Arthur repeated the words "Leon Cromwell" internally several times. His expression crumpled like a sheet of paper, while his face paled. 'Leon Cromwell… That's the Blade Sovereign's name…'
'Have I just met the Blade Sovereign in his youth?'
"Make me your disciple," said Leon, as if commanding it. "You're plenty strong… You can be my master and teach me."
Arthur released a bitter chuckle. 'I didn't think there would come a time when the Blade Sovereign would willingly ask to make me his master. Although, I'm not too against it, to be honest.'
"What are you laughing about?"
"Ah, nothing… So, you wish to be my disciple, is that correct?"
"Yes," Leon nodded calmly, getting down on one knee. "I'm ready to begin the procedure. Accept me as your disciple."
"Ah… No thanks," replied the crimson-eyed man, trying to walk away. However, at that moment, he spotted a keychain strapped to Leon's throat. Connected to the keychain was a fragment Arthur instinctively knew belonged to the key capable of opening the lock to the gemstone of Time.
'Isn't this too easy?' Arthur wondered, turning to face Leon. "On second thought, I think I will accept you."
Leon's expression brightened, while a round of excitement coursed through his body. "Shall we begin the procedure?"
Arthur was about to nod, but at that moment, a voice startled everyone in the Outer District. It was an authoritative voice, laced with the ability to strike fear. It was as if one could not resist the owner of the voice.
Arthur instantly recognized the owner of the voice, cracking a bitter smile as he slowly turned around.
'It's that old fogey…'
The man who'd spoken was one of the High Guardians of Heaven's Spire, Nux. His hair was still grey, while his velvet pupils seemed to convey the same, dangerous feeling. However, Arthur was not terrified this time.
Instead, he felt a sense of annoyance as he gazed at Nux.
'That old bastard cheaped me out,' the crimson-eyed man muttered internally, snorting. 'That bitch Blaire gave me a defect item that still hasn't displayed itself as 'useful.' It's sad to be labeled as an artifact.'
'I should've tried to kill Heather back then.'
Perhaps then he wouldn't have been scammed. Then again, he would probably be six feet beneath the ground.
"Welcome, players, to the world of the tower, Heaven's Spire!"
As those words escaped his lips, the crowd turned silent, as if to pass respect. Nux's mere presence was a wordless sign to pay him respect. His strength was transcendent, as if not belonging to the mortal world.
The humans and other species–although unbeknownst to the power system–still seemed capable of noticing the peculiarity.
Nux was not on the same level as them.
He was beyond.
As mortals, they could not grasp the difference between them and Nux, but they knew it was vast. Immeasurable, to be precise.
That was why they respected him.
"I speak on behalf of all Guardians. We welcome you to Heaven's Spire, a paradise for those hoping to grow, and a world of dreams for those who strive to be the best. It can be considered a spire to excellence."
"Below the tower is Hell, while above it is Heaven."
"The tower scales at around 100 floors, of which each floor is designed as a trial. The trial is designed to challenge the players and to reward them based on their capabilities. Now, due to the lack of resources in the Outer District, you people should begin climbing quickly."
"As, refusing to climb will result in death."
Nux flicked his wrist and thousands of bricks formed out of nothingness. His eyes shone a deeper shade of velvet. The bricks aligned themselves in a circular area, forming a cylinder in mere seconds.
A fine piece of architecture revealed itself.
Suddenly, a wisp of azure flames merged with the brick cylinder, enchanting it with the ability to teleport.
"That will be the Floor Tower, the place where you can teleport to floors through the assistance of a Guardian."
"With that, I hope you guys achieve great things as you progress through the tower. It may be a rough ride for those not graced by the Heavens, while it might be enjoyable for those with talent…"
"However, in the end, it depends on one's tenacity and determination."
The crowd burst into murmurs, while many people began forming groups. There were some who easily recovered from the shock, and began preparing for the future by forming connections.
Others, however, fell behind. They were too stubborn and didn't believe in adaptation. Many were indignant, and screamed at Nux–despite understanding his power–to allow them to leave, to which the High Guardian did not respond, and simply remained silent.
Suddenly, Nux's gaze halted at a certain existence that blended into the crowd.
A certain man with stark black hair, and distinct, crimson pupils that seemed to belong to the devil himself. Nux's gaze froze. He scrunched his eyebrows, staring at the man intently before suddenly glancing at the boy beside him.
He extended an arm, sticking out his index finger.
"You… You're not supposed to be here."
As those words escaped Nux's lips, the world seemed to freeze. Time seemed to have come to a halt.
Arthur felt chills shoot down his spine, while the sensation of death loomed over him. It was very familiar as if the crimson-eyed man were gazing at someone he'd known his entire life. He was terrified.
Despite being accustomed to death, one couldn't eliminate the fear.
They could only dull it.
He hurriedly turned to face Leon, rushing towards him. 'Fuck…'
Nux's gaze seemed to burn a hole in his back. In the nick of time, Arthur snatched his chain, placing the fragment of the key on his palm.
"You…"
Nux could only mutter as he watched Arthur's body disintegrate into millions of light particles. With a complicated expression, he was helpless.
"What was that…"
Even Nux wasn't aware.
He could only ignore it.
