_
Far away from where Baam was resting, a cliff overlooked the entire battlefield. A man lay there, draped in a green cloak, his short black hair contrasting with his grey skin. His exposed lips revealed sharp teeth, and he held a sniper rifle in his hands.
Yet, instead of scanning the field or shooting at participants within his range, he trembled. Fear was the only emotion that could describe the look on his face, pale despite the grey hue of his skin. He had just witnessed something that chilled him to the bone.
A few minutes ago, he had spotted Baam and thought he would make an easy target, especially given the distance between them. But that was before he saw Baam, as if teleporting, reach an archer and kill him as easily as crushing a fly. Soon after, a group of five individuals approached Baam. Although he couldn't hear what they were saying, the palpable tension told him things were about to escalate, and he was right.
What followed was a one-sided slaughter. The masked young man seemed to multiply, moving at such speed. With just a touch to their foreheads, he killed them effortlessly. But that wasn't the worst part. When Baam brutally took down the leader of the group, the sniper felt a sharp pain in his own throat, as if his flesh was being ripped out. The pressure bearing down on him, even from such a distance, terrified him.
"Sh*t!" he finally swore after a long silence, his hands trembling on his weapon. "How is it possible that a regular who's only just begun climbing the Tower can be this powerful? It's absurd!"
He found it unfair. He had thought he had the best odds, being teleported near a cliff—an ideal post for a sniper. Yet, he was also the unluckiest to face the same test as this monster.
He didn't even dare to shoot or aim at Baam, fearing that what happened to the archer might be his own fate.
"That guy... he's worse than a monster... he's a demon god!!"
Now, he just wanted to lie low and stay here. Surely, this cliff could serve as a good hiding spot, right? He didn't think anyone would come to such an isolated place.
However, his thoughts were interrupted by a cold, commanding voice.
"Get out."
His hope of remaining unseen was shattered. He quickly turned around, the fear that it could be the monster he dreaded gripping him.
But his fear dissipated as fast as a cherry blossom petal in the wind when he saw that the stranger was a towering humanoid crocodile, whose muscles looked like they had been pumped full of steroids. His skin, or rather his scales, were a dark grey, and his red irises were surrounded by deep black sclera, capable of scaring anyone with just a glance. Clad in a red gladiator-style robe, he wore a flowing black cape. In his crocodilian hands, he wielded a magnificent crimson spear, shining with an intensity that seemed ready to pierce the sky.
Despite the imposing and intimidating figure of the crocodile, with his massive build and bulging muscles, the sniper felt no fear. In fact, he almost found the crocodile cute compared to the demonic-masked man he had observed earlier. With a casual shrug, he looked away, seemingly bored by the situation.
Seeing the insolence and disdain from the sniper lying before him, the crocodile felt irritation rising within him. He approached the sniper and grabbed his hood, surprising the latter, who had no time to react before the crocodile tossed him aside like trash. The sniper fell roughly, his weapon sliding out of his hands. Furious, he glared up at the crocodile and yelled:
"Ow! What the f*ck is your problem , you steroid-pumped croc?!"
"Get out... this is a hunting ground for real hunters," the crocodile declared, unfazed by the sniper's insults. His scarlet eyes fixed on the man with icy precision, like a predator sizing up insignificant prey.
The sniper, despite the fear gnawing at him, wasn't about to back down. He clumsily got to his feet, brushing off his clothes while searching for his weapon, his heart racing.
"You... you take my spot and start spouting nonsense?" the sniper shouted angrily.
"Huh? What's this? A chocolate bar?" asked the crocodile, completely ignoring the sniper's tirade.
Intrigued, the crocodile inspected the object he had picked up, not realizing it was the sniper's rifle. This only fueled the sniper's rage.
"Hey! That's my rifle!! Put it down right now!!" the sniper screamed, his voice trembling with fury.
The crocodile, indifferent to the protests behind him, examined the weapon with disconcerting curiosity. But realizing it wasn't the snack he thought it was, he casually tossed it off the cliff like it was a worthless item. The sniper's eyes widened in shock, and he clutched his head, screaming in anger:
"YOU IDIOT!!! Do you know how much that sh*t cost me?! How are you going to pay me back, huh? By selling your crocodile skin?!"
The crocodile, still stoic, felt his patience wearing thin as the sniper's endless complaints and insults grated on his nerves. His deep, cold voice rumbled, tinged with palpable menace:
"Your whining is starting to annoy me, turtle. If you've got a problem, come fight me! I'll show you what this steroid-pumped croc can do."
His red eyes stared intently at the sniper, his menacing aura spreading like a predator ready to strike.
The sniper, following his survival instincts, turned on his heels and fled, his figurative tail between his legs.
'Fighting a 4-metertall cric? Only a madman would do that!' he thought, casting one last glance behind him.
As he ran, he swore to himself that one day, from a much safer distance, he'd aim for the crocodile's head.
Finally alone, the crocodile stood at the edge of the cliff, his scarlet eyes scanning the vast battlefield below. From up here, he could see everything—every movement, every battle, and every potential challenge awaiting him. He licked his lips in anticipation, visualizing the participants as targets for his next hunt, his predatory instincts on high alert.
"Let's see... is there anyone worthy of being hunted from afar?" the crocodile murmured, a savage grin spreading across his lips.
Then, as he looked further into the horizon, his eyes lit up.
'Oh? What's this? There are plenty!'
A shiver of excitement ran down his spine. He was thrilled to see so many potential opponents, promising targets. In that moment, he saw himself as the ultimate predator, dominating the environment as if he stood at the top of the food chain.
Boom!
However, a sudden pressure descended on the crocodile, though he wasn't truly affected by it. His instincts, sharpened by countless battles, told him that this aura was a silent warning; he shouldn't underestimate the individual behind this force. Intrigued, he turned his gaze toward the source.
There, in the distance, stood a small girl with green skin and a long lizard tail that swayed lightly behind her. Her short brown hair framed a face with a mischievous expression, and her strange, glimmering pupils seemed filled with malice. She wore a yellow long-sleeved shirt with brown patterns, paired with a black dress underneath. With a casual stride, she wandered across the battlefield, inspecting her green hook-shaped weapon with an amused air, a cheeky grin on her lips.
The crocodile frowned, wary. This child was no ordinary being, and he could already sense it.
' What is this feeling? Is it really coming from that lizard?' the crocodile thought, puzzled by this unusual pressure. He squinted, studying the little girl closely, but his gaze quickly focused on the hook she held in her fingers.
'No,' he realized, feeling the aura radiating from the weapon,'it's coming from that thing... it's infinitely powerful.'
The crocodile, usually filled with unwavering confidence, felt an unusual hesitation creeping in. He tightened his grip on his spear with a mix of frustration and excitement.
'This... might be a little harder to hunt than expected.'
Boom!
But before he could gather his thoughts, another pressure, even more overwhelming than the lizard girl's weapon, crashed down on him. It was so powerful, so crushing, that it seemed to seep into the depths of his being.
"What…?" he murmured, stunned, as his muscles tensed to the extreme, frozen under an invisible grip. Every fiber of his body screamed danger, and despite his colossal strength, he felt reduced to nothing more than prey.
Sweat dripped down his scales, sliding along his skin as proof of the terror creeping into him.
He, the imposing crocodile, always proud of his strength, was paralyzed by a feeling he had never experienced before in his life—fear.
This wasn't just an instinctual alarm; it was a visceral fear, the kind that arises when one knows they are facing something far more powerful, a natural predator at the top of the chain.
The crocodile, still shocked by his state, gathered all his strength to try and regain control. He felt trapped in a web of fear and confusion, but he needed to know who this being was that could make him feel this way, who dared pose as his predator.
He focused his gaze, his senses on high alert, and there! He found him! A young man, sitting in a lotus position behind a massive creature, appeared to be asleep. Though he couldn't make out his features due to the mask hiding his face, the crocodile could guess his state by the steady rhythm of his breathing.
