Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

"Hmm… If that's really how you all feel, then I guess I can't stop you… but seriously?"

"Yeah. While you're staying here, we're going to keep climbing the Tower."

I lowered my eyebrows and asked again, but Hwarang's answer was firm. He looked apologetic, sure—but still resolute.

We'd only been together for twenty years, and now we had to split up again, even if only for a while…

"Hoaquin, don't make that face. You're just making us feel worse. We made this decision because we want to be of some help to you. Just sitting around here doesn't feel right."

"I'm fine, you know. You don't have to feel like you must be useful. Just traveling together with you guys is healing enough for me. That's already help. You can just keep relying on me."

Hwarang smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Even if that's true… just sitting back and letting you protect us doesn't suit me. And it's not just me—it's the same for everyone here."

He was right. Not a single one of them would be satisfied living comfortably under my protection.

"And Hoaquin, this was Maschenny's idea. She wants to do something for you too. I was unsure at first, but after what you and Cheonhwa went through the other day, I realized something. You might not be—but as Regulars, we're too weak right now."

"Weak? Among all the Regulars in the Tower, aside from me, there are only a handful who could beat you."

"Hahaha, that's true… but the stage we're stepping onto has already gone way beyond Regular level. You feel it too, don't you?"

He wasn't wrong.

Lately, we'd been clashing with Rankers over and over. The scale of things had already surpassed ordinary Regular territory.

From what we'd learned before, the ancient extremist group 'Leruie' was after those swords. That meant Rankers could come storming in at any moment. And when they did, I'd be the one fighting them again.

Sure, we could've just tossed the sword back to Cheonhwa or the others and ignored everything, continuing up the Tower as if none of this concerned us.

But this village was too weak to deal with Rankers. And handing the swords to the ones who casually blew up our floating ship? That was out of the question.

Besides, thanks to Cheonhwa, I'd been able to meet Ashul Edwaru. I owed them something.

And until my fusion with Baekya was complete, any trouble in this village—where Edwaru's forge was located—would be a problem for me too.

"We can barely beat a mediocre Ranker if we all fight together. If we want to be even a little help to you, we need to shed the 'Regular' label first."

Hwarang's eyes were steady, unshakable as always. Once he made up his mind, he rarely changed it.

I chuckled and patted his shoulder.

"Alright. Thanks for thinking of me. I want to tell you to take it easy, but… honestly, I'll be lonely without you guys. So hurry up and become Rankers and come back."

"Heh, that's the plan. I'd prefer to return before you finish fusing with Baekya."

While we talked, Yura, Luf, and Asensio—already packed—came over to give their short farewells.

Soon, only Maschenny remained in front of me.

As always, she looked at me with that in-between expression—neither quite smiling nor expressionless. Her vividly blue eyes seemed cold at a glance, but if you looked closely, there was warmth and affection hidden within.

I gave her a bright smile.

"Maschenny, hurry back. I'll be waiting."

"I'll be back soon, so don't sulk."

"Haha, yes ma'am."

She stepped forward, kissed me lightly, then turned toward the floating ship.

Even then, she didn't forget to add a warning about my fusion with Baekya.

"…Hoaquin. Don't you dare change."

"Well, I don't think changing is such a bad thing."

"What?!"

She spun around in surprise, and I didn't miss the chance. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her toward me.

Startled, she was dragged right up to my face, eyes wide.

I smiled with my eyes and whispered softly.

"Mr. Edwaru said change is inevitable. It's the process of shedding your shell and being reborn. But I plan to keep at least one thing."

"…What?"

I took her hand, straightened her index finger, and guided it to my chest—right over my heart.

"Humanity."

She blinked at me from inches away, then nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"…Not bad. Just try losing that."

"Don't worry. I've tucked it safely in my pocket."

"You really are smooth."

Freed from my arms, Maschenny walked back toward the floating ship. Asensio was already carrying her luggage like a dutiful attendant.

Finally, she boarded, and the door of the floating ship slowly began to close. Yura, leaning against the doorway, shouted "Adios!" at me as the ship lifted off toward the next floor.

I stood there, staring blankly at the departing vessel as it headed for the next gate.

As always, Chaplin—adorned with his red ruby accessories—walked up beside me. He too watched the ship before speaking.

"There's a saying that sharks and sardines don't swim together. Yet you all somehow made it this far as a group."

"They're not sardines."

"I agree. When they return here, they'll be Rankers. I hope that when you look at them then, Hoaquin, you won't need to look back over your shoulder…"

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and looked at me.

