《Immortal In Tower Of God》


 Chapter 1: Lero Ro’s Test

    Chapter 1: Lero Ro''s Test


    Slap.


    "Huh!" Kalon felt a sharp, burning sensation on his left cheek.


    He staggered back in shock, realizing someone had just slapped him. He looked up to see the offender still holding their hand in the air, poised for another hit.


    "Stop¡­ Stop!" Kalon stammered, backing away as his voice trembled.


    Then he froze. What happened to my voice?


    His eyes widened as the unfamiliar tone echoed in his ears. Instinctively, he raised his hands, only to find them frail and skinny. Panic surged through him as he noticed the ground seemed unnaturally close.


    Why am I so short? What''s going on?


    "What are you blabbering about? Focus on how we can pass through this Shinsu shield!"


    The sharp, grating voice snapped Kalon out of his daze. He turned to his right, craning his neck upward, and froze. Towering over him was a creature with enormous reptilian eyes and a scaly green face¡ªa lizard, speaking in perfect human language.


    "Huh¡­ Who are you?" Kalon asked hesitantly. His mind raced, but no answers came. Despite his efforts, he couldn''t recall who this creature was, though something told him it was familiar to the body he now inhabited.


    "Did you slap him too hard? He doesn''t even recognize his teammates anymore," another voice chimed in from behind.


    Kalon turned quickly, his heart pounding, only to see yet another unidentifiable creature. This one was a monstrous being, a strange amalgamation of features that defied naming.


    For a moment, Kalon felt utterly lost. Was he in a world of monsters? How had this happened? He had never heard of such a bizarre phenomenon before.


    Frantically, he inspected his own body, feeling his face, arms, and legs. His hands, though thin, were human, but what about the rest? Was he now some hideous hybrid creature? Perhaps his head resembled a beast, or his lower half might be part animal.


    Thankfully, he was still completely human.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Sorry, I don''t know what''s going on, but I can''t seem to remember either of you¡ªor even this place," Kalon admitted, deciding honesty was his best option for now. At least these creatures didn''t seem hostile and appeared concerned for him.


    "Was the shock too much for him? Even I was stunned when that Regular wasn''t pushed back by the Ranker''s Shinsu," the lizard-like creature muttered.


    "Yeah, it surprised me too. But it seems Kalon took it the hardest. He''s so shaken that he''s forgotten everything," the other creature replied.


    The words "Regular," "Ranker," "Shinsu," "10 Great Families," and "blue-haired kid" floated in Kalon''s mind. They sounded oddly familiar, like echoes of something he''d once known.


    Then it hit him. Tower of God.


    It all made sense now¡ªthe strange creatures, the mysterious terms, and even the surreal test before him. Somehow, he was in the world of the Tower of Godwebtoon.


    "Visible," Kalon whispered, and a black sphere materialized, floating in midair before him.


    Seeing the pocket¡ªa small device ubiquitous in the Tower¡ªfilled him with a strange sense of comfort. It was only an E-grade pocket, but it served its purpose well.


    "Why are you suddenly summoning your pocket? Didn''t you just say you can''t remember anything?" asked the monstrous creature, its tone laced with suspicion.


    "Oh, I think I''m starting to remember bits and pieces," Kalon lied, feigning a sheepish smile. "But I still can''t recall your names."


    The two creatures exchanged wary glances before finally relenting.


    "I''m Tryllo," the lizard-man said, thumping his chest with a clawed hand.


    "And I''m Squidshark," the other creature introduced itself, though its tone remained skeptical.


    Kalon nodded and made the pocket disappear with a quiet, "Invisible." The black sphere vanished, leaving no trace. He marveled at how seamlessly the pocket operated, its connection to the Tower''s mysterious administrators shrouded in secrecy.


    Kalon''s heart continued to race, his chest tight with lingering panic. Am I one of the chosen?he wondered. The test he was undergoing was a basic trial to measure Regulars'' resistance to Shinsu, the Tower''s all-encompassing energy. It wasn''t a harsh test, but it was necessary. If someone couldn''t handle the Shinsu concentration here, they would have no chance on higher floors, where it was hundreds of times denser.


    While Tryllo and Squidshark strained to push through the Shinsu barrier, Kalon noticed the other participants¡ªmain characters and side characters alike¡ªalready stepping through.


    Kalon, focus!he told himself. If I can''t pass this, there''s no point thinking about catching up to the main cast or befriending them.


    He approached the Shinsu shield and pushed.


    To his surprise, the barrier offered no resistance. He passed through easily, leaving his teammates behind.


    "Kalon passed?!" Tryllo and Squidshark exclaimed in unison, their shock evident. Seeing Kalon''s effortless success drained the fight from them, their strength faltering.


    "Tryllo! Squidshark!" Kalon called out, his tone firm. "Don''t give up! Give it everything you''ve got¡ªeven if it means bleeding for it. Look at those two maniacs over there; their heads are bleeding, but they''re still trying. And you''re giving up before even breaking a sweat?"


    His words struck a chord. Both creatures gritted their teeth and redoubled their efforts, slamming their bodies against the Shinsu barrier with renewed determination.

 Chapter 2: Han-Sungs Examination and the System

    Chapter 2: Han-Sung''s Examination and the System


    Before the test concluded, Tryllo and Squidshark managed to pass Lero Ro''s shinsu test despite their earlier struggles. After receiving healing for their injuries, the team was directed to wait in a wide, brightly lit corridor. The "sky" visible above them wasn¡¯t real but an artificial creation of shinsu unique to this floor. Kalon wondered if the next floor might simulate night instead.


    "Next team, please," announced the second test administrator, a humanoid resembling a honeybee. Kalon struggled to recall her name¡ªshe was introduced in the story long ago but hadn¡¯t played a significant role since. Having arrived late with his teammates, Kalon hadn¡¯t even caught the start of the test.


    While waiting, Tryllo and Squidshark wandered off to meet old acquaintances, including a rather peculiar Neon Plastic creature. Kalon stayed by the entrance, observing as the teams ahead nervously entered the test chamber.


    Hearing their team''s name called, Squidshark whispered nervously, "My friend said people who stayed longer than five minutes screamed¡ªand might have failed."


    Kalon raised an eyebrow. He had a guess who that "friend" might be. "This phase of the Tower is about testing resolve, teamwork, and decision-making. We can handle it if we stay calm," he thought to himself as the team approached the doors.


    The room was suffused with quiet tension. Regulars could feel the intensity of the Test Administrator¡¯s presence. Hansung Yu, with his sharp eyes and serene demeanor, exuded an aura of authority as he sipped tea.


    "Nice to meet you, Regulars," he began in an even tone. "I am Hansung Yu, your Test Administrator." His voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that demanded attention.


    Kalon focused intently as Hansung outlined the rules: The task was to find and open the real door among twelve identical ones within ten minutes. A wrong choice would result in death.


    Hansung concluded with a chilling, "Your time starts... now!"


    Tryllo and Squidshark immediately dragged Kalon toward the doors, frantically examining them for clues. Their panic was palpable. Tryllo rubbed his chin in thought and asked, "Hey, Kalon, do you see anything different?"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "Just open any door," Kalon replied with a slight smile.


    The two froze, turning to him in disbelief. "What do you mean, ¡®any door¡¯? Are you crazy?" Squidshark hissed.


    "Think about it," Kalon said patiently. "Squidshark, your friend mentioned passing within five minutes. Hansung gave us ten minutes. What could that mean?"


    Squidshark hesitated before blurting, "That my friend was bad at math?"


    Kalon slapped his forehead. "No. It means that all the doors are real within the first five minutes. After that, they all become fake."


    Despite his explanation, Tryllo and Squidshark remained doubtful. With a sigh, Kalon stepped forward and kicked open a door.


    "Noooo!" Tryllo screamed, expecting disaster. When no reaction came from Hansung, he slumped in despair, convinced they¡¯d failed. Grabbing Kalon by the collar, he lifted him off the ground. "Do you realize what you¡¯ve done?"


    Unfazed, Kalon addressed Hansung over Tryllo¡¯s shoulder. "Mr. Hansung, are you waiting for me to get beaten before announcing the results?"


    Hansung took another sip of tea and calmly said, "You passed."


    Tryllo and Squidshark froze, their anger replaced by astonishment. "We... passed?" they stammered. Relief surged through them, and they lifted Kalon in celebration, tossing him into the air. Their change in attitude was so abrupt that Kalon couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. "Once a lizard, always a lizard," he muttered.


    Hansung¡¯s curiosity was piqued. "Mr. Kalon, how did you know all the doors were real?"


    "Let¡¯s just call it a lucky guess," Kalon replied with a cheeky grin.


    Hansung smiled knowingly but said nothing further.


    Upon reaching the waiting area for the next test, Kalon heard a soft Ding!


    He almost cried with joy.


    [Host has successfully met the requirements to activate the system.]


    [System Activated.]


    [Host has been rewarded: Immortal System.]


    For a brief moment, Kalon¡¯s eyes glimmered gold before returning to normal.


    The system¡¯s features displayed in his mind: Every technique observed can be stored in the system space. The host can enter this space, where time flows differently¡ª1,000 years inside equals only an hour outside.


    Kalon grinned uncontrollably, his elation evident.


    "Why are you smiling so creepily?" Squidshark asked, looking unsettled.


    "Oh, nothing," Kalon replied, quickly masking his excitement. But his twitching lips betrayed him.


    Tryllo, intrigued, asked, "What¡¯s so funny?"


    Kalon shrugged and quipped, "Why don¡¯t lizards ever play hide and seek? Because they¡¯re always spotted!"


    Tryllo glared, clearly unimpressed. "You did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you?"


    Kalon laughed, feeling invigorated. He had no time to argue. His focus was on the system. If he could start storing and mastering techniques, he would finally have a real chance to climb the Tower.

 Chapter 3: Crown Game + Harvesting Time

    Chapter 3: Crown Game + Harvesting Time


    The Crown Game was introduced by the ever-charismatic Test Administrator, Lero Ro. His confident smile hinted at layers of complexity hidden within this deceptively simple challenge. The room was dimly lit, with the throne standing as its centerpiece, surrounded by twelve identical doors radiating an aura of mystery.


    ¡°This is the Crown Game,¡± Lero Ro began, his voice carrying an air of authority that immediately silenced the gathered Regulars. His sharp gaze scanned the crowd, ensuring he had everyone¡¯s attention before continuing. ¡°The objective is straightforward: secure the crown, place one of your team members on the throne, and defend it until the end of the game.¡±


    As Lero Ro explained, the rules unfolded like a carefully woven tapestry, each layer revealing a new strategic challenge. The throne, situated at the center of the arena, was illuminated under a spotlight, symbolizing the glory and peril awaiting those who dared to claim it.


    ¡°The game will proceed in five rounds,¡± Lero Ro said, gesturing toward the large digital timer hovering above the arena. ¡°At the beginning of each round, teams will have the option to participate by pressing their buzzers. But remember: only the first three teams to press their buzzers will be allowed to enter the arena.¡±


    A murmur swept through the crowd. Regulars exchanged glances, some excited, others calculating. The opportunity to compete would not come without risks, and timing would be everything.


    ¡°To win a round,¡± Lero Ro continued, ¡°a team must take the crown and place one member on the throne. The crowned member must remain seated on the throne, unable to move or defend themselves, until the round ends. It will be up to the rest of the team to protect the throne and their seated teammate.¡±


    He paused for emphasis, his tone growing more serious. ¡°If the throne is overtaken or the crowned member is forced to leave their seat, that team is eliminated. The game ends after the fifth round. The team still seated on the throne, wearing the crown, will be declared the winner.¡±


    The Regulars stood in tense silence, absorbing the weight of the rules. The simplicity of the objective belied the strategic depth of the challenge. Should they rush into the early rounds, risking exposure and exhaustion, or hang back, biding their time for a decisive final push?


    Lero Ro¡¯s gaze swept the crowd as he added, ¡°One more thing: if you enter the arena and fail to claim the throne during the round, your team will no longer be allowed to participate in subsequent rounds. So think carefully before pressing that buzzer.¡±


    The pressure in the room thickened as the Regulars realized the stakes. The Crown Game was not merely about strength or cunning¡ªit required teamwork, timing, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing battlefield.


    Lero Ro gave one final nod and stepped back, leaving the stage to the players. ¡°Let the Crown Game begin,¡± he declared, his voice echoing through the room.


    As the first round¡¯s buzzer activated, teams braced themselves for the challenge ahead.


    The first two teams to enter the Crown Game were Hatsu''s team, consisting of Hatsu, Ship Leesoo, and Anak, and Shopin''s team, consisting of Shopin, Kon, and D¨¦d¨¦ Kancho.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    As the Crown Game commenced, Kalon leaned back against the cool metallic walls of the observation room. His eyes remained fixed on the arena below, where chaos and ambition clashed in equal measure. Unlike the other Regulars, who clamored for a chance to enter the arena, Kalon sat in calm detachment, his mind focused on a task only he could comprehend: absorbing techniques into his Immortal System.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t we joining?¡± Tryllo¡¯s voice held a tinge of frustration as he paced back and forth. His tail flicked impatiently, betraying his reptilian nature. ¡°This is our chance to prove ourselves!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d be eaten alive out there!¡± Squidshark snapped, his fins twitching nervously. ¡°Did you see that hulking guy in armor? I¡¯m not going up against that.¡±


    ¡°You see that green girl holding the weapon? She¡¯s the strongest,¡± Kalon remarked casually, spreading awareness among his team. Still, Anak¡¯s team was going to lose by the second round, so she wasn¡¯t his concern.


    Kalon smirked. ¡°Let them fight. Let them reveal their hands while we learn their moves.¡±


    As the game unfolded, Kalon¡¯s system activated with precision. Each time a competitor unleashed a unique skill or strategy, a faint shimmer appeared in his peripheral vision, and the system chimed softly within his mind:


    <ul>


    <li>


    [Skill Detected: Triple Sword Formation ¨C Stored in System Space.]


    </li>


    <li>


    [Skill Detected: Combat (Beginner) ¨C Stored in System Space.]


    </li>


    </ul>


    Kalon¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as the techniques accumulated. Within the system space, he decided to store these moves and practice them later in solitude.


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s decided¡ªwe¡¯ll participate in the third round,¡± Kalon said, stretching his fingers.


    ¡°Why, all of a sudden?¡± Squidshark asked, diverting his attention from the ongoing fight.


