Challenger (1)
El had said it: hurry up and climb the Tower, or he'd miss a precious opportunity.
That was why Yun-seok hadn't set foot in Murim at all, focusing solely on ascending the Tower.
But this time, he had no choice.
A day should be fine.
Even if he seized an opportunity at the cost of Earth's destruction, what good would it do? Above all, his parents were on Earth.
Since the communicator had rung, he had to at least check.
You have used the Return Ticket (Rank F).
Returning to Earth.
As he tore the ticket, Yun-seok's body shifted.
It wasn't the hotel room from his last return.
Dozens of meters in the air, the dim indigo dawn sky stretched out clearly before him.
Was the return point different? The thought lasted only a moment.
"......"
Falling, Yun-seok scanned his surroundings and clenched his fists tight.
It had been a fleeting illusion. This was the place he'd been before returning.
Only... the surrounding buildings had all been reduced to rubble, as if a massive bombardment had swept through.
What the hell had happened?
Thud.
They would have the answers.
Several men approached as Yun-seok landed lightly on the ground.
Seeing the black man at the lead, Yun-seok dropped his guard.
"Eshton."
"Thank you for coming, sir."
A single sword hung at his waist, but instead of medieval gear, he wore a sleek, form-fitting suit—maybe that's why he felt strangely unfamiliar. Come to think of it, they'd always met at the plaza; this was the first time seeing Eshton on Earth.
Not that it mattered right now.
"What happened?"
"Please board first. I'll explain on the way."
Yun-seok followed without protest, climbing into the waiting helicopter.
Whump-whump-whump!
Soon, the chopper lifted off, and as it climbed higher, Yun-seok fell silent.
The view from mere dozens of meters paled in comparison. Seoul lay in utter ruins—literally.
Honestly, it didn't feel real. Even seeing it with his own eyes, it was like watching movie CG.
Staring wordlessly out the window, Yun-seok snapped back to himself.
"...What the hell happened?"
"Unfortunately, a rift opened right in the heart of Seoul. An unprecedented scale, never observed anywhere in the world."
Tens of thousands of invaders had poured out, only for an army of challengers to hold them back. Thanks to timely evacuations, civilian casualties were relatively low for the total destruction of a city.
"So where are the invaders now?"
"All of them killed to the last after three days of fighting. The rift closed successfully. That was a week ago."
"......?"
Yun-seok tilted his head. If the crisis had come and gone long ago, why use the communicator? And why hadn't Eshton mentioned it last time they met?
His gaze sharpened.
But as if expecting it, Eshton continued calmly.
"When the rift first appeared, governments were in an uproar. 'Emergency—call Yun-seok immediately to minimize damage.' But the US government—more precisely, I—strongly refused."
"Why?"
"Because I judged your climbing the Tower to be more important."
"......"
Yun-seok was at a loss for words. He appreciated the consideration, but Seoul was destroyed. Even with low civilian deaths, how could Tower climbing take priority?
Before grappling with that, he needed facts.
"How many died?"
"Around three thousand in combat."
"Civilians?"
"Too many missing for an accurate count yet."
"Rough estimate?"
"...One hundred eighty thousand. Our intelligence department's conclusion."
One hundred eighty thousand dead. Korea's capital in ruins. The economic fallout was astronomical.
His chest tightened, like something was lodged there.
"Why hide it? Not to boast, but I'm strong. If I'd taken just one day to come back, this wouldn't have happened."
"I know. The paper-pushing morons up top might not get it, but do you think I wouldn't?"
More confusing. He knew, yet chose this? Because it wasn't his country? Political entanglements?
If it was some petty reason, there'd be no more dealings with Eshton. You couldn't trust someone like that.
"Then why?"
"Because it won't end with just this one time."
Did he realize this answer could alter fates? No hesitation in his immediate reply.
"Rifts are getting bigger by the day. Challengers have improved greatly since you left... but incidents like this will keep repeating. We can't afford to drag you back every time. There are more important things."
"Like what?"
"Climbing the Tower. Getting stronger."
For a moment, Yun-seok felt overwhelmed. Had he always been like this? A kind of madness gleamed in Eshton's eyes, something Yun-seok had never noticed before.
