Several Weeks Later — 125th Floor Test
Outpost Defense — Base A
The original event had been a base assault.
However, due to the participation of an excessively strong team, the rules were revised for balance. Now, we would pass simply by defending our bases.
And of course, the "problematic team" was us.
They even added a penalty.
While other teams only had to capture and hold one base, our six mbers were split into three groups of two and forced to defend three separate bases simultaneously.
I briefly considered protesting the handicap, but while others had to attack to pass, we only needed to defend. In a way, it was both a penalty and an advantage—so I stayed quiet.
Even though we were split up, no team dared approach our bases.
From far away, occasional explosions and screams echoed. It seed the minnows preferred fighting each other.
"Regulars in general aren't really on my level… but this is still boring," I muttered.
"Only about nine floors left until Ranker," Luf replied. "Just endure it a little longer. And when you beco one… you're not planning to just wander around picking fights, right?"
"That wouldn't be so bad. If the Administrator permits it."
Luf was in my group.
He had grown tall—no longer the cute D-rank Regular kid he once was. Our team was filled with striking appearances, so he didn't stand out much, but objectively speaking, Luf was quite handso.
As we chatted idly, I rembered the others.
"Luf, contact the others. See if anyone's in combat."
"Yes… Hmm… Yura-noona and Hwarang-hyung are still peaceful. Maschenny-noona and Asensio-hyung say multiple Regular signatures are heading their way."
"Really? No need to help. Let's just waste ti here and head up afterward. So Luf—have you really never dated while I was gone?"
"I-I told you, no! A Yeon Family woman suddenly proposed to and I panicked and refused!"
"Hahaha! A Yeon woman getting rejected? That would've made headlines. Thinking of eting her again?"
Luf lowered his head slightly, cheeks red.
Ah, look at him. So he wasn't completely uninterested.
"…Maybe? My rejection was… kind of vague."
"How vague?"
"I said I wasn't ntally prepared and we should talk again later…"
"Hahaha! You've grown up."
"You're barely older than , hyung…"
Beep—
A signal ca through Luf's Lighthouse.
"Asensio-hyung's side—multiple Regulars are attacking. He's handling them alone."
"Where's Maschenny?"
"I'm here."
Her voice ca from right beside .
"…!"
I nearly jumped.
"When did you—?"
"I was bored. So I ca to see you. Asensio's fine alone."
…Thank you for coming, but maybe show your little brother so concern too.
....
Base B
"For so reason it's just one guy! Get him!"
After navigating the maze, a large group of A-rank Regulars reached the base.
Maschenny had left, so Asensio stood alone, lazily blowing bubblegum.
When the crowd surged in, he popped the gum, stuffed it back into his mouth, and grabbed his blue spear.
Realizing only one person defended the base, confidence surged through them.
"…Noona left alone among a school of sardines," Asensio muttered.
He casually spun his spear.
Through Lighthouse coordination, the Scouts locked onto his coordinates and relayed the information.
Four spears flew toward him in staggered timing to prevent evasion.
They struck.
But instead of blood—
A sturdy Inventory Armor stood firm.
Asensio brushed it aside, blue eyes glinting.
"…Four. Judging from the angles… I think I know your positions."
He pulled four throwing spears from his Reel Inventory, planted them, and kicked off the ground.
"He's fine! Fishern, move!"
Veteran A-rank Regulars charged in.
Clang!
Weapons collided. Several managed to press against him briefly.
"I've seen Ten Family brats die before! Nothing to fear! Up here it's pure ritocra—"
Whirl—
The detached spear blade sliced his throat mid-sentence.
"…Yeah," Asensio said calmly. "Up here, it's pure ritocracy."
He forcefully shoved back those pressing him down and swung wide.
Special Technique — Molino de Viento
Slash—
A full 360-degree arc.
Multiple Regulars fell instantly.
The spear shaft and blade moved independently in a bizarre style, overwhelming even veterans.
More spears flew.
Inventory Armor blocked three. His own spear deflected the fourth.
He retrieved the four planted spears.
"There you are."
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Each thrown in different directions—
Each perfectly impaled the hidden Spear Bearers attempting to snipe him.
"You are Khun Marco Asensio, aren't you?!"
A voice thundered from above.
Kuuwooo—
A massive mountain goat burst from hiding within a Lighthouse construct and ramd him head-on.
The impact was far stronger than expected.
Asensio clenched his jaw, refusing to lose consciousness.
"…Lo Po Bia?"
"Hahaha! Yes! I've always wanted to fight you! And then capture you, ta you, or kill you and preserve you in formalin—ahh, I'm getting excited! You're totally my type!"
The goat charged again.
This was a straight-line corridor.
No room to evade.
Perfect for the beast.
Asensio glanced at the Lo Po Bia Regular controlling it, gauging the distance.
"...Tch. Are all Lo Po Bia psychos?"
The goat closed in.
He raised his spear.
The Lo Po Bia woman watched calmly.
Even if his strike staggered the beast, her goat grew more resistant with every blow.
Eventually, he would fall.
"Ahh—I can't hold back anymore!"
