Chapter 27: The Tower of Babel
The Jiang Clan Headquarters was not just a skyscraper. It was a fortress.
A monolith of black glass piercing the clouds of Sector 1, it stood 200 floors tall. Anti-air turrets swiveled on the balconies. Energy barriers shimmered over the windows.
Inside, the Elite Auction was taking place. The wealthy elite of Skyscar City were sipping champagne, bidding on rare artifacts.
On the top floor, Jiang Tianhao stood looking out the window. Behind him, a massive runic circle was etched into the floor, pulsing with red light. The Rift Anchor.
"Is the cargo secured?" Jiang Tianhao asked, not turning around.
"No, sir," a nervous aide replied. "The extraction team in Sector 12... went silent."
"Silent?"
"And... something is approaching the tower. Fast."
Jiang Tianhao frowned. He looked down at the street level.
A single motorcycle was roaring down the empty highway leading to the tower.
The rider wore tattered clothes and a demon-armored right arm. A massive sword was strapped to his back.
"He's here," Jiang Tianhao smiled coldly. "Let him come. The trap is set."
Street Level.
Jiang Chen revved the engine of the stolen bike. The wind whipped his hair.
[Objective: Breaching the Tower.]
[Enemy Count: 500 Guards + Automated Defenses.]
"System," Jiang Chen whispered. "Play my playlist."
He didn't have music. He had the Beast King's Roar.
He accelerated.
"Halt!" The Gate Guards leveled their rifles.
Jiang Chen didn't stop. He ramped off a concrete barrier.
The bike flew over the gate.
Mid-air, Jiang Chen leaped off the bike. He kicked the motorcycle toward the guard post.
"Fire in the hole!"
BOOM.
The bike exploded, taking out the gate controls.
Jiang Chen landed in the lobby. The glass doors shattered around him.
"Welcome to the Jiang Clan," Jiang Chen announced to the terrified receptionists. "I'm here to file a complaint."
"Security!"
Dozens of guards rushed in.
Jiang Chen drew his sword.
"Floor 1 cleared," he muttered. "199 to go."
Floor 50.
Jiang Chen kicked open the elevator doors. He was covered in blood—none of it his own.
He walked into the hallway.
Waiting for him was a woman. She wore a red cheongsam and held a fan made of steel blades.
Madam Liu. His biological mother.
She looked at him with disgust.
"Look at you," she sneered. "Covered in filth. You truly belong in the gutter."
Jiang Chen stopped. He looked at the woman who gave birth to him.
"Hello, Mother," he said flatly. "Did you miss me?"
"I missed the chance to strangle you in the crib," she flicked her fan. "You are a stain on our bloodline."
She moved.
Foundation Establishment Realm: Illusion Arts.
The hallway warped. Dozens of Madam Lius appeared, surrounding him.
"Die, trash."
Blades flew from every direction.
Jiang Chen didn't move. He closed his eyes.
"Illusion?"
He laughed.
"I have a graveyard of gods in my head. Your parlor tricks are nothing."
Chaos Sword Intent.
He swung his sword in a 360-degree arc.
The intent didn't cut flesh. It cut reality.
SHATTER.
The illusions broke like glass.
The real Madam Liu stood in front of him, her fan broken in half. A thin line of blood appeared on her neck.
"How..." she gasped, clutching her throat. "You... have no talent..."
"Talent is for people who follow rules," Jiang Chen said, walking past her as she fell. "I rewrite them."
He pressed the button for the next elevator.
Floor 100.
Floor 150.
He carved a path of blood up the tower.
The Penthouse.
The elevator dinged.
The doors opened.
Jiang Chen stepped into the lavish office.
Jiang Tianhao was waiting. He sat behind his desk, swirling a glass of wine. The massive red Rift Anchor pulsed behind him, the dimensional tear slowly widening.
"You made it," Jiang Tianhao said, sounding bored. "Quicker than I expected."
"Father," Jiang Chen dragged his sword across the expensive carpet. "I brought you a gift."
He reached into his inventory.
He tossed the Black Box onto the desk.
Jiang Tianhao glanced at it. He laughed.
"Evidence? You think the Council cares? I am the Council."
He stood up. The wine glass in his hand vaporized.
Golden Core Realm (Half-Step).
The pressure slammed Jiang Chen into the floor. It was like gravity increased tenfold.
"You are strong for a rat," Jiang Tianhao walked around the desk. "But you are still a mortal. I am about to become a God."
He pointed at the Rift.
"Once the Demon Lord steps through, he will grant me true immortality. And you... you will be the first sacrifice."
Jiang Chen struggled to his knees. His bones creaked.
"Sacrifice?"
Jiang Chen looked up. His eyes were bleeding black ichor.
"System."
[Warning: Host is attempting to access Forbidden Zone.]
[Continent #10,000 Boss: The Sword Sovereign.]
[Request: Summon Avatar.]
[Cost: All remaining Spirit Stones + Life Force.]
"Do it."
Jiang Chen screamed.
His body convulsed.
Behind him, a phantom appeared.
It was a skeleton in golden armor. It was 50 feet tall, phasing through the ceiling of the tower.
The Sword Sovereign.
Jiang Tianhao froze. His arrogant smile vanished.
"What... what is that?"
Jiang Chen stood up. He didn't look like himself. His eyes were gold. His voice echoed with the weight of an ancient era.
"You talk of Gods," Jiang Chen/Sword Sovereign spoke.
He raised his heavy sword. The phantom behind him raised a massive golden blade of light.
"But you have never seen one."
Jiang Tianhao panicked. "Demon Lord! Help me!"
The Rift pulsed. A giant claw reached out.
"Silence."
Jiang Chen swung down.
Sword Art: World Severing Slash.
A beam of golden light split the tower.
It cut through the Rift Anchor.
It cut through the Demon Claw.
It cut through Jiang Tianhao's shield.
And it cut through Jiang Tianhao.
BOOM.
The top twenty floors of the Jiang Clan Headquarters slid off and fell into the city below.
Silence.
Jiang Chen stood on the edge of the ruined floor, overlooking the city. The ghost of the Sovereign faded.
He looked at the ashes where his father used to be.
"Happy Father's Day," Jiang Chen whispered.
He collapsed.