The 21st story arc of the Tower of God series consisting of chapters 26 - 28 from the second season. The arc centers around Viole and Wangnan's group renting out a place on the 21st Floor to rest before taking the Floor Test to reach the 22nd Floor as they're greeted by guide Hwaryun and Ranker Jinsung of FUG to check up on how Viole is doing.
Arc 20 | Return to the main Tower of God recap page. | Arc 22
21F - FUG
After arriving on the 21st Floor, Viole and Wangnan's group have been living the past month at the White Cichlid residential area, which appears as hotels situated on winged floating rocks high above the clouds. Ehwa meets with an old acquaintance of hers, Ryuah, to talk about her journey up the Tower so far. However, Ryuah mentions of the dark rumors surrounding a new Slayer-Candidate being on the 21st Floor as well, and asks for Ehwa to be careful. Unknown to Ryuah, Ehwa happens to be grouped up with said Slayer-Candidate.
After the meeting, Ehwa returns to her 21st Floor room within the winged hotel, which has also become the home of the rest of Team Wangnan that passed the 20th Floor since Viole rented them out such a nice place. Despite being a past enemy, Prince is shown to have become a full-fledged member of the group, and is even playing games with Miseng. Ehwa remains confused as to how everyone is taking it easy knowing that they're grouped up with FUG's new Slayer-Candidate, which Wangnan answers that it's because Viole comes off as a nice guy to them. Refusing to believe it, Ehwa decides to take it upon herself to catch the evil Viole in the act, and heads out.
Ehwa stalks Viole to a 21st Floor karaoke bar where a customer is causing issues for the employees; claiming that he's Jue Viole Grace. One of the employees turns out to be Hwaryun, who taunts the customer for being a smelly pig rather than a Slayer Candidate. The customer gets enraged and tries to attack Hwaryun only for him to be blasted away by the real Jue Viole Grace. Viole ends up scaring everyone off after revealing his identity to the people within it. Believing that Viole did something bad, Ehwa enters the karaoke bar to see what's going on only to see that Viole is now standing alone with the Guide, Hwaryun, who greets Ehwa.
The chapter ends with a few brief Team Wangnan flashbacks. The 1st is Ehwa getting revenge on Tin's dorm for the possession incident. The 2nd is Prince deciding to take training seriously due to how weak he was in the 20th Floor test only to end up playing games with Miseng in the current day. The 3rd is Wangnan and company thinking about an appropriate 21st Floor home to take only to fall in with Viole when he buys the best home available. The last is Wangnan using Nia's coupon to have a meal at the 20th Floor noodle shop only to become sad that Nia's no longer here.
A moment after Ehwa enters the karaoke bar, the Ranker, Ha Jinsung, arrives to meet Viole and Hwaryun. Ehwa realizes that she's arrived at a FUG meeting, and even starts calling out Viole for bringing her and Wangnan's group along for the ride just to meet with FUG. However, before the situation escalates any further, Viole knocks Ehwa out to protect her. Jinsung questions what they should do about this knowing that things could get ugly if they do something to a member from the Great Yeon Family, which Hwaryun suggests that they all return to Viole's 21st Floor home.
Hwaryun and Jinsung arrive at Viole's place to meet the rest of Viole's new team, who show clear discomfort that they're in front of FUG members. As they chat in the living room, Jinsung explains to Wangnan and company that as Viole's former martial arts teacher in FUG, he's stopping by the 21st Floor to check on how Viole's journey is going, and to see if his new teammates are worthy enough to follow FUG's newest Slayer-Candidate. Wangnan informs him that they're preparing to take the 21st Floor test, which Jinsung admits that it's good to see that Viole ended up in such a friendly team; having noticed how much Wangnan's group seem to have already bonded with one another.
Meanwhile, Ehwa and Akraptor remain in the kitchen listening in on the conversation with FUG. Ehwa's still shaking off being knocked out, and talks to Akraptor about how no matter what, FUG can't be trusted. In return, Akraptor asks why Ehwa is still sticking around with them despite her hate for FUG. Ehwa tries to make it seem like she's required to keep watch on Viole, but Akraptor doesn't believe it; stating the theory that she's afraid that no one else will team up with a defect such as her due to Ehwa's uncontrolled fire-powers. That Viole is the only one that can help her. Unable to deny it, Ehwa asks if Akraptor finds her situation funny, but Akraptor answers that he's okay with it since their team is made up of defects, and that Viole is capable of stopping her anyway.
