Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

"Mr. Robert! What do you mean by that?!"

"That's excessive! It's already unprecedented for someone to start as a High Ranker, and you're saying two digits?!"

"Excessive?"

Robert, who had been listening calmly without the slightest agitation, asked the executives in return.

There were plenty of arguments they could make, but the moment Robert spoke, they knew he must have a reason. So they quietly listened.

"Yes, it's unprecedented. A Regular defeating a two-digit High Ranker clearly means he possesses greater combat power than that opponent. Regular Hoaquin's combat ability is already at the top High Ranker level. If we consider pure combat power, he easily belongs within the top 100 among more than 100,000 Rankers. If he already has the strength to stand among that group, is there really a reason not to give him that ranking simply because he has just become a Ranker?"

"But as you know, rankings also factor in influence. Former Rank 65, Asinus, fell out of the top 100 instantly when his organization Leruie was nearly destroyed. Influence is something we cannot ignore."

At that, Robert handed out documents.

"What is this?"

"It seems many of you were unaware of this detail. If you read those files, you'll see that even while he was still a Regular, Hoaquin was already the de facto ruler of the 78th Floor and held the position of provisional branch leader. The Arie Family never publicly released this information, so it's understandable you didn't know. But now that he has become a Ranker, he will officially become the branch leader and inherit the position of floor ruler. The ruler of a floor and the branch leader of the Arie Family—combined with the fact that he is currently the most talked-about figure in the Tower. I would say that provides more than enough influence."

"Hmm… Even so…"

"If no one can provide a reasonable counterargument, then we'll settle the ranking like this."

The executives felt something was off, but they had no solid rebuttal. Just as they were about to reluctantly accept Robert's decision, one person raised his hand.

It was Allen Avenue, the man who had taken the photograph of Hoaquin and Asinus fighting.

"Unfortunately, Regular Hoaquin did not actually defeat Asinus," Allen said.

"For the sake of information control, the public only saw that photograph. But I also recorded video footage."

Beep.

The screen displayed the footage: Hoaquin having his arm torn off by the Black Maw, weakened, and then losing his left eye to Asinus before collapsing unconscious.

However, Asinus did not kill him and instead searched through his pocket inventory.

"As you can see, this was Regular Hoaquin's defeat. He did win the second exchange by exploiting Asinus's carelessness, but while it may have been a 'practical victory,' it's difficult to call it a victory everyone would acknowledge. What's certain is that Hoaquin at that time was weaker than Asinus."

Robert stared silently at Allen.

Allen continued.

"Of course, now that he has become a Ranker he is likely stronger than Asinus. But we don't know exactly how strong. And more importantly, considering that all Rankers have always started their rankings as ordinary Rankers, this decision could provoke major backlash. Wouldn't it be better to avoid unnecessary trouble?"

Since Robert had never received that footage before, he had believed Hoaquin had won outright.

He recalculated the ranking.

Then he asked Allen,

"In that case, what ranking do you think Hoaquin should receive?"

"For now, set him within the Top 100, and then raise his ranking rapidly as he continues to act. As more of Hoaquin's past information becomes public, the dissatisfaction will fade quickly."

"…."

Robert gestured.

A hologram appeared above the round table.

High Ranker: Arie Hoaquin

Title: —

Ranking: —

Characteristics & Achievements: —

Ranking must be entered to complete registration.

After a brief moment of thought, Robert made his decision.

He entered the number.

Then pressed Register.

And at that moment—

the Tower's society, the Ranker community, the media, and countless curious observers erupted once again.

...

Breaking News! The final ranking of the controversial figure Arie Hoaquin is #100!

The bright future of the Arie Family! The unshakable supremacy of the strongest family

Maschenny Zahard's bodyguard knight? Attention focuses on his relationship with the newly promoted Princess Maschenny Zahard

Some Rankers express dissatisfaction—controversy over fairness

The supernova has already become a nebula. Who is he?

What title will he receive? An analysis of his deeds

....

Every media outlet in the Tower rushed to investigate Hoaquin. Anything even remotely newsworthy was immediately turned into an article.

The Arie Family showed no reaction.

The other Ten Great Families merely restricted some information within their own territories but did not attempt to suppress the news entirely.

