Chapter 169: The Tower’s Rampage (1)

The World Awakener Association was established.

This pan-national organization, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, was the first world body to receive approval from every country in the world.

Its purpose of establishment was simple: systematic management of awakeners and improvement of their abilities.

Until now, awakener ranking and management had been haphazard.

Most countries failed to properly control them, and as a result, guilds—purely profit-seeking organizations—began to control the awakeners.

There’s no need to elaborate on the harm caused when immense power is entrusted to a for-profit organization rather than a nation.

Thus, awakeners became both a nation’s strength and a headache.

The World Awakener Association introduced policies to reform this existing atmosphere.

First, the awakener registration system.

Anyone who awakens a Trait must visit the World Awakener Association and register as an awakener.

If there were an awakener who had not obtained a license, they would be treated as a criminal and subjected to legal enforcement.

The purpose of this awakener registration was to identify awakeners worldwide, categorize their abilities, and systematize ranks.

Until now, who was strong was only vaguely known through their exploits.

However, the World Awakener Association systematized the magnitude of this power through a system called Rank.

From F to SSS.

By establishing these systematic ranks, they objectively evaluated the military power of each country and the world.

The advantage gained from this was training suited to their exact goals and levels.

After all, the purpose of the World Awakener Association was to strengthen humanity’s combat power.

To strengthen the combat power of Earth’s humanity, they first needed to know their levels.

Thus, they introduced a systematized rank system to objectively analyze Earth’s power.

And that intention was quite appropriate.

They identified each individual’s level and set appropriate training, growth, and target goals.

As a result, the level of friendly awakeners registered with the association could develop rapidly.

Feeling a sense of crisis, awakeners flocked to register or become members of the association, and the number only grew each day.

At first, people thought it was too coercive, but soon that perception changed.

It had to.

Because Kim Si-won and Leon both sincerely helped humanity grow.

Sincerity moves hearts.

Of course, the amazing reward of growth was also there, but those who realized that their efforts were never for their own gain gradually gathered to the association.

Among them were some not so famous, but the majority were strong individuals confident in their skills.

For the purpose of strengthening Earth’s power and preparing for the coming calamity called Nepas, many moved with one heart and one mind.

Thus, the World Awakener Association gradually became solid.

Of course, it wasn’t just the association.

Siwon School.

The world’s top awakener educational institution grew even further with full support from the association.

Not only in South Korea, but personnel from Siwon School and the association were dispatched to each country to educate for the activation of academies.

Those who had been taught by Kim Si-won and Leon spread across the world, creating hope again, nurturing seedlings—the work was progressing steadily.

The World Awakener Association and Siwon School.

These two organizations founded by Kim Si-won pioneered hope and a new future for Earth.

But not everything in the world goes well.

A sudden message arrived.

It contained the content of despair.

***

He knew that Nepas would soon make a move.

And when that bastard showed himself again, he expected the impact would be extraordinary.

But of all things.

[Nepas has conquered the First Floor of the Tower.]

[Nepas destroys the First Floor of the Tower.]

[From now on, Floor 1 no longer exists.]

[Those who have not ascended Floor 1 will henceforth ascend from Floor 2.]

The Tower.

It was humanity’s blessing.

Of course, some called it a curse and a trap, but at least in terms of martial power, it was undoubtedly a place that allowed growth.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, it was a blessing only for humanity.

Non-humans cannot ascend the Tower.

Of course, there were exceptions like the Demon Clan or gods, but those were very few.

At least, the Tower was clearly friendly to humanity.

That’s why he was at ease.

Thinking that Nepas couldn’t pull any tricks in the Tower.

But what the hell?

Defying that expectation, Nepas conquered the Tower.

Not just conquer, but destroyed the space called Floor 1.

Floor 1 completely disappeared, and now those who have awakened are forced to ascend from Floor 2 instead of Floor 1.

Of course, one might think it’s no big deal.

Because Floor 1 and Floor 2 aren’t that different in difficulty.

Anyone who could pass Floor 1 can definitely pass Floor 2.

Moreover, due to various recent events, the proportion of awakeners has increased, and more powerful Traits have appeared.

Most awakeners nowadays could easily pass below Floor 10.

The destruction of Floor 1.

Looking at just the current situation, it’s nothing.

But.

‘What if he destroys Floors 10, 20, 30, and then all the high floors in the future?’

He destroyed Floor 1; why wouldn’t he be able to destroy Floor 2?

And as time passes, he will target even higher floors.

If that happens.

‘Humanity loses the driving force that is the Tower.’

Humanity grew stronger by ascending the Tower and obtaining rewards from it.

But if the Tower disappears, all such possibilities and hopes vanish.

And Nepas was a being more than capable of doing such a thing.

That bastard’s purpose, even if it means destroying Earth, is to reach the Realm of the Unknown.

Therefore, he must be stopped.

And.

