Chapter 35: Descending Again into the Abyss On the scheduled day of his second descent, Nightingale woke up feeling even more drained than usual. Apparently, he had endured a bad dream, or more accurately, a dreadful memory.
It was a memory he had already confronted countless times, yet it continued to haunt him without end. The same tragic event had once sent him down a dark path, leaving in its wake a trail of sins and profanities he could never fully erase.
Recalling the details made his eyes tremble and his body shiver involuntarily.
’Calm down... that was a long time ago. It’s about time to let go of this memory.’
Of course, that was easier said than done. All he could do was take deep breaths to calm his chaotic breathing and gather his thoughts.
Sleep was no longer possible.
Growing bitter, Nightingale swung his legs off the bed and reached for his smartphone to check the time.
[7: 05 a.m]
’Hm. There’s still time for me to prepare. Flaming Rose said we should meet up by 9. a.m. Are they worried about the other Espers beating us there and getting all the loot?’
They weren’t the only Espers eager to climb the Tower. Entering the Black Spire was essentially a race against time. Those who arrived late were left to sift through scraps left behind by earlier climbers. And, of course, latecomers received no Spirit Shards at all.
For that reason, Climbers made it a point to arrive early, strategize, and secure the best possible advantages. Timing, positioning, and preparation could mean the difference between walking away with valuable loot or leaving empty-handed.
Nightingale glanced down at the clock displayed on his smartphone’s screen and calculated the remaining time.
Shortly after, he finally stood up from the bed and began his morning routine. Entering the bathroom, Nightingale splashed cold water on his face, hoping it would wash away the remnants of sleep and that lingering unease the nightmare had left behind. The icy touch helped, if only slightly. His reflection in the mirror stared back at him: piercing eyes dulled with fatigue, dark circles faintly visible beneath them.
"Well, you look like shit," he muttered to himself, forcing a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
After brushing his teeth and rinsing off, he stripped down and stepped into the shower. The warm stream of water cascaded over his body, and with it came an odd sense of tranquility. For a few fleeting minutes, the world outside didn’t matter. Just the rhythmic patter of water and the sound of his own heartbeat.
But that peace never lasted long.
Once he stepped out of the bathroom and toweled off, he immediately dressed in his Tower Climbing gear: a black turtleneck, matching pants, dark combat boots, and the navy-blue lightweight coat. Securing his belt, he slid the pistol and revolver into their respective holsters, tightening the straps until each weapon fit snugly against his body. From the nightstand, Nightingale retrieved a silver necklace — a simple cross-shaped pendant that had once belonged to someone dear to him — and tucked it beneath his shirt, hidden completely from view.
Following that, the young man wore his backpack and left his room before making his way downstairs to the kitchen.
If he was going to descend into that forsaken place once again, he was determined to cook a feast and eat like there was no tomorrow.
Upon entering there, though, an unusual sensation washed over him.
Confused, Lu Song scanned the empty house that had once been filled with life and activity before being dominated by the crawling silence, and frowned his eyebrows, struggling to pinpoint the source of the strange feeling.
A few moments later, realization struck.
He had no appetite.
"Tch. I expected as much. Just my rotten luck."
Already aware of the cause behind his lack of appetite, Nightingale clicked his tongue in frustration. To his dismay, he lacked the ability to flatten memories or even trivialities like hunger.
"Unlucky... Well, in that case, I’ll just pack some food and eat my way through the Tower if I have to. There’s nothing left to do here anyway, so I should probably head out."
The time was currently 7:20 a.m.
In other others, plenty of time to gather his gear and make his way to the meeting point without rushing.
Nightingale moved through the kitchen and pulled out a few pre-packed rations, sealing them tightly in his backpack, and checking that his weapons were securely fastened. There was no room for error when entering the Tower.
Stepping outside, the morning air hit him sharply. The chill was invigorating, forcing him to straighten his back and breathe deeply. The streets were quiet, perhaps still clinging to the remnants of slumber. Only a few early risers passed him and their eyes briefly flicked in his direction before moving on, oblivious.
Ahead, the Black Mire rose in the distance, its silhouette dark and ominous against the pale dawn sky. Even from here, the massive structure seemed to dominate the city like a giant omen.
"... Hopefully, this descent doesn’t end like the first one," he whispered under his breath.
Then, with a resolute expression, Nightingale began walking toward the crimson dawn rising beyond the city skyline.
† †
By 8:20 a.m., Nightingale arrived at the designated meeting point.
To his surprise, the area was busier than usual. Numerous individuals, dressed in combat-ready attire and armor, were passing through the checkpoint before heading toward the foreboding entrance of the Towering Spire of Death.The air buzzed with anticipation, each person clearly aware of the dangers and rewards that awaited inside.
It seemed he had arrived right around the time most Espers typically entered the Tower.
’Since I’m already here, why not strike up a conversation? Who knows... they might have arrived too.’
Nightingale pulled out his smartphone, opened InterCom, and sent a quick message to Flaming Rose.
ㄴ I’m infront of the Tower right now. Have you arrived, or are you still on your way?
Moments later, a reply buzzed in.
ㄴ You’re there already? Ah, maybe I underestimated you. Give me a minute or so, I’ll be right there in a jiffy!
’You told me to get here on time, and here you’re the one that is late?’
To be fair, the fellow had said to meet by 9 o’clock, but Nightingale had arrived ahead of schedule.
He sighed.
’Guess I have to wait then.’
Nightingale slipped his smartphone back into his pocket and leaned against a nearby lamppost and scanned the face of the crowd to pass the time.
A few Espers glanced his way, sizing him up with quick, subtle glances before turning back to their companions. Most seemed focused and fixed on the Tower ahead, their minds clearly occupied with the descent that awaited them.
Minutes passed. The crisp morning air did little to ease his impatience.
Finally, a strange figure emerged, weaving through the crowd.
He narrowed his eyes.
The silhouette confirmed his suspicion: a young woman, unmistakable even from a distance. Her spectral pink hair was reminiscent of a ghost, cut short and tied back, jutted out in spiky strands, giving her a wild, untamed look. She wore a black crop top and matching fitted pants, revealing her tanned skin, slender curvy build and the piercing on her belly button. Over it all, a long, tattered red coat hugged her body flawlessly and trailed behind her with its ragged edges flaring dramatically like a unrelenting flame.
Most noticeable of all was the pristine white mask covering her face, etched with intricate patterns that concealed her facial features. Every detail combined to make her seem enigmatic and dangerous, yet there lingered an unmistakable spark of fiery intensity beneath the mask.
’Is that Flaming Rose? She certainly... looks fierce and bold.’
To confirm her identity, Lu Song decided to reach out via InterCom.
ㄴ Hey, have you arrived yet?
The woman paused, pulling out her smartphone and typing a reply.
ㄴ Yeah... just got here.
’Yep... that’s Flaming Rose all right,’ he thought, sending a quick response.
ㄴ I think I can see you. You’re the one in red with the white mask, right?
ㄴ That’s me. Where are you?
ㄴ I’m standing at a lamppost near the checkpoint. You can’t miss me.
There was a brief pause before the woman’s reply buzzed in.
ㄴ Got it. I’ll come find you.
Nightingale watched her move through the crowd. Finally, she arrived before him, but in the next instant, the atmosphere seemed to shift.
"..."
For an unknown reason, she completely froze on the spot.