Winds of Change (1)
Periodic events like the Continuous Blood Battles were bound to have a massive impact. They granted power and opportunities to top rankers whose growth had stalled, unable to climb higher.
Whether they'd achieved better-than-expected results or fallen short, everyone had grown at least a little stronger than before participating. The Tower always promised rewards to those who stepped up to fight. That was just common sense.
"Vice Master, it's a message from Jeong Chan-su of Valhalla. Seems to be about the next assault on Layer 150."
"About time we talked it over."
In the guild headquarters, Kim Ji-eun—lounging crookedly in her office chair with her legs crossed and a document in hand—uncrossed them, set the paper down, and smirked.
Always such a grandiose name, no matter how many times I hear it. The guy's got plenty of years under his belt... but he backs it up with pure skill, so what can I say?
Valhalla. Kim Ji-eun clicked her tongue softly at the name.
The guild member who'd brought the news, Mark, couldn't fathom her reaction. He wasn't from Earth, after all.
"I'll handle the reply myself. Good work."
Having skimmed the message, she set it aside with a bored shrug. Selecting the best personnel for an assault and devising a plan wasn't a one- or two-day discussion—but she was used to it. They'd attempted Layer 150 over ten times now; it wasn't their first rodeo. And there'd be more to come, right up until they conquered the Tower.
"Looks like it'll just be the two of you again this time."
Mark gazed down at her with a tense expression. Even standing at attention, his posture screamed military discipline. A towering warrior over 190cm tall, yet he could barely bring himself to look straight at the petite Kim Ji-eun, who made her chair look oversized.
"Yeah, damn right! Not a single one of us has broken past Layer 149 yet!"
She slammed her desk, shot to her feet, narrowed her eyes, and jabbed a finger up at him.
In Over Moon Guild, only Reina and Kim Ji-eun were top rankers challenging Layer 150. Mark had only just reached Layer 140 himself, so it would be a while before the whole guild cleared it. In massive assaults with nearly 100 participants, only two from their guild meant their standing was exactly that mediocre—and obviously so.
"How can we show our faces if the guild's level doesn't match Reina's stature? And it's not just pride. Guild prestige affects dungeon allocations, defense assignments..."
Agh... I screwed up. How does someone that tiny pack so much fire?
Was she venting the stress of handling guild ops as the de facto leader? Once Kim Ji-eun exploded, her lecture showed no signs of stopping. Mark, admitting his blunder in starting the topic, stood ramrod straight, pretending to listen while zoning out.
He'd been with them for over 50 layers now. This was hardly new.
"Settle down. At least everyone did well in this Continuous Blood Battle. We can't embarrass the Master, who's achieved such astonishing feats."
"Yeah, we scraped through without major issues, thanks to that."
Once Kim Ji-eun had vented enough, Mark smoothly shifted the subject. Most guild members had indeed notched impressive achievements this time. Even Kim Ji-eun herself had hit Stage 100 for the first time—a big deal for a mage. Reina had been pleased enough to let it slide when the goal of everyone reaching Stage 100 fell short.
"...You know why I'm busting your chops."
"Of course. No one in Over Moon doesn't know how hard it's been for you, stuck in the middle of us all."
Mark smiled at her puffed cheeks.
He'd joined them at Layer 88, starting as a temporary mercenary after losing his comrades and wandering aimlessly.
I'll never forget that day.
It was the turning point of his life—or at least his Tower life. Lost and spiraling, he'd been offered a hand first by Kim Ji-eun, right beside Reina.
"You're still kicking with all your limbs intact—what's there to run from? We're not done yet. The road's long, but so are the opportunities."
Her grinning words back then had bound him to them. Most of Over Moon's current members had been recruited or dragged in the same way through her.
A magnet for people. Mark was convinced she had that power. Reina had summed it up as "total people-person pup," some Earth idiom he didn't get.
"So everyone's grateful. To the Master for not abandoning us, and to you, Vice Master."
