The Truth Evaluator
After returning to my room and taking a bath.
"Hahaha!"
I was watching a variety show I had been putting off for a long time.
Ah.
This is the life.
How long had it been since I laughed like this without a single care in the world?
My stomach was full, the sofa was plush, and both my body and mind were completely at ease.
Kya.
What a paradise. It felt like a dream. It was just too good.
"Hehehe."
I wasn't laughing because the show was particularly funny.
I was laughing because my current situation was just so damn good.
Then again, if I were watching a variety show in a house ruined by rental fraud, there was no way I'd be laughing.
I was happy.
Even in a situation where it wouldn't be strange if I died tomorrow, I was happy.
Ring, ring, ring.
It was then.
The intercom-like phone installed in the lodging rang. I picked it up; it was the Association.
"Right now?"
They were asking if I could come down to the Information Analysis Team.
Hmm.
Well, it wasn't like I had anything else to do. They sounded like they were in a hurry, so there was no reason not to go.
"Sure. I'll be right there."
I got dressed and headed over to the Information Analysis Team.
An official guided me to a consultation room.
The room felt... like a hospital waiting room, for lack of a better word. It was white, monochromatic, with a somewhat awkward-looking sofa placed inside...
But why were there so many people here?
"Hello."
"Mr. Lee Taepyeong, thank you for coming on such short notice."
"Don't mention it. I was just resting anyway."
It wasn't just officials in the room.
While the officials all wore the same uniform, there was one person dressed in civilian clothes like me. A face I had never seen before.
"So, what did you call me in for?"
I had already given my statement. Why was the scribe from earlier here too?
"Ah, there is something we need to verify one more time."
"Like what?"
"To confirm whether your statement is the 'truth.'"
"Excuse me?"
This was a bit absurd. To confirm if it was the truth? Did that mean they thought I was lying?
"Ah, of course, we aren't saying you lied at all!"
As if reading my expression, the official waved his hands in a panic.
"It's just that the things you told us are so incredibly shocking..."
"Ah..."
"Since it's critical information, we need to properly verify its authenticity."
Well, that made sense.
I had returned from the Hide-and-Seek Map in just ten minutes. Even I had to admit it sounded ridiculous.
If I hadn't been born with the Heavenly Slaughter Star trait, I wouldn't have believed it either.
Right, the officials were just doing their jobs.
I nodded.
"Sure. That's fine by me."
"Thank you so much!"
Once I agreed, the stranger sat down across from me.
"Ah, this gentleman possesses the trait Truth-Piercing Eyes."
Truth-Piercing Eyes? Talk about a straightforward name.
The man bowed his head politely. I bowed back in greeting.
"You just need to answer the Truth Evaluator's questions."
"Alright. Let's do it."
We locked eyes.
The Truth Evaluator's eyes seemed to gleam with a strange light.
After taking a deep breath, the Truth Evaluator spoke.
"Was the map you were assigned upon entering the tower the 'Hide-and-Seek' map?"
This was a truth that didn't even need questioning.
"Yes. It was the Hide-and-Seek Map."
"...It is the truth."
Every time I answered, the Truth Evaluator's eyes flashed.
So that was how his trait worked. Pretty neat.
Anyway, the questions continued.
Did I really reach level 10?
Did I really 'kill' the Sullae?
On top of that, they re-verified my newly acquired skills and trait.
Of course...
"I-it is the truth..."
Every single result was 'truth.'
Well, obviously. Why would I lie?
The officials all wore expressions of sheer shock, and the Truth Evaluator was no different.
"H-he really..."
"Killed the Sullae...!"
"Ignoring defense? Is that even possible?"
"And does the Heavenly Slaughter Star even make sense in the first place?"
"...My trait identified it as the truth, so it is the truth."
A heated debate broke out. There was only one answer I could give.
"Yep!"
It's all true!
"..."
"..."
"..."
Silence enveloped the consultation room. Or rather, it was 'shock.'
Was this really something to be so surprised about?
Aren't high-ranking hunters monsters who chew up the tower all by themselves? Compared to them, I was pretty normal...
"How could this happen..."
...Was I not normal?
Tsk.
"W-we should send Mr. Lee Taepyeong back first!"
"Right! He must be so exhausted!"
Uh, I'm not really that tired, though...
"Take him back immediately!"
"Y-yes, sir! I'll escort you right away..."
Whoa, hold on. The atmosphere was getting weird.
"No, it's fine."
I waved my hands and stood up.
"I can go back on my own. We're in the same building anyway."
"But..."
"I'm really fine. Besides, you guys are watching everything through the CCTV anyway."
"H-how did you know..."
"Ah, I could just feel the eyes on me..."
Hehe. I scratched the back of my head with an awkward grin.
"Anyway, since all your questions are answered, I'll be heading back!"
"...Y-yes!"
"Please get back safely!"
The officials bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
For some reason, even the Truth Evaluator, a fellow hunter, bowed deeply as well.
Ah, this is getting a bit burdensome.
But I couldn't lose. I bowed back at a ninety-degree angle to everyone.
"Keep up the good work, then!!!"
