Time vanished in an instant of pure weightlessness. I stopped perceiving the up and down, as if my stomach had been left behind at some point along the way. Gradually, the vertigo subsided, giving way to a vague notion of space, and then, I felt my feet firmly planted on the ground... which was already a good sign.
Even with a slight dizziness, I forced my eyes to focus.
I was in the middle of a gigantic portal, a circular structure of stable energy much more defined than I had seen from the outside, and around me people were constantly coming and going, some alone, others in well-organized groups, including Awakened in full armor, merchants, explorers... and figures who were clearly not novices.
Beyond the portal, the place stretched out, teeming with life. It was louder, more dynamic, more real than the city outside. Voices, footsteps, arguments and nervous laughter coexisted in a perfectly controlled chaos.
I blinked several times; Is this... the interior of the Tower? Suddenly, a high-pitched, piercing beep pierced my ears.
The moan escaped my lips as he brought a hand to my temple, a stabbing pain piercing through my head.
Before I could react, the air in front of me rippled, as if reality itself tensed for an instant. Then a translucent window appeared at my eye level.
Instinctively, I fixed my gaze.
║ AWAKENED PROFILE ║
Name: Eryon Valen
Age: 17
Class: Combatant
Classification: B
Nivel: 1
║ PHYSICALCONSTITUTION║
Strength: Low (Intermediate)
Endurance: Low (High)
Speed: Low (Intermediate)
Reflexes: Intermediate (Intermediate)
║ SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES║
Maná: Intermediate (Intermediate)
Perception: Low (Intermediate)
Luck: Intermediate (High)
║ ACTIVE SKILL ║
Integral Physical Reinforcement(Level B)
State: Not Activated
I stood paralyzed watching the window before me that displayed every part of my being with absolute coldness, as if it were nothing more than a measurable object.
So this is what the Awakened Ones see... I swallowed hard.
Around me, no one seemed to pay attention to him. For the others, this must have been completely normal; for me, on the other hand, it was the definitive confirmation that there was no turning back.
I took a deep breath when suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder taking me by surprise.
"Hahaha, it looks like it's your first time," said a voice next to me in a relaxed tone. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. When the system is first synced, it can be quite unpleasant.
I turned my head, still somewhat dazed.
In front of me was a young man in his twenties, with a frank and carefree smile. He wore decent, well-preserved armor, a sheathed sword hung from his waist, carried with the naturalness of one who wears it daily.
"You get used to it right away," he added. I promise you, and then he reached out to me matter-of-factly.
Still processing the unexpected appearance of the interface, I hesitated for just a second before reciprocating the handshake.
As soon as my concentration wandered from the window, it vanished, fading like smoke into the air. I blinked, trying to catch if it had been an illusion... and when I focused again, it reappeared before my eyes.
"Huh...?" I murmured, not hiding my surprise.
The young man let out a sincere laugh, a warm sound in the bustle. Don't worry. We all did the same thing the first time," he said, gesturing at me. It's all about intention. When you don't think about it, it disappears; When you summon it, it returns.
I closed the window again, this time with a little more control, understanding the mechanics: this is how it works...
"Hey," he continued, adjusting the strap of his armor, which creaked gently with the movement, "if you want, I can show you the city." There are things that are better explained to you by someone before you do something stupid and end up dead on the first day.
His smile remained, frank, without a trace of malice or ulterior motives.
He looked at me, waiting for my answer, so I nodded. A genuine gratitude was beginning to settle in me. "Thank you," I said, beginning to walk beside him, letting myself be guided.
"Good choice," he replied with a friendly smile. By the way, my name is Sam.
As we made our way through the wide streets of downtown, with the tide of people flowing around us, he added matter-of-factly, "I'm a B-rank warrior, level 20. Oh, well... I like to help new people. Someone did the same thing for me when I first walked in.
That explained his disposition and his relaxed attitude.
