Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

”The Tower of the Apocalypse?”

Soren repeated the name, his mind immediately searching his memories for everything related to it. He didn’t have to dig deep; the details were practically burned into the mind of every living soul.

The Tower of the Apocalypse was the true origin of their shattered reality. It was the first Gate to open on the planet, ending centuries of peace and starting a disaster that almost destroyed humanity. That’s why it earned its dark name.

It had also gained many aliases over the past two centuries, each reflecting how different factions viewed the monolithic nightmare. To scholars and researchers who dedicated their lives to studying the arcane, it was often called the Tower of Truth. They believed that hidden within its depths lay the ultimate answers regarding the origin of the apocalypse, true power, and even the secrets of the universe itself. Meanwhile, for cultivators, it went by the name Ascension Tower: a brutal testing ground promising unfathomable riches and the rare materials needed to surpass their limitations.

Yet, for the common folk and the weak who lived under its constant threat, those grand titles meant nothing. For them, it was just called the Black Tower, the Tower of Death, or Calamity. These names reflected the many lives it had taken since it appeared, a dark legacy that became more burdensome with each year.

And the structure fully lived up to its fearsome reputation.

As the world’s very first 9th Circle Gate, the survival rate inside was naturally notorious for being brutal. This reputation was forged during the early decades of the apocalypse, when entering the structure was widely regarded as an automatic death sentence. Back then, rumors claimed that barely one out of a thousand challengers ever managed to make it out alive. Over the last two centuries, however, the situation had steadily improved. Thanks to modern advancements, rigorous safety protocols, and the constant regulatory oversight of the International Awakened Bureau, those catastrophic odds had dropped to about two in ten.

It was still a terrifying gamble, but Soren finally understood why Ethea had brought it up. The place really did suit their situation perfectly. The moment they stepped across the threshold, they would be completely cut off from the rest of the world. Because the Tower operated as an entirely independent dimension, no outside threat could ever reach them there. That isolation would leave them with only two things to focus on: surviving the trials and gaining the strength to climb higher.

”You’re right,” Soren said, as the realization sank in. ”This truly appears to be the best option. Honestly, why didn’t I consider it earlier?”

Ethea offered a faint smile before adding, ”And entering it won’t be a problem, either. I have a way to get us inside safely.”

”That’s great,” Soren responded, experiencing a short moment of relief.

However, his optimism faded rapidly when a major flaw in the plan became clear to him. He fell silent, his face darkening with concern. While he was willing to risk himself, he couldn’t ignore Ethea’s situation.

He knew he could take care of himself in a fight, but what about her? If they stepped through that gate, how would the Tower handle them? Could they challenge it as a party, or would it forcefully separate them upon entry? If it did, her chances of survival would drop to zero almost instantly.

Unable to shake the sudden anxiety, he voiced his concerns directly. ”Can we actually enter the Tower together without getting separated? Because if there is even a slight chance it forces us apart, I won’t agree to this option.”

”Yes, it’s possible to enter together, but the difficulty will increase tremendously because of it...”

As she spoke, a harsh truth became clear to her. She understood that if they proceeded, Soren would have to carry the entire burden, while she would simply be a dead weight pulling him down.

Yet Soren’s eyes suddenly lit up. ”You mean we really can stay together?”

Ethea blinked, caught off guard by the sudden spark of hope in his voice. Realizing the dangerous direction his thoughts were taking, she gave a hurried nod and tried to backpedal. ”Soren, let’s just drop this idea. At the very least... we should wait until I get better.”

Soren nodded, noticing her emotional fluctuation. He didn’t press the matter further to keep from upsetting her, but his mind was already made up. Despite her warnings, he knew their reality had not changed: the Tower remained their single best shot at survival, and he was already resolving himself to take it.

’I should convince her before we leave.’

”You’re right,” he said, shifting his tone to sound as casual as possible. ”Besides, we still have time to think about it.”

He stood up and began clearing the dishes from the table, stacking the bowls to break the lingering tension. ”By the way, what do you want to do next? Do you want to watch a movie, or...?”

’I need to cultivate,’ Ethea replied, but out loud, she simply said, ”I think I’ll just rest.”

”Alright, I’ll finish up here quickly and take you to the bedroom,” Soren said, picking up the dishes.

Ethea looked up at him. ”Mm. But what are you going to do?”

”Ah, me?” Soren paused, glancing at his phone. ”I just received a message from Ryan. I actually had a meeting planned with him today and almost forgot about it.”

”Oh, I see,” she said, her eyes following him as he moved toward the sink. ”Then are you going to leave?”

”Huh? No, of course not. I’ll just call him here,” Soren replied, turning back to offer a reassuring nod. ”So you can just relax and rest. We can continue the discussion later.”

”That’s good,” Ethea replied, a small wave of relief easing her tension. She leaned back slightly, her expression softening. ”I’ll think about a few more options while you’re busy, just in case we can find a safer alternative.”

”Ok, I’ll trust you with that then.”

Soren smiled and soon finished washing the dishes and storing the rest of the food in the boundless ring.

Then, he walked over and started wheeling her toward the bedroom, humming softly as he pushed the wheelchair.

’Let’s talk about your condition and the curse later too.’