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The cool breeze gently weaved through the tall golden grasses, their luster playfully contrasting with the warm light of the sun suspended in the sky. In the heart of this endless field, a young man lay unconscious, his silhouette partially obscured by the fluid movement of the swaying grasses that seemed eager to engulf him.
This sleeping figure was none other than Baam. His demon-faced mask and long, tousled black hair were recognizable, but a new touch drew attention; a butterfly-shaped earring elegantly dangled from his right ear, attached by a delicate silver chain.
It starkly contrasted with Baam's intimidating and sinister appearance, emitting a cyan-blue glow that seemed almost ethereal, captivating the gaze of anyone who caught sight of it.
The warmth of the sun's rays and the caress of the surrounding Shinsu breeze began to rouse him. Although his eyes remained hidden behind the mask, the slight movement of his hands betrayed the sign that he was starting to regain consciousness.
As he fully emerged from his improvised slumber, he slowly sat up, propping himself up on his left hand against the earthy ground. With the other hand, he gently rubbed the front of his mask, his hesitant movements displaying a touch of confusion. A small groan escaped his lips as he felt a slight dizziness, as if the world around him was still wavering.
"Urgh... what is it with teleportations in this world? Headon really should ensure these teleportations work properly before using them on his passengers," he mumbled to himself, a slight grimace forming on his masked face. This was already the second time he found himself in such a vulnerable position right after entering the Tower, and he began to wonder if it was a cruel twist of fate.
He also pondered whether it was truly Headon mishandling the teleportations or if he simply couldn't handle instant travel. Perhaps he should consider taking a course on managing travel sickness, like Traveling without Vomiting for dummies. In any case, he sincerely hoped he wouldn't have to endure this kind of discomfort again in the future.
Strangely, he could swear he heard Headon's mocking laughter echoing somewhere in his mind.
Taking a deep breath of Shinsu, he sighed to dispel those thoughts from his mind. He didn't have time to get lost in what felt like the administrator's poor jokes.
He had far more important things to do, starting with carefully observing his surroundings.
He stood up and, while lightly brushing off his clothes, noticed that his long coat, which had nearly covered his entire body, was gone. Instead, he wore loose, elegant attire; a dark kimono with wide, flowing sleeves that fell gracefully to his ankles, giving him a more sinister and dominant appearance. This kimono was cinched at the waist with a white obi, perfectly fitted around him, delicately contrasting with the dark tone of the outfit. Underneath, he had lightweight trousers extending down to his black shoes, reinforcing the impression of a style that was both simple and refined. Though these garments appeared modest, their uniform color and lack of patterns added a mysterious aura to Baam, making him even more intriguing.
"Hmm, I must have lost it to those eels. Too bad, I really liked that coat," he said, re-styling his messy hair and checking to see if his earring was still hanging on. Although he didn't truly care about the coat, even if Rachel had given it to him, it was nothing compared to that earring.
Finishing adjusting his long hair, which cascaded down his back like a dark river, he carefully scanned the environment around him. The wheat field stretched as far as the eye could see, its golden grasses dancing delicately to the rhythm of the gentle currents of Shinsu, creating a shimmering sea that sparkled under the sun's rays. Irregularly shaped rocks were scattered throughout the clearing, adding character to the landscape. A few majestic and sturdy trees stood proudly here and there, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind, while hills and mountains loomed on the horizon like an imposing wall.
Though it was an enchanting landscape, every detail also indicated the rugged nature of the terrain. Crevices and scattered bumps suggested that the place had endured its share of trials. However, it was undeniably more welcoming than the depressing first floor, which seemed to offer nothing but a breath of anxiety and despair for life.
He lifted his head slightly, fixing his gaze on the bright blue and sunny sky.
A sky he couldn't even remember having seen for so long.
Though Baam thought it might not be a real sky, and that the sun, accompanied by a few twinkling stars, seemed artificial, given that he was literally inside a Tower—if one could really call such a structure a tower. Still, a wave of nostalgia and well-being washed over him at the sight of this sky, after so many years spent in a cave that could drive anyone mad.
He let out a soft hum at the sensation of the sun's warmth on his skin, a pleasant contrast to the perpetual cold of the cave. The cool breeze surrounding him provided a soothing relief, far removed from the heavy, stifling humidity of his personal prison.