Lo Po Bia Beast Technique — Diamond Fortress
With a flick of her hand, the goat's body hardened further.
Its charge grew even more devastating.
And it thundered forward.
The mountain goat's charge only grew faster.
It didn't slow down—not even for a mont.
Finally, with terrifying montum, it reached right in front of Asensio. The goat's horns were about to impale him—
And only then did Asensio move.
Asensio-Style Spear Art — Cleaving the Surface
"Useless! My goat is far sturdier than before—!"
Thud.
The Lo Po Bia Regular's words were cut short.
The spear blade—detached from the shaft and freely controlled—had already pierced deep into her skull.
Asensio had never aid for the goat.
He aid for its master.
It was possible only because of his unique spear technique—where the shaft and blade acted independently.
"Sorry," he said calmly, "but you're not my type."
Shhhh—
The mont she died, the charging goat disintegrated into dust and vanished.
Beeeeeeep—
—Ti is up! All teams still holding at least one base have passed! Congratulations!
Aside from Asensio's little rampage, the rest of us had spent a dull and peaceful test.
With clearance to enter the 125th Floor secured, we boarded our floating ship and took off once more.
This ti, though, there was a clear destination.
And certainty.
That alone breathed hope into a journey that had exhausted us ntally and physically for years.
....
"…So if we go to your village, we'll et Ashul Edwaru?"
At my question, Cheonhwa looked at like not again, but answered obediently anyway.
This had to be the fifth ti I'd asked.
"Yes, I told you. He's still there. Don't worry."
I simply smiled instead of replying.
After twenty years of climbing the Tower searching for that blacksmith… the thought that I would finally et him loosened sothing inside .
I'd even prepared myself to continue searching after becoming a Ranker.
And yet—this easily?
Still…
Why would a legendary master craftsman—soone who forged the 13 Months using half of the key to the 135th Floor—be in Cheonhwa's village?
If he was staying to reinforce the seals on the seven swords…
Then the monster sleeping inside them must truly be dangerous.
I stared at Narmada in my hand.
All I could feel was the typical ignition weapon aura.
But soone like the creator of the 13 Months? His insight would be on a completely different level.
Whatever the reason—
The only thing that mattered was that he was there.
While I was quietly excited, Maschenny walked over to Asensio.
"Asensio. You're fine?"
"Yes, Noona. Completely fine. Aside from being ramd once by a goat."
"Good. Thanks for covering earlier."
"Noona…!"
Asensio looked up at her with shining, reverent eyes.
Of course, that was because I'd told Maschenny earlier to at least acknowledge him.
Still… maybe she did care about him a little.
Yura, who knew the full situation, simply gave Asensio a silent, mocking smile.
....
Soon, we approached the coordinates Cheonhwa had provided.
Then—
Fog.
A vast region blanketed in thick mist swallowed our floating ship whole.
Hwarang narrowed his eyes at the controls.
"What the hell is this fog? I can't see ten ters ahead."
He wasn't exaggerating.
Visibility was abysmal.
Cheonhwa scratched her cheek sheepishly.
"Hehe… our village's weather is usually like this. But if you're seeing this fog zone, that ans we're almost there."
According to her, the area had no tall mountains, trees, or terrain hazards—just fly straight.
Still uneasy, I layered multiple shinsu barriers around the ship's hull.
Unless we flew directly into a mountain, we'd be fine.
After a while, the fog began thinning.
Hwarang's tense expression gradually relaxed.
The density dropped.
Clear space appeared ahead.
"Finally, we're out of that damn fo—?!"
The instant we fully exited the fog—
A massive mountain lood directly in front of us.
What happened to "no mountains"?!
"Hwaryang-hyung! Turn the ship!" Luf shouted.
Kuuooo—
Thud!
The distance was already too close.
Hwarang twisted the controls desperately, but the ship still slamd violently into the mountainside.
Thankfully, it glanced off rather than hitting head-on.
After violent shaking, we stabilized.
"…Cheonhwa," I said slowly, "care to explain? You said there were no mountains."
Before she could respond—
A booming voice echoed through amplification devices.
—Identify yourselves imdiately! Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation for colliding with our sacred periter will be treated as an act of aggression and punished by summary execution!
That tone…
It sounded familiar.
Too familiar.
I narrowed my eyes.
"…You identify yourselves first. Are you Zahard's army?"
The answer ca imdiately.
—Correct! We are the proud Zahard Royal Army executing His Majesty's will! This territory is designated as the sacred, inviolable site where an altar shall be built! State your identities and explain your actions at once!
Whirrrrr—
The cannons that had rely been aid before were now fully charged.
Ridiculous.
Still, I was about to offer a asured explanation—
When Maschenny grabbed my shoulder.
"Move."
"…?"
"I'll handle this."
"Ah."
Right. She's a Princess of Zahard.
Maschenny moved without hesitation, pressing several controls on the communication console and imdiately requesting a direct one-on-one video connection with the Zahard Army operator.
The request was accepted.
A direct line ford—Princess of Zahard to low-ranking communications officer.
