I felt the cold floor on my face as I awoke. It only made me miss that "Hotel" bed even more. Taking slow movements to stand up, I took my bearings quickly noticing… 'Algebra' on the ground. I can't believe that name is set in stone. I also can't believe I was kicked out of a place that was most likely considered heaven compared to what ever this place is.

Looking around once more after quickly getting a hold of Algebra, I notice more of my surroundings,. The walls were lined with what seemed to be murals of monsters and men wearing bed sheets. Separating the images were little orbs hovering next to the wall, illuminating what looked to be a large hallway. It was actually disturbing how dark the hall actually was in comparison to the lights. I'm already getting shivers down my back. Bed, why did you leave me?

"I am Headon…" HOLY MO… I jump away from the voice's position and turn to look at who startled me. Keeping Algebra tightly gripped in my hand, ready for action, I immediately call out.

"Who are you!?" Only realizing the redundancy of my question as the moment passed. As if to make thing worse 'it' smiled seeing 'my' understanding of that very fact.

"I am the Caretaker of this tower." He completed his introduction after taking a few seconds to enjoy my reaction. That's what I'm assuming at least. He is wearing that creepy smile still. Taking in his appearance he looks like some kind of rabbit yet carries this sage like atmosphere, almost like Gandalf. This guy better not try to send me on a quest. Gandalf's quests are terrifying.

"It is usually common courtesy to introduce yourself once another has introduced themselves." Oh great, now he is lecturing me on my manners.

"…My name is Dillan Stander."

"Welcome Dillan. It is rare indeed for irregulars to appear. Tell me, for which reason do you seek to climb the tower." Headon asked. I'm still trying to figure out where the heck I am, why I would climb a tower wasn't really important to me right now.

"Uh, I don't know, is the view good?" I can't help but cringe at my own question. I don't want to mess with this Rabbit Gandalf's Tower. Ah wait, couldn't I use Threat Assessment on this guy?

Threat level: Omae wa mou shindeiru

… Welp, that clinches it. I'm screwed! Instead of dying instantly; however, Headon laughed, amused at the question.

"At the top of the tower exists all that you could desire and more! And you question the view?" So the place was Eidolon, but with my family and other people to enjoy it? I some how doubt it. But in all honesty, as soon as I got the gamer, I knew I was going to have to go through something.

"I guess I'll climb this... tower, since I don't have anything else." It was true, too. I no longer had a home. Heck, I doubt I was even in the same universe then my home was, let alone Eidolon. Climbing this tower, maybe if I reach the top, I can find what I truly want, maybe it's to return to my family. I still remember the last time I saw them…

Or not… I can't remember. Why can't I remember? Were my memories also taken from me? What else was gone? I can't remember their faces, their names, I can recount the events we went through but nothing else. That's messed up. I had nothing.

"Oh, and what about when you have gained, will you stop climbing?"

"No. Not until I get back everything I lost." I needed a goal and now I have one. The current rage at what was stripped of me, calming the fear in me. If I could obtain all that by climbing this tower so be it.

"So, you will take the test required to climb the tower then?"

"Yes." There was no need for more words, I was already irritated. As I gave my answer he just smiled and with a gesture of his dual sided orbed staff, the darkness behind me receded revealing a glowing area.

It almost looked like a tank of water with a giant eel floating in it. "The ball test is simple. Enter the cage, avoid the White Steel Eel, break the ball, you pass."

"Is entering the cage a necessity?" Headon stared at me for moment without answering. "Do I also have to avoid killing it or is killing it acceptable."

"You're making it more complex than it had to be, originally anything you did would have been acceptable. But since you asked then, yes. Entering the cage must be done and killing the Eel is grounds for failure." Headon smiled as he gave the answers, taking pleasure in my irritation. I'm not sure if threat assessment will work on the Eel but might as well try.

Threat level: Extreme

Oh, cool it works… wait is that seriously all I am getting for now… I hope this skill levels up soon, I seriously need more info than this.

"Ugh, I don't even think I could kill that thing." Not with my stats as they are right now.

"Yes, for someone like you, death is sure to…" As he probably tried to insult me, I entered the cage. Once I entered, I felt the pressure build up and collapse upon me. Although I could breathe, it was like the air was on a another level of humid. It felt like I was drowning in air. While I collapsed to my knees the White Steel Eel lunged to devour me.

