Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

— Shortly before Hoaquin became a Ranker —

"...So, to retrieve the last fragment of his soul, Heukrin swallowed me."

「And we ended up swallowing that Heukrin instead. The prey devoured the hunter. That foolish creature.

But the important thing isn't that fact—it's Heukrin's power.」

"Power?"

「Its ability is regeneration. Even if its body is torn apart down to the cellular level, it can regenerate.

An immortality comparable even to the immortality contract of the Ten Family Heads. If you make use of that…」

"…My arm and eye… can be restored too?"

「Yes.」

"Haha… Mascheny will be happy if she hears that."

「Tsk. Do you always think only about her? Sometimes think about your greatest sword too.」

"Of course. You're always the precious beloved blade I cherish. Anyway, the reason regeneration isn't happening right now is because there's a problem, right?"

「You catch on quickly. Subduing him itself isn't difficult. The problem is that he refuses to lend his power, so you need a way to make use of him. It seems the master will have to handle this personally.

Use that same mouth that convinced me—persuade the lizard inside your body…or try some other method.

The choice is yours. But remember… for now, you're still weaker than him. Be careful.」

"Alright, got it. Thanks for telling me, Baekya."

「You're welcome.」

After saying those words in a strange phrase she must have learned somewhere, Baekya dissolved into mist once more.

I looked down at my reflection on the marble floor.

Whirr—

The place where my arm had once been torn off and left empty was now occupied by a new arm.

It was a prosthetic arm Mascheny had specially commissioned from the Workshop.

I had only heard about such things before. Actually wearing one felt strange… but it was certainly better than having no arm at all.

With the faint mechanical sounds that accompanied every movement, I raised the arm and touched my face.

As for an artificial eye that could truly see like a real one… even for the Workshop it apparently required time to make. So for now I wore an eyepatch.

Heukrin…

"…Maybe I should cancel the artificial eye order."

Muttering to myself, I stood up when the time came and headed toward the examination site.

Just as I opened the hotel door to step outside—

SHWAAK—

"…!"

A curved blade rushed toward me the instant the door opened.

Cutting through the surrounding Shinsu at a speed almost impossible to track with the eyes, the blade aimed straight for my neck.

If I drew my sword now—

Too late.

So instead—

I flicked my finger downward.

At that moment, a Shinsu sword dropped from the ceiling at tremendous speed, intercepting the curved blade.

CLANG—!

It was brief, but intense.

Just one exchange.

At this point there was no way I wouldn't know.

The man in the white robe who attacked me lowered his blade as if he had no intention of continuing.

Looking at him—whose identity I could already guess—I spoke.

"Arie?"

"Oh? You figured that out too?"

"At the last moment… the trajectory of your slash bent."

"HAHAHA! This is incredible! Are you really a Regular?! What are you, someone living their second life or something?!"

"…What business do you have with me? You don't seem like an ordinary Arie."

"Right. I'm not an ordinary Arie."

With that, the man removed his robe and revealed his face.

Unlike the long hair most Arie members wore, he had short hair like Vicente.

Dressed in white clothing that looked straight out of western fantasy, he waved cheerfully at me.

But…

"…Who are you?"

"…You don't know me? We've met before."

"I have no memory of it."

"…Ah! My mistake. 'We' didn't meet. 'I' met you."

"…?"

"Like this."

The last words came not from in front of me—

but from behind.

He had moved behind me in an instant.

When I quickly turned and created distance, he smiled.

"Haha, don't look so surprised. Since I'm a mixed blood of the Ari and Arie families, things like this are my specialty. Anyway, now that you've met me, I'll introduce myself."

He attached his curved blade and continued.

"I am Arie Hanul, commander of the Arie Family's royal guard. I came to deliver Father's message."

"…A bigger figure than I expected. Last time Lady Yurye came."

"Oh? Father even used Yurye as a messenger? Looks like he really likes you. Anyway, I'll now deliver Father's will."

"Yes."

"...…"

"...…"

An awkward silence suddenly filled the air.

I tilted my head.

Wasn't he supposed to deliver the message?

Why wasn't he saying anything?

Judging by his expression, Hanul seemed equally confused.

"…Why?"

"…Aren't you supposed to kneel?"

"…Oh. Am I? Lady Yurye didn't say anything."

"There's no way that girl—she's a total rule-follower. She wouldn't forget something like that… unless she was shocked by something huge."

…Ah. Probably when I said I'd keep half the warehouse for myself.

Yeah… she probably forgot.

"Pfft… whatever. This is actually more comfortable. Just listen standing."

"Alright."

"Father says that as soon as you become a Ranker, come to the 100th floor. He wants you to attend the Baekryeon Gathering. He even postponed the meeting because of you, so if you don't come it'll be boring."

SHWAA—

With those words, Hanul's presence vanished instantly.

Like a storm had passed.

Blinking a few times, I chuckled and headed toward the examination hall.

....

"The 134th Floor Final Examination will now begin."

