Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Grenade Throw
“So you already know why I came despite being busy, don’t you?”
Kaal spoke directly to the Duchess of Obury.
It wasn’t the kind of refined phrasing expected in high society, but she didn’t mind—at least not with him.
“Of course. It’s because of the climber KimHunter, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Have you—”
Kaal stopped mid-sentence and turned his head slightly, hiding a yawn.
He had come straight from overtime work, barely having slept.
“Ahem. My apologies. Have you been able to contact him?”
“No. Not even a single reply. It seems he has no intention of attending the party.”
“I see… From what I’ve observed, he only posts on the plaza and never leaves comments.”
Kaal had rushed to the party for one reason—
KimHunter.
As an official in the Imperial Foreign Ministry, he was responsible for matters related to climbers.
“If there’s a climber stronger than the Hero, we must secure him for the Empire.”
“We’re always grateful to you, Duchess. Even His Majesty expressed his thanks.”
“Oh my, isn’t that only natural for a loyal servant of the Empire?”
The Obury Ducal House had long been loyal to the imperial family.
Even now, after the appearance of the towers, the duchess continued to play a major role.
On the surface, she was merely a powerful figure in high society—
but behind the scenes, she carefully managed relationships between climbers and the Empire.
Several climbers had already been naturalized through her influence.
“Has the Foreign Ministry found anything?”
“Unfortunately, nothing. We’ve investigated every notable figure across the continent, but no new climber matches that level.”
“…The same on my side.”
A brief silence fell.
Between the duchy and the imperial intelligence network, their reach was vast.
Someone stronger than the Hero should have been impossible to miss.
Yet—
they had nothing.
“…Still, we must succeed. We can’t allow the Empire to end up like the Euroho Federation.”
Kaal broke the silence with a sigh.
“All factions are searching for KimHunter. We must find him first.”
“That’s actually fortunate. It means he’s acting alone.”
Indeed, KimHunter had become the hottest topic across all regions—
the Holy Nation, the North, the Beastfolk Alliance, the Forest of Verdure—
everyone was searching.
Which meant—
no one had found him yet.
“Let’s begin by thoroughly investigating within the Empire.”
“Do you have a method?”
“Who do you think I am?”
The duchess smiled faintly as she looked over the party.
Her method—
was the social world itself.
“…Looks like parties won’t stop anytime soon.”
“But this time, I can’t host it alone.”
“Then?”
“The imperial family must host it. Is that possible?”
She planned to mobilize the entire aristocracy.
The upcoming 700th anniversary of the Empire’s founding—
was the perfect opportunity.
“All noble families must attend. If the head cannot come, at least one representative must.”
“And the lords?”
“Have them gather rumors of any powerful new climbers in their territories.”
Kaal nodded—but raised a concern.
“What if KimHunter attends but hides his identity?”
The duchess laughed softly.
“Do you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
She was an expert at reading people.
No noble could hide their intentions from her forever.
“…Then another issue.”
“What is it?”
“What if he’s not a noble? Or hiding even from his own family?”
“That… would be harder.”
But she was already prepared.
“Then that’s your department. Intelligence.”
“…Understood.”
“Investigate magic stone circulation.”
“…Ah!”
Kaal immediately understood.
“If he’s hiding his identity, he’ll sell magic stones himself.”
“Exactly. And with a score like 15,000, he must have earned a lot.”
“Which means… a sudden large transaction will expose him.”
Magic stones could only be obtained from the tower.
Anyone suddenly handling large amounts—
would be suspicious.
“Impressive as always, Duchess.”
“If we still can’t find him… then he’s not from the Empire.”
“Even that knowledge gives us an advantage.”
“Precisely.”
And so—
the Empire began tracking every magic stone transaction.
Yet—
no trace of KimHunter appeared.
“…Nowhere to sell this.”
I muttered while looking at the magic stones.
Unlike yesterday—
I didn’t sell them immediately.
Selling kilograms two days in a row—
would draw suspicion.
“Earning 2kg in a day only makes sense on high floors of Hard difficulty.”
I had claimed to be a Normal climber.
So this would expose me.
“…Maybe a black market.”
As I climbed higher—
magic stones would pile up.
I needed a place that wouldn’t ask questions.
But for now—
nothing.
“At least we can survive a month.”
I could pay Ireni’s tuition.
That was enough for now.
[Challenge Floor 3 (Hell)? (O/X)]
No hesitation.
I pressed O.
A circular cavern this time.
Not a corridor—
but an open space.
At the center—
goblins performing a ritual.
“…That’s not archers.”
Instead—
goblin shamans.
Three of them.
Five hobgoblins.
Ten goblins.
They noticed me.
Charged.
I acted immediately.
[Grenade Throw]
I pulled the pin—
and tossed it over their heads.
Clink. Roll.
The grenade landed at the shamans’ feet.
They stared—
confused.
Their last moment.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the cavern.
Shrapnel tore through them.
Nothing recognizable remained.
The remaining goblins panicked.
Gunfire echoed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each cylinder emptied—
another hobgoblin fell.
Reload.
Fire.
Repeat.
Soon—
all five hobgoblins collapsed.
The remaining goblins rushed in—
as expected.
[Grenade Throw]
Another grenade.
Explosion.
Silence.
“…Perfect.”
Five bullets—
ten bullets’ worth of damage—
spread across ten enemies.
Exactly enough.
“Saved my enhanced ammo.”
Everything—
calculated.
[Floor 3 (Hell) cleared!]
[Calculating score and rank…]
And once again—
the rewards began to pour in.