Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

---Thirty-Seven Days Later---After a relatively simple test that merely required them to journey several hundred kilometers to a specified location, Vahn and Phae found themselves among several other Regulars in an expansive plaza located on the 20th Floor. To their surprise, much like everyone else's, it was possible to see a massive planar wall in the distance.Though he had seen many strange things throughout his life, Vahn experienced a similar sense of incongruency as everyone else upon realizing that the distant 'wall' was actually the ground. They seemed to be standing on the side of a massive tower, the only thing keeping them in place being the artificial gravitational field holding them firmly against the tower's exterior...Recovering quicker than most, Vahn couldn't help but shake his head when he realized that the only purpose for such a building was to show off the 'incomprehensible' power of the Ten Great Families.The 20th Floor was special because it was the first Floor where Regulars could freely move between the Inner and Middle Towers. It was also the first Floor under the jurisdiction of one of the Ten Great Families, specifically the Po Bidau Family.Fortunately, while the Po Bidau Family was officially in control, they had no actual influence over the Tests conducted in the Inner Tower. They were also the Family famous for focusing on research and other scholarly pursuits, so, while there were undoubtedly a few bad seeds here and there, most of the Tower's residents had a relatively positive impression of the Po Bidau Family.Vahn knew it wouldn't be long before his path intersected with the aforementioned family, but, at least for the time being, he had other things to worry about. With this in mind, he raised his hand, surprising the Ranker that had been explaining the Test of the 20th Floor by saying, "My companion and I would like to forgo taking the Test until a later date. How might we gain access to the Middle Tower?"Though it wasn't particularly uncommon for new arrivals on the 20th Floor to immediately retire to the Middle Tower, that didn't stop the Test Administrator from frowning as he said, "If you forfeit now, the only way to take the Test in the future is to pay a hefty entrance fee. There are millions of Regulars who have fallen into debt after failing to pass the initial Test. Unless you want to become one of them, I would suggest you hold out and at least attempt the Test while it's still free..."Shaking his head, Vahn offered a smile towards the inordinately short fellow who had introduced himself as Mule Love. Then, in a resolute yet unenthused tone, he insisted, "We will take the Test at a later date. Thank you for your warning, but it is ultimately unnecessary. When the time comes, my companions and I will clear this Floor without issue."Crossing his arms, the chibi-like Ranker, attired in blue clothing that made him resemble a penguin mascot, stated, "Being confident is fine, but you shouldn't be arrogant. It isn't uncommon for even members of the Ten Great Families to get stuck on this Floor for several months so you shouldn't be too full of yourself. That kind of mentality will only cause trouble for you and your allies..."Though he understood that the boyish-looking man was actually being sincere, Vahn had already made his decision. With that in mind, he cupped his hands politely, an apologetic smile on his face as he said, "There is considerable wisdom within your words. However, I have friends waiting for me in the Middle Tower. I've heard that the Test of the 20th Floor can take several weeks to complete. I don't have that kind of time right now, so I have little choice but to take it at a later date."Having noticed that Vahn and Phae were the only two members of their group, an understanding glimmer flashed across Love's seemingly drawn-on eyes. The idea that Vahn and Phae must have been stragglers of a preexisting party briefly crossed his mind; so, rather than insist they continue with the test, he ultimately nodded his head before pointing towards a distant building and saying, "If you enter that building, a member of the staff will teleport you to a similar office in the Middle Tower. When you want to retake the Test, that is where you'll go to pay the fee. Good luck in your future attempts. I hope you don't become another one of the Regulars who gets stuck on the 20th Floor."Smiling in response to the Ranker's words, Vahn waved goodbye as he, Phae, and several other Regulars, all made their way to the massive rectangular building located several hundred meters from the plaza. There, they were met by several neatly dressed staff members, each giving off an impression similar to an android thanks to their lens-like eyes and unchanging expressions. Vahn suspected this might very well be the case, but, from the moment he entered the building, it was like stepping into an alternate dimension, one where even his senses were obscured...Proving this suspicion accurate, a frown appeared on Vahn's face as he stepped outside of the Administration Bureau to find that they were standing on the side of the strange tower. Now, however, there was a veritable metropolis present on its side, seemingly extending all the way to the 'ground' below. This gave him a slight urge to venture near the base of the Tower to see how two gravitational fields interacted with each other. Instead, he pulled out his Pocket, sighing as he sent a quick text message before promptly walking into the densely populated city...