He felt... more alive, in a way, a bit more connected to the world around him.
In a sense, he understood a little better why Rachel was so eager to enter the Tower. It was far more comfortable than remaining in the darkness of their world. He didn't regret his decision to follow her.
Thinking about her, Baam found himself wondering what Rachel was doing at that moment. Perhaps she was here, on the same floor as him, hidden somewhere in these vast stretches of golden fields. He almost hoped they would run into each other during that infamous test Headon had briefly mentioned to him.
He had already said it; it wasn't in his best interest to follow her blindly if Rachel truly wanted to climb the Tower alone. But if they were ever to meet face to face, and she needed his help, Baam wouldn't hesitate for a second to reach out.
After all, they were friends, and she had been such a precious presence during his own isolation. It felt natural to want to support her if she were to ask him directly.
But he couldn't deny that a small part of him would have preferred she had accepted from the start that he would accompany her in her ascent...
That said, it wasn't the time to dwell on the same thoughts over and over. Baam needed to focus on what came next.
He was almost certain he was now on the second floor of the Tower. Given the surrounding landscape, he deduced that this place must be one of the areas where participants, called regulars, underwent their tests.
It seemed strange to him. He had just barely finished his first test, and already, he found himself plunged into another one?
Not that he was complaining. After all, it wasn't as if he needed rest, especially after effortlessly taking down the barracudas. On the contrary, it could even be beneficial, allowing him to climb the Tower more quickly.
But something nagged at him. He assumed, without arrogance, that not all regulars had his strength and endurance. Surely, they couldn't chain tests together without a break, unlike him, an Irregular.
Unless... perhaps, because of his unique status, Headon had simply decided to send him directly to this floor without granting him any respite, or perhaps...
Driiiiiiiiiing!!!
A sharp, loud noise, similar to an alarm, suddenly rang out across the field, cutting short Baam's reflections. Perplexed, he turned his head, searching for the source of the piercing sound. Looking up at the fake sky, he spotted a bright yellow cube gently floating above the golden grasses. Higher still, an imposing floating structure loomed through the clouds.
It was a massive aerial island, composed of several interconnected buildings, giving the impression of a suspended fortress. A huge red sign hung there, displaying the name EVANKHELL in bright letters.
Baam raised an eyebrow, confused. He was certain that this cube hadn't been there when he scanned the sky moments earlier. The island's peculiar and almost grotesque appearance only heightened his confusion. How could such a massive structure remain suspended in the air?
"Well, it seems that Shinsu can do much more than just serve for combat," he murmured, visibly impressed by the ingenuity and use of Shinsu to keep such a colossal structure afloat.
Though he thought that the owner of this floating island had questionable taste in design...
[Testing the mic! Testing the mic! One, two, three!] shouted a voice emanating from the yellow cube. The tone of the announcement was that of a woman, cheerful and energetic, revealing that the announcer seemed to really enjoy her job.
Hearing the voice, Baam interrupted his thoughts and listened attentively, convinced that this was an announcement from an examintor in charge of supervising the tests, as Headon had clearly explained before.
Making sure her mic was working perfectly, the announcer, or rather the examinator, began to speak in the same dynamic tone, her voice resonating across the field, reaching the ears of all the participants present:
[Hello everyone! To all the regulars who have arrived at the Tower, we sincerely welcome you to the second floor, Evankhell's floor! It's also called the Test Floor, because here we conduct the final test to determine if you qualify to ascend the Tower.]
[Good. I will share more details later! First, let's ease into it with the first trial. This will also serve as a warm-up for you. The first test is simple! I will explain the rules, so listen carefully!] the female voice declared enthusiastically before continuing. [The rules of the first test are as follows! There are 400 regulars here! The goal is to reduce that number from 400 to 200 people! All means are permitted! The test will end when only 200 regulars remain!]
[Well then, good luck to everyone!]
As soon as the female voice finished explaining the rules of the test and cut off her mic, screams and the sounds of battle suddenly echoed across the field. Chaos erupted without warning, and in an instant, the acrid scent of blood mingled with the Shinsu, filling the atmosphere with its metallic fragrance.
