Chapter 36
A very tiny golem, but I can tell.
This golem is strong.
Stronger than any monster I’ve encountered so far.
But why has such a powerful monster appeared? Is it because of me?
If it’s this strong, even I can’t kill it easily.
The only way to deal with it decisively is to consume it.
For that, I must prepare the space.
To ensure the monster cannot escape, just in case.
As it tries to dominate the space by tearing off one of my arms—
“Ni-Nika!!!!”
I hear my master’s voice.
Hastily turning in the direction of my master, I see him looking at me with worried eyes, ready to rush toward me at any moment.
Ah, what have I just done?
I ended up making my master worry.
All because of this monster.
Leaving him a message to stay back, I focus my gaze on the monster.
【Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you.】
【Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you. Because of you.】
My body begins to melt away as the preparations to dominate the space come to completion.
The monster finally realizes and attempts to flee, but it’s futile.
With one of my arms already sacrificed, all arrangements have been made, leaving no way for it to escape.
Countless eyes appear, and bizarrely distorted entities materialize to become my hands and feet.
As the golem is restrained, a scream erupts.
Finding the noise unpleasant, I crush its mouth, making it easier to devour.
Now, it’s mealtime.
***
“Oh… what is that?”
“I… I don’t know either.”
“I don’t know either.”
Nika, now transformed into a giant orb, begins dominating the space and consuming this world before everything eventually settles.
Shortly after, the orb gradually shrinks, and Nika returns to her usual cute form that I know.
【Master!】
With a cheerful voice, Nika leaps into my arms, and a notification appears.
───────────────
【1 Enemy Defeated.】
───────────────
【Mission Clear!】
Rewards will be distributed.
【New Record Achieved on Floor 20!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Would you like to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Decline.”
【You are being transported out of the Tower.】
Bathed in light, we return home, where Nika rubs against me affectionately, showing her usual playful side.
But how should I put it? She seems a bit different.
“Nika, you seem a little different.”
【Me?】
“Yes. How should I say it… You’re even cuter?”
At my words, she stares blankly at me, then trembles as she exclaims how much she loves me, causing more chaos.
Watching Nika, Lillian and the Heavenly Demon quietly excuse themselves from the room.
No, why do they have to be so perceptive only at times like this?
*
*
*
In the Awakeners Association Director’s office, the day’s news fills the screen, with breaking stories dominating the headlines.
【Breaking News】 Hall of Fame rankings updated through the 20th floor.
└ This is insane!!!!!!
└ My rank changed too, lol.
└ Obviously, with the number one rank changing, haha.
└ Do they only climb one floor per day? The rankings change daily.
└ Must be their personal rule. So cool.
【Breaking News】 Rapidly ascending to the number one rank at an absurd pace. Who is this person?
└ So, who are they?
└ If I knew that, I’d be a prophet, lol.
└ No one knows, so how could you?
└ The Director must know, haha.
Most of the news focuses on Han Ji-an’s rapid climb, already reaching the 20th floor—an unbelievable feat.
Climbing one floor a day, perhaps?
It’s wise.
The Tower is a place where losing your life at any moment wouldn’t be surprising.
Climbing recklessly is bound to lead to disaster.
Managing your condition while receiving rewards from the Hall of Fame is a clever strategy. What was the reward for the 20th floor?
The previous rank 1 hunter, Han Ye-rin, supposedly obtained the Ego Sword at that level, right?
“Ah, I’m so envious.”
“You’re the Director of the Association, yet you’re envious?”
“This and that are separate matters.”
Hugging my younger sister, who had somehow entered my room, I whined about how cold-hearted she was, but it didn’t faze her at all.
I wonder where the cute little sister who used to crawl into my bed at night out of fear has gone.
“How did it go?”
“What do you mean?”
When she asked me to clarify, I realized she was referring to the “S-rank Awakener proposal.” Shaking my head, she handed me a document as if she had expected this.
“Then, could you at least pay for this?”
“Sorry, but I’m off-duty right now. Please come back during business hours.”
“…….”
*
*
*
“Little sister, your brother is here.”
“You’re back? By the way, where’s that pretty sister? Didn’t she come with you?”
“…….”
M… what was it again? Bewitchment Arts or something like that? Is it still lingering?
She keeps glancing behind me, searching for the Heavenly Demon.
“Little sister, she’s at home, so stop looking for her.”
At that moment, she flinched and stared at me with a chilling expression.
Her eyes looked lifeless, like a dead person’s—what’s going on?
“What do you mean she’s at home? Are you saying it’s like you’re living together?”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant…”
Damn it, I misspoke.
I’ll have to tell her someday, but now is not the time.
I tried to explain that it was just a slip of the tongue, but her eyes looked distrustful.
“You’ll trust your brother, right?”
“Lately, I’ve been finding it hard to trust you. It’s not true, right?”
“Of course not! So stop worrying and focus on your recovery.”
As I peeled an apple and asked about her rehabilitation, I learned she had made significant progress.
She told me with a bright smile that she could now take a few steps on her own.
“Once my little sister completes her rehabilitation and gets discharged, there will be a surprise waiting for you, so look forward to it.”
“Are you bringing home a new sister-in-law?”
“Cough, cough!!”
I choked on my drink and coughed for a while, only to sweat nervously when she followed up with, “It’s not just one, right? Not two?”
After all, there are currently two of them living at home.
…My future self will deal with it somehow!
That day, I stayed with my little sister until late and promised to visit again tomorrow before leaving.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Okay!”
On my way home from the hospital.
Instead of the Black Market, the association was now handling my transactions, so I sold off all my items and headed home—only to get stuck in terrible traffic.
“Was there an accident or something?”
“Want me to go check?”
“Go ahead, but don’t get caught.”
“Okay!”
Nika slipped out through the window and returned shortly, saying a Gate had opened ahead, causing the congestion.
“A Gate? What grade does it seem like?”
“It looks pretty strong!”
If even Nika says it’s strong, it must be at least A-grade, maybe even S-grade.
Still, if it’s A or S-grade, there should be an emergency alert telling everyone to evacuate.
Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep!
A loud emergency alert suddenly blared.
“An A-grade to S-grade Gate has been detected! Civilians in the area are advised to evacuate immediately!”
Just as I expected, the alarm went off as if it had been waiting. While the Gate wasn’t likely to explode immediately, things didn’t go as I thought.
People began getting out of their cars and evacuating one by one, leaving me no choice but to abandon my car and follow.
I reluctantly got out and looked toward the Gate. There was a foreboding sensation in the air—what was it?
“Nika, something feels off.”
“It’s bad.”
Just as I was about to ask what Nika meant, I heard screams erupt nearby.
Then came the emergency broadcast.
“Attention, citizens! Monsters are escaping from the Gate due to a Gate Outburst! Please evacuate to the nearest shelter immediately. I repeat…”
Caught in the wave of panicked civilians fleeing to the shelter, I was swept along.
“W-wait a second?!”
“Kid, hurry up and get moving!”
“Snap out of it!”
Before I knew it, two older men flanked me and dragged me toward the shelter—how did this even happen?
Having no choice, I entered the nearby shelter. It was my first time in one.
Contrary to my expectations, the shelter was well-equipped with food and water supplies, and Awakeners were stationed to reassure people.
Among them, I noticed a familiar face—who was it?
Seeing the name “Min Su-han” on his badge jogged my memory.
He was the hunter who mocked me for being D-rank and the one I pretended to be.
…I’ve forgiven you. So you should forgive me too.
—
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