[POV - Caliste Henry]
"Someone’s coming out!"
"Quick, get the cameras on him!"
The moment I tried to take a single step forward, a barrage of blinding camera flashes hit me all at once.
Those fuckers won’t even give me a second to breathe.
However, I had overlooked one detail before activating the [Return Ticket]. Emma was still summoned and standing right beside me.
It was the first time anyone on Earth had laid eyes on an elf, let alone one standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a human challenger.
"I-Is that an elf next to him?!"
"She’s gorgeous!"
"Get pictures of her, quick!"
The entire press core immediately shifted their focus onto Emma, completely ignoring me. Before the chaos could escalate, three bulky men in dark suits cut through the crowd and stepped into our path. I didn’t need to look at their badges to know which government entity they represented.
"Please follow us, sir. We have a few questions for you."
Their expressions made it obvious they weren’t expecting a refusal. Unfortunately for them, they were dealing with me.
"Yeah, I’m good. Y’all can fuck off."
They exchanged confused glances, clearly thrown off by the pushback.
"We represent the United States government. We need to question you regarding what you encountered inside the Tower and how you survived. Please step this way."
I sighed loudly, ensuring even the surrounding reporters caught every word.
"I told you already. I don’t give a shit. Y’all. Can. Fuck. Off."
Their fists clenched as they prepared to use physical force, which only made me chuckle.
These guys had no idea how drastically the world order had shifted. Even the weakest challenger could effortlessly dismantle them in a fight. Their authority was meaningless now, and it was time for everyone here—and everyone watching the live broadcast—to realize it.
"You saw the other person who exited the Spire a few hours ago, right?" I asked.
The three agents nodded stiffly.
"Well, whoever they are, I’m significantly stronger. I didn’t just survive [Easy] difficulty; I cleared [Hell] difficulty. We aren’t even playing the same game, capiche?"
The reporters furiously scribbled notes, practically tripping over themselves for the scoop.
I shoved past the three bulky suits and stepped toward the microphone stands, addressing the crowd directly.
"I have a few announcements to make."
I took a deep breath.
"I don’t know what kind of narrative the government has been pushing, but I’m going to tell you the truth about these Towers appearing across the globe. In the near future, hordes of monsters will begin breaking through the thresholds, and we will be forced to defend ourselves."
A reporter shouted from the front row. "Why should monsters scare us? We have advanced weaponry—even nuclear arsenals if necessary! They won’t stand a chance."
"Conventional human weapons won’t leave a scratch on them," I countered flatly. "Only weapons and skills acquired from inside the Tower can inflict damage."
Uneasy murmurs rippled through the crowd.
In my past life, humanity had no advance warning. When the first monster wave breached the perimeter zones, it resulted in an absolute slaughter. Over 150 million people lost their lives in the span of a single week.
I was going to make sure history didn’t repeat itself.
"How do you know all this?" someone asked, pointing toward Emma. "Is that information coming from her?"
I shook my head. "I can’t disclose my source. But everything I’m telling you is absolute fact, and you will all see proof soon enough."
The journalists exchanged skeptical glances before one raised their voice again. "If what you’re saying is true, how do we prepare for an invasion?"
I smiled. "I thought that would be obvious."
I took a step back, gesturing toward the massive black structure looming behind me.
"We need more people actively climbing the Spire. That is the only way humanity builds the strength to survive. And while everyone is terrified of the concept, I can assure you it isn’t as lethal as you think."
"Isn’t the interior crawling with lethal creatures?"
"It is. However, if you choose the right parameters, the risk of mortality is minimal."
They nodded along as I spoke.
"You mentioned selecting [Hell] difficulty," another reporter chimed in. "How did you manage to survive if the conditions were that extreme?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "It was fairly manageable. Anyone here could survive it as long as I taught them a few core mechanics."
I wasn’t even exaggerating. As long as new challengers understood basic threshold exploits and survival protocols, the mortality rate even on [Hell] difficulty plummeted drastically.
"In fact, anyone who selects [Hell] difficulty moving forward will receive—"
Before I could finish the sentence, a fleet of black SUVs pulled up, screeching to a halt. Armed operatives immediately spilled out, dispersing the press corps and confiscating camera equipment.
A young woman in a tailored suit approached me. Unlike the three agents from earlier, her posture conveyed that she recognized my actual value.
She stopped a respectful distance away and offered a deep, formal bow.
"It’s an honor to meet you, sir. I am Alexia Silver. If you would allow me, I’d like to escort you to a secure location. There are high-ranking officials who wish to consult with you."
"What did you say your name was?" I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.
I recognized the name immediately, but I wanted to verify it.
"Alexia Silver, sir."
A subtle smirk formed on my face.
Alexia Silver wasn’t just some low-level government liaison. In the coming years, she would become one of the most powerful figures on the planet. She never entered the Tower herself; instead, she built an empire around the resources flowing out of it.
Within five years, she would become one of the wealthiest individuals on Earth, wielding immense global leverage as the founder of the Challenger’s Exchange—the primary black-market clearinghouse for Tower artifacts and materials. Every high-tier item passed through her network. If a player wanted elite gear, maintaining a good relationship with Alexia was mandatory.
To think I’m running into her this early...