"For the past week, I've spoken with your companions several times. Every one of them is already among the Tower's top-tier Regulars—yet they want more. They want to become Rankers first, if only to stand beside you."

I let out a wry smile.

We'd traveled together for twenty years, yet I hadn't fully understood what they were feeling.

Had I ever truly tried to see into their hearts? Or had I just assumed things on my own?

Staring at the empty sky where the floating ship had disappeared, I quietly asked—

"Did I… fail to understand my friends?"

"When the gap is too large, that can happen. What feels normal to you—what feels natural, enjoyable, satisfying—may not feel that way to others."

"...…"

The power I held as a Regular—power that could surpass Rankers and even some High Rankers—might have been something that felt natural only to me.

I had stepped onto a Ranker-level battlefield, brushed aside their threats, and traveled cozily with my friends inside the safe zone I created. Maybe… I was the only one who found those twenty years fully satisfying.

Could it be that the twenty years of journey and life that were enough for me weren't enough for Hwarang, Maschenny, Luf, Yura, and Asensio?

"Haha… maybe I was the only one selfishly—"

"But."

My words were cut off by Chaplin's sudden interruption.

I waited quietly for him to continue. He thanked me with a small nod and went on.

"From what I saw, everyone I spoke with looked happy. In fact, they seemed regretful that they had to climb the Tower ahead of you and become Rankers—just so they could be of help to you."

"…!"

Chaplin smiled gently.

"So your happiness was not yours alone."

"…That's a relief."

Only then could I smile properly.

All that remained now was my fusion with Baekya—and repaying the debt I owed Cheonhwa for introducing me to Edwaru.

.....

Ten months later – Paradise Orphanage

On a day when the soft grass in the front yard had grown lush and full, Chaplin brought the children outside for a sort of picnic time.

The kids ran around the lawn laughing and shouting. When they got hot, they splashed around in the small children's pool set up in the yard.

Seated at a parasol table, Chaplin watched them with a satisfied smile, sipping the iced tea Yeil had poured for him.

There was, however, one middle-aged man watching the scene with clear displeasure.

Chaplin glanced at him, smiled faintly, and offered him the second glass of iced tea Yeil had prepared.

"Would you like some?"

"No."

"As you wish."

Chaplin remained calm and smiling throughout.

After finishing both glasses of iced tea in quick succession, he looked at the children, then back at the man sitting across from him.

"I didn't expect you to visit such a remote place. It's been a long time."

"I saw Zahard's army on the way and got curious. That's all. Though this land will soon be demolished and replaced with an altar."

"It's still a beautiful village—for now. Since you're here, how about doing something about your hair? Personally, I find that cheap foil perm quite awful. I could introduce you to a stylist I know—"

"…Everywhere I go, people complain about my hair."

The man stretched his legs and reached into his pocket for something—then flinched.

He had forgotten there were children nearby.

"Oh dear. This is a no-smoking area. Your addiction seems to be getting worse lately."

"…I've been stuck traveling with someone I don't get along with. Stress builds up. Still, I suppose I should cut back. But you—how long are you going to keep doing this? You even opened an orphanage."

Stuffing the lighter back into his pocket, the man glanced around the orphanage with bored black eyes.

Chaplin simply chuckled warmly and gently ruffled the hair of a child who had wandered up beside him.

"This is meaningful work to me. It's also my atonement."

"…Tch. I'm leaving."

The man stood and left the orphanage with barely a response to Chaplin's farewell.

Only after he disappeared from sight did Chaplin wipe sweat from his brow.

"Whew… It's fortunate Hoaquin is at the forge. If those two had met, I doubt it would've ended well…"

Still… for that person to come all the way out here. Even if he claimed it was by chance, it was unusual.

"…It seems things are about to move. We should relocate the orphanage."

"We're moving?" a child asked, looking up at him.

Chaplin smiled and tousled the child's hair.

"Yes. I think staying here might put you all in danger. What? Already grown attached?"

The child hesitated, then shook their head.

Chaplin only chuckled softly.

....

Hong Family Main House

"The deadline declared by Zahard's army is getting closer! We need to evacuate the villagers—at least the Hong Family and its branches!"

"Do you even hear yourself?! The Hong Family inherited the will of the Seven Swordsmen! We have a duty to protect this village, this land, its people! It's Zahard's army that should leave—not us!"

"As if we haven't all thought that! But we have no countermeasure!"

