Chapter 35: The Pace That No One Understood

Time inside the Tower moved differently.
Not just in hours and days—but in perception.
For Kael, Aerin, and Mira, the fifth floor had been a place of steady progress. Training, exploration, refinement. Every step forward had been deliberate, every decision measured. They didn’t rush because they didn’t need to.
But outside—
It looked different.

Nearly a month had passed since they first entered the Tower.
And while they had moved from floor to floor with purpose, the world beyond the gates didn’t see that. It only saw time.
Too much of it.

“They still haven’t come out?”
“I heard they’re stuck somewhere on the lower floors.”
“What? Even beginners can reach the fifth floor now.”
“They must not be gathering anything useful.”

The voices spread.
From climbers to vendors.
From vendors to the streets.

“They’re too slow.”
“They don’t know what they’re doing.”
“Snails.”

The name stuck.

Not because it was accurate.
But because it was easy.

Those who knew Kael—the ones who had traded with her, who had seen her work closely and consistently—didn’t agree. They defended her when they could, dismissing the rumors as exaggeration, misunderstanding.
But not everyone listened.
And slowly, quietly—
The narrative shifted.

Inside the Tower, none of it mattered.
Because they didn’t know.

They weren’t there to hear it.

What they did notice—
Was change.

Mira’s body had lost its earlier fragility. She wasn’t delicate anymore; there was strength in her stance now, a grounded presence that hadn’t been there before. Her movements were sharper, more controlled, and her tongue—still as sharp as ever—was now used with intent.
She spoke less.
But when she did—
It mattered.

Aerin had changed even more visibly.
His shoulders had broadened, his frame tightening with muscle built from repetition and strain. He wasn’t bulky, not exaggerated in strength—but he was solid. Stable. His confidence had settled into something natural now, no longer forced or uncertain.
And yet—
He hadn’t changed at his core.
He was still kind.
Still helpful.

Kael—
Kael had simply become more complete.

They stood at the edge of the fifth floor’s next ascent point.

The path forward waited.

But before they could step toward it—
A voice called out.

“Kael.”

She turned.

The man approaching them was familiar—one of her regular suppliers from before she had entered the Tower. A climber with experience, someone who had always treated her with respect, even when she stood outside the system.
He stopped a few steps away, his gaze shifting briefly to Aerin and Mira before returning to her.
“You’re going forward?” he asked.

Kael nodded once.

He frowned slightly. “You shouldn’t.”

Aerin’s expression shifted, but he didn’t speak. Mira crossed her arms lightly, watching the man without interruption.

“You’re still ranked F,” the climber continued. “The floors beyond this aren’t meant for your level. It’s not about confidence—it’s about risk.”

Kael met his gaze evenly.
“We’re not rushing,” she said. “We just want to see if we can clear it.”

The man studied her for a moment.
He knew her.
Knew how she worked.

“…Then I’m coming with you,” he said finally.

Mira raised an eyebrow. “You don’t trust us?”

“I trust her,” he replied calmly. “That’s why I’m coming.”

Kael didn’t refuse.

They moved together.

What happened next—
Was not what he expected.

The test began.

Stronger creatures.
Heavier pressure.
More aggressive patterns.

Five bear-like monsters emerged as the challenge unfolded—large, powerful, their movements slower than wolves but far more destructive. Each strike carried weight, each step shook the ground slightly beneath them.

The climber prepared himself.

He didn’t need to.

Kael moved first.

Not aggressively.
But precisely.

Aerin followed, holding position, controlling space.
Mira circled, faster now, sharper, her timing aligned with Kael’s movements rather than reacting independently.

And then—
They struck.

One bear dropped.
Then another.

No hesitation.
No wasted motion.

The third didn’t last long.
The fourth fell before it could fully adjust.

The fifth—
Didn’t even complete its attack pattern.

Silence followed.

The climber didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

He just stared.

Not at the fallen creatures.

At them.

“You…” he started, then stopped.

Kael wiped her hand lightly, as if the fight had been nothing more than routine.

Mira exhaled once, steady.
Aerin adjusted his stance slightly, looking almost disappointed that it had ended so quickly.

“…You didn’t even struggle,” the climber said finally.

Kael didn’t respond.

Because there was nothing to say.

The man let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair before looking at her again.
“Your rank is wrong,” he said.

That much was obvious.

“You could jump straight to D,” he continued. “Maybe even higher if they evaluate properly.”

Mira’s eyes lit up slightly.
Aerin looked surprised.

Kael remained still.

“But don’t,” the man added immediately.

That caught their attention.

“Too fast, and people will notice,” he said. “They already talk. You move like this, and they’ll start asking questions you don’t want to answer.”

Kael understood.
Immediately.

“Upgrade to E,” he continued. “Control it. Keep it steady. Let them think you’re improving normally.”

Mira frowned slightly. “But we can do more.”

“Yes,” he said. “And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t show it yet.”

Silence followed.

Kael thought for a moment.
Then nodded.

“E,” she said.

The man exhaled, almost relieved.
“Good.”

Because now—
He wasn’t looking at beginners anymore.

He was looking at something else.

Something that didn’t fit the system.

And if the system noticed—
It wouldn’t stay quiet for long.

Kael turned away.

The path forward was still there.

But now—
So was caution.

End of Chapter 35