Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

White City, a high-class tavern.

"Hahaha! To think that the rare Arie traditional liquor is piled up like this… It really makes me want to take a bunch with me. Ah, of course, I do think our Khun family's wine is sliiightly better."

"Kii, kii."

A handsome young man with blue hair and blue eyes downed a glass and burst into hearty laughter. Beside him, a thunderbird no larger than a swallow nodded its head, clearly agreeing with his words.

Khun Lucas.

Though he had returned to his branch four weeks ago to maintain his position as branch head, such a justification was far from enough to restrain someone with a wanderer's disposition.

With the Arie family holding a grand festival, there was simply no reason for him not to attend.

"Hehe, you've already downed ten bottles and now you say Khun wine is better?"

As Schmitt openly mocked Lucas for his blatant inconsistency, Dickel merely smiled faintly and took another sip.

After swallowing another mouthful, Dickel casually asked Lucas,

"Is it really fine not to visit your half-sister?"

"If you're talking about our prickly princess, I already stopped by. She was having a good time with her friend, so I just watched for a bit and left."

"Thanks again for helping us last time. The Commander-in-Chief was our biggest concern, but you resolved that."

"Our interests simply aligned. And chances to fight a top High Ranker of one of the Ten Families don't come around often."

Dickel slowly lifted the corner of his mouth and turned his gaze toward the Baekhwa Sword Palace visible through the window.

Thanks to the madness of the elders firing the main cannon of a decisive weapon at the Baekhwa Sword Palace last time, its exterior was still in a miserable state—but it had not lost its distinctive dignity.

At present, with the elders gone, full authority within the Arie family had passed to the Sword of Arie, Yure. Once the palace repairs were complete, the Arie family would regain its former greatness once more, alongside the Sword of Arie.

Watching Dickel like that, Lucas casually spoke up.

"Maybe it's because of how that palace looks, but quite a lot of people have entered the city today. Especially the other Ten Families."

Schmitt snorted.

"Hmph. They probably want to confirm it. Whether we're still worthy of being called the strongest among the Ten Families or not. For example—"

Schmitt's eyes suddenly turned cold as they fixed on Lucas.

"You came because you wanted to see it for yourself too, didn't you? How severe the damage we took was, and how much we've recovered since that day."

Lucas simply shrugged, still perfectly calm.

"Well, it's something I naturally have to do as a Khun family branch head."

Schmitt relaxed his gaze and let out a short chuckle.

Lucas's reasoning was perfectly sound.

Not to mention, he was Hoaquin's benefactor.

In a teasing tone, Schmitt provocatively asked Lucas,

"So? After checking once that day and then coming back to check again, what's your verdict?"

"Well… judging by the recovery—"

Clack.

Lucas set his glass down on the table. His lips curled upward in an instant, revealing white fangs.

"This might actually be worth trying."

At his words, both Schmitt and Dickel bared their fangs in similarly fierce smiles, revealing the Arie family's innate battle instinct.

Of course, the playful standoff between the three ended just as quickly.

"Well then, rather than that, why don't you enjoy the festival first?"

"Of course. It's more fun than I expected. Right, Ar?"

"Kiii!"

As they looked at the thunderbird, now shrunk to the size of a swallow and chirping energetically to express its agreement, Dickel and Schmitt wore expressions as if they were seeing something fascinating.

Seeing that, Lucas's sense of pride naturally kicked in.

"Other than my father, I'm the only one who can handle it, so it was bestowed upon me. Cute, isn't it?"

"When I glimpsed it last time, it looked much bigger… did you compress it?"

"Something like that. For reference, it's still in its juvenile stage—once it's fully grown, it'll be a monster capable of contending with even the ancient species."

"Oh… ancient species, huh."

Even so, the tiny bird was simply adorable.

Schmitt stared at the thunderbird with interest, then suddenly recalled something.

"Come to think of it, ancient species… then up on the upper floors right now—"

"You mean those fanatics even more extreme than FUG? I hear they're moving covertly and gradually entering an active phase."

"Hm… I'm a bit worried about Hoaquin. Hopefully the timing doesn't overlap again… that kid would really have to be unlucky."

At Dickel's worried remark, Schmitt snorted.

"Hah, why are you worrying about him? From what I've seen, he's the kind of guy who'd survive even if you left him in front of Leblanc. He goes through a lot, sure, but his lifeline is ridiculously tough. He'll manage just fine."

"I've seen the kid too—he's no joke. Dickel, let's not worry about things that haven't even happened yet. More importantly, right now, that kid is—"

As Schmitt spoke, Lucas turned his gaze toward the entrance of the White City outside the window.

