Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

"Um… hello. I heard my friends have been staying here. I'm Arie Hoaquin. I can't thank you enough for giving them a place to stay."

"Haha, there's no need for such formality from a direct descendant of a great family. I'm Chaplin, the head of this orphanage. Whatever your business may be, please make yourself comfortable."

After entrusting Baekya to Ashul Edwaru, I received an explanation from Maschenny—who had come to meet me—and headed to the orphanage where the others were staying.

The one who greeted me was the refined, middle-aged director of this luxurious orphanage—Chaplin.

Decked in ruby accessories as if proudly advertising his wealth from his days as a Ranker, he rose from his seat with a warm smile.

"I'll guide you to the rooms that are still available."

"I didn't expect the village atmosphere to be this hostile."

"It wasn't originally a place that showed open hostility toward Zahard's royal family or the Ten Great Families… but lately the royal family has been pressuring us, saying they'll demolish this place and build a shrine."

"Oh? Then what about this orphanage?"

"I've grown fond of this village… but one cannot oppose Zahard's army. We have sufficient funds, so I plan to relocate with the children to a new place. I'm not originally from here anyway, and the children have already lost their parents and hometowns. Moving again won't break them."

As we walked down the corridor, I noticed a door boarded up with wooden planks. Before I could properly question it, my attention shifted to a large aquarium built into the wall.

Inside swam amethyst jellyfish—dangerous and beautiful, glowing with a violet hue.

For a moment, I fell into thought.

Then I glanced back at Maschenny, who was walking behind me.

Hmm… Whether she could resolve the shrine issue or not was secondary. No need to burden her unnecessarily. It's not like I've grown attached to this village.

"Why are you staring?"

"Haha. Why do you think?"

"…Honestly."

With Chaplin beside us, I couldn't openly show affection, so I simply smiled at her. Maschenny, slightly embarrassed, turned her gaze away.

Eventually, Chaplin stopped.

"From here to that room over there, they're all vacant. Please choose whichever you like. If you need anything, come find me. Ah—would you like to join us for dinner?"

I opened a door and stepped inside.

"Sure. Why not."

"I'll send a child to call you when it's ready."

"Director! Cheki and Chaka are fighting again!"

"Oh dear—let's go at once. I'll take my leave!"

At the child's urgent report, Chaplin's relaxed demeanor vanished instantly. His black coat fluttered as he hurried down the opposite end of the corridor.

I stepped fully into the room.

"…? Why are you coming in?"

Maschenny had followed me inside.

I tilted my head. She responded as if it were obvious.

"Can't I?"

"Huh? No, that's not what I meant."

She stepped closer.

One step. Two. Three.

Her sudden boldness caught me off guard. I instinctively stepped back—until the bed stopped me and I ended up sitting on it.

"Hoaquin. You didn't answer your Pocket all day. What were you doing in that forge?"

"Ah… maybe the forge blocks Pocket signals. Anyway, what I was doing… was about this."

I tapped my chest where my heart was.

She watched me carefully.

"What did the blacksmith say?"

"I have to merge my soul with Baekya."

"My sword? It has a soul?"

"It's… a long explanation. I'll tell you later. But until the fusion is complete, it'll take time. So we'll have to stay here for a while."

"What happens if you merge?"

"…We should probably talk to Cheonhwa about the seven swords too. And if there's time, we could look for—"

Thud.

She suddenly pushed me, and I fell fully back onto the bed.

I looked up at her.

Her gaze was cold as always—but filled with emotion.

"Don't change the subject, Hoaquin. What happens if you merge?"

"…."

She's too perceptive.

Lying wouldn't work. It rarely worked with her anymore.

I had intended to tell her after the fusion—but I sighed and decided to be honest.

"…He said I'll move away from being human. Like my father."

"…What?"

Her eyes widened.

I shrugged, pretending calm.

I explained briefly what would happen if I fused with Baekya.

With each sentence, her expression darkened.

"…So you won't suddenly flip like your father, but… it depends on you. Edwaru said you might become emotionless, or feel disconnected from others. Either way, you'll change?"

