Zion Warriorzz
After passing the 47th floor, the party members' attitudes started to turn a bit odd.
At first, I figured it was just their mood swinging.
“Leon-nim. This path is safer.”
“Ah, yes.”
But suddenly they started attaching honorifics like crazy, even brought water on their own, and when resting, they cleared the spot for me.
The shield-wielding uncle brought a cloth from somewhere and laid it on the floor for me when I tried to set my bag down.
“Leon-nim, please sit here.”
“...Yes.”
What the hell, why are these guys acting like this?
I thought after clearing 47 floors, there was some custom where everyone uses honorifics, but they were still talking casually among themselves, so it must be just for me.
Finally, as we neared the 48th floor, I couldn't hold back and asked.
“Hey, Mr. Karon.”
“Yes! What is it?”
“Why are you suddenly using honorifics with me?”
“...Just because.”
“Just because?”
“Yes. Just...”
Suspicious.
Well, since they're being nice to me, no need to ask.
When they reached the 49th floor, Karon's party stopped and didn't go further.
“We’re thinking of heading down now. We’ve hunted enough today. Leon-nim, are you coming down with us?”
“I’m going to stay a bit longer. I’m a little disappointed.”
“Wuu... I see...”
Why the sigh of relief?
The reaction was weird, but Karon didn't explain further.
Instead, he set down the bag he was carrying and started pulling out the mana stones and leather he had gathered today.
“Then, let's distribute the spoils.”
Ah, that's right.
The mana stones and leather were all taken by them, so I had forgotten.
Money is good, more the better.
As someone who has survived hours on the market floor for just one coin, I had no reason to dislike money.
But today, the purpose of entering the Tower wasn't to make money.
It was to test the lightning gun in real combat and to let loose with the Black Flame Dragon as much as I wanted.
That was the main goal of this climb.
It had been done to some extent, and above all, since I had come this far, I wanted to take a look at the 50th floor.
But now, with all these mana stones and leather laid out.
Who caught how many, who finished how many, dividing shares...
Ah... I'm already tired of this.
“No, just take them.”
“...Huh?”
“Take them all.”
“But this amount is quite valuable...”
“What's the big deal.”
When I said that, did I sound a bit like English and Rich?
I can say lines like that now too.
I guess I'll live long and see.
Ah, mouth.
High-density mana reaction confirmed.
Revenge attribute resistance detected.
I lightly suppressed the collection of modern technology and looked up, but the atmosphere was weird again.
Not just Karon, but all the other party members were staring at me with dumbfounded expressions.
“T-thank you!”
“Thank you so much, Leon-nim!”
“I will never forget the grace I received today!”
Suddenly, all four bowed deeply at the waist.
One had his waist bent at a right angle, and the archer came forward as if to grab my hand.
I felt burdened and took a step back.
“No, why so much...”
“Just because of Leon-nim, even the money I earned today...!”
Karon started speaking but suddenly shut his mouth.
Then he glanced at the archer and cleared his throat unnecessarily.
“Hm... Anyway, thank you very much.”
“...Yes. What.”
I don't quite understand how much gratitude this is.
How much are a few mana stones and leather worth.
After packing their stuff, Karon's party headed down to the lower floors.
Just before entering the passage, Karon turned back to me.
“Leon-nim.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t approach the entrance of the 50th floor closely.”
“Why?”
This time, his expression was quite serious.
“From the 50th floor, gatekeepers appear at regular intervals. The first one is the Black Knight of the 50th floor.”
“Black... Knight?”
The name alone is super cool.
I have to see this.
“He has strong resistance to most magical and physical attacks. There's also talk that after enduring one attack, he becomes even stronger against similar systems.”
“So he's that strong?”
“Most climbers see entering the 50th floor alone as a suicide mission.”
The archer next to him nodded.
“The current solo clear record is over 6 minutes.”
“Who’s that?”
“I heard it was a mage named Zenith Meyrud... I think. It was said that she was promoted to Grand Magus recently. I don't remember well.”
“Meyrud?”
I heard the name somewhere...
Ah, that person who was Iris's sister or something.
It seems she blatantly ignored my wife No. 2.
I didn't hear about her being a Grand Magus, though.
“Anyway. You must not enter alone.”
“Yes, yes.”
Since Karon thought my vague answer was suspicious, he repeated similar words several times before descending with the group.
“Be careful.”
“Leon-nim, be careful too.”
After the four's footsteps completely faded, I slowly turned my head to the opposite side.
Not far away, a huge black door stood.
The entrance to the 50th floor.
“...”
People say if you don't want to do something, you want to do it more.
Of course, logically, it would be better to turn back.
Entering alone is a suicide mission, and even Zenith, a Grand Magus, had to fight over 6 minutes.
But...
Do I need to be scared?
But I'm a munchkin.
I caught a lich who broke human limits,
and blew up the space magic training ground of the great 1st Magic Tower head.
Just before, I melted four tough golems with strong magic resistance with one Black Flame Dragon.
What difference does a Black Knight make?
“Hehe. The Black Knight looks cool.”
Without much thought, I walked towards the black door.
Kugugugu—
With both hands pushing, accompanied by a heavy friction sound, the huge door slowly opened inward.
Beyond it, a wide space like a round arena unfolded.
And in the center of it, a huge black armored figure was kneeling on the floor, embedded the handle of a greatsword.
Twice my height?
