Chapter 59

 

In a small wooded hill in Seoul.

 

“Hmm…”

 

I found myself hiking, something I had never done before. Thanks to a tremendous improvement in my physical abilities, it wasn’t as exhausting as I expected, and thus, more enjoyable than I thought.

 

The arduous part of hiking was missing, allowing me to savor the fresh air and the beautiful scenery.

 

As I briskly climbed the hill, I soon found myself at the summit.

 

“You’re here.”

 

“Nice to see you.”

 

Choi Ji-won and Park Cheol-jin were waiting for me.

 

“You must have had a tough time?”

 

“…It was somewhat challenging.”

 

Choi Ji-won was donning a hat, a large mask, and even sunglasses. Considering the current frenzy over her in Korea, her outfit was understandable.

 

“…Still, it’s a sacrifice I have to accept. It was my choice, after all.”

 

The widespread news about Choi Ji-won was the result of her own will.

 

When planning to clear the second floor, Choi Ji-won had desired to become a hero.

 

She wanted to be a shining beacon for those confined to the first floor, reluctant to ascend the tower, and aimed to improve the unsettled social atmosphere caused by the increasing crimes of the superpowered.

 

As a result, her face became incredibly well-known... but speaking from my perspective, having seen the future, Choi Ji-won was destined for fame. The government would award her, and she would be revered as ‘Korea’s Hero’.

 

I just gave a little push. It’s not my fault...!

 

“Jun-ho, did you get a good rest?”

 

“You can speak more casually with me. After all, you are my elder…”

 

“…Uh, hmm. Should I? No, can I really?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Just before clearing the second floor, Choi Ji-won, Park Cheol-jin, and I had exchanged contact information, leading us to this meeting atop the mountain.

 

We shared a common goal unlike others: ‘to climb the tower and resolve this disaster.’

 

“By any chance… what did everyone receive for the diamond reward… no, what did you choose?”

 

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin, gazing at the landscape below, asked casually.

 

“…I chose the Heart of Lightning.”

 

Choi Ji-won answered.

 

“I guessed what I lacked was explosive power. My fundamentals are solid, but… in a tower where special abilities are rampant, I believe it’s essential to have a sharp, decisive strike.”

 

I too thought that the Heart of Lightning suited Choi Ji-won.

 

No matter how innate her combat sense was, ultimately, she was a type who fought using her body.

 

Rather than a blinding flash which is advantageous for surprise attacks, the Heart of Lightning, a trump card, suited her better.

 

“I received the Elixir.”

 

In truth, I had no choice. The other two traits already existed, making it impossible to choose them due to duplication… I simply had to choose the Elixir.

 

“…So, being able to mimic just by watching means there’s no need to receive it as a trait.”

 

Choi Ji-won muttered something, but she spoke so softly that I couldn’t quite catch it.

 

“I also chose the Elixir.”

 

Last to speak was firefighter Park Cheol-jin. Surprisingly, he too had opted for the Elixir.

 

“Wouldn’t it have been better to choose the Heart of Lightning, like Choi Ji-won?”

 

“...My wife was diagnosed with cancer.”

 

“...Ah.”

 

“Don’t make such a face. She’s completely recovered after taking the Elixir. The doctors are calling it a miracle and want to run some tests. It’s a time for joy, so why the gloom?”

 

With a playful smile, he stood up and gazed at the wind-swept forest below.

 

“There’s a lot of talk these days about crimes committed by those with special abilities… but poison, depending on how it’s used, can also be a medicine, can’t it?”

 

The wind rustles through the trees.

 

“While on the job, as a firefighter... There was a time when I saved someone who would have been impossible to save without my new traits and abilities. That’s when I realized it. This tower is an opportunity for me.”

 

Park Cheol-jin, clenching his fist, turned to us with a sly grin.

 

“I may not be as talented as the two of you, but I’m determined to climb the tower with all my might. For the people.”

 

“That’s great, isn’t it?”

 

Choi Ji-won, too, smiled broadly.

 

Despite the strong winds at the mountain’s peak, the air was warm with camaraderie.

 

Of course, I was feeling a bit too overly familiar, so my smile was somewhat awkward...

 

After a long conversation,

 

“Oops, looks like we’ve spent more time here than planned.”

 

Park Cheol-jin, checking his wristwatch, commented.

 

Our reason for gathering on this mountain was singular.

 

If the third floor was like the second, with many people progressing simultaneously, it was definitely advantageous to enter together.

 

“Well then…”

 

“See you on the third floor.”

 

We each opened a portal leading to the first floor.

 

And plunged into the portals.

 

 

“...Wow.”

 

The first thing I saw upon opening my eyes was a massive stone door.

 

A rudimentary stone door. It looked less like a carefully crafted architectural piece and more like a giant boulder just placed there.

 

What stood out were the five identical stone doors lined up. Each had crudely engraved marks, from one to five, as if carved out with a knife.

 

“...The vibe is kind of dark.”

 

Looking around, I saw nothing but stone. Even my clothes had changed to the leather armor distributed on the second floor.

 

This place seemed to be part of a long cave. In front were the five stone doors, and behind was a winding cave path blocked by a pile of rocks at the end.

