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A small white figure, barely five feet tall, walked slowly through a dark, moldy cave. But could this truly be called a cave? The vast space seemed to stretch infinitely, with a horizon that faded into the distance. Majestic stone pillars rose on either side, adorned with ancient frescoes carved into the stone. No distinct light pierced the darkness, save for lanterns hanging on the walls, casting a pale glow to illuminate this immense expanse devoid of sky.
Only the sound of its footsteps echoed in the silence, its hands clasped behind its back, holding a golden staff topped with two green spheres. The figure continued its walk, lost in thought, seeming to wander aimlessly through this silent space.
But it was not there by chance. It was not merely to stroll through this dreary and lifeless place. No, it had a specific purpose, even if the environment appeared to absorb any trace of life.
The figure awaited a guest, someone who could finally bring some excitement to its dull existence. It stood there like a host ready to welcome its guests into its abode. However, it knew that this was no ordinary visitor preparing to enter the Tower. Over the years, and with a life far longer than usual, it had developed a keen intuition, a sharp instinct for spotting unwanted guests, those whom the inhabitants of the Tower dreaded.
Naturally, it was excited. Encountering these powerful and rare guest, capable of shaking even the foundations of the Tower, was a true delight. Observing these unpredictable changes, these unexpected disruptions, provided it with unmatched entertainment. These beings, so different from the usual inhabitants of the Tower, brought with them a fresh breath, a dynamic that seemed beyond control.
That is why the residents called them Irregulars.
Such is their name; they are irregular and unpredictable in their eyes, beings from another world.
These individuals, often wielding immeasurable power, carry with them an aura of uncertainty and mystery, defying established rules and shaking the certainties of those who reside in the Tower.
And that same figure is there to greet them—that is the nature of his work. Although sometimes tedious, an excited smile always appears beneath the slit of his mouth whenever his guests make their appearance, much like that of a prospector discovering a precious gem. This anticipation, mixed with curiosity, lit up his face, revealing a deep passion for these encounters that shattered the monotony of his existence.
His smile only grew wider as he sensed a sudden shift in the atmosphere, an undeniable sign that someone had just opened the doors of the Tower by themselves. A palpable energy filled the space, like a vibration heralding the arrival of a new Irregular. The walls of the cave hummed softly, as if welcoming this unexpected visitor.
The figure paused for a moment, lifting his gaze toward the ceiling, awaiting the arrival of the new guest. Several questions swirled in his mind—would it be a boy or a girl? Would this newcomer be as powerful and remarkable as the Irregulars before him? Or perhaps, to his great surprise, he would possess a strength far beyond that of his peers? The possibilities were endless, and each thought fueled his excitement.
'As long as you're interesting, you might provide me with a satisfying story,' he thought, not wanting to hope for too much.
Suddenly, a bright purple light appeared at the ceiling, signaling that the guest had finally arrived in the Tower. The spectacle lit up the dark space, casting dancing shadows on the marble walls, and the excitement in the figure's heart grew stronger.
The light descended in a straight line toward the ground. Upon touching it, the light began to gather at one point, gradually taking the shape of a human figure. The contours sharpened, revealing a being emerging from the violet glow.
As soon as the light faded, a young blonde girl lay on the ground, unconscious. The figure observed the newcomer with anticipation, but his smile quickly vanished, replaced by a dull disappointment.
With just a glance, it was obvious there was nothing remarkable about the girl. Neither her appearance, nor her strength, nor even any particular talent seemed to stand out. Absolutely nothing about her qualified her to even hope of ascending to the next floor.
She was just an average person—if not below average.
"Tsk, what a trash," he muttered with a hint of irritation. Yet, he quickly calmed himself, fully aware that it was impossible for this young girl, Rachel, to be the one chosen by the Tower.
The Tower chooses those it needs to bring about change—chosen ones capable of shaking its foundations in ways no native of the Tower ever could.
But no matter how much he scrutinized the girl, he couldn't believe she was the one the Tower had chosen. Her dull aura revealed no hidden strength, no remarkable potential. She seemed entirely too ordinary, lacking that unique spark that defined the true chosen ones of the Tower.
He thought then that this girl must have entered the Tower at the same time the real Irregular opened the doors. She was just a shadow, an insignificant presence during a moment that should have been extraordinary.
"Hmph, a filthy rat," he scoffed in disdain. It was a first for him, but he quickly lost all interest in the still-unconscious girl. His gaze shifted once more to the ceiling, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his true guest.
__________
"Urgh..." A weak groan escaped Rachel's lips as she began to regain consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, and she attempted to sit up, looking confused and disoriented, as if struggling to piece together her thoughts.
