Morning sunlight spilled softly through the tall windows of Lero Ro's office, casting long slats of gold across the polished floor.
Khun entered without knocking, his gaze drifting over the cluttered shelf of records and audio equipment near the wall.
"You've got quite the music collection," he remarked casually. "You really are a Ranker."
Lero Ro glanced up from his seat, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I just picked some of it up when I moved in. It's nothing fancy," he replied. "Certainly not compared to what your family keeps lying around."
He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying Khun with his usual calm. "So… what brings you here this early? I doubt you came to admire my taste in music."
Khun walked over and sat down across from him, his demeanor shifting into something more serious.
"It's about Michelle Light," he said. "I want to know if there's any way she can be allowed to participate in the next test."
Lero Ro raised an eyebrow, the light tone vanishing from his voice. "Straight to the point, are we? I heard about her—about Rachel—and Baam. But we can't make exceptions for personal drama. Injuries are the responsibility of the Regulars. That's how the system works."
Khun didn't flinch. "What if the injury wasn't caused by a Regular?"
Lero Ro blinked, then gave a short, disbelieving chuckle. "Hah… That's not possible."
In response, Khun reached into his bag and pulled out a folded letter. He placed it on the desk between them.
"One of your people gave this to him."
Lero Ro leaned forward and began to read, eyes narrowing slightly.
"In short," Khun continued, "it says: Kill Rachel to stop Baam from climbing the Tower."
Lero Ro looked up from the note, his expression hard to read. "How do you even know about this? It could've been one of the other examinees playing mind games."
Khun scoffed. "Are you being serious right now?"
He leaned in, voice lower but firm. "This letter was given to Hoh before the tag test. Before the teams were even assigned."
He paused to let that sink in. "Someone knew Rachel and Hoh would end up on the same team. Someone with access to test plans. Someone orchestrating things from the shadows."
He sat back. "Whoever sent that note wasn't just trying to hurt Rachel. They were trying to stop Baam from advancing."
Lero Ro was silent for a moment, staring down at the letter in thought.
"…I see," he murmured.
Khun stood. "I thought you should know."
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving the note and a lingering tension in the air.
Lero Ro remained seated, the morning sun now casting his shadow long and stretched across the desk, the letter still open before him.
---
Early Morning, Evankhell's Administrative Wing
Hansung Yu lounged in his private chamber, swirling the last of his coffee in a delicate porcelain cup. A sly smile curved his lips.
"I can hardly contain my excitement," he murmured. "There's still so much to discover."
At that moment, Lero Ro entered quietly, posture impeccable and hands clasped behind his back.
"Director," Lero Ro said softly, "it's time."
Hansung took a final, deliberate sip. He set the empty cup on the table; a fine crack spidered across the porcelain. Rising, he draped his coat over his shoulders and fell into step beside Lero Ro.
"I trust nothing unexpected will mar today's announcements," he said with a chuckle.
Minutes Later — Main Auditorium
Lero Ro stood before a hushed assembly of Regulars. One by one, they filed into the tiered seats, anticipation bright in their eyes.
Once the room fell silent, Lero Ro spoke, his voice calm and clear:
"Thank you all for your patience. I will now announce the results of the Position Selection Test."
He paused, allowing the gravity of the moment to settle. Then he began:
> Fishermen: Endorsi, Anaak Jahad, Dede Cancho, Blarouse.
> Spear Bearers: Rak, Ghost, Paracule, Alexay.
> Ghost is not present and therefore fails.
> Scouts: Shibisu, Hatz, Narae.
> Wave Controllers: Baam, Lauroe, Grey.
> Light Bearers: Khun, Michelle Light.
A ripple of murmurs swept the room. Baam's heart soared at Rachel's name—until Lero Ro continued in a gentler tone:
> "However, due to her injuries, Michelle Light is unable to continue, and thus fails the test."
A hush fell. Baam shot upright, shock and anger flashing across his face.
"No!" he cried.
Khun placed a steady hand on Baam's arm, meeting his gaze. Though the younger Regular's fists trembled, he lowered himself back into his seat.
Suddenly, a large, grizzled man from Team B leapt to his feet.
"This can't be serious! I was on Team B—how could you—?"
Hansung Yu's calm voice cut through the outburst. "You're unhappy with the results?"
The man snorted. "Of course I am!"
Hansung nodded once. "Very well. Step forward."
The grizzled Regular stumbled down the aisle to the stage. Hansung extended his palm.
"Prove to me that you deserve to pass. Endure this for one minute."