"Spending a peaceful and happy time."

....

White City, entrance

— Please bring your pocket closer for identity verification. —

A device approached the ultra-luxury cruise-type floating ship that Maschenny and I were riding. It seemed that the entrance to the city was fully equipped with these identity-verification machines.

Maschenny and I did as instructed and brought our pockets close to the device.

— Identity verified. Welcome to the White City. —

The device then moved on to the other passengers aboard the cruise floating ship, who likewise verified their identities by presenting their pockets.

While the ship was briefly halted for verification, I took two cocktails from a nearby attendant and handed one to Maschenny.

"Mas—no, anyway, what do you think? No one recognizes us, right?"

"…Seems that way. We completely swapped families, after all."

Maschenny, who had been wearing her hood low, finally pulled it back and took a sip of the cocktail I handed her.

By the time we finished, all passengers had been checked, and we were able to enter the White City again.

The moment I set foot inside, my first words were a gasp of admiration.

"…Wow."

The dark night posed no problem at all for enjoying the Festival of the Sword. If anything, it made the light of the countless white floating stones suspended in the air shine even more brilliantly.

Beneath the floating stones drifting like sky lanterns, countless people and pure-white buildings blended together, creating a bright yet luxurious atmosphere.

Families walking happily with children on their shoulders, reporters busily gathering information, Regulars, occasional heirs of the Ten Families, merchants hoping to strike it rich, children running about, Rankers who had come ready to spend money, and even the Arie family's royal guard patrolling the streets.

As if temporarily freed from the law-of-the-jungle world of the Tower, everyone wore relaxed smiles.

Well—except for the patrolling Rankers.

Working overtime on a day like this… I almost felt sorry for them.

In any case, the Festival of the Sword was beautiful, and the people looked happy.

I could see why Father would recommend it.

I glanced at Maschenny walking beside me. At some point, she had started licking the ice cream she'd bought earlier.

Despite her cool expression, the way she ate the ice cream was oddly cute. Noticing my gaze, she held it out toward me.

"Want some?"

"Then just one bite."

I took a small bite, and my eyes widened slightly at the taste.

Ah… I should've bought one too. I'd skipped it because it was winter, and now I was regretting it.

"So, what do you want to do now?"

"Hmm. That side looks flashy and lively, but it doesn't feel like a place for me. If I had to choose…"

She pointed.

"…There."

"...A casino?"

....

Maschenny glared coldly at the dealer running the game and began arguing relentlessly. For reference, Maschenny's balance was already at zero.

After arguing with the dealer for quite some time, Maschenny—finally exhausted by her own frustration—suddenly turned to look at me. Her eyebrows drooped downward, which made her look oddly cute, but—

"Hoaquin… I'm completely broke…"

"...…"

"So, uh, could you lend me some mo—"

"No."

"Ah, why not?! You've got tons of money too!"

Ugh—don't tell me she's already getting addicted to this.

She can't get a taste for it. I couldn't let Maschenny fall into the dark abyss of gambling, so while engraving her cute expression into my heart, I mashed the reject button with all my might.

"It's to stop you from going down a bad path like this, Arie-yang."

Pat, pat.

"Ah—what is this, that's embarrassing."

"Haha, you seem to calm down when I do this."

I ruffled her hair, soothing her as I led her toward the exit. Maschenny kept grumbling, but for some reason she seemed to grow more docile every time I patted her head.

"Hoaquin, I really think I could win this time…"

"Yeah, yeah. Make sure you win big next time. For today, we're done. You don't even have any money."

"That's why I'm asking you to lend me some…!"

Pat, pat.

"...…"

Maschenny, who looked like she was about to snatch money straight out of my pocket, instantly calmed down again.

Haha, this is surprisingly fun.

"How long are you going to keep patting me? My head's going to catch fire."

"And yet you're not saying no? I'll lend you plenty later—gambling is a no, Princess."

"…You sound like a scholar."

"Ugh."

Well, I am from a land of Confucian etiquette in the East…

Still, it was fun at first. We've enjoyed it enough—let's come back when you're a Ranker next time.

"Blowing money at a casino is nice and all, but something a bit more wholesome—huh?"

"Yes, yes, I agree—huh?"

Maschenny and I stopped bickering the moment we stepped outside.

Because of what we saw.

The sky above us was sparsely painted white.

The ground beneath our feet was already piled thick with white.

And as if that weren't enough, the ceiling of the Tower kept sprinkling white powder nonstop, as though determined to paint the ground even whiter.

—Beep—

"…?"

