Chapter 52: 4th Floor Hidden (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 52: 4th Floor Hidden (3)
[You have failed to clear the Nightmare Difficulty 4th Floor Hidden Route. (2/3)]
Back in my waiting room, I reflected on what had just happened.
Teleportation was blocked...?
Was there some kind of anti-intrusion defense system that prevented spatial movement?
It seemed like a technologically advanced world, so it wouldn't be strange for something like that to exist. It was just a shame I’d wasted an attempt because I didn't know.
The only takeaway from the first try was that the Master Code Room couldn't be entered via teleportation. It was as if the Tower was telling me not to even dream of cheesing it.
[Would you like to enter the Nightmare Difficulty 4th Floor?]
I immediately started my second attempt.
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
[Winner! ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’!]
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
[Winner! ‘Ability Nullification Parts’!]
After taking down the golems, the Ability Nullification Parts dropped on the second try this time.
Points Held: 25,500P
After defeating the boss, I headed for the exit. I followed the same path as before, heading upward.
“So, we need to find a way to increase the reactivity of the mana core there...”
I waited, listening to the conversations of the researchers passing by while I remained in stealth. Everything proceeded as before. Iska appeared, and I followed him.
“Come in.”
Since I already knew his goal, I moved the conversation along quickly.
“Answer me this one thing. Are you an enemy of the workshop?”
“Yes.”
“If this entire workshop were to be blown to bits...”
“I’d love that.”
“...Then it seems we have a reason to cooperate. I intend to blow this workshop sky-high.”
Just like the first time, I received the quest to copy the Master Code and was given the necessary items.
“Is it impossible to enter the Master Code Room using teleportation magic?” I asked.
Iska answered immediately. “You cannot enter that way. Spatial Coordinate Distortion Devices are active in all the workshop’s major facilities.”
...I knew it.
It would have been nice if he’d told me sooner. Though, since I hadn't asked, I couldn't really blame him. I asked one more thing I was curious about.
“By the way, does this workshop use people as fuel or something?”
Iska replied nonchalantly. “Some are used as fuel, others as test subjects. Extracting a human soul yields a vast amount of mana. Did you not already know this?”
Ah, so that was the lore.
Aside from the fact that it floated in the sky, this world’s setting seemed completely devoid of dreams or hope.
After finishing my conversation with Iska, I stepped out into the hallway. I’d confirmed the location of the Master Code Room. Since I’d confirmed that shortcuts wouldn't work, it was time to try the standard strategy. I moved to Sector 1 to find the Workshop Master.
“Excuse me. Do you happen to know where the Workshop Master is?” I stopped a kind-looking researcher in Sector 1 and asked.
“The Workshop Master? He’s likely watching a demonstration of a mana core fission experiment right now. In Demonstration Room 3...”
“Thank you.”
Following the directions of the helpful researcher, I made my way there. After navigating the internal map with some difficulty, I arrived at Demonstration Room 3 in Sector 1. I approached the entrance while remaining in stealth.
However, the entrance was closed, and guards were standing watch. Just as I was pacing the hallway, wondering if I should wait outside the building...
The doors to the demonstration room opened, and people began to file out.
Among the researchers in white coats was a white-haired old man wearing a suit. I could tell immediately that he was the Workshop Master. It wasn't just his standout attire; it was the presence beside him.
Unlike the other guards in black suits, there was a woman wearing a platinum-colored suit.
Is that the bodyguard Iska told me to watch out for?
Perhaps because I’d enhanced my Sixth Sense to level 2, I could gauge the opponent's strength more clearly than before. She was similar to that monster Black Knight I met in the 2nd Floor Hidden Route... no, maybe even stronger.
One thing was certain: she was far more powerful than me.
The Workshop Master stood in front of the entrance, talking with the researchers. I approached him, intending to inspect his person. I had to find the Master Key.
‘...!’
At that moment, the bodyguard narrowed her eyes and looked directly toward where I was standing. My Sixth Sense screamed a warning. Startled, I quickly backed away.
She tilted her head in confusion before averting her gaze.
Holy shit...
And Iska said I wouldn't get caught. He had been so sure that no one besides himself could see through my stealth. If I had gotten any closer just now, I would have been in serious trouble.
It wasn't that she’d fully realized I was there, but it felt like I’d be caught if I stepped within a certain distance. Was her intuition just that monstrous?
