A deafening boom echoed through the city square as the creature fell from the sky.
Dust and wind scattered in every direction, and when it cleared, a tall figure stood at the center of the crater.
The creature's crimson eyes glowed faintly beneath the shadow of its top hat. It wore a perfectly pressed black tuxedo—like a butler dressed for a royal banquet.
The moment it landed, a suffocating pressure filled the air. Panic spread instantly.
"W-What is that thing?!"
"Run!"
But before anyone could move, the creature snapped its fingers. A ripple of light expanded outward, forming a massive, transparent dome around the square. People crashed into it from every side, no one was able to get out of the barrier.
"What the hell is this?! Let us out!" someone shouted, pounding the barrier with a pipe.
Others followed, hitting, throwing, pushing—but the barrier didn't even ripple. It was like striking solid steel.
Kyle, one of the many trapped inside, could feel his heart pounding in his chest.
What's going on…? What is that thing? he thought, trembling.
Then, the creature spoke—its tone disturbingly calm.
"Humans, please, remain still. I mean you no harm."
Its voice was deep and polite, yet every syllable carried a weight that made the air tremble. "I am Azomodeus, the loyal butler of Lord Helmute, the God of Wrath. I have been sent here as his messenger… and as the voice of the gods."
A heavy silence fell. No one dared to speak until a man finally shouted, "Messenger of the gods? What do you mean?!"
Azomodeus smiled faintly, giving a courteous bow. "Allow me to explain."
He lifted one gloved hand, and with it appeared a large golden magic circle hovering in the air. Strange runes swirled around it, glowing faintly as he began to speak.
"The gods have grown… bored," he said. "To entertain themselves, they have created a divine game that spans the entire world. Every city, every country, every continent will soon receive a messenger like me. Each will deliver the same decree."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Every human between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five will be chosen as a player in this game. You will be sent to a place called the Tower of Genesis."
A murmur swept through the crowd.
"The Tower of Genesis," Azomodeus continued, "is a colossal structure created by the gods themselves. It contains one hundred floors, each one its own world filled with monsters, ruins, and other races—elves, orcs, dragons, demons, and more. Each floor grows more dangerous as you climb."
He clasped his hands behind his back, still smiling.
"To advance to the next floor, you must defeat that floor's guardian—the Floor Boss. Only then will the path upward open."
Someone yelled, "Why should we play your game?! We didn't agree to this!"
Azomodeus's expression didn't change. "You don't have a choice. Those chosen by the gods cannot refuse their will. Should anyone attempt to rebel…" His eyes glowed blood-red. "They will be erased."
Allow me to demonstrate what i meant in my word, Azomodeus then flicked his finger toward the man who had spoken. In an instant, the man's head exploded in a flash of light. The crowd went silent.
Kyle's knees trembled. He killed him... By just pointing his fingers to that man.
"Now then," Azomodeus said pleasantly, "for those chosen, know this—each of you will receive a System designed by the gods themselves. Think of it as… a divine tool. It will grant you status, skills, quests, and rewards. The System will guide your growth as you fight, survive, and climb."
He gestured toward the barrier. "Those above the age limit, do not need to worry."
With another flick of his wrist, a surge of light forced all people over twenty-five out of the barrier. They vanished in a blink of an eye, leaving only the younger ones behind.
Kyle stared in disbelief. "They're… gone…"
"In the Tower, everything is real," Azomodeus continued. "The monsters, the pain, and the death. If you die there—your soul will vanish completely. There are no second chances."
A trembling voice called out, "What's the point of all this?! Why would the gods do something like that?!"
Azomodeus chuckled softly. "To entertain themselves, of course. And to find the worthy. The Tower is a trial—whoever reaches the top will earn the favor of the gods and the power to rewrite the world itself."
He let his words hang heavy in the air before his smile slowly faded.
"But enough talk. The selection begins now."
A red magic circle bloomed beneath everyone's feet.
Kyle's heart pounded wildly. No… I'm not ready for this!
"Good luck, young players," Azomodeus said, his voice echoing as the ground began to glow. "May the gods find amusement in your struggle."
In the next second, light swallowed the square—and all those within it vanished.