[ More satisfying, eh? Jing Yuan doesn't find himself surprised at hearing that kind of logic from Khun either. ]
It seems it is.
I'm afraid I'm not quite one that does anything notable. I simply accept my victory and move forward with whatever else comes along the day.
[ He doesn't throw the celebrations. That's up to someone else. Jing Yuan is more of a humble victor, than anything, even with his confidence. ]
I imagine your instructors had a taste, however, of the kind of victor you were when you weren't reducing opponents to ashes. You can't easily very well do the same to your teachers.
[ khun leans forward to rest his head on his palm. ]
Not in the normal way, no. The one guy who tried that got reduced to a bag of meat and bones. [ ...he's not even exaggerating. ] . But they can be bargained with and won over like anyone else, at least some of them.
The most recent guy was, but that's not because his existence was significant and necessary to the floor—I flipped his second in command and he had nearly as much on his shoulders as he did. The people who can't be persuaded are either whimsical or have a cause they're dedicated to which is incompatible with your own.
Even people in power tend to want something and it's the same with the rich.
[ tower of god really be like 9999 degrees of politics though. ]
[ It is very much starting to sound like politics—not like Jing Yuan can't be too surprised about it either. Guy's a noble, after all. Why wouldn't he be exposed to it?
It does...sound a little more hardcore than what he is used to, though. ]
I would have to agree. I suppose it is simply the nature of an individual to desire something once you are high enough to expand your horizons, as it were.
Didn't I tell you? Where I'm from, everything is encapsulated in a Tower. Movement between floors is only granted to those who are deemed worthy and pass the tests required to move onwards.
I see. You've told me a couple things about this 'Tower' you're from only once we've started this conversation, but some elements have not been elaborated upon. Until now.
I would certainly have recalled if you mentioned this detail before. But, it is interesting, and something I am generally unfamiliar with. Though, it gives context as to why you would wish to have more allies rallying your cause. I could only presume it would help you move up these floors. Until you get to whichever one you wish to be.
[ it was a legitimate question honestly, because he's told lots of people piecemeal chunks about the crazy place he's from. and he was kind of concentrated on their match way more than he let on. ]
Allies are important. [ chipper, but with a genuine undertone if jing yuan listens closely. ]
And the top, of course. Those who reach it are granted a wish. It made sound like a fairytale, but there are a small number of people who've done so, called Rankers. They all wish for different things of course, but power and immortality are pretty popular.
[ Definitely an undertone he can hear rather close and he doesn't doubt that the other considers allies important to his cause.
It makes him actually doubt that kind of perspective has changed even now, where others might. ]
Rankers, hm? And these individuals have essentially not only returned in a sense to tell the tale, but provided evidence that their wishes have come true?
[ Immortality and power seem like pretty easy things to prove, for one. In comparison to wishing for being the smartest in the world or something. ]
Naturally. The system of the Tower would fall apart otherwise.
[ he tilts his head, thinking. ]
Ultimately, the wish is subject to the approval of the King. You couldn't just reach the top and wish for him to drop dead, for example. But I think most people have a concrete wish in mind, though there always are exceptions.
[ So they can't 'pretend' in some way that these things had not happened; something he considered a possibility, but likely rendered moot if this system is genuine, and has been perpetuating itself for quite a long while. ]
I see. So, he is able to override this wish system if someone did wish to have him die or otherwise usurp him.
Ah, as in simply kill them, I assume? The Tower does sound like it is essentially his kingdom, and therefore capital punishment would likely be reserved for those rebelling against his rule.
[ For a king, it seems like the straightforward enough answer. It may even sound like splitting hairs, but the worst thing Khun can say is that he meant it was certainly unequivocally a sound death. ]
That too, but the King of Jahad has the power to delete anyone's trace of existence. The only reason that power is known is because of records from outside the Tower. But he wouldn't necessarily have to do that either.
It's not known widely outside of the Ten Families, but there's a system of slavery for any real heinous offenders too. Losing your name might as well be losing your existence, and without it, you'd never be able to do anything on your own without your Master's permission.
[ ...Delete anyone's trace of existence? Now that gets a notable pause from Jing Yuan, because not even Aeons can reasonably manage that easily.
They could, but traces do remain, and all that complicated stuff. He wonders if it is the same, though. ]
I can't imagine the idea of someone's existence being erased, though I can understand it being possible, given the power of strong beings consistent throughout the entirety of the universe.
[ That said... ]
...As for that horrid punishment, is there a way for anyone to regain their name once they lost it?
My apologies, for having gotten a bit deep into this sort of conversation for a bit longer than expected. Then again, perhaps story time was something like a victory prize?
[ Anyway, Jing Yuan will stand up, reaching for the board he brought. ]
I should leave you to it for now. Though, I do wonder how you will be able to come close to beating me.
