Two Irregulars?

'Hahaha! That damn old man must have enjoyed saying those words as he sent me off.' I thought to myself. I had felt my feet leave the ground when God finished his speech and now I felt like I was in free fall. I couldn't feel any wind or any air resistance so it was kinda weird. 'I remember what free fall feels like because of the times I went skydiving with my friends, but this feels much more exhilarating!' Then I felt like I was slowing down and finally, my feet slammed onto the ground resulting in me falling on my face. As I was standing up I heard what sounded like a very angry girl.

"Goddamn it! Headon what did you do?" shouted some girl.

'Is that who I think it is?" I wondered, 'Wait, I shouldn't be able to understand the people here though?' Suddenly I felt something in my pocket that I couldn't feel before, I took it to inspect it. It was a small ball that looked like a black hole. 'This is, a pocket?' As I was admiring the pocket a message appeared on it that said, 'From God' so I willed the message to open and it read, 'Hey Caleb, I realized that when you got there Headon probably wouldn't give you a pocket because he doesn't really like Irregulars, so I left you this pocket to use. PS: I modified this pocket so it should work for all languages throughout the multiverse, enjoy! PPS: You might feel a slight headache from the new overload of information complements of your new body and memories.'

Powering through the new migraine that knocked me back on my ass, I sent a silent, thank you to the old man before trying to stand up again. I got up and low and behold, the first three people I see are the ones Baam first meets in the Tower; Princess Yuri Zahard, Evan Edrok, and the Guardian of the First Floor as well as the caretaker of the Tower, Headon.

"Nothing." responded a smiling Headon, "I just granted his wish. The boy went up."

From their conversation, I immediately knew that Baam had just been sent into the Tower after the rigged ball test. Wanting a chance to meet Yuri and Evan before they left, I quickly shouted while walking towards them, "Hey you giant rabbit! Aren't you supposed to greet your guests?"

Surprised by the sudden shouting, Headon whirls around, staff in hand, and stares at me before asking, "Where did you come from boy?"

Grinning I said, "I came from outside the Tower. Why else would I be on this floor?"

"What?!" came a surprised shout from Princess Yuri, "How can this be? Two Irregulars within minutes of each other?"

Deciding I wanted to fuck over some of Headon's plans I said, "Two Irregulars? There's three." I proceeded to spread my new magic out looking for a little rat that I knew was hiding in the shadows and said, "Go ahead and come out little rat!"

Ignoring Headon's low growling, I watched as a girl with blonde hair, yellow eyes, and freckles. "Now now who might you be little rat?" I fighting through a sudden urge to shove my fist through her teeth.

"M-my name is R-Rachel," she stutters.

Princess Yuri opened her mouth to say something but I beat her to the punch, "Okay Rachel, mind explaining why you haven't taken Headon's test yet?" I ask will a grin.

"W-well I thought that the test Headon offered me was too hard so I didn't want to take it."

"You are an Irregular yes?" when she nodded I continued, "Don't you have some kind of ability or power that you can use?" a shake of her head and I continued to ask, "If you have no special ability then how the hell did you think you would be able to climb the Tower?"

"W-well I was hoping I could pass as Baam did."

"You mean you were hoping for someone else to take pity on you and decide to let you climb the Tower without doing anything useful?"

Her face turned angry and she said, "No! I was hoping someone would see the benefit of joining me on my journey up the Tower."

Laughing I said, "What are these benefits you speak of?" I asked, "Do you mean your complete lack of fighting skills or general intelligence? You were worried about fighting a monster that is routine above Floor Twenty! If you can't overcome your pathetic limits and fight this eel there is no way anybody would want to team up with your pathetic self, much less go out of their way to help you climb the Tower for whatever pathetic reason your equally pathetic self feels you are worthy of!"

---- Princess Yuri's POV ----

I was pissed!

"Goddamn it! Headon what did you do?" I shouted, not bothering to hold in my anger. I had just been tricked by this damn rabbit and was not happy.

---- Flashback ----

"My lady! Lady Yuri, please wait!" came a shout from my short Silver Dwarve Guide by the name of Evan Edrok, "What are you trying to do on the First Floor?!"

"An Irregular has entered the Tower Evan!" I exclaimed excitedly, "He 'opened' the gate 'himself'!"

"Are you sure?! If that's true then it's game-changing news!" he shouted, "But My Lady, don't tell me you're going down to watch?!"

"Why wouldn't I?" I ask and say, "We gotta hurry, the test will begin in a few minutes!"

"No way! Why would you want to watch that?" He shouts confused, "What if Headon finds out?"