However, what concerned him the most wasn't this apparent tranquility. It was the demonic aura emanating from the masked man. A dark, powerful aura that inspired almost absolute fear. The crocodile could have sworn he saw, in the shadows surrounding him, the face of a demon forming, a reflection of the threat he posed. A shiver ran down his spine, and he realized that this was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
An opponent he reluctantly admitted he'd rather avoid.
'No!! How can I, Rak Wraithraiser, fear anyone?' he repeated to himself mentally, mocking himself for feeling fear toward someone he hadn't even faced yet.
Rak, the crocodile's name, was filled with an arrogance and overconfidence in his own strength; he feared nothing, not even death. How could he let himself be overwhelmed by fear and consider avoiding a confrontation without even trying?
Just thinking about it made him angry. The very idea of having considered such cowardice was unbearable.
Clenching his spear, he let out a laugh, a laugh that contained both his excitement and anger.
'How could I even think of not fighting against such a formidable opponent?'
"Haha, I commend you, Demon Turtle, for being the first to make me feel so small!" he shouted, almost screaming, pointing his spear toward Baam. Determination and excitement swirled within him. "So, allow me, the great Rak Wraithraiser, to make you my biggest prey in this hunt I've embarked on in this Tower!"
"I hope you'll help me surpass my limits!"
After this declaration, which seemed addressed to the entire world, Rak leapt without hesitation from the cliff, a radiant smile on his lips. Gaining more and more speed, he landed with a massive explosion of dirt and grass, creating a crater and drawing the attention of other nearby participants.
Without wasting a second, he charged forward across the field, ignoring or attacking anyone in his path.
__________
A little further east of the battlefield, two individuals faced off. One of them was none other than the lizard girl, while her opponent was a young man with short black hair, with a small tuft on top. His sharp black eyes gazed intently, and his well-defined face had a small mole under his left eye.
Dressed in a dark brown kimono, he wore a black tank top underneath, topped with an orange haramaki acting as a belt. Two katanas were strapped to his side, giving him the air of a Japanese samurai.
One could say he was quite handsome overall.
The two exchanged glances, both wearing the same expressionless look, but each was ready to act at the slightest movement from the other. The lizard girl gripped her hook firmly, while the young man rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at any moment.
Shaaaa!! Clang!!
In a swift, fluid motion, they both drew their weapons and attacked simultaneously, parrying and countering each other's strikes with impressive precision.
"Oh?"
Another person emerged from the area, stepping out from the tall grass he had been walking through for quite some time. His appearance was rather... ordinary compared to the others, almost like a background character. He was a bald man with freckles dotting his face, dressed in a full tracksuit—purple with orange trim.
The newcomer seemed confused, observing the two regulars who were about to pounce on each other like stray cats bristling with tension. He didn't like the situation at all.
The three of them stared at one another, with only the sound of the grass rustling in the wind breaking the silence of the moment.
However, the tense atmosphere didn't last long, as the lizard-girl exclaimed with unbridled enthusiasm:
"This is gonna be fun!!"
Grinning with excitement, the lizard-girl made a wide sweep with her hooked weapon, spinning on her axis.
Shaaa!!
The shaft of her weapon extended several meters, and with a powerful vertical slash, she cut through the tall grass and shattered the ground beneath it.
Boom!
The samurai dodged effortlessly, while the guy in the tracksuit barely managed to evade, raising his arms above his head, a look of pure shock on his face.
He had just arrived and almost lost his life. What a sh*tty day for him.
"Well then, run if you can!!"
This time, she made a massive leap into the air. Extending her weapon, she continued her barrage of attacks, swinging her whip-like blade once again, slicing through the environment.
Shaa! Shaa! Shaa! Shaa!
However, like before, she failed to land a blow on the samurai, who dodged with surprising agility.
"Highest flying sword," murmured the young man in the kimono, determined not to remain on the defensive. With a fluid motion, he threw his katana, the blade spinning gracefully through the air. The lizard-girl, caught off guard, watched the weapon disappear briefly above her, not fully understanding his intent.
Suddenly, with calm assurance, he added:
"Lowest flying sword."
At that moment, the katana, in a swift descent, sliced through the air, falling with deadly precision. The young man, quick as lightning, drew his second katana, preparing to combine the movements.
Shaaaa!!
The young man channeled all his strength into a powerful slash, synchronized with the katana's fall.
Claang!!
The impact resonated in the air as the blade collided with the lizard-girl's hook. Though she managed to block the strike, the force was so immense it pushed her back several meters, her feet sliding across the ground. The weapon in her hands vibrated from the pressure, yet despite the power, her excited grin remained.
"Running away... that's only when your opponent is stronger than you, right?" the samurai retorted sharply, his gaze fixed on the lizard-girl, never breaking eye contact. His intense look only deepened the mischievous smile on the girl's face as she returned his stare with a playful glint of challenge.
Meanwhile, the third man remained still, watching the scene unfold without interfering. He barely dodged the attacks that came close to his space, mesmerized by the spectacle of combat, lost in thought.
'Wow... they're both incredibly strong!'he thought, impressed by the deadly dance taking place before him. As the two fighters continued their clash, he felt more and more out of place, almost invisible.
Shaaa! Shaa! Clang! Shaa!
"But... but are you ignoring me?" he stammered, his voice betraying his discomfort. It was as if he didn't exist in this gripping duel, his role reduced to that of a mere spectator in an epic battle.
Shaa! Boom! Boom! Shaa!
He felt strangely useless for reasons unknown...
__________
In a secluded corner of the battlefield, a heavy silence had settled. The smell of blood dominated the atmosphere, relentless and acrid, seeping into every blade of grass and stone in this macabre clearing. The once-brilliant yellow grass had been stained crimson, bearing witness to the violence that had taken place. Dozens of corpses lay scattered across the ground, their bodies frozen in tragic poses, silent witnesses to the fury of the battle that had ravaged the area. Severed limbs and decapitated heads littered the clearing, adding an even more grotesque dimension to the desolate scene. The calmness stood in stark contrast to the chaos that reigned elsewhere, creating a grim atmosphere where death seemed to have left its final mark.
A labored panting echoed through the tall grass, betraying the presence of a young man with medium-length pink hair tied back and pale green eyes. He was dressed in a thick white coat that almost blended into the deathly landscape surrounding him, with a white quiver and a yellow pouch attached to his belt. His breathing was heavy, and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, revealing the anxiety and exhaustion consuming him. Cuts on his face and parts of his body, silent witnesses of a fierce battle he had just endured, added to his state of fatigue. He was hiding, crouched in the shadows of the tall grass, fearing the monsters who had orchestrated this mass genocide.
'Damn fiends! Of all the Tower's inhabitants, it had to be me who ran into those bloodthirsty twin on the second floor!' Frustration boiled inside him, an internal scream struggling to break free. He wanted to unleash all his anger and despair, but he held it back, aware that the slightest noise could betray him. His thoughts spiraled as he recalled the brutality of his opponents, their sadistic smiles, and how they seemed to revel in spreading chaos around them.
He hated himself for sinking so low, for being confronted by such powerful and cruel competitors, while he struggled to stay hidden just to survive. The fear of the unknown, the dread of crossing paths with their murderous gaze again, drove him to focus, to watch every movement around him.
He clenched his teeth in anger, a humiliation he could no longer bear. Being part of a great family yet forced to hide for survival—this was a reality that suffocated him. The thought of his family one day learning that he had been reduced to cowardice so early in his ascent was unbearable. He imagined their disappointed looks, their mocking laughter echoing in his mind, only fueling his rage further.
