communicating in their own language, but I am hearing it in perfect English, huh?" I deduced, feeling a simple moment of pride. My deductions should be correct at least. "What do you want with me?" "I''m Isabella Romano," she said, extending her hand. "And I believe we should talk. All of us with Transcendent abilities should stick together." "I am Seun Adebayo," I said to observe courtesy and not to be a proud jerk. My facial expression surely changed immediately. I did not expect anyone else to know about it, after all. I did not want to be someone who steps out to be a protagonist at first meeting. I just wanted to survive and go back home. The others introduced themselves: Liu Wei with his calculating eyes. Hiroshi Tanaka with his mirror-like gaze. Min-ji Kim whose voice seemed to make the air ripple. Raj Patel with his kind but tired expression. Sarah Mitchell who seemed to move slightly out of sync with time. Marcus Thompson whose hair stood slightly on end. Viktor Petrov with his perpetually frosted breath and Emma Laurent who seemed to float slightly with each step. They were all abnormal people parents would warn their children to run away from. And I think I should not be part of them. "How did you know?" I asked Isabella. She smiled. "My System skill lets me assess danger levels, and Liu Wei can see the names of everyone from their status. You were one of the last to arrive, but you register as the strongest person here. I don''t know the power you possess, but I think we need to work together if we want to survive what''s coming." I hesitated, my social anxiety warring with the logic of her words. But as I looked at these nine people¡ªeach bearing powers that could reshape common sense itself¡ªI realized this might be my chance to overcome more than just the challenges of the tower. "There is no danger in just getting to know new people," I told myself silently. "Alright," I said, taking a deep breath. "Let''s talk." Isabella leaned forward in our small circle, her eyes scanning each of us intently. "I think everyone should have met Alice and seen what is happening to many dimensions." A collective murmur of agreement rippled through our group. Liu Wei nodded sharply, his calculating gaze distant. "The rabbit''s explanation was... disturbing." "Those poor worlds," Min-ji added, her voice causing actual ripples in the air around us. "So many already lost." "Which is exactly why," Isabella continued, her voice gaining intensity, "as people born with transcendent souls, we have a responsibility to save the worlds. It''s not just about us anymore." Marcus Thompson''s electrically-charged hair seemed to crackle with his agitation. "Hold on. I didn''t sign up for some grand crusade. I just want to survive this." I felt a sense of kinship with him. "Exactly," Raj agreed, his tired eyes showing concern. "We''re not heroes." "But I am!" Hiroshi Tanaka stepped to the center of our circle, striking a dramatic pose. he looked like an high school student who hasn''t experience the reality of life. "This is clearly my protagonist moment. I shall save not just one dimension, but all of them! The universe has chosen me¡ª"Several snorts and eye-rolls cut through his speech. I watched Viktor''s frost-tinged breath come out in an exasperated sigh. "Really, Hiroshi?" Emma said, hovering slightly above the floor. "This isn''t an anime." As the argument began to heat up, Isabella raised her hand, commanding silence with her natural authority. "Everyone, please. Let''s hear from someone who hasn''t spoken yet." She turned to me. "What do you think about all this?" I shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned to me, but I forced myself to speak with conviction. "Teaming up is smart, but we need to be realistic. The floors are generated to fit individuals. While we can work together, we need a simple, achievable goal¡ªlike surviving and making it back home. If we become strong enough to protect our dimension in the process, great. But none of us were trained for this. We were normal people before today right? then no need to put pressure on ourselves" I saw Isabella''s eyes light up with understanding. "That... actually makes a lot of sense. Let''s vote on it. All in favor of focusing on survival and getting stronger together?" Hands raised one by one, until only Hiroshi''s remained down. He shook his head, muttering about "missing the chance for a perfect hero''s journey." "We should stay connected," Sarah suggested, her movements slightly out of sync with time."Isabella, you could create a group chat on the forum and add us all." We spent the next few minutes setting up our usernames and joining Isabella''s newly created group. The peaceful organization was suddenly disrupted by a tremendous gust of wind. A cyclone burst through the entrance, carrying a stunning woman in an emerald mage robe and cap. Her dramatic entrance was somewhat undermined by her stumbling slightly as she landed. "Greetings, new explorers!" she announced, her voice magnified. "I represent the Green Magic Tower, and we''re seeking promising apprentices among¡ª" "Now wait just a minute!" Another woman, this one in crimson robes, strode in with flames licking at her heels. "The Red Tower has first rights to recruitment! You can''t just¡ª" "First rights? Since when?" The green mage''s eyes sparked with magical energy." Since always, you overgrown hedge witch!" "What did you call me, you walking torch?" As magical sparks literally flew between their glares, I took a step back. "I think I''ll check out the dining hall now." Isabella caught my intentions from my facial expression and nodded, barely containing her amusement at the spectacle. "Go ahead. We''ll message you on the forum if anything important comes up." As I slipped away from the escalating magical argument, I couldn''t help but smile. Escaping from trouble is what I think my specialty should be. 5: Dining Hall Recruitment The dining hall was unlike anything I''d ever seen. Long tables and small tables made of polished crystal shimmered under floating lanterns, each glowing in colors that shifted with the energy in the air. Food of every imaginable kind¡ªsome familiar, some utterly alien¡ªpiled high on platters that seemed to float on their own. My stomach growled, but I hesitated. What if this food had¡­ consequences? Before I could overthink it, a cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. "Oi, newbie! Ya lookin'' to eat, or just gonna stare at the shiny lights all day?" I turned to see a bunny girl standing behind a counter, her ears twitching as she grinned at me. She had caramel-colored fur, a pair of round glasses perched on her nose, and a crisp green apron embroidered with the words Dining Hall Reception. "Uhh¡­ I guess I''m eating?" I managed. "Course ya are, love," she said, her accent a peculiar mix of clipped and sing-song tones. "Can''t explore on an empty belly, now can ya? We got the Beginner''s Meal special¡ªbread, meat, an'' a glass of fruit juice. Real good for keepin'' ya on yer feet, yeah? Only 2 Dimension Coins. Fancy one?" "Sure," I said The bunny girl winked at me. "Good choice, newbie. Take a seat, an'' I''ll bring it to ya. Table service, ain''t we posh?" I nodded, suppressing a chuckle, and found an empty small table near the corner of the room. The polished crystal surface sparkled faintly, reflecting the floating lanterns above. As I sat, the chair molded itself slightly to fit me, surprisingly comfortable for something so sleek and futuristic. Before long, the bunny girl bounced over, balancing a silver tray on one paw like a professional. She placed the tray in front of me with a flourish. "Here ya go, love¡ªone Beginner''s Meal. Bread, fresh-baked this mornin''. Meat, roasted jus'' right. And a glass o'' our finest fruit juice, squeezed from the local glowberries. Careful now, they''re a bit tangy!" The meal looked shockingly appetizing. The bread was golden-brown with a faint sheen, the meat glistened with juices, and the juice in the glass sparkled faintly, as if tiny stars swirled inside. "Thanks," I said, suddenly realizing just how hungry I was. "Eat up, newbie," she said, her ears twitching as she grinned. "Ya need strength for what''s ahead. Don''t be shy now¡ªya can always come back for seconds if yer pocket''s heavy enough." She gave a wink and hopped back to her counter, humming a cheery tune. I tore into the bread first, its warmth and softness melting in my mouth. The meat was tender, bursting with a savory flavor I couldn''t quite place. And the juice? She wasn''t kidding about the tangy glowberries. It was sweet, sour, and refreshing all at once, leaving a cool, tingling sensation on my tongue. As I ate, I couldn''t help but glance around the dining hall. Others were seated at nearby tables, many of them chatting excitedly or examining their meals with wide-eyed wonder. For the first time since entering Luminaris, I felt a flicker of normalcy. And then I heard the crash. Across the hall, a towering figure in black armor knocked over a table, sending plates and glasses clattering to the floor. Thankfully no one was at that table, so no one got hurt. Gasps rippled through the room as the knight, flanked by two others in similar armor, boomed, "New explorers! The Knights of the Iron Order are recruiting! Join us, and¡ª" Before he could finish, the bunny girl was already at his side, her paw clenched into a fist. "Oi, ya clanky tin can!" she snapped, her accent suddenly sharp and clipped. "Don''t ya know the rules? No disturbin'' folks while they eat!" The knight turned, his hulking frame towering over her, but before he could respond, her fist shot out. CRACK! The sound echoed through the hall as her punch sent the towering knight sprawling. His armor clattered loudly as he skidded across the floor, coming to a stop in a heap near the doorway. The other knights froze, their hands halfway to their weapons. "Don''t even think about it," she warned, her ears twitching as she glared at them. The knights exchanged uneasy glances before hastily dragging their companion out of the room. The bunny girl turned back to the stunned diners, her wide grin firmly back in place. "Sorry ''bout that, folks! Enjoy yer meals!"Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the room. I quickly focused back on my plate, finishing the rest of the meal in record time. This bunny girl was also someone far from normal, there won''t be any good reason to get on her bad side. Not to talk of the way the upturned table and items on it magically returned to normal. It was creepy. When I was done, I returned to the counter, where the bunny girl greeted me with her usual cheery grin. The payment had already been deducted from my DC balance as soon as I was served. "All done, love? That''ll give ya the energy to keep goin''! What''s next for ya?" "I was wondering," I said hesitantly, "how do I get accommodation at the guild?" "Ah, easy peasy," she replied, her tone light. "Normal room''s 5 Dimension Coins per day. Jus'' remember, love, the only way to earn DC is by killin'' monsters on the upper floors. So, get yer weapons ready an'' keep yer wits about ya!" I nodded, making a mental note to conserve what little DC I had. "Where do I go to book a room?" She pointed a paw toward the door. "Head back to the main hall an'' look fer another receptionist at the guild counter. They''ll set ya up with a room." She paused, giving me a knowing look. "An'' remember, love¡ªkeep yer head down an'' don''t go lookin'' fer trouble. This ain''t a place for slackers or show-offs." "Thanks," I said, grateful for her advice. "No worries, love. Now off ya go. Don''t be a stranger!" With that, she waved me toward the door. Her cheery smile was the last thing I saw before stepping back into the bustling main hall, ready to face whatever came next. As I stepped back into the main hall, I was struck by the stark contrast to the dining hall''s vibrant energy. The once-bustling space had returned to a tranquil emptiness. Only two bunny receptionists occupied the counter now¡ªone engrossed in a thick, leather-bound book, her ears twitching slightly as she read, while the other noticed my approach and signaled for me to come closer with a warm smile. I made my way to the counter, trying not to let my nervousness show. The smiling receptionist had light gray fur with a faint sheen, and her uniform¡ªa similar green apron to the one in the dining hall¡ªwas immaculately pressed. A golden name tag pinned to her chest read: Elara. "Hello, love!" she greeted me brightly, her voice soft but welcoming. "What can I do for ya today?" "I¡­ uh, I need accommodation," I said, placing my hands on the counter. "I was told I could book a room here?" Elara nodded, her ears perking up. "Aye, you''ve come to the right place. We''ve got standard rooms for 5 DC a night, or if yer feelin'' fancy, there''s premium rooms with a few extra perks for 10 DC." Her eyes twinkled as she added, "What''ll it be?" I hesitated. The idea of a premium room was tempting, but I wasn''t sure how quickly I''d earn more DC. Playing it safe seemed the smarter choice. "I''ll go with a standard room," I decided plus I only had 8 DC left after eating. "Good choice, love," she said, tapping something into a glowing, rune-etched ledger on the counter. It felt like she was controlling part of the system more physically, the runes shimmered briefly before a small, rectangular key card materialized with a faint hum. Elara slid it across to me after placing it in a pouch. "This here''s your room key," she explained. "Room 208 on the second floor. The lift''s down that hall"¡ªshe pointed toward a side passage¡ª"or ya can take the stairs if ya fancy a bit of exercise." I picked up the key, its surface cool and smooth in my hand. "Thanks," I said, holding it tight in my hands. "Anytime, love," Elara replied. Then, her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Word of advice? Keep an eye out on the second floor. Since it medium you won''t find miscreant newbies there. Nothin'' dangerous, mind, just a bit¡­ odd." I blinked. "Odd?" She shrugged, her grin playful. "You''ll see. Or not, if yer lucky." That was not reassuring, but I didn''t press the matter. "Got it. Anything else I should know?" Elara leaned on the counter, her expression thoughtful. "Hmm¡­ always lock your door, even when you''re inside. Some of the third-floor residents are a bit¡­ curious. An'' don''t worry about breakfast¡ªit''s included for room guests. Just head back to the dining hall in the mornin''. But for your own safety don''t go to the 3rd floor" "Thanks for the heads-up," I said, offering her a grateful smile. "No worries, love. Now off ya go, and good luck out there!" She waved cheerily as I made my way toward the hallway she''d indicated. The hallway was quiet, lined with smooth, metallic walls that seemed to hum faintly with energy. At the end of the corridor, I found the lift¡ªan elegant, cylindrical structure with glowing blue panels. As I stepped inside, the door slid shut seamlessly, and a soothing voice spoke. "Please state your destination." "Second floor," I said, and the lift began to move with barely a sound. When the doors opened, I stepped out into a corridor lined with doors bearing glowing room numbers. The second floor was dimly lit. The soft glow of the runes cast long, shifting shadows. A faint chill hung in the air, though it wasn''t entirely unpleasant. I found room 208 easily enough, the key card slot glowing faintly as I approached. Sliding the card into the slot, I heard a soft click, and the door swung open to reveal my accommodations. The room was compact but surprisingly cozy, with a neatly made bed, a small desk, and a glowing window that displayed a breathtaking view of a sprawling, alien skyline. The walls shimmered faintly with a pale blue color, almost as if they were alive. I placed the pouch and key card on the desk and sat down on the bed, which molded itself to fit me comfortably. It was very comfortable. "If this is medium how good will the bed of the premium room be?'' I questioned myself. The events of the day played through my mind¡ªthe tutorial, the destroyed worlds, the Explorer city, the group of people from earth, the two mage women, the dining hall, the bunny girl''s unexpected strength, the Knights of the Iron Order, and now this quiet, mysterious room. "Welcome to Luminaris," I murmured to myself, unsure whether to feel excited or uneasy about what lay ahead. But first I should take a deserved rest for what I have experienced today. Before I start to think on how I will proceed to climb the tower. 6: Trouble Incoming Part 1 After resting for just 4 hours. I began to ponder how I will leverage my abilities to be able to survive in the tower. I also discovered how to use the |System Skill|: [Storage Space], simply by thinking about it, I could put something inside a pocket space available to me only. I could bring objects out the same way, or use the system by clicking on the skill and selecting the object. The limit is determined by the total amount of cosmic energy I had. 1 point of cosmic energy = 10 square meter of space. And the more cosmic energy I gain, the more my storage space will grow. Then after that what I did was to comb the Forum for relevant information. I found one exciting info about the 2nd floor from the tower master''s posts.
@Tower Master: A must read for every new explorer! Greeting to the newbies in the house. If you find this post this means you are trying to survive with all you might, and this good Tower Master will gladly support you. You will receive a free 50 DC to motivate you to know that, in this Tower. Hard work is grandiosely supported and rewarded. The first thing you need to do is to know yourself and then choose your path. Everyone has weakness which can be eliminated with their strength but it is up to you to do your best. Another freebie is that since you read this post, the next floor you will climb will get a 50% increase in difficulty. Don''t thank me. It is also a lesson for you to know that nothing comes for free~. So always expect to pay a price for everything. Yours faithfully: Tower Master
_"50 DC? ?? That''s barely enough to buy a custom made loaf of bread at the store! ?? What a joke! ??"
_"Another difficulty increase?! ?? This is just a sadistic power trip from the Tower Master! ??"
_"So, in essence, he''s rewarding us for reading his condescending lecture with a harder climb? ?? Thanks, I guess? ??"
_"This ''support'' is an insult! ???¡á? I''m climbing this tower to escape this miserable existence, not for his twisted games! ??"
_"Freebie? ?? This is a blatant bribe! ?? He just wants to see us struggle, the heartless fiend! ??"
_"50 DC? ?? I could have gotten that by selling a single rat tail from my 5th floor expedition! ?? What a waste of my time reading this drivel! ??"
_"This is outrageous! ?? I''m already risking my life, ?? and he''s throwing obstacles in my way? ??"
_"This ''support'' is like throwing a starving man a single crumb. Crumbs Insulting! ?? Just wondering what would happen if he had given us 100 DC instead?"
_"Dear Upstairs I guess I will have to revive then. Since minimum revival starts from 1000DC"
_"He calls this encouragement? ?? It''s more like a threat! ?? I''m starting to regret ever reading this!"
_"This is a disgrace! ???¡â? I''m climbing this tower for my own reasons, not to entertain some sadistic overlord! ??"
_"What a load of nonsense! ?? This ''support'' is an insult to my intelligence! ??"
_"This ''lesson'' is nothing but a cruel joke! ?? I''m climbing this tower to better myself, not to be toyed with! ??"
_"This is an absolute outrage! ?? I''m not a pawn in some sick game! ??"
_"50 DC? ?? Ha! ?? That won''t even cover the cost of a single potion! ??"
_"This is insulting! ?? I''m not a child who needs to be bribed and manipulated! ??"
_"This ''support'' is a slap in the face! ?? This ''support'' is a slap in the face! ?? I''m climbing this tower to prove myself, not to beg for scraps! ??"
_"This is a disgrace! ?? I''m not a pet to be rewarded with a measly 50 DC! ??"
_"This is a joke! ?? I''m climbing this tower to escape this miserable world, ?? not to be tested by some sadistic overlord! ??"
_"50 DC? ?? That won''t even buy a single seed for my crops! ?? What a useless reward! ??"
_"This is an absolute insult! ?? I''m climbing this tower to prove myself, not to be patronized and molested! ??"
"Huh¡­ so I can''t even read forum posts in peace" I said feeling a little heartbroken. "Might as well make the best of it" I checked my Dc balance and appreciated the increase of 50DC before clicking the store button. The system store is actually a very wide type of store. Earlier in the day, I had gotten a meal but I could also buy that same meal on the store. Only for a little bit higher since it cost 3 DC instead of 2. I could even buy almost everything I could think off, there was even a section for Adult toys and the like. I swear I did not spend up to 1 minute before moving away from that section. Inputting the key word of "Cosmic Manipulation" and "Cosmic energy" in the search button did not give me any tangible result, all I got was a request item button which I ignored. Inputting Energy manipulation brought a lot of results which I was delighted with. Using the filter feature help me to get books like this:
[A Beginner''s Guide to Mana Sensing by Elara Nightshade]: This introductory text is perfect for those new to the world of Mana. Elara Nightshade, a renowned Mana theorist, guides readers through the basics of Mana awareness, including: * Identifying your Mana signature: Learn to recognize the unique energy that flows within you. * Simple Mana sensing exercises: Develop your sensitivity to the ambient Mana in the environment. * Basic Mana manipulation techniques: Learn to control the flow of Mana within your own body. Price: 100 DC
[Aura Fundamentals: A Practical Approach" by Master Kai]: This book provides a clear and concise introduction to Aura manipulation. Master Kai, a renowned Aura master, covers: * Understanding the Aura: Learn about the energetic field that surrounds all living beings. * Aura sensing and diagnosis: Develop the ability to perceive and analyze the Aura of others. * Basic Aura cleansing techniques: Learn to purify and strengthen your own Aura. Price: 150 DC
[Dragonfire 101: An Introduction to Dragonic Energy" by Ignis Drake]: This engaging text introduces readers to the powerful energy of Dragons. Ignis Drake, a renowned Draconic scholar, explores: Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. * Understanding Dragonic energy: Learn about the unique properties and characteristics of Dragon energy. * Basic Dragonic energy absorption techniques: Learn to safely absorb small amounts of Dragon energy from the environment. * Simple Dragonic energy applications: Explore basic applications of Dragonic energy, such as minor healing and fire manipulation Price: 1000 DC
Even the so-called beginner books were not what I could buy with my current balance. There other beginner books were more expensive than the 3 I considered. But notwithstanding, I have confirmed two things:
* Items in the store may also exist physically too. * I could actually use the request function to get custom made version of anything as long as I have the money.