---Due to the high difficulty of the 20th Floor's Tests, it was colloquially known as the 'needle hole to heaven'. Many even considered it the 'starting point' for a Regular's journey up the Tower, as, prior to passing the numerous Tests, you were still considered an F-Rank Regular. Some interpreted this F to mean 'Fledgling', but, with less than 1% of Regulars passing through the 20th Floor, many more referred to it as 'Failing'.Fortunately, not that it really mattered, Vahn had no real business with the Inner Tower at this point. He was determined to climb the Tower using the 'original' method, ascending through the Middle Tower via the Guardians' Tests. He would only venture into the Inner Tower if it was to complete a specific objective. The rest of his time would be spent in the Middle Tower, and, should it become necessary, he was even prepared to venture out into the Outer Tower.Simply put, the rules implemented by the Jahad Empire and the Ranking Administration now had absolutely no bearing on him. He would move forward at his own pace, and, if anything got in his way, the only outcome would be capitulation or destruction. It didn't matter how many times they defeated him, how many setbacks he experienced, or how much time it took. In the end, he would emerge victoriously...Though that was how things were supposed to go, Vahn couldn't help but ponder his life choices as a tomboyish woman with blonde hair pinned him to the ground using a backbreaker leg lock. If her laughter was anything to go by, she seemed to be enjoying herself quite a bit. Vahn, however, could only stare at the black-haired woman responsible for his current position, as, even after mustering all his strength, he wasn't put up any meaningful resistance against the woman currently sitting on his back.Fortunately, even if she bent his legs back even further, Vahn wasn't in any actual pain. He could literally roll himself up like a tube of toothpaste if he really wanted to. That didn't make the current situation any less frustrating, however, as there was a very powerful flow of Shinsu surging through his body after his previous attempt to use the State of Nothingness. This same flow was the reason he couldn't muster any strength, as, compared to his own, it was like an endless ocean, completely dwarfing the diminutive cup representing his own...With his frustration quickly growing beyond his tolerance for 'pranks', Vahn's expression became progressively more sullen as he muttered, "This is starting to get on my nerves...you know, there is such a thing as going too far..."Though he had been speaking to the black-haired woman spectating his suffering with a radiant smile on her face, the person to respond was the woman sitting on Vahn's back; her laughter fading as she pulled his legs further back, practically lying against his back as she said, "Don't be a drama queen. It's not like this is causing you any actual pain. I can tell by the structure of your body that you have the ability to alter your shape. I bet you can get out of this with ease if you really wanted to, right?"Even if the woman's words were true, Vahn couldn't help but frown as he said, "I don't like to alter the structure of my body around other people...it gives them a strange impression..."As if they were taking turns answering for each other, this time the black-haired woman, Yuri, was the one to answer, "This is your punishment for messing around on the 1st and 2nd Floors. I'm not usually the type to hold a grudge, but I can't help but feel annoyed whenever I remember that little act you were putting on. Don't think I'll forgive you just because you suddenly became handsome."Exhaling an exasperated sigh, Vahn briefly manifested the Little Garden, vanishing from view and causing the blonde-haired woman to plop onto the ground. In the next moment, he reappeared stand over her, a slightly sullen expression on his face as he said, "I won't deny that your power is ridiculous, but-"Before Vahn could finish his words, the blonde-haired woman seemed to 'glitch' out of existence for a brief moment before reappearing with her hand grasping his face as she said, "You should choose your words carefully. I'm not fond of being talked down to and scolded. I was just messing around a bit. Don't take things so personally."With those words of warning, the woman promptly released Vahn from her grasp before sniffing her hand and cheekily remarking, "Your oral hygiene is on point. Your breath actually smells kind of sweet."Deadpanning in response to the woman's words, Vahn chose to selectively ignore what the Law of Identity was saying as he shifted his attention to Yuri and asked, "What do you intend to do from now on? Are you going to continue waiting for Team Wolf Pack? Though I won't tell you what you should or shouldn't do, interfering with their climb is only going to inhibit their growth."Before Yuri could answer his question, Vahn's vision was obstructed by the relatively petite blonde, her arms spread wide as she stepped between them and said, "Hey! You've