In the profound silence of the celestial palace, the resonant voice of God echoed,
"It's about time he left."The gravitas of his words filled the divine expanse, each syllable reverberating in the still air.Ensconced on his monumental throne, his eyes were drawn to a large golden screen suspended before him. This screen was no ordinary construct, but an extraordinary device reflecting a vast multitude of events unfurling across his divine dominion. His gaze swept over the flickering images, taking in the realities of the mortal world below.Observing the unfolding circumstances, his voice rang out,"Would you just look at this... What a mess!" His utterance carried an amalgam of surprise, disappointment, and a poignant frustration.The spectacle of the world beneath was enough to stir even the most composed deity. Witnessing the callous disregard for life by humans, the ease with which demonic entities invaded and overran once majestic cities, a sense of profound irritation welled within him. The devastation was massive. The once thriving civilization, painstakingly nurtured over countless years by human endeavor, was now being razed to the ground by the demonic onslaught.Watching these events unfold, he shook his head in despair, a profound dissatisfaction etched across his divine countenance. With a sigh of disappointment, he mumbled,"Armageddon wasn't supposed to turn out this way."His carefully laid plans seemed to be unraveling at the seams, and it had been just over a month since the world had plummeted into this chaotic state.As the architect and mastermind of this universe, he began to question his own decisions. Had he triggered this too prematurely? His mind spun a web of doubts and uncertainties, but deep within, he harbored a steadfast conviction about the infallibility of his design."They're the problem!" he declared, his celestial voice resounding throughout the divine chamber. His accusing gaze was riveted on the humans, engrossed in their petty squabbles, ruthlessly stabbing each other in the back in their fight for survival. They were so consumed by their selfish interests that they had lost sight of their collective survival.Their myopic approach in the face of such a devastating crisis irked him deeply. Their actions, driven by pure self-interest, escalated the chaos and worsened their plight."If only they could think a little about something else but themselves... Humans are so conceited and self-centered."Their future teetered on the brink, with the looming threat of demons and the impending seven waves of the Apocalypse. If they persisted on this self-destructive path, annihilation was certain.In the sea of humanity, one individual piqued his divine curiosity: Damian."Damian... He seems like an interesting individual. Let's see what he's up to," he mused.Adjusting the time ratio on his celestial screen, he fast-forwarded to observe Damian's actions post his return to Earth.The golden screen flickered, the imagery shifting from the general landscape to a specific structure. It zeroed in on a dark room, presumably Damian's. A human figure was visible within, engrossed in handling his divine Gift, stashing items into his Subspace.A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of God's radiant face, his celestial form sparkling brighter than ever. "Such a strange boy indeed... Look how quickly he adapts to the situation. I suppose it's because of his experience within this Sacred Hall. What an interesting specimen. Damian, I hope you change the state of this world..."God found the scenario quite intriguing. Here was a boy, disgruntled with everything, now in a world spiraling into chaos. The irony was not lost on him. "That kid will most likely plunge this world into even more chaos... But that's a good thing! A world like this is no good... If his actions end up tilting the balance... Then their race might just be saved..."The crux of this equation, however, hinged on Damian's survival."He'd better make good use of my points. It seems he is unaware of this, but due to being in this space for too long, he has been affected by the Sacred Hall's energy... Damian Thompson, you better live and change your world!"His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a series of beeping sounds. His celestial gaze drifted to the source, a brightly lit notification panel flashing with colors, beeping incessantly."Tch, is it time already?" he groaned, rising from his throne, which promptly vanished the moment he left it. He moved towards the panel with a regal stride, his glare fixed on the irritating source of disturbance.The panel displayed a series of notifications,It had been six days since I returned to this world, and 36 days since this madness began... My body still trembled at the thought of leaving this haven I had made for myself, but I refused to allow the fear within to shake my resolve. "Urgh… I stink…" I gagged, after taking a whiff of my odor. Being so preoccupied with learning as much as I could, I spent little time doing anything else. Other than eating and sleeping, my undivided attention was dedicated to learning as much as I could about the System and formulating strategies while preparing for the inevitable time I would leave. After six days of such an unhygienic lifestyle, I needed an intense bath. I brushed my teeth as hard as I could, making sure I got everything right since I would not be doing anything like it in a while. Also, using the water that was left in my bath, after putting enough in my [Subspace] I had a thorough shower. Now feeling refreshed and full of vigor, I picked the clothes I had decided to wear, af
