Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Smoke covered the landscape below. Ruined structures, glowing shots rained, screams echoed, and then dead silence. It was the state of the world.

The year was 2019. A huge tower appeared in the Los Angeles skyline. People speculated that it was the end of the world, and news spread across the globe. Then, screens appeared before every person on earth. It called upon mankind.

[Stop the impending calamity threatening mankind. Would you accept the summoning?]

The tower was then dubbed the [Tower of Calamity]. People began to flood the tower's first floor from all across the globe and begin to climb the tower. <Walkers>, as they were called, gained the [System], which gives them skills and stats, like a video game. The tower never mentioned exactly what calamity these Walkers would try to stop, until that happened.

Right after the <First Summoning>, numerous robots were released from inside the tower and began attacking unsuspecting humans that didn't choose to be summoned. The military, with limited soldiers to fight with, loses to those robots. The loose robots wiped out cities and then countries, killing the human population slowly. It was the start of the apocalypse.

The Walkers realized they were given the most important task: saving humanity, and this isn't just a game anymore. Complete the tower for the survival of mankind.

Year 2023.

The Walkers completed Floor 22, and a revival item, [Returning Stone] was acquired. It works like its name suggests. Going back to the past, like in a novel where the world was in ruins, was a likely solution. However, a problem arose within the Walker community, for almost everyone wanted to go back to the past.

Anne watches as their few remaining companions disappear in a flash of light. With her was her best friend, Sasha, who was annoyed at their disappearance.

"That was the last of them," she said.

"I guess that makes two of us now challenging the next floor."

They stood side by side, looking at the entrance to the 48th floor. Anne wonders if those who went back in time thought about the world they left behind in ruins. They were humanity's last hope, yet they abandoned their mission for the sake of living peacefully or better in the past. 

No one believed at first. It was a ridiculous item to begin with. No laws of science truly explain the possibility of time travel. Yet, the system itself is considered to be a miracle within the tower; skills and items that felt like something out of a novel became a reality.

The first one to suggest using the stone was the Intermediate Alchemist, Dr. Frakes. It was foolish for her to use the stone immediately. Terri comments that maybe she wanted to get all the credit when she goes back to the past. And if she really did go back, would the present change?

"Maybe she got transported elsewhere."

To a new world where she started all over again, with all her knowledge of the future. People were easily tempted by this, and one by one, they started to leave. Others wanted to try the higher floors before going back to give better information to those who went back first. It was humanity's competitive nature that drove people to do so. Wouldn't it be nice to proclaim yourself as 'The Most Knowledgeable Walker' and lead the whole community in the past? Very tempting, right?

The Walkers made it up to the 35th floor. Anne and a few of her friends, including Sasha, were recruited by Mr. X and other elite Walkers who didn't go back to form the <Semper Prorsum>, the last team to attempt clearing the tower.

They cleared the 35th, then the 36th, and moved further up and up. Some died; others went back to the past. They carried on, but not until the 45th floor. Mr. X was severely injured and, as a last resort, used the [Returning Stone] in hopes of running the group better in his next turn. With a few party members left, they kept going up until everyone else gave up—well, not everyone.

Sasha was frustrated with the coward Walkers who went back to the past early. If only they stayed and persevered, then their situation wouldn't be like this. Humanity has survived this far; even though they have little knowledge of the outside world, they believe people are still out there, waiting for salvation. It was up to them to bring forth salvation and free humanity from this hellish calamity.

There are only three floors left. And the last of the <Semper Prorsum> marched forward to challenge the next floor.

"Let's go."

They both looked at each other before stepping in. Three more floors to end this hell of a scenario they're in. 3 more floors for mankind's salvation. That's what they believe—what Anne believed. 

She called out to Sasha. No answer. She called back again, rummaging through robot scraps and finding her friend. She looked in the corner of the room and found her. She was bleeding. Sasha then took out a bright-blue stone from her pocket.

"Where did you get that?" Anne questioned her with a confused look. "Don't tell me-"

Sasha sighed, "I guess I'm a fool like them..I...spoke too soon..Haha." She lowered her head in embarrassment. Anne stood a foot away from her, scanning Sasha's injuries. No ordinary potion could heal her wounds; the biggest was the big slash on her back from the boss, R05Ch-MK. There were no more Intermediate Healers left inside the Tower to treat her because they all left. She stared at her for a while, hesitating to leave her side. She reasoned that maybe the NPC in the community village could save her, but Sasha insisted. She might not make it in time.