Then I left the room and tried my luck at the explorer guild library. I was able to find them all for just a fee of 1 DC as library fee. I paid an addition of 3DC to borrow them. Returning to my room gave a little sense of security. Being an introvert such is good. I sat down at the desk before diving into the first book. I also bought an empty notebook and pen sold together at 1 DC to jot down. True to its name. Even a nobody like me understood it on the first trial. With the knowledge from the book, I was able to get some explanations done. "Mana is the invisible energy that flows through all things. It''s like life blood of reality, nourishing everything from the smallest blade of grass to the mightiest creature." I read out my summary "Since I don''t have Mana at all" I had to improvise to fully understand it. Cosmic energy is just almost like Mana except in a more complex form, Aura is just forcefully fine-tuning Mana to match your body wavelength to boost physical status. The fine-tuned Mana becomes Aura which can be used to perform martial and various weapon arts. Both Mana and Aura is suited for specific purpose and choosing one path usually closes the other. The method of awakening both is different. While people trying to become mages, will try to make the Mana flow into their hearts and form a Mana core. Trying to awaken Aura involve letting the Mana flow throughout the body and create an Aura core in the lower Dantian. Both can also be used to strengthen weapons but the biggest difference is the ability to perform ranged attacks more easily with Mana and close combat attacks with Aura. There were also exceptions whereby many people were born with aura after inheriting genes from their parents. But in most cases, children are usually born while have their path free and they will make the choice themselves. I was able to assume that: If cosmic energy is a vast, primordial force that permeates the entire universe: then it is present in every dimension but very difficult to control and is also dangerous to biological life. While Mana is a more localized form of energy that is associated with life and magic. Nothing can exist without cosmic energy but life can still survive without Mana. A very definite proof is my dimension, from the information I got on the forum. A normal dimension should have nothing less than 100 habitable planets with teeming life, while my dimension is struggling to sustained just a single planet. After all a single meteorite is enough to destroy the planet. The presence of Mana make life forms easily outgrow the limits they were born with. But the absence of Mana make crossing a certain level difficult. After all even with full time body builders, no matter how much time is invested, it is impossible to lift up a mountain while it is possible with the application of both Mana and Aura. This also explained the reason why Transcendent souls were able to survive in our dimension. Since we already have a fixed limit on our body in our genes, the latent power in the soul could not do anything except to remain sealed. If I had not been summoned, I would have lived and died like a normal person in our dimension. Dragonic energy is a special energy that only species like Dragons can use. There were other forms of energy but I was not interested in them for now. After watching some videos on T-Tube, I was finally ready to attempt it. Don''t get me wrong. I could already feel the cosmic energy in me but that was the extent I could do with it. Sure I understood how much energy I needed to open portals too, but I was unable to successfully open one. Which led me to trying to awaken my control over the energy in the first place. I did not have any swordsmanship training, neither did I do any physical training other than the exercises in secondary and primary school. I agree with whatever thing you say about the impact of exercise on health. I just thought of it as a pain. After all my dad visits a gym at least once per month. Looking back at the way I have lived my life, I can also say: it sucks. I left the desk and chair and sat down in the lotus position on the ground. Since the floor was neat, I had no worry about my clothes getting dirty. Who knows if there is a dry cleaning service in this place? I would need to change this clothes soon too. Even though after the tutorial, the clothes were returned to their original condition looking at it gave me slight unease. "Focus focus." I told myself as I assumed the position believed to promote physical and mental stability during meditation. The words of Elara Nightshade words echoed in my mind: "Visualize the energy flowing through your veins, as a river of pure light, guide it and the reins shall be yours" I closed my eyes, focusing on the sensation of my breath, each inhale and exhale a deliberate act of will. Slowly, I began to visualize, picturing a shimmering river of light coursing through my veins. The energy reacted violently and I welcomed it. But as I delved deeper, a flicker of fear, a primal instinct of self-preservation, seized me. The visualization faltered, the river of light shrinking, sputtering, and finally extinguishing. Disappointment washed over me. I had failed. Undeterred, I tried again. This time, I pushed aside the fear, acknowledging it but refusing to let it consume me. I focused on the sensation of the breath, the gentle rise and fall of my chest, the cool air entering my lungs, the warm air expelled. It took me up to 5 minutes to get myself into that realm of mental stability. I imagined the river of light, not as a forced torrent, but as a gentle, meandering stream, flowing effortlessly through my veins. And then, I felt it. The energy once violent now steady and calm. A tingling sensation, not of fear, but of exhilaration, spread from my core. It was like a thousand tiny fireworks exploding within me, a symphony of light and energy. The river of light, once a flickering ember, now flowed freely, a vibrant, pulsating stream of energy, not just within me, but extending outward, a gentle hum resonating through the very air around me. I had done it. I felt the very atmosphere resonate with me. Cosmic energy from me began to spread out to the surroundings as I felt the total amount I have increased. My body achieved a state of circulation with the environment. I became aware of the presence of the cosmic energy which make up existence. The force of the cosmic energy outside my body was not crushing me but instead embracing me gently. Then the system screen came to life
[Ding!] [You have achieved control over cosmic energy as a mortal! Your proficiency of [Cosmic Energy Manipulation] has increased to 5%] [Achievement Rating: SSS] [You have received 999 achievement Points! Convert achievement points to Dc with a ratio of 1:100]
"Whoa" I felt exhilarated and a sense of omnipotence. No not omnipotence just a feeling of being over the top. The same feeling made me to push cosmic energy into my eyes to experiment. As I use up the cosmic energy in my body, more flowed directly from the surroundings into my body to replace it. Maybe that was why I could not accurately prevent excessive energy from flowing into my eyes. "Voom!!!" a large divergent beam spread out of my eyes. The beam effortlessly passed through the wall of my room in front of me turning the supposed obstacle into nothingness. I immediately cut the flow of energy from my eyes. Just a little experiment from me had resulted to the destruction in front of me. "Oops" I think I may be in trouble. Little did I know the magnitude of what I have done. 7: Trouble Incoming Part 2 The beam hitting the walls only to destroy it immediately before proceeding to destroy the next one on repeat. The aftermath of the unintended devastation left me trembling. The cosmic energy I had just begun to harness had acted like a tamed beast, obeying the smallest nudge of my will but with devastating consequences when I did not fully restrain it. Just like the saying: "Fire is a good servant but a bad master." As the dust settled, I stood in the midst of the room ravaged by my experiment---or rather, my mistake. Through the gaping view in the half-destroyed building, I caught glimpses of other explorers and receptionists, their wide-eyed expressions torn between awe and terror. Everything the beam had touched simply went out of existence. I did not even want to think about anyone caught in its path. Murmurs began to rise, like whispers of wind through the ruins: "Who''s powerful enough to do that?" "That''s no ordinary skill..." "I thought you can''t die in the first floor?" "What in the world is that?" "It was most-likely created by that person? Who is that?" I felt like an endangered animal on display at the zoo. Even the receptionists were looking around in complete panic. There were screams everywhere. At that moment, the world lost color and I felt an illusion that time stopped. No, this is not an illusion. Time. Has. Stopped. People no longer moved, the wind was not blowing. It was a creepy silence, as if the world was trying to calculate the magnitude of my actions.
[Ding!] [You have killed a large amount of people in the safe zone!] [You have achieved the impossible! A lot of gods are interested in what just happened!] [Goddess of Space is interested in you!] [God of Reality is interested in you!] [Goddess of Power is interested in you!] [Goddess of Light is interested in you!] [Tower Master is interested in you!] [Various constellations are interested in you!]
The system began to display texts I could read but did not want to understand. The notifications blurred as my vision clouded with tears. My hands trembled uncontrollably, still faintly glowing with the remnants of the energy that had unleashed this nightmare. The echoes of their screams---if they even had time to scream---and then instant death bounced inside my head, relentless and haunting. I felt the guilt of my actions. "I... I didn''t mean to..." The words felt hollow, my voice barely above a whisper. Each syllable choked me. "I didn''t mean to do this..." The weight of my actions settled in my chest, suffocating. No apology, no explanation, could ever undo what I had done. The realization struck me like a thunderclap: there was no going back. The cosmic energy I thought I could control perfectly had turned me into something unrecognizable---a murderer and destroyer. My legs were trembling as if I could anchor myself to reality and escape the tidal wave of guilt. Tears burned down my cheeks, hot and unrelenting. My body shook, wracked with the ache of something irreparably broken inside me. "I killed them," I croaked, my voice cracking under the weight of the truth. "They didn''t deserve this. They didn''t---" "Damn it!" a voice cursed at my back. Alice was here; she had appeared immediately when the world lost color. "I was having a peaceful nap before someone spoiled my day!" Her casual tone clashed violently with the chaos in my mind, but I turned toward her, desperate. My voice cracked with panic, raw and pleading. "A-Alice, h-help me! What should I do about it?" I asked, stammering in panic. I remembered she claimed herself as our guide, so if she was here, it meant she probably had something to do about it.
[Alice Rabbithood has used administrator privileges!] [Protocol #0001 has been activated!]
The air around me grew heavy, oppressive, as if the universe itself was holding its breath. The system''s notifications still floated before my eyes, cold and unfeeling, their indifferent glow mocking my despair.
[Ding!] [Emergency Protocol: World Integrity at Risk.] [Reverting to the Last Stable Temporal Anchor...]
I didn''t understand, but before I could process the words, the very fabric of reality began to twist. The world darkened, the colors draining like spilled ink on a canvas. The air hummed with an otherworldly vibration, sending chills racing down my spine. Shadows rippled unnaturally, merging and unmerging as if the space around me were folding in on itself. If I claimed to understand what was happening, then I was a fool. And then, it happened. A deafening *crack* echoed through the air, like the sound of glass shattering. The ground beneath me buckled, and I felt as if I were falling---though my feet never left the floor.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Time itself seemed to dissolve, splintering into fragments that swirled around me in a chaotic storm. I saw moments play out in reverse, each fragment glowing faintly with a silvery hue. A receptionist, her eyes wide with terror, stood frozen before she flickered backward into a casual smile. An explorer running away suddenly stood whole, his expression rewinding from fear to curiosity. The building itself seemed to breathe in reverse---broken walls knitting together, dust and debris retreating into their original forms. My heart pounded as the system''s message seemed to speak directly into my mind.
[Reconstructing World State.] [Restoring Casualties.] [Stabilizing Temporal Continuity.]
The voices I had heard---the screams, the cries---they warped and reversed, fading into the low murmur of normal life. The destruction I had unleashed disappeared entirely, leaving behind pristine walls and unblemished floors. The people who had died... they were alive again, moving as if nothing had ever happened. As the final pieces of the world slotted back into place, the oppressive hum stopped. Time resumed its natural flow, and the vibrant colors of life flooded back into the space around me. I was back in my room facing the undestroyed wall. The system delivered its final message:
[Ding!] [Temporal Reversion Complete.] [World Integrity Restored.]
Alice''s voice broke through my daze, sharp and sarcastic. "Wow. You really went and forced me to use my privileges, huh? Do you know how rare that is?" I turned to her, my voice a raw whisper. "What... what just happened?" She smirked, crossing her arms. "The situation warrants me to do that, and since I checked the records for any hostility or intentional act and found none, the right thing for me to do is to rewind time---reset everything to how it was before you decided to play god and mess it all up." I stared at her, my chest tight with a whirlwind of emotions---relief, guilt, and fear all tangled together. She had undone my mistake, but I couldn''t escape the memory of what I''d done. The people I had killed might not remember, but I would never forget. The glowing notifications lingered, a grim reminder of my recklessness:
[You have caught the attention of the higher order beings.] [The tower master is inviting you for a forced meeting!] [Warning! You cannot resist!] [Tower Master power has been consumed to satisfy causality!]
The world around me twisted violently as the last notification blinked in my vision. Before I could even think, a crushing force yanked me from reality. The ground beneath my feet disappeared, and I was hurled through a blinding, endless void. Colors and shapes blurred together, spinning in impossible patterns, until--- Everything stopped. I landed on what felt like solid ground, but when I looked down, there was nothing. A pure, endless white stretched in every direction, an empty space that somehow felt oppressively full. My breath hitched as I realized why: I wasn''t alone. The presence of very powerful beings surrounded me, each one a towering entity whose very existence radiated power. They were bigger than the entire space I was currently standing on. I couldn''t see them in full; their forms shimmered, too immense and incomprehensible for my mortal mind to grasp. Their combined essences pressed down on me like an avalanche. My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, gasping for air. I started getting suicidal thoughts immediately, but I couldn''t even move. "Pathetic," a voice boomed. It was deep, cold, and sharp as a blade. The God of Order. I didn''t need to see him to feel his gaze---judgmental, unrelenting, and piercing through my very soul. Just merely sensing his presence was enough for me to know what concept he dominated over. The same was happening with every other god before me: space, light, chaos. There were too many concepts for me to take in at once. I clenched my fists, willing myself to breathe, but his presence grew heavier. My body screamed in agony, every cell crying out as if it were being unraveled. The cosmic energy in me resisted but was effortlessly crushed and trampled upon by his gaze. "This boy is a blight upon existence," the God of Order continued. "His recklessness and power shattered the sanctity of the safe zone. His very presence is a threat to causality and the current order." A bright golden light flared before me, shielding me from the suffocating weight of the gods. Two voices---soft yet wild, chaotic yet harmonious---spoke in unison. "Now, now, Order," the Twin Goddesses of Chaos chimed, their voices layered like a song out of sync. "Isn''t it our domain to revel in chaos? This boy... is intriguing. Still at the first floor and already causing this amount of chaos. This is a prime situation for us." Their golden barrier shimmered around me, a shield that gave me just enough room to gasp for air. "Enough." The Tower Master''s voice cut through the tension, calm yet carrying an authority that silenced even the gods. His authoritative voice was a blessing to me at this point. His presence was no less overwhelming, but it lacked the malice of the God of Order. Instead, it felt like a cold, unyielding judge standing before a condemned man. "Boy," the Tower Master began, his tone even. "Your actions have disrupted the balance of the tower. Lives were lost, and the sanctity of the first floor was broken. You stand accused of reckless misuse of power even if it was unintentional. What do you have to say for yourself?" I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. My throat was dry, my mind a tangled mess of guilt and fear. "There is no need for his words," the God of Order interrupted. "His crimes are clear, and so is the punishment. He must be eliminated to prevent further catastrophe." My heart dropped as his words resonated in the space. His cold words'' certainty felt like a death sentence. But another voice, warm and calm, rang out---a stark contrast to the others. "Elimination is unnecessary," the Goddess of Light said, her tone gentle yet firm. "The boy acted out of ignorance, not malice. He deserves a chance to redeem himself." The Tower Master nodded, his expression unreadable. "What do you propose, Light?" "A trial," she replied. "Let the tower itself decide his worth. Double the difficulty of his journey until he reaches the fifth floor. If he survives, he will prove he can control the power within him. And the system judged him as not guilty. That should suffice as a punishment." Murmurs rippled through the space, the voices of gods debating the fairness of her suggestion. "Ridiculous!" the God of Order spat. "You would gamble the lives of countless others on this boy''s survival?" "Enough." The Tower Master''s voice silenced them all again. "Let us vote."
