Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

The 100th Floor, Central Region — The Arie Family Main Estate

Commonly known as the "White City."

The Arie Family's main estate functioned much like the capital of a nation—no, like a sovereign city-state in its own right.

The city was built in a vast circular layout. The closer one moved toward the center, the higher the status of those who lived there.

At the outermost edge lay the Outer District, the farthest region from the city's heart. Outsiders were permitted to live there—but only those who ranked among the Tower's elite: immensely wealthy magnates, Rankers unaffiliated by blood yet employed by the Arie Family, and long-term retainers.

Though called the "outskirts," the district's scale and infrastructure far surpassed most major cities in the Tower.

Moving inward from the Outer District, one encountered a colossal wall—the boundary separating it from the Middle District.

The Middle District housed the Arie Family's collateral branches and those with deep ties to the family.

Being closer to the center, it enjoyed even greater development, exclusive privileges, and early access to advanced Workshop technologies.

Beyond that stood yet another wall—this one immaculate, pure white, and dignified.

This wall marked the border of the Central District.

Only direct members of the Arie Family were allowed to live within.

Everything inside was flawless. Perfect. A place endlessly desired, yet forever unreachable to most. It was often called "Heaven."

And at the very heart of that Heaven—the true core of the city—stood the Arie Family's true main house.

The White Blossom Sword Palace.

It radiated absolute authority and refined majesty.

And now—

A massive floating fortress was slowly descending from the sky above the White Blossom Sword Palace.

"…So we've finally arrived," Dickel murmured, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out the window.

"Tell me, Hoaquin. How does it feel to return to the Main Estate after all this time? Even if the circumstances aren't ideal…"

His expression was complicated—joy at returning home, mixed with concern over Hoaquin's fate.

Woooo—

The floating fortress, which had cruised high through the sky, began its gradual descent. Beneath it lay nothing but a vast expanse of pristine white marble.

"I only stayed here briefly as a kid before moving down to the 99th Floor, so my memories were fuzzy… but seeing it again like this—wow. It's breathtaking."

I walked over to the window beside Dickel and took in the estate and the city surrounding it.

In one direction, a family strolled through a garden, smiling warmly.

In another, Rankers with swords at their hips patrolled calmly.

Elsewhere, white-haired, white-eyed swordsmen sparred lightly, chatting as they crossed blades.

Watching people go about their everyday lives brought an unexpected sense of peace.

But above all else—

The White Blossom Sword Palace was overwhelming in both beauty and dignity.

"White… grand… beautiful," I muttered.

"Indeed," Dickel replied. "Our Main Estate rivals even the royal palace."

"If my situation were just a little better, I'd love to take my time sightseeing."

"…That's true."

People often claimed the royal palace was the most magnificent sight in the Tower, with the Ten Families' estates coming second—but Dickel's pride in his home was palpable. And honestly?

I couldn't tell what part of this place was supposedly inferior.

Even knowing this city might become my grave, staring at it stirred a strange pride within me—loyalty I didn't even know I had.

Still the best, I thought.

Living here wouldn't be so bad.

…Wait. This is my home, isn't it?

Maybe someday I could live here with Maschenny.

First problem: survive this mess.

As the fortress drew closer to the ground, reality crept back in.

"I've submitted the request to take the Family Head's Test," Dickel said quietly.

"But there's been no response yet. The Family Head is currently visiting the Eurasia estate. He may not have heard yet… or your request may have been rejected."

"Let's hope I hear back before my head and body part ways."

If it was rejected, I couldn't even complain. I hadn't ascended the 100th Floor properly—and I was currently charged with treason.

Still… Father wasn't the sort to nitpick circumstances. At least, not the man I met in the Hidden Floor.

That was the hope I was clinging to.

Rumble—

— Floating Fortress Administrator Arie Rom Dickel. Please report.

"By the Family Head's directive, I have returned to the Main Estate," Dickel replied calmly.

