Chapter 2 - The True Irregular

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Long before the exchange between Baam and Headon, the same young girl with long black hair and ruby-red eyes was rushing down a staircase at full speed, slicing through the darkness that surrounded her. Her clothes and hair billowed behind her, carried by the speed of her sprint, adding a strange grace to her movements in the pitch-black environment.

She was not alone. Behind her, a very short man followed closely, his bright silver hair and irises contrasting with his fair skin and the surrounding gloom. Dressed in dark green explorer's attire, he carried an oversized bag on his back, disproportionate to his stature, but it didn't seem to hinder his progress.

"Miss Yuri! Miss!! What are you planning to do on the lower floors?" the man shouted loudly, visibly confused by the young girl's sudden decision to descend to the lowest level of the Tower. His concern was evident on his face, but Yuri, unfazed, neither slowed down nor offered any response. Wanting an explanation, he raised his voice even more, trying to break through the young girl's stubborn silence. "Miss, please answer me!! Miss!! Miss!!!"

"Okay, okay! Shut up already! Your echoing screams are really starting to get on my nerves!" she finally snapped, not even glancing back, clearly irritated by her companion's incessant questions.

"It's because you're not answering m—"

He was abruptly cut off by Yuri's sudden declaration, finally revealing the reason for her descent. Shock spread across his face as she unveiled the unthinkable.

"An Irregular has entered the first floor of the Tower!! She told me that an Irregular opened the door by himself!!" she declared, coming to an abrupt halt in her run, glancing back at her stunned companion. A smile then spread across her lips, revealing the palpable excitement she felt at the event she had been waiting for so long.

But that wasn't the case for the small man, who had also stopped, clearly not sharing the young girl's excitement in front of him—not at all.

His reaction was entirely understandable, as Irregulars were known to be beings capable of sowing chaos in the Tower, entities so powerful they seemed to exist in another world compared to the inhabitants of the Tower, which was startlingly true.

These beings were feared by everyone, including himself.

He had already encountered Irregulars in the past and fully understood why they inspired such fear in the inhabitants of the Tower; their power was such that he felt as insignificant as an insect in their presence.

Just recalling those encounters made a cold sweat break out on his forehead, while he gripped the straps of his backpack a little tighter, which now seemed heavier than ever.

He swallowed nervously before speaking in a trembling voice:

"Wh-What!? Really!!? Miss Yuri, if that's true, you must know this is a huge event, right?"

He was extremely anxious because if his fears were true, then the young girl, who didn't seem entirely sane, might consider going...

"Of course it's a huge event, Evan!! That's why I'm going down to see him!" she exclaimed, arms wide open and a beaming smile on her face, as Evan's worst fears were about to come true.

Chills ran down Evan's spine as he stood there, speechless. He knew, to his great dismay, that the princess he accompanied could be considered one of the craziest the Tower had ever known—if not the craziest. He had already witnessed her madness throughout their journeys together.

However, he never thought her madness would reach such a peak that she'd dare to seek out a new Irregular.

And he certainly didn't want to face this newcomer; who knew how dangerous this Irregular could be?

Regaining his composure as best he could from the initial shock, he retorted with firmness, making it clear how unhappy and disapproving he was about this encounter, which could cost them dearly:

"Pardon!? Why would you want to do that, Miss?"

"Doesn't it sound fun, don't you think?" Yuri responded casually, shrugging as though meeting a being capable of wreaking havoc on the entire Tower was nothing more than a casual encounter. Evan, however, didn't share her nonchalant attitude. He was growing increasingly panicked by how lightly his princess was treating the situation.

"No! It's absolutely not funny! It's dangerous, very dangerous! We could get caught by Mr. Headon if we dare interrupt the Irregular's test!"

"Oh, come on, Evan. Why would we get caught by Headon? It's not like we're going to help the Irregular, are we?" she replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice, clearly frustrated with her companion's lack of confidence in her decisions. To her, seeing the new Irregular wasn't a problem. After all, she had already crossed paths with Irregulars, including one who was even her father. She was still alive, so everything Evan was saying seemed like groundless paranoia.

"Knowing you..." he muttered, placing his right hand on his forehead, exasperated by the situation he found himself in. He didn't believe for a second that Yuri would just sit back and observe the Irregular during the test. She had always been like this—hating boredom more than anyone, always willing to engage in the most dangerous and forbidden actions by the Empire to satisfy her amusement. This impulsiveness was a constant source of trouble for him, as he knew she wouldn't hesitate to dive headfirst into chaos if it seemed entertaining to her.

"Whatever, just shut up and leave if you're that scared. I'm going to see the Irregular no matter what! Mwahahaha!" she laughed theatrically, visibly tired of the pointless debate. Ignoring Evan's worried expression, she turned on her heel and took off running again. A sonic boom echoed through the dark space littered with staircases leading to various paths, a sign that she had surpassed the speed of sound several times, leaving a trail of vibrating air behind her.

Evan stood there, watching his princess disappear further and further into the dark horizon, a growing sense of helplessness settling in. After a long sigh, he realized there was no point in trying to reason with the most stubborn person in the Tower.

"I'm going to get punished if I let you go alone, you know..." he muttered, shaking his head as if to dispel his frustration. He adjusted his backpack, weighing the burden of his decision, and reluctantly began to chase after Yuri.

He just hoped that this encounter with the anomaly would end well—or at the very least, wouldn't cause disaster.

Deep down, an increasing sense of dread took root. He knew that Irregulars were as unpredictable as they were powerful.

And Yuri's insatiable curiosity might lead them into the most perilous situation they had ever imagined.

.

.

.

Arriving at their destination, the duo found themselves just above the first floor, facing a large square hole that gave them a view of the floor below.

"Haaah... We finally made it," Evan panted, exhausted from the effort. Running non-stop through multiple floors for hours would tire anyone, even a high ranker like him. Yet beside him, Yuri showed no sign of fatigue, as if it had been a mere stroll. This didn't surprise Evan. The blood running through her veins came from two beings of immense power, naturally granting her extraordinary physical abilities. He expected such an effort to be nothing to her.

But right now, Evan was far more concerned with the mess they were about to cause. He straightened up, closing his eyes for a brief moment, silently praying they wouldn't get caught by Headon. He had no desire to face the wrath of an Administrator because of his princess's whims.

"Hey, Evan! Look over there, it's the rookie and Headon!" exclaimed Yuri, lying flat on her stomach, head peeking over the edge of the massive hole. Her enthusiasm snapped Evan out of his immediate trance, harshly dragging him back to reality.

'Now that we're here, might as well see what's happening,' he mentally decided. Though still reluctant about encountering this Irregular, he had to admit that a certain curiosity was growing inside him. This newcomer, capable of forcing the Tower's door to open, piqued his interest just a bit.

Evan wanted to understand what kind of power an Irregular could have upon entering the Tower and discover the type of test they'd face. Even though he'd encountered Irregulars before, he had never witnessed them in action. It was impossible for him to fully gauge their strength, though, as a guide, he could feel that terrifying power, yet only sense a fraction of it.

The memory of his encounter with the King suddenly resurfaced in his mind, sending a chilling shiver down Evan's spine. He remembered clearly the overwhelming presence, the power that seemed to saturate the space around them. Just being near him, Evan had only felt a sliver of that force, but it was enough to make him feel like he was suffocating under the weight of an entire mountain.

The King didn't even need to speak; his mere existence commanded respect and fear. That power, so immense it defied comprehension, left Evan as nothing more than a helpless spectator, crushed by the grandeur of a being who, with a single gesture, could obliterate everything around him.

A being possessing a force so dominating it rendered everything else insignificant. He remembered feeling minuscule, infinitely small, like an insect before a titan, his entire body frozen under the grip of a power that defied the laws of nature.

No words could truly capture the visceral terror that gripped him that day—the overwhelming sensation of standing before something so vast, so inhuman, that his mind struggled to grasp it.

He had met a god.

And that encounter had marked Evan forever.

It made him understand, on that day, why the residents of the Tower were so terrified of Irregulars. Yet, that fear only fueled his curiosity. Evan wanted to learn more, to understand what made these beings so unique and so powerful. Their strength seemed to defy all logic, and he was determined to uncover this mystery.

Though he wasn't sure whether to thank Yuri for dragging him here yet, one thing was certain; he was going to have the chance to observe an Irregular before they fully realized their potential. This might be his only chance to analyze these beings from other worlds up close.

He let out a light sigh, releasing the tension that had built up, and it was at that moment he noticed Yuri's questioning gaze, wondering why he'd been so quiet. Without a word, he moved closer to the edge, and mimicking his princess, lay down beside her to observe what was happening below.

The very moment his gaze fell on Baam and Headon, pointed out by Yuri, a cold shiver ran down his spine. His heart tightened, and he felt his body tremble slightly, as if some unknown force was already pressing down on him. He didn't know why, but something about this boy, this Irregular, filled him with a deep, almost instinctive unease.

