Tower 1 — Outer Floor 18 Approach, The Thousand-Step Rift
For the first time in several brutal floors—
there was open space.
A long, narrow bridge stretched across a seemingly endless ravine.
Wind howled through the canyon, carrying dust and fragments of broken stone.
Ragnor stepped onto the bridge and stretched his arms.
"Oh THANK THE TOWERS—
No singing walls, no time-eating grandpas, no nightmares in the mirrors—
Just a bridge!"
Aetherion glanced over the edge.
The drop spiraled into infinite darkness.
"There's a reason it's quiet.
This floor… eats anything that falls."
Lyra narrowed her eyes.
"There's something moving in the fog."
Iris held her chest.
"It feels lonely… and cold…"
The wind shifted.
A faint figure appeared at the center of the bridge—
small, unmoving.
Ragnor squinted.
"Is that—
a kid?"
Lyra gasped softly.
Aetherion stepped forward cautiously.
"No…
something's off."
But as the fog thinned—
they all saw him clearly.
A boy.
About their age.
Short black hair.
Gray eyes.
A frayed cloak, travel-worn and dusty.
A small satchel slung across his shoulder.
A simple wooden staff held loosely in one hand.
He looked fragile.
Gentle.
Human.
The moment the party approached, he startled—
stepping back quickly, gripping his staff.
"I—
I didn't expect to see anyone else up here…"
Lyra softened instantly.
"It's okay.
We're not here to fight you."
Ragnor waved a big hand.
"Kid, you lost or something?"
The boy forced a small, shy smile.
"My name is…
Rio.
Rio Dimos."
He bowed politely.
"I'm a Support-Type.
Light healing, analysis, and minor barriers."
Aetherion frowned.
"You made it up here alone?"
Rio scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed.
"I've been…
hiding a lot."
Iris stepped forward, blinking curiously.
"You… don't feel scary at all."
Rio smiled warmly at her.
"I'm not.
I'm just trying to survive."
Lyra's heart softened immediately.
This boy was a breath of fresh air—
kind, gentle, polite—
the exact opposite of the carnage and horror the Tower had thrown at them.
Ragnor slapped Aetherion's shoulder.
"HEY!
We found the first normal person in this entire hellhole!"
Aetherion didn't smile.
He noticed something.
When Rio shifted slightly, the Tower fog parted around him—
like it was avoiding him.
Not in fear.
Not in awe.
But in recognition.
Aetherion whispered:
"…why does the fog react to him?"
Lyra glanced at Rio's feet.
The bridge stones glowing faintly under him.
"He's matching the Tower's frequency…"
Iris stared at Rio with wide, innocent eyes.
"You're special."
Rio flinched.
"No—!
I—I mean—
I'm not.
I just have good instincts."
Ragnor grinned.
"Well lucky you—
you just found the strongest party you'll ever meet!"
Rio's eyes widened slightly.
"The strongest…?"
His gaze drifted—
just for a second—
toward DRM.
DRM stood silently at the far end of the bridge, mask facing away, as if uninterested.
Rio's breath hitched.
Aetherion noticed.
"You okay?"
Rio forced another shy smile.
"Oh—
yeah.
I'm fine."
But he wasn't.
His heartbeat spiked.
His fingers trembled slightly.
Because seeing DRM—
triggered something deep inside him.
Recognition.
Fear.
Longing.
Questions.
All hidden beneath a calm expression.
Ragnor patted Rio on the back, nearly knocking him over.
"Come on, kid! Join us!"
Rio smiled softly—
relieved, grateful, innocent.
"I…
would really like that."
Lyra and Iris smiled warmly.
Aetherion still looked suspicious.
DRM didn't turn around.
He simply watched the fog swirl.
And somewhere inside him—
a quiet thought formed.
Another role.
Another piece
Rio took his first step forward to join the group—
The bridge shook violently.
Ragnor yelled:
"MOVE—!!"
A massive claw erupted from beneath the bridge—
shattering the stone—
A monstrous creature rose from the darkness:
A centipede of living steel and bone,
plates rattling like clattering swords.
The system chimed:
[BOSS: THE BLADE-CENTIPEDE OF THE RIFT]
[TARGET: RIO DIMOS DETECTED]
[PRIORITY: ELIMINATE SUPPORT-TYPE]
Rio froze.
"It… it wants ME—?!"
Ragnor roared.
"HANDS OFF THE NEW KID—!!"
Aetherion floated upward, cosmic energy crackling.
Lyra pulled back her bow.
Iris trembled but raised her spellbook.
Rio raised his staff, trying to stay composed.
And DRM…
did nothing.
Not yet.
The Blade-Centipede screeched and lunged.
The party jumped into action—
and Rio…
began to show glimpses
of who he really was.
CHAPTER 30 — STATUS REPORT
Ragnor
Level: 22
Mental: Excited
Notes: Loves Rio instantly
Lyra
Level: 19
Mental: Protective
Notes: Rio feels trustworthy
Iris
Level: 13
Mental: Comforted by Rio
Notes: Recognizes something familiar
Aetherion
Level: 19
Mental: Suspicious
DRM
Level: ERROR
Mask Sync: 99%
Notes: Acknowledges Rio's presence—but not as ally or threat