The transition from the Tutorial Realm to the First Floor was like stepping from a black-and-white photograph into a living painting. Kael's enhanced senses, sharpened by his awakened talents, drank in every detail of the world around him. The grass beneath his feet was more vibrant than any he'd ever seen, each blade seemingly touched by divine light. The air itself hummed with mana, so thick and pure that he could taste it on his tongue like honey mixed with starlight.
Marcus stood beside him, his weathered face showing a mixture of awe and concern. The older man had been a veteran of the Tutorial Realm, but even he seemed overwhelmed by the raw beauty and power of this place.
"First Floor: The Kingdom of Astoria," Kael read aloud from the floating text that appeared before them. "Difficulty Rating: Adaptive. Objective: Establish a foothold in the realm and survive for 365 days. Optional Objectives: Conquer a settlement, Build an army, Defeat a Floor Guardian."
"Adaptive difficulty," Marcus muttered, spitting into the grass. "That's never good news. Means the Tower will scale the challenges to match our strength."
Kael nodded, but his attention was focused on the notification that had appeared in his peripheral vision:
[PRIMORDIAL STARTER PACK AVAILABLE]
[WOULD YOU LIKE TO OPEN IT NOW?]
[WARNING: OPENING THIS PACK WILL BROADCAST YOUR LOCATION TO ALL NEARBY ENTITIES]
He frowned at the warning. The Tower System rarely gave something for nothing, and the fact that opening his reward would potentially put him in danger suggested that whatever was inside was extraordinarily valuable.
"Marcus, we need to find shelter before I open this starter pack," Kael said, showing him the notification. "The system warns it'll broadcast our location."
The older man's expression darkened. "Smart thinking. Let's find some defensible ground first."
They began walking toward a cluster of hills in the distance, their path taking them through a meadow filled with flowers that seemed to glow with their own inner light. As they walked, Kael experimented with his new abilities. The Dimensional Arsenal opened at his mental command, revealing a space the size of a small city. It was completely empty except for a single pedestal in the center, upon which sat a crystalline orb that pulsed with soft blue light.
"The Nexus Core," he murmured, somehow knowing the name instinctively. "It's the heart of the dimension. I can use it to expand the space and create specialized areas."
Through Death's Echo, he could sense the memories of the Tutorial Realm creatures he'd slain. Most were simple beasts, but there were a few that had been more intelligent. Their knowledge flowed through him like a river of whispered secrets—combat techniques, survival instincts, even fragments of their former lives.
After an hour of walking, they reached a small hill crowned with ancient oak trees. The elevation would give them a good view of the surrounding area, and the trees would provide cover from aerial observation. Kael found a clearing in the center of the grove and sat cross-legged on the soft earth.
"Keep watch," he told Marcus. "I'm going to open the pack."
Marcus nodded, drawing his iron sword and positioning himself at the edge of the clearing. The blade was nothing special—a Tutorial Realm weapon that had served him well but would soon be outclassed by the challenges ahead.
Kael focused on the notification and mentally selected 'yes.' The world around him exploded into light as the Primordial Starter Pack materialized before him. It was a chest carved from what appeared to be crystallized starlight, its surface covered in runes that hurt to look at directly. The chest was easily six feet long and three feet wide, far larger than any starter pack should be.
[PRIMORDIAL STARTER PACK OPENED]
[CONTENTS REVEALED:]
[1. PRIMORDIAL FORGE - DIVINE GRADE]A forge capable of working with materials from any dimension. Can be installed in Dimensional Arsenal. Allows creation of Legendary and Mythic grade equipment.
[2. SOUL CRYSTAL x100]Crystallized soul energy. Can be used to power abilities or enhance equipment. Extremely rare and valuable.
[3. DIMENSIONAL ARMY BARRACKS - MYTHIC GRADE]Can house and train up to 10,000 bound entities. Includes training grounds, armories, and evolution chambers.
[4. KNOWLEDGE TOME: ANCIENT WARFARE]Contains the accumulated military knowledge of a thousand civilizations. Unlocks advanced army management and siege warfare techniques.
[5. REALM SEED - LEGENDARY GRADE]Can be planted in Dimensional Arsenal to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Generates resources and can support large populations.
