"What's this…?"
Sho blinked at the floating panel in front of him. It shimmered like augmented reality — but this wasn't some VR overlay.
"Bruh… am I dreaming right now? Am I the only one seeing this?"
The massive black tower looming in the distance wasn't part of any app, not a filter, not AI-generated nonsense. It was real. The haunting aura that poured from it made his skin crawl.
The panel blinked.
---
PLAYER INFO
Name: [Change Name]
Age: 19
EXP: 0
LV. 1 [FIRST AWAKENING]
First Awakening Special Ability:
• Null Fang [RANK: ???]
Second Awakening Ability: [Unlocked at LV. 10]
Inherent Class: Gods Wrath [RANK: ???]
STRENGTH: 8
DEXTERITY: 9
STAMINA: 7
INHERENT STAT: 12
INTELLIGENCE: 8
MANA: 0
---
"Player info?" Shoyo muttered. "Am I…?"
His gaze shifted slowly from the glowing panel back to the tower.
"So those clips… were real? Is this… a game?"
He slapped his cheek — hard. The pain stung. Still there. Still standing.
Then, with shaky fingers, he picked up a shard of glass, sliced his palm gently, and counted down.
"If I'm dreaming... this should wake me up."
His hand trembled. The sting was real—but so was the fear it brought.
"5… 4… 3… 2… 1…"
Still here.
Still standing.
Still not a dream.
He didn't want to die—he just wanted to be sure he was still here.
"Ughh. What a drag…" He sighed. "This isn't a dream. Then what the heck is going on?"
He turned to the panel again.
"Alright. Player Info, huh?"
He scoffed at the default name — Reaper13.
"No way I'm using that cringe username. This isn't middle school. Let's go with… Shoyo."
The panel updated instantly.
> "Hmm. EXP… Level… Awakening… Inherent stats?"
It all looked straight out of the RPG tower game he'd played as a kid. But this… was real.
Another panel suddenly popped up.
> Do you have questions?
> "Huh? A system prompt?"
"Where am I? What happened to the world? What's that tower? Who are you?"
The panel glitched, red text flashing:
> ERROR — The system cannot answer questions unrelated to the tower.
I can only assist with tower operations.
> "Ugh… figures."
> "What is this panel, then?"
"This is your personal status: name, age, level, EXP, awakenings, and current class."
> "Wait. Awakening?"
"It is the process by which a player receives a unique ability as they level up. You've received your First Awakening Ability."
> "And what's… Gods Wrath?"
"A ??? class. Your body is strengthened in exchange for losing all mana. Restrictions improve your physical capabilities beyond natural limits."
> "Huh. No magic… but strong body?"
"Correct. In place of mana abilities, your body develops traits beyond human."
> "Alright then. What's my first ability—"
The system glitched again, briefly flickering.
SPECIAL ABILITY ACQUIRED:
• Null Fang •
> "A… spear?"
A new panel appeared, showing a black dagger-like Fang with a jitte-like double blade, and a circular guard shaped like a "Q."
The handle was short and black, with a keychain attached: a 3-inch angel feather and a 1-inch demon mask.
> "Looks more like a blade… Do I get to hold this?"
"Reach inside the panel with your hand. Grab what you feel."
Shoyo hesitated, then followed the instructions. The moment his fingers brushed something cold, he pulled.
With a metallic shimmer, the blade materialized in his hand.
> "Whoa… it's real."
"Is this… a weapon? Or a curse?"
Before he could ask more, a crimson panel replaced the current one.
---
⚠️ SYSTEM ALERT ⚠️
You have 90 days to complete the 1st Floor.
Countdown begins now.
---------------------
A new panel faded in:
> Do you want to participate in the Tutorial?
Those who do not participate will receive a penalty.
Timer: 00:59… 00:58…
> "Tutorial, huh?"
Shoyo stared. But he didn't tap anything.
> "Let's see what happens if I wait—"
The timer hit zero. The panel glitched.
> Due to inactivity, player has received a Penalty.
And in a blink—
He vanished.
A gust of wind replaced him.
Only silence and the stunned pregnant woman remained.
"Boy… are you okay?" she called.
But he was already gone.
—END OF CHAPTER 2—