Headon was intrigued by this irregular. He was different. Not that strong but not that weak either. In all honesty, he was exactly what he looked for in regulars, yet he opened the path on his own.

Or was it that the path was opened for him? You can never know when other gods or beings of similar power decide to mess with another's order. Hopefully, he will be entertaining. He entered inside the cage, instantly falling to the Shinsu's pressure. It is not easy to withstand such Shinsu concentration without talent or conditioning. Really it was the pressure that was the toughest part of the exam.

It seems this is the end of the irregular's journey. Headon watched as the boy was swallowed by the eel but was surprised by the sight of the boy glowing. Perhaps he will still entertain him after all.

The Adaption Skill has activated

****** has been adapted. You are no longer affected by the ****** concentration. Use of ****** is now capable.

At the last possible moment, the pressure faded as I was swallowed whole. I quickly activated Algebra, letting my mana be drained to form a solid blade. Cutting the inside of the beast's mouth ended up causing it to spit me out, right towards the ball. Man did I luck out. And where the heck did this Dues Ex Machina bull crap come from? Not that I'm not thankful, that skill did just save my life after all.

No time to ponder the 'get out of jail free card,' I have a ball to break. Gripping my beam of crystalized Mana I rush the Ball and slash it, only for my blade to bounce off harmlessly.

"Huh!?" So, this was Headon's game, huh. He gave me a floating boulder to break. In a fit of rage, I let loose a yell while continuing to whack the ball. As my frustration took over, I heard the Eel begin to charge me.

"You know what, I'm not even mad you're coming back at me." I stated crouching at its approach, launching myself above it with a front flip, delivering an axe kick(Ax) to its temple sending it tumbling down. "I'VE GOT SOME THINGS TO WORK THROUGH!" Following through using the recoil of the attack I reversed the kick and slashed at its eye causing it to lose its eyesight. Landing on the floor, next to the grounded Eel, I followed through with a knee strike(Baekdu) to its side. At the same time, I sent a horizontal slash of my blade, blowing the Eel away.

With my anger finally peaked, I lifted my sword up and activated one of its many functions. "Addition!" Energy then began to pool up on Algebra's blade. The Eel seemed to share my rage though as re-lunged back at me in ferocity. I was about to end its meager existence, when I realized killing it would fail me. Thus, while swinging down, I shifted my blades direction letting my sword, bursting with energy, sail upon my target. My blade dissipated alongside the mana and the ball being erased.

Watching the Eel lunge for me I knew I would die to it this time, when things started to go black once again.

"Congrats." Was the last thing I heard, when the darkness consumed me. It was Headon's voice.

Truly interesting. The boy nearly killed the Eel with his weapon, while in his rage. Headon had not expected such an outcome. That weapon demonstrated great power, nowhere near the 13 Months but powerful enough to carry him throughout the tower for many floors. Perhaps even, the boy was still holding more surprises within it.

His movements and strikes were incredibly skilled as well. The kick carried more power than his muscles could provide. The momentum perhaps? Quite an interesting specimen.

His motivation was lacking, but maybe it would change and become something else? In the end it will spice up the tower a bit. However, his further thoughts were distracted by the opening of yet another door to the tower.

'Oh? Another Irregular.' And thus, Headon was set to test another. Disappointing as this next one would be, he would be truly entertained by the third. Headon had a lot to look forward too.

After being what I originally assumed was dying, I woke up in a wheat field thoroughly confused. I open up my menu to take in my predicament.

Lvl: 10

Class: None

Title: Irregular

Hp: 295/325

Mp: 5/275

Str: 12

Tgh: 9

Agi: 10

Rfx: 11

Vit: 10

Exl: 8

It seems that when the Eel first ate me, I took some dmg. I did just sit there after all. It's probably thanks to Gamers Body that I'm in one piece still.

Skills:

- Gamer's body: keeps the body intact in regard to dmg that would result in permanent paralysis or loss of limbs. Pain and bleeding will still function as normal. Will repair all Dmg with a "good" night's rest. Degradation of Stats is stopped.

- Gamer's Mind: learning ability is enhanced. Degradation of skills is stopped. "WARNING" Will NOT help with mental state.

