The System I Created

Chapter 10

The travel was about three hours by scenic route, and it was the preferred way for the Lazarus clan to travel as they loved to spend time interacting with each other. Even if a family is reserved and quiet, they still love hearing the commotion and conversation of each other, not missing out on certain information.

They are all still competitive with each other, but they are raised to learn and overcome. Using dirty tricks to become stronger or surpass another person was frowned upon; they came from a clan of soldiers and hunters; farming was their secondary source of income. The Lazarus clan valued teamwork and unity above all else, instilling in each member a sense of loyalty and camaraderie that extended beyond blood relations. This bond was evident in the way they faced challenges together, always supporting one another through thick and thin.

The bus was noisy, and the younger Lazarus were still excitedly recounting their latest hunting expedition, eager to share their successes with the rest of the family. Despite their boisterous nature, there was a sense of respect and admiration among the Lazarus, each one striving to prove themselves in their own unique way.

The newest member was sitting at the very back, and he was meditating and concentrating, but in reality he was accessing his memory to all of the programs and scenarios he and his former team created. Mary Kay Lazarus's fascination toward the Obelisk of Chaos was no surprise.

It was designed to be supernatural beyond human understanding; the wall of the tower was so insanely huge that each granite stone block was a mile wide and a mile high. And the land where the tower stood was twice the size of the continent of Australia; the tower was so tall it nearly reached the thermosphere.

But it was designed in the virtual game world; seeing it in reality was like seeing a unicorn in real life; it was so majestic that many people around the world even created a religious organization and made the tower its central symbol of worship, believing it to be a gateway to the divine. Pilgrims traveled far and wide to catch a glimpse of the aspiring structure, hoping to witness its mysterious powers firsthand.

But it wasn't brought to reality by those old gods to increase their followers; instead, it was to punish mankind and entertain themselves, as chaos and death were unleashed upon the world whenever the tower's powers were activated. The once revered symbol of worship became a harbinger of destruction as numerous monsters escaped the tower and invaded the human realm.

Mary Kay once told Dane about the reason many players of the virtual game before had to enter the tower, because they needed to complete each floor task request. The living beings inside the tower could never come out, nor did they want to, as they were bound by the law of the gods to remain within its walls for eternity. The only way to stop the chaos and death unleashed by the tower was to find a way to appease the wrathful deities and put an end to their twisted games. Dane knew this very well, as he himself created the main scenario. The virtual game of Arcane Crusade was simple: live a life filled with freedom, adventure, and endless possibilities.

but also face the consequences of your choices and actions. Dane had designed it to be a true test of character and resolve, where players would have to navigate moral dilemmas and challenges in order to ultimately triumph and escape the tower's grasp. Each choice had millions of scenarios to accomplish, but the main scenario was so simple that nearly all players of the virtual game ever failed to understand its significance before. The allure of Arcane Crusade lay in its ability to mirror real-life decisions and their consequences, making it a truly immersive experience for all who dared to play.

Maybe this was the same reason they the old gods used their powers to make the obelisk of chaos emerge into the human realm; the tower inner space was a world of its own; it had everything you could expect inside an open virtual world. The tower had one opening where players could enter, reaching the upper floors required to reach a certain level, rank, and achievement. The human player can even live inside the tower and have a permanent residence, creating a sense of community and belonging within the game. The obelisk of chaos became a symbol of power and prestige, attracting players from all corners of the virtual world to test their skills and courage within its walls. The permanent residents of the tower are really hard to identify as they too can act like players and interact with anybody; these beings can even get pregnant and give birth, but the rules of the tower will consequently activate as these beings are bound toward the tower.

Many humans found their second chance in life as they found happiness and true calling in the tower.

The complexity of the tower residents was unlike anything a human could possibly comprehend, with each individual possessing unique abilities and characteristics that added to the intrigue of the tower. Despite the challenges and mysteries within its walls, many were drawn to the sense of community and purpose that the tower provided.

But unknown to everybody, the reason why Dane was meditating was to confirm his memories concerning the lower floors his team decided to do in the past; if the gods created the tower based on the their gave, he fears these gods perfectly copied the game, and also the lower tower floors he and his team created were the floor they created to test all of the creatures they designed and developed before implementation.

