Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Seeing the familiar notification within the system, it took restraint Vahn didn't know he had just to prevent his brow from twitching.Vahn's first instinct was to simply refuse, but, after traversing three Records, he knew the futility of such actions. Thus, after staring at the top of Hwa Ryun's head for several seconds, he accepted the notification whilst saying, "We shall see...stand up..."Though she didn't understand the meaning contained withing Vahn's words, Hwa Ryun stood up and faced him with the same conviction she showed upon first crossing the threshold of his room. Guides never questioned or doubted the path they walked, as, the moment they began fearing for their own lives, all paths would become unknown to them.Seeing the complete lack of hesitation in Hwa Ryun's actions, Vahn's smile became imperceptibly wry thanks to his neatly trimmed beard. Then, after gesturing for the woman to come close, Vahn extended his hand, placing his palm over her eyepatch as he said, "If you truly wish to follow this path, I forbid you to ever tell me a lie. In exchange, I will carry your burdens so that it will be easier for you to follow..."As Vahn was speaking, Hwa Ryun's left eye opened wide as a visible scar and a rather gruesome cut appeared across the surface of his eye. At the same time, she felt an exceptionally prickly sensation beneath her eye patch, followed by an intense heat that, despite feeling comparable to a lump of hot coal, didn't cause any pain.Though he had lost it upon his departure from Danmachi, Vahn's experience with [Wound Transfer] allowed him to emulate its effects if he really wanted to. He got the impression that Hwa Ryun was still a little dangerous at the moment, so, with her having already become his Believer, he wanted to increase her Faith to deter her from doing anything suspicious like arbitrarily using his status as her 'God' to justify her actions...Retracting his hand, Vahn covered his own injured eye for a brief moment, holding it there for less than three seconds before removing it to reveal an uninjured eye. These actions caused Hwa Ryun's Faith to increase from 93 to 208 in an instant, as, even without him explaining, she could 'see' it by observing her own path.With a smile spreading across her face, Hwa Ryun emulated Phae's bow near-flawlessly, her earlier trembling nowhere to be seen as she answered, "I swear by my status as Guide that I will never tell a lie. You are my God, the one who will open the path forward for everyone. Betraying your trust is the same as abandoning my purpose and my most deeply held desire. Should you command it of me, I would happily lay down my life knowing my dream will one day be actualized."Seemingly inspired by her own words, Hwa Ryun's Faith took another substantial leap, compelling Vahn to simply ignore it as he rebutted, "I do not require others to die and make sacrifices on my behalf. A true Emperor bears the burden of his people, not forces his own upon them. These words might not resonate with you right now, but, when the time comes, you will know the true meaning contained within."Raising her head to face Vahn, Hwa Ryun saw the same resolute light that had inspired her to follow him moments prior. This caused her heart to begin palpitating rapidly, almost as if someone had injected a dangerous amount of adrenaline directly into her chest. She began to feel a shortness of breath and a bit muddleheaded, but, rather than stand so she could breathe more easily, Hwa Ryun felt compelled to keep her head lowered in the presence of her God.Feeling like he had recklessly picked up someone troublesome, Vahn decided to take advantage of his newfound status within her mind, ordering, "For now, you will continue with your original duties. If there is something you need, consult Phae before coming directly to me. Though I am not against company, it would become troublesome if I allowed people to approach me freely."Understanding the truth contained within Vahn's words, Hwa Ryun lowered her head one last time before rising to her full height. The sudden rush caused her to teeter slightly, but, before she could fall over, an invisible force momentarily locked her in place. This caused her smile to become even more prominent, but, remembering the words of her God, she quickly alighted from the room with newfound purpose present in her steps...---While Vahn had been busy dealing with his newfound Believer, Phae and Gandr had been loitering about in Anak's room alongside Shibisu and Hatsu. Phae was helping Anak to style her hair, earning a surprisingly timid response from the girl whenever the boys gave her a compliment. As for Gandr, he was currently driving both Shibisu and Hatsu crazy by winning nearly every single hand of Five-Card Draw they had played.When the game first started, it was just to have a bit of fun, but, as was often the case when any kind of gambling was involved, things got heated when Shibisu began betting points. As a result, he had already lost nearly three hundred points in half-an-hour, enough to purchase three days' worth of luxury meals from the Commissary.With visible sweat pouring down his face, Shibisu focused his