Before the man could react, an invisible weight pressed down on him—an oppressive Shinsu field that constricted his chest and blurred his vision. He dropped to his knees, gasping.
"Paracule—help me!" he croaked, eyes darting through the haze.
From the back, Paracule—a gaunt man with a long face and a single gold necklace—watched in horror. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Hansung's voice was icy. "Paracule, are you dissatisfied as well?"
Paracule raised shaking hands. His voice rang out, resolute despite his fear. "Not at all. I am perfectly satisfied with these results."
---
After the collapsed Regular had been carried out, Hansung Yu dusted his coat sleeves, his demeanor calm as ever.
"Well then," he said smoothly, "allow me to explain the final—"
"Hold on."
All eyes turned as Khun Aguero Agnes stood abruptly from his seat. His voice, clear and firm, cut through the silence like a blade.
"I'm not satisfied with the results either."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the seated Regulars. Lero Ro blinked in surprise. Even Hansung Yu tilted his head, narrowing his eyes.
> These Regulars grow more troublesome by the day, Hansung mused with a sigh.
Expressionless, he gestured with a nod. "Step forward, then."
Khun paused, placing a steadying hand on Baam's shoulder. "The road ahead is going to be rough," he said quietly.
Then he descended the steps to stand before Hansung Yu, straight-backed and defiant.
"You passed with flying colors," Hansung said, his tone light but probing. "What could someone like you possibly be dissatisfied with?"
Khun's reply was immediate. "I want Michelle Light to be allowed to take the final test."
Hansung raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because it's what my friend wants."
At that, Hansung chuckled, short and sharp.
Khun's smirk faded. "What's funny?"
"Oh, nothing," Hansung said, amused. "It's just... a member of the Khun family speaking about friendship. Unexpected."
Khun narrowed his eyes. "So you'll allow it?"
Hansung shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. Her condition disqualifies her. The rules are quite clear."
But Khun wasn't done. "Those rules only apply to tests run by you and the other administrators."
A pause. Then Khun raised a finger.
"Let me take the Administrator's Test."
Hansung's smile slipped.
In the Tower's history, only one had ever taken and passed every Floor's Administrator's Test—King Jahad himself. By doing so, he had been recognized as ruler of the Tower, forming an immortal pact alongside the Ten Great Family heads.
Though Hansung Yu now served as floor administrator, his authority was granted—not absolute. True control lay with the floor's resident Administrator, an ancient entity who could rewrite the rules at will.
"You know about the Administrator's Test?" Hansung asked carefully.
"I'm from the Khun family," Khun replied with a tight smile. "Shouldn't that answer your question?"
Hansung walked slowly. "You're confident. Taller than the Tower itself." His tone darkened. "But do you know the conditions?"
Khun's expression faltered. "What conditions?"
Lero Ro furrowed his brow. "You don't mean—?"
"Yes," Hansung said. "Only those who opened the doors to the Tower themselves may take the Administrator's Test."
Silence fell. The word settled over them like a verdict.
Irregular.
Only an Irregular could make that request.
Khun stood frozen. "But..."
Hansung's voice turned final. "If you understand, return to your seat."
Reluctantly, Khun lowered his gaze and walked back, every step slower than the last. He sat, jaw tight, frustration visible in his clenched fists.
Lero Ro stood in silence beside Hansung. This was the first time even he had heard the condition spoken aloud. And even if Hansung had lied, who could challenge him? The Administrator was sealed away, and none could contact it without Hansung's approval.
Baam sat still, turmoil churning beneath his composed exterior.
He understood now: if he revealed himself as an Irregular, he could save Rachel.
But at what cost?
Rachel had entered the Tower the same way he did. If he exposed himself, she'd be exposed too. He couldn't risk that—not after everything.
Besides, Irregulars had a reputation. They were anomalies—forces of change. The Ten Great Families might see him as a threat. They might try to manipulate him... or eliminate him.
Worse, what would the other Regulars think? Friends might turn to suspicion. Rivals might become enemies. Fear and jealousy would spread like fire.
Baam closed his eyes. For now, he would stay silent. He wouldn't let Rachel become a target. He wouldn't let anyone else carry his burden.
---
Hansung Yu, still facing away, turned at last to look over the assembled Regulars.
"Anyone else dissatisfied?" he asked, voice calm, almost teasing.
He waited.
No response came.
Satisfied, he smiled faintly. "Good. Then let us move on."
His grin widened as he announced, "The final test is called... The Submerged Fish Hunt!"