    ¡°No reason. I just want to advance to the next floor quickly. I¡¯ll take a quick nap. I¡¯ve been on the run since the first test.¡± Kalon lied through his teeth; in truth, he wanted to use the time to learn the skills stored in his system space.


    Without waiting for a reply, Kalon leaned back against the cold wall, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to drift into the system space.


    When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely white void with no end in sight.


    ¡°How do I access the stored skills?¡± Kalon asked, his voice reverberating in the empty surroundings.


    <ul>


    <li>


    [To access the stored skills, the host must say, ¡®Skills.¡¯]


    </li>


    </ul>


    ¡°Skills.¡±


    Instantly, a list of stored skills appeared before him:


    <ul>


    <li>


    [Triple Sword Formation]


    </li>


    <li>


    [Combat (Beginner)]


    </li>


    </ul>


    Kalon chose Triple Sword Formation, and a sword materialized in his hand. Knowledge of the skill flowed into his mind, and a figure holding a sword appeared before him, demonstrating the moves.


    Kalon mirrored the movements. At first, his form faltered, but as time passed, his confidence grew.


    Decades seemed to pass in this isolated space, and Kalon¡¯s mastery of the sword became apparent. His hard work culminated in a notification:


    <ul>


    <li>


    [New Title Acquired: Sword Master.]


    </li>


    </ul>


    Kalon sighed, unsure of how many swings he had performed in this timeless void. The title Sword Master sounded pleasing, but he couldn¡¯t gauge the true extent of his strength.


    "Is there a way to practice further?" he wondered aloud.


    Information flowed into his mind, detailing how to alter the terrain within the system space. Imagining a forest filled with tall bamboo, Kalon watched as the white void shifted into a dense forest. He could feel the rough ground beneath him and the texture of the bamboo under his fingers.


    He summoned a wooden sword, deciding to practice with the simplest weapon since he wouldn¡¯t have access to a real blade in the Crown Game.


    Kalon swung the wooden sword, finding it far lighter than the blade he had used in training. He stepped back, adjusted his stance, and slashed forward.


    Slice!


    The force of his strike surprised even him, causing him to stumble slightly. Before him, hundreds of bamboo stalks lay sliced in half¡ªa testament to the refinement of his skill.

 Chapter 4: Sword Masters Might [Bonus Chapter]

    Chapter 4: Sword Master''s Might


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    "Hey, wake up! Has your soul left your body?" Tryllo was shaking Kalon''s limp form like he was a jelly, back and forth. But Kalon didn''t respond. Tryllo couldn''t fathom how someone could sleep so deeply, completely ignoring the rough handling from someone his size.


    Squidshark, meanwhile, sat facing the iron bars, his eyes scanning the battlefield beyond to ensure no harm came their way. He hadn''t dared press the red buzzer, not after witnessing the terrifying creatures battling it out in the arena.


    Tryllo sighed and muttered, "If it wasn''t for Kalon suggesting we delay our entry, we might''ve been shredded by now. But seriously, is he in a coma or something? Not even flinching while I''m shaking him this hard..."


    "Leave him be," Squidshark grunted, his gaze not leaving the chaos outside. "The third round is over, and the fifth has already started. He''ll wake up when it''s time."


    Tryllo tightened his grip on Kalon''s arm, shaking him even harder. "Are you sure? He looks pale¡ªwait, is he getting paler?"


    "Of course, he''s pale! He''s human, and you''re about to snap him in half," Squidshark said, glancing back in irritation. "Let him rest. If he hadn''t stopped us from entering the earlier rounds, we''d either be dead or limping away like those fools out there."


    Tryllo grumbled but complied, dropping Kalon like a sack of potatoes. The human''s head hit the cold metal wall with a loud thud. Tryllo winced and glanced at the dent left behind. "Oops."


    Upstairs, Lero Ro had been sipping tea while observing the game from his vantage point. The Crown Game arena below looked like a battlefield, but his focus was interrupted by a peculiar sound.


    THUD!


    Lero Ro''s finely-tuned ears caught the noise, and he froze mid-sip. His face went through several stages of emotion:Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Confusion: "What in the Tower was that?"


    Concern: "Did someone detonate a bomb down there?"


    Realization: "Wait, that sounded like... a head??"


    Unable to leave his post to investigate, Lero Ro muttered under his breath, "If that wall''s dented, I don''t want to imagine what happened to the head responsible. Note to self: check for headbutting maniacs in the next test."


    Hours later, Kalon stirred, his senses returning slowly. A shadow loomed over him, blocking the dim light from the arena. After spending what felt like a century in the system space, reality felt surreal, as if he were in some vampire movie waking from an eternal slumber. Every muscle ached.


    [Host''s body is being optimized to meet the requirements to wield the Sword Master title.]


    Kalon groaned as a tingling sensation spread through his limbs. His muscles swelled, and his physique expanded, brimming with an immeasurable power he''d never felt before. In the system space, he had practiced endlessly without feeling anything, but now, every nerve screamed as his body caught up with the changes.


    Blinking into focus, Kalon finally recognized Tryllo and Squidshark standing over him.


    "What... happened?" Kalon rasped, rubbing his temple.


    "You''ve been sleeping like the dead," Tryllo said, his tail swinging in an uncharacteristic show of cheer. "But the Crown Game''s over¡ªno winners! The next test is postponed for three days."


    "Lucky for us," Squidshark added, offering Kalon a hand. "Thanks to you, we stayed out of that mess. You saved us from injuries or worse."


    Kalon took Squidshark''s hand, rising unsteadily to his feet. The arena was eerily quiet now, the other Regulars having left to recover or treat their injuries. Kalon, however, had no such concerns. He''d known the outcome of the game, and it was why he''d been so willing to stay in the system space.


    ''System,'' Kalon thought, his mind sharp now, ''Do you have a status display that shows my stats?''


    [Status]


    Name: Kalon


    Titles: Transmigrator, Sword Master


    Strength: 100


    Agility: 100


    Defense: 100


    Speed: 100


    (Peak human stats: 10)


    Skills: Triple Sword Formation (Sublime)


    Kalon''s jaw dropped. His stats had surpassed human limits by a huge margin. How would he stack up against monsters like Anak, Androssi, or even Baam?


    As he followed his companions out of the room, Kalon''s thoughts were interrupted by an unsettling sensation. He felt a piercing gaze locked onto him.


    Looking up, his eyes met Lero Ro''s, who was watching from above, an inscrutable expression on his face.


    Kalon frowned slightly. He didn''t yet realize that the changes in his stats had also transformed his outward appearance.

 Chapter 5: Positioning Test (1)

    Chapter 5: Positioning Test (1)


    During the three-day rest period granted by the test administrator, Lero Ro, Kalon decided to utilize his time wisely. The system had stored various techniques for him to learn, and he was determined to master them. Despite his newfound title as a Sword Master¡ªwhich ensured no one could breach the three-foot perimeter around him¡ªKalon knew better than to grow complacent. The Tower was an unpredictable place, where relying solely on one skill could spell doom.


    In his past life, Kalon had often thought of all-rounders as overambitious, spreading themselves too thin. But here, where life and death could pivot on the smallest weakness, he had to reconsider.


    The first thing he did after parting ways with Tryllo and Squidshark was return to his room. Curiosity got the better of him, and he stood in front of the full-length mirror, inspecting his reflection. It had been a while since he last took a good look at himself. While changes were subtle to those who saw him daily, Kalon knew his body was different.


    He stepped closer to the mirror, scrutinizing every detail. His height, once 182.3 cm, had increased to nearly 185 cm. His features had sharpened, his jawline now angular and defined. He ran a hand through his hair, which seemed fuller and healthier. Comparing his height against the wall mirror, he noticed he had to step back to fit entirely within the frame.


    On Earth, Kalon had always dreamed of such physical transformation. He had tried everything to enhance his appearance, from chewing gum for jawline definition to exhaustive workouts, yet the results had always been underwhelming. Now, with the Tower''s influence, his body had evolved beyond his expectations.


    Removing his long-sleeved shirt, he inspected his upper body. His jaw dropped in shock. His lean frame, deceptively fragile at first glance, was now lined with defined muscles and abs. He turned slightly, marveling at his figure. ¡°Unbelievable¡­¡± he whispered, a mixture of awe and disbelief in his tone.


    Even his vision and hearing had improved. Once reliant on glasses to read, he could now make out the fine print on the snack labels by his bed from across the room. His hearing, too, was sharper, picking up the faintest sounds from the hallway outside.


    Kalon shook his head, snapping out of his admiration. He headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, the warm water washing away the fatigue of the past tests. Once dressed, he made his way to the system space, determined to continue honing his skills.


    Before immersing himself in training, Kalon placed a ¡°Do Not Disturb¡± sign on his door. It was better to avoid unnecessary interruptions, especially as he planned to remain in his room for the remainder of the rest period. He thought briefly of Bam and Khun but decided against seeking them out. Bam needed time to recover, and Khun¡¯s guarded nature made him difficult to approach.


    Rak, however, brought a smile to his face. The alligator¡¯s brash yet endearing personality reminded Kalon of a yandere heroine from a novel¡ªtough on the outside, soft on the inside.


    Gurgle~


    As Kalon prepared to enter the system space, his stomach growled loudly. He frowned, placing a hand on his abdomen. ¡°Did my increased strength also increase my appetite?¡± he muttered. Resigned, he decided to find food before continuing his training.


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    Minutes Later.


    Bang!


    Kalon stormed back into his room, his frustration palpable. His search for food had been fruitless. A memory surfaced in his mind, cutting through his irritation.


    ¡°Ah¡­ That¡¯s right!¡± Kalon exclaimed, slapping one fist into his palm. ¡°People in the Tower rely on shinsu to satisfy their hunger. But not everyone can control shinsu yet, so why isn¡¯t food provided?¡±


    Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. As a Sword Master, he couldn¡¯t afford to let such trivial matters anger him. Returning to his bed, he grabbed a caramel-flavored energy bar from the snacks placed nearby.


    Kalon took a bite, and his eyes widened slightly as the sweet, rich flavor spread across his tongue. A soft hum of satisfaction escaped his lips, and he leaned back against the wall, savoring each bite. His expression softened, a rare display of genuine delight. ¡°Hmm~ quite delicious,¡± he murmured, finishing the bar in no time.


    Wiping his hands with a tissue, Kalon closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he found himself back in the system space.


    ¡°Can I continue evolving the basic skills stored here?¡±


    [Yes. The amount of time invested will directly enhance the techniques.]


    A bright smile spread across Kalon¡¯s face. He was eager to continue growing stronger, knowing the Tower would only become more challenging from here.


    Three Days Later.


    The rest period ended, and Kalon stood among the other participants as Lero Ro explained the Tower¡¯s various positions. His curiosity was piqued as he wondered where he would be placed based on his performance.


    When the golden list appeared on the screen, he scanned it for his name.


    [Light Bearer]


    <ul>


    <li>


    Khun Aguero Agnis


    </li>


    <li>


    Levin


    </li>


    <li>


    Kalon


    </li>


    </ul>


    (Light Bearers are responsible for gathering, storing, and delivering crucial knowledge to their teammates, guiding them with the light of their Lighthouse. They are often the most support-oriented position.)


    ¡°Huh?!¡± Kalon¡¯s jaw dropped. How could he, of all people, be designated as a Light Bearer? He replayed the events of the Crown Game in his mind. There, he had advised his teammates like an old sage, strategizing as though he had foreseen the game¡¯s intricacies. And also during the Door Test.


    He slapped his cheeks in frustration. ¡°Look what happened now!¡± he muttered.


    Despite his disbelief, Kalon approached Lero Ro for clarification. ¡°Could there have been a mistake during the sorting? How could I possibly fit this position?¡±


    Lero Ro¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, though his smile remained. ¡°Mr. Kalon, are you doubting the judgment of our test directors?¡±


    ¡°No, not at all,¡± Kalon replied quickly, his voice steady despite the ranker¡¯s intimidating presence. ¡°I was just curious since my team didn¡¯t participate in the Crown Game. When did the rankers have the opportunity to observe our abilities?¡±


    Lero Ro¡¯s smile sharpened. ¡°The rankers overseeing these tests are thorough, Mr. Kalon. Trust in their decisions.¡±


    Kalon nodded, though unease lingered. As much as he wanted to argue, he knew better than to question a ranker¡¯s authority openly. For now, he would have to accept his position...

 Chapter 6: Positioning Test (2)

    Chapter 6: Positioning Test (2)


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    "All of you gathered here will begin your training today, while the Wave Controller instructor will arrive two days later."


    ''Really?! Can you be more open about showing favoritism to the Irregular, Bam? Well, except for me, there''s no one else in Regulars who knows this...'' Kalon was daydreaming when Squidshark''s voice snapped him out of his reverie.


    "It looks like we''ll be separated for some time," Squidshark said with a touch of melancholy.


    Meanwhile, Tryllo was brimming with excitement at the thought of growing stronger and continuing his climb up the Tower.


    "Okay then, I''ll see you after class. Oh, and once you learn some moves from your respective instructors, let me see them in action too," Kalon said, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he addressed his teammates.


    "Alright, same to you. I want to see what a Light Bearer is capable of," Squidshark replied before signaling Tryllo to hurry, lest they be late for class.


    Tryllo, a lizard-like Regular, was naturally sorted into the Scout position. Meanwhile, Squidshark was chosen as a Fisherman.


    As Kalon walked out, he saw two girls glaring at each other, their expressions sharp enough to cut through stone.


    Androssi Jahad and Anak Jahad.


    ''Do they pick the most hot-tempered women from each family for the position of princess?'' Kalon shook his head in disappointment and turned away. Unfortunately, his timing was terrible.


    As Kalon tried to slip away unnoticed, both girls caught his movement, especially the subtle shake of his head. Their ire, already boiling over from their argument, now turned to him¡ªa convenient target for their frustrations.


    Androssi was the first to speak, her voice steeped in sarcasm.


    "Well, well, what do we have here? Some nobody who thinks he can judge princesses of Jahad? What''s with that face? Disappointed we''re not kissing instead of fighting?"


    Her lips curled into a predatory smile, daring him to respond.


    Anak, more straightforward, stepped closer. Despite her petite stature, her presence radiated menace.


    "What are you looking at? Say it to my face if you''ve got something to say¡ªor are you just some coward who talks behind people''s backs?"


    Kalon froze momentarily under their combined glares. Raising his hands defensively, he forced a calm expression onto his face.


    "It''s not what you think. I was just... amazed. Yes, amazed at how passionately you both express yourselves. Truly admirable."


