CHAPTER 9: THE SPECIAL VINDICATOR
When Aragi returned from the 24th floor, his steps were heavy but confident.
He had fought through sleepless nights, endless monsters, and the weight of his own fear — yet he was still standing.
The first thing he did after reaching Drektown was head straight to Soros' shop. The bell chimed as he entered, and the familiar scent of oil and metal filled the air.
Soros looked up from behind the counter and grinned. "Well, well. Look who's back. Didn't die yet, huh?"
Aragi placed a small pouch on the counter — filled with crystals harvested from fallen monsters.
"Sell them all," he said flatly.
Soros opened the pouch, eyes widening. "That's… a lot. You've been busy."
"I need money," Aragi said, his voice calm but focused. "Good gear. Something light but durable. And a normal sword."
Soros raised an eyebrow. "Normal? You sure about that? I've got enchanted ones—"
"Just normal," Aragi interrupted. "Something that won't break easily."
The old trader chuckled and nodded. "You got it."
He placed a few pieces of armor and a steel katana on the counter. The sword wasn't fancy — just a clean, straight blade with a matte black sheath. It reflected the dim light quietly, like it was waiting for the right hand.
Aragi tested the balance, then nodded. "Perfect."
Soros smiled knowingly. "Getting ready for something big, huh?"
Aragi didn't answer. He just paid, took his gear, and left.
---
Back at his small room, Aragi threw himself onto the bed. The cracked ceiling above him felt strangely quiet. His muscles ached, but his thoughts wouldn't stop.
The next floor will be different.
He could feel it. Something about Floor 25 called to him — like a silent challenge waiting to be faced.
He turned to the side, staring at the wall. "Should I… ask Mai?" he muttered to himself.
He remembered how she had said she'd rest for a few days. Maybe she had recovered by now.
But then a strange hesitation grew inside him.
Would it look like I'm only using her?
Before he could finish the thought, a deep, teasing voice echoed in his mind.
Igara: "Well… that's what you're actually doing."
Aragi groaned. "Ha? What do you mean?"
Igara: "Didn't you two make a deal? You'd help each other clear floors, right? So what's the problem? You're not using her — you're fulfilling your agreement."
Aragi sighed. "You're making it sound simple."
Igara: "It is simple. You two planned to climb up to the 25th floor together. But tell me something, Aragi… after that, what will you do?"
Aragi stared at the cracked wall silently before replying, "...I'll climb alone. I can't depend on her forever."
Igara: "Hmm."
There was a pause — then a faint chuckle.
"Then go ask her. See if she's ready. Or are you afraid she'll say no?"
"Afraid?" Aragi smirked. "Not my thing."
He stood up, brushed the dust off his hoodie, and walked toward the door.
---
But the moment he opened it — he froze.
A small envelope lay on the ground, right outside his door.
He picked it up, frowning.
There was a single name written neatly on the front.
Mai Tsurugi.
"...A letter?" Aragi muttered. "Why would she…? She lives right next door."
Confused, he tore it open and unfolded the paper inside. The handwriting was clean but soft — definitely hers.
> From Mai,
Sorry, Aragi, but I don't think I can fulfill the promise.
I've decided not to climb anymore.
I have my reasons — and by the time you're reading this, I've already left Drektown.
I know you were planning to go to the 25th floor. Since you can't climb alone, I'm leaving you an address where you might find other Vindicators willing to help. It's written on the back of this letter.
I'm sorry.
— Mai
Aragi stared at the letter for a long moment. His fingers trembled slightly as the words sank in.
"She… left?" he whispered.
He sank onto the nearby chair. A bitter feeling settled in his chest — not anger, not sadness. Something quieter.
Did she leave because of me? Because I wasn't strong enough to protect her?
He turned the letter over and saw an address scrawled on the back — a meeting point somewhere near the north district of Drektown, known for mercenary Vindicators.
He sighed deeply. "So that's where she wanted me to go."
Igara: "You look miserable."
Aragi muttered, "Shut up."
Igara: "Why not ask that shopkeeper of yours? He's always got information about every floor."
Aragi stood up and grabbed his katana. "Yeah… good idea."
---
The bell chimed again as he entered Soros' shop.
Soros grinned. "Back already? What is it this time — more gear or more questions?"
Aragi crossed his arms. "I want to know about Floor 25."
