Chapter 4: The Tower
「Identifying…」
「Generating Status…」
「Assigning initial characteristics to Trailblazers…」
「Welcome to the Tower, Trailblazer.」
"What… happened?" Rael groaned as he slowly opened his eyes.
A robotic voice echoed through his mind, immediately pulling his attention. When he finally looked around, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Ehhh?!"
He was floating in space.
Countless stars shimmered endlessly around him, scattered across the void like fragments of light.
'Where the hell am I?'
—
「Here is your Status」
『Name: Rael Kazehiro』
『Titles: Nebula, Trailblazer』
『Affiliation: None』
『Traits/Characteristics: Enhanced Adaptation, Universal Communication, Axis』
『Origin: Kytherra』
『Classification: Layer 1, Floor 1』
—
Rael stared at the floating text in confusion.
Many of the terms were unfamiliar, yet despite the uncertainty, he couldn't deny the strange thrill coursing through him. Somehow, the idea of becoming a "Trailblazer" stirred something deep inside him.
「Greetings, Rael Kazehiro」
"Who are you?" Rael asked as the voice echoed again.
「I am the Tower. More precisely, I am the Guide. Whenever a Trailblazer is "born," they pass through here. My role is to answer a few questions before transferring them」
"Oh…" Rael muttered. "Then tell me more about the Tower."
「The Tower is a structure designed to grant those who climb it the opportunity to ascend—whether for power, wealth, knowledge, or personal ambition」
'Ascend…?'
Rael frowned thoughtfully.
"And how do I return to my world? I can't spend too much time here. There are things I still need to resolve back home."
「Once you enter the Tower, you may return whenever you wish, so long as you are not currently inside a challenge floor」
「And do not concern yourself with time. The Tower possesses its own flow of time, laws, and governing principles. Do not assume the rules of your universe apply here」
Rael felt slightly relieved after hearing that.
At least Obāchan would not be left alone for long.
"Hm… Earlier, you mentioned ascension. What exactly does that mean? And if powerful beings exist here, who guarantees the safety of the Trailblazers?"
That was one of his biggest concerns.
If this place truly housed monsters beyond imagination, then ordinary people like him would be crushed instantly.
「Ascension is difficult for mortals to comprehend」
「To those who have ascended, their former existence appears as fragile and insignificant as paper」
「However, the Tower possesses laws and regulating forces. Any being who enters is subject to these rules, regardless of their external power. Even gods and cosmic entities are restricted within the Tower's domain」
Rael's skepticism was obvious, but for now, he chose to believe it.
"Good. Then what are these traits? Do all Trailblazers receive them?"
「Enhanced Adaptation grants greater resistance against the volatile environments within the Tower」
「Universal Communication allows communication between various races and civilizations」
「As for Axis, that appears to be an artificial intelligence created specifically to assist you. It is not a standard Trailblazer trait」
'So that's the help Yato mentioned…'
Rael still didn't fully trust him, but one thing was certain: Yato's influence extended far beyond anything he could understand.
"And what exactly qualifies someone to enter the Tower? How are people brought here?"
「The Tower periodically opens pathways to selected dimensions, planets, and locations in search of individuals willing to become Trailblazers」
「The Tower never forces anyone to enter. The choice will always belong to the individual」
"…"
Before Rael could ask another question—
「Time is up. Good luck on your journey, Trailblazer」
"Wait, I still haven't finished—"
「Initiating transfer」
The surrounding space suddenly distorted.
"What the—?!"
A violent force dragged Rael forward as reality twisted around him. His vision blurred violently, and he felt as though his entire body were being torn apart.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
—
—
—
[First Person]
"Ugh… my head…"
I staggered slightly as the dizziness faded faster than expected. Maybe it was because of those "traits."
But the moment I raised my head—
"…Beautiful."
The sight before me stole my breath away.
The city looked impossibly surreal.
Towering buildings floated in the sky, suspended above a bottomless abyss with no visible support beneath them. Some structures resembled futuristic skyscrapers, while others looked ancient and elegant, blending technology with nature in a way I couldn't even comprehend.
Lush greenery spread across rooftops and walls, intertwining with glowing pathways and hovering platforms.
