Chapter 2: The Tower (Part 1)

Kael stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, his thoughts tangled in a haze of disbelief and uncertainty. 

His moment of solitude was interrupted when the door swung open, and two individuals stepped inside. He recognized them immediately.

The first was Darrick—tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and golden-blonde hair that caught the light. His brown eyes held an easy confidence, the kind that made him effortlessly popular among their colleagues, especially the women. 

Beside him stood Daylon, another physically imposing man with a closely cropped buzz cut and a build that screamed dedicated gym rat. Unlike Darrick, whose charm carried a natural warmth, Daylon had a sharper edge to him—intimidating but not unapproachable. The two were close, childhood friends who had carried their bond into adulthood.

Kael barely acknowledged them, intending to walk past, but before he could, a firm hand landed on his shoulder, halting him mid-step.

"Hey, Kael." Darrick's voice carried a note of concern. "You don't look too good. Everything alright?"

Kael hesitated. Darrick had a habit of checking in on people—not just as a manager, but because he genuinely cared. That was why people liked him.

"I'm fine," Kael muttered. "Just need some air."

Darrick's brows furrowed, but he nodded. "Alright. Take care, man."

Kael didn't linger. He stepped out of the bathroom, the familiar hum of the office corridor greeting him as he moved toward the elevator. 

His mind raced as he pressed the button for the first floor. The doors slid shut, and as the elevator descended, his thoughts swirled in a chaotic mess.

Could this really be happening? Had he truly returned to the past?

The only explanation that made sense—if any of this could make sense—was that this was his reward for killing the final boss of the tower. Yet, part of him still resisted the idea, clinging to the hope that this was all some bizarre hallucination. But if there was even the slightest chance that this was real, he couldn't afford to waste time doubting.

His eyes dropped to his phone.

He didn't know exactly how much time he had, but it wasn't long. The tower had appeared while he was at work last time, and if events followed the same pattern—

No. Don't think about that now.

His fingers fumbled as he tried different passcodes, finally unlocking his phone after a few failed attempts. Immediately, he scrolled through his contacts, his pulse hammering as he tapped the very first number.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

The elevator continued its slow descent. Each ring of the phone filled him with growing dread. He gripped the device tightly, his hands clammy, his breath shallow.

Then—

Click.

"Hey, big bro! What's up?"

The familiar voice on the other end stopped him cold. A voice he hadn't heard in years. His vision blurred, the world around him fading away. He didn't even realize his grip on the phone had gone white-knuckled.

"Hello? Hellooo? Can you hear me?"

Kael exhaled shakily. "Yeah… I can hear you."

"Then say something, dummy. Geez. Anyway, aren't you at work? Why are you—"

She stopped as she heard the sound of quiet sobs. 

"…Big brother? Are you crying?"

His breath hitched. He tried to speak, but the words lodged in his throat. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried—years of struggle, blood, and death had dried up his tears. But hearing her voice again… it cracked something deep inside him.

"…Did someone bully you again?"

A bitter chuckle escaped him. If only it were that simple.

"Tiff." His voice was hoarse. "Is Mom with you right now?"

"Yeah… she's in the living room. What's wrong?"

He squeezed his eyes shut. "Listen to me. Something's about to happen. Soon. You're going to wake up in a strange place, and after that, they'll take you and Mom somewhere dangerous."

"…What?"

"You have to stay together. No matter what happens, don't let go of each other. Don't wander off. Don't try to be brave. Just blend in and survive. I swear—I swear—I'll find you."

"Kael, you're scaring me. What are you talking about?"

"Just promise me, Tiff! Stick together and stay alive. That's all that matters."

"I—"

Bzzt.

Kael's stomach dropped. He pulled the phone away, his fingers trembling as he checked the screen.

No signal.

His pulse pounded in his ears. He remembered this. The signal had cut out just before it happened.

I don't have time.

Cursing, he bolted out of the elevator, his feet carrying him past the receptionist and straight onto the bustling street. His eyes darted around, searching—

I need a car. A taxi. Anything.

There. Parked right in front of the building.

He lunged toward it—

[Global System Announcement]

Initiation process commencing.

Prepare for integration.

Time Remaining: 00:05

Kael's breath hitched. His head snapped up, scanning the street.

The city buzzed with life, people moving about their day, completely oblivious. But the moment the message rang out, confusion spread through the crowd. Some stopped in their tracks, glancing around. Others laughed, treating it like some elaborate prank.

No. No, no, no. This is happening too fast.

His heart pounded. He could hear it. The ticking seconds slipping away, sealing fate in an unrelenting countdown.

I had even less time than I thought.

He barely had time to curse before the world went black, and his consciousness was ripped away.

Time Remaining: 00:00.