Conquering the Tower Even Regressors Couldn't-Chapter 417: Ninetieth Floor, Feast (4)

After giving me ample time to gather my thoughts, Thunder Axe offhandedly declared, “We should take a short walk. I think that would be better than continuing our meal.” They smiled before adding, “Of course, if you're hungry, we can stay for a while longer.”

“No, I’m fine. Let’s go.”

The aroma from the many dishes laid out on the desk was pleasant enough, but our conversation weighed too heavily on me to even think about eating.

Thunder Axe rose without another word, and I followed suit.

Countless of my questions were still unanswered, and they couldn’t be resolved simply by sitting and thinking.

For now, focusing on the present moment would be best. Who knew what a walk entailed? Perhaps I could uncover another piece of information. After all, I had unexpectedly heard hints about the secret behind my regression, even if only indirectly, for the first time today.

As we walked, Thunder Axe suddenly turned to me. “Ah, bring your weapon with you. Let’s have a bout.”

It seemed a bit abrupt, but in truth, I suspected they intended to teach me rather than spar. Either way, I had no reason to refuse. Crossing weapons with a first-class god who had lived for millennia would undoubtedly benefit me.

It was an unexpected stroke of luck, especially when I had come here expecting only a banquet.

A sense of anticipation naturally rose within me.

Omniscient Thunder Axe.

The name alone showed that we had similarities. I had plenty to learn. Perhaps the goodwill they showed me was, in part, rooted in that shared affinity.

Of course, personality played a factor. Still, a fondness for a kindred spirit was not something to dismiss.

Whatever the reason, it worked in my favor.

I picked up Soulbound from where it rested beside the table.

***

Contrary to my expectations, sparring with Thunder Axe proved brutally one-sided.

My strikes were blocked with laughable ease, and their attacks slipped through my guard even more effortlessly. I was uninjured solely because they held back, but it felt as if I had run headlong into an unscalable wall.

In a way, it was inevitable.

No matter how gifted I was and no matter that Thunder Axe had claimed I could one day surpass them, experience was not so easily overcome.

They were not just talented; they wielded an axe and lightning much like I did. I was bound to be outmatched, both in strength and in skill.

Well, it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

I hadn’t spent the entire sparring session being helplessly battered. Toward the end, I managed a few sharp counterattacks. Even in that brief time, I had grown. I had absorbed—however slightly—some of Thunder Axe’s millennia of combat experience through our exchanges.

Of course, it was also thanks to how readily they revealed their techniques to me. It was no small gesture.

As I lay on the floor at the end of our match, exhausted, Thunder Axe teased me in a playful tone, “Hmm, this is terribly unfair. You have probably realized for yourself how quickly you learn. Challengers really do seem to know no limits.”

I answered their jest with a smile, and they pulled me to my feet with a firm hand.

“Have you ever crossed weapons with Kalain?” I asked.

They nodded. “I tried to rein in his hatred, but it was already far too late.”

“I see.”

It wasn’t the answer I had hoped for, but now wasn’t the time to press further.

Thunder Axe shot me a sly look. “Still, if we’re comparing the two of you, you have the edge. I only met Kalain around the ninetieth floor.”

I laughed dryly. They clearly understood my thoughts but chose to feign ignorance. Regardless, it wasn’t like I could verify their words. They were probably trying to encourage me.

Knowing their temperament, however, I doubted it was a lie. If anything, had I claimed to be lacking, they would have pushed me even harder. They also knew that.

Of course, hearing such a thing wouldn’t make me complacent.

“You may catch up to me sooner than I expect.”

“Surely not.”

“The ‘soon’ I speak of and the ‘soon’ you imagine are different things,” they joked, and we laughed together until Thunder Axe’s expression hardened. “Though perhaps I’m not joking after all.”

The sudden shift to seriousness left me at a loss for words.

Are they talking about the last ten floors?

That seemed unlikely. No matter how strong a challenger was, it would be absurd to pit them against someone as strong as Thunder Axe during a trial.

Perhaps something changed for a challenger after conquering the tower. Or perhaps it was tied to my so-called uniqueness.

“I’ll do my best.”

“You’d better. Your dreams are just as grand.”

Setting aside the conversation itself, crossing axes with them had made me feel far closer to Thunder Axe.

One exchange of blows tended to bond warriors more than a hundred words ever could. The same held true for climbers, so with Thunder Axe, it was all the more so. That closeness made my next question more direct.

“So, what do you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you called me here because you wanted to see me for yourself.”

A wide grin spread across their face. “Exactly as I expected. I’m satisfied.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“It’s a relief. In a world without certainties, I feel fortunate to have found you before it was too late, and that we have such a trustworthy connection.”

They obviously had some lingering regrets surrounding their relationship with Kalain, but the mention of a trustworth connection left me curious.

“A connection?” 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

“Isn’t your lover’s sponsor Master of the Five Carriage Wheels?”

“That’s right.”

“There you go.”

After a moment’s thought, I realized that they were referencing Ha Hee-Jeong’s regression and how it had played into the current situation.

Even if the tower had chosen me, I had failed to become a challenger in my previous life, likely due to the tower’s limitations. Or, perhaps like Thunder Axe had suggested, by the time it had recognized my uniqueness, the option to become a challenger had already passed.

Either way, Ha Hee-Jeong’s regression had been necessary.

Though I wonder why they couldn’t have sent me back.