somewhat beady eye on the 'brat' sitting across from him as he said, "I'll take two..."In response to the man's words, Gandr displayed his toothy grin as he rebutted, "So long as it's from the top this time. You wouldn't want to lose an additional ten points by getting discovered cheating once again~."Hearing Gandr's statement, Shibisu's expression darkened quite a bit, a defeated look spreading across his face as he muttered, "Fold..." in a sullen voice.With his excellent hearing, Gandr could easily make out Shibisu's words, bursting into laughter at the man's expense. This caused the man to visibly deflate while, at the side, having folded most of his hands, Hatsu just stared blankly as he said, "Cheaters never prosper." before sipping his cup of green tea.Fed up with the two swordsmen seated across from him, Shibisu threw himself back, arms sprawled out as he exclaimed, "Ahhh! Why can't I win even one hand!? Please tell me you've been cheating! My luck can't be this bad, can it!?"Flopping his ears to the side, Gandr stared at Shibisu as if he was looking at an idiot, plainly stating, "People with bad luck don't end up partnered with a Princess of Jahad and a Master Swordsman on their first day of climbing the Tower. You just suck at gambling when you're not allowed to cheat."Though Gandr's first words deeply resonated with Shibisu, his follow-up statement caused his face to morph into a perfect deadpan as he retorted, "I'm never gambling against you again..."Finding Shibisu's words rather amusing, Gandr snickered at the man's expense before looking over at where Anak was seated in front of a mirror. There was a very light blush coloring her cheeks, and, though it would fade away the moment she caught someone looking, a happy smile could be seen on her face as happily dangled her feet within the chair.Sensing someone's gaze, Anak shifted her focus away from her hair, meeting Gandr's gaze within the mirror. Her smile immediately faded away, but, when she saw the annoying boy smile back at her, Anak was unable to resist the urge to avert her eyes, muttering, "My room isn't a place people can just gather..." in a voice that wasn't intended to be heard.Though she could have pretended not to hear, Phae giggled in response to Anak's words as she quickly fixed the girls' hair into a small ponytail. It was the style that suited her the most due to her neatly trimmed bangs and the way her fringe perfectly framed her face. It was also the style that put the biggest smile on Anak's face so Phae decided to tie her hair up with a blue ribbon as she softly stated, "You cannot climb the Tower alone, Anak. Even my Lord must rely on others every now and then so do not lament the opportunity to make friends. Your burdens will become that much lighter if you have people to share them with."To punctuate her words, Phae fastened the ribbon into a neat bow, smiling at the girl through the mirror before adding, "It suits you..." in a motherly tone.Seeing Phae's expression through the mirror, Anak felt the same incongruous feeling as before, her mind screaming at her that 'something' was wrong despite a feeling of warmth spreading through her chest. She didn't really know how to describe it but it was like Phae was being both sincere yet deceitful at the same time...Pulling her legs up into the chair, Anak hugged her knees before hiding her face and saying, "I want to be alone. Get out of my room..." in a somber tone.Understanding the girl likely had 'a lot' to work through, Phae didn't want to push her too hard, so, while lightly patting her back, she whispered, "Okay, Anak...when you feel better, you can find me in my room or in the commissary..."With that said, Phae retracted her hand from the girl's back, shifting her attention to the trio sitting in the middle of the room as she said, "It seems Anak isn't feeling well at the moment. If you want to play, please move to another room."Being able to read between the lines, Shibisu and Hatsu both rose to their feet without a fuss, but, as someone who was supposed to be a little brash, Gandr asked, "Oh? Did you get a tummy ache from trying to compete against me during lunch?"Hearing Gandr's words, Anak balled her hands into fists but ultimately kept her face hidden. She didn't want to see her own expression right now as she wasn't quite sure to express what she was feeling at this exact moment. Fortunately, she wasn't compelled to respond as Phae promptly gave Gandr's head a chop whilst saying, "Don't be nosy. Didn't His Imperial Majesty tell you not to bully girls? Do I need to tell your big sister you've been a bad boy?"Though it was all part of the act, Gandr couldn't stop the hairs on his ears and tail from standing on end when he heard Phae's final words. His 'training' with Fenrir had given him a rather unique form of trauma, as, due to his own insistence, she treated his Vanargandr form like her younger brother; one she was 'very' strict with.Noticing Gandr's reaction, an exceptionally sly grin morphed Shibisu's face into one of vindictive amusement as he remarked, "What's this? This brat is scared of his big sister? Maybe I should start keeping a record of his bad deeds so she is properly informed~."Hearing Shibisu's remark, both