The 12th story arc of the Tower of God series consisting of chapters 75 - 78 from the first season. The arc centers around Rachel's side of the story that went on while Bam was completing the 1st and 2nd Floors of the Tower, as well as the after-effects of the final Floor of Tests exam.
Arc 11 | Return to the main Tower of God recap page. | Arc 12.5
2F - Epilogue - Rachel
Waiting outside the exit of the Net Dolphin Queen, the Regulars are left confused that only Rachel came out of it. Rachel informs them with the lie that Bam fell out of the bubble during a fight with the Bull, which shocks everyone.
With the 2nd Floor Guardian's final test over, the Regulars are brought to a waiting room, but are bummed out about Bam's disappearance. Shibisu tries to get everyone to think about the Tower climb from here on out, but other than Paracule due to him not really caring about Bam, the possibility that they failed leaves them silent. Hatz gets pissed off at Paracule for thinking that Bam's dead until Lero-Ro arrives. The Ranker informs them that due to a favor Bam asked the 2nd Floor Guardian, the Regulars will automatically pass the final test if Bam ended up dying at some point. Lero-Ro states that they found no sign in the wine glass lake that Bam survived, much to the Regulars' shock hearing that Bam died. Shortly after, Rachel ends up going unconscious, which causes everyone to worry.
Afterwards, the Regulars are all seen in Rachel's room helping her get some rest. Shibisu figures that the loss of Bam must have been quite a shock to her, especially given that he tried to help her through her leg paralysis. Hatz suggests that they should honor Bam's desire to help Rachel climb the Tower since they're now all technically in debt to him. The Regulars all agree to it as Khun thinks to himself that he will be sure to make Bam's dream come true.
After everyone leaves Rachel some privacy, Hwaryun enters the room. Rachel wakes up to listen to her, which Hwaryun congratulates Rachel for becoming the heroine of the story.
During their private talk, Hwaryun asks Rachel how she feels going down the path of the heroine. In return, Rachel answers that she's just a bit tired.
Flashing back to the start of the story, Bam and Rachel fall through the gate of the Tower, but this time, it's Rachel that appears on Headon's Floor. Despite Rachel being happy that she's now in the Tower, 1st Floor Guardian Headon remains disinterested. Headon calls Rachel out as a bad, and nasty, girl that wasn't chosen by either it to be a Regular, or the Tower to become an Irregular. Rachel begs the 1st Floor Guardian to allow her to go up, which Headon offers her to take its test. The test being where one must pop a certain Ball while evading the dangerous White Armored Eel.
Rachel chooses not to take the test since she believes that Headon is just trying to get rid of her for not being chosen. Sensing that the true Irregular who entered the Tower himself has arrived, Headon forces Rachel to the side of the room, and locks her in a small cave behind a soundproof transparent wall. Thus, Rachel's forced to watch Bam's arrival on Headon's Floor. She's shocked to see Bam push forward to take the Ball test that she didn't have the will to take, and begs him not to go. However, he can't hear her as Headon just gives off a smug smile.
After Bam was sent off due to completing his 1st Floor test, Rachel is finally let out of her cave. Headon asks what she will do now, but Rachel complains that what happened isn't fair due to the fact that Bam got help from a girl that provided him a powerful weapon while she was given nothing. However, Headon calls her out that Bam had the courage to go through the test even before he received help when Rachel didn't. Thus, Headon deems Rachel unworthy to climb the Tower. As a result, Rachel goes about blaming Bam for taking everything from her, and for being the actual chosen one by the Tower despite having no desire when she herself has one. In return, Headon asks if she wants to complete a favor for her, and doing so would make her the true heroine of this story.
Later on after being sent off to the 2nd Floor, Rachel arrives at the Floor of Tests thanks to Headon providing its giant Ghost minion as her escort to get her through the initial survial test, and meets with Yu Hansung. Revealed to be working with Headon as well, Yu Hansung assures her that he will be sure to take everything from Bam. He then introduces her to a Guide Regular that will show her the way up the Tower, who turns out to be Hwaryun.