At that moment, every fiber of his being struggled to contain this fury. He knew full well he stood no chance against those twins, especially one against two. Their skills were far beyond what he could hope for, and every move he had observed so far painfully reminded him of that fact. But this situation wouldn't go unanswered. If he managed to survive, he swore to make them pay. This wouldn't be simple revenge but a promise to restore his honor and prove to everyone that he wasn't just a weakling hiding in the shadows.
"Oh look, Dehya, it seems there's one more left!" A joyful, feminine voice startled him.
Boom!
At that moment, the young man reacted instinctively, releasing a powerful wave of Shinsu, an explosion of energy that swept everything within several meters. He quickly retreated, but the accumulated fatigue from his previous fight, along with his injuries, weakened him further.
"Damn it! Of course, it had to be the craziest one of the two to find me!" he cursed, as panic started to rise within him. But he quickly regained his composure; he had to keep a rational mind if he wanted to survive against these demons.
A slender figure emerged from the smoke screen. She revealed herself with grace, though her movements betrayed a slight awkwardness, diminishing her elegance. It was a young woman with long, snow-white hair, her skin pale like silk. Her features were remarkably beautiful, with blood-red eyes framing silver pupils, a fine nose, and delicate lips, giving her a charm that could make any man fall for her.
Yet her nature could literally make anyone fall in her path.
An amused and narcissistic smile adorned her face, as she was dressed in a long, white combat robe paired with high silver heels. A silver necklace adorned her neck, featuring a lovely red ruby that matched her crimson eyes perfectly. She wielded a long, double-edged silver sword, its pointed hilt extending on both sides.
She was stunning in every way, but the slight bloodstains on her dress, the bloodied sword she wielded, and her cruel smile were enough to remind anyone watching that she was not just a royal princess.
"Hmm, you're right, Candace. It seems a rat has survived," added a new voice, more mature than the one called Candace. Another figure emerged from the tall grass.
It was yet another woman, almost a mirror image of Candace, except that her long white hair was tied up. Her irises gleamed with a brilliant purple, and her necklace bore a precious amethyst stone at its center. She held a sword with a serrated and slender blade, giving her a more menacing appearance.
Her facial expression contrasted sharply with Candace's; it was devoid of any emotion. Only a cold, empty gaze met that of the pink-haired young man, who flinched slightly under her intense stare.
'And to top it off, the older and more terrifying twin is here too. That means... they must have killed everyone in this field,' he thought bitterly.
He knew it would be impossible to fight both of them at once. Even one of them could defeat him without much trouble. Escaping seemed like an option, but given how weakened he was, his chances were slim.
Shaaaa!!
A chilling sensation ran down his right arm as he barely dodged a sharp attack charged with powerful white Shinsu. The wave of energy sliced the ground just inches from him, sending up shards of earth and grass.
He realized that a split-second delay would have been enough for his arm to be cut in two.
"Don't even think about running," the older twin declared coldly, the one who had launched the attack. Her blade emitted a trail of white energy aimed at the young man, her gaze gleaming with a menacing glint as it bore into him. "Just accept your fate; otherwise, I won't be gentle with your death."
The young man growled, a mix of frustration and anger boiling inside him. The insolence, the feeling as though she held his life in her hands, infuriated him. He spat, venom in his voice:
"You Arie, you think you're above everyone else, as if you have the right to decide who lives or dies in the Tower! You slaughter people for no reason, like it's some kind of game! And now, you're hunting me down as if I owe you something, when I'm just a simple participant trying to survive! It's completely unfair and outrageous!"
"Unfair?" the younger twin sneered, a wicked amusement glinting in her eyes. She brought a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh before replying in a mocking tone. "Do you really think the Tower cares about what you'd call injustice? Haven't you heard the rules of this test? It doesn't matter if it's unfair; if it benefits us, we kill. And if it's for fun, why not? It adds a bit of depth to this so-called injustice."
The young man fell silent, stunned by Candace's brazen response. Was it really possible that she took pleasure in killing? The idea that reveling in a bloodbath could be refreshing to her horrified him deeply.
Questions swirled in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he was the fool in this story.
She was right, after all. The Tower didn't care about justice or injustice; that wasn't what defined this ruthless world. What governed the Tower was the power of those who could impose their own rules, no matter how many bodies they left behind.
And unfortunately for him, that's exactly what was happening at this moment; he felt at the mercy of the stronger, those who didn't hesitate to kill anyone who dared stand in their way.
Yet he didn't like it. No matter how much his family had taught him from a young age about the Tower's cruel nature, he didn't want to become like them. He refused to resemble those monsters who had no regard for human life.
Enraged by this indignation, he began to channel the Shinsu around him into his right palm. A sphere of blue light began to form, vibrating with growing power and density, ready to explode in a flash of determination and defiance.
"I don't even know why I bothered trying to talk to b*tches like you," he exclaimed, his face darkened by anger. He slowly advanced toward them, the blinding Shinsu sphere in his hand. "So be it. I'll make sure you don't walk away unscathed!"
"No more talking? Then let's get to it, the rat with his useless sense of injustice!" declared Candace, her smile widening as she also began to advance, her sword glowing with a bright white light. But before she could take another step, her sister stopped her with a gesture, prompting Candace to give her a questioning look.
"I'll handle it," the older twin affirmed, her calm tone contrasting with the tense atmosphere.
"What? Don't tell me you think I can't deal with this pathetic rat?" Candace protested, her ego clearly wounded by the statement.
"No, not at all, my sister. But you've already taken care of most of the regulars in this field. It's only right that I handle at least the last one," Deyha explained as she stepped forward, preparing for combat. Candace, slightly annoyed, stepped aside with a pout.
Seeing that they weren't going to attack him together, the young man felt slightly relieved. He thought he might have a chance to survive, that he could drag out the fight until the time limit expired.
He quickly glanced at his pocket, noting that only 296 participants were left in this test.
It was a grim thought, but he couldn't help but hope that the number would quickly drop to the required amount and that he could hold out until that fateful moment.
"Damn, I hate my luck!"
__________
'Regulars are just sheeps
That was the thought crossing the mind of a young woman with long blue hair tied in an elegant ponytail, with a dark blue ribbon tied to the side of her head, matching her deep blue eyes. Her fine features and delicate face made her captivatingly beautiful, an icon of grace among both men and women. She wore a fitted white shirt, a perfectly knotted black tie, a subtle blue collar resting around her neck, and a dark blue skirt that elegantly fell above her black tights. To complete the look, she casually held a small brown briefcase in her hand.
Boredom and disappointment marked her thoughts. For her first test in the Tower, she had expected much more. However, she wasn't stupid enough to express this contempt aloud.
But... for a first test for simple beginners? It was pathetic.
The young woman began to wonder if her brothers and sisters had exaggerated the difficulty of this trial. Sure, it was meant to weed out the weak and the unwanted, but murder seemed to be the basis of it all. Nothing too complicated.
'After all, even normal people, before becomings regulars, killed animals or something else, right?' she thought to herself, almost amused by the idea.
She certainly had advantages, skills that set her apart from the others, and she wasn't afraid to use them. However, she couldn't afford to appear powerless, not now. The appearance of control, of strength, was crucial, even if she had to play with violence to survive.
The young woman slowly circled the corpse of her last opponent, a sigh of boredom escaping her lips. She meticulously wiped the blood off her knife before discarding it. She had plenty more, neatly stored in her bag, which shifted slightly at her side, almost comically. Despite the brutality of the ordeal, it all felt strangely... routine. There had been a few interesting regulars she'd encountered so far, but none truly worth remembering.
She couldn't help but sigh again. Was she doomed to climb with such mediocre people, to carry incompetents to the top, when she aimed for greatness? Was there someone, somewhere in this Tower, worth allying with?
She wandered westward, her steps slow and graceful. Everything here was either stained red or filled with the din of chaotic battles between the candidates. Every corner seemed to ooze with senseless violence, like a bloody farce she was already growing tired of. Perhaps it was worth seeing how many regulars would eventually exhaust themselves, but she still had time.
