Claaang—
The ones who had swung their weapons were instead sent flying backward, and the Ranker who had attacked was cut across the chest in a single stroke and collapsed to the ground.
It was the black-haired masked man who had participated in the auction earlier.
I pressed my foot firmly onto the only one I had left alive and, with as much patience as I could muster, asked,
"…You were one of the bidders trying to buy that sword earlier. Why go this far just to obtain it?"
"Th-that's impossible… You're just a Regular—"
He desperately denied the fact that he, a Ranker, had been utterly crushed by soone who was rely a Regular. Then, as if realizing sothing, he stopped trembling.
"…The Arie boy who travels with the Khun Family's Princess of Zahard. It's you. Hoaquin. So the rumors about you defeating Rankers were true."
"Answer the question. Why do you need that sword?"
"Narmada? Hah, you truly know nothing. You don't even understand its value, yet you spent 200 million points—"
Crack—
"Gahk!"
"Then you can explain that value to ."
I concentrated shinsu into my leg and pressed down harder. The sound of bone breaking echoed as he spat blood.
Anyone who touches my people—I have no intention of sparing them.
For now, I was only extending his life by a few minutes for the sake of gathering information.
"Hah… hah… Kh—hahaha! You dare ask to tell you? Aren't you from one of the Ten Families? I have nothing to say to the descendants of those who stole the paradise of the Great Ancients and reshaped it to their own liking."
"…? What are you, FUG?"
"Do not compare us to those incompetent fools who have nothing but lofty ambitions and no solutions!"
"Hm… So you're different?"
"Tch. Are you planning to interrogate ? It's already too late…!"
Crunch—
"…!"
The Ranker suddenly swallowed sothing and sneered at . Had he kept it hidden in his mouth from the beginning?
"I swallowed the ultimate poison of an athyst jellyfish. You'll never learn anyth—"
Slash—
"…Annoying pests."
Maybe I should have kept more of them alive. But if they were all in the sa group, they likely each carried sothing like that. It wouldn't have mattered.
I had restrained myself, wanting to tear them apart imdiately, just to extract information—and yet things never go as planned.
I looked around.
Several terrorist Rankers who had rushed in were sprawled nearby, their limbs or heads severed, scattered grotesquely around .
Despite the grueso sight, I felt nothing.
Co to think of it… when I cut that man's throat earlier, what did I feel?
Nothing.
But in the past… I think I killed to protect sothing.
Now, what am I killing for?
"Ha. What's with these pointless thoughts all of a sudden?"
These senses had dulled over a hundred years ago. It was laughable to think like this now, as if I were about to repent and enter a temple.
My sword and hands were already stained red beyond redemption.
I shook off the stray thoughts and hurried back toward the wreckage where my companions were.
The blond girl who had approached first after the explosion was still praying with her eyes shut. I lifted the wreckage effortlessly and pulled everyone—including her—out.
"Sniff… Th-they were Rankers…?"
"I'm a Regular."
"What? Then how—wait, are you Hoaquin? The one who defeated Rankers at the Arie main house?"
"…Now even random people know."
"I'm not 'random people'…"
"Stop joking and answer properly. Who are you? Why did you attend the auction? Why did you need that sword?"
Still wary, I glared at her sharply. She avoided my gaze and fidgeted with her fingers.
"Um… that's all fine, but shouldn't we treat them first? I'll go to the hospital with you…"
"…Where is it?"
"Ah! I'll guide you!"
She instantly perked up and began running sowhere—likely toward the hospital.
I ford a large shinsu sphere, placed everyone inside, and followed her.
Soon enough, a hospital appeared just as she said. I carefully laid each of my companions onto beds for examination.
The explosion had certainly been powerful—but my teammates, all direct descendants of the Ten Families, were sturdy.
"…There's no major issue. They simply lost consciousness from the sudden impact. They'll wake up soon. We'll treat the burns for now. Their clothes are ruined, so prepare replacents."
"Understood."
Just as the doctor said, their conditions were stable.
A few minutes later, Hwarang was the first to wake.
"Ugh… my head…"
"Ah, Hwarang. You're up? First place."
"Well, I am from the Yeon Family… I'm strong against high heat like explosions… What happened?"
"What happened? So broke idiots planned sothing like this because they couldn't afford it. I killed them all."
