Snow crunched beneath Ash's boots.
The entire city was buried in white.
Roofs covered in frost. Streets half-frozen. Cold air cutting through everything.
Floor Three.
"…So this is the next level."
Ash exhaled slowly, watching his breath fade into the air.
"Dig."
A translucent screen flickered into existence and Dig appeared.
Yes, Participant Ash.
"How much money did I get from the last trial?"
A brief pause.
You have received 2,500 credits.
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"…2,500, huh."
He kept walking through the snow-covered street.
"I got 1,500 from the first floor… and now 2,500."
A faint smirk appeared.
"So it keeps going up?"
Correct.
Each floor presents a higher level of difficulty. As a result, the rewards increase proportionally.
Ash nodded.
"…Makes sense."
His expression shifted slightly.
"Then let me ask you something else."
The wind howled softly between the buildings.
"Should I start looking for a squad now… or wait?"
A pause.
Longer this time.
Unfortunately, I cannot make that decision for you.
Ash sighed.
"Yep, guessed it."
The guide continued.
There are multiple successful approaches within the tower.
Some participants climb alone in the early floors, focusing on personal growth.
Others form squads immediately.
Some get betrayed.
Some remain with the same team for dozens of floors.
Ash looked ahead.
Snow falling quietly.
"…So there's no right answer."
Correct.
Ash chuckled softly.
"Yeah… figures."
He stopped walking.
Then—
"…I think I'll stay solo for now."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"I need to get stronger first."
A pause.
Understood.
Would you like to begin developing a new ability?
Ash smirked.
"…Is it going to hurt or take time?"
Yes.
Ash laughed quietly.
"Haha, wouldn't want it any other way."
His wings spread—then, with a single motion, he lifted slightly off the ground before landing again.
"So…"
His eyes sharpened.
"What are we working on?"
A brief pause.
Now that you have unlocked Black Wings and achieved aerial mobility…
There is a recommended path.
Ash tilted his head.
"…I'm listening."
Shadow Step.
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That sounds interesting."
It allows rapid displacement over short distances.
Unpredictable movement patterns.
Difficult to track.
Ash was silent for a second.
Then—
A slow grin spread across his face.
"…Yeah."
He exhaled.
"That would've helped against Mako."
A pause.
Then he looked forward.
Focused.
"Alright."
His stance lowered slightly.
"Let's do it."
Ash spread his wings.
Cold wind rushed past him as he lifted slightly above the snow.
"…So what's the method?"
The guide responded calmly.
Shadow Step cannot be learned through straight-line movement.
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
A marker appeared in his vision.
A large pine tree.
Ten meters away.
Then another.
And another.
Forming a narrow path.
You will fly at full speed toward the obstacle.
Ash looked at it.
"…And dodge it?"
No.
Ash frowned.
You will commit to the path.
Then break it at the last possible moment.
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So I move like I'm going straight…"
A small pause.
"…then force a direction change mid-flight."
Correct.
Ash smirked.
"…That actually sounds fun."
He took off.
Wind exploded around him.
Speed building—
Fast—
Faster—
The pine tree rushed toward him.
Too fast.
Too close.
"…Now—!"
He forced his body sideways—
His balance broke instantly.
CRASH.
He slammed into the snow.
"…Tch."
The guide spoke.
Your body still prioritizes stability over unpredictability.
Ash pushed himself up slowly.
"…Yeah."
He glanced at the tree again.
Then smiled slightly.
"Let's fix that."
Two weeks later—
Ash flew through the frozen field.
Trees everywhere.
He accelerated—
Straight toward one—
Then—
Gone.
His body snapped sideways mid-flight—
Reappearing at an impossible angle.
Then again—
Forward—
Then sharply downward—
Then behind.
No pattern.
No warning.
Only movement.
Unpredictable.
Ash landed lightly.
Snow barely shifting beneath his feet.
"…Shadow Step."
A faint smirk appeared.
"Yeah… I like this one."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.