The Ascension : A New Beginning (Solo Leveling x Tower of God) [ON A HIATUS]

Chapter 12 : The Man With A Plan

(A/N: Finally back from the dead.)

The stage for Hide-and-seek Test

While Jinwoo was sparring with Rak, the official test had already commenced.

The first team to enter was Team A, consisting of Khun and Shibisu. Despite some earlier setbacks, Khun finally managed to trick the seeker, Quant, into jumping off a cliff, thereby allowing the team's 'It' Anak Zahard to move on without any obstacles in her path.

Needless to say, Quant was NOT happy. At all.

"YOU DAMNED CHEATING JERK!! I'LL REALLY KILL YOU!!! HOW DARE YOU TRICK ME LIKE THAT?!!..."

The shouting continued for a bit longer, but eventually, he managed to somewhat calm down.

'This is embarrassing... Me, a ranker, getting tricked by a regular? And by one that hasn't even passed the test floor?! Even I can't get back up without using shinsu. Damn it! I can't lose this test...'

"It seems like you could use some help." A voice called out from behind him.

"Huh?" Quant turned around and was surprised by who it was.
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'Yes! I can see the exit!'

Anak was running as fast as she could to reach the exit and seal the victory for their team. Because of Khun managing to trick the ranker into jumping down, she had no more obstacles to face.

'I can make it! Victory is ou-'

It was at that moment Anak saw that somebody was waiting for her near the exit. And it was the last person she was expecting.

It was Quant.

Without giving her any time to react, he swiftly rushed past her, while taking possession of her badge at the same time.

Everyone who saw what happened, including the regulars and the rankers, were shocked. With the number of restrictions placed on a ranker on the test floor, he shouldn't be able to climb back from the cliff. And yet that is exactly what Quant did.

"The one who was 'it' from team A was caught. The test is over. Team A has failed." The announcement rang out.

*****

"Why did Khun do that?" Lero Ro was puzzled by what he saw through his lighthouse.

"What do you mean?" Hansung asked him calmly.

"You know what I mean, director. He betrayed his own team! Why did he do that when they were about to win?" He shouted.

"Lero Ro, I don't think Khun betrayed his team."

"... What? What do you mean?"

"Take a look at this." Hansung passed him a paper.

"This is-" Lero Ro was surprised to see it.

"Yes. It's the friend list we gave away to every regular. Now, do you understand? For the people on the list to pass, team A had to lose."

Taking a deep breath, he continued.

"In a way, climbing the tower is similar to climbing a mountain. As you go higher, you have to leave behind your heavy burdens. Mr Khun knows this very well. So he thought, at the very least, he should decide what to take with him and what to leave. So he made a choice."

'That being said...' Hansung thought in his mind. 'I wonder... How will things play out in the next round?'

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