"Haa… The auction's after-service is terrible. Then again, expecting normal operations from such a shady auction was probably naïve. Are the others okay?"
"They seem fine. And… we brought an unusual one with us."
I glanced back at the blond girl who was standing awkwardly.
She flinched when our eyes t, then cautiously waved at Hwarang.
Hwarang followed my gaze.
"…Cheonhwa? You were on this floor?"
"Ah! Hwarang… you rember ee… He was so scary…"
"…???"
You two know each other?
"Hwarang, he said he'd cut off my fingers one joint at a ti and kill …"
"…Hoaquin, what happened between you and Cheonhwa?"
"W-what? No, I an… right after the explosion, she ran toward us like she'd been waiting. I thought she was the culprit…"
"I was shocked by the explosion too… I ran over because you and the others looked in danger…"
"Sorry… But Hwarang, who is she?"
Ah. So she wasn't a bad person.
The mory of slamming her to the ground made guilt well up inside .
Hwarang comforted her briefly, then explained.
"Her na is Hong Cheonhwa. One of the companions I t while you weren't around. When we rescued Albelda while you were fighting Arie Rankers at the main house, Cheonhwa helped too."
Grab—
"I'm really sorry! Cheonhwa, right? I misunderstood. I'm truly sorry… and thank you for helping rescue Albelda back then. I sincerely apologize for earlier."
What had I done to soone who was basically our benefactor?
I grabbed both her hands and shook them earnestly in apology.
She looked flustered—but not entirely displeased.
"Ah, uh? Haha… It's fine, we should all help each other… Though being slamd into the ground did hurt a bit."
"…Anyway, Hoaquin, she left the team due to circumstances while you were unconscious after passing the test. Cheonhwa, what are you doing here? That blond mask at the auction—that was you too, right?"
Hwarang asked.
Cheonhwa scratched her head and smiled innocently.
"Yeah… I heard the Permafrost Guild had the sword I was looking for, so I rushed up the Tower as fast as I could. But the guild collapsed before I could even approach. I heard the sword was sent to auction, so I used the invitation I managed to get and all the money I'd saved… and went. And then this happened… I climbed as fast as I could, but you guys already caught up. Maybe I should've kept traveling with you."
Hearing her story, Hwarang and I both looked genuinely regretful.
One of the people who helped bring back Albelda needed this sword.
I wanted to hand it over—but I needed it too.
I don't want to live only 500 years.
"…Cheonhwa, thank you again for helping with Albelda twenty years ago. I want to repay you, but I need this sword too…"
"You don't have to. Honestly, thinking about those Rankers earlier, even if I'd gotten the sword, I probably would've been killed soon after and had it stolen. If anything, Hoaquin, you might be my benefactor instead. Hehe."
Wow. She's practically an angel.
She wasn't wrong—but being able to say that directly was another matter entirely.
I resolved to find Ashul Edwaru as quickly as possible, settle things, and then hand the sword over to her.
But one question lingered.
Why is everyone so obsessed with that sword?
At best, it's just a 7D ignition weapon.
Ignition weapons aren't common, but A-rank Regulars can purchase even C-rank ignition weapons from the Workshop if qualified.
No matter how rare ignition weapons are, this one shouldn't be worth hundreds of millions of points—nor worth planting bombs on a Regulars' floating ship.
Cheonhwa had shown clear attachnt to the sword.
Maybe she knew sothing.
"By the way… why do you need that sword so badly? Are you also looking for soone?"
She handed it over.
"The na of this sword is Arjuna. It's a sibling to Narmada and six other blades. So, Mr. Hoaquin—the sword you bought was originally a treasured heirloom passed down in our village."
"…When you put it like that, it makes feel like I should return it even more."
"Haha. In the end, it was our lack of ability that let it be taken… so don't worry about it. Of course, I'd be really, really grateful if you returned it. Anyway, I don't know why others are obsessed with our village's sacred sword… but the reason we are is because of the special nature of these blades. They're our village's treasure—and they serve an extrely important role."
She showed the lower part of her blade.
On it, in very small letters, was an unfamiliar script:
'एक राक्षस सो जाओ'
Hwarang and I clearly had no idea what it ant. She smiled shyly and continued, gathering shinsu at her fingertips and drawing images in the air to help us understand.
