The last morning before the Tutorial felt like the world was holding its breath.
I made breakfast—if you could call it that. Toast, some canned beans, and half an orange split three ways. Eli grumbled, but he ate without complaint. Lila just smiled, like she always did, trying to make things easier for everyone.
We didn't talk about the Tower. We didn't have to. It was everywhere—on the news, in the streets, in the way people looked at us. Like I was already gone.
Eli pushed his plate away and looked at me. "You think it'll hurt?" His voice was casual, but I caught the tremble beneath.
I shrugged. "They say it's like falling asleep. Then you wake up somewhere else."
Lila bit her lip, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. "You'll be okay, Abel. You have to be."
I wanted to believe her. I needed to.
They were seventeen—too young to face the Tower this year, but not by much. Next year, it would be their turn. I had to make it through, for them.
Eli tried to lighten the mood. "Maybe you'll get a cool sword. Or magic. Or, I dunno, a pet dragon."
Lila snorted. "You'd probably trip over your own feet and get eaten by the first goblin."
He grinned, and for a moment, things almost felt normal.
I cleared the plates, trying to push down the knot in my stomach. The clock on the wall ticked down, each second louder than the last. The city outside was quieter than usual. People stayed home on Summoning Day. No one wanted to watch the eighteen-year-olds vanish.
I checked the time. Five minutes to noon.
Lila stood and hugged me tight. "Come back. Both of you."
Eli joined in, and I held them close, promising myself I'd do whatever it took to keep that promise.
The world went white.
No warning, no pain. Just a flash, like lightning behind my eyes, and then—
Stone. Cold, damp, endless gray. The air stank of sweat and blood.
I was alone.
A system message appeared in front of me, glowing blue in the darkness
[Tutorial Start]
Objective: Kill 20 goblins within 1 hour.
Stats equalized. All injuries healed.
Weapon granted: Rusted Sword.
Good luck, Abel
I flexed my fingers. No pain. No bruises. My body felt… new. Stronger than I'd ever known.
Footsteps echoed in the dark. The first goblin, small and twisted, crawled into the light, grinning with broken teeth.
I gripped the sword. My heart pounded, but my hands were steady.
This was it.
No more running.
No more hiding.
Just me, the sword, and whatever waited in the dark.
Let the Tower come.