She turned her head, taking in her new surroundings. She realized she was no longer in the underground tunnel but in a far larger and more impressive space. The walls were adorned with ancient frescoes, towering majestically around her, illustrating fascinating legends. Strange mythical creatures, warriors battling demons, and epic clashes came to life before her eyes, their stories carved into the stone. Though the atmosphere was silent, it seemed to hum with a powerful energy.
Seeing all this, her gaze fell upon the marble floor that stretched out beneath her. Awestruck and bewildered, she couldn't help but think:
'This... this is the inside of the Tower?'
Happiness began to well up within her; she had finally succeeded in passing the first step—she had entered the Tower of her dreams! However, she knew she couldn't relax. As she had told herself, this was only the first step.
She looked around once more, searching for someone's presence. And as if fate had heard her, her eyes landed on a figure unlike anything she had ever seen before.
The mysterious figure turned out to be a rabbit, more precisely, a humanoid rabbit. Its unusual face had only a slit to show its eyes and mouth. It wore a suit that shifted between indigo and navy blue, marked by a crucifix formed by small green spheres on its chest, while its outfit left its arms and half of its legs uncovered. Half-spheres, similar to the ones on its suit, adorned the backs of its hands and feet.
It was, to say the least, a strange creature.
The humanoid rabbit stood still, motionless like a statue, its eyes fixed on the ceiling, completely ignoring Rachel's presence, as if she didn't exist.
"The elf… of the Tower?" she muttered in disbelief, her eyes wide as she stared at the creature a few meters away.
"You're the Tower's elf, aren't you?!" Rachel exclaimed, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Excitement surged through her as she quickly stood up, her eyes glued to the creature in awe. "I saw you in a book! In the Tower, there are elves who guide the children seeking to climb! You're an elf!"
The creature remained unresponsive, frozen in place, seemingly impervious to the girl's rambling. Rachel, swept up in her own excitement, paid no attention to the lack of response. Her heart pounded with exhilaration, and she couldn't stop speaking, ignoring the indifference of the strange humanoid rabbit.
Placing a hand on her chest, she introduced herself with a wide, beaming smile, "My name is Rachel. I came to climb the Tower!" Her voice echoed throughout the vast space, full of enthusiasm and hope, as if every word were a promise of new adventures to come.
"..."
At last, the creature turned its head toward Rachel, its silver-gray eyes locking onto her. Rachel, suddenly feeling nervous under its piercing gaze, instinctively took a step back.
"It is not... you," the creature said in a monotone voice. The statement left Rachel in a state of confusion, unsure of how to interpret those words. She stared at the impassive face of the humanoid rabbit, trying to grasp the hidden meaning behind its sentence.
"Sorry...?" she asked, bewildered. No matter how much she examined the creature's face, she couldn't understand the meaning of its words.
A flicker of understanding touched her mind, but she dismissed it outright, convinced it was just a joke from the elf she had heard so much about from the outside.
"It is not you," the creature continued, indifferent. "It is not you… that the Tower has chosen."
Its words hung in the air, striking Rachel like a cold reality. A wave of confusion washed over her, as she struggled to grasp what that could possibly mean.
Yet this confusion was only a mask hiding a deeper truth; denial.
Rachel understood what the creature was implying, but she refused to accept it. She couldn't bear to let go of this opportunity to change her life.
"What does that… mean?" she began, feigning ignorance. Her voice, though loud, trembled slightly. "I've always dreamed of entering the Tower! And I finally entered—"
"But it's not you," the creature interrupted, its tone cold and implacable. "Don't try to fool me, little liar."
"But you know it too. How horrible, filthy, and mediocre you are." The creature emphasized the last word with a chilling, contemptuous voice, while Rachel's arms slowly dropped to her sides. Her initial joy wilted as the brutal truth of her own shortcomings — shortcomings she despised herself — set in.
"You... are not the chosen one."
With those words, Rachel's world crumbled. Her confidence, already shaken by the cutting remarks of the creature she had believed to be a benevolent elf, began to falter, like a flickering ember about to be extinguished. A wave of despair washed over her, and she felt increasingly insignificant, as though every dream she had nurtured was slowly dissolving in the heavy air of the moment.
No! She was here to change, to become a new person. The Tower wasn't supposed to bring her back to who she was, much less push her to become worse. Her fists clenched as this thought spun in her mind. She refused to believe that all her efforts would lead to nothing.
She refused to go back to that place! The very idea of returning to that dull, hopeless life tightened her throat. She had endured too much, too much suffering to be rejected now. She simply couldn't fail here, not after coming this far.
"No..." she whispered, her body trembling from a mixture of frustration and growing despair. "No... No... Mr. Elf... please... PLEASE!!" she screamed, her voice cracking with the urgency of her situation. "Give me a chance, Mr. Elf! I... I MUST climb the Tower! It's my only hope!" she pleaded, kneeling before the creature. No matter the humiliation, she had to endure it. And this wasn't the first time she had found herself begging like this, after all.
