Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin

"...So you want me to become the branch leader?"

"Yes. To be precise, my figurehead."

Cain, having emptied his teacup, collected my empty cup as well, went to the sink to soak them in water, then came back and sat down. Somehow a yakgwa had appeared in his hand, and after tossing one to me carelessly, he continued.

"So you want me to be your acting branch leader... is that it? But why me?"

"Because you're dependable, hyung. And we have a bit of history."

"Heh, our history wasn't exactly a pleasant one."

Cain tore open the wrapper, popped the entire yakgwa into his mouth, and stared at me quietly. Uncomfortably so. Why is he suddenly like this?

"...Do I have yakgwa crumbs on my face?"

"No. What I'm curious about is your true intentions. That lie just now was far too obvious."

"..."

"As I said earlier, I can get most information even here. You're not taking concubines, I hear? Despite ten years having passed since you became branch leader. Normally, by that point one would have taken two or three at least."

"That's a lot."

"This is what's normal. You're the strange one. Now, speak honestly. What I just mentioned and the reason you've come to find me now—they're related, aren't they?"

"...."

Ugh, as expected of someone from the enforcement squad. I had to endure Cain's hawk-like gaze head-on while breaking into a cold sweat.

In the end, the first to surrender was me. Since Cain was an indispensable talent I absolutely needed, I was thoroughly in the weaker position...

"...Honestly, I already have someone I like, so I don't want to take concubines."

Ah, this isn't even relationship counseling, what is this? As expected, Cain tilted his head in puzzlement.

"Then why not just make her your official wife and marry her? What's the problem?"

"...There are circumstances that prevent marriage. I can't even go public."

Thinking about it made me feel bitter all over again. Come to think of it, it had already been five years since I'd last seen Mascheny.

While I smiled bitterly and hung my head, a brief silence followed. Then, stifled laughter began to emerge.

"....?"

"...Heh, hehehe. Unbelievable. The Hoaqin who turned the main house upside down and defeated a High Ranker as a Regular is suffering over such an adorable little problem. How refreshingly different."

"Are you making fun of me right now?"

"Well, I'd love to know the details, but I doubt you'd tell me, and it seems like no simple matter. So, if I become acting branch leader and normally take concubines and sire children, you plan to adopt them?"

"No. That's also a bit... instead..."

....

"Anyway, I plan to inject blood through a special method."

As I began to lay out the actual plan, his expression gradually shifted to one of intrigue.

"...You've planned this out quite meticulously, I see. By 'special method,' you mean something like the Princesses of Zahard, or the Hendo Family, or perhaps the fighting dog project that Lo Po Bia is supposedly running... something like that?"

Wow, at this point the perceptiveness of Cain's deductions was simply worthy of admiration. I could do nothing but nod in amazement at his abilities. His deductions were all correct.

"Fine, I roughly understand what you're trying to do. The reason you specifically picked me as acting branch leader is..."

"You were the only one I could think of, hyung. That part is genuine. And I can't just inject my blood into anyone, so I need your help with several things."

If I really gave my blood to just anyone, someday half the Tower's population might have my blood mixed in. That was absolutely out of the question, and the main house would never accept injecting Arie direct lineage blood into random people in the first place.

On that point, I discussed things with Cain and revised the plan step by step. The plan was more or less complete now, but if push came to shove, it wouldn't be bad to select a few outstanding children—just like the Princesses of Zahard—and inject them. This system could be refined over time.

Having finished the discussion, Cain stared at me indifferently as I sat there smiling, and tossed out a question in passing.

"By the way, then what can you do for me? As you can see, I voluntarily relinquished the power of being an enforcement squad captain and settled down here, where my younger sibling is buried, living quietly. Do you even know what someone like me wants? Can you provide it?"

"I can."

On this point alone, I could give a definitive answer. Cain looked inwardly surprised, but to my eyes, what he wanted seemed plainly visible.

"You say you can give a definitive answer, knowing what I want—"

"The opportunity to work for the Family again. That's what you want, isn't it?"

"...!"

At first glance it might appear he'd let go of all attachment to the world, but looking deeper inside, the reality was a bit different. He was simply resting for a while. He was going through the process of bleaching away the version of himself that had been dyed by the Elders. To reclaim his true self, and for freedom.

