Chapter 38: The Flame of the Yeon Family (7)
21st Floor – Ruler's Domain
On a large table, several tea cups had been set for guests.
One cup was lifted—then set down again with a dull thud, heavier than before.
Seated on one side were three figures, with multiple Yeon family Rankers standing behind them:
Yeon Cheonhwa, ruler of the 21st Floor
Yeon Xien, envoy from the Yeon family palace
Yeon Liel, branch leader of a Yeon sub-division
It was rare to see these three—each a core pillar of the Yeon family's power—gathered in one place.
And the reason was obvious: Their guest was someone very special.
On the opposite side of the table sat the Arie family Rankers.
The only one seated among them was Arie Rom Dicell, administrator of the Arie sub-branch floating castle on the 99th floor.
He took a slow sip of tea, then opened the conversation.
....
"Now then. I believe we are owed an explanation for why your family dared lay hands on one of our direct descendants."
At those words, Yeon Siha—the Ranker who planned the incident—frowned.
Just as he feared, Arie intended to twist the attack on their descendant into a direct affront committed by the Yeon family.
"It wasn't us. This was FUG's doing."
"Haha. You expect me to believe FUG acted freely on a floor ruled by the Yeon family? Don't make me laugh."
Yeon Cheonhwa clenched his fist.
The Arie man was intentionally provoking him–questioning his competence as ruler.
"Even if you wish to blame the ruler's negligence… do you have any evidence that FUG was responsible?"
Dicell's sharp question silenced the entire Yeon side.
Because they had none.
FUG had erased everything flawlessly.
By the time Yeon forces arrived, all that remained were signs of battle.
....
"Arie direct descendants were attacked. One of them captured an assailant, interrogated him, tracked him to the Workshop… and found two of his teammates being experimented on."
The faces of the Yeon representatives darkened.
A half-truth mixed with lies is the strongest poison.
They didn't know why the other Arie child had been in the Workshop—But Yeon Hwarang… that was the problem.
"Yeon Hwarang was clearly targeted by your people. The Tu Perie boy testified he'd been attacked by unknown forces… but the fact remains: both were imprisoned in the Workshop. Isn't it obvious what happened?"
"I will repeat myself. The Arie and Tu Perie boys were not harmed by us."
"Even if I were to believe that, you still attacked Yeon Hwarang. And is he not a teammate of our Arie direct descendant?"
"That is a matter of our family."
Branch leader Yeon Liel snapped back—
Only to be instantly silenced.
"Quiet. If an Arie direct descendant is involved, it becomes our Arie family's business as well."
Liel glanced toward Yeon Xien for support, but the palace envoy simply watched, refusing to intervene.
Dicell continued, voice cold as steel.
....
"You interfered with an Arie direct descendant's climb. Not only that—you attempted to assassinate him. Even our Family Head favors that child. If he learns some petty branch Rankers laid hands on him…"
He smiled thinly.
"…I wonder what will happen."
Usually, conflict between Ten Families was tolerated—within tests, between candidates—that was normal.
But this time, a Ranker had targeted a test participant.
Illegally. During the test. With malicious intent.
And now the narrative had shifted:
Attacking Yeon Hwarang = Attacking Arie's direct line.
Yeon Siha tried to salvage the situation.
"About Yeon Hwarang—that was planned by—"
"Silence. A mere Ranker does not speak here."
"…!"
Humiliated, Siha could only shut his mouth.
Dicell had already seized full control of the room.
"Our demand is simple: You will never again lay a hand on Yeon Hwarang or his companions. He is essential for our Arie descendant's climb."
"That is the price of my letting this insult go. You struck at Arie first—this is your only path to forgiveness."
Yeon Cheonhwa simply stared downward, defeated.
But Yeon Liel still had enough arrogance left to shout:
"Yeon Hwarang is Yeon family business! Why doesn't Arie simply replace their teammate?!"
Fwoosh—
As her emotions surged, flames leaked from her body.
Instantly, Arie swords materialized, aimed at her throat.
Yeon Rankers leapt to prepare for combat—
But the difference in their composure was obvious.
Arie Rankers stood relaxed, calm.
The Yeon Rankers dripped sweat.
"What… what is this?!"
"Yeon Liel. Do you truly not understand how merciful we are being?"
"…What?"
"We know perfectly well that FUG was responsible for attacking Arie and the Tu Perie boy. But facts don't matter. Power and legitimacy do."
Dicell's words were like a blade pressed to her neck.
"I could kill you here and now, return to our Family, and report that I executed one of the leaders who tried to use an Arie direct descendant as a test subject."
Yeon Liel's face drained of color.
"You have no strength. No legitimacy. We have both.
Right now, the ones who should be crawling…
is your family. So crawl while your head is still attached to your neck."
As administrator of the Arie sub-branch floating castle—Dicell held authority rivaling or surpassing many Ten Family branch heads.
He leaned back, bored.
"This argument tires me. Will you accept my terms before my patience runs out?"
With his swords still touching Liel's throat, she had only one choice.
Even if she wanted Yeon Hwarang dead—dying here would achieve nothing.
