Conquering the Tower Even Regressors Couldn't-Chapter 415: Ninetieth Floor, Feast (2)

Letting my brow furrow naturally, I tried to mask my surprise while attempting to discern Omniscient Thunder Axe’s intent.

Ha Hee-Jeong and I had always assumed the gods were unaware of her regression. At least, aside from Master of the Five Carriage Wheels, who had personally rolled the Dice of Fate and taken the penalty.

Somehow, my sponsor knew.

My thoughts grew tangled. Had Master of the Five Carriage Wheels told them? Perhaps first-class gods were aware due to their power. They would have had plenty of opportunities to notice something was off about Ha Hee-Jeong and my discussions.

Then it occurred to me that this could be nothing more than a probing question to test my reaction.

Did I walk straight into it?

I quickly smoothed my expression, but it was already too late.

Omniscient Thunder Axe smiled faintly. “Don’t overthink it. Master of the Five Carriage Wheels and I are close. I wasn’t trying to test you.”

Somewhat dazed, I gave them a small nod. It didn’t feel like they were lying.

That was a relief.

Ha Hee-Jeong’s sponsor had originally been a first-class god, so it wasn’t strange that they were acquainted. Moreover, if they were on good terms, it suggested my sponsor was fairly trustworthy, though I couldn’t be certain.

I still had to consider the possibility that they had coerced the information from a weakened Master of the Five Carriage Wheels, or simply fabricated it.

Hmm.

I met Omniscient Thunder Axe’s gaze. Their sudden question had made me miss the right moment to greet them, and at this point, returning a greeting felt awkward.

They remained silent, clearly waiting for my answer to their first question.

Let me see, then.

I took a moment to think, but realized the premise of the question was flawed.

A second life.

For me, this was my first. Though, in another sense, it could be considered my second. My sponsor continued to watch me silently. Several answers came to mind, but in the end, I resolved to be as truthful as possible.

“I’m not sure I would use ‘satisfied’ to describe how I feel. Also, this is my first life, and to be honest, I can’t say I was thrilled to be dragged into the trials without warning.”

Omniscient Thunder Axe let out a deep, booming laugh, “Hahaha. My apologies. I misspoke. This is indeed your first life. I was simply glad to see you.”

“Glad to see me?”

It sounded as if they had known me in Ha Hee-Jeong’s previous life. How? Hadn’t they just heard of me secondhand?

“You wouldn’t know, but I was acquainted with you in your previous life. All thanks to Master of the Five Carriage Wheels,” they remarked offhandedly with a wry smile.

The implications were hardly trivial, however. That would mean they had played some role in Ha Hee-Jeong’s regression.

If that is the case, then why was Master of the Five Carriage Wheels imprisoned? Did the tower prevent my sponsor from helping further?

They added. “You’re right, though. It’s unfair to be forced into the Tower of Ordeal. Even if it grants you the opportunity to become the god of your planet.”

Their self-deprecating tone carried the weight of a distant past. It almost sounded like they had spoken from experience.

Did Omniscient Thunder Axe also become a god through the tower’s trials?

I couldn’t know for certain. Regardless, I set the thought aside and listened.

“In a way, it’s laughable. If something can make another into a god, then that being is more transcendent than a god itself.” They met my eyes. “Still, I agree with you. Especially nowadays, it’s become far more vicious.”

Their voice trailed off. It felt more like they were speaking to themselves than to me, though I sensed that they were hinting at something. The tower of the past was not the tower of the present.

I knew a little of that already. Likely, these changes had come after the Primordial God’s disappearance.

From what I knew of them, Omniscient Thunder Axe had likely opposed such a change. Even as a high-ranking first-class god, though, they wouldn’t have been able to reverse the tide. Or perhaps they had known and turned a blind eye.

I didn’t know either way, but perhaps the consequences of that shift had changed their mind. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

While I stayed silent, my host gestured toward a chair. “Sit. I’ve kept you standing long enough.”

“Yes.”

Only two chairs stood near the massive table, so I naturally took the one opposite them.

Once we were both seated, they remarked, “Ah, don’t worry about losing training time because of this invitation. Time in the waiting room is paused so it won’t interfere with your training.”

It was a detail I hadn’t considered, even after accepting the sponsorship—a pure gesture of courtesy on their part.

I dipped my head slightly. “Thank you.”

“Before we eat, I’d like to talk first. Unless you’re hungry, then we can start eating.”

“No, talking is fine.”

In truth, it was what I preferred. Being summoned here without knowing why, only to sit and eat, would be nothing but an ordeal. The taste or quality of the food wouldn’t matter, as it would still be an uncomfortable setting.

I also doubted the feast was Omniscient Thunder Axe’s real purpose anyway. More likely, they were giving the tower a convenient pretext. Sharing a meal with a climber was far easier to argue as a gift than a conversation.

“Before we begin, I should tell you this. Though I do like you, I can’t speak freely about every circumstance surrounding you.”

“Is that something even you,” I hesitated over how to address them, but decided to refer to them like Angelina had, “Lord, would find difficult?”

They once more laughed heartily. “Just call me Thunder Axe. Everyone does. I have a true name, but it’s been so long since I last used it. If you want to know it, I’ll tell you.”

I saw no reason not to ask. “Please do.”

A name wasn’t just a form of address; it carried meaning. It allowed one to see another not as others saw them, but as the being themselves.

