Earth destroyed...
6.21 Billion lost...
Insufficient power...
System Respawns disabled...
Iteration #37 Failure...
Recalculating...
Assessing possible changes...
Scanning earth media...
Solution found...
Secondary solution found...
Generating plan...
Executing...
------------
Running, hiding, fighting, dying.
This night like many others for the past month Dante was having a nightmare. There hadn't been only nightmares but also dreams most fantastical.
Dante was a young man, not long into his 20’s.
He recently had come home from college for the winter break, and had been greeted warmly by his adoptive parents, Frank and Laura Stone, now in their early 50's, but still going strong.
That mattered little right now as once more the nightmare ended as it often did. With a figure shrouded by a crimson aura.
Each time he looked skyward, and each time he spoke the same word. One that he couldn't understand but nevertheless could gauge its meaning from context clues.
The figure spoke and the sun died, not with a whimper but with a blinding supernova.
That is where he usually woke up, killed in the blast of a dying sun.
But this time he didn't...
The blinding light resolved itself into an endless white plane. All around him he saw figures of all kinds, most looked decrepit and old as dust.
Their numbers were legion, and one stepped forward to speak to him...
It's time we had a chat don't you think...
--------------
Dante opened his eyes to see his room just as it had been the day before.
He had to prepare it was a big day.
Today the system came, today he would use the information he had been given.
Quickly he rose from his bed and got dressed not bothering to take a shower, there would be time for that later.
He didn't have all the information, but more would come.
Dante walked downstairs in his parent’s home greeting them as he sat down for breakfast.
He had been planning on heading back to the University of Wyoming in about two weeks.
But those plans had changed.
He tired his brown hair back keeping it our of his eyes. His hazel eyes glittered as he watched his parents dancing around the kitchen whilst breakfast was cooking.
Dante smiled, it warmed his heart to see them still happy together after all this time. He wished he could have something as good as what they had. He was their only son, adopted when they found out they couldn’t have kids of their own.
It was January 20th, 2021, Inauguration day.
After breakfast Dante and his parents sat down on the couch having finished their breakfast. They flipped the tv to the news, Fox was reporting from onsite where the president would soon be inaugurated. They saw as the president-elect stepped up the stairs towards the podium. However, as he reached the top of the stairs, everything changed.
He felt something wash over him, through him. Like his entire body was covered and filled with static. For a moment it was there and then it wasn't.
Words rolled across Dante's field of vision.
Welcome to the Upward Bound System people of Earth!...
With the system's arrival you’re warned to prepare for the coming danger...
The tools of your survival shall be granted to you by the system...
System Integration Proceeding...
System store is Live...
The Road system is Live...
Arrival of System representatives imminent...
So closes one chapter for Humanity and the beginning of another…
The Towers of Ascension open their doors to Earth...
Welcome to the New Age!...
Dante's eyes narrowed upon the text in his vision smiling slightly at the last words. He could almost hear one of his favorite songs playing in his mind with that little phrase.
‘I’m radioactive, radioactive.’ He sang to himself. A small smile on his face.
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons.
He refocused on the tv as the president-elect, another old white guy, stepped up to be sworn in. He would die soon, that he did remember.
"Dante?"
"Yeah dad?"
"Is there something in my eyes?" Dante took a deep breath and slowly turned to his father before a flash from the T.V. caused both of them to redirect their attention.
-----------------------
(Several hours earlier)
Up in space, a colossal, sleek black ship entered geostationary orbit around Earth's moon. The ship appeared to look like an enormous 20 sided die. The ship's surface seemed polished to a mirror-like shine in the unfiltered sunlight.
Each of its faces was more than 20 miles across. Once it had reached its intended destination the onboard A.I. which had been dormant for its long ride began its startup sequence.
Startup sequence Initiated...
Initializing sensors…
Ascertaining and Executing Prime directives...
Restoring system information of Iteration #37...