"This ans, in ancient incantation language, 'Let the monster sleep.'"
As her finger traced lines, the image of a black dragon-like creature with red eyes appeared in midair.
That's a neat technique. Maybe I should learn it soti.
"My holand, long ago in ancient tis, was the territory of a certain monster."
The image shifted—now showing seven swordsn facing the beast.
"The constant attacks from the monster caused countless deaths in our village. Finally, the seven strongest swordsn in our village stepped forward to confront it. Those seven were the ancestors of our Hong Family."
She spoke as though recounting a fairy tale she had heard countless tis from her parents—her voice full of mory and nostalgia.
Another image ford: the fallen monster, and the seven knights crossing their swords in victory.
"They fought without rest for seven days and nights. In the end, victory was ours. The monster fell, and the seven knights survived. But it wasn't over. The monster was immortal."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"So our ancestors devised a plan."
She continued drawing.
"They asked powerful sorcerers to extract the monster's soul from its body before it could awaken again. When the soul tried to return to its body, our ancestors tricked it—guiding it instead into molten steel. From that steel, they forged a single sword… and then split it into seven."
Now seven blades appeared in the air:
Arjuna. Narmada. Krishna. Brahma. Karna. Agnea. Astra.
"The seven holy swords that divided and sealed the monster's soul. The seven knights founded the Hong Family, and to ensure the soul would never reunite, each child who climbs the Tower is sent with one of these swords."
The final image was Cheonhwa herself.
"Nowadays, instead of forcing a sword onto a child, we let the sword choose. The chosen child becos a Regular and climbs the Tower. I'm one of them. And the original owner of your Narmada was one too."
I spoke quietly.
"…If the point was to prevent the soul from reuniting, wouldn't it be better for the swords to stay scattered rather than gathered?"
She hesitated.
"It's… complicated. The swords are both beloved and hated. And there are village secrets I can't speak of. Usually, if a child dies or loses a sword while climbing, we retrieve it—no matter how long it takes. We don't like the idea of dangerous sealed blades being in outsiders' hands. And more importantly—"
Suddenly she stepped closer to .
Hwarang and I both flinched.
In the next instant—
She was lifted into the air.
Maschenny.
"When did you wake up?" I asked.
"If I'm awake enough to lift soone, I'm obviously awake," she replied coolly. "Continue. And what do you an 'more importantly'?"
She set Cheonhwa down a safe distance away and crossed her arms arrogantly.
Cheonhwa cleared her throat.
"More importantly… the seals are weakening. Across all seven swords. That's why we're collecting them again. And Narmada is the last one currently in an outsider's hands."
I was about to ask sothing else, but Cheonhwa suddenly rembered sothing.
"Oh! Right! Soone from the village told through Pocket—there's a strange blacksmith currently staying in our village. We told him about the legend, and he said he can reinforce the seal. So we're trying to gather all seven swords before he leaves."
….
My pulse skipped.
Of course, there's more than one blacksmith in the Tower.
But how many can re-strengthen ancient sorcery seals?
I didn't wait.
"Do you know his na?"
"…No? I didn't ask. Should I call and check?"
Every single one of us—Maschenny, Hwarang, Yura, Asensio (when did they wake up?)—nodded in unison.
Caught off guard by the sudden unity, Cheonhwa hurriedly made a Pocket call.
—Hello? Hong Cheonhwa? Why are you calling so late?
"Shuka. About that blacksmith in the village…"
—Ah, that impressive guy? What about him?
"What's his na?"
—Of course I know. Ashul Edwaru.
"…You heard that? Ashul Edwaru—WAIT, WHAT?!!"
She froze mid-sentence, finally processing it herself.
"Shuka! Why didn't you tell it was Ashul Edwaru?!"
—…? Is he that important? He did seem mysterious…
"You've only lived in the Outer Tower… no wonder you don't know."
It wasn't just Cheonhwa who was stunned.
The mont that na was spoken, we all stood there blankly.
Just then, the hospital room door burst open and Luf entered with a bright expression.
"Hyungs! Noonims! You're all here!"
"Luf? You're up too? No serious injuries?"
"Just minor burns. But more importantly, I figured out how we might use Narmada to find Ashul Edwaru—"
"It's fine," I said.
