Turns Out I'm a One-on-One Genius - Chapter 123: Unique Authority (1)
Elle had said it: "Invariably Exists" ensured that no matter what, the Heaven Breaking Divine Art would never disappear.
Frankly, he'd wondered what the hell that even meant... but Elle had made it crystal clear with an example.
"Do you remember the trial on the 10th floor?"
The Hwasan Sect Arena. The trial where he'd faced the Sword God in the past. Back then, Yun-seok had to fight with his stats and skills sealed away.
By now, Yun-seok caught on to what she was getting at.
"You're saying even the Tower's system can't erase this skill?"
"Yes. Exactly."
Elle nodded emphatically, as if satisfied he'd grasped it. But Yun-seok couldn't accept it so easily.
Does that even make sense...?
Invariably Exists. At C-rank, it preserved the skill's form from system interference. Shatter the Unshatterable. At B-rank, it allowed physical force against things under the system's influence. Escape Predetermined Fate. A-rank was a bit vague, but similar in vein.
Each one felt like a technique designed to challenge the Tower of Heaven itself.
Heaven Breaking Divine Art. The name—with its "breaking" and "heaven"—no longer seemed like mere coincidence.
Which made it all the more inconsistent.
"......"
The skill synthesis authority that created the Heaven Breaking Divine Art was unequivocally part of the system. Yet that same system had granted a challenger the power to oppose it?
That didn't add up.
"Elle, I have a question."
"...Ask away."
Elle's voice held a hint of reluctance as she consented. She seemed anxious about what curveball he'd throw this time after all their past ordeals...
When Yun-seok laid out his fresh doubts about the Heaven Breaking Divine Art and asked for her take, her expression finally eased with relief.
"It's certainly unusual. As far as I know, no challenger's ever gained a power like this before. But the Tower must have had a reason for giving it to you."
Her answer didn't help much. He was agonizing over it precisely because no one knew the reason.
Still, realizing even she couldn't provide answers, Yun-seok decided to shelve his worries. Besides, regardless of intent, he'd gained his ultimate safeguard against the worst-case scenario—a fact he couldn't deny.
"Sorry. Even if it weren't me, no one could read the Tower's intentions. Well... maybe that man could."
"That man..?"
Yun-seok tilted his head at Elle's apology, the hooded figure from her final memory flashing in his mind.
"You mean the one who greeted you in front of the Tower?"
"Yes. That's right."
He'd planned to ask about the man if he ever met Elle again, but things had connected sooner than expected.
"Who the hell is he? The Tower's owner?"
Perhaps sensing his intensity, Elle looked troubled and shook her head hastily.
"I-I don't know much about him either. Just that he's the first administrator."
"The first administrator?"
"Yes. Though it's just a rumor circulating among us managers..."
"So he made a contract with a challenger or shows up in missions like you guys?"
"No. His role is different. He only grants unique authorities to challengers who've reached a certain level."
How were managers' authorities created? A question he'd once pondered inwardly now had an answer.
"Reached a certain level... When does that happen?"
Yun-seok asked while assuming it was past the 20th floor. Even the Sword Demon on the 19th knew nothing of authorities.
But...
"Right now."
"...?"
"He just contacted me. Says you qualify, and to send you the guide."
The timing was so uncanny it felt like real-time surveillance. Irritation bubbled up, but he had no intention of refusing the summons.
"I see. Will you send it now?"
"You haven't even finished your tea..."
Elle grumbled in a voice like a crawling ant, glancing at the laden table and pouting. But aware it wasn't the time, she nodded reluctantly.
And in that instant, his vision flashed.
Moving to the Sanctuary.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the Tower.
All around stretched an endless barren plain.
The first administrator who was supposed to grant the authority was nowhere in sight.
Figuring he might be waiting inside, Yun-seok pushed open the Tower's door.
Shh.
Beyond the silently opening door lay a familiar sight: a vast space with four statues, each emanating multicolored glows.
This was where he'd chosen his Duel reward in the past.
"More sentimental than it looks. Thinking of how it all began here, perhaps?"