"No countermeasure? We can gather the Hong Family Rankers and—"

"…Haah…"

The elders of the village—those so-called wise figures—were shouting at one another again.

Yesterday. The day before. Last month. The month before that.

Ten months had passed like this.

Cheonhwa sighed.

Ten months wasted on arguments…

She caught her reflection in the marble table.

No matter how kindly she looked at it, it wasn't a good expression.

As she stared at her gloomy reflection, she glanced toward the highest authority in the village—her father, the head of the Hong Family.

No matter what the elders said, the final decision rested with him.

Right. Father will surely have a solution.

But… then why hasn't he made a decision in ten months?

The faint hope that had risen in her heart quickly faded.

The elders were still shouting, faces red, fingers pointing.

Even those praised as wise seemed no different from drunken men yelling in the streets when faced with a great crisis.

Cheonhwa tuned them out and stared again at her reflection.

The more she focused on trivial things, the less real the despair of the village felt.

Suddenly, the butler behind her poked her gently.

"…Lady Cheonhwa?"

"Y-Yes?! Yes!"

When did they call me?

She hurriedly straightened her expression and looked up—but there was no expectation in their eyes.

That alone chipped away at her confidence.

"Lady Cheonhwa, since you are the eldest daughter of the Hong Family, do you have any opinion on this matter?"

"Me? Um… well…"

The sudden question froze her.

How do we stop Zahard's army?

Should we abandon the village? No… there must be another way…

"Well… first…"

"…First?"

"...…"

Everyone was staring at her.

The pressure mounted.

If I just think a little more—

…After squeezing her brain dry, she realized something.

She had no solution.

"…It seems you have nothing to add. That's fine. You are still young. Leave the protection of the village to us."

"No, I—"

"Let us continue. Opposing Zahard's army is realistically—"

No one seemed to hear her shrinking voice.

Or perhaps they chose not to.

As her voice grew smaller, so did she.

I want to protect this land more than anyone…

But she had no method.

Her ideals outpaced her ability.

If only I had power like Princess Maschenny. Or strength like Hoaquin…

"—Then let us hear Young Master Hong Ryuhwa's opinion."

"…!"

She whipped her head toward him.

Ryuhwa sat calmly, legs crossed, smiling as if he'd expected this.

Ten months ago, he had taken her Arjuna—and handed both it and his own Brahma over to Leruie, brushing it off as "necessary to protect the village."

And now, he smiled as though nothing had happened.

It was absurd—but he had guaranteed that the swords could be retrieved. His reasoning had some merit, and perhaps it was also because he was the official heir of the Hong Family… but even so, he was still a sinner who had handed over the village's treasures to outsiders…!

"First, I would like to thank you for granting me the floor. Although the previous incident was concluded in a rather tacit manner, I believe that with a little more time, all of you will come to understand my intentions."

As always, my brother maintained his calm smile as he addressed the elders. Judging by how intently they listened, it was as if they had already forgotten that he had handed over the swords.

He had always provided wise and effective solutions. They already relied on him.

That cold smile of his—having already won over most of the elders—felt especially chilling today.

His solutions had always brought good results before… but this time…

"What I am about to present is both a proposal from the people of Leruie—who first offered their assistance to me—and my own solution. We do not need to flee in misery from Zahard's army, nor do we need to recklessly clash head-on with the King's forces."

"You say we don't have to do anything? What do you mean by that?"

For the first time, our father—the Family Head—tilted his head and questioned him.

Father, who had been swayed back and forth by both sides for months, had finally reacted clearly.

And that made me even more anxious.

Ryuhwa glanced at me briefly before continuing.

"The people of Leruie conveyed this intention to us: they will awaken the Ancient being sealed within the swords."

"What?!"

"That's absurd!"

The reaction was immediate. For once, everyone united in anger against him.

Then Father raised his hand.

"Enough."

"Family Head! The monster sealed within those swords was a calamity our Seven ancestors gave their lives to seal! And you would awaken it?!"

"You have debated for ten months without producing a single concrete countermeasure. It is time we listen to a new solution."

"..."

At that moment, my heart dropped.

Beyond Father's eyes, I saw exhaustion—and faint relief.

Only then did I realize his stance.

He was tired of the endless arguments.

And he was easily swayed…

Ryuhwa's face already held the look of victory. As if he had predicted everything.

"Everyone, I understand this may be confusing, but I ask that you view this from a new perspective. Leruie intends to awaken the Ancient being to defeat Zahard's army. In short—they plan to use one enemy to eliminate another."

Bang!

