Floor Director Yeon led them deeper into Floor 10's administration complex. Guards lined the hallways, all watching Yamamoto with open wariness. The building itself was different from the test areas—more official, more intimidating.
"Where are we going?" Yuri asked, walking beside Yamamoto. She'd dismissed her own team for now.
"To your test," Yeon said without turning around. "We've prepared something special."
"I don't like the way he says 'special,'" Laure muttered.
They arrived at a massive door—solid metal reinforced with Shinsu barriers. Yeon placed his hand on a scanner, and the door opened with a hiss.
Beyond was an arena. But not like the ones before.
This one was enormous. Easily a mile across, with varied terrain—forests, hills, water features, urban structures. The ceiling was so high it looked like actual sky. And scattered throughout the arena were what looked like fortifications.
"What is this?" Ran asked.
"Your test," Yeon said. He gestured to the arena. "Floor 10's special challenge: The Siege."
Numbers appeared on screens around them. Teams were being divided into attackers and defenders. Yamamoto's team—Team 3—got marked as attackers.
"Defenders will hold the central fortress," Yeon explained. "Attackers must breach it within two hours. Defenders who hold for two hours pass. Attackers who breach before time's up pass. Everyone else is eliminated."
"How many defenders?" Novick asked.
"Three teams. Fifteen Regulars." Yeon smiled. "Plus our special addition."
A portal opened in the arena. Someone stepped through.
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed.
The figure was tall, armored, carrying a sword that radiated concentrated Shinsu. The aura around them was different—denser, more refined. This wasn't a Regular.
"That's a Ranker," Yuri said quietly. "A real one."
"Test Ranker Kallavan," Yeon announced. "Ranked 374th in the Tower. He's volunteered to oversee this test personally."
"Oversee?" Yamamoto repeated.
"And participate if necessary." Yeon's expression was neutral. "We need to know your limits, Irregular. Fighting normal Regulars doesn't tell us anything anymore. So we're escalating."
Yamamoto stared at Kallavan. The Ranker stared back. Neither spoke, but the message was clear.
This was a real test.
"You're sending a Ranker against Regulars," Yuri said, her voice hard. "That's against Tower regulations."
"So is an Irregular who can fight High Rankers on Floor 5," Yeon countered. "We're making exceptions. If your Irregular friend is as strong as reported, this shouldn't be a problem."
"And if he's not?" Evan asked.
"Then we'll have established his actual limits. Either way, we get information." Yeon gestured to the arena. "You have five minutes to prepare. Teams, take your positions."
The screen updated. Team 3, Team 6, and Team 8 were designated attackers. The other teams—and Kallavan—were defenders.
"This is wrong," Ship said. "A Ranker? We can't fight a Ranker."
"I can," Yamamoto said.
Everyone looked at him.
"You can fight a Ranker?" Laure asked. "Like, actually fight one? Not just survive?"
"I've fought one before. Beat him." Yamamoto studied the fortress. "This Kallavan is ranked lower than Ren. Should be manageable."
"'Should be manageable,'" Ran repeated. "He says it like he's talking about doing laundry."
"Focus," Yamamoto said. "We need a strategy. The fortress has three entrances—main gate, east side door, west side door. Defenders will concentrate on the main gate, expecting a direct assault."
"So we don't use the main gate," Novick said, catching on.
"Exactly. Team 6 and Team 8 will assault the main gate. Draw defenders there. We'll hit the east entrance, breach fast, and capture the objective before they realize what's happening."
"What about the Ranker?" Ship asked.
"I'll handle him."
"You'll—" Laure started.
"I'll handle him," Yamamoto repeated. "Trust me."
The five-minute timer hit zero.
"BEGIN!"
Team 3 moved. They didn't charge with the other teams—instead, they circled through the forest terrain, staying low, using natural cover.
"They're going for the main gate," Laure reported, his Light Bearer device tracking the other attackers. "Team 6 is leading. Team 8 is following."
"Good," Yamamoto said. "That's half the defenders occupied."
They reached the east entrance. It was guarded—three defenders, all looking alert. Behind them, the door was reinforced with Shinsu barriers.
"Novick," Yamamoto said quietly.
The Spear Bearer nodded. His spear flew, silent and precise. It hit the first defender before anyone knew what was happening. The man went down.
Ran charged in immediately, engaging the other two. Her fighting style was fast, efficient. Both defenders went down in twenty seconds.
"Door," Yamamoto said.
Ship ran forward, pulling out tools. "Give me a minute. The lock's complex."
"You have thirty seconds," Yamamoto said. "Ran, Novick, watch our backs. Laure, tell me where the Ranker is."
"Northwest side. He's... wait." Laure's expression changed. "He's moving. Fast. Coming this way."
"He figured out our plan," Yamamoto said. "How long?"
"Two minutes. Maybe less."
"Ship?"
"Almost there!"
The lock clicked. The door opened.
"Go," Yamamoto ordered. "Breach the fortress. Find the objective. I'll buy you time."
"You're staying to fight the Ranker alone?" Ran asked.
"Yes."
"That's suicide!"
"No," Yamamoto said calmly. "It's a tactical delay. Go. Now."
His team hesitated for one second. Then Ran nodded.
"Don't die, old man."
They ran inside. The door closed behind them.
Yamamoto turned to face the approaching Ranker.
Kallavan arrived thirty seconds later. He came through the trees like a force of nature—fast, powerful, completely confident.
"Irregular," Kallavan said. He drew his sword. "I've heard stories. Let's see if they're true."
"They are," Yamamoto said.
Kallavan attacked.
Fast. Way faster than Ren had been. The sword came in from three angles simultaneously—actual afterimage technique combined with Ranker-level speed.
