Chapter 11: The Price of Victory, The Weight of Fate
Blood splattered across cracked stones. Smoke drifted lazily through the air, thick with the scent of scorched earth and burned flesh. Silence fell across the battlefield like a heavy curtain, save for the distant crackle of flames and the flutter of ash descending like snow.
Aya Shirogane's boots pounded against the uneven ground as she dashed forward, ignoring the pain coursing through her limbs. Her long silver hair, stained with dirt and blood, clung to her cheeks as she skidded to a stop beside the crumpled figure of her partner.
"Kaito!" she screamed.
His mask had cracked, revealing part of his cheek. His chest rose and fell weakly. One arm hung limp, his fingers twitching as though reaching for something — or someone — before falling still.
Aya dropped to her knees. Her trembling hands hovered over him before gripping his shoulders.
"Oi… come on, say something, idiot…" she muttered.
But he didn't answer.
Not even a snarky comment.
Not even a stupid grin.
And that was when she realized how much she needed to hear one.
Then, it came.
A sound — not from Kaito, but from above.
A familiar chime echoed across the air, and a luminous screen flashed in the sky, painting the heavens with an ethereal light.
---
[System Notification – Global Announcement]
[Congratulations. The First Floor of the Tower of Trial has been Cleared.]
[Global Reward: All Awakeners who died on the First Floor have been revived.]
[Bonus Reward to All Surviving Duos: +10 Skill Points, 1 Rank Advancement Token, and 1 Unique Artifact.]
[Special Reward to Duo #Japan-A001: 'Fate-Linked Soul Gem' has been issued.]
[The First Floor is now permanently open to all Awakeners for training, exploration, and treasure acquisition.]
[The Second Floor of the Tower of Trial will open in: 3 months.]
[Warning: Must be cleared within 1 year of activation. Failure to do so will result in global termination.]
---
The battlefield buzzed with a mix of confusion and cautious hope. The once-muted silence gave way to chattering voices, stifled sobs, and shouts of reunion.
Aya remained on the ground beside Kaito. She didn't move.
Everyone else had — some cheering, some crying, some staring at their own hands in disbelief. But Aya stayed with her partner, shielding him, watching him.
The wind carried dust and the faint scent of ash. But it also carried something new — relief.
"He's breathing… that's all that matters," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
---
From the sky, golden threads of light fell like rain. The system's announcement had reached every corner of Earth — the revivals, the rewards, the three-month countdown to the Second Floor.
But that wasn't all.
Another screen blinked into view. This one, personal — directed only at registered duos.
---
[System Notification – All Registered Duos]
[Congratulations: The First Floor has been Cleared Globally.]
[Current Elapsed Time Since Tower Activation: 9 Months.]
[Mandatory Marriage Contract Requirement: 3 Months Remaining.]
[All Duos Must Officially Register as Partners Through the System Interface.]
[Failure to do so will result in Termination of Both Parties.]
---
Somewhere in the distance, a man cursed loudly.
"I forgot about that stupid rule!"
Another duo — two teens from Brazil — just laughed it off, high-fiving each other while checking their stats.
Aya didn't laugh.
She stared at the notification like it was a ticking bomb.
"…Three months," she murmured.
She glanced at Kaito's unconscious form.
"Guess we don't have a choice anymore… but don't think I'll let you laze around just because you're out cold."
She leaned back, arms crossed.
"But…"
She lowered her voice.
"…If we have to do this, then fine. I'll make sure no one finds out your secret. And when you wake up…" her eyes softened for a moment, "…you better explain everything."
---
In the background, the battlefield began to clear. Medics helped the wounded. Tower security re-established protocols. Revived Awakeners were being scanned and stabilized. Media drones floated overhead — cautious, unsure if they were allowed to broadcast.
Some duos immediately left to reunite with family.
Some stayed behind, training, hunting leftover monsters, or exploring the now-open First Floor.
The entire Tower shifted — no longer a place of trial, but of opportunity.
For the first time since the system appeared, there was a moment of peace.
Aya didn't move.
She stayed right where she was, hand resting on Kaito's shoulder.
"I'll wait. But you better not make me wait all three months."
Her voice was soft.
But her gaze was sharp as ever.
---
The Tower's surroundings, once a hellish warzone, had been transformed into something surreal — like a festival of survival. Fires had been extinguished. The groans of the dying were replaced by the confused murmurs of the newly resurrected. Medical tents popped up, healing stations activated, and even food stalls — conjured by system artisans — sprang up, feeding the living and revived alike.
Some duos stood in disbelief, checking their stats. Others argued, cried, or held each other without saying a word.
Aya remained by Kaito's side for two whole days.
She didn't sleep much.
Didn't talk to anyone.
Only left briefly to wash up and return with a chair, a blanket, and a bottle of nutrient water she could force down his throat later.
System healers had checked on Kaito, of course.
