A vein bulged on Alex’s forehead as he heard the pink girl’s sharp reply.
He turned his gaze toward her properly this ti.
She had short brown hair that barely reached her shoulders, slightly ssy from battle. Strands clung to her cheeks from sweat. Her features were soft but defined, and despite the bruises on her face, she was undeniably quite good-looking. Her eyes were sharp and stubborn, filled with both anger and humiliation.
Before Alex could fire back—
The one who had worn the red suit raised his voice.
"Guys, stop it for a mont."
His tone was firm.
"Lower your weapons."
The yellow-suited one hesitated.
Pink frowned.
Red stepped forward slightly and looked directly at Alex, who still wore the skeleton mask.
"He doesn’t look like an enemy."
Pink snapped back imdiately. "Why are you saying that? Did you not see that he let one of them get away?"
Red’s voice rose. "Did you forget he was also the one who just saved your life? You were going to die just now."
Pink gritted her teeth, crossed her arms, and let out a small huff. "Hmph."
She looked away.
Alex tilted his head slightly and looked at the one in red.
The red-suited man deactivated the device on his wrist.
Light flickered across his body.
The red armor dissolved into particles—
Revealing a tall, handso man in his mid-twenties.
Sharp jawline.
Calm eyes.
Short dark hair, neatly styled despite the chaos.
He had the aura of soone used to leading.
Alex let out a whistle. "Would you look at that. You really do deserve to wear the red suit. You’re intelligent and more humble than the rest of them."
Red smiled politely. "Thank you for the praise. And I’m grateful for your help in saving us."
Alex waved his hand. "Don’t worry about it. You can repay by giving as much information about this place as possible. I’m a bit new here."
Red blinked. "Oh?"
A faint look of realization crossed his face. "Looks like you’re also a challenger from the Tower of Ascension, then?"
Alex’s interest imdiately spiked. "Did you just say... Tower of Ascension?"
Red looked confused. "Are you not?"
Alex shook his head slightly. "No, I’m also a challenger. Just tell what you an."
Red nodded. "I will. Don’t worry. But first, let introduce myself."
He extended his hand slightly.
"My na is Jas Wilson."
He gestured toward the pink girl. "This is Clara."
Clara gave Alex a suspicious look but said nothing.
Jas then pointed toward the yellow-suited fighter.
The man deactivated his device. His armor dissolved, revealing another man in his twenties. He looked plain and sturdy, with short blond hair and a tired but steady gaze.
"This is Elias."
Jas’ expression darkened as he pointed toward the fallen body of the blue-suited fighter.
"And the one who just died... his na was Solen."
Silence fell over the group.
Clara lowered her gaze.
Elias clenched his fists.
Jas’ jaw tightened.
"I wish he could’ve been saved as well. But ti was not on his side. If only he had held out a little longer until you arrived."
Alex’s voice ca out slightly awkward. "Of course... it’s not like I would’ve just let you guys die. If I had arrived a little earlier..."
He paused briefly.
"It was just his bad luck. But he died as a hero. So I pray that his soul finally finds true peace. Let’s pray for him for a mont."
Jas closed his eyes.
Clara followed.
Elias bowed his head.
Alex also lowered his head, pretending.
Inside his mind—
The system spoke dryly.
[You really are a hypocritical asshole, you know that?]
Alex’s mouth twitched slightly.
’Shut up.’
He remained silent outwardly.
After a few monts, they opened their eyes.
Alex looked at Jas again. "So, can you tell what’s happening here, Jas?"
Jas nodded. "Sure. We’re here to clear the fifth-floor trial assigned to us by the Tower."
Alex froze. "Fifth-floor... trial?"
Jas nodded again. "Yes. The Tower of Ascension assigned us this trial to clear the fifth floor. And this world... is one of its testing grounds."
Alex was slightly surprised to hear all this. He crossed his arms.
"So let get this straight. You’re all here to clear a trial assigned by the Tower?"
Jas nodded. "Yes. And not only us. There are many other challengers here as well, from different and powerful clans. They’re all attempting to clear the fifth-floor trial too."
Alex tilted his head. "So I take it you guys are from so powerful clan as well?"
Jas scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Well... not exactly. We’re not from a famous clan within the Tower. It’s just a clan the five of us built ourselves. I’m the leader."
His expression dimd.
"But as you can see... one of my founding mbers is already dead."
His gaze drifted toward Solen’s lifeless body.
A brief silence followed.
Clara suddenly folded her arms. "By the way... why are you asking so many questions?"
Her sharp eyes locked onto Alex.
"When you’re also a challenger, you should already know all of this, right?"
Alex shrugged casually. "Well. I’m a beginner."
Clara smirked. "You’re quite arrogant for a beginner."
Jas frowned slightly. "Clara. You should be respectful. He just saved your life."
Clara rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright."
She looked directly at him. "Your na is Lucifer, right?"
Alex nodded. "Yes."
Clara continued, "We, along with several other challenger teams, accepted this fifth-floor trial."
Alex leaned forward slightly. "Which was...?"
Clara inhaled slowly. "The Tower assigned us to locate the spawn of an Evil Calamity."
Jas continued in a grave tone. "Sowhere in this world, a vessel exists. A being carrying the seed of a future Calamity. If it fully awakens... this world will be consud."
Elias spoke quietly. "Our mission is to find the spawn before it matures."
Clara’s eyes hardened. "And prevent the Fallen Angels from taking it."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Taking it?"
Jas nodded. "Yes. The Fallen are searching for it too. We don’t know why—whether they want to control it, weaponize it, or present it to their higher command. But we can’t allow them to capture it."
Clara continued firmly, "And once we find it, we have to kill it imdiately. No hesitation. No delay. Before it awakens."
Silence hung in the air.
Alex spoke slowly.
"So you’re saying... there’s soone in this world who carries the seed of an Evil Calamity. You’re searching for them. You must prevent the Fallen from taking them. And the mont you find them... you execute them."
The three nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Alex fell quiet.
’An Evil Calamity spawn...’
’The Fallen want it.’
His lips curved faintly beneath the skeleton mask.
"Now this just beca far more interesting... if what I’m thinking is right."
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