Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

[Enough with misfortune—enough with pain! I'm sick of it! How much more do we have to break before you finally give up?!]

"I won't give up. If what you're saying is true, then after everything we've endured so far, giving up now would be the most unfair thing of all."

[…]

"I won't irresponsibly say we'll be happy from now on. Maybe you're right. Maybe happiness is just foreshadowing for tragedy. Even so…"

Just like I had done with Baekya, I held out my hand.

"Let's hurt a little longer. Let's suffer a little more. Endure a few more tragedies. Hold on just a bit more."

"Our story—my story—will be a comedy written as tragedy."

....

[White Whale, huh… so that's your manifested self?]

After Hoaquin left, completing the fusion, he muttered while staring at the empty space.

Hoaquin's mental form—White Whale.

Since Hoaquin himself acknowledged it, there was no doubt.

[But somehow… it's that moon that bothers me more.]

He looked at the enormous full moon illuminating the sea.

He was still uncertain.

The white whale roaming the sea—

And the moon observing everything from above.

What Hoaquin thought was one… might actually have been two.

The freest and strongest pioneer of the sea—

And the moon that calmly observed it all.

[Well. Time will sort it out.]

With that, he returned to where he belonged.

Within Hoaqin's inner world, only the moon and the whale remained.

.....

"I'm a little sleepy… but I feel refreshed."

"…What is that form?"

I could feel it.

Edwaru's emotions.

His heart, beating faster than usual.

That distant, untouchable aura he always carried—

It was gone.

Instead, there was something almost… familiar.

Ah. I should answer him.

As for why I now resembled something closer to "White"—

It wasn't anything complicated.

When the fusion happened, Baekya asked if I had a new form in mind.

So I simply imagined this one.

And as you can see—it turned out exactly as I pictured.

"Haha, well… I just ended up like this after the fusion."

"…I see. And while you were asleep, some vermin intruded. They were after you. Keep that in mind. Though judging by how you look now… perhaps it doesn't matter."

…Leruie, huh.

Those pests really were persistent.

They'd been quiet for about a year, and now they suddenly came for me?

Had something changed?

With power overflowing inside me, curiosity bloomed just as strongly.

Curiosity aside—it would be better to cut down dangerous weeds early.

"Judging from the signs of battle… you dealt with a few of them, right? I'd like to see the bodies."

Reading a corpse's memories was something only a handful of elite scouts could do—

But certain items could replicate it.

Rare items, sure.

…but since I had "received" half of Father's treasury, it wasn't difficult.

…I really did receive it. Permission counts.

"I threw the bodies outside. If you need them, go look."

A tunneling movement skill? I hadn't felt that before.

Enjoying the heightened senses I now possessed, I soon reached the bodies.

Reading a dead man's memories was simple.

Just wear these gloves and place a hand on the head or forehead—

…Wait.

There's no head?

At that moment, I remembered Edwaru's hammer.

…Oh. He definitely did that.

That's a problem.

No head means no memories to read.

With a sigh, I returned to the forge.

Only about ten minutes had passed, yet the interior looked completely different.

"…You're leaving?"

"Yes. The fusion you requested is complete. And the soul-sealing the villagers asked for shows no sign of being ready. I've already used enough of this land's leylines. It's time to move on."

The sight of massive equipment—including the furnace—being absorbed into cube-like storage structures was impressive.

Just like me and Baekya, it seemed Edwaru carried his forge with him.

"That's awfully sudden. I wasn't ready to be surprised."

"You don't need to be."

After he stored even his hammer, only the two of us remained.

"It should have failed."

"…What?"

"The fusion. Baekya wasn't fully prepared. It was meant to be a mere trial—a taste. And yet you forced it to succeed. I don't know what side effects may follow. Handle it yourself."

Cold, as always.

Side effects…? Maybe this sleepiness?

"Uh… I do feel a little sleepy."

"Then that's it. If you sleep, you may not know when you'll wake. Be mindful."

"Well. Anything else?"

He scanned me from head to toe.

"How was it? The fusion with Baekya."

"…Honestly? I'm not entirely sure what it felt like."

"…But there's one thing I didn't lose."