[Number of beings who vote in favor: 327]
[Number of beings who vote against: 66]
[Number of beings who are neutral: 4,679]
"The proposal is accepted. The punishment is fitting. If you die during the trial, you won''t be allowed to revive," the Tower Master concluded. A presence moved closer to me. The Goddess of Space stepped forward---or at least, her presence did. A shimmering orb appeared before me, pulsing with a soft, silvery light. Her voice was cold but not unkind. "Take this. It contains the knowledge of spatial control. Use it wisely, or your journey will end far sooner than you hope. Having power without knowledge leads to disaster." The orb floated toward me, and as it touched my skin, a rush of incomprehensible information flooded my mind. My head throbbed, but I held on, clutching the orb tightly. Knowledge of space control flowed into my very being with little bits of information about cosmic energy too. "T-Thank you," I squeezed out. The Twin Goddesses of Chaos chuckled, their voices layered with amusement. "Good luck, little mortal. The chaos ahead will be... entertaining." The barrier around me flickered, and the presence of the gods began to fade. But as the white space dissolved, the God of Order''s voice cut through, colder than death itself. "Die gracefully, boy. It will save you the trouble." With those words hanging in the air, I was hurled back into the void. When I opened my eyes, I was in my accommodation room, clutching the glowing orb. My body trembled, not from the journey, but from the weight of what had just happened---and what lay ahead. 8: Second Floor part 1 Alice was gone when I found myself back in the room. It was as if the entire chaos that I experienced was an illusion but no, I had felt it with my very being. A sense of helplessness settled in my heart as I remember the presence of the beings I had just encountered. They were not beings mortals like me can hope to fight. "I had only survive by chance" I was certain "If the goddesses of chaos had not intervene or if the goddess of light had not given a proposal, I may no longer be alive. I would have been killed without anyone knowing." I felt angry at how big I thought myself to be, when I was nothing to them. The system gladly displayed information about my punishment.
[You will be forcefully summoned to the second floor! You cannot leave until you clear the fifth floor. The remaining time you have left to prepare is 07:59:57]
"8 hours huh" I read to myself. If I failed at this chance. I will die. "System" I called out as the system displayed everything to me. I saw the familiar screen first.
Status Forum Store T-Tube Dimension Coins DC: 48 Achievement Points AC: 999
I immediately click the status button after confirming the accuracy of my DC and AC.
Name: Seun Adebayo Level: 1 HP: 150/150 Cosmic Energy: 2000/2000 Strength: 16 Intelligence: 21 Agility: 16 Attack: +2 Defense: +2 |Transcendent Skills| [Cosmic Energy Manipulation (5%)] |Acquired Skills| [Cosmic Radiation Resistance Lv.Max] |System Skills| [Storage Space] |Titles| [Transcendent Mortal], [Master of Cosmic Radiation]
My stats had increased with the greatest increase in cosmic energy. The total amount I have had doubled. Though my level remain the same, from my gamer knowledge I could at least ascertain some things: Hp: This is my life force¡ªhow much damage I can take before I fall. As long as I have even a little left, I can keep fighting. When it runs out, that''s the end of the line. Cosmic Energy: This is the fuel for my powers. It''s the energy I use to unleash my superpowers. Without it, I''m just another fighter. With it, I''m something more, and I am lucky to have a lot of it. Strength: This is my raw physical power. It''s what helps me hit harder, lift heavier, and break through barriers¡ªwhether they''re walls or enemies. Intelligence: This is my brainpower. It''s how I understand my powers, plan my moves, and outsmart my enemies. The stronger my mind, the better I can use everything I''ve learned. Agility: This is my speed and quickness. It''s what will help me to dodge attacks, move fast, and react in the blink of an eye. Staying alive often depends on how fast I can act. Attack: This is my ability to deal damage. It''s how well I can land hits, whether with a weapon, a punch, or my powers. Most weapons have a fixed amount of Attack power. Defense: This is my ability to protect myself. It''s how much damage I can block or avoid, keeping me in the fight longer. Most weapons have a fixed amount of durability. This tower treats explorers as if we were in a type of game. As long as you are not killed instantly you can survive anything if you have HP left. Though it doesn''t really affect much in the lower floors of 2-10.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The total damage you can do is also based on your strength plus your attack power. So if an enemy possess 100 HP, I have to hit them about 6 times before I could kill them. But if I had a weapon, the attack power of the weapon added to my attack power will make it easier. But in the case of energy based attacks, it is solely dependent on the amount of energy consumed. With dedication I was also able to determine the power level of explorers in this tower. It was simple. There was a post explaining the destructive ability of each rank and by summary it can be written as this: Lv 1¨C10: Normal Person (F Rank): At this level, you''re just an ordinary person. Strength, speed, and endurance are within average human limits. No special abilities, just your wits and physical training. Lv 11¨C50: Awakened Person (E Rank): You''ve begun to unlock hidden potential. You''re stronger, faster, and more durable than a regular person. Basic abilities like enhanced reflexes, minor energy manipulation, or increased recovery speed start to manifest. This is a stage that cannot be reached without the interference of Mana, aura or any other mystic power. Lv 51¨C100: Superhuman (D Rank): You''ve surpassed human limitations entirely. You can lift cars, survive falls from great heights, and move faster than the eye can follow. At this stage, you might wield low-level elemental powers or have specialized combat skills. Lv 101¨C200: Advanced Superhuman (C Rank): Your power grows to the point where you can alter the environment around you. Controlling fire, manipulating other elements, and feats like surviving in extreme conditions become possible. At this stage, you''re a force to be reckoned with. Lv 201¨C500: Elite (B Rank): You''re now among the strongest beings in most worlds. Your strength can shatter mountains, your speed rivals sound, and your magic can easily affect large-scale areas. Strategic thinking and mastery of your abilities set you apart. Lv 501¨C700: Hero (A Rank): At this level, you are nearly unstoppable. You are the perfect hero that can defeat demon lords in many worlds, attacks from those weaker than you hardly work at this point. Your power is awe-inspiring, and you command respect¡ªor fear¡ªwherever you go. Lv 701¨C900: Planet Destroyer (S Rank): You stop aging and gain enough power to destroy entire planets with ease. Your strength and energy manipulation reshape planets, making you a near-unstoppable force in your dimension. Lv 901¨C999: Wielder of Authority (SS Rank): You surpass S Rank with unmatched power. You can survive in the vacuum of space with your physical body alone. At this level, you wield an Authority, granting control over aspects of existence you have built up from the beginning of your life. Above what can be measured: Constellation (SSS Rank): You master your Authority completely and thrive on the faith of others. Killing other life forms to grow hardly make a difference anymore and your power is very close to a Concept, allowing you to reshape reality itself. This is the final step before ascending to true godhood. According to the history of the tower, less than 100 people have reached Lv 999. With a lot of people reaching their limits and becoming stuck at a certain level. "Being born with a transcendent soul is like having a cheat code." I was an F rank explorer yet with the soul of a SSS rank. A living miracle "But I can''t really understand why the god of order hates me¡­? Apart from what happened earlier, I have done nothing wrong" I also searched for an armor to buy after buying clothes. After checking at a lot of options, I chose these ones:
Cloak of Shadows: Description: "Made for blending into the night. Or hiding from your responsibilities." Effect: +3 Agility, +2 Defense Price: 4,500 DC
Sturdy Leather Boots: Description: "Perfect for long treks and quick escapes." Effect: +3 Agility Price: 1,500 DC
Dual Steel Daggers: Description: "For the fighter who likes to get up close and personal¡ªand fast." Effect: +6 Attack Power, +3 Agility Price: 3,000 DC
Yes. I did not buy a sword. From the webnovels I had read to escape the mundane reality, I know that it is usually customary for the summoned individuals to get a sword, but I was neither a swordsman but in fact my abilities were much closer to being a mage. I had opted to use a pair of daggers to serve as my close combat weapon. If things got out of hands, I could count on the shoes to help me run away while the cloak will help me to defend my back and hide. Leaving out the descriptions that felt like they have been written by a prankster it was a solid buy worth 9000 DC. They were also beginner items by the store rating and I had to convert 90 AC to DC to afford it. The only reason I did not buy higher rank items since I could afford it, was because it may drag me down. It is just like giving a missile launcher to a child. The child won''t be able to use it and it may result in self-harm. To say the truth I had bought one more item.
Arcane Staff: Description: "Crackling with faint magical energy. Be careful¡ªit''s not fully stable." Effect: +4 Intelligence, +2 Defense
But when I tried feeding it cosmic energy, it exploded which would have become something disastrous again if not for the spatial barrier I put in place in the room, special thanks to the goddess of space who gave me an orb of knowledge. I would have caused another destruction scene. So using a magic staff was out, I have to put all my trust on my body. It felt like my own power is trying to make me an attention seeking extrovert. To prevent a scenario where I can''t move due to fear. I bought a new skill from the store with 1000 DC. Bringing my AC points to 899 points.
[Abnormal Status Effect Resistance Lv.5] Type: Acquired Grants resistance against abnormal status effects like poison, paralysis, freezing, bleeding, petrification, confusion, berserk and fear, reducing their impact and duration. It also protect against instant death skills, at this level you can withstand up till C-rank.
[¡­00:03:57 left]
"Almost time huh" I stood up from the desk and moved to the center of the room.
[¡­ 00:00:00] [System will transport explorer immediately!]
A flicking portal appeared in front of me and I entered after taking a deep breath. 9: Second Floor Part 2 When I arrived on the second floor, the cavern''s oppressive atmosphere greeted me like a hostile stranger. The air was heavy, damp, and tinged with a metallic tang that I couldn''t quite place. Dim patches of bioluminescent moss clung stubbornly to the walls, their soft blue glow casting long, eerie shadows. It was also the only source of illumination in the room. "My vision is better though" I could swear that my eyes were seeing thing too good for the source of light to project. "At least, I probably won''t worry about not clearly seeing enemies" Tiny puddles dotted the uneven ground, reflecting the moss''s light in rippling pools. The faint skittering of claws on stone and the squelching of gelatinous bodies confirmed what I had read about. Tiny scurrying sounds reached my ears, undoubtedly the rats and slimes I''d read about. It was a uniform trial for all explorers. As I took a step forward, the system''s familiar chime echoed in my mind.
