Realm X: Ascending Through The Arcane Tower

Chapter 4: Into The Arcane Tower

[Quest Complete: Enter the Arcane Tower]

[Reward: +100 EXP]

[Total EXP: 150/200]

The tower stood so tall they couldn't see the peak anymore after coming close. They couldn't see the edge of its width either.

It was simply massive at this point, far beyond what anyone could have predicted when viewing it from afar.

The entrance gate, that would have been impossible to see from the distance they had come from, was surprisingly so massive now that they were close that it covered more than half of the sky visible above them.

Moving through the door was like moving through a portal again, but the feeling was bland compared to the violent teleportation that had brought him here.

The space inside was, unsurprisingly at this point, even larger than the outside suggested. Far beyond what the scope of the exterior suggested.

The space Einstein and Erwin found themselves in could easily be described as a pocket dimension.

"Fundamentally, this is how Realm X is crafted," Einstein explained, his sphere-form bobbing beside Erwin as he voiced out as if he could read Erwin's mind.

"It's the convergence of multiple pocket dimensions into one space. A single tower that contains space as big as a whole realm within it."

"A whole realm," Erwin repeated, his voice hollow. "Without exaggeration?"

"Without exaggeration."

"How do you know all this?" Erwin blurted out, causing Einstein to snicker in response.

"You truly know nothing, do you."

The first space they entered, in other words their current location was an expanse that stretched far beyond what their eyes could track, floored with pristine white marble tiles.

The creatures already inside were standing in lines, and they easily numbered in the thousands.

And at the far end, on an elevated platform positioned directly in front of all the assembled beings, stood a humanoid figure.

All it took was a single glance for Erwin to realize that this creature wasn't like all the others he had encountered so far.

There was something different about this one.

Remember back when he met Einstein outside in the so-called cosmic assembly, he felt like know if it was truly him and suddenly, this system interface scanned him.

It was as if the system worked with his mind. Focusing on the humanoid figure on the elevated platform, he did it.

[Scan Complete]

[Name: Xyrros]

[Title: Celestial Governor Clone]

[Power Level: Celestial Rank S]

[Note: Do not antagonize]

'Don't tell me what to do.' Erwin muttered under his breath as he stared at the interface angrily.

Seconds later, the screen disappeared from his sight. It had always been like that, whenever he the system was done with informing or annoying him, it suddenly disappears from his line of sight.

"Congratulations, all newest recruits of Realm X," the creature began, and Erwin's eyes widened in recognition.

There was no mistaking it—this voice was the same voice that had been speaking to him, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. The exact same tone, the exact same cadence.

"I believe I am still a mystery to everyone present here, so I will give my introduction." The humanoid figure gestured with four arms that Erwin hadn't initially noticed. "My name is Xyrros, and I am the clone of one among the seven Celestial Governors guiding and administrating this establishment."

Erwin's hand went to his pocket instinctively.

"I understand that many of you are confused, frightened, or perhaps even angry about how you came to be here," Xyrros continued, his four arms moving in coordination to demonstrate as he spoke. "On the other hand, fortunate ones among you were chosen by your races to represent the best of your people, sent here with honor and preparation."

"Regardless of how you arrived, the fact that many of you have been brought into this world oblivious to the real reason or purpose behind your arrival is clear, and I will be explaining now."

[FLOOR 1 CHALLENGE - ELIMINATION PHASE]

"Your first trial begins immediately," Xyrros announced, his voice carrying across the impossible expanse. "Floor 1 is not a test of wits or strategy. It is a test of survival. A crucible to separate the wheat from the chaff."

The marble floor beneath them began to glow with intricate patterns, circles forming around clusters of creatures.

[System Notification]

[Floor 1 Challenge: The Culling Game]

[Participants: 10,000]

[Survivors Required: 500]

[Format: Battle Royale - Zone Elimination]

[Time Limit: 6 Hours]

"Ten thousand of you entered this tower," Xyrros continued, as if reading from the same system notifications. "Only five hundred will advance to Floor 2. The rest..." He paused, letting the weight sink in. "Will face consequences unique to their circumstances."

Erwin's blood ran cold. His hand shot to his pocket, pulling out the token.

The circular metallic disc had changed. The soft green glow was now pulsing red, and new text had appeared.