Two possibilities came to mind.

First, my uniqueness or purpose. It could have been too great a burden for the tower or for a god to send me back.

Second, my previous life’s sponsor wasn’t on the tower’s side.

If it was the latter, then it made sense to choose Ha Hee-Jeong instead, since her sponsor was the Master of the Five Carriage Wheels.

In either case, it means Ha Hee-Jeong was the only trustworthy connection.

Without her, they would have needed to have someone else to inform me of the tower’s trap. Perhaps a stranger could have approached me and explained what Ha Hee-Jeong had, but would I have believed them?

Even being generous, the odds weren’t great.

Either way, my mind always circled back to the same question. What exactly made me unique?

A thought I had set aside returned to me. In my mind, the tower’s warm voice echoed from the past.

[You have chosen not to open the status window. You will be transferred to the first floor of the Tower of Ordeal to begin the tutorial phase. We commend your spirit and wish you good luck.]

What did the tower see in me?

I had set the memory aside for the same reason over and over—what did it even mean? This wasn’t a puzzle that could be resolved by a fleeting moment of contemplation.

In truth, I doubted that I could even arrive at an answer with what I knew, and Thunder Axe showed no sign of offering any further explanation.

They lifted their gaze toward the sky. “Our time is nearly up. I’m sorry, but it seems we won’t be able to share that meal after all. Rather awkward, after inviting you to a banquet.”

“That’s unfortunate, but it’s all right.”

Neither of us appeared genuinely regretful or self-conscious about it. The primary purpose had always been the conversation.

Also, I had gained more than I had expected.

Information and a sparring match. Either alone was enough to be grateful, but I had managed to claim both. Though I hadn’t managed to answer all of my questions, anything was far better than nothing at all.

Thunder Axe’s expression grew firm. “Before you leave, there’s something we should discuss while we still have the chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the individuals you’ve protected in the rest area. I can either return them to their own worlds or connect them to a god.”

“Ah.” I grasped their meaning immediately.

I had already intended to ask about Ryun since I had promised him that I would bring him to Thunder Axe’s garden. I had even asked if he wanted to accompany me here, but Ryun declined, saying he hadn’t been invited.

He had added that Thunder Axe likely wouldn’t want him present.

“And that includes Ryun as well,” Thunder Axe added with a wink, anticipating my question. “I can also arrange for Fenrike’s child to be reunited with Fenrike.”

“Is that really possible? Has Fenrike’s situation improved?”

“In truth, it has for some time now. He was fine before as well, but since you are his benefactor, he chose to wait. He wanted to hear your decision first. The child is no longer his only hope.”

I nodded. It was understandable that he would be cautious, given that reckless behaviour would only endanger me.

“I think that would be for the best. Still, I’d prefer to hear Ryun and Doppy’s thoughts first. This isn’t something I can decide alone. The people in the rest area will certainly welcome the news, though.”

“Do what you think is best,” Thunder Axe said with a satisfied nod.

They were far more thoughtful than their outward demeanor suggested. I hadn’t even considered the others, distracted as I was by the exchange of information and the sparring match.

Perhaps they had considered it from the moment they invited me to the feast.

Still, this feels unexpectedly abrupt.

Though I couldn’t be certain, I suspected both Doppy and Ryun would express the desire to return home. We had grown close over time, but this path would likely be the better choice for them.

That would leave only Yoonie at my side.

“For a short while, I’ll see to it that you can open a portal to this world. Speak with your friends and those in the rest area, and when the time comes, send them through.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s only what should be done,” they responded, as if it were nothing.

I truly appreciated their contribution, however. I had chosen to take responsibility for these individuals, and Thunder Axe was now shouldering a portion of that burden.

Perhaps it was because we were approaching the final rest area. Once I left the tower, who knew if I could even return?

For someone merely invited to a banquet, I was receiving no small measure of generosity. I felt a genuine sense of gratitude toward them.

Thunder Axe looked once more into the empty air. “The time has come. The next time we meet will be after you’ve left the tower.”

“Yes.”

“I hope you will come to understand everything. You still do not know the truth of what surrounds you.”

“Pardon?”

“If I say more, the tower will bind me with greater restrictions,” they muttered as they stared into nothing, clearly aware of the tower’s presence.

Is it watching us even now?

“Even as an ally, it’s an exacting one,” Thunder Axe remarked with a faint smile.

My mind was left in turmoil.

Greater restrictions.

I understood why they hadn’t said more. They had already taken a risk by sharing as much as they had. My gratitude toward them only deepened.

Thunder Axe extended their hand. “Until next time. We’ll share that promised meal then.”

I clasped their hands firmly. “I’ve received so much help from you. Thank you. It’s been an honor to meet you.”

“The honor is mine.”

***

Upon returning to the waiting room, I didn’t immediately reach out to Ha Hee-Jeong. Instead, I felt that asking Ryun and Doppy what they desired was more important.

Looking around, I noted that they had to be in the training room.

A tangle of emotions stirred within me. This could be our final moments climbing the tower together.

I carefully opened the training room door, and Doppy—in the middle of stretching—looked up at me.

“Oh! Su-Yeok, you’re back?”

“Yeah. Are you busy right now?”

“No! Just finishing my cool-down!”

“Then let’s talk. With Ryun as well.”

My voice sounded heavy, and they sensed the change. Both Ryun and Doppy’s expressions grew a shade more serious.