Chapter 50: The Tenth Floor of the Tower of Happiness (Main Story End)

“Heaven knows how long I’ve been waiting for you. There’s no time for catching up. The Tower of Happiness is right here. Go on.”

Yuga blinked. No one understood this tower better than him.

As a member of the World Regulatory Bureau from beyond this world, he had been tasked with stabilizing it. Ever since he reached an agreement with Black Swan, he had snapped a branch from his own body and faked his death at her hands. He had remained here ever since, maintaining the operation of the entire World Tree prison.

He had stayed here for so long he could no longer count the years. Only Y009—the apprentice he had casually taken in when he first arrived in this world—served as his eyes, helping him observe everything happening outside the Tower of Happiness.

“I’ve done my part. I’ve guarded this tower for Black Swan for so many years. She guarded the outside, and I guarded the inside. Now, it’s finally time to clock out.”

Yuga stretched lazily. “But speaking of which, your timing is impeccable. Black Swan held out for so long out there, but she’s finally reached her limit. If you had come any later, this tower would have already been invaded by Y003.”

The expressions of Yun Zhou and the others turned solemn. The Council Chairman had stood alone against Y003 Wheel of Fate-Plot Strings and the entrance to the Y001 Tower of Happiness for far too long. It was nothing short of a miracle that she had held out until now before Y003 finally found an opening to completely control her.

Before the young people could finish their silent tribute to the hero, Hela let out a cold sneer, breaking the heavy atmosphere. “Don’t make those pathetic faces. Since you have a way to undo the Plot Strings, then get moving. If you succeed, everyone who died can return from the Fourth District. The Pitch-Black Cocoon might actually become a true Tower of Happiness. It’s just-“

Hela looked at Liu Ming and gave a dissatisfied snort. “It’s just that if we follow your plan, we still have to die once. There’s no difference.”

Liu Ming looked up. The black-gold threads on her body had already reached the marrow of her bones. As one of the first Kings of Anomalies to awaken, Hela was the first person targeted by the Plot Strings. Previously, Liu Ming might have thought she was a devout believer in Nidhogg because her stance opposed Yun Zhou’s, but he knew better now.

The crimson blood-shadow beneath the Fourth District was clearly the ability of Anomaly 007, Shadow of the Earth. Hela had used all her power to create a Fourth District that would never be disturbed by the outside world. In her view, if humanity ultimately could not resist the descent of the King of Anomalies, it was better for everyone to become Spiritual Bodies and live out their days in the underworld.

But since the kid from the Liu Family had a better option, she wouldn’t stop him.

After all… who wouldn’t hope for the impossible to happen?

Hela waved her hand and was the first to disappear up the winding spiral staircase at the center of the hall.

“Go on, it’s time for you to start.”

Yuga reached out his hand. Swirling green branches rose slowly from behind him. A powerful, vigorous, and life-filled spiritual energy instantly swept through the entire first floor of the Tower of Happiness. He looked up at the curved giant tree symbol beneath the spiral staircase in the center of the hall, which had finally lit up, and stepped onto it lazily.

“To obtain Nidhogg’s power, you must use the power of ten Kings of Anomalies as a catalyst to awaken the cocoon’s activity. That will make it easier for you to proceed with the next step of your plan. I’ll stay here on the tenth floor and wait for your good news.”

The entire first floor of the Tower of Happiness glowed with a forest-green light. Winding branches grew continuously along the walls, gradually extending and filling the space. The first floor of this tower—or rather, the tenth floor representing Y010—was absorbing Yuga’s spiritual energy. Yet he seemed quite relaxed, not caring in the least.

【Y010: The Alien Tree from Beyond—World Tree, lit.】

“Actually, I-“

Liu Ming tried to speak, but he was stopped by Yuga’s casually raised hand. “I know your Liu Family gathered enough power from the Kings of Anomalies long ago. Liu Luo and Liu Chuan had their own goals when they acted outside, but…”

Yuga blinked. Though he was a tall and slender young man, his elegant and handsome face, reminiscent of a wandering bard, made the gesture seem perfectly natural.

