Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

"Luf, I think breaking it outright would be dangerous. We should remove those damned hoses first before taking her out."

"Understood. Give me a moment… I'm hacking the system with the Lighthouse now."

As a direct descendant of the Tu Perie family—home to the Tower's finest Light Bearers—and a prodigy even among them, Luf's Lighthouse control ranked among the very best of all Regulars. Since they were already inside the research facility itself, it didn't take long for him to seize complete administrative authority.

After Luf adjusted the Lighthouse controls a few times, steam hissed outward, and the countless hoses connected to Albelda detached from her body all at once.

Hiss—!

Crash!

Some of the unidentified fluids inside the hoses leaked out, reacting strangely with the liquid in the test tube. Hwarang immediately shattered the glass and wrapped Albelda in blue flames to protect her.

"…Luf, store all the research data from this lab in the Lighthouse. Especially information on the drugs used here. We don't know when we'll need to analyze them."

"Got it."

Hwarang wrapped Albelda in cloth and held her carefully, looking down at her with a troubled expression.

These were the same lunatics who had once tried to dissolve him alive in liquefaction fluid.

If she truly had been kept here since that incident… just how many experiments had she endured?

The shelves lined with countless unknown drugs and blood samples seemed to answer that question silently.

Nothing made sense—how she could still be alive, why the Workshop would use a corpse as an experimental subject. Too many unanswered questions.

While Luf finished saving the data, Hwarang picked up a nearby experiment report and began reading.

The deeper he read into the unspeakably grotesque contents, the more fury burned in his eyes.

"Hyung, data transfer complete. Just in case, I'll take a few of these drug vials and blood samples with us."

"Good. Let's get out of this damn place."

Hwarang flung the report aside and gestured. Blue flames surged up, starting with the documents and then consuming everything in Sector A-02.

When they exited the corridor, their teammates were still holding the researchers at weapon point.

Yura glanced at Hwarang, then at Albelda in his arms.

"Is that the one you were looking for? Then let's move. From what these bastards were saying, the Rankers guarding this place could return at any moment."

Hwarang nodded, then cast a cold gaze at the researchers.

Sensing his intent, Asensio asked quietly:

"You going to kill them?"

"Yeah."

"W-wait! We're Workshop researchers! If you lay a hand on us—"

To Hwarang, their words sounded no different from "We deserve to die."

So he obliged.

Fwoosh—!

Scarlet light flared in Hwarang's eyes. Blue flames clung to a researcher's shoulder and spread instantly, sparing only Hwarang's companions as they engulfed everything else.

"Aaaagh!"

"P-please! Spare us and the Workshop will repay—"

"Tch."

Asensio clicked his tongue coldly at the sight of a burning researcher clutching his ankle in desperation. Disgust was all he felt—and the same was true for the others.

They exited the room and hurried away.

As they ran, Luf finally spoke.

"Hyung… about Hoaquin—"

"…Let's think about it. Whether we should tell him now. If we do, how do you think he'll react?"

Luf fell silent.

That man had once turned the Workshop's 21st-floor branch upside down just to save teammates.

If he learned the truth now…

They ran without stopping, eventually escaping the underground prison and reaching the corridor leading out of the Baekwha Sword Palace.

Then—

A white slash streaked overhead.

"…!"

Crash—!

A massive chandelier was cleaved in two and crashed down. Through the rain of shattered glass, a sharp blade lunged straight for Hwarang's heart.

Just before it struck, Yura's solid body stepped between them.

Boom!

"Hmph. There sure are a lot of pests today."

White hair. Silver eyes.

A direct descendant of the Arie family.

"You are…?"

"Hwarang. What nerve you have, setting foot in our main estate."

Arie Karl Reiner, an A-rank Regular.

One of the Regulars Hwarang had clashed with repeatedly during his climb.

"Sneaking in like rats, tearing this place apart… and that Arie girl—whatever."

Clang—!

