Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Purpose (3)
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My companions and Ha-young asked where I was going at this hour, but I told them I'd explain when I got back and left Kabisa.
About three minutes into my walk, it suddenly started pouring.
I quickly took shelter under the eaves of a nearby house, put on my raincoat, and hurried on my way.
Passing through the narrowing streets, I arrived at an alley filled with red and yellow lights.
The entertainment district, commonly known as the back alleys of Kramis.
Perhaps because of the downpour, it was quieter than usual.
The shop employees and touts were all busy cleaning up.
After walking a little further, I reached my destination.
Uffteli.
A gambling den run by Apeide, a known big shot in the back alleys.
In reality, Apeide is nothing more than a figurehead.
As I tried to enter, two burly guards blocked my path.
“Hey, you. We’re not letting anyone else in today.”
“Come back another time.”
“I’m here to see Mi… Apeide.”
Thinking the guards might not know her, I gave the figurehead’s name and showed them the pass I’d received from Misha.
Their attitude changed instantly, and I was escorted inside.
Just like my last visit, the place was immaculate, brightly lit with all sorts of lights, and gave off a strong casino vibe.
As I walked, I glanced at the gambling area. It seemed less crowded than last time, likely due to the rain.
I went down the same stairs as before and passed through a metal door.
Some employees who had been counting money came out, and just then, Apeide emerged from the back.
“Hye… Hyeon-ung?”
He looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“I’m here to see Misha.”
“Ah, of course. This way, please.”
When I entered the reception room I'd been in before, Misha was there, sitting at her desk and reviewing documents.
“Oh? We have a distinguished guest.”
Misha also looked slightly surprised, then gestured for Apeide to leave.
After Apeide left, Misha asked me to take a seat on the sofa and wait a moment, so I nodded and sat down.
After all, I was the one who had shown up unannounced.
Fortunately, the wait wasn't long.
Before even three minutes had passed, Misha sat down across from me with a sly smile.
“My apologies. Managing the criminal underworld is more work than you’d think. So, what brings you here?”
“I have something to ask you.”
“Our last conversation didn't go so well. I thought I'd never see you again.”
“I’ve learned about what lies beyond the 80th floor.”
Misha’s eyes widened to a degree that was incomparable to before.
“Y-You’ve already been to the 80th floor? No, how… That’s an impossible speed.”
“I haven’t reached the 80th floor yet. I just cleared the 65th.”
“Wait, then… Did you hear it from the Lord? A rumor was spreading today that he’d captured you. I see it was false.”
“Just a rumor. The Lord and I are quite close.”
As soon as I said that, Misha frowned.
I knew she wasn't fond of the Lord, but I didn't realize it was to this extent.
“Yes, yes. I’m well aware of that. So, what is it you want?”
“I want to confirm if what I know is correct.”
It seems there's a restriction on the information, preventing me from sharing it with others like Ha-young or Tae-soo, but Misha, having already experienced the 81st floor, might be different.
“On the 81st floor, is there a condition that requires summoners to kill each other?”
My guess must have been right, as the words flowed smoothly.
“You’re clever to have figured that out. That’s right. There are no monsters at all on the 81st floor.”
No monsters at all?
“It’s a system where summoners fight each other, and only the last one standing can advance to the next floor.”
Seeing as Misha’s words were perfectly understandable, unlike last time when they were distorted, it seems there are no restrictions between those who know the truth.
“That’s truly the worst.”
“And you think that’s all there is to it?”
“Is there more?”
“It seems even the Lord doesn't know the specific details. Then again, you can only find out by going to the 81st floor yourself.”
“What is it?”
“And why should I tell you for free?”
Then she shouldn't have brought it up. Her attitude was quite grating.
Did I emphasize my friendship with the Lord too much earlier…?
“If there’s something you want, name it. But of course, I refuse to destroy the Crystal Tablet.”
I was curious about the specific conditions, but I'll find out when I get to the 81st floor anyway.
I couldn’t become enemies with the Lord just to learn this one thing.
“Then we have nothing more to discuss.”
“Understood. I’ll be leaving then. Ah! Do you require payment for the confirmation just now?”
I didn't want to be indebted to Misha.
“I’m not so petty as to demand a price for something like that, you know?”
Well, it was good for me if I saved money.
“My mistake. I’ll be on my way.”
I stood up to leave, but Misha suddenly rose and blocked the door.
“What are you doing?”
“I can’t tell you everything, but since you came all this way in the rain, I thought I’d offer a piece of advice.”
“I’ll gladly take it.”
“You should discard any naive thoughts like, ‘We can just climb separately from our companions,’ or ‘Maybe it’ll be fine if I reach the 81st floor alone first.’”
That was as good as telling me everything.
…It was a shock that my original plan wouldn't work, but I kept my expression neutral.
“Thank you. Then let me offer a piece of advice as well.”
It was only fair to give something in return.
“What is it?”
“Don’t hate the Lord so much. It’s an undeniable fact that he’s connected to the angels, but he’s definitely not their puppet, as you seem to misunderstand.”
If anything, the Lord harbors immense animosity toward the angels.
“How can you be so sure? His kindness toward you could all be part of a scheme.”
“The Lord despises the angels as much as you do, if not more. He certainly doesn't like them. I hope you two get a chance to talk someday.”
He was like that even before I found Alice for him.
If he were truly a puppet, as Misha says, he would have helped the butler try to retrieve the Boots of Enhancement when I chose them.
But the Lord didn't do that.
Misha took a step back from the door, letting me pass.
Her expression had grown thoughtful, but I said no more and left Uffteli.
The relentless rain had subsided considerably.
It must have been a passing shower.
