"Dig."
Yes, Participant Ash.
"What's the trial for this floor?"
A brief pause.
Capture the Flag.
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"…Seriously?"
Yes.
Two teams will be formed.
The number of participants will be divided equally.
If the number is uneven, one team will have more members.
Ash frowned slightly.
"…So it's not completely balanced."
Correct.
The Tower does not prioritize fairness.
Ash smirked faintly.
"Yeah… I know, they want entertainment."
The guide continued.
Participants within the same squad will remain together.
All others will be assigned randomly.
Ash nodded.
"So what's the objective?"
Capture the enemy's flag and return it to your base.
Or—
A pause.
Eliminate the opposing team.
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Anything else?"
Another pause.
This floor includes environmental hazards.
Visibility may drop to near zero.
Movement will be affected by freezing conditions.
Additionally—
A slight delay.
Ash stopped walking.
"…What?"
Participants may damage members of their own team by accident or on purpose.
Silence.
Then—
A faint smile formed on Ash's face.
"…So, don't trust anybody, copy that."
The tavern was loud.
Too loud.
"Then I'll take the trial tomorrow morning. I'm not wasting another 100 credits per night on this place."
The next morning—
The cold hit immediately.
Ash walked toward the trial gates, snow crunching beneath his boots.
A guard stood at the entrance.
"Participant."
Ash stopped.
"Are you here to enter the Floor Three trial?"
Ash nodded.
"Yeah."
The guard studied him briefly.
"Do you have a squad?"
"…No."
A short pause.
The guard continued.
"Then you'll be assigned to a team."
Ash frowned slightly.
"Okay"
"There are two sides for this trial."
The guard gestured toward the distance.
"One controls the higher ground."
"…And the other..."
"...The lower ground."
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Difference?"
The guard didn't hesitate.
"The higher ground has reduced visibility."
"Frequent snow interference."
Ash smirked faintly.
"And the lower ground?"
"Clearer vision."
"Easier movement."
Ash was silent for a moment.
Thinking.
Higher ground… worse visibility…
Which means… less predictable movement.
Less control.
More chaos.
"…Perfect."
The guard spoke again.
"If you have a preference, state it now."
Ash looked up.
"…Put me on the high ground."
The guard raised an eyebrow.
"Noted, you will be assigned to the red team."
Ash smirked slightly.
The guard continued,
"The trial begins today at sunset—7:30 PM. If you're not present, you'll be eliminated and barred from attempting the trial for one week."
Ash answered back.
"Understood."
Time passed.
The sky darkened.
By the time Ash reached the trial grounds—
The sun was already gone.
Only a faint blue glow remained in the sky, reflecting off the snow.
Cold air cut through everything.
Dozens of participants stood in silence.
Divided.
Watching each other.
Waiting.
A guard stepped forward.
His voice echoed across the frozen field.
"The trial will begin now."
Silence fell instantly.
"There are forty participants."
"Twenty per team."
Ash's eyes shifted.
Counting.
Analyzing.
"The Red Team will occupy the mountain."
The guard pointed upward.
A steep, snow-covered elevation loomed in the distance.
"Higher ground."
"Reduced visibility."
Ash smirked slightly.
"The Blue Team will remain in the field."
A wide, open area stretched below.
Flat.
Clear.
Exposed.
"Greater visibility."
Ash's eyes narrowed.
Open space…
Easier to track movement…
But nowhere to hide.
The guard continued.
"The distance between flags is one kilometer."
A pause.
Then—
"In five minutes…"
The wind howled across the field.
"…a signal will be fired."
"When the shot is heard—"
His voice hardened.
"The trial begins."
"Capture the enemy's flag…"
"Or eliminate the opposing team."
Silence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
"Take your positions."
Movement began.
Slow at first—
Then faster.
Participants split.
Running toward their sides.
Preparing.
Ash didn't move immediately.
His eyes scanned the battlefield.
The mountain.
The field.
The people.
Twenty opponents…
Unknown abilities…
Limited visibility…
"…Perfect."
A faint smile appeared.
His wings shifted slightly behind him.
"…Let's see how this plays out."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.