Chapter 02 - World React

The weather was damp, it seemed like the rain had just stopped. On the wet benches of the park sat a young man who seemed to be in his 20s. He sat there while staring straight ahead at something unseen.

Earlier, he was minding his own business, just walking through the park, and eventually took a seat at a park bench when, suddenly, a blue panel appeared in front of his face with an ominous message inscribed on it.

[You have been chosen to partake in the "Ruined Tower's" tests. Will, you accept the test of Tower of Myth?]

[Y | N]

He stared at the projection blankly before thinking, "Is someone playing tricks on me… Nah. I don't have anyone that close to me."

He didn't even have parents or family, so he was sure that no one would waste their time on someone like him.

He tried to touch the projection, but his hand just phased through it.

"So, it's like one of those novels I read in the past. Will it teleport me somewhere if I accept?"

He deliberated for a while before making his decision.

"Well, I have neither a reason to stay nor do I have any particular attachment to this world so it would be good to have a fresh start in a new one. And hey, what's the worst that can happen? I die? I stopped caring about that particular fact a long time ago."

There was a hint of some self-derisive sarcasm in his tone with an arrogant smirk painted on his face.

Some may call it arrogance or some experienced may be able to feel pain from his voice, but that wasn't the concern now.

He stopped debating and accepted the Tower's offer.

[You have chosen to willingly take the test to climb the "Tower of Myth"]

[In one day, Earth will begin to merge with the Tower and the tutorial for the challengers will start]

[Anyone who satisfied the conditions will be allowed onto the next stage in climbing up the Tower]

[The one who climbs up to the top of the Tower will have any one of their wish fulfilled, no matter what it is, so work hard, new climber!]

The young man momentarily felt a spark of inspiration upon seeing the message.

"Any wish...."

He mumbled, but before he could think anymore another message appeared.

[Time before the start of the tutorial- 23:59:59 's]

[Good luck, Humans!]

A large blue projection appeared in the sky.

[23:59:58]

[23:59:57]

"Well…it didn't teleport anywhere....", he looked around dumbly forgetting what he was thinking previously.

"It is what it is, time is of the essence now. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, so I better get prepared to the best of my ability."

He hurriedly ran out of the park and towards his house.

After five minutes he arrived, took a pen, and started to list all the things he would need. According to so many bullshit novels, the things he would need to have were some weapons, food, clothes, some medical emergency first aid, water, and other basic necessities. He even took his practicing bow and some arrows.

"This much should do it." He reasoned, "All I have to do now is wait…"

.

.

.

---POV change---

Humanity was not as easygoing as the young man when it came to the matter of magic Towers, instead the whole world fell into chaos.

Various media outlets were showing the huge number in the sky in broadcasts as they do for the new year and were busy debating each other with different interpretations of what the countdown could mean.

{Is this the end of humanity?}

{What's this "Tower" that the blue window mentioned?}

{Is this how the dinosaurs went extinct?}

{Various people are saying this is the work of aliens, we'll be back with this story at 11.}

{The President of the US says in a press conference "We are not so… uh… weak to be trifled by some… a… you know, the thing…yeah anyways if worse comes to worst we'll launch a nuke at it.]

{A shocking declaration by Hindus "It's the end of kali yuga, Lord Vishnu will be descending on earth as Kalki"}

{The president of Russia....}

{The Prince of England....}

The response to the incident was serious. Everyone realized that whatever was coming for them was not something they can deal with. Of course, some fools who thought of themselves as invincible or some random bullshit didn't believe the news or any of the warnings and stubbornly decided to remain ignorant of the situation.

Anyway, that day was probably the busiest day on earth as no one slept that day. Rather than to say no one wanted to sleep, it was more than they couldn't sleep as the time was nearing, and nerves were stretched thin.

.

.

It has been a day since the voice rang in the whole world, nothing was said or done by the unknown host in the dark.

Now only 1 minute remained till the timer reached zero and the world collectively held its breath as the numbers slowly counted down.

<00:00:59>

Some people fainted from either the anticipation or the panic of what was sure to be the indicator of a  changing Era.

<00:00:30>

They were at their wit's end. A thin sheen of sweat coated their foreheads.

<00:00:03>

<00:00:02>

<00:00:01>

<00:00:00>

<Time's Up!>

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