| "Earth is gone." |
Thanatos smiled, and added.
| "This is the new, pure world that has descended upon this filth. The new world: The Pillar of Transgressions." |
[The Pillar responds to Thanatos' will.]
Silence filled the hall as a response.
Soon, an outburst of enraged shouts and retorts reverberated through the place, each echoing humanity's overall opinion.
"How could you do this?!"
"By what authority can you just destroy our lives like this, alien?"
"For what purpose?! To humiliate us?"
The crowd shared their opinions openly and fearlessly. I could hear their sadness, misery and frustration over this matter, and I had to agree with them.
Why provoke another alien race?
For entertainment? Maybe they wanted to use us as slaves?
I didn't jump into conclusions as I stared silently at Thanatos, waiting for his answer.
Thanatos grinned, and his shoulders shook violently, letting out a hysterical sound. It was almost as if he was – laughing?
The crowd fell into silence once more, and a sense of nervousness hung heavily in the atmosphere.
His answer proved my suspicions.
| "Well, for entertainment, of course. And if you want to know who truly is in charge of all this…" |
His fingers snapped once more.
[The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, L.O.R.E, is looking at "humanity".]
A strange feeling of oppression washed over me. In an instant, everyone, including me, fell to our knees.
My stomach tightened as I felt I could collapse and faint in an instant. Which one comes first, I wonder.
What a great presence. My very bones felt like they were being crushed.
Blood splattered onto my palm as I coughed, with white lights flashing along the corners of my blurred vision.
[The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse looks away.]
I felt as if a huge weight was lifted off my chest. But even then I struggled to stand up properly, and decided it was best to stay on the floor, patting on the back of a young boy next to me who was coughing up blood.
For entertainment, is that it? But why go through all the trouble to crash the Pillar straight into Earth?
Maybe it is to exert their dominance, and to show that humanity is no match for their resources and technology.
If anything, I must try to survive in this place, and hopefully, find Grandma, if she is here.
I hope she is here.
She must be.
| "Looks like humanity cannot even withstand even a glance from the Horsemen. If they were to descend onto this place with their true forms, all of you will be eviscerated and disintegrated into atoms. But no worries, that's the second reason why the Pillar is here: to liberate humanity from the confines of weakness and become as strong as the Horsemen." |
Thanatos flashed a cold-hearted smile, one that bared no sympathy whatsoever.
| "Sounds like a great deal, right?" |
Sounds ridiculous.
First of all, why would humanity ever need to get stronger? There was never a threat to humanity as a whole. Never. Not until now. If humanity ever gets a chance to grow as strong as these aliens, they would be the ones to be put in a disadvantage.
Secondly, why target humans on Earth specifically? If there are aliens like him out there, surely there are many other aliens out there in the universe.
| "Seems like a lot of you are still burning with questions. However, time doesn't allow it. Instead, I will go through what you humans will have to do." |
It doesn't seem like anyone wants to ask anything. After all, everyone is now scared stiff to the point where even some are sobbing quietly to themselves.
A snap echoed in the air.
Ding!
…
Challenge Instructions Alert!
Welcome to the Pillar of Transgressions!
In the Pillar, there are a total of one hundred challenges. Complete all the challenges to obtain a wish of one's own desire.
All Survivors are carefully selected by the Pillar. All are given access to the System, where they can level up, become stronger and progress through the challenges.
Challenges are split into five Divisions, each with twenty challenges. Divisions are stated below:
- First Division, "Compass".
- Second Division, "Breath".
- Third Division, "Remnants".
- Fourth Division, "Thoughts".
- Fifth Division, "Core".
To obtain XP to level up, Karma Points must be spent. Karma Points will act as the basic currency for all purchases within the Pillar. To obtain Karma Points, Survivors must do things that the Pillar deems as "evil".
[Challenge, "First Division, "Compass": First Challenge" will begin in 5 minutes.]
…
I wasn't concerned about the first part of the instruction. Rather, it seems enticing, with obtaining "a wish of one's own desire" being the reward for completing the Pillar of Transgressions. And I assumed that the "wish" could be anything.
However, I was concerned about the last part.
Survivors must do things that the Pillar deems as "evil".
What is considered "evil" to the Pillar?
If it was a human's definition of evil, meaning murdering, lying or stealing, then there was definitely no way I could do that.
If Grandma were to see me commit heinous crimes of evil…
I couldn't imagine that.
I would be desecrating her if I did such a thing.
If the Pillar's definition of evil was truly similar or at most identical to what humans claim to be an act of evil, I must try to find some other way to survive in this place.
