Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

Oblivious to Moon’s current state, Uon pushed the weird feeling he was experiencing and the certainty that he’d seen this scene before somehow to the back of his mind.

Instead, his smile returned; he clapped his hands gently. ”This room is built by Teacher Samuel, an exclusive training hall of our Southern Branch,” he introduced first.

The attention of the three teenagers was now fixed on Uon; he opened his arms as he started his explanation.

”This room has a very awesome function; we can say that it’s a unique one across the Tower; only this one exists.”

”HO!” Basil exclaimed.

Barrett nodded, while Moon raised his eyebrows.

’What kind of torturous shit did that old mustache come up with this time?’ he couldn’t help having the thought run through his mind.

Uon went on with his elaboration. ”This room offers a very critical and significant—”

Unhinged, Uon kept talking for a very long time slowly; Moon found his eyes rolling back. Every vein in his head and neck started bulging.

’Ah, what a pitiful bastard I am,’ Moon thought to himself. ’I almost forgot how much that yellow bastard could yap.’

After a few minutes, Uon finally reached the end. ”Thus, this room provides the crucial enchantment [Zero Damage].” He stopped talking and smiled.

The three of them blinked a couple of times. ”The fuck you talking ab—” Moon paused mid-sentence.

Cough~

Cough~

He coughed twice. ”What’s that Zero Damage thing? Would you please explain?”

Uon’s smile faded; he squinted deeply at Moon, who squinted back at him.

The two locked eyes for a moment, which kept going for a little too long.

”Ehm, I also don’t know what that enchantment means,” Barrett raised his hand before stating, breaking the silence.

Basil extended a thumbs-up at him discreetly.

Uon’s gaze moved between the three of them for a second. He shook his head.

”It’s exactly what it says: you can beat each other here, but you won’t be hurt at all,” he finally explained properly.

”Ho?” Moon’s eyes widened. ”This is not a torture room?” he asked skeptically.

The three of them looked at him. He looked back at them one by one. ”Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

”Just to clarify, the room negates damage, not pain,” Uon clarified. ”If no pain or damage are inflicted in a fight, it’d be impossible to learn anything. Your muscles will fail to comprehend the memories your eyes and mind have acquired. Which also means, it’ll be meaningless entirely.”

”Figures,” Moon said. ’Old man can’t do anything for once that doesn’t hurt,’ he thought to himself.

He went to an empty spot and leaned Liquid Mountain on the wall.

He turned around to Uon. ”So, should we begin?” he asked.

Uon nodded with a smile. ”Of course,” he said before stepping out of the room.

Realizing what was happening, Barrett and Basil took a step back involuntarily.

”Don’t worry, this is for your own good,” Moon assured them, but the smile creeping onto his face was anything but reassuring.

He cracked his knuckles, getting closer to the two of them.

It wasn’t long before screams and agonized sounds erupted from the room.

Meanwhile in the Southern Branch, Enzo raised his ring. In front of his eyes stood the image of a young man. His hair was black at the top and faded gradually into white till it turned transparent at the ends of his long, beautiful-looking hair.

His eyes were also black; his skin was almost as glassy as the ends of his hair. His face had slight sharpness, but overall, it had delicate features.

”Sir Enzo, Dara’s death could have been avoided,” he said. His black eyebrows were furrowed. His voice was laced with anger and restlessness.

”What happened has happened; don’t dwell on it,” Enzo said dismissively.

”Don’t dwell, what do you mean, don’t dwell?” the young man spoke angrily. ”He was my lifelong partner, his ring is gone, and even worse, it didn’t explode!” His voice was fast and violent.

”He was stupid; he stubbornly marched to his death.” Enzo once again wasn’t bothered in the slightest by the anger addressed directly at him.

”Sir Enzo, Dara was a unique individual; he was born with a talent to be a rising star, I’ll never have—”

”Would you shut the fuck up already?” Enzo cut him off; his tone shifted into a sharper, more threatening tone without warning. ”That piece of trash had Universal Armor, infinite Echo, and over 30 individuals to secure victory, but he chose self-destruction, pride, and death.” Enzo leaned closer to the screen.

”He chose his own death; why are you blaming me now?” Enzo’s eyes widened slightly, threateningly so. ”Mind explaining that tone of yours now, Lorian?” he demanded.

The young man, Lorian, swallowed hard. His teeth were gritted for a long, very agonizingly long second.

He closed his eyes tightly, exhaling sharply before bowing his head slightly. ”My apologies, Sir Enzo.”

Enzo nodded. ”Good,” he said, before leaning back in his seat.

”Now, you already know how much I wanted that guy you hate so much on my side,” Enzo started explaining openly. ”But thanks to that idiot partner of yours, and Talia’s intervention—”

Enzo suddenly paused. ”I also think Moon wouldn’t have joined us unless he was forced or defeated... Talia just came to turn everything to her advantage.” He waved his hand dismissively.

”Anyway, now it’s impossible for us to have him on our side,” Enzo concluded.

Lorian’s eyes brightened. ”Sir Enzo, you mean—”

”Kill him if you can; if you get killed in the process, it’s none of my business,” Enzo said with a slightly disappointed face. ”I still want him, so I won’t personally help you. Still, you can use whatever you want.”

Lorian’s eyes dimmed all of a sudden. ”But, sir, the trial?” His eyes shook slightly. ”What about the trial?”

Lorian added, ”We can’t negate the trial for one man.” He spoke rationally.

Enzo nodded. ”I like your rationality, Lorian.” He smiled barely before adding, ”That’s why I’m giving you the leadership position of the trial.”

Taken aback, Lorian sank into his seat; he blinked. ”Sir Enzo, what do you mean?” he asked.

”Exactly what I said.” Enzo raised his index finger and pointed at Lorian. ”You will be the absolute leader of the trial operations.”

”What about you, Sir Enzo? It can’t be you’re giving—”

Enzo cut him off. ”I obviously won’t be dropping out; I have a reputation to maintain,” he said amiably. ”Instead, you can say I’ll be the consultant for trial operations.” He smiled meaningfully.

Lorian went silent for a long moment. His gaze fell, going back and forth, but never meeting Enzo’s.

He exhaled slowly. ”I apologize, Sir Enzo.” Meeting Enzo’s gaze, Lorian stated, ”I don’t think I can do this!”

Enzo shook his head. ”If I say you’re leading, then you will be leading.”

”But Sir—”

”You need to learn, Lorian.” Enzo’s gaze dimmed. ”Learn to appreciate things when offered to you, help when given.”

Enzo’s eyes were fixed on the minute changes in Lorian’s face, how he was constantly chewing the insides of his mouth.

Enzo chuckled. ”Why are you acting like this?” Enzo spat. ”Shouldn’t you be eager to prove something?

”To prove you are not incompetent without your distant partner?

”To prove you’re deserving and suitable for leadership?

”I thought you were smarter than this, Lorian... What a disappoint—”

”I’ll do it,” Lorian cut him off. ”Sir Enzo, I’ll take the role gratefully.”