Reiner scraped his sword against the wall before pointing it at Hwarang again.

"You're not leaving here alive."

"…Didn't come to fight you. I'm busy. Move."

"I came to fight you. And I even brought friends."

As he spoke, more Arie Regulars emerged behind him.

Shing—

Swords were drawn.

Hwarang, Luf, Asensio, Yura, and Cheonhwa all prepared for battle.

"That one there… Khun Marco Asensio, right? Today must be my lucky day. Two future enemies of the Arie family in one place."

"…Tch."

Hwarang hurled an expanded mass of blue flames at Reiner. Reiner slowed it with his blade and charged forward as the other Regulars rushed Hwarang's companions.

The battle erupted.

....

Kraaaash—

A blue flash exploded through the air. Riding atop the giant bird, the Kuhn family branch leader lunged forward, thrusting his spear straight at the Commander.

The moment the Commander's sword collided with the branch leader's spear, lightning and silvery shinsu raged violently in all directions. Pushing with brute force alongside the bird, the branch leader drove the Commander straight out of the building.

Leaving only a single line behind.

"Maschenny, look! Your friend's already here!"

The instant the man finished speaking, a familiar figure stepped out from a nearby, semi-transparent bubble of shinsu.

Blue hair. Blue eyes. Sharp, cold—and somehow still cute and beautiful.

Maschenny.

"…Maschenny? Didn't you leave after the trial ended?"

"...…."

"…Uh… hi?"

Even at my greeting, she merely tilted her head slightly and stared at me for a moment before striding straight toward me without a word.

With every step she took closer, sparks began to crackle around her.

"Hoaquin, you—"

Maschenny-style Spear Art — Three Horns

"M-Maschenny?"

"You shameless bastard!"

Kraaaash—!

Blue lightning surged along her spear and came crashing down on me with the roar of thunder. Off to the side, the Khun man whistled as he watched the scene unfold.

"What, 'hi'? Yeah, sure. Real 'hi.' I've seen you tied up in chains and beaten half to death how many times now?"

"...…."

I froze.

I'd never seen Maschenny this angry before.

"Do you have any idea how worried I've been about you?"

"…Of course I kn—"

Before I could even finish, her spear was already swinging again.

Kraaaash—

"Ah… that feels a little better."

"…You're really mad, huh?"

At my words, Maschenny simply narrowed her eyes and stared at me in silence. Her gaze swept over my body once, then she spoke.

"Ha… why are you covered in blood again?"

I glanced down at myself. Just like she said—cuts everywhere, my clothes dyed red.

This outfit really does turn red every time.

Maybe I should just dye it that color already.

"You fall off the radar for a bit, then suddenly you're in the main family's underground prison. So I decided."

"…Decided what?"

"You're joining Zahard's army. Your opinion doesn't matter. I'm deciding."

She crossed her arms, turned her head away, and said it like a declaration—still keeping eye contact with me. Somehow, it was kind of cute… but she clearly meant it.

That said, I couldn't just let that slide.

I took a big step closer. With about a ten-centimeter height difference, I looked down at her and smiled faintly.

"So… we'll be sticking together from now on?"

"…!"

"Hey! Are you even taking me seri—"

I raised a finger and gently pressed it to her lips, cutting her off.

"Thank you, Maschenny."

She stared at me with wide blue eyes—no longer cold, just uncertain.

"For coming to the trial. For coming here. For bringing that Khun guy to help me. For worrying about me ever since I disappeared without a word. For hugging me back then. For always catching me whenever I was about to fall. All of it."

"...…."

"I'm grateful you'd make an offer like that for my sake. Let's talk about it again soon—after I reach the place up there, where my father is. It won't take long."

She suddenly turned her back to me and raised both hands to her face.

…What?

"…It wasn't an offer. It was a unilateral notice."

"Haha. That's fine too. As long as I get to stay with you."

After giving her a brief farewell, I turned to head upward again—

Boom—!