All around us, the city on the first floor unfolded with constant vitality. Shops of all kinds, street stalls, and shops lined the cobblestone thoroughfares, while Awakened of various kinds rested on terraces or bargained in makeshift bazaars. Everything seemed to revolve around a single premise: survival... and the preparation for what was to come.
"Oh, sure," Sam continued, snapping me out of my thoughts. You already know what ranks and skills are, but there's another important thing: levels.
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, attentive to his every word, absorbing the information he gave me. "Levels exist, yes, but they are not as decisive as many people think. Leveling up gives you points, and you can use them to improve your base stats: strength, stamina, mana... that kind of thing.
He made a nonchalant gesture with his hand, as if to downplay it. "The problem is that it's not the most efficient method. Increasing statistics like this is slow, very slow. Much more effective is to train the body in the traditional way, consume rare medicines you find, or, if you are monumentally lucky, even rarer potions.
He let out a slight whistle, perhaps remembering some lucky encounter. "You won't really notice the true importance of levels until you reach high ranks. Before that, they are more of a support, a discreet push, than anything else.
I listened intently, memorizing every word. None of this was explained so clearly in the brochure I had received on arrival. It was pure gold.
Sam pulled up in front of what looked like a grocery store. The aroma emanating from her interior was intense and comforting, a mixture of spices and freshly cooked food, something I hadn't felt in a long time. I want to introduce you to someone.
We went inside, and the bustle outside subdued slightly.
At a nearby table, a small group was already gathered. Sam raised his hand in greeting. "I'm back!" He announced, with an energy that filled the small space.
Then he turned to me, with a broad, friendly smile. "This is my team," he introduced.
He pointed first to a calm-looking young man, dressed in light clothes and an embroidered symbol on his chest, reminiscent of a sacred emblem. He always keeps us alive.
Then he pointed to a girl leaning back in her chair with astonishing nonchalance, a large crossbow hanging behind her back, and a piercing gaze, able to see through appearances. It doesn't fail... almost never.
Finally, he pointed to another figure sitting with a relaxed posture, but who radiated a silent authority. Better not to make her angry.
The group's eyes fell on me, a curiosity mingled with subtle scrutiny. "Boys," Sam said, acting as host, "this is Eryon. He has just arrived.
I cleared my throat slightly before speaking, feeling a slight nervousness. I just entered today.
The environment was not hostile, far from it, but it was perceptibly evaluative. Not out of bad intention, but because of that natural habit of the Awakened to measure anyone who could become a teammate... or in a charge on the battlefield.
The first to nod was the young man in light clothes. Priest, Rank B. Support and Healing.
The girl with the crossbow nodded slightly, her eyes fixed on mine. Shooter. Rank B, long-range class.
His gaze was an arrow, piercing.
Finally, the woman who radiated a different, almost ethereal presence, put her drink down on the table with a soft clink. Magician. First class.
I didn't need to mention his rank; His mere mention of "first class" and the brief silence that followed made it clear that it was not common, that he spoke of a level that exceeded expectations.
When it was my turn, I took a deep breath, braced myself. "Combatant, rank B," I replied, my voice firm. Level one.
There was a subtle change in the atmosphere, a slight intensification of his attention. I noticed how his interest grew, a new evaluation crossed his eyes.
"Not bad for a rookie," Vicky commented, settling better into her chair, a smile barely noticeable on her lips.
Sam smiled, satisfied. "Do you see?" I told you," he said, addressing his team.
Before I could react, Sam pushed me a steaming plate of food.
"No need, I—" I began, feeling a twinge of shame and perhaps a little hunger.
"Come on," he interrupted, in a tone that brooked no objection. Eating only on the first day brings bad luck.
I tried to refuse a couple more times, but Sam's insistence was unwavering, and in the end, I relented; the food was hot and surprisingly good, an unexpected treat within the confines of the Tower.
In the middle of the conversation, Sam put down the cutlery and glanced at the group. "Hey, I was thinking," he said matter-of-factly. What if Eryon joins us on the mission we will do later?