"That's basically becoming like the Ten Family Heads! And you didn't even discuss this with—"

I gave a bitter smile.

"What choice do I have, Maschenny? I'm not satisfied living only 480 more years and dying. There's too much I want to do with you."

"…Even so… haah, Hoaquin."

She exhaled deeply, as if giving up mid-argument.

"I don't want to see you become like them."

"Me neither. Being here alone with you like this already makes me this happy. If I became emotionless, what would I even live for?"

"Emotionless… you might not feel anything? Like a doll?"

She repeated the word emotion under her breath.

Then suddenly—

Her eyes changed.

"Don't look at me like that—mmph!"

Before I could finish, she lunged forward and kissed me.

It caught me off guard—but in moments like this, it was always overwhelming. Blissful. Warm.

I simply followed her lead.

When she finally pulled away, I scratched my cheek awkwardly, avoiding her gaze.

"You know you've been getting bold lately?"

"I don't care. Just—don't forget that."

"…What?"

"You said you might lose your emotions. Then remember that feeling forever. Hold onto it."

She looked straight into my eyes.

"If you're going to change… then never forget how you felt just now."

My chest tightened.

No fusion.

No transcendence.

No trial.

Nothing felt more real than that moment.

And I understood.

Even if I move away from being human—

I must never lose this.

"I won't lose it."

I blinked twice—then burst out laughing.

Ah, seriously… I'm going crazy. I love her too much.

Before she could get up from the bed, I pulled her back into my arms and said,

"Hahaha! Don't worry. I haven't forgotten a single thing yet."

"…You'd better not."

Ah. When she's this lovable, how could I ever lose my emotions? How could I ever lose my humanity?

....

Meanwhile—

"The deadline declared by Zahard's army is getting closer, but none of our protests are being acknowledged… so the village atmosphere can't help but grow tense. More people are already leaving, and even our family is seriously discussing relocation."

Listening quietly to the head steward of the Hong Family, Cheonhwa absentmindedly traced her fingers along Arjuna, the sword that had chosen her—one of the seven symbolic blades of the village.

She let out a long sigh.

"So in the end… our only option is to leave the village. And once we're gone, Zahard's army will flatten everything…"

"Yes. And on that flattened land, they'll erect a shrine praising King Zahard."

"Haah…"

Everything was in chaos.

Her grand yet complicated plan—to climb the Tower quickly, become a Ranker, build honor, and return home in glory—had long since crumbled.

She had returned home, yes.

But now that very home was about to disappear.

"The future looks bleak…"

"Indeed it does, Miss Cheonhwa."

"I'll stop by again soon."

"Understood."

After a brief farewell, Cheonhwa left the Hong Family estate and headed toward the orphanage where her companions were staying.

Originally, they had nearly been chased out of the village entirely, but apparently a little girl had begged Director Chaplin to help because she liked Luf's face.

Kids these days judge by looks first.

Well… Luf does have the face for it.

The memory of that funny incident with Asensio and Luf made her chuckle. Back before Hoaquin had joined, when she had briefly climbed the Tower with the original members, those travel memories still made her smile.

But suddenly—

She grabbed her head.

Ugh… this isn't the time to be smiling.

The village had to be protected.

The adults were trying their best, but ordinary Outer Tower residents—neither Regulars nor Rankers—could do little more than stage angry protests.

She had been chosen by Arjuna.

Chosen by the Fairy of the Tower.

She was close to becoming a Ranker.

She should be able to do something.

But she couldn't think of anything.

Even if she climbed a few more floors and became a Ranker, she would still be no match for Zahard's elite army. She probably couldn't even defeat one of their Rankers.

The idea of confronting them by force was unrealistic from the start.

…Should she ask the woman always by Hoaquin's side?

The one from the Khun Family.

A Princess of Zahard.

Khun Maschenny Zahard.

Surely a Princess of Zahard had enough authority to stop something like this?

For a brief moment, hope flickered in Cheonhwa's heart.

Then she shook her head.