One side of the wall suddenly collapsed, and the Khun branch leader came flying through it, slamming into the floor.

"Gah… damn, he's no joke."

"Oh! Nice to meet you. I'm the older brother of that red-faced friend you've got there—Khun Lucas Ald-."

"Hey!"

"Heh. Anyway—you said you need to go up, right? Hurry. I'd love to help more, but that guy's seriously tough."

Shraaaak—!

A massive slash packed with ominous energy flew toward us. Lucas swung his spear wide, generating a magnetic storm to counter it.

The Commander of the Arie execution force was among the family's absolute top-tier combatants—yet Lucas was fighting him evenly. I couldn't help but be impressed.

The Commander reappeared, aiming past Lucas straight at me, but Lucas blocked everything, even landing a solid hit while the Commander's attention slipped.

"Since he's fixated on you, his openings are huge. Honestly, I'd tell you to stick around longer—but that'd ruin the fun. What are you waiting for? Go have that talk with your father."

"Do not speak of the Family Head so casually!"

"Haha! So uptight."

Kraaaash—

With a feral grin bared to the fangs, Lucas mounted the Thunderbird once more as lightning and white shinsu surged violently through the battlefield.

I could see where Maschenny got her battle-crazed side—but that wasn't important right now.

I turned back to Maschenny, gently ruffled her hair once, and said—

"Then, Maschenny… I'll be back—"

Thump—

"…Kgh!"

Damn it—this cursed heart.

It had finally quieted down… and now, just when I was exhausted and injured enough already, the pain and weakness doubled all at once.

"Hoaquin? What's wrong? Don't tell me… is it because I hit you with my spear earlier?"

"…Hahaha, no way."

No matter how strong she was, she was still only at the Regular level.

To be honest, I hadn't even felt anything when I was hit.

Watching the princess panic and replay her own actions in her head because she thought she'd hurt me—that was honestly kind of adorable.

Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the seizure faded quickly, leaving behind only lingering pain and heavy fatigue throughout my body.

Thanks to that… I was still okay.

Yeah. Totally fine.

Aside from my insides being a little twisted and losing a lot of blood, I was perfectly fine.

"Cough, cough! Then I'm really heading out now."

"Haa… you. When you get back, we're talking. For a long time."

"Works for me."

I answered her with a smile in my eyes, then turned away, suppressing my reluctance, and sprinted toward the passage leading to the next floor.

There really wasn't much left now.

The very top was close.

....

Zahard Royal Family Direct Administrative Zone — Floor 101

Floor 101 was one of the floors directly ruled by the Zahard royal family, and as such, it was among the most developed floors in the Tower.

The Inner Tower's development rate was, naturally, 100%, and even the Outer Tower exceeded 70%.

Security was equally tight, so Zahard's army had been stationed even at the gates connecting floors.

Near the 100–101 gate stood a fortified guard post.

By the fortress wall, two Zahard-affiliated Rankers stood watch, their expressions bored and weary.

Yet despite the fatigue etched into their faces, their posture and gaze were razor-sharp—clear signs of discipline and pride in their affiliation.

After all, they belonged to the Zahard Army—

more specifically, Rankers of the 3rd Royal Guard Legion.

As the two idly watched the quiet surroundings to pass the time, another group of Rankers approached them.

"Yo, shift change."

"Haa~ finally. Good work."

"Man… never thought I'd end up doing guard duty after getting into the 3rd Legion."

"Can't be helped. After what FUG pulled on Floor 99—just two floors down—about 130 years ago, this kind of response is only natural."

"That's why every last one of those FUG bastards should be wiped out. At least the pay's good, and everyone treats me like royalty. Best part is—"

"—being given the honor of serving in the glorious army of His Majesty Zahard."

The two groups shared a moment of mutual understanding and wrapped up their conversation amicably.

Just as the off-duty Rankers were about to say their goodbyes and head in to rest, one of them glanced at his Lighthouse and exclaimed—

"…Holy shit. Hey. A big article just dropped."

