Thirteen years ago…
The world had encountered something it had never seen before.
The Tower.
It had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. No one knew what it was or where it came from.
Some claimed it was built by aliens, while certain religious cults declared it was the end of the world.
The world was thrown into chaos. People attacked each other, robbed banks, looted stores. After all, they believed this was "the end."
Three months had passed since the Tower's appearance.
Once people calmed down and began to get used to the existence of that enormous and magnificent structure, some of them received a "message." But this wasn't a normal message—it came from the Tower itself.
[Congratulations!!]
[You have been selected to climb the Tower!]
[Conquer the Tower and become its god!]
Those who saw the message couldn't hide their shock. After months of silence and countless attempts by governments to enter the Tower, it had finally responded.
And so, that's what happened thirteen years ago.
Present Day
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
Ha-jin slowly opened his eyes. After silencing his phone alarm, he yawned while staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Huaaahhh…"
He thought about what every young person in his situation would think:
"I'm turning twenty tomorrow, but all I do is be a burden to my mom."
"She already works two jobs to pay the bills and support Ha-yeon's education…"
Lost in thought, Ha-jin made his bed, brushed his teeth, and walked into the kitchen.
He spotted a note left on the table.
"Ha-jin, if you're awake, I left some rice and eggs in the fridge for breakfast. I had to leave early. I'll be back around 8 PM.
—Mom"
After reading the note, Ha-jin woke up his sister, Ha-yeon, and prepared breakfast.
While eating, Ha-yeon's eyes were glued to her phone, watching "Climber News."
It was the same as always—battles on the floors, climbers who died, and newly awakened ones.
"They failed the 40th floor boss raid again," Ha-yeon said, taking another spoonful of rice.
"That's what... the fifth time? People are starting to think that floor is unbeatable," Ha-jin replied.
"They've been trying to clear it for six months, so it's no surprise," Ha-yeon added, scrolling through the screen.
"Even the top guilds couldn't do it… I can't imagine the rest," Ha-jin muttered sarcastically.
Without looking up, Ha-yeon asked, "Would you climb if you were chosen?"
Ha-jin chuckled lightly.
"Me? I wouldn't even walk through that door. I just… sometimes wonder why some people are chosen and others aren't…"
"That's enough Tower talk. Finish your food and get ready. We can't be late," Ha-jin said, finishing his breakfast and heading to his room to change.
As he buttoned his shirt, he glanced out the window at the towering structure in the distance. Ha-yeon's words echoed in his mind:
"Would I climb if I were chosen…?"
"Even though I told her no, something inside me whispers that I must climb that Tower…"
Shaking his head, Ha-jin dismissed the thought and fastened the last button on his shirt.
Just as he was about to leave the room, Ha-yeon called out:
"Hey, are you coming? I'm leaving!"
"Yeah, I'm coming!" Ha-jin replied, quickly tying his tie.
At the door, Ha-yeon looked at him.
"You look awful. Are you sick?"
"No," Ha-jin said, shaking his head. "Just didn't sleep well."
"So, same as always," Ha-yeon muttered, rolling her eyes as they walked out the door together.
***
After dropping off his sister at school, Ha-jin went to a job interview, only to receive the same response as always:
"We'll get back to you."
Which was just a polite way of saying "You're not hired."
As he walked out of the building, head down, he slung his bag over his shoulder. The words kept ringing in his mind:
"We'll get back to you…"
How many times had he heard that? He had lost count. His steps were heavy, mind scattered, until a voice pierced through the city noise:
"Hey! Stop! Give that back!!"
Startled, Ha-jin turned to see a figure rushing toward him.
A person in a black hoodie and face mask, shoving through the crowd with a bag in hand, brushed past him. A second figure followed.
A young woman with long, wavy blonde hair. She looked noble, wealthy. Her hazel eyes were filled with desperation as she chased the thief, breathless.
"Please! He stole my bag! Somebody stop him!!" she cried out.
Everyone just watched.
Ha-jin froze for a moment.
Should he chase the thief or ignore it like everyone else?
Something stirred inside him.
Without thinking, he sprinted forward.
"Hey!! Stop!!" he shouted, pushing through the crowd after the thief.
The thief darted through narrow alleyways. Ha-jin chased, his footsteps echoing, heart pounding like a drum.
After an hour and a half, the thief turned into a dead-end alley, breathless.
Surrounded by high walls, no escape in sight.
As he turned, he saw Ha-jin still pursuing him. Both were exhausted, breath ragged.
In the silence of the alley, the thief asked hoarsely:
"What do you want? It's not your bag. Why chase me?"
Ha-jin paused, catching his breath.
"I know… but if I let this slide today, it might be me tomorrow."
The thief looked away for a second, then glared back at Ha-jin. Pulling a knife from his jacket, he hissed:
"So you wanna be a hero?"
Ha-jin's eyes fixed on the blade. Fear rippled through him.
"Run…" said a voice inside.
But he didn't move.
He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and silenced the fear.
"I'm not backing down," he said. "Stab me if you want. But you're not leaving with that bag."
The thief's hand trembled. His grip tightened on the stolen bag.
"I won't give you anything!!"
He took a step forward. Ha-jin flinched, unsure of what to do. But he stood his ground.
Their ragged breaths filled the alley, time slowed.
The knife gleamed.
And then…
A voice shouted:
"Police! Get down!!"
Siren blared. Footsteps echoed. Radios buzzed.
The thief looked behind Ha-jin and saw several officers rushing in. Panicking, he shoved Ha-jin, dropped the bag, and tried to flee—but it was too late.
The police tackled and handcuffed him.
The tension vanished, replaced by sirens and sighs of relief.
Ha-jin, still catching his breath, held his chest.
"You okay?" a voice asked from behind.
He turned. The young woman stood there, breathless but grateful.
"My bag…"
She ran to it and opened it. Inside were glowing, transparent stones—mana stones.
She pulled one out.
"I owe you. If it weren't for you, they'd all be gone," she said, offering him one.
Ha-jin stared in disbelief. It was his first time seeing one in real life, but he knew even low-grade mana stones cost over ₩100,000.
"I… I can't accept this. I didn't do it for—"
"No," she interrupted firmly. "You saved them. Please."
₩100,000… His eyes widened slightly. That was almost three days' worth of food.
Reluctantly, Ha-jin accepted the stone. It felt heavier than he expected—his first physical contact with a real mana stone.
"Thank you…" he whispered.
She smiled softly. "No. Thank you, my hero."
She turned to join the police, while Ha-jin slipped the stone into his pocket and left the alley.
He walked home on foot—partly to save money, partly to reflect on what had happened. As the sunset painted the streets red, his steps were slow, but peaceful.
By the time he got home, it was past 5 PM.
Opening the door, he heard a voice:
"Brother? Is that you?"
"Yeah," Ha-jin replied wearily.
After taking off his shoes, he headed to the bathroom. Ha-yeon called out:
"You had an interview today, right? How'd it go?"
"Same as always," Ha-jin replied without pause.
Under the warm shower, the stress of the day melted away. He thought about everything—the chase, the stone, the girl...
Drying his hair, he looked in the mirror. A tired but faintly smiling face looked back.
They ate dinner quietly. Ha-jin didn't speak much, and Ha-yeon understood he was too exhausted to talk.
After dinner, he went to his room and lay on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
At midnight…
Ha-jin, deep in sleep, suddenly stirred. His eyes opened, and something appeared before him.
[Congratulations!]
[You have been selected to climb the Tower!]
[Conquer the Tower and become its god!]
It was nothing other than the Tower's invitation.