Chapter 265
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 265
Chapter Title: Veteran Blonde with an Insanely Huge Ass
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As I headed to the exam hall, I took a look around this world they called the Tower.
Back when I visited the one-eyed monster Lian's house, I thought it was just your standard fantasy world.
But what the hell should I even call this place?
It was chaotic enough to make me wonder.
Buildings crammed together in a mishmash of every architectural style imaginable.
Just passing by, I spotted dozens of entirely different races.
But setting all that aside, if I had to pick the single biggest feature of this world—the shittiest one, really...
-Pshooo!
"Kieeeek...!!"
"What the fuck."
It was those one-eyed monster bastards I'd seen right when I first arrived.
Not that they were tricky to fight or anything, or that the monsters were overwhelmingly strong.
No, it was just...
"Why the hell do they spew blood like a goddamn fountain when they die!"
The way they died so disgustingly that you had to spam Clean spells afterward.
Or how they popped out at every opportunity, just like stray cats prowling the streets.
If they at least looked cute like kittens...
But no, they were fucking hideous and lunged at you nonstop, which was mentally exhausting.
Yet people walked around just fine despite those things being common, so maybe this world had some seriously high martial prowess overall.
"Sigh..."
Anyway, was that the exam hall?
The place marked by a black pillar stretching all the way to the sky, said to symbolize the exam site.
A ton of people were packed around it.
Were they all aspiring climbers?
It gave off that vibe of newbie crowds you see on the Starting Island.
All I had to do now was squeeze in there and take the exam.
Found the exam hall, so like everyone else, I headed over to stake out a spot by the black pillar and wait.
No clue what the test would be... but I desperately hoped it wouldn't be anything about this world's lore.
So, a few dozen minutes pass.
"Yawwwn... mm... smack..."
No sign of the exam starting, so I was yawning my ass off.
No announcement or anything about when it'd kick off?
I figured others might know, so I asked around, but nobody had a fucking clue either.
Might as well catch a nap. I was just about to flop down on the ground when...
"Hey. You there."
"...Me? Huh?"
"Who else would I be talking to?"
A sketchy duo with bad attitudes approached me.
"Never seen your face before. First time trying for climber status, rookie?"
What the hell were these guys?
They looked exactly like those early comic extras who show up to pick fights—Delinquent Thug 1 and 2.
And they acted the part too, swaggering over with that signature thug vibe and a tone that looked down on me.
"And if I am? Got a problem with rookies?"
"Pfft. Bro, you hear that shit?"
"Yeah, loud and clear. Looks like our little rookie here's clueless... guess we gotta school him."
They rubbed their fists like they were itching for a fight as they closed in.
Even this world had asshole delinquents, huh.
I was just shifting into position to counter if they swung first when...
"Enough."
"Who the hell do you think you're—"
A blonde woman thrust a fancy-looking sword in front of the thugs, blocking their path to me.
"Y-You... you're..."
"That's far enough, Burak brothers."
"Why's the Knight in White defending this rookie?"
"I'm not defending him. You two just really piss me off. Nobody likes watching trash act tough, right?"
The woman named Azel smirked as she replied.
With Azel blocking their way, the so-called Burak brothers were sweating bullets, looking majorly freaked out.
"Azel...?"
"The Knight in White, Azel?"
"Why's someone who's cleared past the 70th floor even here...?"
The crowd was buzzing at the name Azel too.
So this blonde bombshell in front of me was a pretty big deal.
Why would a celebrity like her help out a nobody like me?
"Thanks for the assist."
"You really are a total newbie. Not knowing the Burak brothers seals it."
"They famous or something?"
"Anyone here for the climber exam would've heard of 'em. Rookie killers, they call those bastards."
"Rookie killers..."
Yeah, every novel's got those types.
Veterans who could climb way higher but hang around newbie zones to stomp on the weak.
Guess the Burak brothers were those veteran assholes.
"So why'd you step in for me?"
"Huh? The Burak bros just happened to grate on me, that's all. Not looking for a reward or anything, so relax."
Damn...
Azel shrugged casually, giving off big-sis energy.
Her flowing blonde hair had mesmerized my eyes at first, but this woman...
Her ass was insane.
Couldn't check her chest under that armor, but those skin-tight pants like leggings showed off that massive, juicy booty crystal clear...
An ass begging to be grabbed and pounded doggy-style right now.
Wanna call her noona and cling to that thing...
"So, what's your name, rookie?"
"...Ah, my name? Uh..."
I'd been spaced out staring at her ass when Azel suddenly spoke up, startling me a bit.