got a lot of nerve if you think you can just ignore Ureko Mazino! You can talk to Yuri all you want later. Before that, I want to hear your response to my previous question. Are you going to join Wolhaiksong or not!?"Though he already knew she was going to be troublesome, Vahn hadn't predicted that Yuri would actually bring Ureko with her to intercept him on the 20th Floor. He only found out when the Law of Identity informed him what her 'surprise' was back on the 17th Floor. This nearly resulted in him delaying his climb, but, having already decided he would participate in this year's Workshop Battle, he didn't really have the time to idle about.Resisting the urge to comb through his hair, Vahn, very plainly, stated, "I don't mind working with Wolhaiksong, but I have no intention of joining someone else's organization. I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to politely decline..."Clicking her tongue in a rather dramatic fashion, Ureko proceeded to cross her arms, puffing up her rather diminutive assets as she said, "That's going to be a problem. I already told everyone back at the Wingtree that I was going to recruit you. I really hate lying, so it would make things a lot easier if you just agreed to join. Come on, man. We're both from the Outside. Shouldn't we try and stick together?"With the same deadpan expression as before, Vahn shook his head, yet again, before explaining, "I am the Sage Dragon Emperor. Though I don't mind allying with others, there are countless reasons why I can't place myself beneath others. Unless you intend to hand control of the Wolhaiksong over to me, it is impossible for me to join directly..."Somewhat surprisingly, Ureko actually seemed to consider this proposal, a thoughtful expression on her face as she rubbed her chin and muttered, "Well...if it were up to me, I wouldn't really mind. The thing is, I'm not really the leader of Wolhaiksong. Its an organization I founded alongside my friend, Baek Ryun. It has become pretty important to them, so I can't just hand it over to others...hmmm..."Not expecting Ureko to seriously consider his words, Vahn momentarily found himself at a loss as he looked towards Yuri for answers. In response, she just shrugged her shoulders in a 'why are you looking at me?' kind of gesture before crossing her arms and leaning back against the wall.Shaking her head, Ureko looked back up at Vahn only to see the latter, once again, staring at Yuri. This caused an annoyed glower to develop across her face, not because she was particularly jealous, but because she hated being ignored. She had literally spent the last few months racing down from the 77th just for this one meeting so the least she expected was Vahn's undivided attention...Noticing the Shinsu in the surroundings gaining an 'ionized' quality, Vahn immediately shifted his attention back to Ureko, frowning as he said, "You're even more hot-headed than Yuri is..."Hearing Vahn's remark, Yuri's ears appeared to twitch prior to her shouting, "Are you trying to pick a fight you dumb lizard!? I might not be able to hit your face, but that won't stop me from beating the shit out of you...!"Deadpanning in response to the Princess' outburst, Vahn began to regret his decision to leave the 'safety' of the Regular area. Dealing with one of them wouldn't have been an issue, but, with two laughably overpowered tomboys in the mix, it was impossible to take charge of the conversation. They were the type of women that walked through life at their own pace, and, thanks to their truly monstrous strength, trying to rein them in without being demonstrably more powerful than them was virtually impossible. There was only one method he could use to 'guarantee' an advantage, but he wasn't quite sure he was mentally or physically prepared to deal with the consequences...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Mule Love is a good guy...','This ain't Tower of God~','Vahn be like, "Be still my right hand..."')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

In an effort to calm down the two hot-headed women, Vahn ultimately bribed the duo with their favorite snacks. For Yuri, this was salted white chocolate truffles. As for Ureko, she didn't actually like sweets all that. Instead, she was fond of spicy foods that had been left in vinegar, her favorites being various types of pickled peppers.Fortunately, while it was a rather unorthodox 'favorite food', Vahn was able to provide both with relative ease. This immediately put the duo into a better mood that resulted in him having to face off against Ureko in a contest to see who could handle the spiciest food. This was a field in which he had an absolute advantage, however, so it wasn't long before she was using Yuri's lap as a pillow while the latter fanned her face with a handheld paper fan.Repeating himself for the umpteenth time at this point, Vahn took advantage of the momentary lull to ask, "So, what are your plans after this, Yuri? As I said before, I won't interfere with your decision, but I believe it would be for the best if Team Wolf Pack is able to ascend without the intervention of powerful forces. Your presence is bound to attract a substantial amount of attention, so it would be detrimental if you attempted climbing alongside them."Rather than actually