[Warning! Monsters on this floor have been strengthened by 150% to adapt to explorer abilities. Proceed with caution.]
I paused, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. "Strengthened, huh? Guess the tower is really strict about enacting fairness. Lovely." I already 50% increase from reading the Tower Master''s post and with the trial, I was expecting a doubled difficulty, but this might be insane. Not that I could talk though, after all it was caused by my actions. "Alright," I muttered to myself, clenching my fists. "Step one: scope out the size of this place." I focused on my ability, letting the cosmic energy pulse through me. To make my powers to work as I intended, I need a strong visualized will. Closing my eyes, I extended my awareness outward like a ripple in a pond. Slowly, I felt the edges of the space materialize in my mind¡ªa massive labyrinth spanning approximately five kilometers in diameter. The knowledge on space manipulations that the goddess of space had given to me was working here. Caverns twisted into one another, some filled with the faint glow of slime colonies, others dark and foreboding. Narrow passages branched out into a network of tunnels, each one likely teeming with these enhanced creatures. It was good that I had a skill that dulled my senses to fear or I might have begun to panic. "This¡­. Is too much for a normal explorer" I sighed. If I tried clearing them all manually by blade or try shooting beams at them, I''d exhaust myself long before reaching the next floor. I still even have something to confirm from the system. But at least the condition for clearing the floor is to defeat all the monsters. And as a bonus the monsters themselves would come to attack me. "No point in dragging this out," I muttered. "Let''s end this in one shot." "Wave of radiation" I centered myself, drawing cosmic energy from deep within. The energy coursed through my body, humming with anticipation. My unique skill, Cosmic Radiation Manipulation, was the key to my plan. The idea was deceptively simple: unleash a wave of radiation strong enough to neutralize every monster on the floor. But to do that, I needed precision. Too much power, and I risked damaging the floor itself¡ªor worse. I won''t be affected thanks to my skill but I doubt my clothes will come out in one piece. "Well I bought enough to account for a change of clothes on each floor" Taking a deep breath, I visualized a perfect sphere of energy expanding outward, wiping out everything in its path. My body began to glow. "Let''s see how adaptable these monsters really are." I unleashed the energy. The cavern vibrated as the wave spread, shimmering like a heat haze. The moss reacted first. Its soft blue glow intensified, flaring up as if resisting its impending death. For a fleeting moment, the cavern was bathed in a radiant, otherworldly starlight. Then, one by one, the patches of moss dimmed and withered, their remains drifting down like ash. The slimes didn''t fare much better. Their gelatinous bodies convulsed, bubbling and hissing before collapsing into inert puddles. Even the enhanced ones, which had darkened into ominous shades of black and purple, were no match. The rats, quick and desperate, tried to flee, but the wave consumed them before they could escape. Their fur singed, their tiny bodies went limp, and the cavern fell silent. "One-shot victory!" I declared triumphantly, punching the air. I opened the system to check how much energy had been consumed. To my surprise I had only lost 200/2000. This was perfect: High damage power, Low energy consumption. I could use the same attack at least 9 more times before I run out of energy. Plus I was blocking the cosmic energy that was trying to flow into me. If I let it run free, theoretically maybe I could use it for as long as I want? But I would also be crushed immediately. The entire cosmic energy present was not something I could dream to control but luckily my simple will was enough to not let it invade my body. "Well I will think about it later." I concluded before focusing on my surroundings. I stood in the center of the devastation, surrounded by the results of my power. For a moment, I felt a swell of pride. Before a dramatic scene where my clothes began to break down as the energy wave had passed through it, revealing the power''s raw intensity and heat. The cloak and shoes I was wearing was no better, they lasted a little longer than the clothes though, probably from their increased durability.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I took out the spare clothes I had reserved for the 2nd floor before proceeding to buy the same items from the store. Then I noticed the walls. The rocky surfaces of the cavern were corroding. Cracks spread like veins, jagged and deep. Chunks of stone began crumbling away, exposing the raw, brittle rock beneath. The ground fared no better¡ªwherever the wave had passed, the stone had become brittle and uneven. As if calculating, the system came to life at that point.
[You have cleared the 2nd floor!] [Kill evaluation: SSS] [System will now distribute rewards!] [You have earned 1000 DC] [You have unlock the Sell function in the store! Click the store to check it out!] [Warning! Excessive radiation levels detected. Floor integrity compromised.]
"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered, kicking a piece of crumbling stone aside. I crouched down, pressing a hand to the ground. The once-solid surface gave slightly under my weight. If I wasn''t careful, I could end up destroying the floor entirely. "Note to self: don''t nuke the environment you''re standing in." But I wasn''t done experimenting yet. There was no way I would quickly try to leave this free experiment zone. "Strengthening the Body" I focused on channeling my cosmic energy inward, letting it flow through my muscles and bones. I''d never tried enhancing my physical body before, but if energy manipulation could be applied externally, there was no reason it couldn''t work internally too. And from what I have read through [A Beginner''s Guide to Mana Sensing by Elara Nightshade]. Magicians could do the same too. Knights or martial artist wielding Aura could do it more easily, it was just amplifying the body base strength. Almost immediately, I felt the difference. My muscles tensed, my skin tingled, and I felt a surge of raw strength. I clenched my fist experimentally, the air around it shimmering faintly. The cosmic energy resonated in my body perfectly. "Let''s see what this can do." I picked a sturdy-looking section of the cavern floor, walked towards it and stomped my foot down with all my might. The results were¡­ spectacular. The ground cracked beneath my boot, fissures radiating outward in a spiderweb pattern. A shockwave rippled through the cavern, dislodging loose rocks from the walls and ceiling. One particularly large stalactite came crashing down with a deafening boom, sending shards of stone flying everywhere. "Okay¡­ maybe tone it down next time." I stared at the destruction, wide-eyed. "Maybe because the floor has been weakened in the first place. Yeah it must be" I convinced myself though I couldn''t get rid of the thought in my heart that I would have done almost the same amount of damage either ways. The system chimed again, its tone almost scolding.
[Observation complete. System adapting. Reinforcements to monster strength and floor integrity will be implemented on subsequent floors. As the explorer did not experience growth from the just concluded battle.]
I groaned, throwing my hands up. "Oh, come on! You''re adapting to me? What are you, a sentient cheat code? No. I really did not grow, but don''t expect a thank you from me" The system didn''t respond, but I could feel it smirking. It was indeed programmed by the gods to help explorers to grow. It had immediately detected that the strength of the monsters was too low and I did not level up, so it is planning on fixing that. Well-done, what a perfect creation. "Wait¡­? Does this not means that the next floor monsters will be stronger?" I realized my error. "Come on, Seun don''t be stupid! I just need to also get stronger then, no need to panic" With the monsters wiped out and the floor structurally compromised, I should be trying to get the remains of the rats but since there was no drop item and the furs of the rats were destroyed. I doubt I would get anything from picking it up. Hence I decided to spend some time testing my powers further and gain more practical experience. Test 1: Cosmic Push Standing in the center of the cavern, I took a deep breath and extended my hands forward. My goal was to generate a concentrated burst of energy strong enough to shove an opponent backward. "Cosmic Push!" A surge of energy erupted from my palms, blasting forward in a shimmering wave. Unfortunately, it also blasted a section of the wall, which promptly crumbled into rubble. "Effective¡­ but maybe not ideal for confined spaces." Test 2: Cosmic Net Next, I tried creating an energy web to ensnare enemies. I visualized intricate threads of cosmic energy weaving together into a trap. What I got instead was a chaotic tangle of energy strands that fizzled out before even touching the ground. I scratched my head. "Alright, not every experiment''s a winner. It should get better as my mastery proficiency goes up" Test 3: Cosmic Sword Inspired by every fantasy protagonist ever, I attempted to form a weapon out of pure energy. Slowly, a blade began to take shape in my hand, its edges shimmering like starlight. Grinning, I swung it experimentally. It dissolved halfway through the motion. "Great. I can''t even keep the sword from ghosting me." Test 4: Cosmic Orb Finally, I decided to create a compressed orb of energy¡ªa controlled explosion for emergencies. I condensed the energy into a swirling sphere, its surface crackling with power. Satisfied, I hurled it into the distance. Nothing happened. I frowned, stepping closer to inspect. Just as I leaned in, the orb detonated with a deafening BOOM, sending me flying backward. I landed in a puddle that had somehow survived the radiation wave. Drenched and slightly singed, I groaned. "Great. My ultimate weapon is a glorified jump scare. And now I need to change clothes again!" Despite the mishaps, the testing had been invaluable. I''d learned more about my powers¡ªand about the risks of pushing them too far. The system had learned too, apparently, and I couldn''t help but feel a flicker of excitement. I knew that deep down in me, I was getting satisfied from having these powers. I had long dreamt of protagonist''s with different powers, fighting monsters and saving worlds. But at this point when I could actually use it. The feeling of exhilaration was too much for me not to smile. But if this floor had been the first challenge, what would the next one bring? "System," I called out, stretching after changing my clothes. "Transport me to floor three. Let''s see what you''ve got."
[Request accepted. Transporting in 3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­]
As the light enveloped me, I couldn''t help but laugh. The second floor might have ended as a radioactive wasteland, but I''d survived¡ªand I was just getting started. 10: The Third Floor: Murky Underground Streams The transition was abrupt. One moment, I stood amidst the fading light of the system''s teleportation glow; the next, I was enveloped in stifling humidity. The air was a suffocating mixture of damp and decay, thick with the sharp tang of algae and stagnant water. Dripping echoed endlessly, the sound bouncing off the cavern walls to create a maddening rhythm. The floor was alive with the murmur of sluggish streams, their dark, swirling waters crisscrossed by narrow, slippery stone walkways. I could feel the sense of familiarity of this floor to the previous one. I took a step forward, the slick surface beneath my boots making me pause. A faint ripple caught my eye as a translucent slime rose from the water, its acidic body gleaming faintly in the dim light. It bobbed innocuously until it lunged, its amorphous form stretching unnaturally toward me. It was also about 1.5x bigger than the ones on the 2nd floor. Before I could react, the system chimed.
[System has received permission to enforce special rules on the 3rd floor] [Warning: Cosmic Radiation kills will trigger a double respawn penalty. Alternate methods recommended.]
I cursed under my breath. The radiation wave that had obliterated the monsters on the second floor would be useless here. Worse than useless, it would make things exponentially harder. The slime struck, its gelatinous pseudopod slamming into the rock where I had been standing moments before. I leapt back, the acid hissing as it ate into the stone. My heart pounded. This wasn''t going to be a simple battle. As I steadied myself, more ripples appeared in the water. Dozens of slimes rose, their translucent forms quivering with malice. Near the water''s edge, frogs the size of small dogs crouched low, their jewel-toned skin gleaming in the dim light. Their eyes, unnervingly human in their intelligence, locked onto me. "Cosmic Push" A surge of energy erupted from my palms, blasting forward in a shimmering wave. It pushed back everything in front of it. Some of the monsters were also dead "Good" I smiled happy at my successful attempt of creating a distance between the monsters and I. But the system was more observant than I thought and it responded immediately.
[Warning! Cosmic radiation detected. Floor integrity compromised.] [System will be enacting penalty immediately!]