Back to Jinsung, Wangnan and company begin to fall asleep due to Jinsung spending the past hour continuing to praise how good their new Slayer-Candidate is. That Viole is a master at instantly copying other people's skills. He then leaves the room after Goseng informs him that Viole is spending his time alone on the roof. Goseng also leaves to put Miseng to bed; leaving Hwaryun alone with Wangnan. Hwaryun tells Wangnan of how lucky he is that Viole chose to let the latter's team live considering that it made the FUG leaders unhappy about this situation. She tells him that despite Jinsung choosing to respect Viole's decision, the FUG Ranker was sent here to kill Wangnan's group so that FUG can provide Viole with their own team worthy of their new Slayer-Candidate's power. Hwaryun explains that FUG's goal is just too great to leave Viole in the hands of Wangnan's defective team.
In return, Wangnan asks Hwaryun if Viole's goal to kill King Jahad can really happen since Jahad formed a contract with the Tower Guardians to make him immortal to everyone. However, Hwaryun informs him that while that's true for Regulars, it's possible for the King to die at the hands of an Irregular that isn't connected to Jahad's Tower contract, and that FUG has waited a long time for such a person to enter the Tower and bathe it in the blood of the King. That six years ago, they met such a boy on the Floor of Tests who can change the Tower if he reaches the top. Outside on the roof, Jinsung meets with Viole, who he calls as Irregular Bam; noting that Viole's habit of looking at the sky hasn't changed.
Jinsung informs Bam that he's taken a liking to the Slayer Candidate's current team, and that he will be sure to inform FUG and Mirchea (the leader of FUG) to leave them alone for now. The FUG Ranker also states that he hopes Bam being in this new team as Viole will perhaps finally make the boy happy. Meanwhile after hearing that Viole is an Irregular, Wangnan tries to make sense of all this that King Jahad might actually get killed off one day. He asks her why Viole has sided with FUG, which Hwaryun explains that Viole isn't someone that wants to kill King Jahad, but is someone that must do it. That Viole can't escape them as long as they have control over what Viole holds most dear.
A flashback occurs as Bam is greeted by Yu Hansung days after Hwaryun brought him to FUG. Bam's spent the last few days refusing to become a part of the organization, which Yu Hansung reveals to the boy how he had provided rings to Bam's Floor of Test friends that are actually trackers to make sure that FUG will never lose sight of them. He warns Bam that refusing to become their new FUG Slayer will result in his friends, and Rachel, getting killed, which finally gets Bam to submit when he hears that even Rachel's life is in jeopardy. Despite his confusion as to why Bam would go so far for a girl that betrayed him, Yu Hansung informs Bam that the latter's training as a FUG Slayer will begin soon. Yu Hansung then departs and walks by Bam's future teacher, Jinsung, who heard the whole conversation with Bam, and appears put off by the whole situation.
With the flashback over, Wangnan is shocked to hear of the situation Viole's been put in where he's been forced into fighting for FUG, or else his friends die. In return, Hwaryun asks if he's surprised learning how dark the FUG organization turned out to be. Wangnan calls out Hwaryun and FUG as a bunch of cruel people for what they're doing to Viole, and making him live a life that he doesn't want. However, Hwaryun isn't moved, and just answers that this is the only option FUG has to get what they want regarding the removal of King Jahad. Almost as if this is the destiny that God handed to Viole.
Unable to get any sleep due to what he just learned, Wangnan heads up to the roof during the night where he finds Viole. Now that he knows about Viole's current predicament, Wangnan apologizes to him for believing that he was a bad person, and states that Viole's actually quite amazing, and wouldn't regret risking his life for him. Calling Viole his friend, Wangnan tells the Slayer-Candidate that they will pass the next test no matter what. At this point, Ehwa shows up in an attempt to thank Viole for knocking her out the other day before she did anything stupid. However, Wangnan begins to tease her stating that she's here to try to seduce Viole, which causes the two to start bickering. Meanwhile, Jinsung continues to watch Viole from afar showing amusement over the antics of his new teammates, but then notices in the distance that the FUG Slayer, Karaka, has also been watching.
Four days later, Viole and Wangnan's group arrives at the test area for the 21st Floor where they have to partake in it as a team. Overall, they go with Wangnan's name suggestion of Team "Sweet and Sour," which Prince and Wangnan are seen arguing over the team name since Prince originally wanted it to be "Devil & I" in honor of Horyang and himself.
Long Summary
A month after Viole and Wangnan's team passed the 20th Floor test, the setting switches to the 21st Floor of the Tower known as White Cichlid. In the Floor's residential area, Ehwa is seen having a cup of tea with a person she knows named Ryuah, who states that Ehwa has gotten prettier since the last time she's seen the Great Yeon Family member. Ryuah finds it amazing that Ehwa has already made it this far up the Tower in such a short amount of time, and states that Ehwa will make a great Ranker one day, which Ehwa thanks her for.
