Chapter 13
Chapter 13
I’ll Be Attending the Founding Festival ^^
[Title: I’ll be attending the founding festival ^^]
Author: KimHunter
I dropped by the Climbers’ Plaza and it seems everyone is talking about me again ^^ (so shy)
How did you all figure out I’m going to the festival haha
Oh right. Two days ago after clearing Floor 5, I got this message—does anyone know what it means?
(Photo: system message showing 12 hours remaining until tower reset)
It says I achieved a hidden condition and the tower is changing~?
Because of that I couldn’t even enter the tower and was bored to death
Though I’m not sure if I’ll be able to clear Floor 6 right away since it’s the festival, haha
Anyway, see you all at the festival ><
“Keuheuheu… this should do it.”
I grinned wickedly as I reread the post.
I hinted at why I couldn’t climb—
and openly said I was attending the festival.
But revealed nothing about my identity.
Comments flooded in instantly.
“???! He actually showed up”
“You’re really going to the festival?”
“So who are you??”
“Hidden condition? That exists?”
“Never seen that before”
“Does that happen if your score is high?”
“The system message looks real”
“So who is KimHunter?”
“Are you climbing right after reset ends?”
“We need to watch for nobles sneaking out during the party”
“What if he’s not a noble?”
“He could just be a commoner sightseeing”
“Or a foreign guest?”
“Tell us who you are already!”
“QueenOfSociety: I hope you enjoy the festival, KimHunter ^^ Would you care for a dance if time allows?”
“HolySword: I would like to speak with you at the festival.”
“HolySword: Will you meet me?”
“HolySword: KimHunter? Please reply.”
“But how are we supposed to meet if we don’t know who you are?”
“Are you even a noble?”
“You didn’t even say you’re attending the banquet specifically”
“You can’t just say this and disappear!”
…
“Hahahahaha!”
I burst out laughing while reading the reactions.
As expected—
saying I’d attend made everything explode.
But my identity?
Still completely hidden.
“Never telling.”
I didn’t reply to a single comment.
Same pattern as always—
post and disappear.
No matter how much chaos erupted in the comments.
It was like scratching an itch—
then stopping halfway.
Making it worse.
“…Tempting to push it further.”
The reactions were addictive.
Almost made me want to play a guessing game with them.
But no—
too risky.
“I could fake an identity… no, that’s a bad idea.”
Crossing that line would only backfire later.
Better to stick to truth—
and manipulate perception.
“That’s enough.”
The plan was simple.
Act like nothing.
Post occasionally.
Confuse them just enough.
“…This is actually fun.”
I checked a few more posts—
then looked into Floor 6 information.
“Quest-type floors start from here…”
Unlike before—
you don’t just kill monsters.
You complete objectives.
Interact with NPCs.
Follow conditions.
“…This might take longer.”
And one more concern—
“The reset.”
If my tower changes completely—
existing strategies might be useless.
“…Guess I’ll find out soon.”
A few hours later—
the carriage arrived at the capital.
“Madam! Duchess Obury!”
The day before the festival—
a noblewoman rushed toward the Duchess.
Out of breath.
Ignoring decorum.
“Compose yourself.”
The Duchess’s voice cut sharply.
Only then did the woman realize her dress was disheveled.
“Follow me.”
Inside—
many nobles had already gathered.
“All of you saw the plaza, I assume.”
The Duchess spoke calmly.
“KimHunter has posted.”
This gathering—
was no coincidence.
It was part of a plan.
Operation: Pearl of the Sands.
Identify KimHunter during the festival.
“What do you think?”
Opinions clashed immediately.
“He’ll attend. It seems genuine.”
“No—he wants to stay hidden.”
“It could be misdirection.”
Debate intensified.
Each noble analyzing intent.
Reading between the lines.
Because in high society—
words are weapons.
‘Impressive…’
Even the Duchess couldn’t read him fully.
A single post—
had thrown them all into confusion.
‘His control over the plaza… remarkable.’
She realized something.
Influence didn’t require constant engagement.
Just—
perfectly placed words.
“…Is he even from the Empire?”
Questions piled up.
No answers.
Then—
Clap!
A sharp sound silenced the room.
A young woman stepped forward.
Lien Obury
The Duchess’s daughter.
“Overthinking won’t solve this.”
Her voice was calm—
but commanding.
“If we can’t read him, we return to basics.”
Observe.
Gather information.
Follow the plan.
“Do your part. That’s enough.”
The room settled.
She raised her glass.
“Let’s give a performance worthy of drawing him out.”
The nobles followed.
The festival had begun.
And somewhere within it—
a certain fallen baron’s son quietly stepped into the stage.