Light.

Not the kind that burns your eyes. Not even the kind that carries warmth.

This was a light that felt like it passed through Daniel's very being. It swallowed him. Rebuilt him.

And when he opened his eyes…

Silence.

The place he stood in didn't look like anything he'd ever seen before.

A black sky—yet alive.

Stars pulsed like heartbeats. Clusters of purple and golden light spun slowly in the distance. Massive, silent planets loomed in the dark, like ancient temple guardians watching in silence.

There was nothing beneath his feet. No ground, no air, not even mist.

But he wasn't falling either.

Daniel took a slow breath. It was both terrifying and beautiful in every sense.

Now he understood all those posts on the forum saying how the first time you enter the Tower, it shocks you to your core.

This wasn't something you could compare to anything else.

He really felt like he was standing in space.

Right then, a grand, digital, emotionless voice echoed in his mind.

[Congratulations! You have entered the Tower.]

[Identity confirmed: Daniel Noir.]

[Class: Fallen Priest | Rank: Transcendent]

[Syncing with internal Tower system…]

[Starting personality scan.]

His head suddenly felt heavy. Like hidden doors were opening one by one.

Memories…

Alice's scream. The smell of blood. The white light.

Every choice he'd made. Every fear he'd hidden.

He felt exposed—seen. Not just his body, but everything inside him.

For a moment, it was like he was completely naked in front of this system.

Like a book being read page by page—with no censorship, no judgment.

[Scan complete.]

[Basic Tower information now loading…]

Daniel held his breath. Golden lines appeared in the air and turned into floating texts.

[Main Tower Rules]

[1. The Tower has 10 floors.

2. You can only enter a floor after completing the one before it.

3. Each floor has its own environment, monsters, and challenges.

4. Failing means a one-year entry ban.

5. You can only leave a floor if the "Exit Gate" is activated.]

[Any questions?] The voice went quiet for a second.

"Will I be alone in the trial?" Daniel asked curiously.

According to what he knew, it was completely random. Each floor could be different for each Awakened.

Only the last three floors had shared content. The rest were different for everyone.

[You will find out upon entering the floor.]

"Makes sense." Daniel scratched his head a little.

[EXP System and Rewards]

• Gain EXP by killing monsters, completing missions, and discovering secrets.

• As your EXP increases, your power level rises, unlocking or enhancing skills.

• Some floors contain "Hidden Rewards." Only specific individuals can activate them.

• Note: Discovering hidden missions doubles your final reward value.

[Skills, traits, and items are automatically recorded in your system memory. You can access items via your system inventory.]

[Warning: Every decision has long-term consequences.]

Daniel blinked.

His mind was rapidly processing all this information. He already knew some of it, but parts were still new to him.

[Would you like to enter the first floor now?]

[Warning: If you fail to clear the floor, all your stats will be halved and you'll be banned for one year.]

[Confirm: Yes | No]

Daniel didn't move.

The messages floated in front of his eyes. Their bright golden glow reflected in his dark pupils.

In the silence, the only thing he could hear was his own breathing.

"My stats get halved? Are you kidding me?" Daniel couldn't believe what he just heard.

No one had mentioned that. Maybe it didn't mean much to him right now—but the stronger he got, the more important it would be.

He looked around. A cluster of purple and blue stars slowly spun nearby like a vortex of light.

Beautiful—but merciless.

Just like the Tower.

"Sigh… I guess there's no turning back now." He finally let out a breath.

He took a deep breath.

— "Let's see what the first floor has in store…"

[Request confirmed.]

[Transfer begins in…]

[3]

[2]

[1]

Everything collapsed.

The light, the space, the stars—even time.

[Welcome, Daniel Noir, to the First Floor of the Tower.]

[Floor Name: The Last Winter]

[Difficulty: Hell]

[Mission: Survive for the next 24 hours.]

[The Mother System wishes you the best of luck.]