Tidak ada pintu masuk di menara itu yang bisa berfungsi sebagai pintu, jadi Lex mendekati permukaannya dengan niat melihat bagaimana Impervious Hands bereaksi, tapi begitu dia menyentuh menara, dia menghilang.
Jutaan makhluk yang menyaksikan semakin marah karena perasaan tertinggal mengisi mereka. Meski kebanyakan tidak tahu tempat ini apa atau apa artinya mendekati menara, jelas itu satu-satunya cara untuk keluar dari sini.
Segelintir, bagaimanapun, jelas tahu tempat ini apa, atau mungkin hanya terlihat begitu karena mereka tetap tenang meski jurang itu kacau. Kebetulan aneh bahwa semua yang tampak 'tahu' berasal dari ras Kristal, meski tidak semua anggota ras Kristal privileged pengetahuan itu.
Tapi meski Lex sudah menghilang, tak ada perubahan lain yang terjadi di jurang. Makhluk semakin banyak yang dijatuhkan ke sana, perlahan mengisi seluruh jurang.
Lex, yang punya pengalaman luas soal teleportasi, merasakan sensasi familiar dipindahkan lewat ruang, tapi kali ini tidak instan. Jenis energi khusus sepertinya melindungi dia dari turbulensi saat teleportasi berlangsung lama.
Tidak bisa bergerak, karena tubuhnya 'terjebak' di posisi saat menyentuh menara, dia memutuskan memanfaatkan waktu ini mempelajari sensasi yang dirasakan saat diteleportasi. Karena ruang sepertinya salah satu afinitasnya sekarang, dia harus belajar memanfaatkannya.
Kalo dia tau betapa jauh kemajuan Z meski afinitasnya lebih rendah, Lex mungkin memalu dari rasa malu. Untungnya, atau sayangnya, mereka saling menjauhi sejauh mungkin.
Menggunakan indra spiritual, indra jiwa, dan insting, Lex terus mempelajari ruang selama terasa berjam-jam sebelum akhirnya muncul di ruang yang terasa kuno namun megah. Lex langsung mempelajari ruangan itu, tidak sadar bahwa buat pertama kalinya, koneksinya ke sistem ditekan. Kalo dia coba hubungi Mary, buat pertama kalinya, dia tidak bisa.
Semua di aula masif itu terukir dari batu, dari lantai ke dinding dan pilar, ke desain rumit tak berujung yang terukir di setiap inci ruangan. Di hadapan Lex, di sudut jauh ruangan, ada semacam takhta, sekali lagi terukir dari batu. Di kedua sisi takhta ada kursi lebih kecil, seolah buat membantu atau menasehati siapa yang duduk di tengah.
Meski kesan primitif yang diberikan ruangan, ia juga memancarkan rasa kebesaran dan kekuatan kuno. Tidak mudah bikin Lex merasa diadili, karena biasanya dia yang mengadili, tapi berdiri di sini, dia merasa seperti orang biasa yang menunggu vonisnya. Batu dingin dan keras ruangan mengingatkan dia pada masa dia baru fana, dan keberadaannya rapuh.
Lex menyanut mata sambil mengedarkan energi spiritual, tekadnya melawan aura menindas tempat ini. Apapun keadaan, dia tidak mau dihina. Meski awalnya hanya berpura-pura jadi orang kuat dan signifikan buat memainkan peran Pengelola Inn, perlahan dia menerima bahwa dia jauh dari biasa.
Dia tidak tau apakah bagus atau buruk, tapi dia kembangin rasa bangga sedikit. Meski tahu tingkat kultivasinya jauh lebih rendah dari banyak orang, dan keberadaannya bisa cuma kemauan sesaat bagi makhluk seperti itu, dia tidak bisa menghentikan mindset seperti itu.
Seolah menghargai reaksinya, aura di ruangan hilang, dan kursi jadi menarik bukan menakutkan. Seolah ruangan dibuat khusus buat koronasinya, dan dia akan dianugerahi kehormatan besar begitu dia mengambil tempat yang sah di takhtanya.
