Chapter 45
Poking Darami’s cheeks repeatedly, I said, “Now tell me, what did you do wrong?” while trying to teach her a lesson.
Thud! Thud! Thud! The sound of something heavy approaching echoed in the distance.
“Enough! Let me go! I shall handle it myself!”
“Really? You’re not just going to hide somewhere and munch on acorns, right?”
“Who do you take me for, a mere squirrel?!”
“How insolent! I may look like this, but I was a king! I even had a kingdom!” Darami exclaimed dramatically, stomping around.
I sighed, waved toward the incoming monster, and said, “Fine, show me what you’ve got.” Darami darted forward like a flying squirrel. It was… oddly cute.
But can she actually fight like that?
Darami charged straight ahead with her small frame and delivered a body slam that pierced a hole right through the monster.
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【1 monster defeated.】
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…That’s insane.
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【2 monsters defeated.】
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【3 monsters defeated.】
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【4 monsters defeated.】
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【5 monsters defeated.】
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With a single body slam per monster, Darami quickly defeated them one by one.
“She’s… strong.”
“Seriously…”
Even my sister stared at Darami in shock. Feeling our gazes, Darami turned around with a proud expression.
…Is it weird that I find that cute too?
Then, from close by, a chilling voice echoed.
【Affair?】
It was from Nika, who was nestled in my arms.
“There’s no way! Nika, you’re my most precious.”
【Really?】
When she adorably insisted I repeat myself, I declared, “Nika is the best!” three times with confidence. Nika popped out of my arms, flying around joyfully.
【I’ll help too!】
With her massive claws, she slashed a monster near Darami to shreds.
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【12 monsters defeated.】
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“Nyoooot!”
Darami’s frustrated wails came as a bonus.
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【15 monsters defeated.】
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【18 monsters defeated.】
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【20 monsters defeated.】
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Only ten monsters were left now.
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【22 monsters defeated.】
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Make that eight.
Honestly, having Nika was like a divine blessing. Maybe it’s true—good things happen to good people.
My sister tugged on my sleeve with a weary look.
“Brother, have you always climbed the tower like this?”
“Pretty much. Actually, Nika’s holding back today. Last time, she finished everything as soon as we started.”
“What?! You mean this is slow?!”
“Isn’t this how it’s supposed to be?”
Her shocked expression was interrupted by the system message.
【Mission complete!】
Rewards are being distributed.
【22nd Floor Record Broken!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Proceed to the next floor?】
Normally, I’d choose to exit the tower here. But not today.
“Everyone okay with going up?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s move onward.”
Lillian and Nika nodded. My sister shouted cheerfully, “If my sisters are okay, I’m okay too!”
【As you wish, Master!】
“Do as you like,” Darami grumbled but nodded begrudgingly. It was unanimous.
“Proceed.”
【Entering the 23rd floor.】
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【23rd Floor Mission: Defeat 30 Storm Maples!】
【Time Limit: 24 hours.】
【Restrictions: None.】
【Equipment Restrictions: None.】
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【Restrictions: None.】
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With a flash of radiant light, we were transported to the heart of a new forest. Gazing at the blue message window before me, I cheered aloud.
“Jackpot! We hit the jackpot!”
How long had it been since we got a result like this?
I wasn’t the only one excited.
“At last, I can finally step in.”
“My body’s been itching for action too,” said Heavenly Demon and Lillian, stepping forward.
“My Holy Sword hasn’t tasted blood in so long. Let’s see what it can do,” my sister added, casually making a chilling remark.
Claiming this floor as their responsibility, the three women readied their weapons and moved forward.
However, there wasn’t a single monster in sight.
“The monsters on this floor are Storm Maples. Their signature is the way their leaves swirl like a storm, but they’re incredibly timid and adept at hiding,” Lillian explained.
In other words, they’re excellent at camouflaging. The saying, “Hide a tree in the forest,” couldn’t be truer.
Finding these monsters in a forest full of trees would be no small feat—at least for other climbers.
The sound of a sword being drawn echoed, and in an instant, several trees were cut down.
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【3 monsters defeated.】
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“Only three?”
“Now it’s my turn.”
Stepping forward, Lillian swung her staff, and the sky began to darken. Moments later, something descended.
“Meteor…?”
A protective barrier formed around us just before the explosion obliterated half the forest.
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【15 monsters defeated.】
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“Hmm? Only twelve?”
“Hohoho, now it’s my turn.”
With a swing of the Holy Sword, the remaining trees were all split in half, and the clear message appeared.
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【30 monsters defeated.】
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【Mission Complete!】
Rewards are being distributed.
【23rd Floor Record Broken!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Proceed to the next floor?】
“…Reject.”
【Exiting the tower.】
Is this what they call ‘clicking’?
I used to always be in the mindset of “I must win!” But not anymore.
Clicking is god.
After a hard day, I told everyone to rest, and they all retreated to their rooms, leaving just me, Nika, and Darami in the living room.
【You too, go to your room.】
“My throne is here!”
Pointing to the sofa, Darami proudly declared, “This is my new kingdom!” But under Nika’s intense glare, she reluctantly shuffled off to my sister’s room.
Why there of all places?
In the end, it was just me and Nika left. Turning on the TV, I started watching the news, which was entirely about Lillian and Heavenly Demon.
Of course, after what happened, it would be more suspicious if there wasn’t any news.
Watching them on TV, looking like celebrities, I kept watching until I changed the channel. On another channel, hunters I didn’t recognize were being interviewed.
They didn’t seem Korean. What country were they from?
“Please help us!”
It wasn’t an interview.
It was a plea for help.
“Japan has become a living hell!”
The screen switched to show displaced people in refugee camps, their homes destroyed by monsters. My chest tightened.
“We need the help of any hunters watching this broadcast!”
Unlike other countries, Japan had failed to contain the monster wave.
Surrounding nations had essentially abandoned the situation, and it was understandable.
Japan wasn’t facing just one S-rank Gate but three.
Even in Korea, a single S-rank Gate in Busan had required all the S-rank Hunters risking their lives to barely hold it.
But Japan, with fewer Awakeners, was confronting three S-rank Gates along with countless A-rank and lower Gates.
What country could offer aid in such a scenario?
At best, they could accept refugees, but even that was a monumental challenge.
Refugee issues had always been fraught with complications, and now it would only be worse.
“Sigh…”
Turning off the TV, I stepped out onto the balcony. In the distance, I could see the Han River.
Should I be content with this level of success?
Or…
【Master.】
Nika called out to me.
When I turned to look, she wore an enigmatic smile.
【Do you want to go?】
“…Yeah.”
Do you really need a reason to help people? No.
If you’re looking for a reason, you’re just waiting for someone to push you forward.
【Then let’s go.】
Nika offered a simple solution.
I couldn’t help but nod.
—
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