After a short *pop* and a *fizz*, Jay Kim quenches his thirst by taking a nice cold sip of his canned drink. The one he purchased from the company vending machine. Taking a sip of his favourite lemonade fizzy signifies the end of his working day.
It has become his own little tradition at this point. After working at this job for almost 3 years, he has grown painstakingly tired of it. A long commute each way, plus having to work up to eleven hours a day has taken a toll on his once young soul.
Now aged 21, Jay often reflects on his teenage years. If only he had spent more time studying rather than playing video games, he could have gotten into university like all his friends.
Fortunately for Jay, his father's friend Jimi was a manager at a medium-sized technology corporation. After failing his university entrance exam, Jimi offered Jay a trial run at his company, out of respect of his fathers friendship.
Jay thankfully had a knack for technology and sales, and after working hard all summer, he was offered a full-time position at just above minimum wage. Unfortunately for him, three months later, his mother and father were killed in a freak car accident coming home from their monthly date night.
Ever since then Jay was no longer the joyous, youthful boy he was once known as. He shunned away his friends and put all his energy into his work in order to ignore the soul crushing pain in his broken heart.
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Almost 3 years have passed since then...
Jay walks towards the station, his can of lemonade in hand. He takes a sip every so often and finds a spot to stand on the platform while waiting for his electric train to arrive.
"I wonder what I'm going to have for dinner," Jay thinks to himself. I don't get paid next week so I guess I'll just have to stick it out with ramen until then. This was an extremely common occurrence for Jay, who would have to go without nice things in order to stay afloat.
Interestingly, the train ride had always been therapeutic for Jay. After finding a comfortable isolated spot, he puts on his headphones and listens to his favourite artist - lady baba, and her hit song 'bad bromance'. Settling into his seat, Jays shoulder's slump and he begins to relax, gently swaying his head to the beat of his music.
The train continues to power along peacefully for half an hour until *SCREEEECHHHHH* the brakes are slammed on by the worker operating the train. Passengers go flying out of their seats, sprawled out on the floor.
*KATHUNK* the front of the train hits something and the front carriage is immediately crumpled on impact. Huh, what happened? Why am I on the ground? Jay thinks to himself, his eyes opening, staring at the ceiling of the train. He struggles to stand up, his muscles, bones, and head sore from the impact.
Slowly turning around Jay sees scarlet blood pooling on the ground. What just happened?? Jay mutters worriedly, his body trembling from the adrenaline.
Fortunately, the blood doesn't belong to him. The gruesome sight makes his mind flash back to the scene of his parents car crash and his heart hardens. After strengthening his resolve his pulls out his phone and calls 112.
"Emergency, how may I help you?" The operator calmly asks. "Yes... Hello.. I need an ambulance... and the police... the green train line suddenly stopped and there are people laying all over the ground. There is blood everywhere."
"Okay, stay calm and where you are, we are sending officers over now" the operator calmly replied. Jay puts his phone back into his torn pants pocket and pushes the emergency exit button on the train.
As he steps out he looks up at the dark grey sky. It appears as if it is going to rain soon. How am I meant to get home now? Jay thought to himself. He turns his lethargic body, facing towards the station exit. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?" Jay exclaims out loud, covering his mouth after his sudden outburst.
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Before him stands a tower, penetrating into the skies, piercing through the grey clouds. I must be on something, because I know for a fact a tower did not just appear out of no where. Jay says to himself.
After collecting his thoughts, he meanders towards the bottom of the tower. It appears old and antique, probably made of some type of stone many moons ago, yet it radiates such intense power.
Just looking at it, not a single column is cracked. An enchanting exterior decorated in vibrant colours: purple, gold, red, and light green. These colours give it such life. Jay has his breath taken away. As he reaches the tower, he glances around for an entrance.
Yet, there doesn't seem to be one. Jay puts his hand out to feel the large stone wall facing him. *Welcome to the Tower, Challenger! Would you like to enter? Yes / No.* A notification appears in front of his face.
I definitely am on something Jay mumbles to himself. What does it mean by challenger? There's no way this is like those light novels I used to read in high school.. hahaha is this tower going to give me superpowers or something?
Jay jokes to himself before tapping the "Yes" option. *VRRRRPPP* Space warps and Jay is transported into a large room that appears to be a weaponry. There are all types of weapons tidily laid out before him. Everything from swords to bows, there are even weapons like wands and halberds. *Jay Kim! You are the first player to enter the tower in this world! Congratulations you have received the Unique title: The First* The words are covered in a golden aura, befitting of the Unique Grade.
Uh this is odd.. What does this title do? Jay says. "Good Question!" A voice responds from behind him. AHH Jay lets out a high pitched scream before turning around and seeing a short girl standing before him. She has pitch black hair that matches her bewitching dark eyes.
This mysterious girl wears a fiery red outfit, that would make her stand out no matter what country she was in. "Don't freak!" She hastily says to Jay. "I'm your tower guide! My name's Rose!
As for the ability of the title, If you call for your "status" page you can read it for yourself!" She tells him cheerfully. Status! Jay calls awkwardly. A screen appears before him, he tries to swipe at it but his hand phases completely through.
Weird.. Jay comments. He taps on the "titles" page and reads what he says out loud. Unique Title: "The First player to enter the Tower on Earth: +2 All stats." "Interesting, hey Rose what are stats?" Jay asks curiously. "Stats are a numerical manifestation of your physical abilities. Strength, Agility, Health, alongside Magic and Mana. Everyone starts off with 1 point in each of these attributes.
Every time you level up you gain 5 points, which you can then distribute however you like!" Rose explained to him passionately.
So I just gained 2 levels worth of stats while still being at level 1 because of this title? Jay comments with a smirk on his face.
No wonder it's a unique title he thinks to himself. However what does "on Earth" mean? Could it be that there are other planets with life on them? Eh whatever, not like I can do anything at the moment, I just stepped foot in this tower Jay chuckles to himself.
"So Rose, tell me a little bit more about yourself and what this place is, I'm really curious." Jay mutters. "Well, this place is called the Tower. When life forms reach a high enough level of sentience, The Tower will appear across the planet. Whoever reaches and defeats the top floor of the tower - Floor 100 - will be crowned the champion of the tower.
Interestingly, the prize for clearing the Tower is the tower itself. It will recognise you as it's owner, and will bestow you several abilities. I won't give everything away now. But, one of the abilities is that you are able to challenge other Tower owners across the cosmos, the more champions you defeat, the more powerful you become. So there is definitely an incentive to grow stronger." Rose explained.
"Interesting" Jay thought to himself. "So exactly how many towers are there on earth right now?" Jay asked. "There are a total of 100 towers on earth, however each floor of the tower is exactly the same. There will only be one champion from this planet.
The towers are just to give everyone an opportunity, no matter where you are from. You will find that people will try to monopolize the towers, in order to prevent others from growing stronger or to profit. However, I am just the tower guide and I cannot go against the creators intentions and leave this place." Rose replied.
"Who's the creator?" Jay asked inquisitively. "You're not strong enough for that to matter" Rose commented, chuckling to herself. "If you can reach the top floor and become the Champion, then you will be qualified to know more about my creator and his intentions for the Tower.
"Okay okay that makes sense" Jay replied, a slight smirk shining across his face, as his thoughts become fill of power and wealth. I wonder what type of abilities I can unlock from this tower. I imagine it would be something like the novels I used to read in high school. I always wanted to gain a life changing opportunity, and now I finally have that chance, I will do anything and everything in my power to make sure that this tower becomes mine.