- Blessing of Eidolon: The city of eidolon has marked you as the ideal citizen (only because you are the only citizen). As such you have obtained the Adaption Skill. Effect sealed inside of the Plains of Eidolon.

- Adaption: No matter the environment Eidolon shall see that you can endure it. You are capable of adapting to different environments unnaturally quick, but you will never obtain immunity to the environment with this skill, merely adapt.

- Mori Lee Style (lvl 1): This sword style is focused on two weapons. The Blade and the Leg. You have learned to utilize your sword and kicks to become a fierce combatant. Next lvl: 1st gate unlocked.

- Omni Crafting (MAX): Your knowledge of advanced technology has reached the point where tech can be crafted in a cave. Appropriate tools required. Blueprints and crafting assistance provided.

- Life Meditation (lvl 1): While meditating your calm mind has accelerated your life force's development accelerating your healing and recovery as well as numbing the pain. Next lvl: Healing rate improves.

- Threat Assessment (lvl 1): By observing your enemy you perceive their strengths and weakness' giving you the foresight on how to proceed against them. Next lvl: Improves information gathering.

Oh, I forgot about Blessing of Eidolon. It has been a week. I guess Adaption came in clutch for me.

On a side note, using 'Addition' used up all my mana but that is how Algebra was used. The blade only took 10 Mp to form and Algebra's mechanisms maintained the blade from there on out, not using up any more. Addition takes it further by adding more mana creating a stronger single attack. I was a bit inspired by Excalibur from Fate Stay/Night to be honest. Originally, there is a built-in assist function that drew the additional energy from the natural magical energy surrounding me instead of my personal mana, but that turned out to be useless outside Eidolon.

The natural energy wasn't in the air here, which turned out to be a flaw in Algebra's design. If the natural energy is not in the air it won't be able to detect anything, thus taking all of my own instead. Luckily if there is a natural resource to take advantage of, Algebra can use it as a substitute energy. The problem is that it will need time scan the very energy to facilitate said use. Well I would still need to build the part that draws it in but the program in Algebra will update itself for it.

I should probably meditate to get back what mana I can. Sitting down, I breathed in and out rhythmically. In time, a large noise blared to life, like that of a speaker phone being turned on.

"Testing, testing. Hello, Regulars. Welcome to the second floor of the tower." A voice calls out, as I end my meditation. With a quick glance I find my Mp is only at 10/275 and my Hp at 300/325. It's good enough for Algebra to at least get a blade. "This testing floor will determine if you are worthy of climbing the rest of the tower." Isn't that every floor at this point? "Let's get the first test started. The rules are simple. In total, there are 400 regulars here. Please reduce that number to 200 within the allotted time." Wait, what? "Use whatever methods you wish. The moment that only 200 Regulars remain, the test will end. Also, you can check the number of regulars and time remaining on your pocket." Pocket?

I yelp at the sudden appearance of a small black orb with the number 400 on it. Where the frick did I get this? "Good luck, everyone."

And like that, I am left dumbfounded by the current events. It was only due to my Rfx stat that I managed to dodge the incoming strike from behind. Leaping away from the arrow, I realize that the enemy is to far away from me and dash out of the area. I keep my head low while moving in order to avoid any danger to my life.

Before I know it, I happen upon two fighters attacking each other. Not interested in getting involved, I turn to head elsewhere. Or I would have, if these two didn't bring their attention to me. A staff ended up colliding into my side before I could realize that, too.

"Ha, look at the coward that showed up." The one with the staff commented. The other one held a simple spike looking object.

"If you only run away, then you won't survive the tower." Spike wielder declared while rushing me. Dude, can you blame for hesitating to kill? I wasn't made for this kind of environment!

The Adaption Skill Has Activated.

Killing Intent has been created.

Okay, now I am.

Utilizing the Re:taekwondo's high speed movement(Bo-Bup) I pass by 'Spiker' and deliver an upwards kick on the staff wielder. The result being that the target was pushed into the air(Baek-Rok) as I pierced him in the heart in one fluid motion. He dropped to the ground dead. 'Spiker' looked on in horror at the corpse by my feet.

Huh, I still feel kind of bad for killing him. In a situation where I have no choice, I will do what I must, but I'll still regret that I had to do so. I idly wonder if I just gained a soldier's mentality to the act.