My body quivered, trembling with an unfamiliar sensation, a disconcerting numbness spreading through my limbs like a silent, creeping storm. It was a moment that hung in the balance, teetering between survival and demise, an instant that would decide if I could find my place in this world, or be discarded like obsolete flotsam in the face of an era that was alien and daunting in its savagery."As a rational person, should I fail to kill a Demon during our first encounter, what hope could I possibly harbor to explore the chaotic world that lies in wait beyond these walls?" This grim realization sank like an anchor in the sea of my thoughts.With an unwavering grip, I clutched the sharpened metal rod that was my only line of defense, a pitiful shield against the brutal realities of my existence. With measured movements, I tilted the rod, aligning its razor-sharp edge towards the direction of the ascending staircase."Skraakiiiikk!" The eerie sound resonated in the cavernous silence, the
With a resonating "Skrreaeeek!", the cavernous hallways of the forsaken edifice reverberated with the guttural cries of otherworldly creatures, malicious echoes snaking their way through the labyrinthine pathways that had once offered the promise of escape. But it had become glaringly clear that the maze now only led to dead-ends.An eerie realization dawned on me, chilling me to the core yet oddly sparking a determined resolve in my heart. There was no path for flight, no possibility of escaping the hellish scenario I found myself ensnared in. The only victory lay not in evasion, but in confrontation. I had to suppress these demonic creatures, overpower every single one of them lurking within the decrepit walls of this forsaken structure. It was a daunting task, to say the least, but one that could not be avoided. The only way to gain an upper hand was to anticipate their attacks, strategize against their strengths and weaknesses, for my resilience against their unexpected onslaughts
The gruesome squelch of monstrous flesh under force echoed throughout the confined hallway, marking yet another victorious battle against a wave of demons. "Skriiiiikkk," the creatures wheezed, issuing their final, feeble death cries as the life seeped out of them.I surveyed the bloody aftermath, an odd sense of satisfaction washing over me. "This marks the third wave," I gloated, casting a scornful look at the pathetic beasts now lying lifeless at my feet.As if in response, an unexpected message rang through my mind, a voice both alien and intimate simultaneously.[You Have Leveled Up][You Have Leveled Up]My eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. Leveling up twice in quick succession? I had expected a more substantial boost, given the formidable opponents I had just laid low.The slain demons were a group of three, and each of them held an impressive level. One was at Level 6, the remaining two at Level 5. Considering my level was at 4 when I killed them, I had been hoping for more e
An earsplitting wail erupted, the horrific sound slicing through the air as the demons leapt forward, their bodies crouched, ready to pounce on me. It was a hideous sound, one that echoed the darkness and despair that had consumed my existence. Without a moment's hesitation, I voiced out, "[Subspace]!" The word, a command to the unknown, pierced the air like a beacon of hope in the suffocating despair.As though materializing out of the fabric of reality itself, a shimmering blue window appeared before me. I reached out, extending my hand towards it, aiming to select an item from the list that displayed itself before me. However, even as my fingers neared the translucent screen, I felt a sudden and overwhelming crunch. One of the monstrous beasts lunged at me, its gnarled fangs sinking deep into the soft flesh of my arm. The immediate pain was piercing, the beast's sharp fangs gouging out a chunk of my skin, its teeth burrowing into my flesh with ruthless force. The agony was almost
It was amidst the buzz of cosmic energy that a golden-hued interface flickered into being, its luminescent presence serving as a beacon amidst the tumultuous chaos that had so recently gripped my existence. The inscribed details on its screen revealed the stark reality of my current circumstances and the significant progress I had made since my last ordeal.Before the debacle involving a menacing swarm of demons, my experience had peaked at Level 6, and now, having ascended four levels during the fray, I felt a surge of expectation ripple through my being. The lure of greater prowess, reflected in the numbers on the golden panel, was a tantalizing promise of the potential growth that lay within my grasp.[STATUS INFORMATION]- Name: Damian Stark- Level: 10 – Exp: 10.30- Race: Human- Job: None- Age: 16 Years- Sex: Male- Height: 5” 3. – Weight: 115 pounds- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral- Karma Points: 100 – (G) Karma Points: 10[Stats]- HP: 600/600- MP: - -- Strength: 140- Agili