Baam furrowed his brows, watching with disgust the chaotic scene unfolding before him. Splashes of blood and chunks of flesh flew across the field, now transformed into a true battlefield, far from the calm that had reigned just moments before. The regulars fought like wild beasts, attacking each other without hesitation, each trying to survive in this brutal melee.
"I think I was wrong..." he muttered, not addressing anyone in particular, as his mask reflected the sunlight, casting an eerie glow, darker than bright. "It seems the Tower isn't as wholsome as I would have imagined... at least, not as bloody at first glance."
He had seen much worse outside. The sight of participants resembling bloodied gladiators killing each other wasn't that shocking to him. However, he hadn't expected such a violent scene to unfold so soon on the second floor of the Tower. The brutality displayed before him took him by surprise. Cries of rage and pain blended with the sound of bodies crashing together, while splashes of blood and flesh scattered like macabre confetti.
He began to ponder; just how deadly could the higher floors be? Was this the beginning of a series of trials where human life meant nothing? Had murder become a common practice, even a necessity for those aspiring to climb the Tower? These questions assaulted him as he watched the desperate and fierce battles taking place before his eyes.
The future of his ascent already seemed quite bleak. If this second floor was already a one-sided slaughterhouse, what would the other trials that awaited him be like? The river of blood he would have to cross in the future promised to be immeasurable, a deluge of pain and loss.
Every moment, every fight, only reinforced the notion that the Tower would not be a place of mere trials, but a battlefield where only the strongest would survive.
Nevertheless, he suspected as much, which made him sigh. He wasn't naive enough to think this world was all rosy and pretty; far from it. The proof had already manifested when Headon had subjected him to a test against a pack of creatures so dangerous that even Yuri, a powerful Ranker, doubted Baam's ability to succeed.
This world, just like the one he had known before, was ruthless, governed by the law of the strongest. The weak risked being devoured by those with power.
'But I am not one of the weak,' he declared mentally, his eyes fixed on his clenched right fist.'I have the power and resilience not to become a victim in this cruel world.'
Determination surged within him, a flame eager to be unleashed. He would not be trampled upon, nor would he submit. He was not a sheep like those regulars, but a fierce wolf, ready to bite back in self-defense.
Moreover, Baam certainly did not belong to this world by nature. He would not abide by the rules imposed by those around him. He would act according to his own will, far from the victims who allowed themselves to be trampled.
He would never be like those regulars, never again.
After making this promise to himself with unwavering conviction, Baam began to stride across the clearing. He wanted to distance himself from the clashes, from this pointless violence. He was not a sheep as he had claimed, and he was not obligated to plunge into the fray to prove anything to anyone. Why create a massacre when he could simply step aside and wait for the test to conclude?
The announcer had been clear; all methods were allowed. Hiding and waiting until the time limit expired didn't break any rules. He thought it was a way to avoid getting his hands dirty, to steer clear of the brutality that was tearing the other participants apart.
"Bah! Can we really call this a test? They mainly want to weed out the regulars, pick out those with remarkable abilities, and toss the others like trash," he hissed through his teeth. It was just a guess, but it seemed plausible to him. Deep down, this first test felt more like a brutal elimination than a true trial. And this floor wasn't called the Test Floor for nothing, it had to mean something.
As he strolled casually, hands behind his head and his thoughts wandering, a sudden commotion erupted in the tall grass. A quick, almost imperceptible rustling was followed by the appearance of a man armed with a long, double-edged sword, emerging with the fierce determination of a predator. He moved at full speed, aiming for a surprise attack, convinced he could catch Baam off guard.
The assailant appeared in his blind spot, his blade gleaming in the light, and brought his sword down with all the force he could muster, hoping to end it in one strike.
Shaa!
Baam, seemingly lost in thought, showed no sign of reacting to the rapidly approaching threat, as if he was completely unaware of the mortal danger mere centimeters from his head.
At least, mortal for those who are normal. But Baam is anything but normal.
Clang!!
The blade, though hitting its target, stopped dead at the contact with his neck, as if it had struck a wall of steel. The attacker blinked, incredulous, his confusion palpable. He tried to understand why his blow hadn't had the desired effect. But before he could even react, the unimaginable happened; the blade cracked, then shattered into several pieces before his horrified eyes, as if it was Baam's neck that had broken the sword, not the other way around.
