[WELCOME TO THE TOWER OF APOTHEOSIS]
That was the last thing James heard before his mind went blank. It felt strange, as if it wasn't just his mind leaving his body but his very soul. He doubted the quirky scientists behind this VR game could achieve anything so profound, yet the experience was undeniably different. He had tried various VR games before, and they typically tapped into the consciousness that controls motor functions—an area yet to see any significant breakthroughs.
After what felt like an eternity, a jolt surged through him, and he found himself in a vast expanse of the galaxy. A tall building stretched into the void, its height both confusing and awe-inspiring. How do you explain something that feels so long it seems to form a full circle, while your brain insists it's merely too elongated to be fully captured in your view?
Gradually, James regained his bearings as an invisible foothold wrapped around his leg, balancing him in the gravity-less void. The tower, which had adjusted itself to his perception, revealed its majestic form. It was so breathtaking that any architect on Earth would be overwhelmed with inspiration, potentially losing their sanity over its beauty. Every materials scientist would question whether they had been using Earth's resources correctly.
In the boundless void of space, surrounded by swirling galaxies like cosmic jewels and nebulas painting the heavens with iridescent hues, stood a tower like no other. Built entirely of shimmering crystal, its translucent surface reflected starlight, casting radiant beams into the endless darkness. Gold and silver runes entwined its towering form, weaving an intricate lattice that glistened like threads of the divine, elevating the structure to a work of celestial art.
Etched across the tower's surface were countless depictions of beasts and races locked in chaotic combat—a war so tumultuous and surreal that its purpose seemed lost in the frenzy. Yet, within this chaos, a strange harmony emerged. The tower breathed life into the madness, imbuing the tumultuous scenes with deeper meaning. The images merged into a breathtaking tapestry, telling a story through violence, confusion, and beauty.
This was no mere masterpiece; it transcended art, serving as an immortal monument that defied logic while making perfect sense, as if the crystal tower itself was the thread weaving together the fabric of the universe.
"Who made this?!" James shouted unconsciously, before looking around and realizing he was actually far from the tower.
[ _ Rank and Authority not cleared for this information _ ]
The unexpected reply startled him.
"Who?!..." James turned around to see a crystal orb with a green light at its core, forming a 3D circuit throughout the orb, levitating right in front of him. "What are you, and where is this?" he managed to ask, finally recognizing the tension in his nerves due to being in an unfamiliar place.
[ _ Welcome to the Tower of Apotheosis, Human. I'm Ezra, the guide for all who wish to enter the Tower. This is the gateway to the Tower. _ ]
"Okay, so what's next? Do you open a portal or create a stairway to the Tower so we can get this over with?" James replied, already feeling fatigued by the whole scenario.
[ _ Not yet, Human. Allow me to scan and compile your body attributes for character creation. _ ]
The orb began emitting laser-like green light that moved up and down, covering James's entire body.
[Scanning...]
[10%...]
[30%...]
[50%...]
[Error... Physique match not found]
[Requesting access to Akashic library]
[Requesting Administrative Access to Akashic library]
[Request Granted]
[70%...]
[90%...]
[100%... Done]
[ _ Please choose a username that will bind your character. _ ]
The orb's tone shifted suddenly, as if it had forgotten to start with this crucial step.
"Try 'Lord Alexander'; it's my gaming name," James replied, exasperated.
[ _ Username available. _ ]
[ _ Information compiled to the Akashic library. _ ]
[ _ That's done. Please say the word 'Interface' to view your personal information. _ ]
The orb retracted the light it was beaming at him.
"Why is this game so buggy? Errors everywhere; that's the exact purpose of testing!" James thought to himself. "Interface," he commanded, and a screen popped up in front of him.