A message arrived on my pocket. Tilting my head, I checked it.

It was from Luf, Albelda, and Anna.

— Hyung! Are you looking at the sky?! If you're inside a building, hurry and look outside!

— Hey, Hoaquin! It's super pretty outside right now! Let's watch the fireworks later!

— Oppa, seeing outside reminds me of when you bought me that seal plushie. It was like this back then too, hehe. Snow is pretty! Snow.

Snow was falling.

The first snow our group had seen this year.

Even though we'd spent quite some time in the casino, it had already piled up thickly on the streets—a heavy snowfall.

As I read the messages one by one, my lips slowly curved upward. Maschenny stared at the sky for a moment, then spoke.

"It's been winter for a while already. It came fast."

"No wonder it feels cold. Maschenny, aren't you cold?"

"What—are you going to hug me if I am?"

"Haha, it's not like I couldn't. You've already hugged me twice."

"…Ugh, forget it. We're going over there, so just walk."

The place Maschenny pointed to was… let's see—a street stall selling black mountain lamb skewers.

Since I didn't even get to eat ice cream, I might as well fill my stomach with that.

As we walked crunching through the white snow, Maschenny was shielding herself with a shinsu barrier to keep the snow off, but I didn't bother doing that.

She tilted her head.

"Why are you letting yourself get covered in snow? You'll get damp."

"It's the first snow. You've got to enjoy the atmosphere. Snow piling up on your clothes and hair is kind of fun too."

She let out a deep sigh.

"Haah… what are you even saying?"

She raised herself slightly on her toes and brushed the snow off my head with a few taps. She also brushed away the snow that had piled up on my clothes and shoulders.

Then she put a shinsu barrier over my head as well.

"…?"

"If you catch a cold and end up lying in bed again, I'll abandon you next time—so don't overdo it."

"Heh, are you worried about me?"

"…Yeah. I'm worried you'll sleep all day again like an idiot."

"I'll worry about you too, then."

"?"

"Your hand got cold just now from brushing the snow off me. Your skin's already cold to begin with."

When I took her hand, it felt like the warmth from my own hand was being transferred to her icy one.

Why is her skin so cold?

Until my warmth fully flowed into her and reached thermal equilibrium, I held her hand tightly and kept walking.

"..."

Maschenny didn't say anything. After walking like that for a while, we reached the lamb skewer stall, each of us holding a skewer in our left and right hands as we continued wandering through the lively festival streets.

Even though the temperature had dropped sharply as the snow fell, it felt as though the warmth of the festival had only grown stronger.

Or maybe it was just that the cold hand I was holding had finally warmed up.

.....

Somewhere on the White City's festival street

"Albelda-unnie… the snow is so pretty…"

"It is. Just as pretty as our Anna."

After running around in the snow for a while, Anna climbed up onto Albelda's lap. Albelda still had difficulty walking, but since Hwarang was pushing her wheelchair, there was no real issue.

She gently stroked Anna, who was sitting on her lap, doting on her with an expression full of affection.

Yura spun around again and again, staring at the snow falling from the sky and exclaiming in awe.

"Wow, this atmosphere is insane. This is crazy. When I was at the main house, all I ever saw was a dark red ceiling. Hey, blue—"

"Have you ever seen something like this before?"

At Yura's slightly dismissive remark, Asensio snapped back.

"Hah, it's not like I'm some Outer Tower bumpkin seeing snow for the first time. And I don't really like snow."

"Huh? Why not? It's so pretty."

"What do you mean pretty? I saw it so much back when I was at the main house that it made me sick of it."

At that, Albelda turned around and asked Asensio,

"Huh? Isn't the Khun family's main house in a warm climate?"

Asensio just shrugged.

"Whether the climate is warm doesn't really matter. The weather there changes depending on our 'father's' mood that day. Usually it comes with storm clouds and heavy rain, or a blizzard."

"Ah…"

As Albelda smiled awkwardly, Luf came cheerfully from afar carrying several white bags.

"Hyungs and noonas, I bought some delimanju. Take one bag each. Anna, want to eat with oppa?"

"Yeah..!"

After handing a bag to everyone, Luf put the remaining two bags into a special inventory to keep them warm, then glanced around at his companions.

Seeing everyone blowing on their delimanju and eating them looked quite amusing.

Hwarang was the first to notice Luf's broad grin. He snorted lightly and tossed his observer over to him.

"Alright, alright. Take pictures. You photography nut."

"Che— It's the same as ever, huh?"

"Shut up. It was a ridiculous bet to begin with."

