Clearing My Fallen Noble Status

"Oh?"

I let out a gasp of admiration at the notifications scrolling down. I'd shattered the highest score and top grade on the 1st floor. Probably thanks to clearing it on Hell difficulty, which netted me even higher points.

And the rewards started pouring in. The basics were Magic Stones and Revolver Regular Bullets. Magic Stones were the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠standard Tower reward. Normally, 1g went for about 10,000 Gel. Gel was this world's currency unit—think Korean won in modern terms.

In other words, I'd just made a million won.

Climbers on Easy got maybe dozens of grams per floor. But 100g at once? Hell difficulty rewards were no joke.

And the bullets refilled per floor, too.

But that wasn't the end ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of it.

The rewards began glowing alongside these notifications. First clear on Hell? That meant I was the world's pioneer for Hell climbs. As long as no one else picked Hell, I'd keep snagging these first-clear bonuses.

A bit more generous now. A few shots and two million won? Total profit.

But wait, there was more.

Bonuses for top score and grade piled on. The rewards enhanced again, flaring up with a triumphant fanfare.

Whoosh—

"Oh?"

I couldn't help but get pumped seeing the rewards triple-enhanced. The Magic Stones had ballooned from 100g to a full kilogram. That's ten million won, just like that.

"Our family's saved!"

One floor clear for ten mil? Beyond profitable—this was economic creation. Rewards would only grow on higher floors. Keep grinding like this, and reviving the family was in reach. No more fallen noble life for me.

"And... Enhanced Bullets?"

But what really got my blood racing was the new bonus.

The ones I'd used were labeled regular. Enhanced had to be better, right? They gave out 30 regulars like candy, but even after all the enhancements, only 3 enhanced ones.

"Oh!"

Simple but clear. Already strong, but 10x? The hobgoblin took 6 regular shots to drop. With enhanced, one-shot city.

Killing Tower beasts felt like a game system. In reality, one bullet doesn't always kill unless it's a vital hit—they linger. But the goblins dropped instantly from one shot. Deal enough damage threshold, and they die.

Regular goblin: 1 regular bullet's damage.

Hobgoblin: 6 regular bullets' worth.

Tower interiors and climbers were ruled by the system—like a game.

"Anyway, whatever."

Didn't matter. Fight and lose, you die. Key point: enhanced bullets were OP. But only 3, so save for bosses.

"Time to head out?"

Ten mil richer. Craving meat I hadn't had in ages.

But the Tower notifications weren't done.

Bonus for clear grade, too. Highest before was S, I think. S++ was two steps above.

A plain-looking key dropped as reward. But iridescent rainbow metal—not ordinary.

Just a souvenir for doing well? Whatever—Magic Stones and enhanced bullets were plenty.

Tucked the S++ Clear Key safely in my pocket.

Finally, double level-up. I felt stronger, senses sharper.

I hit Y without hesitation. White light flooded my vision, a pleasant floating sensation washing over me.

"Aigoo... Aigoo..."

The wails of "aigoo" echoed through the Hyger estate, same as before my Tower trip.

But from today, no more wailing Hyger family. Fallen noble era ends now. Time to declare a flashy comeback to noble society!

Bang—!

"Father! Mother! I've done it!"

I burst into the family hall, yelling. The rickety hinges finally gave way, door crashing down.

"Aigoo, my door!"

Father wailed over the dearly departed door, battered and still in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠death.

"It's fine, Father. I've done it!"

"Aigoo, done what, Ian?"

Even with his son devouring the door, Father didn't rage. Bourgeois poise lost, but character intact.

"Done what, son? Fucked up?"

Mother's elegant tone slipping into crudeness. Family downfall let her inner thoughts leak occasionally, but she was good people.

I shouted freely—no hiding needed. Only family around.

"I've done it! I'm a Climber now!"

"What?!"

"My son's a Climber?!"

"Yes! And I earned Magic Stones! A whole 1kg!"

"Wooooh!"

"Kyaaaah!"

Father and Mother leaped up, dancing wildly. Father's back gave out quick, but smiles stayed.

"Sniff... Ian, to be in debt to my own son. Shameful as family head."

"Don't say that, Father. You tried to protect us."

Once calmed, Father wiped tears. Truth: good man, zero talent. Pre-Tower, prime land kept us afloat without effort. Kindness his only tool—fact he'd done nothing post-fall. But no grudges. Surviving was his win.

"Aish, so noisy! Ceiling's shaking—quiet down!"

Sister stormed up from below. Puberty peak, prickly age. Fallen family meant no luxuries like peers. Parents wailed, she griped—our daily routine.

But that ends today!

"Sis, sorry from big bro. No jewels like other ladies, no academy, no tutors. Tough, huh?"

"Wh-what? Don't get weird. N-not tough or anything. What do ya take me for?!"

"Yeah? Then no need for this?"

"Wh-what's that? No way... Magic Stones?"

"Yup! Big bro awakened as Climber!"

"Kyaa! Bro's the best!"

Lol—sis checked the pile and cracked up with us. Family bliss like this? Ages.

Dance frenzy over, we settled to talk.

"Ahem. Anyway, this is Magic Stones. Sell for about ten mil Gel."

"Ahh... but Ian. You suffered in the Tower for this—okay for us to use?"

"For the family. Can't even hire a servant now. I'll earn more. We'll reclaim bit by bit."

Sob—family tears flowed. Prickly sis teared up too.

Reviving needs cash everywhere. Tower income good, but side hustles better. Taxes all to palace—no domain revenue. Other ops later.

Priority first.

"Ireni, you're enrolling in the academy."

Sister's academy—16, high school entry age. Empire nobles start middle school latest. But house poverty: no academy, no tutors.

"Wh-what? No thanks! Academy now? Pfft."

I stood firm.

"Rare, but nobles start high school. You'd crush it."

"Nooo? Tuition's insane—ten mil won't even cover graduation!"

"Fine. I'll send more as I earn. Study hard."

"Told ya no! Not interested!"

"Ireni!!"

I snapped at her refusals. I knew: tsundere act, not real.

"Think I didn't notice you locking the door and studying secretly?"

"H-how'd you... bro..."

"No way! Ireni, all those 'stay out' were for studying?"

"Yes, Mother. Old books, locked door so we wouldn't worry."

"Sniff... My failure—no academy. Sorry, Ireni. Worst parents..."

"Th-that was just boredom! No parties, no hobbies—super annoying! Why bring it up?!"

Ireni bolted up, clutching skirts, yelling. Classic teen sis.

But at my age, knew puberty = dishonest.

"It's fine. Parties, dresses, hobbies, academy—all yours now."

"But...!"

"And Ireni, you've loved economics since kid. Researcher dream. Empire has spots—prep now, it's yours."

"Wh-why remember that...!"

She spun away, shoulders shaking.

Brillroad Empire: progressive medieval. Women in academia common.

"G-go if going—bro too! You skipped academy same. Undergrad entry possible, right?"

Ah, that bugged her. Never went either. Felt guilty going alone.

But Ireni, I'm good. Past life covered it. College sucks anyway. Tower + academy? Brainmelt.

"Nah. Didn't study like you, no academic itch."

"Still..."

"Your dream's my dream, sis."

"Bro!"

Whoosh—she crashed into me, bawling. I patted her back, grinning. Teary parents joined the hug.

Happy tears nonstop.

Mid-embrace, Mother spoke up.