    The air between them thickened as both girls narrowed their eyes in suspicion.


    Androssi crossed her arms, smirking.


    "Admirable? Sure. That''s exactly what that look of disappointment meant."


    Anak cracked her knuckles menacingly.


    "If you''re going to lie, at least try harder. I should break his legs for wasting my time."


    Kalon realized he was treading on thin ice. These weren''t ordinary girls¡ªthey were Princesses of Jahad. Combatants like them wouldn''t hesitate to silence someone they found annoying. He decided to change tactics.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings."Look, I didn''t mean anything by it. Honestly. I''m just... tired. Fighting isn''t my thing, and seeing you two so tense made me reflect on how far I still have to go."


    Androssi laughed mockingly.


    "So, you''re a weakling. That explains a lot."


    Anak, however, lost interest. Her glare softened slightly, more out of boredom than anything else.


    "Tch. Pathetic. Not worth my time."


    Seizing the moment, Kalon gave a polite bow and backed away.


    "I''ll leave you two to your... important conversation. Good day."


    As he retreated, he let out a breath he didn''t realize he was holding.


    Phew! That was close.


    While Kalon wasn''t necessarily afraid, he decided it was wise to stick to his assigned role as the team''s brain. Playing the part of a timid strategist would allow him to grow without drawing unnecessary attention.


    For the Light Bearer position, his instructor would be Lero Ro, who had directed all Light Bearers to "Position Test Class 3."


    Kalon wandered the halls, searching for his classroom, until he spotted a blue sign that read Position Test Class 3.


    Entering the room, he saw it was almost filled with other E-Rank Regulars like himself. Surprisingly, there were also Regulars from different positions present.


    He recalled reading on a Tower of God forum that Rankers often had multiple positions, but he wondered if Regulars could train in more than one position before becoming Rankers. Looking around, it seemed possible.


    Just as Kalon entered, Lero Ro stepped onto the stage at the center of the room.


    "As you already know me, I won''t waste time on introductions," Lero Ro began.


    "First and foremost, to become proficient in any position, you must first be able to use Shinsu. To do that, you need to sign a contract with the Floor Guardian. Some of you may have already done so, enabling you to utilize Shinsu within the Tower."


    "Turn your pockets visible and close your eyes. Then, say..."


    [Contract with the Administrator]


    Kalon followed the instructions. His Pocket displayed an unreadable language, the words moving too fast for him to comprehend.


    [Contract complete]


    As the ritual concluded, Kalon felt an invisible weight press down on him. The air around him shifted subtly, humming with a resonance that felt like the Tower itself was acknowledging him.


    Shinsu, once an intangible force, now coursed through him. It pulsed in the air, interwoven with the fabric of the Tower, as if it had whispered secrets directly to his soul. His skin tingled as warmth spread through him.


    For a brief moment, he felt invincible. His senses expanded, and his breathing felt enriched. But the euphoria was fleeting. The warmth subsided, leaving a persistent hum as a reminder that Shinsu was now a part of him.


    "So, this is what it means to step into the realm of Shinsu," Kalon murmured.

 Chapter 7: Kalon in Solitude

    Chapter 7: Kalon in Solitude


    A/N: Thanks For Your Continuous Support On Patreon.


    The days passed, and before long, Bam was healthy again. Kalon noticed him one morning while heading to his class.


    He exchanged greetings with Bam, who responded, though his mind seemed elsewhere. Perhaps he was preoccupied with thoughts of Rachel, the girl he''d glimpsed at the end of the Crown Game.


    Kalon occasionally ran into Khun during class, though they barely interacted. Khun always occupied a seat at the front, while Kalon, influenced by his past habits, preferred to sit at the back.


    Even Tryllo and Squidshark had old acquaintances in the Tower, participants in the test like themselves. Their time with Kalon had dwindled as they began spending more time with their friends.


    Kalon understood this change. The next test wouldn''t require teams since sorting would now be random. There was no reason for them to stay together anymore.


    Seated at the back of the class, Kalon found himself reflecting on his memories from Earth. Although he hadn''t had many friends, the few he did have were loyal and supportive, always there when he faced unfairness.


    [Skill Detected: Lighthouse Flow Control ¨C Stored in System Space.]


    As memories of familiar faces from his past filled his mind, Kalon found himself reluctant to return to reality. But this was a class, and he couldn''t afford to attract unnecessary attention.


    Opening one eye, he glanced around, seeking the source of the notification. His gaze settled on a student seated at the front¡ªa child from one of the 10 Great Families. The boy had been discarded because his sibling lost the Princess of Zahard competition. As a result, everyone related to her had been cast out of the family.


    It was none other than Khun Aguero Agnes.


    The situation was ironic. If the family head''s logic held, he should have exiled himself too, since he was also related by blood. But hypocrisy ran deep in these powerful families. They didn''t care for their children''s desires, only for pleasing the King.


    Kalon recalled how the story hadn''t yet revealed why Zahard imposed such harsh measures. He''d been curious about the reason, but before it could be explained, he was thrust into this reality¡ªthe true world of Tower of God.


    Studying the behavior of other regulars, Kalon decided to remain inconspicuous. Too much talent, without a powerful backing, was dangerous. Khun, with his lineage, was safe. But Kalon remembered how Bam had exposed himself by showcasing abilities far beyond those of a normal regular.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ...


    "One juice and four macarons, please," Kalon said, holding an empty tray as he ordered his meal.


    His isolation was evident. Despite being on this floor for so long, he hadn''t even known where to find food until yesterday¡ªthanks to an unexpected encounter with Androssi Zahard.


    "I haven''t seen you in the cafeteria for days," she''d said. "I thought you might be dead."


    "Clearly, I''m still alive, Princess," Kalon had replied flatly, his melancholy reflected in his tone.


    "You little¡ªwhat''s with that attitude?" Androssi snapped. Her temper flared as she launched a punch, strong enough to incapacitate any ordinary regular.


    Thud!


    Expecting Kalon to crumple, Androssi was startled to find him still standing. His gaze, calm and steady, met hers. He''d grown taller, now a head above her, and hadn''t even flinched.


    Was her punch off-target?


    "I''m sorry if I offended you, Princess," Kalon said evenly. "But could you tell me where to find food?"


    It was only then that Androssi realized her fist still rested against his chest, separated by his clothes. Embarrassed, she quickly pulled back. A princess couldn''t afford such proximity to a man outside of battle.


    "You should thank me for holding back," she muttered. "Otherwise, you''d already be out of the Tower."


    "Did you say something, Princess?" Kalon asked, stepping back slightly.


    "No¡ªnothing. Follow me," Androssi replied, turning abruptly and walking ahead.


    Kalon followed, his pace steady. He walked beside her, drawing her ire once more.


    "Why are you walking next to me? Just follow behind!"


    "My mother taught me to walk either ahead or beside a lady, never behind¡ªunless she''s my mother or sister," Kalon explained simply.


    Caught off guard, Androssi let it slide. She too disliked the sensation of people trailing behind her.


    "This is the cafeteria," she said as they arrived. "You can manage from here, right?"


    "Yes, Princess. Thank you for your concern," Kalon replied earnestly. His gratitude was genuine¡ªafter three days of starvation, he was finally getting a proper meal.


    Back in the present, Kalon sat in a secluded corner of the cafeteria, savoring his macarons and juice.


    "These are delicious," he muttered contentedly.


    From behind a pillar, he observed the lively group at the center: Bam, Khun, and others, chatting and laughing. Despite the cheerful scene, Kalon felt no envy. He knew the hardships awaiting them¡ªhow many would quit, how many would fall, and how few would reach their dreams.


    "With great power comes great responsibility," he mused.


    As he reflected, Hwa Ryun appeared beside him.


    "Are you feeling jealous?" she asked.


    "No," Kalon replied. "I''m just thinking about how many of them will actually achieve their goals, how many will give up, and how many will die."


    "Then why are you sitting here? There are quieter corners if you want to be alone," she remarked.


    "I dislike crowds, but I also don''t like eating alone," Hwa Ryun replied simply.


    Kalon found himself at a loss for words. This enigmatic red witch, who should have been plotting how to entangle Bam in the schemes of FUG, was instead casually eating with him.


    "Well, it''s just food," he thought. "And I doubt Hwa Ryun suspects I''m an irregular."


    Finishing his meal, Kalon decided to leave. He planned to let the other regulars develop their skills before copying their improved techniques.


    On his way out, he checked his status for the first time in days, curious about his progress.


    [Status]


    Name: Kalon


    Titles: Transmigrator, Sword Grandmaster (New), Combat Master (New)


    Strength: 100 ¡ú +1000


    Agility: 100 ¡ú +1000


    Defence: 100 ¡ú +1000


    Speed: 100 ¡ú +1000 (Peak human stats: 10)


    Skills: Triple Sword Formation (Sublime) ¡ú Nine Sword Formation (Sublime), Combat (Sublime), Lighthouse Flow Control (New), Shinsu (Apprentice)

 Chapter 8: Hide And Seek Test

    Chapter 8: Hide And Seek Test


    A/N: Thanks For Your Continuous Support On Patreon.


    Kalon felt his body surge with newfound power, his stats so overwhelming that he nearly faltered mid-stride. Yet, as a Sword Grandmaster with mastery over the minutest movements of his physique, he quickly regained his balance. His feet moved steadily again, even as his mind lingered on the details of his enhanced status.


    Among the new additions, "Shinsu (Apprentice)" caught his attention. Could Shinsu, like his other skills, possess ranks? If so, what would happen if he maxed it out? The thought filled him with curiosity. Would mastering Shinsu make him as formidable as a Family Head?


    ...


    The arena buzzed with anticipation as Team A prepared for their Hide and Seek Test against Quant Blitz, the fearsome Ranker. Khun, their leader, stood before them, crafting a meticulous strategy. Quant''s Ranker status made him a terrifying opponent, but Khun''s calm demeanor betrayed his confidence.


    Kalon stood near the back of the group, observing quietly. His role was simple yet pivotal: act as bait alongside Shibisu to lure Quant away from the team''s true objective¡ªsecuring the exit point. Khun''s plan relied on calculated misdirection, and Kalon knew he couldn''t afford to break character.


    "Alright, everyone, stick to the plan," Khun said, his sharp gaze lingering on Kalon and Shibisu. "You two, make sure Quant stays focused on you for as long as possible. Don''t mess this up."


    Shibisu groaned. "Yeah, yeah. Easy for you to say, genius."


    Kalon merely nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. He wasn''t surprised by Khun''s choice. From the beginning, Khun didn''t want to win but instead was making way for Team B¡ªor, to be precise, Baam¡ªto pass the test.


    The buzzer sounded, signaling the start of the test. Team A scattered into the maze-like arena. Kalon and Shibisu sprinted together, heading toward their designated area. Since Kalon was also a Lightbearer, Khun did not need to waste his Shinsu on conjuring a lighthouse cube to serve as the torch in the dark environment.


    "Remind me again why I agreed to this?" Shibisu muttered, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "That guy''s a monster."


    "Focus," Kalon said, his voice steady. "He''s fast, but we don''t need to fight him. Just keep him chasing us."


    Moments later, Quant''s presence became unmistakable¡ªa blur of motion followed by a wave of oppressive energy. The Ranker landed ahead of them, his confident smirk sending a chill down Shibisu''s spine.


    "Found you," Quant said, cracking his knuckles. "This''ll be over quick." His nonchalant behavior showed that he had already seen through Khun''s Plan A.


    "Not if we have anything to say about it!" Shibisu shouted, adopting an exaggerated fighting stance. Kalon suppressed a smile, appreciating Shibisu''s theatrics.


    Quant lunged toward them, his speed blinding. Kalon reacted instantly, activating his Lighthouse to create a brief barrier of Shinsu. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but the barrier held just long enough for Kalon and Shibisu to dart away.


    "Nice trick," Quant called after them, already in pursuit. "But you''ll need more than that to slow me down."


    Shibisu panted as they ran, his nerves fraying under the relentless chase. "This guy''s insane! How are we supposed to keep him busy?"


    ''Well... Were you really planning on stopping a Ranker, even though he is the weakest? Shibisu, I am proud of you,'' Kalon thought while dodging Quant''s attack after the Lighthouse shield was breached. He stepped aside but kept his expressions as natural as possible, knowing the other judges and Team B could observe the match.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Kalon activated his Lighthouse again, projecting decoy signals to confuse Quant. The Ranker hesitated for a split second, scanning the arena for the real targets. It was all the time Kalon needed to reposition himself, drawing Quant''s attention back toward him.


    "Over here!" Kalon called, deliberately exposing himself.


    Quant grinned, his figure vanishing in a blur. Kalon braced himself, narrowly dodging the Ranker''s strike. The ground where he had stood shattered under the force of Quant''s attack.


    Shibisu watched in disbelief as Kalon continued to evade Quant''s onslaught with calculated precision. "What the hell? You''re way better at this than I thought."


    "Remember, my student! Since a Scout is always in the frontline, there is a high possibility of confronting a number of enemies at once! The best thing to do is to get rid of their eyes¡ªthe Lighthouse! Once the Lighthouse is gone, it doesn''t matter how many enemies there are, especially the Spear Bearers. Are you wondering how I can see in the dark? Sorry, but a good Scout can read the Shinsu in the dark and figure out enemies'' locations. A top Scout doesn''t need any lights," Quant said, targeting the Lighthouse Kalon had set up for Shibisu to see in the dark maze.


    Kalon wasn''t affected, his focus entirely on the Ranker. Despite his calm exterior, he exerted considerable effort to maintain his facade. He liked the normal life he had now. Quant himself was holding back considerably, relying only on physical prowess without using Shinsu.


    In the dark, Quant targeted Kalon, aiming for a knockout blow. Kalon saw the attack coming at his neck. He could dodge but chose not to, maintaining his cover.


    Thud!


    "Hey, what was that sound? Kalon... Kalon, what happened there?" Shibisu shouted in the dark when he heard something fall.


    "Do not worry, my student. I will send you to meet your friend now..." Quant appeared behind Shibisu like a predator, but the dark hall lit up. Quant chuckled, not realizing Khun had been waiting for this moment.


    The position of Shibisu and Quant became visible again while Kalon was down on the floor. Shibisu noticed Kalon''s chest heaving up and down, indicating he wasn''t dead.


    "Now, Amigochaz!" Khun''s voice echoed through the Lighthouse.


    Hearing the leader''s call, Amigochaz launched his spear in Quant''s direction. The spear moved at incredible speed, infused with Shinsu for added momentum.