"With that much of a handicap, what are you complaining about? You were the one who got tempted and accepted it in the first place."

"Ugh."

Having just come out of the gaming hall, we started walking toward our next destination, blocking the still-falling snow with shinsu barriers.

Before we knew it, we were strolling down the street with our arms lightly linked (it was part of the bet, but still).

"Still, doesn't it bring back memories? When we first—no, when we met for the second time."

"Hmph, it does bring back memories. I should've electrocuted you like back then."

"Haha, that's brutal."

"Well… still. It was fun, like back then."

I'm glad to hear that.

I didn't bother saying that out loud. I just let out a few soft laughs and continued walking through the festival streets with her.

After that, aside from giving a large sum of money to a flower-selling child who was standing in the cold snow to send them home quickly, buying the very last bag of delimanju from a street stall to share together, and taking a photo together at a photo booth, we didn't actually talk all that much.

It wasn't that we didn't speak at all… more like we'd reached a point where we could understand each other to some extent even without words.

"...…" "...…."

Heavy snow decorated our path, and in a silence without even a hint of awkwardness, I quietly opened my mouth and shifted the conversation.

It was something I didn't really need to say, but for some reason, it felt like something I should say right now.

I hadn't prepared anything to say in particular, so I began slowly and spontaneously unraveling my feelings to her.

"Maschenny, about when we first met."

"That again? …Anyway, what about it."

"You threw the first punch at me back then."

"…Such vulgar word choice."

"Haha, anyway. I was on a video call with Anna at the time, and suddenly lightning flew at me, so I was startled. The video crystal broke, so I was mad too. I turned around wondering who the hell it was—and it turned out to be you."

"…..Then we fought for a bit."

"Yeah. And the second time we met, it was a little different."

I didn't bother looking up at the ceiling to reminisce or anything like that. I just kept walking and naturally let the story flow.

My memories with Maschenny were still vivid and clear even now, to the point that there was no need to deliberately recall them.

"That time, I needed a present for Anna, so I dragged you along using one excuse after another. But hanging out with you was more fun than I expected. When I teased you and you got mad, it was kind of cute. And when we parted that day, honestly, I felt regret. That all the games were already over, that it had gotten so late, that we had to go our separate ways."

"...…"

"And then the third time we met—I was really nervous about whether I'd win or lose, but in the end, I won."

"…If I'd done just a little better back then, I would've won."

"Haha, sure, sure. Of course."

"I'm serious!"

"Heh heh. Let's save that for a deeper discussion later… anyway, I took you to the hospital, and after that, we hung out together for a few days. That was fun too. And then when we met again on the 21st floor a few years later, I was really happy to see you."

The more I thought about it, the more vividly the time I'd spent with her etched itself into my mind.

That's why I kept listing things—pulling out, one by one, the episodes with Maschenny buried deep in my memories.

Before we knew it, we had arrived at the park, and there wasn't much distance left to the fireworks viewing platform, our destination. As if by unspoken agreement, we stopped in the park, and I continued talking without pause.

"…When you found out about the scars on my wrist, and when you hit me. Back then, for some reason, I felt really embarrassed. I felt sorry toward you, and at the same time I was grateful that you came looking for me."

I turned my head and looked at Maschenny, who had been listening quietly to my story.

"From then on, I'm the one who wants to protect you, but somehow it always feels like I'm the one relying on you instead. I feel like I've said this many times, but… thank you."

"…If you're thankful, then repay me later."

"Haha, of course I should. If it weren't for you, by now I probably would've… how much further would I have fallen? Or maybe… would I be dead? Or perhaps—"

Grab—

Suddenly, Maschenny grabbed me and said firmly,

"Stop saying useless things, Hoaquin. Look only at the results. Your family came back, and you're alive and smiling just fine. Don't dwell on dark thoughts."

I let out a small laugh and, on impulse, wrapped my arms around her.

"This is why I like you."

"…!"

Maschenny seemed to freeze for a moment, but the surprise didn't look all that great. Well, after all the hints I'd been dropping, there was no way she hadn't noticed.

Holding her in my arms, I continued speaking.

"Was it since the second time we met and played games together? Or while we were together from the 21st floor to the Hell Train? Or… from the moment you became my support?"

"I don't know when it started, but I can't do without you anymore."

Just… I'm always grateful, and—

"I always like you, Maschenny."

....

Hug—

Hoaquin suddenly hugged me.

I was startled, but I'd noticed his feelings long ago. I was only surprised because he hugged me at an unexpected moment.

Holding me in his arms, he softly tickled my ear with a gentle voice.

