Chapter 153

“O-Oh, you’re back? That was… really fast…”

“…You’re not even injured?”

As I stepped out of the elevator, I was greeted by the glasses girl, the acne guy, and the mole guy—all staring at me with wide eyes, as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

I mean, they did see me pick difficulty [1] earlier, so I guess their shock makes sense.

“Well, the thing is…”

Just as I was about to dramatically unsheathe my sword and show off a little—perfect timing to flaunt my strength—

“I-I’ll go next…”

“…”

The short-haired girl slipped right into the elevator.

Wait—hello? You’re just gonna leave before hearing the explanation?

Anyway, with her having chosen [20], she disappeared from sight, leaving only [25] on the board.

That means the remaining two could probably split it between [12] and [13] to finish the stage.

“So… uh, I’m actually pretty strong.”

Whoosh!

I took a stance and slashed at the air, fast and sharp enough to cause a threatening sonic snap.

Back in the tutorial and on the fourth floor, this move alone would’ve been enough to impress.

“…Ohhh.”

“Nice.”

But for some reason, their reactions were lukewarm.

Wait, are you seriously not appreciating the artistry behind that slash?

There were like, three different techniques layered into that move alone—

“But… maybe I could handle [20] too?”

Hah.

So now it’s not that I’m strong, but that the mole guy was just weak?

The acne guy, clearly still dazed, muttered nonsense without thinking.

“Hey.”

“…Y-Yeah?”

“Shut your mouth.”

“…”

I grabbed his wrist and gave it a firm squeeze.

That finally shut him up.

I swear, if he picks a harder difficulty just because I threatened him a little…

No, I trust he won’t be that dumb.

“…”

“…”

With the air still thick from my “gentle” warning, about ten minutes passed in awkward silence.

“I… I cleared it.”

Finally, the short-haired girl returned.

Her armor was red-hot from the heat and dotted with various scratches—but none of them were in fatal spots.

It looked like she’d deliberately taken only the hits she could afford in order to win.

As expected, she’s the strongest of the four.

Her powers are hard to control, so fighting solo in a 1-on-1 allowed her to go all out without risking friendly fire.

“I-I’ll go next…”

“M-Me after him…”

Next, the acne guy took on difficulty [13] and came back victorious.

Then the glasses girl challenged [12] and also returned with a win.

From the look of them—there were no serious injuries, but their ragged breaths and light sweat said enough.

They didn’t breeze through it.

So then…

The acne guy and glasses girl probably cap out at around [16] or [17].

The mole guy did clear [20], so he gets that much credit.

And the short-haired girl still has fuel in the tank.

I’ve more or less figured out our team’s strength.

That’ll be useful later.

–Now then, before we begin the final test, please select your rewards. Everyone, take a seat.

Since we all successfully cleared the trial, it was time for the final test.

As for me—

No matter what reward shows up, I’m choosing the lowest difficulty.

Survival comes first.

“…”

“…”

Unlike before, the once-lively players now hesitated as they slowly took their seats.

The moment everyone was seated, a message window appeared in front of us.

[20] Book of Potential (Unique)

[30] Elixir of Choice (Unique)

[40] A-Rank Trait Selection Ticket (Unique)

“Wow.”

This time, the difficulty levels jumped by tens—and all the rewards were labeled with (Unique).

I skimmed through the item descriptions.

The Elixir of Choice boosts a chosen stat by 20 points.

The Book of Potential… reveals your own latent potential?

And the A-Rank Trait Selection Ticket—are they insane?

How can they be giving out something like this on the 12th floor?

In any case, my decision was already made.

I wanted to clear the 12th floor as fast as possible, so without a second thought, I picked [20]—and the protective shield around me vanished.

“Huh?”

“H-Hello…”

The short-haired girl greeted me awkwardly.

Only the two of us were visible—meaning the other three were still choosing, their figures hidden behind their shields.

Unlike previous rounds, where everyone made their picks pretty quickly, it looked like this time they were really struggling with the decision.

–All climbers have completed their selections.

About three minutes later, the shields finally disappeared. Everyone had made their choices.

Curious, I turned my head slightly to check the number floating above the elevator.

[130]

“…?”

“Huh? W-Wait, didn’t you pick 40?”

“…Nope.”

The number on display was so absurd I had to double-check.

130? 130?!

How?

“J-Just so you know… I picked [30]... I was planning to invest in my magic stat…”

The short-haired girl—her body practically glowing with red energy—stammered nervously.

She really seemed flustered. Genuinely panicking.

“…I chose [20]. What about the rest of you?”