"Go, you still.. have a world to save…. Don't waste your time here.. and go.."

"But-"

"No buts, Boonchuy.. Go.. You're better off without me.."

"Don't say that."

Anne kneeled down to hug her for the last time. They were together for most of their journey here in the Tower. She prevented herself from tearing up. Sasha then handed her Pink Heron Sword to her. 

"You might need that.."

"I'm not a sword user, Sash."

"Think of it..as a lucky charm."

"Go, before I change my mind and carry you back to Floor 5," Anne said, then stood up, turned her back, and walked up towards the gate to the next floor.

Sasha staggered to get up to move herself on the edge of the floor room, where a window is situated for her to look at the outside world one last time. It was in ruins. She thought to herself as she watched Anne at the 49th floor gate that Anne might be the one to save the world, alone, if there's even the world left to save.

They were at their limit. They have persevered this far. But it was time to go.

As impossible as it was to go to the next floor alone, she inwardly prayed for Anne's success to save the world she'd left behind. Anne is a strong Walker; with her trusty 'Lightbane Mace' she got from a loot chest lottery, she has taken down multiple monsters and robots with strong swings, like when she's playing tennis, 'oh good 'ol times' she thought. She remembered Marcy's rambling about each other's skills and her brief description of Anne's abilities—as sturdy as a tanker but as deadly as an assassin. She forced a smile on her face as she watched the back of her friend one last time. Maybe the next time she reaches this floor, she might survive—she's going back to the past, after all.

"See you on the other side, Anne."

Her body disappeared into thin air. Anne stopped after she opened the gate for the 49th floor. She didn't notice that she was already crying. She tried to wipe off her tears, but it didn't stop. It was the third big loss that happened to her. First were her parents, as they decided to stay back and not challenge the tower. Next was Marcy, who died a few floors down when they were taking down an Illusionist Boss, and now Sasha. She clutched the Pink Heron Sword tightly as she regulated her breathing.

It wasn't the time to mourn one's loss. It wasn't her fault, nor Sasha's, or she could have blamed it on the Walkers who left them behind. She wanted to curse her frustration out loud, but no one was there to hear her out.

She's challenging the 49th floor, alone.

Chapter Text

10 whole years, with 2 of those years she spent going back and forth to the 49th floor, she's been inside the tower for 10 years. Anne remembered the time when the tower first appeared. She was hanging out with Marcy and Sasha for her 13th birthday at the park when suddenly the earth below them rumbled and a giant tower covered the horizon. When they received the text, Sasha insisted on them going, and Marcy seconded her notion. She calls for her parents, saying she might enter the tower and say their goodbyes. It was the last time she had heard her parents' voices.

She had gone through a lot to survive this far, with multiple instances where she has endangered her life fighting. She faced many dangerous situations when climbing this hell of a tower, from the first to the 48th. But the final boss on the 49th floor is no joke. The Frost Heron, Nodyre's <Ice Breath>, that she couldn't resist even with maxed-out <Ice Resistance>. She has survived those attacks long enough due to Sasha's Pink Heron Sword, which has a strong fire attribute. The sword really was her lucky charm.

Anne searched through other Walkers left-belongings in search of some equipment; Mr. X stash really helped her. She acquired an 'Ice Barbarian Cloak' that negates the <Cold Status> while on the 49th floor's environment and a 'Black Leather Gloves' to buff her melee attacks. As she goes through her things in preparation for another 'attack attempt', she stumbles upon the 'Necklace of Luck' inside one of her bags, which Marcy and Sasha gifted her for her 14th birthday.

Sasha stated that Marcy gambles at the [System's Loot Chest Lottery] to get it, draining both of their coin funds in the process. She insisted it was the perfect item to give to Anne so they'd get better loot from monsters, to which Sasha joked that Marcy needed it more. Anne takes the necklace anyway.

Anne smiled at the memory. She holds the 'Necklace of Luck' and 'Pink Heron Sword' close to her as she tries to sleep on the cold tower floor in her beanbag for the night, silently crying. The items that both of her friends left her reminded her of good times, when people were still determined to climb the tower. She's not as strong as Sasha in 1v1 combat, nor is she as keen as Marcy when it comes to battle strategy. But with no other Walkers to clear the floor with, she needed to be stronger than ever before.