Instead of the usual beep, a majestic trumpet sound echoed through the floor.

The final test.

The last step before becoming a Ranker.

Perhaps because of that significance, the atmosphere of the arena felt completely different from before.

As I entered the arena, I closed my eyes and spread my senses across the entire battlefield.

Most of those here were from the Ten Great Families.

Even those who weren't possessed talent and ability comparable to them.

From them I felt many emotions:

boredom

desperation

excitement

anticipation

despair

frustration

Most of them burned their internal Shinsu reserves completely as they fought, driven by the goal of becoming Rankers.

Yes.

Most people here sought that title.

For their own reasons.

To all of you who made it this far—

I respect you.

I admire you.

And I apologize.

For crushing you when you were only one step away.

I slowly opened my eyes.

"Heavenly Judgment Sword… descend."

RUMBLE—

From the high ceiling of the Tower—

a rain of massive swords fell.

The fallen blades formed a colossal graveyard of swords.

And just like that—

the final test ended far too quickly.

....

"Final test passer: Hoaquin. From this moment, Ranker promotion will begin according to the Administrator's contract. Please prepare for your audience with the Administrator."

A deep sound echoed across the floor.

Then—the world around me began to turn black.

Soon I was the only one left in that space.

No—there was one more being.

A gigantic creature resembling a divine sea fish slowly approached me.

『Irregular…』

"So the Administrators knew after all."

『White Whale of Exploration…

White Moon of Observation…

White Demon of Carnage…』

"…?"

『Irregular… who will bring #@%&* to this Tower…』

『You who passed the final test of the 134th floor…

I acknowledge you as a Ranker. And according to the Administrator's contract, I will grant what is due.』

At that moment, light scattered by the Administrator wrapped around my body and began to change it.

Just as expected—the power already overflowing within me surged upward explosively.

But rather than gaining new power…

it felt more like digesting the strength I had accumulated and finally making it my own.

『Do you have… a question…』

"Yes. Just one."

『Speak…』

"When I was a Regular, Rankers injured me several times. Why did you all just watch?"

『...…Irregular…』

"Yes?"

『May blessings follow your path…』

"…."

Wow.

He really didn't answer.

So questions are allowed, but answers are optional.

The Administrator turned his back and disappeared.

Beautiful music filled my ears from somewhere.

『One more thing…』

"…?"

『You are one who can change this Tower… destroy it… or simply watch it… Unlike others whose roles are predetermined…you can do anything…』

『So please… choose without regret…』

The Administrator vanished completely.

The dark world slowly regained its color.

Sitting alone in that fading darkness, I thought for a moment.

White Whale of Exploration.

White Moon of Observation.

White Demon of Carnage.

A being who can do anything to the Tower.

Words full of hidden secrets—

but meaningless to think about right now.

Those grand matters can wait until I become a grander existence.

For now—

I should focus on the present.

I remembered what Baekya had told me earlier.

「Persuade him or use another method. Obtain Heukrin's power, Master. Then you can recover your arm… and your eye.」

Crack—

With my intact arm, I grabbed the prosthetic.

Then I ripped it off.

Removing the artificial arm… removing the eyepatch…

I returned to my original state.

Then I closed my eyes and looked into my inner world.

No—

I entered it.

A stormy night sea.

Just like before.

As I observed the inner world—

I finally found it.

The massive black dragon coiled deep within the abyss of my soul.

Without hesitation, I spread my Shinsu wings and dove into the deep ocean.

Splash—

In an instant, I reached the deepest part.

At the very bottom of the abyss—

the giant black dragon lay sleeping.

When I approached—

Heukrin's eight crimson eyes opened at once.

[KRAAAAAAA!!]

"Meeting again, Heukrin."

[Get lost… I have no power to give you…]

Heukrin bared his fangs, releasing a terrifying killing aura. I simply smiled and waved my hand dismissively.

"Ah, don't worry. I'm not here to receive your power."

[What…?]

Tilting his head in confusion, Heukrin watched as I continued.

"I'll take it myself."

[…! Insolent brat!!]

CRACK—!

A white breath erupted from his mouth.

It was the same terrifying technique I had struggled just to dodge the first time we met.

Baekya had told me that before becoming a Ranker, I was weaker than Heukrin.

[Begone!!]

BOOOOOOM—!!

But now that I had become a Ranker?

It was enough.

Hoaquin-style Shinsu Manipulation – Dragon-Slayer Hundred Blades

From the empty air, over a hundred massive swords emerged.

They pierced through Heukrin's scales and pinned him in place, immobilizing him.

The breath attack was instantly split in half by Baekya, who appeared out of nowhere.

[KRAAAAAAAAGH!!]

Impaled like a skewer by countless blades, Heukrin could only thrash helplessly.

His roar echoed with pain and fury.

But now—

it didn't matter anymore.

Walking toward him calmly, I placed my hand on his forehead.

Then I took everything from him.

"I'll take your power."

Crack—

Heukrin's pitch-black scales began peeling away.

Beneath them, pure white scales started to emerge.

