Chapter 49: Regressor in Action (6)

Initials M.J. The name is Michael Jeter.

About two months later, he would be appointed as the chairman of the Player’s Association in the United States.

There’s no known detail about what his ability is, how powerful it is, or exactly what he did... but I heard he received unanimous support within the American player community to be appointed as chairman.

Also, I remember seeing the large notice that Michael Jeter had posted on the second floor.

It said something to the effect of, “After receiving a silver or bronze reward, take a potion. And use the potion to train vigorously...”

Regardless of the specifics, Michael Jeter seemed like someone who wanted to be of help to humanity. That’s why I started to read his post with a sense of expectation.

Xxx – xxxx - xxxx

The experience on the second floor was extremely unpleasant. I nearly died at the hands of the city’s master.

If you’re reading this, you must have cleared the second floor, right? I want to congratulate you first. Is the notice I posted still there? I’d be heartbroken if it had fallen down.

Friends, I think the second floor I experienced was quite different from what you went through. I received a platinum reward, beyond the gold. Oh, it was a horrific experience.

At first, when I saw a murderer get struck by lightning and turn to ash, I thought this floor was quite reasonable. Getting the bronze and silver marks seemed very easy. I even briefly entertained the thought that, maybe like the zealots say, this tower is not a trial but a blessing.

But as everyone knows, the real challenge started with obtaining the gold mark. The nobles were giving tasks that involved harming others.

I don’t know what you decided, but I thought it was a trap. Whether the creator of this tower is truly a god, or something pretending to be one, it was made to judge us, right? It doesn’t make sense to assign a task that involves kidnapping others.

So, I subdued a noble. I thought it was a monster in disguise. But then, I found about three platinum marks and a golden box inside his coat. When I asked another resident, they told me this golden box was like Aladdin’s magic lamp that could produce an unlimited number of marks.

So, I just gave the golden box to that resident. I gave the silver box that the person originally had to the fallen noble. And thus, having defeated a corrupt noble, Michael lived happily ever after with his platinum rewards~... or so I wish the story ended.

Good heavens, I had no idea that obtaining a mark would cause a large emblem to float above my head. I never anticipated that people would block my path, exploiting the rule against violence among players.

I swear to the sky, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to use violence; I merely lifted the man blocking my way to place him behind me. But I forgot my own strength, and I never imagined I’d break his ribs.

Yes, I committed violence. And yes, I was struck by lightning by the city’s master. (Ah, you know about the city’s master, right? You would if you’ve conversed with the residents.) It was an electrifying experience. The minor issue? I was supposed to be knocked out for about 12 hours from the lightning but I managed to stay conscious. Even the city’s master had a good laugh over it.

Since I survived the lightning, I asked about the gold-level mission being unreasonable. After hearing my complaints, she just flicked her fingers and said, “If you want to change the rules, come at me.”

As you know, I’m pretty good at physical activities, right? But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t even touch her, not even once, until I was completely worn out. And when I finally did get hit, it hurt so much I thought I was going to die. Luckily, she let me go saying, “Murder is not allowed.” It was a humiliating experience. She could have killed me a hundred times over if she wanted. If anyone has invented a time machine, I’d advise not to show off on the second floor.

By the way, I don’t like the gloves I got as a reward. If anyone has a Grade B or higher item or an elixir, please contact me. I’m open to trades.

Xxx – xxxx - xxxx

-Goodness. That was a close call.

-Jeter. As your fan, I wonder, isn’t trading items risky?

-Friend. Are you worried about Michael? It’s clear you haven’t done the tutorial with him.

-Interesting story, Jeter.

(…)

The comments continued on and on. Whatever Michael Jeter did in the tutorial, he seemed to have established a legendary status in this community. Judging by the comments, everyone trusted him.

And then there was the confidence in his writing, the resilience to withstand the attacks from the city’s master, and even the competence to attempt to replace a noble before anyone else.

As a regressor, I have a thorough understanding of the second floor, but Michael Jeter has managed to gather so much information so quickly.

M.J. He definitely had the makings of a Player’s Association chairman. I felt I could trust his posts from now on.

“Besides…”

The city master’s phrase, “If you want to change the rules, come at me,” implied not just her combative nature but also the possibility that if she wished, the rules of the second floor could be somewhat altered.

Before I regressed, when I suggested changing the gold-level mission, the response was not ‘It can’t be done,’ but ‘There’s no need to change it.’