"The hell!?" With another high-speed movement, I pierce the spiker in the throat. Watching as he choked on his own blood I pull my blade out of his throat, I sever his head in mercy.

Before I could think over my newest kill, my reflex's caused me to dodge a dart flying targeting me. I turn my attention to my next attacker. The new guy carried a crossbow, but smaller than normal, specialized for launching darts. I imagine the darts are poisoned, too. The man quickly reloads and fires another dart as I look upon him .However, I move behind him with a Bo-Bup and lay my blade against his throat, narrowly dodging his shot.

"You aren't the sharpest tool in the shed, are you?" I question the man at my mercy. He, of course, remains silent at this while I contemplate whether to take his life or not. Apparently, I took too long as another individual comes flying at me with a gauntlet covered fist.

'These people are coming out of the wood works.' Irritated by yet another interloper, I released my prisoner and take to dodging the incoming blow. I take in the appearance of a female with a metal spiked gauntlet. She had blond hair, with purple eyes that showed her obvious intent to kill.

Wanna-be archer also moved into a safer position, keeping his eyes on both of us. We al stayed there in silence. Watching. Waiting for somebody to make the wrong move.

I didn't really keep track of the time we were frozen like that, when the voice in the sky was head, I could guess the announcement before a word was said.

"Ta-ta-ta-dah!" We all relaxed to listen to the words above. "Survivors, congratulations. By the way, anyone still fighting after the time limit ended will fail the test." We all stepped out of our stances at that.

"Man, I thought I was a goner, when Mr. Glow Torch had me at the neck." Glow Torch? Is he calling out Algebra? I'll get him for that. Although glow torch might be a better name for my sword then its current name. Don't think about it, Dillan. "Thanks for the save, I'm Trent!" Dart head greeted the blondie.

"…Alex." She reciprocated after a small pause. She barely even greeted back, more like she just acknowledged his existence while turning towards me awaiting my intro.

Before I could introduce myself, the voice continued. "The second test will now begin. Please find two allies within five minutes. As long as all three teammates are touching when the countdown ends, you pass."

I guess these are my allies then. How… untrustworthy. This is the kind of place that the tower is, huh?

"My name is Dillan. Looking forward to working with you." I can't help the monotone way I said that. This situation is very awkward. I just raise my hand out in a flat manner for them to lay upon, which the two follow. The five minutes pass and were moved onto the next area, of course that's with me ignoring dart-hea… Trent's flirting attempts with Alex.

Oh, yay! A room transfer that doesn't end up with me unconscious. I was getting pretty tired of that. I now found myself standing in a large room with the rest of the passing examinees. We all wait for further instructions from the test administers, idly. Alex continues to ignore Trent and takes the time to look around at the other people in the room. I figure I could power level Threat Assessment by judging the others, during the wait.

Okay, so the others are popping a lot of low and normal. I seem to be pretty ahead of this curve so far. Huh the guy in the blanket is considered high. Same with the alligator and the white-haired kid next to him. The swordsman with two swords was also a high, with the green girl being…

Threat level: Extreme

She is stronger than the Eel. I know she was, since the Eel was only considered that high due to me not being allowed to kill it. Threat Assessment takes into account my intention to kill vs intention to subdue. Or at least that was the sensation I felt when I was using it.

I could knock the Eel around, but I would have ended up tiring myself out. My stamina itself was already being pushed as is. Bo-Bup takes a lot of effort and I just used it 3 times in a row. I can go a little more, but I need some rest. Gamer's Body is the only thing hiding my exhaustion, rather its like I can go as if I was at full throttle, but once I hit empty I'll drop like a puppet losing its strings. The amount of times that led to the dang puppet getting free shots on me, is more then I care to admit.

The point is, is that she's definitely a dangerous one to watch out for.

My focus was than directed towards two people arguing over one's own injuries, received in the last test. Didn't they hear that announcement about fighting equaling failure. Some people…

"Fighting is prohibited during breaks."

My attention was dragged towards the hall way where someone was walking out. I'll be honest this guy is reminding me of Pikachu. The red circles on his cheeks can't be a coincidence. Threat Assessment I chose you!