However, it didn't take long for him to understand why he had suddenly felt on edge—it was the presence emanating from this masked boy. An aura of deep, dark black surrounded him, darker even than the surrounding darkness itself. But that wasn't all; this aura seemed to dissolve and devour the space around it, unsettling the Shinsu in the area in a disturbing way, with the aura's size far too large for that of a mere newcomer.

And the most troubling part was the power radiating from the boy's body. Although Evan could estimate that this force wasn't on par with Yuri's or even his own, he was astonished by the intensity of energy Baam exuded. It was insane for a novice to possess such power at such a young age, stirring within him a mixture of awe and apprehension.

'So, this is the power of an Irregular at the beginning of their growth. But... isn't it a bit too exaggerated?' With this thought, Evan nervously swallowed. He was well aware that Irregulars were in a category far different from the Tower's natives, but was it truly possible for them to be this powerful upon entering?

Or... was this Irregular simply different from the rest—perhaps even abnormal among Irregulars?

That question haunted him, causing Evan to grit his teeth as he contemplated the potential threat Baam posed. A novice whose potential already seemed to transcend the limits of Irregulars—maybe even those of his King...

No, he wanted to outright reject that possibility. There were only two Irregulars who stood above his King, and the thought that this newcomer might be of the same caliber terrified him.

However, if that were indeed the case... he didn't dare to imagine the damage this Irregular could inflict, especially given the sinister aura and strange mask that could strike fear into even the most formidable demons.

To him, it was impossible that this guy had good intentions.

"Evan... you felt it too, didn't you?" Yuri asked softly, her tone in stark contrast to her usually excitable nature. This time, she sounded more reasonable.

Although her senses were inferior to Evan's in gauging people, she could still sense the power radiating from Baam. What had shocked her first was the boy's singular appearance—so different from the others, wearing a mask she had never seen before, piquing her curiosity.

And while she had hoped for exceptional power in this Irregular, she was pleased to discover that the newcomer was as promising as she'd imagined. Yet, seeing Evan remain silent, his gaze locked on the young man, she realized her expectations might have been vastly exceeded.

"Yes, Lady Yuri, I felt this Irregular's power, and it's no joke," he answered gravely, his eyes still fixed on the masked boy speaking with Headon. His response clarified Yuri's doubts, but her curiosity about this Irregular only grew stronger.

Taking advantage of Evan's expertise as a guide, she glanced at him curiously and asked:

"Evan, as a guide, what do you think of him? Could he be comparable to Urek, or perhaps even stronger? Or does he harbor an even more terrifying power within him?"

"Honestly, it's hard to say. It's undeniable that Mr. Mazino is stronger than this new Irregular; after all, I've already met him," he replied briefly, his gaze never leaving the scene. He continued, his tone reflective. "However, I didn't have the chance to meet Mr. Mazino when he was still a regular. Based on the rumors about his power during his ascent in the Tower, I'd say this Irregular might be stronger than him before he reaches his full potential."

"Oh, that strong?!" Yuri whistled, stunned by the prospect that this Irregular might be so remarkable. It was merely Evan's assessment of Baam's presence, but the idea that he might be far more powerful than they thought only added to her impatience to see him demonstrate his strength during his test. She was excited, genuinely eager to witness an Irregular in action—an unprecedented rarity for the Tower's inhabitants.

She couldn't help but smile at the thought that Baam could possess more potential than Urek Mazino, though she had to admit that the man, whom she despised, was ridiculously strong. The idea of a future confrontation between these two forces fascinated her; she was already imagining herself grabbing popcorn to watch that legendary fight unfold, impatient to see how this epic battle would play out.

Evan, seeing Yuri so excited, had wisely refrained from revealing the possibility that this Irregular might possess a potential far greater than nearly all other Irregulars. He preferred not to dwell on how she might react, which would have thrown him into an even deeper mess than the one they were already in.

However, hearing his princess question whether Baam had some hidden strength, he suddenly felt foolish for not considering it sooner, and a certain fear began to creep in at the conclusion that followed.

'Could the power he's displaying on the surface be just the tip of the iceberg?'

Fear didn't completely consume him, but he narrowed his eyes, pondering just how incredible this Irregular could be if he truly was hiding an even greater force within. The idea that such potential might exist, lurking in the shadows, was both fascinating and terrifying.

Not wanting to dwell further on that thought, Evan focused his gaze on Baam, determined to explore every corner of his being to understand what truly lay within him.

'Show me what makes us, the natives of the Tower, so different frop.you, the Irregulars, the domain of the gods to which we mortals are forbidden to enter.'

As this thought echoed in his mind like a challenge, his field of vision suddenly shifted as he attempted to probe into Baam.

But what he saw was an abyss of black, an endless void where darkness seemed to swallow all light. The atmosphere was weightless, unmoving, as if time itself had come to a halt. No sound disturbed the heavy silence, and he felt a profound loneliness, as though he were suspended in an infinite ocean, without landmarks or escape.

'Where am I? What is this place?' Evan frantically looked around, desperately trying to comprehend where he was. Yet, wherever his eyes fell, there was only blackness, a thick veil of darkness shrouding everything, without the slightest glimmer to guide his gaze.

A thought crossed his mind:

'Could this be some sort of inner space, hidden within the Irregular?'

But how could that be possible? Evan was certain no living being could harbor such a place. This space seemed to defy all logic, a void stretching into infinty, without end or boundary, as if it embodied the vastness itself.

He might have concluded that this was one of the unique traits of Irregulars, but again, that seemed unlikely. Even if he couldn't truly fathom the mysteries of these beings or anticipate the paths they followed, he could always sense in them a powerful light, so radiant that it blinded him. A light more potent than any ordinary person.

'But him... he has nothing, truly nothing!'

Evan was right. Baam was nothing like the other Irregulars. Where they shone with a bright, almost divine light, Baam was merely a chasm of darkness. An unfathomable blackness, devoid of any light, as if nothing living or luminous existed within him.

Fear began to creep up Evan's spine as he floated in the middle of the void.

What kind of monster had the Tower allowed in?

No, why did a monster like him have to exist?

"M̸o̸n̸s̸t̸e̸r̸!!"

"M̸u̸r̸d̸e̸r̸e̸r̸!!"

"Y̸o̸u̸ k̸i̸l̸l̸e̸d̸ u̸s̸!!"

"I̸T̸'S̸ A̸L̸L̸ Y̸O̸U̸R̸ F̸A̸U̸L̸T̸!!"

Cries, like distorted whispers, suddenly echoed through the infinite void. Evan flinched, taken aback by the piercing wails. A sharp pain surged through his head, forcing him to clutch his skull, as the voices seemed to multiply, each word vibrating with unbearable agony.

'Wh-Whar is this-?' Evan was unable to form a coherent thought amidst the searing pain throbbing in his head. Each scream pounded like a hammer, clouding his mind. He couldn't understand what was happening, nor the source of these tortured voices that seemed to wrap around him, invading his thoughts. The twisted, accusatory phrases made no sense at all.

However, as the voices grew increasingly deafening, a new presence emerged, far more terrifying than anything he could have imagined. A crushing weight pressed on his shoulders, raising every hair on his body.

Trembling, Evan raised his head with difficulty, and what he saw made his breath freeze.

An eye, gigantic, floated above him, dominating the dark space. The sclera was a bright white, contrasting with the blood-red iris, while the pupil, thin and straight like a feline's, observed him with a quiet menace. It was a gaze that pierced through, that judged, and seemed to contain an ancient, almost inhuman power.

But that was only the beginning of the nightmare. To his great misfortune, Evan felt his blood turn to ice in his veins. Countless other eyes, identical to the first, began to appear in the surrounding darkness, slowly emerging from the shadows like silent predators. They were everywhere, scattered across every corner of the dark space, their suffocating presence surrounding him from all sides.

It was a spectacle of indescribable horror. Each eye seemed to be staring at him, as if he were being judged by countless entities, all their gazes converging on him, piercing him with a coldness that paralyzed his thoughts.

For a moment, Evan thought it was the end. His mind was overwhelmed by a terror he had never known before. But suddenly, a final, piercing scream shattered his state of paralysis:

"T̸H̸I̸S̸ I̸S̸ A̸L̸L̸ Y̸O̸U̸R̸ F̸A̸U̸L̸T̸!!!"

"AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

Without warning, his vision was violently snapped back, thrusting him harshly into reality. He let out a terrified scream, his breath ragged. Instinctively, he jumped up from his position and backed away, crawling as if desperately trying to escape any eye contact with the Irregular, his heart pounding furiously, threatening to burst from his chest.