"Hmm¡­ just as I thought" I had theorized that whenever I used cosmic energy, the possibility that radiation leaked was high and this was the good time for me to test my theory. It was at that moment I noticed the difference in my thinking. "I really just tested out my theory even though I knew I could be penalized for it" the old me would have cowered in fear and just follow the rules without much complain. But having these powers have made me to discover another side of me. "Seun, you need to focus. Dealing with the increased monsters should be the top priority" just as I observed, the flowing streams in the caves seem to have been energized as I sensed more monsters moving rapidly towards my location. I also surveyed the whole floor and discovered it was just about 100 meters larger than the 2nd floor. The Space manipulation knowledge surged within me. If I couldn''t use radiation, I''d have to rely on the gifts the goddess had bestowed. I will have to learn how to use cosmic energy without creating radiation gradually. Drawing a deep breath, I focused, letting the space around me ripple and bend to my will. This time I will be using it for something more violent. "Space Crack" I commanded while extending my hand, visualizing the fabric of space splitting apart. A crack formed in the air, dark and jagged, its edges shimmering with an otherworldly glow. With a sharp motion, I swung it toward the nearest slime. The rift sliced through its gelatinous body with ease, severing it cleanly in two. The halves wobbled before collapsing into puddles of bubbling acid. "The energy required is was very low." I confirmed by checking my status. It was almost the same as just expending my spatial senses that I did before. Encouraged, I widened the crack into an arc, sweeping it across a cluster of advancing slimes. Their bodies sizzled and dissolved as the spatial rift carved through them. Even as the last one fell, I knew the danger was far from being over. I could feel the monsters still rushing after all. From the shadows, more slimes emerged, their numbers seemingly endless. The frogs croaked, their voices resonating like a war cry, and then they leapt¡ªstraight at me. A streak of green shot toward my face, its toxic tongue lashing out like a whip. I ducked, the tongue narrowly missing my cheek, causing a temporary break in my concentration. And that was all they needed. Before I could retaliate, another frog lunged from behind, its sharp, clawed feet slashing toward my back. I felt the whoosh of air as it missed me by a hair''s breadth.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. I realized that some monsters were coming from my back too, they were intelligent to know that surrounding me will give them a better chance at ending me. The stone beneath my boots shifted dangerously as I moved. My footing faltered, and one of the frogs seized the opportunity, leaping directly onto my chest. Its heavy and sudden weight knocked me backward, my arms flailing as I fought to keep my balance. The frog''s tongue lashed out, its tip grazing my arm. I could swear my senses screamed poison! A burning sensation spread instantly, the toxins searing into my skin. I gritted my teeth and used a burst of spatial energy to create a crack, slicing the creature in half before it could do more damage. I staggered upright, clutching my arm. The wound burned as the area affected become decolorized, my brown skin turning a dangerous hint of purple showed the venom was already spreading. My vision blurred for a moment, but I was not scared, I could immediately feel relief as the cosmic energy flowing through my body greedily devoured the poison trying to invade my body. My skin color also returned back to normal. Relief was immediate, but I knew I couldn''t afford another mistake like that. I had mistakenly not account for if I had gotten hurt while exploring. And I took some seconds to remind myself to get portions or an item that could heal me. Cosmic energy in my body has taken the stance of completely monopolizing me and it was beneficial as I could not be affected by poison of this level. But I won''t be banking on it completely, I will definitely remember to buy potions next time. I observed that the walkways were narrow and dry which I could use to my advantage. I created space cracks around me to give myself a breathing space and moved into one of the walkways to make the monsters lose their chance of surrounding me. But the battle pressed on. The slimes began to coordinate, moving in groups also to corner me in the narrow walkways. The walkways were narrow but was still about 7 foot in breadth. A misstep could mean falling into the now toxic waters, where the slimes and frogs would overwhelm me in seconds. One particularly aggressive slime launched itself toward my face, its acidic pseudopods stretched wide. There was no way I could open a space crack that could save me at this point. Reflexively, I tapped into the knowledge in my head, bending space around me. In an instant, I shifted a few feet to the left, reappearing just in time to avoid the attack. The slime splashed into the water, momentarily disoriented. I grinned, exhilaration coursing through me. "Short-range teleportation¡ªit isn''t just a theory anymore. I can do it!" I screamed at the heat of the moment. I began to weave through the battlefield, flickering from one position to another as the monsters swarmed. Each time a frog leapt or a slime lunged, I was gone before they could land a hit. But the exertion was draining, and I could feel my energy reserves dwindling and my mental strength also draining. I was using two powers at the same time after all. But at each point, I could also feel growth, the way I was using my powers were getting better. I could allow cosmic energy to flow into me from the surrounding''s but I was scared I won''t be able to push it back from the heat of the battle. I needed a way to slow them down and I need to do it fast. Focusing on a cluster of slimes, I extended my hand and visualized the space around them freezing in place. The air shimmered, and for a brief moment, the slimes were immobilized, their bodies suspended mid-motion. I swung a crack through them, shattering the frozen space and the monsters within it. "Space freezing worked too" Encouraged, I turned my attention to a particularly massive slime. This one was different¡ªits body dark and dense, its acidic surface steaming ominously. I froze it in place, but as I moved in for the kill, it began to pulse, its form resisting the spatial freeze. I was surprised and before I could react, it exploded, sending a spray of acid in all directions. I threw up a spatial barrier just in time, the acid hissing against the invisible wall. "Well, I did not expect it to be perfect but a slime destroying my space freeze is bad to my gamer reputation" in all the games I have played, slimes were one of the weaker monsters and I could classify the strength of space freezing as an attack that could be a near trump card, at least at this stage. The frogs were also relentless, their attacks growing more coordinated as their numbers dwindled. I was space freezing them before dispatching them with a space crack. Even with my careful actions one of them managed to grab my leg, its claws digging deep bypassing the protection of my clothes and cloak. I gritted my teeth, before freezing it. I then visualized a spatial vortex to suck it off me. Un-surprisingly a vortex appeared, before it spiraled outward, pulling in several nearby slimes and frogs before collapsing in on itself with a deafening whoomph. Panting, I realized this had to end fast. I gathered every ounce of energy I had left, creating a web of interconnected cracks. The shimmering lines formed a deadly lattice that I swept across the battlefield, cutting through the remaining monsters with ruthless efficiency. The last frog croaked pitifully as it fell, its body dissolving into the muck. It was a gamble I managed to pull off with the remaining energy I had. The cavern fell silent. I stood amidst the carnage, my chest heaving and my limbs trembling from exhaustion. My head was experiencing a migraine which felt like my brains were about to burst out. The system chimed.
[Floor Cleared!] [Level Up Achieved!] 4x [Kill evaluation: S] [System will now distribute rewards!] [You have earned 750 DC] [You have unlock the ability to use the system to view attributes!] [Your proficiency of [Cosmic Energy Manipulation] has increased to 6%]
A warmth spread through me as the unfamiliar sensation of leveling up washed over my body. My wounds healed, my energy reserves replenished and increased, and my mastery over cosmic energy felt sharper, more precise. I couldn''t help but smile, despite the still remaining mental exhaustion. The level up did not take away the migraine though I could feel gradual relief. Looking around, I marveled at what I had achieved. The narrow walkways, the entire floor once teeming with danger, were now littered with the remnants of defeated monsters. The streams were calm once more, their surfaces rippling gently as if in approval. "Not bad," I murmured, flexing my fingers. "Not bad at all." I closed my eyes while allowing my body to be in sync with the natural cosmic energy in the surrounding. I could feel my mental exhaustion declining at a very fast pace. "This is good" As the system prepared to transport me to the next floor, I couldn''t help but wonder what new challenges awaited. I knew the thought didn''t scare me¡ªit¡­ thrilled me. Because now, I wasn''t just surviving. I was becoming unstoppable or so I thought? 11: Floor 4 – Part 1 The air shifted abruptly, signaling my arrival on the fourth floor. As I blinked, the oppressive atmosphere of the previous level gave way to something far more sinister. A fetid stench of decay and chemicals clung to the cavern''s humid air. Faint luminescence from overhead fungus bathed the scene in an eerie green glow, casting unsettling shadows across the pits filled with churning slime. Narrow stone ledges and precarious bridges crisscrossed the pits, their surfaces slick with condensation. I closed my eyes, activating my spatial sense. The ability, a gift from the goddess, allowed me to map the environment as if I were an all-seeing observer. Information flooded my mind instantly: the cavern was larger than the second floor by at least a kilometer. My spatial radar pinged two anomalies¡ªpeculiar objects nestled in the far reaches of the cavern. Their exact nature remained a mystery, compelling me to investigate. Yet, there was no time for idle curiosity. The ledges and bridges crisscrossing the pits were perilously narrow, their surfaces slick with condensation. One misstep, and I''d fall into the slime pits below¡ªa mistake I had no intention of making. The first slime emerged from a nearby crack in the cavern floor, its gelatinous form undulating with a sickly green glow. It was definitely an advanced form of slime from what I have encountered before. Its body shimmered as though alive with acid, and the very sight made my skin crawl. More slimes followed, their numbers multiplying with unnerving speed. The system displayed reality to me as if on purpose.
[Welcome to Floor 4: Slime-Filled Pits.] [New Floor Rules Applied: Slime splits will reduce reward value. Use caution.] [Threat Detected: Harmless slime pits may turn otherwise. Acidic slime pits dissolve all organic and inorganic materials. Centipedes will soon be summoned after 5 minutes] [Beware: Monster density has increased by 100%.]
I steadied myself, muttering, "Unfair doesn''t even begin to cover this." I felt a little grateful that it had informed me at least. The system chimed in, cold and indifferent.