The A.I. blinked as oceans of information flooded its memory. Days of past and future and never to be.
It had already begun to translate its interfaces into the many and varying languages of Earth. The system ship set its clocks to the time used by the people of this world.
January 20, 2021 Inauguration day in the USA.
It took but minutes to make all the necessary changes before it moved onto its next directive.
Initiate contact with most prominent sentient lifeforms….
------------------------------------
There at the podium where the new president was supposed to be sworn in, was a shining golden figure. Dante asked the question first, "Is that god?"
The golden figure was humanoid in appearance, if somewhat androgynous. Its skin was smooth and practically translucent. "Hello, I am the system representative A.I. tasked with the running of this world. I have noted that 2.6 billion individual's as of this moment have asked questions of great similarity. That question being ‘Is that god?’ in several hundred variations. I am not any of your gods..."
'Still sounds androgynous.' Dante thought. He would have been afraid but he had been through this before at least in part. He held his father's and mother's hands to comfort them.
The golden figure's hand reached up to hold its chin, pondering aloud for a moment, "However, by your world's definitions, I could be classified as such a being." The figure returned its hand to the podium, "All that aside, I have been sent to guide you and the other races of this world."
Once more the figure paused before continuing. “3.5 billion individuals have expressed the desire to know my designation. My designation is..." He paused for the third time. "Many of you are worried for those here in America." The figure motioned and camera's zoomed out showing the large crowd that had gathered to watch the presidential election.
The crowd was silent. Not a person moved. Not one person spoke. Every person besides the golden figure seemed to be frozen.
The camera's once more focused upon the golden figure as he gave reassurance, "Fear not, for I have simply immobilized them. As for my designation, you may each call me as you wish." The figure smiled warmly, "I am currently speaking in the capital of every country in this world. Many of your old systems of governance are being torn down and rebuilt under my leadership. My voice is being heard by every person upon this world through one medium or another. You all hear me in your own language. That is the system working to help limit misunderstandings. The system is working, in part, as what you might call, a universal translator."
The figure turned looking upon the many old and politicians in the crowd and behind him. Including the older man who had been making his way up to the podium prior to his arrival.
The golden figure raised up his right hand, "I can see your crimes, and they are numerous. For them, those not fit to live under the system shall all be swiftly dealt with." The figure spoke in a harsh tone.
Then he snapped his fingers.
Initiate dismantling of major governmental bodies, minor/local governmental bodies are to be left intact when viable...
System kill command has been issued for 45,927,238 individuals...
No sooner had the figure snapped its fingers than the man who had been moments from the office of the President of the United States fell to the ground, dead.
Along with about a quarter of the audience. The remaining people stood or sat, still held in the grip of this being's power.
All across the nation and the world other such individuals in high government positions were dropping dead, as each of the over 200 other copies of themselves snapped their fingers.
Corrupt and evil individuals all across the world began dropping like rain in a storm. The system knew the minds of every human being. From their hopes and dreams, to their darkest secrets. Did they regret, could they be saved?
So it was that those monsters that hid in the light and dark alike, found their lives abruptly ended.
Many others simply received blue boxes notifying them that they had been stripped of their authority. Others received notices stating that their positions would be changing from this day forth.
The golden figure regarded the corpse that just seconds ago had been a man, with cold eyes. With a wave of its hand, the body vanished in a flash of golden light.
Every corpse made from the Systems kill command also was gone at that moment.
Dante watched that notice roll across his vision. As it did, the fear he felt only grew. He was sweating now. His eyes wide as he watched what was unfolding before him.
-------------------------
The shining figure returned to its previous position, as its smile also returned.
"Now that we have that nasty business out of the way. This form will disappear. But remember, like those gods you hold so dear I will always be watching, always be with you. I am your guide and I will be there whenever you have a need for me. If you need help navigating the system simply state, “System Guide." The golden figure gave a bow then blinked from existence.
