As the sun comes up and shines through the window, Huxley's phone alarm rings loudly. Waking him up, much to his annoyance. Huxley yawns and stretches lazily as he gets up from bed, still drowsy from waking up.

"Ahh, rise and shine I guess," says Huxley wiping the grogginess from his eyes, as he walks towards his wardrobe, where a photo of his family is. Huxley can be seen smiling from cheek to cheek in the photo though somewhat younger in his early teens. Standing next to him is his younger sister with blonde hair and two ponytails, who shares the same energy as him, her smile also as wide as Huxley's. On the side of them both, with their arms around the pair of them, their mother with straight black hair and their father with short but tidy blonde hair smile fondly at their children in the photo. Huxley pulls a faint smile as he looks at the photo before putting on his favourite black hoodie and a random pair of faded jeans that look well-worn, but still somewhat fashionable. Walking into his small apartment kitchen, he makes himself some coffee before sitting at his desk and turning his computer on.

[How to register as a Challenger] types Huxley on his computer, searching for answers on the internet.

[Official Webpage Of The Challenger Association]

[Eligibility and Registration into the Challenger System and access to the Tower requires the individual to meet the criteria that the United Nations and the Board of the Challenger Association have discussed and agreed upon.]

[1. Be over the age of 18 | 2. No criminal record | 3. Abide by the rules and conduct of the Challenger Association (see next page for more info) | 4. Obligation to support and protect Non-Challenger civilians | 5. Permission from your country of residence's Challenger embassy] | 6. Undertake and pass a psychology screening test | 7. Medically and physically fit upon registering

Huxley continues reading through the rest of the information on the Challenger Association registration page. "Alright, time to check the rules and conduct page," Huxley says to himself as he loads the following page on the website, skimming through all the various and tedious rules that most people will forget anyway. "Eh. don't see anything that will be an issue, just basic rules stuff" Huxley thinks to himself as he opens the registration page again. "Now how do I register?"

[To register, please go to your local Challenger embassy and register there]

[Registration fee is $5000, the Challenger Association does have loan options available to those who cannot afford to pay the registration fee. (For more information, please go to your local embassy or click the loans tab on our website!]

"Five thousand dollars!" Huxley exclaims in shock. "I'm too broke for that, guess I'm going straight for the loan huh," Huxley thinks about the loan idea for a second then proceeds to search on the internet again.

[How much money does the average starting Challenger make?] he types on the internet, curious about the actual money-making side of things as a Challenger.

[A rookie Challenger who isn't backed by a huge guild, and resides on the first few floors of the tower whose only focus is on hunting, harvesting and tower climbing can make roughly $7000-9000 or less in their first month. But those who are also interested in rare resource gathering or treasure hunting can make double that or more depending on their luck and skill.]

[Rookie Challengers in their first year have the chance to make a lot of money if they choose their cards correctly. Resources from the Tower will always be in stable demand but those who are augmenters or enchanters have the chance to make an incredible amount of wealth if they decide to use their expertise to sell rarities of or augmented or enchanted materials, weapons or items, many enchanters and augmenters also hire bodyguards or mercenaries from guilds to harvest from higher and more dangerous floors.]

[Challengers who stick with the augmentation or enchanting trade can make up to $40,000 a month or higher depending on the quality of their crafts and who they're selling to.]

[So remember folks, chose your professions as a Challenger wisely, there are many other ways to make money and various other professions but becoming an enchanter or augmenter has a higher mortality rate than most and a chance of becoming rich in no time!]

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"Sounds like The Tower could be worth it," says Huxley as he imagines himself slaying monsters with his friends and making enough money to do whatever he wants. "Fuck it, I'll try and register with everyone else and become the best Challenger there ever was and make enough money for Madeline, she deserves a chance at a better life, I gotta do this for her." Huxley stands up with new vigour and determination in his eyes and soul, finally prepared to take the steps to become a Challenger.

The sounds of keyboards typing, mouses clicking and gamers raging while talking to their teammates online can be heard all over the internet cafe. Huxley browses for more information on the Tower while working at the front desk of the local Internet cafe. Huxley finds an interesting-looking video on ChallView with the title 'Invictus becoming one of the strongest guilds + A guild house tour | Albion "lionheart" finally proving himself!'