Phae and Gandr looked at the man as if he was seeking death. This caused his face to immediately pale, especially when Phae added, "Fenrir can be very protective of her little brother. Though she isn't afraid to discipline him, she won't tolerate others trying to bully or pressure him. If you somehow manage to upset her, even my Lord won't be able to protect you from her wrath..."Though he had largely been joking, Shibisu wrote Phae's words across his heart, swearing to never offend the woman named Fenrir. Gandr was already ridiculously powerful so it wasn't difficult to imagine the big sister he was scared of being even more monstrous. With that in mind, he offered an awkward smile in response to Phae's words, replying, "I'll keep that in mind, Ms. Phae...thanks..."Nodding her head in approval, Phae then grabbed Gandr's hand and led the group out of the room so that Anak could decompress. She was clearly the anti-social introverted type, so, while she could tolerate the presence of others to a certain extent, she wasn't mentally equipped to remain in their presence for long periods of time. This was likely related to her traumatic past, so, while she wanted to help the not-so-young girl, Phae knew there was only so much they could do for her in a single day...---With everyone else having departed her room, Anak waited for several minutes before tentatively raising her face to view her own reflection. There were noticeable tear stains coloring her skin a slightly darker shade of green, but, rather than resentment or anger, she noticed confusion and a mix of other emotions within her eyes. This served to further increase her confusion, compelling her to retreat beneath the safety of her blankets before dimming the lights. The darkness had always brought her a certain feeling of security, so, while it did little to help with her tumultuous mental state, she was eventually able to calm down enough to get some sleep...Just as Anak felt memories of her past begin to resurface, a common occurrence whenever she was on the verge of sleep, a crimson hue spread across her face as a loud grumbling emanated from her stomach...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn is about to start hearing Hwa Ryun's prayers in the middle of the night xD...','Trying to cheat against a person whose perception is thousands of times more refined than your own...','Stomach be like, "I demand sustenance~!"')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With their three-day break coming to an end, Vahn, Phae, and Gandr had gathered inside a large lecture hall alongside the other remaining Regulars. They had all been informed on their Pockets earlier that day to gather, so, after enjoying a rather lively breakfast, everyone slowly migrated to the room in order to learn about the Positions they had been assigned.Since the Admins had yet to arrive, Vahn spent his time silently analyzing each of the Regulars who had passed through the first series of Tests. As for Phae and Gandr, the former just sat silently at his side with a smile on her face while the latter, having become friends with most of the Regulars, was asking Khun, "So, Baam is still unconscious?"Though he wasn't particularly fond of anyone in the 'Empire's Team', Khun was sensible enough to understand there was no merit in making enemies. Thus, after interacting with Gandr during several meals, he had slowly become more sociable with everyone in the former's social circle.In response to Gandr's question, Khun released a tired sigh before answering, "The medical staff has said there's nothing wrong with him. He just hasn't woken up..."Since Phae had already taken a look at Baam's condition, confirming there was nothing wrong with him, Gandr didn't press the issue too much. Instead, he just offered an awkwardly cheerful smile as he said, "Cheer up. That Baam kid is pretty special. I'm sure he'll pull through soon so don't let this incident get you down."Though he wanted to believe in Gandr's words, Khun couldn't prevent another sigh from escaping his lips before replying, "I hope that is the case...Baam is one of the few people I can call a friend. If he doesn't wake up soon, I'm not sure what I'll do..."Feeling slightly troubled by the melancholy in Khun's tone, Gandr's smile became somewhat wry as he turned to fact Vahn. This earned him a casual smile from the latter, who, having heard the entire conversation, simply replied, "Once this conference is over with, I'll head over and take a look. Now, stay focused. It looks like the Admins are about the arrive."Beaming in response to Vahn's words, Gandr turned back to face the confused Khun, his tone filled with an infectious vigor as he said, "Everything will turn out fine once Master gets involved. Let's all go visit Baam together once this is all over~!"Khun wanted to remark that Gandr's faith in his Master was without merit, but, considering who they were talking about, it was difficult to make such a claim. He had no idea how capable the Sage Dragon Emperor truly was, only that he seemed capable of doing pretty much 'anything'. This was constantly attested to be both Gandr and Phae, almost as if they were trying to cement the idea in everyone's minds...Deciding there was no reason to argue, especially since the Emperor might actually be able to help Baam, Khun just nodded in response. Then, as if lending veracity to Gandr's claims, a group of three Rankers entered the room alongside Administrator Lero-Ro; just as the Emperor had ordained...