Chapter 7
Chapter 7
~Brillord Empire Climbers’ Party Invitation~ (Nobles Only) (Hard Difficulty)
“What is this… this post smells weird.”
I read the post uploaded by QueenOfSociety.
It was a typical party invitation—
with a slight touch of community flair.
So that’s why she was making such a fuss about me reading it.
She wanted to invite me.
“…So it’s the Duchess of Obury.”
Judging by the location—
there was no doubt.
The Duchess of Obury.
A famous figure not just in the Brillord Empire—
but across the entire world’s high society.
The so-called “Big Mother” of the social world.
If anyone could call themselves “Queen of Society” without being ridiculous—
it was her.
If she had called herself Empress, she might’ve been executed—
but “Queen” was just acceptable enough.
The Obury Ducal House itself rivaled small kingdoms.
In every way—
she was influential.
“But what’s with this ‘special invitation’…”
The party was meant only for noble climbers of Hard difficulty within the empire.
But no one knew my identity.
Not my nationality.
Not my status.
Not even my difficulty.
Everyone assumed I was Hard—
which was already wrong.
“…Not that I’m going anyway.”
She clearly expected me to attend.
Even implying she’d naturalize me if needed.
Her intention was obvious—
she wanted ties with a rising star.
“Yeah… not my type.”
I was technically a noble—
but a fallen one.
And dealing with someone like her—
the peak of aristocratic pretense—
was the last thing I wanted.
More importantly—
I had no intention of revealing my identity.
“Best option: ignore.”
No reply.
No reaction.
That was the cleanest way.
Better to maintain my current persona—
just posting and stirring things up.
[Rare Skill Book]
Now that I was done browsing—
it was time.
I carefully opened the skill book.
It dissolved into light—
and flowed into my body.
[Grenade Throw (Rare)]
“…Grenade?”
The name alone was familiar.
Still, I checked the details.
[Grenade Throw (Rare)]
Consumes 5 bullets of the same grade to throw a grenade
Deals damage equal to 2× the total bullet damage, evenly distributed among targets hit
“…That’s broken.”
First—
cost.
Five bullets per grenade.
Same grade required.
So—
five enhanced bullets = enhanced grenade.
Meaning—
10× stronger than normal.
Second—
damage.
Five bullets → ten bullets worth of damage.
And that damage is split evenly among all targets in range.
If five enemies are hit—
each takes damage equal to two bullets.
“So efficiency doubles…”
That alone was absurd.
Double efficiency—
plus area damage.
“The key is positioning.”
Direct hits didn’t matter.
As long as they were within the blast radius—
they took equal damage.
So—
maximize enemy density.
“…Familiar.”
The name might be ordinary—
but the effect wasn’t.
Still—
for someone from my past life—
throwing grenades wasn’t exactly foreign.
“Feels like muscle memory.”
But unlike reality—
this was far more powerful.
“Definitely not posting this.”
No matter how fun the plaza was—
this stays hidden.
Skills = power.
Revealing it would be suicidal.
Especially my trait.
Others grow stronger physically.
I just—
pull a trigger.
If they found out?
The consequences were unpredictable.
“…Current ammo.”
70 standard bullets.
3 enhanced.
Not exactly abundant.
I used 30 bullets on Floor 2 alone.
But with grenade efficiency—
I could stretch my resources.
[Floor 3 Strategy Guide – Hard Difficulty]
Author: DesertPhilosopher
I opened the guide.
“Five goblin warriors… three goblin archers.”
So from Floor 3—
ranged enemies appear.
Even on lower difficulties.
And many climbers get injured here for the first time.
“…Archers are annoying.”
Even for me—
ranged vs ranged wasn’t simple.
Hell difficulty likely meant—
more enemies.
And archers hiding behind them.
Bullets don’t pierce.
So—
frontline goblins would block shots.
Meanwhile—
archers fire freely.
“That’s a problem.”
But then—
I smiled.
[Grenade Throw (Rare)]
“…Solved.”
No need to aim through gaps.
Just throw over them.
Blow up everything behind.
“Sorry for underestimating you.”
Classic tools—
exist for a reason.
This skill might’ve just saved my life.
Knock knock.
“Son… are you alright?”
My mother entered.
Concern filled her face.
“Of course.”
She hesitated—
then spoke.
“I heard… to earn 1kg of magic stones on normal difficulty, you need multiple runs… or higher floors…”
“….”
“So I was worried. Are you pushing yourself too hard for us?”
“…Mother.”
She was right.
Normally—
this wouldn’t be possible.
But—
“I’m fine. I haven’t even been injured once.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. And it’s not just magic stones. The tower gives many valuable things.”
“So… Ireni’s tuition…”
“I’ll cover it.”
“…My son…”
Tears filled her eyes again.
Even now—
she only thought about us.
Not herself.
“…We’ll need more than this.”
Magic stones alone weren’t enough.
We needed business.
Investments.
Long-term recovery.
Even if I reached the top someday—
there were no guarantees.
“…But for now.”
I clenched my fist slightly.
“I’ll keep climbing.”
Because right now—
that was the fastest way forward.