Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin Chapter 74 74: Tragedy (5)

Novel: Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin Author: Leonzky Updated: Jun 17, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 74 74: Tragedy (5) from Tower Of God: Life As Hoaqin, a Action novel by Leonzky.

On the Inner Tower region of the 99th Floor, under a night sky where only a single light shone from the ceiling above, a group began to gather rapidly.

Those who had been scattered throughout the area, hiding within the shadows of darkness, erged one by one into the reach of that light.

"All units have assembled."

When a subordinate reported to a woman, she nodded.

She then stepped forward before the group clad in black robes and raised her voice in a speech.

"When this night passes and daylight returns, our revolution will be etched deeply into the minds of our brothers and sisters who have lived hidden in the darkness."

She thrust her arm high into the air.

"For FUG's long-cherished wish!"

"For the wish!"

Kwooooom—!

The instant her words ended, hidden floating artillery revealed itself and began firing its cannons—

toward the testing grounds where the exams were held, toward the upper-class districts of the 99th Floor.

It did not take long for Arie Dikel, ruler of this floor and administrator of the Arie branch's Floating Castle on the 99th Floor, to lead Rankers to intercept FUG's terrorist attack.

....

I thought I could bear it.

I believed it would be fine.

No—since it was my own choice, I had sworn to accept the price willingly.

That was a foolish delusion.

It was not sothing I could endure.

I couldn't even protect the brothers and sisters I wanted to protect.

Why am I so foolish?

Why am I so pathetic?

Why am I so weak?

Vicente's mind stood on the brink of being completely swallowed.

....

Vicente walked down the stairwell of the building.

No—the demon walked down.

This building was one of the Floating Castle's auxiliary facilities, a dormitory for Arie trainees.

What it sought was the levitation-stone core that kept the building afloat.

It would certainly be in the deepest level of this structure.

[Found it.]

A voice split and grotesque beyond belief for that of a young boy echoed out.

Foolishly, the ritual the host had perford was one that dragged what lay within outward.

The demon had rely torn out several pages from the grimoire, altered the words just enough, and handed them to the host.

This was the result.

The host had pitifully surrendered control of his body.

In any case—it had finally found it.

The lowest floor, where the levitation-stone core was housed.

Normally, it would have been carefully concealed, and even for the demon, locating it would have taken considerable ti—but—

Kreeeek—

The demon inhabiting Vicente's body opened the massive door leading to the core.

As expected, inside stood a colossal levitation stone, radiating imnse buoyant power and serving as the foundation keeping the entire building aloft.

And precisely because it was so important, two Rankers were stationed here at all tis.

"Who goes there? Stop. This is a restricted area."

When the two Rankers noticed Vicente approaching, they placed their hands on their swords, threatening him.

Vicente ignored them and continued walking toward the levitation-stone core.

"This is your final warning. Even if you're from the Arie main line, take one more step and we will cut you down."

Still, Vicente neither answered nor stopped.

Instead, he walked forward calmly, a grin spreading across his face.

"Kill him."

Shing—

The sound of a sword being drawn rang out.

At the mont one Ranker swung to sever Vicente's neck—

[FUG's long-cherished wish.]

"…!"

The Ranker froze the instant those words left Vicente's mouth—spoken in a horrifying voice utterly unlike that of a boy.

"You're the entity that approached us."

[Correct. Ensure there are no interruptions.]

"For FUG's wish."

The two removed their Arie insignia and changed into garnts bearing FUG's emblem.

Two Arie Rankers—both of them—had joined FUG.

An unbelievable sight, yet the demon had known from the start, seeing through the essence of their souls.

Originally, it had planned to devour the two delicious girls, use them as a vessel, then proceed to the 2nd Floor and climb the Tower.

However, upon learning of tonight's planned terrorist attack on the 99th Floor from these two FUG agents, it decided on a far bolder plan.

Above them, all the Arie children of this Floating Castle were sleeping.

If it could devour all of their souls…

The demon exuded ominous energy, releasing clouds of crimson-black mist.

The mist gathered into its hands and ford a single book.

A grimoire containing soul-related sorcery.

It opened the book to a page titled "Devouring Souls".

A ritual that consud souls and turned them into power.

The demon drew Vicente's sword, Silver Moray, and began carving the ritual circle with Vicente's blood.

Before long, an ominous sigil centered on the levitation-stone core was complete.

The core was massive—and its purity matched its size.