"Stop being a baby Evan! We'll be fine!" A minute later we were sitting at the edge of a hole into the First Floor. "Evan look over there, it's the new guy and Headon!" I said. "Huh, he doesn't look like much, I thought he would be a monster like Urek."

Evan took a second to analyze the kid and said, "He looks like and ordinary human. I don't feel any of the 'unusual' strength that I've felt from the previous Irregulars, My Lady."

"What really?!" I asked, shocked, "Sigh, what a waste of time. Here I was expecting more from him."

"Look, My Lady, it's the Ball Test," said Evan, "Isn't it a little harsh to make him fight the White Eel? That monster is only routine on Floor Twenty and above."

"It's probably to scare him and make him give up," I informed Evan, "Headon doesn't like it when Irregulars enter the Tower." I thought for a minute before saying, "Poor kid, should we give him a hand?"

Evan was surprised and asked, "What?! Why should we help him? Irregulars are not welcome here! They have always brought chaos to the Tower!"

I grinned, "That's exactly why Evan, for the Chaos!"

"No!" he cried, "You shouldn't help him, Princess! If the King finds out we'll both be dead, DEAD Princess! Besides," he continued, "He won't take the test anywa.."

"But look at him," I pointed to the now running boy and said, "He's running towards the cage."

"WHAT?! IS HE STUPID?!" Evan said incredulously, "That kid is gonna die!"

"Hahaha! I knew the kid wouldn't disappoint me! Evan, I'll be back soon," and with that, I lept off the edge down into the First Floor with Evan calling after me.

"STOP!!" I shouted as kicked off the boy's head into a perfect backflip, knocking him to the ground in the process. "Hey new guy, you got a deathwish? Huh?!" The boy just kept staring at me so I said, "Hey, answer me. Do you, understand what I'm saying?" Realizing what happened I turned to the onlooking rabbit and asked, "Hey Headon, don't tell me you didn't give him a pocket?"

"Come to think of it, I forgot to give him one," replied Headon.

"You forgot?" I asked scoffing. "You're the oldest Guardian of the Tower aren't you? I think you did it on purpose."

"No way, I too make mistakes sometimes Princess Yuri."

"Hey! Evan! Don't just stand there and get down here quick!" I yelled looking towards the ceiling where Evan was still sitting.

"Damn, whatever!" yelled Evan as he jumped to the ground in front of me. "Hello Mr. Headon," he says, "You still look young and healthy, haha!"

"Forget about that," I said impatiently, "Evan give the boy one of your spare pockets."

"Oh, so that's what you called me for, alright," he said searching through his bag before pulling out a pocket and offering it to the boy. "For you boy, it's an A-Grade pocket, it's too generous since you're new to the Tower but it's all I have on me now."

Butting in I said, "Say thank you kid, that pocket is ranked way to high for you!" The kid looked confused so Evan took a minute to explain what the pocket was and what it could do before I decided to ask, "Hey Headon, are you really going to go so far to force the kid out just because he's an Irregular?"

"I am carrying out the test legitimately," replied the rabbit, "I would never try to just kick him out."

"Be reasonable Headon, this test suits those above Floor Twenty."

"Princess Yuri, have you forgotten he's an Irregular?" asked Headon, "The Irregulars who've entered the Tower have all had extraordinary powers. This test is more than appropriate for an Irregular."

"Um, sorry to interrupt," said the kid, "but you guys keep saying I'm an Irregular, what is that?"

"It's the name for those who open the gate and enter the Tower on their own." I said, informing him of some of the Tower's history, "Irregulars aren't chosen to enter the Tower. This Tower is only meant for the chosen, but on rare occasions, Irregulars like you who weren't chosen find their way in. Since ancient times, Irregulars have brought chaos and change to the Tower. Their extraordinary strength led them to be feared by others." Turning back to Headon I exclaimed, "But, look! This kid is different from the other Irregulars! He's small and without any special abilities. Even Evan, our A-Ranked guide admitted he's just an ordinary boy! He's practically a baby next to all the other Irregulars!" Taking a second to breathe I continued, "So what I mean is, Mr. Headon... wouldn't it be fair to lower the level of the test?" I asked trying to convince him.

"Princess," said Headon sounding curious, "You really want him to go up the Tower, don't you?" at which I glared at him, "Very well, I will change the rules slightly... How about this? You lend him one of the weapons that you own."

"Lend him a weapon?" I asked.

"Yes. Your weapons are only for high rankers. If you lend him one, it will be a huge advantage for the boy. Hm... By the way... Don't you have the 'Black March' bestowed by the King?" he asked with a slight grin. "Actually, lending weapons is against the rules... but if you say that you'll lend him the Black March... I will allow it."