*FLOOR 1: THE CULLING GAME*

*YOUR STAKE: Parents' Humanity*

*FAILURE: You parents will transform into Infected, and also you will die too.*

*CURRENT RANK: ???*

*TIME REMAINING: 05:59:47*

The projection activated again, showing his parents sitting on their balcony. Still human. Still safe. For now.

"Each of you has been given a personal stake," Xyrros explained. "What you fight for is yours alone. Some fight for loved ones. Others for their homeworlds. Some for their very souls."

"The rules are simple: Survive. Be among the top 500 when the timer reaches zero. How you accomplish this is entirely up to you."

Another governor clone stepped forward—the one with gold-tinted skin and dull orange eyes. The same one who had laughed at Erwin's outburst earlier.

[Scan Complete]

[Name: Aurion]

[Title: Celestial Governor Clone]

[Power Level: Celestial Rank S]

"Let me clarify the mechanics," Aurion said, his voice smoother than Xyrros's. "You will be divided into groups of fifty and transported to identical battlefields—pocket dimensions designed for maximum conflict."

"Each battlefield contains resources, weapons, and environmental hazards. You may form alliances, betray allies, hide, or fight head-on. The choice is yours."

"However," Aurion's grin widened, "there is a twist."

The circles of light beneath the participants began to pulse faster.

"Every thirty minutes, the battlefield will shrink. A killing zone—marked by black fog—will consume the outer regions. Touch the fog, and you die instantly. No exceptions. No second chances."

"This forces confrontation," Xyrros added. "You cannot hide indefinitely. You cannot wait out the timer in safety. Eventually, you must fight."

[Additional Special Rules Loaded]

[1. Killing grants points based on opponent's power level]

[2. Points determine ranking among 10,000 participants]

[3. Top 500 ranked participants advance to Floor 2]

[4. Survivors below rank 500 are eliminated]

[5. Death in the battlefield equals permanent death]

[6. Hidden objectives may grant bonus points]

Erwin's jaw clenched. This wasn't a test of wits or a puzzle to solve. This was pure, brutal survival.

"I see the realization dawning on many faces," Aurion said, clearly enjoying himself. "Yes, this means most of you will fail. Most of you will lose what you hold dear. That is the nature of ascension."

"Only the worthy reach the top of this tower. Only the strongest, the smartest, the most adaptable become gods."

Around Erwin, panic began to spread through the assembled creatures. Some were shouting, others backing away from neighbors as if already seeing them as threats.

The ape-like creature who had shoved Erwin earlier was now cracking its knuckles, eyeing nearby participants with predatory interest.

The circles beneath the participants flared bright white.

"Teleportation to battlefields begins in ten seconds," Xyrros announced. "May the cosmos favor the worthy."

Einstein floated closer to Erwin. "This is bad. Really bad."

"No kidding," Erwin muttered, his mind already racing through strategies. He had no weapon. No knowledge of what he'd face. And he was objectively weaker than most participants here.

[System Alert]

[Preparing battlefield assignment...]

[Analyzing participant power levels...]

[Assignment: Battlefield #47]

[Participants in your group: 50]

[Average Power Level: Mortal Rank C]

[Your Power Level: Mortal Rank F]

[Status: Significantly Below Average]

[Recommendation: Avoid direct confrontation... Dummy]

'Recommendation is to avoid direct confrontation on a battle Royale huh. Great advice, system,' Erwin thought, biting his lip. 'Real helpful.'

*10*

*9*

*8*

The countdown echoed in his mind, with that familiar voice.

*7*

*6*

*5*

He pulled up his status window, desperate for any advantage.

[STATUS WINDOW]

[Name: Erwin Veridian]

[Level: 2]

[Rank: Mortal - F]

[HP: 100/100]

[Essence Energy: 100/100]

[Abilities: Pattern Reading (Basic)]

[Unallocated Stat Points: 3]

*4*

*3*

Pattern Reading. That ability had saved him against the infected. It let him see movements before they happened, predict attacks and potentially find weaknesses.

It wasn't much. But it was something.

*2*

"Einstein," Erwin said quietly. "Stay close to me. Don't engage unless absolutely necessary."

"Wasn't planning on it," the sphere replied, his usual casualness replaced with tension.

*1*

Then world dissolved into white light.

---