She next states how the team Ehwa is climbing with must be an incredible bunch, and questions if Ehwa's teammates are also from Great Families. However, Ehwa informs Ryuah that they're nothing like that. They're just good people that she's been able to get along with after completing the 20th Floor test together. Ehwa then decides to lie about what really happened during the test to Ryuah where her team was on the verge of failing had she not stepped in, and ruined the plans of her enemies, which causes Ryuah to sparkle in awe at Ehwa's greatness. Still lost in wonderment, Ryuah points out how humble Ehwa is for helping her team without showing off, which Ehwa proudly answers that it was just the right thing to do. Ryuah then switches to another subject, and mentions to Ehwa that there have been rumors of a new FUG Slayer-Candidate taking part in the 21st Floor test, which causes the Yeon member to begin fearing for the worst.
Scared for her own life, Ryuah explains that the FUG Slayer rumor is a being of monstrous power hiding his frightful eyes behind long hair, and that the few times his eyes are seen is enough to give people goosebumps. She also adds that the FUG Slayer is followed by nasty teammates, who steal money, and harass girls.
Ehwa tries to laugh it off, which causes Ryuah to deduce that the Yeon family member hasn't heard the rumor yet. She tells Ehwa to be careful as the FUG Slayer may end up targeting her since she's a member of a Great Family, which Ehwa replies that she will. Ehwa thanks Ryuah for the warning, which causes Ryuah to continue warning her to stay away from the FUG Slayer no matter what. In her mind, Ehwa apologizes to Ryuah for being one of the nasty teammates that's teamed up with the FUG Slayer known as Jue Viole Grace.
Following her reunion with Ryuah, Ehwa returns to the 21st Floor room that her team is currently staying at. Goseng greets Ehwa for her return, and asks how the reunion with Ryuah went, which Ehwa answers that it went ok. Prince and Miseng are seen in the back of the room dancing to a video playing on a monitor, which Ehwa finds surprising that they're still doing it despite seeing them dancing when she left. Goseng answers that they've really gotten into it, and is glad that, at the very least, they're getting some exercise.
Ehwa heads over to the kitchen for a glass of water as Akraptor is seen sitting at the nearby table. Seeing Ehwa looking a bit gloomy, Akraptor figures that her meeting with Ryuah didn't go well, which Ehwa answers to be correct. She then asks about where Viole is at, which Akraptor answers that Viole told the team he will be meeting someone at the 21st Floor marketplace.
Ehwa next questions why no one followed after him, which Akraptor answers that since Viole said he'd be back, there's no reason to. Getting angry, Ehwa questions how Akraptor doesn't seem to care about their current situation if the dark rumors surrounding Viole turns out to be true. At this point, Wangnan enters the kitchen, and answers the question for Akraptor that Viole doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would do the kind of stuff mentioned in the rumors.
Ehwa asks if Wangnan has any proof that the rumors aren't true, which Wangnan answers that Viole just seems to be too gentle of a person to seem like a bad guy. Wangnan also points out how Viole has allowed the team to live in the room that the FUG Slayer has rented out, and not only does his share of the house work, but does extra cooking since Ehwa sucks at it when it's her turn. Akraptor nods in agreement as Wangnan gives Ehwa a scolding for not believing in Viole, which gets Ehwa annoyed.
Ehwa points out how he's still a member of FUG, which Wangnan answers that it's still better living with a FUG Slayer that can cook rather than someone (Ehwa) who burns their food. Akraptor continues to nod his head in agreement, which causes the enraged Ehwa to inform the team that she will be the one that keeps an eye on Viole, and be sure to take Wangnan and Akraptor down with him if it turns out that the FUG Slayer is doing something bad.
Storming passed Goseng, Miseng and Prince, Ehwa heads for the exit angry at how everyone has no sense of security that there may be a darker side to Viole. Goseng asks where she's going, which Ehwa yells back that she plans to catch Viole in the act.
Entering an elevator to leave the building, Ehwa is shown to still be enraged over her team not caring about their current situation. She questions how they all seem to have joined Viole's side, and must have fallen for his nice guy act. However, she also swallows her pride forcing herself to admit that Viole is actually a pretty good cook compared to her. The Regulars all around her begin to get scared seeing an enraged Ehwa's fire-powers act up as she states in her mind that she will be sure to discover Viole's crimes herself.
Arriving at the residential marketplace for the 21st Floor, Viole is seen walking as Ehwa is shown spying on him from a distance. Ehwa laughs to herself that she's able to find Viole's position thanks to registering his Pocket to a tracking service, and states to herself that no matter what, Viole won't escape her sight. Giving off a smile, Ehwa figures that it's about time for Viole to show his true self.
However, Ehwa sees Viole walk into a karaoke bar, which begins to confuse her. Continue to watch Viole enter the karaoke bar, Ehwa hears a scream come from it, which grabs Ehwa and Viole's attention. Viole races off to the location of the scream while Ehwa remains behind wondering what's going on.
