There's no Rachel in here!
The tower, rumor had it, was built by the Axis and had existed for a long time. Each floor had a designated guardian, and standing at the entrance was a human-sized, faceless white rabbit. Other than a black slit revealing its narrow eyes and teeth, everything else about him was a mystery.
A powerful being, also known as the gatekeeper of the tower—Headon.
A ray of white light emerged. Despite the blinding glare, Headon stared at the person who stepped inside, observing him with interest.
Spreading his hand and playing with the yellow baton, he spoke in a calm demeanor.
"Welcome, the chosen one."
Before him stood a young boy with black hair and light brown eyes, wearing long black sleeves and brown pants.
"Who are you?"
Headon revealed a sly smile, showing his shark-like teeth, and introduced himself politely.
"My name is Headon. I'm the guardian of this floor."
"Guardian, you say?"
The visitor stared at Headon suspiciously and asked,
"My name is Kang Cheondung. Can you tell me where I am and what kind of place this is?"
Headon gladly answered his inquiry.
"This place is called the Tower—a place that grants challengers an opportunity to fulfill their desires. Be it money, glory, revenge, or power… you can get everything at the top!"
A challenge?
Hearing this, Cheondung pondered for a moment and asked,
"Is that so? Then why am I here?"
"The Tower won't open itself to just anyone, unless it deems the individual worthy… or there is something it needs."
"So you're saying I have a role to play. What if I refuse?"
Refuse, you say?
Headon looked amused. "I'm sorry to say, once you're inside, you cannot leave."
"I cannot leave?"
Cheondung raised an eyebrow. He wanted to smack Headon right then and there, but that wouldn't change anything. In fact, it would make his situation worse, since there was no one else to guide him. After weighing his thoughts, Cheondung reluctantly agreed.
"In that case, Headon, I will climb the Tower."
A sinister grin grew wider on Headon's face—he was more than happy to guide him.
"Once again, I, Headon, welcome you to the Tower!"
The open field was surrounded by two-meter-tall grass. Cheondung stood tall atop the mountain, observing the regulars wandering around aimlessly.
"Is this the inside of the Tower? The scenery's decent."
Cheondung mumbled.
"Now, what should I do next? Since this is considered a challenge, there might be some kind of test."
As he anticipated, a sudden announcement echoed. Looking up, he spotted an amplifier hovering in the sky, blasting out a loud voice.
Attention, regulars. We will now start with a simple test. I will explain the rules, so please listen carefully.
The number of regulars on this floor exceeds 400. Your task is to reduce that number to 200—by any means necessary. Once the number is reached, the test will end. Good luck!
"Reducing a number?"
Cheondung raised an eyebrow, staring at the regulars below him in a daze.
"They said, 'by any means.' I could either disable them so they can't participate… or kill them."
The former required a lot of work, while the latter was far more efficient.
"I don't like killing unnecessarily, but I'm curious about what kind of place this is. Perhaps there's a way to the top… so, become my sacrificial lambs."
Cheondung declared, raising his hands. Two identical Mary's Legs appeared, aiming at the strongest regulars on sight.
BANG! BANG!
Two short, crisp shots rang out, each striking their targets in the head. Yet there was no blood. Instead of corpses, their bodies turned to ash and vanished.
"It seems my power works the same way here."
Satisfied with the result, Cheondung continued eliminating regulars. After countless shots, there was no one left within his range—yet the exam hadn't ended.
"I've killed plenty… but the body count still isn't enough. I guess I should move somewhere—"
Just as he was about to leave, Cheondung sensed someone closing in. He hadn't bothered with far-off targets, but now… someone was approaching him directly?
"Someone's courting death."
Turning, he saw a fair-skinned girl with long light brown hair and yellow eyes, dressed like a scholar and carrying a book.
She had noticed him from the start. Despite the danger, she walked forward confidently, as if everything would go her way.
"Hello there, regular. My name is Po Bidau Ella," she introduced herself with a warm smile.
Cheondung didn't care. His eyes were fixed on the book she carried—there was a faint trail of blood dripping from it.
She'd probably killed someone on the way here.
"What do you want from me?"
Ella frowned at his impolite tone; inwardly, she complained.
I'm a descendant of one of the Ten Great Families, and you dare speak to me like that!? Hmph. If you weren't useful, I'd have gotten rid of you already.
"Let's make a deal. Work for me, and you will be rewarded accordingly. As you know, I'm from the Po Bidau family."
Po Bidau family?
Cheondung raised an eyebrow. He had never heard of them before. They must be Tower natives.
"What if I refuse?" he asked firmly.
Ella's expression soured. She hated not getting what she wanted, and his hesitation was as good as a rejection. If she couldn't have what she wanted, she would resort to violence.
"If that's the case… you will die here!"
Ella declared.
"It's a pity you're useful," she added, approaching him slowly.
—A few minutes later—
Cheondung stood without a care in the world. Beside him lay Ella's mangled body. Her head was twisted several times until the flesh tore, leaving only a small strip of skin barely connecting it to her body. The same gruesome fate had befallen her limbs.
"Po Bidau family, huh…?
So someone named Po Bidau Gustang is quite special. They say he's the most knowledgeable man in this Tower. Perhaps he could give me a way out."
Cheondung mentally noted that he would seek out Gustang later.