Twenty years ago, without warning, it appeared.
A colossal tower pierced the clouds, stretching far into the heavens, its presence felt in every nation across the Earth. No one knew how or why it had come. The Tower was simply… there.
It had one hundred floors.
Each floor was a world unto itself, alive with its own people, problems, and time. Strange creatures, alien civilizations, dying kingdoms — all locked behind those floors. The rules were simple: clear the floor, and you may proceed. But fail, and the consequences could echo across dimensions.
Upon the tower's arrival, humanity changed.
People began awakening strange powers. Fire from bare hands. Lightning in a whisper. Telekinesis, monstrous strength, divine regeneration. And with power came rankings — from the lowly F-Rank to the godlike S-Rank.
The Tower became the world's obsession. It offered fame, wealth, and purpose. But it demanded sacrifice.
Millions died in pursuit of glory.
And now, twenty years later, humanity stood at the 19th floor.
---
"Another S-Rank dies… Damn."
A young man stared at the news bulletin in a convenience store. His nametag read: Jinwoo Rael.
He was tall, with tired eyes and a quiet demeanor. Twenty-four years old, F-Rank. Unawakened in any meaningful way. A fly in a world of dragons.
"Is that all for you, Jinwoo?" his boss snapped, snapping him out of the screen. "Go refill aisle three."
Jinwoo bowed slightly and moved to the shelves.
He never argued. Never fought back. He couldn't afford to.
Because waiting for him at home was a girl — twelve years old, bright, innocent, too good for this world. His sister, Ara Rael.
He lived for her.
He dreamed of giving her a future where she could go to a good school, eat warm food, smile without fear. But he was just an F-Rank. Weak. Disposable.
When the store laid him off that evening, Jinwoo didn't even speak.
He just stood in the cold, wind biting at his thin jacket, thinking.
---
That night, with nothing but a pack of instant noodles in his bag, he walked to the Tower's gate.
No license. No team. No hope.
Just a boy and a dream.
"I know I'm nothing," he whispered to the sleeping sky. "But… if there's even a one-in-a-million chance, let me try. Please…"
The gate shimmered — and opened.
He entered.
---
The 19th Floor.
Flames raged across the sky. A city burned, people screamed, creatures with metal jaws stalked the ruins. He didn't even have time to breathe.
A beast noticed him.
It pounced.
He ran. Hid. Cried. Fought back with a rock.
He died.
---
But then — a pulse.
Like a memory snapping backward.
His eyes opened.
He was in his bed.
The calendar on the wall read: Year 15 After Tower.
Ten years in the past.
"What…?"
Then, a light appeared before him.
Transparent blue letters etched in fire hovered in his vision.
[System Activating…]
[Welcome, Jinwoo Rael.]
[You have been chosen.]
A voice followed. Cold, yet sorrowful.
"I failed… but maybe you won't. Save them… all of them…"
Jinwoo stared, stunned.
And then the notifications came.
[Level 1 Acquired.]
[Skill: Shadow Veil unlocked.]
[Gift: Blade of Mourning obtained.]
[Power Source: Darkness.]
His hands trembled.
He could level up.
He could become stronger.
He was the only one.
No one else after awakening could level up. But he could.
He remembered the people of the 19th floor. The crying children. The city in flames. He remembered how every floor had people, stories, worlds.
And he realized something.
They weren't just stages to conquer.
They were real.
No more killing without thought. No more choosing destruction just to finish a mission. No more blindness.
"I'll save them," Jinwoo whispered.
"I'll save them all."
---
From the shadows, something ancient stirred, watching.
"The boy has begun his journey," the voice said. "This time… it might be enough."
To be continue...