Kian's deal with Mira was crucially beneficial for him too. The woman was used to using people so she could climb to the top. This way, he can use her while she uses him. It was a double edged sword but it had more benefits than damage to him.
Mira smirked at him. "Media isn't something that's easily built. I know what it takes to use and utilize as many people as I can. To me, everything is for my disposal."
"I know," Kian said. "It's not a question that you can do those things once. But can you do it again? This one is very different from the world outside."
"The World Tower. I already built my empire from scratch, from the world that I know nothing of. I'm sure I can build another one in this tower that I know is filled with shit," Mira chuckled. She took something from her pocket and threw it at Kian. "This contains the data of all eighty-eight heroes that will enter the World Tower tomorrow. Use it to your advantage. Learn them tonight. We don't know if electricity works inside that place, so you better be prepared for anything."
Kian wasn't surprised that Mira had prepared for every possible thing that can happen. She might look like she just turned twenty, but the woman was already fifty years old. Her skin was smooth and shiny like porcelain because she started to preserve her beauty at a very young age.
Mira was also skillful in analyzing situations. She wasn't just some woman who built a media empire from a few gossip. She built connections, studied the field, and mastered the trade. The information of the other Heroes she acquired will be just like those few information she used to start the media company.
It was only a matter of proper timing for the right moves that she will play inside the World Tower.
"I know how to use their skills to my advantage," Mira said. "But I don't know yours. That's why you piqued my interest. You didn't have any data listed."
Kian remembered the time when Brent was interviewed about the skills he had. The system, the features, and other aspects of being a Hero, he was asked all about them. Kian was asked the same, but he couldn't answer the skills because he didn't have any.
"My system shows an error," Kian said. "I don't know my skills or anything else about my Soul."
"Interesting," Mira nodded. "Then I guess you shall rely on your wits and sharp mind from now on. If the tower is really a dangerous place, your physical strength will not suffice. I will see you tomorrow. You should prepare now."
Kian just nodded as Mira left the room. He stared at the thumb drive and immediately ran to his room to scan the contents with the computer the government provided them.
His only goal was to make sure Brent was safe. He didn't care if he has to die inside the tower, as long as Helen can provide a good life for his family, nothing else matters. For him, everything else is irrelevant.
"This data is too precise," Kian whispered to himself as he read through the data. It contained the details of the interview that the government conducted. This kind of information wasn't just milked through Mira's talks, but it came directly from the government.
This was the moment that Kian realized how much he underestimated Mira. Her network of connections rooted deeper than what he had thought of. The government itself was part of her connections and that was concerning.
"What is she capable of?" Kian smirked as he studied the data more. It took him several hours to read them and when he was finished mastering everything, he destroyed the drive. It was a dangerous weapon that only him and Mira should use.
Hours more, the time for the final preparations started. The heroes were gathered in front of the World Tower, right at the shore of the largest ocean in the world.
"So, this is the World Tower, huh?" Mira asked as she looked up the tower. The outer layer was made of stone that was filled with moss and cracks, but the gate that had the giant wooden doors was golden and looked brand new.
"This is the entrance to the World Tower," Agatha introduced. She pointed at the top of the door where a holographic red number was displayed. It showed the countdown of the tower, the remaining time before it opens to be exact.
At the moment, it showed two hours and three minutes.
"This will be your new reality," Agatha said. "And whatever fate of your adventure inside, will also become ours. We will call you back in an hour and a half so you can still bid farewell to your loved ones. There is no guarantee that you will come out alive, so you better say your farewells."
Everyone understood Agatha and proceeded to where their family was. Kian went to his mother and was shocked to see his father there. He was weak, pale, and barely breathing, but he was alive. He was looking at Kian and formed a smirk on his lips under the oxygen mask that he had on his face.
"Father…" Kian trailed off as he slolwy walked towards his father. "You're here."
"We got help," Sonia said and gestured her hand towards Helen who was talking to Brent. Kian looked at her and the woman glanced back.
Kian nodded at her but the woman reverted her gaze to her son. He didn't feel the need to thank her because this was a deal that they have agreed upon. She needed something from him and he needed something from her. They had a mutual agreement with mutual benefits, there is nothing to be thankful for.
"Kian," his father, Rob, whispered. Kian kneeled in front of his father, matching the length of his father's face as he was sitting on a wheelchair. "I thank you, my son. You have helped me so much."
"Don't mention it," Kian said. "I'm just doing what's best for you because I don't know what better else to do."
"You could've lived your life the way you wanted, but you still chose to help me," Rob continued. He was speaking slowly because his body was already weak. He would cough often but Kian forced himself to look strong. He was doing it for them.
"Heroes, only thirty minutes remaining," Agatha announced after Kian was talking to his mother.
Before the man returned to the entrance, Kian hugged his mother and held his father's hand. "I will return."
"You should," Sonia said. "I will cook your favorite beef stew when you do."
With the thought in his mind, Kian chuckled and nodded. "After I'm done with this tower, you better prepare a large serving, mother."
Sonia just chuckled. But as her son slowly turned around, tears fell from her eyes. There was no guarantee that he would return, or if there was anything he could return to, but that fact didn't stop them from hoping.
Kian stepped to the front of the gate. The golden doors started shaking when the timer went down. When there was only a minute left, the screws of the door groaned loudly.
The doors opened and a pale white mist flowed from the tower. It was like the first breath of the tower after so long. There were no windows or any other doors, so it was like a long compression of air gushed out for the first time.
"Are you ready for this?" Mira asked Kian as she smirked. Her attitude was back to being young and cheerful, it irked Kian. "This will determine the future of your family. Even your child."
Kian's eyes widened. It was now really the time he should be worried. He glanced at the young girl behind Susan. She was glancing back at him and Kian was looking at her and then at Mira.
He gulped, not knowing how to react. He hid his daughter's identity to everyone else, but how does this woman know that he had a child? Kian's head started to spun as they entered the World Tower for the first time.
"Do not trust anyone," Mira said, grinning menacingly. "Especially me."