Threat level: Doomed

Okay. Pikachu is out of my league. Okay, so to summarize, this guy is a Ranker, which everyone is now nervous about. Makes sense, he does exude power. He is also our test Administrator named Lero Ro. The mere words of this guy were apparently enough to get the two fighting to stop. I could even see the cold sweat of fear on them.

"More of you passed than expected. We'll have to do some culling." Getting some Chunin Exams Anko vibes here, dude. Just don't lick anyone's blood off there cheek. Well, you can do it someone else, just don't pick me.

Next thing I know, the man somehow creates a actual tidal wave to push everyone away. As it hits me, I feel… a gentle breeze? Weird, everyone else is seems to be pushed back, why not… IS THAT A FLYING CROCIDILE!

Hit by the dang alligator man from before, I'm sent flying back with the others to the back of the room. I was too preoccupied with the tidal wave to dodge the other guys. I stand back up as the wave recedes and forms into a wall, separating us from him.

"Shinsu is the source of the tower's power. Were able to breathe thanks to this water. Everyone within the tower uses this water to fight. Any team that passes through this wall without succumbing to the Shinsu's strength passes. Everyone else fails." Well that's straight forward. Apparently, if one of my teammates fails than I do, too. I guess I can only have faith in them. This ranker goes on about the importance of luck before letting a kid, who I was sure wasn't affected by the wave(Like me), pass. Claiming he was lucky.

I take a moment to collect my thoughts after the all express Alligator Taxi Service, before heading to cross the barrier. I was right behind the green girl, who had crossed it first. Next was the rest of the regulars. I look behind me seeing Trent trying to ram the barrier, while Alex studied it.

Alex took a few moments before walking through as well. Oh… considering the others difficulty, getting beyond the barrier so quickly must be impressive. I wonder…

Threat level: High

Figures she'd be one to put up a decent fight. Trent finally stopped ramming the wall before relaxing. An instant later we were joined by him as well.

"Huh, I'm surprised, I was sure Trent was gonna doom us." I can't help but comment. Trent glares at me. His glare is soon replaced with despair when Alex nods in agreement.

I pull up my menu to see if anything changed. I was welcomed to a few pop ups.

Due to your desperate running, Agility has increased by 1

Mori Lee Style has reached level 2

The use of the First gate is now available.

For more in depth information please select the Mori Lee Style in skills section to see more.

Oh! Sweet it leveled up. Just in time. But what was the conditions. Is it just with use or is it milestone based? Might as well take a deeper look at the Mori Lee Style.

Mori Lee Style (lvl 2): Next lvl: Technique Air Slash unlocked.

-Baekdu: a knee attack delivered to the opponent used to lift the target to the air, useful for chain combos.

-Baek-Rok: a type of push kick, an upward kick which use bottom of the foot as the striking surface. Unlike typical push kicks however, Baek-Rok brings the legs up high and straight, pushing the target into the air, useful for chain combos. (note that Baekdu is quicker and easier to utilize but deals less dmg.)

- Bo-Bup: allows the user to appear behind, next to, above, etc. their opponent instantaneously. Also useful for quick bursts of speed. (Warning: Excessive use may lead to repercussions.)

-Slash Strike: a basic slashing technique that can be used in quick succession.

-Whirling Recovery (Original): "I get knocked down, but I get back up again." With the application of momentum, a swirling slash encompasses you protecting your sides from attacks also capable of injuring nearby individuals. (vulnerable to ranged attacks.)

-Gate of Opening: located in the brain's left hemisphere and removes the user's mental inhibitions.

So that's the in-depth look. I seem to get more techniques as I level it up. Hopefully, I can use the Mori originals and my own original recovery method was added. Bo-Bup seems to just be a flash step technique. Definitely my favorite move.

In time the wall test was called over by Lero Ro.

Next, we were all brought to a new waiting area, where the assorted teams are called in one at a time to take the next test. While others start chatting, I try to take the time to meditate some more.

I lost track of time in my meditation, but I assumed that it was now our turn to take the test, seeing as Trent is dragging me by the collar of my coat.

"Come on you idiot, we've been called. Hey, Alex. Try punching him out of his trance. Dragging him all the way to the test is annoying." Trent's complaining sure knows how to get a guy going.

"Okay, okay, I'm getting up." Heading into the test area, I come upon a dark room with 12 doors and a giant clock with the numbers 1 through 10 on it.