"Hey how's it going Challenger fans and fellow Challengers, it's ya number one ChallView newsman, Korri here!" says the young-looking guy enthusiastically in the video, wearing full black leather armour with gold studs all over and donning a shortsword on his waist that looks to be glowing a faint blueish hue across the entire blade with a gleaming polished gold hilt. "We are outside The Invictus Guildhouse today at Challenger City because Mr Albion has taken time out of his day to let us Interview him and talk about stuff you guys have let us know in the comments of our previous video!" Korri flicks his blonde hair to the side of his face and grins towards the camera while walking towards the gate. "Shall we enter the long-awaited Invictus Guildhouse which has never been shown to the public before?"

Two guards stand at the giant steel gate of the guild house, talking casually in full moon-white armour that shines brightly within the light. The Invictus lion head crest is proudly displayed on the chest piece of their armour, their faces covered by their well-crafted V-shaped helmets with their visors lifted up. As soon as they see Korri approach the gate they stop talking and drop their visors down, fully covering their faces only leaving an eye slit to see through. Multiple small holes also appear on the left and right bottom sides of the visor, forming in the shape of a V to represent the Celestial god Virtus as well as to provide breathing and airflow through the helmet visor. The guards stand straight and firm with their hands resting on the hilts of their silver-looking swords sheathed on their waistbelts.

"State your business fellow Challenger, you approach the Invictus guild house, those without permission from Marcus 'Augustus' Maximus or his officers shall not gain entry to our premises," says one of the guards in a commanding tone, still having one of his hands on the hilt of his sword while the other guard takes his hands off and crosses his arms.

"We've gained permission from Lionheart to interview him at the guild house, my name is Korri, yanno the number one news reporter for all things regarding the Challenger System?"

"Ah yes, I believe we were told earlier that you would be coming," The guard bows his head slightly and puts his hand on his chest. "Forgive me, I don't tend to watch ChallView or use the Challenger Space at all. I put my full faith in Virtus and those within Invictus then seek information from those who do not embrace Virtus"

"Well what do you do for entertainment then, don't you ChallView sometimes just for entertainment?" Korri asks curiously to the religious Invictus guard.

"Nay, I take my time to pray to Virtus so one day she shall bestow me a stronger title or socialize and train with other fellow members, the Tower does not forgive those who mess around, especially on the higher floors." The religious guard gestures to his partner to open the gate. The other guard nods and puts his hand on the gate, murmuring a spell that cannot be heard. All of a sudden, his hand starts to glow brightly like the sun and the gate suddenly moves open. Both the guards stand at the side of the gate and bow before Korri and gesture to him to enter.

"We ask that you do not touch or damage anything within the guild house or you may be liable for damages and be billed for said damages" responds the religious guard as Korri walks past.

As Korri walks through the gates, the insides of the guild yard look to be beautifully maintained, with giant blue trees imbued with magic, lined up along the path to the guild building, providing shade and wonderful scenery along the pathway. The grass is also very well maintained, seemingly all cut at the same height almost looking artificial.

"Wow, this place is actually unbelievable, I've interviewed and visited a ton of guilds before but this place probably tops the cake in terms of looks, sheesh," Says Korri while showing the entire scenery of the yard on camera. Korri takes a short walk along the straight path before making it towards a divide in the path, one going to what seems like a training area, with various Invictus members training vigorously. Mages summon various fire, lightning and water spells, testing them on magical training stone golems. Healers use their healing magic to those getting injured while training. Swordsmen shouting, sparring and clashing blades while using enhancement magic to increase their speed and strength making their movement and attacks three times as fast and noticeably stronger.

"I see you're admiring our member's daily training routine," Says a man walking behind Korri who then proceeds to put his hand on his shoulder. Korri turns toward the man beside him who seems to tower above him greatly. It's none other than the seven-foot giant, Albion Lionheart himself, standing tall and proudly with his signature obsidian-clad black armour. A large smile across his face while his long blonde hair flows majestically as the sun seemingly shines down upon him as though Virtus herself has presented him to Kori, the light shining through the leaves of the blue trees.

"Shall we have this interview inside the guild house Mister Korri?" Asks Albion as he gestures towards the path that leads to the guild house. The guild house looks to be built with the most excellent quality materials. Marble stairs lead up towards the hill where the house is built, a large water fountain with a statue of Virtus in the middle of it. The guild house itself appears to be of European-style decor and everything is built to the highest quality. All the trees, plants and other greenery around the place also seem to be maintained to the utmost perfection.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you, let's start the interview inside Mister Albion sir" Korri bows and nods, respectfully replying to Albion

"Oh please, just call me Albion. No need to add sir or mister, I insist!" Albion joyfully says.

Both of them walk along the path, Korri admiring everything around him.