"Please, Mr. Elf! Please... Accept me as the chosen one!!"
"....."
The creature, still indifferent to the young girl's pleas, allowed a hint of annoyance to seep through its otherwise stoic mask. It let out a long sigh before crossing its arms with a calculated nonchalance. Then, without a trace of emotion, it finally declared in a neutral voice the decision Rachel so desperately awaited:
"Fine... let's do a simple test."
This declaration rekindled the faint flicker of confidence in Rachel. Her eyes bright with hope, she quickly stood up, her heart pounding in her chest, and asked with hesitation, almost incredulous, "Re-Really? So... I can climb the Tower?"
"Hmm... only if you pass the test." The creature added nothing more, twirling its golden staff between its three fingers with an almost unsettling nonchalance. It then pointed the staff towards an adjacent wall.
THUD!!
A brilliant blue light burst from one of the spheres on the staff, illuminating the room, and in response to this phenomenon, the wall began to dissolve, revealing an entirely new space.
Rachel, the moment her eyes fell upon the interior of the newly revealed room, felt her stomach tighten. A wave of terror washed over her, and her eyes widened in shock. What she saw far exceeded anything she had prepared herself for.
Before her, massive bars stood tall, enclosing a gigantic cage filled with a strange cyan-blue substance, undulating like liquid. But it wasn't this matter that shocked Rachel; it was the massive creature floating at its center, swimming in the strange liquid like a fish moving through water.
The being was an enormous white eel, marked with red spots along its long body. Black scales, resembling a reinforced armor, covered its torso and snout. Two gigantic wings acted as its fins, and on the sides of its head, white horns with red tips protruded downward, while its piercing blue eyes locked onto Rachel, studying her as if she were nothing more than prey.
ROOOOOAAAR!!!
The huge eel let out a thunderous roar, making Rachel flinch who felt her legs collapse at any moment.
"What... What is..." The words caught in her throat. Rachel couldn't finish her sentence, stunned and paralyzed by the intensity of the gaze the eel cast upon her. A primal fear gripped her, chilling her to the bone. That piercing, intimidating stare made her feel small, vulnerable, as though the massive creature could crush her in an instant.
And that description was no exaggeration, for the creature before her was colossal, easily the size of a multi-story building. Never had Rachel seen something so immense, so terrifying, her entire body trembling before this nightmarish vision.
Yet, deep within her terror, a strange thought crossed her mind. Even in front of this gigantic beast, a part of her couldn't help but think that this monster was nothing compared to the true monster she had left behind, outside.
"It's a white-armored eel," the humanoid rabbit responded, standing nonchalantly in front of the cage, his back turned to it. "It's in its spawning period right now, and it's very hungry. It's simply waiting for you to join it."
Rachel was pulled from her trance by the creature's words, which echoed in her mind like a foreboding chime, amplifying her fear. Her suspicions were already confirmed, but she still sought clarification, hoping it was just a cruel joke. Before she could speak, the humanoid rabbit interrupted again:
"The test's rule is simple. You go in there... and, while avoiding the hungry eel, you must pop that ball."
He waved his staff toward the cage, pointing to a black sphere floating at the center, while the eel, with its fluid, sinuous movements, swam around it like a vigilant guardian.
Rachel's blood ran cold, and her face grew even paler. She had known the Tower wasn't without danger, that sacrifices might be necessary. But to sacrifice her life? That was beyond anything she had imagined.
She remembered Baam, who had warned her about the dangers she would face in pursuing her dream. At the time, she had dismissed his warnings as attempts to persuade her to stay with him, safe from the threats that surrounded them.
Not only did she refuse to believe she had to risk her life, but she also felt torn by the desire to remain near the one she hated so much. It was an internal struggle between the burning ambition that drove her and the creeping fear that gnawed at her mind, amplifying her hesitation.
But oh, how wrong she had been to think the Tower would be anything like the stories she had heard of its wonders. She could never have imagined that the elf, described as the one who was supposed to guide people like her, would be the very one who might lead her to her death. She had never anticipated that the first test in the Tower would be so daunting and difficult.
The naivety that had accompanied her this far collided brutally with reality, giving way to crushing anxiety. Rachel felt trapped, unable to turn back, yet too terrified to move forward. The stories had glorified the grandeur of the Tower, but none had prepared her heart to face such a challenge.
'NO! This can't be happening!!', she screamed in her mind. Once again, she refused to believe she had to face such an absurd test, that this was her end. She even convinced herself that the so-called elf, whom she had admired so much, was giving her such a harsh challenge only because she had entered the Tower in a different way than other Irregulars.
A way she was sure was justified. After all, in her mind, Baam's place rightfully belonged to her.
Outraged, her teeth clenched, she spat out in a trembling voice:
"Y-You want me to die?"
