Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Tower of Tarros
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Tower of Tarros.
According to legend, it was a tower built to seal away the ancient dragon Tarros, which could not be defeated.
The tower's interior had transformed into a complex labyrinth due to the immense power of that mighty elder dragon.
It was the legendary tower where demonic beasts infused with the dragon's demonic energy continued to spawn endlessly.
And within that legend was this tale as well.
If someone were to climb the tower and defeat the ancient dragon Tarros...
They would gain the power to reshape the past of this world as they desired.
And that legend had turned the tower into a dreamlike spire that countless adventurers challenged in pursuit of their own aspirations.
Even now, many adventurers kept challenging it to reach the top.
And the city that formed around the tower due to the adventurers who gathered there...
That was the Tower City of Tarros.
"Huff... huff... Hey, Klein. ...How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine. Just a scrape on my arm."
"Let me take a look. ...I think I can heal this with my healing magic."
"Haha, sorry to keep relying on you, Triana."
The three-person party currently challenging the first floor of the tower was just one of many adventurer groups banding together for their dreams.
Swordsman Pedro, spearman Klein, and priestess Triana.
"By the way, doesn't it feel like there are fewer monsters today?"
"You seem pretty tired for someone saying that, Pedro."
"No, I'm serious."
Pedro had a bit more experience as an adventurer than his two companions.
It had been quite some time since he first challenged the tower, driven by his admiration for the legend of Tarros.
Based on his experience, the number of monsters attacking them today was definitely lower.
As Pedro pondered the reason for this anomaly...
"Um, down there... there's another party. ...Doesn't it seem like all the monsters are swarming just that one?"
Triana, who had been checking their gear, glanced downward and called to the other two.
The first floor of the tower they were on was a ruin area, filled with towering ancient structures.
Their party's position was atop a cliffside rooftop where a ruin building was embedded in the wall.
The spot they were overlooking was the lowest point in this ruin area.
Low ground like that was easy prey for monsters, so parties challenging the first floor's difficulty usually avoided it.
That's why Pedro's party had stuck to higher ground, taking down monsters as they went.
But the other party that Triana was pointing to...
"...I've never seen a number like that before."
"Wh-what kind of adventurer rank must they be?"
Pedro's group couldn't close their gaping mouths in shock.
It was understandable for the less experienced two, but even Pedro, who was familiar with the Tower of Tarros, was seeing this for the first time.
A horde of countless monsters swarming them, and the party handling it effortlessly.
In the Tower of Tarros, the number of monster encounters depended on the party's strength.
The higher the adventurers' ranks in the party, the more monsters assaulted them even on lower floors.
So from the sheer volume charging that party, it was clear they were no ordinary adventurers.
"...That's some incredible spearwork."
Klein, the spearman himself, was stunned by the red-haired woman at the front butchering the monsters.
A high-class spear gleaming gold.
She wielded it like an extension of her body, sweeping away the monsters charging from the front so none could reach her rear allies.
"Hey, Klein. Ever seen a spear like that? How the hell is she doing that?"
"...N-no idea. You definitely couldn't buy something like that at a regular weapon shop."
What stood out most was the spear she held.
It extended and contracted freely like a whip, smashing the heads of ruin goblins beyond normal range.
He'd never even heard of a spear that could change shape like that.
"And it's not just that woman—the black-haired guy next to her, or the blond guy spitting fire, none of them are normal."
"Oh my god, that ice magic—she's not even chanting. She's just unleashing mana and casting."
"An innate skill? That's insane. Every once in a while, you hear about prodigies blessed by the world like that."
Pedro clicked his tongue in amazement as he watched from their rest spot below.
Now he knew why there were fewer monsters today.
With a party like that on the same floor, all the monsters were drawn there.
"The backline doesn't stand out much. Maybe because the frontliners are so intense?"
"That blond girl is casting a lot of heals, though? Isn't she around your level, Triana? Looks about the same age."
"Hmm, maybe? ...But she doesn't seem like a priestess."
"Haha, check out the very back. That's gotta be their porter."
Klein pointed to the chubby blond guy bringing up the rear of the advancing party, chuckling mockingly.
"Looks like he's got nothing to do, just hanging back. Must be nice riding the coattails of a high-rank party like that."
In the adventurer world, where only the strong were respected, the weak were usually looked down upon.
But Pedro sighed at Klein.
"Klein, are your eyes just for show?"
"Huh? What? That's their porter, right?"
"Look closely."
Irritated by his leader's pitying gaze, Klein grudgingly focused on the boy at the rear.
And then.
"Just now... what was that?"
"See it?"
Klein had assumed the chubby boy was just waddling after the party.
But no.
The boy was single-handedly taking down monsters ambushing the rear.
Protecting the girl casting healing magic.
And what really caught Klein's attention was the boy's hands.
"...Where the hell is he pulling those weapons from?"
"That's what I'm wondering. He was definitely empty-handed."
"More importantly, how many of those high-end knives does he have? Enchanted weapons aren't cheap...."
The boy keenly spotted approaching rear monsters and hurled knives at them.
The knives he threw clearly shimmered with mana.
And the monsters' reactions confirmed they were enchanted.
Yet he used them without hesitation, one after another.
"What can I say? He's a real enigma."
"Point is, things aren't always what they seem. Mess with a guy like that, and you won't like the outcome."
Klein fell silent at Pedro's advice.
He just sighed, watching the party clear out the monsters.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Phew! Finally done."
Emily wiped her sweat and plopped down on the ground.
After finishing the battle on the first floor of the Tower of Tarros, we settled in a safe zone to rest.
Dungeon battles were quite different from regular wild fights.