The mont the Devouring Souls ritual activated, the levitation stone would overload, and the resulting explosion would obliterate the entire building.

Naturally, all the Arie children sleeping within would be swept away as well.

And their souls would be devoured by the ritual.

Flawless. Utterly perfect.

There had been the option of simply ordering the Rankers to kill the children—but in terms of efficiency, this was superior.

This plan would never have been attempted had FUG's attack not drawn away the ruler and the majority of the Rankers.

All the demon needed to do was swallow the souls and act as if nothing had happened.

It could even leave for the 2nd Floor beforehand.

The demon wearing Vicente's face grinned widely.

The souls it had already consud were writhing in agony.

Once it devoured the rest, how exquisite would their screams be?

Its excitent trembled uncontrollably.

Just a little longer—those pitiful souls—

"Vicente. Step away from there."

[...?]

Crack—

The demon's head twisted unnaturally toward the woman who had appeared and called him Vicente.

Ah—right.

She was here.

....

Using her abilities as a Scout, she had traced Vicente's trail.

His anxious face.

His trembling eyes.

His shaking body.

He looked like soone desperately flailing at the edge of despair.

She felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

The trail led to Albelda's room.

Fearing the worst, she kicked the door open—

But inside, there was nothing.

Nothing but bloodstains left on the bed.

As if they had vanished from that spot.

Through the remaining blood, Leblanc understood what had happened here.

Using her Scout abilities, she saw the mories of this place.

There—

Two young girls trembling in fear.

And—

Vicente approaching them.

No… could that really be called Vicente?

The mory cut off there, but she was certain.

Sothing had happened to Vicente.

That was not Vicente.

Imdiately, she followed his trail here.

"Vicente. Step away from there."

Her first—and final—warning.

Her hand moved to the twin swords at her waist.

[...Hm?]

A chilling voice leaked from Vicente's mouth.

That wasn't Vicente.

Her certainty deepened.

The ones beside him—Arie family mbers… from FUG?

Did FUG really orchestrate this?

Leblanc's eyes hardened.

Because the mory she saw had been cut short, she needed to know what happened to Albelda and Anna.

"Where are Albelda and Anna?"

[Ah. Those two.]

Vicente's lips curled upward.

[I ate them.]

"…What?"

[Those pitiful souls are still suffering inside .]

BOOM!

"I'll take the children back."

[If you can.]

Before the demon wearing Vicente could finish speaking, Leblanc had already lunged.

"You bastards—!"

"Do not interfere."

Before Leblanc's hand could reach Vicente, the two Arie Rankers blocked her.

While they held her back, Vicente hastened the completion of the ritual.

Slash—!

Klang—!

The two Arie—no, FUG—Rankers swung their swords at Leblanc's neck.

Using the advantage of her twin blades, she attacked and defended simultaneously.

Sword strikes flew in countless directions.

Despite their nurical advantage, they failed to land a decisive blow—yet the sa was true for her.

And from FUG's perspective, rely buying ti was enough.

Leblanc's goal was to stop and save Vicente.

FUG's goal was to kill Leblanc.

Her focus was on Vicente; the enemies' focus was entirely on her.

With numbers on their side, her body accumulated more and more wounds as ti passed.

When a blade thrust toward her heart, she deflected it aside and blocked another strike with her second sword.

For a brief mont, their blades were forced back—

She seized that opening.

Leblanc-Style Swift Sword: White Light, Hundred Flashes

Her twin swords scattered in all directions.

The shinsu carried within the slashes resembled white petals.

Those razor-sharp petals swirled around her, cutting into the two enemies.

Kagakang—!

Even if they were weaker than her, Arie were still Arie.

They reacted swiftly—taking heavy hits, but not fatal ones.

But that was never her objective.

Leblanc-Style Swift Sword: Quick Draw — Whale Wave

As the enemies faltered while blocking the storm of blade-petals, she sheathed both swords—

Then drew and thrust in a single motion.

A massive white wave surged forth with her quick draw.

Though they blocked it, the two enemies were swept far away.

Again—her target was not them.

BOOM!

The floor cracked as she launched herself toward Vicente.

She wouldn't kill him.

She couldn't.

She only needed to pull him away from that dangerous ritual circle.

One light flick to the forehead—maybe the real Vicente would wake up.

However, just before her hand could reach Vicente, a sword hurled by the enemy sliced through the shinsu and ca flying at her.

"…!"

Kang—!