Back to the present, Hwaryun is about to leave Rachel's room, but takes the moment to ask Rachel why she so desperately wants to see the stars at the top of the Tower. In return, Rachel answers that it's because she's afraid of the night (Bam). Leaving Rachel's room, Hwaryun gives of a smile, and figures that it's about time to head over to Bam, who lost his star (Rachel).
The following day, the last remaining Regulars are congratulated for finishing the Floor of Tests, and brought to a red shinsu transporter on the 2nd Floor that acts as the gate to beam them up to the 3rd Floor. Khun complains that Yu Hansung will be the first to go once he's become a Ranker, which Yu Hansung ignores, and proceeds to give each of them a tiny ring as a parting gift. Yu Hansung then stands by to watch the red beam suck the Regulars up, which sends them off to the 3rd Floor.
Later on, Lero-Ro hands his Test Admin symbol over to Yu Hansung, and states that he will be quitting his job on the Floor of Tests. Yu Hansung also takes Quant's Test Admin symbol believing that it would be best to not separate him and Lero-Ro, which basically means that Quant's been fired. As the two depart from the 2nd Floor, Lero-Ro announces that he will be going to the 77th Floor, which shocks Quant given that it's a forbidden area controlled by Wolhaiksong, the organization that stands against the Ten Great Families. However, Lero-Ro states that he's decided to go there in order to learn the truth about everything from Wolhaiksong, which Quant decides to follow along.
Now alone, Yu Hansung informs a contact on his Pocket that everything went according to plan, and that no one from the Jahad Family will believe that Bam survived. Yu Hansung states that just like everyone else, what Bam desires will be up the Tower. The Guide, Hwaryun, is sent to retrieve Bam, and finds him in a dark location at the bottom of the 2nd Floor Guardian's test. Hwaryun questions Bam how it feels to be betrayed, which he holds his chest in pain unable to understand why Rachel betrayed him. She then holds out her hand to Bam, and offers to guide him up the Tower to seek what he desires. As a result, the red transport beam comes down to Bam's location, which sends him and Hwaryun off to the 3rd Floor.
Long Summary
Rak, Sunwoo and Chunhwa arrive at the exit of the Net Dolphin Queen to pick up Bam and Rachel. The alligator asks Sunwoo if the this truly is the exit for them, which Sunwoo answers that if Supervisor Yu Hansung is telling the truth, then Bam and Rachel will be coming ouit one of the queen's holes. Rak begins to get annoyed having to wait it out for something to happen until finally, the three of them see one of the queen's holes shoot out green goo. The green goo subsides, and they see Rachel appear out of it. However, looking around, Rak finds it confusing that only she appeared out of it. He asks Rachel where the black turtle went, which Rachel informs the group that the Bull attacked their bubble, and he did his best to protect them. However, she lies to them that he fell out of the bubble during the fight. This revelation shocks Rak and Khun, with the former asking if Bam died fighting the Bull. Rachel remains silent, which Rak orders her to answer.
At a later time, the Regulars who passed the Guardian's test are seen in a waiting room. Khun looks around at the low amount, and finds it odd that so few of them are actually here despite Yu Hansung ordering everyone to gather. He questions the group why there's so few of them, which causes everyone to look in his direction.
Sunwoo tries to inform him about Endorsi and Rak, but Khun answers that he knows that those two never appear for these kind of gatherings. Sunwoo calls him out saying that they may actually be grieving, but Khun answers that he's not in the mood at the moment to try to understand anything. Shibisu interrupts their argument saying that now isn't a time to fight one another, but to think about what they're going to do for the future going forward. However, even Shibisu can't decide how they should start.
Paracule raises his hand asking if they passed the final test, but Hatz answers that it doesn't matter that they did. Paracule is left in confusion, and states that while Bam's death is sad, it's something they have to accept since losing people is a risk everyone is taking in order to climb the Tower.
Hatz stands up, and points his sword at Paracule; ordering him to not make fun of the dead, or else he will kill him. Paracule tries to calm him down pointing out that perhaps he survived at the bottom of the lake, which Hatz orders him to stop talking nonsense. At this point, Lero-Ro enters the waiting room; reminding everyone that they were ordered not to fight during the break. Lero-Ro orders for Hatz to put his sword awway, which Hatz stubbornly obeys.