A large man with a giant blue club is seen demanding a blonde woman to pay him some money, which the blonde lady tries to explain that she's just an employee of the karaoke, and doesn't actually have the money. The large man asks if she's playing him for a fool, which the blonde woman tries to deny. Pointing to himself, the large man with the blue club announces that he, Jue Viole Grace, will destroy the karaoke bar if he doesn't get his money. The man asks if the blonde lady knows what will happen if she doesn't let FUG get what they want, which causes another karaoke employee, a red-haired girl with an eye-patch, Hwaryun, to repeat the Jue Viole Grace name the man just mentioned. Hwaryun points out how disappointed she is seeing that the FUG Slayer is apparently a giant smelly pig, and wonders if FUG's gotten lame. The man replies back how Hwaryun can just sit there calling him a pig as Hwaryun repeats the word pig over and over; angering the giant even further.
The blonde employee begins to fear for her life at Hwaryun's provocation as the giant readies his blue club asking if the red-haired girl wants to die. Hwaryun continues to sit there silently as the blue club powered up with shinsu begins to move toward her, but before the club could connect, Viole arrives to knock the giant back with a wave of shinsu.
Seeing their boss get blown across the room, the giant's followers turn to Viole, and ask how he could perform such an action against Jue Viole Grace. Viole chooses to announce that he's the true FUG Slayer, which causes everyone, including the blonde employee, to begin running for their lives. Ehwa watches as the people within the karaoke bar run passed her to escape. She enters the main karaoke room demanding for Viole to tell her what he just, but to her confusion, she sees Viole just standing there alongside Hwaryun. In return, Hwaryun greets Ehwa for her arrival.
1st bonus content: The Truth
During the Trustworthy Room test, Tin is seen escaping from Viole and Ehwa's dorm upon realizing that the FUG Slayer appeared before him. Running through the dorm hallway, Tin ends up bumping into Ehwa, who's still trying to reestablish herself after previously being possessed by the green creature. Enraged at the sight of Tin, Ehwa begins to chase after him. Later on, Goseng questions with Wangnan why they apparently had more than six rooms to complete the test as Ehwa walks up to them with blood dripping from her hands.
2nd bonus content: Prince's Will
After his poor performance in the Trustworthy Room test, Prince deduces that this happened to him because he was weak. He decides to train himself to be strong without having to rely on his Lurker Cash father anymore. Making a pie-chart, Prince fills in about 90% as training while the other 10% is for rest, and states that if he's going to do this, he will need a strong will. Prince proclaims that this is a new him that will act as a grown up, and not play games. However, Miseng interrupts him, and asks Prince to play a game with her. A month later, the two are seen together dancing in their team's dorm.
3rd bonus content: My Home
Arriving on the 21st Floor, Wangnan figures that he should find a place to live. He thinks that as long as he has a roof over his head to get some sleep, a cheap place will do, and would be better off using his money to order delivery food. Ehwa is the next to think about what house she should get, and believes that it shouldn't be dark, must have air conditioning, as well as easy access to transportation. Finally, Akraptor thinks about his type of home. With Miseng on his mind, Akraptor figures that a house in a school district, as well as being near a park or playground, will he required. However, the three of them look over to Viole, who hands over a briefcase full of money to the realtor asking for the best house available. Wanting to live at Viole's place, the team decides to stick together.
4th bonus content: Bowl of Noodles
At the old lady's noodle restaurant, Wangnan is seen using the coupon Nia gave him to order a bowl of noodles. While eating the noodles however, Wangnan begins to break down into tears over the fact that Nia is no longer with him.
Back to the story, Ehwa continues to stand across from Viole and Hwaryun wondering who the creepy red-head is that's currently with the FUG Slayer. Suddenly, a man holding a brown coat walks up behind Ehwa, and asks who the girl is standing before him. The man asks Hwaryun why her numbers are off since he was told that only three people would be at this meeting compared to four. Looking at Ehwa, the man notices how pretty she is, and wonders if she's a new member. In return, Ehwa realizes whats going on, and claims that this man, Hwaryun, and Viole, are all part of FUG.
Taking a closer look at Ehwa, the man notices her pink hairpin, and realizes that it's the crest of the Great Yeon Family. He walks up to Ehwa asking if he's a Yeon spy, which causes Viole to ask the man, known as Jinsung, to stop. Viole tells him that Ehwa is no danger to them since she's his teammate, which causes Jinsung to back down. He gives off a smile, and apologizes to Ehwa. However, Ehwa calls out Viole for lying, and claims that Viole tricked them all by coming here secretly to meet with FUG. She orders for Viole to tell her what they're planning, and informs Viole that calling her, and Wangnan's group, his teammates isn't funny when he's pulling stuff like this. Ehwa continues to call out Viole for his actions, but Jinsung finally interrupts to ask if she's done enough already.
Ehwa turns to Jinsung to yell at him that this is none of his business, but Viole warns her to stop what she's doing. That the person she's choosing to yell at is a High Ranker. Ehwa continues to yell that she isn't scared just because someone turned out to be a High Ranker, but before she could perform her next action, Viole knocks her out.