Lex tidak terpengaruh benar oleh tekanan berubah ruangan, tapi karena tidak ada yang lain terjadi, dia mendekatinya.
Bisikan lembut dan jauh sepertinya mengisi ruangan saat Lex berjalan, awalnya tak paham. Tapi semakin jauh dia jalan, semakin jelas suaranya, sampai dia sampai di takhta, dan aula dipenuhi suara berbagai tokoh politik, membahas masa depan peradaban suci tertentu.
Lex melihat sekeliling dan tidak melihat apa-apa, meski merasa orang bicara tepat di sampingnya. Tak bisa menahan rasa penasaran, Lex duduk dan melihat sosok tak terhitung muncul di hadapannya, berpakaian jubah katun kuno warna emas dan perak. Mereka memakai perhiasan buatan tangan sederhana, tapi kesan yang mereka berikan adalah kemegahan dan kemewahan.
Lex hampir segera sadar diskusi mereka tidak pernah mencapai kesimpulan, dan mereka terus berdebat cukup keras seolah tujuan mereka justru membuat Lex tahu situasi berdasarkan isi percakapan mereka.
Bersamaan, aliran informasi masuk ke pikiran Lex. Menara putih di mana dia berada adalah artefak yang ada sejak zaman dahulu kala dan memainkan peran dalam perkembangan seluruh semesta.
Asal usul menara tidak diketahui, dan alasan pasti keberadaannya juga tidak diketahui. Yang penting fungsi menara diketahui, dan faktanya langsung disalurkan ke Lex.
Kapanpun sebuah kelompok, organisasi, perusahaan, negara, peradaban, atau ras mengumpulkan cukup merit, dan mencapai titik balik dalam sejarah mereka yang akan mengarah ke puncak keberhasilan, atau ke titik terendah tak tertandingi, menara akan otomatis aktif.
Tidak ada penjelasan merit itu apa atau bagaimana dikumpulkan. Yang dijelaskan tujuan menara adalah membantu kelompok spesifik semaksimal mungkin. Lebih dari itu, tidak akan mengirim orang secara acak. Setiap orang yang dipanggil ke jurang dipilih khusus oleh menara, karena mereka punya keterampilan spesifik atau keahlian yang dibutuhkan untuk membantu kelompok spesifik.
Tapi hanya karena dipilih tidak berarti otomatis bisa membantu. Masuk menara adalah rintangan pertama. Kalo seseorang tidak bisa masuk, mereka akan tinggal di jurang sampai kelompok spesifik yang butuh bantuan mereka melewati situasi yang mencekik mereka.
Rintangan kedua adalah benar-benar bisa membantu situasi begitu menara membawa mereka ke skenario spesifik. Kalo mereka tidak bisa mengatasi situasi, mereka tidak akan pernah bisa kembali. Satu-satunya cara kembali adalah membantu kelompok tugasnya berhasil melewati titik balik sejarah mereka, atau selamat dari konsekuensi kegagalan.
Tentu saja, dia tidak dilempar acak ke situasi tidak dikenal. Menara mengatur identitas yang tepat untuk Lex, agar dia bisa terlibat mulus dalam keadaan sekarang.
Terakhir, bukan berarti tidak ada hadiah buat orang yang dipanggil menara. Kalo Lex berhasil menavigasi situasi dan kembali, menara akan memberinya sesuatu yang dia butuhkan sangat.
Terlalu banyak hal soal situasi dan menara ini yang tidak masuk akal bagi Lex, tapi tidak ada yang bisa dia lakukan untuk saat ini. Sebaliknya, dia fokus pada identitas barunya.
Sepertinya, identitas yang Lex dapat dari menara... adalah pemimpin bangsa yang bangkit! Informasi tentang bangsa ini, dan informasi umum tentang dunia otomatis diberikan ke Lex. Lebih dari itu, informasi tentang titik balik bahkan secara khusus diberikan kepadanya.
