Ash rushed toward the source of the explosion.
People nearby had already stopped walking, forming a loose circle around the corner of the street.
When Ash arrived, he immediately saw the damage.
A section of the stone wall of a building had been crushed inward, cracks spreading across the surface.
Standing in front of it was a large man with his fist still clenched.
In front of him, sitting on the ground, was another climber—his face pale with fear.
The large man pointed at him angrily.
"What did you just say to me?"
The man on the ground shook his head quickly.
"I just said I already have a team!"
One of the large man's teammates laughed.
"Oh? So you think you're too good for us, huh?"
The scared climber shook his head again.
"No! That's not what I meant!"
The big man stepped closer.
"Oh? So now you're calling us liars?"
The man on the ground looked like he was about to panic.
"I didn't say that!"
Then suddenly—
A voice spoke from somewhere in the crowd.
"…Pathetic."
The big man froze.
His eyes darted around the street.
"Who said that?"
No one answered.
For a moment, the crowd stayed silent.
Then the voice spoke again.
"You're a waste of oxygen."
The big man's face twisted with anger.
"Yeah?"
He turned around, looking at everyone.
"Show yourself."
His fists clenched.
"Let's see if you've got the balls to say that to my face."
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
WHAM!
The big man's eyes widened as somethingslammed into him.
A foot appeared out of nowhere, driving straight between his legs.
"AAAGH—!"
He collapsed forward in pain.
Before he could fall, an unseen hand grabbed his hair and yanked his head upward.
Then, right in front of his face—
A figure slowly appeared, as if fading out of thin air.
He had short, messy dark brown hair that framed his face, the strands slightly uneven as if cut without much care.
Sharp green eyes. Smooth light skin. Calm yet watchful—like he was always thinking two steps ahead.
He wore a dark green hooded sweatshirt that rested loosely over his shoulders, simple but practical.
The stranger leaned closer.
"I am saying it to your face."
Ash recognized him.
He was the one in the green hoodie who hadn't panicked on the first day.
When they first arrived in this world.
One of the bully's teammates suddenly stepped forward.
"Who do you think you are?!"
He swung his fist toward the mysterious man.
Before the punch could land—
A dark blur shot through the air.
Ash.
Moving at high speed, he slammed into the attacker and shoved him aside.
The punch missed completely.
The mysterious man raised an eyebrow, looking at Ash.
"Who are you?"
Ash shrugged slightly.
"Just someone who also thinks they're a waste of oxygen."
He glanced at the bullies.
The mysterious man smirked faintly.
Behind them, the big man slowly stood up, still breathing heavily from the kick.
His face twisted with rage.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this," he growled.
"I'll have fun watching both of you crumble while I rip you apart."
Ash glanced at the mysterious guy.
"…Do you have any friends who can help us?"
The mysterious man cracked his neck slightly.
"I prefer working alone."
The tension between the two sides thickened.
Both groups stepped forward.
They were seconds away from clashing—
"Hold it."
A new voice cut through the air.
Another climber stepped between them.
He raised his hands calmly.
Why fight when it's not worth it?
"How about we do something smarter?"
Everyone turned toward him.
"I already asked my guide," the newcomer continued. "And he told me something interesting."
Ash narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"We can choose our opponents for the trial."
The crowd around them grew quieter.
The newcomer pointed between the two groups.
"So how about this?"
He smiled slightly.
"The three of us…"
He gestured toward himself, Ash, and the mysterious man.
"…fight the three of you in the trial."
"If you're really as strong as you think you are," he continued, "that should be an easy win."
"You'll move to the third floor without any trouble."
Then his tone hardened.
"Or…"
"You can start a fight here and prove to everyone watching that you're just a bunch of bullies too scared to fight properly."
The big man laughed darkly.
"Hah."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Three wannabe heroes thinking they run the world."
He pointed at them.
"It'll be my pleasure to break you."
The crowd around them grew tense.
The big man turned away.
"Fine."
He glanced back over his shoulder.
"I'll give you a week."
"If in a week you're not in the trial, we will hunt you down."
A cruel grin spread across his face.
"Enjoy it."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.