BANG
"AGGHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! HOW DID I FAIL ON THE LAST FLOOR?!"
Slamming his hands on the table, Zolic stood up from his chair and... sat back down.
'Sigh'
"I knew I shouldn't have bought a cheap game like this from that shady website."
While scrolling online, he happened to find a shady website with only one game on sale—no reviews—called Tower of Life and Death for a ridiculously cheap price. Being the cheapskate he was, he bought it without knowing that it would be... so addicting.
He played every single day, from morning to night, sometimes going as far as skipping sleep just to advance through the game.
While flailing his arms around in frustration, a pop-up system message appeared on his screen.
Why don't you experience it yourself then?
"Huh? What the—?"
Before he could finish his sentence, two hands emerged from the screen. One was shadowy and black, radiating death energy, while the other was pale white, glowing with life energy.
Rubbing his eyes, he stared at the hands emerging from the screen. "Am I hallucinating or what? Because this looks f*ing CRAZY!"
Not wanting to wait and see what those hands would do to him, he turned around and sprinted with all his energy, only to slip on a banana peel and fall flat on his face.
Looking up, he saw the hands trembling. "You think it's funny, huh? BASTARD—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the hands grabbed him and dragged him into the screen.
"I ZOLIC SWEAR THAT I WILL FLAY THAT GAME DEVELOPER—"
With no chance to even finish his sentence, he disappeared from his world.
---
Opening his eyes, Zolic was hit with a strong headache that nearly made him pass out again. Holding his head with one hand, he stood up and looked around.
his muscles slightly tensed from the impact
He was standing on a floating platform, half black and half white. His brown hair, slightly messy from the sudden disorientation, falling over his forehead as his sharp, emerald green eyes scanned the surroundings with a mix of curiosity and determination. His athletic build was evident, the subtle muscles of his frame flexing as he balanced himself
Walking forward, he looked down from the edge, only to see nothingness—a pitch-black void. "Weren't those hands the same colors too?"
"Didn't you want to know why you failed on the last floor, human?" A voice echoed in his ears, accompanied by a terrifying pressure pressing down on him.
Jumping back from the edge, he turned around, only to be met with a figure—half black and half white—that looked neither human nor beast.
"Am I dreaming?" Zolic mumbled softly, staring at the figure.
"You're not dreaming, human. I took you from your realm and brought you here," said the figure.
"Who are you—no, what are you?" Zolic asked.
"I am the ruler of a realm. I have brought you here as my successor to inherit my powers and enter the Heavenly Layered Tower," the figure said.
He continued, "The Heavenly Layered Tower opens its doors once every 100 million years. Today marks the 100 millionth year since the last time the tower opened its doors."
"Wait, wait. So you brought me here to inherit your powers and join this... Heavenly something tower?" Zolic asked.
Without giving the figure a chance to answer, he continued.
"Are you crazy, or am I crazy?" Zolic's voice was low and uncertain.
The figure stared at him for a moment before responding.
"I'll show you," the figure said.
"Great matrix of the Heavenly Tower!" the figure called, his voice loud and heavy.
Suddenly, Zolic found himself floating in space, surrounded by planets.
"Where did we teleport to?" Zolic asked, staring at the figure who appeared beside him.
"Look there. That's the Heavenly Layered Tower," the figure said, pointing ahead.
A massive tower, seemingly with countless floors, was floating slowly through the galaxy, surrounded by planets and stars. The scene looked like something right out of a painting.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" said the figure, gazing at the tower with reverence.
"Yes," Zolic said, his voice trembling as he stared at the tower.
"The Heavenly Layered Tower only opens once every 100 million years. When that happens, every realm ruler brings a successor to the tower. Entering the tower means you have become a Heavenborne."
He continued, "It is unknown what the prize for reaching the top floor is, as no one has ever managed to do it."
"There are other realm rulers like you?" Zolic asked.
"Yes. We also have different rankings, from lowest to highest: Lesser, Medium, High, and Divine," the figure explained.