    Kalon, lying on the cold floor, pressed his ear to it. Suddenly, the maze materialized in his mind. He could hear the faintest footsteps, his senses stretching beyond 100 meters like a towering sentinel. His awareness spanned the arena, encapsulating the bustling intensity of the test.


    The spear, however, failed to hit its mark. Quant dodged it effortlessly. Khun, undeterred, directed Anak to attack with the Green April. Anak charged forward, her weapon glowing ominously, but Quant swiftly caught her weapon, grinning as he neutralized the strike.


    Defeat seemed imminent, but Quant laughed it off.


    What followed was all part of Khun''s elaborate plan. Quant decided to toy with the Regulars, giving Shibisu and Team A exactly 32 minutes and 15 seconds to regroup. It was a calculated gamble.


    Thirty-one minutes later, elsewhere in the arena, Anak and Hatz made their way toward the exit, executing the second phase of Khun''s plan. But Quant, ever the seasoned Ranker, picked up on their intentions. With a sudden burst of speed, he intercepted them.


    Meanwhile, Kalon was being carried by Shibisu, one arm slung over Shibisu''s shoulder.


    "You okay, Kalon?" Shibisu asked, his tone filled with genuine concern.


    "I''m sorry," Kalon replied, his voice soft. "Because of me, Plan A failed. We might lose the game now."


    Shibisu''s expression shifted, a mix of pity and determination crossing his face. Kalon smiled inwardly, letting the misunderstanding linger.


    Despite their efforts, Team A''s defeat was inevitable. Quant''s overwhelming skill and experience left them outmatched. The buzzer sounded, confirming their loss. Team A regrouped in the waiting area, the weight of failure heavy in the air.


    Shibisu collapsed onto a bench, his head buried in his hands. "Man, that was rough."


    "You did well," Khun said, his tone surprisingly soft. "Everyone played their part."


    Khun''s outburst earlier had been calculated, a deliberate show of anger to shift blame. It was a common tactic of playing both sides of the fence¡ªaligning with opposing interests to gain advantage. His self-blame acted as a smokescreen, ensuring Team B''s success while absolving himself of suspicion.


    Kalon, silent as ever, watched his teammates. From the sidelines, he noticed Khun''s fleeting smile amidst his contrived self-reproach.


    Team B, meanwhile, prepared for their turn. Kalon observed quietly, his thoughts detached. Winning or losing this game held little meaning for him; it was merely an exercise in class dynamics and teamwork. The 2,000 points, though tempting, didn''t excite him. He wasn''t a foodie, nor was he like a certain baldy who obliterated entire villain organizations over meat sales.

 Chapter 9: Shock

    Chapter 9: Shock


    A/N: Thanks For Your Continuous Support On Patreon.


    The Hide and Seek game came to an end as Team B secured victory, but almost half the team was injured, and they were injured by their own teammates. Ho died according to the story. Kalon was not able to complete his harvesting request because the connection of the television in the waiting room that showed Team B was cut off. However, he was able to see the fight between Hatz and Quant. In his eyes, the way Hatz handled the sword or Quant, a Ranker, avoided the sword was too slow, and there were many wasted movements made by Hatz, which Quant was able to take advantage of.


    The next day, Lero-Ro made an announcement to meet him at the auditorium at six to hear the names of the Regulars who qualified for the final test.


    Kalon just washed up and went out to have breakfast. He was also going to climb up the Tower, but he had a backup plan if the list of qualified Regulars did not include his name, as he had not really shown much of his strength in the game.


    "Same as usual," Kalon said to the big, round people behind the cafeteria counter. He still did not know their names, nor was he interested in knowing.


    "How do you survive eating the same thing for breakfast daily?" a voice sounded from behind. It was Endorsi as usual, with her hair tied up. Kalon did not turn around to talk.


    "Here."


    "Thank you," Kalon calmly took his tray and walked towards his usual spot. Endorsi just huffed but did not follow him. Instead, she walked towards the direction where Khun was sitting.


    Kalon did not eavesdrop on their conversation, though he knew what the discussion was about.


    He continued walking, holding his tray, and looked around him. He saw that many of the faces that were here in the beginning were no longer around. Even his friends, Squidshark and Tryllo, who were in Team B, had been injured by the Ranker, which had made them lose their motivation to continue climbing the Tower.


    Kalon went to see them and tried to recharge their motivation, but they both were firm in their decision. Kalon thought about what they had said when he asked what they were planning to do once they went back. Squidshark said that his parents were still young¡ªonly a hundred years old.


    Kalon was about to say some rude words but swallowed them when he heard Squidshark saying that his parents were "only" a hundred years old and that his father was a loan shark in the outer area of the Tower, while Tryllo had been hired to protect Squidshark inside the Tower.


    "Kalon, what about you? Do you think you will be chosen?" Squidshark suddenly asked. Kalon just smiled and said, "Well, I will walk till the end. And you should too. You are better than many other Regulars who were gravely injured and could not even attempt the next test if they wanted to."


    "Kalon, you were not there. I was in Team B, and I saw what real monsters are like. That Bam kid¡ªwe thought he was the weakest but turned out to be the strongest. The Princess betrayed their own teammates to make the selection easy. Seeing all that made me wonder if I was truly fit to climb this cruel Tower. Although I am a son of a loan shark and I have no right to talk about good or bad, my father has always been kind to others. Even when some people were unable to repay their loans, my father forgave them if what they said was true. But my father also paid others to build his reputation as a cruel loan shark who would do anything to get his money back."


    Kalon had never seen Squidshark talk so much. It truly showed how disappointed he was in himself.


    "So what? Even if the Tower is cruel, you aren''t. Become stronger¡ªso strong that you can influence the rules of this Tower. Like how other Rankers are¡ªsome are kind, some are eccentric, some are hot-tempered, some hypocrites, and so on," Kalon said, trying to motivate Squidshark and Tryllo.


    "Ranker? I should be alive to be able to become one first. Tryllo is also the same. We have made this decision after a lot of thought." Squidshark turned his face towards Tryllo, who nodded in agreement with what Squidshark had said.


    "Well, I am lucky to have a friend like you, Kalon. Even though we had cut off our connection to you after seeing how you were and made new friends, only you came to visit us and persuade us to change our decision." Squidshark stood up and walked towards Kalon, who was standing near the door, to give him a hug.


    Kalon also responded by patting him on the back.


    Tryllo was trying to hold himself back. Being the big guy he was, how could he show such degrading behavior towards those weaker than him? Kalon saw this and walked towards Tryllo.


    "Hey big guy, what are you going to do out there?"


    "I am going back to my clan," Tryllo answered, and Kalon no longer asked any more questions. As he grabbed the door knob, he said without turning back, "Once I become a High Ranker, I will visit you both in the Outer Area."


    With that, Kalon walked out.


    Inside the room, Squidshark and Tryllo burst out in laughter after hearing Kalon say that he would become a High Ranker. It should be noted that High Rankers are beings on a completely different level¡ªeven a hundred Rankers are not a match for them. But they thought that their friend was just trying to uplift their mood, which he was successful in.


    They did not know that one day this friend, who had walked with them in the Tower and was called the weakest, would become one of the strongest, reaching the level of King of the Tower. And how lucky they would feel to have walked with the future strongest in his youth.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ...


    Back in the arena, the moment of truth arrived. The golden screen shimmered again, and Lero-Ro stepped forward.


    "These are the Regulars who have passed the test and will proceed to the next stage," he announced. Slowly, names began to appear on the screen.


    [Successful Candidates of Final Position]


    Fisherman:


    Androssi, Cheonhwa Hong, Blarouge, Anak Zahard.


    Spear-Bearer:


    Akryung, Rak Wraithraiser, Paracule, Amigoharz.


    Scout:


    Shibisu, Hatz, Seonwoo.


    Light-Bearer:


    Khun Aguero Agnes, Kalon, Levin.


    Wave Controller:


    Bam, Laure.


    Cheers erupted among those whose names had appeared, while others remained silent, their disappointment evident. For some, the Tower''s call had ended here, their dreams cut short.


    However, among those who did not pass, frustration boiled over. A failed Regular stood abruptly and began shouting at Test Director Yu Han Sung.


    Yu Han Sung gestured for the enraged Regular to come closer.


    Stupid. Kalon put his head down on the desk, shaking his head at the idiotic behavior of the Regular confronting the Test Director. Kalon, meanwhile, felt a quiet satisfaction. He had passed and could now take the usual test Yu Han Sung would assign based on his observations.


    Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed through the room. The failed Regular, who had approached Yu Han Sung in anger, fell to the ground, writhing and screaming in agony. Yu Han Sung had barely lifted a finger.


    Kalon lifted his head momentarily to glance at the scene before letting it fall back onto the desk. A High Ranker''s methods were on a completely different level¡ªthis was just another reminder.


    The room grew tense as Yu Han Sung turned to address the rest of the Regulars.


    Khun Aguero Agnes stood up, his voice cutting through the silence. "I''m against this decision," he said sharply. His tone held defiance as he stared at Yu Han Sung.


    Yu Han Sung smiled faintly, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Your objection has been noted," he replied coolly.


    Kalon stood from his seat, unwilling to involve himself in the growing argument. His steps were silent as he made his way toward the exit, hoping to avoid any further drama.


    "Mr. Kalon," Yu Han Sung called from the stage. His fox-like grin widened as he spoke, his voice carrying across the auditorium. "Are you not against this decision? Your teammates have also been disqualified because of their injuries."


    The entire room fell silent as every eye turned to Kalon. He paused mid-stride, feeling the weight of their stares. Without turning to face them, he looked directly at Yu Han Sung.


    "Oh, that," Kalon said, his expression and voice flatter than usual. "Test Director, you see, my teammates had already decided to quit. And I am not strong enough to take part in the Floor Administrator''s test like the others, so I will take part in the usual test that you decide. I believe in cutting my coat according to my cloth."


    The room erupted in laughter at his statement. Even Lero-Ro, who rarely let his guard down, allowed himself a small smirk.


    Yu Han Sung''s expression, however, remained unreadable. His gaze lingered on Kalon before he gestured for the room to quiet down.


    "Very well, Mr. Kalon," Yu Han Sung said, his voice dripping with curiosity. "Since you are the only participant for the test I had prepared, I believe it would be unfair to you. I will modify the test."


    The room grew still, and Kalon turned back to face the Test Director.


    "You now only have to push me one step back," Yu Han Sung declared. His voice was loud enough for all to hear, and the Regulars in the room gasped at the absurdity of his proposal. "Yes, you may use any position, any move you''ve learned. I will allow you to attempt to push me just one step back."


    Kalon froze, his body trembling. But it wasn''t fear that gripped him¡ªit was excitement.


    The Regulars around him, however, thought differently.


    "Is that even allowed?" one of them murmured.


    "How could he possibly pass the test alone?"


    "Does he think he''s more talented than the Irregular?" Paracule sneered, holding his long head high. "Learning every position in just a few days? The Irregular barely managed to use one Bang of Shinsu in a day!"


    The murmurs turned into a cacophony of disbelief and mockery.


    Kalon halted his stride and turned to face Yu Han Sung, his body rigid but his eyes alight with determination.


    "Okay," he said, his voice breaking slightly under the weight of his own anticipation.


    The room fell silent again, stunned by his response.


    Yu Han Sung smiled slightly, his fox-like eyes narrowing with intrigue. Lero-Ro, standing nearby, frowned deeply. As the instructor for the Lightbearer position, he was all too aware of Kalon''s average performance. Pitting him against a High Ranker seemed cruelly unfair.


    "Director¡­" Lero-Ro began, his voice hesitant.


    Yu Han Sung raised a hand to silence him. "This is his choice," the Test Director said simply.


    Kalon stood firm, his hands clenched at his sides as his mind raced. The prospect of facing Yu Han Sung, a High Ranker and prodigy, wasn''t terrifying¡ªit was thrilling.


    The Regulars murmured among themselves, some scoffing, others shaking their heads in disbelief.


    "Does he really think he can do it?" one whispered.


    "Maybe he''s just trying to save face," another replied.


    Meanwhile, Kalon''s lips curved into a small smile. The weight of the challenge was immense, but for the first time in a long while, he felt alive.

 Chapter 10: Kalon Vs Test Director (1)

    Chapter 10: Kalon Vs. Test Director (1)


    "Yes, like that. You see me? You have to hit the bull''s-eye of the target I just hit. Easy, right?"


    Kalon was currently in the Spear Bearer class, learning from the instructor Yu Bok Dol. The news of him going to fight against the Test Director in the next few days had already spread. He would need to utilize all the positions in his arsenal to push Yu Han Sung back just one step.


    [Skill Detected: Ranged Type Spear Bearer ¨C Stored in System Space.]


    He looked at the system prompt. Even without this skill, he could hit the target easily. As a Sword Grandmaster, his senses allowed him to perceive everything within a 100-meter radius. One of the reasons he hadn¡¯t copied any skill until now was because he wanted to copy skills from the best¡ªnot amateurs.


    "Here." Yu Bok Dol handed him a spear. The moment Kalon held it, his aura changed. He became more somber. He bounced the spear in his right hand, feeling the weight¡ªit was a solid 100 kg. No wonder only Rak and one other regular had directly passed the position test. But for Kalon, it wasn¡¯t much of a challenge.


    "Oh! I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t fall. Looking at your lean body, it doesn¡¯t seem like you exercise." Yu Bok Dol smirked. He often pulled this trick on weaker-looking regulars, handing them the heaviest spear just to watch them collapse under its weight. But this time, his plan had backfired.


    "Now give it back. I¡¯ll get you the proper spear."


    "No, it¡¯s okay, teacher. Since I¡¯m up against an entity like the Test Director, I can¡¯t take the conventional route to grow strong, can I?" Kalon replied, his eyes fixed on the floating target hidden behind the clouds. His sharp gaze pierced through the mist and locked onto his target. Veins bulged as his grip tightened around the spear. He stepped back, using the spear to gain momentum.


    Swoosh!


    Kalon¡¯s hand blurred momentarily, and a swooshing sound echoed through the air. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he launched the spear. It tore through the air, reaching its target within seconds.


    Boom!


    The spear didn¡¯t stop¡ªit pierced through the floating target and struck the mountain behind it.


    "I-Is this really your first time using a spear?" Yu Bok Dol was stunned. Passing in one attempt wasn¡¯t unheard of, but it was rare, usually reserved for princesses of Zahard, geniuses from the Ten Great Families, or irregulars. As the thought of irregulars crossed his mind, an image of a certain brown-haired boy flashed through his head, sending a chill down his spine.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Could it be that he¡¯s also an irregular¡­ like that kid?"


