Changing the Saintess's Class
The Saintess was a woman.
Therefore, the garment she wore in life could only be worn by a female challenger.
You have completed the quest and may proceed to the next stage.
Would you like to move to the 3rd floor?
"Wait, wait, wait."
Before heading up, I needed to solidify my foundation.
Specifically, recruiting a 'Saintess candidate' to accompany me on this journey.
I just got a legendary hidden piece item, but the conditions are super specific, so I need someone to climb the Tower with me. Anyone want to help?
So, I posted a thread with a brief description and some very enticing conditions.
"But I'm alone."
It was an inherently unfair system.
That was why, with the system's permission, I had obtained the right to legally summon a companion to clear the quest together.
"It's definitely not because I need someone who can pull off a Saintess cosplay."
This was all for the greater good.
To punish the damn floor master, I needed a companion to join me on this grand journey.
"...They're unnecessarily sharp about things like this."
If they were normal hunters who valued their own lives—
there was no way anyone would rashly accept the conditions I offered—
Then why the hell are you guys climbing the Tower? Aren't you all rolling around in this shitty place hoping to strike it rich?
"Today's applicant...! Selected!"
While everyone else was just testing the waters, a volunteer had stepped forward on her own.
And she was a talent among talents, someone whose face I knew and whom I had gotten quite close to last time.
"Gacha success! 4-star Lisha!"
Of course, Karrmia was a 5-star, and Lisha was a 4-star.
Why? Because a character who boldly charges in only to end up as a minor extra is the perfect fit for a 4-star.
What?!
Shaking off the thought of how furious she would be if she heard me, I placed my finger on the Companion Summon Ticket.
Although the team has only consisted of me so far, now that you're joining, it won't be lonely anymore. I don't know how long this short-term gig will last, but let's do our best until then.
Encouraged by her fiery determination, I placed my finger on the ticket without hesitation.
This ticket will be permanently destroyed after a single use.
"Okay."
The duration of the 'Summoned Companion' is affected by the conquest period within the stage.
Please select the companion to summon.
At the final prompt, I typed in the familiar community nickname.
▶ FrostBeast
Flash...!
Instantly, a brilliant burst of light erupted—
and my gaze naturally drifted down to the floor, the source of the light.
A bizarre magic circle, unlike anything I had seen before, was drawn in a perfect ring.
If the skills used by challengers and hunters skipped the intermediate processes for convenience,
this phenomenon felt like it was drawing out the very essence of fantasy magic.
And just like that.
"...Ah."
My eyes met those of the white-haired Beastkin, who was squeezing her eyes shut.
"Long time no see."
"..."
One of the powerhouses of the Waiting Room whom I had met during the tutorial.
Looking at her, who had entered hoping to 'strike it rich' as she said in the community, I smirked.
Lisha's sky-blue eyes scanned the surroundings.
A desolate wasteland, and ruins.
"...The atmosphere isn't much different from where I was."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah."
The Beastkin's tail swished, asserting her identity and catching my eye.
"...By the way."
Lisha, who had been hesitating,
looked at me warily and managed to speak.
"Um... did you see it?"
"See what?"
"Before I came here. That thing."
"Ah... the Apocalyptic difficulty thing?"
"...!"
Lisha's face flushed bright red, and her tail stood straight up.
Is she really that embarrassed?
Since she tended to show her true nature more in the community, she seemed to be the type to regret it later.
"I... I don't regret it."
"Regret what?"
"What you showed me last time...!"
"The simulation?"
"Y-yeah! Back then...! I just wasn't mentally prepared...! I can easily handle it now."
Lisha spoke to me, her determination fully stoked.
"I'm touched."
"...W-what?"
Touched by her soaring spirit, I spoke to the flustered Lisha.
"I've been looking for a talent like you. As expected, my judgment wasn't wrong."
Se-ah, are you watching?
I've just gained an incredibly reliable companion.
"Yeah! I told you, I'm not scared!"
"Damn, that's cool! Is this the power of a Beastkin?"
"I'm not just any Beastkin...! I am a proud warrior of the Frost tribe!"
Emboldened, Lisha stomped her feet on the ground and growled, looking for her next opponent.
"So, where are the guys we need to take care of..."
"They'll probably be on the next floor. The linked quest should pop up around then too."
"Ah..."
"Now, let's talk business."
I took a deep breath, building up the tension.
Gulp.