It was at that moment that everyone who had been frozen began to move again. There was silence for a moment, then all hell broke loose.
Institute new, one world, government...
The system began setting up a new form of government built upon efficiency, logic and reasoning. This new government however was tempered by compassion, trust and just a hint of faith.
Buildings once meant for governments now fallen were repurposed to suit the system's needs.
Bring armies of the world under System control, if possible/ applicable...
All across the world the militaries of now fallen nations received word that a new order was being established. Many soldiers actively attempted to fight this new system. Others stood by awaiting order’s from their superiors.
Repurpose military forces to combat what is to come...
The superiors who would be giving the order’s were being informed as to what was to come. Their faces paled at the news, as they rushed to issue orders to their soldiers.
Begin mass uplifting events, one species at a time...
The first animal on Earth that had been chosen to be uplifted was a creature commonly referred to as a Trash panda, a Raccoon.
One raccoon had to be tested first. So of the population a single male raccoon was chosen at random and the uplifting process began.
The raccoon burst into golden light. The creature screamed as its body was racked with pain.
The system caused the raccoon's genes to endure millions of years of evolution in mere seconds.
It felt it’s mind expand as its body began to reshape itself, becoming more humanoid.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
After a long moment the light faded away and the pain ceased. The raccoon stood upon its hind legs panting as it felt exhaustion. It was then that words rolled across its vision.
Welcome newly uplifted race, Raccoon, to the Upward Bound System!...
Race, Raccoon, has been locked to start in the Normal Tower of Ascendance...
The system urges you to reach higher!...
All across North America millions of raccoons began to be uplifted by the system.
----------------------------
Dante stood up and turned to face his mom and dad, still sitting stunned on the couch.
"Dad, can you read text in your vision?" He asked, trying to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind.
His father shook himself from the shock, "Yes. Can both of you?" Dante's father asked as he looked back and forth from his wife to his son.
Dante and his mother both looked at each other then back at his father nodding.
"Something big is about to happen." Laura said in an almost whisper.
A second later a blue text box appeared before each of them.
Welcome!
You are about to be teleported to one of 5 Towers of Ascension
Please select a difficulty. You will be awarded a prize upon selection.
Normal- 10 floors. This will help to give you a basic understanding of the system.
Intermediate- 25 floors. For those willing to reach beyond their comfort zones.
Hard- 50 floors. For those who love punishment.
Very Hard- 100 floors. For those with a Deathwish.
Hell- 250 floors. For the greatest trials the greatest rewards can be found.
You will begin on the first floor of the selected difficulty of tower. Once the first floor is cleared you will be moved to the tutorial zone.
Once a floor is cleared you will be given an amount of days of rest time equal to the floor number. This time can be spent in the tutorial zone, or saved for later.
There are dungeons of varying difficulties in the tutorial zone to aid in your growth should you get stuck on a floor of one of the towers.
Once you have completed a tower of lower difficulty you may exit the tutorial returning to earth or continue onward to the first floor of the next difficulty.
Completing a floor of a tower of higher difficulty will unlock that same floor in the towers of lower difficulties.
(Additional information to be discovered)
Dante blink as his parents' jaws dropped. It was new in part but he had already been informed of some of it. Then his parents looked to him hoping for an explanation. Dante looked at them and was suddenly worried about his friends. 'I know at least one of those dumbasses is going to try the higher difficulty settings.'
Dante shook his head and rubbed his face.
"System Guide." Dante spoke with confidence to the air. Then something in that air changed. As he felt something within him stir, and a second later he felt that something left him. A small smooth golden sphere appeared in the air before him, it was only the size of a golf ball.
Congratulations! You have obtained the Common, passive skill, Guide [Rank 1]...
Guide- This skill will answer questions you may have. The limit of information you can obtain from this skill is tied to your [Rank] and the rarity/[Rank] of this skill...
This is a non leveling skill, this skill is modified by [Rank] and other factors...
