It looks like the First Stage is about to begin. All who have access to the S.O. are to be teleported to the Tower of Strength. It is a place where you are tested for your strength and battle instincts. With the help of the red crystal, I’m now able to have free access to the S.O. and the privileges of the director. I can create these stages and handpick creatures to my liking whenever I please. What disgusts me though is that I needed the assistance of the red crystal. Before I lost most of my powers because of ‘it’, I was able to do all of this with just a single thought. Oh, how I’ve fallen…

During my brooding, the transmission I sent to a specific somebody was answered.

“Well, you’ve finally answered my transmission.”

“I was busy with some things on my end," the voice dryly replied. "What did you need me for, Demos?”

“I have an important mission for you. A mission that will accelerate the process.”

“Oh really? And what would that be?” the voice answered, now curious. I would rarely call on this person since I hadn’t needed their services. Now that I’m watching these mortals struggle like the worms they are, a great idea popped up, one that will surely make things run smoothly and interesting.

“As you are aware, every living organism, specifically humanoids, needs some motivation to push them along. Without motivation, you are just an empty shell with no ambitions. That is something we cannot allow if we want these mortals to be in peak condition.”

“…”

“So, I’ve been thinking. These mortals will need something, or 'someone’ to push them along in their quest to get stronger. They need ‘someone’ to look up to, a person they revere-”

“And if I refuse?” They cut in with obvious contempt in their tone. I purposely ignored it and continued.

“If you refuse, then so be it. Just know that whenever we regain our divinity, don’t be surprised if you were to lose some…assets.” I chuckled. There was silence on the receiving end. They were contemplating deeply about whether to refuse this request of mine.

“…Fine. I’ll do it,” they unenthusiastically accepted. “All I have to do is to show them a bit of my strength, right? And that will motivate them to become stronger? So they don’t lose the will to survive?”

“Precisely.”

“Okay. For how long I must do this for then?”

Hmm… That is a good question. A timeframe where it’ll be enough to satisfy my demands. It cannot be too long or too short. I can’t have them completing all the stages themselves or that would defeat the purpose of nurturing these mortals.

“…I’ll leave that up to you. I’m sure you’ll know when it’ll be enough.” I answered. Soon after, a notification appeared on one of my holographic screens.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

[The First Stage will begin shortly.]

Would you look at that… It is finally time to begin the second step of our plans.

“I’ll have to take away your administrator title while you mingle with the mortals. I’ll then register you as one of the challengers in the S.O. The downside of this is that your power will be reduced by seventy percent, though it’ll only be temporary.”

While I was speaking, I began the necessary preparations for the conversion. “You’ll also have to change your appearance, as you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. Since you know what you’re getting yourself into, I don’t have to tell you to be careful, right? If you’re in a pinch and you’re close to death, as director of the S.O., I’ll be able to teleport you to safety. Any questions?”

As I finished spewing out information, the preparations were completed too.

“Just one. Why me instead of the others? You should know that I of all the other gods am not fit for this,” the voice wondered.

“Is that what you think? You’re sorely mistaken,” I said, letting out a small chuckle. “I chose you because you’re able to fit in with the mortals easily. You’re not a hothead, nor are you stupid. You are a rational thinker, and you know what’s best during any situation.”

[Challengers are now being teleported!]

“Does that answer your question?”

“...It's passable, I guess,” the voice quietly answered back. Do my ears deceive me, or do they sound flustered back there?

“Alright, I’ll be sending you to the first floor of the Tower of Strength. Good luck with your mission~”

With a wave of my hand, the transmission between us ended. I then opened another screen, this time the S.O. console, a digital computer with a keyboard included. Many privileges are set once your title is director. I’m able to manipulate whatever is included inside the S.O., be it points, the Point Store, monsters, and even the stages themselves. I’m like a puppeteer controlling the strings. A god able to manipulate the world- with the world being Earthiens. Though there are some permissions locked- reserved for 'it'. The other Pillars are administrators of the S.O., yet they have fewer privileges than I do. They can monitor the stages, and even make changes to them, though it’ll need to be approved by the Director.

The S.O. is a system as old as time itself. It was created by ‘it’, an entity so unfathomable that even I, Demos, cannot understand it entirely. They created the very universe itself, and every living and nonliving being in existence. Even we fallen gods were created by ‘it’. You could even say there’s a little of ‘it’ everywhere. And I find that truly revolting to think about.

Beep!

“And…done. They’ve been transported to the first floor.”

I really meant what I said too. This fallen god in particular is most suited for this job. This wasn’t a decision made on a whim. I’ve been in close contact with them ever since they’ve been brought to life, and I’ve watched them grow. If I were to be quite transparent, they might’ve even been a huge contributor to our victory during the Great War of the Gods that happened millenniums ago. A tale so bloody, so gruesome, that even I am sad that it had to happen. So many friends were lost that day… It was a total massacre.

“...The past is in the past. Now’s not the time to dwell on it. I must focus my attention on the Tower of Strength, and the stages. I have faith that Xalan, otherwise known as the god of blood, will bring excellent results."