I rested comfortably by myself for about two days.
I ate, giggled while watching Netflix, took naps, ate again, caught up on webtoons, did some light exercise, showered, and slept some more.
It was a monotonous routine in a way, but to me, it was incredibly fun.
Leisure. Just being able to have that was a privilege.
However, letting myself go too much wasn't a good idea either.
After all, being a hunter meant constantly risking my life. If I got lazy, I would fall behind.
I signed up for a class and headed to the training center.
"Hello!"
Surprisingly, I was the only one taking the class. It was basically private tutoring.
Apparently, it was hard for hunters to coordinate their schedules to take classes together, and most of them didn't bother with basic education anyway. They said they'd rather train during that time.
But my thoughts were different. You have to know things to see them, you have to see them to move, and you have to move to survive.
"The biggest reason we climb the tower is..."
An instructor who looked like he belonged in an online lecture series continued his explanation. Some of it I already knew, and some of it I didn't.
As the tower climb progresses, Contribution Points accumulate. The more Contribution Points a country has, the safer it becomes. That is why hunters are given various rewards.
Are rewards all there is? No. There are plenty of other ways to make a profit. The starting point for that profit is level 10.
From level 10 onward, you are treated as an official hunter, not a newbie. Ah, I don't mean the government recognizes you. The System does.
From level 10, you can bring items out of the tower. This is called harvesting. From mana stones to potions and items... all of these translate directly into cash.
On top of that, from level 10, you earn 'points' in the system. Points are acquired by defeating monsters or other races in the tower. They accumulate in proportion to Contribution Points, but they can be used personally.
What can you do with these points? You can use them in the tower shop connected to the system. Meaning, you can buy all kinds of things unavailable on Earth with these points. Many hunters make money by reselling items purchased with points. You could call it their primary source of income.
Whether obtained by clearing the tower or from the tower shop, everything gained from the tower becomes money. And a lot of it, at that.
So, it made me think, I guess risking your life as a hunter is actually worth it.
"Therefore, a hunter is..."
The instructor's explanation continued. To summarize today's lesson:
1. The country only becomes safe when hunters climb the tower. This was common sense.
2. Hunters receive various rewards from the state, including tax exemptions, but their main income lies elsewhere. Specifically, the various items obtained from the tower. The instructor explained which items were lucrative and how they were appraised. Since prices varied wildly depending on the item, each hunter's income also differed greatly.
3. There are special items that can only be obtained with points. This is also a major source of income. Although the instructor wasn't a hunter, he knew the details of how to use points. He explained that you just need to access the system, open the shop, and buy the items you need with your points. He even gave a tip to read the descriptions carefully before buying, as purchases are non-refundable.
I'll have to try it out later.
Right now, I had zero points. Although I had killed countless monsters and other races, those were all slain before I reached level 10, so they didn't count toward my points.
Well, whatever. I could always kill plenty more in the future.
Ah, wait. That didn't mean I was going to go around slaughtering everything just for points. That would make me a serial killer. A psychopath.
Ahem. Anyway.
"Since you've reached level 10, you will probably need a party soon."
The instructor pushed up his glasses and looked at me.
A party... Do I really have to form one? Given the nature of my abilities, working with others felt a bit uncomfortable.
"A party is absolutely necessary."
The instructor spoke as if he had read my mind.
W-what! Did he have mind-reading powers or something?!
"Even for the sake of the 'profits' I just mentioned, a party is essential."
What was he talking about now?
"To bring resources out of the tower, you need a supporter."
A supporter?
"They are also referred to as porters."
Porters?
"It refers to hunters with excellent inventory capabilities. Those who possess sub-space traits, for instance..."
"Ah."
"Porters allow you to bring back a massive amount of resources from the tower."
"Oh."
"These hunters are the core that drives the tower's economy."
I nodded. It made sense. No matter how many resources you gathered, it would be a waste if you couldn't bring them back.
"But supporters don't just carry luggage. They hone skills to literally 'support' the party."
Like buffs and debuffs?
"Of course, their combat capabilities are lacking."
Hmm, then wouldn't they die?
As if reading my mind once again, the instructor pushed up his glasses.
"And naturally, there are hunters whose job is to protect these supporters and other party members."
Protection. That didn't really suit me.
"They are called tanks."
Ah, tanks.
"Simply put, it's a role that takes the enemy's attacks with their entire body."
I know, I know.
"Forcing the enemy's attacks toward themselves. In that manner..."
"Aggro! Drawing aggro."
Since this was something I knew well, I chimed in.
The instructor glanced at me and nodded.
"Tsk... Yes."
Uh... Did I just draw aggro?
"Damage dealers, healers, tanks, and supporters."
This was familiar. Naturally, I knew what a damage dealer was.
"Usually, a party composed of these four roles climbs the tower together."
"I see."
I nodded along, but it didn't really hit home. Did I really need to join a party? I was perfectly satisfied with my life right now. I was fine just living like this...
Was I being too complacent?
Right then, the instructor stared at me with flashing eyes.
"Mr. Lee Taepyeong, you are—!"