"No physical injury," one said, perplexed. "Vital signs stable, but his mana flow is... abnormal. Like something's suppressing it from the inside."
"Will he wake up?" Aya had asked bluntly.
"We don't know. We've never seen anything like this."
Aya had only narrowed her eyes.
Then sat back down in her chair.
Watching. Waiting.
---
Three Days Later
Word had spread like wildfire — that Aya Shirogane, the Ice Queen of Japan, the strongest UR Awakener, had struck the final blow against the boss.
Only a few noticed the inconsistencies.
Why had she collapsed afterward?
Why did her partner lie unconscious for days?
Why didn't anyone see the actual killing blow?
Theories brewed online.
Conspiracies.
Fangroups.
Shipping tags: #SilverIceQueen and #MysteryPartnerX.
But Aya didn't care.
She'd found a quiet hill nearby, high above the commotion. Kaito lay on a clean blanket, his head on a rolled-up jacket. Aya sat beside him, legs crossed, facing the distant Tower.
Then, like before, a soft chime echoed.
She flinched.
Another screen hovered in front of her.
---
[Private Duo Notification – Japan-A001]
[Status Update: Partner "Kaito Yamada" remains in stasis. Time Until Mandatory Marriage: 2 Months, 27 Days.]
[Reminder: First Floor is Permanently Open.]
[Second Floor Activation in: 2 Months, 29 Days.]
[Tip: Utilize this time for growth, bonding, and exploration.]
---
Aya clicked the screen away.
"I get it already."
She sighed and glanced at Kaito.
"…You better not be faking this just to avoid the marriage talk."
Still no response.
"…Fine. Sleep while you can, dumbass. When you wake up, we're sparring. And if you lose, I'm not marrying you."
She tilted her head.
"…If you win, I might consider it."
Aya's cheeks flushed lightly, and she quickly covered it with a growl.
---
Elsewhere, Around the World
In India — Dev and Meera declined interviews and left quietly. Meera visited the slums with a glowing pendant in her hand, while Dev stared long at the moonlit sky.
In the Vatican — Xenovia prayed in silence, while Elijah quietly burned a report labeled "Unexplainable Awakening Data – Japan."
In Russia — Anya stared at footage on repeat. "Who really defeated that boss?" she asked Dmitri, who only grunted and sipped vodka.
In China-Japan Alliance HQ — Chloe Wu adjusted her glasses and said, "Track his vitals. If he so much as twitches, I want to know."
---
Back on the Hill
A soft wind blew across the hilltop.
Kaito's hand twitched.
Aya didn't notice at first.
She'd closed her eyes, finally dozing off.
But as the sun began to rise, golden light spilled over the edge of the hill. The world — for the first time in 9 long months — felt calm.
The System had given Earth a temporary reprieve.
But danger still loomed — the three-month countdown to the Second Floor had already begun.
---
The wind shifted.
Gentle, almost teasing.
Kaito's fingers twitched again.
This time, Aya noticed.
She sat up straight in an instant, blinking the sleep from her eyes.
"…Kaito?"
No response. But his brow furrowed slightly.
She leaned closer, hand gently pressing against his forehead.
And then—
He inhaled sharply.
His eyes shot open, pupils dilated. He coughed — once, twice — like he hadn't breathed real air in years. Then sat up halfway before groaning and falling back again.
"Ow… why does my soul feel like it got body-slammed by an elephant wearing heels…"
Aya blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…You're awake."
Kaito looked up at her, dazed. "You look like you've been crying."
She narrowed her eyes. "You've been unconscious for three days."
"…Really?" He rubbed the back of his head. "I was dreaming about marshmallows made of lava. Not pleasant."
Aya leaned back and crossed her arms. "Idiot. I thought you died."
"Did I?" he muttered. "Huh. Not my best nap, I guess…"
Then he paused.
He looked at her again — really looked.
Her face was dirty. Her hair disheveled. There was a cut on her cheek she hadn't healed. But her eyes were alert. Guarded. Intense.
Kaito smiled weakly.
"Hey. Did we win?"
Aya was silent for a moment.
Then, with the faintest curve of her lips: "Yeah. We won."
---
Kaito sat up, slowly. His joints cracked in protest. His body ached in places he didn't know could ache.
But more than anything, he felt drained.
It wasn't just physical.
It was like part of him had been used up.
"Status," he whispered.
Nothing happened.
He frowned.
"System? Window?"
Still nothing.
Aya noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"…Nothing. Just—can't access my interface."
Aya tensed, but said nothing.
Kaito glanced at her. "What happened after the boss died?"
"You collapsed. I… I said I struck the final blow."
He blinked.
"Why?"
Aya stared at him.
Then looked away.
"I don't know what you are. But the world isn't ready for it."
Kaito tilted his head. "That bad, huh?"
"That powerful," she corrected softly.
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Kaito grinned. "So… I guess I saved the world, huh?"
