Introduction to the Dimensional Tower

"80... 80 credits?" Kuber exclaimed in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that just registering in an association would require so many credits.

"Yes, it's 80 stone credits, sir. See that board at the entrance," the receptionist pointed to a whiteboard placed nearby.

'Fees for registering as a Merchant is 80 stone credits. This price is not negotiable,' was written on the board along with other miscellaneous information.

"Oh, yes... I understand. I will give you 80 stone credits, as you say," Kuber replied with hesitation, extending his hand as if offering the credits with a handshake.

"Uhm... What are you doing, sir?" the receptionist asked with confusion, scratching her temple.

"Don't you give credits with a handshake in this place?"

"No, we don't do that. We need credit coins to store and transfer credits. Didn't your guide tell you that?" she explained with a chuckle.

"No, he didn't say anything like that," Kuber replied.

"He must have forgotten. Don't worry, I have an extra credit coin. We use these credit coins to store and transfer credits by placing them on credit tablets," the receptionist explained, pointing at the black slab.

According to the receptionist's explanation, the black slab-like objects were credit tablets used for transferring credits. People placed the credit coins on the empty circle-like space in the credit tablet, and after the transfer, they could retrieve the coin. This process aimed to minimize the risk factors associated with credit transfers, preventing potential deception and harm.

"Thanks for the explanation. Can you also tell me the direction to the nearest library?" Kuber inquired.

"There's one inside the association. Everyone with a merchant ID card can access it. It's just on the second floor," the receptionist replied.

Following the directions, Kuber climbed the long stairs to the second floor and reached the library. He approached the librarian, who was sitting on a chair reading a book while wearing glasses.

"Excuse me! Can you please recommend some books for a newbie like me?" Kuber asked the librarian with a friendly smile.

The librarian looked up at him with a stern expression and placed her book on the table. "A suitable book for a newbie would be 'Introduction to the Dimensional Tower' and 'Merchant Manual' as well," she recommended.

Thanking the librarian gratefully, Kuber located the recommended books, which were placed at the start of the first column.

As Kuber delved into the contents of "Introduction to the Dimensional Tower," he discovered that the tower was a place where species from different planets or dimensions were given an offer to enter based on their abilities. This offer occurs during the "Cycle of Great Filter," a periodic event that destroys and rebuilds planets or dimensions in new locations.

The tower Kuber found himself in was the Dimensional Tower, where each floor was composed of a planet or dimension that had undergone the "Cycle of Great Filter" before. The first floor of the tower, Astrion, was divided into four Great Continents: Everdawn Reach, Celestialand, Draconia's Crest, and The Arcane Dominion.

Everdawn Reach was under the control of the Neutral Faction, which was where Kuber currently resided. Celestialand was governed by the Holy Faction, and Draconia's Crest was ruled by the Demonic Faction. The Arcane Dominion remained untouched by any of the three factions, although the Holy and Demonic Factions constantly fought over it. The Neutral Faction, despite being the weakest, thrived by selling weapons and mercenary forces to the warring factions.

The Neutral Faction was governed by a group of twelve powerful elders, who were the strongest and wealthiest among all the members. On the other hand, the Holy Faction was governed by the Sacred Order, while the Demonic Faction was governed by the Embermoon Society.

As Kuber continued to read, he delved deeper into the complexities and intrigues of this fascinating world within the Dimensional Tower.

As Kuber continued to read the book, he discovered that players who completed the trial were awakened according to their batch numbers. However, the awakening process could take varying amounts of time, with players from the same planet sometimes awakening years apart. Additionally, they were teleported to random places within their factional area upon awakening.

"I see, so people from the same planets are also awakened at random times, and they get teleported to random places in their factional area," Kuber mumbled to himself with a confused expression.

After reading continuously for half an hour, Kuber finally finished both books and let out a heavy sigh. The information was overwhelming, and he realized that the Dimensional Tower was a complex and intricate place.

"This place is just too complicated. I'll just check my status and leave," Kuber decided.

Summoning his status again, he noticed significant changes:

—————

[Level] – 3

[Name] – Kuber Walton [Neutral]

[Race] – Vampire

[Title] – None

[Lifespan] – 21/10,000

[Class] – Tower Merchant

[Unique Skill] – Appraisal (S)

—————

[Attributes]

[Strength] – 8

[Agility] – 4

[Stamina] – 5

[Aura] – 10

[Wisdom] – 9

—————

[Skill] [Inventory] [Dimensional Shop]

—————

"I see, something's in the status changed completely," Kuber thought to himself while rubbing his chin.

Although he had previously chosen the 'Anankian Frostkeepers Bloodline,' he couldn't see his bloodline on the status screen. The title section also showed 'None,' and the shop section had changed to 'Dimensional Shop,' which was limited to the Tower Merchant class. Kuber pondered these changes, realizing that his status had evolved since his initial encounter in the Dimensional Tower.

"Let's check this Dimensional Shop thing out first," Kuber thought, clicking on the Dimensional Shop section without wasting any time. A new screen opened up with a list of items available for purchase.

—————

[Dimensional Shop] [Basic level]

[Credits] – 100 stone, 0 iron, 0 crystal, 0 premium

—————

<Basic protection talisman> – 300 stone credits

<Basic low level Aurablade> – 400 stone credits

<Basic low level Mana Conductor> – 800 stone credits

<Basic level healing potion> – 800 stone credits

<Basic level monster contract> – 30 iron credits

<Basic level strength booster> – 35 iron credits

—————

The Dimensional Shop offered an array of basic level equipment, potions, and other items, with better items costing more credits.

'This is such a pain. A basic level Aurablade is 300 stone credits, and a basic level strength booster is 35 iron credits? How am I supposed to earn so many credits?' Kuber thought with a worried expression, feeling the burden of accumulating enough credits.

However, a realization struck him. 'Wait, didn't I already get a basic level equipment and a strength boost in the trials?' He remembered receiving a strength boost from completing the quest with Stalin's team and obtaining the basic level equipment after finishing the trial.

Curious, he decided to inspect the Aurablade. Kuber summoned the weapon from his inventory, and as he touched it, he felt the sturdy yet sharp sword made from an unfamiliar metal.

"That's a nice sword for a newbie," a man's voice spoke from behind, startling Kuber as he turned to see the source of the voice.

A short man with a long beard, dressed in multiple layers of clothes and a muscular stature, stood with his chest puffed up.

'It's definitely a dwarf,' Kuber thought to himself, observing the curious figure before him.

"Who are you, old man? Why are you eyeing my basic level sword? Make a sword yourself if you want it so much," Kuber shouted at the dwarf with a suspicious look.