Terror washed over the assailant's face as he staggered back, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed.
He first stared at his broken sword, then slowly turned his eyes to Baam, and back again, confusion and panic mixing on his face. He was convinced he had delivered a decisive strike, a well-aimed blow that should have guaranteed him victory. Anyone watching should have seen his head detach from his body, a blazing image of triumph. But the man before him, who was supposed to be his prey, stood still, frozen in a calm posture, as if his attack had been nothing more than a fly buzzing by.
Baam paused in his stroll, turning to face his would-be assailant. The moment their eyes met, the attacker felt a chilling shiver run down his spine. Baam's empty gaze, through his terrifying and demonic mask, seemed to pierce the very soul of the one who dared to challenge him.
An intrusive question burst into the assailant's mind; had he attacked a demon? That thought alone froze his blood.
"Hey, you!" Baam called out, his tone betraying slight irritation rather than anger. He had sensed the presence of this nuisance hiding nearby for a while, but he hadn't deemed it necessary to act sooner. After all, he wasn't here to get involved in the petty skirmishes of others.
"W-What?" stammered the regular, still frozen in a daze, his gaze flitting between his broken sword and Baam. The abruptness of Baam's voice snapped him out of his stupor, and he began to grasp the absurdity of the situation he was in.
"I don't feel like dealing with small fries like you, so while I'm still being nice, I suggest you leave quickly," Baam declared, his voice firm. The regular stopped trembling, incredulous at his words.
His reaction was understandable. No regular in this test would spare anyone. For many, this test boiled down to eliminating others to ensure their own survival. But the man before him, though visibly powerful—too powerful even—seemed too nonchalant to bother with him. Was he so weak that he wasn't even worth being an opponent?
This lack of regard for his strength enraged him, his eyes flashing with anger as he gripped what remained of his sword tightly. No matter how powerful his opponent was, he wanted to tear this arrogant man apart.
"What? Do you want me to make you leave myself? Except I can't promise it'll be the destination you were hoping for," Baam said, his voice turning icy. A dark, menacing aura began to emanate from him, making the atmosphere increasingly oppressive. The ground beneath his feet began to crack, fissures spreading like snakes, a testament to the power radiating from him. The tall grass, usually serene, seemed to tremble under the pressure of his presence.
The regular feeling his heart tighten and his body crushed under an immense weight, panic and fear replaced what little remained of his rage. Baam's presence was so suffocating that it felt like it could shatter every part of his being.
With visible difficulty, the regular dropped his weapon, raising his hands in surrender. He might have been reckless, but he wasn't stupid.
Baam retracted his aura, observing the regular's submission. Satisfied, he resumed his leisurely walk, leaving the man on the ground, gasping for breath, relieved to have escaped a grim fate.
But before he got too far, Baam stopped and raised his left arm, his thumb pointing in a direction. In a casual tone, he said:
"Dude, I suggest you move to the right before it happens."
The regular, still shaken, turned his head in the indicated direction, perplexed by Baam's words. But before he could understand or even see what was happening...
Whoosh!!
An arrow pierced his forehead, killing him instantly. It didn't end there, as more arrows followed, impaling him from all sides, and his lifeless body collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.
"Well... at least I warned you, so don't blame me for what happened," Baam said indifferently, completely unconcerned with the regular's death. He had sensed a disturbance in the flow of Shinsu to his left, about 500 meters away.
He turned his attention to the spot from where the arrow, which had caused the disturbance, had been fired. At the top of a hill, far off in the field, a man with long hair stood, holding a bow in his hands and a quiver full of arrows on his back.
The archer stood tall, drawing a new arrow, ready to release it once again, this time aiming directly at Baam, his new prey. A contemptuous and sadistic smile spread across his face, expressing the confidence he had in his ability to take down what seemed like an easy target.
But he was wrong to think it would be as easy as with the other regular.
His bowstring was fully drawn, his vision locked on the target, who remained motionless in the landscape, staring straight into his eyes. Yet that didn't distract him.
However, when he released the pressure on the string, it didn't move, nor did the arrow, which remained fixed in place.
He blinked, confused as to why the string wouldn't budge. His gaze darted quickly to where his target had been standing, but he had vanished.