Yun-seok whipped around at the voice. The door had already closed silently; nothing else was visible.
But when he turned back to the front...
Where only the four statues had stood now appeared the robed man from Elle's memory.
"No need for caution. I didn't call you here to harm you."
"Who are you?"
"This isn't usually a place for such questions, but I'll answer that one specially. I am..."
"Wait. If you're answering one anyway, let me ask something else."
The man paused mid-reply as Yun-seok cut in with a bold demand, stroking his chin thoughtfully. No offense taken—quite the opposite; he seemed intrigued by the situation.
Indeed, the man chuckled heartily. "A fate-escaper lives up to the name—full of unexpected moves already. Very well, what piques your curiosity?"
"......"
Yun-seok stared at him steadily, steadying his breath. He'd halted him impulsively without a premeditated question.
What the hell should I ask?
Who built this Tower and why? Why did it give him the Heaven Breaking Divine Art? Was the final trial's wish-granting real? If so, what were the invaders plaguing Earth, and how were challengers selected?
Doubts piled like mountains. Clearing them all now would be ideal, but...
"Only one question. That's all I'll allow."
The man drew the line first, his tone still amiable. Yet Yun-seok's instincts screamed: push further with rudeness, and the man's demeanor would flip 180 degrees.
After brief deliberation, Yun-seok decided.
"Tell me about the final trial."
The reason was simple: unlike the others, this tied directly to survival.
Elle had said no one—not a single soul—had cleared the final floor in near-infinite time. Info on it outweighed any other answer.
But...
"Of all questions, the trickiest one. Even I can't answer that—ask something else."
The man refused flatly, leaving no room.
Yun-seok didn't nitpick or force it. It felt like the opportunity itself might vanish.
After reorganizing his thoughts once more, he spoke quietly.
"What was my original fate?"
"......"
Another unanswerable? The man stayed silent a while, then praised him unexpectedly.
"...Sharp."
"Can't answer this one either?"
"Just impressed by the thought process behind it. Nothing like that."
"Then you'll answer?"
"No rush. First, clarify: the fate if you'd chosen Heavenly Martial Artist? Or before acquiring that skill?"
Both intrigued him. But if only one... it was obvious.
No hesitation—Yun-seok chose.
"The latter."
He'd already glimpsed the Heavenly Martial Artist path via Elle's precognition. No need to waste this chance.
"Not sure how to phrase this, but..."
As the man began, Yun-seok focused every nerve on his voice.
Yet...
"You were fated to fail the final trial, become a manager, and live happily here with several women."
...What?
* * *
Had he misheard? Yun-seok doubted his ears, but with superhuman stats, that was impossible.
Still, failing the final trial? Fine. But several women?
"Three of them, even. No guesses?"
"...None."
Honestly, one came to mind: Elizabeth Lorwen. Not romantic affection, but their past-life ties made her one of the closest women to him now—undeniable.
"Pity won't change it. From the moment you gained that skill, you're the eye of the storm. Even I can't predict where you'll end up when the winds die. Tragedy? Greater happiness? I'll watch with anticipation."
"......"
The man looked utterly delighted. Yun-seok, meanwhile, couldn't hide his hollow disappointment—his carefully chosen question had yielded less than hoped.
"Clever fools abound. You probably suspected some grand conspiracy, eh?"
"......"
Yun-seok stayed silent. The man was spot-on.
Lacking reaction, the man lost interest in teasing and got to the point.
"Shall we begin, then?"
Yun-seok quickly composed his rattled emotions. The answer was mere bonus; the main purpose was elsewhere.
"Unique authorities are determined by the Tower, synthesizing the challenger's life, specialties, tendencies, talents, ideals—everything."
The man snapped his fingers. Geometric patterns etched across the floor, linking the four statues.
"The challenger's choice is singular: which authority to take."
Rumble rumble rumble.
The ground trembled faintly, as if the Tower's heart pounded fiercely.
"I await your choice."
As the man's words ended, text flooded Yun-seok's vision.
He'd wondered what authorities might exist... but right from the start, his jaw dropped.