“But if a King of Anomalies personally steps in to anchor the power, the effect will be much stronger than the scraps of power you’ve stingily collected, wouldn’t it?”

“…It seems this Tower Climbing will be much smoother than I thought.”

Liu Ming gave a helpless smile. “Thank you, Senior. Then we won’t hesitate-“

“Let’s go!” Yun Zhou took the lead, rushing onto the spiral staircase that curved upward like a spine.

“Tower Climbing!”

The layout of the second floor was no different from the first. As soon as they reached the platform and saw the unactivated icon in the center symbolizing a King of Anomalies, Dian Zhu pushed past Liu Ming and Yun Zhou and rushed forward herself.

“Oh, come on, let’s go in order. There are ten floors, enough for everyone. Don’t try to snatch the Y009 spot from me.”

Dian Zhu shed her previous weakened state, revealing the same confident and flamboyant smile she’d had at Tree Tower Academy and the Third District. She stepped onto the symbol, and floating text instantly covered the surroundings.

【Finally here!】

【I’ve wanted to do something cool for a long time!】

【Let’s assemble! After being an information broker for so long, I didn’t expect to get a chance to save the world!】

…

Various excited words and prophecies manifested in mid-air, appearing in the exact same format as the bullet-chat messages Liu Ming had seen before. The spiral staircase leading upward appeared as the text refreshed. Amidst the complex clusters of text, Dian Zhu smiled and waved at Liu Ming and the others.

“Go quickly! Don’t keep the friends waiting above for too long. After I observed the plan you announced in the Fourth District, I asked everyone who could make it to show up immediately!”

“…Then I really must thank you.”

Liu Ming waved back without hesitation. Everyone knew that once the Tower Climbing began, every second counted. They had to seize control of the Dragon King’s Pitch-Black Cocoon before the Tower of Happiness itself could react.

“Move!”

This time, Liu Ming made the call to advance.

【Y009: The Transmitted Text—Ratatoskr, lit.】

Upon entering the third floor, they were met with a surge of water vapor. The layout here remained identical to the others, but the air was damp… like a sea breeze.

“If I’m not mistaken, according to the order of the Tower of Happiness, this should be the power of Y008.”

Before Liu Ming could act, Du Shui stepped forward and released her spiritual body, the electric ray.

Her form turned into a flash of lightning, instantly moving onto the symbol carved deep into the floor of the third level. “I was a bit dazed when Dian Zhu first dragged me over, but since you’re all here, it doesn’t matter.”

The shrine maiden of the Third District flashed a brilliant smile, radiating the same silly energy Yun Zhou usually had. Ever since the Tower Climbing began, these King of Anomalies-level figures seemed to have been infected by some sort of Yun Zhou virus, becoming reckless and carefree.

But Liu Ming had no right to judge them, because he was the same, staking everything on an unrealistic but beautiful possibility.

“The memories of Umizukimi-no-Mikoto are quite useful. Thanks to that senior, I know that every floor of the Tower of Happiness needs a King of Anomalies to guard it and provide energy. Since the Tower of Happiness was originally designed to help ten Kings of Anomalies awaken the Black Dragon, and the symbols before us all belong to Kings of Anomalies, we of Y008 can’t lose to anyone else.”

Du Shui drew her blade. It was the Umizukigiri, which she had exchanged with Izayoi Ame after the Third District incident.

She held the sword, and blood-red lightning flickered upon it. Du Shui’s own color was once again consumed by Umizukimi-no-Mikoto, but fortunately, she could now perfectly control this power.

Liu Ming didn’t stop her, nor did Yun Zhou or Ying Huo. Everyone knew they would eventually have to make the same choice.

“Leave the power of Y008 to me! I wish you all… great fortune in battle!”

Lightning and ocean waves lit up simultaneously. From beneath the symbol came the faint, distant sound of the tide. Du Shui maintained her posture, propped up by her sword, pouring out her spiritual energy without reservation. Yet she seemed to enjoy it, closing her eyes and quietly listening to the sound of the tides from her homeland echoing in her ears.

