Tower of god : The Big Shark In a Small pond

The sun dipped below the horizon of the 35th Floor, painting the sky in shades of deep crimson and gold. Lian Khun, clad in his signature blue robes trimmed with lightning motifs, moved effortlessly through the rocky terrain aboard his sleek floating ship. His blue hair shimmered faintly under the evening light, and his piercing eyes remained fixed ahead.

"Almost there," he muttered to himself, his mind racing. Despite his calm exterior, he felt a growing tension. The 35th Floor had always been a critical zone, but the recent restrictions imposed by the Zahard Army had made it nearly impossible for anyone to navigate freely—especially for someone like him.

Suddenly, his ship's sensors flared, and before he could react, several warships appeared on the horizon, their gleaming hulls bearing the unmistakable crest of the Zahard Empire. The air grew heavy, saturated with an oppressive aura as the ships positioned themselves in an arc, effectively blocking his path.

Lian narrowed his eyes, his fingers tightening on the controls. "Zahard's dogs," he muttered under his breath.

A voice boomed from the largest of the warships, amplified by a Shinsoo-enhanced announcement system. "Stop where you are. I am Varon Tyras, the Vice Corp Commander of the 3rd Corp of the Zahard Army. Moving past this line is strictly forbidden unless you possess an authorized permit."

The declaration echoed through the empty expanse, its tone authoritative and unyielding.

Lian's lips curled into a slight smirk. "An authorized permit? How typical of the empire."

He activated his pocket, opening a communication line to the warship. "Varon Tyras, is it? I'm only passing through. Surely the great Zahard Army has better things to do than block a lone traveler."

Varon's response was immediate, laced with cold authority. "Negotiation is futile. The 35th Floor is under strict lockdown. Turn back now, or face the consequences."

Lian's smirk faded as he leaned back in his seat, his mind flashing back to a conversation he'd had not long ago—a direct call from the leader of the Rebellion Order.

"It's fine even if all of the generals and members reveal themselves because I've already prepared for everything. Just cause chaos."

The words echoed in his mind, their weight settling over him like a stormcloud.

With a sigh, Lian stepped out of his floating ship, his feet touching the rocky ground as lightning began crackling faintly around him. "Chaos, huh?" He looked up at the warships, his expression unreadable. "Fine. Let's give them a little show."

Without warning, he raised his hand, and a massive surge of electric-blue Shinsoo erupted from his palm, ripping through the air and slamming into one of the smaller warships. The impact sent a shockwave reverberating across the area, and the ship tilted dangerously before stabilizing.

The voice of Varon Tyras rang out again, this time sharper. "So, you've chosen violence. Very well."

From the largest warship, a figure emerged—Varon Tyras himself. He descended gracefully, landing a few meters from Lian with an air of unshakable confidence. Clad in black and gold armor, Varon exuded a regal yet menacing presence. His weapon, a massive halberd infused with crimson Shinsoo, gleamed in the fading sunlight.

"I'll give you one last chance to stand down," Varon said, his voice low but filled with authority. "You may be strong, but this is a battle you cannot win."

Lian chuckled, the air around him crackling with increasing intensity. "Win or lose doesn't matter. I've got a job to do, and I don't plan on turning back."

Varon's eyes narrowed, and with a swift motion, he brought his halberd down, releasing a wave of crimson Shinsoo that carved through the ground, heading straight for Lian.

But Lian was already moving. He sidestepped the attack with incredible speed, retaliating with a bolt of lightning that forced Varon to raise his weapon to block. The collision of their Shinsoo sent sparks and debris flying in every direction, illuminating the battlefield in bursts of red and blue light.

The two High Rankers clashed again and again, their movements too fast for the eye to follow. Each strike, each counter, each explosion of power left the surrounding landscape more scarred and battered.

'This guy's no ordinary commander,' Lian thought, gritting his teeth as he narrowly avoided another strike. 'But if he thinks he can stop me, he's got another thing coming.'

Varon, on the other hand, remained composed, his every move calculated. "You're strong," he admitted, his tone almost grudging. "But strength alone won't save you. You're facing the might of the Zahard Empire."

