Chapter 8 : Floor 2 - Opportunity

[ Before reading: 1) As you may have noticed from the release of this chapter, I'm trying to slow down the update pace. Even though I enjoy writing this story, writing over 2000 words daily for a chapter takes a lot of time and has become too large a part of my life. That's why I've decided to space out the publication days to focus better on what's most important, and I hope you understand. (This doesn't mean I've necessarily decided that there will only be one chapter per week, but rather that there may often be days without a chapter.)

2) Now, let's move on to some happier news. Recently, I decided to add a romance to this story, which will appear much later, as I don't want to rush into developing romantic relationships that wouldn't make sense. This romance will be subtle yet very important for the character of Yeong. However, I'm torn between two female characters who are among the most powerful beings in the tower: Adori Zahard and Eurasia Enne Zahard. That's why I'm leaving it up to you to choose, through a vote, which one you prefer, considering her future impact on the story. (Comment either on this paragraph or on the chapter, using 1, for Adori or 2, for Enne.)

3) I also changed Aldwin Tu Perie's hair to purple, as it will be important for what comes next, which you can guess by making a connection to a certain character from Tower of God. ]

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Thus, our newly formed group found themselves, this time, in a warm-coloured room belonging to a large floating structure that overlooked the entire battlefield. It was none other than the mothership of the High Ranker and Ruler Evankhell.

The various other teams, on the other hand, arrived one after the other, quickly creating a chaotic atmosphere. It was to be expected that forming teams in such a short time, right after such a deadly test, would gather regulars who would never be able to work together.

And so, while Yeong's group remained calm and distanced from the others, what was predictable happened, some individuals had already started fighting while insulting each other. This sad spectacle was watched with great disdain by Rose.

"They're pathetic, none of them will ever be Rankers." She thought to herself before turning to her group and adopting an arrogant tone. "We'll easily defeat all these weaklings. Just support me properly, and I'm sure we can get through this floor quickly."

In response to this declaration, her teammates had very different reactions. On one hand, Aldwin was relaxed and simply laughed, while on the other hand, Yeong sighed and wore an awkward smile in response to the Princess of Zahard. 

However, in the relaxed atmosphere of the group, the heir of Yirang soon began to question the mysterious member of the Tu Perie family, who seemed suspicious for knowing information that was supposed to be confidential about him.

"On the other hand, Aldwin, I haven't forgotten to notice that you've been watching me throughout my fight while daring to call me the son of my mother, Yirang Yeon. Few people know this secret beyond my family and those extremely important in the tower, like your family head. Given that Tperie seems to be watching me constantly, I must admit I doubt it's a coincidence that I encounter a member of their family just as I begin to ascend the tower. So be honest with me, are you a spy sent by him to manipulate me?" He said suspiciously.

Faced with such an accusation, Aldwin shrugged and took on a serious expression for a moment. "So, you even know this... It's up to you whether to believe me or not, Yeong, but it's purely a coincidence that we met here, even if he may have predicted our encounter. You don't seem to know the personality of our family head, so let me teach you, Lord Tperie is a man who has been bored for millennia, constantly watching every action in the tower. To relieve his boredom, he chooses people he affectionately calls his champions, to whom he gives valuable knowledge to stir things up and entertain himself. I am one of his champions."

"Of course, you must be wondering how far my knowledge of you goes, and I can tell you it goes quite deep. I know that you are more than just a regular and that your Shinsu professor happens to be Eurasia Blossom. I admit that all the information I've received about you has greatly piqued my interest, which is why when I found out you were in the same test, I observed you. But don't think that means I'm a spy; strangely enough, Lord Tperie values free will a lot and allows us to make our own choices, even to rebel against him, because, for him, it wouldn't be entertaining if he decided everything in advance." He said this finally, leaving Yeong and Rose speechless.

To say that Arie Rose Zahard was shocked would be an understatement. The fact that Yeong had not only encountered two heads of major families but that one of them was his Shinsu professor, was unbelievable to her given her knowledge. Knowing her father, Arie Hon, it seemed to her that the family heads hadn't interacted for millennia. But she couldn't ask her questions to the two boys, who seemed to know more than she did, because an individual appeared, stopping all the ongoing fights with a simple clap of his hands.

The individual who interrupted them was an adult man with blond hair, beneath whose eyes were drawn two circles of gray. Once calm was restored, he began to speak in a calm and eloquent voice: "If you continue to fight again, as the test administrator, I will have to disqualify you."

When everyone heard that he was a test administrator, they also understood that he was therefore a Ranker, and they stopped fighting to watch him, listening attentively to what he had to say.

Seeing that he had achieved calm, the Ranker smiled. "I can see from your faces that you understand I'm a Ranker, and indeed I am. To introduce myself more officially, my name is Lero-Ro, and I will be your test administrator for the upcoming test."

Without giving them time to prepare, Lero-Ro moved his hand in a circle to form a dense sphere of Shinsu, which he unleashed instantly on the regulars in the form of a massive wave of water that engulfed them and sent them to the bottom of the large room. From the passage of the wave, only a wall of Shinsu remained, separating the test administrator from the other regulars.

Many of the regulars were surprised by the effects of the Shinsu, and some were even frightened by the power of the Ranker before them. But Lero-Ro did not concern himself with their feelings and began to explain the workings of the test.

"As you may have seen, I created a wall of Shinsu by compacting a portion of the attack I just sent you. To remind you of the basics, Shinsu is present in the tower to allow us to drink and breathe, and its density increases with each floor. It can be manipulated by us in many forms, thanks to contracts made with the administrator of a floor. However, some regulars are not compatible with Shinsu and therefore cannot ascend the tower. My test is specifically designed to identify and disqualify them," he said.

