Chapter 73: The Second Proposal (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: The Second Proposal (1)
"Wow, here! Mom, take a picture of me here!"
My younger sister pointed at the Seoul Arts Center, hopping around excitedly.
While Mom was busy taking pictures of her, my father and I wandered aimlessly around the area.
It was a Saturday, and our whole family had come to watch an opera at the Seoul Arts Center.
Why were we suddenly at an opera, something none of us had ever seen before?
Because my sister had pestered us relentlessly.
And perhaps, it was also slightly my fault.
The Seoul Arts Center had been heavily damaged during the incident with The Fallen. It had only recently been fully restored, and the news reported day after day that it was packed with people.
The reason, of course, was that incident—the one where a video showed my Destruction Ray tearing through its roof. People were flocking to it, treating it like a landmark from Saram123's battle with The Fallen.
I'd also been dragged here half-unwillingly after my sister miraculously booked tickets for the whole family without asking.
"The video was from this exact angle, you know? A black pillar shot right out of that roof over there, whoosh—"
I snapped at my sister, who was chattering away without taking a breath.
"Hey, hey, I get it. Give it a rest."
"Geez, I'm talking to Mom. Why are you throwing a fit?"
"Because you're being loud enough to bother me, too."
She seemed to be making a bigger fuss out of everything lately.
Actually, it wasn't just my sister. The general mood in the country these days was a bit… how should I put it? It felt like people were overdosing on national pride. Ever since it was revealed that Saram123 was Korean, that is.
Well, having one more thing to be happy about in a world like this was a good thing, but…
"Hey, sis, you're not getting involved in anything weird, are you?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"I mean, like the Church of Saram123… There's a lot of talk about those cults lately."
My sister scoffed. "Are you crazy? Why would I?"
"Just asking."
"Still… it's not really a cult, is it? Saram123 is a real savior."
"..."
I was starting to get a little worried about her, too.
When it was time for the show, we went inside the Seoul Arts Center. People sang on stage. I watched, feeling slightly bored by the halfway point.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
After the performance ended, the curtains fell, and the audience erupted into applause.
It was the first opera I'd ever seen.
My thoughts? It was just okay.
I guess art and I just don't click.
"Wow, that was seriously amazing~"
My sister, on the other hand, seemed deeply moved. She kept exclaiming as we left the theater.
"Right, Mom? How was it?"
"Yes, it was enjoyable. It's nice for us all to come see a show together."
"No~ not that, how was the opera itself! Wasn't it super majestic when they were in the chorus earlier?"
I shared my own thoughts with my father.
'How was it?' I mouthed.
My father just shrugged.
'It was just okay.'
'Same here.'
Having reached a mutual understanding, my father and I chuckled quietly and followed the two of them.
This was when there were about fifty days left on the Nightmare's time limit.
*
Kaaaa-boom!
Fireballs scattered in all directions, blowing the wolves to pieces.
After hunting continuously for a while, I took a short break. I took out a thermos from my Subspace, crouched down in the snow, and drank some warm coffee.
[Zone 4 (86.3%)]
The Nightmare's time limit was now just over thirty days away… and it was about two weeks until I challenged the 6th Floor.
I'd given up on catching the Zone 4 boss, but I kept hunting here anyway. Once I cleared the 6th Floor, I'd have to hunt the next boss regardless, so I was just getting a head start. It was also good practice for my new skills.
Bzzzzzzzt-!
Hearing an ear-piercing noise cut through the wind, I raised my head. I saw a wasp flying toward me from the distance. I waited until it got close, then reached out my hand.
Crackle!
Sparks flew as a streak of electricity shot out and slammed into the wasp. The wasp's body split in two at the joint. It flailed for a moment before its upper half plummeted to the ground.
[Skill: Fierce Lightning (Rare)]
Fires a condensed bolt of lightning straight ahead. Requires 20 seconds of Mental Focus to cast.
Category: Magic-Type
Willpower Consumption: 100
Cooldown: 30 seconds
My newly acquired skill, Fierce Lightning. It was my first electric-attribute magic, a gift from Villon, of course. Its power was decent for a single-target attack, but the range was shorter than I expected.
My arsenal of attack magic now consisted of Destruction Ray, Flame Strike, Scorching Zone, Blade Gale, Fierce Lightning, Fairy Light Bullet, and Ice Bullet… I had collected almost every attribute. Still, Destruction Ray and my flame spells were my mainstays.
Besides Fierce Lightning, I had also obtained one Rare and one Common Skill Enhancement Stone, along with a few miscellaneous Common-grade Physical-Type skills.
I immediately used the Rare Skill Enhancement Stone on Fierce Lightning. After debating whether to use the Common Skill Enhancement Stone on Ice Bullet, I used it on Leap, which I had already enhanced once.