"My name is Hansung Yu. I'm the Director of this test your taking. This test is simple." I doubt that for some reason.

"Exit through the correct door out of the 12 here. You have until the clock runs out. You can only open one door. Run out of time and you will be forcibly terminated."

"What happens if we fail?" Alex questions. In response the floor opens to show the pile of the dead testers below. Hate to be the janitor in charge of that.

"The test will now begin."

"That's it? Don't we get a riddle or something." Trent was right, the test was unusually vague. What is it testing? The death fight was my willingness to survive. The Shinsu wall was testing luck and adaptability. This one is testing… I don't know. How much time is left? The hand is already past 2 but… I can only read digital clocks! At that moment, I remembered my pocket which happened to still be visible. Floating next to me, it showed the time 1:17 counting upwards in seconds. So only one minute has passed. Wait the clock on the wall is… twice as fast by my estimate? 1 minute and 30 seconds the hand hit 3. We only have five minutes to complete the test.

Then why display 10 numbers? Alex is silent, thinking of the answer, while Trent is arguing with the director. If we run out of time, we fail. He never stated what would happen if we opened a wrong door… I walked to a random door ahead of me.

"Huh, Dillan what are you doing?" Trent spotted me.

Without giving a response, I open the door causing all of them to light up green.

"Congratulations. You passed." Hansung complemented my choice. "But what made you choose that door?" he seemed interested in my logic.

"You never stated what would happen if we opened a wrong door." He merely sent a smile at me that sent shivers down my back. "Though I guess this test could of been about luck again." He laughed at my suggestion as we all proceeded out the door. Trent ran up to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Bro, don't ever do that again! You almost gave me a heart attack. I thought we were going to die for sure." I can do without the nagging, Trent. "Besides the clock was only on the number 4 we had 6 minutes left. You could have talked to us first."

"We had 3 minutes." Alex responded.

"Huh?"

"The Clock was twice as fast, to give you a false sense of security." Alex saw that as well, then. "Yet the assumption that they were all correct doors was not an easy conclusion, how did you come to that?" Oh, she's gotten talkative.

Well 20% of me was panicking while 50% was thinking critically. The last 30% was me relying on Reflex to tell me if the door was a bad idea. "Instinct." My answer elicited a deadpan stare from my teammates.

Dillan would never learn that his answer was the exact same as a certain Alligator Taxi Service. If he did, the shame would kill him.

AN: And another one knocked out! Don't get used to chapters being released in such short time lapses, though. It helps that I had multiple chapters prewritten. Chapters will probably become very slow in terms of release, since my day job can be quite tiring.

I realized with the last chapter, that I rushed getting my first content out. I wanted to get a feel for the site for future editing and managing purposes. So when I read the first chapter, after posting, I found many little grammar mistakes I made. Just goes to show that even triple checking my work isn't good enough. Checking 5 times should do better. Right?

Onto my decision to have Dillan meet Headon before he meets Bam. I've noticed that TOG stories with oc's or crossovers with character from other works, that they like to make them appear as irregulars after Bam leaves the first floor or while he is still there. I haven't found one where this isn't the case. Tell me if you spotted one that did, if it exists. For my curiosity.

Moving onwards to more important information, let's talk about some hidden mechanics!

Mori Lee Style is a bit funky in description. It's supposed to be a sword style at base but the vague level of the primary category made it so malleable that the more potent body boosting Eight Inner Gates and technique based Re:taekwondo took on more of the form than it's supposed to. This caused the Swordsmanship of the form to take a back seat.

We have also see Dillan perform feats beyond what his stats allow. The techniques have a sort of 'need' for a certain level of physicality to perform said moves. Instead of causing the moves to fail, the game lets the user surpass the stat limits to reach the necessary base needed. Once the stats exceed the limits, the techniques will exert more power in accordance to them.

Though I'm sure you weren't wondering, performing a Skill is as if Dillan has trained to use it from scratch. Take throwing a professional punch for example. Its as if he always knew how to do so, like muscle memory. Nothing is moving his body for him.

I didn't want to go into this to deeply in the story as it detract from certain scenes and Dillan is having a hard time learning how his game works, but he'll understand it more later on. I will only go over it as vague guesses though.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask, maybe it can help make this story even better for you all!

Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time.