9 Chapter 8

Reatsu, gathered in his palms, continued to shrink into two small spheres, increasing the destructive potential of the attack, but when only a few meters were left to the enemy, the spheres disappeared.

Having brought the weapon for attack, stepping back a little, the owner of the crown smiled anticipatingly, immediately lowering the blade vertically downward, cutting the air and ground in the place where Ichigo was in two instant.

- Defensive construction: Star. - Activating his five lights, Tu Peri covered his face with his hands. He managed to block the attack of the mercenaries, using all his lights, but the sudden movements inside the dusty curtain proved that the battle was not over yet.

Having disappeared from under the unusual blade of an unknown swordsman, Ichigo immediately felt weakness in his hands and the absence of both gray.

- Time is over. - The owner of the orange blade sighed annoyingly. - It was fun. My name, by the way, is Saya. A faint half smile appeared on his face as he turned to Ichigo. - Even more. - Putting a finger to his lips, he licked his lips, for a moment showing his fair hair and pink pupils. - I hope to meet again. Although with my team it will be difficult to keep up with you. - An unknown swordsman handed sadly, looking in disgust at his two companions. - It seems you are lucky if you could immediately acquire such a promising Adept of the Light from the start.

- Yes. I noticed that luck is very important. Ichigo snorted displeasedly, looking at his hands in confusion.

- It's all an officer. - Saya said. "He's amazing, isn't he?" Such a force, already throws into a shiver! - the swordsman exclaimed with admiration, barely restraining the trembling in his body. - Just like you. - Instantly overcoming the distance between himself and Kurosaki, Saya pressed himself to Ichigo's chest, running thin fingers over the guy's cheekbone.

- Leave me alone from our angler, evil spirits! - Poong said belligerently, launching one of the lights in a mysterious character. "Otherwise, I will slam you!"

- Mr. Tu Peri, keep yourself in control. - A guide sighed helplessly, once again noting the temper of his master when it came to something that at least somehow related to him. "You shouldn't get the officer's attention." - Clutching at these words, like a saving straw, and collecting all his seriousness, Blusom said. It is not strange - the effect was.

"Perhaps you're right, dwarf." - After mentioning the officer, Poong calmed down a bit. "As for you," he looked toward the mercenaries, "we will deal with you in the next trial."

- Sorry, but this is unlikely. - Ji appeared on the field.

- What are you trying to say? - Saya tensed, feeling something was amiss. - I have the crown! - He revealingly removed the crown from his head and handed it to the officer. - I passed.

"Hmmm ..." Wan muttered somehow intensely, dropping his eyes guiltily and tilting his head slightly down. - You see, Mr. Saya, everything is extremely complicated. - He began to dig the earth with the toe of his shoes. - Therefore, I will try to explain as simply as possible! - His face shone, as if it were not he who said that everything was complicated a couple of seconds ago. - You should be aware that the number of people who got to the Second Floor of the Tower over the past few months is unusually large. This is a rather unusual phenomenon, which is first encountered in the Tower. - The officer explained, smiling wryly, thereby showing that the next news would not be good. - And now this jump of those who entered has ended. According to Headon, the Keeper of the First Floor, the doors of the Tower were closed indefinitely.

"In other words," Bloom swallowed hard, realizing how the prolonged closure of the doors could affect the Tower, "will there be no more ascenders?"

- This is not yet known. - Ji shook his head negatively. - It is only known that the Keeper personally contacted the chief officer of the Floor, Yuu Han-Sung, and ordered all participants in the Battle for the Crown game to be admitted to the next Floor.

"The Guardian himself?" - Tu Peri nervously bit his fingernails, nervously recalling the information about the Guardians, which he knew from the family archives. - Nonsense! His gaze seemed lost, as if he were in a different place. "One of the Guardians, those who have almost omnipotence on their Floor, is so alarmed ?!"

- Yes. The matter, it seems, is really serious, since the Keeper himself lets us go to the next Floor. Bloom thoughtfully rubbed his chin.

- If so, then we have passed? - I decided to clarify Ichigo, approaching Poong.