"And… as ordered by the Estate, I have escorted the surrendered criminal."

— …Confirmation complete. Landing authorized. Welcome back to the Main Estate.

The fortress finally touched down.

A massive gate before us began to open wide—

Yet to my eyes, it looked like the jaws of a beast opening, ready to devour me whole.

Whether from tension or fear of death—or sealing—I couldn't bring myself to step forward, even as the gate stood fully open.

Tap—

Dickel gently patted my shoulder.

"Why help me this much?" I asked quietly.

"The Elders run the family in the Head's absence. Defying them can't do you any favors."

Dickel chuckled softly.

"If I said it's because I want to see you smiling happily again, like before… would you believe me?"

"..."

"Truth is, even if I speak formally, we're half-brothers. Watching a likeable younger brother sink into misery isn't exactly pleasant."

"…Should I call you 'big brother,' then?"

"Ha! Absolutely not. At my age?"

Good.

That would've been awkward.

Whether or not his reason was genuine—and even if I couldn't fully accept it—I knew one thing for sure.

I was deeply grateful.

"From long ago… until now."

"Honestly, there were times I didn't like you much, but I've always been grate—"

"That's enough. Put this on."

Click—

Before I could finish speaking, Dickel grabbed something and tossed it at my arm. With a sharp metallic sound, it locked into place.

When I looked down, I saw a state-of-the-art mechanical restraint wrapped around my wrist.

"You're still a criminal, at least on paper. You need to look the part. Come on. It'll be uncomfortable, but bear with it."

And so, at last, Dickel and I stepped toward the wide-open gates of the Main Estate.

....

'The student named Hoaquin from the 99th-floor floating fortress is no ordinary talent. He's been traveling between floating fortresses, defeating not only his peers among the Arie direct line, but even those older than him. Frankly speaking, if that child were a girl, I'd want to make her a Princess of Zahard no matter the cost.'

The first time they heard of him, he was merely a student.

Exceptional talent was noteworthy, but not rare among the Arie direct line. He wasn't female. He wasn't even a Regular yet. Hardly worth more than thirty seconds of attention.

So they dismissed him as just another promising child.

'Student Hoaquin is paying respects to the Elders.'

By chance, during an inspection tour of the floating fortresses, they encountered him.

They saw what lay beyond his eyes.

They saw his talent.

They saw his true value.

And they wanted him.

They wanted him in their hands.

If they took him and raised him properly, what would he become?

How much would he bring to them?

To the family?

They coveted everything he could offer.

So they tried to take him.

They placed him on the list of Enforcement Unit candidates, planning to slowly reshape him—mold him into a weapon that lived and died only by their orders. Another ultimate killing machine, loyal only to them.

But the administrator of that floating fortress was perceptive.

Too perceptive.

'Ah, Hoaquin has already departed to another floating fortress for remote training.'

'Unfortunate timing. He's just left for off-site education.'

'My apologies. Hoaquin has already been transferred to another fortress.'

Every time they came for him, he was gone.

Whenever they sent envoys, the 99th-floor administrator noticed immediately and moved him elsewhere.

Their status as Elders gave them authority—but not limitless time, nor the freedom to openly abduct a promising child without damaging the family's dignity and rules.

So the administrator kept sending Hoaquin abroad under the pretense of "advanced education."

And they missed their chance.

Fools.

Why didn't he understand?

Being raised by them would have made him even greater.

How much more could he have offered the family if he had been theirs?

'Hoaquin has won the Tournament, defeating Khun Maschenny Zahard. One week later, he became a Regular.'

That report made them want to shout.

Maschenny Zahard—unmatched among her generation, favored by Eduan himself. And that child defeated her?

They didn't care about the tournament's rewards.

Only regret.

Regret that they had failed to seize him.

Then—

'Regular Hoaquin defeated a FUG Ranker on the 68th Floor. Media reports are uncertain, but the information is confirmed.'

Their slumbering greed awakened again.

A Regular stronger than a Ranker?