---While his Admin Assistants moved to take their seats, Lero-Ro moved to the central lectern that was located at the very front of the room. Behind him, a digital blackboard immediately lit up, and, after everyone's attention was focused on him, he opened by saying, "Good morning, Regulars. Though it seems our young friend has yet to awaken, I hope everyone else was able to enjoy the last three days. It might not have been a long break, but it should have given you plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the facilities and form a few personal connections. Remember, even Jahad himself had the aid of Ten Great Warriors and a vast army of natives during his ascent up the Tower. If you want to forge your own legend, you will need to find strong allies who are willing to shoulder the burden alongside you."Hearing Lero-Ro's words, the Regulars who had spent their time avoiding the 'competition' began to look a little nervous. As for the rest, specifically the large group that had gathered near the back of the class, they all had confident smiles on their faces. This was especially true for a certain boyish Vanargandr, who, noticing Lero-Ro's gaze shift to him, rubbed the back of his head while snickering mischievously.Returning a smile of his own, Lero-Ro motioned towards the display behind him as he said, "Now then, allow me to explain the next Test in greater detail. As many of you are well aware, we analyze the data of each Regular from the moment they enter The Floor of Tests. Using this data, our staff of qualified Rankers get together to determine which Position is best suited for everyone. Some of you might qualify for multiple Positions. However, for the duration of your stay on the 2nd Floor, it is required that you complete the curriculum that has been assigned to you..."Following Lero-Ro's statement, the display behind him turned a hazy gold color as five columns of names showed up. Then, before anyone could ask questions, Lero-Ro explained, "Though it would surprise me to learn there are people who are unaware of this, I will briefly explain the five primary Positions most commonly associated with Regulars climbing the Tower. The first, and, according to many, most powerful position is that of the Fisherman. They are chiefly responsible for disarming and defeating enemies using powerful reel inventories. Because of this, they are both the vanguard and primary attackers within many parties, constantly fighting on the frontlines or taking individual activity to secure objectives..."During Lero-Ro's explanation of the Fisherman Position, the display behind him had periodically changed to show many different people wielding needles, hooks, and swords. Many of these were placed into peculiar artifacts that seemed to float around the individuals, likely Reel Inventories if the literal reels placed at the ends were anything to go by. What Vahn found most interesting is the fact there were multiple weapons placed within these Inventories, and, based on their small size, it was safe to say there was some kind of spatial compression integrated into the peculiar device...With his explanation of Fishermen complete, Lero-Ro pressed a button to change the display, this time showing various powerful and muscular figures wielding spears. It was pretty self-explanatory what their Position was, but Lero-Ro still patiently explained, "The next Position, often supporting the vanguard from a distance, is the Spear Bearer. They generally focus on landing heavy blows on the targets that have been distracted by the Fisherman, but, throughout the Tower's history, there have been numerous Spear Bearers who were exceedingly proficient at close-range combat..."Since the duty of a Spear Bearer didn't require much explanation, Lero-Ro quickly moved on to the next category, his face lighting up as he explained, "Next is the Position known as the Light Bearer, my personal favorite and the Position I am best known for. There are many places within the Tower that light cannot reach so it is the duty of the Light Bearer to illuminate the darkness, collect battle data, and convey it to the members of their team. Because of this, they are often the leaders of the team, commanding the battlefield while manipulating versatile Lighthouses to monitor the situation and protect their allies..."Based on the massive grin on Lero-Ro's face, it was easy to see how much he favored his Position as a Light Bearer. Unfortunately, this wasn't a seminar to discuss the pros and cons associated with the Position, so, after a quick button press, he went on to explain, "Often working in tandem with the Light Bearer, the next Position is known as the Scout. As the name implies, they are responsible for observing the enemy's movements, investigating routes ahead of the team, and using Observers to feed information back to the Lighthouse. In niche situations, they will fight alongside the Fisherman, targeting various