The seven lower floors house an unlimited number of creations, including Damon Lazarus, who was the floor they created to test all of the creatures they designed and developed before implementation. The seven lower floors house an unlimited number of creations, including Damon Lazarus, who was Dane now made to ensure these beings were hidden away before they activated on the actual floor of the tower.

If the gods copied this floor too, it's going to be a huge deal for him as he was the only remaining member of the seven virtual game developers. Dane was sure about it, as he reluctantly read the six Arcane Crusade main developers die of mysterious cases, and because he was a recluse and hid in the shadows due to the passing of his own parents, Nexus Corporation could not find him, as he never attended company events or meetings.

The Nuxus president and board members could not even persuade Damon Lazarus to follow any

Their personal whims and demands. Dane knew he held all the bargaining power in this situation, as he was the main person who created the Arcane Crusade. While the Nexus president was just the man financially backing the project, Dane was the creative genius behind it all. This dynamic made it difficult for Nexus Corporation to exert any control over Damon Lazarus, despite their best efforts.

And now seeing that his game became reality, he fears that his master piece might fall into the wrong hands, as the lower floor gate houses a god killer power that he created for the main scenario, and if the old gods did copy his game, they just gave life to a power that can end them all. In the main game scenario, they decided to follow the old mythology and Bible end-of-day story line.

Dane now thinks of a logical reason why the old gods copied this game and wonders if they already knew about the lower floor and what was hidden under it.

"Do they know?"

"If they know, what was the reason for keeping him alive?"

"to the point of reviving him and giving him a second chance in life."

"Or maybe they too are still bound to their own rules about not personally intervening with mankind's freedom to choose."

"It's the one thing that even the gods could not control; they can only influence and guide, but ultimately, the choice is left to the individual." Dane ponders on the implications of this realization, wondering if perhaps the gods' intervention was not as straightforward as it seemed.

"Hay guys, we are here. Wake up, Dane, we are here!"

The player facility was located in the nearest major city; it was an apartment building with two connecting gymnasium-sized infrastructures. The main building was for the player association personnel; there people managed to document all the legal documents of the registered player. They also assure that the players would never use their abilities on the earth side, as many players have the power to control certain elements that could bring harm toward all levels of the earth's socio-economic and environmental systems. The facility also provided training grounds for players to hone their skills and abilities in a controlled environment. Additionally, there were strict rules in place to prevent any misuse of powers outside of non-sanctioned events.

Many administrative officers of the association comprise of both retired and active players; their authority only extends to earth, but they have no power inside the tower itself, as the tower floor has many lords and kings within each land territory. At the very first floor, there are ten empires with their own set of rules and regulations governing the use of powers. This complex hierarchy ensures that order is maintained within the tower and that no one individual holds too much power. Each empire has its own leader who is responsible for enforcing the rules and resolving disputes among their subjects.

The player association was seen only as an organization created to oversee the players, but their laws are nonexistent inside the tower, as many players became hired vassals of kings and lords, so if a human player commits a crime inside the tower, the player association needs to follow the laws and hierarchy of the specific empire in which the crime occurred.

The Lazarus players were greeted by their respective team members, Hamilton and Sebastian Lazarus escorted Dane toward the registration area as promise Hamilton wanted to test Danes real fighting skill as he volunteered to participate in the player assessment test.

Many people were all lined up waiting for their turn to enter the registration area, but as soon as Hamilton and Sebastian Lazarus came their demeanor change, as if a mental switch was activated , their aura manifested and became serious and was walking toward t he building like they were lions waiting to pounce on their prey. The other players couldn't help but feel a sense of intimidation as the Lazarus clan members made their way through the crowd with confidence and resoluteness.

Dane noticed this and just followed the two into the building. The Lazarus clan might not be the strongest players registered, but their reputation for being ruthless and cunning preceded them wherever they went. Dane knew he had to stay on their good side if he wanted to survive in this new cutthroat world. .

