Chapter 11: The Tower
A soft golden light slipped through the curtains, landing on Daniel's face.
The sound of birds in the distance was oddly calming, as if the world was getting ready for a fresh start.
His eyelids slowly opened. His unfocused gaze was fixed on the ceiling. He took a deep breath and stretched his body. A moment later, his eyes locked onto a calendar hanging on the wall in front of him.
Inside that red-colored square, a line written in black marker stood out:
"Enter the Tower – Today"
His heart beat a little faster.
He reached out toward the small mirror next to the bed. He saw his reflection; eyes that seemed a bit deeper than before. His face looked more serious, his gaze heavier.
His lips moved slowly.
"It's time."
Today, finally, he could enter the Tower. After all this time and everything that had happened since he came to this world, he could finally step inside that damn Tower.
The sound of a spatula tapping on a frying pan filled the air. The smell of toasted bread and fried eggs spread through the house. Daniel walked into the kitchen, his hair a bit messy and wearing simple clothes.
Liana, his mother, stood behind the stove. Her hair was tied up, and she wore a comfortable grey dress. She looked away from the pan and smiled at Daniel with a motherly warmth.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait a little longer and gather more information? There's still time," she asked in a trembling voice.
At the same time, she turned her eyes toward the pan to hide them from Daniel. A few tears had welled up.
Memories of her husband echoed in her mind. Back then too, nothing she said could stop him.
"Father and son really are alike, huh? How stupid... but kind of beautiful too."
'Your son is entering the Tower, but you're not here to be by his side. I don't think it'll take long before you see each other again.'
Daniel sat down. He picked up a glass of milk and took a sip.
"No... the sooner I get in, the better. In this world, waiting doesn't mean much anymore."
"Just promise me the first thing you'll do is take a picture from the second floor. I want to know if those monsters living there are actually ugly, or if it's just a rumor!" Alice, who was sitting at the table, said while taking a bite, trying to sound serious.
"I don't think taking pictures inside the Tower is possible," Daniel laughed.
"That's dumb. Can't they make it like the Celestial Domain where people can stream stuff?" Alice grumbled.
"The Celestial Domain doesn't have strict rules and tech works fine there, but the Tower doesn't allow that," Daniel replied without thinking.
Yes, streaming from the Celestial Domain was possible, and in fact, many Awakened worked as streamers.
That's why almost everyone knew about the Celestial Domain, elves, dragons, and the other races.
Even regular people were somewhat familiar with the structure of the Celestial Domain, though the information was still very limited for them.
According to Guardian Council laws, streamers couldn't show critical or sensitive information in their streams, and content was heavily monitored.
"Stupid rules," Alice puffed her cheeks.
"You'll get to enter the Tower soon too. No need to rush, right?" Daniel glanced at his sister.
Awakened under eighteen weren't allowed to enter the Tower. In other words, his sister and others her age had to spend two more years training in low-level or conquered dungeons after awakening.
That law was created to protect new Awakened and reduce early deaths — and it actually worked.
"A little longer? It's two years!" Alice growled, slamming her hand on the table, knocking over her cereal bowl onto her clothes.
"Huh? Nooooo!"
Daniel and Liana looked at each other and started laughing...
---
The sound of a taxi engine echoed in the background of the city. Daniel sat by the window, hand under chin, looking out. The streets weren't too crowded... but something felt strange.
No matter which direction he looked—there it was. The Tower. On the horizon, in the sky, behind buildings... as if it had copied itself across the world.
"This is what they always say, right? Doesn't matter where you live... in the end, all paths lead to one place."
The Tower was omnipresent in the truest sense. It existed in every city and country—even in deserts and oceans.
He took a deep breath. His heart wasn't calm, but his mind was clear.
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
Naya answered. Her voice was a little tired, but as usual, mysterious and carefree.
"The key? Mhm, someone will come give it to you. Don't argue too much, they're kinda weird!"
"Like you?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
Naya laughed and hung up.
"Was that supposed to be funny?" Daniel looked at the screen and then put the phone back in his pocket.
The taxi stopped in front of the city's central square. The Tower stood right in the middle.
Daniel got out—still distant, still untouchable, still magnificent.
"Daniel Noir?" But before he could step forward, a voice came from behind him.
He turned around.
A man in a long black coat, expressionless face, silver hair. His black glasses covered his eyes. His steps made no sound, and his presence felt almost unreal... or maybe too real.
"I was ordered to bring this to you," he raised his hand and gave Daniel a small black cube-shaped box.
"Thank you very much," Daniel said politely. The man nodded, said goodbye, and left.
Daniel opened the box and took out the key.
A golden, semi-transparent key appeared in his hand, with a misty aura. A soft light shone from it, like something alive.
The key seemed to breathe.
"So this is the key, huh?" As he looked at it, a robotic voice echoed in his mind:
[ Ding... User has obtained an item. ]
[ Name: Key ]
[ Level: ??? ]
[ Description: The holder of this key is granted access to the Origin Tower. ]
[ Quantity: 1/10 ]
"One out of ten?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, though he decided not to think too hard about it for now.
He stepped closer and stood right in front of the Tower.
A building that touched the sky, made of stone that looked like the stars themselves—swallowing sunlight. Mysterious lines were carved all over its surface, like ancient spells whispering endlessly.
The huge entrance gate was closed... but a living presence radiated from it. As if the Tower was alive.
All around, many people were standing. Some professional Awakened, some beginners. The sound of chatter, yelling, laughter... but for Daniel, the world was silent.
He gripped the key tighter. The sound of his heartbeat echoed softly in his ears.
"Let's hope nothing goes wrong..." Luckily, you couldn't die on the first floor.
Even if you died there, you'd just get thrown out of the Tower—but you'd be banned from entering again for a whole year.
Only death from the sixth floor onward was permanent. That's partly why his mother wasn't too worried today—because nothing fatal would happen.
He stepped forward.
The gate opened silently. A white light engulfed everything.
And Daniel... entered the Tower.