【Y008: The Sound of the Ocean Tide—Kraken, lit.】

“Let’s go!”

This time, Ying Huo was the first to speak.

“Yo, you’re finally here. You certainly made me wait.”

Before Liu Ming and the others could even set foot on the fourth floor, they heard Hela’s sarcastic voice. As soon as they stood firm and looked up, they found that Hela, who had gone up ahead of them, had already occupied the position of the symbol.

“Let’s get one thing straight. I’m only helping out on a whim. It doesn’t mean I agree with your plan. I’m only here because it’s convenient. Besides, if you fail, I’ll be the one cleaning up the mess in the end anyway.”

Hela flashed a wild, arrogant smile. She shot a deep, meaningful look at Liu Luo, who had remained quiet behind Liu Ming and the others.

“Farewell, friends.”

Countless crimson shadow arms, carrying the stench of death, reached toward the symbol engraved on the floor.

“I hope we meet again in the Underworld (Fourth District)!”

【Y007: Shadow of the Earth – Lord of Death, Hela, has been lit.】

“Please bear with her. My friend has that kind of personality. She does good things, but her way of speaking makes it impossible to feel grateful.”

Liu Luo shook her head, feeling a headache coming on. As an undercover agent lurking by Y003’s side, Hela had exhausted herself doing so much. Without her, Ying Huo would never have survived the Great Fire Incident, and Yuga wouldn’t have been able to bring Du Shui and the others here so easily just now. Yet, she insisted on saying things that invited misunderstanding.

“Uh… I understand,” Yun Zhou paused. “Our friend is just like that too.”

He cast a subtle glance at Liu Ming, who shot him a look back. “If you go looking for a beating again, I’ll shove you into the symbol myself.”

Yun Zhou fell silent instantly.

“Alright, let’s go. There are still several floors waiting for us ahead,” Liu Luo mediated.

“Speaking of which… if this floor is Y006’s turn, shouldn’t it be my time to shine?”

As they reached the fifth floor, Ying Huo spoke with feigned uncertainty, but his speed told a different story. As if afraid someone would steal his spot, he sprinted onto the symbol with everything he had.

Yun Zhou and Liu Ming didn’t even try to stop him. Instead, they were hit in the face by a flurry of feathers from the gyrfalcon.

“Ying Huo, your condition is unique-“

Liu Ming reached out to stop him. Surtr’s power was special; the power of a fully awakened King of Anomalies would burn everything in its path without regard, even the King of Anomalies himself would be bathed in the incineration of the yellow flames.

As the King of Anomalies who presided over fire, Surtr’s flames would even burn away his own consciousness and memories. This was why, at the start of every cycle, Ying Huo needed to re-awaken and merge with the Anomaly Core.

“Oh, it’s fine. No matter how unique I am, can I really be more unique than you guys?”

Ying Huo arched an eyebrow. It was just fire consuming his body; he had experienced it once before anyway.

“But-“

“Let him go.”

Yun Zhou stopped Liu Ming. “None of us are the type to be defeated by something like this, are we?”

Liu Ming blinked, then nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”

Boiling bright yellow flames incinerated the entire space. Amidst the sun-bright fire, Ying Huo waved his hand. “You’d better succeed!”

【Y006: Monarch of Fire – The Searing Lava Giant, Surtr, has been lit.】

On the sixth floor, Liu Luo did not hesitate. She walked over with a grace that could even be called elegant and stood upon the symbol.

She tapped the tip of her shoe lightly, and a frigid blizzard instantly swept through the space.

“Skadi’s Anomaly Core is quite special. It was completely shattered during a previous battle. In every cycle, I have to ask Hela to help me find the fragments of the Anomaly Core just to barely become the King of Anomalies.”

Liu Luo’s voice was flat and calm. “But fortunately, the position of King of Anomalies that I fought so hard for has finally come in handy.”

“Liu Ming, Grandfather actually loves you very much. Though it might sound a bit funny, he really loves you, and so do we.”

That was why they hoped he could have a different life this time. But looking at it now… even with Grandfather’s meticulous planning, they couldn’t escape the mockery of fate.