    "Instructor, did I pass?" Kalon asked innocently, his expression back to normal.


    "Y-Yes, you passed with flying colors. May I ask¡ªare you related to the Ten Great Families?" Yu Bok Dol asked nervously.


    "No. And, teacher, can you show me more skills a Spear Bearer should know? I want to be fully prepared," Kalon said resolutely.


    Director, it looks like you¡¯ve awakened a sleeping dragon, Yu Bok Dol thought, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. He imagined the Test Director¡¯s reaction when he discovered yet another monster¡ªone perhaps more terrifying than that irregular kid, a figure that evoked memories of Urek Mazino¡¯s younger days.


    "Have you ever used a weapon?" Hax asked.


    Hax wore a smooth, silver-like mask and had long, flowing dark hair styled in pigtails. She was dressed in a light blue blouse paired with a pink dress striped with white.


    "Yes, I¡¯m familiar with the sword," Kalon replied honestly.


    Kalon took out a worn-out sword from his pocket. Hax examined the blade closely and remarked, "How long have you been using this sword? Its blade has lost all sharpness. In the Tower, where Shinsu concentration is strong, this sword wouldn¡¯t even cut grass."


    "It works fine for me. I don¡¯t have enough points to afford a new one," Kalon admitted. He glanced at the sword in his hand. It hadn¡¯t always been this dull; the blade had worn out because ordinary swords couldn¡¯t withstand the power of his strikes as a Sword Grandmaster.


    "Take one from the armory for now. If you manage to learn my techniques in a day, I¡¯ll gift you a new sword that even A-rank regulars use. Deal?" Hax proposed, folding her arms. She gestured behind her, where five training robots stood waiting.


    "These robots won¡¯t stop until you completely destroy them. I¡¯ll judge whether you¡¯re more suited to the sword, reel, or needles. No Shinsu¡ªonly physical strength," Hax instructed. She walked to an empty field, pulling a chair from her inventory. Sitting down with her legs crossed, she rested her chin on her palm.


    As Kalon stepped within range, the robots activated, their eyes glowing red. The sudden hostility startled him; he had little experience fighting opponents. One robot lunged. Kalon ducked, a swooshing sound passing over where his neck had been moments earlier.


    The second robot attacked vertically, leaving cracks on the ground. Kalon rolled backward, unbothered by appearances since only the instructor was present. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to take this lightly¡ªany injury would hinder his upcoming fight against Yu Han Sung.


    Gripping his sword tightly, Kalon unleashed his full strength. In an instant, his body vanished. Seconds later, he reappeared, the robots lying destroyed beyond repair. Broken circuits and debris littered the ground. Kalon inspected his sword¡ªit had worn out further. No ordinary blade could handle his power.


    Hax, who seemed to have been dozing off, was shocked. Although her face was covered, Kalon sensed her surprise.


    "Y-You¡­ did you use Shinsu? No, I didn¡¯t sense any Shinsu. But that speed¡­ is that even possible for a human?!" Hax¡¯s mind raced. Humans were considered the weakest race in the Tower, apart from the King and the Ten Great Family Heads. Yet, this regular, not even E-rank, displayed raw physical strength that rivaled legends.


    "Did I pass?" Kalon asked in his usual straightforward manner.


    "Yes¡­ though the positions have already been decided. Otherwise, I¡¯d have reassigned you to Fisherman. You¡¯re far better suited for combat than sitting in a Lighthouse, supporting from the sidelines," Hax sighed. Frustrated, she silently blamed the Test Director for such a glaring mistake. If Evankhell were here¡­ this wouldn¡¯t have happened.

 Chapter 11: Kalon VS Test Director (2)

    Chapter 11: Kalon VS Test Director (2)


    Evankhell''s Floating Ship


    [Status]


    <ul>


    <li>


    Name: Kalon


    </li>


    <li>


    Titles: Transmigrator, Sword Grandmaster, Combat Master, Light-Bearer (New), Spear-Bearer (New), Fisherman (New)


    </li>


    <li>


    Strength: 1000 >> +200


    </li>


    <li>


    Agility: 1000 >> +200


    </li>


    <li>


    Defense: 1000 >> +100


    </li>


    <li>


    Speed: 1000 >> +100


    </li>


    <li>


    (Peak human stats: 10)


    </li>


    <li>


    Skills: Nine Sword Formation (Extreme), Combat (Extreme), Lighthouse Flow Control, Shinsu (Elementary), Ranged Type Spear-Bearer (Basic), Fisherman Sword Type (Extreme)


    </li>


    </ul>


    Kalon''s expression became more and more satisfied the longer he stared at his status panel. A lot had changed since the time he arrived in this world. Although the time was short, he had decided to focus on mastering a few skills instead of spreading himself thin by learning everything.


    The other Regulars had no choice but to proceed with the test the Administrator had given them, but Kalon remained behind, waiting for Yu Han Sung to arrive. Everything was going according to the canon. Baam was about to be certified dead by the Test Director, although they clearly had not found his body. The Test Director himself had been in cahoots with the instigator.


    Kalon had been unable to become a Wave Controller. He suspected that the Test Director had done this intentionally. Otherwise, even though Ren¡ªthe Wave Controller instructor sent to kill Anak¡ªhad already left for the Submerged Fish Hunt Test Site, Yu Han Sung, the prodigy Wave Controller, was still here.


    Even though Yu Han Sung was responsible for this test, there was no enmity between them that would justify refusing to substitute as the Wave Controller teacher. Yet, he hadn¡¯t stepped in.


    The air was thick with tension as Kalon stepped into the arena. The circular battlefield was vast, with currents of Shinsu swirling faintly in the distance, creating an ominous backdrop. Yu Han Sung stood at the center, calm as ever, cradling his teacup in one hand as though the fight was a mere formality.


    ¡°If you can make me take a single step back, you win,¡± Yu Han Sung said, his voice smooth and confident. ¡°But don¡¯t get your hopes up.¡±


    Kalon¡¯s grip on his spear tightened, though his stance remained relaxed. His mind raced, formulating strategies. He knew Yu Han Sung¡¯s power was far beyond his own. Any direct confrontation would end in disaster, especially against an advanced Ranker who had likely seen countless battles. He couldn¡¯t afford to reveal too much of his strength here. No, this wasn¡¯t a fight of power¡ªit was a battle of wit and precision.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you move,¡± Kalon said simply, his voice steady. ¡°That¡¯s all I need to do.¡±


    Yu Han Sung smirked. ¡°Show me.¡±


    The first strike came almost lazily. Yu Han Sung flicked his wrist, sending a shimmering sphere of Shinsu hurtling toward Kalon. The sphere was fast, but Kalon¡¯s sharp senses allowed him to sidestep with ease. Another followed, then another, each one faster and more precise than the last. Kalon twisted, ducked, and leapt, weaving through the attacks like a leaf carried by the wind.


    Yu Han Sung observed him with mild interest, sipping his tea. ¡°Impressive reflexes for a regular,¡± he remarked. ¡°But dodging won¡¯t make me step back.¡±


    Kalon didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he focused on the rhythm of the strikes. Each sphere of Shinsu was an opportunity to analyze Yu Han Sung¡¯s stance, his subtle shifts of balance, the small but telling motions of his body. He couldn¡¯t overpower the Ranker, but he could outthink him.


    The strikes intensified. Shinsu tendrils lashed out like whips, carving through the air and the ground alike. Kalon¡¯s movements became sharper, more efficient. He flipped over one tendril, rolled under another, always staying just outside the reach of danger. The crowd watching from the edges of the arena murmured in amazement.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Yu Han Sung admitted. ¡°But you¡¯re not even close.¡±


    Kalon began circling, his steps light and deliberate. He moved closer in increments, testing Yu Han Sung¡¯s reactions. Each time he advanced, Yu Han Sung countered with another barrage of Shinsu, forcing Kalon to retreat momentarily. The Ranker¡¯s control was impeccable, every attack designed to pressure Kalon without exposing any weakness.


    But Kalon noticed something¡ªYu Han Sung¡¯s strikes, while precise, required subtle adjustments to maintain accuracy. A slight tilt of the shoulder here, a shift of weight there. Small, almost imperceptible movements, but movements nonetheless.


    If I can just disrupt his balance¡­


    Yu Han Sung raised his free hand, conjuring a dense, swirling orb of Shinsu. The energy hummed ominously, radiating power. He aimed it at Kalon, who stood his ground, watching intently.


    With a flick, the orb shot forward, tearing through the air. Kalon waited until the last possible moment, then sidestepped. The orb struck the ground behind him, detonating with a deafening roar. The shockwave rippled outward, shaking the arena and sending cracks spiderwebbing through the ground beneath Yu Han Sung¡¯s feet.


    Kalon used the force of the explosion to propel himself forward, closing the gap between them. He moved in a blur, his body low and his eyes locked on Yu Han Sung¡¯s feet. He feinted a lunge, his body language screaming attack, though he had no intention of striking.


    Yu Han Sung¡¯s eyes narrowed. He raised his hand to counter, but Kalon shifted again, darting to the side. The Ranker hesitated for a fraction of a second, adjusting his stance to maintain his balance. It was subtle¡ªalmost imperceptible¡ªbut Kalon saw it.


    And then it happened. Yu Han Sung took a single step back.


    Kalon stopped in his tracks, his breathing steady despite the exertion. Yu Han Sung stood still, staring down at his foot, which had moved half a step behind its original position. A faint chuckle escaped his lips as he straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.


    ¡°Well played,¡± Yu Han Sung said, his voice carrying a rare note of genuine amusement. ¡°To make me move without a single strike¡­ Not bad for a regular.¡±


    Kalon said nothing, lowering his spear. The fight had been won, but he knew Yu Han Sung hadn¡¯t truly been trying. Still, a victory was a victory, and Kalon had achieved what he¡¯d set out to do.


    Yu Han Sung sipped his tea, his expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re interesting, Kalon. If you continue to grow at this pace¡­ you might just become a problem one day.¡±


    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kalon standing in the center of the cracked battlefield.


    He¡¯d won. For now, that was enough.

 Chapter 12: The Garden of Beginnings (1)

    Chapter 12: The Garden of Beginnings (1)


    <blockquote>


    (This is the 3rd floor, as in the story or any of the interviews it was never mentioned, so I will be taking a long ride from the 3rd to the 19th floor. It will all be up to my imagination.)


    </blockquote>


    As soon as the match was over, he was escorted by Lero Ro to the Transfer Chamber, from where the Regulars who passed went to the 3rd floor.


    ''Is it possible if someone forcibly passes through the test director and rankers and reaches this place to go to the next floor even without passing the tests?'' Kalon''s thoughts made him doubt himself. After experiencing everything by himself, did he think like this? In the story, the maker of Tower of God had just skipped 5 years and shown that Bam was on the 20th floor while Khun and Rachel were on the 22nd floor.


    "Instructor, thank you for your teachings and also never showing favoritism within the class." Kalon knew that Lero Ro was going to quit after he left this floor, not because of him but because of Bam. But still, in the class, as there was no Bam and there was also a member of the ten great families sitting, he never showed favoritism in the class. There were very few teachers who were honest to their position.


    Lero Ro said something, but Kalon had already reached the 3rd floor.


    Lero Ro was left alone in the Dark Chamber. He had not thought Kalon would pass the test, but then Lero Ro thought it just might be one of the whims of the Director.


    "I quit." Lero Ro said as he slapped the badge of 2nd Floor Test Judge on the ''Coffee Machine''s'' table. Yu Han Sung just continued sipping the instant coffee he had made.


    Yu Han Sung also took away the badge of Quant. "You are also no longer needed here."


    Quant had no choice but to follow behind Lero Ro.


    "But where will you go after quitting?" Quant asked while he dragged the heavy suitcase. ''Just what is in there?'' Even a ranker like him failed to drag a suitcase.


    "I am going to the 77th floor," Lero Ro said while he continued walking.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ...


    Kalon opened his eyes, and a bright light instantly stung his eyes.


    He looked around with great difficulty. The third floor was a lush, peaceful area filled with gentle landscapes.


    "Welcome, Regulars, to the Garden of Beginnings."


    Kalon heard a loud voice announcing from above him. He looked up, and it was a floating ship but not on the level of Evankhell.


    "The name is very fitting for this kind of environment¡ªthe Garden of Beginnings," said Kalon while he turned a full 360 degrees to look around him. He could not help but sigh at the lavish landscape around him.


    More beautiful than anything he had seen in his previous life¡ªa tranquil meadow with rolling hills, crystal-clear streams, and mild Shinsu currents. The air felt calming, designed to give newcomers a sense of security.


    "Now, Regulars, the test is divided into two: one for Regulars who want to move alone and another for teams."


    Alone Playing Regulars Game Rules:


    <ul>


    <li>


    Collect glowing Shinsu orbs scattered across the garden.


    </li>


    <li>


    Avoid small, non-lethal Shinsu creatures that serve as distractions.


    </li>


    </ul>


    Teams Playing Regulars Game Rules:


    <ul>


    <li>


    Work together with other Regulars to complete simple tasks like building a bridge or reaching higher ground.


    </li>


    </ul>


    Goal: Gather enough orbs to pass or complete a basic teamwork objective within the given time limit.


    "It is up to you if you want to play the game now or later, as there is no limit to how much you delay. But REMEMBER: if you fail the test, then your journey ends here. So unless you are confident, do not participate," the voice said.


    Kalon focused his eyes but did not see any other Regulars close to him. He had decided to take the test now. He was confident enough to pass the test alone.


    "Begin the test," Kalon said, and instantly the Pocket became visible, and the timer started.


    While Kalon observed his surroundings to check for other Regulars, he had seen some medium-bright Shinsu orbs scattered, but going after them one by one would be a headache.


    "I can try to increase my Shinsu manipulation ability." Kalon did not waste any more valuable seconds. He closed his eyes, touched the ground with his right palm, and made the Shinsu in his body resonate with the Shinsu in the environment.


    Kalon felt a cold sensation going in from his palm and flowing throughout his body. Kalon took his hand back and stood up. He had locked onto the location of Shinsu orbs scattered around the garden.


    "The test did not show how many Shinsu orbs are needed to pass the test. Well, I will see that later." Kalon started to gather Shinsu in his palm.


    "This test is a little disadvantageous to other position holders except for Wave Controllers."