There was, of course, a multitude of corpses scattered around, a sight that had become banal to her. But this time, it wasn't the bodies themselves that caught her attention—it was the manner in which they had been killed. Unlike the mutilated carcasses she had encountered until now, these corpses appeared almost intact, their wounds clean and precise. This detail struck her immediately.
They seemed almost... fresh, in a way. No excessive mutilation, no chaotic massacre. But what intrigued her more was the apparent absence of a weapon. The wounds bore no trace of a blade, projectile, or even a visible blow. It was as if these people had been reduced to corpses by sheer, almost inhuman, brute force.
She frowned, her thoughts starting to churn. Who, or what, could be powerful enough to inflict such damage with such efficiency?
Setting the thought aside, she resumed her walk, a faint hope growing within her. Perhaps she had finally found the ally she had been so desperately searching for? A companion powerful enough to make this climb less lonely.
Her stride halted, however, when she spotted a massive creature with gray skin standing in the middle of a clearing—a Da-an. These creatures, though commonly seen in certain areas of the Tower, were still imposing and impressive. Their size, combined with their multiple eyes that seemed to observe everything around them, gave each of their movements a certain solemnity.
The Da-an's two primary eyes locked onto her. Without losing her composure, she lowered her head slightly in greeting. It was best to remain courteous—so long as she showed no aggression, the Da-an had no reason to attack.
She was about to pass by the Da-an when she noticed, with some surprise, another human presence, almost invisible until now.
'Strange, I didn't notice him at all,' she thought, her eyes landing on a figure quietly sitting behind the massive creature. The young man, bathed in the imposing shadow of the Da-an, seemed peaceful, almost in harmony with the calm atmosphere that surrounded him. He didn't move, his breathing slow and steady, suggesting that he was either sleeping or in deep rest.
But it wasn't just the young man's appearance that intrigued her, although that was already unique enough. His long, black hair fell in silky waves, framing a loose kimono as dark as his locks. Yet what truly caught her attention was the mask. A metallic gray mask, sculpted to resemble the face of a demon with fearsome features, as though it had emerged straight from hell. A menacing creation, giving the wearer an almost otherworldly aura.
It wasn't the idea of a masked Regular that troubled her, for that wasn't uncommon in the Tower. No, it was something else. Something deeper, almost primal. This young man... he exuded a particular aura. Just by looking at him, an odd sensation began to prickle her scalp, an instinctive alarm her mind couldn't ignore.
It was as if her entire body was trying to warn her, to alert her to his presence. A silent warning.
She was certain now; this masked young man was the one responsible for the carnage! It wasn't just intuition, but a certainty that grew stronger with each passing second. The aura emanating from him, so calm yet so heavy with power, explained everything.
It stirred something within her. A curiosity, almost respect. It had been so long since she had sensed such a presence. This Regular wasn't a mere fighter blinded by his strength. No, he knew when to strike and, more importantly, when to stay hidden. The proof was that instead of rushing into the fray like the other fools, he had taken refuge here, in this nearly peaceful spot, surely observing the events with cold precision.
That, more than anything, spoke of rare intelligence in this senseless test, and she liked it.
'Interesting.'
"It's bold of you to sit so peacefully in the middle of an exam," she said, her voice tinged with irony mixed with admiration. A smile tugged at her lips, revealing her growing satisfaction.
The young man, or rather Baam, opened his eyes through the mask, though it was invisible from the outside, even with the mask's slits. He slowly lifted his head, the sunlight reflecting off his mask, and fixed his gaze on the newcomer, whom he had sensed approaching for a while now.
Noticing that she didn't seem to have any malicious intent, Baam chose to do nothing, simply waiting to see the reaction of this strange individual. A growing curiosity stirred within him as he observed the blue-haired young woman, wondering how she would act toward him, in contrast to the other Regulars who had almost all chosen to attack him without hesitation.
Yet, sensing a certain curiosity in her and noting the tone of her voice, the individual seemed genuinely interested in Baam.
"Well," Baam began, his voice soft and welcoming, "I wouldn't say I'm bold. I'm just trying to avoid fighting. But you can see around us, there are fools who seem intent on bothering me at any cost."
At this response, the blue-haired woman's eyes widened in visible surprise. She replied, astonished:
"Really? Isn't that the whole point of this test?"
Although her heart didn't race, excitement, curiosity, and interest buzzed inside her. The idea that she might have found a potential rule-breaker sparked hope within her that he could indeed become a future ally.
Baam didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly stood up, stretching his limbs as he gazed toward the sky, savoring the warmth of the sun. Then, he directed his gaze back to the blue eyes of the young woman, who flinched slightly under the intensity of his look. That mask, though impressive, was truly terrifying.
If she ever managed to make him her ally, she would ask, if possible, for him to change his mask, because this one... was really unsettling.
"I'm not the type to seek blood," he finally responded, a faint smile hidden behind his mask. "If I can pass this test without spilling too much blood, wouldn't that benefit both me and the others? I prefer to pick my battles based on what profits me the most. I'm not a 'sheep' blindly following rules without ever questioning the path ahead."
This time, the blue-haired woman's eyebrows furrowed as she adopted a more inquisitive stance. The masked young man's objective seemed almost identical to hers in this test. As she had already declared, she wasn't one to follow established rules like the other Regulars; rather, she used them to her advantage.
The fact that Baam shared this mindset piqued her interest even further. An alliance with him would be highly strategic, as forging bonds early on in their climb of the Tower could strengthen their chances of survival and allow them to get to know each other better. However, she usually treated her allies as mere pawns, using them to serve her goals.
But with Baam, she knew she couldn't afford to do that. It wasn't that she feared his strength, but Baam was too fascinating and promising to be reduced to the role of a pawn. She would rather make him a genuine ally, someone with whom she could share her ambitions.
Besides... she didn't want to relive what had happened in the past, when her alliances had been forged in haste and desperation, only to prove fragile and... precarious.
She pulled herself out of those troubling memories, not wanting to linger on them. She had finally found someone worth the effort. This time, she vowed to ensure that, if she managed to form an alliance with Baam, it would be solid.
She wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. Striking a pact with such a strong and rational partner could be a game-changer in this test and the ones to follow. She straightened slightly, a smile on her lips, as she extended her hand gracefully toward Baam in an offering of a handshake:
"My name is Aguera. Khun Aguera Agnes. And you?"
Baam returned her smile as he shook her hand. "My name is Baam. The 25th Baam."
"The 25th Baam, huh?" she murmured, her curiosity about this young man growing. She found the name rather special, but more than that, the fact that Baam wasn't part of the Ten Great Families intrigued her. Unless, of course, it was just a pseudonym, given that he hid his face. Aguera kept that thought to herself; she wasn't the type to meddle in people's personal affairs. She might find out in the future, especially if they became allies.
"Quite an original name, if I may say so," she continued with a mischievous smile. "Anyway, Baam, I suppose you don't trust me, do you?"
She observed Baam closely, trying to decipher what lay behind his mask. Aguera knew that an alliance could only be built on mutual trust, but she was willing to prove that she wasn't like the other regulars, eager to betray for personal gain.
Baam raised an eyebrow and replied with a hint of irony, "Isn't it normal not to trust you? After all, we just met, so it's natural to be a little cautious, right?"
He wasn't really on guard, knowing he didn't have much to fear from any trickery Aguera might attempt, which made her chuckle lightly.
"Haha, don't take it the wrong way. In truth, I understand your wariness. As you know, the rules of this test are clear; we must compete to continue ascending. It's obvious you don't trust me," she said, laughing softly before taking on a more serious tone. A confident smile adorned her face as she added, "But, like you, the rules no longer interest me. I've decided to climb the Tower... with you."
Aguera fixed her gaze on him, hoping Baam would sense the sincerity behind her words. For her, this alliance could be the key to a successful ascent, and she was willing to do anything to ensure that this opportunity didn't slip through her fingers.
