The sky above the Forgotten Isle burned with the colours of dusk.
Golden light spilt through the dense canopy of the Ironwood Forest, painting the ancient trees in shades of crimson and amber.
Rudra Veer stood alone in a clearing.
His small chest rose and fell rapidly.
Sweat mixed with dirt on his face.
His hands still trembled from the encounter with the spirit wolf.
Yet his eyes had changed.
The fear that had filled them earlier was still there—
but beneath it, something stronger had begun to take root.
Resolve.
He looked down at the wooden spear in his hands.
The tip was chipped.
A crack ran along the shaft.
But it had protected him.
For a moment, he remembered Lord Vajra Sen's words.
Strength decides life and death.
Rudra tightened his grip.
"I need to become stronger."
The moment those words left his lips—
the black pendant around his neck suddenly pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
A blinding golden light erupted from it.
Rudra gasped.
The forest around him vanished.
The sound of rustling leaves disappeared.
The cold mist melted away.
His body felt weightless.
And in the next instant—
he found himself standing in darkness.
A vast, endless darkness.
Rudra's breath caught in his throat.
He turned slowly.
The darkness stretched infinitely in every direction.
Then, far ahead—
a golden light appeared.
No.
Not a light.
A tower.
A colossal ancient tower rose before him, its height piercing into a sky he could not see.
Countless floors extended upward into the void.
Ancient runes glowed across its walls.
Massive gates stood before the first floor.
The air itself trembled with an ancient aura.
5
Rudra stared in awe.
His voice came out as a whisper.
"What… is this place?"
A deep voice echoed through the darkness.
"The Sovereign Tower."
Rudra spun around.
Before him stood a tall armored figure.
Its body was forged of golden spiritual energy.
A helmet concealed its face.
A long spear rested in its hand.
Its presence felt ancient.
Powerful.
Terrifying.
Rudra instinctively stepped back.
The figure spoke again.
"Heir recognized."
"First awakening complete."
The pendant glowed warmly against Rudra's chest.
The armored guardian lowered its spear.
"Welcome, Master."
Rudra blinked.
"Master?"
The figure knelt on one knee.
"I am Guardian One, the Tower Gatekeeper."
Rudra slowly looked back at the endless tower.
A strange feeling stirred in his heart.
As if this place had always belonged to him.
The gatekeeper rose and pointed toward the giant doors.
"The first floor has opened."
The gates trembled.
Ancient runes burst into golden light.
Then slowly—
the doors began to open.
A gust of ancient energy swept through the space.
Rudra shielded his eyes.
Beyond the doors lay a vast stone arena.
Pillars of light rose from the ground.
Ancient weapon racks lined the walls.
At the center stood a single stone pedestal.
Upon it rested a glowing bronze token.
The gatekeeper's voice echoed once more.
"The first floor is a trial of courage."
"Clear it, and receive your first inheritance reward."
Rudra swallowed hard.
He was only two.
Yet something inside him urged him forward.
He stepped into the arena.
The moment his foot crossed the threshold—
the doors slammed shut behind him.
A growl echoed through the chamber.
Rudra froze.
From the shadows emerged three spirit wolves.
Their eyes glowed crimson.
Unlike the beast in the forest, these were made entirely of spiritual energy.
They were stronger.
Faster.
Deadlier.
Rudra's heartbeat thundered in his ears.
But then he remembered.
The forest.
The first trial.
Lord Veyr's voice.
Stand your ground.
He raised the cracked wooden spear.
The wolves lunged.
Rudra moved on instinct.
He rolled to the side.
The first wolf missed him.
He thrust the spear forward.
The wooden tip struck the second wolf's chest.
The spirit beast exploded into light.
Rudra's eyes widened.
He had done it.
The other two attacked.
One claw grazed his arm.
Pain shot through him.
But he did not stop.
He swung again.
Then again.
His movements were clumsy.
Unrefined.
Yet driven by pure will.
Finally, with one desperate strike, the last wolf shattered into golden particles.
Silence filled the chamber.
Then—
the pedestal erupted with light.
The bronze token rose into the air.
A stream of golden energy entered Rudra's body.
Warmth spread through his limbs.
The exhaustion vanished.
The pain faded.
His body felt stronger.
Healthier.
Faster.
The gatekeeper's voice thundered.
"First floor cleared."
"Reward granted: Body Tempering Art – First Layer."
Suddenly, ancient knowledge flooded Rudra's mind.
Breathing techniques.
Body refinement methods.
Strengthening exercises.
It was an ancient cultivation art.
Rudra fell to one knee, overwhelmed.
The first inheritance of the tower had been given.
Deep above—
the second floor lit up faintly.
The tower had truly awakened.
Far away, back in the forest, the pendant around Rudra's real body glowed brightly.
On the cliffs of the Forgotten Isle, the ten masters looked toward the forest at the same time.
Grandmaster Azrael's eyes narrowed.
"The pendant…"
Lord Vajra Sen's expression darkened.
"It has awakened."
A slow smile appeared on Azrael's face.
"Then fate has begun to move."