Yamamoto's staff blocked all three.
The impact created a shockwave. Trees bent. The ground cracked.
Kallavan pulled back, eyes widening slightly. "You blocked that."
"Yes."
"With a wooden staff."
"Yes."
"Interesting." Kallavan's stance changed, became more serious. "Let's try this properly."
He attacked again. This time his Shinsu changed—became visible, coating his sword in layers of compressed energy. Each strike carried enough force to demolish buildings.
Yamamoto met them all.
The staff and sword clashed over and over. Each impact sent out shockwaves. The ground around them started to crater. Kallavan was using Ranker-level techniques, power that should overwhelm any Regular.
Yamamoto matched him.
"You're not even using your weapon's release," Kallavan said. They were locked together, blade against staff. "I can feel it. You're holding back."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need to release it yet."
Kallavan laughed. "Arrogant. I like that." He pushed harder, his Shinsu density increasing. "But arrogance needs to be backed up."
His sword began to glow. Some kind of special technique, concentrating power for a decisive strike.
Yamamoto felt the change. This next attack would be serious. Kallavan was done testing, ready to show his real power.
Good.
Yamamoto's spiritual pressure flared. Just a little—enough to reinforce his body, enough to prepare.
The temperature around him spiked.
Kallavan noticed. "What—"
Yamamoto struck first.
The staff moved faster than before, backed by spiritual pressure instead of just physical strength. It hit Kallavan's guard, and for the first time, the Ranker was pushed back. Not much—just a step—but it was enough.
"You've been holding back too," Kallavan said. He wasn't angry. He was excited. "Good. I wanted a real fight."
They clashed again. This time neither held back. Ranker versus Irregular, both using real power. The arena around them started to break apart from the impacts. Trees fell. Ground split. The Shinsu in the air became unstable.
Inside the fortress, alarms were going off. Yamamoto's team was probably fighting their way to the objective. But that didn't matter right now.
Right now, all that mattered was this fight.
Kallavan unleashed a technique—some kind of area attack, Shinsu blades cutting from every direction.
Yamamoto spun his staff in a perfect circle. The blades hit his defense and shattered.
"Impossible," Kallavan said. "That was a Ranker technique!"
"I know," Yamamoto said. "I've fought Rankers before. You're good. But you're not the strongest I've faced."
"Then show me." Kallavan's eyes were burning with challenge. "Show me your real power, Irregular!"
Yamamoto considered it. He could release Ryujin Jakka. Could end this fight in seconds. But that would reveal his full capabilities to Tower authorities. Would show them exactly what he could do.
Better to keep some secrets.
"Another time," Yamamoto said. "Right now, I just need to delay you."
"Delay me?" Kallavan looked confused. "Why would you—"
An explosion came from inside the fortress.
Kallavan's expression changed. "Your team."
"Reached the objective," Yamamoto finished. "While we were fighting."
The arena's screens lit up. OBJECTIVE CAPTURED—TEAM 3 WINS.
Kallavan stared at Yamamoto. Then he started laughing.
"You bastard. You fought me seriously enough to keep me busy, but not seriously enough to reveal your full power. This whole thing was a distraction."
"Yes."
"And your team just won while I was out here."
"Yes."
Kallavan lowered his sword. "I respect that. Tactical thinking over brute force. You really are something special."
The arena's walls began to fade. Test complete.
Floor Director Yeon appeared on the screens, looking like he'd swallowed something bitter.
"Team 3 has completed the objective. Test complete. They... pass."
He didn't sound happy about it.
Yamamoto's team emerged from the fortress, looking exhausted but triumphant.
"We did it!" Ship shouted. "We actually did it!"
"Of course we did," Ran said. "We had him." She pointed at Yamamoto. "Did you really fight a Ranker to a standstill?"
"More or less," Yamamoto said.
Kallavan walked over. Up close, Yamamoto could see he was younger than expected—maybe early thirties. His eyes held respect now.
"Genryusai Yamamoto," Kallavan said. "I came here thinking I'd crush an arrogant Irregular. Instead, I found a warrior." He extended his hand. "I look forward to our next fight. When you're not holding back."
Yamamoto shook it. "Likewise."
Kallavan left through a portal, leaving Team 3 alone with Yuri and Evan.
"That was impressive," Yuri said. "Fighting a Ranker while your team completed the objective. Very tactical."
"It's what I know," Yamamoto said.
Floor Director Yeon appeared in person, walking into the arena. His expression was neutral, but Yamamoto could see frustration underneath.
"You passed," Yeon said flatly. "The Tower recognizes your success. You may proceed to Floor 11."
"Thank you," Yamamoto said, though they both knew it wasn't genuine gratitude.
"A word of advice, Irregular." Yeon stepped closer. "The higher you climb, the more attention you'll attract. And not all of it will be friendly. There are powers in this Tower that make Rankers look like children. If you continue this path..."
"I'll deal with it," Yamamoto said.
Yeon studied him for a long moment. Then nodded.
"I believe you will. That's what concerns us."
He left.
Team 3 regrouped, with Yuri and Evan joining them.
"Floor 11," Laure said. "We're actually making it to the middle floors."
"Because of him," Ship said, looking at Yamamoto with open admiration. "You fought a Ranker."
"And we'll probably have to fight more," Yamamoto said. "The Tower is escalating. They're testing me harder each floor. This won't get easier."
"Good," Ran said. "Easy is boring."
Despite himself, Yamamoto almost smiled.
They walked toward the portal together—Team 3, Yuri, and Evan. A group. An alliance. Something that was starting to feel like more than just convenience.
The Tower waited above them.
One hundred twenty-five floors to go.
And Yamamoto was ready for all of them.