Headon observed Baam with an impassive gaze. "If you're not taking the test, I'll be sending you back."
Baam clenched his fists. He had no choice. Even if it seemed impossible, he had to try.
'Fear is necessary for evolution...'
Without hesitation, he stepped forward toward the cage.
From above, Yuri stood up abruptly. "Wait... Is he actually taking the test? Is he crazy? Ahaha! I knew he wouldn't disappoint me! Now this is fun!"
Evan scrambled to stop her. "Lady Yuri, don't—please, my lady!"
"Shut up!" Yuri shouted before leaping down, landing a solid kick to Baam's face.
Baam stumbled back, dazed. He looked up at the woman in front of him. 'Who is she? Headon didn't mention anyone else being part of the test.'
Yuri crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Phew. Hey, new guy. Do you have a death wish?"
Baam remained silent, still processing what had just happened.
"Oi, answer me. Do you understand what I'm saying?" she pressed, leaning closer.
She then turned her attention to Headon. "Hey, don't tell me you didn't even give him a Pocket yet?"
Headon rubbed his chin. "Oh… now that you mention it, I forgot."
Yuri's eye twitched. "You forgot? Aren't you the oldest Guardian in the Tower? That wasn't an accident, was it?"
Headon chuckled. "Oh, I, too, make mistakes sometimes."
Yuri clicked her tongue. "Evan! Get down here!"
Reluctantly, Evan descended.
Headon greeted him with a smirk. "Ah, I knew you were her guide, Evan Edrok."
Evan scratched his head nervously. "Y-Yeah, nice to see you again, Headon. You… uh, look as young as ever."
Yuri ignored their exchange. "Evan, stop talking and hand this kid one of your extra Pockets."
Evan sighed, rummaging through his bag. "Let's see… Ah, here we go. It's an A-rank Pocket. Honestly, way too much for a newbie like him, but it's all I've got."
As Baam took it, the device activated, syncing with him.
Yuri smirked. "So? Can you understand me now?"
Baam blinked. "Yes… Is this the effect of the Pocket?"
She snapped her fingers. "Bingo. That little marble has a lot of functions. First and foremost, it translates every language in the Tower."
Evan chimed in. "Oh, and try saying 'Invisible Mode.'"
Baam repeated the words, and the Pocket vanished from sight.
Just as he was adjusting to the device, Yuri turned back to Headon, arms crossed. "Hey, Headon. Are you really trying to force him out just because he's an Irregular?"
Headon's smile remained unchanged. "You misunderstand, Princess. I am merely carrying out the test legitimately. I would never try to kick him out."
Yuri scoffed. "Don't give me that. This test is suited for floors above the 20th!"
Headon gestured toward Baam. "Have you forgotten what an Irregular is, Princess Yuri? Every Irregular who has entered the Tower possessed extraordinary powers. This test is appropriate for one such as him."
Baam, confused, finally spoke up. "Um… sorry to interrupt, but… what exactly is an Irregular?"
Yuri sighed. "It's a term for those who open the gate themselves and enter the Tower uninvited. The Tower is meant only for the chosen, but once in a while, outsiders force their way in. Historically, Irregulars have brought chaos and change wherever they go."
She then scrutinized him. "But you? You're different. You're small, have no special abilities… I mean, you might grow into a handsome guy in the future, but still—you're like a baby compared to the other Irregulars!"
Turning back to Headon, she declared, "So, wouldn't it be fair to lower the test level?"
Headon tilted his head, watching her for a moment. Then, with a knowing smile, he said, "You really want him to go up the Tower, don't you, Princess?"
Yuri faltered. "...Hmph. That's none of your business."
Headon chuckled. "Very well. I will change the rules slightly."
Yuri's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes. How about this?" Headon tapped his staff against the floor. "You lend him one of your weapons."
Yuri blinked. "Lend him… my weapon?"
Headon nodded. "Your weapons are meant for High Rankers. If you lend him one, it will give him a huge advantage. Hmm… and don't you have the Black March, bestowed by the King?"
Yuri hesitated. "Wait—"
Headon pressed further. "Lending weapons is against the rules, but if you lend him the Black March, I will allow it."
Yuri gritted her teeth. "The Black March is too—"
Headon smirked. "Oh? So you want him to climb, but you don't want to share something of yours? If that's the case… he'll have to take the test with his bare hands."
Yuri clicked her tongue. "Fine."
"Hey, new guy. What's your name?"
Baam hesitated. "I… I'm Twenty-Fifth Baam."
"Alright, Baam. Will you go up the Tower or give up?"
"I can't give up. I have to find someone," Baam said, resolute.
Yuri examined him. "You'll probably die before you find what you seek. Still want to go?"
Baam's gaze didn't waver. "Yes."
Yuri sighed, then flicked her wrist. "Arms Inventory. Visible Mode."
A black blade appeared in her grasp. She held it out to Baam. "This is the Black March. I'll lend it to you—for a while."
Evan turned pale. "Lady Yuri! You can't do that! The Black March?! If the King finds out, you'll be executed!"
Yuri waved him off. "Tch. It's fine."
Baam hesitated. "I don't need it. This blade means a lot to you… You shouldn't lend something so precious for my sake."
But Yuri simply smirked. "Take it. Didn't you say you'd climb no matter what? Then use this."
