The Nether Tower
Theo could still vividly remember its appearance even though he was barely five years old back then.
The structure had descended from the sky, as if heaven itself was bringing down its Palace. The descent was an unnervingly slow one. Eventually, the Tower was dropped on the ground, causing a massive shockwave to ripple outward and destroy everything around four hundred meters of it vicinity.
The peak of the Tower disappeared into the clouds, never to be seen again. No matter how high one went, the Tower continued to extend further higher. There have been reports of astronaut seeing its extend even further in space.
The moment the tower was dropped, portals ripped through the fabric of space. From these gateways poured vicious monsters of countless varieties, each more horrifying than the last.
Without warning, humanity faced a terrifying onslaught that decimated a quarter of the world's population in a single day. This catastrophe preceded the emergence of strange powers, giving birth to the first Heroines and Heroes.
All of this occurred sixteen years ago.
In those sixteen years, humanity had relentlessly battled through monster-infested gates, vanquished countless foes, and ventured into the Tower to unravel its mysteries.
Throughout these expeditions, they encountered many terrifying horrors, but also forged unexpected alliances.
Some floors within the Tower were now designated as Green zones. Heroes could traverse these areas without fear of unprovoked attacks, unless they deliberately ventured into the forests to hunt monsters—an entirely different scenario.
Various beings inhabited the Tower, collectively known as Tower beings. They comprised different races that resembled humans but weren't quite human.
Over time, people began calling them Demi-humans.
These Demi-humans were a fascinating collection of individuals with extraordinary physical attributes and remarkable abilities.
For instance, there existed a place called the Flower District on the fifth floor. Entry was strictly prohibited to anyone under eighteen.
Many Heroes spoke of being unable to tear themselves away once inside. Theo frequently heard whispers about certain elven mummies who could ride you so intensely that you would literally glimpse the cosmos.
He didn't fully trust these rumors. He simply wanted the experience.
That label of virginity. He wanted to shed it. He needed to.
So it wouldn't become a cliché in his story.
That was why he decided he was going to enter the Tower and visit the Flower District.
Theo emerged from the first floor of his building. Everything was quiet, even the compound was locked. Cars stood in neat arrays, belonging to the numerous Heroes and Association workers who resided in this metropolitan apartment complex.
It was actually a premium place to live, and there was no way an F-rank like him would have been able to afford it if not for the Vice President stepping in after discovering his landlord troubles and homelessness.
Theo's cheeks flushed slightly as he smiled sheepishly.
'She's such a kind woman.'
His expression hardened the next second. Memories of how the Vice President had intervened looded his mind, igniting hatred toward that wretched daughter of the Crimson Steel clan.
He was definitely going to get her back.
'I mean, I'm going to these lengths to do so...'
Possessing what appeared to be an instrument of growth, he'd be foolish not to capitalize on it.
It wasn't like the second strongest Hero, Aura, with her spectacular powers of flight and supersonic speed. But if he utilized what he had effectively, he could at least tame some impressive Heroines for himself.
'...that is what it said, but we can't be too certain yet, so let's not get ahead of ourselves.'
Theo inhaled deeply and crouched low. He tiptoed toward the parking area and slipped between the vehicles to avoid detection.
Eventually, he reached the northern wall, which was shorter than the others and partially demolished days ago when a certain Heroine battled monsters emerging from a gate near his area.
A substantial section of the wall looked as if it had been ripped away by giant hands.
Theo hopped over with minimal effort and found himself outside. The rest was straightforward—just run to the Tower.
Fortunately, the Tower stood merely forty minutes away from his residence by foot.
'Just forty minutes. I'll be there before I know it.'
He needed to run to avoid being accosted by criminals. He carried only three hundred dollars, which converted to Tower currency would equal three silver coins.
Depending on whom you chose to spend the night with, prices ranged between one silver and a hundred gold coins per night, plus additional expenses for food and alcohol.
Theo wasn't planning anything extravagant; he'd settle for the most affordable option and purchase a few necessities with the remaining two silver coins.
This was his entire budget until next month's paycheck arrived.
He summoned his determination and ran.
His legs quivered and sweat drenched his back and face, but he persisted.
Until he reached the Desolate Plain.
The Desolate Plain was a four-hundred-meter radius around the Tower, devastated by its landing. Nothing had grown there since, earning it its bleak name.
Finally at the Desolate Plain, Theo could breathe easier. Nobody would venture this far unless they too intended to enter the Tower.
He continued forward, no longer running but still panting and walking briskly.
At last, he reached the Tower entrance and stepped inside. His vision flashed white for a brief moment before he found himself in a circular hall with impossibly tall, ancient stone pillars. Verdant vines had sprouted from cracks in the pillars and curled around them, covering portions of the ground as well.
Two men dressed in what appeared to be a fusion of gleaming silver armor and formal black suits greeted him with smiles and inquired:
"Young man, what floor are you headed to?"
The man who asked maintained a stoic expression and had black hair—neither handsome nor ugly, just ordinary. He sat at a large rectangular table.
His partner, sporting brown hair, was engrossed in paperwork at his own desk.
"Floor five."
The busy one paused and glanced at Theo, while the one addressing him scrutinized him carefully before saying:
"Floor five, at this hour...?"
Suddenly, a wide, unsavory grin spread across his face. He reclined in his chair and continued.
"That will be five hundred bucks, young man."
Theo's brows furrowed in disbelief.
"What?!"