"What do you not understand? Think of it like... potentially lethal... what do you people call it? Virtual Reality?" The man said looking as if he was genuinely confused at the idea of someone not comprehending what was happening right now, "its really not that confusing. And besides, the worst that could happen is being erased from existence... well actually... nevermind." 

"Wait no, what could POSSIBLY be worse than being erased from existence? Are you hearing yourself?!" Julie basically interrogated him. I swear, knowing her, if she we're anymore angry that man would be in a wheelchair - or casket - already.

"My child, just pray that you never experience it." Tora answered solemnly.

"Anywho, The fact of the matter is, you people were lucky enough to be born on Layer -1, the root of all worlds! This allows you to be selected as a climber! The duties of a climber are incredibly important and dangerous! But also very rewarding!" Tora exclaims, the party was shocked at his sudden shift in mood but thought better of commenting on it. They somehow sense that Tora is a lot stronger than he lets on, and the last thing they want is a deity levelled glorified interdimensional TSA agent trying to murder them before they start this supposed "Adventure."

"And what do these duties refer to exactly...?" I inqured, i just escaped my last dead end job. Unfortunately though whether I enjoy the job or not it seems I may actually end up dead on the job. Or if i dont take the job. 

ALERT: If you can hear me. the answers you seek are waiting. 

"what the fuck was that noise?" Thomas screamed.

"Ah... that. Occasionally youll hear some notifications from the system. Dont worry about it," Tora walked closer to me.

"Youre the last one Jason, do you accept the call? Do you wish to strengthen your soul beyond those of even deities themselves? Or do you wish to go back to your mundane life, go to college. Work till your death. Maybe even die from something stupid and meaningless. Maybe get killed by a tracker. The choice is yours. As you are now... well, you have a bit of defensive power that youre unaware of... but it wont keep you safe for long. The floodgates will open soon enough and your world will fall. Unless you keep moving, that is."

I looked at tora with sheer and utter disgust, but I'm well aware of the fact that it didnt hide my blatant fear of the being as well.

"Fine. Sign me up for this mission or whatever. My mormon parents already sent me away twice, whats one more for the record," I relented.

"Good, good. Well i hate to have decieved you all. But youre already on the next floor. You have not been on earth-0 since you left your door," the being grinned, "You will now get your first main quest. Be warned, there is a penalty for death."

"Wait... penalty?! How is death itself not punishment enough? How will you punish us after death?!" I asked incredulously.

"So long friends. Interact with the Support Beam to be assigned a mission," and with that Tora vanished. It wasnt flashy, no smoke or sparkles... just.. gone. I didnt even blink. If you can imagine what its like to delete a letter on a keyboard or load a webpage that was what just happened, and suddenly we were left to our own devices. Terrifyingly theres nothing but grass for miles. And we dont even have our cellphones. Just this shitty notebook with a pen to catalogue our adventures, and each other.