weak points using their precision strikes and high-speed maneuvers..."Though the Scout was one of the more versatile and intensive Positions, only people who had been Scouts for a long period of time could explain the specifics. All that could really be said was that it required the keenest senses and an inordinately refined instinct. Those without these things would not last for very long, as, even more so than the Fisherman that fought on the frontlines, Scouts had the most dangerous job of all.Since there would be professionals instructing each of the Regulars in their Positions, Lero-Ro didn't waste time explaining the finer details. Instead, he simply pressed the button his remote, changing the display as he added, "The last position, Wave Controller, controls Shinsu to assist in battle, often using powerful support skills to aid allies and powerful ranged attacks to defeat enemies. Though it is said that Fisherman is the most powerful Position, there is no arguing that Wave Controllers have the greatest firepower and versatility. They are known to dominate the battlefield, and, though they generally require the protection of the Light and Spear Bearers, there have been quite a number of Wave Controllers that specialized in body reinforcement..."With his summary of each Position completed, Lero-Ro pressed his remote one final time, restoring the display to the five original columns. Each listed a specific Position at the very top, followed by a number in brackets. Beneath this, a list of the presumed candidates for each Position could be seen, some containing a designation as 'Best Seed' next to them. Though the meaning of this was rather self-explanatory, one of the rather average Regulars, the boy with a horn protruding from the base of his skull, asked, "Sir! What does the 'Best Seed' written beside some of the names represent?"Not expecting someone to ask such a question, Lero-Ro smiled wryly as he said, "Best Seed? Those with 'Best Seed' next to their names have been evaluated to have the greatest potential for a given Position. These designations were decided after a considerable amount of deliberation, so, even if you don't agree with them, the decision cannot be reversed. Now, are there any other questions?"Though it looked like a few people wanted to argue, the serious expression on Lero-Ro's face was more than enough to deter them. The only one who didn't back down was Khun, who, upon seeing Baam's name under the Wave Controller Position, asked, "Pardon me, Administrator Lero-Ro. I want to ask about what will happen to the candidates who are currently absent. How will they be able to take the Test?"Shifting his attention to Khun, Lero-Ro stared at the boy for several seconds before answering, "The Position Test takes place over a thirty day period. There are no penalties for failure to attend classes, only a risk that you will not have enough points to actually pass. As you can all clearly see, there is a number next to each of the Positions. This is the number of candidates who will be allowed to move up to the 3rd Floor following the completion of the final exam. Those who fail will be forced to give up their status as Regulars."Dissatisfied with Lero-Ro's explanation, Khun was prepared to defend his friend before his leg was suddenly kicked by Gandr. This confused the blue-haired boy until the latter pointed towards the direction of the seated Rankers and said, "There is a person missing."Though Khun was confused by Gandr's meaning, Lero-Ro smiled as he stated, "As expected of the boy who was selected as the Best Seed for the Scout Position. Yes, it is as you suspect: the teacher for the Wave Controller Position has yet to arrive. As a result, the seven candidates for the Position of Wave Controller are free to attend any of the other lectures or simply enjoy a free day. Once the teacher for the Wave Controller class arrives, we will inform you through your Pockets."Understanding the meaning behind Lero-Ro's words, Khun released a sigh of relief before briefly glancing towards the smiling Gandr. The latter obviously noticed this, his smile growing to show off his teeth as the ears atop his head twitched happily...----------------------------------------------[Fisherman(4)]Best Seed: AnakEndorsiCheonhwa HongDeodLeo ClockerDede CanchoKon...[Spear Bearer(4)]Best Seed: GhostRak WraithraiserHyun SeoungAlexay AmigocharzErik BiyonGuunPitzru...[Light Bearer(2)]Best Seed: Ha Phae StiosBest Seed: Khun Aguero AgnesBest Seed: Michelle LightLeeron 3Chung-ChungLevin...[Scout(3)]Best Seed: GandrBest Seed: ShibisuHatsuNarae SeonwooPalgyeonKatanBeckster...[Wave Controller(2)]Best Seed: Vahn Aldrnari MasonPhonsekal LaureHwa RyunHohLozealGreyThe 25th Baam----------------------------------------------(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Gandr is a little social butterfly...','Light Bearers are OP','One of these Best Seeds seems out of place (O w O)...