"You are our hope."
"...You think the families of those one hundred eighty thousand agree right now?"
"Not yet. But they'll understand soon enough. Humanity is living in the age of apocalypse."
"......"
Was Eshton's conviction right or wrong? Yun-seok couldn't conclude easily.
So he tabled it, focusing on immediate questions.
"Eshton, I get your thinking. Which makes me wonder even more. If every day counts, why call me now?"
He'd assumed invaders, but that was resolved. So why summon him now?
Eshton's voice grew heavy.
"Because there's something I must tell you."
"......?"
"Three hours ago, your parents became challengers."
The Tower of Heaven was a brutal place. Even now, countless people were dying there.
And his parents had been dragged into it.
His fingertips trembled, calm even through news of one hundred eighty thousand deaths.
Overwhelmed? The suppressed black Patian Qi began seeping from his entire body.
Sensing an inexplicable terror, Eshton quickly shouted.
"Calm down, sir. They're safe."
"How do you know?"
"One of our agents confirmed it!"
"......?"
The immediate crisis passed. Yun-seok's aura settled.
But like a time bomb? Eshton knew better than anyone it was merely condensed, invisible.
"F-fortunately! Your parents knew the manual well."
"Manual?"
"You might not know, but civilian education on the Tower is now mandatory worldwide. Basics: choose Adventure trial, find waiting agents for help."
"...I see."
Yun-seok was a bit surprised. A systematic response to the Tower's random summons?
"With agent help, they can buy a ticket and return anytime. But we judged staying there better. Ironically, it's safer than here now. Ultimately, your call."
Eshton met his eyes without flinching, aware of Yun-seok's Executioner's Eye from long talks.
"They're better off there. ...Thank you."
Genuine gratitude.
But...
"J-just doing what had to be done..."
Eshton's response seemed off. Shoulders twitching like a seizure, even stuttering...
Sensing something wrong, Yun-seok checked his eyes immediately. Unfocused, staring blankly ahead.
Eshton mumbled nonsense.
"M-maybe your butt..."
"......"
"C-can I touch your butt?"
Polite even in delirium—was it innate personality? Either way, chills.
Unlike the arena, no need for Shaman's Law or mana use, so he'd thought it fine.
But that earlier leak? Problem.
Seeing drooling Eshton, Yun-seok used Purification Light right away.
Mana consumption no issue now; easier to keep using it.
"Sorry. New skill—still can't control it well."
Unexpected reply.
"...Ah, did I just black out? Thought my anti-magic was decent, but impressive skill."
"No memory?"
"None."
Firmer than his conviction speech earlier.
Strange. Geom-ma remembered everything after months of delirium.
Person-dependent? Unsure, but chalk it up to that.
If they wanted.
"......"
"......"
Awkward silence filled the helicopter, propeller roar no match.
Gazing out the window, Yun-seok spoke as if just remembering.
"So, where are we headed?"
"Ah, didn't mention. Primary reason was relaying about your parents, but there's more."
"More?"
"Yes. Not enough to waste your day alone, but..."
"Called me, gonna milk it?"
Half-joking. Reading the intent to lighten mood? Eshton chuckled lightly.
"Not wrong. Higher-ups even requested you give a lecture."
"Lecture?"
"Remember the Challenger Academy I mentioned?"
Right, that existed. Database of all known Tower info, training motivated newbies for higher floors.
"Usually low-floor challengers attend, but you on stage? Chaos."
"Chaos?"
"Yeah. Every country's promising talents would flock. Fighters over the ocean if needed."
Eshton stated casually, but Yun-seok felt awkward.
Tower-focused, hadn't realized changes. Just climbed. For survival at first, ideals now. Yet treated like a big deal—uncomfortable.
"Anyway, just a request—feel free to refuse. More importantly, something to show you."
"......?"
"You'll see soon. Faster that way."
Helicopter ride for this 'show,' apparently.
About five more minutes of flight.
"Fog's thick—now visible. There."
Eshton pointed out the window.
"What does that look like to you?"
He surely knew. As a challenger himself, impossible not to recognize.
Why it was here, unknown, but rising from the sea...
The Tower of Heaven.