Morning light poured gently into the apartment, painting the room in warm gold. The city outside was already alive, but inside, the air felt calm—quiet in a way that made every sound softer.
Axamu sat at the table, eating breakfast slowly.
Across from him, Shirayuki held her cup with both hands, sipping carefully. She looked a little nervous, but there was no fear in her eyes—only trust.
A faint system timer hovered in Axamu's vision.
[Quest Start In: 00:00:00]
It disappeared without a sound.
Axamu let out a small breath—and then smiled.
"…Looks like it's time."
Shirayuki looked up at him. "Is it… today?"
"Yeah," he replied gently. "Today."
They finished breakfast together. No heavy words. No long explanations. Just the quiet understanding that this moment had been coming for a long time.
Axamu stood and went to get ready. He slipped on his jacket, the familiar weight settling on his shoulders. When he returned to the living room, he stopped for a second.
Shirayuki had already changed.
She wore a white and red jacket, clean and bright, the colors standing out beautifully against her pale hair. It made her look different—stronger, like someone who had chosen to step forward.
Axamu's expression softened.
"…That jacket, look good on you." he said with a warm smile.
Shirayuki blinked, then nodded shyly. "Mm…"
She hesitated before asking, "Axamu… are we going to the X Tower now?"
"Yeah." he answered, his voice calm and kind.
"…Is it scary?"
Axamu walked closer and gently fixed her collar, his movements careful and reassuring.
"It might be," he said honestly.
"But you're not alone."
He placed his hand on her head and gave a light pat.
"I'll be with you the whole way."
Shirayuki's shoulders relaxed. She nodded firmly. "Then… I'm okay."
Axamu smiled a little wider.
"Good."
They walked to the door together. Before opening it, Axamu glanced back at the apartment—the quiet place that had given them warmth, safety, and time.
"…I hope i can return to home again..." he muttered softly, more to himself than anything else.
He opened the door.
The city greeted them with sound and light. In the distance, rising above everything—
The X Tower.
Axamu looked at it calmly, then down at Shirayuki.
"Ready?" he asked with a gentle grin.
Shirayuki nodded. "Yes."
Axamu's smile didn't fade as he stepped forward.
"Then let's go."
---
The moment Axamu and Shirayuki stepped outside the luxury apartment building, Axamu sensed something was off.
"…Hm?"
Two men stood perfectly still at the curb—one on the right, one on the left. Black suits. Earpieces. Professional, disciplined. Between them waited a black luxurious limousine, polished like a mirror under the morning sun.
The right-side bodyguard stepped forward.
"Axamu Riya. Shirayuki Hoshino," he said calmly.
"Is that correct?"
Axamu studied him for a second before answering.
"…Yes. That's us."
"Thank you," the man replied.
"Please, come with us."
The limousine door opened smoothly.
Axamu glanced at Shirayuki. She looked slightly nervous, but when their eyes met, Axamu smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on her head.
"It's okay," he said softly.
"I'm here."
Shirayuki nodded, trusting him.
They stepped inside.
The door closed with a heavy thud.
Inside the limo, the air felt different—quiet, controlled, heavy with authority.
Sitting across from them was a familiar figure.
The Underworld Management.
Axamu's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't look surprised.
"…I see," he said calmly.
"So it's you."
The Underworld Management smiled, hands folded neatly.
"We meet again, Axamu Riya."
Shirayuki stiffened slightly, instinctively moving closer to Axamu. He subtly shifted, placing himself between her and the other presence.
"So," Axamu continued, voice steady,
"why the limousine?"
The Underworld Management chuckled lightly.
"We thought it would be… impolite," They replied,
"to let you walk to the X Tower today."
Shirayuki stiffened slightly, instinctively leaning closer to Axamu.
"…So," Axamu said, voice steady,
"this isn't just a courtesy ride, is it?"
They leaned forward slightly.
"We want to be your sponsor."
Axamu blinked once.
"…Sponsor?"
"Yes," they replied smoothly.
"For you and Shirayuki. As a team. For the climb of the X Tower."
Axamu didn't answer immediately.
The limousine began moving, gliding through the city.
The Underworld Management continued.
"Previously, we were unable to send any of our appointed Beyblader teams to the X Tower," they explained.
"Our… business operations were illegal. Too many eyes. Too many restrictions."
Their smile thinned slightly.
"But now," they said,
"we have you."
Axamu understood instantly.
"…An outsider," he muttered.
"Someone not officially tied to the Underworld."
"Exactly," the Management replied.
"You are strong. Independent. And already walking into the tower."
Their eyes sharpened.
"So instead of wasting opportunity, we wish to invest."
Axamu crossed his arms.
"And what do we get in exchange?"
The Underworld Management didn't hesitate.
"A reward," they said.
"One worthy of the risk."
They spread their hands slightly.
"Anything you and Shirayuki desire."
Shirayuki's eyes widened slightly.
Axamu went silent.
Anything.
His mind raced.
No status system.
No pain resistance.
The tower will be real pain, real damage.
I need support. Resources. Protection… insurance.
And more than anything—
A future for Shirayuki.
Axamu closed his eyes for a moment.
"…This could be useful," he thought.
"Very useful."
He opened his eyes again.
"…Fine," Axamu said.
"I'll accept."
The Underworld Management's smile widened.
"Excellent."
They reached into a case beside them and pulled out a sleek digital contract, placing it on the table between them.
"Standard sponsorship agreement," they said.
"We provide support, protection, and backing. You represent us in the X Tower."
Axamu scanned it quickly.
No hidden clauses.
No soul-binding nonsense.
Just business.
He took the pen.
If I'm going to be used…
I might as well take advantage of it.
Axamu signed.
The moment he did, the Underworld Management laughed—genuinely pleased.
"Wonderful!" they said.
They extended a hand.
Axamu shook it firmly.
"A good partnership," the Management said.
"To the future sponsor of Team Axamu."
The limousine slowed.
Outside the window—
The X Tower loomed before them, towering into the sky, casting a massive shadow over the city.
The car stopped.
The door opened.
Axamu stepped out first, then helped Shirayuki down gently.
He looked up at the tower, eyes sharp, determined.
"…Now we here..." he muttered.
Behind him, the Underworld Management spoke one last time.
"Climb well, Axamu Riya." they said.
"Crush the tower."
Axamu didn't look back.
Only forward—
toward the tower that would decide everything.