“Come back alive, Dragon Attendants.”

In an instant, the blizzard surged. Liu Ming stood frozen in place by those simple words. Before he could react, Yun Zhou firmly pulled him onto the spiral staircase.

【Y005: The Shattered Goddess of Snow – Skadi, has been lit.】

“It’s my turn now, Liu Ming. Luckily I’m a Dragon Attendant, so I can exploit a loophole, just like the one you used in the Fourth District.”

Yun Zhou looked at the symbol before him. He summoned his Spiritual Body, and the massive gray wolf charged straight into the symbol on the ground. Shattered black mist instantly spiraled out, shrouding the entire space.

【Y004: The Dragon Attendant from the Future – The Great Wolf of Space, Fenrir, has been lit.】

Liu Ming was stunned for a moment before realizing Yun Zhou was referring to the incident in the Fourth District where he had separated his Spiritual Body to lead himself to the truth. “…Yun Zhou, to be honest, I’m starting to see you in a new light.”

“Hehe, then thanks for the compliment!”

Yun Zhou grinned, looking as foolish as ever.

Liu Ming: …I take it back.

At the place where Y003 should have appeared, Liu Ming saw someone who absolutely should not have been there.

“Why are you here? You clearly-“

Liu Ming stared at Liu Chuan in disbelief.

“If I didn’t show up here, who would fill the spot of Chairperson Black Swan for you? Did you really believe Y003 would come and stand here of its own accord?”

Liu Chuan sat lazily atop the symbol, surrounded by a ring of black-gold Plot Strings.

His Spiritual Body – that massive king cobra – slithered slowly, arranging the Plot Strings one by one, ready to activate the symbol at any moment.

“No… I just…”

Liu Ming shook his head, rarely showing such childlike bewilderment. Liu Chuan sighed, and his originally harsh tone softened. “Please, I stayed by Chairperson Black Swan’s side because of Grandfather’s orders. The Liu Family reached an agreement with the Chairperson. Once her consciousness was swallowed by Y003 or completely controlled by it, I was to take her and the Plot Strings the Liu Family collected over the years and rush here to activate Y003’s symbol.”

He snapped his fingers, and the Plot Strings began to wriggle rapidly, merging into the symbol below.

【Y003: The Dragon Attendant from the Present – Wheel of Fate, Plot Strings, has been lit.】

“Otherwise, why did you think I went to The Tower to be a secretary? I was planning to steal your position as heir.”

Liu Ming said nothing.

Liu Chuan started to feel a headache. He rubbed his hair. “Alright, stop looking like someone died. I didn’t really want to help you that much. Everyone else is at the level of a King of Anomalies, and here I am, just an ordinary human forced into this. Just think of it this way – even if I’m helping you, I’m the weakest link in your plan, and I’m hoping for your failure. Does that make you feel better?”

Liu Chuan shuddered with disgust. “To be honest, that expression you had just now was really nauseating.”

Liu Ming: …A miracle doctor! A literal life-saver! All the gratitude and complex emotions he just felt vanished instantly!

He couldn’t help but snap back: “You’re the one who’s nauseating!”

Liu Chuan waved him off dismissively. “Fine, now get lost. Go to the top with your Dragon Attendant friend and stay out of my sight. Using a human body to wield the spiritual power of a King of Anomalies is exhausting.”

Liu Ming: When it comes to being foul-mouthed… Hela is just a raw recruit compared to his second brother.

He no longer hesitated, turning to leave.

The next floor was exceptionally ancient and dilapidated. Liu Ming followed the same method, summoning his Spiritual Body. The slender little snake slithered quietly and obediently to the symbol’s position. Liu Ming took a deep breath and used crisscrossing, repeating threads to construct a web of spiritual power over the symbol.

【Y002: The Dragon Attendant from the Past – The Midgard Serpent, Jormungandr, has been lit.】

A violent tremor shook The Tower. The spiral staircase leading to the highest level finally lowered. Yun Zhou and Liu Ming scrambled upward. On the open-air rooftop of The Tower, beneath a sky full of stars, they finally encountered the source of all evil in their own time.

