Chapter 34: My Death (1)

Chapter 34: My Death (1)

Now I could say I was back to this place. Yes, I was back again.

[Duplicating Monster: Demon King of Autumn Rain’s Skills at random.]

My consciousness ended up in the Underworld, the pit of my hell. People had called me a loser, and I was one. I had then received an opportunity here when I had died in the fire that people called the Fire Emperor. I didn’t miss the opportunity that the Tower had given me.

[Creating Skill Cards.]

But why? Out of all of the people in the world, why had the Tower given me an opportunity like that? I used to be a loser who would scroll through internet communities consumed by jealousy. Why had I received that chance? The question was similar to “Why did the Tower grant such power to Yoo Soo-Ha, the psychopath?”

—I’ve finished reading the Skill Cards. Do you want me to read them out to you now? the Guardian asked.

Yes, please.

—Okay!

As I listened to the Skills that the Guardian recited, I thought that perhaps the Tower was disappointed by the way Hunters handled their gifts.

Grudge Rain

Class: S-

Effects: They don’t see and can’t see. Humans believe that things don’t exist when they can’t see it. “They’re blind.” Yes, they are. “They’re fools.” If so, show them. Show them how many lives have died because of their ignorance. The sky will gladly return all of the innocent blood that was spilled.

※However, only as much innocent blood as you have seen being spilled will rain down.

I was certain that Yoo Soo-Ha, the Fire Emperor, had crushed the tenth floor. I didn’t mean that he had cleared it quickly—he would have literally crushed the mansion, ignoring the children’s grudges, resentment, and cries of pain. The Tower must have been disappointed by his resolution.

What’s the next Skill?

—It’s this, the Guardian said.

Heart’s Echoing Cry

Class: A+

Effects: Your aura is strengthened, fueled by your emotion. The stronger the emotion is, the stronger your aura becomes. Vengeance, hatred, sorrow, anger, love... It doesn’t matter what kind of emotion it is. A fire burns on fuel.

※However, you will become addicted to the emotion over time.

I took my time pondering the matter. Yes, the Tower must have been disappointed.

Every floor has a hidden quest.

Just like how there was a quest to console the children in the Infernal Mansion, I assumed that the twelfth floor would have one too. I listened intently to the Guardian, hoping to find the answer in his words.

Monster Legion Summon

Class: SS

Effects: You are able to summon those you’ve killed as monsters. The deceased won’t have their original abilities or their memories. They are only summoned as monsters like goblins, orcs, zombies, and skeletons.

※However, you can summon your legion only once a week.

Even aside from those three Skills, the Demon King of Autumn Rain had many lesser Skills, but those three drew my attention the most.

...Okay. I nodded. I’ve made up my mind.

I decided what Skill I was going to choose and how I was going to clear the twelfth to the twentieth floors.

I’ll choose this.

—Huh? That one? The Guardian tilted his head, surprised by my choice. Hmm... I’m not sure about this.

I believe this will be the best Skill to clear through to the twentieth stage.

—Well... You can give it a go. I don’t know what your plan is, but I’m sure it involves weaseling.

You can look forward to it. I stopped as I was reaching for the card to ask, Mr. Sword Emperor—come to think of it, you know the Sword Star’s daily routine pretty well, right?

—Huh? Yeah, I do. His daily routine is the same day in and day out. He’s an old man through and through.

I need his evening schedule.

—Alright.

I grabbed the card, the voice rang out in the dark world.

[You have chosen a Skill Card.]

[Copying the Skill.]

[Rewinding twenty-four hours.]

And so I went back a day.

[Your Hunter Class is D.]

[Initiating your Skill penalty.]

[Recreating your killer’s trauma.]

Of course, I had to deal with the penalty and witnessed the so-called Demon King of Autumn Rain’s trauma... But my priority now was resolving the problems waiting for me on the twelfth floor.

[The penalty’s intensity level is intermediate.]

[The penalty’s theme is the Preta[1] Realm.]

Experiencing the nightmare could wait.

—Yeah, I am. Don’t look back.

Several conditions had to be met to clear the twelfth floor safely. One was to get the cooperation of the Five Guild’s leaders. And the second one was...to make the Sword Star not antagonize me.

Solving the Sword Star’s misunderstanding on the twelfth floor would be too late. I should do it before I climb the Tower.

On my last try, I could feel the animosity between the Sword Star and the guild leaders viscerally. The moment he pointed his sword at me, he would trigger a fight with them. They were already at each other’s throats, but the traitor was like dropping a bomb at their feet. It was a fast track to destruction and disaster.