"The test, therefore, consists of crossing this wall of Shinsu to prove that you have the minimum innate abilities to ascend this tower. However, for you to qualify, all members of your group must also cross this wall; otherwise, you and your team will be disqualified." he declared before a particularly angry regular interrupted him.

"But this isn't fair! We shouldn't be disqualified because useless members of our group fail this test! We didn't even have time to discuss forming our team, I can't accept having to rely on luck to climb this tower!" shouted an angry regular, his multiple eyes turning red.

"It's always the same thing with every promotion of regulars," said Lero-Ro, holding his head. "You're quite foolish to believe that your current strength is due to yourself. It's luck that has allowed you to have good physical condition; it's also luck that kept you from dying before you came to climb this tower. It's even luck that allowed you to be born into a certain species that gives you better vision than others. Indeed, you all understand that the only reason you are here is luck, and it will be your great ally in climbing. So it's only natural that this test works in the same way. Now that you have nothing left to say, try to cross the wall. I will stop when I see that only those who have no chance remain."

"Excuse me for interrupting your monologue about luck, Mr. Lero-Ro, but it turns out I've already finished," said Aldwin, who was already standing behind Lero-Ro, and the test administrator did his best to hide his surprise from showing on his face. "And I would also like to contradict your nice speech: for me, luck is something you create, just as I did with my intelligence. Seeing your attack, I immediately understood it was related to the test, so I dodged it by teleporting to one of the lighthouses that I placed behind you. But look around you closely, and you'll see I'm not the only one who has succeeded in your test, my two teammates have also done so, and in a way that respects your test more."

Lero-Ro turned to see Yeong and Rose indeed standing outside the wall, in the same spot where they had both been before his wave of Shinsu. He and the other regulars couldn't help but think that the three members of this team were all monsters. 

"These three regulars will undoubtedly become High Rankers in the future, ones that their respective families can count on. First, there's this member of the Tu Perie family, extremely clever, who teleported behind me even before the test began. Then there's this powerful Princess of Zahard from the Arie family, who probably split the Shinsu in front of her with her swordsmanship. Finally, there's the Shinsu genius from the Yeon family, whom I caught a glimpse of in the preliminary test, who must have manipulated my own Shinsu to avoid being hit. These three are true monsters," he thought sincerely.

As the three teammates looked at each other with respect, the test administrator searched for a way to eliminate these three regulars so they wouldn't skew the tests on the floor. "Hmm, I have an idea, but if this person doesn't approve, I will probably lose my position as test administrator. Still, I must do it, these three individuals can only be truly tested by this person."

After considering his idea, Lero-Ro wanted to share it by addressing Yeong's group: "I congratulate all of you for passing my test. But while we wait for the other regulars to cross this wall, I propose a special test. Rest assured, if you fail, there will be no consequences, and you will continue to take all the tests with the other regulars. However, if you succeed, I will personally go to see the Ruler of this floor, Evankhell, to ask her to give you an exceptional test herself, which will allow you to ascend directly to the third floor without needing to go through a large number of tests."

Faced with this choice, Yeong was not as enthusiastic as the members of his team. While he certainly wanted to ascend the tower as quickly as possible, he also wished to avoid encountering Evankhell, who might recognize his irregular status upon seeing him. However, in this dilemma, his desire to ascend outweighed his fear, leading him to ultimately accept the special test proposed by Ranker Lero-Ro.

"We accept to take your special test, test administrator Lero-Ro," Yeong said after careful consideration, looking at his two teammates, who nodded in agreement.

"You are right to seize this valuable opportunity; it is this spirit that will allow you to reach the top of this tower," Lero-Ro said with a smile, knowing he had managed to get them to participate in his special test. "I will now explain how this test works. It will be a battle in which your sole objective is not to touch me but to make me fall, knowing that you will be facing a Ranker. Do you still want to take my test?"

This did not waver the determination of any of the individuals before him, and even the Princess of Zahard was eager to measure herself against a Ranker, smiling widely. "This is the kind of test that brought me to this tower. It's only by facing opponents of Ranker level that I will reach my goal. So I fully intend to make you fall, test administrator!" she declared, ready for a fight.

"Don't think it will be that easy, Princess of Zahard," he said confidently, eager to test their level against a real challenge. "Now that it seems you all accept my test, it's time for it to begin."

As Yeong, Rose, Aldwin, and Lero-Ro got into position to fight, two individuals watched closely the turn that this special test was about to take. First, there was another test administrator named Quant Blitz, a friend of Lero-Ro, with red hair, dark skin, and red eyes, known especially for his short temper.

"Ha, ha, ha, these regulars think they can make Lero-Ro fall. They are quite naive, as he is not a weak Ranker; he could easily be part of Zahard's army if he wanted to. I don't know why Lero-Ro chose to set such a test, but it's quite cruel. I don't see how even these talented regulars can make him fall or even touch him. What do you think, Yu Han Sung?" he said arrogantly, looking at the test director.

The floor's test director, with long blond hair, took a sip of his tea before responding while observing the fight. "Quant, you shouldn't underestimate these regulars. If you had watched the preliminary test instead of lounging around, you would have realized that the talent of these three young individuals is far greater than yours was at that time. Of course, you hate that they all come from the Ten Great Families, but your judgment shouldn't be clouded by your anger. As for me, I'm going to bet on the young man with black hair from the Yeon family. I'm convinced that victory will come from him; you'll see," said the mysterious FUG agent

Thus, the special test could begin. Will Yeong's group succeed in Lero-Ro's test, or will they fail?