The 6th floor is famously known by many as the first step in becoming an Ascender, one who climbs the walls. A floor only containing a residential suite and governed by the administrators, Eldritch beings of unknown origins. Climbing beyond the 10th floor and above is impossible unless you've passed the rigorous exam to be a Regular.
"Excuse me, Mr. Khan, here's your order of roasted centipede innards. As for your friend... his fifth serving of primed steak,"
Khan gestured for the waitress to leave as the two were about to converse after the massacre they'd experienced. The rage field glimmer in Sei Jun's eyes fades the moment his focus shifts to fill his belly to the brim. This calculating man was stunned as the person before him was unreadable, from being unfortunate, showing his might, and his mindset unfazed by the massacre he committed.
"Mr. Kang Sei Jun... allow me to apologize once again. Not only did you waste a powerful spell book to save me, but you even got caught up in an assassination attempt,"
Although Khan was doubtful of his origins, he couldn't seem to uncover anything apart from Sei Jun's words. The powerful black flame he witnessed was a one-time spell sealed within the book, and it only reinforced the lie, considering it was unaffected by its heat. This lie was further cemented after witnessing his savior's high affinity for wielding a Pyro attribute Ether.
'I'm doubtful about his identity but everything I dug so far proves he was no more than a guide. I would've believed it if he was sent by my older siblings to kill me, that would've been the case, except I never leaked my plans. Khan Oriana Zanis has the Latent ability of seductress, making anyone weaker than her be charmed, and he was unaffected. The only reasonable explanation is that he had a strong mental barrier and the spell book gave him insight to awaken his Pyronite abilities,'
[It seems Four Eyes over here is finally convinced by our well-crafted lie. What now little soul? Should we go back to the 1st floor?]
'You've mentioned before that the moment we reached this place my face was covered in cloth? It seems this guy remembered our previous convo about my disinterest in being acquainted with him, thats great. I'm not in a rush to go back home; we're not even sure whether it is safe to go back with the Pied Piper on the loose,'
[That blasted Musician! I almost forgot about them. Then what should we do? It seems after your second immersion with my diary, you're now on the brink of dying. I suggest you refrain from immersing in my diary until you raise the mastery of your ability.]
Sei Jun knew it as well, although his ability had no restriction in the times he gets to immerse, he felt a certain dread. His last immersion felt different; his body's physical strain was a no-brainer, but a new pain emerged. The pain was unimaginable as it wasn't bound to the body or mind, only lasting for a second, yet he felt like he died.
'I guess this might be the drawback of acquiring your talent and ether control. It seems the chance of acquiring depends on the book's quality and my understanding. I was lucky that I'd gained your powers, seeing as we were mostly alike in terms of our disposition. So I have a favor, since we're so similar, what should I do moving forward?'
[Take the exams, become a Regular...]
'Seriously?'
[Did I stutter?]
'Okay, Grandpa. No need to be salty. I was making sure considering you sometimes act like a fucking clown,'
[Oh sorry for acting approachable and funny. Should I act more grim and mysterious? Should I take over your body? Kidding... that was a joke]
"Mr. Kang Sei Jun..." As Khan called his name again, Sei Jun snapped back to reality after his long chatter with the Monarch.
"Huh!!? Oh right. I was a little out of it considering what had happened. So, how are you gonna make it up to me?"
After finishing his meal, Sei Jun wiped the stain on his mouth with the table sheet, unaware of the towel at his legs. He leaned to the chair's back a lot more, where he lost balance and fell before he picked himself up and continued his superior bossy demeanor. Khan, at this point, was no longer surprised by his outlandish acts, knowing full well of his origins and press onwards.
"Mr. Kang Sei Jun... seeing as I owe you so much. I believe I can no longer pay you with money," Khan took a piece of paper from his pocket and a card, placing it near Sei Jun, revealing it to be a pamphlet relating to the exams and a credit card
"It just so happens that I was here to partake in the exams. I know our previous deal. You wish to not be acquainted with me but this is more valuable than gold,"
Khan Ugero Eljis was unaware of Sei Jun's desire to climb yet insisted that this be his payment for rescuing his life. A plus one to this four-eyed schemer's entry, as well as all the perks included within the confines of that ticket. Kang Sei Jun and the Monarch were already plotting to enter, yet his answer was already decided before Khan had made his move.