[Trial Protocol: Difficulty is proportional to growth potential. Complaints are irrelevant. And previous floor penalty is applied]
"Yeah, thanks for the pep talk," I grumbled. I focused, letting cosmic energy surge within me. "Space Crack!" I swiped my hand through the air, splitting space itself. The rift cleaved through the first slime, reducing it to two smaller versions of itself. They quivered ominously before lunging toward me. "Right, cosmic radiation is out of the question, and this splitting won''t do" I murmured, sidestepping their attacks. Another slime leapt at me, forcing a hasty retreat. I froze the space around it briefly, giving me a moment''s reprieve. But my sense tingled with warning. I could feel their gaze on me. From the cracks and pits, more slimes rose¡ªonly these were darker and more volatile, their forms hissing as acidic vapor escaped. To make matters worse, the pits themselves began to shift, a nauseating ripple spreading across their surfaces. They weren''t just repositories of monsters; they were living entities, they began to consume the fellow slimes they had once spit out. It was obvious that they compressing themselves into something far worse. The rapid moments of the slime made me unable to intervene immediately. I had to be alert to their random attack bent on reducing me to nothing. "This might be fun," I muttered under my breath, my voice tinged with a mix of sarcasm and grim determination. There was no way I would allow myself to die from this situation. The smaller slimes didn''t waste a moment, slithering toward me with surprising speed. I shifted backward onto one of the narrow stone ledges, careful not to lose my footing. The pits to my far left and right bubbled ominously as they continued to compress. I visualized the space around the smaller slimes compressing. "Space Freeze!" The air shimmered, and the creatures froze mid-motion, their gelatinous forms locked in place. I quickly created another space crack and swept it through the immobilized slimes. This time, I was careful to obliterate them entirely, ensuring no division could occur. But the respite was short-lived. More slimes began to emerge, and I heard a new sound¡ªa clicking, mechanical rhythm echoing from the walls. "Great. Now centipedes." From cracks in the walls emerged another threat: giant centipedes. Their segmented bodies gleamed in the green light, their grotesque forms a hideous mockery of natural life. Oozing venom dripped from their mandibles, sizzling where it touched stone. Their eyes, multifaceted and alien, locked onto me. Their pincers clacked menacingly, and the venom dripping from their mandibles hissed as it hit the stone. I didn''t need anyone to tell me that getting bitten by one of these things would end badly. There won''t be a body left if that ever happened. The first centipede lunged with terrifying speed. I twisted space just in time, elongating the distance between us. It drained my reserves at a terrifying pace.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. But I could not even think about that as the centipede hissed, spraying venom into the air. The gas it emitted spread rapidly, an acrid cloud that burned my lungs even from afar. I could feel my energy devouring the invader immediately which brought relief. I knew I could always count on it in times like this. "Disgusting," I muttered, suppressing a gag as I retaliated. A spatial vortex materialized near the poison cloud, redirecting it into one of the slime pits. The effect was immediate and catastrophic. The pit roared, its surface churning violently as the poison interacted with the acidic slime. As if waiting, the pit spread it gelatinous liquid greedily absorbing the poison and even moved to eating the centipedes too. I had at last provided a meal for it to grow from. I hurriedly dispatch the monsters that have gotten close to me while trying to prevent the pit from killing them. But it was getting difficult as the pit shows unusual intelligence and agility. At last. It reverted the gelatinous liquid into itself after stealing a lot of prey. I found the freedom to quickly kill the remaining monsters. The only fortunate thing is that there was no more slimes being summoned, but waves of centipedes were still being born from the cracks in the walls. But separating me from the centipedes was the other slime pits which greedily killed the centipedes as if waiting for them. The total number of them was 5. But I was not going to give up without a fight. Time for something bigger. I extended both hands, drawing on my reserves. "Spatial Vortex." The air above the centipedes shimmered violently, distorting as space itself twisted into a spiraling void. The pull was immediate and overwhelming, dragging the creatures into its center. Their bodies stretched and tore, caught in the vortex''s relentless force. I succeeded in taking away their means of nutrition. The vortex collapsed with a sharp crack, leaving nothing behind but faint wisps of energy. For a moment, the bubbling pits seemed almost disappointed as they stopped moving. Before they began to cannibalize on themselves. I knew any more moment that I allowed these monstrosities to have their way will result into something more dangerous. But I also had to catch my breath, my mental exhaustion was piling up and my energy reserves were getting low. I was halfway past my total reserve pool. But to my surprise the cannibalizing pits were already done by the time I noticed them. Only one single pit survived, from the depths emerged a monstrosity¡ªa single giant slime, its body towering and pulsating with malevolent energy and it big core moved endlessly inside it liquid body. The whole pit had turned into giant dense slime.
[System Alert: Floor Boss Detected. Threat Level: High.]
"Oh, come on!" I exclaimed, backpedaling. The system remained silent. The giant slime loomed over me, its body quaking as it absorbed nearby centipede carcasses, growing larger and more menacing. The centipedes hadn''t stopped their assault either, new centipedes were still being born from the walls but the giant slime gladly put an end to them. I concentrated, attempting to freeze the giant slime with spatial energy while it was focusing on the centipedes. The air shimmered as space locked into place¡ªbut the slime resisted, its immense size and density breaking my hold. But at least I got it attention as it sent long burst of acid towards my direction. Opening a crack won''t do the job neither will freezing space. Instead, I tried spatial elongation, twisting the distance between us. The giant slime roared in frustration as the space stretched unnaturally, temporarily halting its advance. The acid burst melted the cavern floor as a dangerous hiss sound resonated. The maneuver drained almost all my energy, leaving me gasping for breath. Then came the moment of Desperation. Panting, I collapsed to one knee, my reserves nearly depleted. I closed my eyes, trying to draw in natural cosmic energy to replenish my strength. The air hummed with tension as the giant slime advanced, its gelatinous form shuddering with each ominous step. It was now done with the centipedes, and I was the only prey still alive on this floor. "Not yet," I whispered, gritting my teeth. The slime let out a guttural shriek, a sound that resonated deep in my bones. My vision blurred as exhaustion set in. Things were not going the way I wanted them. Then, the system chimed, its usual detached tone replaced by a deeper, foreboding resonance that seemed to seep into my very soul.
[System Override Detected. Communication Link Established: God of Order.]
The air grew oppressive, the cavern trembling as if reality itself had acknowledged a greater force. A faint pulse rippled through the atmosphere, sharp and cold, cutting through the humid air.
[Divine Message: Explorer''s existence disrupts equilibrium. Intervention authorized. Casualty balance will be restored.]
A sense of dread clawed at my chest. I struggled to stand, but my body refused to cooperate. The system chimed again, this time tinged with an unnatural weight.
[System Update: Floor Boss Enhancement Commencing. All the other monsters will be consumed immediately!] [Source: God of Order.]
The cavern trembled violently. The giant slime''s form, already monstrous, began to shift. Its gelatinous body pulsed with a sickly luminescence as the faint golden light of the divine seeped into it. The oppressive green glow of the cavern was swallowed by this unnatural radiance, twisting the atmosphere into something alien and terrifying. The slime let out a guttural roar, its body expanding and condensing simultaneously, becoming denser and more volatile. Its surface bubbled with an acidic sheen so intense it distorted the air around it. A halo of shimmering energy now surrounded the creature, crackling ominously as the divine power reshaped it into an even greater monstrosity. It was the king on this floor now. The system''s voice returned, colder than ever.
[Floor Boss Enhanced: Order-Cursed Slime. Threat Level: E-rank.] [Survival Likelihood: Less than 1%.] [System Notice: casualty compensation applied. Double rewards upon survival.]
"Great," I muttered, my voice barely audible over the rumbling cavern. My legs wobbled as I forced myself upright, every instinct screaming at me to run, though I knew there was nowhere to go. My energy was still being replenished at this point. The slime''s transformation completed with a deafening roar, its body now brimming with disastrous energy. Long, whip-like tendrils of acid lashed out, sizzling against the stone floor, carving deep grooves into the rock. Its core pulsed like a malevolent heart, radiating raw destructive intent. The system chimed one last time, its tone carrying an undeniable finality.
[God of Order''s Directive: Explorer must be eliminated.]
I clenched my fists, my breathing ragged but determined. The monster loomed larger than ever, a direct manifestation of divine wrath. "Guess I''ll just have to prove you wrong," I whispered, my voice defiant, even as the massive creature lunged, its body quaking with the force of its assault. 12: Floor 4 -- Part 2 ¡­ I clenched my fists, my breathing ragged but determined. The monster loomed larger than ever, a direct manifestation of divine wrath. "Guess I''ll just have to prove you wrong," I whispered, my voice defiant, even as the massive creature lunged, its body quaking with the force of its assault. The cavern shuddered violently as the Order-Cursed Slime''s acid tendrils lashed out, carving molten grooves into the rock. Each movement radiated raw, destructive intent. My breath came in ragged gasps as I threw myself to the side, narrowly avoiding a burst of searing acid that hissed against the stone where I had been standing. "Focus," I muttered, clenching my fists. My reserves were dangerously low but were now being replenished, but each maneuver still drained me further. The slime''s luminous core pulsed erratically, radiating mysterious energy like a beacon of malice. I could hardly focus on anything else except trying to keep myself from being overwhelmed, both from cosmic energy and the monsters'' assault. As if sensing my panicked state. "M-must k-kill you," the monster said in a hoarse voice. "The core. It''s always the core." My eyes locked onto it, analyzing its movement. While I couldn''t move much, my brain was still able to think fast, which increased my chance. Not like it was very useful though. The monster was higher in ranking than I. It had achieved this status only by the intervention of an external being. But even with that, the weakness which I had ignored in the other slimes was very obvious here due to size. The core was larger than before, glowing with unnatural intensity, but it wasn''t invincible. The divine enhancement had made it unstable---vulnerable, even. I just needed to survive long enough to exploit that. That is if my plan works... The slime lunged, its tendrils flailing wildly. I twisted space again, elongating the distance between us just in time. My feet skidded against a narrow ledge, and I had to steady myself quickly to avoid tumbling into one of the empty pits below. The cave I was teleported to when I entered the floor was quite large and it has been the saving grace for me. There were narrow sections in both west and east direction. It was a passage that led to one of the peculiar objects I discovered before. My spatial sense buzzed with information, highlighting the cavern''s layout. I needed to execute my plan, and do it fast. "No more brute force," I murmured. I couldn''t afford to waste energy splitting space or freezing large sections. I needed precision. Efficiency. A sudden hiss from behind made me whip around. The acid burst that the slime had released was also intelligent enough to be a threat. It was truly a monster not fit for a newbie like me. A smaller tendril of acid shot toward me, faster than I could dodge. Instinctively, I opened a tiny crack in space, redirecting the tendril upward. "Please let it work!" I said as I hoped to use the terrain to my advantage. The acid struck the cavern ceiling, which groaned ominously. Chunks of rock crumbled, some falling directly onto the slime. It shuddered but quickly absorbed the debris, growing even larger. "Okay, that''s not going to work," I muttered, backpedaling. I took some seconds to re-examine my plan: First step: Adapting the Strategy I closed my eyes, activating my spatial radar again. The slime''s core was shifting, moving erratically within its gelatinous body. The divine enhancement wasn''t just powering it---it was making it unpredictable. But there was a pattern, however faint. I just needed to observe long enough to find it. The cavern''s oppressive air pressed down on me as I drew in a deep breath, focusing on the natural cosmic energy around me. Gently allowing it to enter into my body. "My mental state is affecting me in this way huh?" I questioned myself as I discover that the calmer my emotions are, the easier the cosmic energy flowed into me. The difference wasn''t that much, but it would have to do. I opened my eyes just as the slime sent another tendril my way. Instead of dodging, I twisted space around it, causing the tendril to loop back and strike the slime itself. The impact was minimal, but the divine glow around the core flickered slightly. "Gotcha," I whispered. The slime was resilient, but its divine enhancement wasn''t limitless. It could be disrupted. My second step was to find a way to exploit the environment anew. Just trying to crash rocks down randomly wouldn''t be enough for the job.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. My spatial sense pinged an anomaly a few meters away to be directly above the slime. The ceiling---it was supposed to be exposed after rocks fell down on the slime, but instead it was laced with faint pockets of energy-rich fungus. Serving as a background over which the rocks was laid. If I could bring it down at the right moment, it might destabilize the slime long enough for me to attack its core directly. After all it took about 10 seconds for it to dissolve rocks, but since the fungus was alive, it would take a few more seconds before it would devour it. I sidestepped another acid burst, forcing the slime to follow me toward the west narrower section of the cavern. Its massive body quaked as it advanced, tendrils lashing out and carving into the walls. Each strike sent vibrations rippling through the cavern. Perfect. But about two-thirds of its body was now directly over the exposed ceiling. I closed my eyes immediately to maximize my attention. I planned to expand the exposed ceiling and bring down fungus this time. With a sharp gesture, I compressed a small section of space above the slime. The ceiling groaned and cracked, energy-rich fungus and chunks of rock crashing down onto the creature. The impact sent a shockwave through its body, and for a brief moment, its movements slowed. Its divine glow flickered again, more violently this time. "Now''s my chance!" I surged forward as I opened my eyes, drawing every ounce of cosmic energy I had left. My hands glowed with spatial energy as I focused on the core. "Spatial Compression!" I shouted, twisting space around the core itself. The air shimmered violently as the core''s movements slowed. The slime roared, its body writhing in agony as the compression intensified. But the core resisted, pulsating with divine energy that pushed against my control. My vision blurred, and I could feel the strain tearing at my mind. This wasn''t enough. I needed more. The slime''s tendrils lashed out blindly, one narrowly grazing my shoulder and searing the fabric of my cloak. I staggered but held my ground. Gritting my teeth, I extended my hands further, pulling on every scrap of cosmic energy I could muster. "Spatial Vortex!" A spiraling void materialized around the core, its pull overwhelming. The slime''s body convulsed as the vortex tore at its essence, dragging divine energy away from the core. The glow around it dimmed, then faltered. With a deafening roar, the slime''s core imploded, collapsing into a dense singularity before vanishing entirely. The rest of the creature disintegrated, its acidic body evaporating into harmless wisps of vapor. The cavern fell silent. I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air. My entire body ached, my reserves utterly depleted. The system chimed softly, its usual detached tone returning.
