Chapter 100

Chapter 100

I am not a hero. I am not a white knight riding in to save the world with unwavering mental strength.

But still, trying desperately to save everyone is because... I can do it.

Because I can, I will.

Every life of the people who accompanied me on the 4th floor is as good as being in my hands.

Someone lives, someone dies based on my choices. And I give up because it’s hard?

I can’t say to those dying, “You died because I was too tired to care.”

As long as I have a conscience, I can’t utter such nonsense.

Let’s face it. Let’s give it our all, using everything we have. It won’t be too late to consider compromising afterward.

“Phew...”

And for this grand plan, what I need to do right now is very clear.

“Let’s... Let’s play some LoL first...”

First, take a deep, thoughtless rest.

I felt it throughout the progression of the 4th floor. My current mental state is extremely precarious.

Even if everything resets with regression... the pressure of knowing someone dies because of my choices is beyond imagination. People say you stop seeing others as human? The shock of death is still an exception.

I think I understand why generals in war don’t see soldiers as people.

The moment you realize the weight your choices bring, the human mind rapidly deteriorates.

But this is also a green light. Even if I’ve become desensitized to others, it means I haven’t crossed the line yet.

I am still human. It feels reassuring to confirm that.

“...Even without the jungler playing, we won?”

I holed up in my apartment for two days, playing games non-stop.

The news was abuzz all day about the Tower, thousands of people were being kidnapped globally every day, and player crimes were rampant... yet people’s daily lives hadn’t changed drastically. That’s why gaming companies are still running.

- Kim Jun-ho: 831 points

“...Damn, this is fun.”

Playing after a long time was excessively enjoyable.

At first, I wondered why people had become so bad at the game, but then I realized it was natural. My physical abilities far surpass ordinary people. The game can’t be difficult.

One might ask what’s the fun in stomping noobs? But games are fun when you win. That’s why people create smurf accounts.

After reaching the highest rank within two days and mending my mental state, I finally checked my phone.

Choi Ji-won: Mr. Jun-ho. You contacted me earlier. Are you feeling better? I am about to enter the 4th floor soon. Our timing seems off. (4 days ago)

Park Cheol-jin: Jun-ho, did you clear the 3rd floor? We were tasked with completing a 4000-piece puzzle in the Room of Patience. (4 days ago)

Messages from Choi Ji-won, Park Cheol-jin, and other acquaintances had come in.

Ahn Kyung-joon: I haven’t been able to reach you... It’s already been over a week since you entered the Tower.

“...Shit.”

Gently putting my phone back in my pocket, I moved straight to the 1st floor to check the clear rewards.

Approaching the large chest I had long ignored, -thud. I opened it roughly.

As soon as I opened the chest, a message window popped up before my eyes.​

​

1000-point Achievement Reward: Low-grade Potion x 10 3000-point Achievement Reward: Weapon Choice Voucher 6000-point Achievement Reward: Customized Item Box (B~E) [Unique] 10000-point Achievement Reward: Customized Trait Box (A~D) [Unique]

“...What the heck is a voucher?”

A bunch of items I had never seen before popped out. A weapon choice voucher? This isn’t even a game.

But this made the tower’s intentions clear. The tower wants us to save the otherworlders. That’s why the rewards are given. The more we try to save the otherworlders, the more difficult the challenges will become.

No, even so, the difficulty of the 4th floor is abnormal. I must have missed something.

“Well, for now...”

I’ll worry about that later. Now is the time to check the rewards.

Transparent Gloves [B] -Transparent leather gloves. Meditation [C] -Provides time to calm your mind and reflect on yourself. Top Contributor Reward: Subspace Pocket (Lowest Grade) -Size: 30cm x 30cm x 30cm

But even that post seemed like it was written by someone who cleared the 4th floor with me. It’s not helpful at all.

“...I guess I’ll have to write a post myself.”

Tap, tap, tap.

<Anyone cleared the 4th floor? There are hardly any related posts.>

As soon as I posted, comments started pouring in.

-You want to write about that?

-Psychopath?

-Fuck off, idiot. Don’t feed the troll.

“...?”

The reactions were extremely intense. It was like poking a hornet’s nest.

​

Even after posting several more questions, I was either treated as a troll or completely ignored as if I were blocked.

“No way...”

Yes, clearing the 4th floor must leave a trauma. Unlike the 2nd or 3rd floors, where you could survive cleanly, the environment of the 4th floor was extremely harsh, inevitably resulting in sacrifices.

But how am I supposed to gather information like this? I need to know what other people’s experiences on the 4th floor were to plan accordingly.

“Do I have to look at foreign sites?”

Clicking my tongue, I was about to search foreign communities when I received a notification.

-Ding.

A message had arrived.

-Why are you so curious about the 4th floor?

A message from an anonymous user, with a provocative tone that was far from trustworthy.

But I couldn’t afford to be picky right now. I quickly typed a response.

-I want to gather information.

-Why gather information? It’s not like you’re going back in or can tell anyone.

-I have my reasons.

-Okay. I can help you. I’ve secured dozens of testimonies on the matter.

“Hmm.”

I don’t trust internet communities. People say anything when they don’t have to take responsibility.

-Instead, I want to talk face-to-face. The location is XX Cafe in Naegok-dong. Tomorrow at 2 PM. How about it?

They even wanted to meet in person rather than share information online. This level of caution made me suspicious of organ trafficking.

“Hmm...”

What do I lose if I regress immediately?

Firstly, I lose the chance to hear Choi Ji-won’s experience. Also, I miss the opportunity to train my mana diligently. Additionally, I am still mentally exhausted and don’t want to meet people who died on the 4th floor.

“...Let’s go for it.”

Despite my reservations, I decided to take the risk.

Thinking it over, there is a hidden portal in the castle. Even if I have to regress, I can return to reality immediately.

The next day, as I arrived at the designated cafe...

“...Jung-hyun?”

“...Jun-ho?”

Yoon Jung-hyun was there, waiting for me in a neat suit.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

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