"What? Did someone attack something?"

"Looks like it."

"Damn, let me see that."

At that moment—

Kuuuuuuuu—

"...Huh?!"

A massive engine roar echoed through the air. From afar, something radiating abnormal energy was approaching.

Straight toward the gate.

"W-What is that?! Establish communications with that floating vessel immediately!"

The approaching craft was so enormous it bordered on being a floating fortress rather than a ship, exuding overwhelming pressure as it drew closer.

The Zahard Rankers hurriedly opened communications via Lighthouse, and the vessel responded without resistance.

"Unidentified vessel, halt immediately and state your identity! This area is under the jurisdiction of the Zahard Royal Guard, 3rd Legion, 4th Division!"

"Repeat! Halt immediately and—"

—"Once activated, our vessel cannot be stopped so easily."

"Then state your identity!"

—"Isn't it painted clearly on the hull?"

"The emblem of the Great White Sword."

"…The Arie Family!"

Only then did the Rankers notice the emblem engraved on the vessel's deck.

—"This vessel belongs to the Arie Family. I am its captain, Arie Trafalgar."

"We are heading toward Floor 100, where the main family resides. I request that the gate be opened promptly."

"…M-Military vessels are required to submit prior notice—"

—"I will repeat myself."

"Please open the gate promptly."

"If not, the next voice you hear will not be mine, but the ship's main cannons."

"..."

Cold sweat ran down the Rankers' backs as they opened the gate.

Their 3rd Legion commander was currently absent on another floor, and aside from the lack of prior notice, the vessel hadn't technically violated any regulations.

Refusing entry over paperwork wasn't worth their lives.

—"We thank you for your swift cooperation."

"Glory to the Zahard Royal Family, and to the Arie Family."

"…Glory."

Kuuuuuuuu—

As the colossal military vessel passed through the gate at a slow, deliberate pace, the Rankers finally exhaled the breath they'd been holding.

"What the hell was that…? I've never seen a floating vessel that big in my life."

"And that was a military-class ship. That thing blatantly violates the military vessel treaty."

"…I think I know what it was."

"'Le Epíros.' That ship just now."

"The Arie Family's decisive weapon."

Le Epíros—one of the creations of the legendary Workshop shipwright Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

During the ancient wars, he created twenty decisive weapons and presented them to Zahard and the Ten Great Families.

Through a wager, Zahard claimed ten, while the remaining ten were distributed one each to the Great Families.

Every one of those weapons possessed overwhelming power, said to have played a decisive role in winning the war.

Most civilians only knew of Zahard's frequently deployed weapon, El Robina, but those with age, knowledge, or ties to the royal family knew far more.

"That must be the decisive weapon Arie Hon took."

"Le Epíros… seeing it in person is something else."

"Why is something like that heading for the Arie main family on Floor 100?"

"…Then the breaking news must be true."

"Something huge must've happened."

....

Floor 100 — Arie Main Family, Baekwha Sword Palace

The path upward was… unexpectedly smooth.

Some floors were completely empty.

On others, there were only a handful of people—at most, Execution Force–level fighters—so they were dealt with easily.

Other floors weren't entirely devoid of enemies either, but their numbers were small, and even those were already engaged in battle with Rankers who had chosen my side. Because of that, climbing the stairs this time felt far easier than when I'd been pushing up through the mid–upper floors earlier.

Honestly… earlier had been way too exhausting.

It seemed everyone who wanted my head had rushed downward all at once, leaving the upper floors practically deserted.

"…One floor left."

Above me—my father was waiting.

I briefly considered breaking through the ceiling and going straight up, but the upper floors were on a completely different level of durability compared to the lower ones. If I used White Transformation now, I wasn't confident my current condition could withstand the rebound.

So, stairs it was.

I reached the door connected to the passage leading to the next floor and shoved it open with all my strength.

