The crowd slowly began to disperse after the confrontation.
The tension in the street faded, though many people were still whispering about what had just happened.
The third climber stepped forward and offered a small smile.
He had messy gray hair that stuck out in every direction, giving him a slightly unkempt look. A pair of black rectangular glasses rested on his face, framing sharp, observant eyes that seemed to notice everything around him.
A short goatee lined his chin, neat and deliberate.
He wore a simple gray hoodie over a dark shirt, casual but practical, like someone who valued comfort over flash.
But what stood out the most wasn't his appearance.
It was the quiet confidence in the way he stood—relaxed, yet alert.
"My name is Rennik," he said calmly. "Nice to meet you both."
He looked at them expectantly.
"What are your names?"
Ash shrugged.
"Ash."
The mysterious man crossed his arms.
"Vail."
Then he narrowed his eyes slightly at Rennik.
"But who told you I want to be in your squad?"
Rennik raised his hands slightly.
"Yes, I apologize for that."
He spoke calmly, almost diplomatically.
"I understand that both of you might already have squads… or plans to join one."
He paused for a moment.
"But at the time, it seemed like the best decision."
Rennik gestured toward the direction where the bullies had left.
"If you don't want to form a team, that's perfectly understandable."
He smiled slightly.
"But what I suggest is simple."
"We fight them together in the trial."
Ash tilted his head.
"And after that?"
Rennik shrugged.
"After that, we decide."
"If we want to keep climbing together, we continue."
"If not, we go our separate ways."
Ash nodded slowly.
"So basically… a temporary team-up?"
"Exactly," Rennik said. "Think of it as a temporary alliance."
He crossed his arms casually.
"I simply observed the situation and chose the people who seemed the most competent for this floor."
He glanced toward the direction of the bullies.
"And frankly, I didn't like those guys."
Ash chuckled slightly.
"Fair enough."
Then Rennik continued.
"Is that acceptable?"
Ash smiled slightly.
"Sounds fun."
"I like the idea."
Vail shrugged.
"I'll only agree if I'm the one who fights the big guy."
Rennik nodded.
"Perfect."
"Then we have an agreement."
Rennik then looked at both of them.
"Now… we should probably know what we're working with."
"What animals do you have?"
Ash went first.
"My animal is a crow."
He lifted his arm slightly.
Rennik nodded.
"Oh… so you can fly."
"Interesting."
Then Rennik lifted his own sleeve, revealing the symbol on his forearm.
"My animal is a coyote."
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"Close combat type."
"Exactly," Rennik said with a grin.
Both of them then looked toward Vail.
"So," Ash asked, "what's yours?"
Vail didn't answer.
Instead—
He suddenly vanished.
Both Ash and Rennik jumped slightly.
"Whoa—!"
Then Vail appeared again a second later, standing in the exact same place.
"I'm a chameleon."
Ash blinked.
"…Yeah."
He nodded slowly.
"That makes a lot of sense now."
Rennik looked between the two of them and rubbed his chin.
"Hm… interesting trio we have here."
Ash crossed his arms.
"Yeah… not the combination I expected today."
Rennik smiled slightly.
"Well, the trial is in one week."
He glanced at both of them.
"We could stay together until the trial—"
Before Rennik finished talking, Vail spoke.
"I can't."
Both of them looked at him.
"I have something I need to take care of."
Vail turned slightly toward the street.
"I'll be back in one week."
Ash tried to stop him.
"Wait..."
Vail paused—but only for a second.
Then he gave them one last glance before disappearing into the busy streets of the city.
Ash watched him leave.
"…That guy really likes disappearing."
Rennik nodded.
"Yep."
Then Ash asked Dig.
"Dig."
Yes, Participant Ash.
"Are there any rules we should know about for the trial?"
Dig answered immediately.
The trial consists of one-on-one duels.
If you interfere in a duel that is not yours, you will be immediately eliminated.
Ash frowned slightly.
"…That's it?"
Yes.
Ash nodded slowly.
"Anything else?"
You are free to use any equipment available to you.
"Weapons, armor, and abilities are all permitted."
Ash blinked.
"So basically…"
"Anything goes."
Correct. However, I need to inform you that in this world there are no ranged weapons for sale.
If you want one, you will need to craft it with the help of a blacksmith.
However, bullets cannot be crafted.
Ash smirked slightly.
"Good to know."
He then explained the rules to Rennik.
Rennik listened carefully and nodded.
"Perfect."
He looked around the busy street.
"Well… since we have a week before the trial…"
He pointed toward a nearby building with warm lights and loud chatter spilling from the doorway.
"How about we start by eating?"
Ash followed his gaze.
A tavern.
Climbers filled the place with loud conversations and the smell of cooked food.
Ash grinned.
"Yeah."
"Talking strategy on an empty stomach sounds terrible."
The two of them walked toward the tavern.
"Let's learn what we're working with."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.