"Humanity. That's what I gained—and preserved. I kept my promise."

I said it confidently.

Meeting the 13 Months, meeting Baekya—so many spaces, so much chaos.

But in the end, what mattered was that I succeeded.

Edwaru showed his white teeth in a broad smile.

It was the first time I'd ever seen him laugh.

"That is enough. What you gained, what you preserved—never lose it."

"Yes."

"Then this old man will take his leave."

"You're really just going? As you know, this village is—"

His warm gaze turned cold again.

"What happens to this village has nothing to do with me. But you… you concern me slightly. This place will face destruction one way or another. The fusion is complete. Why not rejoin your companions and continue climbing? You care little for this village too, do you not?"

"You're right. And thank you for your concern. But I still have a friend here."

Cheonhwa remained in the village.

I wanted to take her away—but she was trying to save the place.

For now… I would watch.

"…I see. Farewell."

"We'll meet again, right?"

"How would I know?"

"Ah—then at least give me your pocket number."

"…You troublesome brat. Hah… fine."

He tore a strip of cloth, scribbled something with ink, and tossed it to me.

Then he simply walked away.

Not grandly.

Just walking.

A man who once radiated overwhelming presence—now just another traveler.

It felt fresh.

Like proof that he hadn't changed.

Ashul Edwaru—the greatest blacksmith in the Tower, who guided me to everything I gained—disappeared over the mountainside.

....

He wasn't a hero pursuing grand causes.

Just a boy driven by personal desire—no different from countless ordinary people in the Tower.

And yet—completely different.

The world calls those who pursue great causes "noble."

But in Edwaru's eyes, that wasn't it.

A boy striving to realize his own desires—

Protecting one thing even as he changed—

That was far more noble.

"So that's why Hon took interest in him."

This wasn't the end.

The boy would face endless threats.

Threats capable of destroying everything he built, protected, and earned.

One misstep—and he would become no different from the Ten Great Families or King Zahard.

But now, Edwaru believed in him.

He accomplished what they could not.

They discarded their humanity.

The boy preserved his.

At first, Edwaru believed such a half-measure was impossible.

Now he knew better.

The boy was pioneering his own path.

Even if the sacred sun did not shine upon him—

At least the moonlight would.

.....

One month later.

Three days until the date Zahard's army warned of.

D - 3

"Haah…"

"Welcome, Lady Cheonhwa."

Chaplin, lavishly adorned with red ruby accessories, greeted her.

Cheonhwa did not look bright today either.

After receiving Chaplin's welcome, she glanced around and tilted her head.

"The children aren't here?"

"I went with Mr. Chaplin and moved them to a temporary orphanage. It's still under construction, but the living quarters are finished."

"Thanks to Hoaquin, the matter was handled smoothly. We will repay this favor another time."

With less than ten days remaining before Zahard's army's ultimatum for all villagers to evacuate voluntarily expired, the situation had become critical.

Whether the villagers chose to resist or step back, the village was no longer safe.

So the orphanage children had been relocated by floating ship.

I handed her a glass of cold water.

"How's the mood in the village?"

"…The worst. Absolutely the worst. My brother already has leadership qualities, and now Father's backing him, so the atmosphere has completely shifted. And today, someone from Leruie—or whatever they're called—came."

It seemed the villagers didn't want to hand over the land to Zahard's army.

I'd never felt attachment to a hometown—but perhaps they did.

If the goal was only to save the residents, there were plenty of methods.

I could plant a few Judgment Swords in the village center and threaten them to evacuate.

Of course, that would make things extremely difficult for Cheonhwa.

And more importantly—she didn't want to abandon this land either.

Ideals were high.

Reality was a swamp.

There was no way she alone could face Zahard's army.

Especially with Leruie complicating matters.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't my problem.

Seeing villagers who treated me like Zahard's army just because I belonged to a Great Family killed most of my goodwill.

Still—I owed Cheonhwa.

So I'd help as far as I could.

Assuming she came up with a plan.

"Someone from Leruie came? What did they say?"

"The same as before. They'll help. And they want 'Narmada' handed over quickly."