- Yes. - With undisguised disgust, he looked at a group of mercenaries. "What about them?"

"They will be sent to Twentieth Floor, where they are supposed to be." - Ji explained.

- Okay, then we went. - Tu Peri headed for the exit from the arena, gesturing for Blusom and Ichigo. - Send, I still need to solve some issues.

***

Once in a flying building, which was the location of the transition to the next Floor, Poong, as he said, decided to finish the unfinished business.

- I demand compensation! - The heavy hand of the captain of the mercenaries instantly broke the institution's wooden table. In his appearance, it was clear that the "octopus" was furious. His tiny tentacles on his beard fluttered hysterically in different directions, scattering a nasty clear liquid.

Tu Peri idly scratched his head, as if he did not know the person sitting opposite him. This place, this cafe ... He liked it, so he did not want to attract too much attention, especially when there was such rubbish next to it.

- Be quiet. - A member of a great family threatened his eyebrows menacingly, after smiling sweetly at the puzzled and slightly frightened waitress. - Please do not pay attention. - He waited a little while the pretty girl left. - I was also surprised by the strength of this man. - He thoughtfully said.

- Not that word! Growled the mercenary. "He killed Ganz with one blow!" - Hissed through his teeth, trying to fulfill the request of the interlocutor. "I gave two hundred thousand for his name!"

"And I told you to be quiet!" - Poong also raised his voice a little. Feeling a little slanting glances was disgusting. "Don't forget whose family sponsored you." Ganz was bought with money from the Tu Peri family! - He emphasized with a caustic grin.

- That's how it is ... - The octopus clenched its fists. Still, losing such a fishing rod as Ganz was extremely unprofitable. "But what about the rest?" This red-haired horseradish killed four more: two broke his neck, and two generally accidentally gave away their skates, trying to block his attacks to the shins.

Poong sighed, shaking his head wearily from side to side. Indeed, the power of his new ally was uncontrollable even for himself. This battle showed that Kurosaki was not able to restrain himself, as if he were using his first tire. Yes, and that unknown swordsman with an orange blade. Who is he?

"The Tu Peri family will repair the damage." - Assured Poong, grimacing with displeasure. "You can tell your father that I found a great angler in my company." I bet he will be delighted? - The young gentleman gloated, getting up and leaving the institution. He will never truly get rid of the influence of the family.

- As you say. - Threw the "octopus" in pursuit of it. - Damn puppy! - He launched a chair to his left through the window.

***

- Mr. Poong, why so long? - Smiled at Yuu Han-Sung, opposite whom Ichigo and the guide of the Tu Peri family stood. "Your comrades have been waiting for you."

- Solved some issues. - He said displeasedly. It is unlikely that Yuu really knew what was happening on his floor. Especially when the Guardian is so concerned about the unexpected closing of the door.

"Then maybe we'll move on?" Bloom straightened his backpack, looking incredulously at the gentleman. "Or do you want me and Ichigo to join you next time?" - His tone became somewhat menacing. As a guide, who got much higher than they are now, he really did not want to linger on any trifles.

- "What did it find on them?" - Ichigo thought for a moment, but soon discarded the thought, seeing familiar faces on the way to the doors to the next Floor.

- It is you again? The red amball snorted in displeasure, folding his muscular arms over his chest.

"Good to see you again." - Sia smiled. The shadow from his hood, as always, covered the upper part of his face. "I hope we can fight again." No extra ballast. - He looked with contempt at his third companion: a fragile blonde in an obscene light dress.

Ichigo frowned, if he remembered correctly, then this girl did not even try to fight, she was only hiding behind the broad-skinned red-skinned man. She was completely useless in that battle, like, in a word, the red giant.

"I hope our paths no longer cross." - Poong instantly reacted, distracting from the conversation with the officer.

"But that is unlikely." - Edroc whispered skeptically, looking off to the side.

- Well, that's enough to sharpen the hair. - The officer said cheerfully, standing next to the doors to the next Floor. "I wish you all good luck."

Two teams, gathered their thoughts, moved to the next Floor.