Gaining this skill, does not grant experience. Obtaining other skills with few exceptions will...
Upgrading this skill will grant the usual experience...
System notice, Rank Information....
Many facets of the system are modified by [Rank]. [Rank] is a rough measurement of the power of an object or creature...
Even skills can be classified by their [Rank], though it is more common to refer to them by rarity. The difference is merely in the terminology used...
Additional information to follow...
Turning to his parents now looking between him and the small orb he had summoned he spoke. "Gaining skills gives you experience apparently. Say System guide." He said to his parent with a determined voice and expression.
They did and after a few seconds their eyes took on the distant look of someone read notifications.
The same androgynous voice he had heard a moment ago from the figure on the tv came from the small floating, golden, sphere.
"Hello, Dante. I know what you would ask of me and I shall oblige you." Dante watched as his parents faces flashed with fear and then went slack as their bodies relaxed. Their eyes seemed to glaze over, though after several seconds they blinked and returned to themselves.
"Please say Roads. Also the system grants you these small gifts." Continues the small golden orbs, speaking to each of them in unison.
You are awarded: 1 inventory slot of 1 cubic meter, 1 small platinum coin...
'Glad that's still a thing.' He thought before saying, "Roads." he said aloud a smile growing on his face.
Road List Road of Beginnings, 0/5 Road of New Beginnings, 0/20 Road of the Downtrodden I, 0/10
System Notice, Road Information....
Roads are paths to power that open to you when you meet their requirements. Through mundane or special actions Roads will become available to you...
When Rp is spend you will be awarded an equal amount of stat points...
When you obtain skills and when they level you will gain a number of Rp based on the skills rank...
"You have acquired a coin of system currency additional information will be provided immediately." Spoke the small sphere as the others turned to look at him.
It would seem he was the only one to get that bonus.
"Your gold is not stored in your inventory, it is instead stored in a sort of side inventory where only your currency is stored." The sphere pausing for a moment as if awaiting questions. "So it's like the coin collection system in a vending machine. Put money in and if you’re the right person you can take it back out?" If a sphere could smile.
"Correct!" The androgynous voice returning this time sounding almost happy.
"Do you have any question before I continue?" the orb asked
"This says small platinum. Can you show me how this currency system works please?"
"Certainly." It said as a new blue box appeared.
Currency conversion Table pt.1
5 small copper= 1 medium copper 2 medium copper=1 large copper 10 large copper= 1 small silver
5 small silver= 1 medium silver
2 medium silver=1 large silver
10 large silver= 1 small gold
5 small gold= 1 medium gold
2 medium gold=1 large gold
10 large gold= 1 small platinum
10 small platinum= 1 large platinum
5 small platinum= 1 medium platinum
2 medium platinum=1 large platinum
Basic knowledge of currencies has been provided. You have yet to discover further currency denominations.
Currency conversion Table pt.2 1 small copper 1 medium copper 1 large copper 1 small silver
1 medium silver
1 large silver 1 small gold 1 medium gold 1 large gold 1 small platinum 1 medium platinum 1 large platinum $0.01 $0.05 $0.1 $1 $5 $10 $100 $500 $1k $10k $50k $100k
-----------------
"Now we will aid you in getting familiar with the new screens and resources available to you. Please say status." Asked the golden sphere and he obliged.
"Status."
Dante A. Stone [Rank 1]
Race: Human
Class: N/A
Lvl. 1
EXP:0/300
Currency: 1 small platinum
After inspecting his status, Dante decided to check out information on skills for his parents sake.
"Please say, Skills." Spoke the small golden orb closest to him and so he obliged it.
"Skills."
Skills Guide [Rank 1]
Dante frowned, and spoke his mind for his parents.
"It looks like the system doesn't register skills we possessed prior to the system coming here." He said to his parents, eliciting a reply from the three orbs.