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Seeing Gandr 'protecting' Anak, Endorsi couldn't help but scrunch up her nose slightly, hands on her hips as she said, "There is no reason to glare at me. Everything I've said is the truth. Anak isn't even her real name and she certainly hasn't earned the name Jahad. Everyone else has to put in a ridiculous amount of effort to obtain the blood of Jahad. That imposter got-"Without waiting for Endorsi to finish, Gandr's expression became even more severe as he stated, "I don't want to hear it. I'm tired of hearing people blame and resent others for circumstances beyond their control. Just because you chose to become a Princess of Jahad, that doesn't give you the right to look down on others just for being born. Stop being petty."Feeling like she had taken some kind of mental damage, Endorsi stumbled backward a bit, her face paling for a brief moment before she shouted, "Hey! I'm just trying to warn you guys! I didn't want to see that stupid lizard get killed trying to act cocky! Pulling stunts like what happened during the Crown Game isn't going to help with her revenge! Don't be such a jerk, you fluffy-eared brat!"Following her outburst, Endorsi stamped her foot on the ground a few times, creating several cracks in the reinforced metal surface due to her high-heels. Then, with a loud 'hmph!', she turned around and stormed off with her hands balled into fists.Surprised by unexpected reaction, Gandr just stared blankly in the direction of Endorsi's retreat as Anak remarked, "That woman has a screw loose inside her head..."Finding Anak's comment rather amusing, Gandr issued a light snicker while shaking his head. Then, with a slightly serious expression on his face, he turned to face her and asked, "Are you okay...?"Feeling the same incongruous feeling as earlier, Anak frowned in response to Gandr's words, asking, "Why are you being so nice to me? What kind of game are you playing?"Though she didn't sense any hostility at all from Gandr and the rest of his team members, Anak felt it was strange how all three of them seemed to treat her kindly. It made her feel more than a little uncomfortable, her mind telling her to remain cautious despite her instincts telling her it was okay to trust them.In response to Anak's question, Gandr performed the characteristic ear flop of a Vanargandr, head tilted to the side as he asked, "Is there something wrong with being nice to people? My Master has always told me that we should do our best to help others. Unless it forces me to compromise on my own integrity and ideals, I try to be nice to everyone I meet. There is already so much negativity in the world. Why add more?"Surprised by Gandr's words, Anak, once again, found herself at a loss as to how she should respond. She had already observed him getting along relatively well with several others so it didn't seem like he was trying to be deceitful. Despite this, she couldn't shake the feeling he was hiding something from her, almost like he was putting on an act to try and fool her. The only thing that didn't make sense about this was that there was simply no reason for him to do so, as, at his current level, Gandr could kill her without any effort...Further surprising the seriously confused girl, Gandr placed his hand atop her head faster than she could react, lightly caressing her dark-brown hair as he said, "You must have had it rough to be so fearful of trusting others. Don't worry, even if you can't fully trust me, I will still look after you when I'm not fulfilling my other duties. You can also go to Phae if you need advice. She might be a little scary at times, but she always helps those who ask."With decades passing since the last time she had her head pat, Anak briefly turned statuesque in response to Gandr's unexpected action. It was only after he had finished speaking that she made a full recovery, her expression becoming a deadpan as she smacked his hand away and asserted in a dull monotone, "Don't touch me. I'm not a child."While shaking away the numbness from his hand, Gandr reacted with a light chuckle and a roll of the eyes before saying, "I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat."Though she didn't like being told what to do by someone much younger than her, Anak couldn't prevent her stomach from grumbling in response to Gandr's words. This caused her deadpan to become even more prominent, but, despite her best efforts, she was unable to prevent a very light blush from coloring her cheeks. It didn't help that Gandr immediately laughed at her expense, his voice giving her a very strong urge to string him up and beat him...---After several hours of silent meditation, Vahn's concentration was once again interrupted by a soft *pitta-pon*. In response, he immediately expanded his domain to sense who was outside his door, his expression showing visible intrigue for a brief moment before melting into a mask of calm as he picked up the remote allowing entry into the room.Without showing any surprise at being let in so easily, the red-haired woman on the other side of the door stepped fearlessly across the threshold.Seeing the woman without her full-body tights on, an appreciative shimmer flashed across Vahn's eyes. If he had any preference at all, it would be that he always had a thing for red-heads, especially when they had wild and free-flowing hair. This woman, in particular, had characteristics very similar to Hephaestus, the key differences being that her hair was much longer and her bosom