The colossal black tower stood above the Royal Beast Academy like a pillar connecting heaven and earth.
Its surface was covered with ancient golden runes that no one in the kingdom could read.
Students gathered in the academy courtyard, pointing toward the tower in amazement.
"What is that?"
"I've never seen anything like it!"
"Is it a new training ground?"
The older instructors, however, wore solemn expressions.
One elderly professor whispered,
"It awakened..."
"Just like the legends."
Principal Evelyn stepped forward and raised her hand.
"All students, return to your dormitories immediately!"
"No one is allowed within one kilometer of the Beast Tower."
Although confused, the students obeyed.
Only Lucas Sterling remained where he stood.
His eyes were fixed on Kai.
"So..."
"Everything strange always happens around him."
His fists tightened.
"I'll surpass him."
Kai stood before the enormous entrance of the tower.
The ancient stone doors were over fifty meters tall.
Countless beast carvings decorated their surface.
Dragons.
Phoenixes.
Giants.
Titans.
Foxes.
Even creatures Kai had never seen before.
Nova quietly appeared beside him.
"Master..."
"I can feel something calling us."
The System suddenly spoke.
Quest Updated
The Beast Tower
Objective:
Reach the 10th Floor.
Current Progress:
Floor 0/10
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Only ten floors?"
The System answered.
[Current Authority: Beginner.]
[Only the first ten floors are accessible.]
Kai laughed.
"So there are more."
The massive doors slowly opened on their own.
A deep voice echoed from inside.
**"Welcome..."
"...Heir."**
Kai and Nova stepped inside.
The doors immediately shut behind them.
Darkness filled the chamber.
Then—
Thousands of blue flames ignited one after another.
The first floor became visible.
It was a vast stone arena.
Nothing else.
Except...
A single white wolf sitting calmly in the center.
Unlike ordinary beasts, this wolf radiated intelligence.
It slowly stood.
"You are late."
Kai blinked.
"You were expecting me?"
The wolf nodded.
"I have waited..."
"...for ten thousand years."
Kai sighed.
"Why does everyone keep waiting for me?"
Nova giggled.
"I think Master is very popular."
The wolf smiled faintly.
"My name is Fenrir."
"I am the Guardian of the First Floor."
Kai immediately activated Eye of Truth.
Name: Fenrir
Title: Tower Guardian
Rank: King
Level: 80
Kai became serious.
Level 80.
Far stronger than anything he had faced.
Fenrir noticed his expression.
"There is no need to fear."
"I will suppress my strength to match yours."
His aura rapidly decreased.
Level 80...
50...
20...
Finally...
Level 5.
Kai smiled.
"Now that's fair."
Fenrir nodded.
"The Tower exists to nurture..."
"...not to kill."
The wolf lowered his body.
"The rules are simple."
"Defeat me."
"Or impress me."
"The choice is yours."
Kai thought for a moment.
Then smiled.
"I choose the second."
Fenrir's ears twitched.
"Oh?"
Kai looked at Nova.
"Ready?"
Nova nodded.
The two activated Absolute Beast Link.
Golden light connected them.
Kai slowly walked toward Fenrir.
Instead of attacking...
He bowed.
"I don't wish to fight someone who has protected this place for thousands of years."
Fenrir looked surprised.
Kai continued,
"I respect your duty."
"So rather than defeating you..."
"I'd like to learn from you."
Silence filled the arena.
Several seconds passed.
Then...
Fenrir laughed.
A deep, genuine laugh.
"It seems..."
"The First Beast Sovereign truly chose well."
The wolf walked toward Kai.
Then lowered his head.
"You pass."
A pillar of light descended.
Floor One Cleared
Reward:
1,000 System Points
Experience +2,000
Kai blinked.
"That's it?"
Nova smiled.
"I think he liked you."
Fenrir nodded.
"The Tower tests the heart before strength."
"The strongest Beast Tamers..."
"...are not always the greatest."
The staircase to the second floor appeared.
Before Kai left, Fenrir spoke once more.
"A piece of advice."
"The Second Guardian..."
"...enjoys puzzles."
Second Floor
The room looked completely different.
Instead of an arena...
It resembled a gigantic library.
Books stretched endlessly in every direction.
A small girl sat quietly at a wooden table.
She looked no older than ten.
When Kai approached, she closed her book.
"You arrived."
Kai smiled politely.
"I'm Kai."
The girl nodded.
"I know."
"I am Lyra."
"The Guardian of Knowledge."
She pointed toward three ancient books floating in the air.
"Only one contains the correct answer."
"The other two..."
"...will trap you forever."
Nova whispered,
"Master..."
"This feels dangerous."
Kai nodded.
Lyra smiled.
"My question is simple."
"What is the strongest power in existence?"
Three books floated closer.
The first glowed red.
Power.
The second glowed blue.
Knowledge.
The third glowed gold.
Choice.
Nova frowned.
"I don't know..."
Kai remained silent.
After thinking carefully...
He reached toward the golden book.
"Choice."
Lyra tilted her head.
"Why?"
Kai smiled.
"Power without choice becomes tyranny."
"Knowledge without choice changes nothing."
"But choice..."
"...allows both good and evil."
"It shapes destiny."
Lyra stared at him for several moments.
Then...
She smiled.
"You are correct."
The two incorrect books vanished.
The golden book floated into Kai's hands.
Reward Obtained
Skill Book
Mind Fortress
Rank: Legendary
Effect:
Protects the mind from illusions and mental attacks.
Kai bowed.
"Thank you."
Lyra nodded.
"Continue upward."
"The Third Guardian..."
"...is waiting."
The staircase appeared once more.
Kai looked upward.
Eight floors remained.
He had only just begun climbing.
Meanwhile...
Far beneath the Beast Tower...
An ancient chamber hidden beneath the academy suddenly opened.
Inside stood seven stone statues.
One of them...
Slowly cracked.
A low voice echoed through the darkness.
"The Heir..."
"...has entered the Tower."
Another statue replied,
"Then the seals..."
"...will soon begin to break."
A third pair of glowing eyes opened.
"This world..."
"...is about to change."