Paracule then asks the Ranker if they passed the test or not, which annoys Hatz that he's still going on about that. Lero-Ro informs them that despite not being able to get Bam to the Net Dolphin Queen, they all passed the test, which comes as a shock to everyone. Paracule is seen happy that he got through while Hatz questions how that's possible believing that both Bam and Rachel had to make it to the queen. Lero-Ro informs the group that during his meeting with the Guardian, Bam had asked for a favor that if he was to die during the test, the remaining Regulars would be allowed to pass the final test no matter what the result of the test was, which the Guardian agreed to.
Hearing Lero-Ro's answer, Khun questions if Lero-Ro is truly implying what he's saying, which Lero-Ro apologizes for having to tell them that Bam did, in fact, die during the test. The Regulars are left in a state of shock as Lero-Ro informs them that they searched every part of the wine glass after the water was drained out, but found no sign of him that could provide even the slightest hint that he somehow survived. Moments after, Rachel falls over in her chair, which causes everyone to call out to her wondering what's wrong.
At a later time, Rachel is seen being taken care of in a bed while the rest of the Regulars remain at her bedside. Shibisu figures that Bam's death must have been a huge shock to her, and has been blaming herself for what happened to Bam. Shibisu points out how she lost her legs, and now has lost her closest friend, so the world around her must be falling apart.
Hatz is the next to speak asking that he would like to suggest something since they're all now technically in debt to Bam. He reminds them of how Bam's favor from the Guardian is the only reason they're even here now, and states that it's only right that they continue respecting what Bam wanted before his death.
Sunwoo asks if what Hatz's referring to is to help Rachel climb the Tower, which he admits to be the case. Shibisu agrees with Hatz, and states that while he may not be the strongest person of the group, he can't leave Rachel due to the state she's now in. Chunhwa is the next to agree due to his knight status, and soon after, everyone else begins to agree with the plan. Paracule is the last remaining, and states that he will help as well. However, Hatz rejects his offer, which caues him and Paracule to start beating up one another.
Shibisu walks up to Khun, and asks if he will join them as well, which Khun answers that it's a given that he will take part in this since can't let something like this go. He answers that no matter what, he will be sure to get Rachel to the top of the Tower for Bam's desire. Shibisu figures that it's settled as this point, and informs the group that he will be sure to ask the remaining Regulars, such as Rak, Endorsi, and Anaak, that having rejoined them yet. Khun looks back over at Rachel, and thinks to himself that he will definitely make Bam's wish come true.
The day goes by until it becomes night, and Rachel is now alone resting in her room. Hwaryun walks in, and congratulates Rachel on becoming the heroine of this story, which causes Rachel to open her eyes. Sitting at Rachel's bedside, Hwaryun asks how she's feeling at the moment now that she's on this road to be a heroine, which Rachel answers that she's just a bit tired.
Flashing back to the very beginning of the story, the same event when Bam chases after Rachel to the Tower's gate happens, and they both end up falling through the door together. However, this time around, it's Rachel that the viewpoint switches to.
Waking up, Rachel gets up to a sitting position, and deduces that she's now inside the inner Tower. Looking around, she sees the 1st Floor Guardian, Headon, nearby, and wonders if it's a fairy of the Tower. Rachel happily gets up, and asks Headon if he's one of the fairies from a book she's read that leads people up the Tower. She then introduces herself as Rachel, and that she's come here to climb up the Tower. However, Headon looks in her direction, and states that it's not her. Confused by what Headon said, the Guardian says once more that it's not her. It then answers her more clearly that the person the Tower chose was not her.
Still confused, Rachel questions what the Guardian's referring to, and that she's always dreamt of climbing up the Tower. However, Headon states once more that it's not her, and orders Rachel to stop lying. The Guardian points out how much of a bad, ugly, and nasty, girl Rachel truly is, and states that Rachel knows it's the truth. He says once more that she wasn't chosen to enter the Tower, which leaves Rachel in a shocked state of silence.