"Haah… That might just burden her. I don't even know how high a Regular Princess ranks within the royal hierarchy."

Force wouldn't work.

Public opinion wouldn't work.

Yelling at the floating warships that couldn't even hear them wouldn't work.

And yet—

It had to be stopped.

This was the land where they were born.

Where future generations would be born.

The land their seven ancestral swordsmen had defended long ago.

"Outside help… No one would care about a village like ours…"

Trying to solve an unsolvable problem only made her head ache.

The steward had said this was a matter for the elders.

But was she really supposed to sit still and do nothing?

After being chosen by a holy sword?

"…Maybe I should at least talk to Hwarang or Hoaquin."

Back to square one.

Yes. First, she'd return to Hoaquin, retrieve Narmada, talk things through, and maybe share a meal with Director Chaplin at Paradise Orphanage.

"Speaking of Chaplin… I should probably warn the kids ahead of time, before things get complicated."

"Cheonhwa. Long time no see."

"…?"

Her hand froze mid-motion as she was about to send Hwarang a Pocket message.

She turned toward the voice.

And saw a familiar face.

"Ryuhwa oppa…!"

Hong Ryuhwa.

The age gap was significant, but he was still her "oppa."

Chosen by Brahma, one of the Seven Swords, he had climbed the Tower and become a Ranker in just two hundred years—the greatest prodigy in the Hong Family's history.

Now 1,300 years old, he was already a High Ranker.

The pride and future of the village.

"Right! You're here! Oppa, you came because of the village, didn't you? You did, right?"

"Of course. This land means more to us than just a hometown—it is our ancestors' land. I cannot allow Zahard's boots to trample it at will."

Cheonhwa's gloomy expression brightened instantly.

Hope.

No—certainty.

Ryuhwa was the village's hope.

Whenever he returned, he brought good news.

This time would be no different.

"Oppa, what's the plan? How are we driving Zahard's army away?"

"Hahaha, I'll explain later when the elders are present. But first… can you hand me Arjuna?"

As Ryuhwa extended his hand with a gentle smile, Cheonhwa began untying the cord securing Arjuna, though she tilted her head.

"Why Arjuna?"

"You heard, didn't you? Ashul Edwaru is in the village. He said he can permanently reinforce the weakening seals. Your sword's seal needs strengthening too, so I'll take it for now."

Her confusion deepened.

"Huh? Didn't he say he needed all seven swords to proceed?"

Ryuhwa sighed lightly, as if indulging a forgetful child, and answered kindly.

"All seven are gathered, aren't they?"

"Huh? We're still missing one."

"Haha, Cheonhwa. Have you forgotten already? Your friend brought Narmada to the village."

Ah.

Right.

Why had she thought one was missing?

Embarrassed by her lapse, Cheonhwa scratched her head.

That's right.

All seven swords were finally gathered in the village.

"Oh, that's right. Hehe, what's wrong with my memory? Then… that means the urgent crisis is resolved, right?"

"That's right. Now we only need to worry about Zahard's army. The final meeting will be held soon—I'll explain everything then. Just wait a little longer, little sister."

"Okay…!"

Ryuhwa's arm was still extended, waiting for Arjuna.

His hand had been outstretched for a while now.

Feeling a bit awkward about leaving him hanging, Cheonhwa quickly untied the cord binding Arjuna and moved to hand it over—

…Huh?

She froze.

Her hand stopped mid-motion, as if time itself had stalled.

Ryuhwa tilted his head.

"…Cheonhwa?"

"..."

Seeing her unmoving, he chuckled warmly.

"Hahaha. Have you grown attached to Arjuna? It won't take long for someone like Ashul Edwaru to reinforce the seal. Even if it hurts a little, just bear with it."

He reached forward again.

But his hand cut through empty air.

Cheonhwa had pulled the sword back entirely.

"…Cheonhwa?"

"…There isn't one."

"…What?"

The earlier bright, relieved face was gone.

Now she stood pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

Her hands trembled slightly as she slowly raised her head to look at him.

"I never told you my friend brought Narmada. Only Shuka knows that."

