章節 2: Journey

Evan was looking at Lester with seriousness. He found it odd how he couldn't sense any special ability from the young man. He was someone who had the ability to at least peer into someone's talents, but it wasn't working.

"Evan, can you see something?"

Princess Yuri asked her companion, as she also stared at the black-haired young man. The calmness that he radiated is unusual, specially that he had just entered the Tower. She kept nudging her companion for his opinions about the Irregular.

"That is… Sorry, I can't sense anything from him."

"So useless! Are you telling me that he doesn't have any power?"

Princess Yuri complained in protest, as she stared at her companion. She blinked her eyes, as she thoughtfully looked at Lester. Her eyes soon narrowed, as she recalled the phenomenon that this man produced when he appeared.

The Shinsoo in the surroundings vibrated, as if welcoming his arrival. Shinsoo is the energy present in the surroundings. It doesn't follow any law; it freely flows everywhere. It acts like a gaseous substance when the concentration is low, and it acts like a liquid when the concentration is high.

Lester could hear the two partners talking to each other, but he couldn't understand their language. His gaze still hovered at Headon's figure, as he figured out that he must already be inside the Tower now.

"Why are you here in the Tower, Lester?"

Headon walked around Lester, while carrying a contemplating look in his eyes. Irregulars who always managed to find their way to the Tower, all had a single similarity aside from their extraordinary strength, that is their reasons wasn't superficial.

"I'm looking for something…"

Lester stared at the ceiling of the hallway, wanting to see through the distant space that he couldn't perceive. His gaze was lonely and longing for that 'something' that exists beyond the stars.

"And is that something here in the Tower?"

"I think so…"

Headon's face showed a smile, as he felt interested in that 'something' that the young man is talking about. Is that something power, authority, lover, treasure, or something that is entirely different? He was curious.

"I believe that you can find that something inside the Tower. For you to see what you're longing for, you must first pass the test to proceed to the next Floor."

"Floors?"

Headon quickly explained about the structure of the Tower. The people who had gone to the pinnacle of the Tower are selected few. They are called "Rankers" and they possess an unbelievable power. The only known floors at the Tower are the First Floor up to the 134th Floor.

As you climb up the Tower, the Shinsoo in the air will be denser. There are cases where unlucky individuals can't climb up the Tower anymore, because their Shinsoo Resistance can't resist the Shinsoo of that certain Floor. However, that only applies to normal Regulars. The denser the Shinsoo, the more Shinsoo an individual can control from the surroundings.

"Shinsoo, huh?"

Lester whispered to himself, as he extended his hand forward. He tried to focus his awareness in his hands, trying to sense the invisible energy around him. When he finally sensed the invisible energy, he retracted his hand and placed it inside his pocket.

This action caught the attention of three, as they all felt shock within their hearts. The young man before them had already sensed the Shinsoo. He was indeed an Irregular, a very powerful one at that.

"Then, Mr. Guardian, is there any some kind of way for me to understand their language?"

Lester tilted his head, as his gaze landed on the two behind Headon. He kept hearing them talking to each other, but he couldn't even understand what they're talking about. Although, their words were incomprehensible, he could understand that they were both talking about him.

"Ah. I almost forgot."

Headon smilingly produced a small spherical object. This small spherical object was dull in color, and looked unexpectedly normal. Headon explained that it was an object called "Pocket."

Pockets are object that everyone who wanted to climb up, uses because of its convenience. This object can be used for communication. It translates the variety of language for the host to understand them. It can also be used for long distanced communication.

"You say, you forgot it? Absolutely ridiculous."

Princess Yuri produced a 'humph' sound, as she quietly complained in the corner. She stared at Headon sullenly, recalling that the Irregular they had just met before Lester wasn't even given a Pocket.

Her companion, Evan wryly smiled, looking apologetic to Headon. Princess Yuri is a carefree person and would even dare to talk back to her parents. She's one of those people who would fight for themselves, even if they're in the wrong.

