The tower...
A structure about 11 times the size of Earth and divided into three areas—inner, outer, and middle—that build up the tower. It had a total of 135 floors, with each floor having its designated guardian, known as the Administrator.
Nobody knows who created this, but rumor says it was built by an unknown Axis...
At the lowest floor.
Surrounded by darkness, a human-sized white rabbit is standing at the entrance. The black slit on his face slightly opened, revealing its narrow eyes and forming a sly grin with his sharp teeth.
A ray of white light emerged, creating a white vortex, like a white hole; it devoured the darkness, lighting the area. Despite the blinding glare, he was hardly affected. The white rabbit stared at the person who stepped inside, observing him with interest. Spreading his hand and playing with the yellow baton, he spoke in a calm demeanor.
"Welcome, the chosen one."
Before him stood a young boy with black hair and eyes, wearing long black sleeves and brown pants.
"Who are you?" He asked, his eyes narrowing slightly and fist clenched, surrounded by a thin layer of aura.
"No need to be so tense, visitor...
My name is Headon. I'm the guardian of this floor," the white rabbit said, performing a perfect bow of etiquette.
"A floor guardian, you say?"
He asked while eyeing him, his grip slightly loosened, but like a snake, it was ready to strike any moment.
"My name is Kang Cheondung...
Headon, can you tell me where I am?
What kind of place is this? "
Headon gladly answered his inquiry.
"This place is called the Tower!
A place that grants challengers an opportunity to fulfill their desires!
Be it money, glory, revenge, or power… you can get everything at the top!! "
He exclaimed, both arms extended, forming a V shape.
A challenge? I don't remember entering a dungeon... Judging by the way he is waiting, he is probably expecting my arrival.
Hearing this, Cheondung pondered for a moment and asked,
"Is that so... Then why am I here?
Headon, you seem to know that I'm going inside the tower and have patiently waited for me.
Was this your doing? "
Cheondung's tone was calm, but there's a slight threat. Any wrong answer, and he will kill Headon right away.
Headon only shakes his head lightly.
"While it's true I'm expecting your arrival, it wasn't my own doing to bring you here...
The Tower won't open itself to just anyone, unless it deems the individual worthy…
or there is something it needs! "
Cheondung's eyes formed into a slit as the aura on his fist vanished like smoke.
He doesn't seem to tell lies...
"So you're saying I have a role to play in this tower. But what if I refuse? "
Refuse, you say?
Headon looked amused. "I'm sorry to say, once you're inside, you cannot leave!"
I cannot leave?
He tried something but it didn't work. Cheondung realized the crisis.
That's odd; no one should be able to restrain and manipulate me at will.
Unless it's someone with higher authority.
But...
Cheondung sighed. Considering his powers were sealed, he doesn't seem to have any options.
"In that case, Headon, I will climb the Tower."
A sinister grin grew wider on Headon's face. He was more than happy to guide him.
"Once again, I, Headon, welcome you to the Tower!"
The open field was surrounded by two-meter-tall grass. Cheondung stood tall atop the mountain, observing the regulars wandering around aimlessly.
"Is this the inside of the Tower? The scenery was decent."
Cheondung mumbled.
"Now, what should I do next?
Since this is considered a challenge, there might be some kind of test."
As he anticipated, a sudden announcement echoed. Looking up, he spotted an amplifier hovering in the sky, blasting out a loud voice.
Attention, regulars!
We will now start with a simple test.
I will explain the rules, so please listen carefully!!!
The number of regulars on this floor exceeds 400. Your task is to reduce that number to 200 by any means necessary. Once the number is reached, the test will end.
Good luck!
"Reducing a number?"
Cheondung muttered while staring at the regulars below him who are in a daze.
"They said, 'by any means.' I could either disable them so they can't participate… or kill them."
The former required a lot of work, while the latter was far more efficient.
"I don't like killing unnecessarily, but I'm curious about what kind of place this is. Perhaps there's a way outside once I reach the top… so, become my sacrificial lambs."
Cheondung declared, raising his hands. Two identical Mare's Legs appeared; its muzzle chases and aims at the strongest regulars in sight.
"Dead or Alive!"
BANG! BANG!
Two short, crisp shots rang out, each striking their targets in the head. Yet there was no blood. Instead of corpses, their bodies turned to ash and vanished.
"It seems my power works the same way here."
Satisfied with the result, Cheondung continues his merciless killing.
After countless shots, there was no one left within his range, yet the exam hadn't ended.
"I have killed plenty… but the body count still isn't enough. I guess I should move somewhere—"
Just as he was about to leave, Cheondung sensed someone closing in at a rapid pace.
He hadn't bothered with far-off targets, but now… someone was approaching him directly?
Someone's courting death!
Turning, he saw a fair-skinned girl with long light brown hair and yellow eyes, dressed like a scholar and carrying a book.
She had noticed him from the start. Despite the danger, she walked forward confidently, as if everything would go her way.
An arrogant woman!
"Hello there, regular. My name is Po Bidau Ella."
She introduced herself with a warm smile.
Cheondung didn't care. His eyes were fixed on the book she carried; there was a faint trail of blood dripping from it.
Hmm... A close-range fighter?
She'd probably killed someone on the way here.
"What do you want from me?"
Ella frowned at his impolite tone; inwardly, she complained.
Haven't I introduce myself? I'm a descendant of one of the Ten Great Families, and you dare speak to me like that!?
Hmph. If you weren't useful, I'd have gotten rid of you already!
Contradicting her emotions, outside she maintains a polite smile.
"Let's make a deal. Work for me, and you will be rewarded accordingly. As you know, I'm from the Po Bidau family."
Po Bidau family?
He had never heard of them before.
They must be Tower natives.
"What if I refuse?" Cheondung asked firmly.
Ella's expression soured.
She hated not getting what she wanted, and his hesitation was as good as a rejection. If she couldn't have what she wanted, she would resort to violence.
"If that's the case… you will die here!"
Ella declared.
"It's a pity you're useful," she added, approaching him slowly. Leaving a trail of blood behind.
A few minutes later.
Cheondung stood without a care in the world. Beside him lay Ella's mangled body. Her head was twisted several times until the flesh tore, leaving only a small strip of skin barely connecting it to her body. The same gruesome fate had befallen her limbs.
"Po Bidau family, huh…?
So someone named Po Bidau Gustang is quite special.
They say he's the most knowledgeable man in this Tower... Perhaps he could give me a way out."
Cheondung mentally noted that he would seek out Gustang later.