'This fucking rabbit!' I thought, 'He knows exactly what kind of weapon the Black March is! This motherfucker tricked me!' Deciding to take a chance on the power of Irregulars I opened my mouth, "Fine. Hey, new boy! What's your name?"

"Huh?! I'm Bam! The Twenty-Fifth Bam!" replied the boy.

"Alright Bam! Do you wanna go up the Tower? Or do you wanna give up on this test?" I asked putting on a serious face.

"I... I can't give up! I need to find someone!"

"You might die," I said putting my arm on his shoulder, "There's a high possibility that you'll die before you find what you seek. Do you still wanna go?"

"It doesn't matter," replied Bam, "I'll go anyway."

"Well, okay!" I said while turning my arm's inventory visible and taking out the Black March, a B-Rank needle, and one of the 13 Month Series weapons. "Take this. This is the Black March. I'll lend you this for a while."

"Lady Yuri! You can't do that! You mustn't ever lend the Black March to someone! If the King finds out you'll be killed!" shouted Evan worriedly.

"It's okay!" Bam said, "You shouldn't lend me such a precious thi..."

"Take it," I said again, "Didn't you want to go up the Tower no matter what? If so then take this." Bam reached forward and grabbed the hilt. "The name of the weapon is Black March," I said to him, "It is a 'Needled', a basic weapon of the Tower. A needle is used to stab and pierce. The Black March is supposed to be the greatest of the needles." I continued, "It's one of the 13 Month Series that Ashul Edwaru created. It's a half-living thing, so once you ignite it, it shows extreme power." I paused, "Of course, even if you take this needle, there is little chance of you winning. The weapon's strength depends on the wielder, no matter how good it is."

"Thank you. Yuri." I heard Bam say as I was turning away, "I promise... to give this back." With that, Bam rushed to the cage, determined to fight the White Eel.

"Lady Yuri, why are you helping that boy by giving him the Black March?" asked Evan, "Do you really think that Irregulars will change the Tower?"

"I don't have time for idle fancies Evan. I've just... taken a liking to him that's all."

----

The three of us were standing back and watching as the test had just started, but Bam wasn't moving and the White Eel was closing in while opening its mouth to swallow him.

"What's... what's wrong with him?! Why is he just standing there? What is he doing?!" I shouted, confused, "Hey! New Boy! What're you doing! Run away and get to the ball, you idiot!" The eel was getting closer and closer, "What are you doing! Are you nuts?! Hey! You!!" Then the eel closed its maw taking Bam into it. With disbelief, I asked, "He... He's been eaten? Gosh! Has he gone mad?! Damn! I have to get him out!"

I started to move towards the cage before Evan grabbed my arm, shouting, "No, My Lady! Don't go! That's the answer!"

"What kind of bullshit is that?!" I shouted, "How is getting eaten the answer? Huh?!"

"Look there, My Lady!" I looked back to the cage were the eel had just let out a *roar* and watched as Bam was thrown out its mouth with a decent amount of blood. "The boy must face the eel without struggling! That is the only way to pass this test! But in order to do that... he needs enormous courage, determination, and judgment! That's what this test is about! Right, Mr. Headon?" said Evan as he turned to look at the third onlooker.

"That's a generous assessment," stated the Guardian.

"Evan, you... why didn't you tell him about the path from the start?" I asked my guide.

"It doesn't really help... usually," he said.

I proceeded to watch as Bam ran up to the Ball and stabbed down with the Black March, expecting it to pop, which for some reason it didn't. "What... what's wrong with it?" I asked, confused. "Hey! Headon! What's wrong with that ball?! Why won't it pop?!" I whirled around and asked the rabbit.

"Who knows?" he replied.

"Who knows? Are you nuts? A ball that doesn't pop from the Black March?! Even I haven't seen one of those!"

"Well..." said the rabbit with a grin, "Maybe it's really well made."

"Really well made?! Are you joking?! So you intended to make him fail the test, didn't you?! You damn rabbit! Stop the test now!" I shouted, enraged.

"Sorry, I can't," he said, "Once the test is started, it will only end when he gives up."

"Damn it! New boy! Give up! NOW! You can never pass this test!" I yelled, "Hey! Stop!" I noticed movement from the side and saw that the eel had woken back up. "Damn it! I can't wait anymore! I need to go in and forcibly drag him out! Evan! Help me!"

As I was starting to run at the cage Evan grabbed my arm and said, "My Lady, please wait. There is something else he can do... with the Black March, right?" He turned to Bam and shouted, "Hey boy! The Black March! Talk to her! Ask her for help! Ask her to 'ignite' her power!"