"What! Where did he go?" he inquired, feeling the situation slipping further out of his control.
"Right here, my friend."
A playful voice took him by surprise. When he turned, horror struck him as he saw his target standing right beside him, holding the tip of his arrow in the bow, the very reason why he couldn't fire.
The confidence he had built since the start of this test, relentlessly killing participants, dissipated like sand slipping through his fingers. Fear took hold of him, and he felt as though he was facing a real demon rather than a mere man. Baam's mask, with its terrifying appearance, deepened that feeling of despair and helplessness.
He tried to back away instinctively, but his body refused to move. He then attempted to speak, seeking to bargain for his life.
But it was already too late.
In a motion he couldn't perceive, Baam gripped the archer's face with one hand, while bringing his own face close to the regular's, whose rising panic brought him to tears. Tears streamed down his cheeks as the anguish and despair overwhelmed him, finally grasping the horror of his situation.
The two men stood frozen, like marble statues, the silence becoming more oppressive for the archer. Eventually, Baam broke the tension, his unusually cold voice resonating in the air:
"You know, it doesn't concern me that you guys are killing each other for the test qualification." He paused, time seeming to stretch infinitely for the regular, whose trembling body threatened to collapse. Baam continued, his tone now colder, dripping with disdain, "But... I can see through people's true intentions. Your lust for murder... disgusts me."
"And that, I cannot tolerate."
The regular tried to scream, his eyes wide with terror, but no sound came from his throat, paralyzed by fear. He couldn't do anything, couldn't react, as Baam suddenly tightened his grip.
Crack!!
With a brutal motion, he crushed the archer's head like a watermelon against the ground. The impact was so forceful that the skull shattered instantly, creating a small crater beneath the blow, while the hill itself seemed to tremble. Blood splattered across the ground, staining Baam's clothes and mask, now darkened by the act. Pieces of brain matter dripped from his hand, which he shook off carelessly.
Even though his mask concealed his expressions, no trace of guilt could be seen in him. He felt only indifference toward the archer's death, turning his gaze from the corpse without a shred of regret. He wiped the blood from his mask with cold nonchalance.
This wasn't the first time he had taken a life, and though he preferred to avoid killing when possible, he wouldn't hesitate if the situation demanded it.
After all, the Tower wasn't a place where ethics or morality held any value.
Still... it remained hypocritical. He didn't have to kill the archer. He could have spared him. But there was a reason; he couldn't stand those who took pleasure in killing without reason, without defense, without necessity.
It was a form of morality, of course, a morality that could prove fatal in the Tower.
But he was different.
Baam refused to become a monster devoid of principles. He wanted to distinguish himself from those who abandoned all ethics to survive. As he had already decided, he wouldn't blindly follow the rules of the Tower unless they served his own interests.
He would use his strength to protect his principles, if necessary. No matter the trials or the enemies, Baam was ready to stand against anyone who tried to sway him from his convictions.
'In my life, I will create my own principles, and no one will be able to impose obligations that bind me. No one!' he thought with fierce determination. Then, without a glance back, he leaped from the hill, landing heavily on the ground, leaving behind a new crater.
As he walked slowly forward, his attention was drawn to several figures appearing on the horizon, approaching him, armed to the teeth.
He narrowed his eyes, observing these figures carefully as they drew nearer. It was a group of five regulars, each of varying sizes and races. Normally, Baam might have been curious about such diversity, but at that moment, he gave it no importance. He simply frowned, easily discerning the less-than-friendly intentions of these newcomers.
The one in the middle, who seemed to be the leader, wore a full red tunic. Tall but slim, he had short orange hair and sickly pale skin, his face marked by a smug smile as he caught sight of Baam. He stepped forward, leaving his group slightly behind, lazily resting what looked like an orange needle on his shoulder.
In a voice dripping with both surprise and contempt, he exclaimed, "Oh, who do we have here? A new face crossing our path. So, guys, should he consider himself unlucky or... lucky, huh?"
Laughter erupted from the group, but Baam ignored them, continuing on his way without giving these fools the slightest bit of attention. He saw no point in dealing with them or even questioning why they had formed a group when this test was essentially a slaughterhouse.
