Chapter 20: The Real Mission
"So you are telling me that someone killed Doras?!"
The room fell into an oppressive silence as the man's booming voice reverberated off the walls, punctuating the gravity of the situation.
His piercing gaze bore into the messenger, demanding answers that could ease the weight of this shocking revelation.
The messenger, aware of the gravity of his words, stood resolute, his demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil that unfolded before him. He swallowed hard, his voice steady yet tinged with a hint of trepidation as he confirmed the devastating news.
"Y-yes, boss..." The messenger's voice quivered in response, his fear palpable as he stood before his formidable leader.
"T-that's ridiculous," the man's voice trembled, betraying his disbelief. Despite his relatively young age in the 30s, he possessed the wisdom and experience of a seasoned warrior.
He had witnessed Doras in countless battles, seen his indomitable strength and skill firsthand. To him, it was inconceivable that someone of lesser caliber could have taken down Doras.
"It must be the work of one of the formidable powerhouses," the man declared, his voice filled with a mix of awe and concern.
He knew that only someone of considerable strength and influence could have taken down Doras with such ease. The incident hinted at a dangerous presence lurking in the shadows, ready to challenge the established order of power.
A storm of anger brewed in his eyes, threatening to erupt at any moment. The untimely demise of his dear friend struck a chord deep within him, fueling his determination for justice.
Although not the official head of the Suzo family, he held significant authority as the brother of the absent leader, entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding their interests. His heart burned with a fiery resolve to unveil the perpetrator behind this heinous act and avenge the fallen.
Unbeknownst to many, he possessed formidable power, standing as a 4-star angel of the rare S rank. His mastery over his abilities surpassed the ordinary, elevating him to a league of his own. While he typically maintained a calm and composed demeanor, the tragic loss of his comrade ignited a fierce determination within him.
'Could it be... were they after those specific items?' The question lingered in his mind, raising suspicions about the motive behind the brutal act.
"You there!" The man called out to one of his gang members who had been present at the crime scene. He approached him with a sense of urgency and suspicion.
"Tell me, did you manage to secure the items inside the ring?" he inquired.
One of the men, his face pale with anxiety, quickly responded, "Yes, boss. I managed to secure all the items inside the ring."
"Show me right now!" the man ordered with urgency. Without hesitation, the men began retrieving each item one by one from the ring, presenting them to their leader.
"Hmm, there are still quite a few items remaining. Could it be that the perpetrator didn't recognize the value of these things?" he mused, lost in deep thought as he contemplated the situation.
AT THE SAME TIME...
Zain informed the man standing outside the hospital room, "Yes, she specifically asked me to come today."
"Do you happen to have any written notice or any form of confirmation?" the man inquired.
Zain shook his head in response, indicating that he did not possess any written notice. He clarified, "No, she simply informed me verbally to come..."
The watchman remained skeptical of Zain's claim and was prepared to stop him from entering when a voice from the nearby window caught his attention. The voice was clear and distinct, leaving the watchman in a state of surprise.
"Allow him," Dr. Iana's authoritative voice boomed from inside, directing her words towards the watchman. Her commanding presence left no room for doubt.
"Yes, ma'am!" The watchman responded promptly, acknowledging Dr. Iana's command. He stepped aside, creating a clear path for Zain to enter the hospital room.
Zain retraced his steps, walking towards Dr. Iana's office in the hospital. The hallway seemed eerily quiet, with only the sound of his footsteps echoing through the sterile environment.
Memories of his previous visit flooded his mind, reminding him of the frustration and tension he had felt. The walls seemed to close in on him, intensifying his determination to find answers.
Despite his formidable presence and immense power, Zain was not devoid of manners. In fact, he understood the importance of composure and control, especially when it came to his emotions.
He knew all too well that even the slightest fluctuation in his emotional state could unleash a catastrophic wave of energy. Thus, he made a conscious effort to maintain stability, keeping his emotions in check and preventing any unintended consequences.
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Yes!"
As Zain approached the office door, he raised his hand to knock, but as soon as his knuckles made contact with the wood, the door swung open with surprising swiftness. It was as if Dr. Iana had been standing just behind the door, eagerly anticipating Zain's arrival. The suddenness of the door's movement caught Zain slightly off guard.
Zain entered the office and couldn't help but remark, "That was remarkably quick.."
"Haha, I've been eagerly waiting for you after all," she replied with a smile.
Zain nodded his head and inquired, "So, why did you ask me to come today? Is there something you wanted to give me or discuss?"
Zain's curiosity piqued as he wondered what could possibly capture his interest. He couldn't recall the last time he was genuinely fascinated by something. Zain decided to take a chance and see if the doctor before him truly had anything worth showing. Could she pique his interests despite his initial skepticism?
"Well, before I reveal or give it to you... have you truly made up your mind to ascend the tower?" she inquired once more, her eyes searching for any signs of hesitation or doubt in Zain's expression.
She didn't want to inadvertently steer him towards certain death, as no one had ever returned after ascending beyond the 10th floor of the tower. Her concern for Zain's well-being was evident in her voice and the earnestness in her eyes.
It seemed as if a dark cloud loomed over the 11th floor of the tower, shrouded in mystery and foreboding. The air grew heavy with the weight of countless lost souls and failed attempts.
Whispers of doom and tales of unimaginable horrors circulated among those who dared to venture beyond the safety of the 10th floor. It was said that once the threshold was crossed, a treacherous trial awaited, one that claimed the lives and sanity of all who braved its depths.
The tower became a graveyard for shattered dreams and broken bodies, a place where only corpses or scattered belongings returned, bearing witness to the unforgiving nature of the trials that lay beyond.
"Yes, I have already made my decision and there's no turning back," Zain replied with a determined expression on his face. The reason behind his seemingly irrational decision was known only to him, a secret that he held close.
Despite his disdain for the concept of family and his seething hatred towards his own relatives, he carried within him the weight of their untimely demise. It was a burden he couldn't shake off, and the desire to bring them back, even if fueled by conflicting emotions, drove him to embark on this perilous journey.
Life held a greater value for him than any familial ties, and he was determined to seize the opportunity to rewrite the tragic fate that had befallen his loved ones, no matter how absurd it may appear to outsiders.
"Very well then, I can't possibly stop you right now, but at least I can offer you some assistance in achieving your goal," Iana said.
With a graceful gesture, she handed Zain a small scroll, its intricate design hinting at the hidden knowledge within.
"What's this?" Zain asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he unrolled the tightly wound scroll.
As the parchment unfolded, intricate drawings and symbols adorned its surface, depicting a series of intricate and mysterious locations.
"Huh? This..." Zain's voice trailed off, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the sight before him. The drawings seemed to come alive, depicting the very places that lay within the enigmatic tower.
Zain, a former angel, found himself in uncharted territory as he embarked on his journey within the tower. Unlike the celestial realms he once knew, this tower had emerged in the wake of his demise, a testament to the ever-shifting nature of the world.
Zain's eyes widened in disbelief as he examined the scroll containing intricate details of the tower's inner chambers. It was a treasure trove of information, a map to the unknown that he had been longing for.
"How did you come across this?" Zain asked, his voice filled with curiosity and astonishment.
Iana grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "I gathered the information from various broadcasts and battles. It's all about observation," she explained, her tone filled with playful confidence.
"This is no mere note..." Zain's astonishment grew as he examined the scroll in detail. It contained comprehensive information, meticulously documenting crucial locations up to Floor-17. The level of detail surpassed his expectations, and he couldn't express his gratitude enough. This invaluable resource would greatly aid him in accomplishing his true mission within the tower.
Zain's true mission, his unyielding pursuit: 'REVENGE'