answering his question, Yuri continued to fan Ureko's face as she asked, "Is it true that Endorsi and that fluffy-eared brat are dating?"Though he was a little annoyed by the fact she still hadn't answered him, Vahn ultimately nodded his head, explaining, "They started dating a few months back. I'm not sure how serious things have gotten between them, but they often share the same bath and sleep in the same room. That ghost-eyed brat seems pretty determined..."With what could best be described as an approving look on her face, Yuri nodded her head with a smile before setting her ruby-eyes upon him and asking, "And what about you? I heard you had all kinds of women hidden away somewhere. I also saw the recordings of your little stunt on the 10th Floor. Just how many Irregulars have you brought with you into the Tower...?"Shaking his head, Vahn adopted a wry smile as he explained, "It isn't that straightforward. All I can tell you at the moment is that I'll be establishing multiple organizations in the future. Now that I've reached the 20th Floor, I'll most likely be climbing the Tower using the 'original' method. Though I'll probably venture into the Inner Tower every now and then, my aim is to draw as much attention to myself as possible in the near future."Seemingly intrigued by his words, Ureko shifted to a seated position, interrupting Yuri's response by excitedly asking, "Oh? You're not going to keep your status as an Irregular secret? Are you trying to start a war or something~?"Furrowing his brows, Vahn's countenance became more serious as he answered, "I am not trying to start a war. However, even if I have no interest in the politics of the Tower, it is only a matter of time before Jahad and certain Leaders among the Ten Great Families attempt to interfere with my affairs. There are also various forces that have been seeking to instigate a conflict for the last ten thousand years, so, regardless of the path I choose, it is only a matter of time before war breaks out..."Having heard something similar from Baek Ryun and the other executives of Wolhaiksong, Ureko could only shake her head in exasperation before remarking, "People are always so eager to resort to violence...well, not that I can really blame them. If those assholes weren't Immortal, I might have eliminated a few of the Great Families myself. Now, my only real goal is to get out of this shithole of a Tower. Is it true you have a method to return to the Outside?"Though he nodded his head in affirmation, Vahn held his hand up to silence Ureko as he went on to explain, "There are actually a number of ways to exit the Tower. Unfortunately, the method you used to enter the Tower makes it virtually impossible to return to your original universe. The path opened by Phantaminum was destroyed the moment you used it to access the Tower."Hearing Vahn mention the name of her 'arch-nemesis', a terrifying bloodlust began to radiate from Ureko as she asked in a deep, foreboding, voice, "What is your relationship with that bastard?"Though it felt like the blood in his body had frozen over, Vahn was able to appear relatively calm as he shook his head and answered, "You're jumping to conclusions. I have never met Phantaminum, nor do I have any connection to the Gods of your universe. I simply have the means to uncover any and all secrets. If it is something I wish to know, there is nothing that can hide it from me."Easing up on her bloodlust, albeit only a little, Ureko craned her head to the side as she asked, "Are you for real? Is that how you knew what kind of food I liked...?"Adopting a wry smile, Vahn nodded his head as he went on to explain, "I'm not going to go into any details, but that is, indeed, the case. And no, it has nothing to do with being about to read your thoughts. They are just another thing I am privy to when I want to know. As for your other question, it's not that I don't know a method to reach your original universe, it's just that the connection can only be established from the Outside. Unfortunately, Phantaminum opened a completely random path, so, even though there have been a substantial number of people looking for you, discovering the correct path is like locating a specific atom in the cosmos..."Frowning deeply in response to Vahn's words, Ureko's bloodlust began to increase exponentially, moisture accumulating at the corners of her eyes as she cursed, "Damn you Phantaminum...I swear, I'm going to kill you someday..."Hearing Ureko's utterance, a tired sigh escaped Vahn's lips, earning the resentful blonde's attention as he explained, "That person's pettiness knows no bounds. Though they left a remnant in order to taunt you, the actual Phantaminum is already long gone. They made a deal with Headon to spare Jahad in exchange for passage up the Tower. The Phantaminum you are searching for has already been reborn after clearing the trial at the top of the Tower..."With her bloodlust skyrocketing to levels that caused the entire population of the Middle Tower to feel an impending sense of dread, Ureko balled her hands so tightly that the void began to tremble as she muttered, "I see...so the rumors about the Tower connecting to a higher realm are true...?"Nodding his head in affirmation, Vahn went on to give a brief summary of the Five Major Realms and the original