Unable to accept this, Rachel falls to her knees, and begs the fairy to give her a chance. That climbing the Tower is her only hope. She continues to beg the Guardian, which Headon finally agrees, and decides that it will provide Rachel with a little test. Rachel asks if she's allowed to go up now, but Headon informs her that she will have to pass its test first.
Swinging its staff around, Headon reveals to Rachel a giant caged door behind it that leads to the Guardian's 1st Floor test area. However, Rachel also spots a a giant flying creature in it, which Headon reveals to be a White Armored Eel. The Guardian warns her that it's spawning season at the moment, and is actually very hungry wanting to eat her the moment she goes in. He informs her that the test is simple, to evade the eel, and pop the Ball that's in the room with the creature.
Unable to accept the test, Rachel questions if Headon wants her to die, which the Guardian answers that he doesn't, and that all she has to do is go in, and pop the Ball. She complains to Headon that someone, such as herself, is in no position to fight the giant eel, and figures that the Guardian is just throwing her away simply because she wasn't chosen by the Tower. However, Headon questions if Rachel has decided that she doesn't want to take his test, which leaves her silent.
Struggling to come up with an answer, Rachel finally gets across that she doesn't want to die, and asks the fairy to give her a real chance. However, something else catches Headon's attention, and states that the guest is here. The Guardian orders for Rachel to step aside if she's not going to take part in the test, and states that she's more trouble than she's worth.
Moments later, Rachel is put in a small cave at the side of Headon's area as she watches Bam suddenly appear in the middle. She finds it unbelievable to see that Bam was actually able to get in the Tower, and watches Bam wake up, and begin talking with the Guardian; unable to make out what they're saying. Rachel questions what Bam is actually going to decide, and begins to realize that he's chosen to take the test that she didn't have the will to take. Seeing Bam run towards the test, Rachel begins pounding on the soundproof transparent wall keeping her locked in the cave; begging over and over for Bam not to go. Meanwhile, Headon is seen giving off a big nasty grin looking at Rachel's pain. Some time passes, and Bam is seen finishing up his test after stabbing the Ball with the ignited Black March. Bam then disappears with the Ball as Rachel is now allowed to walk out of her cave, and walks toward the Guardian.
Headon informs her that Bam has gone up to the 2nd Floor, and asks Rachel if she saw everything. The Guardian asks what she will do now, which leaves Rachel to complain that this just isn't fair. Headon asks what it is that she didn't find fair, which Rachel points out that unlike her, he got a weird weapon from a girl that suddenly showed up. However, Headon calls Rachel out that she's complaining about something that she knows isn't important. The Guardian points out how unlike her, Bam was willing to try his test, and didn't show fear in the face of the White Armored Eel. Rachel remains unable to say anything as Headon continues by stating that to him, Bam looked like someone special. An awesome hero out of a fairy tale. He then states to Rachel that unlike Bam, she's someone that doesn't deserve to go up the Tower.
Reaching a breaking point, Rachel is left broken as to why Bam was chosen to climb the Tower over her. She complains that unlike him, she actually desired to climb the Tower, and falls to her knees continuing to ask why it turned out this way. Beginning to cry, Rachel blames Bam for it turning out like this, and that he took everything from her. Seeing Rachel on the ground, Headon asks if she wants to make a deal with it. Confused by the question, Headon states that if she completes a favor for it, it can make sure that she will become the heroine of this story.
Some time after arriving on the Floor of Tests, Rachel is seen sitting across from Supervisor Yu Hansung in his office. Making his coffee like usual, Yu Hansung mentions how he heard everything from Headon, and jokes how Rachel must be exhausted from the 1st Floor test. However, seeing the big giant, Ghost, in the room with them, Yu Hansung deduces that it's obvious that this minion given by Headon helped her reach the 2nd Floor. Yu Hansung informs Rachel that she should drink before the coffee gets cold, but he notices that Rachel still hasn't mixed the coffee with the water in her cup. He teaches Rachel that tearing off the end of the coffee strip will reveal the coffee, but the taste will differ depending on how hard she chooses to pull. Finally able to make her coffee, Yu Hansung informs Rachel that she doesn't have to worry about anything, and that he will be sure to steal everything from Bam. Not saying anything in return, Rachel drinks her coffee. Yu Hansung then introduces her to the Guide that will lead them on this path, which Rachel questions what he means by Guide. Yu Hansung informs her that people with the Guide Position are those blessed by the Tower to know all the passages between the Floors, and that they can even predict, or change, the future.