"No. I simply told you to go in and pop the ball," the creature replied calmly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
His detached tone only heightened Rachel's anxiety, but still indignant, she shot back aloud:
"In other words, you're sending me to my death! How am I supposed to fight that monster and pop the ball?! You just want to send me away because I'm not the chosen one!"
Her voice trembled with a mixture of anger and fear as she tried to challenge the authority of the creature, who, in her mind, seemed to be toying with her fate as if it were nothing more than a game.
"So... you're not going to attempt the challenge?" the creature asked, its monotone voice echoing in the enclosed space. Rachel, caught off guard, was left speechless, her indignation slowly fading as the gravity of the situation dawned on her. Anxiety and uncertainty gripped her as she wondered if she truly had a choice.
But had she ever really had a choice to begin with? That question gnawed at her, making her bite her lower lip, a nervous habit. If she chose to refuse the challenge, her journey—the one she had dreamed of and planned for—would end before it had even begun.
Yet, she didn't want to die, not before proving her worth.
But how could she do that when faced with a monster she had only read about in stories?
Rachel knew she was not like the heroes in those tales, the ones who bravely faced terrifying creatures with courage and honor. No, she was just an ordinary girl, dreaming of becoming one of those main characters, to bring a new life, far better than the one she was living.
Still, she desperately wanted to escape from her miserable life. She was willing to do anything to achieve that, even if it meant striking a deal with a demon.
Once more, she pleaded, her trembling voice betraying her desperation:
"Sir elf, please give me another chance, then—"
"Ah, finally, my guest has arrived." The creature abruptly interrupted Rachel, his interest clearly piqued. A hint of excitement laced his tone as he once again turned his gaze toward the ceiling, completely ignoring the young girl.
This indifference was like a stab to Rachel's heart, but for her, there was another revelation that struck an even deeper wound.
'Oh no... no, no, no, NO! That monster is coming?!'
She panicked inwardly at this realization. She wasn't naive enough to believe that the monster she feared would enter the Tower, but the thought of facing him again was simply unbearable. The fact that she had made it through the Tower's doors had been a miracle in itself, and the idea that she might soon confront that threat again paralyzed her with fear. Rachel had always known she would have to face dangers to realize her dream, but the prospect of encountering that monster once more pushed her to the brink of panic.
"If you're not going to take the test, then step aside, young girl," the creature ordered, its tone ringing out like a decree. One eye peeked through the slit of its face, fixing on Rachel, who began to tremble, her hands pressing against her head in a gesture of despair. Her attitude irritated the creature, who had grown tired of hearing the pleas of a girl clearly unprepared to face the challenges the Tower imposed. In a cold voice, it added:
"You're a nuisance."
Those words struck Rachel like a slap, amplifying her sense of helplessness and despair in this already hostile environment. Her trembling stopped, and she stood motionless, her eyes staring straight ahead, as if frozen by the weight of the situation.
It hadn't even been ten minutes since she had entered the Tower, but she already felt like her dream had shattered.
Noticing that the atmosphere was growing heavier and the ground rumbling with the arrival of his true guest, the humanoid rabbit vanished from its spot and hid Rachel in the shadow of the walls.
Watching the entire floor tremble as if to welcome his guest, the creature smirked from the shadows. This shift was far more significant than that of Rachel, emphasizing the importance of this Irregular in comparison to her.
"I hope you won't disappoint me, Irregular," it murmured with a toothy grin, eagerly awaiting the one who would disrupt the peace of the Tower.
__________
A vivid purple light emanated from the ceiling, descending like a shooting star and filling the space with a mystical glow. As it neared the ground, it began to transform, creating a silhouette that lay on the cold marble. When the light slowly faded, the shape took on a tangible form, revealing an individual whose arrival promised to upset the very balance of the Tower.
That individual was Baam, who began to regain consciousness, slowly sitting up. He placed a hand on his forehead, hidden under his hood, though a long strand of jet-black hair escaped, falling delicately across his face. His gaze, initially lost in the void, started to focus on his surroundings.
"Where... am I?" he wondered to himself, puzzled. The tunnel he had just left now seemed like a distant memory, leaving him in a vast, undefined space where he couldn't discern the horizon's limits. His eyes scanned the murals, depicting a multitude of creatures and monsters, each stranger than the last. Although it intrigued him, he knew he wasn't there to admire the surroundings; he needed to understand where he was.
'Is this the Tower.'
He finally concluded, though aware that the place did not match the beauty Rachel had described to him. But if this place was indeed the Tower, it was likely that he was on the first floor. Even though the atmosphere was dark, he found this space far less suffocating than the cave where he had spent so many years. A glimmer of hope began to bloom within him; perhaps this new environment would offer him the opportunities to find what he was searching for.
