Chapter 2: The Tower Descends
I sit on the floor, my mind spinning in a whirl of disbelief. The system window hovers before me, casting an eerie glow across the otherwise dimly lit room. I stare at it, struggling to make sense of what's happening.
This… this is real?
The Tower of Babel. The game I once played has now become my reality, or perhaps I've been sucked into some twisted simulation. Either way, it's undeniable. The Tower, the system, the strange energy coursing through my veins—everything is real.
A cold sweat clings to my skin as I glance at the system window once more. It's still there, an unblinking reminder that my world has irrevocably changed.
> Global Announcement
To all humans of Earth, the Tower of Babel has descended.
Enter the Tower and awaken your potential.
I blink. Humans of Earth? The message isn't directed at me. I… shouldn't be able to see this.
My heart races. I'm not sure whether to panic or embrace the insanity of the situation. There's no time to figure it all out. The first phase of the Tower is about to begin, and I've found myself caught right in the middle of it.
I'm not just a player anymore. I'm an administrator.
Administrator Status: Active
Tower Access: Granted
Claim Gift: [YES]
The blue icon next to the "Claim Gift" button flashes as if urging me to hurry. I don't know what the gift is, but I don't have the luxury of hesitation. I press the button, and an intense rush of energy surges through me, nearly knocking me off my feet. My head spins as power floods my body. My senses are heightened to an extreme degree. I can feel everything—the air, the ground beneath me, the pulsing energy of the Tower in the distance.
Then, the voice of the system echoes in my mind.
Congratulations, Administrator. You are now bound to the Tower. The Tower will guide you, but you must also guide it.
I stagger, my legs trembling. The words feel more like a command than a suggestion. I can't deny it. I'm no longer just a passive participant. The Tower has chosen me, and I am bound to it. Somehow, I'm tied to its fate, and it's tied to mine.
The air around me crackles with energy, and I struggle to steady myself. There's no turning back now. The Tower is part of my world, and I must learn to navigate it—alone.
I turn away from the window, the weight of the situation settling in. This isn't just about fighting monsters or leveling up. It's about survival, discovery, and ultimately, control. The stakes are too high for anything less.
The window shifts again, the words blinking as if the system is eager to impart more information.
> Global Announcement
The Tower has begun to activate. Players who wish to enter must do so quickly. The first phase will begin shortly. Prepare yourselves.
A chill runs down my spine. Players. The message isn't for me, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm involved in some way. As an administrator, am I the overseer of this whole ordeal? Or am I simply a pawn in a larger game, caught between my role and the unknown?
I can't afford to waste time. The system has granted me access, and the Tower is calling me. It's waiting for me. I can feel its presence—the pull, drawing me toward it.
I glance around the room, realizing just how small and insignificant it all feels. My apartment, with its mundane furniture and everyday trappings, suddenly seems out of place. The world outside must be in turmoil, everyone scrambling to understand the arrival of the Tower. The streets are no doubt flooded with crowds, each person feeling the urgency, the fear, the thrill.
But I can't be a part of that. Not yet. The Tower is my focus now.
I step outside, taking a deep breath. The air is thick with tension. The sky above is dark, swirling with unnatural clouds. The Tower looms in the distance, an imposing black monolith, its massive form stretching high into the heavens. The sight of it sends a pulse through the ground beneath me, the power of it radiating outward, calling to me.
I can sense it. The energy is overwhelming, but I can't help but be drawn toward it.
But I cannot—no, I must not—interact with the others. I am an Administrator. The rules have changed. I am not like them anymore.
I turn away from the crowd gathering in the streets, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe, fear, and confusion. They look up at the Tower, unsure of what to make of it. Some of them whisper excitedly to each other, others stand frozen in place, unable to move. But I don't have time for that. I have my own path to follow.
The first phase is about to begin. I need to prepare.
I focus on the system once more, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
The voice of the system resounds in my mind.
Administrator, the first phase is about to begin. You are to remain outside the Tower for now. You may observe, but you cannot directly interfere with the players.
I nod, silently acknowledging the command. It makes sense. I can't directly interact with the players. I'm not their guide, their helper, or their enemy. But that doesn't mean I'm powerless.
The Tower is mine to command.
I won't interfere, but I'll be watching. Observing. I'll learn. I'll understand how to manipulate the system to my advantage. And when the time comes, I'll make my move.
The Tower will open soon. All players must be ready. The first phase begins now.
The world is about to change. I can feel the energy building, the tension thick in the air. It's like the calm before a storm, a storm I know I'm about to be swept up in.
The Tower is descending, and I must prepare for what comes next.
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End of Chapter 2