She watched him carefully.

Very carefully.

At first, Ryuhwa's expression didn't change much. He scratched his cheek, smiling sheepishly.

"Hmm? What are you talking about? I heard it from Shuka on the way here, of course."

"…Shuka is still outside. And the direction you came from is the opposite way."

For a split second—

His face stiffened.

Cheonhwa didn't miss it.

Not even for a heartbeat.

"…Oppa. What is this? What is going on?"

"...…Haah."

Why did the brother she loved and respected suddenly feel so unfamiliar?

So wrong?

As she instinctively stepped back, Ryuhwa stared at the ground and let out a long sigh.

That sigh alone froze her in place.

After a moment, he lifted his head.

"…This is why I hate perceptive little sisters."

....

Knock, knock.

A small tapping sound at the door pulled me away from my thoughts.

I opened it slightly.

A child from the orphanage stood there.

She stared at me for a second—almost in awe—then spoke.

"Director Chaplin says to come. Everyone's eating dinner."

"Got it. I'll be right there."

She scampered off down the hallway.

I watched her go, then returned to the room.

"Maschenny, you're eating, right?"

"…Yeah."

She was lying on my bed reading.

I smirked, changed into something more comfortable, then lifted her off the bed and gently set her on the floor.

"Hey, what was that?"

"Haha. Dinner, remember? Come on. Bookmark the page."

She grumbled but slipped a bookmark in and tossed the book onto the bed.

That's when I saw the title.

— Memoirs of the Ancient War by High Ranker Ranked 999th —

"…Pfft. Maschenny, isn't that one of those mass-produced war novels?"

"What nonsense. It's literature."

"Hahaha, sure, sure."

Apparently if the category includes "war," she's sold.

We stepped into the hallway, joining Hwarang, Loop, Wolyeong, and Asensio, all heading toward the banquet hall.

As we strolled down the long corridor, admiring Chaplin's aquarium collection—amethyst jellyfish, armored pufferfish, blue-ringed octopus—something caught our attention.

Creak—

"…Wasn't this door boarded up earlier?" I muttered.

The wooden planks that had blocked it were now splintered on the floor.

The door hung slightly open.

Through the gap, we could see a window flung wide, curtains flapping violently in the night wind.

The room looked ransacked.

"…Looks like someone broke in?" Yura said, pushing the door open fully.

Luf hesitated, muttering something about it being rude—but he followed her in anyway.

"Maschenny, want to check?"

"I'm not interested."

"Haha, then I'll take a look."

Curiosity got the better of me.

The room was a mess.

Drawers overturned.

Papers scattered.

"…A thief? The valuables are gone."

I picked up a document—it looked like accounting records.

Wow. Chaplin has way more money than I thought.

The jewelry seemed missing, but nothing else significant.

Definitely looked like a regular burglary.

I gathered the scattered papers with shinsu and stacked them neatly.

"Guess it's nothing. Let's just put these back and eat."

I placed the papers on the desk.

Then—

Something caught my eye.

"…?"

A sliver of red peeked out from beneath the stack.

I moved the objects aside.

And froze.

"...!"

Seeing me go still, Maschenny grabbed my arm.

"Hoaq— You're the one who said dinner—what are you—"

She followed my gaze.

And stiffened too.

"…Why is that here?"

I knew that symbol.

Far too well.

After the 99th Floor incident, it had been burned into my memory.

The mark of FUG.

Carved into the corner of the desk.

At that moment, footsteps echoed in the corridor.

A familiar voice followed.

Chaplin.

"Ah, you're all here. I was worried you'd gotten lost. Why are you in this room? And why is it open?"

"...…"

I said nothing.

Slowly, I lifted my head and stared at him coldly.

Chaplin sensed the shift in atmosphere.

His eyes flicked from us—

To the desk.

"…You noticed."

"Were you FUG?"

"…How troublesome."

His pleasant smile remained.

But his eyes no longer smiled.

----------------------

If you want to read more chapters advanced.

Visit my patreon: /Leonzky