Chapter 149: 17th Floor (1) ————-«

Chapter 149: 17th Floor (1) ————-«

After the end of the 16th floors’ trial, and the moment I moved into the portal.

「Postponing transfer to the waiting room.」

「Administrator ‘Hero of a Fallen World’ is choosing the reward.」

「Entering the divine sanctuary of the hero.」

The first thing that I saw was a stone statue.

A dragon stone statue that you’d see in western mythologies were in the middle of the hall.

And seeing the pillars surrounding that statue, this building was akin to a temple.

And it most likely was a temple.

After all.......

“Hey, not there, over here.”

Since the administrator of this area was an apostle of the dragon lord.

Once I turned my head towards the source of the voice, I could see a tall, good looking blond man.

Neal.

He was the original hero of the 16th floor’s story......

And the one who managed to climb up the tower above the 40th floor to be reborn as an administrator.

“You have two contractors so I bet you’re pretty used to divine sanctuary, but do you have anything you want to ask me?”

He spoke while resting his hand above the handle of the blade with a smile.

At that, I stood quietly for a second before speaking.

“......Are you the hero of the fallen world?”

“Well, yes. We’ve already spoken a few times, no?”

“Rather than speaking with each other, it was more of a one sided message.”

“That’s that. Don’t mind the smaller details. How boring.”

“.......”

Keeping my silence at the lighthearted personality of the hero did not last long.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Please imbue the reward to both of my swords.”

I asked for the reward concisely.

At that, Neal nodded and smirked.

“You’re just as honest to your desires as you’ve ever been.”

“.......”

“Got it, got it, I’ll get it done. You don’t have to glare at me like that. I just wanted to ask you a question, so don’t worry.”

“A question?”

It was difficult to assume if this question would be about the apostle of dragon lord, or if it would be a personal question.

While I was wracking my brain through what kind of question this would be, the hero laughed.

“It won’t be about the dragon lord. Just a personal question.”

“......Is that so? Then please feel free. Of course, whether I answer or not would be up to me.”

“I’d prefer it if you answer it...... Oh well, how about this? If you answer my question, I’ll also answer a question of yours. Isn’t it fair now?”

“Okay.”

There was nothing to lose.

At least, the one with the upper hand here was me.

And I didnt have to worry about lies being told either.

After all, I could always detect lies using the Fire Dragon’s Eyes.

“I can assume what you’re thinking...... Well, it’s definitely not a bad thought.”

Neal must’ve seen through me, as he lightly smiled and asked me his question.

“I want to know what your goal is. Just what is your goal to have you obsess over gaining power like that?”

At that, I felt as if my heart stopped.

“Climb the tower, obsess over growth and rewards, and just what do you plan on accomplishing with that?”

What i wanted to accomplish. I’ve never thought of that.

All I wanted was to never be oppressed by someone else.

Not even by divine entities.

But I was to be asked if that was my goal, then it definitely was not a goal of mine.

At that, I was confused.

“I.......”

“Do you want to become a god?”

“No. it’s not that, I just.... I just wanted to become stronger to not be oppressed.”

“To not be oppressed, huh. Now that’s interesting. Right, so what are you being oppressed by?”

I was about to answer that I was being oppressed by the other challengers who are also climbing the tower.....

‘......Are they using the quests as bait for administrators to foster skilled challengers?”

To tell the truth, I was still unsure of why the tower wished to foster challengers like this.........

But that was not something to worry over at this point, so I stopped thinking about it.

Clap Clap─!

Neal ended the chat with a change of mood.

“Now, our questioning session is over, so let’s wrap up the rewards.”

「Special Power ‘Dragon Lords’ Designated Vessel’ has chosen challenger Han Sungyeun as a user.」

「Please choose the items to be imbued with Absolute Indestructibility affinity.」

I quickly took out the two items from the inventory.

「Selection Complete.」

I’ve already chosen which two items to imbue the Absolute Indestructibility affinity.

「True Blood Demon Sword (A) has been imbued with <absolute indestructibility=""> affinity.」</absolute>

「Sky Breaking Sword (A+) has been imbued with <absolute indestructibility=""> affinity..」</absolute>

Fwoosh!

The two swords on my hands vibrated as if enjoying the sensation of affinity imprinting.

And

「The Soul Ego’s consciousness within the True Blood Demon Sword (A) is slowly recovering.」

「Once the Soul Ego’s consciousness within the True Blood Demon Sword (A) has fully recovered, the limit on its activity will disappear.」

I raised the corner of my lips from the unexpected gain.

Once Dam Cheonwoo’s consciousness returned, I had many questions for him.

The knowledge that he gained past the 40th floor, on top of every other minor information, I planned to get them all.

Till what point can he assist me in, what structure was murim like? And why did he choose to give up the position of administrator, etc.....

Really now. There was too much to ask that my heart was pounding.

‘Climbing the tower would become a bit easier from now on.’

While I was feeling satisfied at that, a new message popped up.

「Please move to the waiting area.」

Now it was time to really go back.

“Your trial has been fun to watch, and I gave the rewards. So I suppose that it’s time for you to depart now.”

“Seems like it.”

“You know, none of the other administrators would give out insane rewards like what I gave you, so make sure you thank......”

“We both got what we wanted so I’d say there’s no need for that.”

“......You’re really not cute at all. None whatsoever.”

“If you have nothing else to say, then I’ll take my leave.”

After sheathing both of my swords, I moved towards the portal.

“......Now this is bonus information for you.”

Suddenly Neal’s serious voice came from behind.

“If you truly desire to surpass everything that oppresses you, do not ever doubt the tower.”

That voice that seemed to be somehow trembling, had a sense of guidance.

“We’ve all failed to achieve our goals, but you’ll be different Han Sungyeun. After all.......”

None of it was comprehensible, and.......

“You’re one of the candidates that the tower is watching over, after all.”

I couldn’t really ask him what he was talking about.

Because once I turned my head towards him, Neal’s figure had already disappeared without a trace.

“.......”

Seeing the empty hero’s temple, I clenched my fist.

I wasn’t sure of what he wanted to tell me, but I was sure of one thing at least.

To never stop climbing the tower.

“......I was planning on it anyway.”

I said towards the empty hall.

“......Thank you for your advice.”

And

“I’ll really take my leave now.”

Thanking the hero’s good will, I continued walking.

Without a destination, but with unwavering steps.

「You have entered the 17th floor waiting room.」

It was time to climb the tower again.

[To be continued.]