Giiiiik—

Once I passed through this corridor and climbed the stairs again, I would finally reach the highest floor—where my father was.

Stagger.

My body suddenly lost its balance, and I nearly collapsed. I barely managed to steady myself by driving my sword into the floor.

What's wrong with you now…?

There's only one floor left.

Did my tension finally snap?

I still didn't know what might be waiting—this wasn't the time to let my guard down.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Using my sword like a cane, I forced myself forward one step at a time. As I rounded the corner of the corridor, I saw someone standing directly in my path.

It was a familiar face.

"…An Elder?"

One of the Elders was standing there, blocking the way.

I tensed for a moment, but quickly relaxed. By the rules, the Elders weren't allowed to intervene directly.

"So? You're not supposed to interfere directly, are you?" I said lightly.

"Did you come all this way just to watch me reach the top?"

"Child," the Elder replied calmly. "I would like to propose a deal."

"Haha. I'll pass," I said immediately.

"You look like you'll be ousted soon anyway. You should start thinking about where you'll spend the rest of your life."

Even as I stepped closer, he made no move to stop me.

Hah.

So he really was desperate.

Desperate enough to rely on a flimsy proposal and personally stand in my way.

I tried to walk past him, but when he spoke again, I stopped.

"Are you searching for your family?"

"—!"

My head snapped toward him instinctively.

How does he know that?

Does he actually know something?

"About 130 years ago, you lost your family to FUG," he continued evenly.

"It was a bombing incident. There were no bodies to recover."

"…Get to the point."

The Elder's eyes glinted faintly as his posture straightened.

"A report once came in. A body believed to be Arie Albelda was discovered."

"That's the name of the family member you've been searching for, isn't it?"

"…How do you know that?"

A lie.

It had to be a lie.

Yes—he must've investigated my background and was trying to bait me—

"This is the photograph," he said, projecting an image from his Lighthouse.

"Well? Is she the one you're looking for?"

The moment I saw it, my entire body froze.

A black skirt.

A red ribbon.

A peaceful expression, as though she were asleep—just like Anna.

The photo had been taken from a distance, but it was painfully clear.

It was Albelda.

"…Where," I whispered, my voice trembling,

"where is she now?"

The Elder replied with an indifferent expression.

"Unfortunately, when the Execution Unit discovered her, they were occupied with another mission. They only took photographs and moved on."

"According to their report, the girl named Albelda is wandering Floor 99, drifting aimlessly along shinsu currents."

"Then I'll meet my father," I said firmly,

"and go find her myself."

"Hm." The Elder tilted his head slightly.

"You plan to search the entire Outer Tower of Floor 99 by yourself?"

"And what if she's drifted into an unexplored region, or a hidden compressed space?"

"You know this already. You need our help."

"So let's make a deal."

He smiled at me, spreading his arms wide.

I had no choice but to listen.

"We know her approximate location."

"We have the power, the authority, the influence, and the manpower to find her."

"If you abandon this trial, we will mobilize all of our resources to locate her and hand her over to you."

"There is only one thing we want in return."

"Leave the family."

"If you do, all your crimes will be nullified automatically. We will no longer pursue you, nor lay a hand on you."

"And on top of that," he added softly,

"you will regain the family you've been searching for."

"Well? Isn't that a deal worth considering?"

"If there are other family members you wish to find, we would, of course, assist you wholeheartedly."

"..."

I couldn't see my reflection, but I was certain my pupils were shaking.

The Elder extended his hand toward me.

All I had to do was take it.

If I did, I could find Albelda.

Maybe… even Vicente.

Being expelled from the family didn't matter.

If I could just find my family, nothing else mattered.

…But if I abandoned the trial—

what would happen to Anna?

And Albelda?

No—I need to find them first before I can even think about whether to wake them or not.

As for waking them…maybe after I become a Ranker and meet Gustang… somehow…damn it—what am I supposed to do?

"Let me say it one last time," the Elder urged.