"I'll give you the opportunity to live not as a hunting dog leashed by the Elders, but as a free deep-sea creature. The opportunity to serve the Family again—not for the Family's powerbrokers, but for the Family itself."

And of course, for my sake too while we're at it—I quietly added as an aside, then smiled and extended my hand to him.

"Take this hand, and the deal is sealed, hyung."

"...Heh, you always did have a way with words."

Clasp—

And so, the deal between Cain and me was struck. With this, a newcomer with the illustrious career of being the former Enforcement Squad Second Unit Captain, ranked 244th, joined my branch as acting branch leader.

The thought that the concubine-and-children problem that had pestered me for over ten years had been cleanly swept away filled me with an almost refreshing feeling.

That said, I was definitely too late for Hagipherione's exam. Just making it to the 99th Floor today was already incredibly fast to begin with. But disappointment was still disappointment. I hoped Hagipherione wouldn't be upset—I'd wanted to watch her take the exam too.

Ding—

"....?"

Just then, my Pocket chimed with an alert, notifying me that a message had arrived. The sender was Belsian, whom I'd entrusted with Harpe's escort. Him sending me a message—that was unusual.

Belsian: Watch it or don't

— [File 'your sister aced the exam.MP4' has arrived. Would you like to download? Yes/No]

At that quintessentially Belsian message, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

.....

"Phew, so the last one standing is you after all, Hagipherione."

"...Garbaldi."

Arie Garbaldi and Arie Hagipherione—these two, the last ones remaining, stood at a distance pointing their swords at each other.

Garbaldi lowered his sword for a moment and let out a smirk.

"By the way, I heard you got eliminated early last time because you fell asleep? Heheh, an Arie direct lineage member getting eliminated for such a pathetic reason. How utterly embarrassing."

"....!"

"I also hear you got kicked out of the main house and ran away to the floor where your brother is? Aren't you ashamed?"

Cheap provocation, but the kind of annoying remarks that got under your skin. Hagipherione didn't charge at Garbaldi, who had lowered his sword and was mocking her to his heart's content. She knew full well it was a trap.

"Well, as expected, this kind of provocation doesn't really work on you. Then I suppose—"

CLANG!

In an instant both of them surged forward, and their swords clashed in the center of the arena. Garbaldi and Hagipherione were locked in a contest of strength, but Garbaldi—much older and larger than Hagipherione—appeared to have a slight edge.

With room to spare, he tossed another sneer at Hagipherione.

"But more than a provocation, that's really how I feel. A forfeit loss, and then running away to the 78th Floor. You should be ashamed."

"Ha, you're one to talk—"

Hagipherione scoffed and repeated the line that Belsian had taught her earlier. That... was she supposed to say it exactly like this..?

"A guy who's becoming a Regular next year bullying a nine-year-old baby—you should be ashamed of yourself!"

"...Ugh."

While Garbaldi grimaced at the criticism he couldn't possibly refute, Hagipherione reinforced her body with shinsu and immediately pushed Garbaldi back. The extraordinary sight of a tiny frame overpowering a much larger one occurred, and Garbaldi, realizing he was being outmatched in physical ability, immediately created distance.

And then he assumed a new stance, entirely different from the conventional one he'd been using until now. It was preparation to use Arie-style swordsmanship—which was widely regarded as nothing short of mystical.

While Hagipherione charged in, Garbaldi, having finished all his preparations, bared his fangs in a grin.

Arie-Style Swordsmanship Basic Slash — Light Star

Three slashes, sparkling like stars, rapidly hurtled toward Hagipherione. In that moment, Garbaldi sensed his own victory. Hagipherione hadn't yet reached the age required to learn Arie-style swordsmanship, so she'd have no way to counter—

Hoaqin-Style Arie Swordsmanship — Lion's Cross Strike

"....?!"

In that instant, Garbaldi was met by ten slashes that came sweeping at him as if to kill. The slashes he'd launched first had long since been devoured by those ten strikes.

What on earth...

Beyond the slashes, Garbaldi could faintly see Hagipherione, who had swung her sword in a stance he'd never seen before. Hagipherione too caught sight of him the moment he looked at her. And she smiled at Garbaldi and declared boldly.

