As the trap door reached the interior of the Babel Tower, the man who had previously seemed indifferent suddenly shifted his demeanor, adopting a more formal and instructive tone. He led Yan Jin, Zhang San, and Wei Xi through the entrance, revealing the grandeur of the tower's interior.
The inside of the Babel Tower was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The space was vast, with towering ceilings supported by intricate, rune-etched columns that pulsed with a faint, rhythmic glow. The floor was composed of smooth, polished stone that seemed to absorb the light and release it in a soft, ambient illumination.
The air was filled with a low hum, almost as if the tower itself was a living entity sustained by the blood runes that reinforced its structure.
The walls were lined with various murals and carvings that depicted scenes of epic battles, ancient rituals, and the history of the tower. These artworks were vibrant and detailed, seemingly shifting and changing depending on the angle from which they were viewed. The corridors branched out in multiple directions, each leading to different sectors and facilities within the tower.
"The Babel Tower is the largest hub for humanity," the man began, his voice echoing slightly in the grand space. "I would say it's its own ecosystem. Each faction of the continent has some representation in the different floors of the tower. There are exactly one hundred floors, and 144,000 people in Babel Tower. Most of the residents live on the lower floors, which span from 0 to 59.
The middle floors range from 60 to 89, and the top floors from 90 to 100." He turned around to make sure they were paying attention.
As they walked, they passed various groups of people—warriors, merchants, scholars—each engrossed in their own business. The lower floors, where they currently were, had an air of bustling activity, with markets, training grounds, and residential areas seamlessly integrated into the architecture.
The ambiance was lively, yet there was an underlying tension, a sense of constant readiness for combat or competition.
"You've entered the tower to become warriors," the man continued, his tone more serious now. "So, you are the lowest warriors on the 1st floor. We'll soon reach the registry, where you'll get your assigned cabins and your resident passes.
After that, your names will appear on this board." He pointed towards a massive wall that displayed a glowing leaderboard, listing the top 100 warriors on each floor.
"Your badge is your lifeline in the tower. It's your key, your wallet, and your identification all in one. Lose it, and you'll be in a world of trouble. Keep it safe." She looked each of them in the eye to emphasize her point. "Remember, as warriors, you're restricted to using the facilities and lodges on your assigned floor.
While you're free to visit other floors within the lower levels, you can't use resources meant for higher-ranked floors. The better the resources, the more they'll cost you, so climbing the tower is essential if you want to make real progress."
Zhang San and Wei Xi exchanged glances, both clearly eager to rise through the ranks. Yan Jin, still masked, remained composed and unreadable.
"Combat is your primary way of earning Babel Points," Lee Ann continued. "You can challenge opponents within a ten-floor range above your current floor, but you can't challenge anyone below you. This system ensures that you're always aiming upwards. You must participate in at least one fight per month, and you can't refuse more than three challenges in that time.
It keeps the competition fierce and ensures everyone is constantly striving to improve."
She paused, allowing this information to sink in. "You can choose to fight one-on-one, or in teams of three. There are also exhibition matches against beasts, which can be highly rewarding if you're up to the challenge. However, there's a strict no-kill policy outside the arena.
If you kill someone in an official match, you'll incur a penalty of a thousand Babel Points, and that's not something you want to deal with."
"Killing a resident outside the arena? Immediate execution. Violence against temporary residents? You'll face anything from fines to expulsion, depending on the severity of the offense. The tower may be a place for warriors, but it's also a tightly controlled environment. Respect the rules, and you'll be fine."
She gestured to a series of doors along the hallway. "These are your quarters. Each room costs 100 points a month, payable at the end of the month. It's a basic accommodation, but it's where you'll sleep, store your belongings, and prepare for your fights. As you earn more points and move up the ranks, you can upgrade to better quarters on higher floors."
Lee Ann looked at them expectantly. "Any questions before I leave you to settle in?"