I stood, rooted to my spot as Bam closed his eyes and the Black March ignited, releasing its power for him to use. Bam then raised Black March and slammed it back into the ball, but instead of popping, the ball started to release power. I watched as the ball cracked and released black electricity throughout the cage.

"Hey! The ball isn't supposed to pop like that!" I shouted, "Headon, you jerk! What have you done to the ball?! Hey! Boy get out of there right now! Boy! Hey, boy!" I could only watch as the ball covered Bam with its black shell and then, with a crack, disappeared from the cage as if it was never there before.

I was pissed!

"Goddamn it! Headon what did you do?" I shouted, not bothering to hold in my anger. I had just been tricked by this damn rabbit and was not happy.

"Nothing." responded a smiling Headon, "I just granted his wish. The boy went up."

Before I could respond I heard a voice call out from the darkness, "Hey you giant rabbit! Aren't you supposed to greet your guests?" The person stepped into the light and my breath was caught in my throat. The boy, no, the man was six feet tall with black hair, blue eyes, and a well-defined face. He wasn't the most handsome man I've ever seen but, he excluded an aura of power, like the calm before a storm. I could feel that he was holding back an extreme amount of power and potential.

Surprised by the sudden shouting, Headon whirls around, staff in hand, and stares at the man before asking, "Where did you come from boy?"

The man grinned and said, "I came from outside the Tower. Why else would I be on this floor?"

"What?!" I shouted in surprise, "How can this be? Two Irregulars within minutes of each other?"

The man looked confused, "Two Irregulars? There's three." he said and I felt a small wave of power spread out from his body throughout the Floor as if looking for something. Grinning he said, "Go ahead and come out little rat!"

Ignoring Headon's barely noticeable growling, I turned towards a new presence. I watched, becoming more surprised by the minute, as a girl with blonde hair, yellow eyes, and freckles. 'This shouldn't be possible! If that girl is here too then she must also be an Irregular! Three Irregulars!' I thought to myself.

"Now now who might you be little rat?" the man asked.

"M-my name is R-Rachel," said the stuttering girl.

Before I could say anything the man grinned and asked, "Okay Rachel, mind explaining why you haven't taken Headon's test yet?"

"W-well I thought that the test Headon offered me was too hard so I didn't want to take it."

"You are an Irregular yes?" when she nodded the man continued, "Don't you have some kind of ability or power that you can use?" a shake of her head and his mouth formed a sneer and he continued to ask, "If you have no special ability then how the hell did you think you would be able to climb the Tower?"

"W-well I was hoping I could pass as Baam did."

"You mean you were hoping for someone else to take pity on you and decide to let you climb the Tower without doing anything useful?"

Her face turned angry and she said, "No! I was hoping someone would see the benefit of joining me on my journey up the Tower."

Laughing he said, "What are these benefits you speak of? Do you mean your complete lack of fighting skills or general intelligence? You were worried about fighting a monster that is routine above Floor Twenty! If you can't overcome your pathetic limits and fight this eel there is no way anybody would want to team up with your pathetic self, much less go out of their way to help you climb the Tower for whatever pathetic reason your equally pathetic self feels you are worthy of!"

---- Back to Present -- Yuri's POV ----

"That isn't fair!" Rachel refuted, "Bam had no skills either yet Yuri.."

I interrupted, "Don't use my name so casually rat. Either call me Princess Zahard." I told her, not liking this new girl's self-entitled attitude one bit.

Rachel ground her teeth and continued, "Bam had no skills either yet Princess Zahard gave him a powerful weapon from her personal armory! Why does he get special treatment while I don't?!"

I was getting fed up with her complaining so I opened my arm's inventory grabbed a high-ranking needle and thrust the hilt towards Rachel, "Here little girl! Here's a strong weapon now grab it and take Headon's fucking test, but I will tell you the same thing I told Bam. The weapon's strength depends on the wielder, no matter how strong it is. So take the needle, and prove that you deserve to go up the Tower."

She took the needle while trembling and I growled out, "Headon, give her the same damn test that Bam took and if you make it easier I swear I'll do my utmost to tear you apart!"

Headon growled, "While you may be a Princess of Zahard, you have no right to order me around. Sadly, the rules have already indicated that the White Eel was a suitable test for her wish to see the top of the Tower. Alright Little Miss, here is your test." With that Headon waved his hand and the same cage as the previous one appeared.

"O-Okay. S-so a-all I have to d-do is stab the Eel's tongue right?" asked Rachel.

"Hmph," I snorted, "We didn't tell Bam the answer so if you weren't paying enough attention to his fight, from the shadows, then that is your fault."

"Alright that's enough," said Headon, "Go on with your test Little Miss."

Nodding, Rachel started to walk towards the cage.

to be continued...