Chapter 288: 50th Floor. (2)

Chapter 288: 50th Floor. (2)

3.

On a rainy morning, I ventured out to the plaza, my face concealed under a raincoat.

From the hologram billboard set up in the plaza, an unfamiliar voice echoed. It was mine from a recording made two months ago.

Yikes.

My face flushed with embarrassment.

Why does my voice always sound so weird? Damn. It gives me the creeps

I quickly fled the scene.

As I left the plaza, I glimpsed my face in the hologram. There I was, speaking earnestly, every word clear and deliberate.

Ladies and gentlemen, this vote is not just about whether to trust us, the Five Great Guilds. Its about deciding the direction of our entire Tower. Do we ascend to the 50th floor or stay here, giving up further exploration? Its a crucial decision.

The hologram then showed scenes of Babylon Square bustling with people, ecstatic after casting their votes.

King! King! King

Indeed, youve just seen a video from two months ago, announced the announcer appearing on one side of the hologram.

As you saw, the vote, held two months ago, passed with an overwhelming majority. It was almost a single decisive battle asking for approval of the current regime. Professor, the approval votes far outnumbered the disapprovals, didnt they?

Yes, it seems Death King, our Rank 2 Hunter, has a positive image. He and his spouse are quite popular.

Very popular!

Yes, so it was kind of like a popularity vote

A popularity vote?

Thats how it had to be. Death Kings appearance during the vote and Duke

Ivansias rebuttals were compelling

The farther I got from the plaza, the quieter the news became, and my embarrassment slowly subsided.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

I sighed and adjusted the hood of my raincoat.

Its been two months already.

Sixty days since the vote.

Time flies.

During this time, I had been busy organizing the inner workings of the Tower.

Handling the Three Tower Society, the fanatics in the Black Dragon Guild and the Ten Thousand Temple, was part of this internal reorganization.

Now theres no risk of being stabbed in the back.

Everything was ready.

The likelihood of internal division within our Tower was now minimal.

As I stepped through puddles, breathing in the scent of the clouds, I headed towards the outskirts of the city.

Welcome, Death King.

Sitting in the middle of a desolate alley was the [Lady Who Walks the Mirage].

Its been a while.

Two months is just a blink.

Were you waiting for me here?

It was a deserted street. Long-neglected roofs failed to stop the rain. Water flowed through perforated pipes. The [Lady], crouching down, gently pressed her index finger against a rainwater drain.

Yes. You were coming to find me anyway, werent you, Death King? I anticipated your path and came here to meet you. Its raining, and theres no need to waste time.

Indeed.

I approached the Lady from behind.

The Lady didnt turn to look at me. She continued playing with the water in the drain. As she moved her finger, the flowing water split into two streams.

I suppose youre here to request the opening of the 50th floor?

Yes.

Alright. Im always ready to grant requests. But are you sure? Youre alone now, Death King. Wouldnt it be better to be teleported with all your trustworthy comrades?

I shook my head.

No.

When the 50th floor opens, other worlds will be accessible. Conversely, it means that those worlds could invade ours.

Hmm.

All hunters, except me, will remain here to prepare for any invasion. The Goblins the Asuras are already in full readiness. If any force underestimates us and decides to invade, thinking were amateurs, theyre in for a rude awakening.

Very cautious of you.

The Lady stood up with a sigh.

All the others are in defensive positions. You alone will act as a scout and venture into the 50th floor. After all, even if something goes wrong, you wont die.

Exactly.

Alright.

She reached out and grabbed my wrist.

Now, you all graduate from the [novice] phase.

The moment her damp palm touched mine, the sky above tore open.

Krrrr

Violet lightning struck down. Once, twice, the thunder roared through the clouds. Even the clouds, swirling like armor made of steam, couldnt contain the thunder. Kwarrr! Kurrr! The clouds split into dozens, hundreds of ways, and purple thunder spread across the sky like capillaries.

[Novice protection measures are terminated.]

Thunder poured from above.

[Novice privileges are permanently revoked.]

-Of course, theyd be overflowing with interest.

So what? I like getting attention. Dont worry. Be happy. Okay?

-Sorry, but that attention isnt the kind you think. My dear.

And then.

-Constellations are like game masters, GMs. They create and give quests. Feel for yourself what happens when you catch their attention.

I was teleported to the middle of a wilderness.

In a place where strange monsters should roam, there was a bustling crowd of dozens of people.

I would have liked to believe these people were hunters who happened to be out hunting monsters, and my teleportation here was a total coincidence, but at first glance, it didnt seem so.

-There he is! Thats the guy!

Because as soon as they saw me, they pointed at me.

Finally showed up!

Everyone, prepare for battle!

Moreover, each of them was holding a gruesome-looking sword.

Seeing the pointing fingers and drawn swords, its difficult to dismiss everything as mere coincidences.

And certainly, it was no different for me.

What is this now?

Without a moment to relish the feeling of finally arriving at the 50th floor, I quickly drew my holy sword. Surrounded already. Over twenty people had encircled me.

[The Warhorse of the Eternal Plains issues a quest to its followers.]

[You have been targeted by the quest!]

[The quest is now public.]

Then, an absurd text scrolled across thin air.

+

[Hunt Down Death King]

Difficulty: Unknown

Mission Objective: Death King is a newly registered human from the Lion World. Before even entering the common route, Death King dared to oppose The Warhorse of the Eternal Plains by massacring the Apostle of Mahos.

Warriors!

The Warhorse of the Eternal Plains commands you, its brave followers, to hunt down Death King! Seize the opportunity to ambush him as he just arrives on the 50th floor!

Please be cautious.

Death King is fearsome and cunning. He is a heretic who stops at nothing. He is also the evil leader commanding hundreds of fanatics. However, do not fear, warriors. If you attack him while he is still unfamiliar with the common route, you have a chance of success!

The warrior who kills or captures Death King will receive the Apostles Blessing from Mahos.

Note: You cannot participate in this quest.

You are the [Target] of this quest.

+

.

Dumbfounded, my mind went blank.

Me? Fearsome and cunning?

A heretic who stops at nothing?

Who are they talking about!?

I dont know such a person.

Is this some kind of error or misunderstanding?

-Its not a mistake. Youre a part of the Demonic Cult, arent you? To those who dont know you, youre definitely a heretic.

But since when have I been the evil leader commanding hundreds of fanatics?

-Thats a plausible description, isnt it? Youre the deputy-leader of a cult. In fact, youre practically the Heavenly Demon, considering everything. Ha! Just the name sounds like a bad guy.

No.

What nonsense is that!

Dont let your guard down!

One of the hunters, a resident of another world who received this ridiculous quest, shouted.

Mahos himself has forewarned us! Dont be fooled by his appearance similar to ours! Hes a demon among demons, a beginner not to be underestimated! Draw your swords!

Draw swords!

Attack!

The encircling hunters charged at me, all at once, shouting in unison.

I raised my aura to prepare for combat, but couldnt help but scream out.

Wait! Im not a bad guy! Im actually more of a good guy! This quest is a lie! How can they blatantly lie in a quest? Hey, everyone. This quest is not telling the truth about me!

-Its no use.

Bae Hu-ryeong snickered.

-Quests are at the GMs discretion. Remember the quest that [The Devil King of Fall Rain] gave you? Its no wonder Constellation Killer went around killing constellations.

Then what should I do now?

-What else? Fight.

Bae Hu-ryeong laughed gleefully.

-Welcome to the 50th floors world of manipulation and distortion! Good luck, Your Highness!

Damn it all.