"We found him."
"…??"
"I can't believe it either. But it seems we've found that eccentric blacksmith."
While I let out a hollow laugh at how absurdly easy it had been to find him, Hwarang quietly approached Cheonhwa, who had just ended her call.
"Hm? Ah, Hwarang. What is it?"
"I didn't ask before because I wanted to respect your privacy since you didn't bring it up first…"
He smiled faintly.
"What floor is your hotown on?"
"W-What? Outsiders aren't allowed in…"
Luf, quick as expected of soone from the Tu Perie Family, instantly grasped the situation and jumped in.
"Cheonhwa-noona… It's been twenty whole years since we last saw you. I'm a little hurt hearing we're 'outsiders.'"
"W-What? No! We're practically family, Luf! It's just that…"
I moved closer, about to gently place a hand on her shoulder—only to feel Maschenny's sharp glare and settle for simply stepping near her.
"Cheonhwa?"
"…Yeah?"
"If you guide us to your village, I'll return Narmada."
With the three-hit combo of , Hwarang, and Luf pressing her, Cheonhwa darted her eyes around before finally letting out a long sigh in surrender.
"…Fine. But I don't know if permission will be granted. I really don't know."
"Haha. So where's your hotown?"
"Ugh… I wasn't planning on going back yet… Anyway… fine. I'll guide you."
That settled it.
Our next destination.
Wherever Cheonhwa led us—that would be our next objective.
No wonder my instincts had been tingling.
The darkest place is under the lamp.
....
Hong Cheonhwa's Hotown
"Zahard's army, withdraw! Withdraw! Withdraw!"
Several enormous floating warships hovered above the village, their cannons aid downward in blatant intimidation. The villagers, trembling in fear, held up signs and shouted slogans in resistance.
So even threw stones—but of course, none reached the ships high above.
—Attention, residents of this village. This floor is under the rule of His Majesty Zahard, and ownership of all territory herein belongs to the Zahard Royal Family. This land has been designated as the future site of a grand altar to honor the greatness of His Majesty Zahard. Accordingly, you are to vacate the village by the designated deadline. Those who comply will be granted generous relocation compensation. Those who oppose the will of Zahard's army… on demolition day, these cannons will speak of your fate in our stead. We repeat. This floor belongs to the Zahard Royal Family—
The sa broadcast had been playing for weeks now.
The Zahard fleet showed no movent—only the cold repetition of their ssage.
The villagers burned with anger, yet were helpless before such overwhelming force.
Inside the Hong Family council chamber—
In recent days, this place had never been quiet.
Argunts, debates, accusations, and worries about the village's future filled the air as always.
Then suddenly—
The massive doors burst open.
"Greetings."
"…You are… Hong Ryuhwa?"
"It's been a while. It doesn't feel that long since I left, yet Cheonhwa has already begun climbing the Tower—and Zahard's pressure has reached this level. I warned you this would happen."
Hong Ryuhwa—Cheonhwa's older brother and wielder of one of the seven holy swords, Brahma—had entered.
Many faces lit up at his arrival.
But reality quickly weighed them down again.
"You were right. We didn't expect Zahard's forces to act so unilaterally… At this rate, we'll be expelled before we can even ask the blacksmith to reinforce the seals."
"Do not worry. I have a solution."
Smiling reassuringly, Ryuhwa motioned soone into the chamber.
A figure cloaked in black robes.
No one present knew exactly who it was.
Not even Ryuhwa himself.
The robed figure slowly surveyed the room and began to speak.
[Greetings. mbers. Of the Hong Family. I am. A ssenger. Of the revolutionary organization. 'Leruie.' We bring. A thod. To repel. Zahard's army.]
Its voice was distorted—grating and inhuman.
Yet for so reason, everyone in the room found themselves listening.
....
Sowhere in the Tower.
An uncharted region of the Outer Tower.
A collapsed observation spire.
Bwooooo—
A deep vibration resonated through the air. A tremor. Or perhaps a cry.
A being, half-asleep, slowly opened its eyes.
"…What is it?"
「…I feel it.」
"What?"
「One of our distant kin is attempting to awaken. The destiny you saw has shifted.」
"…!"
「Will you move?」
"…For now, I should confirm it."
The man rose silently and picked up his weapon—
A violet bow.
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