"Take my hand. Then everything will turn out exactly the way you want."

"From what I know, you desire a quiet, peaceful life, don't you?"

"..."

Beep. Beep. Beep.

At that moment, my Pocket began to ring.

…Hwarang?

Why now of all times?

"Wait," I said.

"Hmph. Fine. But you'd best make your decision quickly."

I tapped the accept button and answered the call.

I picked up far too casually, considering we hadn't contacted each other in over a hundred years.

"…Hwarang?"

— …Hoaquin. Luf, Asensio, my team, and I are in the White City right now. We were at your family's main house earlier—where you were.

"…What? When did you—?"

— Just a little while ago. We heard from an Arie Ranker and went to the underground prison, thinking you'd be there.

"…I left there quite a while ago."

— Yeah. So we were about to leave the main house, but then the Guardian Flame reacted. Toward the deepest section of the underground prison.

"The deepest section?"

The moment I heard that phrase, I saw it—

the Elder's expression twisted, just for an instant.

It wasn't my imagination.

His face hardened immediately, and he began to press me impatiently.

"Child, don't get hung up on a pointless call. Decide now."

"Are you going to waste your entire life chasing after your family's corpses?"

"Take my hand. Now!!"

— Down there was an underground research facility jointly built by the Workshop and the Arie family.

"Arie Hoaquin!!"

"Shut up. I'm on the phone."

"Hwarang—go on."

Something felt very wrong.

— …Honestly, we planned to keep this hidden until you passed the trial. But I'll tell you now. You need to know.

— Your family. Albelda. She was inside a test tube in that underground facility. Being subjected to biological experiments.

"..."

The experiments I had seen flashed before my eyes in rapid succession.

So they had already found Anna and Albelda…

And lied about it.

It hadn't been a coincidence that a Princess of Zahard found Anna.

I finally understood.

I had been toyed with by the Elders.

Anna and Albelda had been nothing more than lab rats—for over 130 years.

Blood rushed to my head.

Every vein in my body felt like it was about to burst.

This—this was rage.

KRAK—

"You bastards!!!"

Arie Sword Art — Hoaquin Style

Reaper Sword: Transcendent Technique — Hundred Demons March

I'll kill them.

Every last one of them.

KWAAAAAA—!!

"Hmph. So things have gone wrong. Fire."

The moment my sword struck, the Elder dissolved into smoke.

I knew it instantly.

That thing had been a fake from the very beginning.

…Fire?

BZZZZT—

"…?!"

A completely absurd energy output surged from beyond the wall.

Don't tell me—

KWAAAAAA—!!

By the time I realized it, it was already too late.

A massive wave of white shinsu engulfed the entire floor—and struck me head-on.

Damn it—what kind of power is this?!

"G—AAAGH!!"

KRAKA-BOOOOM—

A deafening explosion swallowed the Baekwha Sword Palace.

Everything on this floor was consumed by white light and erased.

My clothes—my skin—were burning away under extreme heat.

My body felt like it was being torn apart by shinsu pressure as blood burst from everywhere.

This is…this is actually going to kill me—

not yet—

.....

"…What the hell is that?"

Bzzzt—

Lucas, who had briefly withdrawn his lightning spear during the lull in combat, frowned deeply.

From far away—even at a distance—it was unmistakable.

A massive military floating fortress was approaching.

"…Don't tell me that's a decisive weapon—"

WOOOOOOONG—

"…You've got to be kidding me!"

Lucas turned sharply, genuine panic flashing across his face.

It was already fully charged.

That was beyond dangerous.

If Maschenny got hit by that, she would die—no question.

"Maschenny!!"

KWAAAAAA—!!

With a roar that shook heaven and earth, the decisive weapon unleashed its ultra–high-output shinsu bombardment.

Firing that at their own Baekwha Sword Palace?

The Elders of the Arie family were far more insane than he'd ever imagined.

By sheer luck, Lucas reached Maschenny just before the blast arrived and slammed his spear into the ground.