"I'll take the card, thank you very much,"
What should've been his first acquaintance with whom he'd forge an unbreakable bond was reduced to a damsel in distress. Kang Sei Jun left the restaurant leaving Khan Ugero Eljis both puzzled and stuck with the bill right after his card and only money taken. Two days had passed after he cut ties with Khan Ugero Eljis, he now stands at the entrance of the exam hall.
'Well great... we used all the money in that card to buy all those books. Do we even have enough for the entrance fee?'
[That's not an issue just press on. Do you think I'd lie to you? Not only will we get there for free, but we'll even get the same privileges in that plus one ticket. Well that'll depend on how you perform]
It's been years since the Monarch had stepped into the test exams yet he guided Kang Sei Jun perfectly. His words led him to three distinct doors, ranging from left to right, the first a rusted blood-red door. At the center lies the blue-tinted door, having no distinct warning of incoming danger masked as an ordinary entrance. The last and right-most door had a green-tinted hue, a worn-down knob, and questionable gas seeping through its cracks.
[We've finally made it. Little soul, seeing as you inherited my ability, I recommend the green-colored door. Once inside, by any means, run like your life depends on it because it will. The most interesting thing about that door is that it's straightforward; your path is a straight line, and you need to reach the other side.]
"Wish me luck!" He opens the knob and as it creaks in response the space pulled him forward and he was immediately met with a green gas
"Poison! Oh no, I smelled it. I'm gonna die- why isn't it affecting me? Is this a joke or something?" Kang Sei Jun gazed at the diary as if to glare at the Monarch's nonexistent eyes.
[What are you waiting for run!!! The poison isn't gonna kill you. My latent ability has implanted itself in your body. The odds of you dying are slim as the Pyro Affinity Ether in your body is burning the poison before it even damages you. Don't use Pyro in this room; the poison is combustive; run like you're gonna die; we need to set a fucking record!!!]
"Oh shit!!! You should've said so,"
The poison had already filled mostly half of the tunnel, yet Kang Sei Jun wasn't fazed, seeing as he was unaffected. He ran like hell just so he could pass through the thick poison and shot out a high-output flame at his rear after covering his ears. The momentum, along with the explosion caused by the poison, sent him flying to the clearing in a matter of seconds.
([Congrtulations: Tower Resident; Kang Sei Jun for getting admitted to the Regular exams via; Trial by Poison
Alert: You've set the record for the fastest clear time of Trial by Poison with 00 hours, 4 minutes, and 32 seconds
Clear record:
• 1st place; Unknown - 00 Hours, 4 minutes, 32 seconds
• 2nd place; Black Flame - 00 Hours, 15 minutes, 59 seconds
• 3rd place; NA
• 4th place; NA
• 5th place; NA
• 6th place; NA
• 7th place; NA
• 8th place; NA
• 9th place; NA
• 10th place; NA
Status: Would you like to record an alias to your newly set record? [Blue Flame] has been selected])
[That was a great move back there. Instead of running to the clearing, you only ran until you were ahead of the poison and released a high-output blast. Sending you flying to the clearing, also Blue Flame? Why, that of all things, is what you chose to present yourself?]
"I wouldn't have done it without you. Even if I'm not your real successor... I want to honor it along with you," As Kang Sei Jun uttered those words the Monarch paused after it went back to its usual self
[Oh gee stop it, you're making me blush. Well, if you're really grateful, then do me a favor. How about doing fulfilling one of my regrets?]
"Like what? Hand over control of my body? I'll do anything else but not that,"
[I think I've already told you it's not that, plus It'll be a downgrade compared to my former body. I was such a good-looking person that both males and females flocked all over me. Why would I tarnish that glory by possessing a virgin bum like you.]
"Hey, that was uncalled for take that back. I'm single by choice. I can bang anyone if I put my mind to it,"
[Keep dreaming bucko. You're all bark and no thrust. Why the hell are you born with your junior if you aren't gonna use it]
Once the process of his admission was complete, a door appeared near Kang Sei Jun, leading him to the opening exams. He found himself on a grassy plain where a number totaling 500 was present at the top for all to see. A loud horn signals the start of the exam and the reduction of the number, signifying the remaining active participants.