[Difficulty: Nightmare]
[Floor: 5th Floor]
[Level: 60]
[Willpower: 2,100]
[Skills: Destruction Ray (Epic+), Subspace (Epic), Teleportation (Rare+), Sixth Sense (Rare+) (+2), Rapid Regeneration (Rare+), Scorching Zone (Rare+), Flame Strike (Rare) (+5), Fierce Lightning (Rare) (+1), Blade Gale (Rare), Exhilaration (Rare), Skin Hardening (Rare), Fairy Light Bullet (Common+) (+1), Lesser Poison Resistance (Common+), Lesser Burn Resistance (Common+), Lesser Ice Resistance (Common+), Leap (Common) (+2)...]
So, this was my current spec.
For the record, the 5th Floor did have a level reward. How do you get it? You just have to enter the 6th Floor. Apparently, the moment you enter, the power of the 5th Floor's hierarchy is immediately absorbed.
In short, the condition for receiving the 5th Floor's level reward was to challenge the 6th Floor. This was why greed was a common killer for Climbers transitioning from the 5th to the 6th Floor. It felt like it should be ranked 'The #3 Cause of Death for Climbers!'
I completely understood where they were coming from. The sensation of leveling up and feeling your body grow stronger was quite addictive, after all.
Anyway, since I had to challenge the 6th Floor anyway, the reward was as good as mine. The moment I entered the 6th Floor, I would gain 10 levels.
I hunted a bit more before exiting the Tower.
Feeling peckish, I quickly mixed up some soy sauce egg rice for an early dinner and ate it in the living room while watching TV.
—Clearing the 4th Floor was really a close call. If I hadn't drawn the Ability Nullification Parts at the very end, I might have had to use a method similar to Saram123's. Haha.
A foreign interview was broadcasting on the news with translated subtitles.
'That guy is on TV a lot these days.'
Spain's new Nightmare Climber, Alejandro.
He had recently cleared the 4th Floor, meaning he'd conquered the first four floors of Nightmare Difficulty all within a single year. Because of this, he was dubbed a 'super rookie' and was currently the talk of the town.
Usually, the identities of Nightmare Clearers were kept secret, often hidden by their own countries. But Alejandro proudly revealed himself to the media and operated openly.
He was indeed an amazing person. Who else had ever cleared four Nightmare floors in a single year?
It was a great thing that another capable latecomer had appeared. It meant that even if I failed, the chances of someone taking my place would increase, even if just a little.
However, just a few days later…
—Spain's Nightmare Clearer, Alejandro, makes an unprecedented announcement that he will challenge the 6th Floor before Saram123…
"Huh?"
The unexpected headline startled me.
Alejandro had declared that he would challenge the 6th Floor before me.
*
As the Nightmare's time limit drew closer, the atmosphere in the Communication Window always shifted in a predictable way.
[GrapefruitTea: I believe in you again this time, Saram123. Please save humanity.]
[Dago: Do not doubt him. For Saram123, there is no failure.]
[Haruto: Could you guys please tone down the fuss? I'm anxious because it feels like you're setting off death flags.]
[Hwabyung: Shut up and start worshipping him too.]
[Fishing: Don't forget to pray hard from now until the 20-day mark, everyone.]
There were those who were anxious and those who prayed for Saram123's success. Lately, however, another figure was gradually becoming a topic of conversation.
[BaldEagle: What's the deal with this Alejandro guy? He climbed four Nightmare floors just this year. Damn.]
[Probability: What did he do before? Was he in the special forces?]
[Kaid: Not special forces, but I heard he used to be an MMA fighter.]
[LionOfThePlains: He's just a monster. What is he even made of?]
[WhiteSandalwood: But this guy operates so publicly.]
Spain's Nightmare Clearer, Alejandro.
A figure who had emerged like a rising star, clearing up to the 4th Floor at lightning speed in Nightmare Difficulty, where climbing even a single floor was akin to hell.
Originally a mixed martial arts fighter, he had recorded an overwhelming undefeated streak in the amateur leagues from the moment he debuted. He drew attention as a monster rookie and was set to transition to the pro league soon. But then he was chosen as a Nightmare Climber, quit MMA, and immediately challenged the Nightmare.
—My motive for challenging Nightmare Difficulty? I just felt like I could do it. I was confident.
He openly flaunted himself in the media, quickly establishing a strong presence.
Until then, people hadn't thought much of it. With the Nightmare's time limit drawing close, public attention was more focused on Saram123 and whether he could clear the 6th Floor.
However…
"I will challenge the 6th Floor before Saram123."
When there were about thirty days left on the Nightmare's time limit, Alejandro suddenly made a shocking announcement.
The world was in an uproar, and the attention of the entire globe focused on him.
"Mr. Alejandro, what is your reason for trying to challenge the 6th Floor before Saram123 does?"
It was a famous talk show broadcast in Spain.
Alejandro answered the host's question with a relaxed smile. "Shouldn't someone help carry the lonely burden he has shouldered all this time? That is my only reason."
"So, you're saying you'll challenge the 6th Floor first to ease Saram123's burden?"
"Yes. We cannot leave everything to one person forever. I, too, wish to walk the same path as Saram123."
His words meant exactly that: he would take on Saram123's role.