He noticed a faint purple glow falling on his shoulder. Confused, he looked up to discover a brilliant, radiant violet light, easily mistaken for a star. The floating particles surrounding it resembled cherry blossom petals drifting gently through the air, creating an atmosphere both beautiful and soothing.
Baam was somewhat fascinated by the spectacle. It had been so long since he had seen such a radiant light. It stood in stark contrast to the all-encompassing darkness of the cave where he had spent years.
However, he quickly averted his gaze, standing up calmly and brushing off the dust from his long coat. He wasn't here to admire lights but to accomplish much more important goals.
A part of him couldn't help but worry about Rachel. Logically, he had entered right after her, so she should be here somewhere, but he didn't see her anywhere. Had she already gone up to the next floor? Had she taken another entrance? Or maybe the door had taken them to a completely different place, outside the Tower?
As these questions spun in his mind, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rose behind him:
"Oh, oh, it's been a long time since I've had a guest like you."
Caught off guard, Baam quickly turned to face the stranger. He was certain he hadn't sensed any presence nearby, which in itself deeply alarmed him. For the first time, he had been surprised, someone who had always trusted his sharp senses. That unsettled him, a strange sensation creeping up inside. Though outwardly calm, a quiet tension began to form within him, sharpening his awareness.
Poised for combat, Baam carefully scrutinized the figure slowly emerging from the shadows, walking with a disconcerting tranquility. As he discerned more of its features, Baam couldn't hide his confusion at the unique appearance of the being. The stranger resembled a rabbit, with an oval head and long ears pointing backward, yet it had a humanoid form. Dressed in strange, almost theatrical attire, the figure held a staff, twirling it skillfully between its hands, adding to the enigmatic aura surrounding it.
Baam had never seen a creature like this before. Despite its small stature and the almost complete absence of presence around it, he couldn't afford to underestimate the being before him. Two possibilities crossed his mind; either this strange humanoid rabbit was extremely skilled at hiding its presence, or… it was simply far more powerful than him.
The latter seemed more plausible, especially as his instincts were warning him with unusual intensity. A bitterness rose within him as he realized the potential threat, heightening his vigilance toward the unknown creature.
Noticing his guest's tension, the creature stopped a few meters from Baam, still twirling its staff in a nonchalant gesture. In a calm, almost amused voice, it addressed the new Irregular in an attempt to ease the tense atmosphere:
"Whoa, whoa. I mean you no harm, young man."
Baam was slightly surprised to hear the creature speak so fluently, but that was the least of his concerns. Despite the reassuring words of the strange being, he couldn't afford to let his guard down completely. He was in an unfamiliar place, knowing only fragments of it from stories told by his only friend.
However, after thinking for a moment, he realized that if the creature truly had hostile intentions, it would have already eliminated him without even revealing itself. And facing such a being, one that set all his instincts on high alert, Baam knew he wouldn't have stood much of a chance. Slowly, he relaxed his stance a little, appearing more at ease, though still ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.
The creature observed Baam with satisfaction, silently noting the young man's instinctive caution. But it wasn't just his reflexes that captivated the strange being; it was the unique aura he exuded. Around Baam, a powerful and dark energy seemed to stretch out, almost consuming the very air, as if it was devouring reality itself.
This wasn't just an impressive presence for a newcomer, but a far more terrifying hidden force. The creature could sense this latent power, filled with malice and destruction, waiting to be unleashed, like a predator ready to annihilate everything. And yet, this was only a fraction of what Baam concealed within him.
Compared to this overwhelming energy, the other girl who had entered the Tower seemed almost insignificant.
'Well,' it thought with contained excitement, 'it looks like a true monster has passed through the doors of this Tower.' The desire to see just how far this Irregular could push his abilities, and to witness him unleash his full power, thrilled the creature.
However, it knew it had to be patient. It hadn't even bothered to introduce itself yet, and prolonging the silence while observing the Irregular risked making its guest uncomfortable. After all, it considered itself a courteous host, someone who welcomed guests with care and attention, even in a place as strange as this.
Taking a deep breath, it finally broke the silence that had settled in, its tone light, almost warm, "I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Headon, and I am the Administrator of the Tower's First Floor." It introduced itself with measured elegance, stopping the twirling of its golden staff before bowing gracefully. "I welcome you to this Tower, young man."
'So, I am really in the Tower,' Baam thought, placing his right hand on his chin, reflecting. He didn't know exactly what the role of Administrator entailed, but he guessed they must be the ones overseeing each floor of the Tower.
"Young man, may I have your name?" Headon's request pulled Baam out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see the Administrator patiently watching him.
Placing his right hand on his chest and slightly bowing his head forward, he introduced himself gracefully:
"First of all, I apologize for the rudeness I displayed towards you a moment ago. My name is the 25th Baam, as I was born on the 25th night."
