Aster was stunned. This was the very tower that nations were willing to pay any price to gain access to, yet he had been given the chance to enter it.
"I need to level up both myself and my skills anyway. This tower is the perfect place for that. And if luck is on my side, I might even find another treasure with a powerful skill."
The General smiled. "Well? What do you think? Do you want to go?"
Without a moment’s hesitation, Aster nodded.
"Yes, sir! I’ll gladly accept this reward!"
"HAHAHA!" The General burst into laughter. "I knew it! Only a fool would turn down an opportunity like this."
"Captain Gareth."
"Yes, General."
As if appearing from thin air, Captain Gareth stepped forward.
Aster was startled.
"He was here the whole time? I didn’t even notice him..."
"Take Aster to the tower."
"Understood, General."
Aster blinked. "We’re leaving right now?"
"Of course. The international tournament is only two weeks away. You’ll spend one week inside the tower, and the remaining week traveling to the tournament venue."
"Understood."
Aster followed Captain Gareth out of college.
After several hours of driving, Captain Gareth brought the vehicle to a stop in the middle of a vast open field.
Aster looked out the window in every direction. Endless grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see.
He frowned. "Captain Gareth... where’s the tower? I don’t see anything."
Captain Gareth simply smiled. "You’ll see in a moment."
He tapped a button on his wristwatch.
The next instant, a brilliant pillar of light descended from the sky and engulfed them.
"AAAH!" Aster instinctively covered his eyes. "What was that, Captain Gareth?!"
When his vision finally cleared, Aster slowly opened his eyes, only to freeze in shock.
Before him stood a city unlike anything he had ever imagined, a metropolis built entirely of machines. Towering metallic skyscrapers pierced the clouds while countless flying vehicles and drones filled the sky. Neon holograms illuminated every corner, making the entire city feel centuries ahead of the outside world.
"Damn... This place looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. Robots everywhere, and even the vehicles can fly."
Directly ahead stood a massive white wall with a futuristic gate embedded in its center. Floating before the entrance was a spherical robot with a glowing blue eye.
Captain Gareth walked up to it and held out his wristband.
The robot scanned it before turning its eye toward Aster. Captain Gareth pulled Aster forward and presented his entry certificate.
A green laser swept across Aster’s body.
"Scanning complete. Identity confirmed. Aster Vale. Age: 18. Class: Unique. Level: 21. Entry Permission: 7 Days." A robotic voice said.
A compartment opened on the robot’s body, ejecting a silver wristwatch toward Aster.
Captain Gareth caught it before handing it over.
"Don’t lose this. Inside this city, it’s your identity. Without it, you won’t even be allowed to stay for a second."
Aster immediately fastened it around his left wrist.
"I’d better keep a close eye on this."
Captain Gareth walked to the gate and placed his wristband against a small scanner.
Identity Confirmed.
The enormous door silently slid open.
"So I was right... it really is a door."
Aster repeated the process. As soon as his wristwatch was scanned, the screen displayed Identity Confirmed, and the gate opened for him as well.
The moment he stepped inside, he felt as though he had entered a futuristic world.
The building resembled a luxurious hotel. Robot attendants and robot waiters moved throughout the lobby, serving guests with flawless precision. A few human workers were present too, but they all wore military uniforms.
"They must be soldiers."
The remaining guests were dressed in dazzling armor or luxurious clothing that clearly belonged to influential figures.
Captain Gareth glanced at Aster.
"Only powerful organizations and influential families are allowed to enter this place. So don’t pick a fight with anyone."
Aster nodded while curiously observing everything around him.
Soon, they arrived at the reception desk.
Captain Gareth exchanged a few words with the receptionist before she smiled at Aster.
"May I see your wristwatch?"
"Sure."
She scanned it with a handheld device.
A holographic 98 immediately appeared above the watch.
"Room Number 98 has been assigned to you," she said politely.
Captain Gareth nodded. "For the next seven days, that will be your room whenever you’re not inside the tower."
Aster nodded in understanding.
Captain Gareth then led him to another sleek metallic door.
He pointed toward it. "Behind this door... is the tower. Scan your wristwatch here."
Aster stepped forward and scanned his wristwatch.
The door slowly opened.
The instant he walked through, his eyes widened. A colossal tower stood before him.
"Damn... It’s way bigger than I imagined."
He tilted his head back, yet even then he couldn’t see the top. The tower disappeared into the clouds as though it connected heaven and earth.
Aster remained speechless. Captain Gareth laughed.
"Hahaha! That’s the reaction everyone has the first time they see it."
Aster looked at him in surprise. "If it’s this massive, how can it be hidden from the rest of the world?"
Captain Gareth smiled.
"You can’t see them, but this entire area is protected by millions of high-grade formations. Every movement here is monitored by hundreds of AI security systems and elite awakeners."
Aster’s attention shifted toward a gigantic leaderboard nearby.
"What’s that?"
Captain Gareth followed his gaze.
"It records the highest floor each person has ever cleared. At the moment, the highest floor humanity has conquered is the 84th."
Aster looked toward the top of the board.
Damon Hayes — Floor 84
"Damon? That sounds like a foreign name."
Captain Gareth nodded.
"It is. He’s from Country C."
Aster blinked.
"I thought this place was supposed to be a secret."
"It is. But the leaders of every nation know about it. Occasionally, we grant foreign powerhouses limited access in exchange for important diplomatic or business agreements. Damon Hayes is the former president of Country C."
"I see..."
Captain Gareth smiled before gently pushing Aster toward the ancient entrance of the tower.
"Your time here is limited. Don’t waste another second."
Unlike the futuristic city surrounding it, the tower’s gate looked unimaginably ancient.
The moment Aster placed his hand on it, a chill ran down his spine.
"W-What was that?"
He stood frozen for a moment before shaking his head.
"Must’ve been my imagination."
He pushed the heavy stone gate open. Beyond it was complete darkness. As soon as he stepped inside, the gate closed behind him.
Everything became silent.
Suddenly...
A brilliant light flashed. Aster instinctively shut his eyes.
When he opened them again, he found himself standing in a vast white, cloud covered world.
"What...?"
His pupils shrank.
"Did I accidentally enter my Dream Realm?"