Elena and James headed toward the Tower together the next morning.
The streets were already busy with Champions and support crews moving toward the perimeter gates. Vendors sold gear near the entrance, and reporters lingered outside hoping to catch interviews with rising climbers.
James and Elena walked side by side.
At first, the conversation was simple—small talk to pass the time during the long walk. But slowly, they began learning more about each other.
Elena had been a healer long before the Tower appeared. She worked as a nurse in a hospital until she awakened her System. James avoided talking too much about himself, but Elena kept pulling details out of him piece by piece.
Eventually she stopped walking for a second and stared at him.
"So… let me get this straight," she said slowly.
"You're telling me that yesterday was the first time you ever entered the Tower?"
James scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Yeah… that's right."
Elena blinked.
"And on your first day…"
"You killed a Level 15 elite monster."
James shrugged.
"I kinda got lucky while leveling up."
He looked away slightly.
"Managed to get pretty strong in the time I spent inside."
Elena stared at him for another moment before shaking her head.
"That shouldn't even be possible."
They continued walking.
"So your original plan was to clear the Tower alone?" she asked.
James thought about that question for a second.
"…Honestly?"
"I didn't really have a plan."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"I was just thinking about getting stronger," he continued.
"There's something in the upper floors that I need."
His voice became quieter.
"And I need it desperately."
Elena looked at him carefully.
"The cure?" she asked.
James paused. For a moment, he considered brushing it off. But he didn't.
"…Yeah."
"My mom got sick."
He shoved his hands into his pockets while walking.
"The doctors said there's no cure right now." "But some researchers think the answer might be somewhere in the Tower."
He looked toward the massive black structure rising ahead of them.
"So I'm climbing."
Elena was quiet for a few seconds. Then she asked softly,
"What if it's just a myth?"
James stopped walking. Elena turned to face him. For a moment, his expression was calm. Then he smiled slightly.
"…Then I'll just become a god," he said. "And cure her myself."
Elena stared at him. Then she laughed quietly.
"You know that's insane, right?" James started walking again toward the Tower gates.
"Yeah," he said.
"But it's the only plan I've got."
....
Reaching the Tower, they joined the line of Champions moving through the checkpoint gates. Guards and officials verified their identities before allowing them through the perimeter.
James flashed his Champion card. Elena did the same. After a short inspection, the gate opened. They stepped forward together.
The moment they crossed the gates, the familiar sensation hit. The world twisted. For a split second it felt like their bodies were being pulled apart and stitched back together.
Then— They were inside.
The endless green fields of the first floor stretched out before them. Tall grass swayed in the breeze. Strange trees dotted the landscape, their branches heavy with glowing fruit. Exotic birds flew overhead, and the distant calls of unknown creatures echoed through the forest edges.
Beautiful. But something about it always felt wrong.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this place," Elena said quietly.
She looked around, taking in the strange scenery.
"It's beautiful… but it creeps me out."
Her eyes drifted toward the distant forest line.
"God knows what's waiting on the upper floors."
James shrugged.
"I try not to think about that too much."
He stretched his shoulders as if he were about to start a casual jog.
"The Tower's more of a go-with-the-flow situation."
He glanced at her.
"So relax and do your best." "What's waiting up there can wait a little longer."
Elena stared at him. Then she burst out laughing.
"You know," she said, wiping a tear from her eye, "what you just said sounded incredibly stupid."
James raised an eyebrow.
"Thanks."
"But…" she added with a grin.
"I kind of like it."
James blinked. Then he suddenly looked away and coughed.
"A-anyway…"
He cleared his throat and pointed forward.
"Plan for today."
He adopted a more serious tone.
"We clear the Gate Guardian of this floor."
"Then we move to the second."
Elena crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"You think we're strong enough?" she asked.
James looked at her. Then he smirked slightly.
"I know I am."
He rested the sword on his shoulder.
"You don't have to worry too much."
He gestured toward the open field.
"I've got your back."
Elena studied him for a moment. Then she nodded.
"Alright," she said.
"But if you get yourself killed, I'm not dragging your body out of here."
James laughed.
"Deal."
Far in the distance—
A deep roar echoed through the fields. The Gate Guardian had noticed them.