"Hey hey, not so fast, masked friend. You know, it's pretty rude to ignore those who just want to say hello," the leader called out, blocking his path with his needle, though he didn't point it directly at him, signaling he wasn't there to start a fight... at least not yet.
Annoyed, Baam shot him a look that clearly expressed he had no time for any greetings, even if his face was still hidden beneath the mask. But his intimidating appearance was enough to make the leader nervously swallow, as he'd never seen anyone with such a... unique, and more importantly, terrifying look. Still, he tried to collect himself, clearing his throat before resuming his arrogant tone:
"Relax, I'm not here to fight. Me and my group, we're not like those idiots tearing each other apart," he began, raising his hands in front of him to show he had no bad intentions. "I'm more of the thinking type. You see, behind me are regulars who had the same idea; form an alliance, stick together instead of fighting amongst ourselves, and wait until the test ends without breaking a sweat or getting our hands dirty."
Seeing that Baam remained silent, the leader took it as a sign of interest and continued, his smile widening:
"So, even if this might seem a bit shady, how about joining us? You don't look like the type to throw yourself into these senseless fights, and that's exactly the kind of person we need." He extended his hand toward Baam, a gesture of goodwill, to seal the deal. "The more of us there are, the better our chances of passing this test without a hitch. No one needs to risk their life unnecessarily." He concluded, confident. "You've got nothing to lose, really."
Silence fell over the group, Baam and the so-called leader frozen in an almost palpable standstill, creating a scene as tense as it was awkward.
Suddenly, that silence was shattered by a burst of laughter that echoed, surprising everyone, except for the one who initiated it; Baam himself. His head tilted back, he continued to laugh, a deep and genuine sound that contrasted with the tension in the air.
The four regulars were bewildered by such an unexpected reaction. They hadn't expected Baam, who seemed so calm at first, to burst into loud laughter, let alone to mock their leader. The leader, seeing his smile fade, felt his gaze become more threatening, his eyes hardening. The contrast between Baam's amusement and the growing unease of the group heightened the tension, making the atmosphere even more electric.
"What's so funny?" the leader asked, but his voice sounded more like a growl than a genuine question.
Baam, finishing his laugh, adjusted his stance and locked eyes with the red-haired regular before him. In a more serious tone, though with a hint of disdain lingering, he replied:
"Why? To reassure you, I'm not mocking your proposal itself. It's more the way you present yourself and your hidden intentions that made me laugh."
The leader raised his eyebrows, ready to defend himself, but Baam didn't give him the chance. Crossing his arms, he continued:
"You can fool the guys behind you who follow you like obedient puppies, but your trick won't work on me. You talk about alliances to ensure our survival, but aren't you mainly trying to secure your own? I can't help but think that, as soon as you've used these people to reach your goal, you won't hesitate to abandon them or even betray them. After all, who could really believe that a leader like you would share power? The Tower isn't a place where loyalty is rewarded, and I'm sure you know that anytime someone becomes too powerful, they become a threat. You wouldn't want a potential rival sticking by your side, would you?"
This assumption, sounding more like a revelation, struck the four regulars who had stayed in the background. Doubt and suspicion began to grow in them as they observed their leader, who had remained silent until he suddenly started laughing, as if it was the best joke of the century.
He then exclaimed, full of contempt:
"Hahaha, oh my… you know, I was truly sincere when I said I wanted you to join my team, but not only do you refuse, you also dare to slander me like this?!"
He suddenly fixed his gaze on Baam, his eyes bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead, as a wide, cruel smile stretched across his lips. "I want to kill you so badly, I'll make sure your death is agonizing, you masked b*stard! Guys, let's tear him apart together! I want to see this scum beg for mercy!"
His group hesitated for a moment, their gaze fixed on their leader, but a single murderous look from him forced them into action. They decided to take care of the masked man first, then question their leader later about whether his promise to help them pass the test was real.
"AHHHHRG!!!!"
With a battle cry, they charged at Baam, weapons raised. The leader, smirking from the corner of his mouth, rubbed his chin, already relishing the thought of seeing this insolent fool receive a memorable beating. He promised himself he would then find a way to fix the situation, preserve his cover, all while enjoying the upcoming spectacle of violence.
As the regulars closed in on him, preparing to strike, fury was etched on their faces.