And so began training. She trained day and night alone at Floor 5's community training grounds. The 5th floor was a safe floor, and Walkers began to rebuild civilization within the tower and called the floor <Haven>. Shops and Healer Stations were established for Walkers to go back to after their adventures on the higher floors. Walkers running these shops provide free services for the Walkers who fought tirelessly on the frontlines. The once bustling settlement now has a few Walkers left running it. Some of them have already settled into a family within Haven, and since humans who were born inside the tower cannot use the [Returning Stone], these Walkers can't leave their families behind. It was a growing population that had the possibility to go out into the world and rebuild civilization once more. It was one of Anne's motivations to keep moving forward, even with little to no chance to succeed.

"Are you going back again?"

"Yes."

She was sitting on a bar stool, her hand holding a glass of water, as she spoke to Ned, a long-time patron of her family restaurant back on earth, which might be in shambles now. Ned runs a diner that serves Thai food. She taught him some of their recipes, as he always begged her to. Ned serves her 'Pad Thai' as he sits across from her.

"Are you sure?"

Anne hesitates for a moment before nodding her head and saying, "Yes."

"Anne, you really need to take a break."

"I can't take a break if the whole world slowly succumbs to this apocalypse," she replied exaggeratedly.

She can't give up now that she's only two floors away from finishing the tower and liberating mankind. Anne can't reveal the truth either; she has no idea if this attempt will be successful or not. She has a slim chance to succeed alone, but she can't give up. For the civilization the coward Walkers left behind, for Sasha and Marcy.

Anne tries to recruit some Walkers from <Haven>, but they can't risk their lives and leave their family, saying that they don't have the stats or skills to challenge a floor that high up since they stop going up the tower to settle down in Haven. She understood, and instead, she's thankful that they haven't left their families for selfish purposes like those more capable ones.

The tower hasn't been summoning newcomers since last year. So it was really up to her to face the boss of the 49th floor alone. As scary as it seems, she has gotten this far, so she can't give up now.

"Ned, you're a potion maker, right?"

"Yeah, why? I'm not that good, though."

"Can you teach me the alchemy skill?"

Ned nodded at her request and responded, "Sure."

Maybe it was guilt that made her do it—the inability to save Sasha from her fatal wounds—or maybe if a healer stayed, she might want to learn the healing skill too. During her spare time, she goes to ask some of the remaining Walkers to teach her some other miscellaneous skills—crafting, smithing, etc. Nonetheless, she stayed at Ned's to learn alchemy.

It was the day she journeyed back to the 49th floor. The Haven-folks wave goodbye to her as she leaves the settlement. She looks at the blue display in front of her. 

[]

<User Interface>

Name: Anne Boonchuy

Level: 95

Class: Fighter

Skills: Swing (Lv.10), Muay-Thai (Lv.9), Appraisal (Lv.8), Alchemy (Lv.5), Smithing (Lv.3), Crafting (Lv…. [see full »]

Stats: Health (Lv.97), Strength (Lv.97), Mana (Lv.80), Dexterity (Lv.90), Defense (Lv.95).. [see full »]

[]

She nodded as she saw her stats. 'Good', she remarked. She just spent the last few months maxing out her stats, doing some hidden missions while exploring the lower floors. Anne faced the entrance to the 49th floor as she opened the gates. The scene of a ruined frozen metropolis came into view as she stood on top of the rooftop of an unscathed building. A cold breeze rushes out as the Frost Heron, Nodyre, flaps its wings at the sight of Anne, perched above a tall skyscraper. The 'Ice Barbarian Coat' really helps out to endure the temperature of this place.

I admire your persistence, human. But you'll never defeat me alone!

"We'll see," she smirked as she held Lightbane in front of her, readying her battle stance. She knows she may not succeed here, but the display of confidence was enough to irritate Nodyre and lower its guard. Then Anne dashes forward.

Nodyre then screeched out loud to summon some of his robot henchmen to attack her from above, to which Anne quickly dodged the aimed attacks thanks to her Dodge skill. She then threw out multiple explosive glass vials into the hoard of robots, which instantly exploded into pieces. However, she didn't anticipate the explosion that would blast her off the edge of the building. She quickly took out Sasha's sword and struck the floor to prevent her fall. Nodyre then attacks Anne with its ice breath, which Anne nearly dodges.

['Blessing of Luck' is currently in effect!]

[You can dodge any attacks for 5 minutes!]

