The false sun shone high in the equally false sky, illuminating the vast lawn, except for a certain spot that was covered with a large shadow. The shadow caused at the spot was because of a small mound of earth that rose from the ground in the opposite direction to the sun. Uriel stood behind this small mound of earth, hiding from any potential enemies. However, despite the good location, he did not look happy at all.
'What was that?'
With frowning eyebrows, he sat down in the shaded grass and remembered the strange sensation he had felt a few minutes ago.
Something had reacted with the demon's power. It was unlikely that it was the demon that was trying to stop him from using that power because the reaction came with something external. The demon had said once — that he had been summoned into the tower. He was different from Uriel and Urek, he was not an Irregular, for he did not open the door, nor had he even passed through it. Based on his words, he had been summoned, there was the one who had summoned him.
In that case, there was only one alternative—
—The person who summoned the demon was reacting with its power and was probably close to where he was.
That said, it was extremely likely that this person was one of the Rankers who was conducting the test. Although, there was also a small chance that it was a regular who was participating in the test. Unfortunately, even if it was only a regular, that didn't lower the danger that this person presented. If this person had summoned a demon, the two of them should have some sort of contract in which they both had to do something for each other.
What Uriel was most concerned about was just such a contract.
—What if he was tied to that contract and desire of this person, whenever he needed to use the demon's power?
"Argh... That would suck..."
It would not only suck but be very dangerous.
'...If I felt it, this person must have felt me too. However, I quickly turned off Demon Mode, so he must not know my current location or who I am — just like I don't know anything about her.'
This person looked like a rope tied around his neck. Uriel didn't have Urek's enormous physical strength, and although he was talented at Shinsu Control, it was going to take him a long time to reach some satisfactory level; the demon power was like a blessing to him. A blessing that could help him in situations that he couldn't handle with his strength. However, this blessing was no longer available.
If he was discovered by this person, he would have to follow his whims every time he went to use the demon power.
'Why just at that moment?'
A frown appeared on Uriel's face. This power was something essential to him now, after all, at any moment he could have his identity as an Irregular exposed, and of course, he would need this power to defend himself against the complications that would arise from this. His identity was not going to be exposed by himself, but probably by his fellow Irregular — Urek Mazino.
Urek was not someone who kept a low profile. So it wouldn't take long for word to spread that two more Irregulars had entered and were climbing the tower.
In any case, the best course of action at the moment was to decrease the use of the demon's power to the minimum possible so as not to be exposed. Although, it was almost impossible in the long run.
Besides, finding the mysterious person was one of the highest priorities at the moment.
—And eliminating her.
He had never killed anyone before, however, either he would kill this person or he would be controlled and, at worst, killed.
'I only hope it's not one of the Rankers, although it's almost impossible that it isn't...'
Now there was another issue he needed to resolve immediately. He couldn't use the demon's power without considering the situation first, so he needed another force that would help him in his battle against the mysterious person. To summon a demon, that person should at least be strong. So, his current strength might not be enough, and he was only left to rely on some other alternative.
'—Unfortunately, this test provides me with a perfect new alternative.'
The corner of his lips rose, as he remembered a crucial piece of information.
This test he was taking right now was very similar to the first test the protagonist of Tower of God took on the 2nd Floor, so the second test shouldn't be much different. And even if it was different, what he was going to do could still help him.
"So, let's go get them — my new companions."
***
Finn had a pitiful life.
He had been born into a farming family in the outer area of the tower. They lived he, his parents, and eight other siblings in a small house in a small village. With so many children, it was difficult to bring food to the table every day, so they led a life amidst hunger and poverty.
He started working at an early age, picking and planting vegetables. He wished to relieve the workload of his parents, who always seemed too tired. Besides, who knows, maybe by helping his family he could get out of poverty. However, it was all a futile dream. Although the family's income increased with his help, it wasn't a huge difference — it was just enough to put more food on the table.
This was not enough for him. He wanted to see his family happy, eating the good and the best, without having to work tirelessly until he could no longer lift the hoe.
And one day he was given the chance to fulfill this wish.
On this day, "he" — the rabbit-like humanoid being — appeared in front of him and offered him the chance to fulfill this wish.
To climb the tower, was the opportunity given to him.
In fact, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance that could change the entire lives of his family.
He was allowed to climb the tower and become a Ranker. As a Ranker, he would have untold riches and his parents and siblings would be able to live a happy and non-exhausting life, plus he would be a respectable person who would be admired by everyone in the tower — not a poor unknown farmer in a small village outside the tower. This was his chance to move up in life, so he decided to grab that opportunity with his hands.
Just like in the books, he was going to climb the tower to the top and become a Ranker.
However—
"Ahahaha! Look at his face, he's trembling. Do you guys think he's going to pee his pants?"
"A trash like him shouldn't even have been chosen to climb the tower. Ptoo."
—All of this was squashed, in an instant by these people.
He was walking around the test site, just trying to survive, and then these three men appeared in front of him and beat him until he could barely breathe.
"Gkh... This is unfair..." he said with a weak voice and a grunt of pain in the background.
"Unfair? Why? Because there are three of us and you alone?"
"..."
"Kuku. Listen, kid. Usually, the Regulars form teams to climb the tower. Haven't you ever heard of them? The Fishermen, Wave Controllers, and others — those are very well-known positions."
