He stretched his arms slightly.
"I want to fly."
Silence.
Then—
Selection confirmed.
The screen flickered.
Flight Path Initiated.
Ash's heartbeat quickened.
He looked down at his arms.
"…So what now?"
The guide replied calmly.
Your body contains the genetic potential for wings. However, they are currently undeveloped.
A faint silhouette appeared in the air — showing Ash with massive crow wings emerging from his back.
To unlock flight, your muscles, bones, and balance must adapt to aerial movement.
Ash stared at the projection.
"…Meaning?"
You need to develop your wings.
"And how do I get them?"
It would be more effective if I showed you.
Go to the location I marked on the map.
Ash followed the map for thirty minutes.
He walked in silence through rocky terrain until the ground suddenly disappeared beneath his feet.
A cliff.
It stretched forward like a broken edge of the world.
Below—
Rough terrain.
Sharp rocks.
A fall of nearly two hundred meters.
Ash swallowed.
"…You brought me here for a reason, didn't you?"
The guide responded.
Correct.
A holographic marker appeared near the cliff edge.
This location provides the optimal conditions for wing activation.
Ash stared down.
"…You want me to jump."
Not exactly.
The guide paused.
Ash turned slowly toward the screen.
Flight is not unlocked through comfort. It is unlocked through survival instinct.
Ash clenched his jaw.
"What does that mean?"
Silence.
Then—
Do you authorize the start of the training sequence?
Ash exhaled slowly.
He looked down at the abyss.
He smiled.
"Yeah."
He raised his head.
"I authorize it."
The screen glowed.
Authorization confirmed.
Flight Activation Protocol — Initiated.
Suddenly—
A violent shock exploded through his body.
Ash's legs buckled.
"GHH—!"
His body lost balance.
And—
He was pushed forward.
Off the cliff.
"WHAT THE HELL—?!"
Wind tore past his face.
The ground rushed upward toward him at terrifying speed.
"DIG!!!"
He screamed as gravity pulled him down.
The world blurred.
His heart pounded.
One hundred meters.
Fifty meters.
The ground was getting closer.
"COME ON—!"
His body reacted instinctively.
Pain surged through his back.
A ripping sensation exploded across his shoulder blades.
And then—
BLACK WINGS BURST OUT.
Massive crow wings unfolded behind him.
They expanded wildly.
But—
Ash had no control.
The wings caught air like a parachute.
His fall slowed.
But he was still going down.
BOOM.
Ash hit the ground — rolling across dirt and rocks.
Air exploded from his lungs.
Dust exploded around him.
He lay there breathing heavily.
His wings twitched behind him.
"…I…"
He looked at the dark feathers extending from his back.
"…I got them."
The guide's voice echoed calmly.
Apologies for the method.
It was the most efficient way to force wing manifestation.
If I had informed you beforehand, your body would not have reacted with genuine fear. Without true survival instinct, the wings would not activate — and you would have fallen to your death.
"Thanks… I guess." Ash said.
You are welcome. Wings successfully manifested.
However — flight control has not been developed.
Ash groaned.
"…Yeah. I noticed."
He slowly tried to move the wings.
They responded — awkwardly.
Uncontrolled.
Unstable.
But real.
Ash smiled weakly.
"Step one… complete."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.