...This makes the difficulty way too high.
I didn't even know where on his body the Workshop Master was hiding the key. To make matters worse, the bodyguard would catch me if I got close. This meant it was impossible to do anything while in stealth.
I stepped back outside the building for now. I sat on a bench with my legs crossed, continuing to deliberate.
Snatching the key from the Workshop Master while in stealth was impossible because of the bodyguard. Wait until he was away from her? She was his personal guard; I didn't know if they ever separated. Even if they did, I couldn't just follow the Workshop Master around indefinitely. I couldn't maintain stealth forever.
...Should I try to ambush the bodyguard with a Destruction Ray to get her out of the way? And then take the key from the Workshop Master?
“Hmm...”
Setting aside whether that was even possible, I didn't know if I could handle the chaos that would follow. But I had a feeling... it didn't seem like I was supposed to use stealth to steal the key.
Was I supposed to use my head? Like a spy movie, was I supposed to utilize the people around him and the situation to get the key?
“This is complicated.”
The 4th floor was more complex than the hidden routes on previous floors. It felt like the clues and guidelines for the strategy were too vague. Well, it was only natural for the difficulty to increase as the floors went up. I was just annoyed because it felt like every convenient shortcut had been blocked off.
“...”
Should I try digging into the shortcuts a bit more instead?
Something occurred to me, so I returned to Iska’s room in Sector 6. Iska looked surprised to see me.
“...Have you succeeded already?”
“No way. I have something to ask you.” I paused. “The Spatial Coordinate Distortion Device? You said I couldn't teleport into the Master Code Room because of that.”
“I did.”
“Then is there no way to turn it off, even for a moment? Like, is there a central control room or a management office inside the workshop...?”
That device must run on energy, too. I wondered if the old 'flip the circuit breaker' trick would work. I didn't have high expectations, but Iska gave me a positive answer.
“There are control rooms for each sector that manage the flow of mana through the workshop. If you were to destroy the Central Mana Circuit in the Sector 1 control room, the Spatial Coordinate Distortion Device in the Master Code Room would also shut down.”
I asked again. “Then what if I go on a rampage in that Sector 1 control room and break everything... and in the meantime, I teleport into the Master Code Room and copy the code? Would that be possible?”
“...The Master Code is stored in an independent structure, so it will function even if the Central Mana Circuit is destroyed. So, it would be possible, but...” Iska looked at me skeptically. “You don't have two bodies, so how do you intend to do that? Do you have a comrade?”
In any case, he said it was possible. I grinned.
* * *
After recovering Diul’s power, which had been depleted from constant stealth, I immediately headed for the Sector 1 control room.
I stood before the firmly closed doors of the control room while in stealth. Then, I summoned Phli. Following my command, Phli slammed his body into the closed doors.
KRA-BOOM!
The metal doors were torn off their tracks, revealing the complex machinery and the staff inside. They stopped their work and stared at Phli with horrified faces.
“...Aaaah!”
WREEEE—!
The staff scrambled in panic, and the emergency alarm blared. Guards from the hallway swarmed in instantly. Still in stealth, I looked at the bamboo-shoot-shaped mechanical device in the center of the control room. Iska had said that was the Central Mana Circuit.
Destroy that first, Phli. And go as wild as you can!
Phli immediately leaped and smashed the device in one go. I watched only that far before moving quickly to do my part. I headed for the Master Code Room at the maximum speed possible without breaking stealth.
During the move, I felt Phli vanish.
Damn... he didn't last as long as I thought. Were the guards stronger than expected?
Regardless, I soon arrived at the Master Code Room. I stood before the entrance and used Teleportation. This time, the teleportation triggered without me being repelled.
“Phew.”
Success.
Having safely entered the Master Code Room, I looked around. In the center of the room was a capsule-like mechanical device. It was the Master Code storage device Iska had mentioned. Without delay, I approached and held the copying tool against the capsule.
The tool stuck to the capsule like a magnet, and a gauge on the side display began to fill up. I stood with my arms crossed, waiting for the copy to complete.
“...”
But how long was this going to take? Iska said it would only take about a minute, but a minute had already passed. Why does this old man never get anything right...?
If the device gets restored while I’m doing this, I’ll be trapped in here.
“Oh.”
