Free Web NovelChapter 27: Seven Abyssal Hell Tower
Dan Moriarty slowly turned around.
Standing several meters away was a man dressed in an immaculate white combat coat trimmed with black and gold. His hair was neatly combed, while the guild insignia of the Black Gun Guild was proudly embroidered over his chest.
His upright posture and powerful aura meant there was no need for introductions; anyone familiar with Metro City’s streaming scene would recognize him immediately as Rowan, the Vice Guild Master of the Black Gun Guild.
As a Gold Rank Streamer, and one of the youngest in the city widely regarded as a genius swordsman, his presence was imposing. Unfortunately, his face was currently twisted with barely concealed fury as his sharp eyes glared at Dan as though he were looking at an irredeemable criminal.
"So," Rowan spoke slowly, his voice dripping with disdain. "You actually dared to come."
"I did," Dan looked at him calmly.
The simple reply only seemed to fan the flames of Rowan’s anger, and a cold laugh escaped his lips.
"Hah."
"I underestimated your courage."
"No! I overestimated your intelligence." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
His gaze shifted toward the black key resting in Dan’s hand before he pointed directly at it.
"So that’s where it ended up," Rowan said. "The Guild Master’s key."
Immediately afterward, his voice rose loud enough for everyone within the plaza to hear.
"Everyone!" freeweɓnovel.cøm
The surrounding Streamers instinctively turned toward him, many immediately recognizing Rowan as whispers spread through the plaza. Within moments, dozens of curious eyes had gathered upon Dan.
"That’s Vice Guild Master Rowan."
"What’s happening?"
"Who’s that young guy?"
"Did something happen?"
Rowan smiled coldly.
"That man is a thief."
The whispers grew louder.
"A thief?"
"What did he steal?"
"Who is he?"
Rowan folded his arms.
"He somehow stole the ownership key to the Seven Abyssal Hell Tower."
"That key belongs to Black Gun Guild."
"It is the property of our Guild Master."
"For him to possess it..."
"There is only one explanation."
"He stole it."
Murmurs spread rapidly as several Streamers immediately looked toward Dan suspiciously, while others frowned, feeling that something about Rowan’s accusation was strange. After all, if the key had truly been stolen, why was the young man simply standing there openly?
"Really?"
"He doesn’t look like much."
"I’ve never seen him before."
"He’s only Iron Rank."
"How could someone like him have that key?"
Dan remained completely silent, neither denying nor explaining anything, and seeing this, Rowan’s confidence grew.
"So?" He sneered. "Nothing to say? I suppose even you realize you’ve been caught."
Dan merely looked at him, his expression remaining as calm as still water, which only irritated Rowan even further.
"You’ve got quite the nerve," Rowan said. "Did you really think you could simply walk into our guild’s territory carrying stolen property?"
"You truly don’t know the difference between heaven and earth."
He took a step forward.
"An Iron II Streamer dreaming of claiming the Seven Abyssal Hell Tower?"
"What a joke."
Several spectators exchanged awkward glances because the insult sounded less convincing the longer Rowan spoke.
Dan hadn’t argued once, nor had he attempted to provoke anyone; the only person raising his voice was Rowan himself. Yet Rowan either failed to notice or simply didn’t care as he abruptly turned toward the nearby guards.
"You!"
The armored security personnel immediately straightened.
"As Vice Guild Master I command you to arrest him."
"Seize that useless Iron II Streamer."
"Confiscate the key."
"Throw him into a detention cell until the Guild Master returns."
The plaza became quiet as everyone looked toward the guards, but as one second passed and then another, no one moved. The guards simply remained standing exactly where they were, their expressions respectful and professional, yet completely unmoving.
"...Did you not hear me?" Rowan frowned.
Still, no response.
"I gave you an order," Rowan barked with a darkened expression.
One of the senior guards finally stepped forward and bowed politely.
"My apologies, Vice Guild Master," His tone remained respectful. "But we cannot comply."
"...What?" Rowan blinked.
"Earlier today," The guard continued. "The Guild Master personally issued new orders. He informed every security division stationed around the Seven Abyssal Hell Tower that Mr. Dan Moriarty is now the lawful owner of this property."
The plaza instantly erupted, and whispers spread faster than wildfire as many Streamers stared at Dan with disbelief. Some even rubbed their eyes at the impossible notion that the handsome young man standing before them owned the legendary Seven Abyssal Hell Tower.
"What?!"
"Owner?"
"Did I hear that correctly?"
"The owner changed?"
"When did that happen?"
"The Black Gun Guild sold the tower?"
Rowan himself looked as though lightning had struck him.
"...What?" His face stiffened.
"No."
"No..."
"Impossible."
He turned sharply toward the guards.
"You must have misunderstood!"
"The Guild Master would never sell the tower!"
"The transfer was completed, the Guild Master personally confirmed it," The guard said, while remaining composed. "We were instructed to obey Mr. Dan Moriarty’s authority regarding matters involving the tower."
Every word felt like another slap across Rowan’s face, causing him to stagger back half a step with his fists clenched tightly.
’So there’s nothing I can actually do to stop this bastard from having the tower,’ Rowan thought.
Rowan standing there had a bit of a flash remembering how Dan completed the deal by offering spirit wine jars, then his thought shifted to his years spent serving the Black Gun Guild, believing that one day the Guild Master’s trust, his daughter, and perhaps even the tower itself would become his, yet now everything had been handed to this Iron II Streamer.
The surrounding Streamers quickly understood the situation: if the Guild Master’s own guards refused to arrest Dan, then Rowan’s accusations held no weight whatsoever. Moments earlier, many had viewed Dan with suspicion, but now curiosity completely replaced their doubt.
"If the Guild Master approved it then the ownership is legitimate," one said.
"There’s no reason for the guards to lie," Another nodded. "I suppose the tower really was sold."
"I wonder what price he paid," A third said crossing his arms. "No ordinary person could afford that place."
Seeing the crowd gradually disregard him, Rowan’s face flushed with humiliation, and his voice rose once more.
"So what if the Guild Master sold it?"
"He still doesn’t deserve it!"
He glared viciously at Dan.
"What qualifications does someone like you possess?"
"Iron II."
"A beginner."
"A nobody."
"You probably got lucky in two or three streams and suddenly think you’re important."
His lips curled into a sneer.
"Do you honestly believe owning the tower makes you worthy of it?"
"The Seven Abyssal Hell Tower isn’t some toy for children."
"It’s one of Metro City’s greatest dungeons."
"You’ll lose it."
"You’ll ruin it."
"You’ll disgrace everything Black Gun Guild built."
He laughed mockingly.
"No, you probably won’t even survive climbing the first floor."
Some spectators frowned while others sighed inwardly, feeling that the insults were becoming increasingly childish since Dan had yet to utter more than a handful of words.
Meanwhile, Rowan continued shouting like a man desperate to convince himself, making the contrast painfully obvious. One remained calm, while the other appeared completely consumed by emotion, causing even several former Black Gun Guild members standing nearby to quietly lower their heads in embarrassment.
Rowan failed to notice, or perhaps he noticed and simply couldn’t stop because his pride had already been wounded beyond reason.
Then, Dan finally moved.
Without saying a single word, his footsteps echoing softly upon the stone staircase as he took one step and then another. His complete indifference struck Rowan harder than any insult ever could, proving that to Dan, he wasn’t even worth arguing with.
Watching the young man calmly descend the stairs, a vein bulged across Rowan’s forehead, his fists trembling violently as his eyes burned with unconcealed hatred.
And for the very first time, he genuinely wished for Dan Moriarty to die at the spot.