The unwanted intruder that I had once swallowed was now being completely subdued and absorbed by me, transforming into a form suited to me.

At the same time, I could clearly feel his ability transferring to me.

"…!"

Shhhhhh—

My severed arm was enveloped in pale blue-white light.

It began to regenerate.

At the same time, my left eye was wrapped in the same light.

A new eyeball formed—

and my sight slowly returned.

I had succeeded.

Before I knew it, Baekya had rushed over and hugged me.

「Master! You did it! Congratulations!」

"Haha, yeah. Thanks. But…"

[Grrrrr…]

Standing before me was Heukrin—

no, no longer Heukrin.

His dark blue scales had turned completely white.

The murderous red eyes that once glowed with killing intent were now blue-white eyes filled with divine energy.

The black dragon had become a white dragon, now completely subordinate to me.

"…Maybe I should change your name to Baekrin."

Crack—

At that moment, cracks began spreading across part of my inner world.

It meant the time my consciousness could remain here was reaching its limit.

"…Tsk. Already out of time."

「Don't worry. It will last longer gradually. Farewell for now, Master.」

"Yeah. See you later, Baekya."

Crack—

CRASH!

The inner world shattered.

I returned to the real world.

The final test arena before me had become a graveyard of giant swords, and the chief examiner stared at me as if I were a monster.

"How do you feel, Arie Hoaquin? Having passed the final examination and just become a Ranker…"

…Strange.

I had only worn the prosthetic arm briefly, and now a real arm had grown back.

Curious, I rotated it several times and opened and closed my hand.

It felt exactly the same as before it had been torn off.

As if it had never been lost at all.

But…

the power…

Something about it felt strange.

Rather than new power entering my body, it felt like I had simply digested power I already possessed but couldn't use before.

Is that normal?

Or is there some special reason for me?

Or—

did the Administrator just scam me?

Thinking that made my face twist slightly.

Well…

My strength had increased explosively anyway.

And digesting unused power wasn't a bad thing.

Ah, right.

This guy had said something earlier.

I turned my head toward the chief examiner.

Even though I had unintentionally ignored him earlier, he remained composed, standing neatly and speaking with dignified politeness.

"Welcome to the top of the Tower, Arie Hoaquin."

.....

Ranker Administration Bureau

"Arie Hoaquin has become a Ranker!"

"What ranking should we estimate for him?!"

Inside the Ranker Administration Bureau, a rare scene was unfolding.

Veteran staff members who normally held important positions were all crowding around one person.

Usually in situations like this they would consult the Director of the bureau.

But here it was different.

All eyes were on Vice Director Robert Eisand, not Director Tomy.

Robert Eisand was the first person Tomy appointed when he established the Ranker Administration Bureau under Zahard's orders.

He was known as:

a man with exceptional work ability

precise judgment

strong charisma

In short—

the bureau's most capable individual.

So naturally, the staff relied on Robert rather than Tomy, who spent most of his time wandering around.

"Please decide, Mr. Robert Eisand!"

"...…"

"Hey hey! Aren't you all being unfair? I'm still the Director of this Ranker Administration Bureau, you know! Why does everyone only rely on Robert—"

"Director Tomy, please just stay quiet!"

"…Sniff. Fine. Robert, just take the Director position too while you're at it."

Tomy slumped in his chair and waved his hand.

Robert calmly replied.

"You are the Director, Tomy. I simply fulfill my duty as Vice Director."

"Yeah yeah, you're amazing. So what ranking did you decide for this hot topic called Hoaquin?"

"I've been calculating it."

"And I've just finished."

"OOOHHH!"

All eyes focused on Robert.

A Regular had defeated a High Ranker within the top 100—an unprecedented event.

Now that Regular had become a Ranker.

Naturally, everyone wanted to know the ranking he would receive.

"But before the ranking," Robert said calmly,

"we must first decide his title."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Yes. His High Ranker status is already confirmed."

Gasps filled the room.

Right on cue, Tomy jumped onto the desk dramatically.

"ALRIGHT! Then I, the artistically gifted Director Tomy, will create his title!"

"Director Tomy once tried to give Eduan the title 'Electric Eel' and nearly got killed."

"Right. If Vice Director Robert hadn't instantly suggested 'Blue Marlin,' Robert would be the Director today."

"Thinking about it, that's actually a shame. Anyway, please sit down."

"…."

Tomy drooped again under the staff's criticism.

But suddenly he sprang back up.

"Damn it! Eduan just didn't understand my artistic genius! Just wait! I'll create the perfect title for Hoaquin! Robert! As Director, I order you—reveal the ranking first!"

"…Sigh. If you insist."

Robert wrote a number in his notebook and showed it to everyone.

#65

"This is the ranking I have determined."

The bureau instantly erupted into chaos.

Robert, however, remained perfectly calm.

"White… white… white rice cake? Hmm… that actually sounds pretty good…"

…Tomy was too busy thinking about the title to notice the ranking Robert had just revealed.

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