purpose of the Towers. This came as a tremendous surprise to everyone present, but, demonstrating her own pettiness and desire for revenge, Ureko followed up by asking, "Can you locate that bastard's reincarnation for me? Even if I have to reincarnate a thousand times, I'll find that bastard and make them pay for this..."Feeling a little sorry for her, Vahn released another tired sigh before going on to explain, "First and foremost, you need to calm down. Secondly, I also have business in the higher realms, so, when the time comes, I'll help you ascend without the need to reincarnate. I can't go into any specifics unless you agree to join my Familia, but the restrictions of this world don't really apply to me. When I tell people I'm just passing through, it's not an exaggeration."While Ureko was exhibiting a considerable amount of confusion, Yuri took this as her opportunity to chime in, smiling excitedly as she said, "I heard about that! Are members of your Familia really able to accept Quests and stuff!?"Though he was growing a little weary of explaining things, Vahn nodded his head in response to Yuri's exclamation before going on to explain the benefits of joining his Familia. This caused Yuri to grow increasingly excited, as, despite her nature as a battle junkie, she was also a closet gamer. Her favorite genre was simulation games, specifically those that involved rearing princes and idols, but she was also quite fond of hack'n'slash and beat'em'up games. She had even been doing dailies on a gacha game for more than ten years so it wasn't an exaggeration to say she was very experienced with the concept of Quests.With her excitement reaching palpable levels, Yuri seemed primed and ready to join Vahn's Familia without hesitation. Before she could express this, however, Evan, who had been observing silently for quite a while, stepped in to say, "Princess! You need to properly consider this! Even if that man's words are the truth, you are still a Princess of Jahad! If people-!"Before Evan could continue, Yuri held up her hand to silence him, eyes gleaming with a vibrant red hue as she said, "If Vahn's words are the truth, it means he already knows about our plans. Besides, now that things have reached this point, I've lost interest in interfering with the relationships of my cute little sister and niece. Why play around with pups when I have the alpha sitting right in front of me?"With Yuri's final few words directed toward Vahn, the latter couldn't help but respond with a dry laugh. Even if he had expected something like this to happen, having a woman stare at him like a predator eyeing its prey always filled him with an indescribable emotion. He knew the momentum would shift in his favor the moment he took decisive action, but it was still a little uncomfortable to know that he couldn't actually resist if she got serious.Despite this feeling of discomfort, Vahn eventually managed a wry smile as he said, "I don't really mind so long as you agree not to interfere with my ascent up the Tower. Evan makes a good point. It might not matter in the grand scheme of things, but it will complicate things tremendously if our relationship is discovered. As for the thing you're most concerned about, just know there is no need to worry. Even if my body is completely destroyed, I can't actually die so there is no reason to worry. Rather, the more I am defeated, the stronger I will become..."Seemingly taking an interest in his final statement, most of Ureko's previous bloodlust faded away as she asked, "You get stronger whenever you're defeated? Are you some kind of super masochist or something? Does that mean I can just keep beating you until you're stronger than Jahad?"Understanding she would really continue beating him until he became the strongest, Vahn held his hands up in a placating gesture as he said, "That won't be necessary. I'm already stronger than most threats, and, by the time I reach the top of the Tower, the Leaders of the Ten Great Families won't be a threat to me. Besides, if I really wanted to, it would only take a day or two for me to become one of the strongest beings in the Tower. It would just defeat the purpose of my journey in its entirety..."As someone who was already near the absolute pinnacle in terms of strength, Ureko could easily empathize with what Vahn was trying to say. One of the reasons she hated being stuck in the Tower was the complete lack of worthy opponents.Even if she completely sealed her Shinsu and limited herself to using a mere 10% of her raw power, every single High Ranker who wasn't protected by an Immortality Contract would be defeated in a single blow. Her only real fight in the last couple of thousand years was her duel against Arie Hon, the current Rank 5 and the strongest Leader of the Ten Great Families. Even that, however, wasn't able to get her blood pumping as none of her attacks were able to deal any lasting damage to the Immortal swordsman. In the end, it turned into a war of attrition that neither of them could actually win since both had a functionally unlimited amount of stamina and energy...Remembering the frustration she felt at that time, an exasperated sigh escaped Ureko's throat as she pulled her feet up to the sofa, sitting in a manner reminiscent of Tiona as she asked, "So, what's