For Baam, this sudden offer of an alliance didn't surprise him. He had sensed Aguera's interest from miles away. Even without showing his strength, he had to admit the young woman's perceptiveness.
However, he wasn't here to form alliances, at least not yet. He preferred playing the lone wolf.
It wasn't out of arrogance or because he believed he could face everything alone, but because he didn't want his problems to affect others.
Baam knew that wherever he went, danger followed, and he didn't want to put anyone in harm's way simply because of his presence, nor did he want to see innocent people dragged into his struggles. Strangely, he had already felt a sense of relief when Rachel and he had gone their separate ways. Tying oneself to others meant potentially burdening them with his problems, and that was a weight he refused to place on anyone else.
Baam, ready to voice his refusal, was interrupted by Aguera, who, in a neutral tone, suddenly averted her gaze, an impassive expression crossing her face:
"Well, I didn't know you brought a pet along."
"Hm?" Confused, Baam followed Aguera's gaze to see a massive humanoid crocodile standing behind him, towering over him by several heads. Its crimson eyes stared at him with an unsettling intensity, and it held a crimson spear planted firmly in the ground. Yet, Baam seemed neither frightened nor intimidated, unlike anyone else would have been in his place. He raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised, then pointed his thumb toward the crocodile, looking at Aguera with an innocent expression, "No idea where he came from. Maybe he escaped from the zoo?"
Aguera let out a small mocking laugh, amused by Baam's nonchalance in the face of such a towering creature.
"Really, a zoo?" she said, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, clearly entertained. "I doubt this one is content with snacking on peanuts."
Rak, still standing there, gripped his spear tighter, growling in frustration, clearly annoyed at not being taken seriously.
"I'm not a crocodile," he growled, his voice deep and menacing. "I'm a hunter, Rak Wraithraiser."
"Oh, a talking crocodile," Aguera added with a playful glint in her eyes. "He must be worth a fortune, huh?"
Baam, for his part, was struggling not to burst into laughter, biting his lip to avoid escalating the situation. Rak, already on the verge of exploding, lost all patience. He suddenly stepped forward, his enormous snout mere inches from Aguera's face, and roared at the top of his lungs:
"I said I'm NOT a crocodile!! STUPID TURTLE!!!"
Aguera remained impassive, but Baam couldn't help but chuckle slightly, which only made Rak even angrier.
"And I've got nothing to say to you! I'm only interested in the demon turtle, so get lost!" roared Rak, his massive arm cutting through the air in an exasperated gesture.
This declaration made both Baam and Aguera raise their eyebrows simultaneously, exchanging surprised glances.
"The demon turtle?" repeated Aguera, perplexed, while Baam shrugged with a small smile on his lips.
"I guess that's me," he murmured, amused by the strange title.
"Baam? Why would you want to go after him?" Aguera asked, confused.
"That's none of your business! This turtle is my prey, if not the greatest! So leave before I hunt you too, blue turtle!" Rak declared with raw authority, his imperious tone reverberating through the air.
Aguera narrowed her eyes, unimpressed by the threat, but another thought bothered her more. Why was this crocodile so determined to hunt Baam?
'Could it be... this crocodile sensed something in Baam?' She thought, her gaze shifting to the young man, who watched the scene with clear amusement.
The fact that Rak also detected something special in Baam was troubling. Aguera even cursed the sharp instincts of this beast. It only reinforced Baam's uniqueness; his power had to be high enough to attract Rak's attention, further increasing her interest in him.
Logically, Aguera knew she couldn't let this crocodile go after her future ally. A promising alliance shouldn't start with a fight between her masked comrade and a talking crocodile.
"I'm sorry, but..." Aguera began, adjusting the black tie of her shirt as she locked eyes with the crocodile, flashing a charming smile. "I can't grant your request, crocodile, because I already have business with this dear masked gentleman."
She turned slightly toward Baam, her smile widening. "After all, it seems our friend here has a keen taste for prey. I wouldn't want to be the one to stand between a hunter and his game, would I?"
Rak, even more annoyed, growled in response, his red eyes flaring with indignation. "I told you to leave, turtle! I show no mercy!"
Rak's stubbornness was starting to irritate the young woman. Her amused expression quickly faded, replaced by a cold, dark look. She fixed the crocodile with an icy glare and spoke in a calm but cutting voice:
"Crocodile, don't you understand that it's you who are out of place? Know that I too show no mercy. If you continue to be this stubborn, I will have to kill you."
Her words hung in the air, chilling, leaving a barely veiled threat that made Rak's brows furrow. Yet, he didn't seem shaken, judging the threat as hollow. His unyielding gaze remained locked on the young woman, resolute in his decision.
Seeing that Rak wouldn't back down, Aguera sighed. With a measured gesture, she slowly opened her briefcase, pulling out a thin, sharp knife. Her blue eyes met the crocodile's, a dangerous gleam shining within them. The tension escalated, the Shinsu around them crackling with electricity as the two opponents sized each other up in silence.
Just as the two were ready to clash, Baam suddenly appeared between them as if by magic, arms crossed behind his back. His speed caught them completely off guard. Aguera and Rak, stunned, exchanged surprised glances, unable to comprehend how he had moved so quickly without them noticing.
Baam, looking serene, glanced at them both before calmly saying:
"I don't think it's necessary to go that far, is it?"
"Oh oh, so you're finally stepping up, demon turtle?" Rak taunted, regaining his composure, his face now sporting a predatory grin. He adjusted his spear, tapping it lightly on the ground as if already savoring the fight to come.
Baam, however, didn't react to the provocation. His expression remained calm as he gently shook his head. "I meant... I don't think it's necessary to fight... Surely there's a better way to settle this, right?"
Rak's mood shifted abruptly, his teeth gritting as he yelled, "What do you mean, a better way to settle thing? I'm not here to negotiate!" He twirled his spear with agility before pointing it directly at Baam. "I'm here to hunt you, turtle! I sensed your power, an extreme power! There's no way I can pass up the chance to fight such a formidable prey like you!"
A heavy silence settled between the three, then suddenly, an invisible pressure made the atmosphere almost suffocating. Aguera and Rak's eyes widened as they immediately felt this crushing weight. Aguera's legs began to tremble under the intensity of this force, fear creeping into her like a cold wave.
'W-What is this?!' she nearly cried out internally, unable to utter a word. Her throat felt tight, as if the Shinsu—the very essence that allowed her to breathe—was being cut off.
Rak, too, was not spared by this murderous aura. Every fiber of his instincts screamed at him to flee, to get away from the monster standing before him. Baam, surrounded by a dark aura, dominated the scene. The empty eyes of his mask seemed to pierce through Rak, a terrifying coldness emanating from him. The crocodile was sweating profusely, once again feeling that overwhelming force he had sensed earlier. Despite the fear gnawing at him, he didn't back down. Gripping his spear with determination, he brandished it resolutely toward Baam, refusing to retreat.
For the first time in his life, he ignored his instinct, which he had always been so proud of. The idea of fleeing from Baam simply seemed impossible to him. He was here to test his limits, to see how far he could go, and he had to confront this fear, even if it unsettled him to his core.
Backing down now would only feed an inner demon that would haunt him, a weakness he couldn't afford to accept.
Seeing that Rak stood firm in his conviction, Baam sighed, raising his arms casually, letting go of his oppressive aura.
"Alright, alright, I really wanted to be nice," he said calmly, "but you've forced me, crocodile."
Aguera, on her knees, could finally breathe as she placed a hand on her neck, the pain still lingering. She had never felt such pressure or fear in her life.
What shocked her even more was that it was Baam, a regular like them, who had overwhelmed her with this pressure, a pressure that made her feel as though death was imminent.
She was convinced that no regular, whether a member of the Ten Great Families or even a Princess of Zahard, could wield such power.