Baam accepted the blade, running his fingers over its smooth surface.
Yuri leaned against the wall. "The Black March is a 'Needle'—a basic weapon of the Tower. But this one is different. It's one of the Thirteen Month Series, crafted by Ashul Edwaru. Once ignited, it displays immense power. Of course, the weapon's strength depends on its wielder, so don't think this will guarantee victory."
Baam gripped the weapon tightly. "Thank you, Yuri. I promise to return it."
Evan rubbed his temples. "Lady Yuri… why are you helping him? Don't tell me… you fell for him at first sight? That's a crime, you know!"
"You idiot!" Yuri slapped him.
Evan groaned. "But seriously… Do you think an Irregular will change the Tower?"
Yuri gazed into the distance. "I don't have time for silly fantasies. I've just… taken a liking to him, that's all."
Baam turned to face the sea creature. Even from this distance, he could feel its immense energy.
He gripped the Black March, its weight unfamiliar in his hands.
Yet somehow… holding it felt natural.
---
Yuri glanced at Evan, her brow furrowed. "Hey, Mr. A-Rank Guide, is there any way for him to win?"
Evan sighed, his expression grim. "Honestly, the gap is too big. Only a miracle could save him now."
"Phew. So you think so too, huh?" Yuri muttered, her eyes locked on the unfolding scene below.
Evan analyzed the situation. With such a difference in power, he won't try to fight the eel directly. He'll go straight for the ball, thinking he can pop it before the eel catches him. But that's impossible. In this high concentration of Shinsu, the eel is too fast. He won't be able to escape it.
As Baam stepped into the shimmering blue zone, an overwhelming pressure fell upon him—like being plunged to the bottom of a deep, silent ocean.
A deafening roar erupted.
The white steel eel had sensed an intruder in its territory. And it was hungry—ravenously so.
As with all predators, the hungrier it was, the more desperate it became—and desperation made it all the more ferocious.
Baam spotted the eel rushing toward him, slicing through the water like a living spear. Just as its jagged beak came within meters, he threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding being swallowed whole.
The eel slammed violently into the ground, shaking the arena.
Baam didn't hesitate. His eyes locked on the test's target—the floating ball. He began swimming toward it with all his might.
Behind him, the eel recovered swiftly. Spotting Baam's movement, it resumed the hunt with renewed fury.
Baam felt the surge of water rising behind him—an unmistakable sign. He dove to the ground just in time.
Whoosh—!
The massive eel shot past, its wake nearly lifting Baam off the floor. As it soared overhead, Baam drew his blade and slashed upward, managing to carve a shallow wound along its flank.
The ball was still 28 meters away.
The eel wheeled around, jaws wide open, and let out a piercing screech that echoed through the chamber. This time, it slithered low, hugging the ground—eliminating the opening Baam had used before.
The space to maneuver was vanishing fast.
As the eel drew closer, Baam stood still, watching.
Yuri's brows furrowed. "What's he doing? Run! Get the ball, you idiot!"
But Baam didn't run. Instead, he took slow, deliberate steps—then suddenly leapt straight into the eel's open mouth.
Yuri shot to her feet. "He—he got eaten?! Dammit, I have to get him out!"
Evan grabbed her arm. "No, my lady. That's the answer."
Yuri whipped around. "What? How is getting eaten the answer?!"
Before Evan could respond, an ear-piercing shriek echoed through the chamber. The eel convulsed violently, thrashing in agony. Its mouth flew open—just as Baam drove his blade downward from inside, stabbing deep into its flesh.
"Aaaaghhh!" The eel let out a deafening cry.
Seizing the moment, Baam leaped from its gaping maw, landing unsteadily before immediately sprinting toward the black ball.
Yuri's eyes widened. "He… he made it out! Hey, Evan! Why didn't you say anything?!"
Evan shrugged. "Doesn't usually help. Even if they think of a plan, they rarely have the guts to follow through."
Baam reached the black ball and stabbed it with all his strength. But instead of shattering, the ball remained completely intact.
"What?!" Yuri's shock mirrored Baam's confusion. "Hey, Headon! What's going on?!"
Headon spread his arms innocently. "Who knows?"
"'Who knows?!' A ball that can withstand the Black March? Even I haven't seen that!" Yuri snapped.
Headon's smile remained unreadable. "Well, maybe it's just really well made."
Yuri's expression darkened. "Don't screw with me. You rigged the test, didn't you, you damn rabbit? Stop this right now!" She grabbed Headon by the collar.
But Headon remained eerily calm. "Sorry, I can't. Once the test begins, it only ends when he gives up."
Yuri clenched her fists, ready to jump in herself, when Evan spoke up.
"Hey, boy! Ask the Black March for help. Ask her to ignite her power."
Baam, hearing Evan's words, tightened his grip on the blade. He took a breath, closed his eyes, and focused.
"Black March… if you can hear me, please… help me."
For a moment, there was silence. Then—light began to swirl around the blade.
A figure materialized before Baam—a blonde girl in a red dress, her presence calm yet commanding. She looked vaguely familiar, reminding him of someone.
"Alright," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "Just this once... because I like you."
The Black March pulsed with energy.
A brilliant surge of power erupted from the blade—obliterating the black ball in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, Baam vanished, teleported away from the arena.