was slightly smaller. She even had an eye-patch covering her right eye due to having refused Phae's treatment during the Crown Game...Though he was feeling slightly reminiscent, Vahn didn't allow it to show on his face, plainly stating, "Speak. Why have you come here?"As if nothing in the world could surprise or perturb her, the woman just placed her hands into the front pocket of her hoodie before casually replying, "I had noticed it before, but I wanted to confirm something. Tell me, how is it that you and your companions do not have a fate? I have tried seeing the paths around you several times, but all I see is darkness..."Vahn already had his suspicions, but, based on the woman's words, he could easily intuit that she was a Guide, an exceptionally rare existence within the Tower. Since there were typically only two tribes associated with the Guide Position, Silver Dwarves and Red Witches, Vahn could assume she was a member of the latrer for rather obvious reasons. With that in mind, he habitually stroked his beard as he stated, "So my suspicions were correct...you are a Guide..."Without trying to deny it, the woman replied with a curt nod before answering, "I am Hwa Ryun, a member of the Red Witches. Though I have only recently started my pilgrimage, I am, indeed, one of the Tower's Guides..."Sensing something 'wrong' with the woman's words, Vahn couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly, an action that resulted in Hwa Ryun paling slightly. Despite this, she made no attempt to avert her eye or flee, standing her ground in the hopes of ascertaining the truth.Though he got the distinct impression the woman was lying to him, Vahn decided against trying to pressure her, his expression relaxing as he explained, "It is simple, Hwa Ryun of the Red Witch tribe. The reason you cannot see the path I walk is because I am the only one who can decide my path. I am not bound by fate nor destiny; I shape it through my words and actions...does that satisfy your curiosity?"Now with visible beads of sweat on what little of her brow was exposed, Hwa Ryun offered a smile in response before saying, "You're a real monster...". Immediately afterward, however, she asked, "I wonder if you are willing to answer a few questions of mine? I can also answer anything you might be curious about. As an Irregular, I'm certain you could benefit from the knowledge of a Guide..."Without denying the woman's claims, Vahn casually nodded in response before pulling a chair out of his Inventory with a wave of his hand. This caused Hwa Ryun to gulp, but, rather than flee from the room, she smoothed out her rather plain-looking skirt before taking a seat and asking, "What is your purpose? Why have you decided to climb the Tower?"Before answering the woman's questions, Vahn produced a kettle from his Inventory, filling his cup with tea as he explained, "I will answer your questions. In exchange, you will also answer them. I'm sure you've already noticed, but I have the ability to see through falsehoods and deceit. I might not be able to know what you are lying about, but I can tell when you are lying. Your ability to see the paths will not help you here, Guide. If you intend to play games with me, don't expect me to ignore it the next time I catch you altering the paths of others..."Understanding the meaning behind Vahn's words, Hwa Ryun's eyes widened as she asked, "You can see the paths...?"Rather than answer, Vahn merely smiled in response to Hwa Ryun's question before adding, "If your question would not provide me with any new information, do not expect me to answer. Now, have you accepted my terms?"Though she felt like she was walking into a trap, a known flaw of most Guides was that they were always inextricably drawn to things they couldn't see. They generally lived their entire lives with a certain level of surety, their ability to read the paths even revealing the circumstances of their own deaths. As a result, they neither feared nor tried to avoid their own death, accepting everything as the machinations of fate, accepting the unique role they had been given.After a brief moment of consideration, Hwa Ryun nodded her head, stating, "I accept." in a resolute tone.Finding the woman's reaction rather amusing, Vahn's smile became slightly more prominent as he answered, "My purpose is to reunite with my family and protect the things in life worth protecting. I climb the Tower, not to reach the top, but to ascend to a place far higher. At your current level, you would not be able to comprehend the truth of which I speak. All you really need to know is that the Tower is actually a 'very small' place, a construct fundamentally incapable of holding something like me..."Sensing no falsehoods in Vahn's words, Hwa Ryun could only hide the trembling of her hands by keeping them firmly tucked within her front pocket. She got the impression that Vahn wasn't really moving up the Tower, merely passing through. His destination was far beyond the reach of others, far beyond the petty squabbles and political struggles within the Tower...Suddenly feeling as though her throat was very parched, Hwa Ryun instinctually looked toward the pot of tea only to find a cup literally manifesting in front