Behind Rachel is a red-haired Regular revealed to be Hwaryun. Introducing herself to Rachel, Hwaryun states that she will be her Guide from now on.
Returning to the present after being asked how it feels to now be the heroine of the story, Rachel states to Hwaryun that she just wants to sleep now. Hwaryun gets up, and states that she will allow her to get some rest, but before leaving, she asks Rachel if she can answer a question of hers. Rachel allows it, which Hwaryun asks why she's going to such lengths in order to see the stars. Rachel answers with a vague statement that it's because she's afraid of the night. Despite being confused by the answer, Hwaryun leaves the room. Trying to get some sleep, Rachel grips her pillow hard; scared of the darkness all around her. Outside Rachel's room, Hwaryun continues to walk away, but is seen given off a grin. She states to herself that it's about time to greet Bam. The one who had just lost his only star.
Later on, The graduating Regulars are all seen gathered at the gate to the 3rd Floor, which is a giant red shinsu beam shooting down from the ceiling. Yu Hansung figures that they're all ready to go to the next Floor, and thanks them all for their effort to pass everything on the Floor of Tests.
The Supervisor then points out how they're all more than qualified to go to the next Floor, but Khun warns Yu Hansung that the day he becomes a Ranker, the first thing he will do is return to the 2nd Floor, and kick the Ranker out of it, which Yu Hansung admits to find a bit scary. Showing a bunch of tiny black boxes to the Regulars, Yu Hansung states that he almost forgot to give these to them. Khun opens the box, which reveals a tiny blue ring inside it. Khun is disgusted wondering if he's being asked to marry while Sunwoo mentions that they look pretty expensive. Yu Hansung explains that they're given to commemorate their graduation from the Floor of Tests, and states that they're a parting gift. He then states that it's time to say goodbye, and wishes the Regulars luck for the rest of their journey up the Tower. The red beam gate sucks up the Regulars, and are all sent to the 3rd Floor, leaving Yu Hansung alone at the gate.
Returning to his office, Yu Hansung prepares another cup of coffee as Lero-Ro storms into his office with Quant trying desperately to stop him. Yu Hansung asks why he came barging in, which Lero-Ro answers that he's quitting his job on the Floor of Tests. He leaves his Test Admin tag on the table, and thanks Yu Hansung for teaching him everything about the Floor. Lero-Ro then turns around, and leaves the office while Quant continues to beg him to stop. Quant then turns to Yu Hansung asking if the Supervisor is really going to let someone as good as him go, which causes Yu Hansung to remember something.
Despite Quant thinking that Yu Hansung has decided to go after Lero-Ro, the Supervisor takes the Test Admin tag off of him. He questions Quant that perhaps he could quit too considering that his his partner just left, which leaves Quant stunned and confused. Despite Quant not agreeing with this, Yu Hansung points out that it would be cruel to break the two apart, and hopes that he and Lero-Ro continue to be together.
Leaving the Floor of Tests in their casual clothes, Quant complains to Lero-Ro that he got fired because of him, and orders for Lero-Ro to do something about this. Quant yells once more to do something, but Lero-Ro orders him not to follow. Quant complains back that Lero-Ro's answer is pretty weak for someone that just ruined his partner's life. Quant yells back that he won't follow, and hopes Lero-Ro doesn't come back begging be friends again.
However, not wanting to separate from him, Quant asks where Lero-Ro is going, which confuses the latter. Still trying to deny it, Quant points out that it's just so he knows where he doesn't have to go, which Lero-Ro answers to be the correct decision, and tells Quant that he's going to the 77th Floor. Shocked by the answer, Quant asks why Lero-Ro would choose to go to the forbidden floor owned by Wolhaiksong.
