For the first time in years, Gok Sun Ji sat on his old, worn-out couch, savoring the peace of reality. The chaos of Ranker seemed like a distant storm as he gazed out his small apartment window. The world outside was quiet, unaware of the magnitude of the events unfolding in the digital realm.
Gok stretched and let out a deep sigh. His body ached from the endless battles, but for now, he was free to rest.
He grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, plopped back onto the couch, and turned on the TV. The news channels were flooded with discussions about his live broadcast—the return of the "Unchained Monster," the devastation of Monkey, and the shocking revelation that Ranker wasn't just a game but an intergalactic battleground.
The quiet didn't last long. His phone buzzed, signaling an incoming email.
The Announcement
The subject line read: "Phase 2 Initiation – Towers of Despair"
The sender: Ranker President.
Gok frowned and opened the email.
"Dear Gok Sun Ji (Player ID: MAD),
We thank you for your continued service to the world of Ranker. Your recent contributions have greatly accelerated humanity's understanding of the game.
With the conclusion of the Zodiac War, the next phase of Ranker will begin: TOWERS.
Every two weeks, a tower will appear in a random location on Earth.
Each tower contains multiple floors, each guarded by increasingly powerful bosses.
Players must conquer these towers within the time limit to prevent catastrophic consequences.
Due to your unique skills and influence, we entrust you with leading humanity in this endeavor.
As a token of appreciation for your unparalleled dedication, we have transferred 2.1 billion won to your account.
Welcome to Phase 2.
Sincerely,
The Ranker Administration"
Gok's jaw tightened as he reread the email. "Towers?" he muttered. "They're just throwing more insanity at us. And what's with this bribe money?"
His phone buzzed again, this time with a notification from his bank app. The email wasn't a bluff—2.1 billion won was sitting in his account, ready to be used.
He let out a bitter laugh. "At least they pay well for breaking the laws of reality."
The First Tower
As if on cue, the TV screen flickered, and a system-wide broadcast interrupted the regular programming.
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT]
The First Tower has appeared in Seoul, South Korea.
Location: Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Tower Height: 100 Floors.
Time Limit: 14 Days.
Warning: Failure to conquer the tower will result in destruction of the surrounding region.
The broadcast displayed the massive tower—an ominous, black structure piercing the sky, surrounded by a swirling vortex of energy. Crowds of people had already gathered near the site, some gazing in awe, others in terror.
The Decision
Gok sighed, setting his beer down. "Can't even get a day off."
He grabbed his VR headset and stared at it for a moment. The Infinite Blade still lingered in his mind, its golden energy seared into his soul. He knew what it meant to be a player now—not just a gamer, but a defender of Earth.
"Guess I'll have to check this out," he muttered.
Before diving back into the chaos, Gok paused. He noticed a smaller note attached to the email.
P.S.
"Be wary of the towers. They aren't just challenges—they're trials meant to test the very fabric of your soul."
Gok chuckled darkly. "Testing my soul, huh? They better be ready, 'cause I'm done holding back."
The End of the Chapter
The scene shifts to the top of the first tower, where a shadowy figure watches the unfolding events. It speaks in a guttural voice:
"Let them climb. Let them struggle. None will survive the apex."
The camera pans out, revealing thousands of towers materializing across the globe, each brimming with unimaginable horrors.