She instinctively knocked it aside, but in doing so, she lost the timing to close in on Vicente.

The enemies had already rushed to Vicente's side, turning their blades toward her.

Stopping Vicente this ti has failed…

As she prepared to withdraw—

Her gaze caught on a single book.

The old, worn book Vicente was holding.

Leblanc's instincts scread at her.

That's the key.

She pretended to turn her back as if retreating—

Then suddenly snapped her long leg backward in a powerful kick.

Not at the two Rankers charging her—

But at the book.

Whrrrk—!

[No!]

It wouldn't have reached Vicente, but it barely grazed the book.

The book was kicked high into the air, and as Leblanc snatched it mid-flight, the demon using Vicente's body cried out in shock.

She took several cuts while leaving herself open to grab the book—but stealing it was far more valuable than avoiding those wounds. Of that, Leblanc was certain.

Breaking out of the encirclent and putting distance between them, she quickly flipped through the pages Vicente had opened.

"Devouring Souls Ritual."

The faster she read, the more violently her pupils trembled.

This was far more dangerous than she had imagined.

Leblanc looked around.

The ritual circle drawn around the levitation-stone core.

Only now did she fully understand what kind of insane act they were attempting.

And then—

The final line.

Her grip on her sword trembled for a mont, before tightening even harder.

The uncertainty vanished from her eyes, replaced by a clear, unshakable resolve.

If it cos to it… I will—

[What are you staring at!? Kill her! Get the grimoire back!]

Vicente scread in fury, his face twisted in rage.

Originally, FUG's goal had been to buy ti until Vicente completed the ritual.

That was why they had only maintained a standoff.

But now—

They had no choice but to kill her.

Seeing her distracted by the book, the enemies judged this their chance and charged.

At that mont—

Leblanc discarded her sword.

"…?"

The FUG mbers hesitated in confusion—but only briefly, before rushing in regardless.

Leblanc swung her blade at them.

But she had thrown it away—so how?

There was no ti to think.

From this mont on, even a 0.1-second opening would an decapitation by her strike.

Her bestowed weapon, Icthio.

A blade forged as a pair from the very beginning.

She had not drawn it even once since retiring from the Arie family's direct execution squad—except for the ti she killed a scheming Khun Ranker during the Festival.

Clenching her teeth, she resolved herself.

Not with the resolve to kill—

But with the resolve to die.

[At last! The ritual circle is complete.]

At those words, Leblanc's gaze snapped toward Vicente.

Just as he said—the circle on the floor was now complete, no longer missing anything.

Damn it… he can cast the ritual even without the book!?

[ပျော်ရွှင်ဖွယ်ဇာတ်သိမ်းပေမယ့်အဖြစ်ဆိုး...]

As Vicente chanted in an unknown language, the ritual circle began to glow.

If this continued, not only would the three children be lost—

Every Arie child in this building would be devoured by that demon.

That could not be allowed.

The two Arie Rankers allied with FUG did not let her pass.

They ca at her even more viciously.

At this rate, she could still win—but there was no ti.

Blades clashed.

Slashes collided.

Dozens of trajectories crisscrossed as the enemies' sword paths multiplied, but Leblanc brushed them all aside.

When her ferocious assault resud, they began coordinating, deflecting her strikes one by one.

Despite her attacks being faster and sharper than before, they sohow managed to hold on.

Their fanatical faith in FUG drove them—They were ready to burn their very lives as fuel, enduring dozens, hundreds of her attacks.

Though forced entirely on the defensive, they never stopped searching for a counter.

And then—

As they stepped back together, Leblanc overextended her movent.

For just an instant, she lost balance.

A fatal mistake.

They did not miss it.

The mont Levlier staggered—

Their techniques were unleashed simultaneously.

A storm of white blades surged—

Slash—!

Her left arm was severed.

Victory flashed across their faces.

Until—

One of their heads was cut off.

That opening had been deliberate.

She had lured them in.

The price was her arm—but it was cheap if it ant saving the children.

Swallowing the pain, Leblanc's gray eyes burned coldly.

An arm is nothing.

If it ans taking their lives.

The remaining enemy scread in terror—

She ignored him and charged.

"…You did that on purpose!?"

"…."

Even with one arm, killing trash like this was not difficult.

Her blade, Icthio, struck faster than imagination—

Piercing straight through his heart.

She moved past him instantly, heading for Vicente.

Now—Vicente—!

Thud—

Sothing pierced into her back.