Aya rolled her eyes. "Technically. I did the PR."
He chuckled — then winced, holding his ribs. "Ow. Laughing hurts. Tragedy."
Aya stood. "Come on. Let's get you something to eat. You look like a skeleton that lost a fight with a blender."
"…Thanks for the image," he muttered.
She offered her hand. He stared at it.
Then took it.
Their fingers brushed.
Aya didn't let go.
Neither did he.
---
Kaito and Aya entered the recovery zone.
People whispered. Stared.
A few bowed.
Aya ignored them.
Kaito waved awkwardly.
"Did I miss anything fun?"
"You missed a global resurrection," Aya muttered.
"…Cool."
"Oh, and we have to get married in less than three months or we both die."
"…Less cool."
Aya smirked.
---
[System Notification – Private Duo: Japan-A001]
[Partner 'Kaito Yamada' status: Recovered.]
[Training mode unlocked for First Floor.]
[System Tip: Daily quests, sparring zones, and dungeon relics now available.]
[Remaining time until Second Floor opens: 2 Months, 28 Days.]
[Marriage Deadline: 2 Months, 26 Days.]
---
Kaito looked at Aya.
"…So. Training, marriage, or food first?"
She punched his shoulder — lightly.
"We start with food."
He grinned.
"Then training?"
"We'll see."
"And marriage?"
She paused.
"…Survive training first. Then we'll talk."
---
The days that followed were strangely… normal.
No roaring beasts.
No cosmic threats.
No tower alarms.
No shadowy system observers.
Just... silence.
For the first time since the world turned upside down, the Tower of Trial stood quiet.
The massive floating [System Notifications] that had once filled the skies were now absent. Occasionally, a basic prompt would pop up, but nothing else.
When asked, the system gave a simple explanation.
---
[System Notice: Major Update in Progress. Estimated Duration: Unknown.]
[Limited Features Active. Please enjoy your downtime responsibly.]
---
"Did the Tower just... take a vacation?" Kaito asked one morning as he leaned over the balcony of the shared dorms.
Aya sipped her tea next to him. "It's updating. Maybe it got tired of threatening us every two minutes."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Relatable."
The couple — if one could call them that yet — had been relocated to a semi-luxury compound built near the base of the Tower. Apparently, it was a reward for clearing the floor. They now shared an upgraded apartment.
One bedroom.
One bathroom.
One kitchen.
Aya had already punched a hole in the wall to make space for a second bed.
("Separate. Beds," she'd emphasized.)
---
Despite everything, the days became... peaceful.
Awakeners from around the globe visited the First Floor to train, scavenge, or just try not to die in the lower danger zones. Mini-dungeons, relic vaults, and sparring arenas provided safer challenges. Most zones were now risk-free — meant for skill growth, not survival.
Dev Rajan and Meera Sharma, the Indian UR duo, had set up a combat class for younger Awakeners. Dev had a habit of yelling at his students like a drill sergeant. Meera balanced him out by bribing them with snacks and life advice.
Rumors said they'd started holding hands when they thought no one was looking.
Elijah Voss and Xenovia Kael, the Vatican pair, had been appointed as temporary overseers of the First Floor. Elijah was charismatic as ever. Xenovia still refused to speak to anyone under 180 IQ.
Leonardo Takashi and Chloe Wu had begun a popular YouTube channel: "Tower Vlog: SSS Life." They mostly filmed pranks on other duos and bizarre food experiments using Tower herbs. Chloe somehow made a curry that exploded.
Dmitri and Anya from Russia had opened a small café.
It only sold black coffee and rye bread.
They looked angry if you asked for sugar.
---
And as for Kaito and Aya...
"You're terrible at housework," Aya said flatly.
Kaito stood in front of the washing machine, trying to convince it to work by slapping it repeatedly.
"I killed a world boss by thinking about it. Why can't I defeat laundry?"
"It's immune to idiocy."
They bickered constantly.
She rolled her eyes at his laziness. He teased her for her perfectionism.
But the tension had changed.
Aya had started leaving her hair untied more often.
Kaito had stopped wearing the mask around her.
They cooked together. (She cooked. He cut vegetables and made sarcastic comments.)
They trained together. (She nearly killed him with a single kick. He called it "romantic bonding.")
They even shopped for furniture — together.
When Aya saw a wedding dress shop during one outing, she froze.
Kaito noticed, smiled… and said nothing.
Later that night, she stared at their calendar, counting down the days.
"…Two months, huh?"
She didn't hate the idea anymore.
---
[System Notice – Soft Reminder: Marriage Deadline – 2 Months, 10 Days Remaining]
---
Kaito, standing behind her, peeked over her shoulder.
"…You still wanna kill me?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she handed him a pillow.
"…Sleep on the couch tonight."
"…So that's a maybe?"
She didn't deny it.
But she didn't look angry either.
---
And for the first time since everything began…
They both laughed.
---