Both Bharath's and Arjun's faces went pale with realisation. They alone understood the implication of the message. But their reaction went unnoticed—drowned beneath the joy consuming everyone else.
After the emotions settled, the discussion shifted naturally to survival—how one was supposed to live within the Tower's rules.
"If we want to survive the Tower," Arjun said calmly, "we cannot hesitate to take lives. That includes human lives. Be cautious of your surroundings at all times. Just survive this phase. Only then can we make full use of what the Tower provides."
Divya's brows drew together. "Arjun… you're talking about killing people."
"We don't even know if killing humans will make us stronger," Sana said, unease slipping into her voice.
Arjun nodded. "We don't. But it does reduce the chance of being killed by others."
Danny exhaled slowly. "That's a dangerous conclusion to jump to."
Bharath replied without raising his voice. "So is assuming mercy will be rewarded."
No one argued after that.
"There is a very high chance we'll be separated into different domains. If that happens, stick together within your own domains and survive."
"Both individual strength and domain strength are important. Only by increasing them can we protect our domain when the dungeons appear."
He paused. "That's all for now. I hope we'll see each other again."
One by one, they said their goodbyes. The call ended—until Ravi spoke up once more.
"Arjun…"
His voice wavered—just slightly—but enough for everyone to hear it.
"I should be there," Ravi said quietly. "I should be standing beside you. But I can't."
He took a breath. "So listen to me carefully. From now on, you're not just my son—you're the man of the house."
Ravi's eyes softened on the screen. "Protect your mother. Protect Zara. Whatever happens… don't let them face it alone."
Arjun's throat tightened.
For the first time since the system appeared, his confidence cracked. He nodded once, unable to speak at first. Then—
"I will," Arjun said. His voice was low, but unshaking. "I promise."
The call ended.
The house fell into a heavy silence.
Arjun turned toward his mother. "Mom… you need to activate the system."
Divya's gaze drifted to the remaining dogs. Her fingers curled unconsciously. "Arjun… I don't know if I can."
"You have to", he said quietly. "Without the system, you'll have no protection when we are inside the Tower."
The words settled like weight on her chest.
After a long moment, Divya exhaled slowly. "Alright."
Her voice shook—but it didn't break.
She took the knife.
She turned away.
And did it.
[DING!]
[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
Divya staggered back, clutching the table as translucent screens flooded her vision.
"I… I can see it," she whispered. "The messages…"
Then—
[DING!]
[Defeated a Level-0 Street Dog]
[EXP: 5]
A second message followed immediately.
[DING!]
[LEVEL UP]
Divya gasped.
Warmth spread through her limbs, the ache in her joints fading. Her back straightened, breath coming easier.
"Arjun…" she said softly. "I feel stronger."
He nodded. "Level 1."
Zara swallowed, her face pale. "So… I need to do it too?"
Arjun hesitated—but only for a second. "Yes. You need the system, even if you can't enter the Tower."
Zara clenched her fists. "I won't slow you down."
She took the knife.
Her hands trembled—but she didn't stop.
[DING!]
[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
She squeezed her eyes shut as the information poured in.
Then—
[DING!]
[Defeated a Level-0 Street Dog]
[EXP: 5]
[DING!]
[LEVEL UP]
Zara sucked in a sharp breath.
Her posture straightened. The dull strain in her eyes vanished.
"I can see clearly," she whispered. "Perfectly."
Before Arjun could respond, another message appeared before Zara alone.
[AGE REQUIREMENT NOT MET]
[CURRENT AGE: 17]
[ACCESS TOWER: DENIED]
Her breath hitched.
"So… I'm not going," she said quietly.
Divya pulled her into a tight embrace. "You're staying. And we're protecting you."
Arjun nodded, his voice firm. "Level 1 is enough to survive—if we prepare properly."
They sat together, planning in low, urgent voices.
Unnoticed by them, the sunlight outside shifted.
Hours passed.
A full day slipped away.
Then—
[DING!]
[DOMAIN SEPARATION IMMINENT]
Arjun stood instantly.
"…We lost track of time," he muttered.
Divya's face hardened. "So this is it."
Zara grabbed Arjun's sleeve. "You promised."
He covered her hand with his own. "And I will come back."
Then suddenly—
The world began to shake.
Not violently, but deeply—like the land itself was drawing a breath.
"Earthquake?" Zara whispered, grabbing the edge of the table.
"No," Arjun said, eyes fixed on the window. "This is… something else."
Outside, the sky groaned.
Thin, glowing fractures spread across the heavens, like cracks in glass stretching from horizon to horizon. Light leaked through them, pale and unstable.
Divya's breath caught. "The sky… It's breaking."
A thunderous rumble echoed from beneath the ground.
Far in the distance—beyond cities, forests, and rivers—the earth split open.
Something rose.
Slowly.
Gracefully.
An elegant, impossibly vast tower emerged from the land, its surface smooth and radiant, etched with patterns that shifted like flowing constellations. It did not feel oppressive.
It felt… ancient.
Protective.
Across Tamil Nadu, people stopped where they stood.
From crowded streets to silent villages, from rooftops to highways—everyone could see it.
The Abyss Break Tower.
Then—
A pillar of light shot upward from the tower's peak.
The beam pierced the sky, touching every fracture at once.
The cracks sealed.
Light stitched the heavens back together as if the sky itself was being healed.
Zara exhaled shakily. "It's… fixing it."
Before anyone could speak, a second beam erupted.
This one expanded outward—not up, but across.
A vast, transparent barrier unfolded like a dome, racing over land and sea alike. It shimmered faintly, barely visible unless the light struck it just right.
Arjun felt it pass through him—warm, steady.
Beyond the barrier, something moved.
Darkness pressed against the invisible wall.
Not a single form—but a mass, shifting and restless. Tendrils of shadow lashed out, striking the barrier again and again.
They failed.
The barrier held.
Divya swallowed. "That… was coming for us."
Arjun nodded slowly, understanding settling into his chest.
"The Tower isn't just a trial," he said. "It's a shield."
Zara clenched her fists, eyes burning with resolve. "Then we can't let it fall."
Far away, the tower stood tall—silent, radiant—
Guarding their domain.
[DING!]