Fortunately, the gauge soon filled up, and a blue light appeared on the tool. I grabbed the tool and teleported back out of the Master Code Room. I could feel the commotion in the Sector 1 building. After slipping outside while in stealth, I moved to the Sector 6 building. Once I reached a place with no people, I deactivated stealth and walked down the hallway as if nothing had happened.
Mission clear.
Ha, it actually worked. See, there’s always a way if you look for it. Now I just had to deliver the Master Code to Iska. I wasn't sure if that would be the end of it, though.
I arrived at Iska’s room.
“Did you succeed?”
I nodded and held out the tool. “You said if it’s glowing blue, it’s all copied, right?”
“...You truly succeeded. Well done.”
Iska took the tool with a look of surprise. The clear message hadn't popped up yet, so I asked, “What are you going to do now?”
He said he’d blow up the entire workshop; did I have to stay until that was finished?
“Follow me.”
Iska threw on his discarded coat and immediately moved. I followed behind him. We passed through the hallway, and instead of taking the elevator, we went down the stairs to the basement of the Sector 6 building. There was a long hallway like the one leading to the Master Code Room, with an entrance at the end.
Beep—
The door opened when Iska swiped his card. Inside a large, lab-like space stood golems of various colors. Iska pulled out a controller and pressed a button, and the golems began to activate.
Thump, thump, thump...
The golems exited the lab and headed into the hallway. Then, the entrance closed. Iska approached a complex mechanical device in the center of the lab and began to operate it. A core as massive as the golems that had just left was embedded right in the center of the device.
— Beginning charge.
With a mechanical voice, the core lit up.
[0.01%]
A percentage appeared on the device. Iska plugged the Master Code tool I’d copied into the device and manipulated the console.
— Master authority for mana circuit management approved.
— Transferring all available mana to Zone T5K1.
Then, with a slight vibration, the core began to emit a powerful light.
[15.6%]
The percentage began to climb at an incredible speed. At the same time, an alarm could be heard from outside.
“What are you doing? What is this?”
Iska answered my question. “It is a core synthesized using a divine substance called Orichalcum. You could call it my life’s masterpiece. It can absorb and stabilize mana of any property, and its maximum mana storage capacity is beyond imagination. Enough to hold all the mana in this workshop and more. I am currently drawing all the stored mana within the workshop into this core. Once it reaches 70%, I will detonate the mana.”
Aha, so that’s how he’s blowing up the workshop. It was a simple explanation that even a non-expert like me could easily understand.
“...But then, won't I get caught in it too?”
I didn't want to be blown up with him. Would the clear notification pop up before the explosion? Iska pulled something out of his pocket and gave it to me. It was an object reminiscent of a small globe. Two metal rings circled a jewel-like green sphere, and complex mechanical parts could be seen inside.
A timer reading [9:51] appeared on the surface of the device.
“It is a warp device.”
“...A warp device?”
“The mana will detonate exactly ten minutes after the storage reaches 70%. I have set this warp device to activate in ten minutes as well, so you can escape through it.”
I see. Escaping the workshop through this was likely the final step of the clear. I tucked the warp device into my pocket.
[35.9%]
[42.0%]
[49.4%]
[50.6%]
But then, the percentage that had been climbing steadily suddenly stopped. It wouldn't go past 50 percent.
“It stopped?”
Iska’s expression hardened. “...They shouldn't have been able to respond this quickly. How?” He tinkered with the device before letting out a sigh of lament. “The mana circuits for the entire workshop have been shut down. It seems they had already begun responding because of what you did in the control room. They couldn't have blocked the circuits this quickly otherwise.”
“...Excuse me?”
What was he talking about now? “Then what do we do? Is it a failure?”
Iska let out a sigh of resignation. “...It’s over. A pity.”
“No, we filled it up to 50%... can't we just blow it up with that?”
“It doesn't work that way. We need to cause a mana overload, so if it doesn't reach the threshold of 70%, the reaction itself won't occur.”
What kind of logic is that? In any case, it seemed things had gone terribly wrong.
“I am not blaming you. You did your best. Hide yourself until the warp device activates, then escape.”
I bit my lip. I thought I was almost there, and then this... I asked, unable to let it go. “Is there no other way to fill the remaining mana?”
“Regrettably, no.”
“...Wait, you said this core absorbs any kind of mana. Then is it impossible to charge it by firing magic directly at the core? I know how to use magic.”
