Legend of the Divine Archer

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.

"Each floor has a ranking list of the top 100 warriors. If you defeat a warrior, you take their place on the ladder. There are a few rules regarding the fights that the arena invigilators will explain later," he added.

They continued to walk through the tower, the surroundings gradually becoming more sophisticated and grandiose as they ascended. The lower floors had a more industrial, utilitarian feel, while the mid-levels, visible through openings in the ceiling, seemed more refined, with intricate architecture and advanced facilities.

"Out of the 144,000, only 15,000 are residents. Of these, 10,000 are warriors, 5,000 are essential workers, and then there's the invigilator. You can recognize them by the badges on their chests. The others are temporary residents here for entertainment, business, or simply traveling. The Babel Tower tours the Pi continent faster and safer than any other ship," he explained.

They passed through a section that resembled a vast market, with stalls selling everything from rare herbs to exotic weapons. The aroma of different foods wafted through the air, mixing with the metallic scent of blood energy and the scent of sweat from warriors training nearby.

"Each resident, whether living in the tower or not, must contribute Babel Points to maintain their status. Babel Points are the only currency used in the tower. It costs 10 Babel Points per week to maintain a resident status. Failure to pay will result in your deportation from the tower. Points are your currency for cultivation resources, accommodations, and food."

The man paused before a large, ornate door that led to the registry area. "If you're wondering how to earn Babel Points, there are three ways: One is to convert real-life money at the humane rate of one coin for a thousand bloodstone. The second is combat in the arena, and the third is through trades," he said, emphasizing the importance of the points.

As they reached the registry area, the man introduced a young woman who was waiting for them. "This is Lee Ann. She will be your newcomer orientation guide."

Lee Ann, a poised woman with sharp features and a confident demeanor, stepped forward and gave them a brief nod. "Welcome to the Babel Tower," she said with a slight smile. "I'll help you get settled and answer any questions you might have as you begin your journey here."

Zhang San, Xiao Xi, and Yan Jin—or "Huang" as he chose to be known—listened attentively as Lee Ann handed them their badges. Each badge was a small, intricately carved piece of metal embedded with runes that glowed faintly when touched. After receiving them, they inspected the badges, noting the small display that showed their current Babel Points balance: 100.

Lee Ann continued her explanation with the practiced ease of someone who had done this many times.

"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?"