The black armor surface was full of old wounds, and from the gaps, dark mana was flowing out like smoke.
“Oooh...”
How dirty cool.
As I entered the arena a few steps, the Black Knight slowly raised its head.
A new solo challenger has been detected.
Confirming challenger information.
Loading existing record.
“What the, this is super game-like?”
It seems the Tower not only records who clears the gatekeeper, but also how fast they clear it.
Just then, the Black Knight grabbed the handle of the greatsword and started to stand up.
Kwoong—
The huge greatsword scraped the floor, and pitch-black mana spread widely across the entire arena.
Current solo record.
6 minutes 32 seconds.
Record holder: Zenith Meyrud.
“6 minutes 32 seconds...”
I don't know how strong a Grand Magus is, but it's definitely a high rank.
That someone took 6 minutes means the Black Knight is definitely strong.
Good. Then I won't push too hard...
“Then, let's lightly hit it with one Black Flame Dragon and start.”
I extended my right hand forward.
“Black Flame Dragon.”
[Registering spell.]
Red-hot flames rose from the fingertips, wrapping around my entire arm.
Soon, the head of a large dragon appeared above my fist, and I thrust my right arm forward.
“Grrrrrrrrraaaaa!!!!”
Kwaaang—!!
Black flames swallowed the entire center of the arena.
The tremendous heat brushed my face, and belatedly, the shockwave hit the wall, creating a dull rumble.
A short time later, as the flames receded.
“...?”
I blinked several times.
“What? Where did it go?”
There was nothing left at the spot where the Black Knight had been.
Black Knight extermination confirmed.
Updating record.
A short time later, new numbers appeared.
Current solo record.
0 minutes 2 seconds.
“...”
The record was 6 minutes, so I thought we'd exchange blows a bit, but I wanted to start after lightly hitting it once.
“I didn't even start.”
What a fucking joke.
This Black Knight guy.
New record achieved.
Would you like to publicly register the record?
“Oooh... public registration.”
It seems like some kind of ranking.
Of course I have to do this.
Since I set the record, what's the point if no one sees it.
“Register.”
“Please enter the registration name.”
“Registration name...”
Wait a second.
Is it a good idea to just put my real name?
I want to leave the record.
If I take 1st place but leave no trace, it's a waste.
But if I register as 'Leon' with a big name, the story changes.
They say someone broke the 50th floor record in 2 seconds.
It's said to be Leon from the White Magic Tower.
How did he do it, what magic did he use, show me...
...It would be troublesome.
Being praised is good.
But I don't want to be bombarded with questions either.
“Hmm...”
Then the answer is one.
Who uses the name on their resident registration card for ranking registration in games.
“Zion Warriorzz”
This was the nickname I always used no matter what game I played.
If asked why a mage is called Zion Warrior, I have no good answer.
Well, nicknames are like that anyway.
Registration completed.
50th floor Black Knight solo record.
1st. Zion Warriorzz.
0 minutes 2 seconds.
“Hehe.”
My nickname is plastered at the top.
This feels better than I thought?
I stared at the record for a while, then suddenly looked around.
“Well, what now?”
I came to the 50th floor, defeated the gatekeeper, and used the magic I wanted to try.
But there's no reason to keep climbing.
“AI. How long have I been in the Tower?”
47 hours 14 minutes have passed so far.
It wasn't that long.
“Well, there's nothing to do, let's head down slowly.”
I want to shower, eat warm food.
Above all, I want to sleep soundly on a soft bed.
I suddenly took out the return token from my pocket.
The coach said if I pour mana into it, it will teleport to the entrance of the current floor.
The return token's designated destination is the entrance of the current floor.
“...”
When I turned my head, the 50th floor entrance was right behind me.
“Send it there?”
Affirmative.
I put the return token back in my pocket.
“So I have to walk down after all.”
Good grief.
“You should have told me about this important thing earlier.”
The user was explained the function of the return token several days ago.
How can I remember what I heard several days ago.
I remember.
“So, it's the AI's job to take care of things like this.”
Not checking the return token once in 47 hours is the user's judgment.
“...”
I won.
“Fuck!”
Descending was quite boring, unlike going up.
No new things to see, just walking back the floors I passed.
After a long time descending, I arrived at the White Magic Tower.
“Welcome back~.”
As I entered, I felt like I was back home.
Technically, it's not home, but since I eat, sleep, and get paid here, it's like home.
Just then, a staff member passing the corridor spotted me.
“Le, Leon-ssi?”
“Ah, that staff member from before.”
It was the woman who guided me on the day I first came to the Magic Tower.
But her reaction was a bit odd.
Instead of being happy, she looked at me with a surprised face and quickly approached.
“...The headmaster said to come find me right away if she returns.”
“The director?”
“Yes. Immediately.”
Hmm. What's the matter now.
It can't be about the training ground repair fee.
This time, I shot a lot inside the Tower.
...No way, did the real result come out this time?
I might actually become a dad.
With my heart pounding, I headed straight to the director's office.
Knock knock.
“Director. I'm here.”
“Come in.”
When I opened the door, Celia was sitting at the desk.
“Welcome back.”
I set my bag on the floor and stretched.
“Hwaaaak—! Kku... It was fun.”
“...”
But Celia didn't say anything.
Normally, she would have said something like how far we went or what I broke this time.
“...Director?”
No answer.
What?
“Why is your expression like that?”
“...”
Celia, who had been hesitating for a moment, soon opened her mouth.