"…That's unfortunate. I already ate it."

Not metaphorically.

Literally.

When I tried to retrieve it—it was gone.

Maybe it fused during Baekya's integration.

Either way, the sword they desperately wanted was now part of me.

The villagers had thrown a fit—but after I ignored them long enough, they seemed half-resigned.

"So when are they moving? Ten days until Zahard's deadline. After that?"

"No. They said it'll be swift. Since Zahard's forces are already gathering here, they want to strike quickly. After that, only my brother, Father, and the elders stayed behind. I was practically kicked out."

"…Tch."

Cheonhwa had always opposed them.

She was a thorn in their side.

Still—she was the second daughter of the Hong family.

Her treatment was harsh.

Constant comparisons to her brother didn't help.

I downed my water and rubbed my forehead.

Zahard's floating ships were gathering even now.

Already exceeding division-level forces.

It seemed I'd underestimated the symbolic weight of a "sanctuary."

For Zahard's fanatics, establishing a sanctuary for their king could tolerate no flaw.

Hence the overwhelming mobilization.

Which made things worse.

Neither side would yield.

Rulie's strategy was speed—strike before Zahard's army fully assembled.

That meant the more Zahard's forces gathered, the more difficult it became for them too.

So when?

When would they move?

"Cheonhwa. The tunnel below here—where does it lead? It's for evacuation, right?"

"…What?"

"I mean the underground tunnel."

"…We don't have tunnels."

"…What?"

Rumble—

The building began shaking violently.

Cheonhwa's face drained of color.

"An earthquake? That's impossible—this land—"

"…It's not an earthquake."

Damn it.

The massive underground cavity beneath us.

It wasn't built by the village.

Why didn't I ask earlier?

Rumble—

The shaking intensified.

The building nearly collapsed, forcing us outside.

If it wasn't theirs—

Then only one culprit remained.

Ruuuumble—

The ground rose.

From beneath, a massive fortress emerged.

The tremors forced everyone outside.

A dark purple-black ancient castle towered over the village.

"Fl-floating fortress? Why is it coming out of the ground…?"

Cheonhwa's voice trembled.

I'd never seen a "floating fortress" rise from underground either.

Swift and decisive indeed.

I didn't expect them to move immediately.

.....

Submarine / Underground Operational Floating Fortress — Leruie

"All preparations are complete."

"The 366th night is nearly upon us."

"All devotees of the Ancient One have returned."

"Give the order."

In darkness, figures in black robes bowed before the dais.

Two violet eyes slowly opened.

He rose.

Each step made his ruby earrings sway.

Leader of the radical ancient-species worship cult, "Leruie."

Rank 65 — Black Maw, Illensia Asinus.

He walked toward the core of the fortress.

With each step, memories resurfaced.

Master, are you watching? Though you opposed me, I have achieved this much.

Before Zahard and the Ten Families—

Those days were peaceful.

My father and mother were revered monarchs.

My sister was the most beautiful princess in the Tower.

I was to inherit a perfect kingdom.

Then they declared dominion.

As prince, I sought to prevent war.

War only brought ruin.

When the Arie Family targeted us, I passed Hon's trial and saved the kingdom without war.

Peace returned.

I was a hero.

Briefly.

When the white sword turned its back—

A blue spear followed.

They would not negotiate.

The kingdom was destroyed.

Citizens slaughtered.

Our land trampled by Khun boots.

My sister forced into concubinage.

My father and I nearly executed.

Everything collapsed.

I alone survived.

I cultivated power in darkness.

Surely there were others like me.

Surely the festering wound would burst.

And I was right.

Many gathered under one banner.

Overthrow Zahard and the Ten Families.

The Great War.

Our first noble rebellion—

And our most humiliating defeat.

In the early days of the Great War, my comrades and I distinguished ourselves. Under the guidance of a "Master" from FUG, we grew by leaps and bounds and displayed overwhelming strength.

At last, we reached one of the Ten Family Heads.

Believing it to be an opportunity granted by the Administrator, we challenged him.

And we were defeated.

Overwhelmingly.

That blue spear—

It was not something an ordinary lifeform could pursue.