The trader's grin faded slightly. "Ah. That floor, huh?"
Aragi raised an eyebrow. "What's so special about it?"
Soros leaned forward on the counter. "Floor 25's a weird one. It's the only floor in the lower region that requires two people."
Aragi frowned. "Requires?"
Soros nodded. "Yeah. When you reach the gate, you'll see two doors. To open one of them, you need two Vindicators to scan their IDs together."
Aragi tilted his head. "And the other door?"
Soros smirked. "For those crazy enough to go alone."
Aragi blinked. "Wait. So I can go solo?"
"Technically, yes," Soros said. "But listen, kid — the rumors say that when two people go, the floor becomes easier. Safer. When you go alone…"
He chuckled darkly.
"The Tower makes it harder. Much harder."
Aragi nodded slowly, piecing it together. "So that's why Mai asked me to climb with her…"
Soros shrugged. "Probably. But hey, if you think you can handle it alone, I won't stop you."
Aragi gave a faint smile. "Thanks for the info, old man."
"Try not to die," Soros replied casually, already turning back to polish a weapon.
---
Back in his room, Aragi tossed the letter on the table and leaned back.
"So, Igara," he muttered, "should I go alone?"
Igara: "You're asking me that? I'm still alive, remember? That means no one's strong enough to even touch us — including you."
Aragi rolled his eyes. "We're the same person, idiot."
Igara: "Then you're agreeing with me."
Aragi exhaled sharply. "Just answer seriously."
There was a short silence. Then, in a teasing tone, Igara replied,
"Why so tense? Don't tell me you're worried about Mai."
Aragi gritted his teeth. "That's not what I asked."
Igara: "Heh. Sure."
Aragi stood up and walked toward the window. The night outside Drektown was filled with the faint hum of machinery and dim lights from the tower walls. He stared at it for a moment — then finally decided.
"I'll climb alone."
Igara: "Now that's the Aragi I know."
---
The next morning, Aragi entered the Mesius elevator. His reflection stared back from the metallic walls — sharper eyes, steadier posture. The air hummed with quiet tension.
As the elevator ascended, the floor numbers blinked one by one until finally—
25.
The doors slid open.
A faint gust of cold air brushed against him.
The floor ahead was silent. The entry chamber was empty, except for two massive doors, just as Soros had described.
One was marked with the symbol of Unity — glowing faintly blue.
The other had the symbol of Solitude, etched in gray.
Aragi approached the second door and pressed his Vindicator ID against the scanner.
The screen blinked.
Then a robotic voice echoed through the air.
> "ACCESS DENIED. SPECIAL VINDICATOR CANNOT ENTER THIS DOOR."
Aragi froze. "What…?"
He looked around, but the voice didn't come from anywhere — it came from everywhere. The air itself seemed to speak.
Then suddenly, a second voice echoed — deeper, louder, almost ancient.
> "THE DOOR FOR THE SPECIAL VINDICATOR HAS BEEN UNLOCKED."
The ground trembled.
Between the two massive doors, the wall began to split apart, stone grinding against stone.
A third door — sleek, dark, and glowing faintly silver — emerged from the center.
Aragi's breath caught. "What the hell…"
Igara: "Looks like you've got a personal invitation."
Aragi stared at the mysterious door, his pulse quickening. "This… wasn't here for anyone else."
Igara: "Exactly. The Tower itself made that door for you."
Aragi hesitated, then clenched his fist around his katana. "Then I can't back down. If the Tower chose me, I'll see why."
Igara: "You sure? We have no idea what's behind that thing."
Aragi smirked. "No choice. And besides—"
He touched his chest. "If anything happens, I've got you."
Igara: "Tch. You're depending on me too much."
Then his tone softened slightly.
"But I guess you can. After all, I'm you."
Aragi stepped forward. The scanner lit up, and he pressed his ID to it.
The silver door clicked — and slowly began to open.
A cold gust rushed past him as the floor lights dimmed.
Then, as he stepped through the threshold, a final voice thundered through the air.
> "THE SPECIAL GUEST HAS ENTERED THE FLOOR."
The gates sealed shut behind him.
And once again, Aragi Yotai — the boy from Drektown with gray eyes and an unknown power — stood alone, staring into the unknown.
---
✨ End of Chapter 9: The Special Vindicator ✨