"Hey Evan! What's going on?!" Yuri asked, confusion tinged with concern in her voice. The sight of her trembling, sweat-soaked companion instantly extinguished the excitement she had been feeling. She approached, her eyes scanning Evan's pale face, trying to understand the source of his distress.

"Evan, breathe! What's happening to you?" She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, hoping to offer him some solace in the face of this inexplicable fear.

"M-Miss Yuri…" Evan stammered, his voice trembling as the fear that had consumed him slowly began to subside. But he knew he would never forget that traumatic experience. He looked at Yuri, his eyes pleading, the weight of his anxiety heavy in his gaze. "Miss, that novice, no, that monster is too dangerous. We need to get far away from him, maybe even report his presence to the Empire!"

Yuri, perplexed by the seriousness of his words, furrowed her brow. "Evan, you can't be serious. We need to first understand what's going on. I'm sure there's an explanation." Her tone was firm, but a part of her began to doubt the safety of the Irregular.

Yuri knew Evan could be easily frightened due to his ability to perceive the dangerous paths that threatened them, as well as his talent for seeing beyond the surface of individuals, as a guide. She was even used to teasing him, often calling him a coward, a nickname he bore with some resignation.

However, she had never seen him in such an extreme state. It was clear to her that he had sensed something in the Irregular, something terrifying enough to plunge him into such disarray. Barely a millisecond had passed since he had "seen" beyond Baam's simple appearance, and yet his face betrayed a palpable fear.

Yuri found herself wondering if appearances truly were deceiving. Unlike Evan, who instinctively sought to flee what terrified him, she was driven by an insatiable curiosity. She wanted to explore this situation further, to discover what lay behind Baam's mask and the power emanating from him.

For Yuri, the opportunity to meet an Irregular of such caliber was priceless. She was determined not to let fear dictate her actions. On the contrary, she wanted to understand the true nature of this Irregular, both fascinated and intrigued by the unique potential he seemed to possess.

So, with a mocking smile, she wrapped her arm around Evan, who continued to tremble like a leaf, before saying:

"Oh come on, you scaredy dwarf, after coming all this way, are you really going to tell me we need to turn back when a historic event is about to unfold before our eyes?"

"Princess! Don't you understand the gravity of this situation?! There's nothing amusing about watching such a frightening Irregular," the dwarf retorted, panicked. The countless eyes that had coldly stared at him were still etched in his mind, and the malevolent energy radiating from them… was so immense he felt like he might vomit.

He had no idea what this Irregular had done before entering the Tower to accumulate so much Karma, and he definitely didn't wa⁹nt to find out.

Seeing that Evan remained firm in his convictions, she couldn't help but roll her eyes and speak with boredom:

"Listen, we have a unique chance to witness something that few people can claim. Imagine the power he might unleash! Who knows, maybe you could even guide him, instead of continuing to tremble like a child."

'Me? Guide him? YOU should be the one guiding him! You didn't see what I saw!' he screamed mentally, holding back from voicing his thoughts aloud, fearing the wrath of this wild princess.

THUD!!

Their conversation was interrupted by a dull sound coming from below. Curious about the commotion, Yuri glanced down and noticed one of the walls beginning to open.

With excitement, she exclaimed to Evan:

"Hey, look! It seems like the Irregular's test is about to start. I wonder what kind of trial Headon has prepared for him?"

As for Evan, his curiosity had dwindled ever since he had crossed into the domain of the gods. He even avoided looking at Baam, dreading that those terrifying eyes would once again pierce his soul. Nonetheless, he stepped forward, eager to see what kind of test awaited the Irregulars.

'I hope this test will be complex enough for the Irregular to fail,' he thought. While it might seem petty, especially coming from him, he didn't want this particular Irregular roaming freely within the Tower.

He hoped Headon would choose the most difficult test possible!

"Oh, Mr. Scared-of-Everything is still interested, huh~?" she teased, causing Evan to sigh as they both watched the scene unfold below.

However, when the wall fully dissipated to reveal a massive cage, their eyes widened in shock at what it contained.

"WHAT?!! BARRACUDAS!! THAT RABBIT IS CRAZY, ISN'T HE?!!" Yuri exclaimed, stunned that creatures as powerful as barracudas were being used for a test at the lowest level of the Tower.

"Barracudas... Just one of these creatures is enough to wipe out a team of five A-rank regulars," Evan analyzed, his hand resting on his chin. "But here... there's a total of fifteen. Even a low-level ranker wouldn't be sure they could walk away unscathed from this pack."

Should he be relieved? It seemed Headon had acknowledged that this Irregular might bring more than just minor changes to the Tower, which, in a way, reassured him a little.

But was he wrong to judge the Irregular like this? Maybe this negative energy was just a manifestation of his power, not an real indication that he is a malicious person

Evan, as he often said, wasn't a petty person who would want to eliminate every Irregular simply because they could upset the Tower's balance, which certainly displeased those in power. But as a guide, he knew well that change was crucial and necessary, something the Tower itself required, which was why it allowed Irregulars to enter.

However, this didn't mean he ruled out the possibility that Baam could bring irreparable damage to the Tower.

"Tsk, that damned rabbit!" Yuri spat, anger rising within her at the injustice of Headon. "Since Irregulars are such a nuisance, he's trying to scare him off by giving him such an absurd test!" She knew very well that Irregulars were of immense power, even during their climb, but this test… this was utterly unreasonable!

In other words, it seemed impossible to her that the Irregular could succeed.

"True, it's a bit extreme to use not just one barracuda as the guardian of the ball, but an entire pack," Evan commented calmly before narrowing his eyes in uncertainty. "But I don't think there's a zero percent chance that the Irregular will pass the test."

"Of course, I think the odds are still low for the Irregular, but that strength... that strength in him, which terrifies me, makes me doubt this probability. He might turn out to be stronger than we think."

Yuri listened carefully to the dwarf's words beside her. While it sounded logical, especially coming from a guide as experienced as Evan, she still found it hard to believe in the Irregular's victory.

"Ahhh, I'm so confused. Anyway, I think he won't pass this test, thanks to that damn rabbit," she sighed, cursing Headon for his severity. Then, an idea crossed her mind. "Unless… I help him?"

"I knew you were going to say that! And no! We must not help an Irregular, especially one as dangerous as this!" the silver-haired dwarf immediately retorted, his voice filled with both panic and seriousness.

Evan had every reason to be wary of the princess's promises. No matter how often she said she wouldn't interfere, she always ended up doing the opposite!

"Isn't it exciting? Irregulars always bring chaos to the Tower, and besides... I really want to see what's under that mask of his. Maybe he has a cute face~?" Yuri hummed the last part. Her curiosity was genuine; she wanted to understand why this boy hid behind a mask that looked like it came straight from the depths of hell. But Evan stood firm in his convictions, his panic growing at the thought of his princess risking their lives purely out of curiosity.

"That's not the point, princess! Irregulars are nothing but trouble. A princess like you should not associate with them!" he exclaimed, anxiety overwhelming him. "And the Tower doesn't need chaos! Irregulars are not welcome here. If the King learns that one of his princesses is helping an Irregular, it's death! Death, I tell you!"

"And then, damn it!! Forget everything I just said, miss. There's no way he's foolish enough to attempt such a complicated test," Evan finally declared, sighing in frustration at the princess's obstinacy. On further reflection, though he reluctantly acknowledged Baam's strength, he didn't think the boy would be bold enough to...

"But... he's heading straight for it," she said, still lying on the ground, pointing in the direction where Baam was casually walking toward the cage.

Evan's eyes widened. Part of him had anticipated this, but he still couldn't believe the Irregular would have the audacity to approach so recklessly, possibly walking right into his own death.

"Huh?! Why's he going there?! HEY!! HAVING GUTS WON'T SAVE YOUR LIFE!!" he shouted, trying to get Baam's attention, but the distance between them was too great for the boy to hear.

"Hehe, this is getting interesting. Evan! Be right back!"

"WHAT?!!"

Yuri, excited by the sudden turn of events, leapt into the hole without hesitation, completely ignoring the height of her fall. Meanwhile, Evan stood frozen, mouth agape, his face paling at the princess's reckless audacity.

"NO, MISS! PLEASE—"

But his cries were in vain, lost in the void as Yuri plummeted toward the ground.

'This is the worst possible outcome...' he thought, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the disaster his princess had once again dragged him into.

It didn't help that they were interfering with Headon's test, one of the Tower's oldest administrators. Not only had his princess approached an Irregular, breaking one of the Empire's cardinal rules without him being able to stop her, but the most terrifying part was now confronting an Irregular who might one day rival the King himself.

And the last thing Evan wanted was to face that terrifying emptiness he'd glimpsed in Baam—never again.

"...I'm dead..." he muttered to himself with hollow eyes, resigned to the idea that a swift death from the King would be merciful given all the rules they'd just broken. He didn't even want to imagine the punishment that awaited them.