“M-Me too…”

“Same here…”

The remaining three all claimed they chose [20].

30 + 80 = 110.

But the elevator was showing 130.

So someone faked their number this time? Again?!

That’s just overkill.

Unless the system has a base value of 20 now? No, even that feels excessive.

“Uh, um, I…”

I didn’t even know what to say.

You know that feeling when something’s so ridiculous, you don’t even have the energy to get mad?

Yeah. That’s exactly where I was at.

No.

This is just how the Tower works.

Whether it’s screwing us over or hiding a bastard among us—it doesn’t matter.

The only thing that matters right now is clearing this floor.

“Haaah… Alright. I’ll take [40]. Just make sure all of you handle what you picked.”

I have no idea if I can defeat the enemy at difficulty [40].

But if I have to, I’ll regress over and over again.

Because that’s the fastest way to clear the 12th floor.

“…”

​

“…”

Despite my bold declaration to take on the burden myself, the other players didn’t exactly look relieved.

Instead, they avoided my gaze and stared awkwardly at the floor.

“Uh… if I could just ask…”

The first to speak was the mole guy.

“Would it be alright… if you took on just 10 more from my share?”

“…What?”

“My armor’s completely wrecked, and… even though the potion healed my wounds, I burned through most of my mana. I’m really not in good shape…”

“…”

“If I had to fight another mannequin on difficulty [20] right now… I really don’t think I’d make it. You seem incredibly strong, so… could you please lighten my load a little?”

Of course.

The mole guy was far from being in peak condition.

His armor was gone, and his spirit was broken.

No wonder he didn’t feel confident going up against another [20]-level mannequin.

The problem?

[20] was now the lowest difficulty anyone could select.

That’s probably why he hesitated earlier.

The easiest choice was [20]—but he didn’t think he could clear it.

So what to do? Oh, right. Just dump it all on that guy.

“I don’t need you to take [10]. Just… [5] would be a big help.”

“Y-Yeah, if you could cover just [5] for me too…”

The acne guy and the glasses girl chimed in with the same pitiful plea.

So let me get this straight:

I picked the [20] reward…

And now they want me to cover [60] on top of that?

I glanced at the short-haired girl, hoping for a lifeline—

But she shook her head firmly, clearly indicating that she was already stretched thin with her [30].

“…Ah.”

If they had only tried to dump their burden on me, maybe I could’ve accepted it.

If there were just one liar, and I had to cover up to [40], maybe I could’ve understood.

But both of those burdens piled on top of each other?

My head felt like it was spinning.

[60]?

They want me to handle [60]?!

Are they serious?

Part of me whispered—

Should I just kill them all and clear it myself?

A violent instinct rose up in my chest.

At the same time, I felt a scorching heat on my waist.

My body instinctively knew—a blade forged from my killing intent was moments away from forming.

“U-Uh, it’s not like we want to die either…”

They must’ve felt the murderous energy coming off me.

All of them backed away, trembling.

These same people who once ran their mouths about “growth opportunities” or whatever nonsense, now had the nerve to beg for help.

Pathetic.

Useless.

Self-important.

Worms.

Is this what I get for trying to carry everyone?

Do I really have to suffer like this because of them?

Part of me just wanted to say screw it all.

Kill the ones who pissed me off.

Take all the rewards.

Climb the Tower in peace.

Would a few garbage people dying really change the fate of humanity?

Probably not.

It would be so much easier.

No more mental gymnastics, no more pain.

So why the hell was I putting myself through all this?

“…Should I quit?”

And then—

The word “quit” hit me like lightning.

If the monk doesn’t like the temple, he leaves.

If the mage doesn’t like the hero’s party, he quits.

Could I quit… right now?

Yes.

“…”

“W-Where are you going?”

“The elevator.”

Without hesitation, I strode toward the elevator.

[1]

With the most natural motion in the world, I input [1].

<12th Floor>

Pass a total of three rounds of “tests.” Each person can only participate once each round. If the final test is failed, no rewards will be granted.

All rewards are distributed individually after clearing the 12th floor.

One line in that message suddenly stood out to me:

“If the final test is failed, no rewards will be granted.”

At first glance, that seems obvious—of course you don’t get rewards if you fail.

But wait…

Aren’t we supposed to die if we fail?

That line implies something else:

That “failing the test” and “failing to clear the floor” are not the same thing.

It’s just a theory.

But one worth testing.

In other words—

“I’m out.”

Even if you fail the final test…

You might still be considered to have cleared the 12th floor.

And I’m willing to bet everything on that possibility.

– – End of Chapter ––

 

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