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—an 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.
"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 many 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—a 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—evolved 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—equipment, 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—all 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—especially 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.