"Now that's a good way to give someone a headache," he mumbled, a satisfied grin forming across his face as he looked at Hansung Yu's office reduced to rubble.
Consequences? He wasn't afraid of a conflict with Hansung, even if the man was a high ranker. In the manhwa, Hansung's strength was roughly on par with Karaka.
Speaking of Karaka... Shinso recalled his introduction on the Hell Train, when he declared his intent to kill the Princesses of Zahard. That panel gave him chills—Karaka instantly became one of his favorites after the introduction. Though the whole "Slayer" thing became a joke in later chapters, Shinso's fondness for Karaka never faded. He was entertaining, earning the nickname Sandbag Karaka.
Thinking about this, Shinso decided to give his favorite Slayer a gift. "I'm sure Karaka will like what I'm going to do. As a fan, it's normal to give your idol a present, right? Hehehe." The gesture might have seemed touching… if not for the devilish grin twisting his lips.
"Why did you save me?"
While enjoying his fantasy, a voice behind him cut through his thoughts. Shinso glanced back—and found her. Amused, he watched as Anaak clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening. Her narrowed eyes and curled lip betrayed her irritation.
*How cute...* he mused. *I want to tease her, but now's not the time.*
He put that thought aside and turned toward her. "I have my own agenda, of course," he said, extending both of his hands toward her. His index finger and thumb formed an L-shape, framing her face with a smirk.
"I saved you because our interests happen to align right now. If I hadn't stepped in, you would've lost your eyesight—something that would seriously hinder your revenge..."
"Revenge?" she repeated, eyes narrowing further, suspicion creeping into her voice.
*Does he know something...?* she thought.
As if reading her mind, Shinso's lips curled into a sly smile. "I know… you want to kill the person responsible for your mother, Anaak Zahard's death, right?"
"..." Her silence said it all.
"I know who it is. Or rather, they are..." He paused deliberately, stepping closer until only inches separated them. He leaned in and whispered, "Even with one of the 13 Month Series Green April, your strength is still insufficient. I doubt you could even touch a single hair on his head."
The grinding of her teeth was audible. She knew it. She hated it. Anaak was painfully aware she was still too weak to face a Ranker from Zahard's army. Even if she were stronger, tracking them down was another challenge altogether.
Still, she acknowledged Shinso's strength. Even if he couldn't defeat them, he might have leads. That alone made him useful. His motives were unclear, but his information couldn't be ignored—especially if it was legit.
Still, if his demands were excessive, she won't partake in it. Reluctantly, she asked, "What do you want from me?"
"You're finally starting to get it," he replied. "Don't be so tense... It's not as complicated as, say, Garam's whereabouts—though she is hiding on the Floor of Death, under the protection of Gustang."
Anaak's eyes widened in disbelief. That was a closely guarded secret. Only a handful of people knew that. Who the hell is Shinso? How does he know so much? Is he from the Zahard army?
A series of questions popped up; her mouth gaped, but no words came out. Subconsciously, her grip tightened around her weapon's hilt. *This guy is way too suspicious... Is he a spy from Zahard's army?* If it came to it, she would fight. She wasn't planning to die quietly.
Seeing her reaction, Shinso sighed and shrugged. "Don't overthink it. Like I said, our interests align. I only stepped in because the culprit is chasing after you, too. And if I want to lure a fish... I need the right bait."
"...So you wanted to use me to draw him out? But—"
"Don't worry about that," Shinso interrupted. "In fact, he already knows you're alive. He'll probably try to kill you sooner or later in the upcoming exam. You being bait wasn't part of the deal."
"Then what do you want?"
"I want you to deliver a message to someone, and..." Shinso said.
Anaak listened quietly. His request wasn't unreasonable. All he wanted was for her to deliver a message to a certain individual on a certain floor. She didn't know the person, but Shinso claimed she'd recognize them when the time came.
"...Okay, I accept. But I want to be the one to kill him."
"Sure. His body here is just a clone anyway."
She had no complaints about that. With the deal finalized, two people approached them, their expressions laced with concern. They were visibly tense, ready to intervene the moment Shinso made a move toward Anaak. Although it's personal business, they have been watching from a distance, observing changes in Anaak's expression. But it turns out they are being paranoid.
Shinso had noticed them from the start. He didn't mind—in fact, he admired it. Quietly, he stepped aside, giving them space, though he didn't leave right away.
As Hatz and Shibisu (released by Khun) approached Anaak, the first thing Shibisu did was bow his head in apology, surprising everyone.
"Anaak, I'm sorry... If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have lost the Crown Game."
His voice was tight with guilt, and the way he clenched his fists made it clear—Shibisu was blaming himself for being too weak to help when it mattered most.
Watching her teammate bow, Anaak was filled with mixed emotions. Shibisu wasn't at fault—not for their loss. If anyone was to blame, it was her. She had let her pride blind her, allowed herself to get provoked by Androssi, and gave up control of the match. She never once considered the gap between them. Possessing the Green April had made her arrogant, reckless even—as if holding it made her invincible. But the lesson came hard, and even if it wasn't the end, it hit her where it hurt the most: her pride.
"No, I should—" Anaak began, but someone interrupted her.
"No. It wasn't your fault."
The voice made everyone turn.
Shinso stood nearby, hands in his pockets, watching them coolly.
Meeting their eyes, he continued, "I've been watching all of you since the start. Anaak lost her cool and let that 'horny girl' control the pace of the battle. She didn't even glance at the crown. She prioritized personal feelings over the mission—and more importantly, over her comrades."
Anaak lowered her head. She had no defense. Even if she did, she wouldn't offer it.
"Well, there's nothing wrong with being emotional," Shinso said, shifting his gaze to her, "but if you want to climb the Tower, you need comrades you can trust. You're lucky to have them. Treasure them. The higher you go, the more brutal it gets. Betrayal isn't rare—and finding good teammates? That's like finding a needle in the middle of a desert. Having them this early on is truly lucky on your part."
Then he turned toward Hatz and Shibisu.
"Shibisu, yeah, your strength is weak—but you have something no one else on this floor does: the ability to lead your comrades to greater heights."
"I believe you'll take your teammates far. You've already proven it by your actions. You won't abandon anyone. Instead of blaming Anaak, you chose to bow your head and own your shortcomings. That deserves some respect."
*Because that's something... Even I can't do it,* Shinso admitted silently.
He turned his back to them, hiding his indifferent expression. "That kind of strength... it's rare. So, Shibisu, no matter what everyone says about you, it won't change the fact you're incredible and have immense potential, so—stand proud. You're strong."
With those parting words, Shinso walked away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
They weren't empty words.
*I might sound repetitive, but—*
Even when they knew powerful forces from Zahard's army were closing in, Hatz and Shibisu rushed to the station alone, just the two of them, to save a friend. Truly admirable. If anyone deserves to climb the Tower... It's them.
Princes of Zahard? Gods?
Compared to those ordinary people, they're nothing.
Some people ignored every warning despite having no power, and when they lost their comrades, they cried and wallowed in self-pity. What a bunch of idiots.
That kind of person—Shinso despised the most. They were even worse than Rachel.