__________

"Urgh... Let's pretend that didn't happen," Yuri muttered, embarrassed by her less-than-graceful landing, which she had envisioned being far more impressive.

She quickly stood up, her cheeks slightly flushed from embarrassment. With a swift motion, she dusted off her shirt before striding confidently toward the presumed Irregular, her eyes scanning his features, which were now clearer to her.

'I have to admit, he' pretty intimidating...' she thought, taking a closer look at the Irregular. His appearance was finally coming into focus, especially the metallic gray mask with a wide, sadistic grin, giving him a sinister air. Yuri felt a slight shiver of disgust, but reassured herself it was just a mask, not the Irregular's real face...

Stopping right in front of the young man, who was only a few centimeters shorter than her, Yuri almost shouted at him, pointing a finger in his face, ready to scold him:

"Hey, newbie! You planning to die as soon as you enter the Tower? Huh?!"

But the Irregular didn't respond. He simply tilted his head to the side, as if he didn't understand a single word Yuri had just said.

The young woman raised an eyebrow at the Irregular's silence. Did she say the wrong thing? Was he deaf? Mute?

Questions flooded Yuri's mind until she finally realized the reason the young man hadn't replied right away:

"%@^#,%@&@%? (Uh, well, hello?)"

She frowned. The foreign language coming from his mouth confirmed her suspicions; he didn't understand the Tower's language.

But it was normal that she hadn't thought of that right away, as the Tower's residents generally spoke different languages but could usually understand each other thanks to the device known as the pocket.

She narrowed her eyes. Why hadn't this Irregular been given a pocket by Headon?

Turning to the administrator, who stood calmly behind them, watching the scene with indifference, Yuri shot him a dark look and exclaimed venomously:

"Hey, Headon! Don't tell me you didn't even give the newbie a pocket?!"

"Ah! It seems I forgot to give him a pocket," Headon replied in a detached tone, as if this oversight was nothing more than a trivial mistake. But Yuri, of course, wasn't fooled. To her, it was impossible that this ancient administrator of the Tower could have forgotten such a crucial detail.

"Forgot? You, one of the oldest administrators of the Tower?" she questioned sharply, her words laced with sarcasm. She glared at him with disdain, her piercing gaze trying to unmask the rabbit's hidden intentions. "Are you sure you didn't deliberately leave it out?"

"Ehh~~ I make mistakes sometimes," Headon replied, raising his hands in mock defense with a casual tone that only further fueled Yuri's irritation.

She clenched her teeth. That rabbit... She had never been able to stand him. To her, Headon was a cunning manipulator, always scheming in the shadows. And that impression, she knew, would never change, no matter what the future held.

"Tsk," Yuri clicked her tongue, visibly irritated, before turning her gaze away from Headon. She was done wasting her time discussing with him. Placing her hands on her hips, she looked up at the ceiling and shouted loudly, "HEY! EVAN! Stop standing there, COME DOWN!"

"Ah... this can't be happening... why is she making me come down when Mr. Headon is here too... and I don't want to get close to that monster!" Evan exclaimed, despair in his voice. He rubbed his forehead with his right hand, feeling utterly powerless in the situation. At that moment, a single thought crossed his mind; he was truly doomed.

"EVAAAN!!"

"Fine, I'm coming, I'm coming. Damn, might as well go for it. We'll see what happens," he told himself, swallowing his fear before jumping through the hole. His heart racing, he let himself fall, bracing himself to face the countless problems awaiting him below.

Thud!

As he landed softly on the ground, Evan felt a shiver run down his spine. He turned around to meet Headon's piercing gaze, who, with his indifferent expression, seemed neither irritated nor surprised by the situation.

"I knew you were her guide, Evan Edroch," Headon declared, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. The administrator's tone was as neutral as a referee in the middle of a match, but that only heightened Evan's growing anxiety.

"Ha...hahahahaha~ It's been a while, Mr. Headon! You still look healthy! Haha!" he nervously greeted, a false smile plastered on his face as he bowed to the old administrator.

"Evan, stop with your useless flattery towards that rabbit," Yuri exclaimed, arms crossed, clearly annoyed by her guide's friendly attempts with Headon. "And do you have a spare pocket? Headon didn't even give him one."

"Huh, what?"

At the moment Yuri pointed to the Irregular behind her, who looked utterly lost, Evan's face went pale. A wave of fear washed over him, forcing him to swallow hard. Seeing the Irregular up close, after everything he had felt, not only made him uncomfortable but terrified him deeply.

He absolutely did not want to plunge back into that nightmarish void!

"Hm? Don't tell me you're going to be as stingy as that old rabbit?" Yuri's threatening voice abruptly pulled him from his trance of terror.

Evan found himself in an unbearable dilemma; should he disobey Yuri and risk getting beaten up, or face that terrifying void again that had almost swallowed him?

"Ahh, I'm not getting paid enough for this sh*t!" he finally conceded, overwhelmed by the piercing gaze of his princess, which he viewed more as a threat. After all, being in that hellish void seemed almost preferable to the bruises Yuri could inflict on him.

Dropping his bag with a thud onto the marble floor, Evan quickly rummaged inside. After a few seconds, he finally found the pocket he was looking for; it was a small sphere wrapped in gray-white strips marked with indecipherable writing.

With the pocket in hand, Evan turned his attention to the Irregular, observing him intently. A part of him now wondered if he had really made the right choice by coming down.

'What the hell is wrong with me? So what if he's an Irregular! Why should I be afraid of a rookie when I'm à high ranker?'

The fear that had gnawed at him for a while began to fade, replaced by a burning determination evident in the light of his eyes. It was absurd, after all. He had climbed the floors of the Tower to reach its peak, faced formidable opponents, survived deadly situations. And he was letting fear overwhelm him because of a boy wearing a weird mask?

'How can I be intimidated by a kid who hasn't even passed the first floor yet? Its humiliating!! Where would my pride go if people found out I backed down in front of a brat?' Evan thought, resolute.

With a firm motion, he tightened his grip on the pocket in his hand, his determination sharpening. Each step he took toward the Irregular was filled with confidence. No more trembling, no more hesitation. He walked proudly, chin held high, his gaze locked firmly on Baam, with not a single visible sign of fear.

It was now a matter of honor, and Evan had no intention of letting a rookie tarnish his reputation.

All this bravado existed only in his head. With each step, his legs seemed to break into a nervous, uncontrollable dance, trembling as if they had a will of their own. Sweat cascaded down his forehead as he desperately tried to maintain an impassive expression. 'Damn it, why is my body refusing to follow the plan?!' he thought, almost ready to blame gravity for suddenly becoming stronger. Despite all his determination, his body seemed to have a clear message: "Running away would probably be a better idea."

The three spectators, observing Evan in this desperate state, reacted in distinctly different ways. Headon, true to form, wore his indifferent expression, as if nothing unusual was happening. Yuri, on the other hand, oscillated between wanting to laugh at the absurdity of the situation and wanting to smack this idiot dwarf for humiliating himself to this extent. As for Baam… he watched the scene with a perplexed expression, completely lost in this strange masquerade, wondering if there was a joke he hadn't yet understood.

As he reached the Irregular, Evan focused all his concentration on not collapsing under the pressure. The overwhelming and sinister presence of Baam terrified him, but he had no choice but to stand tall… or at least try to. He extended his trembling arm, the pocket in hand, stuttering:

"H-Here... the newbie... a A-rank pocket is a bit much for a beginner like you... but it's all I have on hand…"

His voice betrayed his nervousness, and despite all his efforts, he looked like a man on the verge of fainting.

'What the hell is this ball?' Baam mentally wondered, confused by the object being offered to him by Evan. Confusion washed over him as he watched the dwarf tremble like a leaf, as if he were holding a live grenade rather than a simple pocket.'Is this for me?'

He looked at Evan, a mix of intrigue and amusement on his face, wondering if the dwarf would collapse before he even had the chance to take what seemed to be a gift. Not sensing any hostile intent, Baam accepted the object with a hint of curiosity.

As soon as his index finger touched the surface of the pocket, strips shot out and wrapped around him, creating a rather theatrical display. The resulting black sphere bore inscriptions in a language he did not understand. It was as if hieroglyphs from a lost civilization had materialized just to bewilder him.

But as he stared at the sphere with growing intensity, a sudden flood of knowledge surged into his mind, like a wave of information spilling over from a vast ocean. Instantly, he learned in this torrent that he was acquiring a common language of the Tower, a kind of practical guide to not look like an idiot in this complex universe.

"Uh, so, the newbie? Weird to receive a pocket, huh? Do you understand what I'm saying now?" Evan cautiously asked, feeling a bit better since the Irregular had accepted the pocket, although he remained anxious, unable to see his facial expression due to the mask.

