The crowd roared as Jack and his graduating class walked through the streets of his city, military armored vehicles followed behind at a distance. Even though every bystander was cheering and wearing a smile, deep down they knew that it wasn't a happy day for those on the street.
Today was the day they would be summoned to the 'Tower'.
Today was the day their fate would be sealed.
When Jack scanned the faces of his fellow graduates, he didn't even find a single smile. In fact, he saw tears stream the face of multiple girls in his class. Jack couldn't blame them as getting placed in Difficulty 5 could end their life in an instant, but at least no one had been placed in Difficulty 5 in 20 years.
If he was born even 50 years earlier his life could have been filled with meaningless jobs and fun, but instead Jack was born into the era of monster and towers. Even if he survived the 'Tower' there was no guarantee there would be a Earth to return to.
Even walking down a main road of his city there were smaller towers that existed. These towers were known as 'Mirages' and were small versions of the real 'Tower'. It was theorized that Mirages were exits for the monsters of the 'Tower', but the only ones who would know are either in the 'Tower' or not earthly beings.
Jack snapped back to reality after hearing the crowds cheers quiet down. Being in the front row it was easy for him to see the building ahead, but harder to describe. He had seen the building all his life and yet it never failed to blow his expectations out of the water.
It spiraled into the clouds and had large chunks of rock just floating in the air beside it. Pillars and archways lined the outside, as did the long vines draped along the sides. It was the real 'Tower', the same one that swallowed thousands of victims each year.
The group passed through a security checkpoint which ended with a brief show of identification from the 'Delver' that was heading the walk. Even as they neared Jack felt as if his vision was being warped and the 'Tower' was getting farther away.
Eventually, after almost an hour of walking, the graduates reached the entrance to the 'Tower'. Though before they would be allowed to enter, the Delver would address the crowd of stressed out quasi-delvers.
Walking onto a small makeshift steps, the delvers steps carried heavy weight. The man gave a few taps to the microphone before giving his full attention to the crowd.
"Welcome Graduates. Today you become fully fledged Delvers. You all will feel pain and despair inside the 'Tower', but also gain power that does that follow the known laws on earth."
The Delver paused, licking his lips and taking a breath in.
"As you all know once you enter you will be placed in your respective difficulty. Many of you probably hope to be placed low so you can easily survive and start attacking 'Mirages', but those of you that are wishing to be placed in Difficulty 4, know that you will die a brutal death. Difficulty 1, 2, and 3 only have monsters at the very end of your floors, while Difficulty 4 is filled with monsters after reaching the middle floors. Difficulty 5 doesn't even need to be mentioned, no one has ever returned and they are unable to contact other Difficulties."
"Of Course, you all won't need to be worried about that. Only a few of you will even find yourself in Difficulty 4 and if you somehow break 20 years of tradition and find yourself in Difficulty 5; pray."
The delver walked off the stage with a swagger of confidence and seemingly awaited applause, which never arrived.
All of the graduates had trained for years to attempt the 'Tower', but none had really wanted to risk their life for the power that could be obtained on the easy difficulties. Gold Augments were the highest anyone could get from D-1 and 2 while D-3 could contain Platinum and Diamond.
"All students line up to enter!" A man's voice yelled.
In a flash Jack was shoulder to shoulder with graduates, as they walked into a bright white light.
***
[30th Tower Entry Placements]
[Difficulty 1: 3,679]
[Difficulty 2: 1,800]
[Difficulty 3 : 979]
[Difficulty 4: 67]
[Difficulty 5: 1]
[Placement of Jack Rennard: Difficulty 5]
***
"Shit."
It had only been a few minutes since he arrived in the 'Tower', but Jack couldn't even find time to open the Tower System or use the chat, instead he was instantly thrust into battle with a monster that had the nickname, 'Noob Killer'.
Every time the little green monster stabbed out towards Jack, he would take in a big breath while dodging.
'Why couldn't I have just found myself in D-1. I only prepared for the easy floors, but now I wish I would have prepared myself to die.'
Snarling, the monster switched its attack pattern and lead with a kick before spinning around into a dagger slash. Jack panicked after being stunned from the blunt force of the kick and could only put his arms up to block the dagger.
Crimson blood whipped along with the blade as it returned to the side of the Goblin.
"AHHHH"
Wet blood dripped down his arms and pain started to cloud his head.
'If I don't close the distance now I'm going to die.'
Knowing that his time was limited he charged into the Goblin, which was met with a dagger slash. Jack smiled realizing his plan worked and using the momentum of the swing he kicked the goblin, spinning it onto its back.
Without hesitation Jack whipped hammer fists into the back of the goblins head, as he sat on its back. Green bodily liquids flung out of its head, followed closely by a pink mush.
Jack only stopped when he found himself punching the rock after destroying all of the goblins head. Shortly after stopping, the goblins body disappeared into particles and left behind a copper key.
"This is where the game really starts!" Jack said with a demented smile following.