Her heart burned.

"Ghk—!"

"For FUG…!"

The dying enemy had driven his blade into her spine.

His heart should have been destroyed.

How—

She sliced his neck cleanly before he could finish.

Only then did his body finally collapse.

"…Ugh—"

Blood surged up her throat.

She nearly fell to the floor.

An arm severed.

A blade through her chest.

Blood dripped like water from a burst hose.

If I fall now… I won't get back up.

Not yet.

The ritual circle around Vicente shone even brighter.

Despite giving up her arm to end it quickly—

It was already too late.

The being wearing Vicente's face looked down at her in amusent.

[The ritual has already begun. You are dying. There is nothing you can do. I'll make sure to chew your soul especially slowly—painfully.]

"Heh… bullshit…"

Then—almost perfectly tid—

She spoke to a nearby retainer, forcing the words out.

"You… evacuate all the Arie trainees… now!"

The retainer froze in shock.

Leblanc pressed forward.

She wanted to run—but her ruined body refused.

All she could do was walk.

Even so, she advanced toward the ritual circle.

For the children.

Then—

Soone placed a hand on her back.

A retainer…? Why—

KABOOOM—!!

A massive impact smashed into her body.

"…Gh—!"

"This is inconvenient, Lady Leblanc. Please do not interfere with our long-cherished wish."

Butterfly Palm Shock Art, FUG.

The demon's montary panic faded as he saw Leblanc restrained.

No—

Not yet.

"Apologies. It took us so ti to locate this place. Then, Vicente-sama—"

The retainer's words were cut short.

He had been certain she was dead.

No one could survive that state and still endure Butterfly Palm Shock Art—

Yet she lived.

Covered in blood, she turned her head.

Their eyes t.

The retainer froze.

Slash—!

Before he could react, Icthio cleaved his head clean off.

"Not yet… I can't die yet."

Only a few steps remained.

Her heart—she didn't know if it was beating.

Her vision—she didn't know if she could see.

She simply moved forward.

If I decide to save them—then I will.

At least those three.

[D-Don't co any closer!]

Kwooooom—!

The souls of the three dead Rankers were absorbed into Vicente's sword.

Not a small amount of power.

Three souls burned at once as the demon swung Vicente's blade.

KABOOOM—!

The demon smiled.

For three Rankers' worth of souls, the power was pitifully weak due to the host's limits—

But surely enough to kill her.

…Or so it thought.

The demon's face froze in horror.

Leblanc was still moving.

Her blazing eyes seed to stare past the host—directly at the demon itself.

Why?

Why was it afraid?

She was nothing more than an ant compared to it.

The massive slash carved deep into Leblanc's body—

Yet she did not stop.

Three steps.

Two steps.

One step.

Her foot entered the ritual circle.

"…I… told you…"

The ritual howled, pouring out ominous power.

The overburdened levitation stone sparked violently.

[Wait—let's negotiate—!]

"I said… I'd take the kids back."

Her sword moved.

Not toward Vicente—

Toward herself.

Thud—

Icthio—bestowed to execute enemies of the Arie family—

Pierced her own heart.

Killing others for myself—and killing myself for others.

…Damn it.

I'm still young.

"If you die too quickly, I'll kill you again… you four brats…"

Thud.

Her body hit the floor.

Her soul escaped—and, as if guided by will, entered the ritual circle.

A soul more noble and resolute than any other.

[Nooooo!!]

The demon scread.

The soul rged into the active ritual.

WOOOOOM—!

FLASH—!

A blinding light engulfed the entire underground space.

The demon was swallowed by it.

....

Crack—crack—crack—

The levitation stone's overload had nothing to do with the ritual's failure.

Once overloaded, it could not be reversed.

Amid the chaos of sparking stone—

Albelda opened her eyes.

"Ugh…"

Her mind was awake—

But her body kept trying to fall asleep.

Sohow, she forced her eyes open through sheer will—and the scene before her did not match her mories at all.

No.

She rembered.

What had happened to Vicente.

What occurred after he swallowed her and Anna.

Her soul had seen everything—from inside the demon's stomach.

"…? Anna!"

As Albelda looked around, she spotted Anna. She wanted to rush to her fallen younger sister imdiately, but her body would not move. Instead, an odd sensation washed over her—an overwhelming pull toward sleep. Not only Anna, but Albelda herself felt as though she would be dragged back into unconsciousness at any mont.

[Graaaah! That bitch—!]