All eyes turned to him. "It's your first day," Erick said cautiously, his tone measured.
"Exactly," Sam replied, with a persuasive smile. We can help you acclimatize, and the mission is not complicated at all. Plus, we could use an extra pair of hands to carry the monsters' materials.
Vicky frowned briefly, assessing the proposal. "As long as it doesn't get in the way..." she said, nodding reluctantly.
Pearl watched silently for a few more seconds, her eyes shining faintly before an almost imperceptible nod.
One by one, the doubts faded from the countenance of each member of the team. Finally, everyone agreed.
Sam patted me on the shoulder. "So, it's decided.
I stood silently with the spoon suspended in the air; I had barely entered the Tower a few hours ago and was about to accept my first mission.
The meal ended in small talk, without talking about the Tower or missions.
They talked about the best places to eat in the city, about merchants who inflated prices, about a blacksmith who always promised "the best job on the first floor" and never delivered; I laughed a couple of times without realizing it. It was... normal, too normal to be inside the Tower.
After a few minutes, everyone stood up. Sam was the last to rise. "I pay," he said, giving no one a chance to reply.
We left the food store and returned to the wide streets of the center. Artificial light reflected off the tall buildings, and the constant flow of Awakened made the place look like a living metropolis.
As we walked, Sam stood next to me. "The mission is simple," he began to explain. In a forest about four kilometers from here, crimson goblins have been sighted.
I stopped mentally when I heard that.—Crimson goblins...? I murmured, my mind processing the implication.
Sam noticed my expression and raised a hand, anticipating my concern. They usually appear around the tenth floor.
I nodded slowly, confirming his reading. "But don't worry," he continued calmly. It's not a horde or anything like that; just a small group. And besides—" He pointed his thumb toward the rest of the team, who were walking confidently a few steps ahead. My equipment is more than enough to handle it.
Erick walked with an imperturbable calmness, Vicky scanned the surroundings with constant vigilance and Perla moved with a grace that suggested that nothing could reach her; seeing them together made Sam's words seem a lot less exaggerated.
"Oh, sure," Sam said suddenly. I need your token.
"My file?"
"Yes. To officially add you to the quest list. These procedures are mandatory. If the Alliance detects that someone participated without being registered... Sanctions are not pleasant at all. It didn't sound like a threat, but just an irrefutable fact.
I took out my waking ID and handed it to him. Sam held it briefly, activating his own device to register my name. Now you're officially in.
As we walked, I noticed the token in my hand.
Sam stopped in front of one of the warehouses near the exit and returned with a large backpack, clearly designed to carry heavy loads.
I grabbed it reflexively, and my arm almost buckled under the weight of the backpack, even empty. If we're lucky and get more than we need... Who knows, maybe you can buy your first team.
I stared at him silently for a second, my mind connecting the dots. Then I rolled my eyes. I'm the doorman," I murmured.
Sam laughed out loud. "We all started like that.
And although I didn't say it out loud, it was true that I was grateful. On my first day inside the Tower, meeting someone like Sam had been an unexpected stroke of luck.
After preparing a little more—tightening the straps, checking the weapons, confirming supplies—the group headed for one of the exits in the city. There, a fortified area marked the boundary between the relative safety of the urban area and the uncertain exterior.
We passed through a mandatory checkpoint, where Alliance warriors inspected our tokens one by one, verifying the registered mission and assigned equipment.
The great fortified gates opened; more than city gates, they gave the impression of a fortress.
As they crossed them, the environment immediately changed: the city was left behind and the terrain became more irregular, covered with vegetation and paths marked by the constant passage of the Awakened.
Sam walked beside me and smiled. "Well," he said, "now your first adventure begins. It may be simple... But everyone has to start somewhere.
I looked ahead; The path stretched into the woods, and with it into the unknown. I adjusted the straps of my backpack and kept moving forward.
There was no turning back.