Viole turns to Jinsung telling him that this is enough since he made Ehwa faint, which causes Jinsung to remain silent at the sight of how harsh Viole is with girls. The FUG Ranker then asks what Viole plans to do with Ehwa, which Hwaryun suggests that they all return to Viole's home. Jinsung excitedly raises his hand in agreement at the good idea, but Viole remains silent knowing that he can't control this. Jinsung and Hwaryun walk out of the karaoke bar to get ready to arrive at Viole's place while the FUG Slayer is left to carry back the unconscious Ehwa.
Some time passes as Hwaryun and Jinsung are now at Viole's home eating some snacks at the dinner table. Sitting across from Viole, Hwaryun, and Jinsung, is Wangnan, who fearfully asks if the two of them are Viole's friends.
Jinsung answers that to be the case, and that while he is indeed a member of FUG, he's not a bad guy. The Ranker asks for Wangnan to stop looking at him with those scared eyes, which causes Wangnan to try to laugh it off. Goseng and Miseng sit next to Wangnan shown to also be in fear at the sight of FUG as the latter asks why Jinsung and Hwaryun have stopped by their home.
Jinsung answers that as Viole's former martial arts teacher in FUG, he's here to check up on his Slayer-Nominee, and to see if his current teammates suit him. The Ranker also mentions that he heard how it wasn't Viole's choice that he ended up in this team, which Viole admits to be the truth. In return, Jinsung admits that Wangnan's got some guts, and wonders how Wangnan managed to trick a FUG Slayer. Jinsung next asks about the other members of their team, which Wangnan's group answers that they went to check up on the rivals they will be facing for the 21st Floor test. The Ranker admits that he finds it reassuring that his current team seems to be getting along well despite the gloomy state that Viole's currently in, and that having such bright teammates will surely lighten up their FUG Slayer a bit. However, Jinsung adds that he's still a bit worried that Wangnan's group may bully Viole, which Wangnan quickly tries to deny.
From the kitchen, Akraptor listens in on Wangnan's conversation with the Ranker from FUG, and finds it surprising that they're pretty talkative. Akraptor mentions to Ehwa how a talk-friendly FUG isn't something that he ever imagined, and that they were even kind enough to bring over fruit to eat. In return, Ehwa warns Akraptor that they're still people from FUG, and that they're capable of anything. However, Akraptor answers that he heard the rumors regarding the dangerous Viole actually being the guy at the karaoke bar that was pretending to be Viole, and that the FUG Ranker that's with them currently truly is here just to check up on Viole.
Still shaking off the hit she received from Viole earlier, Ehwa admits that she may have been wrong about the rumors surrounding Viole, but the fact that they're still FUG means that they can't be trusted. She states that FUG must be coming up with something horribly evil, which causes Akraptor to state that she maybe taking it a bit far. Akraptor then asks why Ehwa is choosing to stay with the team if she hates FUG so much, which Ehwa answers that even though she wants to, she has to stay to watch over Viole. However, Akraptor doesn't believe that answer, and states that he believes that Ehwa is afraid of what will happen if she decides to leave.
Ehwa denies Akraptor's answer, who goes on to explain that he heard it from Wangnan. That during the first test Ehwa took with him, she was unable to control her fire abilities, and caused everyone else to fail the test. As a result, no one wanted to team up with Ehwa from then on.
Akraptor concludes that Ehwa is afraid to reveal outside her team that she still can't control her powers, and that it must be considered a disgrace if others in the Great Yeon Family found this out about her one day. Unable to deny it anymore, Ehwa asks how Akraptor sees her. If Akraptor is going to laugh at her as the defective idiot of the Yeon Family that can't control her own powers.
However, Akraptor answers that he won't since they're in a team that, like Ehwa, are defective. Akraptor also mentions that he's not too worried about her powers going out of control since they have Viole on the team, who can easily suppress Ehwa's fire abilities. He leaves off saying that Ehwa is someone that needs Viole's help in order to control her abilities, which leaves Ehwa silent.
Back over to Wangnan and company, he and Goseng begin to get tired, while Miseng has already fallen asleep, at hearing Jinsung praising how much of a genius Viole turned out to be. The Ranker points out how amazing it was to see that his student is able to master moves after seeing them just once, and asks if Wangnan agrees with him. The tired Wangnan admits it to be amazing, but still finds it unbelievable that they've spent hours just sitting here talking about Viole.
Jinsung looks to his right, and notices that Viole is gone, which Hwaryun answers that he left once Jinsung started talking about stupid things. Goseng answers that Viole is most likely sitting up on the rough since he likes spending some alone time up there, which causes Jinsung to quickly depart out of the room to meet with Viole. He leaves off telling Wangnan to continue having fun, which Wangnan answers that he will. Picking up the sleeping Miseng, Goseng informs the group that she will be leaving as well in order to put the former to bed; leaving Wangnan alone with Hwaryun.