The reaction was instant.
At first, the soldier's expression suggested faint recognition. Then realization dawned.
Shock. Horror. Absolute panic.
—…?! Th-This can't be…
Maschenny calmly produced the red three-eyed Zahard insignia.
That was enough.
She began pressing them down with regal composure.
"I am Maschenny Zahard. So… was it really so unpleasant that my ship bumped into yours?"
—N-No, Princess! We are deeply sorry! I shall imdiately bring my superior—
"Bring everyone above you. All the way up to my level."
—Y-Yes, ma'am!
…She's amazing.
Within monts, the flagship's command deck filled the screen. Officers crowded into view and dropped to their knees.
Maschenny looked down at them arrogantly.
"You're riding a warship that size, and because it shook a little, you loaded the cannons?"
—N-No! We rely—
"My neck and waist hurt from that collision. Wouldn't this count as injuring royalty?"
—...
"Should I have avoided you? Or should you have avoided ?"
—W-We should have avoided you, Princess!
"Then why didn't you?"
—…We are deeply sorr—
"If you're sorry, does that end your military career?"
She kept grilling them relentlessly until they looked utterly miserable.
Then, satisfied, she said coolly,
"Zahard's army aiming cannons at a Princess of Zahard. How amusing. I see how lax discipline has beco. Fleet commander—you won't be retiring alive."
—…Yes, Princess.
"Pathetic. Clear the way. I have business in that village."
—P-Princess… that village is designated sacred territory for the altar—
Her eyes sharpened.
"The one who issued that restriction—is he above ?"
Silence.
"Open the path before I board your flagship and kill you all myself."
—Y-Yes! At once!
Click.
She cut the transmission.
Then she sighed lightly.
"There. Problem solved."
"..."
Whether that performance was fully sincere or partly theatrical—I couldn't tell.
But I'd just discovered a new side of Maschenny.
…And sohow fallen for her even more.
The warships shifted aside.
A clear corridor opened.
We flew through like royalty.
Everyone—Asensio, Luf, Hwarang—praised her openly.
Only Cheonhwa tilted her head.
"…Why is Zahard's army near our village?"
Good question.
We'd soon find out.
Hwarang spotted the village and landed in an open clearing.
The hatch opened.
We stepped out.
Cheonhwa led us toward the entrance.
And then—
"..."
"Zahard's army, withdraw! Withdraw!"
"Drive out the outsiders! Protect our ho!"
The atmosphere was chaotic. Aggressive.
I quietly asked Cheonhwa,
"Was it always like this?"
"No… what happened?"
The village was large, yet the streets were mostly empty—except for a concentrated protest crowd.
It was obvious sothing had changed drastically.
Then—
A familiar voice called out.
"…Cheonhwa?"
"…? Shuka?"
It was the sa person she'd spoken to on the phone—the one who'd told her about Ashul Edwaru.
He looked playful, but his eyes turned wary when he saw us.
"Cheonhwa, who are they? You can't just bring outsiders into the village."
"They're returning Narmada. And they're my benefactors. Don't be rude."
His suspicion lted instantly.
"Oh. Sorry."
Cheonhwa imdiately bombarded him with questions.
"Shuka! What's going on?! Why is Zahard's army here? Why are people so angry? Why didn't you tell ?!"
"…You didn't ask. And you're busy. I didn't want to burden you. Honestly, I didn't expect you to co back."
For a brief second, Cheonhwa's expression darkened.
But she quickly smiled again.
"And that blacksmith? Where is he?"
Shuka pointed.
"See that big building? He's there. But… he's hard to approach. Feels mysterious. I wouldn't recomnd it."
"I need to see him," I said firmly.
"…Alright. But only you."
I turned to the others.
"I'll go alone. That okay?"
"Why ask? Go. We'll look around," Hwarang said casually.
Everyone agreed.
Cheonhwa ran off toward the village hall.
The others followed Shuka to explore.
I turned toward the forge.
My heart was pounding.
Not just excitent.
Sothing else.
The massive building lood closer.
— Ashul Edwaru —
The na was carved on the door.
I didn't hesitate.
I opened it.
Outside had been silent.
Inside—
Hamring.
Molten tal.
Hissing steam.
The first floor operated automatically—tools moving without a visible master.
He must be upstairs.
Step.
Step.
Step.
As I climbed, my heart thudded harder.
This wasn't just anticipation.
It felt… deeper.
The door to the second floor creaked open.
There he was.
Hamring steadily.
A wandering Workshop master.
A legend.
The creator of the 13 Months.
The Tower's greatest blacksmith.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
I waited for the right mont.
Then—
The hamring stopped.
His arm froze mid-motion.
Slowly.
He turned.
And I saw him.
Ashul Edwaru.
He radiated a faint white glow.
His eyes—only the whites visible—fixed on .
He raised one finger.
Pointed at my waist.
"…That sword."
"…Yes?"
"My work."
He was pointing at Baekya.
"…I forged it. About 160 years ago. At your father's request."
"…!"
"I wondered where it had gone."
His gaze pierced through .
"So it was you."
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