On the other side…
There's a fair-skinned lady with a bob cut of pink-purple hair. Her checkered blazer is paired with a mini skirt, sparkling under the light. She's a beauty that can be defined by only one word, "luxury." Another member of the Po Bidau family: Po Bidau Hugo.
Hugo wanders around, searching for something. She has been killing regulars she deems cheap-looking; to her, everyone here is trash.
"Everything here looks so cheap, truly unworthy of me—Luxurious Hugo."
"Taking a test with two hundred cheap-looking guys? I suppose I should pass this test alone and just kill everyone. That would showcase my elegance."
Humming like a bird, she continues aimlessly, unaware that she is heading straight in Cheondung's direction.
"Ohmm? Someone is shooting a gun!"
Hugo lowers her sunglasses and peeks through a small gap, her gaze locking onto Cheondung.
Although his handsomeness is unparalleled, what truly captures her attention is the expensive-looking gun in his hands.
"Oh!?"
Upon seeing it, Hugo exclaims and makes up her mind to take it for herself.
"That gun looks so elegant! Truly worthy of being used only by me, Hugo."
Afraid he might disappear, Hugo rushes toward him immediately—like a moth drawn to a small flame. She didn't know the dangers ahead.
Cheondung was still sorting out the information from Bidau Ella.
summarizing the details about the Tower, regulars, irregulars, and lastly, Po Bidau Gustang.
The Tower was divided into three parts: the Inner Tower, the Middle Area, and the Outer Tower. The Inner Tower and Middle Area were inhabited by natives. However, only regulars who had passed the 20th floor were permitted to reside in the middle floors.
Those who failed a test floor were sent back home. The outside of the Tower was completely unknown. However, it was later revealed that inhabitants from outside the Tower who took the test were called irregulars.
As for Po Bidau Gustang, he was the family head of the Po Bidau Family—one of the ten great families that ventured into the Tower alongside King Zahard.
"There are two types of climbers: regulars, residents chosen by Headon, and those who opened the door for themselves—irregulars."
Cheondung wasn't surprised after finding out he was an irregular. His only concern was the disaster they often brought upon entering the Tower.
He sighed in exasperation. Thanks to Phantaminum and Enryu, irregulars had become symbols of chaos.
"Unexpectedly, Phantaminum used to be here. However, it's been years since he visited, and he's never shown up again.
That's all the information I could get. If I want to gather more, I'll need to find someone reliable. She's probably the only exception coming from a family that preserves history.
But for now, this is good enough. I was hoping I could spar with Phantaminum again. It's been millions of years since we last fought, though our encounter was a coincidence. Having leads about him could potentially bring our paths together again."
Hmmm?
Cheondung was reminiscing about his tale with Phantaminum when his thoughts were interrupted by another summer bug drawing closer.
Another regular?
He set it aside for the moment and tackled the immediate issue.
"What do you want?" Cheondung asked.
Hugo stepped onto a boulder in her heels, staring at Cheondung with a sly grin as she demanded,
"That weapon of yours is quite luxurious—I want it! Such a good weapon can only be used by me, Hugo. HAHA!"
Cheondung felt a headache coming on. No matter where he went, women always seemed to bring him trouble, and this girl Hugo was no different.
After living and traveling for millions of years, Cheondung had learned many things—one of them being how to deal with idiots. And erasing their existence could be surprisingly enjoyable.
While Hugo was laughing, both hands on her waist, Cheondung had already pulled out Mary's leg and blinked toward her.
The oblivious Hugo didn't notice anything—until she felt something hard, big, and thick forced into her mouth, poking against her esophagus.
Huh? What is this…?
Cold sweat poured down her forehead. Hugo's body shivers; her instincts scream in despair, telling her to act or face certain death.
Oh no, no no! I don't want to die yet! I haven't even enjoyed a luxurious life! Hugo shouldn't die this early—it doesn't suit me!
Hugo panicked; she wanted to speak, but the muzzle prevented it, choking her in the process.
But who cares about her wishes?
"Your name was Hugo, wasn't it? Normally, I'd spare the likes of you, but taking the initiative to get closer… Remember to be a good girl in your next life…"
Cheondung was about to pull the trigger when a sudden announcement stopped him.
"Alright, regulars! The first part of the exam is over. Anyone who keeps killing will be disqualified."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Cheondung reluctantly pulled the shotgun from Hugo's mouth.
"You're lucky. Any later, and you'd be dead."
Hugo coughed violently, wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth before giving him a silly grin.
"Haha! As expected of the luxurious Hugo—I was truly favored by fortune!"
Acting as if nothing had happened, she wrapped an arm around his neck and whispered,
"Now then, I'm not asking to take it for free. How about naming your price? Such a luxurious item shouldn't be bought for a small amount!"
Hugo believed in luxury—anything that looked expensive should live up to its reputation. If something was expensive but useless, it was just overpriced junk. And if something luxurious was given for free, it lost its purpose entirely.
Cheondung was speechless. He had just shoved a gun into her mouth, and yet she acted as if nothing had happened. In all his journeys, such behavior could be counted on one hand.
Was this so-called luxurious item truly worth her life? His millions of years of travel had completely changed his views about life, death, and even material possessions.
To be honest, Mary's Leg was just a piece of scrap he'd picked up from someone—a gun collector named "Billy the Kid." As for its stock? It was actually infinite. Instead of storing it in his inventory, he simply dematerialized and rematerialized it at will.
Mary's leg was, in truth, nothing special. Even the place where it originated didn't value it much—just a basic weapon that turned whoever it hit into ashes.
And yet, Hugo wanted it?
While Cheondung pondered this, trying to understand Hugo's way of thinking, the announcer continued speaking.
Since Part One is over, we will now proceed with Part Two of the examination. Don't worry, regulars, I know you just engaged in a fight, and this time the exam is simple. Before five minutes are up, form a group with anyone around you. Each group must have exactly three members—no more, no less. The timer starts now! Good luck!