He slammed the table, drawing everyone's attention.

"Everyone! You must choose! Why do we wish to protect this land? Because our Seven ancestors sacrificed their lives to defeat an ancient monster and safeguard it! We did not remain here because of the seven swords that contain that monster! On the contrary—they are shackles! Shackles of fear! Fear that the seal may one day break and the monster will devastate this village! Through this opportunity, we can free ourselves from both Zahard's army and the monster alike!"

He took a breath and sat back down, scanning the room.

The elders still looked uncertain.

For a fleeting moment, I felt hope.

But Ryuhwa looked satisfied—as if this much was enough.

"Leruie intends to awaken the monster and take it with them. Before that, they will pit it against Zahard's army and let them destroy one another. If that happens, there will be no proof that we aided in awakening it. Zahard's army will not be able to accuse us, and our village will be preserved. As I said—we need neither fight nor flee."

"…Indeed. There is logic in that."

"Frankly, it is the most promising solution. Those of you advocating evacuation do so for safety—but none of us truly wish to abandon this land. In that sense, I support Young Master Ryuhwa's proposal."

With those two elders voicing support, the tide began to turn.

And what chilled me most…

Those two had been the strongest opponents just moments ago.

For the most vocal opponents to suddenly change sides—that was the most persuasive performance of all.

Maybe it was paranoia… please, let it be paranoia… but had they been persuaded in advance…?

As my face paled, Ryuhwa continued calmly.

"After Zahard's army withdraws, Leruie has promised to return the swords. True, they will no longer contain souls and will not function as ignition weapons—but in exchange, they will provide seven high-rank items of equal value. The current seven holy swords can remain as meaningful relics. It is time for us to begin anew. Change is inevitable. Leruie will leave this place forever with the Ancient being, so we will no longer need to maintain the seals."

"At last, we will be free. That is my solution."

The room leaned further toward him.

And… even I thought his reasoning made sense.

As a final act of resistance, I forced my stiff lips to move.

"Th-Then what?! After Zahard's army is defeated, what happens next?!"

"A Zahard army that has suffered heavy losses will prioritize hunting down Leruie and the Ancient being rather than continuing to threaten us over a single altar."

"A-Are you trusting Leruie?! They replaced five of our swords with fakes!"

"Oh, little sister," he smiled at me, "let's be precise. While we were busy collecting what we believed to be the real swords, they were diligently retrieving the true ones."

He looked at me pleasantly.

"Sister, do you have another proposal? I would very much like to hear your thoughts. Other than abandoning the village. Other than directly clashing with Zahard's army and being annihilated. Is there any other solution?"

"..."

I had no answer.

No—there wasn't anything I could say in the first place. It's not like I had some grand solution to present.

I looked around at the people as if asking for help. Father. The head butler. The elders.

All of them stared at me with cold, indifferent eyes.

It had been a long time since I'd been labeled as nothing more than someone who talked big but had no real countermeasure.

My brother smiled at my silence, as if encouraging me, and gently patted my shoulder.

"Cheonhwa, you're still young. Of course everyone knows this method isn't exactly clean… but someday you'll understand that to gain something, you must give something up. And when Zahard's army and the monster begin fighting, the village may suffer damage. We'll need your help. You, me, Father—and all the Rankers and Regulars in this village—we'll have to minimize the damage as much as possible."

"You'll help, won't you?"

Everything felt miserable.

But if I opposed him even now… if I stayed silent… wouldn't I truly become nothing more than a useless girl who did nothing but object?

I didn't want that.

Biting my lip, I barely managed to answer.

"…O-Okay… I'll help too…"

"Good. I'm glad you understand."

He completely turned his gaze away from me and addressed the elders.

"Then, while you may not yet formally agree with my proposal… may I at least ask for your agreement on one thing?"

"What is it?"

"We should retrieve Narmada first. From the Regular named Hoaquin—Cheonhwa's friend. It rightfully belongs to our village. It is only fair to demand its return. The fact that we knowingly refrained from requesting it for ten whole months is already more than generous. It's time to take it back."

"We agree."

....

Ashul Edwaru's Forge

"It's always blazing hot in here."

"Silence."

"…Yes, sir."

At Edwaru's blunt rebuke, I shut my mouth and quietly watched him work.

But seriously—he calls me here just to treat me like this? Are all blacksmiths this temperamental?

"By the way, why did you call me—ah. I'll keep quiet."

Shrinking like a deflated rice cake, I cautiously glanced at him.

