Floor 20: Equipment and Trials
"DING… DING… DING."
The steady chime of the elevator echoed as Kade and Finn approached the 20th floor, the sound slicing through the unspoken "class divide" between different sectors of the colossal Hero Association building.
The atmosphere changed instantly. The sterile, oppressive stillness of the 47th administrative floor vanished, replaced by a surge of raw energy and the relentless clang of metal—like the heartbeat of a massive machine.
This was the heart of the Association, where heroes fine-tuned their equipment and spilled blood inside testing chambers.
The chaos here was enough to overwhelm any newcomer.
Hundreds of hunters moved across the floor, clad in all manner of gear—from high-tech tactical armor to grotesque bio-organic suits.
A man strode past with a massive python draped over his shoulders; near the ceiling, a trained swarm of bats spiraled like a living shadow.
There were even goblins and fae among them—proof of the strange alliances forged in the modern era.
Finn hurried ahead, brimming with excitement like a child entering a toy store. He skipped along, occasionally spinning in place—like a robot with a snapped tension spring.
Kade thought to himself,
"How can someone live so carefree in the middle of this chaos? Someone like that… deserves to live longer."
Finn was ecstatic, grabbing one weapon after another.
"You have to see this place! It's seriously… incredible! We've got everything—mechanical weapons, ultra-light armor, even restored ancient devices! Look at this sword! The light it gives off… it's amazing!"
Finn kept snapping his head from one end of the hall to the other. Right now, he looked exactly like a five-year-old, curious about everything within reach.
Kade merely curled his lips slightly, offering little reaction as his eyes carefully examined every detail around him.
The great hall resembled a cathedral of violence: glass-walled arenas where rookies battled training robots, and rows of display cases guarded by staff with expressions cold as steel.
The equipment chamber was vast enough to accommodate an entire A-rank combat squad, complete with separate display counters and testing bays. Several staff members guided young heroes, helping them test equipment on mannequins or combat drones.
"This is the standard equipment area," Finn said, leading Kade to a table covered in close-combat weapons.
"But if you want to try something more… Interestingly, the section over there is restricted. Only S-rank heroes and above are allowed to touch those. They're weapons that belong to legends."
Kade glanced to the side, where soft light filtered through reinforced glass cases, illuminating weapons that looked ancient yet refined with modern technology.
Relics.
A sword engraved with ancient runes shimmered with blue light, sealed inside a glass case as thick as a wall. Crimson streaks—like dried blood—ran along its blade.
A pair of combat gauntlets emitted faint sparks of energy with every movement, humming with a low, predatory static—clearly gear meant for close-quarters fighters.
But Kade's gaze locked onto something farther away.
A curved blade, forged from an alloy that seemed to swallow light itself. The hilt was wrapped in weathered leather, and the guard bore the symbol of a coiled serpent.
Ancient weapons? Kade thought, a vague current of energy crawling up his spine.
The instincts of an ancient warrior stirred within him.
These were not ordinary pieces of equipment.
They were alive.
They had consciousness.
Finn was swinging an energy blade, producing dazzling arcs of light—a beautifully crafted vibro-blade.
"Want to try this one? It's light, but insanely sharp!"
Kade shook his head. He believed everything should be approached with caution. What he chose here could affect many things down the line.
"We need something that can synchronize with wind-like movement speed."
He stepped toward the ancient blade.
His hand closed around the hilt.
A faint vibration traveled through his body, as if the sword itself had recognized him.
Finn's mouth fell open.
"You… you can feel its energy?"
"Yeah. It suits speed," Kade said, his eyes lighting up. "But… we need to test it."
A man appeared.
Tall, draped in a dark cloak, his gaze sharp enough to cut through the air.
This was Lucian—the S-rank team leader who had been trying to recruit Kade.
The ancient sword in Kade's hand seemed to reflect Lucian's eyes.
"Ah… Kade," Lucian greeted, his voice low, warm, and commanding.
"That's a good sword. It carries the power of Wind and Fire."
Kade smirked.
"I like it."
Finn stepped aside, nearly bursting with excitement.
"Oh, this is going to be an amazing test!"
Lucian wasted no time. He produced a training replica of the ancient blade and aligned it with Kade's weapon.
"Just perform a few basic movements. You'll feel the energy resonance."
Kade took a breath.
The ancient sword felt light in his hand, but when he swung it, a blue current of wind spiraled around the blade, forming hazy rings of light.
This was the reaction between his movement skills and the relic. Every step he took left behind afterimages of wind, forcing both Finn and Lucian to narrow their eyes to keep up.
CLANG.
Lucian smiled, his eyes flashing with approval.
"For someone with your speed… this is the first time I've ever witnessed such perfect resonance."
Kade smiled faintly, but a suffocating realization tightened in his chest as he sensed the power hidden within the weapon. It could become his main armament—but it was also a challenge. If he overused it, losing control was a real risk.
Finn couldn't sit still any longer. He rushed in, brandishing his own blade.
"Let me try! I'm Fire-type, but… I want to test myself against you!"
A sparring match began.
Finn unleashed powerful attacks, combining flames with raw physical force, but Kade merely evaded, guiding the sword as if it were an extension of his body—melding wind and speed seamlessly.
Each movement left behind trails of blue light, constantly throwing Finn off balance. Kade became nothing more than a ghost, gliding through the flames, his feet barely touching the floor, leaving shimmering afterimages behind.
And the accumulated winds from his previous movements—
The gust didn't merely push.
It slammed into Finn like an invisible wall, extinguishing the flames and sending him skidding more than six meters across the polished floor.
Lucian watched closely, nodding in admiration.
"Indeed… you're worthy of the invitation to our team. But there's still much you need to learn. Resonating with ancient equipment is only the first step."
Finn gasped for breath, his hair soaked with sweat.
"You're… you're too fast! I couldn't touch you even once!"
Kade lowered his sword, breathing evenly. His gaze toward Finn was gentle, yet sharp.
"I was only testing my sense of it. You have a lot of potential, kid."
Finn flushed, nearly laughing from a mix of embarrassment and excitement.
"Man, you're incredible! I really need to train harder!"
Lucian nodded, his expression turning serious.
"Kade, you've proven yourself. This is Floor 20—the place where heroes test their limits. And you… will be part of our future."
Kade closed his eyes, feeling the gentle wind—from the sword, from his body, from his newly awakened capability. Everything merged into one—a freedom he had never known, mixed with tension and responsibility.
He opened his eyes and looked straight at Lucian and Finn.
Kade lowered the blade. His heart hammered in his chest, the power both intoxicating and draining—a cold, hollow sensation spreading through his veins.
The sword was a predator.
And it demanded a price.
An equal one.
"Alright. I'll accept. But every decision will be made my way. No one controls me."
His voice was calm, yet carried the weight of resolve.
Lucian smiled—a smile filled with challenge and respect.
"Good. I like people like you."
Kade smiled faintly, tightening his grip on the ancient sword.
Floor 20.
Ancient relics.
New companions.
All of it was a challenge, an opportunity—and the beginning of a path that, this time, would be decided by him alone.