Negara ini, yang cukup mirip Mesir kuno, menghadapi bahaya tak tertandingi yang mereka tidak mampu atasi. Negara ini membentuk tata kelola unik di mana pemimpin dan calon pemimpin mereka adalah anak yatim, dilatih sejak lahir untuk memerintah dengan adil dan tanpa prasangka. Tidak ada konsep pewarisan kekuasaan, setidaknya sejauh soal penguasa.
Lebih dari itu, nilai moral dan budaya ketat mereka membuat negara punya keamanan dan kondisi hidup hervor. Sebagai hasil pemerintah dan penguasa yang tulus ingin menguntungkan negara bukan menumpuk kekuasaan sendiri, negara bangkit cepat, dan bangkit cepat itulah yang menarik masalah.
Dengan militer tidak cukup dan kekayaan yang tidak cocok dengan status global mereka, mereka ditarget tiga negara tetangga. Pemimpin mereka yang ada dibunuh, serta semua anak yatim yang dilatih.
Sebagai skenario yang disetel menara, Lex mengambil identitas satu-satunya peninggalan yang memenuhi syarat mengambil posisi penguasa. Dia baru saja dikorasikan, dan dalam beberapa jam perwakilan dari ketiga negara tetangga akan tiba untuk menawarkan 'belasungkawa' dan 'bantuan' di masa sulit ini.
Negosiasi yang akan datang akan menentukan nasib negara muda ini selamanya.
Lex tersenyum. Apakah ini seharusnya jadi tantangan?
There was no opening on the tower that could serve as a door so Lex just approached its surface with the intention to see how Impervious Hands reacted to it, but the moment he touched the tower he disappeared.
The millions of beings watching were further aggravated as a feeling of falling behind filled them. Though most of them did not know what this place was or what approaching the tower entailed, it was clear that it was the only way to get out of here.
A few, however, clearly knew what this place was, or perhaps it only appeared that way since they maintained their calm even as the canyon was whipped up into a frenzy. It was a strange coincidence that all those who seemed to be 'in the know' were from the Crystal race, though not all members of the Crystal race seemed to be privy to this knowledge.
But despite the fact that Lex already disappeared, no other change seemed to occur in the canyon. More and more beings began to be dropped in, slowly filling up the entire canyon.
Lex, who had vast experience in teleportation, felt the familiar sensation of being moved through space, though this time was not instantaneous. A special kind of energy seemed to cover him, protecting him from the turbulence as this teleportation seemed to take a long time.
Unable to move, as his body was 'stuck' in the position in which he touched the tower, he decided to take this time to study the sensations he felt while being teleported. Since space was apparently one of his affinities now, he should learn how to make use of it.
If he only knew how much progress Z had made despite having a lesser affinity than himself, Lex might have blushed from shame. Fortunately, or unfortunately, they were as far from one another as they could get.
Using his spirit sense, soul sense and instincts, Lex continued to study space for what felt like hours before he finally appeared in what felt like an ancient yet grand courtroom. Lex immediately began to study the room, failing to notice that for the first time, his connection to his system was suppressed. If he tried to contact Mary, for the first time, he would be unable to do so.
Everything in the massive hall seemed to be carved out of stone, from the floor to the walls and pillars, to the endless intricate designs etched over every inch of the room. In front of Lex, in the far corner of the room, was a kind of throne, once again carved out of stone. On each side of the throne were smaller chairs, as if to accommodate aids or advisors for whoever sat in the middle.
Despite the primitive impression the room gave, it also projected feelings of grandeur and an ancient power. It was not easy to make Lex feel like he was being judged, since he was the one usually doing the judging, but standing in this place, he felt like a mere plebeian waiting for his sentence. The cold, hard stone of the room reminded him of the days where he was just a mortal, and his existence was fragile.
Lex narrowed his eyes as he began circulating his spirit energy, his determination fighting against the oppressive aura of this place. Regardless of the circumstances, he would not accept being belittled. Although he had started out only pretending to be someone powerful and significant to play the role of the Innkeeper, he had slowly come to accept that he was far from ordinary.
