A Pyromaniac's Ascent: Nothing Fire Can't Burn

As Halgon steadily descended, a question stood out in Finn's mind.

"As I mentioned earlier, I'm also this century's organizer for the Ascension Ceremony. I know you've got plenty of questions, but let me start by answering the one I know is on everyone's mind," Halgon said.

"How can I hover so steadily like this? And for such a long time?"

Did he just read my mind?

And what did he mean by the second question? Isn't it obvious that people can't fly at all?

"Such an impressive display of power," Yukha interjected. "Even the most skilled wind specialists could not manage a feat like this."

"Wind specialist? Is that guy using the wind to fly?" Finn said.

"I assume so. It is the only element possible to do something like this," Yukha replied.

Finn glanced back at the levitating man, and for a brief moment, he could've sworn Halgon was looking directly at him.

"No, I'm not a wind specialist," Halgon said, his tone calm but firm. "In fact, what you're seeing right now isn't even the result of my own power. Perhaps you've already figured it out?" He paused briefly.

"Yes. I'm doing this with the help of the Wind God, Lirael," he finished.

A gust of cold wind whipped through the air, as though affirming Halgon's words.

"Even the fact that you can hear my voice so clearly, despite the distance, is only possible thanks to her," Halgon said.

Finn's speechlessness deepened as Halgon's next words struck him hard.

"If a mere demigod like me has left you this silent, what will you do when you lay eyes on the actual Four Great Gods? No—at your current state, your bodies will likely melt at the sight. And I mean that quite literally."

Gasps rippled through the crowd at his chilling statement, but Finn remained still, his mind spinning in fascinated disbelief.

"That's why, for now, and for as long as you've known, you'll have to settle for their images," Halgon continued.

An array of swirling, multi-colored smoke materialized out of thin air, dancing in the air like ghostly tendrils, darkening the space above Halgon and replacing the bright blue sky with an ominous haze.

"For now, let us begin the opening of this century's Ceremony of Ascension, and give our thanks," Halgon paused, his voice heavy with significance.

"Behold, and bow your heads to the Four Great Gods," he declared.

The swirling smoke began to shift and intertwine, taking shape, first blurry and indistinct, but slowly becoming clearer with every moment. The air seemed to hum with energy as the images solidified.

"First, the Earth God, Terron," Halgon announced.

To the left, where Halgon gestured, an image began to emerge. A tall man appeared, his skin tanned and rugged, his bare arms displaying powerful muscles honed probably through years of use. His dark hair framed a face that was kind yet exuded an unmistakable readiness for battle.

"Second, the Water God, Maris," Halgon continued.

Beside the man, the next image took shape. A woman, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall, glimmering in the mist. Her blue gown seemed to flow with the grace of the ocean, and though her face was serene, her eyes held an intensity that hinted at the mysterious depth of the sea itself.

"Third, the Fire God, Isha," Halgon said.

At the mention of the Fire God, Finn's heart skipped a beat. A strange excitement welled up within him, a pull he couldn't quite explain. Perhaps it was because of his own fire powers, as if they forged some unspoken connection between him and the deity. Or maybe it was simply fascination—an innate draw to flames and the one who embodied them.

As the next image began to form, Finn's anticipation swelled, his heart hammering louder with every detail revealed.

It was a woman, her figure turned slightly to the side. Bright auburn hair cascaded down her back like molten lava, glowing as if it might sear anything it touched. She wore a pale white dress, flowing and seamless, its fabric wrapping around her form like smoke clinging to embers. Even her hands were encased in delicate gloves, hiding her skin entirely.

Finn's gaze drifted upward, his excitement only growing stronger—until his eyes fell upon her face.

Disappointment and captivation struck him simultaneously. Her face was almost entirely concealed by a veil, leaving only her lips exposed. But those lips... They glowed like embers in the dark, their crimson hue framed by pale, porcelain skin.

Even with so little revealed, Finn found himself mesmerized. The way she stood, cloaked yet radiant, reminded him of a precious gem encased in fire—burning, yet untouched. She seemed untouchable, distant, as if the very act of reaching for her would be both a privilege and a curse.

Then, something began to stir within him. His face flushed; his heart raced. It was an unfamiliar sensation, fluttering in his chest and tightening in his stomach. Was this what people called butterflies? He didn't know, but it was a feeling he'd never experienced before—a mix of awe, wonder, and something far deeper that he couldn't yet name.

As the next image began to form, Finn's gaze remained fixed on the Fire God, Isha. It was as if he were drawn to her, his eyes magnetized by her presence. But Halgon's voice pulled him from his trance, forcing him to tear his attention away and focus on the next image materializing.

"Last, but certainly not least, the Wind God, Lirael," Halgon announced.

The figure that appeared next was strikingly different from the others. It was a young girl—much shorter and more delicate than the towering forms of the other Gods. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, framing a face that radiated innocence. She wore a simple green sundress and a small hat perched on her head, with a smile so pure it could easily be mistaken for the playful grin of a child running through the streets.

Finn couldn't help but marvel at the contrast. Despite the immense power these beings wielded, they resembled humans more than anything else, a fact that both bewildered and intrigued him. He had imagined the Four Gods, and even Halgon, to be alien-like or monstrous—perhaps something more akin to the monstrous forms of Godzilla or Cthulhu. Instead, they were all too human, in a way he hadn't expected.