The ranking system of each player is based on accomplishments rather than level of power. Many powerful players are indeed strong, but inside the tower, being strong means nothing if you didn't accomplish any difficult task to prove your worth. It was a game of strategy and cunning, where alliances could shift in an instant and betrayal was always a lurking threat. So the Lazarus clan having a large guild member on the first floor was seen as a valuable asset by many states inside the tower because of their loyalty among each other.

However, not everyone was eager to align themselves with such a powerful group, as their reputation for ruthless tactics preceded them. It was clear that navigating the politics of the tower would require a delicate balance of power and diplomacy.

Players both young and old are divided; some hate them, others admire their strength and cunning. And having a new face walk behind the two Lazarus was indeed a risky move, as they were known to be the most cunning and unpredictable members of the guild. Their presence added an air of mystery and tension to the already complex dynamics within the tower.

They were guided by the association staff and took Danes information, and knowing he was a Lazarus family member, she didn't react nor gave any indication of recognition. The new face's arrival stirred up speculation and intrigue among the other players.

"Please place your hand on this scanner so we can document your ability."

Dane hesitated for a moment and gestured for the female staff to wait for a few seconds as he wanted to talk to his cousins.

"Cousin, I really don't like to gather attention; I just want to blend like a normal player."

"It's perfectly fine, Dane! Whatever ability comes out, it's your choice to act upon it."

Dane nodded and went back to the female association female staff. As he placed his hand on the scanner, his abilities were recorded. He had normal abilities, but one skill stood out: as stated, he was a facilitator. The association female staff thought he had the skill for managing people, like facilitating merchant transactions.

But Dane's skill was based on his previous work, as he was indeed the main facilitator of the game developer team. But he kept this information on his own. Having authority inside the tower was not something to brag about, so he decided to keep his true abilities hidden in order to avoid unwanted attention or expectations from others.

And because his remaining experience points were still n the thousand, his rank level was level 20. This was unexpected; seeing a new registered player to have this level means he has been playing the game before it became a reality. Hamilton and Sebastian were shocked and happy seeing Dane level, as they knew he was just shy talking about his past.

"I knew you were a player in the virtual world before the tower became real.!"

"Why were you shy talking about it? I was actually worried that your level was low. "

"Many people here are going to bully you the moment they see your level is low; thank God you are on the same level as us."

"Good for you, Dane!"

"You got good sets of grits, Dane; I am really excited now to test your skills personally now."

"You're not backing down, right?"

"Why would I back down?"

"Excuse me sir, here is your registration card, Dane Rinne Lazarus, age 23, male level 20, affiliation Lazarus Clan."

"Hoowee! Would you look at that? It's official; Charlotte's going to flip over this!"

"She is the most competitive among the rest; be sure not to piss her off, Dane."

"She might not show her feeling much, but she's super competitive."

"Yeah! I remember when Sebastian here reached level 24. She was furious and started a month-long raid, hunting all possible task raids the tower guilds could offer."

"Her team was exhausted; lucky for them, the team didn't suffer death, but many got seriously hurt."

"She still hated the fact she wasn't able to surpass Sebastian here!

"Honestly Dane, I am not much of a competitive type; being a bit older has its perks too inside the tower, as it doubles your ability based on accomplices; I was a soldier before; I had to active tours in Lebanon and Iraq, "

"Even Hamilton was a former boxer, so his good in close quarter fights ."

"While Charlotte was a police office but she was stationed as a desk office, that frustration did build up gradually."

"Don't worry, she is harmless; she will never force you to fight her, unlike Hamilton here."

"I was just wondering about his fighting skill, that's all."

"Let them go. Dane here has his card. We can finally go to the gym to spar."

"Finally a real fight; you do know how to box, right??"

Dane just smiled and said, "Kinda!"

"Huh! Kinda, geezz Dane, you will get you ass whop by Hamilton here."

Dane chuckled, "We'll see about that." Charlotte, observing the banter, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of witnessing a friendly sparring match between them. Hamilton asked the female staff if somebody was using the octagon; the staff assured them their reservation was still valid until others wise. She was about to point toward where the entrance was, but Hamilton gave a simple gesture that they knew were to go. Many saw that another Lazarus was registered as a player, and seeing how this particular clan fight could be a good learning lesson, so many followed and wanted to watch the overheard spar between blood relatives.

