Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

A-Class Regulars: Khun Maschenny Zahard, Yeon Hwarang, Tu Perie Luf, Ha Yura, Khun Marco Asensio.

134th Floor Examination Passed.

As of this moment, your status changes from "Regular" to "Ranker."

SHUUUU—

"..."

The first to open her eyes slowly was Maschenny.

At the same time, the glowing mass of shinsu that had been surrounding the five of them gradually faded.

They had passed the final test of the 134th floor and finally become Rankers.

Through a contract with the Administrator, they had completed the process of accepting the power of a Ranker.

The difference from when they had been Regulars just moments ago was on an entirely different level.

Overflowing energy.

Emotions heightened to the extreme.

Everything felt new.

While the five clenched and opened their fists, testing their power and even forming small rooms of shinsu out of curiosity, the chief test supervisor of the 134th floor laughed.

"Haha, I know exactly how you feel."

"It probably feels like you can do anything. Like your power has no limit. Like you could fly away."

"If it becomes too difficult to control, you may release your power toward that open field over there."

"That canyon was formed from people doing exactly that."

"…Not necessary."

"I see. In that case, let me congratulate you once again."

"Congratulations on becoming Rankers. Congratulations on reaching the top of the Tower."

"Princess Maschenny Zahard, and your companions."

The moment he finished speaking—

Maschenny turned her back on him immediately.

Throughout the entire climb of the Tower, she had only cared about one thing.

Hoaquin.

His safety.

Where he was.

How he was doing.

Hoaquin.

Hoaquin.

Hoaquin.

"Let's go to the 128th floor immediately."

Her voice was, as always, cold and decisive.

But this time—

she spoke faster than usual.

Because she had already received reports from Cheonhwa and from spies she had planted in the 3rd Army Corps about the situation where Hoaquin was.

Without the slightest objection,

Hwarang, Luf, Yura, and Asensio all began moving at once.

"Princess."

Maschenny stopped.

A new voice had spoken from behind.

Turning around, she saw a Ranker wearing a uniform marked with the Red Three-Eye emblem.

"Who are you?"

"My apologies."

"I am Shakul, messenger of the Zahard Royal Family."

"I will now deliver the will of the Royal Family."

"..."

"First of all, congratulations on becoming a Ranker, Princess Maschenny Zahard."

"We hope that with this new power you will continue to serve the infinite glory of the Royal Family and the just order of the Tower—"

CRACK—

"..."

A lightning spear flew past his cheek.

Blood ran down the messenger's face.

"Get to the point."

"M-my apologies."

"The Royal Family orders that you return to the royal palace immediately."

"I'm busy right now. Tell them I'll go later."

"…Pardon?"

"Princess, but if you ignore the royal command—!"

Maschenny didn't even look at him again.

Instead, she turned away and urged Luf.

"Luf. Let's go. 128th floor."

"…Sis, are you sure?"

"That's a royal order. If you disobey it—"

"They can't do anything to me over something like that."

"And besides…"

"Something far more important is waiting."

"…Understood."

CLACK CLACK CLACK—

Luf's lighthouse rotated like a cube puzzle before expanding into a massive structure glowing purple.

The messenger stood there helplessly, unable to stop them.

Maschenny's mind was already on Hoaquin.

Tu Perie Lighthouse Control Art – Warp Gate

This technique could only be used by members of the Tu Perie family, who were born with overwhelming talent for lighthouse control.

Normally it was a technique used by High Rankers.

A newly promoted Ranker should never be capable of using it.

But Luf was a once-in-a-generation genius even within the Tu Perie family.

And because he had already left a lighthouse on the 128th floor, linking the gate was possible.

Originally Warp Gates were meant for transporting large armies between floors.

But since there were only five of them, Luf modified the technique to suit their needs.

The difficulty dropped drastically.

The number of people it could transport also dropped drastically.

But five people were enough.

SHHHHH—

A spatial doorway opened within the lighthouse.

The group was pulled inside.

FLASH—

Sky opened before them.

Below lay the familiar sight of a village.

They had arrived at the 128th floor.

Falling rapidly toward the ground, Maschenny suddenly felt something pulling her gaze.

And sure enough—

Following that feeling—

She saw the boy she had been desperate to meet again.

"…Hoaquin."

Maschenny immediately altered her descent and dove toward the massive crater where he was.

The closer she got—

the more shocking his condition became.

One arm was gone.

His left eye—once a pale gray—had been cut open and stained red.

Yet—

he was still swinging his sword.

"..."

CRUNCH—

Maschenny ground her teeth.

She was furious.

It hadn't even been two years.

How recklessly had he been fighting to end up like that?

By the time she reached the center of the crater—

Hoaquin had already begun collapsing.

He hadn't even noticed she had arrived.

THUD—

She caught him around the waist before he hit the ground.

The pain-filled expression on his face relaxed slightly.

Seeing that, Maschenny felt a little relieved.

But still—

"This isn't over."

"You're dead later."

Hoaquin, now able to see with only one eye, tilted his head slightly.

He slowly turned and looked at her.

Then—

despite everything—

he smiled brightly.

"…It was you… Maschenny."

"I'm going to take a nap…"

"So handle the rest…"

"Sorry for dumping it on you…"

"..."

That's cheating.

Seeing him again after so long—

and he smiles like that while looking like this.

Her emotions surged violently.

For a moment she nearly lost the calm expression she always maintained.

Instead of thinking about scolding him later—

she found herself worrying about him even more.

A prosthetic arm might fix the arm…

But his eye?

Could they request an artificial eye from a workshop?

Her anxiety, anger, and grief surged uncontrollably.

Why does this idiot always make people worry like this?