of her. This caused her to feel even more nervous as she couldn't even comprehend how Vahn was able to accomplish these feats. He didn't seem to be manipulating the surrounding Shinsu; the objects just manifested out of thin air with no warning whatsoever.After consuming half the contents of her cup in a single gulp, Hwa Ryun couldn't stop herself from exhaling a cool sigh. The tea Vahn had provided for her was some kind of honey-mint tea, its taste both sweet and refreshing. It also seemed to have a mysterious calming property, as, immediately after consuming the fragrant substance, Hwa Ryun felt as though all her tensions were gradually fading away.Without worrying that the tea was poisoned, Hwa Ryun finished the contents of her cup before deciding to uphold her end of the agreement, explaining, "My purpose is to orchestrate a series of events that lead to the downfall of Jahad. My reason for climbing the Tower is to Guide those with the capability to kill the King. The Tower has stagnated under the rule of Jahad and the Ten Great Families. Rather than climb to the top, they have sealed the path, perverting the purpose of the Tower for their own selfish gain. Even if I am ultimately fated to die before the journey has come to an end, I will continue walking this path in the hopes that the False God is forced from his throne."Since she could have easily concealed the full extent of her purpose and goals, Vahn couldn't help but feel a little surprised by Hwa Ryun's bold statement. It took a considerable amount of restraint for him not to burst out laughing, not because he thought her claims were ridiculous, but because it sounded like a lot of fun. He had already heard a bit about Jahad and the Ten Great Families during Gandr's discussion with Endorsi, so, even if he didn't really care about their politics, it was only ever a matter of time before Vahn went to war against the Jahad Empire...Noticing the glimmer of excitement contained within Vahn's eyes, Hwa Ryun could feel her heart beating at an inordinately fast pace. She couldn't see the path he was walking, but her instincts told her the man before her was going to flip the Empire on its head. Her original purpose had been to manipulate events so that Baam was given proper motivation to climb the Tower, but, now that she was sitting before this man, The Sage Dragon Emperor, Hwa Ryun was experiencing doubt for the first time in her life.Eager to learn the truth, Hwa Ryun could hardly contain herself as she stared directly into Vahn's eyes and asked, "Do you intend to kill Jahad and the Ten Great Warriors?"Though it was a question he wasn't compelled to answer, as he already knew what Hwa Ryun's response would be, Vahn couldn't fully restrain his excitement, smiling as he stated, "The Aldrnari Empire has always placed the people before everything else. We will never turn a blind eye to the injustices others ignore. If the Jahad Empire is as corrupt as it seems...we will burn it to the ground and open the path for all those who would follow after."Feeling the aura radiating from Vahn's body, Hwa Ryun's heartbeat reached a crescendo. She wasn't able to explain it, but something about the man compelled her to believe in his words. It was like he 'knew' he would succeed, not that he 'thought' he might, but that it was something that was bound to happen; an absolute. There was no arrogance or hubris within his words, just sheer, uncorrupted, force of will...Guides were supposed to act as the torchbearers that led others through the darkness, showing the way towards the future and subtly influencing its outcome. Hwa Ryun considered herself a meager flame that was meant to be extinguished once it had fulfilled its purpose. Vahn, however, gave off the impression similar to the stars, bathing the world in their light during the day and guiding those who knew how to read them during the night.Though the fables claimed it was impossible to reach the stars, no matter how far you stretched out your hand, Hwa Ryun felt it would take very little effort to reach out and touch the one sitting right in front of her. Despite this, his luminance didn't diminish in the slightest, bathing her in its radiance and inspiring a feeling she never felt before: hope. She was not afraid of death, far from it, but there was a tiny voice in the back of her mind telling her that, if she following this guiding light, even the fate of the Guides could be altered...The moment that thought crossed her mind, Hwa Ryun recalled the suffering of her sisters and the purpose she had been given. She was meant to guide the Child of Destiny, but, as none of the paths had previously intersected with Vahn, she could no longer be absolutely certain of the future. What she did know was that the man in front of her was guaranteed to shape the future of the Tower, so, without any hesitation, even ignoring the fact she was wearing a skirt, Hwa Ryun kneeled down, her head lowered as she asserted, "My God...my Emperor..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Gandr is a sly shota (OwO)...','Vahn and his red-head fetish...','The guiding light the illuminates all paths...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1704: Decisiveness : Dubiety