A blue barrier of electricity spread instantly around them—

and at that exact moment, the shinsu bombardment swallowed the main house.

KRAKABOOOOOM—!!

Everything was being pulverized.

Rankers caught within the blast radius were annihilated instantly—no bodies, no remains.

Structures didn't collapse.

They ceased to exist.

Even Maschenny was shaken by the sheer destructive power.

"Where's Hoaquin?!"

"I didn't have time to grab him!"

Lucas knew.

This wasn't just any attack.

It was a decisive weapon—a supreme floating fortress used in ancient wars against High Rankers.

No one could survive a direct hit from that.

The bombardment continued pouring out absurd amounts of heat, reducing the palace to nothing.

Lucas and Maschenny remained safe only because of the electrical barrier.

As long as it held until the firing ended, Maschenny wouldn't be harmed.

That's what Lucas thought—

until he saw it.

Maschenny, teeth clenched, trying to step outside the barrier.

"Damn it, Maschenny!! You can't go out there!! Stop!!"

"We have to bring Hoaquin back!! What about him then?!"

"He's already dead! Give up! Hey—Maschenny!!"

That damn little sister ignored every single word I said and kept walking straight out of the barrier.

If I moved even slightly to stop her, the barrier would collapse—and then Maschenny would die for sure.

"Damn it!! Ar! Protect Maschenny no matter what! Now!!"

"KIIIIII—!"

The thunderbird called Ar let out a thunderous cry and hurriedly dissolved into Maschenny's body.

In the next instant, it spread its wings wide, wrapping around her as tightly as possible to shield her.

But there was a limit.

Some of the heat from the shinsu bombardment pierced through the thunderbird's wings and began burning Maschenny's body.

Yet Maschenny didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"Hey! Listen to me for once! How are you even going to save him?!"

As the thunderbird bought Maschenny time, Lucas dropped the barrier and rushed toward her—but this time, the Commander of the Execution Forces, Arie Cheon, blocked his path.

"Get out of my way!"

"Hm. It seems the situation has reversed somewhat, Khun Branch Head."

BOOM!

The floating fortress continued to spew its relentless shinsu bombardment, and within that raging mass of energy, Lucas and Cheon clashed with everything they had.

Meanwhile, Maschenny used the collapsed walls as footholds, leaping across multiple floors in a single bound—

and reached the floor just below the topmost level.

At last, she saw him.

Hoaquin—barely holding himself upright with a single sword.

"Hoaquin!"

"Ggh… Maschenny? Are you insane?! Ngh!"

KWAAAA—!

Maschenny rushed in front of him, positioning herself so the thunderbird could cover Hoaquin as well.

The shinsu bombardment that had been killing him was partially blocked by the thunderbird's wings and lightning, and Hoaquin collapsed limply to the floor, completely drained.

"Hey! Stay with me!"

"…Cough—hack—cough…"

Even the thunderbird couldn't completely block a decisive weapon's shinsu bombardment.

The intense heat seeped through, slowly burning both Maschenny and Hoaquin.

Still, Maschenny didn't care.

FWOOSH—

At last—after what felt like an eternity—the bombardment ended.

Using the brief lull, Maschenny checked Hoaquin's condition.

Broken ribs.

Severe internal injuries.

Blood pouring from everywhere.

And on top of that, the intense heat had melted and burned his skin.

He looked like someone who could die at any second.

Then—

WOOOOONG—

"…?!"

Already?!

Maschenny turned toward the floating fortress in horror.

It had rotated—and was now aiming its side cannons directly at the Baekwha Sword Palace.

.....

Damn it… my body won't move.

"Ghk…"

WOOOOONG—!

You've got to be kidding me—already recharged?!

I barely managed to shift my eyes toward the fortress.

It was rotating, lining up a shot straight at this side.

I need to get to the next floor—now—

But my body wouldn't respond.

Even asking Maschenny to carry me upstairs was too late.