My comrades were all pierced through by blue lightning and spear alike.

Only I survived, barely escaping with mortal wounds.

While I healed, the Great War ended.

Why did we lose?

Why were we defeated?

Why did our noble resistance end in such humiliation?

The answer was simpler than expected.

We were weak.

So I sought power.

Power capable of standing against Zahard and the Ten Family Heads.

That was the Ancient Species.

The original masters of the Tower before the Irregulars arrived.

Once I became certain of their existence, I devoted myself to finding them.

Like-minded individuals gathered.

Thus, the present order was formed.

An organization that would wield the power of the Ancient Species to win the next war—and return the Tower to its rightful owners.

That was Leruie.

We were the pioneers who would fire the opening shot of the next great war.

Revolutionaries resisting the tyrants of the Tower.

After the Great War, most factions—including FUG—were steeped in crushing defeat.

But not us.

Even my Master opposed this path, calling it dangerous.

But revolution always carries risk.

If this revolution succeeds, it will awaken even those drowned in despair.

At last, reaching the highest level of the floating fortress—the control chamber—Asinus gazed down upon his devotees.

"Today shall be the first stepping stone toward the great war to come! Today's revolution will be the bell that awakens our brethren hidden in darkness!"

He placed his hand upon a violet crystal orb.

"Floating Fortress Leruie—activate. Rise."

Ruuuumble—

The ancient floating fortress sleeping beneath the village stirred.

Ancient malice revealed itself once more.

Devouring and crushing everything in its path, the Ancient Floating Fortress—Leruie—rose.

From the highest tower, Asinus saw dozens of Zahard's floating warships filling the sky.

His purpose—

To resurrect the Ancient One sleeping beneath this land.

And to utterly annihilate his hateful enemies.

For the first time in millennia, facing them head-on, his pent-up fury erupted.

"You fanatics who serve the false king! I declare war upon you!"

...

Zahard Army Flagship

"Shinsu wave confirmed! Cross-referencing war records—High Ranker aboard the unidentified fortress is presumed to be Asinus!"

Those aboard listened calmly.

Their Legion Commander—symbol of Zahard's military might and guaranteed victory—was nearby.

His arrival meant certain triumph.

The word "defeat" had already begun disappearing from their minds.

Lycaon continued issuing orders while maintaining communications.

"It's three days earlier than our stated deadline, but now it's clear. The villagers have joined hands with heretics. There is no need to honor evacuation periods any longer. Prepare bombardment."

Whiiiiing—

At once, the entire fleet's cannons aimed at the village.

High-output energy gathered, the hum of activation instilling dread.

Before issuing the next order, Lycaon reviewed recent intelligence to eliminate all variables.

"First Division Commander."

"Yes."

"I heard Princess Maschenny passed through this village. Is she still here?"

"No, she is currently undergoing her Ranker test."

"Already a Ranker. Remarkable. And Ashul Edwaru? Reports indicated he was staying here."

"He departed long ago. Aside from the heretics, there are no significant figures of concern."

"Good."

Satisfied, Lycaon gave the next command.

"Commence bombardment."

At that moment, a soldier monitoring the battlefield called out urgently.

"V-Vice Commander!"

Lycaon frowned.

"As a soldier of the glorious army, do not show agitation. Report."

"…Apologies! Please look at the screen—"

Lycaon narrowed his eyes.

The first bombardment had already begun.

The village should have been obliterated.

Yet it stood unchanged.

He immediately assessed the cause.

"Identify the interference."

"High Ranker-level shinsu signature detected at the front! Displaying on screen!"

The updated image made him mutter involuntarily.

"…Arie?"

....

Far above even Zahard's fleet, two extraordinary figures observed.

[Khel.]

"Do not rush me. I know. Twisted fate or not—I will watch a little longer. Besides… Zahard's army and I are poorly matched."

The man holding a violet bow turned his head.

Beside him floated a middle-aged man with a cigarette between his lips.

"I intend to observe a little longer. What about you?"

"Well… there's a face down there I haven't seen in a long time. Like you, I'll watch a bit more."

The smoker's gaze fixed on the Arie boy below.