Anne was astonished that the Necklace of Luck has this kind of buff. 5 minutes. She needs to finish Nodyre off in 5 minutes, which isn't a lot, but it's her only chance of winning. During her other 'attack attempts', she has clashed with Nodyre head-on but she holds back because of the powerful <Ice Breath> that causes <Frostbite>, freezing the target. One hit from this attack, and you're dead. But since she can dodge any attacks for this specific amount of time, she can now go all out with hers. 'You two never left me behind. Thanks, Marcy... Sasha.'

Anne lunges forward as Nodyre dives in to attack her with its claws. She pulled out her mace and swung it towards Nodyre.

Swing.

It was a basic skill she picked out when she first got a starter weapon. Since she's familiar with the skill, Anne diligently levels it up to par with the intermediate and advanced skills the other Walkers have. 'Those idiot Walkers who hoard the good stuff for themselves and still run away to the past' she thought. But there's no stopping now.

Her swing lands on Nodyre's right wing, sending him to the ground below. She jumps off the building and swings for a second time, but Nodyre shields his main body from her attack. The damage was noticeable, however, as feathers fell off, revealing a bruise. They both crash-landed on the ground. Anne quickly recovered from the fall and bashed the same spot again and again, with every swing being so powerful that it shook the air. Nodyre was so annoyed that he released a gust of wind by flapping its other wing. Anne was caught off guard and lost her balance.

Annoying human! So Annoying!

Nodyre threw a tantrum as multiple storms were created at once. Anne stands her ground as she holds onto the Pink Heron Sword. She can clearly see that Nodyre's right wing is severely damaged, but it wasn't enough. As long as Nodyre protects himself with his wings, he won't be defeating him at all. She then realized something and stared at Sasha's prized sword.

'Wait a minute'

She then quickly looked into her appraisal skill—a skill that she develops after someone scams them for their loot. 'The sword forged by a blacksmith... to get revenge on the heron that attacked his family!'

As she faced Nodyre in close combat a while ago, she noticed an X-mark scar on its chest. Pieces of the puzzle fit together in her head, and she went for it.

Maybe it was her pride that stopped her from trying out any other weapons. She was too stupid to think in such a way. Anne grabs the hilt of the heron sword tightly as she raises it in the air. Marcy's luck buff and Sasha's sword were there and helped her the whole time.

"Hey, you Birdy!" Anne yelled at the top of her lungs, cutting through the storm and activating the sword's skill—Fiery Slash —as she swung the sword down, cutting off Nodyre's wing.

"I'm not alone! Never was, and never will!"

Nodyre lurched backward, squealing in pain. Anne went for another attack, but minion robots rushed towards her to protect their master. She was annoyed by this and sliced the air using the sword, destroying every single one. Nodyre recovered from the shock of what happened to his wing and went on a rampage. He attacks with a powerful variant of its Ice Breath, covering the whole landscape with chilling ice with spikes coming out of it, attacking Anne from every side. She easily dodges every spike while smashing them with her mace. 

['Blessing of Luck' is currently in effect! You can dodge any attacks for 1 minute!]

She was running out of time. She doesn't have enough mana for another Fiery Slash attack. She needs to close the distance between her and Nodyre and deal the final blow with Lightbane.

Recently, her mace was lighter when she wielded it. Her smashes and swings changed too. It became stronger and stronger every time she swung, becoming more deadly and fast. Maybe it was the result of training or something related to the skill evolution she's currently undergoing. She had faith that Lightbane was enough for the final attack.

She breathes deeply as her vision blurs, a line visible in front of her guiding her path. She dashes forward, evading all other robots, as she swings for the last time. The swing was full of weight compared to her other attacks, like a meteor crashing down onto the surface and hitting Nodyre's head.

Nodyre sighed a cold breeze to the landscape as he lay flat on the floor. Anne was panting; she felt her whole body shaking from her own attack. She dropped Lightbane on the floor and kneeled. Her nose was bleeding.

I was wrong about you..

"See… I… swear I… will defeat you someday.."

If only… your race wasn't fooled.. Maybe it would be easy for you…

"What are you trying to say?"

The Stone…of Calamity…

"Hey wait!"

Nodyre's body glows and dissipates into the air.

Chapter Text

[You have succeeded in hunting 'Frost Heron Nodyre'!]

[You have achieved an impossible feat alone!]

[You have earned the Title: 'The One who hunted the Calamity of the 49th floor']

[You have acquired the Frost Heron Sword!]

[You have acquired….]

[User Stats reached the maximum!]

[User Skills reached their maximum!]