A few particular players heard this and wanted to see what the big deal was—this group hates the Lazarus because of how they present themselves inside the tower. The Lazarus clan sadly has a mischievous reputation; they were seen as battle freaks, always looking for a fight and causing trouble wherever they went. Despite this, their skills in combat were undeniable, which drawn a crowd whenever they were involved in a skirmish. The tension between the Lazarus clan and their rivals was palpable as they prepared to face off once again.

But these people were far from the truth, as the Lazarus never started any fight; most of the time they were forced into fights as many wanted to prove they were much better.

The Octagon sphere was created about a few months ago. It was created with a few technological advancements, like increasing gravity and friction, to make the combat more challenging and intense. The Lazarus clan saw this as an opportunity to showcase their skills and prove their worth, knowing that they would face tough competition inside the tower. Dane was amazed to see the advancements in technology within just a year. He could never believe most of the items in the training area were military and tactical grade equipment.

"What the use of having a gun now if your enemy is immune to earth weapons?"

"You are right and wrong about the earth weapons. You can still use a gun or a chaos beast, but you still need raw materials that came inside the tower. Fabricating a rifle inside the tower was met with many problems. One of them was forging a gun by a player, which is prohibited unless your ability and job are related to blacksmithing.

And because all of the layers that played the virtual game before were all combatants and only 1 percent of players who played before took the forging skills, as many saw this job to be boring and lack any significance in the virtual game itself. As a result, very few players had the necessary skills to successfully forge a gun within the tower. This limitation added an extra layer of challenge for those attempting to create firearms inside the virtual game.

Being a copy of Arcane Crusade, the tower now only has local tower residents forging weapons, learning gunsmithing was never an option for them. Many tried to get a job change, but it was nearly impossible.

So with this many players were seen only using melee weapons; this is where the Hamilton Lazarus guild was different. When he was playing, his job was actually an alchemist and a very high-ranking one.

He found out the explosive chemicals that were found inside the tower were more destructive. Being a boxer was also something that made his guild more popular, as he can deliver explosive attacks in any possible way. He can use it to deliver a punch that, on impact, will explode upon contact.

Hamilton wants to see what his new cousin can do in the octagon.

"Danes, we are here; that's the octagon. Let me remind you, I was a former boxer, and I can use my ability to inflict explosive attacks, from small to huge ones. I'm excited to see what you can bring to the table in terms of combat skills," Hamilton explained, eager to witness Dane's potential in the arena.

" just to be fair, to tell you the truth, the skills on my assessments are normal, but…"

"I just let you experience it yourself."

"That the spirit. So should we start before many people come in to watch our spar."

The area was already filled with a few players who were using the gym to further enhance their physical attributes, as players were confirmed to gain similar traits in their virtual game avatars. Some were strong enough to lift five thousand kilos with ease. So players were highly regulated and monitored by the association, as many players sometimes used their added physical abilities for personal gain outside of the tower.

These players' arrogance and pride are unavoidable because they can be addictive, but they are worthless to the Lazarus clan because they value honor, tenacity, and loyalty above all else. For this reason, they are known to be extremely difficult to deal with, fight one Lazarus, and be prepared to face the entire clan.

Seeing Hamilton and Sebastian with a new Lazarus was a rare sight, as the Lazarus clan rarely welcomed outsiders into their ranks. The new recruit would have to prove themselves through loyalty and skill in order to earn the respect of the established members. The players in the gym kept their distance, but a few could not resist to indulge in the idea to show they were not afraid of them.

Hamilton explains that the floor they are standing on can increase their body mass and weight and asks Dane if he is willing to spar with a gravitational weight of 20 kilos; like a true Lazarus, he never backs down from a good challenge. So he said yes. Hamilton told Dane this spar is close quarters and they won't be wearing any proactive gears.

Dane nodded and assured his cousin that it was better that way, as monsters inside the tower will always attack first.

"So be ready, cuz?"