"Hmm, what a polite boy you are, far more than your peers," hummed Headon with satisfaction, visibly a bit surprised. It was astonishing that an individual exuding such a malevolent aura could be so courteous, much more than the other Irregulars he had encountered in the past. "And if I may, may I simply call you Mr. Baam? Your name is quite complicated, though it is delightful."
Baam, displaying a neutral expression in response to the last comment, merely nodded to indicate that he didn't mind being called that.
"But tell me, Mr. Baam," Headon began, rubbing his chin, a glimmer of curiosity illuminating his gaze, "though it may seem impolite, could you show me your face? It's difficult for me to see your features clearly with your hood concealing them."
Baam appeared hesitant for a moment, then sighed, aware that he couldn't hide his face forever, at least not his false face.
Cautiously, he began to remove his hood, raising an eyebrow from Headon.
Long strands of pure black hair cascaded down his back, creating a striking contrast with the metallic gray mask covering his face. This mask, both detailed and sinister, resembled the visage of a demon. The eye sockets completely obscured his eyes, leaving an impression of unpredictability. The mouth, jagged and sinuous, stretched to the corners of his head, forming a smile that was both intriguing and unsettling. It was a face that evoked power and fear, a gaze that betrayed no emotion but spoke volumes about the complexity of its bearer.
Headon, though surprised, was no stranger to meeting someone hiding their identity behind a mask, whether among regulars or Irregulars. However, the mask Baam wore was of a strange nature, something he had never seen before. The malevolent aura emanating from Baam seemed to intensify through this second skin.
Driven by curiosity, Headon attempted to explore what lay behind the mask. As an administrator, he had the ability to pierce the mysteries of individuals, as if it were merely a fleeting glance. But when his gaze delved into Baam's mask, he was immediately repelled, as if he had hit an invisible wall. A dark, obscuring force enveloped him, preventing access to Baam's mind.
Headon found himself somewhat shocked. It was the first time he had faced such resistance. Though he managed to discern a fraction of what lay within Baam, what he glimpsed was an absolute void, an abyss filled with malice and hatred that seemed to stare back at him coldly.
What he couldn't deny was that this unexpected experience awakened a sense of fear in him, a slight apprehension toward the unknown that Baam represented.
He contemplated the idea that the mask might be the source of the power Baam represented, but that hypothesis seemed insufficient to him. Something far deeper and more complex must explain the mysterious strength emanating from this young man.
The sensation Baam radiated was not simply that of raw power; it involved layers of pain, anger, and perhaps even buried regrets.
Headon, despite his status as an administrator, found himself at a loss in the face of this enigma. He didn't have the answers, not this time.
'Well, this is new. Who would have thought that a beginner, albeit an Irregular, would make me feel so blind to him?' Headon mentally wondered. It was no longer fear he felt towards Baam, but a growing excitement.
It was the first time since he had opened his eyes to this world that he encountered someone as strange and dangerous as Baam. The mystery surrounding him awakened an insatiable curiosity within him. Every aspect of this young man seemed to hold unimagined secrets, layers of intrigue and potential.
If the other Irregulars were jewels, Baam was undoubtedly a raw diamond, still to be discovered, promising wonders but also unforeseen dangers.
However, it was precisely this unpredictability and potential that appealed to Headon about the Irregulars. Each of them represented a blank page, a promise of immeasurable surprises.
Headon eagerly awaited the moment this new Irregular would reach maturity, unleashing a storm that would shake the very foundations of this world. One thing was certain; Baam would not be just a name in the history books but an exciting chapter whose echo would resonate long after his ascent.
Noticing Headon's prolonged silence, Baam wondered about the effect his mask might have on the administrator. Was it so terrifying that it left him petrified in place?
Headon abruptly broke the awkward silence, his voice tinged with a slight laugh. "Ahem, ahem, I apologize for the wait, Mr. Baam. You really have one of the strangest masks." He quickly regained his composure, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Without dwelling too much on this topic, I would like to know the reason for your entrance into the Tower?"
"I was following a girl outside," Baam replied without averting his gaze, his voice firm. "But we got separated when the door to the Tower opened. I'd like to know if you've seen a young girl with blonde hair pass through here?"
Headon thought for a moment, rubbing his chin while looking up as if searching through the corridors of his memory. "A girl with blonde hair? That rings a bell..."
Baam stood there patiently, waiting for the administrator's response. Suddenly, Headon raised his staff, pointing it towards the ceiling with inspired fervor.
"The answers are all up there. I can't tell you more."
Baam, intrigued, furrowed his brows.
"If you want to find the answer and locate the girl, you'll need to ascend the floors," Headon continued, his voice resonating like a proclamation.
"Wealth?"
"Glory?"
"Immortality?"
"Absolute power?"
"Vengeance?"
"Or something that transcends all of that?"