"And you're facing someone with nothing to lose," Lian shot back, unleashing a torrent of lightning that forced Varon to leap back.

The battle raged on, neither side willing to give an inch , their clash became a beacon of light and destruction, visible for miles around—a testament to the raw power of two High Rankers locked in a deadly struggle.

As Lian Khun and Varon Tyras clashed, their Shinsoo techniques tearing apart the environment around them. The skies above the 35th Floor darkened, and the air itself seemed to tremble under the weight of their power.

Varon stood firm, halberd in hand, his crimson Shinsoo crackling ominously. "Lian Khun," he said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Your actions are reckless. Do you truly think rebellion will bring anything but ruin?"

Lian, shrouded in arcs of lightning, smirked faintly. "Ruin is inevitable—for all of us. The only difference is who stands when the storm ends."

Varon raised his weapon, a crimson glow enveloping its blade. [ Tyras Style Shinsoo Technique: Crimson Divide ] With a powerful swing, he unleashed a wave of energy that tore through the Air heading straight for Lian.

Lian responded instantly, summoning a barrier of lightning , The two forces collided in an explosion of light and energy, shaking the battlefield.

Varon didn't relent. He charged forward, his halberd aimed directly at Lian. Their weapons clashed, sparks flying with each strike. Lian's speed kept him ahead of Varon's powerful strikes, but the relentless assault pushed him back.

"You fight well," Varon said, his halberd striking the ground and sending shockwaves rippling outward. "But your rebellion ends here."

Lian narrowed his eyes, his body glowing brighter with Shinsoo. "You're mistaken if you think I'm the one who'll fall today."

He leapt into the air, summoning several lightning spears around him. [ Lian Style Lightning Technique : Endless Lightning ] The spears rained down toward Varon, who spun his halberd in a defensive arc, deflecting each projectile.

As the barrage ended, Lian landed, his breathing heavy but his resolve unshaken. Varon stood opposite him, a faint smirk on his face. "Impressive. But not enough."

Varon planted his halberd into the Air, channeling Shinsoo into it. The Air around him cracked and glowed as he unleashed another attack. [ Tyras Style Shinsoo Technique: Raging Bloodstorm ] A vortex of crimson energy erupted around him, expanding outward.

Lian leapt back to avoid the attack, his mind racing. "I can't let this drag on. Time to end it."

Lightning surged around him as he gathered Shinsoo, the air becoming dense with energy. [ Lian Style Lightning Technique: Heaven's Wrath ] A massive bolt of lightning surged forward, its blinding light illuminating the battlefield.

Varon met the attack head-on, raising his halberd to block it. The resulting explosion was deafening, and the ground beneath them collapsed from the sheer force. As the dust settled, both fighters were still standing, their expressions locked in grim determination.

"Enough of this," Varon said, charging toward Lian for one final strike.

Lian clenched his fists, his body glowing brighter than ever. "This ends now!" he roared, meeting Varon's charge with everything he had.

Their final clash sent a shockwave rippling through the area, the outcome uncertain as the two High Rankers fought to determine the victor.

The battlefield was quiet except for the hum of residual Shinsoo energy lingering in the air. Dust floated aimlessly as the two warriors stood, battered and drained.

Varon's armor, once pristine and reflective, was now cracked, faint trails of blood seeping from the wounds underneath. He stumbled slightly, his halberd digging into the ground for support. Lian, though standing tall, bore the signs of strain, his body flickering with remnants of lightning energy, the scars of their fierce battle evident across his frame.

A low rumble broke the silence. Before Lian could make his move to finish Varon, a distortion in the air to their side began to ripple violently. A swirling portal of deep blue energy materialized, its edges sparking like a storm. The intense Shinsoo emanating from it made both men freeze.

From the portal emerged a sleek warship, smaller than the others but radiating an aura of menace. Its hull bore an insignia neither of them could immediately recognize, but its very presence screamed power. The ship hovered ominously, as if observing the devastation below.

Lian's gaze sharpened. The presences aboard were palpable, their sheer intensity making the air feel heavier. Before he could prepare himself, several figures stepped out of the portal, descending gracefully onto the battlefield. Their forms were concealed by cloaks, and their faces obscured by masks.