In the Tower's long history, no such case officially existed. Not even the greatest Arie swords had achieved that.

Which meant—

That child could one day become the new Arie Sword.

And possessing him would be the same as possessing the Arie Sword itself.

The family's ultimate blade, obeying their will.

Perfect.

That was when their real actions began.

They shook his mind.

Knowing he harbored hatred toward FUG, they manipulated events so he would mistake innocents for enemies. The results were effective.

Too effective.

He vanished—into depths even they couldn't reach.

When he reappeared, his fractured mind seemed partially restored.

Still, they refused to give up.

When they learned that a Zahard Princess involved with Hoaquin was investigating the 99th-floor incident, they deliberately leaked one of the two corpses they had already "cleaned up."

A rare experimental subject—but a small price to pay.

The Princess's subordinates eagerly took the bait.

But the result was beyond anyone's expectations.

'The damage to the 96th-floor Outer Tower is severe. Three mountains containing mines have collapsed. Fifty percent of the residential zone has been destroyed.'

'It is believed that Hoaquin acted alone.'

That was when they realized things had become dangerous.

His growth had shattered their expectations.

High-Ranker level already?

Reports even claimed he fought the 96th-floor Ruler to a standstill.

They had to reassess everything they thought they knew.

If he became a Ranker—

What kind of monster would he turn into?

At this rate, it wouldn't be a question of devouring him.

It would be a question of being devoured.

He still seemed unaware of their manipulations—but if he ever learned the truth, their own safety would be at risk.

Only then did they realize their greed had gone too far.

But it was already too late.

Their final gambit—

The trial.

A sand pit meant to either consume him…

or bury him forever.

He would never escape it.

.....

98th Floor

BEEEEEP—

No matter how many times she heard it, that sound was satisfying.

Just noise, perhaps—but what it represented mattered.

— Congratulations. Regular Yeon Hwarang, Regular Tu Peri Luf, Regular Ha Yura, Regular Hong Cheonhwa, Regular Khun Marco Asensio.

You have all passed the 98th-floor test.

"Haah… haah… damn, I'm exhausted."

Hwarang stretched, joints cracking loudly.

He wasn't alone. The others were sprawled on the ground or slumped where they stood.

Ha Yura had even dug herself into the floor to cool off, panting and swearing.

"Hey… who was the insane bastard that suggested we take tests back-to-back like this…?"

Asensio, leaning on his spear and dripping sweat, wheezed out a reply.

"Haah… haah… me. Got a problem?"

"A problem?! Of course I do, you lunatic! What kind of deranged noodle shop idea is 'take a test immediately after a test'?!"

"Haah… my sister told me to… so we go…"

Yura, fists clenched, sprang up—then froze.

Hwarang and Luf looked… fine.

"…Why do you two look okay?"

Luf answered between gasps.

"Uh… well… we've climbed the Tower like this before…"

"With who?!"

"…Asensio's sister. And another close hyung."

Yura clicked her tongue.

"Figures. That sister, that brother. I'd love to meet that other lunatic."

Oddly enough, Asensio looked proud.

Yura turned back to Hwarang, who was stretching calmly.

"Hey! Hwarang! Please, let's eat something! There's an amazing naengmyeon place nearby! I'm starving!"

"No," Hwarang said firmly. "Just endure it. Once we hit the 100th Floor, we can eat."

"I haven't eaten in a week! If you were me, would you want to take another test?!"

"No. And I'm not switching places. Hurry up."

Finally snapping, Yura proposed a "reasonable" solution.

"Fine! Democracy! Vote! 'Keep taking tests'—yes. 'Eat and rest first'—no."

Surely the others were just afraid of Hwarang, she thought.

Surely—

Yes: 4

No: 1

"AAAAARGH! You insane bastards!!"

She learned the cruelty of democracy firsthand.

While she screamed, Hwarang simply stared up at the ceiling.

…At last, he thought.

We'll meet again.