Lero-Ro answers that if he goes there, he may be able to find out the truth. Quant tries to state that he doesn't want to go the 77th Floor that's considered to be hell, which Lero-Ro answers that it's the reason he asks for him not to follow. However, Quant yells out that he will at least walk him there, which causes Lero-Ro to just give up, and accept that Quant will be coming along.
Resting in his room, Yu Hansung is seen talking to someone on his Pocket to inform the person on the other side that the Regulars went up as they expected. Yu Hansung then tells his contact that he's made sure that the Jahad Family won't find any problems with how the final test was administered.
He also states that he's confident that the Jahad Family will believe that the Irregular, Bam, had died during the 2nd Floor test. Being asked the status of the boy, Yu Hansung informs the contact on his Pocket that the guide, Hwaryun, is already on her way to retrieve the boy.
The Supervisor states that it's a given the boy will make his way up the Tower, because the thing he desires most will be waiting for him higher up. Finding Bam in a dark location somewhere on the 2nd Floor, Hwaryun looks down at Bam, and notes how he's gotten really beat up.
The bloodied Bam looks up at her as Hwaryun asks how it feels to be betrayed. Bam answers that he doesn't know, but has a feeling in his heart telling him that he should know the reason as to why Rachel betrayed him. Looking down at the exhausted Bam, Hwaryun stick out her hand before him, and asks her to follow him.
Hwaryun states that if he chooses to go up the Tower, she will tell him why things turned out this way. That what everyone desires is in the Tower. The area around Bam begins to light up; revealing that Bam was still at the bottom of the wine glass in the mouth of the Bull creature he killed earlier. A giant red beam of shinsu comes shooting down towards him and Hwaryun as they're both about to get sent to the 3rd Floor.
Epilogue - Rachel Tropes
- A Day in the Limelight: A major one for Rachel considering that the arc goes over all the behind-the-scenes events that happened on her side of the story opposite Bam's.
- Chekhov's Gun: Those graduation rings given to the Regulars by Yu Hansung become pretty important later on.
- Double Meaning:
- Rachel being described as the new heroine of the story could be seen as Hwaryun informing her that she's now taken Bam's spot in the team, as well as being a Breaking the Fourth Wall joke for the readers.
- Rachel answering that she wants to see the stars, because she's afraid of the night, could also have two meanings. She's either afraid of the dark, or because she's afraid of Bam, which is how you say night in Korean. (Tower of God is a Korean Webtoon)
- Exposition: The guide Position is explained here due to Hwaryun being revealed as one rather than being a wave controller. Those blessed with said Position by the Tower are given the knowledge of all the passages throughout the Tower, and have the ability to even predict, or change, the future.
- The Reveal:
- As foreshadowed during Bam's 1st Floor test, Rachel was the girl that was watching Bam from the sideline.
- Headon is revealed to have provided Ghost to help Rachel get through the starting Floors of the Tower, and in return, Rachel has to complete a favor for the Guardian.
- Yu Hansung is revealed to be working alongside Headon and Rachel to make sure that Bam becomes his to use for his own scheme.
- Hwaryun is revealed to actually be a Regular with the guide Position that's been tasked to help Rachel journey up the Tower. Though she does end up becoming Bam's guide as well.
- Season Finale: For Tower of God's first season.
- Wham Episode: The major one considering that it's the epilogue of the first season.
- The reader learns a lot out Rachel's character, and why she conspired with Headon and Yu Hansung to make sure that Bam doesn't pass the final 2nd Floor test while she does.
- As for Bam, he ends up being forced to take a different path that's been offered to him by Hwaryun.
- Word of God: The author explains in his blog how Bam and Rachel are both Irregulars, and how Rachel is a different kind of Irregular.
- Regulars are beings that 1st Floor Guardian, Headon, chooses to enter the Tower while the Tower itself is what chooses the Irregulars that open the gate on their own. However, the Tower chose Bam the exact moment that Rachel was with him, meaning that she slipped through the gate, and wasn't chosen by either Headon or the Tower.