I had a second, less relevant reason as well. It didn’t sit well with me that my sponsor knew my name, but I didn’t know theirs. Should I ever seek revenge, I wanted to remember my target.

The aroma of the food on the table was rich and enticing, but I focused as they leaned forward.

“San.”

Their name was so simple and direct. It meant mountain. As a high-ranking first-class god, they had likely ascended ages ago. It reminded me of nomadic tribes from Earth I had heard of that bore names with simple and grounded meanings.

When they spoke their name, Thunder Axe’s mind seemed to disappear, not literally, but metaphorically.

“Thank you.”

My words brought them back. “My apologies. It’s been a long time since I’ve shared my name with someone. I was feeling sentimental for a moment.”

Their sincerity took me aback. Through their apology and moment of reflection, I felt as if I could glimpse their nature. They were straightforward and unpretentious. Perhaps even a bit willful, yet still considerate toward others.

I could tell that wasn’t how they had been when they were younger. Rather, the years had shaped that consideration into them. They were accustomed to apologizing afterward, as if it had become second nature.

Either way, their personality suited their imposing appearance, and it made them easy to face.

“As for what you asked me earlier, my answer is ‘uncertain, but close enough.’”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, it isn’t worth it. I could tell you, but you’ll learn even more once you’ve conquered the tower anyway. Moreover, knowing this won’t change anything for you right now. There’s no reason for me to be penalized for nothing.”

I understood Thunder Axe’s reply, but it gave rise to a new question about this meeting.

If so, why did they call me here?

“If you were an ordinary climber, it could have been easier to speak openly. Not that we would’ve ever met, of course.”

“So you’re saying it’s because I’m a challenger?”

“Well...” they trailed off.

Was there a reason for their hesitation? I couldn’t be certain whether it implied denial or not, though my thoughts leaned toward that being the case.

If I weren’t a challenger, what would be different? The fact that I have inherited the forest created by the Primordial God?

The thought crossed my mind, but they gazed at me firmly. This was a topic we couldn’t pursue any further. Since Thunder Axe was being direct, I decided to be just as straightforward.

I returned to the original question. “Then why summon me here? Even though it was free for me, surely it cost you.”

“It wasn’t for any grand reason. I simply wanted to meet you once before you climbed further.”

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

That is really it?

I couldn’t quite accept it.

Thunder Axe shrugged. “My apologies if you were expecting something more.”

“Not at all.”

Perhaps they were simply saying that because they were mindful of the tower’s watchful gaze. After a little more thought, I realized their words weren’t entirely unreasonable.

“Were you also involved in Ha Hee-Jeong’s regression?”

“Master of the Five Carriage Wheels and I shared the same opinion, though I wasn’t able to directly take part. In a way, you could say it was fortunate.”

As I thought.

I was starting to understand Thunder Axe’s perspective. They viewed me favorably, but they didn’t yet know what kind of god I would become.

It made sense that they would want to see for themselves.

“Why did you help us?”

“Because I must,” Thunder Axe responded firmly, and before I could protest, they added, “That’s all I can tell you.”

I looked at them with lingering curiosity, but they didn’t waver. I had a suspicion. Perhaps, out of all the challengers who stood a chance to conquer the tower, my nature aligned most closely with theirs.

By now, I had come to understand just how distinct challengers could be while climbing the tower. It was possible that both Thunder Axe and Master of the Five Carriage Wheels believed that Ha Hee-Jeong and I could become their steadfast allies.

That aside, the feast itself hadn’t been as satisfying as I had hoped. I had expected a little more from a conversation with a high-ranking first-class god, but not all of their answers were as clear as I wanted.

Still, I wasn’t exactly displeased. I had received this information freely, after all. I kept the thought to myself, but perhaps my expression betrayed my emotions, because Thunder Axe didn’t stop there.

“I understand your frustration. But neither the Dimensional Witch nor I find it entirely easy to withhold what we know. Still, that’s what makes the trials meaningful. I hope you can understand. You’ve already gained much from your lover’s regression.”

“My... lover?” I repeated, but Thunder Axe brushed it aside as if it were nothing.

“In any case, as I expected, your achievements are remarkable. I’m curious about something. Would you mind if I asked?”

Though there were many things I wanted to ask them, I knew this wasn’t the time or place. I nodded reluctantly.

“What do you think of this world?”

The question caught me off guard.

“Which world are you referring to?”

Shrugging slightly, they explained, “All of it. The gods, the tower, the trials.”

That was enough to confirm my suspicion. They wanted to gauge me, to see what I thought of the current system. I felt like I could answer truthfully. They had shown me goodwill based on my actions thus far, after all.

“I don’t think it’s good. I believe it needs to change.”

“Change? In what way?” Thunder Axe’s eyes gleamed.

“I can’t say I’ve thought too deeply about it, but each world should remain separate,” I paused briefly before adding, “Gods are ultimately necessary to protect their homeworlds, right? But if a world can’t be invaded, there’s no need for gods or for the tower. I lived in a world without gods. It wasn’t particularly inconvenient.”

At the end of my words, Thunder Axe let out another hearty laugh. “Radical. Perhaps even more so than Kalain.”

“Kalain?” I frowned at the unexpected mention of Kalain.

It wasn’t strange that they knew of Kalain. What caught my attention, however, was the tone they used. It was tinged with regret, even longing.

“Yes, a friend whose influence in the tower is so vast that even you’ve heard their name. The first challenger.”

Thunder Axe smiled bitterly. “I was his sponsor.”