the deal with becoming a member of your Familia? I don't need to let you bone me or anything like that, right? You're totally my type, don't get me wrong, but I don't like the idea of getting fucked by someone weaker than me. If you want to be the one to claim my chastity, you'll need to be a hell of a lot stronger than you currently are. Even if I restricted myself to using just 1% of my power, you'd be lucky to last more than three minutes. Heck, even this monkey can only tolerate about 5% of my power. As far as I can tell, she is about a million times stronger than you."Hearing Ureko refer to her as a monkey, a visible tick mark appeared on Yuri's head as she punched the former and shouted, "Don't just casually call me a monkey you...you banana-haired baboon...!"Without even flinching from Yuri's attack, Ureko began laughing in a carefree manner as the former cradled her swollen left fist with her right hand. Even with the ability to lift an entire mountain with relative ease, Yuri always found hitting Ureko to be like striking an immovable object. She also had a unique constitution that passively dispersed the Shinsu fields of others, so, whenever you hit her, it was like striking without any reinforcement whatsoever...Seeing the somewhat comical interaction between the two, Vahn's wry expression relaxed into a more natural smile as he proceeded to explain the specifics regarding his Familia Crest. He didn't think he would actually be able to inscribe it onto the two ridiculously powerful women, but there was always a small possibility it would take effect. After all, he might be weaker than both of them, but his Soul Tier had increased substantially since his arrival in the 'Transcendental Path to Heaven'. His comprehension of various Laws had also increased exponentially, so, while it was impossible to know for certain, he had to be nearing Tier 5...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Pacifying beasts with food offerings (OwO)...','Vahn really is drawing all the attention away from Team Wolf Pack~','I imagine recruiting Ureko and Yuri is like getting a limited time SSR in a gacha game...')(A/N: BTW, give out Hero Cantare a try if you're looking for a relatively idle phone game. Any game with 'unlimited re-rolls' for your first SSR is worth playing in my book~)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Opening her eyes, Tarou just stared blankly for several seconds as her mind attempted to process everything that had happened earlier in the afternoon. Every muscle in her body felt like it had been wrung like a rag before being set out to dry near an air heater. Her entire body was suffused with a peculiar yet pleasant ache, and, though she normally never cared about such sentiments, she felt a strong compulsion to just continue sleeping in the embrace of the man who had run her ragged.Unfortunately, while her schedule wasn't particularly busy, Tarou still had duties to perform as a member of the Test Administration. She couldn't just lay around all day, and, though she was doing her best to escape reality, her Pocket showed she had missed calls from the Test Director.Tarou knew she was going to get chewed out the moment she returned to work, so, for the time being, she just continued to enjoy the moment while it lasted. After all, Vahn would be departing later in the day so this might very well be the last time she was able to experience his warmth...Sensing the fluctuations of Tarou's aura, Vahn pulled her a little closer to him, startling her with his embrace. Then, after planting a kiss on the top of her head, he said, "You don't need to worry too much. Though our paths might diverge later today, that doesn't mean this is the last time they will intersect. After all, there is a very good chance we'll be allies in the future..."Hearing Vahn's words, Tarou turned her face up at him, confusion visible in her hazy red eyes until he pulled out a certain six-winged badge. This caused her eyes to immediately come into focus, a potent frown marring her beautiful face as she sat up with a start and exclaimed, "Why didn't you tell me you were a member of Wolhaiksong!? Damnit! Now I really want to fucking punch you...!"Rising to a seated position himself, Vahn ignored the threat contained within Tarou's words, pulling her closer to him as he said, "I'm more of a friend than an actual member. This badge was entrusted to me by Princess Yuri after she learned about my status as an Irregular."At this point, Tarou was absolutely certain that Vahn got a kick out of seeing her dumbfounded and at a loss for words. This gave her a 'really' strong urge to punch him, but, after hearing him refer to himself as an Irregular, all the energy drained from her body as she exhaled a tired sigh and said, "I hate you..." before leaning her head against his chest.Selectively ignoring the insincere remark, Vahn hugged Tarou close to him, gently caressing her shoulder as he muttered, "Sorry. I didn't want to use my status as an Irregular to place you in a difficult position. Will you forgive me...?"Rather than respond to Vahn's words, Tarou opted to lightly headbutt his chest without raising her face to look up at him. She wasn't quite sure how to describe her feelings at the present moment, but, knowing Vahn was the person rumored to