"The system doesn't retroactively add skills you have attained in life before the system. When growth is detected in them they will be then added to your skills list at their proper level and you will be rewarded with an appropriate number of Rp." The small orb said
"So it's basically a game of catchup then?" Dante asked whilst a small smile grew upon his face.
"Essentially. It saves the system some resources doing it this way so that's how the system usually runs it for worlds like yours." Spoke the guide, their voices remaining calm and even.
"So how do I level up? When I gained the guide skill I didn't gain any exp." He asked, feigning curiosity, already knowing the answer but asking anyway for his parents.
"Usually when you gain a skill, and when it levels you gain experience. You may level skills and by extension, yourself, by expending resources Health, mana, stamina, through taking damage using skills or performing physical activities. When you gain a common skill such as the guide skill you gain 100 exp. Precisely enough to go from level 0 to 1, this is by design. There is technically no limit to the number of skills one may posses, however..." The guides paused drawing Dante's attention back from his wandering thoughts.
"...Each skill you possess has a certain weight to it. This is measured by its soul capacity, for common skills this is 2 points of soul capacity. Your soul capacity is directly equal to your spirit stat unless something modifies the value. Would you like to see the Soul capacity of the other skill rarities?" The guides asked each of them in unison, giving each a moment to respond.
"...Yeah...show me the details please." Were his parents replies.
Soul capacity and experience by skill rarity Rarity Soul capacity required/ Increase per skill Lvl Experience on obtainment and on skill level up Common 2: 0.1 100 Uncommon 4: 0.25 250 Rare 8: 0.50 500 Very Rare 16: 1 1000 Epic 32: 2.5 2500
"What are these modifiers on skill level up? Are they these little values next to the...soul capacity?" Frank asked unsurely.
"Correct. Those values indicate by how much the soul capacity required for that rank of skill will grow with each level. Take a common skill such as throwing for example. At a skill level of 1 it requires 2 points of soul capacity, but at level 2 it requires 2.1, at three its 2.2 and so on. As your skills level they grow and with that growth they will require a bit more soul capacity than they did previously. Much like a balloon being inflated. So if you wish to have many skills it is recommended you have enough spiritual capacity to hold them." Spoke the guides in their androgynous monotone voices.
"Alright, and I gain that same amount of exp whenever the skill levels? So I would get 2500 exp for gaining an...Epic skill? Thought that would be legendary, anyway and 2500 for every level of the skill I gain?" Dante asked, getting sidetracked for a moment in wonder of the system.
"Correct."
"...And I gain Rp when I gain the skill and when it levels but higher rarity skills give more Rp per level?"
"Correct again. Here is the amounts for your information."
Rp gain per skill/skill level Common: 1 Uncommon: 2 Rare: 3 Very Rare: 4 Epic: 5
"...Well ok then, let's move on for now. What are Road points? That's what you meant by Rp right?" Dante asked.
"Road points are Rp yes." Spoke the guides, this time their voices held a bit of joy.
Dante nodded and a new box appeared.
"Please say, Inventory." Said the golden orbs.
"Inventory."
Dante felt once more as something new stirred inside him only to settle a moment later.
The air shimmered for a moment before a blue box appeared in the air.
This one however was at about waist high and parallel with the ground.
No sooner had it appeared then it seemed to fall inwards upon itself. Before his eyes the blue box became a 1 cubic meter box with translucent blue walls.
He bent over to look under the box only to see the same paper thin blue box it had been before.
Looking in he could tell it had depth but looking at it from the side it seemed to have practically none.
"Now on to your inventory, while you only have one inventory "slot" at the moment that doesn't mean only a single item can fit into it." The sole sphere talking paused once more, Dante could not think of a question in those few seconds it paused.
"I understand you've played Dungeons and Dragons with your friends. So this might be the easiest way to explain it." said the sphere.
"In simple terms your inventory "slot" is much like a bag of holding in that it has a size limit, but does not share the problem of a weight limit... in most cases anyway." Said the sphere.