[Floor Boss Defeated: Order-Cursed Slime. Threat Level: E-Rank.] [Survival Likelihood: less than 1% Surpassed.] [Double Rewards is being calculated. While level up is being delayed]
I forced myself to my feet, glancing around the cavern. The slime was defeated, the pits were now permanently empty, and the oppressive atmosphere had lifted. Just as I thought I had a moment to breathe, the system chimed again, this time with an unsettling, reverberating tone.
[You have gotten the attention of higher order beings.] [The God of Order has observed your victory.] [The God of space has smiled at your victory.] [The Constellation martial saint* has expressed mild interest.] [The Constellation Watcher of Dying Stars approves of your ruthlessness.] [Some Gods and constellations are displeased at the interest in the one who is yet to obtain qualifications to be an explorer]
Their attention wasn''t new, but it never felt any less intrusive. Knowing I was being scrutinized by gods and constellations added weight to my already exhausted body.
[The Goddess of Light has turned an annoying gaze to the beings involved.] [System Override Detected. Communication Link Established.] [Divine Message from Goddess of Light: His Explorer''s certification has been validated. The rules were to defeat a being of higher status and he has done that. So it is annoying if you know the rules we set and yet you pretend to discard them.] [Divine Message from God of Order: he has shown he had the right to bend order around his will. But he must still take the 5th floor trial] [The God of Order has interfered with the tower.] [Warning! You cannot resist!]
I exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the discomfort. The last thing I needed was one of them interfering directly. The system spoke again, its tone sharper this time.
[The God of Light power has been consumed to satisfy causality!] [Proceed to Floor 5? Y/N.]
I laughed weakly, my voice barely a whisper. "Not yet. I need to rest first---" But before I could finish the thought, the cavern around me was dissolving into light.
[System has received permission to Manually Override explorer''s choice. Proceeding to Floor 5 immediately.] [The Goddess of Freedom and Choice is displeased at this blunt intervention!] [The Goddess of Freedom and Choice has intervened in the 5th floor trial!] [The Goddess of Freedom and Choice power has been consumed to satisfy causality!] [A lot of Gods and constellations are surprised by her actions!] [Divine Message from the Goddess of Freedom and Choice: Make your choice known to us in the next floor, Explorer!]
"What? No! I said---" I did not have enough time to fully understand what the system was displaying before I tried to shout out... The world shifted violently, and the ground vanished beneath my feet. I was weightless for a moment, tumbling through a vortex of shimmering light and chaotic energy. 13: The Unexpected Reality I jolted awake, my heart hammering against my ribs like it might shatter them. Each breath came in ragged gasps as cold sweat clung to my skin, making the sheets twist uncomfortably around me. Morning sunlight knifed through the curtains, flooding my small bedroom with an unwelcome warmth that seemed to mock the cold terror of my dream---or nightmare. I sat up slowly, my eyes tracking across the familiar landscape of my room. The posters of galaxies, planets, and constellations watched from my walls, while the steady hum of the ceiling fan provided a counterpoint to my racing thoughts. The slightly tilted stack of textbooks on my desk seemed to mock the chaos in my mind with their orderly presence---all of it achingly, artificially normal. I reached up and pressed my fingertips against my temples, trying to piece together the fragments of what had just happened. "A nightmare?" The words scraped past my lips, rough and uncertain as morning gravel. "It felt so real..." The memories came rushing back in vivid flashes: the tutorial, the tower, my mistake, the cavern''s oppressive darkness, the Order-Cursed Slime, the divine messages from gods and constellations---things that seemed too bizarre and intense to be mere products of my imagination. But sitting here now, in my room, it all felt absurd. Maybe it "was" just a dream---a side effect of late-night gaming marathons and binge-reading fantasy novels. Shaking my head, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and planted my feet firmly on the cool floor. The faint smell of rice and stew wafted through the air, mingling with the gentle murmur of my family''s voices downstairs. I took a deep breath, trying to anchor myself in the present moment. "It''s over," I muttered, standing up and stretching my stiff muscles. "Just a bad dream." Before leaving the room, my gaze drifted to the ceiling fan lazily spinning above me and the glowing light bulb. With a resigned sigh, I walked over and switched them off. Dad''s familiar admonishment echoed in my mind: "Seun, don''t waste electricity! These things cost money, you know!" "Saving unnecessary costs," I murmured with a faint, almost bitter smile before heading out. In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, letting the shock of it drive away the last cobwebs of sleep. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, searching. Dark eyes gazed back at me, tired and hunting for answers. No special evidence marked me as anything other than a regular teenager who had stayed up too late. "Get a grip," I muttered, shaking my head as I grabbed a towel and dried my face. "It''s a new day. Time to move on." The comforting sound of my mom''s humming floated through the air as I entered the kitchen. She stood by the electric cooker, stirring a pot of stew that filled the room with rich, savory promises of comfort. A pot of rice steamed gently beside her, adding its own notes to the morning symphony. "Seun! You''re awake early today," she said brightly, her warm smile immediately beginning to thaw the frozen edges of my nerves. "Morning, Mom," I said, sliding into a chair at the dining table. The familiar rhythm of home life felt like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man. "Smells great." Her face brightened further at the compliment. "Thank you! You seemed so tired yesterday. Did you sleep well?" I hesitated, the memory of the dream flashing through my mind like summer lightning. I managed a casual nod. "Yeah. Just a weird dream, I guess." She frowned slightly but didn''t press. "Well, eat up. You''ll feel better after some food." "Good morning, Seun," Dad said as he strode in, his work clothes already pressed and perfect. He offered his usual measured nod before reaching for the flask, the familiar ritual of his morning tea preparation filling the kitchen with purpose. "Morning, Dad," I replied, working to keep my voice steady and normal. Before I could settle into my thoughts, Ayomide---my younger sister---bounded into the room like a burst of morning sunshine.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Good morning, Mom! Good morning, Dad!" she chirped as she skipped over to give them quick hugs. Her energy was infectious, and both of them chuckled warmly at her enthusiasm. "Good morning, Ayo," Mom said, her voice rich with affection. She was still wearing her work clothes, the apron over her blouse testament to her dedication to feeding her family each morning, regardless of her packed schedule ahead. "Morning, Ayomide," Dad said, taking a measured sip of his tea. "You''re as lively as always." "Of course!" she beamed before turning to me. "Good morning, big bro!" "Morning, Ayo," I said, unable to suppress a small smile at her boundless energy. Without missing a beat, she grabbed a plate and eagerly began piling it with rice and stew, her movements quick and purposeful. The conversation shifted to more everyday matters as we ate. The routine almost lulled me into a sense of security, but then Dad broke the calm with a comment that snapped me back to attention. "You know, Seun, you really need to get more serious about things," Dad said, his tone carrying the weight of unspoken expectations. "You''ve got potential, but you can''t just coast through life. Focus more on your studies, your future." I looked up, meeting his steady gaze. My stomach churned with familiar guilt. "Yeah, you''re right, Dad. I will," I muttered, trying to inject conviction into my voice. Mom joined in, glancing over at me from her position at the electric cooker. "Seun, you know we''re not saying this to put pressure on you, but you need to take things more seriously. I know you''re capable, but we can''t do everything for you. You''ve got to work hard, just like we do every day." I nodded, feeling the weight of their expectations settle more heavily on my shoulders. Ayomide, who had been listening with unusual quietness, looked at me with fierce determination in her eyes. "Yeah, big bro! You have to work harder! Like Mom and Dad!" she said, nodding with the conviction only a younger sibling could muster. I gave her a weak smile. "Thanks for the pep talk, Ayo." But Dad wasn''t finished. He glanced at Ayomide and then spoke again, his voice taking on a more serious edge. "And you, Ayo, don''t get too comfortable. You''ve got your own work ahead of you---your JAMB exam is coming up soon. You need to put in the effort if you want to get into university, you hear?" Ayomide, eternally optimistic, nodded eagerly. "I know, Dad! I''m going to study hard! I want to do well, so I can make you both proud!" "Well, don''t just say it---do it!" Dad replied, his tone lightening slightly but still carrying a challenge. "Both of you need to buckle down. Life doesn''t wait." I couldn''t help but smile at the exchange, finding comfort in the familiar family dynamic despite the weight of expectations. We continued eating together, the usual mix of jokes and updates filling the room. For a while, I allowed myself to relax, feeling the tension in my chest begin to ease. Everything felt normal, comforting, and safe. But as my fingers brushed the glass of water, reality seemed to hiccup. Something foreign and electric prickled across my consciousness, like a whisper in a language I almost understood but couldn''t quite grasp. I froze, my hand suspended in mid-air. "Seun?" Mom''s concerned voice cut through the strange sensation. "Are you okay?" I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. "Yeah, sorry. Just spaced out for a second." She gave me a worried look but didn''t push further. "Alright. Just let me know if you''re feeling unwell, okay?" "Will do," I said, forcing a smile and taking a long sip of water to steady my nerves. After breakfast, I retreated to my room, hoping to lose myself in a game or some light reading. I had no morning classes, so the time was mine to fill. But as I settled at my desk and opened my laptop, my thoughts kept circling back to the dream---or whatever it had been. The memory of the cavern''s oppressive air, the sharp sting of acid, the weight of cosmic energy surging through me---it all felt too vivid to dismiss, no matter how I tried to rationalize it. "No," I said aloud, my voice firm in the quiet room. "It wasn''t real. It couldn''t be." But as I reached for my mouse, my hand brushed against something on my desk. My heart stuttered in my chest. Sitting there among my school supplies was a small figurine. I froze, my pulse quickening as I took in its appearance. It stood upright, clad in a sharp, black tailored suit that seemed at odds with her fluffy ears and twitching nose. Her fur was pristine white, almost unnaturally so, and her eyes were a piercing, unnatural gold. A wide, almost-too-cheerful smile stretched across her face, giving her an unsettlingly alive appearance. "What the hell?" I whispered, leaning in for a closer look. Her tiny body radiated a strange, almost palpable energy, and I couldn''t shake the feeling that she was more than just a decorative piece. There was something about her, something "alive" in the way she stood there, as if waiting for me to acknowledge her presence. I hesitated, my fingers inching toward the figure. The moment my hand brushed against her surface, a faint chime echoed in my mind, the same detached tone that I had heard before.
[System Notification: Reconnection Attempt Detected.]
My heart hammered in my chest as glowing words appeared before me, floating in the air like a hologram. My eyes widened in shock. Whatever force had dragged me into that other reality hadn''t finished with me. In fact, I had a sinking feeling it was just getting started.