Gi-Gyu heard a system announcement before he could even open his eyes.

[The story you’re about to see is the one you are most curious about.]

Confused, Gi-Gyu shouted, “Are you actually talking to me right now? Sure sounds like it.”

The system’s voice sounded odd. Normally, the system sounded emotionless, detached even; now, it sounded emotive, kind even. Or was Gi-Gyu just mistaken?

The system abruptly replied,

[Yes, you’re correct. We are in a place that’s not under the Tower's control. I can talk directly to you only here.]

Ba dum!

Gi-Gyu felt his heart jump. ‘So it was true! The system is a living being, and it is talking to me right now.’

The system, in its voice gentle, continued,

[You will briefly lose your connection to your Egos. It is a temporary disconnection due to the misaligned time axes, so please do not worry.]

“You…!” Afraid he might lose the system’s attention, Gi-Gyu yelled, “Who are you?!”

Every single player in the world was curious about the system. They were all familiar with its mechanical tone and capabilities. Everything involving the players was quantified and their next steps were advised by the Tower. The Tower also decided their jobs and gave them opportunities to become stronger. Simply put, the Tower—and the system in turn—decided...