Meaning… if I could persuade the city’s master, changing the rules might indeed be possible.

Several plans came and went in my mind… and I decided to choose the most rational option to try.

“...I guess I have to give it a shot, right?”

Initially, it’s impossible for me to fight...

First, I must persuade with words.

***

Right after regressing, I went to find the angel in the square.

“Angel.”

“Yes!”

“Can the master of the city change the rules of the second floor if they wish?”

“...Yes?”

The angel was momentarily flustered but seemed committed to her duties and gave me an answer.

“Archangel Raphael has granted some level of authority, yes. It’s possible.”

“...Then, can a rule like ‘Climbers should get along with each other’ be changed?”

“That’s impossible. It’s a core rule. Even if the city’s master has been given some authority, it’s only partial! Fundamentally, she’s also part of the second floor, you know?”

“...What about you?”

“I’m just a guide!!”

I entertained the dangerous curiosity of what would happen if I hit this angel... but decided to restrain myself after imagining suddenly gaining a ‘Curse of the Angel’ trait. Traits persist even after regression, after all.

Setting that aside, I got a firm answer from the angel that the city’s master could indeed change the rules to some extent.

“...I hate repetitive tasks.”

From there, what I did was identical to the previous iteration.

I collected the bronze boxes first, expanded my influence based on that, took over one street, and then expanded to another.

Although I wasn’t able to act completely identically, causing the collection to be slightly slower compared to the previous iteration... just the process was different, but the result was the same.

“Hello. I am the master of the city.”

The city’s master appeared in an instant using ‘Flash Step’. I asked why she had dedicated the city to the god, and the same answer came back as before.

“This city, with its abundant resources, can become a true utopia.”

Up to here, it was the same as the last iteration...

But this time, my attitude was different.

In the last iteration, I simply let her flawed philosophy slide, but this time I was determined to confront it head-on.

“Have you... ever tried to understand the thoughts of the residents?”

“...?”

“The residents aren’t understanding each other, they’re just suffering. Did those people want to understand others? Isn’t that not the case? While emphasizing understanding so much, you yourself don’t even try to understand others. You just stand by with your arms crossed, watching them suffer.”

She claimed to want others to understand each other, yet she herself showed no intention of understanding them. I was pointing out that contradiction.

“Stop this madness. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be only fair for you to join in this ‘understanding’ you so cherish?”

“...I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why should I understand them?”

But the city’s master tilted her head in confusion.

“These people... they are all residents of my city.”

“...And what of it?”

“I am the owner of the city. Isn’t it natural that I do as I please?”

“...”

“Ah, to elaborate for the climber’s sake... This city is an independent autonomous district. Which means, all the people here are my assets. Do you see? I want an ideal city that operates perfectly, not to become part of it myself.”

I understand that this city is akin to a city-state. But our ways of thinking are completely different.

The master of the city viewed her residents as property. That’s why she felt no guilt and saw no need to seek consent.

“You are a climber. That’s why I respect you. You are not under my jurisdiction. And so, you must respect my jurisdiction as well.”

“...”

“Here, I’ll give you this diamond mark... Leave the sack and just go. Or would you prefer to fight me, to win the freedom of the residents?”

The city’s master, pulling a diamond mark from a main leather pouch at her hip, flaunted it.

All the logic I had meticulously prepared crumbled before her ‘ownership of residents’ theory.

I felt it for certain. It was impossible to persuade the city’s master.

Like all mad people, she was entrenched in her own logic.

In the end, the only thing I could do here was to take the diamond mark and clear the second floor. After all, I had planned on obtaining the ‘Heart of Thunder’ trait.

“...Okay.”

That’s right, she has no intention of changing her mind easily.

She won’t be satisfied until there’s a fight.

Well then... fine.

I have no choice but to resort to my last resort.

I selected the ‘Heart of Thunder’ trait, hammered its usage into my head, and then fiercely stomped on my thigh.

***

“Sigh...”

Before an annoying person could approach, I trudged to a corner of the square, and sat down cross-legged on the ground with a heavy sigh.

There is a need to overhaul the structure of the second floor for the sake of humanity.

A brilliant strategy to liberate the residents. A way for people to obtain gold-level rewards or higher without accruing sin.

At the same time, a method to make the most out of the diamond-level rewards.

I have a plan in mind.

And the starting point of that plan is simple-

“...She’s late.”

-To wait.

To take a spot in this square and wait indefinitely.

Until the brightest talent I know of reaches the second floor.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

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