Free Web NovelChapter 152: The Reward
The news escaped containment within less than a day.
The Empire had attempted secrecy. Military officials classified reports. Research facilities restricted access. Scholars were warned against discussing ongoing findings. Yet some truths were simply too large to hide. Hundreds of soldiers had entered the Tower. More than a hundred had returned. Family members spoke. Healers talked. Servants overheard conversations. Rumors spread. By the time the Imperial government considered making an official statement, the entire capital was already discussing the same topic.
The survivors had become stronger.
At first, many dismissed the stories as exaggerations. Such reactions were expected. Every major historical event generated wild rumors. People claimed impossible things all the time. Yet as more details emerged, skepticism gradually disappeared. Multiple survivors demonstrated abilities they hadn’t possessed before entering the Tower. Several mages displayed noticeable increases in magical output. Soldiers who previously struggled against certain combat instructors suddenly matched them evenly. Even physical examinations conducted by independent organizations produced identical conclusions.
The rumors were true.
The Tower rewarded success.
That single revelation changed everything.
Within the capital alone, recruitment offices became overwhelmed. Adventurer guilds reported record numbers of applications. Military academies received thousands of requests for accelerated combat training. Merchants began selling equipment specifically marketed toward future climbers. Alchemists doubled potion production. Blacksmiths worked through entire nights crafting weapons for customers suddenly obsessed with self-improvement. The atmosphere throughout the Empire transformed almost overnight.
Fear still existed.
But now it competed against something far more powerful.
Ambition.
Aurelion observed the transformation firsthand while traveling through the capital several days after the research results became public. Everywhere he looked, people discussed the Tower. Tavern conversations revolved around climbing strategies. Market vendors argued over equipment choices. Students debated which skills might prove most useful on future floors. Even ordinary citizens who possessed little combat ability found themselves fascinated by the possibilities. Humanity had spent centuries accepting natural limitations. The Tower represented something entirely different.
A chance.
A chance to become more.
History had demonstrated countless times that people would risk extraordinary dangers for extraordinary opportunities.
The Tower offered perhaps the greatest opportunity civilization had ever witnessed.
Naturally, humanity responded.
The Crown Prince eventually arrived at one of the Empire’s largest training facilities. Normally, the grounds accommodated several hundred individuals per day. Today, thousands occupied every available space. Training fields overflowed with aspiring warriors. Mages practiced spellcasting until exhaustion. Groups of adventurers sparred aggressively while discussing future Tower expeditions. The energy permeating the facility felt almost contagious.
Aurelion watched silently.
Part of him understood their excitement.
Another part worried about it.
Most people focused entirely upon the rewards.
Very few focused upon the casualties.
The first expedition had entered with nearly three hundred elite soldiers.
More than half never returned.
That statistic alone should have terrified everyone.
Instead, many viewed it as an acceptable price.
The thought disturbed him.
"Humanity never changes."
The quiet comment escaped before he could stop it.
A nearby instructor overheard.
"Your Highness?"
Aurelion shook his head.
"Nothing."
Unfortunately, it wasn’t nothing.
The more he observed public reaction, the more obvious a particular trend became. People weren’t treating the Tower as a dangerous mystery anymore. They were treating it as a pathway. A career. A future. Something to pursue.
Some would undoubtedly succeed.
Many would not.
The distinction rarely stopped anyone.
Later that afternoon, another emergency meeting convened within the Imperial Palace. Unlike previous summits focused on understanding the Tower, today’s discussion centered around managing consequences.
The Emperor sat at the head of the chamber while advisors reviewed recent developments.
"The situation is accelerating."
One official summarized the problem succinctly.
Several others nodded immediately.
Recent reports painted a concerning picture. Applications to military institutions had increased dramatically. Independent adventurer groups were forming throughout the Empire. Certain noble families had already begun organizing private climbing teams. More troublingly, unauthorized individuals were attempting to reach the Tower without government approval.
Humanity was moving faster than expected.
The Tower’s influence expanded daily.
An Archmage adjusted several documents before speaking.
"The rewards have fundamentally altered public perception."
Nobody disagreed.
Before the revelation, people feared entering the Tower.
Now they feared missing opportunities.
The difference was significant.
One military commander eventually leaned forward.
"The question is no longer whether people will enter."
His expression remained serious.
"The question is how many."
Silence followed.
The room understood the implications.
Controlling access to the Tower might prove impossible.
Not because of military limitations.
Because of human nature.
If ordinary people believed the Tower offered a path toward greater power, countless individuals would attempt entry regardless of warnings.
History provided abundant examples.
Gold rushes.
Forbidden ruins.
Dangerous frontiers.
The promise of reward consistently attracted risk-takers.
The Tower represented all three simultaneously.
Aurelion listened quietly while discussions continued.
His thoughts remained focused elsewhere.
Specifically, on the survivors themselves.
Several aspects of their growth still bothered him.
