Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Hidden Clear
“I think this should be enough.”
“I wish I could get my son even better clothes… I’m sorry for being such a poor mother.”
“I told you, it’s fine.”
My mother adjusted my tie, then suddenly began to cry.
After safely bringing back the money, we immediately began preparing for the founding festival.
I had enough money—
but I didn’t bother buying extravagant formal wear.
“Now we just need to arrange a carriage.”
The only thing left was transportation to the capital.
“Is that much escort really enough?”
“Mother, I’m a climber, remember?”
We decided to keep the escort minimal.
The Empire’s roads were well maintained.
And at the festival, I needed to act like a normal-difficulty climber.
I couldn’t reveal that I was KimHunter—
but I still had to show that our fallen family was recovering.
A “moderately successful climber” image.
If I brought too many guards, it would raise suspicion.
“…I might as well expand my connections there.”
I had always planned to rebuild the family through business or investment.
And this festival—
gathered every noble.
A perfect opportunity.
“We leave tomorrow.”
“You’ll be alright, son?”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay, brother?”
At dinner, my family looked worried.
They wanted me to bring servants—
but I refused.
“We don’t have enough yet. And everything will be provided there anyway.”
After the meal, I returned to my room.
“…Let’s check the plaza.”
Lying on my bed, I opened the Climbers’ Plaza.
In a world without much entertainment—
this was pure dopamine.
The plaza was lively.
Posts flooded in.
[Help me choose a dress for the festival]
[Anyone cleared Floor 41 Normal with ranged traits?]
[These nobles are so loud, seriously]
[Nothing but festival posts lately]
[If KimHunter is a noble, he might attend the festival]
[Commoner climbers who weren’t invited, spam likes lol]
[The real reason the Empire invited all nobles = KimHunter]
[KimHunter topped rankings again, is he just the Hero now?]
“…Even here?”
Even among festival talk—
my name appeared constantly.
People were already connecting me to the event.
I opened the most popular post.
[Title: Why the Empire invited all nobles—because of KimHunter]
The Empire ordered all nobles to attend the festival
And also told them to gather rumors about strong climbers
They’re clearly trying to find KimHunter
Do you think they’ll succeed?
…
Most responses dismissed it.
“No way they can find him.”
“He can just stay silent.”
“What if he’s not even from the Empire?”
I nodded.
“Exactly.”
Even if every noble gathered—
as long as I said nothing—
no one would know.
Still—
one topic caught my attention.
Floor 5.
“…A mid-boss.”
Every fifth floor had one.
On Hard difficulty—
Goblin Lord.
On Hell—
likely something worse.
“I should clear it before leaving.”
Departure was tomorrow morning.
Tonight—
I climb.
I checked my ammo.
71 standard bullets.
6 enhanced.
“…Might need all of them.”
Better to overprepare.
After browsing a bit more—
midnight arrived.
[Challenge Tower Floor 5? (O/X)]
I entered immediately.
The moment I arrived—
a grotesque sound filled the air.
Goblins.
Singing.
A horrifying chorus.
But—
not just that.
“P-please… spare us…”
“Help…”
Human voices.
Crying.
“…What?”
This wasn’t in any guide.
Beyond the noise—
I saw them.
Captured humans.
Surrounded by goblins.
“This… wasn’t mentioned.”
And more—
far more enemies than expected.
Hobgoblins.
Goblin shamans.
And—
a massive figure.
A Hobgoblin Lord.
“…And he talks?”
“You… human…”
It spoke.
Rough—
but clearly.
Impossible for this floor.
“Kill… him…!”
It commanded.
The entire group turned toward me.
“Save us!”
“Please!”
The captives cried out.
“…Damn it.”
If I used grenades—
they’d die too.
I dove behind a rock.
Shaman spells flew past.
“…Think.”
Too many enemies.
Too dangerous to fight normally.
I took out five enhanced bullets.
“…All in.”
[Grenade Throw]
Five enhanced rounds—
ten times damage—
multiplied again.
Equivalent to 100 normal bullets.
I rolled the grenade forward.
Clink… clink…
It stopped in front of the Hobgoblin Lord.
“…This is—”
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion tore through the cavern.
The ground shattered.
A crater formed.
When the smoke cleared—
everything was gone.
The Hobgoblin Lord—
gone.
The hobgoblins—
gone.
Only the shamans remained—
stunned.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I shot them one by one.
Five reload cycles—
ten shamans dead.
“…Done.”
Silence.
Smoke.
Bodies.
And—
humans staring in shock.
I freed them.
“Are you alright?”
“G-God…!”
“Thank you!”
“I’m not a god…”
Apparently—
I looked like one.
Well—
fair enough.
That explosion was absurd.
“Please—”
[Floor 5 (Hell) cleared!]
“…Ah.”
Perfect timing.
“I have to go now.”
“Wait! How should we address you?!”
“…KimHunter.”
“KimHunter-nim!”
“Long live KimHunter!”
“…Why are they like this?”
I just nodded awkwardly.
Score calculation complete
Score: 18,199
Rank: S++
New record!
Another record.
Of course.
I turned to leave—
but then—
Hidden condition achieved!
Tower configuration updated!
Reconfiguration in 3 days
Tower access restricted during this period
“…What?”
A message I had never seen before appeared.