(Viewpoint: Ji-Yunwoo)
A new step.
My foot landed on the stone.
I didn't even have time to transfer my weight.
CLICK.
The mechanism clicked into place, I just managed to grab the next shot but it too slipped from my fingers.
I closed my eyes.
The void.
Again.
My body toppled into the abyss without the slightest resistance.
The wind slapped my face.
Then…
CRAAASH!
The spikes pierced my body, my own sides tore at me, I felt them burst.
My back is going to break.
My throat fills with a metallic taste.
This time, I screamed.
A short cry.
Uncontrollable.
Then light.
Again.
…
I opened my eyes again.
Still on the same step.
I breathed with difficulty.
My legs refused to support me, the pain no longer diminished.
I took out my watch.
*I accept your offer, I agree to help you*
Silence
I sank into despair.
I was going to die here
It was too late
I can't stand it anymore.
My heart was pounding, just imagining this new fall, my feet gave out on me.
I moved closer to the cold surface of the tower, hoping to cling to it, to hide there, I trembled against it with my face pressed against it.
I gritted my teeth.
I regret not having accepted.
Those long black hairs.
Those eyes seemed to contain an entire sky.
I had answered him no with such arrogance
– Too bad, you interest me.
…
Another fall.
It was not accompanied by any sound.
No light.
I remained suspended in mid-air.
A black window.
Borderless.
Without emblem.
As if she didn't belong to the system.
Just one sentence.
I TOLD YOU YOU WOULD COME BACK.
I couldn't move, and neither could anything around me.
A second line appeared.
WILL YOU FINALLY ACCEPT MY HAND?
I breathed slowly.
SO...
He had REALLY been waiting all this time.
I raised my head with difficulty.
The summit still seemed just as far away.
My gaze drifted towards Jae.
Then towards Kang.
Then to Kim Young.
I was wasting time.
I looked down towards the window.
– What is your price…
The text disappeared.
Then an answer appeared almost immediately.
NOT TODAY.
I swallowed my saliva.
Another line.
THE CONTRACT NEVER SPECIFIES THE PAYMENT.
Obviously.
I let out a bitter sigh.
But another line appeared.
I ONLY WANT YOUR ANSWER.
I put in all my effort and moved my head in a positive direction.
I would inevitably lose something, but I have until this tower is finished.
ACCEPT.
The contract was floating in front of me, but I could only make out a single sentence.
THE SIGNATORY WAIVES HIS RIGHT TO REFUSE WHEN THE CREDITOR CLAIMS WHAT IS DUE.
I looked up.
– Is that all?
For now.
CLICK!
Time suddenly resumed its normal course.
An unknown force coursed through my entire body.
My muscles tensed.
My breath returned.
My legs regained their balance.
And even the pain...
He walked away.
The tower reappeared, but beneath my feet.