The rewards appeared genuine.
Yet nobody understood the mechanism.
Why did the Tower strengthen successful entrants?
What determined reward magnitude?
Did future floors offer greater benefits?
The answers remained frustratingly elusive.
Eventually, he requested updated reports regarding survivor evaluations.
Several scholars immediately distributed documents.
The findings were extensive.
Every survivor experienced improvement.
Without exception.
Yet the degree varied.
Some soldiers received modest enhancements.
Others experienced dramatic growth.
Patterns gradually emerged.
Individuals who contributed more significantly to Floor One’s completion generally received better rewards.
Not always.
But often.
The implication fascinated Aurelion.
The Tower wasn’t simply distributing power randomly.
It appeared to be judging performance.
Evaluating contributions.
Rewarding achievements.
Almost like a teacher grading examinations.
The thought felt strangely appropriate.
A Tower of trials.
A Tower of rewards.
A Tower of judgment.
The concept grew increasingly clear.
By evening, the summit concluded without major decisions. The Empire continued expanding research efforts while preparing for future expeditions. Additional resources would be allocated. Training programs would be enhanced. Observation teams would remain active.
Everything else depended upon future discoveries.
After leaving the Palace, Aurelion found himself walking through one of the capital’s older districts. Unlike newer sections dominated by noble estates and administrative buildings, this area possessed a more ordinary atmosphere. Small shops lined streets. Families moved between markets. Children played near fountains.
Normal life.
Or at least what remained of it.
The Tower had altered society quickly.
Yet not everything changed immediately.
Several groups of young people occupied a nearby plaza. Their conversation naturally centered upon the Tower.
Aurelion overheard portions while passing.
"I heard surviving ten floors grants noble status."
"That’s obviously fake."
"What if it isn’t?"
"My cousin says entire kingdoms exist inside."
"My uncle wants to join an expedition."
The discussion continued.
Excitement.
Curiosity.
Dreams.
Many of the participants were younger than twenty.
Most had never experienced genuine hardship.
Yet all of them imagined success.
The scene remained oddly familiar.
Aurelion remembered similar conversations from his previous life.
Different circumstances.
Same psychology.
People always imagined themselves among the winners.
Rarely among the casualties.
The realization wasn’t cynical.
Simply realistic.
Eventually, he reached a quiet section overlooking portions of the city. From here, the distant silhouette of the Tower remained visible against the evening sky.
The structure hadn’t changed.
Humanity had.
A cold breeze passed through the streets below while countless lights gradually illuminated throughout the capital.
The world continued moving.
Adapting.
Evolving.
Exactly as it always had.
Several footsteps approached from behind.
Aurelion didn’t need to turn around.
"You’re thinking too much again."
Grand Duke Caelion’s voice carried familiar amusement. freёwebnovel.com
The Crown Prince smiled slightly.
"I’ve been accused of that before."
"Repeatedly."
The older man joined him near the overlook.
For several moments, both observed the city in silence.
Then Caelion spoke again.
"The rewards changed everything."
Not a question.
An observation.
Aurelion nodded.
"Yes."
The Grand Duke folded his arms.
"I expected fear."
"So did I."
"Instead, everyone became excited."
Aurelion laughed softly.
"Humanity has a complicated relationship with danger."
That was perhaps the best description available.
People feared dangers offering no benefits.
The Tower offered benefits.
Therefore, many became willing to accept the risks.
Caelion eventually glanced toward him.
"And you?"
Aurelion raised an eyebrow.
"What about me?"
The older man smirked.
"Are you excited?"
The question lingered briefly.
Aurelion considered his answer carefully.
Then he looked toward the Tower.
Toward the structure containing one hundred worlds.
One hundred mysteries. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
One hundred opportunities.
One hundred dangers.
A faint smile gradually appeared.
"Maybe."
The answer earned a laugh.
"That’s the most enthusiastic response I’ve heard all week."
Neither spoke for several moments afterward.
The silence felt comfortable.
Thoughtful.
As darkness spread across the horizon, the Tower’s silver runes gradually became visible once more. Tiny lights moved across its immense surface while celestial rings continued their eternal rotation.
Watching.
Waiting.
Patient.
The Tower didn’t care about humanity’s excitement.
It didn’t care about fear.
It didn’t care about ambition.
Yet ambition continued growing regardless.
Across the continent, countless individuals now dreamed of entering.
Some sought power.
Some sought wealth.
Some sought adventure.
Others simply sought meaning.
Different motivations.
Same destination.
And as Aurelion gazed toward the impossible structure dominating the horizon, he couldn’t help noticing a simple truth.
The Tower had already begun reshaping civilization.
Not through force.
Not through conquest.
But through temptation.
The rewards had become visible.
The possibilities had become real.
And humanity was responding exactly as expected.
The age of climbers was approaching faster than anyone anticipated.
[To Be Continued]
