A Second Chance

Ryu sat in his room, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't help but wonder what lay beyond the walls of his mundane existence. He had lived in a small village on the rural edge of the Royal Empire his whole life, helping his parents tend to their farm and livestock.

His mind thinking about all the stories of the Heavenly Spire, a towering structure that had appeared out of nowhere nine years ago. It was said that the tower held unimaginable treasures and secrets, guarded by monsters and challenges that would test even the bravest of warriors. But Ryu didn't paid much attention to those stories initially. During the first year of the tower there was no way to determine if something was true. Many travelers claimed they were adventurers and told tall tales to garner prestige and free food or lodging. Ryu had always been content with his life, living a simple life in the village.

That all changed when he turned thirteen. The world governments had announced they opened up the the tower to anyone who wanted to test their mettle against the tower's challenges. Ryu had decided to take the test, hoping to prove himself to his parents and his village.

[Flashback Memory]

Ryu stood in a clearing, surrounded by a group of mercenaries. The [Unnamed Warrior], a grizzled veteran with scars crisscrossing his face, barked out orders to the group. The [Unnamed Enchantress], a mysterious woman shrouded in a cloak, was muttering incantations under her breath. And the [Unnamed Rogue], a cocky young man with a bandana over his face, was twirling a pair of daggers between his fingers.

"What's the plan, boss?" asked the rogue, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Quiet, fool," snapped the warrior. "We need to take out those orcs before they reach the tower."

The enchantress nodded, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "I can sense their presence. There's a group of ten, approaching from the east."

Ryu felt his heart pounding in his chest. This was his first mission with the group, and he was determined to prove his worth. He unsheathed his sword and stood at the ready.

The warrior turned to Ryu. "You're with me. The rest of you, flank them from the sides."

As they charged into battle, Ryu could hear the clang of swords and the cries of the wounded. He fought with all his might, his muscles burning with exertion. But the orcs were too powerful, and they soon found themselves outnumbered.

"We need to fall back!" yelled the enchantress, as she conjured a blast of magical energy that sent several orcs flying.

The rogue grabbed Ryu by the arm. "Come on, kid. Let's get out of here."

As they retreated back towards the tower, Ryu could hear the warrior shouting orders to regroup and plan their next move. He felt a pang of regret that he couldn't do more to help.

"We'll get them next time," said the rogue, clapping him on the back. "You fought well for a rookie."

Ryu nodded, feeling a sense of pride at the compliment. He knew that he still had much to learn, but he was determined to become a skilled fighter and make a name for himself in the tower.

The memory ended with Ryu hearing the announcement that the tower was cleared by a Hero named Kenta.

Ryu had failed his goal to leave his mark and be the Hero of humanity, only making it to the twelfth floor before being forced to retreat as the remaining party members left him stranded. Ryu could hear their cheerful yells as they went to exit the tour and participate in the celebrations that were sure to come. The monsters were too powerful, and the challenges too difficult while the rewards, the fame, and the glory were now nonexistent. Ryu walked towards a tree, his eyes unfazed while he calculates in his mind his back sliding down as he dropped to the ground, lifting up to see the rays of light piercing through the canopy.

[Flashback End]

Since then, Ryu had mostly given up on the idea of climbing the tower. He was disillusioned. There was no more goal to strive for. There was no princess needing to be saved. Humanity has claimed the tower up to floor 50 to farm rare resources; some of which can only be found inside the tower.

The power structures of the world have been set in stone. The King had ordered a 2000 foot tall stone plaque to be made with the names of prominent climbers that have lost their lives, with the near 500 that made it higher than floor 100 being boldly showcased. The countries of the world decided to redraw boundaries across continents proportional to their country's contribution determined by the number of names listed on the stone plaque. As one could imagine, the Royal Empire which forced slaves, civilians, and troops into the tower with false promises gained the most land, including annexing Ryu's hometown. He had accepted his place in the world, content to live out his life as a farmer under his father.

He started becoming devoutly religious and kept a bible with him to read in the park, in the forest, next to the river, on the farm, in his room, and sitting at the kitchen table as he tried to find meaning and purpose. It was a slower pace. Before the tower appeared, But that all changed when he received a mysterious prophecy from God in his dreams.

