When Kale first entered the Tower, a haunting voice recited an ancient poem. It was not comforting; rather, it felt as though it predated even the gods themselves. As Kale stood among the other bewildered players, the poem's words echoed through the vast halls, embedding themselves deep into his soul.
Death, the Final Destination
Death, the final destination,
For all who walk this earthly station.
Some it greets in morning's light,
Others meet it late at night.
Few escape its endless snare,
Breathing gods, beyond compare.
Immortal souls, who've broken free,
Of life's relentless, turning sea.
Some find peace in Nirvana's glow,
A tranquil path where spirits flow.
Others rise on wings of rage,
Breaking chains of mortal cage.
For love, a heart may pierce the veil,
Through endless time, their spirits sail.
While some, through carnage, carve their way,
And feast on death, both night and day.
Each seeks a different kind of grace,
To leave behind this fleeting race.
But death, it waits, for most who roam—
A silent call, that brings them home.
The poem, recited to every player upon their first entry into the Tower, was no mere decoration. It was a grim reminder—a prophecy and a curse. It whispered of the chains that bound every being in existence, making them little more than slaves to death's inevitable grasp. Yet, some had broken free. They weren't simply powerful; they were immortal. True gods.
As Kale listened to the final words of the poem, a chill crept down his spine. He was just another mortal soul, bound by the chains of time. But something inside him stirred. Would he too one day break free of those chains?
Years later, Kale would come to understand that death could be delayed, twisted, and, in some cases, evaded entirely. But not without a price.
He opened his eyes to find himself in a familiar place—the Tower. His body felt heavy, his muscles sore, and his mind clouded. How am I alive? was the first thought that surfaced, a question that hammered repeatedly in his skull as he surveyed his surroundings. The gray walls and the distant hum of energy pulsating through the Tower's mechanisms were all too familiar. But how had he ended up here? His last memories were fragmented—fighting, pain, betrayal. Everything after that was a blur.
As his mind began to clear, system notifications blinked into existence before him, their cold, emotionless words cutting through the fog.
[Temporary Skill Regression(???) activated]
[You have met 1 of the requirements to become a god]
[??? have noticed your presence]
Kale's heart raced. He had seen plenty of system notifications in his time within the Tower. But these… these were different. Regression? A requirement to become a god? And who or what was "[???]"? The cryptic nature of the messages left him disoriented and intrigued.
He scanned his stats and inventory. Despite the strange messages, his levels and items from his previous life remained intact. He hadn't been reset entirely. Yet, his memories—especially those from the final days before his apparent death—were frustratingly blurry.
Flashes of betrayal surged through his mind. He saw their faces—those who had hailed him as a hero. Those who had celebrated him, only to hand him over to the Demon King like a lamb for slaughter. He had trusted them. Believed their words. But they had used him, manipulated him to fulfill their twisted prophecy.
Rage burned within him. The betrayal had cut deep, far deeper than any physical wound. But now… now he had been given a second chance.
The system chimed again, interrupting his thoughts:
[Ding]
[Skill Sage Eye(S1) activated]
Without warning, a surge of memories flooded Kale's mind. The shock was overwhelming, forcing him to collapse onto the cold stone floor. His breath hitched, his vision blurred, and the torrent of information was too much to process all at once. Darkness consumed him.
Hours later, when he finally awoke, he felt drained but… whole. The fragmented memories from before were no longer pieces of a shattered mirror. They had coalesced into a cohesive, painful narrative. He remembered everything—every betrayal, every lie, and the cold, cruel reality of his sacrifice.
"I will get my revenge," Kale whispered into the silence of the empty chamber, his voice steady and cold.
The words weren't just a declaration. They were a promise. The people who had betrayed him, who had manipulated him into playing the hero, would pay. He wouldn't be naïve this time. He wouldn't trust blindly. From this moment on, his path was clear, and nothing would stop him from exacting his vengeance.
With that resolve burning inside him, Kale approached the trial portal once more. His hands tightened into fists as he took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Afterward, Kale ascended to the grand hall of the second floor and, without hesitation, entered the portal for the third trial.
[You have entered the 3rd trial]