Sitting across from the guide, Wangnan attempts to make conversation trying to remember if her name was Hwaryun, which causes her to smile. She gives her congrats to Wangnan stating that he's lucky that Viole chose to let Wangnan's group live, which causes Wangnan to ask what she's referring to. Hwaryun answers that it's because the leaders of FUG want Viole to climb the Tower with a team worthy of the FUG Slayer's power over the team of defects he's currently with. She reveals that Jinsung is here not just to check up on Viole, but to eliminate Viole's current team so that FUG can provide Viole with members from the organization.
The revelation stuns Wangnan, but Hwaryun reassures him that Jinsung has decided to respect Viole's opinion that his current team is good enough to climb the Tower alongside the FUG Slayer. However, she warns Wangnan that there are many people within FUG that don't like this current situation. She tells Wangnan that the people of FUG want to see Viole continue to improve his skills so that their wish to see the FUG Slayer kill King Jahad can come true one day. Wangnan asks if Viole can truly accomplish that due to a contract that Jahad made with the Guardians of the Tower. That no resident of the Tower can kill King Jahad.
Wangnan states that it doesn't matter how strong Viole becomes since King Jahad is pretty much an immortal god due to the contract. However, Hwaryun answers that while that is true for Regulars who are chosen into the Tower, there's still a possibility if Jahad is killed by someone who isn't a part of the contract. Wangnan remains confused by the statement, which Hwaryun answers that six years ago, they met a boy on the 2nd level's Floor of Tests that's capable of making their dream come true. She states that they've waited a long time for someone to open the Tower's gate on their own. A person that is free from Jahad's contract. A person that can spill the Tower with King Jahad's blood. Hwaryun finishes by stating that the moment Viole reaches the top, everything about the Tower will change.
On the roof of Viole's home, Jinsung is seen meeting with the FUG Slayer. He asks the Irregular, known as Bam, what he's currently looking at. In return, Bam looks in his direction, but for the first time, with both eyes not covered by the bangs of his hair.
Jinsung offers his congratulations that he found Viole's new team to be quite funny, and states that he will put in a good word when he has to inform the FUG leader, Mirchea, about this. He also informs Viole that while there will be some complaints about the FUG Slayer's current team, FUG won't be able to do anything about this right away. Standing himself next to Viole, Jinsung tells the FUG Slayer that he wished to see Viole happy ever since the two of them met six years ago. The Ranker states that he doesn't know what Viole thinks of him after forcing Viole to live on as a member of FUG, but he still wishes for the FUG Slayer to find a way to be happy.
Back to Wangnan and Hwaryun, Wangnan remains shocked at the revelation of Viole being an Irregular. He thinks to himself if the FUG Slayer really has the ability to kill King Jahad as Hwaryun watches Wangnan process the new information. Wangnan asks why Viole became a FUG Slayer wondering if he has a personal vendetta against Jahad, which Hwaryun answers that it's not that he wants to kill Jahad, but that he must kill Jahad.
Wangnan remains confused by the statement, which Hwaryun answers that FUG knows what Viole considers to be most important to him in the Tower. She states that as long as what's important to Viole remains in FUG's hands, the FUG Slayer can't escape the organization.
Flashing back to some time after Hwaryun found Bam at the bottom of the Floor of Tests, the Irregular is seen sitting by himself in a dark and rocky location. Yu Hansung walks up to him, and asks Bam if he's made up his mind yet since it's been four days now, and figures that it's about time for Bam to make his decision. Bam remains silent, which forces Yu Hansung to reveal that he had provided rings to Bam's team before they climbed up to the 3rd Floor.
The Ranker explains that he told the group that they're memorial rings to honor Bam, but are actually tracking devices so that the Regulars can be tracked anywhere in the Tower. Yu Hansung tells Bam that people don't throw away rings as precious as those if he created deep, and meaningful, friendships with them, and warns Bam that if he continues to refuse to become FUG's Slayer-Candidate, he will head out to kill them all. Yu Hansung asks if he should start with Rachel, but Bam finally stands up to say no.
The Ranker questions why Bam how he could still be loyal to her after Rachel betrayed him, but Bam yells back that he knows Yu Hansung was the cause of all this. However, Yu Hansung informs him of the truth that it was Rachel's decision from the start to put him, and his friends, in danger so that she can find a way to climb the Tower. The answer shocks Bam leaving him to question why Rachel would do such a thing. Yu Hansung answers that it's perhaps because Rachel considers the garbage at the top of the Tower to be more important than them. Yu Hansung turns around, and informs Bam that his training as a FUG Slayer will begin soon. However, he warns Bam that the slightest bit of hesitation will result in one of his friends dying. Bam looks down at the friendship paper on the ground showing the names of the people he befriended on the Floor of Tests as Yu Hansung asks how many of these friends will be able to survive during Jue Viole Grace's climb up the Tower. Yu Hansung continues to walk away as Jinsung is seen standing by; having been watching the entire conversation.