possess the ability to actualize their dream, several different emotions welled up inside of her. The most notable of these emotions was frustration, but, coming in at a close second, she also felt an incredible sense of relief knowing she didn't just have a one-night stand with a Regular...As that thought crossed her mind, Tarou extricated herself from Vahn's embrace before pulling out her private Pocket and saying, "Give me your contact information. I only have about three years left on my current contract. Once I wrap things up here, I'll travel up to the 77th Floor. I'm not going to try and force you into a relationship, but you better stop by and visit me at least once. I don't know if it's because you're an Irregular, but you're a real monster in bed. Unless you were just bullshitting me earlier, hit me up when you get the chance."While ignoring the snickering revelations of the Law of Identity, Vahn smiled in response to Tarou as he pulled out his Pocket and sent her his contact information. He had enjoyed himself quite a bit so he had absolutely no qualms about rekindling things on the 77th Floor. Rather, his decision to sleep with her was largely to set a precedent for himself as he moved further up the Tower.Though it was a little suspect, Vahn knew a lot of problems could be avoided if he took advantage of his more 'unique' skills and abilities. There were a number of beautiful and powerful women that had already taken an interest in him, so, rather than stress himself out by trying to dissuade them, it would make things a lot easier if he took the initiative. He had quite a bit of confidence in his ability to satisfy even Tier 5 beings, so, with Tier 5 seemingly representing the 'pinnacle' of the Tower, Vahn knew he was essentially 'unbeatable' in that regard.With that in mind, an amused smile spread across Vahn's face when he saw how happy Tarou was to receive his contact information. She immediately took notice of this, a ruddy glow spreading across her face as she attempted to avert her eyes. Before she could, however, Vahn affectionately cupped the side her face, preventing her from looking away as he smoothly guided her back to the surface of the bed...---Having earned the qualifications to advance to the 12th Floor, it wasn't long before Vahn and Phae found themselves at the top of a that made the mountains below seem like small hills. It was easily several tens of kilometers in height, and, based on the vibrations coming from below, there was a tremendous amount of machinery on the interior.Ignoring the hundred or so other Regulars that were eyeing them like exotic animals, Vahn allowed Phae to return to the Little Garden as he shifted his attention to the Ranker that was standing in the air. This time around, it was an exceptionally tall man, who, despite his sickly completion, appeared remarkably handsome with his intelligent features, glistening golden eyes, neatly styled white hair, and perfectly tailored clothes.Having seen the man's figure on several name-brand products, Vahn already knew his name before he introduced himself. He was an Advanced Ranker known as Hong Haneul, one of the top 10% of all Rankers within the Tower. He had become famous during his climb up the Tower after spending several decades as both an Idol and the leader of a team sponsored by the Ari Family. This allowed him to eventually marry into the aforementioned family, invariably becoming an inspiration for all Regulars with similar aspirations.With several Regulars recognizing who Haneul was, a number of excited murmurs could be heard as everyone promptly shifted their attention towards the white-haired man. In response, the man in question returned a practiced, highly photogenic, smile as he said, "Good morning, Regulars. Allow me to welcome you to the 12th Floor's 'Inverse Tower'. As many of you have undoubtedly noticed, I am Advanced Ranker Haneul. It is my privilege to serve as your Proctor for the duration of your stay on the 12th Floor."Though he radiated an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance, each of Haneul's words and actions possessed an inordinate amount of charm. His voice had a magnetic quality to it, his tone possessing a smooth and velvety timbre that compelled people to listen closely whenever he was speaking. Even Vahn couldn't help feeling a little impressed, a thoughtful light flashing across his eyes as he wondered whether or not he should modify his voice to sound similar...With all eyes focused on him, Haneul's smile became marginally more prominent as he went on to explain, "Your objective this time around is pretty straightforward. You need only reach the bottom of this Tower within the next thirty days. Unfortunately, only the first thirty people will be allowed to advance to the next Floor. Those who fail will be moved to a supplemental testing location near the base of the Tower. There, you will have six months to earn the qualifications to continue your climb before being forcibly ejected from the Inner Tower. Any questions?"Without hesitating for a single moment, Vahn was the first to speak out in response to Haneul's words, asking, "Are there any rules against climbing to the bottom from outside the tower?"Surprised by Vahn's question, an amused smile spread across Haneul's face as he