Inside the Octagon, two cousins prepared for an unusual bout. Dane and Hamilton stood across from each other on the smooth surface of its gravitation-altered floor. Today's environment simulated a weightiness unknown to most; gravity had been cranked up to twenty kilos, an extra burden that would challenge their skills and resolve. Dane flexed his muscles, feeling both invigorated and encumbered by the increased gravitational force.

"It's like wearing lead armor."

He thought with a grin. He could almost hear echoes of his youth reverberating through him the days when he would leap effortlessly through parks and over fences without so much as breaking a sweat. Hamilton adjusted his stance; his eyes narrowed in concentration.

He had always admired Dane's skills but longed to test them directly in combat rather than just hearing about them from Uncle Emmitt's stories.

"I'm hoping you're prepared."

He taunted lightly, masking any trepidation beneath Bravado.

"Just don't cry when I win."

Dane shot back playfully as Sebastian, their mutual older cousin, who acted as referee stepped between them.

"Guys,"

Sebastian began with an authoritative tone that belied his youthful appearance.

"this is just one round okay? I don't want other people finding out about your techniques."

His gaze flickered toward the gathering crowd beyond the transparent walls.

their friends and fellow trainees eager for entertainment but also seeking knowledge in every punch thrown or kick landed.

"I can already hear him bragging if you lose,"

Hamilton smirked at Dane before turning serious again. "Remember what we trained for."

"Yeah yeah,"

Dane waved dismissively but felt a flutter of nerves deep inside him—a reminder that despite their familial bond, they were rivals today within these confines. Sebastian raised his hand slowly, counting down deliberately.

"Three... Two... One."

With that final gesture came chaos wrapped in excitement; time seemed to stretch thin against the crushing weight pressing down upon them as both launched forward simultaneously. Every punch thrown felt laden with purpose yet heavy as molten iron; each kick executed required more effort than usual, limbs dragging through thickened air while adrenaline surged fiercely within their veins like comet trails streaking across

Dane dived under Hamilton's ferocious blow, which was aiming straight at his head. The strike seemed to move slowly due to the increased gravity, but he quickly retaliated despite feeling burdened by forces that were much more powerful than a simple cousinly rivalry could express.

With a quick turn on one foot, Hamilton kicked Dane hard, hoping to send him sprawling backward onto the ground, but instead he met nothing but empty space , Dane was able to move sideways and used the opportunity to give Hamilton an upper cut. Unknow to them somebody in the crown tapered with the octagons gravity , Sebastian did not notice this, the level Hamilton place was just 20 kilos, but the saboteur raised he level to 50, as the control panel was accessible to all and had no password.

Hamilton felt the weight , but Dane was still moving, each punch Hamilton strike Danes body was as strong as grenade exploding, the impact were so strong the floor was shaking. Dane's agility and quick reflexes allowed him to dodge most of Hamilton's blows, but the increased gravity was starting to take its toll on both fighters. The crowd gasped as they watched the intense battle unfold, unsure of how it would end.

It had been five minutes now, and the two were still locked in a fierce exchange of punches and kicks, neither willing to back down. Hamilton's mana was now showing, while Dane was still hesitant in showing his mana. He just used his strong determination to fight. .

The spar was making Sebastian forget about his surroundings, completely focused on his two cousins, as the saboteur once again plans to increase the gravity until they both collapse from exhaustion. When Dane saw what the unknown person was going to do, He needs to stop the fight, but Hamilton was so focused on defeating Dane that he didn't notice the impending danger. Dane quickly released him massive mana for just a few seconds to blast the octagon with so much mana energy it will create a force strong enough to destroy the octagon ring.

Sebastian saw what Dane was about to do; Hamilton also felt it, but he already gave a cresent kick toward Dane's face. As the strike made contact with Dane, he used the opportunity to realize his mana as the saboteur had already increased the gravity to 100. They both felt it, but before they got fatally injured, Dane's mana exploded, and the force it created devastated the octagon and blew everybody way like rag dolls.

Even the gym equipment was all uprooted from the floor as the window even the main entrance openly burst violently. As if a ballistic missile just hit the building, chaos ensued as debris flew everywhere and people scrambled to safety. The once orderly gym was now a scene of destruction.