‘The fact that he touched the Tower means the method to reach the Realm of the Unknown lies in the Tower. And that bastard has gotten somewhat close to that truth.’

Destruction of floors.

Through this, he could obtain various information.

First, that the path to the Realm of the Unknown he desires lies in the Tower.

And that Nepas has gained some qualification to walk that path.

If not, destroying Floor 1 would have been impossible.

‘Destroying a floor is something even I can’t do now. That bastard is quite ahead.’

Indeed, Nepas.

The reason he hasn’t shown himself until now must have been preparation for this moment.

Although he failed to eliminate me, his sworn enemy, he doesn’t care.

Perhaps because he recognized me as a worthy enemy, he was able to grow even more.

Because he has lived for eternity, absorbing countless beings, and had no more opponents to rival.

Loneliness.

That is stagnation itself.

But the emergence of an enemy like me touched his ambition.

As a result, he obtained a clue to the Realm of the Unknown and is moving toward that path.

“Is there no way to stop him?”

Leon’s tone was serious.

It couldn’t be helped.

Normally, they could counter any scheme Nepas devised.

Hadn’t they prepared when he tried to kill me through time travel?

But only the conquest of the Tower is different.

“We don’t know where he is. No, even if we find him, it’s impossible to fundamentally eliminate someone who has scattered many parts of himself across time and dimensions.”

That’s why if he decides to hide, even I have no way to find him.

Furthermore, the conquest of the Tower.

‘If he hides stealthily and only attacks the Tower, it’s over.’

There’s no need to reveal himself.

Therefore, there was no way to stop his destruction of the Tower.

Moreover.

“By destroying the Tower, he will surely obtain some reward and power. Not knowing what that is also works against us.”

He’s plotting something.

It has enough impact to destroy the Tower’s floors, but there is no information at all about what happens as a result.

There is only one way to know that.

“I must also obtain the authority to destroy floors.”

Of course, I don’t mean to destroy floors.

Because by obtaining that authority, he can gain information on what that bastard is getting and what kind of deeds he’s doing for what purpose.

That cannot be entrusted to anyone.

The same goes for Leon in front of him.

The only one capable of such a thing in this world is me, alone.

“It seems I have to tackle the Tower that I’ve been putting off.”

Now, the destruction of floors has begun.

Of course, even just Floor 1 has a huge impact, but it’s not too late yet.

To stand on equal footing with that bastard, to know his purpose and prepare, I too must obtain the authority to destroy floors.

Only then will we stand on equal information and footing.

And the answer lies in the Tower.

It was time to actively tackle the Tower that had been postponed until now.

“Then I shall also…”

Leon tried to join.

But.

“No. You stay and guard your position.”

I shook my head and stopped him.

“I know you don’t have much time left.”

“…!”

He was hiding it, but my eyes can’t be fooled.

Leon’s life is now almost over.

At most, half a year.

And that’s only if he doesn’t use his power; half a year. If he forces himself to use power to uncover the Tower’s secrets…

‘At most, a month.’

By not using power, he can barely last half a year.

Knowing that, I stopped him from stepping forward.

“…You knew?”

“It would be stranger if I didn’t.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. After all, this body was born from original sin. If it’s for humanity and for my master, I’m willing to burn whatever remains of my life.”

Leon.

He believed that he was born from original sin.

Certainly, since Nepas, Light, and the God of Darkness were involved in his birth, it could be seen that way.

But he is different from them.

“Nonsense. That sin is not yours. It is a sin before the existence called Leon. I said it’s not a sin for you to bear.”

I clearly told him that it was not his sin.

But.

“…”

He still believed he had to bear it.

Of course, I have no intention of letting him.

“Since I don’t know how long it will take to approach the secrets of this Tower, someone must stay behind to protect Siwon School and the Association.”

“That’s something Lee Seo-jun…”

Lee Seo-jun.

It’s true that the boy is growing and showing promise.

Since being recognized as my second disciple externally, he has shown monstrous growth and enhanced my reputation.

But.

“You know well that the boy is still a rookie.”

The world says monstrous growth.

But he hasn’t even reached the soles of our feet.

It can’t be helped.

No matter how amazing a martial bone he was born with, it cannot compare to the karma accumulated by me and Leon.

Unless he breaks some sort of egg, reaching our realm will be quite a distant future.

That’s why Leon must do it.

“It’s not because I’m worried about you. It’s because you are the only one who can guard against Nepas’s tricks.”

Of course, I’m also worried about Leon’s lifespan.

But the fact that only Leon can replace my place is also true.

“…I understand.”

He yielded to my firm attitude.

Because he knew well that he was the only one who could replace me.

“Good.”

I nodded, looking at him.

Now, it was time to handle the task given to me.

Just as I was about to tear the ticket to move to Floor 60.

[The Tower’s rampage begins.]

[As Floor 1’s space collapses, a large-scale dimensional rift occurs.]

An unexpected message echoed.