"All the truths, glory, and joys of this world... are up there."
"The Tower is that kind of place."
Headon's words hung in the air, laden with heavy promises, leaving Baam to ponder what the administrator had just said. Although this girl was his only friend, he was not truly concerned with finding Rachel, as that was not his primary goal. For him, climbing the Tower represented a new beginning, an opportunity to explore unknown horizons, far from the shadows of his past.
However, his frustration grew as he realized that Headon did not seem willing to share concrete information. The administrator's words about wealth, glory, and power, while tempting, sounded like empty promises to his ears. Baam was not interested in these fleeting desires; he simply wanted to move forward and discover what the Tower had to offer.
He wondered if this creature actually knew something important or if his mysterious speeches were just a veil to conceal a truth he could not reveal. The lack of concrete answers left him perplexed, but he was determined not to let it hinder his path.
"I think there's a misunderstanding, Mr. Headon," he said softly, raising the old administrator's eyebrows. "I didn't ascend the Tower to search for Rachel. While I worry about her, if she wants to pursue her path without me, then I will respect her choice. I will follow my own path."
"Oh, may I ask what your true goal is?" the administrator inquired, curiosity gradually taking hold of him.
"It's simple, I don't know," the masked young man replied, leaving Headon confused.
It was indeed unusual for an Irregular who had opened the doors to the Tower to have no powerful desire within him. To enter, one not only had to be worthy but also have a clear purpose.
Noticing the misunderstanding on Headon's face, Baam continued with conviction:
"But my goal, though strange, is to discover this true purpose. I want to explore the Tower because I believe this vast world could lead me to something I truly need—a new sense in my life."
Headon was once again surprised by this confident declaration, feeling a flicker of respect for the young man's determination. He had encountered many Irregulars, but few had demonstrated such clarity of mind. Baam's wisdom, even at an early stage in his journey, continued to intrigue Headon. He wondered what experiences the young man had undergone outside the Tower to attain such a mindset. This reflection only heightened his interest in Baam.
'This young man managés to surprise me every time; he is truly unique, even among Irregulars,' Headon realized internally.
"But the path to the top of the Tower is arduous and painful. Are you sure you want to follow this path, young man?" the administrator warned, staring at the young man's mask with an emotionless gaze.
"I prefer a life filled with dangers to a life without purpose," Baam simply replied through his mask.
"That's the fighting spirit I was waiting for," Headon expressed with satisfaction. "Let's conduct a test to see if you are qualified to ascend the Tower."
"What test?" asked the Irregular curiously. Although he wasn't foolish enough to ignore the nature of tests, he knew that their design within the Tower could be quite different from that outside. Headon, aware of this uncertainty, explained while holding his staff with both hands, horizontally:
"Young man, inside the Tower, each floor presents a test to determine your qualifications. The subject of the tests is decided by the rulers and administrators of each floor, and the difficulty varies accordingly. This means, Mr. Baam, that if you wish to move on to the next floor, you must pass my test."
"Now, look," he continued. "Here is the test for the first floor."
THUD!!
He lightly tapped the floor of the level, and one of the spheres on his staff began to glow with a bright blue-green radiance. As before with Rachel, one of the walls opened, revealing again a cage filled with a cyan liquid.
However, something was different this time in the cage.
Instead of a single eel, there was a pack, consisting of fifteen eels swimming around a black sphere in the center of the cage. These eels were very different from the one Rachel was supposed to face.
They measured three to four times the volume of the white-shelled eel, and like the latter, they had scales that acted as armor. However, their scales were a dark gray, almost completely covering their bodies. Unlike the previous eel, each of them had six wings, giving them astonishing speed. Two pairs of horns stood on their heads, one curving upward and the other downward, while their red, piercing, and threatening eyes evoked true terror for any fragile spirit.
But no matter how intense the threatening gazes of the eels fixed on Baam were, he did not flinch. Remaining calm, he observed these impressive creatures with marked interest. It wasn't every day that he had the chance to see beings so gigantic.
"The test is called the Ball," Headon explained briefly, while internally praising Baam's stoicism in the face of these creatures that seemed ready to devour him whole. "This test is very simple; you must enter the cage, avoid or defeat the monsters, and then reach the human-sized ball and hit it hard enough to burst it. And for your information, these monsters are a species called barracuda, large Shinheuh (divine sea fish) that live in the Shinsu flowing within the Tower."
Baam silently observed the cage, his mind already assessing the situation.
He continued visualizing the cage, his expression impossible to decipher due to his mask as Headon continued, his tone tinged with slightly cruel amusement:
"Unlike its cousin, the white-armored eel, the barracuda is the most aggressive shinheuh in the Tower and by far much more powerful. And to add a little spice to this test," he added, a smile forming on his face, "we are in the spawning season, and these creatures haven't eaten for several months. They are very hungry right now ."