"But a First Clear of a Nightmare floor is on an entirely different level of difficulty compared to clearing it with prior information. What are your thoughts on this?"
Alejandro answered, as relaxed as ever. "That's true. But I have absolute faith in my ability to get it done. It's that same faith that allowed me to clear the last four floors. Above all, a Nightmare clear requires inspiration and quick wits more than raw specs like levels or skills. In that regard, I believe I am more than capable."
"...Those are truly reassuring words!" The host nodded and asked the next question. "Then I'd also like to ask you this. During the clear of the 4th Floor of Nightmare Difficulty, there was an unprecedented event where the Tower proposed a penalty to Saram123 in exchange for nullifying the 3-Year Rule. If a similar event occurs this time, may I ask what choice you would make, Mr. Alejandro?"
Alejandro answered as if it wasn't even worth deliberating. "If the Tower once again uses people's lives as hostages to propose a penalty, of course, I would accept the penalty. I never back down from a challenge. Let the Tower bring on whatever it wants."
At his answer, cheers and applause erupted from the audience.
Alejandro smiled and spoke. "I will challenge the 6th Floor exactly when there are 21 days left on the Nightmare's time limit. Saram123, are you watching this broadcast? This time, I will save humanity in your stead. Please, sit back and watch."
Alejandro's interview caused a massive ripple worldwide.
[Asteroid: Alejandro declares he will challenge the 6th Floor a day before Saram123!]
[BloomBloom: Is he out of his mind? A First Clear is on another level.]
[BlackHole: Even during the 2nd Floor, there was a guy who said he'd challenge it before Saram123 and died trying.]
[Hela: With Alejandro, who knows? Seeing how he cleared four floors at light speed, his momentum is no joke.]
[Socrates: Is a second Saram123 really going to emerge? Damn.]
[Hood: Even so, comparing him to Saram123 is crossing the line.]
[Knight: I'm rooting for you, Alejandro! Go for it!]
People were skeptical, wondering if he could actually do it, but the general atmosphere was supportive for now. If another person could stand at the forefront of the Nightmare alongside Saram123, it would be a massive cause for celebration for all of humanity.
[Nightmare]
Participants: 278,826
Time Limit: 21 Days 13 Minutes 37 Seconds
Highest Floor Reached: 5th Floor
Time passed.
And the Nightmare's remaining time approached the 21-day mark.
*
"How is your body feeling?"
Spanish government officials stood by Alejandro's side, checking on his condition.
Alejandro smiled and replied, "Absolutely perfect."
He was surrounded by countless cameras and people. The moment of his 6th Floor challenge was being broadcast live all over the world.
In truth, the Spanish government did not want him to challenge the 6th Floor. What country would want to see their precious Nightmare Clearer—especially a Climber with the overwhelming ability to clear four floors at breakneck speed—shoulder the immense risk of a First Clear?
However, Alejandro was adamant about attempting the First Clear, and the government had failed to change his mind. If a Climber declared they were going into the Tower, the government had no way to stop them. So now, they could only pray for his success.
And besides, who knew? Alejandro, who had shown such overwhelming achievements so far, might actually succeed.
'This is great.'
Meanwhile, on the verge of his 6th Floor challenge, Alejandro was savoring the moment. The eyes of the entire world were on him. It was an indescribably thrilling sensation. Alejandro absolutely loved this attention.
His real reason for attempting the First Clear of the 6th Floor? To save humanity? To share Saram123's burden?
All that lip service was just for show. The real reason was simple: he wanted to be revered as a savior, just like Saram123.
'You aren't the only chosen one,' Alejandro thought to himself. He, too, was a chosen human.
A First Clear? It would certainly be difficult, but he was confident he could pull it off. That was the conclusion he had reached after clearing four Nightmare floors.
Saram123 was timidly hiding his identity, refusing to reveal himself to the world. But he was different. He would proudly clear the 6th Floor, stand before everyone, and be worshipped as the savior of humanity.
"One minute left!"
[Nightmare]
Participants: 278,824
Time Limit: 21 Days 0 Minutes 58 Seconds
Highest Floor Reached: 5th Floor
Alejandro checked the time limit.
If there was one regret, it was that it would have been nice if an even more dramatic situation had unfolded, like when Saram123 challenged the 4th Floor… It seemed the Tower wouldn't be making another proposal.
Well, whatever. Once he cleared the 6th Floor, he would be the main character of this world anyway.
The time remaining until the 21-day mark dropped below one minute. A massive screen behind Alejandro began displaying the countdown.
Under the pouring spotlight, Alejandro spoke for the last time.
"For humanity."
Long speeches weren't necessary. At that single phrase, people showered him with countless rounds of applause.
10 seconds, 9 seconds, 8 seconds…
The countdown hit one second. Just as Alejandro was about to enter the 6th Floor…
"…!"
A message suddenly appeared before Alejandro's eyes, and he froze.
"…Whoa!"
"Huh?"
The crowd gasped, murmuring in confusion as they stared at the empty air where he was looking.
[The Tower makes a proposal to 'Saram123'.]