"Alright, I'll speak with the Elders. This isn't just about me moving. You know how stubborn those old fools can get," Hansung Yu sighed.
"Inform that Old Man… he'll take care of them," Hwaryun suggested after a moment of thought.
"Don't worry, I will."
She gave him a nod, then updated him on Baam's progress before stepping out of the office.
"No fate, huh…" Hansung Yu muttered, brewing another coffee.
…
The next day:
KNOCK KNOCK
"Enter."
Indrah, refreshed from a decent night's sleep, was in the middle of breakfast. White shirt, two buttons open. Plain black leather coat. Black pants. Hearing the knock, he didn't even flinch.
As the door opened and the visitor stepped in, though… his posture shifted.
"For what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the Test Director himself?" Indrah asked, standing up slowly.
The yellow-haired man ignored the question. He stared directly at Indrah's Rinnegan for a few seconds, then finally met his eyes.
"Thanks to your 'help,' there are only three Regulars in the Fisherman Position who can ascend the Tower, instead of the required quota of four," Hansung Yu said, mocking smile plastered on.
"Haha, is that so?" Indrah laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
'You're the one who sent them, bastard.'
"Ahem! So, you lads of the Fisherman class don't need to take any more tests. After the rest of the Regulars finish theirs, you can join and ascend the floor," Hansung coughed lightly, then pulled out a thick black book from his coat pocket.
"This contains general knowledge… and a few secrets about the Tower. Try not to disappoint me."
He tossed it toward Indrah and left without waiting for a reply.
"Huh?" Indrah blinked, just holding the book for a few seconds.
Not the kind of development he was expecting.
He activated his Rinnegan and scanned the book—no traps, no energy signatures, nothing dangerous. Turned it over, checked the spine. Still nothing.
'Maybe he's a good guy…? Nah.'
Still, he did appreciate the gesture. Imagine standing around while everyone's talking and you don't understand a single damn thing.
'It's embarrassing, man,' he thought, weeping silently on the inside as he returned to breakfast.
…
Two hours later
"Did I just read 10 pages in two hours…?"
What an embarrassment to the Council of Weebs.
In his defense, though, the book was enchanted or something. Every page had layers of information, all relevant, all dense. But now, just ten pages in, he already understood what a regular resident of the lower floors in the Middle Area should know.
"This book's too good to be given for free…"
He paused, trying to figure out what angle the Coffee Guy was playing. But nothing came to mind. Shrugging it off, he slung the book under his arm and headed out.
…
Khun walked through the hallways, deep in thought.
'He beat up everyone in the Fisherman class… He's an enigma.'
Just then, a nearby door opened. Indrah stepped out, book in hand. They locked eyes. Khun gave him a brief side-eye.
"Yo… wassup," Indrah said, awkwardly.
'Huh?' Khun stopped. That was unexpected. The aloof, arrogant Regular—talking?
Still, he replied. "I'm good. Thankfully not a Fisherman. You?"
"Haha, I'm alright. So… where we headed?" Indrah asked, casually falling into step beside him.
"We? Don't you have classes?" Khun raised a brow.
"Not anymore. Got a message from Teacher Hax—no more tests or classes for Fishermen. Apparently, Endorsi, Anaak, and I are the only ones left in the role."
Indrah, once a blend of introvert and extrovert, found himself more talkative here. Maybe it was the new world. Maybe it was the clarity.
Or maybe, after being orphaned at age 3, growing up in an orphanage, juggling studies and part-time jobs to survive… maybe he'd just gotten good at reading people. Knowing when to speak and when to shut up.
He didn't excel at everything. But he had something rarer—common sense. And enough life experience to not put people on a pedestal… or look down on them either.
"I'm going to meet my teammate. You can join if you want," Khun offered.
'Having a strong ally like him wouldn't hurt.'
"Oh? Sure. I'll tag along." Indrah didn't have anything better to do anyway. Besides, the main character might be worth analyzing up close.
They walked in silence after that. Indrah read as he walked, not missing a step. It was something anyone with fine Shinsu control could do… and with the Rinnegan, it was effortless.
Unbeknownst to him, Khun was analyzing the hell out of him.
'Fire, lightning, physical power, speed, that eye… immense Shinsu control… and now he's reading too? Is this guy the combined product of all the Family Heads? If he starts using a sword and a lighthouse, I swear—'
Meanwhile, Indrah spotted the balcony-like area up ahead. Baam, Rak, Shibisu, and Hatz were deep in conversation.
"Hey, Baam!" Khun called out, heading to the table and sliding into a seat.
"Huh? Purple Turtle?" Rak peeked over the table in his plushy chibi form.
Shibisu and Hatz tensed the moment Indrah casually pulled out a chair and sat beside them.
"Hey… are you Rak's kid or something?" Indrah teased, patting the mini crocodile's plushy head.
"Get your hands off me, Turtle!" Rak squawked, flailing in his seat.
"Don't bully my pet," Khun added, smirking.
The teasing snowballed until Rak, now pissed, hopped off to "find the Coffee Turtle" and return in his full-sized glory for revenge.
"Wait until I beat that Coffee Turtle and come back!" he yelled.
"HAHAHA, did you see his face, Hatz?!" Shibisu cackled, literally rolling on the floor.
"You're not quite like what Shibisu described, Mr. Indrah," Baam said, smiling innocently.
"Huh?" Shibisu froze.
"Oh? What did he say, Baam?" Indrah smiled—gentle… but clearly enjoying himself.
Baam, still innocent, continued. "He said you're a scary individual with no goal other than Bullying everyone… and your weird eyes will—"
"Hahaha, is that what he said? Do you believe him?" Indrah cut in, casually scanning the area for his target.
Shibisu was gone.
He used his Rinnegan, tracking Shinsu flow—only to find it had vanished under… a blanket? A dented blanket, lying in the corner of the balcony.
'This guy really sleeps anywhere… and that blanket can even hide from me? Noted.'
"No! I think Shibisu misunderstood!" Baam quickly blurted, shaking his head like a scared puppy.
"Aww, you're right. Don't worry, Baam… I'll make sure Shibisu understands… soon."
He mumbled that last part.
Only Hatz and Khun heard it.
They exchanged glances—one pitiful, one smug—and both turned toward the suspicious lump under the blanket.
Shibisu's days were numbered.