Dante watched as the large bowl of apples from the kitchen table floated over toward them. Dante watched with eager eyes as the bowl of apple stopped above his open inventory and then descended into it. All at once the box along with the bowl of apples disappeared.
"You know the word." was all that the orb said.
"Inventory." Dante stated, a second later the blue box returned. This time however it was parallel to him as it fell into itself. When it was done there in the small space was the bowl of apples.
"So this inventory can open up from any side of the cube?" Dante questioned surprise and mild joy painted across his face.
"Correct again. It can also open on multiple sides at once." the orb replied.
Hearing this Dante's eyes widened and a smile grew upon his face once more. His mind raced with the possibilities.
With a wave of his hand the opposite side of the box that was his inventory opened.
Walking around the panel he saw it was still flat but yes the other side was now open.
Sticking his arm through he turned his arm to the side.
It was rather odd however seeing his arm appear to be so much shorter so he pulled it back out.
"Trippy." he expressed before he tried his next idea.
'Can I remove three sides?' He thought before he tried it.
The previously flat board began to expand, it gained depth.
After a moment he saw that same bowl of apples sitting on what seemed now to be only three sides of the cube.
Moving his hand through the air where the other corners of the box should have been he found nothing.
Dante's smile grew ever wider as he decided to have a bit of fun.
He picked up the bowl of apples and then sat on the small platform in the air.
"Are you done Dante?" the small orb asked, a bit of amusement in its voice.
He simply smiled, before he replaced the apples on the platform and closed his inventory.
Dante was amazed as for a moment he saw the walls of the box fade back in. Then it lost its depth, once more becoming a flat screen, and then it vanished.
His smile faded as he caught motion behind the sphere. His parents were blinking rapidly and their eyes seemed to have returned to normal.
His father raised his hand and then his index finger looking as if he was ready to say something. However, he placed his hand back down, apparently thinking better of whatever he had been about to say.
Dante dismissed the box with a thought, surprised and happy that it had worked. Once more the sphere spoke, "It is time for you all to make your choices."
"Any recommendations Dante? You seem rather calm about all this." Frank asked motioning to the floating orbs.
"I think the best and safest choice are one and the same. We do the normal difficulty and work our way up. It gives us the best chance of survival and better helps prepare us for the higher difficulties, well if we want to try that anyway." He said simply, smiling as he heard a notification go off.
His father looked at his mother who simply nodded and selected Normal. A second later she was gone in a flash of light. As she vanished her guide vanished with her.
He turned to his son and stated, "A well reasoned suggestion Dante..." He hesitated for a moment, "Let's all get strong together. I Hope to see you in this Tutorial zone." He said after a moment, his face paling as he spoke. His father watched him in silence for a moment before he said, "Normal."
Just like his mother his father too was gone in a flash of light. His guide vanishing with him.
Dante looked to the tutorial screen still hovering to his left. He took a few deep breaths and rubbed his face trying to think.
'FUCK, I should have asked if my parents unlocked an inventory slot. Too late now...' he thought.
"We're running out of time Dante. Please make your choice now." The orb informed him with a slightly worried tone of voice.
His eyes moved from the orb then back to where his father had been sitting.
"How much time precisely?" Dante asked now that he was alone in the house.
"30 se...Recalculating...You have 2 minutes 30 seconds. GO!" The orb spoke in a deep voice it had never used up until this point.
Dante shouted to reopen his inventory before grabbing a can opener, canned food, and other things like blankets, knives, anything he could think of that might help him.
Glancing at the skillet still on the fire he switched off the gas as he passed by.
Hopefully this was not the last time he would ever see them again, but in the end even with memories of past iterations this time was different.
It was a new game, no, not game, a new world...
He closed his eyes and spoke the word, "Normal."
In a flash of light he too vanished along side his guide leaving their living room empty.
Welcome to the first floor of the Normal difficulty Tower of Ascendance...