I Became The Tower Master-Chapter 10 - : The Hero’s Turning Point

The fifth floor was a desolate wasteland, the sky a swirling mass of dark clouds. The ground was cracked and barren, and the air was thick with the scent of decay. The trio had fought their way through countless enemies, but now, they faced their greatest challenge yet.

Eva's barriers shattered under the relentless assault of the guardians. She screamed Hiroshi's name, her voice filled with panic and desperation. Hiroshi turned, his eyes widening in horror as he saw Eva surrounded by enemies.

"Eva! Hold on, I'm coming!" Hiroshi shouted, his feathers darting toward the guardians with blinding speed.

But it was too late. The guardians closed in, and Eva's final barrier crumbled. She fell to the ground, her body limp and lifeless. Hiroshi's scream echoed through the wasteland, a raw, anguished sound that sent shivers to whoever heard it.

Alden pretended to hold back a guardian, maintaining a carefully neutral expression. Internally, he thought, I want to go and teabag her body, but let's hold this thought in. Right now, I need to give him a push.

High above the tower, on the 100th floor the Divine Realm, the gods watched the scene unfold with varying degrees of interest. Aphrodite, lounging gracefully on her throne, let out a dramatic sigh.

"How useless," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "To let such a precious toy fall so easily. I was considering sponsoring her, you know."

Zeus leaned back on his throne, his thunderbolt crackling in his hand. "The boy, Hiroshi, shows promise. But losing his companion might break him."

Hades, smirked. "Or it might make him stronger. Desperation has a way of bringing out the best in mortals."

Astron, the God of Space and Dimensions, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "If you're so interested in him, Hades, why not sponsor him? He's desperate enough to accept, and you're the only god with authority over the underworld. It's a perfect match."

Zeus leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "The boy is interesting. I might offer him a sponsorship myself."

Hades chuckled, his dark eyes gleaming. "Oh, if you're willing to risk it, go ahead and sponsor him. But the first choice of sponsor is of great significance. But I wouldn't mind taking it."

Zeus sighed and leaned back, his thunderbolt crackling in his hand.

With a wave of his hand, Hades sent a drop of shimmering darkness through the void. It appeared above Hiroshi's head, unnoticed by anyone but the gods. When the drop touched him, a notification appeared:

[You have been offered a sponsorship to become the Saint of the God of the Underworld, Hades. Do you accept? Yes/No]

Hiroshi stared at the notification, his hands trembling. A sponsorship? From Hades, the God of the Underworld? If I accept, maybe... maybe I can find a way to bring Eva back.

Without hesitation, he selected "Yes."

[Congratulations! You have become the Saint of the God of the Underworld, Hades.]

[Title Acquired: Saint of the Underworld]

[Skill Unlocked: Soul Reaper (SS Rank)]

Current Ability: Soul Extraction (Unlock Requirement: Level 10)

Description: Extract the soul of a defeated enemy and convert it into mana for recovery. Higher levels increase efficiency and allow for additional abilities.

Hiroshi's heart sank as he read the description. This... this won't bring her back. It's just a tool for killing. What good is this power if I can't save her?

Despair threatened to overwhelm him, but then Alden's voice cut through the haze. He was acting injured, clutching his side where a deep gash seemed to bleed profusely.

"Hiroshi, we need to move. The guardians are regrouping," Alden said, wincing as if in pain.

Hiroshi looked up, his eyes filled with tears. "Alden... Eva... she's gone. I couldn't save her."

Alden placed a hand on Hiroshi's shoulder, his expression carefully sympathetic despite his supposed injury. "I know it's hard, but we can't stop now. This tower has so many secrets. If we keep climbing, we might find something that can help us bring her back."

Hiroshi's face contorted with grief. "But..."

Alden interrupted him firmly. "No buts. We need to take care of things around us first. Let's clear the remaining guardians."

They fought side by side, each movement fluid and coordinated. Alden used his abilities, Rebound and Absorb, to great effect. When a guardian struck him, he absorbed the attack with Rebound, redirecting the force back at the guardian with his other hand. His timing was impeccable, finding openings and exploiting them with calculated strikes. Working together with Hiroshi, they swiftly brought down the remaining guardians.

Hiroshi, meanwhile, unleashed a flurry of feathers, targeting another guardian. "Extract!" he commanded, and the soul of the defeated enemy was drawn into him, replenishing his mana faster than he could expend it. The combined effect of his new and old skills created a seamless flow of energy. Hiroshi found himself recovering mana at an astonishing rate, enabling him to continue fighting with relentless determination.

Once the area was secure, Hiroshi turned to Alden, a spark of determination in his eyes. "You're right. I've thought about it. I want to become strong enough to climb the tower and find a way to revive Eva, I'll need help. Let's do it together."

Alden nodded, his tone firm. "You're right, but we can't do this alone. We need more climbers to help us. Let's return to our world first. We can form a guild, recruit strong allies, and then tackle the tower together. You'll be the Guild Master, and I'll be your right-hand man. With a united team, we'll climb faster and more efficiently."

Hiroshi's eyes lit up with a newfound resolve. "A guild... That's a great idea."

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Alden's lips curled into a faint smile. Finally, things are set in the right direction.

As they prepared to leave the fifth floor and return to the safe zone, Alden's mind raced. Revive her? On my dead body. Let's use you to test the waters on the world's reaction. And when you've fulfilled your purpose, I might as well get rid of you. Let's see, I might even consider giving you a good ending, like the first hero who sacrifices himself to save the world. That would be a good drama that could lead to more climbers or maybe the mark to begin a new era. Alden's lips curled into a subtle smirk, his eyes glinting with dark intent.