Chapter 24: The Tower Watches
The night had passed.
Today was the day.
The day Ethan Yagami would enter the Tower.
For five years, he had remained at E-rank. Five years of stagnation, watching others rise while he remained stuck.
Lucas, his older brother, had dominated the Tower by this age.
And Ethan?
Playing with women.
He exhaled sharply. Enough.
The distractions were over.
It was time to lock in.
…
His family stood behind him. His wives watched in silence.
No tears. No unnecessary goodbyes.
Because this wasn't the end.
It was just the beginning.
Ellie clenched her fists, her eyes shadowed. She wanted to be in his shadow. To stay with him. But the Tower would sense her immediately and she will be punished.
So she stayed behind.
Julie and Jade had already left for the Bloodsanguine estate.
Everything was in motion.
Now, it was just him and the Tower.
…
Ethan stood before the gigantic gate.
It pulsed with a soft pink glow, almost like it was… breathing.
Waiting.
He smirked. "Wretched Tower, huh?"
It wasn't just a name. It was a warning.
He had a feeling this place would become his greatest obstacle.
One step away.
He turned back.
The entire Yagami household stood behind him, watching.
Then, a voice broke the silence.
"You can do it, Young Master Ethan!"
Another chimed in. "You don't have to go! We'll take care of you here!"
More voices followed.
They weren't mocking him. They weren't doubting him.
They were worried.
To them, Ethan was a noble. A young master who had never needed to fight.
He chuckled.
Grateful? Annoyed by how weak they see him? He wasn't sure.
But he understood.
They cared.
So he smiled.
His radiant grin alone was enough to steal breath from their lungs.
Ethan is truly a beautiful young man. More than what he thinks.
Had Julie and Jade been here, they would've been on their knees, trembling, barely holding back from devouring him.
The crowd fell silent.
Then Ethan spoke.
"I appreciate your concern. But you don't need to worry."
"I will clear these trials."
"I will return safely."
"Just wait for me."
Then, with a smirk—
"And in the meantime… find another game for me to play when I'm back, will you?"
With that, he turned.
Placed his hand on the Tower's gate.
And willed himself inside.
…
Darkness.
Not empty.
Vast. Endless. Watching.
Countless stars flickered in the abyss, stretching in every direction.
Then—
{Ding! Welcome, Ethan Yagami.}
A voice echoed through the void. Cold. Detached.
{To assign the appropriate trial, the Tower will now analyze you.}
Then—
Something pierced into him.
It slithered through his veins, his mind, his soul.
It peeled.
It searched.
It unraveled him.
The sensation was sickening.
Then—
{Analysis complete.}
A pause.
And then, something shifted.
As if the Tower itself was breathing.
Watching.
Interested.
Then—
{Detected: A talent with unimaginable potential.}
{Detected: The blessing of a Higher Being.}
Another pause.
Then—
{Qualifications met.}
And then—
Something loomed.
The abyss shuddered.
It was no longer just the Tower speaking.
Something else was here.
Something older.
Something waiting.
And then—
{The Tower is aware of your existence.}
{The Tower is intrigued by you.}
{The Tower is watching you.}
A final pause.
And then—
{Your trial shall be special.}
{Please, give us a show… O Giver of the People.}
Ethan's breath hitched.
His fingers twitched.
Then, his lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Alright then… let's play."
Ethan started officially his journey to the peak.
—End of chapter 24—
—End of Volume 1: The Kind Noble—