Lester turned his gaze at the beautiful and tall lady, as he felt interested at their origins. He could now understand their words, as he returned his gaze at Headon. Looking at how the two acted and was unusually reserved, it showed that they had a high status within the Tower.

"Do you have any more questions, Lester?"

Headon smilingly asked the young man. He couldn't feel anything from the young man, but those gaze that Lester possessed is not something that could be faked. He smirked inside his heart, as he looked forward as to what chaos will this young man before him would bring to the Tower.

Lester shook his head, as he now understood that he had received the appropriate information he needed right now. Even if he had other questions, he knew that it would be explained above this Floor, and he wasn't in rush to learn everything.

"Then, for you to go up! You need to pass my test."

As Headon introduced the concept of tests to Lester, a huge room appeared within their side. The room was white in color, and was separated from the hallway using huge and sturdy black bars. One look at the bars and anyone would be able to sense that it was very tough.

"What is that?"

Lester asked Headon, as he noticed a gigantic snake-like creature moving around the room. It looked like an eel, but something is different. Lester could sense that the Shinsoo inside the room is denser compared to the hallway.

"It's the Keeper that I prepared for the first Irregular that went first before you."

"Irregular?"

Lester looked at Headon for explanation. He couldn't understand the conversation of Princess Yuri and Evan back then, so he was unaware that he was called as an "Irregular."

"Newbie, the people climbing the Tower are called Regulars…"

Before Headon could begin his explanation, Evan stepped forward and began explaining the concept of "Regulars" and "Irregulars" to Lester. His explanation was short, but it was enough for Lester to instantly understand his difference to others.

"I see. Another Irregular came before me, huh."

Lester's smile became wider, as he felt that things are getting more interesting. He came to the Tower in seeking of "something" that only himself knew. He would gladly entertain anything that is interesting that would make his journey much more fun.

"This test is simple. You just need to pop the black ball inside the cell, while keeping yourself alive from the White Armored Eel."

"That's simply ridiculous, Mr. Headon! Just like the last test, that Irregular was only able to pop the black ball because of the help of Black March. You can clearly see that this young man doesn't have any weapons that is powerful enough for that!"

Evan raised his head and complained at Headon for giving an impossible test. It was already unfair for the last Irregular to participate in such test, but he had some help from Princess Yuri and Evan. But now, this Irregular didn't have anything at all!

"I believe that this test suits Lester the most, Evan Edrok. You two have no say in this and wouldn't be able to change my decision."

"You…!"

Princess Yuri can't stand any longer, as she prepared to punch Headon in the face. Evan held Princess Yuri and stopped her from doing such reckless act. He quickly explained to Princess Yuri that he had a feeling that the young man would be able to finish the test.

"But, that's impossible!"

"No, Princess. Recall the scene when that young man arrived. The Shinsoo vibrated, so we can just assume that this young man has something up his sleeves."

Princess Yuri slowly regained her composure, as she stared at the young man. Lester was definitely handsome. Honestly, he wasn't Princess Yuri's type and style, but she can't help but feel attracted to him.

"Are you in love Princess?"

"No. Are you joking with me, Evan? I'll kill you."

Princess Yuri slapped Evan's head, as she complained. Evan in return only wryly smiled, silently receiving her blows. The lady's blows are not strong enough to hurt Evan, but if a normal Regular was hit by it, they would fly away and would be severely injured.

"Hm?"

Headon and the other two noticed Lester stepped forward. They were caught unprepared, as they didn't expect him to still possess that carefree smile on his face. They were confused and were wondering how he could still be calm before a creature that is undoubtedly stronger than him.

"Can I now start the test?"

Lester turned his head to the three, as he asked with a smile. His demeanor radiated calmness and indifference, surprising the three further. This made their expectation go higher.

"You can now proceed, Lester."

Headon nodded his head, as a pathway towards the white room emerged from the black bars. The three stared at Lester who calmly walked inside the white room. Each of them carrying an expectation that this young man will meet their expectation.