Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

Hon publicly declared to the entire family that I had become a Branch Leader and Ruler. His transmitted voice rode the Shinsu of the floor and clearly reached the ears of every member in the main house.

With my investiture, the Baekryeon Gathering was formally announced.

As if celebrating it, the orchestra soldiers began playing massive instruments, filling the altar and the Baekhwa Sword Palace with a beautiful and majestic melody.

Step.

Step.

Hon led the way, with Yurye and me following behind.

After walking a few steps, the entire Arie Family could be seen at a glance below us.

The indescribable sensation sent a shiver through my body, and I slightly lifted the corners of my mouth.

Seeing that, Hon smiled faintly.

"How is it? The feeling of gazing upon my family."

"…It's incredible."

"Enjoy it to your heart's content. This is the true face of the Arie Family, the strongest among the Ten Great Families. From now on, you too are one of the pillars supporting that family."

Everything was so overwhelmingly white and magnificent that words could hardly describe it.

For a moment, even my father seemed truly great.

"The Baekryeon Gathering has begun, but you do not need to participate this time. For someone who has just become a Branch Leader, it is still too early. Attend starting from the next assembly."

"If you say so, I understand."

"Yurye, follow me. We are going to Baekryeon Palace."

"As you command. Father, however, there is one matter…"

Hon turned his gaze toward Yurye, who spoke with her head bowed.

"What is it?"

"Hoaquin's ranking has been registered."

Oh.

So it finally happened.

It had taken longer than expected, and I had been waiting endlessly for the Ranker Administration Bureau to decide.

"That is quite interesting. Show it."

"Yes."

Yurye took out her pocket, tapped it a few times, and gently tossed it between us.

Light burst out from the pocket as a hologram unfolded.

Meanwhile Yurye spoke to me.

"The ranking system can be accessed by Rankers. You can view it through a pocket or lighthouse."

The ranking page opened, and the numbers scrolled rapidly past.

1st: Administrator Slayer / Red Tower – Enryu

2nd: King of the Tower – Zahard

3rd: White Oar – Arie Hon

4th: Blue Marlin – Khun Eduan

5th: Snakehead – Ha Yurin

6th: Eye of God – Tu Perie Tperie

7th: Three Lords – Molic One P. GR

8th: Mantis Shrimp – Eurasia Blossom

9th: Noble Wave – Po Bidau Gustang

10th: Tiger Fish / Heretic / Demon King – Grace Mirchea Luslec

11th: Longevity Turtle – Hendo Lok Bloodmadder

12th: Cichlid – Yeon Hana

13th: Ari Han

14th: Lo Po Bia…

The rankings continued scrolling quickly until it reached mine.

In the middle of it, I caught a glimpse of Yurye's ranking.

19th: Sword of Arie – Arie Yurye

"…?!"

What the hell.

I had expected her to be monstrous, but this was beyond imagination.

Considering she was the second-in-command of the Arie Family, it made sense—but it still felt absurd.

As my view of Yurye shifted slightly, she pointed at a spot on the ranking list.

"There it is. Your ranking."

100th: ### – Arie Hoaquin

All three of us focused on the screen.

My ranking…

100th?

While I was surprised at the higher-than-expected ranking, Hon opened my profile.

Title: Baekseolgi → Deleted → Baekseolgi → Deleted → Access Restricted by Robert Eisand → Tomy Attempted Access → Blocked

Baekseolgi?

Ugh.

What kind of nickname was that?

Looking at the editing history, Hon briefly looked stunned.

Then he sighed lightly.

"…Tomy. I told him countless times after the Eduan incident not to create titles by himself."

He glanced at me and chuckled.

"Well, it's rather cute."

"I'll pass."

"So will I. I'll speak to Robert personally."

At that moment—

the hologram began to flicker with static.

The '###' in the title field glitched and changed.

Watching this, Yurye commented calmly.

"It appears your title has just been decided."

And just like that, the new title appeared.

100th: White Whale – Arie Hoaquin

"White Whale… the Sky Whale, perhaps. Quite a grand title."

"Sky whale?"

"One of the largest creatures in the Tower. Yet it freely roams the sky above the Tower's ceiling. A legendary divine sea fish. It suits you."

Hon reached out toward me—then suddenly stopped and turned away.

"Enough idle talk. Go down and rest, my son. Yurye, dismiss everyone gathered below the altar."

"As you command."

Hon left toward Baekryeon Palace, where the assembly would be held.

Yurye also dispersed the people gathered below before following her.

I thought I was left alone on the altar—

but the commander of the family guard, Hanul, appeared.

He said he came under Father's orders and escorted me toward Baekhwa Sword Palace.

And there—

I met someone unexpected.

The altar had emptied, and most retainers and Rankers who had permission returned to the palace.

After pushing through the crowded halls, Hanul and I finally entered a quiet corridor.

With some breathing room, we naturally began chatting.

"I've beaten High Rankers several times, but I've never killed anyone in the Top 300. How did I end up ranked 100?"

"Hm? What are you talking about?"

"Well… to enter the Top 300 you usually have to kill someone in that ranking and take their spot…"

"…? That's the first I've heard of that."

"…Ah. I guess that system doesn't exist here yet."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but do you realize you're breaking every record imaginable right now? Youngest ruler, youngest High Ranker, youngest branch leader—your name has 'youngest' attached everywhere. If you hadn't disappeared for a hundred years, you might've even set records for fastest climb or youngest Ranker. Why did you waste a hundred years anyway?"

"…Let's talk about that another time. I'd rather not discuss it."

"…My apologies. That was rude."

"It's fine."

"A bit further ahead is the district where branch leaders reside. I'll send you the list of available rooms—pick the one with the best view. Personally, I recommend A-12."

"Haha, I'll keep that in mind—"

At that moment—

an unexpected voice interrupted me.

"…Hoaquin?"

"…!"

Hearing my name called in that voice after so long—

my body froze.

Hanul looked toward the source of the voice, then nodded as if he understood.

Slowly, I turned my head.

The woman standing there looked relieved when she saw my face.

Her appearance hadn't changed at all since the last time I saw her.

"…Mother."

Although she hadn't given birth to me, she was the first person I relied on and tried to trust after entering the Tower.

And…someone who never saw me as anything more than a tool for power.

Her beautiful eyes still shone with the same ambition as before.

Looking at her—

I gave a quiet, bitter smile.