Multiple system messages popped up in front of Anne, who is still kneeling near the spot where Nodyre's body previously was. There was a blue sword identical to Sasha's Pink Heron Sword, which now evolves into the Fiery Heron Sword as it synergizes with the other sword. She picked up the sword and placed it in her dimensional backpack. She acquired several items, including Frost Pills and a Frost Armor, which she might need for the next floor. However, she was dumbfounded by the title the system gave her. That's the calamity we're trying to stop? Was Nodyre's purpose to be sent out into the world and cause the next Ice Age? What's the stone of calamity?

Questions filled her head. She was wiping off the blood dripping from her nose when suddenly another system message popped up.

[You have earned the right to visit the 50th floor!]

[Congratulations! You are the first to clear the tutorial game for World 294.]

"What?"

Anne was at the entrance to the 50th floor. She consumed several potions she made back then to restore herself to full health and mana; however, her thoughts were in shambles. No potion or skill could restore the confusion she's dealing with right now.

'I have already completed the tower.. But I haven't seen what's in here yet! What did it mean by 'tutorial'?'

So many questions, so little information. She spent 10 years on a tutorial game. She thought it was ridiculous, and all she went through was put in the trash. 'All of this was a mere tutorial?'

And so, she went up for answers. What lies behind this huge gate will probably answer everything. She looked at the nameplate beside the gate and dusted it off.

<<50>>

She denied that system message for a second. She will liberate humanity today, and they'll be proud of her. Marcy and Sasha will be proud of her. That's what matters. That's what she believed in. That's what she's been doing for the past few years. She has come this far to doubt it. Anne opened the gate to the 50th floor, and she didn't expect what was inside the room.

Screens were situated on a huge wall, with a long desk placed in front of it and a huge chair facing behind. It was like those horror movies where someone behind the scenes watches the players die one by one in a room full of screens. That gave her chills running down her spine. The screens show footage of her from various floors she's been to.

Floor 1. She arrived with her friends as they greeted one another.

Floor 5. The three of them entered Haven with sparkles in their eyes. Marcy then dragged Sasha and her, and they went shop-hopping.

Floor 12. After their group of Walkers defeated the boss guarding the exit, a loot chest lottery was held between the players with high contributions. It was when Anne first got Lightbane.

Floor 20. Their group faced an Illusionist Boss which trapped them in their worst nightmares. When she broke out of hers, she saw Sasha wailing as she held Marcy's body in her arms. It was when they lost Marcy to the Illusionist attack.

Floor 22. Multiple people vanished into thin air. This was when the [Returning Stone] was first discovered.

Floor 35. They joined a group called <Semper Prorsum> spearheaded by Mr. X, and challenged the boss residing there.

Floor 48. Anne watched as she hugged Sasha, saying their last goodbyes. Sasha staggered towards a window to overlook the city and watch her go. She then disappeared into thin air. The footage made Anne's heart sink.

Floor 49. She defeated the Frost Heron Nodyre with a single smash from Lightbane.

Anne couldn't believe it. All of those memories came rushing into her mind, and all of those were recorded by this being behind the scenes. She didn't move a single step from where she was standing, mouth agape. The being then noticed her presence and turned around in his seat.

It looked like a large lizard/amphibian with bluish skin, overgrown white hair, a braided beard, and pale yellow eyes. The creature was three times her height, wearing an oversize suit under a brown coat. He was ecstatic to meet Anne.

"Oh ho! I'm glad you finally got here! I've been waiting for ages for someone to arrive here." The lizard spoke and stood to approach Anne.

"What is this? Who are you?"

"Oh, wait.. I forgot introductions…" the amphibian said, fixing his necktie.

"I'm the Newt, Andrias, Master of the Tower of Calamity, which you've completed, and the administrator for this world's tutorial game."

He said it again. Everything was a tutorial. A game. When they first got here, they also thought of it as a game, but when the stakes got serious, they treated it as a mission to complete the tower with the best they've got. Everything, including the monsters and bosses that her friends lost to, was just a part of a tutorial. She shakes herself up from the shock and instead faces Andrias with a cold stare.

"Tutorial? So, is there a main game after this?"

"Yes! You really picked it up quite fast! I was expecting you to think I'm the final boss or something and attack me.."

In reality, Anne was holding back her anger towards this guy because she needed more information. She wanted to learn more about almost everything and to know what Nodyre meant by his words a while ago.

"Doesn't look like it. Also, what's the main game?"

"I see you're really interested in this. The Lords from <The Great Lands> will be delighted to have you!" Andrias then made a hand gesture as a hologram came into sight in front of Anne. He then explained the details to her with excitement.