Lisha followed suit, focusing all her attention on my words.
"From now on, you're the Saintess."
"?"
Watching Lisha's blank, dumbfounded reaction,
"Your class is Saintess from now on."
I drove the point home to snap her back to reality.
I had found a hidden piece. I had obtained a quest. And...
"W-w-what...?!"
Lisha, checking the equipment in my hands—the Saintess's Garment—looked at me in utter bewilderment.
"This is the equipment I got as a quest reward. Tada."
Stats, design. All top-tier!
The holy vestment, with gold embroidery on a white background, had a sacred and luxurious atmosphere that could rival any high-end dress, drawing another reaction from Lisha.
"What the hell does that mean?!"
"Exactly what I just said. To clear the next stage and quest, we need someone to play the role of the Saintess, and you showed up at the perfect time."
"Y-you didn't say anything about this...!"
"Even if you didn't say it, I could fully feel your heart."
A hunter's determination to strike it rich, that intense drive.
Even a passing goblin would be able to tell at a glance.
"Argh, ah...!"
Ultimately, Lisha clutched her head and went through a brief moment of agony.
"...What do I have to do?"
"If you equip it according to the conditions, the quest will appear immediately. Then we... just clear the conditions like we always do."
Lisha took the Saintess's Garment from me and stared blankly into the air as if looking at a status window.
"W-wait... why are the bonus stats so high?!"
"See? Starting to sound convincing now, isn't it?"
Hunters can't help but be honest in front of stats.
Placing a hand on Lisha's shoulder as she gulped, I decided to instill even greater faith in her.
"This is just the beginning."
"...Huh?"
"Think about it. The real quest hasn't even started yet. Once it does, what comes next?"
Even greater rewards will be waiting for us.
"..."
After that, it didn't take long for Lisha to hide behind the ruins to change.
It didn't take long at all.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"It suits you well."
"S-shut up!"
Lisha, whose face had turned as red as a carrot, hissed in protest—
but the garment she wore really did suit her perfectly.
Tring!
Quest conditions have been met.
Once you move to the next floor, you can automatically check the quest.
"T-this is..."
Lisha reacted as if she had seen the same window as me.
"Right?"
"..."
"Let's go when you're ready."
Would you like to enter the next floor?
And so, with Lisha's class changed to 'Saintess', she and I
faced the familiar window and decided to move to the next floor.
Flash.
The reconstructed stage environment that welcomed us wasn't much different from before.
However.
▶ The 'Faded Holy Sword' in your possession has been verified.
▶ The 'Saintess' companion has been verified.
▶ Entering the 'Main Story'.
The Main Story.
"Lisha, you got the same thing, right?"
"...Yeah."
When I asked to confirm, she replied that she had seen the same thing.
Purification of the Dead
▶ In the past, a 'Nameless Saintess' arrived to purify the energy of death rooted in this land. You must assist her to purify the curse and bring about noble salvation.
Objectives:
☐ Purify the undead while holding the Heritage Object, 'Faded Holy Sword' [Incomplete]
☐ Defeat the 'Stage Boss Monster' [Incomplete]
☐ Have the 'Saintess' companion acquire her 'Exclusive Skill' [Incomplete]
"This is..."
Leaving Lisha to ponder over the window, I roughly estimated the difficulty of this stage.
They said holy power would automatically imbue my attacks.
I recalled that holding the Heritage Object would naturally wrap my attacks in holy power.
The purification the quest spoke of probably meant clearing out the field monsters using that power.
"Not bad. This is doable."
"...Huh?"
"Get ready. It's about to start."
Kyahahaha!
No sooner had the words left my mouth.
A chilling laughter began to welcome us from afar.
"A-a banshee..."
Recognizing the monster, Lisha's expression turned grim.
"You know what it is?"
"...It's a monster that appears in the mid-to-high tiers of the undead. Attacks don't even work on them without holy power, so they shouldn't be appearing in the early stages..."
"Really? That just means they give more points."
"...?"
Lisha looked back at me as if questioning whether she had heard correctly.
"Stay back for a second."
Leaving her behind, I turned my gaze toward the swarm of banshees flying in excitedly.
Predator's Domain (Lv. 4)
▶ Due to the Heritage Object: 'Faded Holy Sword', a weak holy power is imbued in your attacks.
Kyaaaak!
For their malicious laughter to turn into agonizing screams—
did not take long at all.