"Tsk, what a bunch of fools," Baam murmured with a hint of disdain. His calmness was in stark contrast to the frenzy of his opponents. Then, in a fluid motion, he too sprang into action. His speed was such that it created afterimages, a disorienting illusion for those around him.
Eyes wide in shock, the regulars didn't even have time to process what was happening. With a precise gesture, Baam gently brushed their foreheads with his finger, each touch sealing their fate. The four regulars collapsed one after the other, life leaving them in stunned silence.
With surgical precision and blinding speed, he had targeted sensitive points in their brains, ending their lives in the blink of an eye.
The battlefield, which moments before seemed ready to host a bloody clash, was now silent, a witness to a display of absurd power.
The leader, mouth agape, couldn't believe what had just transpired. The scene was so surreal that he even dropped his needle, the shock coursing through his body like an electric jolt.
Quickly regaining his composure, he tried to gather his wits and shouted, though his voice betrayed his agitation:
"Wh-What? Hey, guys! What's wrong with you? Why are you all down? Get up, you b*stards, don't pretend!!"
"It's useless. They're already dead," Baam replied emotionlessly, slowly approaching the leader, his piercing gaze almost devouring that of his adversary, who instinctively stepped back. "But don't worry, you'll join them soon."
"You b*stard! Don't think I'm like those pieces of trash—"
He was interrupted by Baam's sudden appearance right in front of him, towering over him. The false leader, stumbling, fell onto his backside, his legs giving way under the crushing terror and pressure he felt.
It was as if he was trapped in a hallucination, seeing the most malevolent and terrifying demon hovering above Baam, seemingly infused with his aura as he looked down on him, as if he were nothing more than an insignificant insect.
Facing that gaze, fear was all that ruled inside him, and any arrogance or pride had vanished.
Before him stood a monster, a monster he should never have provoked.
"Look at you, you're truly pathetic. Without your so-called followers to serve you, you're nothing, not even the courage to help your teammates. And you want me to believe you aim to climb the Tower with such a cowardly and weak personality?"
Baam let out a slight laugh before uttering words that made the vermin beneath him recoil in fear:
"You're dreaming."
No longer willing to waste any time with this filth, Baam didn't hesitate for a second to tear out his throat. The red-haired regular choked, blood gushing profusely from his wound and mouth. A searing pain engulfed his neck, contorting his face with agony and despair. He wanted to scream, but his vocal cords had been violently torn, preventing him from making any sound. His heartbeat quickened, and with each pulse, the pain seemed to intensify.
Within moments, he collapsed, his own blood becoming his executioner.
Once again, Baam felt no remorse as he casually stood up, continuing his walk. However, a distant memory, accompanied by sharp pain, surged within his mind, causing him to grimace. He immediately placed his left hand on his head, as if trying to quell the storm raging inside.
Screams echoed in his mind, accusatory voices calling out from all sides:
"MONSTER!! MURDERER!! KILLER!!!"
These words, heavy with blame and suffering, struck him with devastating force, reviving memories he would rather forget.
After a few minutes, the screams subsided, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Baam sighed, realizing that he had forgotten how killing could awaken those painful headaches, which felt more like nightmares than mere memories.
"I should probably be more careful with my actions this time," he murmured as he resumed his path through the now bloodstained clearing.
He sincerely hoped there would be no more pests on his way, obstacles he would have to eliminate to move forward. The shadows of the past followed him, that much he knew, but for now, he had to focus on the future and the real obstacles that would block his path.
.
.
.
Several minutes had passed as the battlefield grew more and more intense. Baam, for his part, found himself once again engaged in a confrontation, though it could hardly be called a fight.
In his hand, he held a grotesque creature, devoid of eyes and nose, with nothing but a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth. This abomination, with its massive and misshapen body, was now at Baam's mercy. He gripped it firmly by the neck, his fist solidly anchored, while blood gushed from the gaping wound, pouring into the creature's mouth.
He casually tossed the creature onto the grassy ground, leaving it to lie beside two other regulars who had made the mistake of attacking him in a crude ambush.
Another regular was sitting on the ground—still alive—staring in horror at the scene that had unfolded before his eyes. He had never imagined that the opponent he had chosen to ambush would be so formidable.