Or else, I might as well die in this place without committing a single act of evil.
| "I have heard that humans are capable of performing great acts of evil, so it should be easy for all of you." |
Thanatos added, breaking the silence.
| "Oh, and one more thing, before all of you are transported to the next floor. Treat it as a mini challenge for yourself." |
Another snap that carried a familiar sense of premonition followed by the eerie sound of the notification from the System.
Ding!
…
Optional Requirements:
Gain the favour of at least one of the Four Horsemen for the opportunity of a "Gateway Link" with one of them.
Current Favours: None
*"Gateway Link" can only be unlocked after completing the First Division.*
…
| "Not as important as the future floors, but it will definitely be useful later on. But as a recommendation: try to get at least one favour with any of them if you don't want to be left behind." |
He spoke again in an ominous, foreboding tone.
| "Especially since a lot of you won't survive." |
[Time until next challenge: 2 minutes.]
| "Well then, I will be off. Good luck." |
Thanatos lifted his wings and soared through the ceiling back where he came from. The darkness was sealed shut, leaving behind a twinkling canopy of stars that seemed to be mocking at all of us.
A loud, heated chatter rang out. And since we were all given the skill [Polyglot], discussing with others became even easier, as the language barrier was no longer an issue.
Just then, someone raised his voice to the people around him.
"Hey, everyone! It will be better if we stick together, right? Join my group and we can conquer this Pillar together!"
Making teams this early didn't seem like a bad idea.
Many people who flanked me were drawn to the voice of that particular individual, and already started to show their support.
"Yeah, let's do this!"
"Alright, sure."
It was a cacophony of confident chatter and words.
If only the requirements for survival wasn't "evil", then making teams would be the best idea.
I shook my head, turning away from the commotions forming across the hall.
Having someone by your side could very well be suicide. If betrayal or backstabbing is considered as "evil" by the Pillar, then it is safer to go solo.
But that's just an assumption. And would anyone even think of betraying a comrade, risking their dignity and trust?
I turned my head to the groups forming as I considered. But I swiftly made haste away from them in case I was tempted to change my mind.
If their lives were on the line, then perhaps they would.
At this point, I couldn't trust anyone.
Maybe, if Grandma was here with me, we wouldn't betray each other, since we knew each other the best and relied on each other.
Especially since a lot of you won't survive.
I let out a deep sigh.
This could have been a fatal decision. But I have already made up my mind.
[Time until next challenge: 1 minute.]
Best if I were to review what I have once more.
Open Status Window.
…
Name: Yoon Eunari
Age: 28
Species: Human
EXP Level: 0
Gateway: -
Personal Exclusive Skills: -
Gateway Exclusive Skills: -
Earned Skills: [Polyglot Lvl.-]
Current Status: Normal (No Status Effects)
Stats Level:
[Strength Lvl.1]
[Agility Lvl.1]
[Stamina Lvl.1]
[Durability Lvl.1]
[Magic Aptitude Lvl.0]
Current Karma Points: 0
…
Still nothing. And since I didn't join a team, the [Polyglot] skill was utterly useless.
I was jolted awake from my thoughts by the sudden pull on my shirt.
The boy that I patted on the back held tightly at the hem, speaking in a soft, frightened tone that I couldn't ignore.
"Big sis, can I join you?"
Hesitantly, I nodded my head. A kid wouldn't dare to betray anyone.
His head reached to my waist, with hazelnut-hued eyes that trembled uncomfortably when staring at the adults gathering in huge groups, ranging from around twenty to thirty people each. His short, blonde hair stood out.
I sort of guessed why he didn't want to join a group.
Maybe he had the same fear of being backstabbed and abandoned because he was weaker.
"What's your name?"
"Arthur."
"Nice to meet you, Arthur. I'm Eunari. You can just call me Eunari."
[Time until next challenge: 4 seconds.]
Well, it's time to go.
[3 seconds remaining…]
[2 seconds…]
[1…]
I felt the grip at my hem tighten.
[Transporting all 'Survivors' to the First Floor…]
A flash of light enveloped me, and I felt a slight pressure of warmth.
...
A being was shrouded in darkness, with nothing else illuminating it except the screens of humans moving in large groups.
The being's face was obscured as a voice from beyond talked to them.
"Master ■■, the plan is going smoothly. Surprisingly, there is no intervention from the ■■."
The being showed no sign of emotion.
"Thanatos, get out. If there is nothing interesting, then there is nothing to tell me. If you have done your job, then leave."
"Yes, master."
The being turned to the screens again. The being couldn't look directly at the humans, since they would fall to the ground again like the powerless weaklings they were.
But they still held a lot of potential. All the being and the others needed to do was to wait, and see their plan come into fruition, so that they could achieve the perfect ■■…