"There is no salvation in the Tower. Only delay."
---
Blood was never sacred.
Jin had learned that long ago. It did not cleanse. It did not absolve. It only marked those who had suffered and those who would make others suffer in return.
Tonight, the Tower would learn the weight of both.
---
Floor 5 – Garden of the Blessed
At a glance, it looked peaceful.
A field of silver grass swaying under moonlight. White trees glimmering with runes. A false sky hanging eternal above. Soft wind, birdsong, warmth.
But it was all a lie.
The grass whispered secrets. The trees bled if you cut them. And the sky was made of watching eyes.
In the center of this illusion stood five young Chosen. Fresh from their Blessing Ceremony. Guided by an elite—they called her "Ariel the Dawnblade."
Ariel was radiant. Blonde hair like sunlight, armor that shimmered like the heavens, and a spear that had once pierced a wyvern lord.
She had ranked A in her first year.
She had called Jin a plague.
---
"Team formation!" Ariel barked. "Stay in pairs. Floor 5 monsters mimic human forms—if one of us breaks formation, kill them. No hesitation. The Tower doesn't give second chances."
They nodded.
She didn't know Jin was watching.
He moved through the silver grass without sound. Without form. Mask in place. Eyes burning.
The Tower still hadn't announced his presence.
Because it didn't know he was here.
> "They say you were chosen by the light," Jin thought. "Let's see how long it protects you."
---
Ten Minutes Later
The ambush wasn't elegant.
It didn't need to be.
The grass coiled around the youngest Chosen's ankle, yanking him down. His partner turned just in time to see a figure emerge from the mist.
Black suit. White mask. Red eyes.
The girl screamed.
Lightning burst from her staff.
Jin raised one hand.
The lightning turned inward—twisting, devouring the caster from the inside.
> [Passive – Divine Feedback: Activated]
The scream stopped as her body crumpled into dust.
> [Corruption: +11]
Ariel reacted instantly.
"Southeast flank—formation collapse!"
The four remaining Chosen rallied, weapons raised, and Ariel surged forward like a comet.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" she roared, bringing her spear down with divine fury.
Jin caught it with one hand.
Ariel's eyes widened.
He squeezed.
The spear cracked.
> "The Tower remembers what you did to me."
He struck her chest with a single palm.
She flew backward, armor shattering. She hit a rune tree, coughed blood, staggered to her knees.
> "I… know that voice."
Jin walked toward her slowly.
> "You killed me once," he said. "This is just repayment."
The younger Chosen screamed in panic, unleashing spells—flame, ice, thunder.
Jin moved through them like smoke.
He didn't bother killing them cleanly.
One was burned alive by his own flame spell reflected back at him.
Another was stabbed through the throat with her own sword, possessed by the Tower's mist.
The last knelt and wept.
Jin let him live.
As a message.
Ariel tried to crawl.
He knelt beside her.
"Do you believe in your gods now?"
She coughed. "You're… Jin… Black…"
He leaned in close.
> "No. I'm Hollow."
And he placed two fingers against her forehead.
> [Soul Brand: Divine Betrayer – Activated]
Light erupted.
Her blessing shattered. Her soul cracked.
She didn't scream.
Her body simply turned to ash.
> [Corruption: +17]
[Title Progress – "Godslayer"]: 12%
---
System Alert – All Floors
> [High-Ranking Chosen (A-Rank) Slain by Unknown Entity]
[Name: Unknown]
[Alias: Hollow]
> [System Distortion Detected – Suppression Protocol Failed]
The Tower shivered.
Instructors froze.
And high above, gods argued in silence.
But Jin stood alone in the silver field.
Unmoved.
Alive.
And finally heard.
> "One down. Hundreds to go."
---