"It's not surreal…" I muttered. "It's supernatural."
So this was what the Guide meant.
This place felt less like a city and more like an entirely different reality.
Even the "sun" in the sky looked unfamiliar.
Ahead of me stood a massive gate.
[Welcome to Floor 0]
"Floor 0? Shouldn't it start at Floor 1?"
[This floor appears to function as a safe zone]
I nearly jumped when a voice suddenly echoed in my head.
"Damn, you scared me."
This voice sounded different from the Guide's.
"You must be Axis, right?"
[Correct. It is a pleasure to meet you, Rael]
"Nice to meet you too… So what exactly can you do?"
[My capabilities depend partially on my Host, as I evolve alongside them]
[However, among my current functions are probability calculation, data analysis, mapping, predictive simulations, parallel computation, verification protocols—]
"…"
Too much.
—
After several painful minutes of explanation, I finally understood the basics.
Axis was an advanced artificial intelligence created to assist specific individuals.
Apparently, only two Hosts currently existed.
Me…
And someone named Sakura Kanami.
'So she accepted Yato's offer too…'
I wondered if she had already entered the Tower.
As I walked through the gate, the city became even more overwhelming.
Creatures of every imaginable form moved through the streets.
Some possessed crystalline skin that reflected the surrounding lights. Others had multiple eyes, horns, tails, or animalistic features. Tall beings draped in flowing robes walked beside mechanical humanoids and armored warriors.
The diversity was absurd.
"Hey, you're new here, right?"
A middle-aged man wearing armor approached me shortly after I entered the city.
"Yeah. Is there a problem?" I asked cautiously.
"No problem." He laughed lightly. "New Trailblazers tend to get lost around here. You should take one of these."
He handed me a map and a small guidebook.
"Oh… thanks."
[Scanning]
[Map saved]
[Assimilating informational data from guidebook]
[Complete]
"No need to thank me," the man replied with a smile. "Everyone gets one."
"Are you a guard?" I asked curiously.
The Guide's explanation about the Tower's laws still lingered in my mind.
If powerful beings were restrained here, then why would guards even be necessary?
"Hahaha, common question." The man crossed his arms. "Yes, I'm a guard stationed on this floor."
"I'm guessing you're wondering why a safe floor needs protection."
"Pretty much."
"Floor 0 is considered safe because aggression between Trailblazers is prohibited here. But threats don't only come from other Trailblazers."
"What do you mean?"
"Safe floors are territories conquered and stabilized by Trailblazers. However… under certain circumstances, they can still be reclaimed."
"Reclaimed by who?"
The guard's expression turned more serious.
"Monsters."
"…"
"Creatures born within the Tower itself periodically invade certain floors. If defenses fail, safe zones can fall."
So even the "safe" areas weren't truly safe.
I thanked the guard and continued walking through the city.
The streets were crowded with merchants, adventurers, and strange vendors selling bizarre items I couldn't identify.
'So there's an economy here too?'
[Correct. Trailblazers utilize a currency known as Lumen]
[Lumen is primarily obtained through climbing the Tower, completing challenges, or commercial exchange]
After walking for several more minutes, I finally arrived at my destination.
And when I looked up—
My breath caught.
A colossal structure pierced the heavens themselves.
Its upper end vanished beyond the clouds, impossible to fully perceive.
"So… this is the Tower."
[Not exactly]
[What you are observing is merely a physical representation]
[Technically, you are already inside the Tower. This structure functions as a transport mechanism between floors]
"Well done, Axis." I smiled faintly. "Time to climb."
Even though Floor 0 felt peaceful…
The sight of that colossal structure still sent chills down my spine.
Somewhere above awaited challenges capable of crushing someone like me.
But I had already made my decision.
I couldn't turn back now.
[Do not worry, Rael]
[Statistically speaking, most Trailblazers survive their first week]
"…"
That wasn't comforting at all.
—
—
—
"Ah, Axis, how do you think I'll do?"
[I believe you will perform exceptionally well, Miss Kanami]
"Axis, I told you not to call me that." A girl sighed. "It's Captain."
[Understood, Captain]