He didn't respond, continuing his work in silence.

Only after a long while did his broad, tireless body finally stop moving.

"It's prepared, to an extent."

"…?"

"Follow me, white rice cake."

"My name is Hoaquin…"

Naturally, he didn't answer.

Half resigned, I followed Ashul Edwaru deeper into the forge.

In a surprisingly secluded section, I found something unexpected.

"…That's dissolving solution?"

"Correct. On a different level from the ordinary kinds. It's mine. Your Baekya is down there."

For a moment I nearly protested—why would you put my Baekya in dissolving solution? But he was the Tower's greatest blacksmith. Surely there was some profound reason.

"So it's undergoing some special, complex, extraordinary process?"

"No. Just melting it."

…Excuse me?!

He brought over equipment resembling a large tool and plunged it into the solution. After rummaging around for several minutes, he finally seemed to find something and hauled it up like catching a giant fish.

Red solution dripped down—but the sacred white glow remained unchanged.

My beloved sword, Baekya.

It was good to see you again, but…

"You said you had to melt it."

"I intend to try another method."

Edwaru plunged Baekya into cooling liquid, then—barely moments later—gripped the hilt and lifted it.

Isn't it still hot…?

"White rice cake."

"…Yes."

"If something goes wrong during the fusion because of me, will you resent me?"

"To be honest? Yes."

"...…."

"…You're the greatest blacksmith in the Tower. You should be able to handle that much, right? Haha. I mean, the rest after fusion is my responsibility anyway."

He fell silent, and just as I nervously glanced at him—

"That is why I called you. I thought it better you experience it in advance."

"…? Experience what—"

Thud—

Before I could even tilt my head in confusion, pain erupted—and suddenly Baekya was pressed against my chest.

When did it get there—?

Ah. He stabbed Baekya into my chest.

"…What is this—"

Pain unlike any ordinary wound flooded my body. Blood poured out instantly. I pressed my hand desperately against the wound as my strength drained away.

Edwaru watched me with emotionless white eyes.

"You shouldn't be in that much pain already."

"…?"

"Go and see what fusion truly is. What it means to drift away from being human. Forming the vessel was inevitable anyway."

He stepped toward me.

Retreating step by step, I found myself backed against the container of dissolving solution. Edwaru blocked my front.

I tried to resist—but my body wouldn't move.

"W-Wait—"

Thud—

Damn it. Of course his name had an 'R' in it.

His rough hand shoved me.

I fell straight into the dissolving solution.

Splash—

My Shinsu wouldn't gather.

The moment I submerged, the solution seeped into the wound pierced by Baekya.

The pain—

Unimaginable.

"…K—AAAGH!"

Bubbles burst from my scream as solution flooded my mouth.

The red liquid felt as if it were burning and melting my entire body.

It hurts. It really hurts.

Was this how Hwarang felt?

Flash—!

Suddenly, light burst from Baekya embedded in my chest.

It enveloped me.

The pain vanished.

It felt like I'd been transported somewhere else.

Flash—

"…Ugh."

When I opened my eyes, I was somewhere entirely different.

So this was the fusion preview?

Just remembering the pain made me shudder.

Looking down, Baekya was gone. So was the wound.

"…Now what?"

The surroundings resembled the ruins of an ancient temple. Quiet. Serene.

Behind me stood the largest temple structure.

In front of me—

Thirteen statues formed a circle.

And I stood where a fourteenth statue should have been.

As I examined them one by one, something caught my eye.

"…This statue looks familiar."

Pointed elf-like ears. Seductive eyes. Long flowing hair.

Have I seen her somewhere…?

I stepped closer and, without thinking, touched it.

Shrr—

"…Huh?"

Color began to fill the statue.

Or rather—it regained color.

Yellow eyes and hair. A red dress. Pale apricot skin.

It no longer looked like stone.

Blink—

Wait—did she just blink?!

She stretched.

"…Ahhh, I'm so stiff. Huh? Fourteenth, you can move?"

"…?"

I stepped back instinctively.

She tilted her head while studying me.

"Hmmm. I remember you being paler. Like a ghost. And you…"

She floated up and appeared right in front of my face.

After inspecting me closely, she smiled.

"You're pretty handsome."

"Wh-Who—"

"Oh right, introductions. You just stood there like an emotionless scarecrow before."

She drifted back gracefully and made an elegant gesture.

"My name is Black March. Call me big sister. I'm the third."

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

If you want to read more chapters advanced.

Visit my patreon: /Leonzky