[6. PRIMORDIAL WEAPON TOKEN x3]Can be exchanged for weapons of Primordial grade. Weapons of this level are said to possess their own consciousness.
[7. EVOLUTION CATALYST x10]Allows forced evolution of bound entities. No level requirements. Extremely dangerous to use.
[8. DIMENSIONAL GATE BLUEPRINT]Allows construction of permanent portals between dimensions. Requires massive amounts of soul energy to activate.
[9. CHAMPION'S REGALIA SET - MYTHIC GRADE]Armor set designed for commanders. Provides massive defensive bonuses and leadership aura effects.
[10. PRIMORDIAL BLOODLINE AWAKENING SERUM]Permanently enhances physical and magical capabilities. Warning: Painful transformation process. May result in death.
Kael stared at the contents of the chest in disbelief. Each item was worth more than most challengers would see in a lifetime of climbing the Tower. The Primordial Forge alone was probably worth more than entire kingdoms on the lower floors.
"By the gods," Marcus whispered, having abandoned his watch to stare at the treasure trove. "That's enough equipment to outfit a small army."
"More than that," Kael said, his mind racing with possibilities. "This is enough to build an empire."
He began transferring the items into his Dimensional Arsenal, watching as they materialized in the vast empty space. The Primordial Forge was a massive structure of black metal and burning crystals, easily the size of a small building. The Army Barracks appeared as a complex of training grounds and dormitories that could house thousands of soldiers.
The Knowledge Tome was last, and as soon as Kael touched it, information flooded his mind. He saw vast battles fought across countless worlds, siege engines that could level mountains, and tactical formations that had brought down gods. The knowledge was overwhelming, but his enhanced mind absorbed it all, filing it away for future use.
[KNOWLEDGE TOME ABSORBED]
[NEW SKILLS UNLOCKED:]
[GRAND STRATEGY - MASTER LEVEL][SIEGE WARFARE - MASTER LEVEL][ARMY LOGISTICS - MASTER LEVEL][TACTICAL COMMAND - MASTER LEVEL]
As the knowledge settled into his mind, Kael became aware of a presence approaching. Not one presence—many. Through Death's Echo, he could sense hostility and hunger radiating from the forest around them.
"We have company," he said, standing and drawing his obsidian blade. "A lot of company."
Marcus moved to stand beside him, his sword gleaming in the afternoon light. "What kind of company?"
"Goblins," Kael replied, his enhanced senses picking up the acrid smell of unwashed bodies and crude weapons. "Maybe fifty of them. And they're not just wandering around—they're hunting us."
The first goblin emerged from the treeline, its yellow eyes gleaming with malice. It was larger than the goblins from the Tutorial Realm, its green skin covered in ritual scars and crude tattoos. It wore a mix of leather and metal armor and carried a wickedly curved blade that looked like it had tasted blood recently.
[GOBLIN WARRIOR - LEVEL 52][THREAT ASSESSMENT: MODERATE]
More goblins followed, surrounding the hilltop with practiced efficiency. These weren't the mindless beasts from the Tutorial Realm—they moved with purpose and intelligence, their formation designed to cut off all escape routes.
"They're organized," Marcus observed, his voice tight with tension. "And they're higher level than us."
Kael nodded, but he wasn't concerned. His talents were awakening fully now, and he could feel the power coursing through his veins. The Soul Forge showed him visions of weapons perfectly suited to the coming battle, and his Dimensional Arsenal stood ready to house the souls of the defeated.
"Let them come," he said, his voice carrying a confidence that surprised even him. "I need test subjects for my new abilities anyway."
The goblin leader, a massive creature with tribal markings covering its scarred hide, stepped forward. It spoke in a guttural language that Kael shouldn't have understood, but Death's Echo translated the words automatically:
"Human-things have valuable aura. We take. We eat. We grow strong."
Kael smiled, the expression cold and predatory. "You're welcome to try."
The leader raised its weapon and let out a bone-chilling war cry. The surrounding goblins responded with their own shrieks of bloodlust as they charged up the hill. The battle for the First Floor had begun.
And in the depths of his Dimensional Arsenal, the Primordial Forge began to glow with anticipation.