"Jackpot!" My heart throbbed with exhilaration as I surveyed the sight before me. The apartment I had stumbled upon, formerly inhabited by an unlucky soul, was much neater than anticipated. Everything was meticulously arranged, offering a contrasting image to the grim realities of my own living quarters.The stranger’s home was similar in size to my own, with two well-kept rooms. Still, it bore no resemblance to the house I grew up in. Life had a way of playing tricks, and this seemed like an unusually lucky draw in the lottery of this apocalyptic world.Opening the fridge, my eyes widened at the variety of foodstuffs. From a copious amount of meat and fish to eggs and veggies, it was fully stocked. I couldn't suppress the smirk that crept onto my lips, "This guy certainly knew his nutrition."A dozen bottles of milk stacked together caught my eye, and without a moment of hesitation, I seized one. Twisting off the cap, I downed the whole bottle in a few satisfying gulps. I let out a s
The control panel of my 'Gift'— a supernatural ability bestowed upon me—glowed azure as I browsed through its settings. Before me, the panel displayed the 'SubSpace Edit' menu, summarizing the core statistics of my Gift: - Current Rank: F - Current Level: 1 - Total Amount Of Slots: 10 Cost For Edit are (G) Karma Points.' My current balance? A mere 10 points.Intriguingly, despite the countless hours I'd spent at the Sacred Hall, I'd never come across an option to edit the core features of my Gift. Should I change the Rank, which would redefine its essence, or just the Level? Increasing the Level would most likely expand my SubSpace storage slots, yet keeping it in the same Rank would limit its overall potential.Considering the cost of (G) Karma Points for each edit, this was a decision of utmost gravity. My pool of Karma Points had remained stagnant at 10, even after nine hard-earned level-ups. The panel didn't specify the cost per edit, making it a risky gamble. After wrestlin
In the quiet aftermath of the tumultuous ARMAGEDDON, I found myself standing at the precipice of a new reality. The remnants of the battle lingered in the air, and I could feel the residual power and (G) Essence coursing through the fabric of existence. As I gazed upon the aftermath, a solemn determination settled within me – a resolve to forge a reality free from the influence of both Demons and Gods.With newfound purpose, I raised my hands, drawing upon the remnants of power that swirled around me. As I concentrated, the very fabric of existence seemed to warp and bend to my will. The Demons and Gods, the Administrators of this chaotic universe, were to be left behind in the debris of ARMAGEDDON.In a surge of cosmic energy, I began to shape a pristine reality, one untouched by supernatural forces. The skies cleared, the land became fertile, and the seas calmed. I meticulously crafted a world where the laws of nature reigned supreme, untouched by the meddling hands of higher bei
"Oh well, there's nothing else I can do…" Even if I was annoyed about the whole thing with Arthur, it was still a fact that he lost.Thanks to their emergency escape, the Pariah party missed their chance to challenge the Hidden Floor of the Tower Of Conquerors.Not only that, but their plan to use Leah and the others as hostages didn't work. They were in my [Subspace].'It's not like they matter to me at this point…'I could simply keep them as (G) Karma Point banks.Now that I could once again resort to farming (G) Karma from people, wasn't this the perfect opportunity to gain as many points as I could?'Ah, but I need quite the number of Points to advance to B Rank…'My Gift was currently in C Rank. While the abilities were pretty broken at this point, I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me if I could get a higher Rank.'With this whole gods business, I need to get as strong as possible…'With a smile, I gazed upon the warbling portal in front of me."Speaking of stronger… I sh
What happens when a person keeps climbing the Tower?Yes, with each Level Up, wounds heal and the body is restored. However, mental fatigue is something that piles up. The strain a person has is something that gathers over time.The Rankers knew this quite well, so they all agreed to climb together. It was very obvious what they were planning on doing.—Letting the other person die!In this world, there were many ways to get stronger. It was also possible to use certain loopholes in the System—especially if one wasn't an Evil Aligned yet.Since the Rankers were in a Party, they must have been very certain of their Alignments, making them completely 'trust' one another.But, these things could be deceptive.Just as I managed to kill a bunch of people without a change in my Chaotic Neutral Alignment, the same applied to a lot of people—especially in a dangerous place like the Tower.As they fought monsters, it was certain that Rankers would get weakened. Then… if, by chance, some 'accid