The leader of the group stepped forward, his aura suffocating and authoritative. "So, you're one of them," he said, his voice smooth yet menacing, filled with quiet contempt.

The moment hung in the air like the calm before a storm. Suddenly, without warning, the sound of a blast shattered the fragile silence. The battlefield was engulfed in chaos once more, the explosion sending shockwaves that scattered debris and threw both Lian and Varon backward.

Lian coughed as he tried to regain his footing. His eyes darted around, searching for the source of the attack. The cloaked figures stood unharmed amidst the destruction, their leader stepping forward with an air of effortless dominance.

The dust began to settle, revealing the cloaked figures. The leader, though exuding an undeniable air of strength, carried himself with a casual arrogance rather than regal authority. His gaze swept over the battlefield, landing on Varon, who was struggling to stay upright.

Varon hesitated for a moment before dropping to one knee, more out of protocol than genuine reverence. "You're here sooner than expected," he said, his voice strained but steady.

The leader smirked, brushing off invisible dust from his dark robes. "Well, someone has to clean up your messes, don't they?" His tone was condescending, laced with mockery.

Lian, still on the ground but not yet beaten, forced himself to his feet. His body ached, his Shinsoo reserves dwindling, but the sight of Varon bowing stirred a renewed anger within him.

"So, this is what the Zahard Army sends now?" Lian said, spitting blood onto the scorching Shinshu. "A show of cowardice, bowing to someone not even worthy of respect."

The leader's smirk faded, replaced by a faint scowl. He stepped toward Lian, his movements deliberate. "And you must be the loudmouth rebel causing all this trouble. No wonder the empire is in chaos, with pests like you running around."

Lian didn't respond. Instead, his Shinsoo flared once more, though weaker than before.

A spear of pure lightning formed in his hand, and without hesitation, he hurled it directly at the cloaked leader.

The leader scoffed, raising his hand lazily. A sphere of dark Shinsoo materialized, absorbing the spear effortlessly. "Is that all you've got? Disappointing."

But Lian was already moving.

A barrage of lightning-coated punches and kicks followed, each strike shaking the ground. The cloaked leader blocked some strikes and dodged others, his demeanor growing more annoyed with every passing second.

"You're persistent. I'll give you that," he said, stepping back to avoid another strike. "But persistence won't save you."

The leader unleashed his own attack: a torrent of dark Shinsoo spiraled outward, forcing Lian to retreat. Lian gritted his teeth, his body visibly shaking from exhaustion, but he refused to back down.

Varon watched the exchange silently, his expression unreadable.

Lian pushed forward one last time, his energy surging for a final attack. "I won't die here—not to someone like you!"

[Lian Style Lightning Technique: Wrath of the Storm!]

Lightning erupted around him, forming a massive storm that enveloped the battlefield. The cloaked leader braced himself, his smirk returning.

But before Lian could strike, a powerful blast of Shinsoo came from the warship. The storm dispersed instantly, and Lian staggered.

Several figures emerged from the ship, each exuding immense power. One of them, a woman with piercing eyes, stepped forward and shook her head. "Enough of this nonsense."

Lian barely turned to face her when her hand moved. A beam of condensed Shinsoo shot forward, piercing Lian's chest. He gasped, his eyes wide with shock, before collapsing to the ground.

The leader glanced at her, clearly annoyed. "I had it under control."

"Sure you did," she replied dryly, walking past him to inspect Lian's lifeless body. "You waste too much time playing with your prey."

Varon stood, his expression blank as he watched the interaction. He turned to the woman. "What now?"

She looked at him briefly before turning away. "Clean up. Report to the corps commander. This is over."

The cloaked leader sighed, shaking his head as he followed her back to the ship. "You're no fun, you know that?"

The warship began to ascend, leaving Varon behind to handle the aftermath. He stared at Lian's body for a long moment, his thoughts unreadable.

"This rebellion," he muttered to himself, "is more trouble than it's worth."

( Who do you think would've won if there was no interruption ? )