Tower of god : The Big Shark In a Small pond

1 Day before the Hell train Departure :

Karean, leaning against the wall with a distant look, continued his conversation with Lira. His voice was calm but carried an edge of concern.

"To think that the 35th Floor has been completely restricted for unauthorized Rankers so suddenly," he remarked, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit room as though piecing together a puzzle.

Lira, seated on a nearby stool with her arms crossed, nodded thoughtfully. "It's strange. The Zahard Army doesn't just enforce restrictions like this without a significant reason. Especially not on a floor as critical as the 35th."

Karean tilted his head slightly, his silvery-white hair catching the faint light. "It could be a precaution, but for what? There are too many possibilities—none of them good."

Lira's gaze hardened, a flicker of flames dancing in her irises. "Whatever the reason, it complicates things for us. If they've sealed the floor, moving around freely and gathering information will be nearly impossible. Not to mention the added eyes on everyone who gets close to the Hell Train's entrance."

Karean's smirk was faint but confident, a glimmer of defiance lighting his face. "Complications are part of the climb. We've faced worse. The important thing is finding out what caused this sudden lockdown. Something big is brewing."

Lira shifted uneasily. "And what if the 'something big' is already here? The 35th Floor is no small battlefield—it's a critical junction. Whatever's happening, it's meant to send a message."

Karean's gaze grew sharper, calculating the risks. "Then we need to stay ahead of it. This isn't just about us. If this involves the Hell Train or anything connected to it, every Regular here is a potential target. And that means we're walking into something far larger than we anticipated."

Lira sighed, standing up and brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You're saying we should keep digging. But how? The army's on high alert, and any wrong move could blow our cover."

Karean's voice remained steady. "We stay careful. Look for cracks in their armor—every restriction creates a blind spot. We'll find ours."

Lira nodded, a flicker of determination softening her sharp demeanor. "Fine. But if we're going to do this, we better not be caught off guard. I'm not a fan of fighting blind."

Karean's smirk widened, almost imperceptibly. "I'd expect nothing less. Let's regroup with the others soon and plan our next move."

As the two prepared to leave, the weight of the 35th Floor's mysteries loomed over them like an encroaching shadow. They moved cautiously, knowing that every step forward might bring them closer to danger—or to the answers they sought.

------

Jane and Ravian walked side by side through the bustling streets of a market town a bit away from the train city the air thick with the scent of roasted meats, exotic spices, and the occasional whiff of burnt metal from the countless workshops scattered across the area. The town was one of the major hubs for Regulars gathering near the Hell Train's boarding area, making it the perfect spot to gather intel.

"Famous Regulars, huh?" Jane muttered, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. His tall, imposing figure drew glances from passersby, but his relaxed demeanor dissuaded most from approaching.

Ravian, on the other hand, moved with quiet grace, his needle strapped visibly to his side, a subtle but clear warning to anyone thinking of causing trouble. "The Hell Train attracts the ambitious and the desperate," he said, his voice calm. "there are always a few names that stand out—a few that are worth knowing."

The pair entered a lively tavern filled with Regulars from all walks of life. The chatter was a cacophony of voices—boasting, scheming, and the occasional argument over drinks. Jane leaned against the bar, his eyes scanning the room, while Ravian approached the bartender.

"We're looking for information," he said, sliding a few coins across the counter. The bartender, a wiry man with a knowing smile, pocketed the money with practiced ease.

"What kind of information?" he asked, leaning closer.

"Names," Ravian replied. "Strong Regulars planning to board the Hell Train this cycle."

The bartender chuckled, pouring himself a drink. "You're not the first ones asking about that. The Hell Train always attracts a colorful crowd. Let me see..." He tapped his chin thoughtfully before leaning in. "There's talk of a few big players this time around."

Jane tilted his head, his interest piqued. "Go on."

"First, there's a guy from the Yeon Family—I Guess maybe a Former Yeon You can call him , he's said to have left the Yeon family Because of their Discrimination Towards Men of their Family."

Ravian raised an eyebrow. "Another Yeon? They're always a handful."

Jane crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "Anyone else?"

The bartender nodded. "There's This Rihad Astray , a swordsman with ties to the Arie Family. I don't know how far his bloodline goes, but he's been cutting through competition like a hot knife through butter."

"A swordsman related to the Arie ?" Ravian muttered, His tone sharpening. "Interesting."

The bartender hesitated for a moment before continuing. "And then there's a real mystery—someone people are calling 'The Red Bird.' No one knows their real name, but they've been taking out ticket holders with some Shinnueh."

Jane glanced at Ravian, his usually stoic expression giving way to a flicker of concern. "Sounds like trouble."

"Trouble always finds us," Ravian replied, her tone dismissive.

The bartender leaned back, satisfied with his performance. "That's about all I've got I mean The others are all Already known. If you're smart, you'll stay out of their way. The Hell Train isn't for the faint of heart."

Jane smirked, pushing off the bar. "We're not exactly faint-hearted."

Ravian nodded, turning to leave. "Thanks for the info."

As they stepped out of the tavern and into the bustling streets, Jane broke the silence. "What do you think? Any of them worth worrying about?"

"All of them," Ravian replied bluntly. "But we're not here to pick fights. Our job is to survive and get stronger. If they cross our path, we'll deal with them then."

Jane nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Still, it's good to know what we're up against. The Hell Train isn't just a test—it's a battlefield."

"And we'll be ready," Ravian said, his voice steady. "No matter who or what comes our way."