A massive Pitch-Black Cocoon that occupied half the rooftop.

Black threads coiled around the giant cocoon, suspending the gargantuan thing. The threads extended all the way into the starry sky, appearing as if they were hung from beyond the universe.

The cocoon was in a bizarre, semi-transparent state. One could even see the writhing black shadows inside through the shell. The mass of shadows was huge and hideous, showing none of the majestic presence one would expect from a King of Anomalies.

“This is it… as long as we kill it and use its power to reverse everything, the endless cycle can finally end.”

Liu Ming took a deep breath. Yun Zhou also drew his weapon, prepared to carve a massive opening in the Pitch-Black Cocoon.

“How dare you-!”

But just as Liu Ming’s threads wrapped around the entire cocoon, a mere pull away from slicing it apart, a sharp roar came from behind them.

It was Y003, having finally broken through the various obstacles to arrive.

The Plot Strings of the Wheel of Fate that had swallowed this world looked distorted. It glared death at Yun Zhou and Liu Ming, charging forward recklessly, intent on taking them down with it.

However, Yun Zhou reacted faster. The Vajra Pestle he held high instantly changed direction, violently blocking Y003’s attack. Black smoke swallowed Y003 in an instant, throwing it some distance away from the giant cocoon.

Yun Zhou let out a long sigh of relief. “Whew, thanks to you being cautious and letting me come up too, Liu Ming. Otherwise, who knows how dangerous that would have been just now.”

Y003 rushed forward relentlessly. “You wouldn’t dare! You can’t do this! If you do, no one knows what the consequences will be. No one in any of the cycles will survive! Neither the Anomalies nor the humans will live!”

“Why wouldn’t we dare? Whatever the price, we’ll pay it. Besides, you’re the Dragon Attendant right now, not us. Getting to this point only proves you’ve failed at your job. It has nothing to do with us.”

Liu Ming sneered. While Yun Zhou held back the nearly frantic Y003 once more, he pulled the silk threads in his hands without a moment’s hesitation.

The razor-sharp threads, imbued with the power of the King of Anomalies, instantly sliced the giant dragon’s cocoon into fragments. The contents within transformed into a terrifying torrent of energy, bursting from the wreckage of the cocoon and surging into the sky.

That was the distorted time and energy of every single cycle.

A black shadow flashed past Liu Ming. The Black Dragon embryo, having lost its nursery, tried to flee, but Liu Ming snared it with unerring precision using his silk threads. The power accumulated over several cycles poured out, using that black shadow as a medium to force time and space into a reverse flow.

“Come here… and vanish completely along with the worlds you destroyed.”

Liu Ming chuckled. This time, the smile was genuine, coming straight from his heart.

The world began to fold. The starry sky melted away.

Seven cycles began to twist, fold, and merge. The people who had appeared and the events that had occurred across different cycles were overlaid across every inch of space the eye could see, organized by spatial sequence. Different timelines interlaced, and everything that had happened in the seven cycles became like a box of mixed-up puzzle pieces, impossible to tell apart.

As for the embryo of Nidhogg, stripped of its cocoon, it would fall into the deepest depths of this chaotic space-time, crushed along with those seven cycles by its own power.

“No…! The Emperor! Our Emperor has not yet awakened!”

Y003 screamed shrilly. It tried to do something, anything, but as it struggled, its hideous expression inevitably vanished into the merging torrent of time.

The ‘past’ and the ‘future’ together devoured the ‘present’.

“Yun Zhou, ‘now’… start running, as the ‘past’ and ‘future’ of this world.”

The silver-blue silk threads acted like a guiding beacon, marking a correct path for the two young men amidst the chaos of time and space.

What they desired lay just ahead.

Please, start running.

Liu Ming took the first step.

“Yeah! Let’s go, we still have things we must do!”

Yun Zhou nodded vigorously.

That was to use the power of the Tower of Happiness to complete the process of reversing the world’s destruction, pulling their departed companions out of ruin and death, one by one…

And then, together, they would head toward a new world!