"Move aside!" Yuri said, shoving Evan to get closer to the Irregular. "Hmm, I suppose with your level, a high-rank pocket suits you, right? But still be grateful, because this thing costs a fortune."

'You say that as if you were the one who bought it!' Evan mentally complained at Yuri's audacity, while he lamented the sight of his money going up in smoke.

As for Baam, he nodded, captivated by the technology of the pocket, which allowed him to instantly learn a language he had never known before.

"I guess I should thank you for giving me such a valuable item right after we met," Baam said sincerely, his tone warm, as he bowed slightly before the duo, who stood speechless at his politeness.

'Wow! What a beautiful voice!' thought Yuri, surprised that such an intimidating boy could have such a soft tone. Meanwhile, Evan wondered if he had misjudged Baam. He couldn't believe that a monster could be so polite.

"Ahem, no need for thanks; it's normal to help beginners as a ranker. Anyway, let me introduce myself; I'm Evan Edroch, an A-rank guide and a ranker of the Tower. And that woman over there is Miss Yuri, also a ranker of the Tower." Evan continued enthusiastically, forgetting his previous fear. "What I just gave you is a pocket, an essential item for climbing the Tower. It has many features, but for now, just remember that it can translate all the languages of the Tower!"

"Oh, and try saying invisible mode to hide the pocket and the opposite to make it reappear."

"Hm, invisible mode." After saying these words, the pocket vanished without a trace, which surprised Baam a little.

"This is really a useful item. I don't know how I could repay you for this pocket, but I will make sure to do so in the future," Baam declared sincerely. He was someone who liked to return favors, and he mentally noted that he would be there to help the dwarf in front of him if he ever needed assistance in the future.

'HURRAY!! Finnaly, a grateful person toward my humble self!!" Evan mentally cried, tears of joy in his eyes at Baam's sincerity. He even began to regret being so distrustful of him and considering mentioning his existence to the Empire.

The princess was right; one should never judge someone by their appearance!

Meanwhile, as Evan and Baam chatted, Yuri had walked over to Headon, her face frowning, ready to ask him some questions. It was clear that this was shaping up to be an interrogation.

"Hey, Headon! Just because he's an Irregular, do you really have to use such petty tricks to chase him away from here?" she asked, anger palpable in her voice.

"It's a misunderstanding, Princess. I'm just trying to properly administer a test to him. I never intended to chase him from the Tower," Headon replied soothingly, his piercing gaze fixed on Yuri as he stood there, unperturbed and expressionless.

This only irritated Yuri further at the administrator's excessive nonchalance standing before her. She nearly spat her words:

"What a load of cr*p, Headon! This test is way beyond the level of regulars! Even some rankers could be devoured whole by these hungry barracudas!"

"Princess Yuri, it seems you've forgotten that this young man is an Irregular," Headon said calmly, once again holding his golden staff with both hands before continuing, "So far, all Irregulars have shown incredible powers."

"It's an appropriate test for an Irregular, as they are... special."

"....."

Headon's words hung in the air, plunging both into a heavy silence.

"Excuse me for interrupting, but..." Baam interjected, breaking the silence and drawing the attention of both. With a hint of curiosity, he asked, "You keep saying I'm an Irregular, but what does that mean?"

"It's the name given to those who, like you, enter the Tower by themselves," Yuri explained, deciding to introduce the concept of irregulars to the boy. "But irregulars are not chosen to enter the Tower."

"The Tower is only made for regulars, but sometimes people who haven't been chosen, like you, manage to get in. Since ancient times, irregulars have brought change and chaos."

"They all have extraordinary strength, which is why they are feared in the Tower."

She paused for a moment, then pointed at Baam, exclaiming with respect:

"And I can assure you that you are indeed an Irregular, just by sensing the immense power within you." She continued, directing her thumb back towards the silver dwarf behind her, her voice laced with mockery. "Even that damn dwarf, a high-ranking guide, recognized your strength, to the point where it made him lose all composure and almost got sh*t on himself!"

"AHHH!! Do you have to share that detail, Miss!?" Evan exclaimed, desperately wishing to disappear into the ground at that moment.

"But..." Yuri was not done yet, ignoring the dwarf's complaints, before fiercely pointing at the cage with her finger. "No matter how strong he is, there's no way he could succeed at this test! If it can even be called a test!"

Baam felt a bit offended by the princess's belittling, but he kept silent. After all, it wasn't justified to get upset, as he understood that she did not yet know his true strenght even though she and her guide had felt something in him.

Yuri approached Headon stealthily, a mischievous smile on her lips. She gently tapped his arm before saying, in a tone slightly more respectful, though it cost her:

"What I mean, Mr. Headon, is that it would be wise to lower the level of the test."

"Princess, you seem determined to see this young man climb to the top of the Tower."

"....."

"Alright, fine. Let's change the rules a bit." Headon finally declared, seeming to yield to the princess's insistence while turning his back to her.

"Really?!" the princess exclaimed, surprised that the administrator finally yielded to her request.

"How about this? Among the weapons you possess, could you lend him one?" suggested the administrator, glancing over his shoulder while the princess wore a puzzled expression.

"Lend... him a weapon?"

"Exactly. All your weapons are designed for high-rankers. If you lend him one, it could give the young man a significant advantage." Headon suddenly started stroking his chin, pondering which weapon might suit the Irregular, until an idea struck him. A secret smile formed on his face as he proposed, "Hmmmm... Ah! Now that I think about it, you do have the Black March, personally gifted by the King, right?"

'B-BLACK MARCH!!' Evan couldn't believe his eyes. The administrator, tasked with selecting regulars, had just suggested that the princess lend such a prestigious weapon to an Irregular.

It was unprecedented madness! If Yuri agreed, it would mean certain death for both him and Yuri, including the Irregular!

"But the Black March is a bit..."

"Don't you want to lend it to him?" Headon interrupted abruptly, his tone tinged with slight disdain, as if he were trying to provoke the impatient princess. "You want the young man to climb the Tower, but you don't want to lend him a weapon? Perhaps reconsider."

'This b*stard... He know very well the caliber of the Black March,' she thought, her face darkening as her eyes took on a menacing hue.

Yuri might have seemed impulsive, acting without a second thought, but she wasn't stupid. Entrusting one of the Thirteen Months, the Black March, to anyone other than a Princess of Zahard or the King carried significant risks. The consequences of such an act could be disastrous.

If the Empire were to learn that she had handed the Black March to a man, especially an Irregular, both she and her guide would be doomed to a fate far worse than death.

And Headon, as a true manipulator, seemed to relish the tension. He added a layer of amusement to the situation, as if he were trying to prick her pride. This only fueled her aversion to this rabbit. After all, she had never liked rabbits.

"Well, if you think lending the Black March is an issue, he can take the test barehanded..."

"...fine."

"!!!!"

"WHAT?!" Evan exclaimed, nearly having a heart attack. The situation was beyond him. First, he encountered an Irregular, which was no small feat, and now his princess, unpredictable as she was, was considering lending the Black March to that very Irregular! Had she truly lost her mind?

Baam was certainly surprised. It had only been a few dozen minutes since he arrived in the Tower, and already he found himself embroiled in such a situation. What intrigued him most was that although he didn't truly understand the nature of this weapon, he had gathered from their exchanges that it held great value for Yuri. He couldn't grasp why the princess seemed willing to go so far to help a stranger like him, especially an Irregular, a category of people looked down upon by the inhabitants of the Tower according to Yuri's words.

For Headon, it was no surprise at all; on the contrary. A discreet smile, revealing his sharp teeth, escaped from his slit as he watched the situation take an evolutionary turn. Events were finally starting to become interesting, and he couldn't help but anticipate what would happen next with growing satisfaction.

"Hey, newbie! What's your name?" Yuri asked, her piercing gaze fixed on Baam.

He bowed respectfully before introducing himself:

"My name is Baam, the 25th Baam. Nice to meet you, Miss Yuri."

"Good, Baam! Do you want to climb the Tower or give up now? Do you even have any goals to accomplish?" Yuri asked with a mischievous smile, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

Who wouldn't want to know the goals of an Irregular? A being for whom the Tower itself had forced the opening of its doors. Even Evan, still stunned by the turn of events, leaned in with unusual attentiveness, curious to discover what Baam was truly seeking by climbing this immense structure known as the Tower.

"Hmmm, I already told Mr. Headon," Baam began, taking a moment to consider the words he should choose. "I don't really have an initial goal. The reason I'm climbing the Tower is precisely to find one."

His tone was calm, almost thoughtful, suggesting that he had never had the ambition to stand there before them, but was instead being guided by something deeper, an undefined quest.

'Well, that's... quite original,' Yuri thought, slightly confused by Baam's response.

To her, everyone had a clear goal in life; to become rich, gain power, achieve glory, or attain fame. But hearing Baam say he didn't have a specific objective implied that he might never have really thought about having one. It left a strange void, as if this boy was driven by something other than ambition or common desires.