Returning to the present, Wangnan remains stunned by the story as Hwaryun explains that if Viole fails a test, or refuses to live his life as a FUG Slayer, then the terrorist organization will kill the friends he made on the Floor of Tests. She states that this path is the only way for Viole to continue protecting his friends, and asks if Wangnan is surprised by this. She asks Wangnan if he truly thought that she, and FUG as a whole, were nice people.
Night comes around as Jinsung has decided to stick around for a few more days. Compared to the rest of the team, Wangnan is unable to sleep, and looks up at the ceiling in thought.
He thinks back to the answer he told Hwaryun. Asking how they could use such cruel methods against Viole to reach their end goal. He questions how they could do that to someone just because Viole turned out to be an Irregular. To go about forcing him to live a life that he doesn't want, and be hated by everyone, because he's now a dreaded FUG Slayer. However, Hwaryun asks in return what would have been the proper way to do it, which confuses Wangnan.
Hwaryun asks if it would have been better off to leave Viole alone, and go after someone else that could make FUG's wish come true. However, she states that even if Wangnan chose to do it, he wouldn't be able to accomplish what Viole can. She explains to Wangnan that sympathy and justice isn't always the answer to accomplish an end goal. That this specific case using cruel methods to Viole was needed due to God giving him such a destiny as an Irregular.
Still unable to sleep, Wangnan gets up off his couch. He looks over to Jinsung dreaming about his FUG training sessions with Viole as Wangnan heads outside. He sees that Viole was also unable to sleep as the FUG Slayer notices Wangnan as well. Wangnan lies about why he's awake by stating that Jinsung's snoring kept him up as the two of them stand next to one another to look at the sky. Wangnan tells Viole that the night sky looks amazing, and that it would be nice to celebrate this sight over a drink. He then looks over at Viole, and remembers back to what Hwaryun said. That Viole's friends will die if he fails a test.
Wangnan takes this moment to apologize to Viole, which confuses the FUG Slayer. He explains to Viole that he saw him as a bad person, but as it turns out, he's come to see that Viole is an incredible guy. Wangnan states to Viole that if they were friends, he would gladly risk his life to protect him, and wouldn't regret it. Viole continues to watch him in silence as Wangnan states that as buddies, they will pass the next test no matter what.
At this point, Ehwa arrives on the roof, revealed to have not been able to sleep either. She asks what Wangnan and Viole are doing up this late. Wangnan asks her the same question back, which Ehwa struggles to answer that she has something to tell Viole. Believing that it might be something romantic, Wangnan jokes how she wants to spent some quality alone time during the night with Viole, but Ehwa answers that it's only about something that happened earlier in the day. She tells Wangnan to drop it since this is none of his business, but Wangnan teases her that since the red-haired girl with the eyepatch showed up as a rival, Ehwa must be here to score a few more points. Ehwa blushes at the thoguht of what Wangnan is claiming, who then continues his teasing by stating that throwing herself at Viole must have been a change of plans after her cocky persona towards him didn't work out.
Ehwa's fire-powers begin to act up as Wangnan asks Viole if she let the FUG Slayer taste her fingers, which causes an embarrassed Ehwa to call Wangnan a pervert. From another location of the roof, Jinsung watches Ehwa and Wangnan continue to bicker at one another in front of Viole from afar, and admits to himself once more that they are indeed a funny group that Viole ended up in a team with. Something then catches the Ranker as Jinsung looks over at a nearby roof. Seeing a being with giant yellow glowing eyes looking in his direction, Jinsung realizes that the previous FUG Slayer, Karaka, has been here all along.
Four days later, Viole and Wangnan's group, calling themselves Sweet and Sour, arrive at the test spot for the 21st Floor. Wangnan and Prince are seen fighting over the name of the team, which an enraged Wangnan announces that it's much better than the Devil & I name that Prince came up with. Ehwa and Goseng watch from afar letting them the two fight while Horyang looks down at the teddy-bear shirt that Miseng gave him as a gift. Akraptor looks down in disappointment at Wangnan and Prince fighting while Miseng is seen offering Viole some snacks.
In the meantime, other teams begin to arrive to take the 21st Floor test.
FUG Tropes
- Arc Villain: FUG can be seen as such for Bam in this arc since it's revealed how they, such as Yu Hansung, forced Bam into becoming the FUG Slayer for the organization.
- Bonus Material: There are four extra short stories at the end of chapter 26 due to the author being unable to find a place to fit them in with the main story.
