Two days later—
Ash's eyes slowly opened.
White ceiling.
Still air.
The faint smell of medicine.
A hospital room.
For a moment—
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then—
"…You finally woke up!"
Korin's voice burst out instantly.
Relieved.
Excited.
Ash blinked slowly.
Turning his head slightly.
Nyro stood nearby.
Leaning against the wall.
Grinning.
Ravok stood beside the bed.
Arms crossed.
Watching quietly.
Ash swallowed.
"…How long… was I out?"
Ravok answered calmly.
"…Two days."
A short pause.
"…Guess you were pretty tired."
Nyro laughed lightly.
"…Yeah."
"…You looked half-dead back there."
Ash let out a weak chuckle.
Then—
"…What happened…?"
"…The trial…"
Nyro smirked proudly.
"…We passed."
He crossed his arms.
Confident.
"…Told you."
"…If I'm here, there's nothing to worry about."
Ash exhaled softly.
Relieved.
"…They were strong…"
His eyes shifted toward Ravok.
"…Right?"
Ravok nodded once.
Serious.
"…Very strong."
A short pause followed.
"…If I'm being honest…"
"…We only survived because the bell rang."
Silence settled.
"…If that had been a real fight…"
"…We would've lost."
Ash stayed quiet.
Because he knew—
That was true.
Then—
From behind—
"…But don't worry!"
Nyro stepped forward proudly.
Smiling.
"…Thanks to him…"
Pointing to Korin.
"…We got two tickets!"
Ash blinked.
Surprised.
"…Seriously?"
Nyro laughed.
"…Yeah."
"…This guy rolled like a damn cannon."
Korin scratched his head awkwardly.
"…I-I just tried my best…"
Ash smiled faintly.
Then—
"…You did more than that."
A pause.
"…You saved us."
Ash looked at them.
Quiet for a moment.
Then—
"…We make a good team."
A short pause.
"…Want to join me?"
Nyro and Korin exchanged glances.
Then—
Nyro shook his head.
"…Tempting."
A grin spread across his face.
"…But no."
Korin nodded.
"…S-Sorry…"
Nyro continued casually.
"…We're not rushing to the top."
"…We want to climb at our own pace."
He pointed toward Korin.
"…And with this guy…"
"…climbing the tower will be twice as hard."
Korin flinched slightly.
"…H-Hey…"
Ash chuckled softly.
"…Fair enough."
"…I get it."
Then—
A voice echoed through the room.
Clear.
Official.
It was Dig.
Participants.
Everyone froze slightly.
Listening.
Now that you have reached Floor Five…
…you are eligible to form a Guild.
Ash frowned slightly.
"…A guild?"
Dig continued.
Until now, you have formed squads.
To climb the tower.
But a Guild…
…is not only to climb.
A short pause.
You may invite members to your Guild.
They do not need to travel with you.
They do not need to be on the same floor.
Another pause.
But you will always know their condition.
…Whether they are alive.
"Where they are.
…And you will be able to communicate with them at any time.
Ash blinked.
"…Wait…"
"…Even if they're on another floor?"
Yes.
Even if one member is on Floor Forty…
…and another is on Floor Twenty.
Silence filled the room.
That was huge.
Nyro whistled softly.
"…That's actually insane."
The voice continued.
This privilege is unlocked on Floor Five…
…once the Tower acknowledges your strength.
Then Ash spoke.
"…Then it's time to head to the Fifth Floor."
A couple of minutes later—
Ash, Ravok, Nyro, and Korin started walking.
To the entrance of the Fifth Floor.
They approached the guard stationed nearby.
Still.
Watching them carefully.
As they arrived, the guard spoke.
"…Are you here to proceed to the Fifth Floor?"
Ash nodded.
"…Yes."
The guard studied them briefly.
Then gave a small nod.
"…Very well."
A short pause followed.
"…But before you continue…"
His gaze shifted toward Korin's hand.
Toward the remaining tickets.
"…I must inform you about the rewards you received during the trial."
Ash frowned slightly.
"…Rewards?"
The guard continued.
"…The two tickets you secured during the trial."
He raised one finger.
"…The first is a Multiplication Ticket."
"…If used while holding another ticket…"
"…It duplicates it."
Silence followed.
Ash blinked slowly.
"And what would've happened if we only had one?"
The guard looked at him.
"…You would be able to unlock any ability available to you."
Nyro opened his eyes.
"Is it still possible to do it, even if we have two tickets?"
"Yes,"
The guard answered.
He raised a second finger.
"…The second is a Skip Ticket."
"…Once activated…"
"…It allows the user to bypass five floors instantly."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Even Ravok's expression shifted slightly.
That was huge.
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.