She didn't catch me looking, right...?
I thought I'd been sneaky...
"Why the sudden name thing?"
"Hey, we got some fate here, right? Might as well exchange names. Way more useful than ogling asses, don't you think?"
"Hahaha..."
Busted on the ass-staring, apparently.
But she didn't seem to care much—either she's super laid-back, or she just doesn't give a shit about a non-climber like me.
"Guess I'll go first? I'm Azel. They call me the Knight in White, though it's kinda embarrassing."
"Song In-hyeok."
"Song In-hyeok, huh... unique name."
"You think so?"
"Ah, not dissing it or anything. Just never heard one like that."
Apologizing preemptively when there's no need—she seems like a good person.
If the Burak brothers were bad veterans trying to bully newbies, then Azel here was a good veteran?
A good vet would know tons and answer all a rookie's questions, right?
"Uh, so Azel... miss?"
"Just Azel is fine."
"Alright, Azel. Any idea what the exam's like?"
"The exam? Simple. Just go up to that black pillar and..."
Flaaash—
Before Azel could finish, a sudden light burst from the black pillar.
From the glow emerged someone straight out of central casting: white wings, halo over the head—a classic angel lookalike.
Kinda gave off the same vibe as Noah.
"Perfect timing. That angel's gonna explain, so listen up."
"Those of you gathered to become climbers—welcome, sincerely."
Her voice sounded normal, but it rang out huge, like she had a megaphone. Crystal clear, like a nightingale.
"The exam to become a climber is truly simple. Just place your palm on this pillar."
The angel descended slowly from the sky, landing lightly on the ground.
She spread her hand and pressed her palm to the black pillar.
Her hand glowed against it, then her whole body lit up.
"If you're qualified, light will envelop your body like this."
"Then, guide your glowing body into the pillar, and you're passed."
Like a demo, the angel passed through the pillar and vanished.
Then she reappeared, radiating light again.
"Now, let the exam begin. Anyone ready, feel free to place your hand on the pillar whenever."
With that straightforward explanation, the exam kicked off.
The angel, acting as proctor, went expressionless in the sky, overseeing the test-takers.
"What's this 'qualified' mean, Azel?"
"Talent to climb the Tower—or power. That's your qualification."
Just need enough power, huh?
Simpler than I thought.
I'd worried it'd be something impossible for an outsider like me, but looks like luck's on my side.
"But... why's no one rushing the pillar?"
I figured once the angel finished, everyone would swarm it in a frenzy.
But hardly anyone challenged right away.
And even those who did mostly couldn't enter the pillar.
A few made it... but one in fifty?
"Most aren't confident in their quals, so it's natural."
Azel crossed her arms, gazing sympathetically at the test-takers as she answered.
"But sometimes, you get ones like that."
I followed her glance: a musclebound giant pounding the pillar, bawling his eyes out.
"Arghhh! Please, let me in, let me in too!!!"
Screaming like the world was ending, hammering until his hands bled.
But no light from the pillar, no matter how he begged.
"Some can't accept failure and go nuts."
"Why go that far?"
Just retake it later, right?
"Well..."
As Azel started to answer, the muscle giant got flung back by the angel's intervention.
The dude—easily over 100kg—flew through the air, crashed far off, and just lay there sobbing endlessly.
Azel winced a bit, looking pitying as she spoke.
"The exam's just touch the pillar and pass if qualified. You can take it here any day of the 365.
But..."
She glanced at me before continuing.
"You can't retake it until 20 years after your first attempt."
"...20 years?"
"Yeah, 20 years. Even long-lived elves think that's a haul. For us humans? Way too long."
Elves exist here too, huh.
But a test with a 20-year cooldown...
Explains why so many people but nobody rushing the pillar recklessly.
They're overthinking their quals.
"Guess I should head out. Got an appointment."
Azel turned, her massive ass jiggling.
"You're leaving?"
"What, thought I was taking the exam?"
"Well... no, but."
Azel chuckled at my reaction.
"I came here for business, not to newbie-kill like the Burak bros."
"Got it."
"Pass this exam, climb hard, and we'll meet again someday."
Gotta say bye to that ass already...
So disappointing to let go of such a hottie and her poundable booty.
Maybe she noticed my regret, 'cause she patted my shoulder with a grin.
"Looking forward to seeing you in the Tower, Song In-hyeok."
With a wave, she headed off and vanished from sight.
Azel...
Short as it was, I'll never forget that ass.
Like she said, pass the exam, climb up, and we might cross paths.
Next time, no way I'm letting that ass slip away.