The entire Beast Tower trembled violently.
Dust rained from the ceiling as another explosion echoed from outside.
Kai looked upward with a worried expression.
"They're attacking even harder."
Nova gently nudged his shoulder.
"We'll clear the Tower quickly."
Kai smiled.
"Right."
The two climbed the long staircase until they reached another massive pair of ancient doors.
Unlike the previous floors, these doors were pitch black.
A single sentence was carved across them.
"Only those whose resolve cannot be broken may enter."
The doors slowly opened.
The Seventh Floor was silent.
There were no forests.
No mountains.
No guardians waiting proudly.
Only an endless gray plain stretching as far as the eye could see.
A lonely stone chair stood in the center.
Sitting upon it was a young man dressed in simple white robes.
He looked no older than twenty.
His black hair swayed gently despite the absence of wind.
When Kai approached, the young man smiled warmly.
"I've been waiting."
Kai bowed respectfully.
"Are you the Seventh Guardian?"
The young man nodded.
"My name is Cael."
"I am the Guardian of Resolve."
Nova tilted her head.
"You don't look very strong."
Cael laughed.
"Appearances can be deceiving."
Kai activated Eye of Truth.
Name: Cael
Rank: ???
Level: ???
Analysis Failed
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"The System can't analyze him..."
Cael noticed.
"Some things cannot be measured."
He slowly stood.
"I have only one question."
Kai nodded.
"I'm listening."
Cael looked directly into Kai's eyes.
"If saving everyone meant becoming the greatest villain in history..."
"...would you do it?"
Kai froze.
The question struck deeper than he expected.
Before he could answer...
The world around him shattered.
Kai found himself standing in Azure City.
The city was burning.
Buildings had collapsed.
People screamed in fear.
Nova lay unconscious in his arms.
In front of him stood the hooded leader of the Shadow Cult.
Behind the man...
Lily and Mia were chained.
Principal Evelyn knelt beside them, badly injured.
The hooded man smiled.
"Kai."
"I'll make you an offer."
"Join me."
"I'll spare everyone."
"If you refuse..."
"They die."
Kai clenched his fists.
"This is another illusion."
The hooded man laughed.
"Perhaps."
"But your answer..."
"...is real."
Lily cried.
"Kai!"
"Don't do it!"
Mia shook her head.
"We'd rather die than see you become evil!"
The Shadow Cult leader extended his hand.
"Choose."
Kai remained silent.
Several moments passed.
Finally...
He smiled.
"I refuse."
The hooded man frowned.
"You would sacrifice them?"
Kai shook his head.
"No."
"I refuse your choice."
The illusion trembled.
"I'll become stronger."
"I'll find another path."
"I won't sacrifice innocent people."
"And I won't become a monster to save them."
The entire world shattered like glass.
Kai found himself back on the gray plain.
Cael smiled.
"Excellent."
"You understand."
"There is almost always another possibility."
"The weak believe they only have two choices."
"The strong create a third."
Nova wagged all nine tails.
"Master always finds another way."
Cael laughed softly.
"Just like him."
Kai looked curious.
"The First Beast Sovereign?"
Cael nodded.
"He never accepted impossible decisions."
The Guardian raised one hand.
A brilliant golden flame appeared between them.
"This is my gift."
The flame slowly entered Kai's chest.
Reward Received
Passive Skill
Indomitable Will
Rank: Mythical
Effects:
Immune to fear.
Strong resistance against curses.
Mental attacks reduced by 90%.
Fighting spirit increases when protecting others.
Kai felt a warm energy spread throughout his body.
His determination became even stronger.
The System chimed again.
Level Up!
Level 5 → Level 6
Nova happily clapped her tiny paws.
"Master got stronger!"
Cael nodded approvingly.
"You'll need every bit of that strength."
Kai frowned.
"What's on the Eighth Floor?"
For the first time...
Cael's smile disappeared.
"The first true battle."
"The previous Guardians only tested your character."
"The Eighth Guardian..."
"...will test your power."
The staircase leading upward slowly appeared.
As Kai prepared to leave, Cael spoke one final time.
"Kai."
"When you reach the Tenth Floor..."
"You'll finally meet the master of this Tower."
Kai turned around.
"The Tower Master?"
Cael nodded.
"He has been asleep for ten thousand years."
"And he has only one wish."
"He wishes to know..."
"...whether you're worthy of inheriting everything."
Kai took a deep breath.
"I won't disappoint him."
Cael smiled.
"I know."
Kai and Nova climbed toward the Eighth Floor.
Behind them, the Seventh Guardian quietly watched until they disappeared.
Outside the Beast Tower, the battle reached its fiercest point.
The academy's defenses had nearly collapsed.
Principal Evelyn stood before the entrance of the Tower, her Ice Phoenix barely able to stand.
The hooded man slowly descended from the sky.
His crimson aura swallowed the battlefield.
He stopped only a few meters from Evelyn.
"You've delayed me long enough."
Evelyn raised her sword despite her injuries.
"As long as I breathe..."
"...you will not take another step."
The hooded man sighed.
"A courageous woman."
"But courage alone..."
"...cannot defeat despair."
He raised his hand.
A massive sphere of black energy gathered above his palm.
At that very moment...
A familiar voice echoed across the battlefield.
"You seem awfully confident."
Everyone looked toward the horizon.
A golden dragon flew through the clouds.
On its back stood the old Fishing Immortal, lazily carrying his bamboo fishing rod.
He smiled at the hooded man.
"Mind if an old fisherman joins the fun?"