25 Unprecedented

Soft sand stretched as far as the eye could see, meeting the crystal-clear waters of the sea in a gentle embrace. Perched on a small hill, a charming Beach House overlooked the beach. Sasuke and his team relaxed in reclining chairs, having some serious discussions.

"So... You fought the Yeon Family and faced their entire Army alone hearing that Jerk, huh?" Endorsi dryly questioned.

"Yo, Endo~, you're way too serious. If I had to guess, Urek might be keeping Hana at bay," Sasuke defended his brother.

'Huh?' Suddenly, an alarm caught his attention from the pocket he wore in the shape of a small Red Cloud earring. It was an announcement from the Ranking Administration Bureau, informing him of their visit in two hours.

"Well, that's something new," he thought, trying to recall everything he did after coming to this Floor. Other than going to war with Yeon for no reason, he couldn't think of anything that would warrant the attention of the Ranking Administration Bureau. Did he perhaps accidentally kill one of their Rankers?

"Yo, you good, bro?" Shibisu questioned, seeing him zoning out.

"Nothing. I might want you guys to take the tests today... You cool with that?" Sasuke brushed him off and posed his own question.

"Yeah, sure... We ain't got nothing better to do anyway!" Shibisu replied, with the rest of the team nodding and agreeing. Sasuke smiled and opened a portal for them to enter. After watching them leave for the tests, he sat alone, enjoying the landscape.

"Sorry, I don't want any debris accidentally killing you guys."

...

*ZAPPP!*

A colossal flying castle, half the size of the Yeon Mothership, appeared above the sea on the 21st Floor. It had a red circle emblem on the forefront, showing off its authority in the Tower. The Shinsu flow in the surroundings stiffened as a High Ranker exited the ship.

Yeon Uri, a High Ranker and Test Ranker of the 21st Floor.

Even though her presence alerted the creatures in the sea, they weren't worth mentioning compared to the Behemoth lurking on the shore.

"Holy mama! I should've worked on higher floors with my ranking," Yeon Uri muttered, feeling the pressure coming from the shore. It was just the natural presence of him, but it was enough to make her and the sea creatures feel dread. Taking a deep breath, she flew to the shore while clutching a red scroll in her hand.

Soon, she reached the shore where Sasuke was waiting in front of his beach house, sporting a smile. Hundreds of lighthouses dotted the skies, ready for another broadcast.

With another deep breath, she opened the scroll and held it in front of her.

"Greetings, irregular! I, Yeon Uri, the Test Ranker and High Ranker from the Ranking Administration Bureau, have come here carrying orders from the Director of the Ranking Administration Bureau and the King of the Tower," she announced.

"Interesting... Jahad is involved? But why?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his curiosity piqued. The pressure in the surroundings intensified, causing not only Yeon Uri but everyone watching from a distance to feel a sense of fear. The next words out of her mouth would determine whether she would leave this place alive.

Uri, however, remained unfazed, not showing any fear, at least on the surface. She continued with a calm demeanor, surprising everyone, including Sasuke. As her words reached their ears, their eyes widened in utter disbelief and shock.

"You are hereby promoted as a High Ranker and will be given the Rank of #18, below the Head of the Yeon Family."

"Please visit the headquarters of the Ranking Administration Bureau in Floor 134 when you can. Our Vice Director informed me to pass this message to you!" Uri finished, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. Without wasting a second, she turned around and left, breaking the sound barrier.

"Wait— WHAT?" Sasuke stood frozen for a moment, but not for too long. He immediately activated his Rinnegan, focusing on the scroll in Uri's hands.

"[Psychometry]"

*CRACK*

"Ugh!! Not again," he groaned. He couldn't see into the scroll! It's the second time he couldn't see past something or someone, the first being Urek and now this. He then shifted his vision to the attires on Uri, but what he saw made him nosebleed.

"Ahem... for research purposes,"

After failing to find a single damn clue about why the hell he got that High Ranking, Sasuke just shrugged it off and casually strolled into his Beach House. But before he did so, he made sure to obliterate all the lighthouses with a flick of his hand. The sky exploded with a breathtaking display of fireworks, as if the entire Floor is celebrating his Ranking.

"I don't know what you're scheming, but I don't give a flying fuck,"

…

The following day, the entire Tower erupted into chaos at the unprecedented and sudden change that had occurred within the High Ranking List. Never before since the creation of the Jahad Empire had an individual been bestowed a High Ranking without first reaching the top of the Tower. The various Powers in the tower responded swiftly and questioned the Ranking Administration Bureau, even going so far as to demand that their Regulars be granted rankings, only to be killed.

The situation only subsided once Jahad's Altars intervened. The High Priests of each Altar are said to have utilised unknown methods to direct public anger towards the source of the problem rather than questioning their decision. This effectively divided the Tower, with fanatics of Jahad declaring Sasuke the Harbinger of Death, while FUG Elders came forward from their slumber to defend Sasuke and grant him the position of 'Slayer'. Which only made things worse and further solidified the claims and accusation of Pro-Jahad's.

While the aftermath of the Announcement persisted and showed no signs of diminishing anytime soon, Sasuke ignored all commotion and remained within his home without concern for the outside world. Even those on higher Floors, who held jealousy and animosity towards him, did not dare approach, having witnessed his overwhelming power through the Box.

"Sigh, what a drag... I had thought to visit Hana today." Sasuke muttered with a slight sigh of disappointment. He had received a call from Urek stating that he intends to visit him now and not to leave anywhere.

*CREAK*

"Bro's before Hoes, little bro!" The door creaked open and Urek entered the room like a wise old man. He carried a large damaged bouquet with a lot of 'I love you' written on it. One does not need to be a love expert to know he had been rejected once again.

"Haha, you are right" Sasuke just laughed at him and didn't ask about why the bouquet had been damaged.

"Well, well, how does it feel to be a new celebrity? Did you perhaps get some ladies behind the back of your Big bro?" Urek took a seat in front of him and questioned with a suspicious look,

"Yeah, that is if they don't run away seeing me instantly." His forehead twitched at the thought of his circumstances. He really want to beat up Jahad for this.

"Hahahaha, I pity you lil bro. Jahad really wants to keep you on your toes it seems" mid laughter, Urek spoke seriously. Sasuke didn't interrupt him and gave his full attention.

"This promotion is like a double-edged sword, Kiddo. On the positive, you will enjoy all the benefits of being a High Ranker. Fame, Wealth, Power and everything basically. While on the negative, you will be restricted to not being able to climb the Tower with your Team. You need to pick which Side you are on. Most importantly, the other High Rankers won't have any restriction they had when you are a Regular, that includes the Family Heads and Jahad."

"So, tell me, are you scared? Don't worry, they can't do a shit with me on your side. I'll protect you, if you are really scared." With a wide grin, Urek questioned. Sasuke sighed,

"Do you even need to ask that question? Why would I care for whatever his schemes are? Let him cook! I at least want to taste before deciding, whether to Fire the Chef or Burn down the Cuisine." Stretching his sore hands, Sasuke replied languidly.

He don't care, no! He wouldn't care! He at some point don't know when, developed this unusual thing of seeing everything that stands opposite to him as a circus where clowns are dancing. Does the power corrupt him? If so let it do so! A power hungry madman is greater than a delusional fool.

'I at least don't want to go on a character development for no reason.'

"And… I don't need to choose a side, Urek. I'm the Side." a wicked smile emerged on his face for a split second.