You stretched as you rose from your table, having quickly finished a book on stratagems and implementing safety management procedures around the resort. Now, you'll have to gather eveyone for the meeting. . . then you'd have to write more directives for the next five floors before you all could meet up again and work on putting the devil you recreated into Horyang.
With a glance at the clock, you got to work— the ocean's song that will forever be in your ears and the clock's tick-tocks accompanying you.
It's only when Yihwa dragged you to the meeting room do you accomplish all but one of your duties. You glanced around, Hwa Ryun meeting your gaze. With your nod, she started the meeting, “Everyone seems to be here. Ok now, shall we discuss our upcoming itinerary?”
“In about a year, we will be boarding the Hell Train. The Hell Train, or the D-rank express train departs from the 35th floor. But that doesn't mean it's the only floor you can board the train on. Starting on the 35th floor, the train stops on every floor up to the final floor and regulars can get on and off as they please.” Hwa Ryun started, “The most important thing is the express ticket which you need to ride the train. As long as you have this ticket, you can board the train regardless of what station you disembark from. You can pretty much consider this ticket a free pass. But the problem is there is no normal way to buy the ticket.”
“W-what!? Then how do you get the ticket!?” Wangnan shouted. You crossed your arms, “That's where your skills come in, you'll have to steal it from other regulars.”
“What!?”
“There are always exactly 100 Hell Train tickets. So while the regulars wait at the train station to board the train you have to steal the tickets away from them and also fend off other regulars from stealing yours.” a sly smile graced Hwa Ryun's face, “For your information, the number of D-rank regulars who hold onto their ticket until it's time to board is less than five every year. The moment you get a hold of one, you'll be targeted by someone. That's why it's called the Ticket to hell.”
“You're pretty much as good as dead with your current abilities if you board the train now.”
Prince screamed, offended and annoyed, “W-what!? You're underestimating our abilities!!”
“. . . She's right, Prince.” You interfered, placing a hand to your chest, “The Hell Train will be the toughest challenge you've encountered. Training and growing stronger alone won't be enough.”
“B-but!! What else can we do!? ”
Hwa Ryun snorted, “Seperate from Viole and [Name].”
Yihwa stepped forwards, “What do you mean separate from them!?”
“It's just as I said. I'm saying take the tests without them. You won't get any stronger by relying on them like this. I will take Viole and that crocodile up the tower and [Name]'ll go by herself. So you guys team up and go together.” Hwa Ryun suggested.
“No way. You want us to separate and yet you'll leave your friend alone? Bring [Name] with you—”
“It's alright, Khun.” You placed a hand on your chest, “For honing our skills, this is best for me as well.”
And because Hwa Ryun will only see a pathless path when I'm around.
“Won't you feel lonely?”
You offered a polite smile, “Perhaps if I'm all alone. But you'll still be there, correct?”
Hwa Ryun grinned knowingly, a twinkle in her eye, “Khun, it would be best for you to be the leader. It'll be a good chance to test your ability as a commander. Of course, I'm sure you don't want to part ways with friends you haven't seen in a long time but we have about a year until we get to the 35th floor. During that one year, you have to become strong enough to get the tickets. If you're qualified, you'll board the train.”
YOU ARE READING
pearl of wisdom
Fanfiction[ various! tower of god × reader ] Under the moon's omniscient watch, she dipped her hand into the waters where fishes swam around, across a thousand waves, "Off you all go now. . . each in your own direction." People's hearts are unfathomable...
