1 The Tenth Try

No one knows exactly where it came from. All humanity knows is it can give you the power to make all your wishes come true. It can give you anything as long as you fulfill certain conditions. It is the Unknown system. Five years ago, buildings akin to towers suddenly emerged from the surface of the earth. It was random and widespread but all of them has a common point. You cannot enter as a group. Ages below fifteen cannot enter. You can only test twice a year, and upon completing the test given by the tower you will be given a system, and an oral operated portal to enter Greesia, an alternate world.

Systems differ from person to person gaining its name Unknown. It can be a system focusing on strength, wealth and random systems such as making a person more beautiful, funny, charismatic and such. System points can only be earned in the alternate world. Things from Greesia such as plants, animals and any things that is intangible cannot be taken outside the portal but the points can be exchanged for things on earth be it power, wealth, status, and even supernatural inclinations such as magic and superhuman tendencies.

"It is like entering a game, but better because it can actually give you anything."

"It is very interesting. It always excites me because you can always find something new. Not to mention that we still do not know how far it goes."

Interviews from famous Greesia adventurers has further enticed more people to test in the tower and garner opportunities to level up their existence.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Sounds of fists punching a wall can be heard. As if not feeling the pain, with bleeding and bruised hands, Roke continued to pound the tower's wall. It was already his tenth time completing the tasks given by the tower. He worked hard and arduously and despite changing tactics, he was not granted a system.

"Ahhhh! Why?! Just why?!" Anger and frustrations filled his head as he punched harder.

"Hey, pipe down!" angry exclamations coming from passersby and task takers bombarded his way.

"Hey isn't that the famous guy who can't get a system after trying all these years?"

"His one of the first ones to enter the tower, right?"

"Tsk. Maybe he did not complete the tasks after all. But who couldn't? They are so simple that it could not even be called a test."

It is as they said. It is already his tenth time completing the task at the tower. All of his companions and friends has already set of their journey to discover every inch of the alternate world but here he was working hard with no definite results. Every taker's test differs from person to person but as said it is as easy as climbing a thousand flight of stairs.

"Maybe he is just not destined to enter Greesia."

"If it was me, I'll just find a job and earn money in this world and live a normal life."

"He's just wasting his time."

Roke's ears has already been numb from countless insults that hearing more would not affect him. But it doesn't mean that he cannot find sense in what they say. Going into an alternate world has been a dream for humanity. Seeking adventures, exploring new places, finding new species and trying out something new has always been the hype for humans. Not mentioning the countless opportunities the alternate world can give. He also had his own reasons and it was the rope that kept him from giving up. But remembering all that he's been through, tiredness and sense of surrender swept on his face.

"Maybe I should just stop trying." Feeling the numbness from punching too much, he sighed as if resigning to his unfortunate fate.

Roke, just Roke. Growing up from the orphanage made him timid and distant. He had trouble communicating and had zero to none social skills. It was also the reason why he could not find a family he could fit into. It was only when he met his first friend Allie that he could finally open up to someone. Allie is a mischievous boy that says whatever he wants. In short, he was a naughty straightforward person. Maybe it was because of his personality that made Roke a little more open to what he wants. Allie became Roke's most special friend and his only family. A year before the tower's sudden emergence Allie disappeared as if he never existed only leaving a note indicating: I will wait for you in GREESIA. Not understanding the implied message on the note, he started to forget about Allie up until the towers suddenly emerged. Wanting to know about the sudden disappearance of his one and only friend, he joined the first takers to complete the tower's task.

"Allie, I'm sorry." Unstoppable tears dripped from his face. "It seems that I cannot see you anymore."

Gathering the last of his strength he punched the tower once more, only for the unexpected to happen.