"You'll start from the beginning all over again! With all of your memories! It's a privilege given to you since you have achieved an amazing feat at the 49th floor. Starting anew.. Going back with all your memories intact, just like from your literature in your world! Isn't that a great deal? So... How do you like it?"

'Isn't the reward for completing the tower the salvation of mankind?' she thought. What's worse was how Andrias described the main game to her. Going back. Those two words triggered Anne, making her flinch. The idea of going back infuriates her. Everything she has done so far was just for her to go back and start again. That's literally what the other Walkers did before her. This isn't a reward; it's a trap!

She then raised Lightbane, pointing it towards the amphibian.

"If you're watching me from the start, you should know that going back to the past was never an option for me."

Andrias grew confused.

"Past? I didn't say you'll—oh." Realization struck Andrias head, sending him laughing out loud at the statement.

"AHAHAHAH! YES. You won't go back to the past! AHAHAHAH." He then catches his breath after laughing too hard and changes his joyous, annoying tone to a cold, serious one. "But, I'm not sending you to the past either. The truth is, no item can bring you back to the past."

Anne felt like her whole world crumbled before her as she realized what Nodyre was trying to tell her.

"But the Returning Stone—"

'Supposed to bring you back to the past..' She trailed her words to murmurs. She seems in denial about this whole thing. If they didn't go back to the past, where did they go? They disappear before her. It can't be. She lowered her weapon and her head, now facing the floor. She can't even look at Andrias with her eyes. She felt dizzy at the thought of Sasha.

Sasha. She used the Returning Stone to avoid death. If she didn't go to the past, then she probably got transported elsewhere. Then an idea kicked in. The Illusionist Boss they defeated on the 20th floor was referring to itself as a 'Lesser Calamity'. This calamity produces nightmares from the depths of their subconscious that feel real to them. Sasha describes hers as a being with three big, glowing eyes constantly attacking her with a scythe. Anne then asked Andrias a question.

"Was it the Stone of Calamity? Then if someone used the stone, what happened to them?"

"How did you know of such information?" He narrowed his eyes at the mentioned item.

"Nodyre told me about it."

"Oh, I see. This old system really needs fixing. Those stupid Creators really need to check up on their systems for information leaks…" Andrias murmured to himself. He was trying to formulate and select the right words for his answer.

"But since you're a not-so-ordinary Walker… and you are the first one to come up here.. I should entertain your question then. You're right. The stone you found on the 22nd floor was in fact the Stone of Calamity. It was a rare stone from beyond <The Great Lands> that has various uses, including replicating your worst tragedy."

Anne was at a loss for words. Andrias then showed the hologram before Anne footage of the Walkers who presumably go to the past. Dr. Frakes, Terri, Mr. X and then Sasha. They were simply standing at the spot where they disappeared, seemingly in their own dream worlds. 

"The Walkers here are doing great. You are a strong race. It seems like you guys have done this before. The information about your world explains it. Humans here love games," he said, as he constantly changed the screen, showing Walkers from different floors stuck in a dream-like state. The Walkers who were too arrogant and competitive as they competed against each other. The Walkers who were hopeless and defeated after what they experienced inside the tower. The Walkers who were afraid to risk their lives. All of them are now in a calamity in their own dreams. 

"Yet almost everyone gave up just for that one stone.. Your race is quite weird. I was thinking that the situation was getting out of hand, but then you came to be and defeated it yourself!"

Anne was still lost in her own thoughts, mumbling to herself. She wanted to deny everything now. For the salvation of mankind—no, mankind didn't even ask for salvation. The tower came and sought the destruction of the unknown calamity. The calamity they fully embraced and immersed themselves in. She now understands it. 

"So, enough sulking. What do you think? You wanna start the main game now?"

[Congratulations! You are chosen to be <Time Walker> to save the world from the calamity brought by the <Tower of Calamity>. Will you accept the summoning?]

"I refused the summoning."

Andrias was dumbfounded by her decision.

"And I will challenge you."

"Are you crazy? You are crazy. This isn't the final boss room!"

"No, I meant it in a different way." She closed her eyes and felt her surroundings. Anne's recent enlightenment eases her thoughts. Calamity. The word translates to different things: tragedy, tribulation, or adversity. The tower came and summoned them to stop the 'impending calamity' that's threatening mankind, and they've been living inside that calamity this whole time.

"I'll destroy the calamity you have brought here."

The tower summoned her for this particular reason.