Iska let out a hollow laugh. “It is possible, but even with all the mana in this workshop, it wouldn't have exceeded 80%. How do you intend to fill the remaining 20%? Even if you were an archmage, it would be impossible.”
I scratched my head in frustration. So the problem was that I’d messed with the control room? But there was no other way to enter via teleportation.
...Are they really not going to allow any route that isn't the standard strategy? Do I absolutely have to enter by stealing the Workshop Master’s key?
This is really pissing me off.
Just as I was about to give up, an idea occurred to me. I opened the Shop window.
[Shop]
• Physical Damage Increase 10% (500P)
• Magic Damage Increase 10% (200P)
• Willpower Increase 10% (100P)
• Attribute Conversion (500P)
• Force Field (50P)
• Slow (50P)
• Stop (100P)
• Special Draw! (5,000P)
Points Held: 25,500P
Special Draw. The Skill Effect 300% Scroll, and my strongest skill, Destruction Ray.
...What if I used the scrolls to stack and boost the power of Destruction Ray to the absolute limit? If I played my cards right, wouldn't it be possible to fill the remaining 20%?
I already had one 300% scroll from the draw I did during the boss fight.
[You have used ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’ on ‘Destruction Ray (Epic+)’.]
I used it on Destruction Ray immediately. Then, I started drawing. With my current points, I could do a total of five draws. I didn't have high expectations. I just figured I’d give it a shot since it would be a waste to just give up.
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
Trill-ill-ill—
[Winner! ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’!]
Another scroll appeared immediately. A good start. Iska’s eyes widened as the scroll fell out of thin air.
“...What did you just do?”
“Shh. Just a moment.”
[You have used ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’ on ‘Destruction Ray (Epic+)’.]
That made it 9 times the power. I silenced Iska and drew again.
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
Trill-ill-ill—
[Winner! ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’!]
Oh... oh? It happened again.
[You have used ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’ on ‘Destruction Ray (Epic+)’.]
That brought it to 27 times. I did the third draw.
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
Trill-ill-ill—
[Winner! ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’!]
“...?!”
Again...? Three times in a row?
[You have used ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’ on ‘Destruction Ray (Epic+)’.]
81 times. I did the fourth draw. Surely, it wouldn't happen again...
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
Trill-ill-ill—
[Winner! ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’!]
“...”
[You have used ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’ on ‘Destruction Ray (Epic+)’.]
243 times. I quietly did the final draw.
No way... No way? Really?
[You have purchased ‘Special Draw! (5,000P)’.]
Trill-ill-ill—
[Winner! ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’!]
“...Kaaaaah.”
I picked up the scroll, feeling a thrill surge through my body. Ah... the dopamine was insane. Was this it? Was this the true flavor of gacha?
[You have used ‘Skill Effect 300% Scroll’ on ‘Destruction Ray (Epic+)’.]
Six applications of the 300% scroll. A total of 729 times the original power. Having successfully pulled five times in a row with insane luck, I’d managed to boost Destruction Ray to an absurd level.
I said to Iska, “Step back.”
“I told you it’s useless...”
“Hurry!”
When I shouted, Iska stepped back.
[50.5%]
I held out my hand toward the core. I stopped time and focused my mind.
Alright, here goes.
A super-duper-ultra-mega powerful, full-charge Destruction Ray, boosted 729 times...
Fire.
“...!”
A pitch-black beam of light enveloped the core. At the same time, the percentage began to skyrocket.
[56.6%]
[68.6%]
[79.6%]
It instantly surpassed the original goal of 70% and kept climbing.
“What...!” Iska’s jaw dropped in shock.
90%... 95%... 100%.
[100%]
The percentage reached 100% in no time, but the beam still didn't stop.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
A violent vibration shook the entire lab. Iska, who had been staring blankly, shouted, “Wait! Stop! Stooop!”
...I wanted to stop too. But there was no way to stop a skill once it had been cast.
Is it going to explode? Am I screwed?
Fortunately, however, the Destruction Ray soon subsided before the core could explode.
Whooooosh...
[100%]
The core was now emitting a light as intense as the sun. I stared at it and asked, “Is it a success?”
Iska, who was breathing heavily, looked at me as if he’d witnessed a god, then nodded slowly.
“...It is done.”