At first, Ryu didn't know what to make of the prophecy. But as the dreams persisted, he began to feel a calling, a need to answer God's summons. He felt that this was his destiny, his purpose in life. He knew that he had to climb the tower, to unlock its secrets and fulfill his destiny.

Ryu felt conflicted. He had always been a man of faith, but he had also always been a farmer. He loved his family and his village, but he felt that he had to answer God's call. He decided to set out on a journey to the tower, leaving his village behind and venturing into the unknown. He had no idea what lay ahead, but he was determined to find out.

Ryu's hometown was a small village on the rural edge of the Royal Empire. It was a peaceful place, surrounded by fields of crops and greenery. His father was a farmer, tending to the crops and livestock, and his mother worked in the city's admin department for half of the year. Ryu's little sister Aine was only six years old, but she already had a mischievous streak that made Ryu smile.

The day before he set out on his journey, Ryu said goodbye to his family. His parents were proud of him, but they also knew that this was a dangerous journey. They hugged him tightly and wished him luck, and his little sister Aine gave him a drawing she had made for him.

As Ryu walked away from his village and towards the tower, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and fear. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he was determined to find out. He took a deep breath and continued on his journey, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Ryu's hat was tugged off by a sudden gust of wind, and he stumbled to catch it before it was carried away. The wind was particularly strong during this season, as it swept over the plains surrounding his village. As he bent over to pick up his hat, he paused for a moment, gazing out at the familiar scenery of his small hometown that he had not left for four long years. The fields, now empty and barren, stretched out before him like a sea of golden wheat. The distant hills, still faintly green, rose up on the horizon, their outlines blurred by the haze of the coming winter.

Ryu took a deep breath, the cool wind filling his lungs with the scents of autumn and the open countryside. He felt a pang of nostalgia, mixed with a sense of longing for the unknown that lay ahead. Ryu stood up, dusting off his hat and placing it firmly on his head. He took one last look at the village that had been his home for all these years, before turning his back on it and setting out towards the horizon, his heart filled with determination and a sense of adventure.

He packed lightly, carrying only his provisions and the Bible that had become a constant companion. He trekked across the rugged terrain, navigating through dense forests and crossing rivers, occasionally passing small villages where he would stop and rest for a night.

Weeks later, Ryu arrived at one of the main cities, a sprawling metropolis that was bustling with activity. He stood in awe as he gazed upon the towering buildings, the busy streets filled with people of all shapes and sizes. The air was thick with the smell of spices and other exotic scents that he had never encountered before.

As he walked through the crowded streets, Ryu was fascinated by the various vendors selling everything from fruits to handmade jewelry. He watched as merchants haggled with customers and street performers entertained the crowds. The city was a stark contrast to the simplicity of his village life, and he soaked up every new experience with wide-eyed wonder.

Eventually, Ryu found an inn where he could rest for the night. He sat down at a table and ordered a mug of Cider and Pine, a local specialty. As he sipped on the sweet and refreshing drink, he observed the other patrons in the inn. He saw a group of adventurers, their weapons and armor glistening in the light, exchanging stories of their exploits.

But among the sea of unfamiliar faces, Ryu caught sight of a beautiful lady with long black hair. She moved through the crowd with an easy grace, her movements as fluid as a dancer's. Ryu felt his heart skip a beat as he watched her, but he quickly dismissed the thought. As she got closer, Ryu realized that it wasn't her. This woman was just as beautiful, with deep brown eyes and a confident stride. But she wasn't the one he was looking for.

Ryu shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not now. He needed to focus on the task ahead of him. He finished his ale and retired to his room, eager to rest and prepare for the long journey ahead.

As the night wore on, Ryu retired to his room, feeling both excited and nervous about his journey ahead. He opened his Bible and read a passage, seeking solace in the familiar words. He thought about his family, his village, and his old life, wondering if he would ever see them again.

Despite the uncertainty of his future, Ryu felt a sense of purpose and clarity that he had never experienced before. He knew that he had been called by God to climb the Heavenly Spire, and he was determined to see it through.

With that, Ryu drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the Tower that awaited him and the mysteries that lay beyond its walls.