"Once again, I present to you, the Four Great Gods," Halgon declared.

The images of the Gods seemed to come to life before their eyes. The swirling, multi-colored smoke had transformed, no longer wisps of vapor but solid, three-dimensional figures. They shimmered with a brilliance that made them appear almost tangible, moving in a way that felt entirely real—like living beings rendered in vibrant, flawless CGI.

The awe-inspiring spectacle left the crowd speechless. As the last of Halgon's introduction faded, a deep sense of reverence filled the air. Without a word, everyone present bowed their heads in respect, and Finn, not wanting to stand out, followed suit. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, especially when he had so little understanding of what was happening. He hadn't even started climbing the tower yet, and still knew nothing about the system Yukha had mentioned. Hell, he wasn't even sure if he had the system—or if he could even receive it. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but for now, all he could do was blend in and keep his questions to himself.

After a while, Finn's gaze returned to the images, still in awe. Was this some form of advanced technology? Or was it purely the result of the Four Gods' elemental power? Given that they were masters of their respective elements, perhaps such feats were within their reach.

Finn's thoughts drifted back to his own pyrokinesis, which he now understood to be power borrowed from the Gods—thanks to Yukha's explanations.

Yukha had mentioned something earlier about leveling up. Could that be related to strengthening one's control over their elemental abilities? If Finn could enhance his own power, would he be able to perform feats like the ones he had just witnessed—or even surpass them?

His heart quickened at the thought. An itch of excitement spread through him, replacing his earlier confusion and fear. He thought back to his childhood, to the countless hours he spent experimenting with his pyrokinesis, desperate to understand it. If he had access to the system Yukha spoke of, perhaps he could finally push his abilities further, try experiments that he had never dreamed possible before.

It dawned on him: Yukha had made it sound like mastering elemental powers wasn't just a luxury, but a necessity for survival. Could that be why people with the system leveled up? Was it all to prepare for their fights against the so-called corrupted elementals?

Back on Earth, he had viewed his ability, and his strange fascination with fire, as a defect—something uncontrollable, dangerous. But here, in this new world, could it become a tool for survival? For something more?

A new thought struck him, causing his pulse to race: Does that mean that, at the Tower, I can burn the so-called corrupted elementals with everything I've got?

"Now that we've given our gratitude to the gods, I will give my final instructions," Halgon said, interrupting Finn's thoughts. "I know you're all eager to begin, but it will only be a few more minutes before you can finally start your ascent—and your chance at demigodhood and ruling your own planet."

Finn wanted to tell Halgon to take his time with his words. Given how much he still didn't understand, he didn't feel ready to begin climbing the tower. But he remained silent, choosing to wait.

"You've been given a full decade to train, to get accustomed to the system. To level up, improve your affinities, stats, and skills. I trust all of you made the most of that time."

Leveling up, affinities, stats, skills. These were words Finn was all too familiar with. Not just from his job, but from his gaming sessions as well.

Despite being clueless about the dangers that awaited him in the tower—about the system, the elemental powers, and the corrupted elementals—he began to feel a flicker of confidence. Those terms sounded strikingly like elements from RPGs, and Finn had a lot of experience with those. The more he thought about it, the more the idea of climbing the tower seemed almost like a game.

"If you check your inventories, you'll find two teleportation stones," Halgon continued. "The red one will allow you to teleport directly to the first realm of the Tower of Ascension. Just break it when you're ready, and you'll be instantly transported."

Inventories? Teleportation?

Finn had always wondered how convenient such things would be in real life. He'd often envied the characters in games, never worrying about transportation, and being able to carry heavy, cumbersome items with ease. To have that implemented in the system... it was amazing.

"The blue one, on the other hand, will let you teleport back home—exactly to the spot you were before you were transported here. You can use it anytime, even if your life is in danger. Just break the stone, and you'll return. But remember this: if you use the blue stone, you'll forget everything you learned in the tower, and lose all the power you gained from the system. That's why most challengers choose to die in the tower rather than escape. Running away is seen as a mark of shame, while dying during the challenge is viewed as heroic. So, think carefully before using it," Halgon continued.

So, I'll be teleported back exactly where I was?

Finn's thoughts flickered to the place he'd been before. He didn't want to remember it. On the brink of suffocation and burning alive—would he be sent back to that exact moment, or would time move on while he was gone? He wasn't willing to risk finding out.

If he really had been summoned here, he had no choice but to advance. Even if he did want to go back home, there was a strong chance he'd return to find himself burned alive. Besides, things here were becoming more and more appealing.

He'd already made a potential friend in Yukha—if the orc even considered him a friend. But still, it counted. Back in his previous life, he'd isolated himself because of the dangers his pyrokinesis posed. His only friends were online. They'd sometimes invite him to meet up, but he never did. He didn't want to risk causing trouble for anyone. But Yukha... Yukha seemed strong. Not just from his physical build, but also from what he'd said about the system. If Yukha really had it, then Finn's fire powers probably wouldn't be a problem for him.

And there was the matter of his pyrokinesis. The possibility of using it here, and actually strengthening it was incredibly appealing. Plus, after seeing the Fire God, Isha, Finn found himself wanting to learn more about her.

That's right. I have no choice but to advance. It's the best move for me.