    Kalon conjured up a black, ink-like light box. Even Kalon was shocked the first time he saw his Lighthouse and box, as well as the others. Although it was commonly known that Light Bearers had rainbow-colored light cubes, his was pitch black.


    He sat down on the cube and started floating in the air. He only knew the basic skills of the Light Bearer position, but he could copy them later in the future.

 Chapter 13: The Garden of Beginnings (2)

    Chapter 13: The Garden of Beginnings (2)


    "Well, that makes 50," Kalon said as he held the Shinsu Orbs in his palm with the help of a Light Cube. Kalon''s forehead was sweating from handling even one Light Cube.


    "I think this should be enough to pass the 3rd-floor test." Kalon had confidence in his strength, but his Shinsu manipulation was still weak.


    ''Now, where do we submit these?''


    Kalon looked around and flew into the sky to see where to submit them, but he didn¡¯t find anything. He could only try asking his Pocket, which was still counting the remaining time.


    "I have completed my test."


    Ding!


    [Test Completed by Kalon. Total Shinsu Orbs collected: 50. Defeated Enemies: 0.]


    [Proceeding to the next floor.]


    Inside a central Lighthouse somewhere on the 3rd floor:


    "This time, the Regulars are really lazy. Look, many even decided to take a break." A Ranker was inside a purple-colored Lighthouse with multiple Light Cubes around him, each displaying the Regulars who had entered the 3rd floor.


    [New Record!!]


    Name: Kalon


    Type of Test: Solo


    Total Shinsu Orbs: 50


    Enemies Defeated: 0


    Time: 10 Hours


    "What?! Quick, show me who this is! Someone who can break Urek Mazino''s record cannot be a simple person."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the Light Cubes began to flicker. Soon, all the information about Kalon was displayed in front of him.


    "Hmm, a Regular... and he doesn¡¯t even look strong," the Ranker muttered, rubbing his chin as he scrutinized the Regular''s information, trying to see if he had six eyes or four arms to be able to break an Irregular''s record.


    "Well, I¡¯m not one to talk about others¡¯ physiques when I myself am only 3ft tall."


    Kalon did not know that what he feared most had already happened: the Butterfly Effect.


    The floor that even took Urek 20 hours to clear was completed by a newly promoted E-rank Regular in just 10 hours. Soon, this news would reach the ears of Zahard¡¯s Empire''s higher-ups.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Kalon easily made it to the 4th floor.


    Hehe.


    He couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the thought of what was about to happen in the future. Climbing the Tower would become much more difficult.


    While looking around the floor, five hooded figures surrounded him in a semicircle.


    "I didn¡¯t expect you to pass the 3rd floor so quickly," the leader among the five spoke, his voice so relaxed it seemed as if he were on an outing.


    Kalon noticed they were dressed entirely in black. He didn¡¯t remember offending anyone, but it could also be that this body had some enemies.


    "Who are you?" Kalon asked seriously, conjuring his Light Cubes.


    "I would suggest you don¡¯t resist. We are tasked with escorting you. But if you resist, things can get bloody, as I am ordered to bring you back alive," the hooded man said, licking his lips. The other four behind him also drew their weapons, which consisted solely of Light Cubes.


    ''It seems they¡¯re quite confident. But who are these guys?''


    "If you tell me who sent you, I might not resist and comply," Kalon said, trying to buy time while spreading out his senses to find an escape route.


    "There¡¯s no use. We¡¯ve already sealed off this area. No one will hear your cries for help, nor will you escape," the leader said, easily seeing through Kalon¡¯s attempt at distraction.


    ''Tch. Was my acting so bad? Why was I even confident in my acting skills to begin with? I¡¯ve never acted in my whole life...'' Kalon scolded himself. Just because I have an Immortal System, I got overconfident and started underestimating the people of this world after a small victory against Yu Han Sung, someone offered the position of a High Ranker but declined.


    Kalon shook his head.


    "So, what¡¯s your decision? Will you follow us, or do we have to beat you into a half-dead state?" the leader asked with a fanatic glint in his hood-covered eyes.


    "Alright, alright... I¡¯ll follow along." After some thought, Kalon decided to comply, reasoning that their insistence on keeping him alive meant he held some value.


    "Smart." The leader muttered something to a subordinate, who nodded and quickly moved behind Kalon. With a swift karate chop to his neck, he knocked him out.


    Kalon could have dodged or counterattacked but chose to let it happen. Before losing consciousness, his mind was filled with thoughts about the uncertain future. This was now a reality, not a world on canvas. In real life, nothing ever goes as planned. The gods always have better plans.


    Thud!


    Ring~, ring~


    "Has the task been completed?" a deep voice came from the Pocket.


    "Yes, we are bringing him back." The leader bowed respectfully, even though only the voice was audible from the other side.


    Cut¡ª


    The call ended, and the Pocket became invisible again. The man who knocked Kalon out lifted him, while another created a light barrier to trap him.


    Soon, they vanished. Moments later, several Rankers arrived at the scene.


    "Strange. I felt the aura of a High Ranker here just a minute ago," the 4th Floor¡¯s Test Administrator said, glancing at the other judges for confirmation.


    They nodded gravely but found no signs of damage or battle. It might have just been a random visit by a High Ranker.


    Although no one said anything, they all knew High Rankers did not randomly visit the lower floors. However, they lacked the authority and power to confront a High Ranker, so they buried the matter deep in their hearts.

 Chapter 14: Kidnapped By F.U.G

    Chapter 14: Kidnapped By F.U.G


    Kalon regained consciousness, and what greeted him was a hard floor.


    "Agh... Who are you people?" Kalon asked as his eyes tried to adjust to the dim lighting. He directed his question toward the only silhouette he could make out.


    "You have been chosen as a Slayer Candidate," the silhouette spoke, his voice echoing as if they were in some valley or cave.


    "Slayer Candidate? What are you talking about?" Kalon wasn¡¯t acting; he was genuinely curious about the criteria they used to select Slayer Candidates.


    "You have been chosen to make our wishes come true. And you have no right to refuse¡ªunless you want your friends... What were their names again? Ah, Tryllo and Squidshark, right?" The voice carried a threatening tone this time.


    "Like I would believe you. It might be possible that you¡¯ve already killed them. Besides, I¡¯m not close enough to them to become a Slayer Candidate for you shady people." Kalon spat a mouthful of saliva onto the hard rock ground.


    "Well, you can see for yourself." The silhouette waved his hand, and two light cubes materialized out of thin air, displaying scenes outside the Tower. One cube showed Tryllo teaching his clansmen how to wield a curved sword, while the other showed Squidshark eating breakfast with his family.


    "See? They are alive¡ªfor now."


    "Alright, I¡¯ll become a Slayer Candidate." Kalon didn¡¯t argue further. He couldn¡¯t stand the thought of innocent people being harmed, even if they weren¡¯t close to him.


    "Well, let me correct you. You are a Fake Slayer Candidate, so don¡¯t get arrogant when you grow stronger through training," the voice said, but this time it sounded more like advice from a senior.


    "First a Slayer Candidate, now a Fake... Okay." Kalon sighed in relief, as the story was still progressing somewhat smoothly.


    "Oh, you agreed so easily. If you had thrown a tantrum, I might have given you a few more benefits," the voice said, sounding amused, as if pleased that Kalon was smart enough to know when to advance and retreat.


    "So, how will I make everyone believe I¡¯m a Real Slayer Candidate?" Kalon asked with genuine curiosity.


    "You¡¯ll have to perform tasks that a real Slayer Candidate would do. Additionally, you won¡¯t receive any of the benefits a real Slayer Candidate gets. Your main objective is to buy time for the real Slayer Candidate to grow."


    "You guys won¡¯t kill me, right? Like, once your Slayer Candidate has grown and you don¡¯t need me, a ''Fake,'' anymore?" Kalon asked calmly, as if discussing someone else¡¯s life and death.


    "That¡¯s why we won¡¯t disclose any confidential information, like where our headquarters are or how many High Rankers we have. Consider it my last act of guilt toward your future life," the voice replied in a serene tone.


    This gave Kalon some relief, but he still didn¡¯t trust them. Who knew when they might kill him in a moment of bad mood?


    It had been a few months since Kalon was chosen as a Slayer Candidate. However, unlike Bam in the original story, he wasn¡¯t trained intensively. Instead, he was thrown back onto the 4th Floor after agreeing to become a Slayer Candidate.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Currently, Kalon was on the 6th Floor, where he had rented an apartment using the Points he had accumulated. It was a modest one-bedroom apartment, costing 10 Points per day, primarily due to its proximity to the testing site.


    Walking around had become difficult for him because of a ridiculous request from FUG. He had to wear a coat emblazoned with their unmistakable symbol.


    Whoever recognized his clothes and the symbol on it hurried away to their rooms.


    ¡®I haven¡¯t trained in the system space for a long time. Let¡¯s just go and train.¡¯ Kalon ignored the random glares from strangers and walked back to his room, humming a tune from his past life.


    Just as he reached for the door of his room, the door of the room beside his opened, and someone he didn¡¯t expect to meet came out: Ja Wangnan.


    "What is this wannabe King of the Tower doing here on this floor?" Kalon thought.


    "Oh, hello! Cool clothes!" Ja Wangnan said, giving Kalon a thumbs up as if they were longtime friends.


    "Are you my new neighbor? My name¡¯s Kalon." Kalon stretched out his hand for a handshake, and Ja Wangnan didn¡¯t disappoint, enthusiastically shaking it.


    "My name is Ja Wangnan, and I¡¯ll become the King of this Tower one day!"


    Kalon noticed the ring on Ja Wangnan¡¯s finger¡ªa ring symbolizing a connection to Zahard.


    "Nice ring, but don¡¯t wear it so openly. It might get you into trouble," Kalon advised.


    "Oh, this? How does it look?" Ja Wangnan asked, swinging his hand with the ring around like a child showing off a toy.


    Kalon slapped his forehead. "This fool is flaunting something that could get him killed. Even Karaka, a High Ranker and F.U.G. Slayer, hides his identity in metal armor from head to toe. And here this guy is, showing off his connection to Zahard!"


    Kalon decided to teach him a lesson. He created a light cube barrier to ensure no sound escaped their conversation.


    "You... Do you even know what this symbol on your ring signifies?"


    "I¡¯m an orphan. Who would tell me? Is the symbol on this ring something bad?" Ja Wangnan ruffled his hair.


    "I¡¯m also an orphan, but unlike you, I pay attention to my surroundings. On the previous floors, did you notice any odd expressions from Test Directors or others?" Kalon asked.


    "Well, I did get some odd looks, but I thought it was because of my handsome appearance," Ja Wangnan replied, his tone smug.


    Kalon sighed. "That ring has the symbol of Zahard¡ªthe King of the Tower. This symbol is carried only by Princesses of Zahard, members of Zahard¡¯s Army, or Zahard himself."


    "What?" Ja Wangnan was shocked.


    Kalon chose not to tell him that his appearance was eerily similar to the data version of Zahard. While Wangnan was still processing the revelation, Kalon shook his head. "This guy will have a rough journey if he doesn¡¯t smarten up."

 Chapter 15: Climbing the tower with Ja Wangnan

    Chapter 15: Climbing the Tower with Ja Wangnan


    "What do you think the test is gonna be about?" Ja Wangnan asked Kalon while he walked and folded his hands to rest his head.


    "I am also climbing the tower with you. How would I know?" Kalon pushed Ja Wangnan¡¯s body that was not walking straight and continuously collided with him.


    "Well, I forgot to ask. How old are you?" Wangnan asked, curious about how old this new friend he made was.


    "I am 18, and you?" Kalon asked back. He wanted to know how Grandpa Wangnan would respond.


    "Just a little older than you," Wangnan lied through his teeth.


    Kalon turned to look at him, acting surprised that he was older than him. Wangnan avoided eye contact as he felt guilty.


    Kalon did not torture him any longer as he casually shifted his eyes since the test center was within sight. Kalon was quite curious, as he had not seen Khun and the other princesses for a long while.


    ''It is impossible for them to waste so much time on lower floors.'' Kalon¡¯s thoughts were right, as after the loss of Bam, Khun and his team had become more united. Because of that, they avoided solo tests and instead attempted the team tests.


    "Hey, Kalon, where are you going? The ''team'' line is here." Wangnan turned to look at Kalon, who did not follow him. He saw that he was standing in the solo test-takers'' line, which was not much of a line to begin with, as there were only 20 or 30 test-takers in that line.


    ''I don''t want to die.'' Kalon clicked his tongue. He had no issue with taking the team test, but he was from F.U.G., and second, this guy was cursed¡ª all of his teammates died, leaving him the sole survivor.


    It could also be possible that Zahard was trying to train him to have a mind and heart so powerful that even the death of his close teammates wouldn¡¯t faze him. Well, it was just what Kalon thought.


    There was also a theory that stated Zahard was the good guy and V and Arlene were the villains.


    "Sorry, Wangnan. Let¡¯s meet on the higher floors. I do not like to depend on others, and you shouldn¡¯t either. If you want to be the King of the Tower one day, you too should attempt tests alone," Kalon whispered as he came close to Wangnan''s ear.


    "That symbol..." The person standing at the entrance, checking how many regulars had entered, stopped for a few seconds as he recognized the robe that Kalon had draped over his body.


    "Yeah, you¡¯re not wrong. I am from F.U.G., the new Slayer Candidate," Kalon said a little louder so that everyone could hear. Wangnan also saw the symbol of F.U.G.; he had thought Kalon was just one of the many fans of F.U.G.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Kalon... Slayer Candidate?" Wangnan¡¯s mind short-circuited at the mention of Slayer Candidate. Slayers were people chosen to slay the Tyrant King Zahard, who had ruled this tower for tens of thousands of years. With the addition of the word ¡°Candidate,¡± it meant he was a Slayer in the making. Although, until now, no one had become strong enough to even contend against the top 100 High Rankers, most of whom were allied with Zahard¡¯s forces.


    Many people did not like F.U.G., as Zahard had not done anything they considered tyrannical. Most of them had only lived for 500 or more years, while the ten great family heads and Zahard had been around for tens of thousands of years.


    This was also the reason F.U.G. chose its Slayer based on people who had some enmity with Zahard or his forces, which indirectly weakened Zahard.


    "You can enter." Just as everyone was getting restless, being in the same area as the Slayer Candidate (which could label them as Kalon¡¯s accomplices), Kalon heard the call for him to enter. He ignored all the side-eyes and walked in.