He did not know if it was a good thing or bad, but he had developed a bit of pride. Even knowing his cultivation level was much lower than that of many, and that his existence could be a matter of no more than a whim for such beings, he could not keep himself from developing such a mindset.
As if rewarding his reaction, the aura in the room disappeared, and the chair became inviting instead of intimidating. It was as if the room was made specifically for his coronation, and he was to be awarded great honors as soon as he took his rightful place on his throne.
Lex was not really swayed by the changing pressures of the room, but as nothing else seemed to be happening, he approached it.
Soft, distant whispers seemed to fill the room as Lex walked, initially incomprehensible. Yet the further he walked, the clearer the voices became, up until he reached the throne, and the hall was filled with voices of various political figures, discussing the future of some sacred civilization.
Lex looked around and saw nothing, even as he felt people were talking right next to where he stood. Unable to stop his curiosity, Lex sat down and saw as countless figures appeared in front of him, garbed in ancient cotton gowns in golden and silver colors. They wore basic, handmade jewelry, yet the impression they gave was of opulence and luxury.
Lex noticed almost immediately that their discussions never seemed to reach any conclusion, and they continued to debate quite audibly as if the their very purpose was to make Lex aware of the situation based on the content of their conversation.
Simultaneously, a stream of information entered Lex's mind. The white tower he was in was an artifact that had existed from time immemorial and had played a role in the development of the entire universe itself.
The origin of the tower was unknown, and the exact reason for its existence was also unknown. What mattered was that the function of the tower was known, and in fact was directly transmitted to Lex.
Any time a group, or an organization, or a company, or a country, civilization, or race accumulated enough merit, and reached a turning point in their history that would either lead them to the pinnacle of success, or to an unprecedented nadir, the tower would automatically activate.
There was no explanation for what this merit was or how it was accumulated. What was explained was that the towers purpose was to help the specific group as much as possible. Moreover, it would not randomly send people over. Each and every person who had been summoned to the canyon was specifically chosen by the tower, for they would have the exact specific skills or necessary expertise to help specific groups.
But just because someone had been chosen did not mean they would automatically be able to help. Entering the tower was the first hurdle. If someone wasn't able to enter, they would stay at the canyon till the specific group that needed their help would go through whatever situation they were stuck in.
The second hurdle was actually being able to help the situation once the tower brought them into the specific scenario. If they were not able to overcome the situation, they would never be able to return. The only way of returning was to help his assigned group successfully go through the turning point in their history, or survive the repercussions of failure.
Of course, he was not randomly hurled into an unknown situation. The tower arranged for an appropriate identity for Lex, so that he could seamlessly involve himself in the present circumstances.
Lastly, it wasn't as if there was no reward for the people the tower had summoned. If Lex was able to successfully navigate the situation and return, the tower would provide him with something he sorely needed.
There was too much about this situation and the tower that made no sense to Lex, but there was nothing he could do about it for now. Instead, he focused on his new identity.
As it turned out, the identity that Lex got from the tower… was the leader of a rising nation! Information about this nation, and the general information about the world was automatically provided to Lex. Moreover, information about the turning point was even specifically given to him.
This country, which was quite similar to ancient Eygpt, was facing an unprecedented danger that they were incapable of overcoming. The country had formed a unique form of governance where their leaders and leader candidates were orphans, trained from birth to rule justly and without bias. There was no concept of inheriting power, at least as far as the ruler was concerned.
Moreover, their strict moral and cultural values made it so the country had excellent security and living conditions. As a result of a government and ruler who genuinely wished to benefit the country instead of accumulating their own power, the country rose up quickly, and their quick rise was also what attracted trouble.
With insufficient military and wealth that did not match their global status, they had been targeted by their three neighboring countries. Their existing leader had been assassinated, as well as all the orphans who were being trained.
As per the scenario set by the tower, Lex took the identity of the lone survivor who qualified to take the rulers position. He had, just now, been coronated, and in a few hours representatives for all three neighboring countries would arrive to offer 'condolences' and 'aid' during this difficult time.
The impending negotiations would forever determine the fate of this fledgling country.
Lex smiled. Was this supposed to be a challenge?
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