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT!][The Tower Of War Has Been Cleared!]Torrents of thoughts flowed in my mind as I looked at the System Window displayed in front of me.'What the hell…?'Why?How?Who?It didn't make any sense.The average Level for the current denizens of the world was 50. The strong ones were about to reach Level 100, but I didn't expect anyone to have attained Level 150 talk-less 200.The Levels and Grades of the monsters climbed as one advanced through the Floors, and since the Towers had similar difficulty, I expected others to receive the same treatment I experienced.No one could have succeeded in that venture, but me. It wasn't pride… but reality!However…'Could it be.—?!'Perhaps it was something I failed to consider. I had always suspected it, but after the Tutorial ended and I kept a watchful eye on the Leaderboard, Auction, Tower Updates, and several other elements of this new world, my doubts were cleared.There shouldn't have been anyone else who was granted somet
"Rise and shine, sleepy head." A voice greeted Abhoth as he opened his astral eyes.His vision blurred, but it only lasted for a moment.Soon, he could see everything around him. It was the exact scene he remembered before dying—the underground room where he was brewing his Elixir.Did he not die? Had he managed to survive?Countless thoughts lurked in Abhoth's ghost-like body… until he realized the fact… that he was in a ghost-like body.He nearly shrieked, seeing as he had a near-transparent form, and floated like a ghost. A purple aura emanated from him, and his body was incorporeal—well, nearly.He was made of energy, and he could even see his actual body—his corpse—lying on the ground.Abhoth didn't need a prophet to tell him that he was dead.'Ghost Magic…?!' His thoughts rang, and imaginary cold sweat broke out on his forehead.He was a ghost, so he couldn't really sweat.Still, Abhoth understood the implications of what had happened to him. As an expert in Magic, he knew of th
The audience was astonished!Sweat fell from their brows and their bodies shuddered. Even though they were protected by the sturdy pink layer, none of them were immune to the chill that coursed through their bones.The group had thought they saw the full extent of the Masked Man's powers—or at least close to it. However, his current actions shattered their preconceived notion."I-impossible…""This can't be real… right?""I can't believe this… is he really human?""Masked Hero! You're so amazing!"They all had different ways of expressing their shock.For starters, the group didn't know how it was possible to clear the battlefield of corpses. They had seen so many dead bodies—like an insurmountable sea—yet, in an instant, the Masked Man cleared them all.It was a feat like none other.As if that wasn't amazing enough, a massive Dragon suddenly emerged from a dark cloud and soared into the sky. The Demon—a being that far surpassed anything they had seen up until that moment—charged bri
There were many ways to win.I knew that from the get-go. I could use [Subspace] to shave off parts of the Dragon's body, reducing its health until it completely fell apart.I could use my purification to severely weaken it and blast the monster to kingdom come. An easy solution would also be to use the seventy-one Treasures OF War to impale the beast on all ends. If I added my Mana to them and increased their efficiency, the monster stood no chance.I could keep going on and on as to how I could win, but what was the point?Once in a while, a person needed some excitement in their life—I was no exception."COME!"My declaration prompted the Dragon Of Storms—or rather, what was left of him—to charge at me with frightening speed.>WHOOOOSSHSHHH
The area around the beast was charred, and nothing but black, sooty grounds surrounding it. Impaling it were several weapons; ranging from spears to blades.They all looked very powerful and valuable.There were seventy-one of the weapons that pierced the monster's body… most likely what killed it.My eyes narrowed on the dead beast, and a wry smile appeared on my face. It now made sense why I sensed such powerful energy from beyond the gate back then.This monstrosity was the cause.Laid on the ground, surrounded by destruction and carnage was one of the most powerful races of Demons that existed.—A Dragon!Judging from the battle scene, I had a fair idea of what transpired here… at least what the narrative of this Floor was.A battle occurred, and the several races combined forces. They had a common enemy, and that was the fallen beast at the center of the battle. I had an idea of the difficulty if seven hundred thousand individuals ganged up on the creature.'It's at least a Grade
I realized my childish body was too inefficient.In so many ways, the fact that I was below average in height and build was going to impede my future plans… which was why I decided to solve the problem.Using Lara’s Gift, now my Skill, I could shape-shift into any form I desired. However, it consumed Mana, and it also had a duration despite how much I maxed it out. Since I couldn't maintain it for too long, the ability was useless as a permanent solution.Scouring for a solution in the SHOP, I finally found my answer. It was a Potion known as the Perfect Growth Compound. After reading its description, I understood its function.The potion simply elevated whoever drank it to their ideal, most perfect physical state. As a result, it could take me to the peak I could ever attain physically.I was a little worried that I was going to remain short, but seeing as there was also a Reversal Potion being sold, I decided to take my chances.Who would have thought… it actually worked!I grew to