The sky above the Tower dimmed, as though the world itself was holding its breath.
Lohan descended from the 67th floor, not because he was retreating—but because it was time to gather his army.
The system whispered in his mind.
> [System Quest: Recruit five Unique-Class allies before Floor 75.]
[Bonus Reward: ???]
Lohan scoffed.
"Five monsters, huh? Then let's hunt."
---
[Crimson Sky Academy – Underground Duel Arena]
Winter stood at the edge of the underground arena, surrounded by silence. Her duel with an A-rank swordsman had ended in two seconds. No one dared challenge her anymore.
But her mind wasn't on victory.
> "Lohan… where are you?"
Suddenly, the gate creaked open.
Lohan stepped in, bandaged, cloaked in black, his eyes colder than steel.
Gasps echoed.
> "Who the hell—?"
> "Wait… isn't that the weakest student who vanished months ago?!"
Winter's heart skipped.
> "Lohan?"
He met her gaze.
> "You said you wanted to follow me, right?"
"Then get stronger. The real war starts now."
---
[Elsewhere – Forbidden Zone of the Academy]
A feral grin stretched across a boy's face as he slammed his opponent into the ground.
He wore no badge. No title. Just madness in his eyes.
The crowd whispered one name: Raze.
A delinquent expelled for nearly killing a professor.
> "You wanna fight the gods?" he muttered, staring at the sky.
"Then take me with you, monster."
---
Lohan was ready.
Winter, Raze, and others to come.
The Tower had declared war.
Now, he would return the favor.
---