A heavy silence followed these words, but Baam showed no signs of panic. He simply stared at the barracudas, calmly listening to the details of the challenge ahead.
He was more disturbed by a question that refused to leave his mind; how had Rachel been able to pass this test? He knew well that she wasn't capable of facing such powerful creatures, especially in such a short time. He understood his friend's limitations. Yet she had advanced, and that troubled him.
But a dark thought crossed his mind, a possibility he couldn't ignore but didn't like at all:
'Maybe she's dead...'
He quickly dismissed that idea. Even though he hadn't come here to find her, he didn't wish for her death. Not after all she had done for him. But if it were true...
Headon's voice suddenly broke the thread of his thoughts. "Are you afraid?" the administrator asked, arms crossed, a nearly mocking smile on his slit. "It's a big problem if you're afraid of these big fish. If you fail this test, you won't be able to access the next floor, young man."
"If that's the case... you'll never find meaning in your life."
All this was pure provocation. Headon wanted to observe how this Irregular would react to such a difficult test. He had deliberately increased the difficulty, knowing that the white-armored eel would be child's play for Baam, likely ending up as a mere rag doll in his hands. Thus, he had decided to replace it with a whole pack of barracudas, creatures far more powerful and aggressive.
For Headon, even a single barracuda probably wouldn't have sufficed to gauge the true abilities of this unique Irregular. So he pushed the challenge to its peak. Perhaps by elevating this test to such an extreme level, he would finally see the full extent of the power emanating from Baam, this masked young man who intrigued him so much.
Baam remained silent for a moment, as if lost in thought, then let out a long sigh. This was neither the time nor the place to think about Rachel. She had made her choice to climb the Tower alone, and if it turned out she was dead, as bitter as that thought was, she had to bear the responsibility. He wouldn't search for her. Baam would follow his own path and find a new purpose in this Tower.
"A meaningless life, what's the point of living it? It's just boredom," Headon continued, seeking to poke at the Irregular's determination. "But getting close to that ball is practically impossible; it's suicide. The barracudas are even faster in the highly concentrated Shinsu, and you won't be agile enough to escape them. You'll end up as food."
"Rather than throwing yourself into the jaws of the wolf, wouldn't it be better to protect your life?"
Without paying any attention to these provocations, Baam calmly walked past Headon, surpassing him without a word as he resolutely approached the cage. Headon merely watched him from the corner of his eye.
The administrator couldn't help but let out a predatory smile, revealing his shark-like pointed teeth. Excitement trembled through his entire body, and a small laugh slipped between his mouth.
"Hihi. Welcome to the Tower, young man," he murmured, amused and curious to see how far this Irregular would push his determination.
Baam continued to advance, indifferent to Headon's murmurs echoing behind him. His eyes fixed on the barracudas swirling in the cage, their movements fluid yet menacing, eager to pounce on him as soon as he crossed into their territory while letting out a shrill roar.
ROOOOOAAAAR!!!
However, he showed no sign of fear or hesitation. His gaze was calm, and a quiet certainty radiated from him. He was convinced he would succeed in this test without difficulty.
'It's nothing more than fishing for common fish,' he thought, with a confidence that was not arrogance but simply a testament to his absolute faith in his abilities.
Baam even found it insulting that Headon underestimated him so much.
He was about to step one foot into the cage when he suddenly felt something coming at high speed above him. Looking up, he saw… a huge foot?
Thuud!
With a simple sidestep, he easily avoided the surprise attack. The figure stumbled and fell heavily, seemingly shocked that Baam had managed to dodge the blow so easily.
Clumsily getting back on her feet, the figure began frantically dusting off her clothes, clearly embarrassed. Baam then discerned the features of the stranger; a young girl with long black hair, almost reaching her ankles, tied up in a high ponytail secured by a red ribbon on the left side of her head. Her skin, a radiant pale, slightly illuminated her delicate features, and her piercing red eyes seemed capable of piercing anyone who dared to stare at her for too long.
She wore an elegant yet simple outfit; a long-sleeved white jacket, a black shirt, a red tie, and a red skirt, along with black tights. What particularly caught Baam's attention was a red symbol with three eyes pinned to her shirt. He was sure he had seen it somewhere before… but he couldn't remember where.
The beautiful girl, although clearly embarrassed by her entrance, kept her eyes on Baam, slowly approaching him as a strange silence settled between them, like a pause before the storm.
And indeed, it wouldn't be long before it erupted. As she got close enough to Baam, she pointed her finger at him and almost yelled, her words completely incomprehensible to him:
"%@%€@^!%@%€@№$^@€€!%!! (Hey, newbie! Are you planning to die right as you arrive in the Tower? Huh!!)"
Baam, not understanding a single word she had just said, could only awkwardly respond:
"Uh, well, hello?"