"The power of studying ahead."

"...Wha—"

Shwaaaa—

Thud—

— The final victor of the sparring competition is Arie Hagipherione.

Before he could even retort, Garbaldi, slashed all over by the strikes, collapsed immediately, and the final victory of the exam went to Hagipherione.

She was overjoyed and immediately ran to Belsian, who had been filming the match.

"Belsian! I won!"

"You won by luck. You'll probably lose next time."

"R-really?"

"...Just keep working hard from now on. Then you won't lose."

"Okay!"

Whoosh—Hagipherione, who had been beaming brightly, was startled by an object that suddenly flew at her but managed to catch it. It was a cold, refreshing sports drink.

"Here, drink that quickly and let's head back to the 78th Floor, Lady Hagipherione."

"Is this for me?"

"...It was buy-one-get-one-free so I had an extra. Buy your own next time."

"Got it! Thanks!"

"...Hmph."

Belsian let out a deep sigh and escorted her to the floating ship they'd taken from the 78th Floor. Other Arie retainers seemed to have much they wanted to say to Hagipherione, but that wasn't his concern, so he ignored them all.

Those who ultimately couldn't get a word in with Hagipherione had no choice but to talk among themselves.

"Lady Hagipherione's achievements are growing by the day. That last swordsmanship technique seems to have been taught to her personally by Lord Hoaqin."

"The day she becomes a Princess of Zahard must not be far off."

At the evaluation that was nothing but praise—admiration, envy, longing—Belsian slightly raised the corner of his mouth, but—

"Still, wasn't she pushed back a bit against Lord Garbaldi? If it had been Branch Leader Hoaqin in his childhood..."

"Now now, when will you stop with that nonsense? Lady Hagipherione alone is more than sufficient... Besides, after what happened last time, how can such words still come out of your mouth?"

"Ahem, I'm just saying... it's the truth."

At those words, ringing out clearly, Belsian whipped his head around to look at Hagipherione in alarm. She was diligently drinking her sports drink, but her eyes already looked sad somewhere.

Belsian hurriedly got Hagipherione aboard the floating ship, put headphones on her, and said.

"My lady, I need to step out for a moment. Stay here and listen to music quietly."

Crack—

While Hagipherione looked puzzled, Belsian had already descended from the floating ship and was heading back the way he'd come. As everyone wondered why he was making a U-turn, Belsian strode right up to the person who had just uttered those words and—

SMACK—

He slammed a shinsu-reinforced fist squarely into the man's face. The retainer who had recklessly compared Hagipherione to Hoaqin was driven straight into the ground.

"GAKH! Wh-whath ith the meaning of thith!"

His teeth had clattered to the ground in an instant, and the retainer—who had even bitten his tongue—writhed in pain and protested at Belsian, but the answer that came back was resolute.

"Shut it, you bastard. Seeing as you can still talk, seems like you need a few more."

"W-wait... I don't know why you're doing this but let's talk peacefully..."

"Ah, peace and dialogue. I'm quite fond of those myself."

Belsian raised his right hand with a murderous smile.

"From now on, this one's name is Peace."

Then he raised his left hand.

"And this one's name is Dialogue. Now then, let's start with Peace!"

"GAKH!"

"Now Dialogue! Peace! Dialogue!"

"W-wait! Somebody stop him!"

Since Belsian was nominally a representative who had come on Hoaqin's behalf, no one dared draw a sword against him, and in the end Belsian was able to land two more blows before working off his anger on his own and boarding the floating ship again.

When he returned, Hagipherione, who had been obediently wearing the headphones and listening to music, took them off and asked curiously.

"Belsian, why did you suddenly go out?"

"It was nothing. Don't worry about it and go back to listening to Baby Shark. We're heading back to that Hoaqin fellow now."

"Okay! If I tell oppa I won, he'll be so happy, right?"

"Yes, yes."

One of the missions he'd received from Hoaqin: deliver 'a slight physical warning' to anyone who compared Hoaqin to Hagipherione. Having faithfully carried out that mission—with personal feelings thrown in for good measure—Belsian let out a deep sigh, then immediately steered the floating ship and flew toward the 78th Floor.

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