Everyone was talking.
Shouting.
Arguing.
"What animal do you have?"
"We need a strong type!"
"Join my squad! We're heading for the next trial!"
"Only strong beasts!"
Ash stood there, confused, watching the chaos.
Groups of climbers gathered together, discussing strategies.
Some walked around asking others questions, while a few people were already leaving the city gates in organized teams.
Before Ash could process everything, someone suddenly stopped in front of him.
A tall man with a confident expression looked him up and down.
"You."
Ash blinked.
"Me?"
"Yeah. What animal do you have?"
Ash hesitated for a second.
"…A crow."
The man's expression immediately changed.
The interest disappeared from his face.
"Ah."
He sighed and shook his head.
"Sorry."
Ash frowned slightly.
"Sorry?"
"I don't have a place for you in my squad."
The man turned and started walking away.
"Wait—"
He waved his hand without even looking back.
"Your animal isn't that strong. It won't be useful for what we're planning."
And just like that, he disappeared into the crowd.
Ash stood there in silence.
"…What was that about?"
The familiar voice of the guide echoed calmly in his mind.
Participant Ash, as I previously informed you, Floor Two is where the real climb begins.
Ash looked around again at the chaotic city.
The trials beyond this floor are significantly more dangerous. Because of this, most participants choose to form squads.
"Squads?"
Yes.
The chances of survival increase when climbers cooperate. Therefore, many participants attempt to recruit teammates whose animals provide strategic advantages.
Ash watched another group nearby arguing.
"What animal do you have?"
"A falcon!"
"Perfect. We needed an aerial scout!"
Ash crossed his arms.
"So they're basically building teams."
Correct.
"And they choose people based on their animals."
Yes.
Ash smirked.
"…perfect."
He looked down the crowded street as more climbers walked past him without a second glance.
"So basically…"
"I just need to make a good squad."
The guide remained silent.
Ash scratched the back of his head.
"…This should be interesting."
Ash watched groups forming all around him.
Every team already seemed complete.
Suddenly, someone approached him.
A young woman stopped in front of him, studying him carefully.
"Hey, handsome."
Ash looked up.
"…Yeah?"
"What animal do you have?"
Ash hesitated for a second.
"…A crow."
The woman's eyes lit up.
"A crow?"
She smiled immediately.
"Perfect."
"We need someone who can fly."
She pointed toward a group of climbers waiting near a tall stone building.
"We already have three members, but none of us can scout from the sky."
She crossed her arms confidently.
"Join us."
Ash looked toward the group she pointed at.
They were watching him, waiting for his answer.
For a moment, Ash considered it.
Climbing the tower with a team would definitely be easier.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"…Sorry."
The woman frowned.
"Sorry?"
"I'm not joining."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
Ash glanced around the busy streets of the city floor.
Everyone was forming teams.
Recruiting.
Depending on each other.
Then he looked back at her.
"I'm going to build my own squad."
The woman stared at him for a moment.
Then she laughed.
"Your own squad?"
"Yes."
"With a crow?"
Ash didn't respond.
She shrugged.
"Well… good luck with that, nobody will follow a leader that doesn't have a strong animal."
She turned and walked away, heading back to her group.
Ash watched them disappear into the crowd.
Then he smiled.
"We'll see about that."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.