"Was it since the second time we met and played games together? Or while we were together from the 21st floor to the Hell Train? Or… from the moment you became my support?"

"I don't know when it started, but I can't do without you anymore."

…What about me?

How do I feel about Hoaquin?

The second meeting—yes. Since the time we truly met, when I comforted him, and up until now.

Honestly, my first impression of him wasn't anything special. Just interesting, a good fighting opponent at most?

And that thought stayed the same until we reunited on the 21st floor and rode the Hell Train together… or did it?

Then why did I suggest that we climb the Tower together once we became Regulars?

Why did I find it fun to play games with him?

Why did my face burn with embarrassment every time he teased me?

If it had been anyone else, I would've either killed them or responded with indifference…

If my feelings toward Hoaquin really hadn't changed, then why did my heart feel so empty when he disappeared?

Why did something inside me feel so unsettled?

Why did I search for him so desperately, asking around everywhere?

If Hoaquin had truly been nothing more than an interesting and decent comrade to me… then why did I try so hard to lift him back up, even when he was completely broken?

The answer was obvious.

Hoaquin, to me, was not just an interesting comrade.

"..."

Held in Hoaquin's arms, I quietly chewed over all the memories I shared with him.

Ah… I don't know. I don't know, Hoaquin.

I think I'm the same as you.

I don't know when I started liking you—but I think I know this much.

Right now, I like you, Hoaquin.

Just as I was about to force my lips open to give him an answer, I felt as though the world around me was going dark.

Suddenly, all the surrounding space was plunged into darkness, and the Hoaquin who had been holding me vanished without a trace. In his place, a single memory from the past unfolded before my eyes.

"….."

Hanging from a fortress wall, mocked by everyone.

— This really is beyond pathetic.

— Still… it's a little pitiful.

— She wasn't even 400 years old.

— But then again… isn't that what it means to be a Zahard Princess?

— So many princesses have tried to run away, break the rules, or fall in love…

— And every single one of them ended the same way.

— A miserable death. A miserable ending.

— A miserable death. A miserable ending.

— A miserable death. A miserable ending.

"…!"

A conversation I'd accidentally overheard among members of the Khun family before I was even selected as a Princess.

That suddenly resurfacing memory began to bind my body.

I struggled desperately to escape that pressure, thrashing unconsciously, trying to break free.

"…Hah!"

Thud—

At that moment, my body finally moved—and I ended up forcefully pushing Hoaquin away.

He looked startled, but then, as if it were only natural, he gave a bitter smile.

"H-Hoaquin… that was a mistake… I, I—"

"…I see. I must've put too much pressure on you. Maschenny, don't worry about what happened today."

He slowly turned his back to me and began walking toward the fireworks viewing platform of the festival.

Don't go.

The words wouldn't come out.

You idiot—after saying all that, how can you tell me not to worry about it?

I wanted to grab him, but my mouth still wouldn't listen to me.

Not a single word escaped.

Was I really going to lose Hoaquin like this?

Even now, his back was growing farther away from me.

If I let him go right now, it felt like I'd never be able to catch him again.

I hated that.

If I truly wanted to hold onto him, then instead of just talking, I had to actually grab him.

"…."

One step, two steps, three steps, four steps—

Ah. I reached him.

Maybe because Hoaquin was walking slowly, it didn't take long to catch up.

"…Maschenny?"

Sensing my presence, Hoaquin turned with a puzzled expression.

So that I would never lose him again, I grabbed him tightly.

The more I held on, the more flustered his expression became.

"M-Maschenny?"

Finally able to move my mouth again, I said firmly,

"Shut up, idiot. Bend down. You're too tall."

"…?"

When Hoaquin reflexively bent down, our eyes finally met at the same level.

And then, with both hands, I gently held his face as if caressing it. With my cold hands, I could feel his warmth being transferred to me in a pleasant way—but I didn't stop there.

I leaned my face toward his as well.

In an instant, the distance between us narrowed to less than a centimeter. When I exhaled, I could clearly feel each other's breath.

"…Maschenny, what are you suddenly—"

"…This much of a deviation should be okay, right."

Pull—

I pulled Hoaquin closer and pressed my lips against his. Feeling embarrassed, I squeezed my eyes shut tightly.

In contrast to me, Hoaquin's eyes widened in surprise—but perhaps realizing what was happening, he soon slowly closed them as well.

With our lips pressed together, I pulled Hoaquin even closer toward me, and the two of us drew nearer still.

The sensation was more ordinary than what people described on the internet… but the feeling it gave me was overwhelmingly blissful.

Ah… I wish this moment could last forever.

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