CHAPTER 135: CH-135

After the initial examination, we all moved toward the chamber that led down to the lower floor.

There, another giant boss monkey was being cut to pieces by people in white hazmat suits. They moved efficiently, chainsaws and blades flashing, slicing through its massive limbs.

In the center, the floating core hummed with a deep, resonant energy, bending the air around it. Faint ripples danced outward, twisting light and shadow, and the floor beneath seemed to pulse in time with its rhythm.

I frowned in confusion and glanced at Amanda.

She whispered that a teleportation portal would open once every floor, from the first up to the current one, had been connected.

For an S-Rank, once they climbed a floor, they would be instantly teleported to the highest floor they had reached if they decided to exit and return.

Lower-rankers, however, could choose freely which floor to teleport to, as long as its boss had already been defeated.

"Line up!" The one guiding us motioned for everyone to walk straight toward the core.

"Just think of the tower entrance," he explained, "and it’ll send you there directly."

We obeyed.

The moment I stepped through, it felt like plunging into warm water—my vision darkened for a split second before snapping back to focus.

click!

click!

Cameras flashed endlessly, operators ready for any scrap of news.

One reporter in the front leaned forward, his eyes widening as he muttered under his breath.

"Look... it’s Ace Mercer, the missing billionaire! He made it!"

Shouts erupted instantly. "Mr. Mercer! We’re glad you’re okay! Can you tell us what you experienced inside?"

"Mr. Mercer! The rescue operation took so long. What can you say about the current state of the Seeker Association? Don’t you think this is the result of Tier One guilds holding too much power?" asked by a male reporter with balding hair.

I let out a deep sigh. The media was more intimidating than I expected, circling like vultures, twisting every angle of the story to their benefits.

Normally, I would have ignored them, but too many eyes were watching—I couldn’t afford a misunderstanding.

"I’m glad we got rescued," I said calmly. "It took time, but the important thing is that we’re safe. We wouldn’t be here without the Seeker Association, and the guilds that worked together."

My answer was meant to satisfy the people in charged. After all, I still needed to register my guild. It would be stupid to say something controversial and then expect them to sign my documents later.

He looked disappointed by my reply, and I could not care less.

"What’s your plan now, Mr. Mercer?" another reporter shouted.

I met their eager eyes, keeping a calm expression befitting my status.

"Experiencing a tower echo firsthand made me realize just how dangerous it is. It also showed me how vital the Seeker Association is to maintaining peace in our city.

I want to speak with the head directly and show my appreciation through a donation. I know it’s not much, but I want to help."

The crowd erupted. A billionaire donating money made headlines. It gave me an idea—to boost media coverage and look like a good guy. In this world, power wasn’t enough. Reputation mattered just as much.

"I also met other survivors inside the tower... they didn’t make it," I paused to swallow the lump in my throat. "I want to help their families however I can. One of them was Jay—his mother is in a coma, and his sister is still in high school."

My voice cracked slightly. "If he hadn’t saved me... I wouldn’t be standing here today."

The reporters erupted, shouting praise for my actions while cameras flashed nonstop, each trying to capture every word.

Before more questions could reach me, my bodyguards swooped in.

"Master Mercer, this way," one of the bodyguards called, gesturing toward the fleet of black SUVs.

In the center sat a massive, extended camper van. It was the type celebrities used when they knew they would be on set for days—and mine was the most expensive model, with a feature that let it expand when parked.

"Good. These two are with me," I gestured toward Amanda and Hai-Min.

"Alright, Master Mercer,"

Cameras still flashing, we moved quickly under the watchful eyes of my bodyguards, leaving the reporters behind.

Inside, the van felt more like a private suite than a vehicle—plush seats, soft lighting, and space to move around freely.

Before I could take in the luxury of it all, Ellie, Ella and Alice rushed forward and wrapped their hands around me.

"We were so worried!" they cried in unison, their voices trembling as they held onto me.

I patted their heads gently. "It’s alright. I’m safe now."

It did little to calm them, so I let them break into tears. Once they had settled, their attention turned to Amanda and Hai-Min.

The two smiled at them, but Hai-Min’s lips pressed into a tight line, her cheeks puffing out slightly. She peeked up at me from under her lashes, trying not to look too bothered, but her tiny pout revealed her jealousy.

"This is Amanda, my business partner," I gestured

"And this is Hai-Min..." I paused, unsure how to put it. "She’s... kind of like a little sister to me."

Hai-Min’s lips pressed tighter at the word ’sister’. She crossed her arms and looked up at me from under her long lashes, pretending not to care.

"Wow, she’s adorable!" Ellie exclaimed, scooping her up into a hug. Hai-Min squirmed, her tiny face disappearing against Ellie’s chest."

"I... I can’t breathe!"

Scratch that—she really was drowning.

"Aunt Ellie, please don’t traumatize her," I said, grabbing Hai-Min by the shoulders and pulling her to safety before she got completely buried.

"I’m okay... I think," she gasped, shoulders trembling as she tried to catch her breath.

"I’m really sorry, but I’ve never seen someone so adorable. My motherly instincts just... kicked in out of nowhere." Ellie clasped her hands and apologized.

I couldn’t blame her because I was guilty of the same thing myself.