    This was also an order he had received from F.U.G. through his pocket: to announce that a new Slayer Candidate had been chosen. This would make Kalon¡¯s life more miserable, as he would receive many challenges from extras trying to gain fame by defeating or even killing him, a Slayer Candidate from F.U.G. Some would even be assassins sent by the forces or clans that F.U.G. had offended in its attempt to usurp the throne.


    20th Floor


    Five years later, in a residential area of the Tower, Kalon was in his system space, looking through his status screen, and he could not help but smile.


    [Status]


    Name: Kalon


    Title: Monster in Human Skin (1/10,000)


    Strength: 9,999


    Agility: 9,999


    Defense: 9,999


    Speed: 9,999


    Skills: Shinsu (Master), Fisherman (Master), Light-Bearer (Master), Spear-Bearer (Master), Wave Controller (Master), Pressurer (Advanced)


    His title and skills had changed, and now the status looked much cleaner. He also found out that he had reached some sort of barrier, and his stats had been stuck at 9,999.


    The feeling was pretty strange, as the next realm felt within reach. But for some reason, when he reached out to it, he was unable to break through the membrane of the next realm.


    Knock, knock.


    "Kalon, I failed again. Can you please lend me some more points? This time I will surely succeed." Wangnan rushed towards Kalon and started pleading to him.


    "Points do not grow on trees. Even if they did grow, the speed at which you are chipping away at my money would mean even a whole forest would not be enough to satisfy you." Kalon had been lending points to Wangnan, as this time he did not want him to get stuck under the pressure of a loan. In these five years, he and Wangnan had gotten quite close. Kalon already knew that Wangnan would be unable to pass the test.


    "I will lend it to you one last time, okay?" Kalon transferred the points to Wangnan''s Pocket. Although the cost of retaking the test was expensive, for him, it was not much, as he had passed every floor solo. He got to keep much more than others who chose to pass the test using teams. He looked at his remaining balance, which showed "900K points," while the cost of taking the test was only 10,000 points.


    He had not gone to take the test until now because it was another order from F.U.G., which stated that Viole, the real Slayer Candidate, had come out from his training and started climbing the tower. Kalon was to stay and meet the real Slayer Candidate and work as his subordinate. Kalon would go around wearing the cloak of F.U.G. while he stayed with Viole, but instead, Viole was the real one.

 Chapter 16: Meeting Bam

    Chapter 16: Meeting Bam


    [Please Enter]


    The robotic voice sounded, and Kalon entered the testing area. He looked around to see if there was any familiar face. If not, he could just eliminate everyone to make his title sound more fearsome. Showing his power early would make it easier to avoid weak extras shouting challenges at him every now and then.


    Just as he stepped in, three huge bodies blocked his light and cast massive shadows over him. Kalon looked up and saw that these three guys looked identical, with the only difference being the number of eyes each of them had.


    "Do you want us to break your bones, or will you walk out yourself?" The guy with the least number of eyes spoke. His tone was laced with threat. Kalon just smiled and restricted their movement with the help of Lighthouse Flow Control, walking past them like nothing had happened.


    Prince was surprised to see someone manage to restrict the movements of the Many-Eyes Race that he had hired with his father''s money. Being a Light-Bearer himself, he immediately recognized what the new regular had done.


    Kalon sat down beside Prince, who had his arm around Yeon Yihwa. She looked visibly annoyed, as though she wanted to burn the entire place down.


    Yeon Yihwa felt someone looking at her. When she turned to see who it was, she was flabbergasted to find that the cloak he was wearing bore the symbol of FUG. As someone from one of the Ten Great Families, she knew more than most regulars about what FUG represented.


    Prince also noticed Yeon Yihwa, who had been trying to move his hand away, suddenly freeze. She was staring past him, seemingly entranced.


    Prince felt jealous, not only because the new regular looked more handsome than him but also because Yeon Yihwa seemed captivated. He, however, misunderstood the situation entirely.


    "Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Kalon. You look uncomfortable, lady. Do you need any help?" Kalon ignored Prince''s existence and extended his hand toward Yeon Yihwa.


    This attitude made Prince grind his teeth and clench his fists in anger. Yeon Yihwa was surprised to hear a person from FUG asking if she needed help.


    "You¡¯re from FUG, right?" Yeon Yihwa asked instead of answering.


    "Yes, I am a Slayer Candidate."


    "I hate FUG and the people who destroy peace in the Tower and bring chaos."


    "Yes, me too."


    "Of course, you would deny¡ªwait, what did you just say?" Yeon Yihwa was about to continue when she stopped, thinking she had misheard him.


    "He said ''me too,''" Prince interjected. For a moment, he had felt ignored by the two.


    [The time is up! Participants remaining, please proceed to the next floor via the elevator.]


    Again, the robotic voice echoed. Kalon stood and dusted his clothes as though brushing off non-existent dust.


    The elevator was large enough to accommodate everyone, so they all boarded it together.


    ''I wonder how Wangnan¡¯s doing,'' Kalon thought, worried. This was no longer a fantasy world but a reality where anything could happen.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ...


    When Kalon exited the elevator, he immediately looked for his friend. He spotted Bam, now known as Viole, sitting at a distance. Wangnan saw Kalon and walked toward him, his face lighting up.


    "Kalo-o-on! Thank god you¡¯re here. Now I can rest easy." Wangnan was so relieved he didn¡¯t care about the strange looks others gave him for acting close to someone from FUG.


    "Kalon, that girl was the reason I failed the test and wasted your points! You must avenge me, brother."


    ''Why does it feel like this guy is raising death flags for me?'' Kalon thought.


    Yeon Yihwa recognized Wangnan as the one she had accidentally burned during the test. Her pride wouldn¡¯t allow her to apologize to someone weaker, but she still glanced at Kalon, curious about his reaction.


    "Take revenge yourself. The future King of the Tower acting like this..." Kalon remarked harshly and walked away.


    Wangnan wasn¡¯t offended, knowing this was just Kalon¡¯s way of speaking. However, the ¡°King of the Tower¡± part hurt. Kalon was right¡ªZahard stood as the strongest, and others depended on him. How could he become a king if he couldn¡¯t even be the strongest regular first?


    Wangnan glared at Yeon Yihwa before walking off briskly.


    Kalon sat beside Viole. "So, you¡¯re the new Slayer Candidate the organization recently chose," Kalon said.


    "Are you also a Slayer Candidate like me?" Viole asked, surprised. He had only recently emerged from training and hadn¡¯t been informed about meeting another Slayer Candidate.


    Viole scrutinized Kalon, but he was unrecognizable with his full black mask covering his face, leaving only holes for his eyes.


    Kalon lowered his voice so only Viole could hear. "Actually, I¡¯ve been a big fan of FUG since I was a child. Please don¡¯t expose me as a fake."


    "...?"


    Viole¡¯s blank expression turned into an indifferent one as if he¡¯d lost interest in this extra.


    ''Well, it¡¯s technically not a lie,'' Kalon thought. He was a fan of FUG¡ªor rather, of Viole in his past life. And he was a fake, albeit in a different sense.


    [Shinsu Contest: Finding the Best Shinsu User.]


    "Hi, Regulars! My name is Love, and I¡¯m in charge of this test. Congratulations on passing the first test. The 20th floor¡¯s test comprises three parts, including the final exam.


    "You just passed the first test. This second test will evaluate your ability to reinforce your body using Shinsu."


    Kalon smiled behind his mask when he saw Quant¡¯s face on the arcade-like machine.


    ''Urek Mazino must have set an impossible standard for this test,'' Kalon thought, imagining the kind of score Urek might have achieved if he¡¯d taken it.


    A few moments later, Prince sighed loudly, leaning back with a bored expression. "Ah, this is boring. I thought there''d be something special on the 20th floor... but this is just a game for kids."


    Lurker, his loyal subordinate, laughed, fueling Prince¡¯s ego. Encouraged, Prince continued, "Are there only losers here? Why don¡¯t we play a game?"


    "Why not? But what game?" Lurker asked with interest.


    "Well... for whoever comes in first¡ªum, let¡¯s see. Right, I¡¯ll give them my Yeon."


    "What?!" Yeon Yihwa reacted instantly. Her face turned crimson as she yelled at Prince, "What do you mean?! I may owe you some money, but you¡¯re going too far!"


    Lurker immediately sensed danger. Yeon Yihwa wasn¡¯t just any girl¡ªshe was from one of the Ten Great Families. If word of this reached her family, Prince¡¯s father¡¯s entire business empire could be wiped out in an instant.


    Kalon, who was standing off to the side, chuckled softly under his breath. His attention wasn¡¯t entirely on the drama unfolding, though. He focused on the Shinsu-measuring machine, analyzing how it might gauge the strength of regulars.


    "Typical," he muttered. His masked face betrayed no emotion, but inside, he was slightly amused by the absurdity of the situation.


    As the tension between Yeon Yihwa and Prince escalated, Kalon¡¯s thoughts wandered. He looked over to Viole, who remained seated silently, radiating an aura of calm detachment. Wangnan, who had also noticed the brewing storm between Yeon and Prince, nudged Kalon.


    "Hey, Kalon, do you think that guy over there¡ªViole¡ªis as strong as people say?" Wangnan asked in a hushed tone.


    Kalon didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he observed Viole, whose focus seemed elsewhere, as though the petty squabbles and drama meant nothing to him.


    "He¡¯s strong," Kalon finally said. "Stronger than most here, and that¡¯s not just because of his training. He¡¯s driven by something deeper."


    "Something deeper?" Wangnan echoed, confused.


    Kalon didn¡¯t elaborate. Instead, he turned his attention back to the machine as Love¡¯s voice rang out again:


    "Alright, regulars, the second test begins now! Step forward and show us what you¡¯ve got."


    The first participant approached the Shinsu-measuring machine, placing their hand on it nervously. Numbers began to appear on the screen, rapidly climbing before stopping at a respectable but unremarkable score.


    One by one, the regulars took their turns. Some managed impressive scores, while others barely registered. Kalon waited patiently, his mind drifting back to the larger picture.

 Chapter 17: Contacting FUG!!

    Chapter 17: Contacting FUG!!


    "Your turn," Wangnan nudged him playfully. "Don¡¯t embarrass me now, alright?"


    Kalon smirked under his mask. "When have I ever embarrassed you?"


    As he stepped forward, all eyes turned to him. His FUG insignia had already drawn plenty of attention, and now people were eager to see if he could live up to the organization¡¯s fearsome reputation.


    Placing his hand on the machine, Kalon focused. The numbers shot up immediately, surpassing most of the previous scores in mere seconds. Gasps echoed around the room as the final number settled on the screen¡ªa score that rivaled the best seen so far.


    As Kalon stepped away, he noticed Viole rising from his seat. The room fell silent as he approached the machine. Everyone was curious¡ªthis was the infamous Viole, the Slayer Candidate who had already made waves across the Tower.


    Without hesitation, Viole placed his hand on the machine. The numbers climbed rapidly, surpassing even Kalon¡¯s score. The final number displayed was unmatched, cementing Viole¡¯s status as the strongest contender.


    Kalon couldn¡¯t help but smile beneath his mask. "As expected," he murmured to himself.


    The second test concluded shortly after, with Love announcing the results and the top scorers.


    Love asked Viole to choose seven teammates that would continue with him in the next stage. But Viole refused to choose anyone and said he would proceed to the next stage alone.


    Love was already trying to not show his disdain for the FUG, but Viole''s arrogance made him grind his teeth.


    Wangnan was getting desperate. He no longer wanted to continue relying on his best friend, Kalon. He and others rushed up the stage to make Viole choose them.


    Kalon was a human being in the end, and he also had some fantasies of showing off his power and people kneeling in front of him, like Viole was gazing at people kneeling in front of him.


    Although he had been suppressing his thoughts and trying to act like he was just not interested, his body was still itching to go all out.


    Sigh.


    Kalon calmed his nerves. He turned around and walked through the exit. He did not feel like he would be able to control himself if he stood there any longer. He could always retake the test as, from the 3rd Floor and onwards, even if a Regular fails, they have the right to retake the tests. Most or all tests on a floor are compulsory, and you need to pass a test to proceed to the next.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    This means if a Regular passes the first test but fails the second test, they fail the Floor. They have the right to retake the Floor, but they must start all over again. This is why Yeon and Wangnan were stuck on the 20th Floor, as they had to go through the first test and also take the other tests. From the 30th Floor onwards, there''s only one chance to take and pass tests per year.


    "...."


    While everyone was busy trying to make Viole select them and Love was also trying to make Viole agree somehow, a Regular had just walked away. No one noticed because Kalon did not wish for them to notice. Like wind, he came and went whenever he wished.


    The people who were waiting outside noticed that Kalon had walked out from the testing area. Likely, he had failed the test. The news had already spread that two Slayer Candidates were taking the test.


    Many people who had no enmity with Kalon mocked him in their hearts, thinking that this was what a Slayer from FUG was like. And FUG claimed they would kill the KING OF THE TOWER and all his kin.


    Hehe...


    Kalon honestly did not care about these nobodies as he was stronger than most Regulars on the higher floor. People who felt hurt listening to others ridicule them are people who have not really achieved anything in their life or do not have confidence in their future self.


    When he reached a corner where no one was around, he called the organization to inform them of his decision. Even though he had never done anything wrong, he was still nervous when defying the wishes of his higher-ups. Like in his past life when he was in university, it wasn''t easy to go against any professor''s wishes.


    Ring¡ª


    The pocket on the side of the receiver rang. The person who had chosen Kalon as the ''FAKE SLAYER CANDIDATE.''


    "What happened, for you to call me for the first time in all these years?"


    Kalon heard the voice that had threatened him five years ago, and the hazy memories came back to his mind.


    "I called to inform you that I have met the Slayer Candidate, but I quit the test midway." He was straight to the point.


    "Oh... and?"


    Kalon did not react for a moment as he had thought he would be scolded, but got the exact opposite reaction¡ªnothing.


    "Surprised? Well, as the Slayer Candidate has emerged from his training, he needs to face future challenges himself. Your work is over." The voice did not carry much emotion and just answered his question when Kalon did not speak for a while.


    "I wanted to ask, what am I to do now? And why was I even chosen in the first place?" Kalon decided to ask the questions that were hidden deep within the corners of his heart. As something like this never happened in the story, there were many strong Regulars at that time who were by far more talented and stronger than him.


    "I will answer you, but before that, reach the 134th Floor of the Tower."


    Rumble¡ª


    Kalon''s mind exploded with what he had just heard. "134th Floor?! Isn''t that the floor ruled by Zahard..."