"…!"

Albelda hurriedly turned toward the source of the voice.

Why was the demon still here?

Had Leblanc's soul entered too late after the ritual began?

Then… what about her sacrifice?

"Ghk—!"

At that mont, the harsh, ominous voice stiffened—then softened, returning to a familiar tone.

Don't tell …!

"Vicente?"

"…! Albel—ugh!"

Vicente was suddenly struck by a headache so severe it felt as though his skull would split open.

When Leblanc's soul entered the ritual circle, the demon lost its power. As a result, the souls it had not yet digested—Albelda and Anna—were expelled.

For so reason, the ritual circle that should have failed was still there.

Vicente's consciousness had only temporarily returned to him; he could already feel the demon desperately trying to seize control again.

And the demon's next targets would surely be—

Those two.

This is my fault.

It's all my fault.

Because of , everything ended up like this.

That demon was not his "true nature."

It was a dangerous existence that should never have existed in this world.

It was too late—but at least he could end it himself.

"…!"

Vicente drew Silver Moray and tried to slit his own throat.

Just as the blade was about to touch his neck—

"Don't!"

"…!"

Albelda scread, forcing her voice out despite her slipping consciousness. Tears stread down her face.

"Vicente, please…"

While he hesitated, he felt the demon once more gnawing at his mind, trying to devour his consciousness.

What do you want to do?

Everything hurt.

The guilt was unbearable.

There was no solution left—except his own death.

What was he supposed to do?

Flash—

At that mont, Albelda and Anna were enveloped in light.

A seal…?

"Albelda! Anna!"

When a ritual fails, the caster is sealed.

Then why—why was this damned demon not sealed, and only Albelda and Anna were?

Vicente rushed toward them, only to be stopped midway.

Crack—crack—crack—

The core supporting the building—the levitation stone—finally reached its limit.

Flash—

Rumble—KABOOOM—!

A blinding light erupted, bright enough to be seen from anywhere on the 99th Floor.

The levitation stone exploded.

The dormitory that once housed the Arie trainees was obliterated—leaving not even its shape behind.

.....

About one week later

52nd Floor, Lo Po Bia territory

Shaaa—

"They say it practically never rains on the 52nd Floor… I'm not sure whether to be happy about this."

"Haha, I like it. I've always liked rainy weather."

Still, with rain pouring down and thunder rumbling… maybe moving on to the next floor should wait a bit.

Just then, Hwarang ca in from outside, towel-drying his soaked hair.

"Oh! Water-type techniques worked amazingly!"

"Stop spouting nonsense. Hoaquin, soone's here to see you—go check."

"What?"

Soone here for ?

With a puzzled expression, I stepped outside. Since I didn't mind the rain, I didn't bother avoiding it.

And there—

A familiar face was waiting.

Dressed in black, holding a black umbrella.

"…Hawol?"

"It's been a long ti, Young Master Hoaquin."

The floating castle's retainer who had looked after since childhood—Hawol—was standing there.

Honestly, I never expected him of all people. Why had he co all the way here?

"…This is unexpected. What brings you here?"

"..."

Hawol bit his lip, then silently handed sothing to .

"…That's—"

A teddy bear.

The one I'd given to Anna—the prize from the Archides ga booth during the Festival.

And another item.

A scarf.

The one I'd given to Albelda.

"…These are… keepsakes."

"…What?"

A surge of irritation flared up instantly.

What kind of joke was this?

Even jokes had limits.

Why did he have these?

I'd given them to my friends.

I was about to snap—then our eyes t.

Deep grief.

Not even a trace of playfulness.

No… had Hawol ever been the kind of person to joke about sothing like this?

"Hawol, watch your mouth. What kind of nonsense are you talking about? I was ssaging Albelda just a few days ago. We even exchanged photos."

"..."

Hawol fell silent for a mont, then spoke again.

"…It's true. The 99th Floor branch is currently under dia lockdown. Lady Leblanc, along with most of the Arie trainees residing in the floating castle, were caught in the levitation-stone explosion and have been confird dead."

"…Stop talking bullshit."

"…It's true."

"Bullshit. Shut up."

"…It's true."

"Shut up."

I grabbed Hawol by the collar and glared at him as if I might kill him.

Reflected in his eyes was my own face—

Completely distorted.

Shaking.

Still gripping my collar, Hawol repeated the words.

"…It's true. The explosion was so powerful that not a single body has been recovered yet…"

No.