The Zahard Royal Family actively praised Hoaquin for defeating the hostile group Leruie, using the story to weaken the morale and influence of other enemy factions.

With Zahard's support and the Ten Families' indifference, the attention surrounding Hoaquin grew uncontrollably.

Eventually, Zahard began imposing restrictions to calm things down. Maschenny Zahard grew increasingly annoyed by the overwhelming attention. And Hon, who felt oddly jealous that his talented son was becoming famous, quietly stepped in as well.

Only then did the frenzy slowly begin to settle.

....

One Month Later

Arie Family High Council – "Baekryeon Gathering"

100th Floor – Arie Family Main Estate, Baekhwa Sword Palace

RUMBLE—

The floating ship that had just entered the 100th floor descended toward the landing platform of Baekhwa Sword Palace.

Honestly, I wanted to watch Maschenny's official royal recognition ceremony first.

But Father apparently had no intention of allowing me to delay, so he had sent this ship to bring me here directly.

"Lord Hoaquin, we will land shortly. Please prepare."

"Ah, yes."

After delivering the message, the ship's captain bowed and returned to his duties.

I turned toward the window and looked down at Baekhwa Sword Palace drawing closer.

The atmosphere was completely different from when I last saw it.

Back then it had been festival season—filled with joy, energy, and liveliness.

Now it radiated majesty, solemnity, and overwhelming pressure.

This must be the palace's normal state.

The previous palace had been destroyed when the elders went insane and brought out a decisive weapon. They had torn it down and rebuilt it entirely.

Now it was even larger and more magnificent than before.

Every surface of the structure radiated overwhelming authority.

BOOM—

The ship landed.

Immediately dozens of attendants swarmed around me, fixing my clothes, combing my hair, choosing outfits—dressing me with extreme care.

This must have been the fifth time already.

After inspecting me carefully, the head maid nodded with satisfaction.

"Good… This should be presentable enough before the Family Head. Of course, you have a good frame to begin with. You may disembark now, Lord Hoaquin. From this moment you will officially become the Ruler of the 78th Floor and receive the title of Branch Leader."

"…Right. Haha. From Regular to Branch Leader already."

"When you become a branch leader, you must pay even more attention to your conduct and dignity. You are no longer just a Ranker of the Arie Family—you will become one of the pillars guiding the family."

"I'll remember that. Thanks for everything."

"Lord Hoaquin! Shall we hold onto that item for you?"

She pointed at the purple cube in my hand.

Inside the translucent cube, blue flames and lightning flickered together in harmony.

I carefully placed it inside my coat.

"Thanks, but I'll keep it. It's a gift from my friends."

"Ah, of course. Then allow me to congratulate you once again on becoming the Ruler and Branch Leader. May your path be filled only with flowers."

"Yeah… and you too."

With a faint smile, I stepped down from the ship and walked toward the Altar where the Baekryeon Gathering would be held.

The main estate was silent.

Despite sensing countless lifeforms near the altar, the palace remained eerily quiet.

As I walked calmly forward, I encountered two men and women.

Judging by their emblem…

the family's royal guard.

"We have been waiting for you, Lord Arie Hoaquin."

"We will escort you to the altar."

I nodded.

Guided by the two guards, I approached the Sword Altar.

And when it finally came into view—

I couldn't help but widen my eyes in awe.

The Sword Altar, the largest structure in the main estate, resembled an enormous pyramid built in American style architecture.

But what shocked me even more than its scale—

was the number of people gathered there.

The moment I arrived—most of the people present turned their eyes toward me.

The entire Arie Family stood there.

Every retainer of the family and Father's concubines sat in rows, watching me silently.

The students of the Arie Family academy sat at the side.

All servants stood in orderly lines.

Every soldier of the Arie Family stood with spears in formation.

All Arie Rankers lined up in two rows, forming a path.

All Arie High Rankers stood on both sides of the path, staring at me.

Every person and every ounce of military strength of the Arie Family was gathered at this altar.

In a single phrase—

"Arie" itself was here.

At the very top of the altar stood the absolute ruler of this family—my father—

beside Yurye, the Sword of Arie, looking down at me.

The altar was so silent that not even breathing could be heard.

Only the cold wind occasionally passed through.

Then finally—

Yurye stepped forward and shouted.

"Arie Hoaquin, ascend the altar!"

