22 WAR

On the 21st floor, unlike any other day, the atmosphere was electric with excitement and festive spirit. Today, Yeon Ilarde, often referred to as the 'Godmother,' was about to choose a man to sleep with her. This event occurred only once every five years. The selected males would reside in the palace for five years, and among them, only one would earn the privilege of sleeping with Ilarde. If a child is born, they attain the glory of being accepted into the Family.

Floating Carriers from different places of Tower swarmed the skies, converging on a single destination. That place was a vast field of garden sprawled out in a massive expanse, divided into three distinct sections- the large part was used to Dock the Ships off all the gathered Rankers.

The other two Sections are further divided into small areas, where the arrived Rankers has been interviewed, then verified of the Rankings and Power Level.

"You've heard about Yeon Ilarde's taste, right? They say it's as cold as ice. Most of us don't stand a chance," remarked a young Ranker with a hopeful gleam in his eye.

His companion, a more experienced participant, chuckled knowingly. "Aye, lad, don't let ambition blind you. Only the best of the best make it past the initial interview. It's not just about five years in the palace; it's about being accepted into the Family if a child is born."

"It seems like Senior Brother has a lot of experience. Enlighten this junior"

Further away, a group of female Rankers conducted the test "This is the last batch, we only selected 4 among the 690 original Rankers." one of them remarked with a keen eye on the proceedings.

"Well…These men aren't fit to even clean the Godmother's bed, let alone warm it,"

One Yeon Ranker muttered, "This one has a peculiar obsession with cats. Will that be a problem, you think?"

"What about the guy who can summon an army of rubber ducks? Should we even bother?"

*Pit-a-Pat* *Pit-a-Pat*

The anticipation and hushed conversations suddenly stopped when a High Ranker from the Yeon Family walking into the Garden while sweating and trembling.

….

High above the Garden, several Fleet of Floating Ships, Warships and a Floating Castle suspended. Unknown to all, The Army of Yeon Family surrounded the entire Garden, ready to annihilate if something goes wrong.

Within the largest Warship, Azalea,

"Is this why the Family Head wanted me here?" A red-haired, busty woman with bright pink eyes looked below the Warship, seeing her Corps Commander entering the garden in panic.

"Do you want me to bring his head, Field Commander?" the Field Army Vice-Commander inquired, bowing.

"Let's see what he's up to, Uruini... Plus, Godmother is watching," Yeon Adara, the Field Commander, replied, her gaze fixed on the Floating Castle in the center.

…

*TAP* *TAP* *TAP*

The silence in the garden was shattered by a series of footsteps, each echoing with the heartbeat of those present.

"Shit! Why is he here Brother? I'm outta here!" The junior from earlier got scared upon seeing the new arrival.

"I don't know but don't worry Junior, Family Head Yeon is currently present in the 21st Floor." His companion reassured him, wiping his sweat.

Sasuke entered the well organised Recruiting Event and got flabbergasted at how grand it was. Even more so, when most of the Rankers present suddenly fled as he entered the Garden.

"Why are they running?" he asked innocently,

The High Ranker from Yeon wryly smiled and replied, "You do know your reputation right? Massacring an entire Branch Family of Lo Po Bia just because the Branch Leader wants to forcefully enslave you, Knocking the doors of the Ruler of each Floors just because you don't want to take Tests from someone weaker, making the Dead your Summon and last but not least, You are an 'Irregular'. "

'And you are asking me why they are running? Bastard! Do you take me for fool?'

"H-haha haha, anyway there's don't need to worry beautiful lady… I'm only here to participate in this Event." Sasuke replied awkwardly, but in his mind,

'As if… this is madness Urek!'

"Hahaha.. don't worry baby~ You just need to reject her after getting selected." Urek voice echoed in his ears via the Red cloud earring he wore. It's his custom made Pocket. He received from the Administrator of 15th Floor, after passing his Test.

Sasuke walked into the interview section while whispering into the Red Cloud earring, "Hey, Big Bro, what's the deal with all this? Why are we making a fuss? You still didn't tell me the reason."

"She rejected me once in front of everyone" Urek's voice crackled with vengeance,

Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle, "Rejected you? Urek Mazino? Why?"

"I don't know baby~ Maybe im too good for her" Urek replied with a straight face.

Sasuke burst into laughter, knowing exactly what must have transpired.

Despite the bizarre scrutiny from the Rankers of Yeon, Sasuke easily passed the Tests. Soon, the non-selected Rankers left the Testing Area one after another but didn't exit the Garden. Only Five selected candidates were rest, waiting. Sasuke being one of them.

"The four of you can leave." A motherly voice filled the garden as Yeon Ilarde descended from the Floating Castle,

As if that's the cue they've been waiting for, The Four left without looking back. Sasuke and Ilarde locked eyes. After a few movement of assessing, Ilarde opened her mouth,

"Come with me to the Floating Castle"

Sasuke swallowed deeply seeing her setting off above, just as he was about to reject her and end this charade, Urek spoke suddenly in his ears. He felt his mind going blank at what's going to happen next.

"Hmm? Aren't you coming?" Ilarde asked.

The onlooking Rankers and High Rankers felt a sense of foreboding. As Sasuke took a deep breath and spoke, a chill ran through the crowd.

"I'm sorry, but I'd rather not want to sleep with someone who spreads her legs every five years and swaps bed buddies as often as I change socks."

*_*

….

"HAHAHAHHAHAHA! He really said it!! He really said it!! That's my little bro!" Urek laughed like a madman and rolled on the Hall.

"You've gone too far with that Prank… Pig. Even if you are trying to get back at her for rejecting you." Yeon Hana, watching the scene from her throne, reprimanded Urek,

Urek , grinning, got back slowly while replying to Hana, "Well, don't you also want this to happen? I know You want Ilarde to stop this Charade every Five Years, because you feel guilty."

"And why do you want to use my Family as training dummies for your little brother?" Hana asked icily.

"Haha, Don't worry, beauty. I asked him not to kill anyone if things escalated."

After a brief pause of silence, Urek replied seriously, "Jahad Family… they seemed to be really concerned about his arrival. Do you think a Branch Family of Lo po Bia is foolish enough to provoke an Irregular?"

"The current him is strong… strong enough to make me use 30% of my Power. But at this level… he wouldn't be able to cross the 100th Floor."

"Arie Han?" Hana questioned, confusedly, "That still doesn't explain your reason of helping him."

"Don't tell me you still dream of leaving this place?" Seeing she hit the nail on spot, Hana scoffed,

"Heh! What a foolish dream you have Pig"

Urek remained silent. These fools won't be able to understand what he saw in that boy,

'When he reaches the top, you'll witness the birth of someone who surpasses everything you've seen. No matter how strong we are, it won't matter in front of him—an Axis.'

…

"Well, I didn't expect someone like him to be suicidal" Yeon Adara smiled condescendingly, exiting the Warship and floating in the skies as Crimson flames coursed around her, creating a Red-Giant in the Sky.

A voice echoed throughout the entire 21st Floor!!

"PREPARE FOR WAR!!"