Because of my father, the upper floor hadn't suffered even the slightest damage.

For that reason, forcing our way in was impossible.

The thunderbird couldn't endure another bombardment.

Maschenny hoisted me up and brought the thunderbird out.

"Hoaquin, we're getting out of here. Now."

"…Maschenny. Put me down."

"Don't be stubborn. We're leaving."

"…Maschenny."

"I don't care! I don't care anymore! Don't say something impossible! I don't believe you anymore! Stop abusing your body! You'll really die at this rate! If you just drop dead, what am I supposed to do then?!"

"..."

She placed me on the thunderbird's back.

I noticed moisture gathering faintly at the corners of her eyes.

I couldn't argue anymore.

I couldn't worry her any further.

And I had no strength left.

The trial was—

"Ki… ii…"

"…?!"

Suddenly, the thunderbird collapsed and lost consciousness.

Maschenny panicked the most.

She tried desperately to wake it, but it didn't respond.

Its entire body—including its wings—was regenerating.

It had clearly taken massive damage from the previous bombardment.

WOOOOONG—

Death advanced mercilessly toward us.

KWAAAAAA—!

As the white beam of energy closed in to engulf us both, there was nothing I could do.

My body wouldn't move.

At all.

Then—suddenly—Maschenny leaned against the massive thunderbird and wrapped her arms tightly around me.

Using the thunderbird as cover.

Using herself as a shield.

"Ma—Maschenny?!"

She said something—but the roar of the shinsu bombardment drowned out her voice.

KWAAAAAA—!!

Her Armor Inventory shattered in less than two seconds.

The shinsu bombardment struck her directly.

Using the thunderbird as partial cover helped—but that was the limit.

"…!"

She squeezed her eyes shut in pain.

No.

This couldn't happen again.

I had already experienced loss once.

Then what—what was I doing right now…?!

In that moment, I saw the ceiling.

The top floor—still completely untouched by the bombardment.

There.

That place—

My hand moved without conscious thought.

I stretched my arm upward.

Please.

Please.

Please.

Please—

WOOONG—

Something… something was suddenly in my grasp.

It wasn't shinsu.

It wasn't debris carried by the bombardment.

What I had seized was—

space itself.

I gambled everything on it and pulled with all my strength on the space I had grasped.

Please—

.....

Baekwha Sword Palace – Top Floor

This place was protected by Arie Hon's mysterious power, rendering it absolutely inviolable.

Seated upon his throne, the head of the Ten Families, Arie Hon, slowly opened his eyes.

The noise of the bombardment outside was part of the reason—

but not the true one.

"…Hm?!"

Hon stared straight ahead in surprise.

There was nothing there—yet his eyes shone with deep interest.

He rose from his throne and stepped forward.

Then—

BZZZZT—

A violent crackling sound echoed as the air before him began to distort.

Hon's expression blossomed with curiosity and delight.

"…Spatial distortion?"

BZZZZT—

Space tore and warped, forming a massive rift.

And from within it—

two figures emerged.

One was a white-haired, white-eyed boy.

The other was a blue-haired, blue-eyed girl.

Hon simply watched.

Then, slowly, the white-haired boy braced himself on the floor and tried to stand.

He staggered—

nearly fell—

but slammed his sword into the ground and barely held himself up.

His body was so broken that death would not have been surprising.

Yet his eyes burned with clarity and resolve.

At last, he forced out words.

"Fa… Father…"

"…I… have arrived… before you…"

Thud.

With those words, Hoaquin collapsed face-first onto the floor.

Moments later, the blue-haired girl—Maschenny—opened her eyes and rushed to his side.

And watching all of it—

Arie Hon smiled softly.

So even I possessed one…

A perfect lifeform.

Ignoring Maschenny as she desperately tried to wake Hoaquin, Hon descended from the dais and gently placed a hand on his son.

"Well done, my son."

"You have passed my trial."

--------

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