The presence of this regular appeared to him like that of a bloodthirsty monster, a creature that seemed to pierce deep into his soul. Sweat dripped down his face as he trembled like a leaf, overwhelmed by fear.
He bitterly regretted the idea of attacking this monster.
"You... You damn monster! You killed them all!!" he stammered, accusing the masked young man without shame.
Wiping his hands of his oppenents blood, Baam turned to the last of the regulars who had dared attack him, remaining indifferent to his accusations and responding with disdain:
"Have you forgotten that this test allows you to kill your opponents by any means, without consequence? What's worse is that it wasn't even me who attacked first. It was you and your band of idiots who set up the ambush. And you failed miserably."
He appeared before the regular, who didn't even have time to blink, Baam moving so quickly. With a swift motion, he raised his right leg, ready to finish the job, before saying in a chilling voice:
"I don't enjoy killing, but you leave me no choice. Blame yourself and your teammates for your stupid decision to attack me, and blame yourself for not recognizing your own weakness."
Bang!!
Those were the last words the regular heard before Baam's foot came down on his chest, crushing his heart and killing him instantly.
Baam slowly removed his foot from the shattered ribcage of the regular, shaking his leg to rid it of the blood before continuing on his way.
If he were counting, this was the 14th regular he had encountered, and each seemed determined to take his head.
He could only sigh in exasperation. Why couldn't everyone just find a quiet spot and wait for this damn test to end? Did he really look like an easy target? Or perhaps Headon had leaked the appearance of an Irregular in this test zone, prompting everyone to come after him.
If that turned out to be true, he swore that one day he'd return to the first floor and personally rip off that insolent rabbit's ears.
He now understood why Yuri seemed so hostile toward Headon...
A slight breeze blew over him, lifting his long black hair and loose clothing, while his earring shimmered under the rays of the false sun. Still lost in thought, he found himself in a peaceful clearing, where there was no fighting or noise, only traces of blood bearing witness to previous battles.
The only presence here was that of a large, round creature, with a huge head composed of several eyes but no mouth or nose.
Baam remained impassive, wondering if this Tower had a strange obsession with races possessing multiple eyes or ears. He found it disturbingly dull, a lack of originality that bewildered him.
The creature turned toward him, observing him with one of its many eyes before inclining its head in greeting. This polite gesture raised Baam's eyebrows. Perhaps it was just a facade, and the creature was trying to deceive him with false courtesy.
Baam wasn't one to be overly suspicious, but on a battlefield where the scent of blood ruled, a hint of caution never hurt. Strangely enough, though, he sensed no hostile intent from the creature, which pleased him. He had grown tired of encountering mindless brutes.
Without further delay, Baam slowly approached the creature and asked in a courteous tone:
"May I sit in your shadow, dear friend?"
The creature simply nodded in agreement. Baam thanked it before sitting cross-legged, resting his head against the creature's back and closing his eyes.
So many things had happened in such a short time—his separation from Rachel, entering the Tower, meeting Headon, Evan, and Yuri, the tests, the Irregulars, and more.
He needed to reorganize his thoughts, or else he risked losing himself. Gaining knowledge about the many aspects of the Tower was essential, for he didn't want to remain a mere tourist in this complex place.
However, what mattered most was improving his strength and mastering the new power he had acquired—Shinsu. Using this mysterious energy wasn't difficult for him; in fact, few things posed a challenge when it came to learning.
Yet he realized that he hadn't truly grasped the basics of Shinsu. After all, he had received no instruction on it and was simply forcing its use, exploiting it rather crudely.
He conjured a few tendrils of black Shinsu around his left hand. With just a glance, he noticed that his control was unstable. Though he could solve this issue on his own, it would take time.
"Maybe I should've asked Headon for guidance instead of trying to look cool..." he sighed, a hint of regret in his voice. He couldn't even use this power at a distance, but he didn't let it discourage him; he knew he would learn more about Shinsu in the future.
After all, this was only the beginning of his ascent.
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N/A: Hey guys! I'm back with new chapters, the chapter was supposed to be much longer, but finding it to long, I decided to cut it into two chapter.
So, while I'm waiting to translate the other part, I hope you could be satisfied with this one, and also, I added some other details in this story that you will discorver in the next chapter.
On that note, I wish youball à good Day ;)