Tower's Master is interested in his fighting style

[Tower's Master expresses their surprise at your style of fighting with a sword. "A technique that is reminiscent of a dance... that is interesting." They say, wanting for you to explain the swordsmanship you used in full.]

That was what the original message stated. As Youngwoo ignored it and helped Hilda out, he slipped this issue in the back for the time. And now, even though he just wanted to go and sleep, he decided that solving this matter was more important. He didn't have to wake up early anyway. He could spend some time speaking with Tower's Master. That is, if the other side wanted it.

"Master of Tower... are you there? Are you listening?"

[Tower's Master nods at your question.]

"To be honest, do I have to call you that? Don't you have a shorter name or something?"

[A chuckle escapes their mouth. "You are very interesting, indeed. You know who you're dealing with, and yet you have audacity to speak such words... I am taking a liking to you, mortal. You may call me TM."]

"Huh. So, TM, I take it you liked the swordsmanship I used?"

["Indeed, mortal. It was clearly incomplete, but in a way, it had its splendor." TM smiles widely, reminiscing many other warriors that climbed the Tower. "Such a technique, combining power and swift movements, is rare. Utilizing footwork to avoid strikes and bending of one's body is natural in a fight of swords, but the way you did it was not random, not just the best of the moment. Once you started a piece of footwork, you didn't start another until you finished the first one. Indeed, amusing."]

"But why do you want me to explain it? The swordsmanship I used has many downsides."

["Because I find it interesting. I want to give the Tower a new skill in form of that swordsmanship."]

"...what? You want to use this swordsmanship and make it a skill?"

[TM nods with a smile. "I wish to add it to Tower's repertoire of skills. Mortal, it is my earnest request that you explain this swordsmanship in full."]

"Request...? Not a command? And seriously, wouldn't you just find that out if you went into my mind? Why the hassle of asking me this?"

["It would destroy my feeling of amusement if I took that skill directly from your head. Instead, I wish to give you a chance to give your own piece into this skill."]

Youngwoo blinked. Once, then twice, then once again.

"Just tell me you're joking. It's all a fluke, right? I caught you red handed right now."

[TM chuckles vividly, but their words were true. "It is a true desire of mine. Mortal, no, Lee Youngwoo, I want you to teach the Tower a new skill."]

"...this is weird. How do I even do that? Why would I do that? What can you give me in return, TM?"

["I can give you this skill. You can get the skill you create. You may even use it to climb the Tower and reach its top."]

"..."

["How do you think Tower's skills came to be? How do you think they were named the way they were? It was because of a process like this. This process has happened a countless amount of times on countless amount of planets. What I offer to you is ability to permanently engrave your name in the Tower."]

"..."

["I shall leave you to think about it."]

"No... wait." Youngwoo rose his head. "I... I accept. I can show you everything I know in the morning."

["Mortal, this will not be as easy as you think, for either of us. I cannot see everything about your movements the way I am. But I know of a way. You will have to set off soon. The thing you need is on Floor 13."]

"Floor 13?"

[You received a quest!]

[Quest name: Iris' Wardstone]
[Objective: Find and secure a one-of-a-kind gemstone, Iris' Wardstone. It is located somewhere on floor 13 of the Tower.]

[Quest reward: Obtain Iris' Wardstone as your own.]

["The Wardstone is an important piece of puzzle. There are 7 pieces of the whole, but just getting one will be enough. The closest one is on 13th floor." TM says, awaiting your response.]

"What does it even look like?" He asked. "And can't you give it to me right now?"

["I am overseer of the Tower. I cannot exert physical influence."]

"But... didn't you use a skill on me before?" Youngwoo formed a questioning expression, the kind that expressed 'I don't believe you' vibes.

["And using that skill was about as much influence as I can exert over beings in the Tower. Mortal, you must understand that however your folk sees me, I am not a god, merely an administrator."]

'That kinda feels like one and the same...' But he didn't say it out loud. After all, he didn't care much. He was more focused on prospect of getting a new skill. Better yet, it would be his own skill. Well, he should probably think if he wasn't getting made fun of, but he didn't care much. Any excuse to practice more Pagma's Sword Dance was good for him.

["The Wardstone is an amethyst. A violet crystal that embodies a lot of magical power, it will be coveted by many. You need to secure it, so we can proceed. I shall now leave you to it." TM returns to their throne with a smile.]

This was... weird. Youngwoo wasn't sure as to what just happened. He had to go over the conversation again in his head at least twice to understand what it was all about. Well, he was sure of one thing. He needed to sleep. His head needed some cleaning first. He'd need to speedrun his way to 13th floor and find an amethyst. Sure enough, it seemed to be simple. But nothing was a simple matter in the Tower.

He'd need a plan. And he'd need a good one, at it. When he thought about it, there weren't really many options he had. He could solo it (and he'd probably need to die a fair amount of times to do it). Then again, he needed to think about it in the morning.

Meanwhile

She woke up in middle of night. Well, she didn't know that. She rose from the couch lightly, supporting herself with her left hand. Heavens, why was it so dark? She moved herself a bit and felt her joints crack audibly. A sigh escaped her mouth; she loved this feeling. Still, where was she? No, where was she before? How did she escape those guys? No, more prominent issue was, where were Idan and Hilda? Were they alright?

She slowly got up. Her eyes, used to the darkness somewhat, quickly noticed the outline of the room. It looked very familiar to her. Hell, it actually looked like her home. Without much hesitation, she walked over to where she thought she saw a light switch, and then turned it on.

No, it wasn't just similar to her home, it WAS her home. Idan was laying on the same couch she was, sound asleep. That was the moment the girl realized: she had a different shirt on her. And also, she was going braless. Completely not her style. Just what had happened when she was out of it? No time to ponder.

Ieva stormed through the apartment and straight into Hilda's room, where she found her sprawled on her bed in a messy manner, not even in her pajamas, but what she wore for the entire day. Did she have no shame? Well, that didn't matter to Ieva. Without so much as hesitation, she placed her hand on sleeping one's shoulder and shook powerfully.

"Hilda? Wake up!" She said with worry in her voice.

Dragon Witch moved in her sleep, but eventually opened her eyes. Seeing who was looking at her, she opened her eyes wide and asked:

"What is it?"

"You alright?"

"I should be asking. I'm fine. You?"

"Yeah, I'm good. But where's my battery? Did they get it?" A serious worry was painted on her face.

"Safe." Was a short answer that cut her off. "It's taken care of for now. We'll talk about it in the morning. Now go sleep."

"Safe? It's not with us! How is it safe?"

"It wouldn't be safe with us. I left it with someone who can protect it. Don't worry, we'll retrieve it later. Now let me sleep." Said Hilda with some discontent in her voice and turned over, pulling some sheets over her.

Seeing that she won't get anything out of Hilda, Ieva decided to simply heed her advice. She fixed her chin short, blonde hair, and left to her room. Getting into the bed, she undressed and tossed most of her clothes across the room. Grabbing some spare bra she found under a pillow, she put it on and went to sleep.

[A/N: I know this chapter isn't very good, and I'm sorry for that. I just need a setup for later events. There's a good chance I'll redo this one at some other date (maybe I shouldn't bring Pagma's Sword Dance into this. It's probably going to be Youngwoo's main means of fighting...).]