BOOM! BOOM!

At her command, every soldier and Ranker stomped their feet, creating a thunderous echo.

The guards who escorted me gently pushed my back and pointed toward the path formed by the Rankers.

"Follow that path."

And so—

I began walking forward.

Just as I was about to step onto the path, the Ranker standing at the very front shouted loudly.

"Formation, draw swords!"

THUD! THUD!

SHING—!

The Rankers—wearing not their usual eastern robes but brilliant armor and helmets—stomped heavily and drew their swords, raising them high to form the path I would walk.

Walking along that path of swords, I looked toward my father.

He was also looking straight at me.

Passing through the long corridor of white blades, I climbed the stairs leading to the top of the altar.

When I had climbed high enough, I glanced back for a moment.

The sight of countless members of the Arie Family lined up below filled my vision.

At that moment, a strange shiver ran through me.

…So I had come this far.

Whether long or slow, time had passed, and now I stood here.

What path had I walked to reach this place?

For a moment, I remembered what the head maid told me before we parted.

She had wished that my life would be a path of flowers.

Step.

Step.

I felt a quiet, bitter smile form.

Sorry to the head maid for her kind blessing—

but looking at the road I had walked, the path I chose was far from a road of flowers.

Step.

Step.

Still, I would keep walking.

After all, if I had reached this place—

then my path could not have been wrong.

It may have been painful.

But it was not the wrong path.

Step.

Step.

I had already reached the top of the Tower.

Now all that remained was reaching the end of my own road.

"…Father."

"Welcome, my son."

At last, after climbing the altar, I stood before him.

He looked at me with a strange expression before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"As I thought… you've changed."

Tap.

His finger lightly pressed against my chest where my heart was.

"But unlike us, this place has not changed. Not yet. Was that your choice?"

"…Yes. This is my choice. A path different from the one you walked."

Hon smiled quietly.

The smile was different from his usual amused expression.

For a brief moment, it seemed to hold a hint of sadness.

But soon he hid that expression.

He removed the crown from my head and spoke.

"My beloved son. From this moment, I appoint you as a branch leader of the family, and grant you dominion over the 78th Floor, recognizing you as its ruler."

When he finished speaking, Yurye—who had been watching silently behind him—opened her mouth.

"Arie Hoaquin shall kneel before his father and swear an oath of eternity—"

"That is unnecessary. He is not a child who can be bound by such things."

"…Understood."

Yurye stepped back.

With a gesture from her hand, one of the attendants beside Hon opened an elegant box.

Inside rested a white crown adorned with a red gem.

"A branch leader of the family should not wear a crown merely painted silver."

Smiling gently, Hon personally took the crown from the box and placed it upon my head.

Another attendant stepped forward and draped a magnificent white eastern-style robe over my shoulders.

Once the ceremony of the crown and clothing was complete, Hon spoke again.

His voice echoed throughout the entire family through transmission.

[From this moment onward, I recognize Arie Hoaquin as the official branch leader of the Arie Family and the ruler of the 78th Floor.]

WOOOOOOONG—

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Majestic trumpets and drums sounded, affirming Hon's declaration.

He then placed his hand on my shoulder and pointed to the far distance.

There, across a wide plain, countless gigantic swords were embedded in the earth.

A graveyard of swords.

While I watched the sight, Hon spoke quietly.

"Each of those swords represents a former ruler of my family, a branch leader, or one of the Swords of Arie. Soon, yours will stand there as well."

He smiled faintly.

"Or… will you place it yourself?"

"Yes."

Without hesitation, I answered.

For a moment I looked up toward the distant ceiling of the Tower.

The response came instantly.

A colossal sword the size of a mountain tore through the sky and plunged into the plain.

It became the symbol that a new branch leader had been born.

"My son," Hon asked,

"Where do you intend to use that power?"

"To protect, to take, and to reclaim."

"Hahaha… I will watch, my son. How much you can protect… how much you can take… and how much you can reclaim."

He nodded.

The instruments began to play again, filling Baekhwa Sword Palace with a majestic and beautiful melody.

Standing beside my father at the very top of the altar—

looking down upon all of Arie—

I allowed a small smile to form.

I didn't know where the end of my path would be.

But I hoped—

that when I arrived there,

it would be something I could truly be satisfied with.

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