 

The only source of light was torches. There were signs of attempts to modify the cave, but the rough handiwork was evident.

 

Unlike the paradise-like first floor, and the second floor, which despite its suffering had traces of civilization, the third floor exuded a distinctly barbaric aura.

 

“Hmm…”

 

And in this cave, I wasn’t alone. About five people were intently staring at the doors, seemingly deep in thought.

 

“Okay. I’ll go with the door with two sticks.”

 

A man, after pondering, walked towards the door marked with two sticks. As he raised his hand to it, he vanished with a ‘whoosh’ sound effect.

 

It seemed like these five doors required some kind of selection… but without the floor’s description, there was no certainty.

 

“Ah, you were already here.”

 

“Did you find out anything?”

 

While I was briefly taking in the ambiance of the third floor, Choi Ji-won and Park Cheol-jin arrived.

 

“...This place feels a bit eerie. The air seems chillier somehow…”

 

Just as firefighter Park Cheol-jin frowned in discomfort,

 

 

A familiar message window popped up before us.

 

So, the number of sticks marked on each door indicates its difficulty. The concept that harder tasks yield better rewards seems to be a universal understanding.

 

Regardless of the details, there are five levels of difficulty, and we must choose one. The third floor was straightforward in its design.

 

Naturally…

 

“Shouldn’t we go for the door with five sticks?”

 

“How about the one with four sticks?”

 

Choi Ji-won and I spoke simultaneously, then awkwardly looked at each other.

 

“...Isn’t it obvious to choose the five sticks?”

 

I was the one advocating for the highest difficulty.

 

Let’s consider our current team members.

 

Choi Ji-won. Park Cheol-jin. And me.

 

We’re a top 0.1% party among players, and it would be a design flaw if this team couldn’t handle the highest difficulty.

 

Of course, there are always variables.

 

“...First of all, there’s no guarantee that we will all proceed together through the highest difficulty.”

 

Choi Ji-won calmly presented her opposing view, attempting to persuade me.

 

Her point was valid.

 

Once we opened the door and entered, there was a chance it could turn out to be an ‘individual mission~’ and we might end up separated. Then there was no merit in entering together.

 

Diving headfirst into the highest difficulty, assuming synergy among the three of us, might be imprudent.

 

“Moreover, I believe there’s a symbolic significance to the highest difficulty.”

 

Furthermore, ‘the most difficult level’ often exists in a league of its own.

 

Looking back at the second floor, capturing nobles wasn’t too strenuous, but the difficulty spike for upgrading to the diamond reward was almost absurd.

 

Meaning, there’s likely a very, very big difference between the fourth and fifth levels.

 

Of course, the rewards would be tremendous...

 

“Given that we received hidden rewards on the second floor, I don’t think it’s necessary to take risks here. The darkness all around us… the atmosphere is different from before, right? Just because the first and second floors had a peaceful vibe doesn’t mean we should let our guard down here.”

 

That’s why I think Choi Ji-won’s view is quite rational.

 

There were no suffering residents here. No need to venture into danger unnecessarily.

 

Besides, as she pointed out, just because the first and second floors had a peaceful atmosphere, there was no guarantee the third floor would be the same.

 

“...Shall we split up then? You two take on the four-stick difficulty. I’ll tackle the five-stick difficulty.”

 

But this only applies if I didn’t have the option to regress.

 

With the mindset of ’If it gets tough, I can just regress~’, diving into the highest difficulty carries no risk for me.

 

If the five-stick difficulty turns out to be manageable, I can regress and convince Choi Ji-won and Park Cheol-jin.

 

If the five-stick difficulty is indeed absurdly hard, I can regress and we can all enter the four-stick difficulty together.

 

Originally, everyone is supposed to enter the floors without knowing their structure, but I have the advantage of chewing up, digesting, and thoroughly enjoying the third floor before making a decision.

 

It’s not a high-risk, high-return scenario for me, but rather a no-risk, high-return one. There’s no reason not to take advantage.

 

“...Are you sure you’ll be okay? I know Jun-ho is strong, but…”

 

“...Jun-ho, there’s a chance we might get separated, but there’s also a possibility we could all stick together…”

 

Park Cheol-jin and Choi Ji-won, having seen my skills in the tutorial, were still hesitant, seemingly worried about me venturing alone.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

But I can’t just reveal that I can regress. I think the best strategy is to enter the highest difficulty first, get a feel for it, and then decide based on that experience.

 

Based on the information gained, I can indirectly influence Choi Ji-won and Park Cheol-jin’s actions. Arguing without any knowledge is inefficient.

 

“...Isn’t that woman Choi Ji-won?”

 

“...Seems like it.”

 

Our discussion in the middle of the space had attracted the attention of others, and a few people started whispering about Choi Ji-won. The cave’s acoustics carried our voices.

 

“Then, I’ll go in first.”

 

It’s best not to linger here and just proceed.

 

Hesitating in a situation where I can simply regress if things go south is frustrating and aggravating.

 

A person with infinite regressions must always be decisive. One must blaze trails where others haven’t and cannot fear death.

 

With the spirit of a great pioneer, I confidently walked towards the door with five sticks marked above it and placed my hand on it.

 

 

“...Huh?”

 

Until such a message window appeared before my eyes.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

 

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