Ash let out a short laugh.
"…You guys are funny."
Nyro smirked proudly.
Korin shifted awkwardly beside him.
"…So—are you two a squad?" asked Ash.
Nyro nodded.
"…Yeah."
"…We met back on Floor Three."
Korin spoke hesitantly.
"…A-And you guys…?"
He swallowed nervously.
"…You're a squad too… right?"
Ash nodded once.
"…Yeah."
Korin exhaled in relief.
"…That's good…"
"…We're really happy to be on your team."
Ravok stepped forward slightly.
"…What are your animals?"
Nyro answered first.
"…Archerfish."
Ash blinked once.
His thoughts paused for a moment.
"A fish…?"
"That could be tricky to use…"
Then—
Korin spoke nervously.
"…A-And me…"
"…I'm a pangolin."
Ash looked at him.
That made more sense.
Defensive type.
Ravok crossed his arms.
"…I'm a cerberus."
He tilted his head slightly toward Ash.
"…And this guy is a crow."
Ash frowned immediately.
"…Hey."
"…What do you mean 'this guy'?"
Ravok ignored him completely.
"…He handles the air."
"…Scouting."
"…Speed."
"…I handle the rest."
Korin's eyes widened.
"…W-Wait…"
"…Did you say Cerberus?"
Nyro leaned forward slightly.
"…That's so cool."
"…That's a mythological beast."
Korin nodded nervously.
"…You're the second mythological vessel I've seen today."
Silence.
Ash and Ravok both froze slightly.
"…Second?" Ash asked.
"…Where's the first?"
Korin pointed into the distance.
"…Over there."
Ash followed his finger.
Leonis' squad stood in the distance.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ravok's eyes sharpened.
"…Well…"
A faint grin appeared on his face.
"…This just got interesting."
Ash smirked slightly.
"…Yeah."
"…It did."
Ash crossed his arms slightly.
"…Alright."
"…Since you two are part of our team for this trial…"
"…we should be honest with you."
Nyro tilted his head.
Korin swallowed nervously.
Ash nodded toward the distance.
"…That squad you just pointed at."
"…The one with the mythological vessel."
"…Their captain is called Leonis."
A pause.
"…To put it simply…"
"…They don't like us..."
Korin froze.
"…W-What do you mean…?"
Ravok answered calmly.
"…It means they'll probably come after us during the trial."
Korin's face paled instantly.
"…No…"
"…That can't happen…"
He looked between them desperately.
"…C-Can't you guys just become friends or something?"
"…Maybe apologize?"
Ash blinked once.
"…Apologize?"
"…For what?"
Nyro suddenly burst into laughter.
"…Pfft—!"
"…Relax."
He stretched slightly, cracking his neck.
"…Doesn't matter if they've got a mythological beast…"
"…Or two…"
He smirked confidently.
"…I'm here."
A pause.
"…And if I'm here…"
"…We win."
He patted Korin lightly on the head.
"…So calm down, Korin."
A grin formed on his face.
"…Let's just start this trial already, shall we?"
Korin gulped.
Still nervous.
But slightly calmer.
Ash glanced at Nyro.
"…I like you."
Ravok looked at him.
"…Yeah."
"…But aren't you a little too confident…"
"…for just a fish vessel?"
Nyro answered calmly.
"Archerfish."
"And every animal has its strengths…"
"…even a simple archerfish."
Ash nodded slightly.
"You're right."
"…And because of that…"
"…I expect great things from you."
A pause.
"Because…"
He looked across the entire team, a smile forming on his face.
"…My plan is to get every single ticket."
Ravok smirked.
"…That's the kind of plan I like."
Nyro's eyes lit up with excitement.
And Korin…
He turned pale.
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.