    "Although, the location of FUG''s headquarters was never mentioned in the story... But I do not believe they would live on the same floor where Zahard ruled. Impossible."


    "Are you really from FUG?" Kalon asked the biggest question, as he had never met any other member of the organization and the person who had kidnapped him never personally said that he was from ''FUG.''


    Toot¡ª


    The call was disconnected.

 Chapter 18: Exposed!!

    Chapter 18: Exposed!!A/N: Thankyou For Your Continuous Support On Patreon


    Meanwhile, the moment Kalon left, the others also started noticing that he had vanished at some point. As Kalon had worn a mask and FUG''s symbolic cloak, it was hard to not remember him.


    "Participant Kalon has been disqualified," Love told everyone as he had already received news from the front reception that Kalon was seen leaving the test site. Leaving the test site during a test is considered ''disqualified.''


    "What?! How can you disqualify Kalon? He should be around here somewhere," Wangnan shouted in a futile attempt to protect his friend.


    "Mr. Wangnan, Participant Kalon has walked out on his own two feet, which is why he has been disqualified." Love folded his hands behind his back and made eye contact with Wangnan.


    Wangnan shivered, seeing the coldness in the eyes of the test administrator.


    "Okay, enough about this. So, Mister Viole, if you want to continue alone to the next stage, you have two options."


    "Beat me in a game. If you win, then you may advance to the next stage. If you lose, you would lose your right to retake the test for a whole year."


    Viole, who had been expressionless, turned his head towards Love when he heard the latter part.


    "...Okay." Viole hesitated for only a moment, but he had no option but to agree, as these were the instructions he had received from his Master. Or else his friend''s life would be in danger.


    After everyone had left, Love went to report what happened and what decision he took today to his test director, Augusgus, a High-Ranker from FUG. Yes, this floor was under the control of FUG.


    Augusgus is an extremely pale-skinned man with curly white hair and strangely colored eyes: his sclera are mostly red, and his irises are yellow. He was seen wearing a white admiral''s coat over a dark grey top and dark-colored trousers. He wears a "Fried" tag on his left arm.


    He is insistent on tests proceeding as normal, even reprimanding Mule Love physically when the Ranker wanted to eliminate Viole from a test.


    "And what you said about the another Slayer Candidate... I will look into it."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Okay, Sir." Love saluted Augusgus and respectfully walked away. He did not know that the very FUG he hated was the ruler of the 20th Floor.


    Augusgus turned, seeing that Love had walked away. He contacted the other elders in the FUG to ask for information about this new Slayer Candidate. About Viole, he already knew, but where did this unexpected variable pop out from?


    "Was there any other Regular chosen to be the Slayer Candidate?" He sent this message to the group of FUG elders.


    Sophia: "Um... Do you mean on your floor?"


    Augusgus: "Sorry to disturb you, Elder. And yes, I mean on the 20th Floor."


    Sophia: "Yes, that kid chosen by Hwa Ryun... What was his name again? Ah, Viole."


    Augusgus: "I know about Viole, but another one has been going around saying he is the Slayer Candidate for almost five years now. I thought they were just rumors. But I saw a guy wearing a Slayer Candidate''s cloak. His name is Kalon."


    Sophia: "Yes, we had also received such reports, but we were busy keeping the news that the Irregular was alive a secret. Later, we just forgot about it. But as far as I know, no Slayer Candidate has been chosen after the Irregular. He may just be a fan."


    Augusgus: "Okay, thank you, Elder, for responding and clearing away my doubts."


    The pocket dimmed, and Augusgus rested his head on the headrest of his chair.


    There was one thing he did not tell the Elder. The cloak that boy was wearing was not the same one that Viole was wearing. Recently, on the orders of the leader of FUG, the logo of the organization had been redesigned. And the one that Kalon had was the one that was used almost 2000BB (FUG founded in almost 5000BB).


    BB: Before Bam.


    Meanwhile, Kalon was enjoying himself. Having thrown the cloak that had made his life difficult, he was able to walk around the residential area. He was still not strong enough that he would be able to contend against anyone, so there was no harm in laying low.


    "Well, I can try joining Wolhaiksong," Kalon talked to himself while he licked the ice cream that was about to melt.


    Kalon thought it was a good plan, as it was the only place that would take him in and had the power to contend against family heads of the Ten Great Families. The vice leader, Urek Mazino, was even able to fight against the King of the Tower, who was stronger than the Family Heads.


    Well, many people, like the members and the Ten Great Family Heads, did not care about Wolhaiksong. Only someone of Urek Mazino''s status could make them pay attention to Wolhaiksong, and also because of that, they were given the ownership of the 77th Floor. Urek Mazino was someone who was able to pass the special test of Arie Hon and gained control of the 77th Floor and the direct promotion to becoming a Ranker.


    "But to join it, I have to show off great strength or... impress the person who has the most say in the Wolhaiksong." Kalon remembered that Urek would be visiting the 21st Floor in search of some flower. "What was the name..."


    He thought but could not recall the name of the flower.


    Kalon reached his room.


    He had found something really interesting in the past few years. He thought that the skills that he had seen and read in the webtoon were stored in his memories. Would they be able to show up on the skills bar? But it was futile. It was also his mistake being too greedy to become strong. Haste makes waste.

 Chapter 19: Creating Techniques (1)

    Chapter 19: Creating Techniques (1)


    A/N: Thankyou For Your Continuous Support.


    Kalon sat down in his room and slowly closed his eyes. His consciousness drifted through vast cosmos-like space and arrived in a completely different dimension.


    "Having too many things in my status is actually quite distracting. For the world, I am a Light-Bearer, but in reality, I am proficient in every position except the ones that are inherited through the bloodline of the Ten Great Families, called the special positions."


    Kalon rubbed his chin while he muttered, lost in thought.


    "System, is there a way I can merge all my positions into one? As in the end, all the positions have some similarities except for the techniques."


    [Host has now reached the limit of what one can achieve through copying others'' techniques. To advance further, you have to cultivate your own techniques derived from the skills you currently have.]


    Huh... Was this the reason that my status was stuck on the 9,999 mark? Before, Kalon had thought that he had become strong enough that he had to go through some life-and-death event to break through.


    Kalon cracked his knuckles and got to work.


    "My swordsmanship is quite good for close combat, but... my Shinsu manipulation is not up to the par."


    "System, can you make me an environment like an aquarium filled with Shinsu instead of water and make the concentration like what is on the 100th Floor of the Tower?"


    [Sorry, host, making the concentration of the 100th Floor is not possible as you have not experienced it. But I can combine the concentration of Floor 2 to Floor 20 Shinsu in one place.]


    Kalon''s expression, which had disappointment written over it when he heard that the 100th Floor of the Tower concentration was not possible, softened. It was also understandable, as it would be too overkill if the System could augment every floor of the Tower. Then he could just stay for almost an eternity in this space, clear each floor of the Tower, and then emerge after many years to conquer the real deal.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    But the second option was not bad.


    "Okay." Just as the words left his mouth, his surroundings changed, and what appeared in his hand was a nano aquarium.


    Kalon was a little confused, but a moment later, a twitch mark appeared on his head. What am I, a small fish?


    "Make the whole place a huge aquarium."


    Kalon did not give much attention to this small event, as he could not afford to offend the System or the entity behind the System.


    His surroundings changed, and a moment later, he appeared deep inside the sea¡ªor, to be precise, Shinsu. Kalon was experiencing the feeling of breathing underwater for the first time. Although it was not water, he still liked this experience.


    The pressure slowly started building up on him.


    5th Floor.


    10th Floor.


    16th Floor.


    Thud!


    And finally, reaching the 20th Floor. Kalon lay flat on his stomach at the bottom of the aquarium. He could not even moan in pain as the pressure entered inside his body, inflicting the vocal cords in his throat.


    Decrease it, decrease it. Kalon roared inside his mind, and the System decreased the pressure by two floors because Kalon had only said "decrease it" two times.


    Although Kalon was still lying on the bottom of the aquarium, his condition and complexion had improved a little. Even after becoming so strong, he could not even manage a meager pressure of 2 to 20 floors, and here he was asking for 100th Floor pressure.


    With great difficulty, he stood up, his hands on his knees to act as strength to help him remain standing.


    He used a lighthouse to make a barrier around him and heaved a sigh of relief.


    Crack!


    The barrier started cracking as it was unable to withstand the immense pressure from its surroundings. Although his techniques had reached mastery, he still lacked enough energy to make these techniques show their real power in his hands.


    He was again forced to bend down under the assault of Shinsu.


    Agh.


    He got the System to create a sword for him. With the help of Shinsu, the sword started floating in front of him. He used his Shinsu control to try to command the sword to move. It moved, but its movement was quite erratic, and because of the amount of pressure around him, it already made his mind unsteady. Now, commanding the Shinsu to move the sword was quite challenging even for him.


    Well, it was a technique that only skilled Rankers and High-Rankers were able to do. But Data Zahard and Data Eduan were able to do it even before they became Rankers. They were irregulars, but he was also a transmigrator. Irregulars might be rare, but transmigrators¡ªthere was only him.


    "I can do it, I can do it," he motivated himself. Others might be short on time, but he wasn''t. If an irregular is inherently talented, then he would train harder to reach¡ªno, surpass¡ªtheir level. After all, how could the ones chosen by the Tower Guardian be weaker than those that came from outside? His body might be from this place, but his soul is also that of an outsider.


    Soul?! Right, soul. Kalon felt like someone had lit up an old bulb inside his brain.

 Chapter 20: Creating Techniques (2)

    Chapter 20: Creating Techniques (2)


    Kalon sat cross-legged in the vast, ethereal expanse of his System Space. This dimension was both alien and familiar, a realm of infinite possibility where time flowed differently¡ªdays here passed in mere moments outside the Tower. Here, he was free from the constraints of physicality, his soul and mind in perfect harmony with the shimmering currents of energy that filled the void.


    This energy, Shinsu, surrounded him like a living ocean. It pulsed and churned with vibrant light, shifting in hues from serene blues to fiery reds, each ripple singing an ancient and primal song. Yet, unlike in the Tower, where Shinsu seemed to resist his control, here it felt strangely receptive. It was as though the space itself acknowledged him¡ªnot as a mere Regular but as something... more.


    Kalon¡¯s breathing slowed, each exhale releasing the tension he carried from his battles or politics in the Tower. He focused inward, turning his attention to the unique spark within him: his soul.


    "I am not like the others," he thought, the words echoing through the void. "My body belongs to this world, but my soul doesn¡¯t. It¡¯s from the outside... just like the Irregulars."


    His soul was the key, he realized¡ªa fragment of something foreign, untouched by the Tower''s laws. It pulsed faintly within him, a luminous core that resonated with a rhythm distinct from the Tower''s flow. The System had hinted at this before, but now, as he meditated, the truth unfolded before him like a flower blooming in the light.


    "System," he murmured, his voice steady, "guide me. Help me use my soul to increase my resonance with Shinsu."


    [Affirmative. Initiating Soul Resonance Protocol.]


    The space around him began to shift, the Shinsu condensing into dense streams that spiraled and danced around his form. Each thread of energy seemed drawn to the pulse of his soul, amplifying and echoing its rhythm.


    "Focus on your soul," the System''s voice reverberated in his mind. "Let it synchronize with the flow of Shinsu. You must not control it. You must become one with it."


    Kalon closed his eyes and allowed his consciousness to drift deeper. He visualized his soul as a radiant orb, its light flickering as it reached out to the currents of Shinsu. At first, there was resistance. The energy recoiled, unfamiliar with the foreign presence. But Kalon remained patient. He let his soul expand, its light softening, reaching out like a gentle hand seeking connection.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    The first connection was subtle, a single thread of Shinsu wrapping around his soul. Kalon felt a spark¡ªwarm, electrifying, and profound.


    "It¡¯s working," he realized, a faint smile curving his lips.


    Gradually, more threads followed, weaving into a tapestry of energy around him. The resonance grew stronger, and with it, Kalon felt an extraordinary transformation. The Shinsu no longer felt external; it was as though it was an extension of himself, responding not to commands but to intention.


    "Good," the System intoned. "Now amplify the resonance. Push the boundaries of your soul."


    Kalon furrowed his brows in concentration. He imagined his soul expanding further, its light growing brighter, enveloping the threads of Shinsu until there was no distinction between the two. It was grueling; his mind felt stretched thin, his very essence strained under the effort. But he persisted, fueled by the knowledge that this was the path to power¡ªtrue power, beyond what any Regular could achieve.


    Time passed unnoticed in the System Space. Hours? Days? It didn¡¯t matter. Kalon remained steadfast, his soul and Shinsu intertwining in a symphony of energy. With each passing moment, the resonance deepened, and Kalon began to sense the subtleties of Shinsu in ways he never had before.


    He could feel its texture, its weight, its temperature. He could sense its moods¡ªcalm and tranquil one moment, fierce and turbulent the next. He learned to harmonize with it, to adapt his soul¡¯s rhythm to match its flow.


    And then, he pushed further.


    "What if I don¡¯t just harmonize with Shinsu?" he thought, the idea forming like a spark in his mind. "What if I imprint my soul¡¯s rhythm onto it?"


    The thought was audacious, bordering on reckless. But Kalon was no stranger to risk. He let his soul pulse stronger, its rhythm assertive yet inviting. The Shinsu reacted, vibrating in tune with his essence. Slowly, it began to mirror his soul¡¯s frequency, its wild currents bending to his will¡ªnot through force, but through resonance.


    The moment was profound. Kalon opened his eyes, and the Shinsu around him shimmered with a golden hue, a reflection of his soul¡¯s light.


    "I did it," he whispered, awe washing over him. "I¡¯ve made it mine."


    The System¡¯s voice broke the silence, its tone imbued with rare approval. "Congratulations, host. You have achieved Soul Resonance with Shinsu. This connection will allow you to wield Shinsu with unparalleled finesse, surpassing even many Rankers."


    Kalon stood, his form glowing faintly with the energy that now resonated with him on a fundamental level. His journey was far from over, but this was a breakthrough¡ªa step closer to standing among the Tower¡¯s strongest.


    "Time to put this to the test," he said, a determined smile on his lips.


    With a thought, he willed the System Space to return to its dormant state. The vast cosmos faded, and Kalon found himself back in his room in the Tower. The resonance with Shinsu remained, a quiet hum beneath his skin.


    Kalon clenched his fist, feeling the power coursing through him. His soul, once a foreign fragment, was now his greatest weapon. And with it, he would carve his path through the Tower.