"Well, well, you're really starting to please me, boy," Yuri declared cheerfully, putting aside her thoughts about Baam's puzzling answer. She approached him with a natural confidence, draping her arm around his shoulders, and then, in a whisper that showed her seriousness, she added, "But you could really die, you know? There are so many things in the Tower that can torment you to the point where you might wish for death yourself. Are you sure it's really worth climbing the Tower just to... find a purpose in life?"

Her tone, though more serious, carried a note of concern beneath her nonchalant exterior.

"Do you have a better idea then, Princess Yuri?" Baam shot back in a cold voice.

His demon mask, previously inert, began to darken as if a sinister aura was emanating from it. The gentle glow of the atmosphere seemed to flicker for a moment, amplifying the intensity of his presence. His voice, suddenly colder and sharper, sliced through the air, making the tension heavier.

Yuri and Evan, caught off guard, felt their bodies stiffen, their survival instincts awakened by this unexpected shift. Even Headon, ever enigmatic, showed a brief sign of surprise, his eyes glimmering slightly in the shadows, wondering why this previously calm and humble boy suddenly bore a more raw and threatening demeanor.

The atmosphere had completely changed.

"But it doesn't matter if you have no idea, because I'm going to explain it to you word for word," Baam continued, not taking his eyes off Yuri. She would have been lying to herself if she didn't admit to feeling a slight nervousness at his intense gaze. "The truth is, I have nothing in my boring life. Nothing that even gives me a reason to want to live any longer. That's exactly why I decided to climb the Tower. Maybe I'll finally find a meaning to my existence, something that would make me want to continue living."

"And if I die... so be it. At least I'll have tried something, rather than waiting for death to come without doing anything."

The silence that followed Baam's words seemed to suspend time.

Yuri had crossed countless determined gazes from formidable rankers she had faced or mingled with throughout her life. But it had been a long time since she had felt as unsettled as she did now, confronted with Baam's brutal honesty.

He wasn't speaking with bravado or with that thirst for power or glory that drove so many others. No. This boy expressed himself with disarming sincerity, a chilling truth, without the slightest artifice.

She narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms as if to give herself a semblance of composure, while a slight shiver ran down her spine. There was something terrifying in this total absence of fear of death — a freedom so rare, inaccessible to most people.

And Evan couldn't help but share that same feeling.

The small guide had held his breath throughout Baam's speech, far too shocked by his words. Now, unable to discern whether the boy was truly good or evil, he found himself terrified by this disregard for the fear of death. For people like him, those who had nothing left to lose, were often the most unpredictable, capable of the most insane acts.

As for Headon, he remained silent. He didn't even know whether he should be surprised by what he had just heard, but one thought crossed the minds of the three present:

'What could he have experienced to be like this?'

Unfortunately or fortunately for the three, it was a secret that no one wanted to know...

"Regardless, I sincerely thank you for your generous help, Princess Yuri." Baam broke the silence again, returning to his usual demeanor as he approached the cage. "But I'm not so weak as to need help just to eliminate these fish."

This arrogant declaration surprised more than one person, but perhaps the most shocked was Yuri. Annoyed and indignant at this sudden rejection, she hadn't expected that, especially since she was ready to offer him such a powerful weapon as the Black March:

"Hey you! I'm being nice, and you refuse my help? Don't be proud; you're facing some f*cking barracudas!!"

"Thanks for letting me know, but I know what I'm doing, even if it's the first time I've encountered this kind of creature," Baam replied nonchalantly, turning toward Yuri, who was pinching the bridge of her nose, clearly exasperated.

She didn't understand this young man at all; his life must have been so boring that he didn't even seem to care about hers. Should she hit him to put him back on the right path?

"So, if this is the first time you're facing these Shinheuh, why not accept the Black March? Don't tell me you think that fighting barehanded is better than using a weapon!" she almost shouted again, her voice betraying her annoyance.

"I don't know the power of your weapon, but I have absolute confidence in my fists," he declared, clenching his fist with determination. Yuri, already on the verge of exploding with anger, felt a moment of surprise at Baam's conviction. He continued, adopting a more serious tone, far from his previous relaxed attitude, "But there's another reaso; I don't want to endanger you and your companion by trying to help me."

Yuri's anger began to fade, replaced by a certain perplexity, just like Evan, who raised his eyebrows.

"What? Who told you I would be in danger by helping you?" Yuri asked, curious about why he came to that conclusion.

"Isn't it obvious? You told me earlier that irregulars like me are often seen as a source of trouble, individuals that the inhabitants of the Tower fear. I doubt that you, a princess from a kingdom that probably runs this Tower, would be safe if word got out that you were helping an irregular," Baam explained calmly.

To say that Yuri and Evan were stunned would be an understatement. The princess, ready to risk her own life to help the irregular, was bewildered to see Baam refuse her offer, citing the danger she would face. This realization softened her expression slightly, although she remained angry at the audacity of his refusal.

On his part, Evan began to see the irregular in a new light. He silently thanked Baam for declining Yuri's offer, while also admiring his quick analytical ability. This young man, despite his situation, seemed to possess a wisdom that few could have envisioned in such a context.

"Don't think I need your pity, kid! If I say I'm going to help you, it's because I can handle the consequences!" the princess exclaimed, stubborn in her desire to assist Baam.

"Princess, please. Respect the boy's choice and don't put us in unnecessary danger!" Evan pleaded, aware that Yuri was not the type to give up easily.

"Haha, it's not that I pity you, Miss Yuri. It's just that... I don't want to put the people around me at risk," Baam replied, a noticeable melancholy in his voice. The three felt a deep gravity in his words. "Being with me... is not without risks..."

Hearing these words, Yuri was tempted to ask what lay behind this sudden melancholy. However, seeing Baam attempt to change the subject, she chose not to press. She straightened up and, in an annoyed tone, said:

"Fine, go ahead then, but don't come crying if you need my help!"

Evan let out a long sigh that he had been holding since arriving on the first floor, relieved that the princess had finally made the right decision. He silently thanked the Irregular for having reasoned with her.

However, Headon wore a look of boredom at this situation that seemed to return to square one. He lamented that the Black March was not in the Irregular's hands, as he wondered what kind of amusing disaster he might have observed.

That said, he didn't let himself be discouraged. If the irregular truly believed he could pass this test without the Black March, it was surely because he was hiding a trump card, a trump card that might even amuse him.

Baam, amused by the princess's expression of discontent that resembled that of a little girl in a temper tantrum, couldn't help but tease her:

"Don't worry, princess. By the way, you are really beautiful, maybe even the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. So, I advise you to avoid speaking too loudly; otherwise, people might think you're ugly."

This comment caused Yuri's pale face to flush, leaving her both touched and embarrassed by the unexpected remark. Headon whistled behind her, intensifying her embarrassment, while Evan stood there, impressed. He couldn't help but think:

'What a rizz, even with such a terrifying mask!'

"Y-You jerk! If you really think that will make me change my mind, you're mistaken! Hmph!" Yuri huffed, arms crossed, turning her head away nonchalantly, mainly trying to hide her bright blush. This attitude only amused Baam further, who continued his walk toward the hungry barracudas, chuckling softly.

"What a tsundere~" Evan mocked, watching the princess's behavior with amusement.

"Repeat that?" Yuri growled, shooting a dark look at the dwarf, who jumped in fear.

"N-Nothing at all, Miss..." he stammered. Getting beaten up by her? No way.

"But at least he knows how to speak better than that perverted jerk..." she murmured to herself, barely audible.

"Ah, also," Baam suddenly declared, stopping halfway and drawing the trio's attention behind him. "What is this mysterious energy permeating the atmosphere?"

'He's already sensed the Shinsu? Impressive for an Irregular, indeed!' Evan thought, realizing he could no longer count on his fingers the number of times he had been impressed by Baam in such a short time.

"It's called Shinsu," Headon replied first, stepping forward a few paces while elegantly spinning his staff. "It's a divine water that is omnipresent throughout the Tower, flowing through every nook and cranny and every level. This essential energy is vital for the survival of all living beings here, whether to breathe or drink. Moreover, it can be manipulated for use... in combat."

"Okay, noted," Baam simply stated before resuming his path, raising Headon's eyebrows. The latter, curious, then asked:

"Aren't you going to ask me how to use this power, Mr. Baam? After all, it would be of great help for your test."

"I'm what you call a self-taught learner," Baam replied confidently. "I always learn on my own, at my own pace."

Headon merely smiled, visibly satisfied with Baam's answer, and said nothing more.

Yuri, on the other hand, frowned, looking displeased. "This guy is just as arrogant as Urek. I hope he gets a lesson he'll never forget!" Her tone clearly displayed her irritation; she wanted Baam to suffer a crushing failure in this test so that he would learn his place.