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no subject
[ More satisfying, eh? Jing Yuan doesn't find himself surprised at hearing that kind of logic from Khun either. ]
It seems it is.
I'm afraid I'm not quite one that does anything notable. I simply accept my victory and move forward with whatever else comes along the day.
[ He doesn't throw the celebrations. That's up to someone else. Jing Yuan is more of a humble victor, than anything, even with his confidence. ]
I imagine your instructors had a taste, however, of the kind of victor you were when you weren't reducing opponents to ashes. You can't easily very well do the same to your teachers.
no subject
Not in the normal way, no. The one guy who tried that got reduced to a bag of meat and bones. [ ...he's not even exaggerating. ] . But they can be bargained with and won over like anyone else, at least some of them.
no subject
[ Well, maybe Jing Yuan isn't entirely too surprised about that despite his, uh. Inquiring on the subject, but that's neither here nor there. ]
Which ones were the kinds who couldn't be bargained with or won over? Were they people of significance?
[ Those who had integrity? Stubbornness? Or were not considered all too important compared to some? ]
no subject
Even people in power tend to want something and it's the same with the rich.
[ tower of god really be like 9999 degrees of politics though. ]
no subject
It does...sound a little more hardcore than what he is used to, though. ]
I would have to agree. I suppose it is simply the nature of an individual to desire something once you are high enough to expand your horizons, as it were.
...However, what do you mean by 'floor'?
no subject
Didn't I tell you? Where I'm from, everything is encapsulated in a Tower. Movement between floors is only granted to those who are deemed worthy and pass the tests required to move onwards.
no subject
I see. You've told me a couple things about this 'Tower' you're from only once we've started this conversation, but some elements have not been elaborated upon. Until now.
I would certainly have recalled if you mentioned this detail before. But, it is interesting, and something I am generally unfamiliar with. Though, it gives context as to why you would wish to have more allies rallying your cause. I could only presume it would help you move up these floors. Until you get to whichever one you wish to be.
no subject
Allies are important. [ chipper, but with a genuine undertone if jing yuan listens closely. ]
And the top, of course. Those who reach it are granted a wish. It made sound like a fairytale, but there are a small number of people who've done so, called Rankers. They all wish for different things of course, but power and immortality are pretty popular.
no subject
It makes him actually doubt that kind of perspective has changed even now, where others might. ]
Rankers, hm? And these individuals have essentially not only returned in a sense to tell the tale, but provided evidence that their wishes have come true?
[ Immortality and power seem like pretty easy things to prove, for one. In comparison to wishing for being the smartest in the world or something. ]
...Are there also any limitations?
no subject
[ he tilts his head, thinking. ]
Ultimately, the wish is subject to the approval of the King. You couldn't just reach the top and wish for him to drop dead, for example. But I think most people have a concrete wish in mind, though there always are exceptions.
no subject
I see. So, he is able to override this wish system if someone did wish to have him die or otherwise usurp him.
no subject
[ destroy and not kill, because there are some things worse than death and some people who have literally been erased from existence. ]
no subject
Ah, as in simply kill them, I assume? The Tower does sound like it is essentially his kingdom, and therefore capital punishment would likely be reserved for those rebelling against his rule.
[ For a king, it seems like the straightforward enough answer. It may even sound like splitting hairs, but the worst thing Khun can say is that he meant it was certainly unequivocally a sound death. ]
no subject
It's not known widely outside of the Ten Families, but there's a system of slavery for any real heinous offenders too. Losing your name might as well be losing your existence, and without it, you'd never be able to do anything on your own without your Master's permission.
[ we repeat, tower of god is a whole lot. ]
no subject
They could, but traces do remain, and all that complicated stuff. He wonders if it is the same, though. ]
I can't imagine the idea of someone's existence being erased, though I can understand it being possible, given the power of strong beings consistent throughout the entirety of the universe.
[ That said... ]
...As for that horrid punishment, is there a way for anyone to regain their name once they lost it?
no subject
Only by their master's consent.
no subject
I see. How unfortunate.
Though, I do wonder if it is possible for them to rebel in such a position, even so.
no subject
[ he stands up with a light yawn, stretching. ]
But maybe we can continue that story over our next chess game? I want a rematch.
[ not now obviously, but in the future! ]
no subject
My apologies, for having gotten a bit deep into this sort of conversation for a bit longer than expected. Then again, perhaps story time was something like a victory prize?
[ Anyway, Jing Yuan will stand up, reaching for the board he brought. ]
I should leave you to it for now. Though, I do wonder how you will be able to come close to beating me.
[ lol ]
no subject
You're such an optimist, Jing Yuan. Don't go senile on me before our next match~.
[ it's not actually barbed but it is sing song and sweet. ]
no subject
That'd be a pity, wouldn't it?
But, you'll be more than glad to find that I'll remain the same as ever. I'll see you, Khun.
[ With that, he makes his exit, firmly amused. ]