Especially in the Tower of Tarros, the balance adjusted so higher-level characters faced swarms of monsters.
So our party, new to mass monster battles, was challenging the first floor to get accustomed.
"By the way, Ken! That was amazing! First time in party combat, and you acted like a seasoned adventurer!"
Emily, checking her gear during the break, beamed at me.
And Adrian grinned with interest, adding,
"I was impressed too. Your mid-battle commands, positioning, trap checks... The academy doesn't teach that, right?"
His suspicious gaze made me smile awkwardly and look away.
How could I say I'd grinded the Tower of Tarros endlessly in the game?
Positioning and commands were basics from the party-play-focused game.
But to them, unaware of that, it must seem odd.
As I pondered an excuse, Siegfried, polishing his sword beside me, spoke up.
"Ken shows surprising skill sometimes. You've only seen the tip of the iceberg, Adrian."
He smiled faintly.
He looked proud.
Looks like the master was pleased his disciple got praised.
"Oh? So there's more I don't know?"
"Haha, w-well, you know."
I scratched my head and brushed it off.
He was probably referring to Calorie Burn, but no need to bring it up.
I didn't want the talk dragging on about me.
"You guys were incredible too, though. Especially Adrian and Mary's ranged support!"
To change the subject, I praised the others first.
It was true—they had been amazing.
Deflecting praise is best done by redirecting it.
Mary perked up her ears at my words, then sidled up close.
Her face was expressionless, but her cheeks flushed.
"Did I do well? Praise me more, Ken."
"Y-yeah, Mary was awesome. Your wide-area spells kept the monsters from closing in—made it way easier."
"...Ehehe."
Only after more praise did Mary smile softly.
"Ah! I did great too! I took down tons up front!"
"Me too...! I cast loads of heals, see how tired I am?"
The other two closed in, glaring.
...Eek.
"H-haha. Yeah, you both did great. Rafne too, and Emily was a huge help."
"Tch, feels like second to Mary—not enough."
"Ken, you're phoning it in. Put more heart into it."
The two still glared, while Mary smugly shrugged at their reactions.
What more could I do?
Even continued praise didn't satisfy them.
After a short rest, we checked gear, and I briefed on next plans.
"For today, we'll get used to combat on the first floor and head back."
Today's focus was training.
Mass monster fights required party coordination.
No matter how strong individually, endless swarms overwhelm.
For this tower conquest, mastering mass monster response was essential.
So today: practice on floor 1.
The others understood.
Plus, circling floor 1 was great skill grinding for me.
Throwing knives made with Swift Fabrication had unlocked Throw skill.
With this many monsters, Lv 2 was feasible today.
"Tomorrow, straight to floor 3. Restock supplies thoroughly tonight."
"Just to floor 3?"
Mary tilted her head at my addition.
"Details after we reach floor 3. ...More importantly."
I paused, choosing words.
What came next was crucial for everyone here.
They'd all come to help me.
Except Rafne and Adrian, they didn't even know why I was challenging the tower.
During travel, I'd been cautious of eavesdroppers.
But now on floor 1, it was time.
"What I'm about to say... is why I came to this tower."
With a serious tone, they all focused.
Seeing their reactions, I began slowly.
"First, I need to explain... about Rafne."
And so I continued.
Rafne being a child of prophecy.
What happened if she fell into the Demon King's hands.
Why I challenged the tower to erase that prophecy, and ultimately, the ancient dragon Tarros we must defeat.
I told them everything they needed to know.
"R-Rafne was a child of prophecy too?"
Emily was most shocked.
As another child of prophecy, she'd wondered most about the one the Demon King's forces sought in that raid event.
Preliminaries done.
Why I challenge the tower, and why we'll clear it.
Now the big question.
"...Now that you know how dangerous the fights ahead are, I'll ask."
I looked around at them.
They met my eyes with stern faces.
"If you're out, now's the time. It could really be life-threatening. I'm already grateful you came this far—no one will blame you for leaving."
We could lose lives.
Challenging blindly was insane.
And staking life for me wasn't easy, even if to help.
So I explained everything and gave them the choice.
If most left, so be it.
Better than regretting if disaster struck unprepared.
Even with fewer, I'd push on.
With that resolve, I gave the unaware group their chance to bail.
And then.
"What are you saying? If it's that dangerous, we can't just send you alone!"
"Even if it meant going to the Demon King, I'd follow. Keep me by your side."
"I swore on my sword. If you challenge the ancient dragon, I'll be your blade."
As expected, they all affirmed with their own resolves.
Emily, Mary, and Siegfried.
All showed strong will, eyes on me.
"...Thank you."
I felt guilty dragging them to danger, but joy overwhelmed it.
Risking so much for me—and Rafne.
"Shall we do one more lap and head to the inn?"
"Sigh... Combat's exhausting. So many monsters...."
Emily rubbed her shoulders at my prepared words.
Mary extended a hand to the seated girl, smiling.
"You can leave if you want. I'll protect Ken."
"Don't make me laugh."
Emily smirked back, took her hand, and stood.
After more combat drills, we adapted to mass monsters.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After wrapping up in the tower, we exited and returned to our reserved inn.
The mass fights had drained us all.
After a simple meal, we retired to our rooms.
But I wasn't asleep yet.
Lying in bed, sorting thoughts, I sat up.
And spoke to the two others likely awake.
"You two... still up?"
My voice echoed in the quiet room.
Rustling from beds, then they sat up too.
"...What's this about?"
Siegfried asked, his usual stoic face sensing the tension.
I met their gazes.
Pondered briefly.
And spoke.
"I have a request for the two of you."