------------------------------------------------------------
[Name: Lord Alexander]
[Race: Human]
[Grade: Commoner]
[Exp: 0/100]
[Level:0]
[Main Class: None]
[Sub-Class: Adventurer]
[Strength: 7]
[Agility: 9]
[Endurance: 6]
[Intelligence: 20]
[Charm: 8]
[Luck:** 9]
[Physique: Chaos Physique (Dormant)]
[Talent: Insight, Lucid Memory, Super Learning]
[Skills: Appraisal, Universal Tongue]
[Reputation: 0]
[Legend: 0]
[Equipment: Basic Commoner Clothes]
[Remarks: A Primordial Physique is wasted on you; you'd be better off working in a library.]
------------------------------------------------------------
"What the hell?!" James stared at the interface, dumbfounded by what he saw. What was this physique? He didn't remember having any weird physique. "Hello? Excuse me, I think this thing is faulty. I don't know what this physique means, and what's with this weird remark?"
[ _ Nothing is faulty, Human. That's all you are in there. Your physique is dormant because your body is too weak to bring out its full strength. _ ]
James was taken aback. "So how do I awaken it?" he asked. "Wait a minute—did you just say my body is weak and therefore my physique is dormant? Isn't this just a game? Where did this physique come from?" He was shocked, unable to accept the implications forming in his mind.
[ _ It's a game to you. _ ]
"It's a game to me? Clarify this! Is this game real? Are we somewhere in reality right now?" James bombarded the orb with questions.
[ _ User has insufficient rank and authority to request information. _ ]
"So you mean the game is real?!" James stared at the orb, feeling a mixture of fear and curiosity.
[ _ I never said that. _ ]
James fell silent, grappling with the confusion.
[ _ ... _ ]
"So how do I awaken my physique?" James gave up trying to extract answers from the orb.
[ _ User will have to find an answer to that themselves. _ ]
"Sigh. This thing is useless. Too buggy," James muttered, shaking his head.
------------------------------------------------------------
[Guide of the Lost: Ezra has expressed dissatisfaction with your attitude.]
[Reputation -1]
[Legend +1]
------------------------------------------------------------
"Huh, I thought you were an AI," James remarked in surprise.
[Player has completed the character creation process. Player can now proceed to the Tower. May your journey to Apotheosis be fruitful and happy adventures.]
The orb returned to its monotone voice, and before James could process what had happened, his body zoomed through space, hurtling toward the Tower at an unimaginable speed.
"Wait... Calm down... I'm sorry... Ahhhhhhhhh!" Just as he braced for a crash against the tower's walls, his body phased through, plummeting into darkness. It felt like he was falling into an abyss, and after what seemed like an eternity, he landed on solid ground.
James felt an immense wave of relief wash over him as things returned to normal. However, dizziness soon followed. "Ugh... This game is too realistic and scary, dammit," he sighed, looking around at the vast grassland, save for a tall stone arch in front of him that resembled a portal from a fairy tale.
After examining his surroundings and finding no other path, he approached the stone arch and scrutinized the unfamiliar symbols that looked like runes inscribed on it.
"Am I inside the Tower already? There's no way this game is real. But what's with my physique? I've never heard of it in the whole Cardinal family. This is too confusing. I'm writing a full essay on the forum about this buggy game once I'm done here," James thought wearily.
"Let's see what's on the other side," he resolved, stepping through the stone arch. As he did, a new interface appeared before him.
Ding!
------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome, Player, to the Ground Floor: Floor Zero.
Floor Objectives:
1. Get a Main Class.
2. Complete 10 missions within the Ground Floor.
3. Acquire a Truth Seeker Orb.
Time limit: Nil
------------------------------------------------------------
"I guess I'm inside the Tower now, huh? Doesn't look much like a tower, though—more like someone took a whole continent and turned it into a Tower floor," James sighed, surveying the vast expanse of impressive buildings and tall forests stretching as far as he could see. Everything appeared grand and well-planned, except for the lack of any visible life around.
"Well, let's see what this place has to offer," he said, setting off toward the largest building in sight.