answered, "The Inverse Tower is just under 53km in height. There are no rules prohibiting Regulars from trying to reach the bottom from the outside, but the exterior surface is perfectly flat. You will also be subject to the elements the moment you leave the field of Shinsu that is currently generating a breathable atmosphere. In other words, even if you had wings and could fly, you would suffocate or freeze to death long before you got anywhere near the bottom..."Having heard what he needed to hear, Vahn nodded his head in understanding before surprising everyone by promptly leaping over the edge. Even Haneul's face morphed into one of confusion, but, after several seconds had passed, he simply shook his head before turning back to the rest of the Regulars, chuckling as he said, "There always has to be at least one fool in every group. I would suggest everyone else takes the stairs. Remember, only the first thirty people will be able to qualify. You can check the remaining amount on your Pocket. Good luck."With that said, Haneul was about to teleport away to the control room so he could observe the Test in comfort. Before he could, however, a rather attractive Regular raised their hand, evoking a natural yet highly practiced smile as he inquired, "Is there something you'd like to ask me, young lady?"Though a vigorous blush bloomed across her face the moment Hanseul addressed her, the young lady in question still managed to voice her concerns, placing her Pocket into Visible Mode as she said, "Director Haneul...I think there is a problem with the count..."Noticing the girl's Pocket was displaying 28, Haneul found himself at a momentary loss for words as he habitually pulled up his personal Terminal. To his surprise, there were already two names listed in the category for passing Regulars. This further confused him, but, after pulling up their profiles, an amused chuckle escaped his throat when he noticed that one of them was the same man that had previously leaped over the edge...---Though freefalling 53km would normally take several minutes, at the very least, Vahn could easily reach hypersonic speeds so long as he enveloped his body in Shinsu. As a result, it only took him a few seconds to reach the ground, most of which was spent slowing down so he didn't impact the surface like a pile bunker dropped from orbit.Fortunately, just reaching the ground seemed to be the only qualifier for passing the test, so, after releasing Phae from the Little Garden, they made their way into the interior of the Tower to find, of all things, a large owl wearing a green harness. It seemed rather surprised by their sudden intrusion, but, rather than show any hostility, it inquisitively cocked its head to the side, "Who-hoo are you~?" in a surprisingly feminine voice.Realizing that the peculiar owl was actually one of the Test Administrators, Vahn did his best to restrain his urge to pet her head as he explained, "We're Regulars participating in the current Test. Director Haneul said there were no rules against descending from the outside, so we decided to take the most 'direct' route to the bottom."Showing a remarkably human expression of surprise, the presumably female used the tips of her flight feathers like fingers as she quickly pulled up her Terminal and confirmed the veracity of his claim. This caused her eyes to widen even further, an incredulous glimmer visible in her pale-green irises as she asked, "Did you really just jump over the edge? You must have an astonishingly strong body. Very impressive."Though he couldn't help but smile in response, Vahn waved his hand in a dismissive manner as he said, "It was nothing. Now, what do we need to do in order to advance to the next Floor? I haven't seen anything like a transfer array nearby."Nodding her head in affirmation, the owl went on to explain, "The actual transfer array is located a few hundred kilometers from here. We generally transfer all the passing Regulars over near the end of the month. Since you are clearly in a hurry, however, I can submit a request for a Suspend Ship to come and pick you up? If you don't want to wait around, I can also get permission to show you the way. You are clearly very capable so I don't mind escorting the two of you. It never hurts to build a bit of positive rapport with the rising stars of the Tower."Though he imagined she wouldn't feel the same way if she knew they were Irregulars, Vahn still nodded his head in affirmation of the amiable owl's words. The Law of Identity had revealed that she was actually a Scout belonging to the Royal Enforcement Division of Jahad's Army. Though her friendliness wasn't a facade, she was still a hardcore believer in the doctrine of the Jahad Empire. If it came to light they were Irregulars, she would not hesitate to try and kill them before they could become a threat to the Jahad Empire. This was a little disheartening, but, now that he knew there were such adorable creatures residing in the Tower, Vahn was looking forward to meeting other members of her species during his climb...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn is a bully...','He should have done a backflip...','Vahn be like, "I will find you, and then I will pet you..."')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1820: Starting Off on the Wrong Foot