Chapter 40
While I was flipping off the Tower, the gooey Doppelgänger beside me transformed, taking on the shape of a squirrel.
“What’s going on? Last time, you turned into a human. Why a squirrel now?”
“Foolish lower creature, you lack understanding. This form consumes less magic power. Isn’t it obvious?”
“…Nika.”
Sensing that some discipline was still in order, I called for Nika. The Doppelgänger immediately panicked and tried to win me over with cute antics, looking quite adorable in its squirrel form.
“Well… you are kind of cute.”
“Argh, how far I’ve fallen! A king who lost their kingdom and now endures such humiliation….”
A despairing squirrel… Squirrel (In Korean Daramjwi)? Should I call it Darami? That fits, right?
“Let’s go, Darami.”
“Who is that? Surely you don’t mean me?”
“Who else is a squirrel here but you?”
“Nooooooooo!!!!”
Despite its fiery protest, I plopped Darami onto my shoulder and entered the Tower.
【Would you like to enter the 21st floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Accept!”
【Entering the 21st floor.】
【Mission on the 21st floor: Defeat 30 Pine Giants!】
【Time Limit: 24 hours.】
【Restrictions: Martial arts and footwork are prohibited.】
【Restricted Equipment: Swords, bows, spears.】
【Restricted Rules: Murim Pact and Murim Code.】
We were dropped into a massive forest, the dense greenery immediately putting me on edge.
After all, the entire area was filled with trees. Even if they weren’t all monsters, there must be some hidden among them.
When Nika proposed burning everything in one go, I quickly stopped her. Looking at Darami for support, I was met with an annoyed glare.
Does my skill not work on this creature?
“Darami, just curious—do you ever feel any particular emotions when you look at me?”
“Of course! Every time I see you… wait, ugh, yes, I feel strange emotions. What is this nonsense?!”
As it yelled, “Nooooooo!!!” at me, I realized my skill was working, though neither of us knew how to make sense of it.
Still, its tantrum was oddly endearing.
【Wind?】
Nika’s chilling glare pierced me, and I immediately shook my head. Only then did she flash a smile—but I wasn’t letting my guard down.
What if she ends up eating Darami someday?
“Darami, make sure to avoid getting eaten by Nika and live a long life, okay?”
“Don’t say such terrifying things!”
At that moment, rustling noises drew our attention. Turning toward the sound, we saw a giant pine tree staring right at us.
So, this is the Pine Giant? How did we not notice something that huge until now?
No, wait—why does a pine tree have arms and legs?! That’s disgusting!
“Go, Darami!”
“Nooooooo!!! Stop calling me that!!!!”
Despite its protests, Darami leapt from my shoulder and charged at the Pine Giant. With one headbutt, it punched a hole straight through the giant’s body.
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【1 down.】
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Well, it was the boss of an S-rank Gate, so that level of power is expected.
Darami trudged back toward me, muttering, “I wasn’t even using half my strength.”
What is this, an anime?
You know, like those characters who are terrifying as enemies but useless as allies. That’s Darami in a nutshell.
While I was watching it out of the corner of my eye, the ground began to tremble. One by one, more Pine Giants appeared.
I would’ve been fine if not for the fact that they were holding massive rocks in their bony arms.
“N-Nika!!”
Without Nika’s strike just before the rocks were hurled, we would’ve been squashed into pancakes.
───────────────
【12 defeated.】
───────────────
So, 18 more left.
Even though staying put might attract them on their own, as a Korean, it’s impossible for me to just sit idly.
As I wandered around, hunting one monster after another, I realized there was only one left. But no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find it.
“Where is it?”
“Leave it to me.”
“Our Darami is earning its keep, huh?”
“NOOOOOO!!!”
Though it flared up in anger, Darami stayed silent and began quietly scanning the area. Then, with a leap, it darted off in a specific direction. I followed close behind.
Soon, we arrived at an unusual structure in the heart of the forest. It looked like a temple.
Entering the structure, I noticed broken statues scattered everywhere. The deeper I ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became, filling me with an instinctive sense of dread.
“Is it inside here?”
“Yes.”
Clutching Nika tightly, I moved deeper into the temple. The walls were etched with strange symbols, and at the end stood a massive door. Darami was waiting in front of it.
“Finally, you’ve arrived.”
“Hey, it’s scary, okay?”
“You’re quite the coward, aren’t you?”
Honestly, who wouldn’t feel scared in a place like this?
Even the bravest of men would falter in fear, let alone a regular person.
I’m not scared because I’m a wimp, okay?!
“So, it’s inside?”
“Yes.”
As if sensing something, Darami stared intently at me.
When I asked why it was staring, it simply told me to open the door.
“I can’t open it in this form.”
“Then change your form.”
“As I explained earlier, this form consumes the least magic power. What do you think that means? In the end, it’s because my mas…ugh! Why do I keep calling you my master?! Anyway, it’s your low magic power that’s making me struggle like this! Even the one you’re holding now has its powers suppressed!”
“…Is there a solution?”
“Climb the Tower. As you ascend, climbers gain greater power. Your magic will grow as well.”
So, the answer is to climb the Tower.
Wait, does that mean Nika has been suppressing her power because of me? Really? But she seems strong enough already…
Could it be the same for Lillian and the Heavenly Demon? Are they also being limited because of me?
I guess I have to keep climbing the Tower.
Should I push to ascend several floors a day? Rapidly?
But that would go against my initial plans… Then again, flexibility is part of survival, isn’t it?
I’ll need to hold a meeting once we’re back.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. Inside was a breathtaking field of blooming flowers.
The sight was so beautiful and enchanting that I stared in awe—until Darami headbutted my cheek.
“Ugh!”
“NOOOOO!!!”
Scolding me to snap out of it, Darami’s harsh words brought me back. As I shook my head, the mesmerizing scenery disappeared, replaced by a desolate, eerie space.
“What the—what was that?”
“It was an illusion. A cruel trick designed to trap climbers in a dream until their blood is drained.”
“You seem to know an awful lot about this.”
“That’s because my species used to do the same.”
Darami proudly confessed that Doppelgängers also transformed into humans to devour them.
Hearing that, horrifying images flooded my mind, sending shivers down my spine.
It’s unsettling. Darami looks so adorable in this form, yet imagining its true nature is jarring….
“This form is quite inconvenient, though.”
With that, Darami’s body shimmered and transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman.
Her long silver hair and sharp eyes gave her an air of regal elegance.
“Hurry and climb the Tower so I can be more comfortable.”
“…Sorry about that?”
“As long as you understand.”
Is this thing dreaming of flipping the master-servant dynamic?
Barely suppressing the urge to flick her on the forehead, I followed Darami deeper into the temple. Soon, a colossal tree came into view.
“Is that the last monster?”
“Yes.”
With that, Darami extended her hand. Black flames surged forward, setting the tree ablaze. It let out a horrible scream as it burned to ashes, and a message appeared.
───────────────
【30 defeated.】
───────────────
【Mission complete!】
Rewards are being distributed.
【New record achieved on the 21st floor!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Would you like to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Decline.”
───────────────
【Warning!】
【Warning!】
【Warning!】
【Warning!】
───────────────
“What’s going on?!”
As I tried to leave, warning messages popped up, and a section of space tore open, revealing something new.
───────────────
【The ruling species of the 59th floor, the ‘Giants,’ have descended!】
───────────────
Despite the name, a man about my height emerged. What is going on?
“Found you.”
The being stared directly at Darami, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
Next to me, Darami trembled uncontrollably.
—
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