"What's your rank, then?" Zolic asked.
"I am a Half-Step Divine Realm Ruler," the figure replied proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Cool. So now what?" Zolic said lazily, picking his nose.
The figure slowly turned his head and stared at Zolic. Zolic stared back, unfazed by the intense gaze thrown his way.
"Now you enter," the figure said in a deep voice.
"Don't disappoint me, Heavenborne Zolic," the figure said, clasping his hands together.
PUFF
Zolic suddenly found himself lying in a grassy plain that stretched endlessly, with blue skies and a gentle breeze refreshing him.
He stood up and looked around. There were other people nearby who were also starting to wake up, some already awake.
Some of the people around him had long ears, some had the bodies of beasts with human heads, and there were other humans as well.
PUFF
A small, palm-sized figure appeared above them, wearing armor with golden wings extending from its back.
"Welcome, Heavenborne, to the Heavenly Layered Tower," the armored spirit said slowly. "I am the Heavenly Spirit assigned by the Heavenly System to guide you through the tutorial."
The people below looked up, paying attention to the spirit.
"So cute," mumbled an elven girl.
Zolic turned his head and glanced at her before returning his focus to the spirit.
"This place feels so weird," Zolic muttered softly, only for himself to hear.
The Heavenly Spirit hovered above them, its presence calm yet authoritative. It spoke with a voice that seemed to echo from beyond the tower itself.
"You have been chosen to ascend this tower, a place of trials and transformation. Each floor represents a challenge, and only those who are worthy will continue to the next."
It paused, allowing the words to sink in.
"The Heavenly System governs your path here. As you conquer each trial, you will earn favor, which will be reflected in your power and potential. Fail, and you may be cast down; your journey halted."
"But fear not. The system is just. It tests not only your strength, but your will, heart, and resolve. Those who prove themselves worthy will find themselves elevated, guided by the divine forces that watch over this realm."
"I, your Heavenly Spirit, will assist you, offering guidance and support as you face each trial. But ultimately, your fate is in your hands."
It paused again before continuing.
"As you begin your journey, you will be granted the Celestial System, a reflection of your strength and growth within this tower. It will show your skill level and your progress through the trials."
"Your current rank will be displayed for all to see, as will your abilities. Should you falter, the system will show it, and should you succeed, it will reward you. Your favor is tied to your choices, perseverance, and your ability to overcome the challenges ahead."
"Remember, the system is not just a measure of power—it reflects the worthiness of your spirit, the depth of your resolve, and the clarity of your heart."
"How do we summon the system?" asked a bull-headed guy.
"Call out Celestial," said the spirit, its voice ringing through the space.
"Celestial."
"Celestial."
"Celestial."
Zolic looked around and then softly called out to the void, "Celestial."
DING
Welcome, Heavenborne Zolic, to the Celestial System.
---
Celestial
Name: Zolic
Rank: 1
Divine Potential: ???
Inheritance: Hand of Life, Hand of Death (passed down from the Realm Ruler)
---
Abilities:
Hand of Life (Level 1) — Heals wounds, increases recovery of stamina and health.
Hand of Death (Level 1) — Unleashes a cursed strike with a touch, instantly draining life force.
---
Trial Progression:
● Current Floor: 1
---
After the spirit finished speaking, it looked down.
"Now, Heavenborne, it is time for you to begin your journey," the spirit said as it slowly vanished, its voice still echoing in the distance.
Everyone looked up at the spot where the spirit had been hovering, then began forming into groups of 2-4 and walking off into the distance.
"Hey, my name's Sylvanna. Want to go together?"
Turning to his right, Zolic noticed a beautiful elf girl with a cute smile standing beside him, her hands behind her back. It was the girl who had called the spirit cute.
"I'm Zolic," he responded with a smile.
'Elf girls really are beautiful,' Zolic thought, holding his chin as he walked forward.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Sylvanna called cheerfully.
Then they slowly began walking towards the forest in the distance.