"Haha, I think he deserves to be arrogant," Evan chuckled, but his smile quickly faded as he adopted a more serious demeanor. "But Miss, do you really think this Irregular can change the Tower?"

Deep down, he knew that Baam had the potential to upset the established order, provided he succeeded in this test. Nevertheless, he sought to know Yuri's opinion, curious if she shared his thoughts.

"…I don't have such foolish expectations," she replied sharply, not adding another word as she watched Baam on the verge of entering the cage.

Yet, deep inside her, she was starting to genuinely like this Irregular…

Baam walked straight ahead, indifferent to the thoughts of the group behind him and the threatening glares from the barracudas. He seemed absorbed in his own thoughts, determined and focused on his path.

He now stood right before the cage, the barracudas waiting patiently for his arrival in their territory, ready to rush at him at the slightest opportunity.

What followed astonished the trio, leaving them frozen in the face of this display of power.

Barely a step into the cage, a wave of energy radiated from him, plunging the accumulated Shinsu in the cage into an abyssal darkness, as if the shadows had been summoned by his aura. This overwhelming presence enveloped everything, transforming the atmosphere into a spectacle of dark and fascinating power for the spectators.

"WHAT!?" Yuri and Evan exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with disbelief. Baam, by his mere presence, had managed to transform the Shinsu in the cage according to his own quality! Even Headon, usually stoic, could not hide his astonishment.

"Hey Baam!! What did you just do?!!" Yuri shouted, her voice echoing behind him, revealing her surprise at this inexplicable phenomenon.

"The Irregulars are known for being favored by Shinsu…" Evan commented, his disbelief palpable. "But this boy… he transcends all that! He just literally modified the Shinsu of this environment, transforming it according to his own essence!"

'Changing the surrounding Shinsu to black... There was only one Irregular capable of such a feat, albeit on a much larger scale...' Headon thought, his mind troubled at the thought of the one who had killed an administrator of a floor.'But this proves that this Irregular possesses potential comparable to that one.'

"Evan! You knew he could do this, didn't you?" Yuri nearly shouted, shaking the poor dwarf's shoulders frantically, who looked just as disoriented as she was.

"C-Calm down, Miss! If I had known, I would have told you already!" he stammered hurriedly. He was telling the truth; although he knew Baam was a monster, he hadn't expected such a display of power.

Above all, the sight of the cyan-blue cage, now replaced by ink-black, reminded him again of the void that resided within Baam…

However, the three spectators weren't the only ones reacting to this unexpected change. The herd of barracudas, swimming effortlessly through the cage, suddenly felt a suffocating transformation. Their once-clear field of vision shifted to a deep black, and the atmosphere became oppressive, enveloping them like a threatening shadow. They hesitated for a moment before realizing that the surge of this energy was caused by their presumed prey.

But instead of succumbing to fear, the barracudas all roared simultaneously at Baam, ready to defend their territory. He moved slowly, unperturbed by the roars of these titanic beasts. The orifices of his mask emitted a threatening glow, while his aura continued to amplify, saturating the Shinsu with an electric tension.

The confrontation was inevitable; Baam's aura spread throughout the cage, and the roles had changed. He was the predator now.

"But what is he doing? Don't tell me he's going to confront these Shinheuh head-on?" Yuri exclaimed, worry overtaking her anger. "Evan, as the guide, do you know what method he should use to succeed?"

Evan didn't respond, lost in his thoughts, which only heightened Yuri's frustration. She refrained from hitting him, realizing that his expression betrayed intense contemplation.

'There must be a way, princess...' Evan thought, immersed in his reflections.'Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that this young man has several choices before him?'

'As guides, we are supposed tonshow the way to those who can traverse it,' Evan mused with a sigh. 'But I haven't I told the Irregular that, not because I feel he's incapable...'

A wave of frustration washed over him.

'In reality, it's me who is incapable of showing him that path.'

'The Irregulars are so incomprehensible to us guides. They can take paths that even we cannot see.'

'And this young man... he has the choice to tqke the safest way or the most reckless one.'

Evan emerged from his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the scene before him. The barracudas, impatient and hungry, decided not to wait any longer. At full speed, they lunged at Baam, who, unflinching, came to a complete stop in his march.

'Wait! Don't tell me...' Evan couldn't finish his thought, his eyes wide as he observed Baam. The latter, with controlled calm, stepped forward with his left foot, placing the other behind him while bringing his hands together against his right flank. His gaze remained locked on the barracudas.

Baam concentrated intensely, calling upon the surrounding Shinsu. At that moment, this energy began to respond to his call, rushing toward him. Dark tendrils of black Shinsu burst from his body, swirling around him with raw violence, as if darkness itself were bowing to his will.

Time seemed to freeze, a palpable tension settling in the atmosphere. Yuri, seeing Baam so still against the barracudas that were so close to him, was ready to draw her weapons from her inventory and pull Baam out of that damned cage. Beside her, Evan and Headon remained frozen, their eyes glued to the cage, aware that something extraordinary was about to happen.

And in a second, everything changed.

Baam, through his mask, suddenly opened his eyes, revealing irises that glowed with a supernatural sharpness. His right arm was charged with an impressive amount of black Shinsu, his aura so powerful that it seemed to compress the Shinsu around him, pressing not only the cage but also the minds of all those who sensed it. This attack promised to be devastating.

The barracudas, sensing the breath of death approaching, desperately tried to change course to escape their fate.

But it was too late.

Craack!!! Whooooosh!!!

Pushing off with his right leg, the ground cracked beneath his weight as he launched himself at such speed that it seemed he teleported from one point to another, leaving a gaping crater where he had initially stood.

The barracudas, caught off guard, had no time to comprehend what was happening. Only a black streak marked Baam's passage as he now stood behind them, his fist extended.

BOOOM!!!

Then, a gigantic explosion, a whirlwind of black and blue, tore through the cage, shattering it with a deafening crash, while a gust of power and chaos spread through the air, transforming the battlefield into a landscape of desolation.

The shockwave was so powerful that it spread over several hundred kilometers at an unimaginable speed, a terrifying roar resonating in the atmospheric Shinsu. The spectators, except for Headon, were forced to shield themselves against the storm of dust and debris rising around them. Fragments of the cage shattered, and the furious wind swept everything in its path, leaving behind a heavy silence, a testament to Baam's unleashed power.

The dust cloud slowly began to dissipate, revealing the gaping crater where the cage once stood. In the center, Baam stood imposingly, tendrils of black Shinsu emanating from his body, like a mysterious and threatening aura. No trace of the barracudas was visible, as if they had been erased from existence by the raw power that had just been unleashed.

Whether it was Yuri, Evan, or Headon, each of them remained frozen, their eyes fixed on the destruction caused by Baam.

"I-impossible…" Evan murmured, his voice trembling. Too many emotions swirled within him, but the one that dominated was fear. A chill that he had never felt throughout his life coursed through his entire being as he realized the magnitude of the power that had just been released. The barriers between the possible and the impossible had crumbled.

Why had he underestimated the Irregular the moment he laid eyes on him? This thought haunted Evan, making him almost sick with anxiety. The attack he had just launched had annihilated the barracudas, leaving no trace of their passage.

It was not simply an isolated blow that had decimated each of them, but a single explosion, a demonstration of power so overwhelming that it swept everything in its path. Reality collided with Evan's imagination; he realized how wrong his judgment had been, and this realization plunged him into deep dismay.

However, that was not the worst of it, far from it. Another awareness made him tremble all over; how powerful would Baam become when he reached the peak of his potential?

This thought filled him with indescribable terror. The very idea of what Baam could become in the future paralyzed him. Evan could not help but imagine the consequences of such power, a shiver of dread causing every hair on his body to stand on end. The fear of seeing this Irregular, already so formidable, become an uncontrollable force in the future overwhelmed him.

He couldn't shake the thought of whether the Tower would be ready to face such a being.

A booming laugh jolted him from his stupor. Evan turned his head toward Yuri, who, hand on her stomach, was laughing louder and louder, until her laughter became almost frantic.

Yuri didn't really understand why she was laughing; it was instinctive, almost uncontrollable. But one thing was certain: she felt stupid, incredibly stupid for having underestimated Baam.

She mocked herself for taking Evan of being too serious and for judging him too cautious in the face of this Irregular. The fear that had consumed her regarding him now seemed ridiculous. She laughed at having worried, even at the thought of lending him her Black March to help, as if that would have made any difference.

However, her laughter was tinged with nervousness, a thrill of anxiety in the face of Baam's overwhelming power and disproportionate potential.

She was convinced; this masked boy would soon surpass the Families Heads, and even Urek Mazino, the most powerful active ranker in the Tower, would seem outmatched by his side.

Yuri would even dare to think that Baam could one day reach the monstrous level of her own father, a thought both exhilarating and terrifying.