The man continued.
"This so-called Test Floor is not only a floor that tests whether we are worthy of climbing the tower. This is where we are prepared to climb the tower. Taking all this into consideration, of course, there will be some tests where teamwork or a team will be required. So the three of us have gone ahead and formed a team. So we are not doing anything unfair."
Finn frowned but knew that what the man was saying was right. For one thing, no rule prevented them from forming a team to pass the test.
"Anyway, this is taking too long. Let's eliminate it quickly."
"Ugh... It really is a shame not to be able to play with him anymore, but it's not good to delay too long."
"I agree."
"Okay. Then I'll go."
After everyone nodded, one of them stepped in front of him. The man carried a sword with a curve on the end.
"Don't blame us too much, kid. Even if you didn't die for us here, you would die further on being so weak. You shouldn't blame us, rather blame your insufficient strength. Although, it was fun playing with you."
The man licked the sword blade with a crooked smile on his face.
'The only chance to change my brothers' and my parents' lives... played were... like this...'
Everything he imagined would occur once he became a Ranker broke down in front of him. Tears welled up in his eyes as he remembered his family who were probably at this moment plowing a field.
And so — the man ruthlessly thrust his sword towards his chest.
However, it was not yet the end of him. Finn saw something approaching rapidly in the distance. It glowed with the reflection of the sun as it moved forward with impressive speed. It was not the blade of the man's sword. Although it was approaching, it was not heading towards him, but seemed to be aiming at the man.
"Hey, Jack!" One of the men who also noticed the object quickly shouted.
"What?!"
"Behind you!"
"Huh? What—"
Clank—!
However, the warning was too late. The piercing object that had been thrown meters away easily pierced the man's neck. He didn't even have time to scream in pain, as his head fell to the side and blood surged up his throat and filled his mouth in bright red.
Just then, a voice came from above them.
"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit! I really killed someone..."
When he turned to look, Finn saw a young man sitting on top of a mound of dirt more than five meters high. The young man had brown hair that curled like little tornadoes at the ends, and greenish eyes that conveyed a mysterious feeling. The young man seemed shaken for some reason, but after a while, he calmed down.
"Hah? Who are you?!"
"Hmm. Am I going to have to introduce myself again?" The young man muttered with a bit of annoyance; his shaken state of a short time ago seemed to have completely disappeared.
"Haah, that's fine. I am Uriel Elune, and Uriel is my first name."
"What do you want here?"
"Huh? Well, I was watching you three bullying this boy and I decided to help him."
"Hahaha. Look at him. You think you're a hero?"
"Hero? Of course not. But, looking at you... you look a little angry. Is it because I killed one of your fake companions?"
"You—!"
"Hey, calm down! He just killed Jack, with just one spear shot! Jack was the strongest among the three of us! So it shouldn't be hard for this guy to kill one of us!"
Before one of the men could run toward the young man, the other quickly stopped him.
"Oh, one of you seems to have a bit of a conscience."
"Tsk. The two of us can just attack him together, I doubt he can take us on!"
"Not a good idea. Before we could get to him, he could shoot a spear at one of us. What if he has another spear?"
"...You're right. However, do you think this guy is going to let us go? He just killed Jack!"
Looking at the young man — Uriel — who was watching them sitting on top of the small mound of dirt, the men frowned. The enemy was at a perfect distance for someone with a spear, in contrast to them holding short-range weapons. It would be unthinkable to engage him at that moment, yet what would guarantee that he wouldn't attack them from behind when they tried to run away?
"—I could let them go. That is — if you leave this boy here and run away now."
However, Uriel did not seem to wish to fight them and just looked calmly at Finn.
"U-uh... I-I...?" Finn stammered.
"Sure, who else would it be? So, what about you guys? What are you guys going to choose? Escape alive or face me and die?"
Facing the two options, the two men began to talk among themselves.
"Are you sure that the best choice is to escape? What if it's all a bluff and he doesn't have another spear?"
"Even if he doesn't have another spear, it's not a wise choice to face him. Did you check the spear he fired to kill Jack? A spear of that quality for someone who has just started climbing the tower should only be given to members of the 10 Great Families. Whether he is someone from the main family or a branch of the family, the two of us might not be enough to take him on even if he doesn't have another spear."
"Tsk. I don't like the idea of backing down. But, if you say so... that's fine."
After they had made up their minds, one of the men said to Uriel:
"We choose to retreat. Then we will leave the boy here. He is all yours."
"A wise choice."
The men, though irritated, could only withdraw quietly, deciding not to risk facing a possible member of the 10 Great Families. Amidst all this, Finn looked at Uriel surprised at the same.
'He made them retreat so easily! And he even killed that guy with a single spear shot...'
Uriel approached him quickly.
"Are you okay?"
"A-Ah, yes, thank you..."
With a little difficulty, Finn stood up. After that, he quickly bowed to Uriel.
"Thank you so much for saving me."
"No need to thank you. Well, nice to meet you. My name as said just now is Uriel.
Uriel stretched out his palm. Stammering a little, Finn grabbed his hand.
"P-Pleased to meet you, Mr. Uriel. My name is Finn."
"Finn, then. I hope we get along well."
Uriel's lips formed a big curve. His bright smile seemed almost like an angel's smile to Finn, who had just been saved.
"O-Of course!"