- Call-Back: Yu Hansung turns what Bam said to him before the Submerged Fish Hunt test back on him; stating that Rachel finds the garbage at the top of the Tower more important than Bam.
- A Day in the Limelight: Some development for Wangnan and Ehwa. Wangnan learns of the kind of person Viole is, and Ehwa comes to accept that she needs Viole to help control her fiery shinsu powers.
- Evil Mentor: The FUG Ranker, Jinsung, is this towards Viole. Though for being from an evil terrorist organization, Jinsung actually doesn't come off as that bad a person. However, Hwaryun points out that the only reason Jinsung didn't murder anyone from Team Sweet and Sour (especially Ehwa, a member of the Ten Great Families) is because of Viole's protection, indicating a large degree of ruthlessness only stymied by his personal connections.
- Exposition: Some things regarding FUG get explained here, such as what FUG's overall goal is, and how they require an Irregular not connected to Jahad's contract with the Tower Guardians to be able to kill the King.
- Flashback: The story flashes back to the moment after Hwaryun brought Bam into FUG, and was forced by Yu Hansung to become FUG's Slayer-Candidate due to the lives of his Floor of Test friends being at risk.
- Forced into Evil: Bam didn't and still doesn't want to work for FUG at all. However, FUG is coercing him to be their agent through holding the lives of his friends hostage, threatening to have them killed should he fail at any task or if he tries to run.
- Goal in Life: It's FUG's goal to one day kill King Jahad to the point that they will force an Irregular to do their bidding.
- Honor Before Reason: Ehwa simply doesn't want to trust Viole because he's FUG and she's from the Ten Great Families; their allegiances are diametrically opposed on paper, and she could get in a lot of trouble if it became known what their relationship was. However, rather than use this as the basis for distancing herself from Viole, Ehwa uses it to attempt to discredit Viole's character, despite plenty of evidence showing that Viole is not like how she's making him out to be. She ends up relaxing her stance slightly by the end, accepting that she needs to stay with Viole so he can stop her flames if they go out of control.
- Hostage Situation: The reason Bam was forced to become a FUG Slayer is because the rings that Yu Hansung gave to his friends before they left the Floor of Test are actually trackers, allowing FUG to know where all of them are at all times and thus holding their lives hostage against Bam.
- Lethal Chef: Ehwa's cooking is atrocious, as she keeps burning everything. Viole takes over for Ehwa's cooking turns on top of his own, which scores him brownie points with the rest of the team to Ehwa's ire.
- Only Friend: After learning of his circumstances, Wangnan decides to make himself Viole's so that he isn't as lonely living as a FUG Slayer Candidate.
- The Reveal:
- If it didn't already click to people that Viole is Bam, this is the arc that makes it 100% clear.
- Hwaryun reveals to Wangnan that only an Irregular can kill King Jahad due to a contract he made with the Guardians that makes Jahad immortal to all people that are chosen (the Regulars) to enter the Tower. She also reveals how they got Viole to be their Slayer Candidate.
- The rings that Yu Hansung provided to Bam's team turned out to be tracker devices in order to force Bam to join FUG, or else said terrorist organization will kill his friends.
- Secret-Keeper: At this point in time, Wangnan is the only member of Team Sweet and Sour who knows Viole's circumstances and that he really isn't a bad person at all.
- Shrouded in Myth: Little is known about Viole by the Tower at large, causing all sorts of rumors to pop up, as well as people pretending to be him using this reputation to get their way and further confusing the myth. Ehwa believes these rumors at the start, having a negative view of Viole, reinforcing her lack of trust in him.
- Stalker without a Crush: Ehwa tracks Viole when he heads out into town on his own, believing he must be up to no good.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Ehwa is the only person in the team who openly and vocally distrusts Viole. Everyone else has improved their opinions of him after he bought a house for all of them while doing his own share of the chores.
- The Team Benefactor: Viole's pockets are loaded thanks to being backed by FUG, so Viole paid for the best house in the entire Floor and even allowed his team to live with him in it with no strings attached sans taking turns doing house chores with him. The Team is aware that they are essentially coasting on Viole, as he's both paying for their expenses and carrying the team as the strongest and most skilled member. Combined with his quiet and gentle personality, most of the team relaxes considerably around him compared to how they saw him in the previous Floor.
- Token Evil Teammate: Technically, Viole is this as he's working for the largest crime syndicate in the Tower, who's purpose is to slay the King and the Ten Great Families. This situation is actually a plot point, as FUG is displeased with Viole's team and wanted to put him in a team tailored for him. This and Hwaryun's explanation also retroactively explain why Viole insisted on not picking teammates in the previous Floor. note
- You Monster!: Wangnan is outraged at FUG's treatment of Viole and condemns the entire organization as cruel for it. Hwaryun questions Wangnan for expecting any different from FUG given what their goal is and how difficult to achieve it is.