That was Over Moon: a force forged from personal bonds earned climbing the Tower together. Reina or Kim Ji-eun could jump to bigger powers with better treatment or subordinates anytime. Unlike other guilds that ruthlessly recruited and cut talent, they'd gritted their teeth to carry even the laggards along.
So their members pushed on, determined not to fall behind Reina's ascent.
"We're family. How could I abandon family?"
Kim Ji-eun smiled at Mark's words. Her nagging and squeezing every drop from them was all for their sake. If they weren't precious, she'd just kick them out. Because they were precious, she fought to bring everyone along.
Family...
By the time she'd caught up on work delayed by the Continuous Blood Battle, the sun was already setting. Rubbing her tired eyes, Kim Ji-eun rose and approached the photo hanging in her office.
The most recent one: a commemorative shot right after a massive defense battle with the whole guild.
Communication with the outside world wasn't impossible in the Tower—just extremely difficult and limited. At least you could check on family survival.
So even those from utterly alien worlds, living alien lives, could still miss their past, their home, their family.
"Me..."
But Kim Ji-eun gave a wry smile at the photo. Abandoned at birth, orphanage-raised with no relatives—and abused to boot—she had no idea what family even meant. Her signature cheer had just been a shield back then.
Authentication Complete
A magic circle bloomed in her hand, and the wall slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the hidden secret room.
"Haa... Reina scent."
The walls brimmed with Reina photos and memorabilia. Kim Ji-eun dashed to a mannequin dressed in Reina's casual clothes, hugging it tight and rubbing her face against it.
To her, Reina—from the Tower's earliest days—wasn't just a lifesaver. Back then, both were prickly and distrustful, lashing out. But once trust sparked in their reluctant alliance for survival, they'd opened up fast.
Too cool, too perfect.
Reina had taught her what family meant—the kind others lived and died for. So she was convinced she'd do anything for Reina, just like that. Leading by example to spread Reina's greatness and ideals to the guild? All for her. Even wanting to see Sylvia defeated, humbled, and submitting to Reina? That too.
Lately, though, greed was creeping in. Could she become closer than family?
Hoo, guess I need the real thing. She should be wrapping up training soon, right?
After a long nuzzle-fest with the mannequin, Kim Ji-eun regretfully slipped out. This secret hobby stemmed from Reina's old extreme shyness about touch—no baths together, nothing. Baffling for contact-loving Kim Ji-eun, but luckily, Reina's barriers had lowered; casual contact drew no complaints now.
"You're all sweaty—what's this?"
"Reina's sweat is basically just water anyway."
Bursting into Reina's private underground training ground, Kim Ji-eun dove straight into her arms. Reina sighed at the antics but didn't shove her away in panic like before.
This is allowed only for me, right?
Her lips split into a goofy grin at the thought—watching disheveled post-training Reina up close, or hugging her outright. Exclusive privileges.
"Tone it down in front of others. Rumors won't do you any favors."
Contrary to Kim Ji-eun's thoughts, Reina—who knew all about her actions and mindset—warned gently. Keep boundaries.
"Bad rumors... Yeah, true. Folks who don't get how close we are will judge by appearances alone."
Stroking Reina's waist, Kim Ji-eun stepped back, face hardening.
The Tower was still human territory. Extreme conditions from diverse worlds bred scandals wilder than any outside gossip.
"Is it 'cause everyone calls me pretty all the time? I don't care about Reina's looks or gender. I just..."
"If I were a guy, the rumors would be way worse already."
Reina smirked, plugging Kim Ji-eun's pouting lips with a finger.
"I'm heading down to Layer 35 tomorrow. Continuous Blood Battles are over—back to work."
"Jeong Chan-su messaged about discussing the next assault."
"I can pop up just for that."
"Hing..."
Layer 35. Her eyes twitched at the words, brows drooping openly after. She wanted to follow, but her position meant too many responsibilities now.
Still okay for now, I guess.
Duty overriding desire meant she was healthy and sound. Kim Ji-eun couldn't see it from her low angle, but Reina smiled faintly down at her.