Does he ever think about me?

How many times did I tell him not to abuse his body like this…?!

Meanwhile—

the black-robed cultists who had paused at Maschenny's sudden arrival began approaching again.

"Zahard's… princess?"

"Hand over the Arie boy."

"Accursed enemy… a dog of the Zahard family."

Maschenny ignored them completely.

She gently laid Hoaquin down against the ground.

Then one of the cultists—wearing a far more decorated robe—stepped forward.

"If you are Zahard's princess, attacking you would be inconvenient."

"So hand over the Arie boy."

"Without the Master's order, we have no intention of harming a princess—"

CRACK—

Blue lightning exploded from Maschenny's body.

"Shut up."

"..."

In her hand appeared a sphere of compressed lightning.

Without hesitation—

she swallowed it.

Chewing once or twice—

and the moment it slid down her throat—

her body transformed.

A lightning mark spread across her cheek.

Her body was wrapped in blue electricity.

Her physical ability and shinsoo control skyrocketed.

CRACKLING—

Dozens of lightning spears appeared in the air.

And they fell upon the enemies with zero mercy.

....

And now—

"Hwarang. How's Hoaquin?"

BOOOOOM—!!

Maschenny swung a massive lightning spear, blasting cultists away as she asked.

Hwarang pressed blue flames against Hoaquin's chest and examined him quickly.

"Uh… basically the same!"

"He's fine!"

Everything had happened too quickly.

A giant black dragon had appeared.

Swallowed Hoaquin.

Then somehow been swallowed itself.

None of them understood what had happened.

All they could do was protect Hoaquin—

and kill every enemy in front of them.

And as they fought the cultists of Leruie—

they began to truly feel their new strength as Rankers.

When they were Regulars, even fighting a single Ranker was difficult.

But now—

CRACK—

"Kgh—!"

A Ranker's heart was pierced by Maschenny's lightning spear.

He died instantly.

Now—

ordinary Rankers could not defeat them.

Most Rankers had been far weaker than Maschenny and her companions when they were still Regulars.

Becoming a Ranker usually erased that difference.

But now that all five of them were Rankers—

their overwhelming talent was already showing.

BOOOOM—

Suddenly—

a massive purple shinsu blast fired at Maschenny.

Before she could counter it—

Luf's lighthouse barely blocked it.

"Grrrr…"

The attack came from a huge purple monster.

"What… is that?"

"That," someone said from among the cultists,

"is an ancient Observer."

"Purple Dementer."

The owner of the monster stepped forward.

Among the black robes, he wore the most extravagant clothing.

"That Observer looks pretty vicious."

"It's from the era of the ancient wars."

"Back when scouts had to survive without the protection of guilds or families."

"It is the ultimate Observer—born from their desperation and the workshops' technology."

"Princess Maschenny Zahard."

"You were a Regular until recently."

"You're probably a newly promoted Ranker."

"No matter how much power you feel right now…"

"You are no match for me—a High Ranker—and the Purple Dementer."

Maschenny's eyes slowly sharpened.

"Oh?"

"Really?"

"Now I'm curious how that'll turn out."

"There's nothing to be curious about."

"You'll be dead soon anyway."

Kiiieeeek—!

The Purple Dementer lunged at Maschenny with its massive claws.

She leapt high into the air to dodge and hurled a lightning spear with all her strength.

Her first real battle as a Ranker.

Her opponent: a High Ranker plus an ancient lifeform at least Ranker-level.

For someone who had just become a Ranker, it was a cruel situation.

But that didn't apply to Maschenny.

Setting aside Hoaquin's safety—

A brutal fight where blood splattered and lives hung by a thread was exactly the kind of thing Maschenny loved most.

Already, madness born from battle-lust glimmered in her eyes.

....

"Heretics who oppose the King!"

"Show no mercy—kill them all!"

"Kill the dogs of Zahard and the Ten Families!"

Only a few cultists had rushed toward Asinus after reacting to Hoaquin's Absolute Night that had briefly plunged the 128th floor into darkness.

The majority of Leruie's cultists were still fully engaged in battle with the newly arrived 3rd Division.

One fighter, whose body glittered with blue star-like lights, swung a spear.

Another transformed into a beast, his body covered in fur as he slashed with claws.

Most of Leruie's cultists were descendants of the Ancient Species, and they unleashed the powers they had inherited.

Their abilities were neither shinsoo nor sorcery.

They were powers inherent to their very existence.

Even Zahard's army found such abilities unfamiliar.

Warships fired their cannons.

Leruie Rankers blocked the bombardment in their own ways, then leapt toward the floating ships to destroy them.

Rankers from Zahard's army waiting outside engaged them in chaotic combat.

Amid the battlefield's madness—

There was one man who looked completely relaxed.

He belonged to neither Leruie nor Zahard's army.

After finishing his last cigarette, he sighed lightly and crushed it underfoot.

Then he continued walking.

"Ugh…"

A wounded soldier of Zahard's army lay beside the road, groaning in pain.

The soldier barely regained consciousness and looked toward the approaching man.

His face instantly turned pale.

"Y-you…"

"Don't tell me… you're—"

"…Well, that's surprising."

"I didn't expect anyone to recognize me."

"Guess I'm still considered active."

"H-Ha Jin—"

CRUNCH—

Blood splattered across the ground.

Ha Jinsung continued walking as if nothing had happened.

His destination was clear.

The floating fortress of Leruie.

Beep.

"Yeah. Luslec."

"I'm almost there."

"But seriously… Leruie has a Thorn?"

"…Well, whatever."

"Nothing to lose by checking."

"We only have one so far anyway."

"For the day our god appears…"

"It's best to gather as many as possible."