Baam stared at the blood staining his hands, Rachel's shallow breaths echoing faintly in his ears.
"Why?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
"Why is this happening?"
Quant turned sharply to him, eyes cold.
"You don't have time to cry over a traitor. The test isn't over."
Before Baam could respond, a voice echoed from the corridor.
"I knew this would happen."
Endorsi stepped into view, her heels clicking against the stone floor.
Quant raised an eyebrow.
"You came to challenge me instead of heading to the exit? That's bold."
Endorsi smirked.
"Isn't this more fun? I'm already guaranteed to pass. Might as well enjoy the show."
Serena, still kneeling beside Hoh's crumpled form, stood and faced her. Her eyes narrowed.
"That sword… isn't that Choenhwa's?"
Endorsi's expression didn't waver.
"What, do I need to explain it to you? Whatever you're thinking—yeah, it's probably true."
Smack!
Serena slapped her hard across the cheek.
The sound echoed. Endorsi turned her head slowly back to face her, one hand casually rising to her cheek.
"Then tell me," Serena snapped, "why did a traitor just walk in here like nothing happened?"
Endorsi's voice was steady, unapologetic.
"Traitor? Please. I'm just playing the game. We're all participants until the test ends."
Quant exhaled sharply and turned.
"Enough of this drama. I'm ending this."
He took a step toward the corridor.
"Wait," Endorsi called, casually brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Just one more thing."
Quant paused.
"What?"
She turned, her gaze settling on Baam.
"Baam…" she said, her tone strangely soft.
"Honestly, I don't get what's so special about her." She gestured at the unconscious Rachel.
"But," Endorsi continued, "I've found someone I want to climb the Tower with too. And I removed a few obstacles because I didn't want them to drop out. That's just how I do things. I don't know any other way."
Her expression grew serious.
"You should find your own way, Baam. But right now, if you don't help me—
—that girl might die. Do you want to stand by while more people get hurt?"
Baam clenched his fists. So now she wants my help? After everything?
Still, Rachel was wounded. And despite everything… he couldn't ignore her.
Endorsi turned back toward Quant.
"Thanks for waiting."
Quant shrugged. "I don't mind people with guts."
Endorsi grinned. "Burn this moment into your memory. I'm a Princess of Jahad. Someday, you won't even dare look me in the eyes."
Quant smirked. "And I'm a Ranker. In this test, I'm God. 'Someday' means nothing to me."
"Fine." Endorsi raised the sword, now glowing with energy. "Let's begin."
Quant raised an eyebrow. "Where's your badge?"
She tugged open her jacket slightly, revealing the glowing badge clipped inside.
"Right here."
Without another word, Endorsi unleashed a powerful arc of energy with a swing of Choenhwa's sword.
The wave of Shinsu exploded outward, striking the ground where Quant had stood—but he vanished at the last instant.
The floor cracked, smoke and dust rising from the impact crater.
He reappeared a few paces back, arms crossed.
"So it is an Ignition Weapon." His eyes narrowed.
Endorsi pointed the sword at him.
"If you don't take this seriously, you'll die."
Quant dashed toward her.
"Don't whine if you get hurt, Princess."
Before he reached her, his body twisted, narrowly dodging a blast of Shinsu—Baam had stood up and fired a concentrated Baang at him.
Quant glanced at Baam mid-motion.
"So the rookie wants in too, huh?"
Another Baang flew toward him, forcing Quant to dodge sideways. Endorsi capitalized on the moment, swinging her sword again in a deadly arc, just inches from his side.
"Tch—" Quant hissed. "I can't afford to hold back."
Baam stood firm, gathering Shinsu once more, determination shining in his eyes.
"Your Shinsu's running low, isn't it?" Endorsi taunted, circling.
Quant grinned. "Don't underestimate me. I'll end this in seconds."
The air vibrated as all three moved at once.
Endorsi clashed with Quant at close range, each strike of her sword sparking against his rapid movements.
Baam supported from a distance, launching precise Baangs at every opening.
---
Meanwhile, Serena sat quietly beside Hoh, her eyes fixed on the unfolding battle. Her voice was soft but steady as she spoke.
"The world isn't fair, Hoh. They looked away when things were taken from us, and then stood in our way when we tried to take them back."
She paused, her gaze distant.
"But thinking about it now… I realize I've never truly fought before. I've always made excuses—never risked my life for anything. Only regretted what I lost after it was gone."
Serena clenched her fists, voice tinged with a bitter hope.
"No matter what happens next, I wonder… what if I'd stood up to them just once? Maybe I never really had a chance to win. But if I had faced them, maybe my heart wouldn't feel so empty now."
Hoh's voice was low, almost a whisper.
"Is there even a reason to climb higher?"
Serena looked at him. "I don't know what's at the top. But I'm thinking… maybe I'll drop out. They promise something better, but the higher you climb, the more you're forced to leave behind—friends, trust, yourself. You end up betraying everything that mattered."
She sighed, the weight of years evident in her words. "Hoh… I'm tired of killing. Running down this path only leads to more running. You can't fight if you're not alive. Even if I go back… even if I'm poor… at least I'll still have you."
Hoh met her gaze, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.
"You won't regret it?"
Serena's answer was firm, her voice steady like a promise.
"No. I won't live my life full of regrets anymore."
---
The battle raged on. Endorsi panted, her breath ragged as she faced Quant.
"It's time to hand over your badge."
Quant advanced with a smirk. "You're out of breath, Princess."
Endorsi's eyes flicked to Baam. "Now, Baam." She leapt into the air.
Baam gathered Shinsu, expanding it into a wide, sweeping attack and unleashed it toward Quant. The administrator twisted midair, narrowly evading the onslaught.
Endorsi swung her sword in a fierce arc, but when she landed, Quant was nowhere to be seen.
Before she could react, a shadow flickered past her—Quant, slipping by silently, snatching her badge.
"Sorry, Princess," he taunted.
Baam collapsed to the ground, completely drained.
Endorsi let her sword fall with a heavy clatter. She stumbled toward Quant and, weary, leaned against his shoulder.
Quant's smirk widened. "I can't believe I actually stole the princess's heart."
Endorsi laughed softly. "What kind of dreams are you having, clutching my panties like that?"
Quant's face flushed, confused. He looked down at his hand.
Endorsi stepped back with a sly smile.
"My badge is right here—and yours is…"
She held up two badges: hers and Quant's.
Quant scrambled to adjust his clothes, clearly flustered.
A voice echoed through the arena.
"The test is over. Team B wins."
"Test results will be announced tomorrow morning."