So much so that she doubted what she had just experienced, wondering who Baam truly was.
Aguera even felt a pang of regret for having met a monster of power like Baam, questioning whether it was truly a good idea to propose an alliance with him.
Rak did not share Aguera's concern. On the contrary, the fear had dissipated, replaced by a palpable excitement, a thrill of anticipation running down his spine. He was finally about to experience the fight he had longed for. With a provocative grin, he spun his spear with impressive mastery before violently planting it in the ground, causing a tremor that echoed around them.
"Haha, you're finally accepting, turtle! I've been waiting for this!" he exclaimed, his voice vibrating with energy.
Baam, looking bored, replied, "Alright, if you don't want to talk, let's get this over with quickly. I don't have time to deal with a small, temperamental animal." His tone, though light, carried a hint of irritation, but this last comment only fueled Rak's anger, suggesting that Baam wasn't taking it seriously.
With a roar of defiance, he raised his spear high. "Then... let's begin right now, turtle!!"
Shaaaa!!
In a circular motion, he swung a powerful spear strike towards Baam, the speed and force of the attack creating a whistling sound in the air. To everyone's surprise, Baam did nothing to dodge, remaining motionless in his position.
Boom!
The spear hit him squarely, producing a large ripple on his right side, lifting a cloud of dust and grass around him, like a dark cloud obscuring the light.
As soon as the dust settled, Aguera's jaw dropped upon witnessing the surreal scene unfolding before her. Rak, although expecting resistance, couldn't believe what he was seeing. Baam had placed his index finger between him and the attack, effortlessly blocking the spear's blade, not even trembling in the slightest.
Rak's strength met an impasse; he was pushing with all his might, but Baam's finger didn't budge an inch, as if rooted to the ground like an imposing statue.
"Hmm, is that all?" Baam asked innocently, tilting his head slightly to the side as he observed Rak struggling furiously. "I must admit, you're a bit stronger than the other regulars, but is that really it? If so, you definitely don't deserve the big mouth you have."
His words struck a nerve with Rak, who yanked his spear back angrily, letting out a cry of defiance.
"Don't be arrogant, TURTLE!!! That was just a taste of my power!! Now, feel the wrath of the great Rak!!"
Shaa! Shaa! Shaa! Shaa! Shaa!
With fiery eyes and muscles taut to the extreme, he unleashed a furious barrage of spear strikes at Baam, who remained in the same position, unfazed by the impending storm.
Baam, with disarming nonchalance, casually moved his finger to block the first strike, then the second, and so on, each of Rak's attacks meeting an invisible barrier.
Shaa! Shaa! Shaa! Clang!! Clang!!
The deadly dance intensified as the onslaught continued, Rak fighting like a wild animal, his spear creating a series of sharp whistles with every movement.
Yet Baam stood like an immovable wall at the heart of the storm, stopping each strike with deadly precision, his absurd strength defying all expectations. Rak's relentless barrage, though impressive, only served to highlight the vast gap between their powers.
A gap that Rak bitterly acknowledged.
'I knew he was much stronger than me from the first strike...' he thought, a bitter taste creeping onto his tongue as he continued his desperate assault on Baam. 'But... I didn't think the difference would be this vast!!'
"I don't want to be too harsh," Baam began, easily stopping another sharp blow. "But your attacks waste your strength completely. Your techniques, if we can even call them that, are sloppy. You're just using brute force, fighting like an animal with such wide, useless movements. Although I'm not the best to talk about technique..."
Afterward, Baam applied a bit more force with his finger and pushed Rak back, forcing him to halt his barrage and slide several meters away.
"So, I advise you don't even dare think of defeating me while being this weak."
Rak, panting heavily, leaned on his spear for support, his muscles straining from the effort. He didn't even have the energy to be angry with Baam, despite the insult to his hunting skills and strength.
Breathless, he looked up at Baam and suddenly felt small, very small, as if he had been reduced to a mere insect facing an immense predator. The roles seemed reversed, and now it was him, the crocodile, who was the prey, while Baam stood there, dominating and unshakable.
Or perhaps he had always been the prey, and Baam was merely toying with him, savoring the spectacle of his desperate struggle. This wasn't just a guess, but a cruel reality. Baam could have ended this fight at any moment, but instead, he toyed with Rak, subjecting him to the humiliation of a battle he couldn't win, without even throwing a single punch.
But Rak refused to give up, preferring to die rather than surrender on the spot. The humiliation gripping him was unbearable. Even though he knew he couldn't win and wanted to tear the turtle in front of him in two, he was determined to continue the fight, no matter the consequences!
No matter the cost!
Crack!!
Rak lifted his gigantic paw with newfound intensity, then slammed it into the ground with force, causing a tremor that echoed across the field. His muscles swelled, filled with energy, as he placed his spear at his right side, gripping it firmly with both hands. Every muscle fiber was tense, ready to spring in one final attempt to defeat his opponent.
Whoooosh!!
Then, in an instant, he leaped with blinding speed, taking off from the ground and leaving an imprint in his wake. His war cry echoed through the surroundings as he charged at Baam with full force, determined to prove his worth.
Boooom!!
The impact of their confrontation was so violent that a shockwave rippled in all directions, sweeping across the ground and scattering debris. Aguera shielded herself with her briefcase, her hands trembling as projectiles flew around her, threatening to strike.
A heavy silence hung in the air as the smoke screen slowly cleared. An incredible scene unfolded, causing Aguera's eyes to widen.
She saw Baam, unscathed, holding the tip of Rak's spear blade between two of his fingers, as if it was nothing. In contrast, Rak's body was trembling all over, desperately struggling to free his spear from Baam's grip. But the masked man's strength was so overwhelming that he couldn't pull it free.
"Wh-what?" Aguera was the first to break the silence, her trembling voice betraying her shock. The expression of disbelief on her face revealed just how far Baam's power surpassed anything she could have anticipated.
"Well, how about we end this little show? I think our dear spectator might be tired of waiting so long," Baam declared, appearing instantly in front of the crocodile, who was still lost in his inner turmoil. "So, I bid you bye-bye and wish you a good sleep, crocodile warrior."
Rak didn't even have time to process what was happening. As the world shifted before his eyes, a primordial fear engulfed him.
At that exact moment, he thought he'd tasted death.
Boom!!
An unfathomable force suddenly struck his stomach, taking his breath away. Rak was sent flying across the clearing by a massive shockwave, leaving a long trail on the ground behind him.
It was merely a flick from Baam, yet the impact was catastrophic. The environment around them was obliterated, a long trench stretching for hundreds of meters, while dust rose high into the sky, momentarily obscuring the daylight.
At the end of that devastated path, Rak lay unconscious, completely knocked out by the sheer power of the flick. The scene was surreal, showcasing the vast difference in strength between the two fighters.
Baam had held back, not wanting to kill the crocodile, finding him amusing in his blind determination. He decided that a good lesson would be enough to make Rak understand never to challenge someone stronger than himself. Satisfied, he turned and walked towards the young woman, who looked so shocked that the word incredulous seemed to be written all over her face. This expression amused Baam, who couldn't help but smile under his mask at her evident surprise.
Driiiiiiiiiing!!
But an alarm blared across the battlefield, snapping Aguera out of her daze and drawing Baam's attention to the same yellow cube hovering in the sky. The piercing sound of the alarm halted all bloodshed and combat, plunging the atmosphere into a tense silence.
"This twisted test is finally over..." Aguera murmured, still in shock from what she had just witnessed. Her eyes were fixed on her pocket's timer, indicating that the allotted time had run out.
Soon, a familiar voice echoed from the cube suspended in the sky:
[Stay where you are! The first test is now over. Any Regulars who continue fighting from now on will be disqualified!]
[To the 200 regulars who passed the test, congratulations.]
[This may seem sudden, but a second test will begin immediately.]