—Wow, marvelous. You probably won’t find him even if you look. Gramps Marcus has a stealth Skill too.

Okay. Just keep an eye on him and see if he continues to follow me.

I was baiting the Sword Star. After learning his daily routine from the Guardian, I had used that knowledge to catch the Sword Star’s attention. The Sword Star was now following me, abandoning his dinner at his usual outdoor restaurant.

The Paladin, walking beside me, didn’t know about that, of course.

“Mr. Kim. Where are we going? This alley only leads to a bit of a shady neighborhood...”

“There’s a shop that I want to introduce you to.”

“A shop?”

“Yes. It’s run by an obscure Chemist, but she’s really good. I’m sure she’ll be a hit once she makes herself known, but things aren’t too good for her right now because advertising herself isn’t easy. You can take a look at her merchandise and help her if you also think she’s good.”

The Paladin stared at me. I knew what she was doing.

She activated her Lie Detector.

“Do you mean what you said?” she asked.

“Of course. Why would I lie to you?”

I wasn’t lying since I really was going to introduce her to the Chemist’s shop.

“I’m only saying this out of concern—are you up to anything suspicious?”

“I’m just seeking your help, Miss Paladin. Even if anything dangerous happens, it’s my life that’ll be in danger, not yours. Trust me.”

Everything I said was true.

The Paladin slowly nodded. “I’m sorry,” she said with a small smile. “I often hear I’m too paranoid. Let’s keep going.”

Okay. Another stage of my plan has been cleared.

We passed through the alley and safely arrived at the Chemist’s shop. The Chemist was carrying a heavy box—it looked like she’d gotten a new machine for her shop. At first, she tilted her head in confusion at us when we approached, but she broke out into a bright smile when she recognized me.

“Ah! Sir!”

“Are you closed for the day?”

“Hahaha. Yes, I am, but the shop is always open for you, sir! You’re my first regular customer.” The Chemist put down her box.

Only a matter of days ago, her hair and clothes were in shambles; now she looked like a completely different woman. It seemed she had been to a salon and purchased new clothes, because she was the image of a proper shopkeeper.

“Phew. Oh, I’m sorry. She’s...?”

“She’s the Hunter who currently occupies the role of the Watchmen League’s assistant leader. You’ve heard of her, right? Her title is Paladin.”

The Chemist’s lip quivered. “...The what? T-the W-watchmen League’s assistant leader?”

“Yup.”

“She’s literally from another league!”

I guess this was a normal reaction for an ordinary Hunter.

“W-what brings you to my humble shop, assistant leader...? Hic! Is it for narcotics? Is this a narcotic raid? I-I never made any drugs! My shop is in a shady alley, but I’ve never made any narcotics. I never made a gram of bad potions, either! I lived true to my morals and I’ll continue to do so. Please don’t close down my shop!”

The Chemist prostrated herself in front of the Paladin. This was not a normal reaction.

The Paladin looked lost. According to her Lie Detector, everything the Chemist said was true, so the Paladin was left wondering if the Chemist was a weirdo or a conscientious merchant.

“Now, now. Don’t worry.” I patted the Chemist’s shoulders. “I’m not here to tattle on you to the Watchmen League. I know how skilled you are and I know you have a heart of gold.”

“Then...”

“Your business isn’t too good despite your skills. It always sat wrong with me, so I’m here to introduce you to the assistant leader here.”

The Chemist looked up, slack-jawed. “You mean you...”

“I mean what I said. Why don’t you give her some samples? Who knows? If she thinks it’s good, she might sign an exclusive contract for the Watchmen League. It’ll make things a lot easier for you.”

The Chemist blinked. It seemed she needed a little time to process what I told her just now.

She grabbed my hands. “Y-you’re an angel...!”

I’m Gong-Ja, not an angel.

“You made a really big order right before I was about to sell my shop. A-and now you’re bringing me more clients... Are you really an angel...? How do I repay you...?”

The eyes of the Chemist, who was going to one day be called the Master Alchemist, sparkled brightly.

Just then, we heard new footsteps in the quiet alley. It was quite loud, so the Paladin, the Chemist, and I all turned to look.

“...Everyone, leave me and that young man over there alone.” An elderly man in a neat suit glared coldly at me. It was the Sword Star, the senior gentleman who was yet to trust me. “I would like to have a private conversation with him.”

Alright. Now it was time to fulfill the second condition.

1. A preta is a ghost from religions and mythology. Its hunger is said to be insatiable. ☜