After all, even she, being his daughter, had never been able to grasp even a thousandth of her father's power, the King of the Tower.

Her gaze fell on Baam, who still stood in the middle of the crater, wiping the tears of his laughter. She then thought:

'Soon, the Tower will face a wave so immense that it will not be able ton contain it, a wave of destruction that I will witness!'

An even louder laugh than Yuri's echoed not only around them but throughout the entirety of the floor. This booming laughter sent shivers down the spines of the unfortunate souls who had already been terrified by Baam. Even Yuri, struck by a wave of discomfort, felt her own laughter fade away.

This laughter, fierce and almost insane, came from none other than Headon. His split mouth was wide open, letting out a manic laugh that resonated in the surrounding Shinsu. He writhed in his place, to the point of dropping his staff, and suddenly began to clap wildly, his hands colliding in an outburst of unrestrained enthusiasm.

Yuri and Evan, stunned, watched in disbelief as the administrator, who until then had seemed so enigmatic and stoic, completely lost his composure. Seeing him act this way was a monumental shock, revealing just how much even an entity of his caliber had been dazzled by Baam.

"FANTASTIC!! INCREDIBLE!! SUBLIME!!" Headon exclaimed with admiration, still clapping his hands. "It was a scene worthy of a main character!! Never, in all my long existence, would I have believed I would witness such brilliance... 25th Baam!!"

Yuri's eyes widened, unable to fully grasp what Headon had just revealed.

"Wait! You mean that…"

"Exactly, Princess Yuri," Headon replied, a sinister smile appearing on his face as he finished his applause. "What I mean is that Mr. Baam not only passed the most complicated test I've devised since I took on this role, but that none of the Family Heads, nor Mr. Mazino, nor even King Zahard, could have executed such a display at the beginning of their ascent."

The statement struck like a thunderbolt. Evan, who had been observing silently, felt his stomach twist.

"S-so… he really has the potential to become stronger than the King…" Evan mumbled, his voice betraying a mix of disbelief and terror. He felt a cold sweat slide down his cheek, as if the weight of the truth of this possibility he wanted to reject was causing his foundation to crumble.

All his knowledge, all his experience accumulated over his years as a Guide, seemed to waver in the face of this Irregular.

Yuri clenched her fists, but it was not panic that consumed her; it was excitement.

"So… he can really surpass my father…" she whispered to herself, the thought swirling in her mind like a burning flame.

A smile slowly spread across her trembling lips, an expression of defiance she hadn't felt in a long time. This boy, this Irregular... maybe he was the one she had been waiting for without even knowing it.

'Maybe... he could break those rules I so desperately want to destroy.'

Her heart raced with excitement as she turned her gaze toward Baam, still motionless amid the ruins he had created. Not a movement, not a visible reaction, as if he were contemplating the destruction he had sown with cold indifference.

Baam stared at the devastated ground, the burning marks left by his attack still smoldering. Slowly, his gaze shifted to his right fist, still imbued with the black Shinsu he had just manipulated with terrifying ease.

"Shinsu, huh…" he murmured, a smirk forming beneath his mask, invisible to others but betraying his pleasure. "I like it."

Yuri was about to call out to him when suddenly, a strange black substance erupted from the ground, wrapping around Baam like a serpent ready to swallow its prey. The dark energy seemed pulsating, almost alive, as it tried to overwhelm him.

"Hey, newbie!! Watch out!! Quick, get out of there!!" Yuri shouted, her voice tinged with panic. She reached out, almost ready to intervene, but Baam didn't move. He showed no signs of danger, no fear. On the contrary, he stood calmly amid the black substance, his movements serene.

Before disappearing completely beneath the strange matter, Baam turned to Yuri and Evan, giving them an almost friendly wave. A warm smile played on his lips as he exclaimed:

"It was cool meeting you guys. I hope to see you again, big sister Yuri!"

Then, in a silent breath, the black substance engulfed him entirely, dissipating along with him, as if it had never existed, leaving behind only emptiness and the astonishment of those who watched...

"Uh, should I be shocked that he just disappeared or that he called you big sister?" Evan asked, still in shock, unable to digest everything that had just happened.

Yuri crossed her arms with an annoyed pout and replied with a sigh:

"I don't know... but that kid has some nerve."

"Anyway, damn rabbit! What did you just do?!" Yuri exclaimed, looking at the administrator, visibly irritated.

"What do you mean? I simply granted his wish," the administrator replied calmly, his staff back in hand. "The boy... has ascended."

Yuri remained silent as he heard the administrator's words, a glint of suspicion in his eyes. "Headon... what are you plotting...?"

"My role is to evaluate those who come into the Tower," the administrator briefly explained, his gaze fixed on the ceiling of the floor. "I'm merely preparing a test that corresponds to their wishes... because that is the purpose of the administrators of this Tower."

"....."

"He must be in Evankhell's floor if he's ascended this far," Evan added, breaking the awkward silence. "I don't know whether to pity or not pity the regulars who will face this little monster."

"Not just the regulars; even the examinators will have a hard time dealing with him," the princess sighed. She rubbed her temples, trying to dispel the headache gripping her. "If he keeps this up, he could really change the balance of power in the Tower."

Evan nodded, a frown betraying his concern. "Yes, and if that happens, it could have repercussions for all of us. The Heads of Families and the King won't sit idly by in the face of such a threat."

He hadn't mentioned it, but Evan was secretly shocked by how quickly Baam had been able to master the Reinforcement of Shinsu, without any help or even an example to follow. It was as if this ability was innate to him, as if the Shinsu responded to his every wish. In that way, he didn't need a master to guide him; he could rise on his own, just as he had claimed.

The growth of this Irregular was truly unimaginable, far exceeding anything Evan had observed before.

"But wait!!" Yuri suddenly exclaimed, inadvertently startling the poor dwarf, who already seemed on the verge of exhaustion after everything he had just witnessed. "I didn't even ask him to show me his face!!"

Evan, still in shock, looked at her with wide eyes. "Are you serious? After everything that just happened, you're thinking about that?"

Yuri crossed her arms, her expression shifting from surprise to stubbornness. "Of course! I want to know who I'm dealing with. This Irregular is incredible, and I can't let him go without seeing his true face!"

"Don't tell me..." Evan began, his eyes widening at the implication of what that meant.

"Exactly, my dear dwarf," Yuri replied, a determined smile lighting up her face. "Next stop, Evankhell's floor!"

Evan shook his head, unwilling to give in to this quest. "That's really a bad idea! You know Evankhell won't take this lightly! As Rankers, we can't access the regulars' area!"

"Oh come on, you coward! Don't you want to know what that boy looks like?"

"Urgh, I'm sorry, but I'm not that interested! For heaven's sake, it's even cliché—the princess wanting to see the masked hero she secretly loves—OW!!" Evan declared before getting punched by Yuri.

"Say that again and I swear I'll change guides! Whether you like it or not, we're going!" Yuri threatened, though a slight blush of embarrassment colored her cheeks from Evan's last remark.

The silver dwarf raised his hand in surrender while letting out a resigned sigh:

"Urgh, one of these days, you're going to end up killing me, princess..."

"Are you dead? No! So shut up and let's go!" she replied firmly before making a big leap to reach the hole through which they had come.

"Ahh, what did I do to deserve this?" he complained as he stood up and respectfully bowed to Headon before hastily following his princess.

Headon stood still, staring at the ceiling as if he wished to see through it, lost in thought. A laugh escaped his slit, echoing in the void. How long had it been since he had laughed like that? In a way he never thought possible for himself?

For millions of years, Headon had spent his time choosing special people to ascend the tower. People filled with greed, anger, despair, and pain. Though there had been humble and just souls, their hearts were always twisted in shades of black as they climbed their way toward the tower. It was simply that kind of place; remaining unscathed was almost impossible.

Uniting those beneath the tower should have been Zahard's task. But he too was just one among many to gain immense power, creating an empire according to his will. His determination, like that of the ten great families, was both praised and cursed for the atrocities committed.

Over time, others would come to try to rebuild Zahard's empire as it should have been.

But this boy... he was different from all the Irregulars he had met so far. He possessed none of those desires so coveted by others. Who would have thought that someone would enter the Tower with the sole wish of finding a purpose?

Perhaps this boy would end up falling like so many others, but if he managed to withstand all these trials, then he would shine with a light even brighter than any star.

"It seems that the True God of the Tower has appeared."

He murmured, the excitement of what this Irregular might accomplish in the future making his body tremble. He couldn't wait to see how the Families Heads and Zahard would counter this storm that was Baam.

Headon looked around at the destruction caused by the Irregular before letting out a sigh, regretting not having made a harder ball...

He turned, directing his gaze to one of the walls before speaking in an indifferent tone:

"Did you all see that? The boy has ascended. What will you do now?"

"Young girl."