By the time I returned to Kabisa, the rain had stopped completely.
I returned to my room and, huh?
“Hyeon-ung!”
“I’m back.”
“Mister, where did you go? Ha-young left.”
I was wondering why Ha-young wasn't here. It seems she went home.
She said she was going to sleep over. She must have been very upset that I refused her request to come along.
It was a bit late, but considering Ha-young's skills, she should be fine.
“I went to see Misha.”
“Misha?”
“Who’s that? Sounds like a woman’s name.”
My companions didn't seem to know her, so I gave them a summary.
Fortunately, the restriction didn't apply to my companions, so I was able to explain everything.
Why I met Misha. And why I refused Ha-young’s request to join us…
Hanna and Alpen seemed to understand my reasoning to some extent, but Rina looked completely displeased.
“Mister, you’re truly pathetic.”
It’s been a while since I've heard such venom from her.
“Rina?”
“What's wrong?”
The others tried to stop her, but I raised a hand to hold them back.
“I’d like to hear why you think I’m pathetic. The Labyrinth's rules are what they are. What can I do about it?”
“Why are you getting so scared over something that hasn't even happened yet?”
“Don’t say it so lightly.”
I felt a surge of emotion myself, and my tone dropped.
As she said, it hasn't happened yet, but it's a predetermined future.
It's not like I can change the Labyrinth's rules.
Besides, while I don't know if Misha's words are true, she said that reaching the 81st floor first or climbing separately wouldn't work.
“I feel bad for Ha-young too, and I’m troubled, so could you please refrain from the mindless criticism without offering any alternatives?”
“An alternative? Mister, why do you have so little confidence in yourself?”
I asked for an alternative, and she brings up confidence?
“You just have to clear the 100th floor before Ha-young reaches the 81st.”
I felt as if I'd been struck in the head with a hammer.
It sounded a bit far-fetched, but I understood what Rina was trying to say.
She meant there was no need to get scared and start worrying now.
It's not that I was worried about Ha-young catching up to me in the first place.
I was just afraid of a situation where Ha-young and I would have to kill each other…
“You have us, Mister. If you can’t trust yourself, at least trust us.”
Rina has always been short, and now she's lost all her strength, but today she seemed larger than life.
I thought she was just an immature kid, but she really got me.
As Misha said, it's not a problem to be taken lightly, but worrying too early isn't helpful either.
“Right. I guess I was overthinking it.”
Ha-young even saved my life.
I promised to repay her somehow when we get out of the Labyrinth. How hard a request was it to let her come with us…?
“I’ll ask her to come with us tomorrow morning.”
****
The morning of our departure for the Labyrinth.
When I opened my eyes, my companions were still fast asleep.
Geum-yong and Nix, who had been playing tag late into the night, were sleeping at the edge of my bed, using each other as pillows.
I checked on everyone before heading to the bathroom.
When I came out after washing up, Hanna was sitting up in bed. She rubbed her eyes and approached me.
“Hyeon-ung? You’ve already washed up? You’re up early.”
“Yeah. I’m going to get Ha-young.”
Hanna smiled at my words. I patted her head, told her it was still early and she should sleep more, then left Kabisa.
The sun was just beginning to rise, slowly chasing away the darkness.
It was very early, but Ha-young would need time to prepare if she was coming to the Labyrinth.
I wondered if I should have gone yesterday as I walked, and soon I arrived at Tae-soo’s house.
I was about to go inside when, huh?
I sensed a presence in the backyard and went to check. Ha-young was there in light workout clothes, doing strength training.
It looked like she’d been out for a while; her clothes and hair were drenched in sweat.
I expected her to be disappointed and downcast after I told her she couldn't come, but I never imagined she'd be training this early in the morning.
She’s better than me.
“You’re working hard this morning.”
“Hyeon-ung?”
She looked startled.
“What are you doing here at the crack of dawn? I thought you were going to the Labyrinth…”
Her tone was still laced with disappointment, showing she was still hurt.
“That's why I'm here—to pick you up. Yesterday, I was a little… whoa.”
Without even hearing my full explanation, she suddenly threw her arms around me.
“Are you really taking me with you?”
The disappointment in her voice vanished without a trace.
“Yes. So could you let go…”
“Ah, I was just so happy. I’m sorry. I must smell like sweat right now…”
She quickly pulled away, her face falling into a pout. That was the usual Ha-young.
“It’s fine.”
“Ung, do you have a sweat fetish, by any chance?”
“Of course not.”
Seeing her joke around, I was relieved that she seemed to have gotten over it.
“There were some circumstances yesterday, but I realized there’s no need to worry about it right now. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I feel like I troubled you by whining about something I shouldn't have…”
“So, you’re not coming this time after all?”
“Hyeon-ung!”
“I’m kidding. You’re allowed to be a little demanding, Ha-young.”
“Because I’m your future wife?”
…There she goes, crossing the line again.
Kids these days are so forward.
“Is it because you’re at that age? You’re still a kid.”
“I’m not a kid.”
She denied it, but puffing out her cheeks and glaring at me, she looked exactly like one.
“Yes, you are.”
Her cheeks looked so plump that I gave them a light pinch.
“Ow! Hmph, then would you like to check?”
“Huh? No… don’t.”
I tried to stop her, feeling uneasy, but the girl just grinned and suddenly undid one of her shirt buttons.
“Hey, stop. Undo one more button, and I’m not taking you.”
“Tsk. Fine.”
Where does someone so little learn such things… Wait a second. A sense of dread made me turn around, and I saw Tae-soo peeking his head out, watching us.
“I thought it was some other scoundrel. Looks like I have bad timing… My apologies. Please, continue what you were doing…”
“We weren’t doing anything!”