"Damn it, no time to rest!" Aguera sighed, rubbing her temples to ease the headache caused by the previous altercation. The idea of jumping into a second test without any break only added to her discomfort.
[Your second test is simple; find two regulars to form a team.]
"Tsk... and now, we have to form teams?" She let out a groan, running a hand over her face in frustration at how absurd things were getting.
[You have five minutes to form a team! If you don't, you'll be disqualified!]
"WHAT?!?" Aguera shrieked, her disbelief mixing with frustration at the ridiculous notion of having to form a team in such a short time. She wasn't alone in feeling this way.
Casting a glance around her, she hoped to spot some regulars willing to join her. Unfortunately, only Baam's silhouette remained nearby, while the crocodile, whose condition was unknown, lay unconscious in the deserted clearing.
"If I only have five minutes..." she muttered to herself, biting her nails in anxiety. "That means... I have to team up with this guy?"
Earlier, she would have been thrilled to have Baam as a teammate, but now she hesitated. His immense power might prove too dangerous. Even if he seemed to only strike when attacked, she didn't want to take any chances. Who knew what he might do if he wasn't happy with her decisions?
On the other hand, she knew she needed him. Baam would be a valuable asset to her. She was certain he was probably the strongest regular in this testing area, especially after witnessing how easily he had toyed with Rak, like a mere ragdoll.
[Oh, and one more thing. To be considered a team, you must be touching a part of your teammates' bodies when the time runs out! Good luck to everyone!]
"Of course... this test is as cruel as ever." She sighed again, lost in thought, trying to make sense of the rules she'd just heard.
'Forming a team of three in face minutes means we have to partner with those closest tonus right now.'
'But the person closest at the end of the first test is obviously the one we've been fighting against.'
'The goal of this second test—to make your ennemy an ally in five minutes—is really... tobturn your foe into a friend.'
She concluded her thoughts, but was quickly pulled from her reverie by Baam, who addressed her:
"I suppose your offer to team up still stands, right? And it's not like we really have a choice, given the situation."
Considering the unexpected second test, Baam found himself forced to team up, a situation he didn't particularly enjoy. However, he had no intention of getting eliminated foolishly, so he didn't have much choice.
He fixed his gaze on Aguera, locking eyes with her sapphire-blue stare, where he could see hesitation, even a hint of fear.
He didn't like that look. Sure, he didn't care if his enemies feared him, but with someone like Aguera, who hadn't wronged him, he felt uncomfortable. He could understand her fear, given the overwhelming power he'd displayed in front of her, like an overwhelmed spectator.
He simply didn't like being seen as a monster.
"I know... I might seem dangerous after what you've just witnessed. So, I'm not asking you to team up with me throughout my climb. We can part ways after clearing this floor—"
"Oh no, I think you've got it wrong." She cut him off abruptly, causing the man before her to raise an eyebrow. She waved her hands, continuing, "I'll be honest, I'm pretty shaken by your strength. I'm even wondering if you're really a regular. But it doesn't matter, when I said earlier that I wanted to climb the Tower with you, I wasn't joking. I'd be damned if I broke that promise, even if some call me the the b*tch of the Khun or a sly fox for tricking others."
"So, I'd be more than happy for you to join me, and not just for this floor, but for the rest of our journey through this immense Tower."
She extended her delicate hand, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Baam, taken aback, felt a subtle shock, as if something within him was awakening from a long slumber. He felt his heart leap, and found himself pondering the strange warmth that was flooding over him.
'How long had it been since I felt this?' he wondered inwardly. It had been far too long since such an unexpected emotion had crossed his mind, especially after hearing such sincere words from someone he barely knew.
Behind his mask, a smile emerged. He had long thought that his quest must be undertaken alone, a search for meaning in a world where he felt like an outsider.
But perhaps... perhaps having someone by his side, even for a time, wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.
In silence, he thanked Rachel once more for bringing him into the Tower.
He took her hand with an unexpected gentleness, a silent gesture heavy with meaning. The pact was sealed, marking the beginning of an alliance that, despite uncertainties, seemed promising. Together, they would strengthen this bond through the trials ahead, on a perilous journey where every decision could bring them closer or tear them apart.
Aguera felt a wave of excitement rise within her. She had finally found a true ally in this ruthless universe. Her lips stretched into a sincere smile, excitement and satisfaction mingling with anticipation for the adventures that awaited them.
Seeing Aguera so radiant, almost like an euphoric child, Baam couldn't help but smile beneath his mask. The idea of teasing her blossomed in his mind. He bowed slightly, adopting an exaggeratedly formal posture, and took on a serious, almost solemn tone as he declared:
"I would be honored, I, the 25th Baam, to accompany such a beautiful and intelligent woman on my journey."
Aguera, taken aback by the sudden compliment, felt a slight warmth rise to her cheeks. She quickly turned her head, trying to hide her embarrassment, but her blush did not escape Baam's notice. Seeing the woman who could be so cold and calculating display such shyness made Baam let out a burst of laughter.
Baam's reaction only heightened Aguera's embarrassment, as she crossed her arms and turned her back, trying to regain her composure. "Ahem, how about we look for another teammate instead of wasting our time?" she asked, almost pouting, which only amplified Baam's amusement.
"Well," he began, his laughter fading as he pointed to the enormous trench behind him, "our next teammate is on their way."
"Huh?"
Startled, she followed Baam's gesture with her gaze. Focusing her sight, she discerned in the distance smoke dissipating, revealing something rapidly approaching them.
"Don't tell me..." she murmured, realizing who that speeding silhouette could be, someone she absolutely did not want to see again.
"TURTLE!!!" roared the figure, revealing, unsurprisingly, Rak, the unique and imposing crocodile, charging toward them in a rage. Hardly had he regained consciousness than his desire for battle reignited, burning within him like a blazing flame.
"He's still alive?!" Aguera exclaimed, astonished that the crocodile could have survived such a blow.
"His scales must be really tough... I wonder if they're valuable?" Baam murmured, genuinely intrigued by the crocodile's constitution. He might not have wanted to kill him, but his blow should have been enough to knock him out completely. Yet here Rak stood again, apparently in perfect form. Baam could only admire this hunter's impressive durability and resilience.
Finishing his sprint with a skid, Rak faced the duo. He approached Baam, his eyes sparkling with newfound determination, before exclaiming loudly:
"Demonshell turtle!! I demand vengeance!!"
"No."
Baam's flat and direct response, arms crossed, almost sent Rak tumbling backward, while Aguera couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
"WHY!? You agreed before! Don't tell me you're backing down now that we just started!" Rak bellowed, indignant, as he took his stance again.
"Well, there are several factors on why I refuse," Baam replied, counting off his supposed factors on his fingers. "Firstly, it's you who should be backing down, not me, since I literally sent you flying like a balloon in one blow. Secondly, I gain nothing from beating you up again, except being seen as an animal abuser. And thirdly, I absolutely don't have time to play with you because the second test is about to end. Got it, or is your crocodile brain short-circuited from my flick?"
Each of these factors hit the crocodile where it hurt, as if he were being stabbed. He growled in response, indignant and humiliated that Baam harshly reminded him of his stinging defeat, but the flame within him was not completely extinguished.
'Serves you right!' Aguera declared in her mind, mockingly looking at the crocodile with a wicked smile. 'Who told you to fight someone stronger than you? Now deal with your defeat, stupid crocodile!'
Baam quickly glanced at his pocket, noticing that there wasn't much time left. He wiped any trace of amusement from his expression before looking seriously at the crocodile in front of him:
"Anyway, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Right now, my dear companion and I need another teammate to succeed in this test. Otherwise, we'll be eliminated in the next few minutes. So, Rak, I propose you join my team for this test. It'll be beneficial for you to pass this trial, right?"