She accepted.
"Well observed."
At that moment, the Yeon palace envoy, finally rose.
It was the first time she had spoken.
"Yeon Liel. You broke multiple Tower laws attempting to seize a mere test participant. And without consulting the main palace—you dragged another Ten Family into it."
.....
21st Floor – Ruler's Chambers
The palace envoy spoke firmly:
"I will report this to Lord Illard."
With that, she left the room.
Yeon Liel, face pale as ash, hurried out shortly afterward.
The only one remaining was Yeon Cheonhwa, ruler of the 21st Floor.
Feeling pressured by the cold stares of the Arie Rankers still present, she quietly rose from her seat.
"Stop. We still have unfinished business."
"…?"
Dicell halted her and stated the final matter.
"Due to your negligence in managing this floor, Yeon Hwarang and Tu Perie failed their test and must now wait an entire year. What do you intend to do about that?"
"I regret that—"
Dicell simply stared.
"…I… will compensate you."
"Furthermore, an Arie girl was discovered in the Workshop laboratory. If you knew, you should have informed us. And if you didn't know… that is even more unacceptable. Combine that with your failure to properly handle this incident, and…"
He finished his mental calculation and spoke:
"Ten billion points. Transfer it to this account by tomorrow."
With nothing left to say, Yeon Cheonhwa could only watch silently as the Arie delegation departed.
....
21st Floor Hospital
"What? An E-rank test participant destroyed the Workshop? Are you insane?"
"Wow, noonim. First time seeing you in a while and that's the greeting?"
"It is insane. Even Rankers don't mess with the Workshop. Sure, that place was just one of the lower research wings of the 21st-floor branch—but thanks to that idiot research chief slacking on security, you got lucky. Normally you'd be dead twenty times over."
In the 21st floor hospital, I was chatting with LeBlanch-noona after a long time apart.
"But still… being stuck here for a year sucks, doesn't it? You cleared the floor in just five months. Why not climb alone?"
"Haha, well… resting for a year doesn't sound so bad. I can train too."
"Train? More? Have some shame."
She wasn't wrong.
But honestly… before boarding the Hell Train, I want to reach Ranker level.
Maybe even visit a Hidden Floor someday.
"Anyway, the Workshop incident was neatly framed as self-defense, so don't worry. I'll go check the orphanages you mentioned. Take care of your friends."
"Yes, ma'am."
We had already arranged for all the children rescued from the Workshop basement to be placed in reliable orphanages in the Middle Area, under Leblanc's care.
As for the little Arie girl, Albelda agreed to take her—sending her up to the 99th floor.
If it's Albelda, she'll be safe.
"The Arie family's influence really is something, huh, Hyung?"
Luf watched me silently before speaking with awe.
Compared to his talent, his position in the Tu Perie family wasn't strong.
Besides, their family wasn't the type to care much about political power struggles—so once they learned FUG targeted him, they didn't bother blaming the Yeon family.
Hwarang, meanwhile, thanked me deeply.
For someone who normally gets embarrassed by emotional talk, this was a rare sight.
I should tease him about it more later.
"So, have you decided you want to keep living after all?"
"D-Don't make it weird… Anyway… yeah, I guess so."
This guy once declared he had "no reason to live."
Now he treats it like a dark past.
Good. More material to tease him with.
BEEP—BEEP—BEEP—
An incoming call from the floating castle administrator.
"Hello?"
— Hoaquin, you caused quite the spectacle.
"Haha… youth, you know?"
— Pfft—Hahahaha! True enough. Still, I didn't expect you to reduce the Workshop to rubble. Anyway, everything has been handled perfectly. If anyone gives you trouble over this incident, I'll step in again anytime.
…Whoa.
Since when was he this cheerful?
He must really be thriving these days.
"Thank you. You sound like you're in a good mood though? Arguing with the Yeon family must've been tiring."
— Tiring? Hardly. Thanks to you, I'm about to receive ten billion points for free.
"…Sorry, what?"
If it's thanks to me, shouldn't I get half?
— Ah—forget what I said. In any case, because of this incident, you'll be stuck there for a year. You technically passed, but you said you'd climb together with your teammates.
"That's right."
A year…
For us, that's not long at all.
Might as well rest and train.
Honestly… it's not a bad outcome.
The administrator promised to look forward to our climb a year later and ended the call.
As thanks, I changed his contact name from "Arie Sub-Branch Floating Castle Administrator (99F)" to:
"Helpful Old Man."
…Somehow it looks colder than before. Must be my imagination.
"Well then… what should I do for a whole year?"
....
Somewhere Else
"Young lady, congratulations. You have earned the right to ascend the Tower. No… perhaps I should call you Princess now, haha."
"Watch your mouth, Headon."
"My apologies, Princess. Then—when do you intend to depart for the 2nd floor?"
Crackle— crackle—
Electricity surged around her as excitement lifted her mood.
"Right now."
-----------------
-Yo, I just read Urek's side story. Damn, I didn't think he was op when he climbed the Tower. Do you think the Rankers in the Floor of Test during Urek's era were stronger than the Rankers in Bam's era?
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
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