The moment he said this, Rak burst into frenzied laughter, finding it ridiculous, which made Baam's eyes narrow in irritation. Meanwhile, Aguera looked at the crocodile as if he were crazy.
Wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, Rak straightened into an imposing posture, looking down at Baam before declaring in a raw and contemptuous tone, "Team up with you? Don't think that just because you defeated me I'm going to listen to you, turtle. And I couldn't care less about this test; I'm just here to hunt strong people." He pointed his lance toward his prey, the blade just inches from Baam's face, but Baam did not flinch, maintaining his composure. "I've crossed the violent Shinsu flowing through the Tower, devouring the flesh of those who are powerful to exploit their strength!"
"That's why I only fight against those who are strong! I'm here to find rivals and become stronger! And I've found you, the most powerful prey I've encountered since I started hunting, and I want to track you down as my ultimate challenge to gain greater strength!"
'Urgh, this why I hate idiots so much...' Aguera was exasperated by the stupidity of this crocodile; she found no logic in his way of thinking. Getting eliminated from a test just to want to hunt someone you can't defeat? It was insane!
Clicking her heels, she swiftly drew a knife from her case and approached menacingly toward the crocodile. She was done listening to his nonsense.
She would kill him in under a minute, then find another teammate.
A movement of Baam's arm stopped Aguera in her tracks, raising her eyebrows at the gesture. She looked at Baam, intrigued, as he locked eyes with the crocodile.
"It's very stupid of you, crocodile," he said calmly. "Didn't you understand earlier that you have nothing to gain against me, except a string of defeats? So I'm offering you something simple and logical; join our team. This way, you can face opponents at your level, and maybe even stronger ones in the upper floors, rather than challenging me and failing uselessly." He paused before adding, "Get stronger little by little, instead of wanting to fight someone from a different league, as if you want to take on the final boss directly."
Rak considered Baam's proposal, but his pride and recklessness kept him from accepting. So, he responded defiantly:
"I don't care!! Why waste my time facing opponents one by one to reach your level? I want to go straight for you and defeat you to get a greater reward! Isn't that more logical?"
Baam and Aguera simultaneously slapped their foreheads in exhaustion at the stubbornness—rather, the stupidity—of this crocodile. They couldn't believe he had managed to become a regular with such a mentality.
So, to knock some sense into him, Baam struck Rak's head without him reacting, causing him to crash heavily face-first into the ground, his head buried in the earth.
Rak pulled his head out of the ground, his face covered in dirt, coughing to expel the dust that had gotten into his mouth before growling, "What was that for?!"
"To knock some sense into you. I think I hit you a bit too hard earlier, damaging your rationality," Baam replied bluntly, his hands resting on his hips. "Now that your neurons are back in action, seriously consider my proposal. But if you dare to refuse again with such a lame excuse..."
His gaze hardened, and although Rak couldn't see his eyes because of the mask, he shivered, sensing an intimidating presence emanating from Baam. The mask seemed to almost merge with his face, enhancing the terrifying impression.
"I will be forced to hit a little harder next time, and make you join us if necessary. Do you understand, crocodile?"
Rak, immediately understanding the threat, sat up with his chin resting on his hand, looking contemplative. For once, he seemed to be genuinely thinking.
'The turtle... might not be wrong,' he realized reluctantly. 'I don't want to admit it, but I'm not strong enough to face him. So why not join him... at least for a while?'
After all, it would truly benefit him to be on Baam's side. He could then learn from him and observe his weaknesses, like a hunter analyzing the vulnerability of his prey.
Of course, he wasn't accepting because he was afraid of Baam, absolutely not... It was simply a carefully calculated strategy.
'Haha, juste as expected from the great Rak! As strong as he is smart! he exclaimed internally, springing off the ground in one motion and standing tall, determined in his final decision.
"I accept to join you, Turtles." His declaration made Baam smile, while Aguera let out a sigh of relief. However, her expression quickly changed upon hearing Rak's follow-up, as he pointed to himself with his thumb, his snout lifted and chest puffed with pride. "On one condition; I'm the leader! With me as the leader, you can be sure I will carry you to the top of the Tower."
"What? You, the leader? If you become the leader, then everyone is better than you at that job," Aguera mocked, laughing at the idea that this crocodile, with the intelligence of a child, could claim such a position. Rak felt anger boiling within him at this insult.
He was sure of one thing; he would not get along with this blue turtle. Besides, he never liked anything that was blue.
"Don't worry, Lord Crocodile. I, your faithful servant, think you'll be a great leader," Baam declared, bowing to Rak. The teasing lurked behind his solemn facade, while Rak felt pride swell within him at this comment.
"Hahaha, at least you know how to talk, unlike that viper turtle—" He stopped, realizing the hidden mockery in Baam's words. His expression then changed, transforming into fury. He yelled, "How many times do I have to tell you!? I AM NOT A F*CKING CROCODILE!!!"
The duo burst out laughing in unison, which only heightened Rak's anger, causing his face to turn crimson. He flailed his limbs, shouting at them, frustration etched on his features.
That said, Baam glanced at his pocket and, noticing that only a few seconds remained, didn't hesitate to leap onto Rak, settling on his shoulder as if it were the throne of a king.
"Hey, what's wrong with you, turtle? Get down from there!" Rak exclaimed, outraged by Baam's nonchalance. He tried to shove him off his shoulder, but in vain. Baam, unperturbed, replied with a smile:
"Didn't you say you'd be our leader, the one who would carry us to the top of the Tower? I'm just obeying your orders, leader Rak."
"I didn't mean it that way, so get off!" he shouted, frustrated. Aguera, amused by the scene, also hopped onto Rak's shoulder, adding to his dismay. Seeing that they weren't moving, he eventually resigned himself to his new situation.
Aguera didn't know what to think of this so... special team. On one side, a mysterious man, as powerful as he was abnormal, and on the other, a talking crocodile. Strangely, she couldn't help but smile, finding this dynamic satisfying. Her curiosity and interest in Baam only grew.
Of course, her goal in this test was to succeed, but she also saw in this test an opportunity to make allies, pawns she could use at her leisure. Yet, she felt that with Baam, and even with this crocodile, she wouldn't be able to play that little game. It was strange, almost unsettling.
It had barely been ten minutes since they had crossed paths, and already she felt drawn to Baam. His charisma was truly captivating. Her smile widened as she imagined the thrilling adventures that awaited them in the future.
As the countdown of the pocket elapsed, a bell rang, signaling the end of the test. The yellow cube reappeared at the center of the battlefield, floating in the sky.
[The second test is over!], announced the announcer through the microphone, her clear voice resonating in the arena. [Those who have become teammates, hold on tight together! The three participants who are touching form a team. You will be sent to the next test point!]
A red light began to envelop the trio, immersing them in a vibrant glow, a sign that they were about to be teleported to a new location. Their silhouettes merged into the light as they held tightly to one another, aware of the significance of this moment.
The trio might have thought they were just a simple team in this arduous journey of climbing the Tower. Yet, they were unaware that their relationship in the future would transcend the mere bonds of a team. What had begun as a circumstantial alliance promised to evolve into something much deeper, marking the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.
Baam, although hidden behind his mask, couldn't help but smile. Excitement overwhelmed him, a longing to discover what the upper floors might reveal. Every moment in the Tower was unpredictable, filling him with a new energy.
However, deep in his mind, a small worry lingered; he hoped this teleportation wouldn't make him nauseous...
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N/A:... Okay I know I may have overdone it on the additions lol. A fairly long chapter if you can say so, and yes, not only did I add OCs but I made Khun a woman... well I wanted to do it because I thought why not? After all it's not like it was canon right? Basically he was supposed to remain a man but I thought it would be more interesting to make her a woman given the rather dubious relationship between Baam and Khun in canon if you see where I'm going with this.
Anyway, I'm not going to beat around the bush about it, I hope you'll like the chapter, until next time ;)