Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: The Broadcast Begins
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"Kee-hee-hee. Is there anything else you're curious about?"
It wasn't just empty words—this really was sufficient.
"Then, I hope you have a pleasant time. If you have any further questions, please ring this bell, and I'll come right away. Kee-hee-hee-hee."
With that, the goblin vanished, polite to the very end.
That guy looks the part, but he explains things so clearly and accessibly. He's so courteous it's almost burdensome.
Would the trials take place in the Jijiyong world, or in an entirely different dimension?
The answer to that had just been revealed right here.
'A tower and constellations, huh.'
No matter how I thought about it, these were elements absent from Jijiyong.
And just in case, I'd asked the goblin about this world's lore, only to learn it had a history completely unrelated to Jijiyong's.
I'd been puzzled why "collab" was attached to "trials," but now it all made sense.
At first, I'd suspected this world was some famous game or novel like the one I lived in as Jijiyong, but it didn't match any webnovels I remembered, which was disappointing.
The all-white special space from moments ago suddenly made my head spin.
'He said I could decorate the room however I wanted.'
The goblin had explained that each constellation customized their space to match their personality.
One god built a temple atop clouds struck by endless lightning; another chose a simple cabin; someone else, a grand mansion.
I, in a similar position, couldn't do the same?
'He said to visualize it.'
Imagination was the key ingredient.
So, I recalled landscapes I'd personally seen, heard, and experienced.
Normally, I'd picture my Earth room, but with this body, it'd be a mess just moving around. Instead, I thought of the ancient backdrop I currently inhabited.
Specifically, the small paradise inside a cave that had left the deepest impression on me.
Kugugugugu.
The more precise the image, the faster the space transformed—he'd said.
Whose fault would it be if I couldn't perfectly recreate a place I'd personally shaped?
As if copying and pasting from my mind, the vivid image of that small paradise materialized right here.
Waduk.
Even so, perfectly replicating the spirit medicines' effects was impossible; the recreated ones here only achieved 10-30% of the originals' efficacy.
Wajak.
I casually munched on an Amrita while finally glancing at the screen I'd been ignoring.
A massive screen larger than the quest window displayed the tower's interior—specifically, the climbers.
"Hey! It's aggroing that way!"
"Kwaaaak! Heal! Quick, heal me!"
"I'm out of mana!"
"Then shove a potion down my throat!"
What was this...
"The constellation is getting bored!"
"J-just a moment! We'll handle it spectacularly right away!"
"Constellation? Constellation!"
It felt exactly like watching a streamer.
Novels with constellations often gave off that vibe, but seeing it from a constellation's perspective really drove it home.
Unless something special came up, I had no intention of switching.
Other constellations might flock to talented or entertaining climbers on a whim, but I planned to go all-in on one person.
Same with sponsorships.
I had no desire to waste my precious regressor's resources, even as a joke.
Where the hell are you?
Dding.
As I diligently channel-surfed in search of the regressor, a mysterious alert popped up.
Transfer preparations—right, the goblin mentioned new climbers arriving today.
Could the regressor be among them?
Considering when I entered, it was plausible.
I quickly flipped channels to the 0th Floor screen still displaying 'Preparing,' hoping my guess was right.
I couldn't tell until a proper feed appeared, so I picked one at random.
Which to choose?
I selected one that felt right.
The real broadcast began.
"Moooo! Climbers, welcome to the tower!"
Lee So-ha winced and plugged her ears at the deafening roar.
She'd felt it in previous rounds too—this guy's vocal power was insane.
"Moooo! I am Umo, your guide for the 0th Floor! Moooo!"
That meant everyone trapped here, including Lee So-ha, was under this guide Umo's jurisdiction.
"Wh-what?!"
"What is that? A mask, right?"
"How's it floating in the sky?!"
"Wires! They must be filming a movie!"
The noisy crowd realized Umo was behind this—or deeply involved—and bombarded him with questions, pleas, and threats to send them home.
"Moooo? These climbers are awfully weak!"
But their cries didn't reach Umo.
He was too shocked by the entrants' level.
"This Umo has guided the 0th Floor before, but never humans this feeble!"
How could humans be this weak?
Umo recalled past humans who'd passed through.
Mages wielding magic via mana rings in their bodies.
Martial artists unleashing techniques with internal energy.
Some had innate superpowers or special bloodlines.
But look at these climbers.
Were they even human?!
Umo was so stunned he wondered if they were other races in human skins.
"Puheung."
Lee So-ha caught the snort betraying his turmoil, smirked bitterly, and inwardly empathized, knowing exactly what he was thinking.
'Fair enough. We're the weakest right now.'
Comparing ordinary Earthlings to mages, martial artists, or superpowered beings?
But she knew.
Those untaught were the weakest, but leveraging the tower's system, they'd grow twice as fast as others.
'Something feels off, though.'
Lee So-ha tilted her head at the odd gaze she'd felt since earlier.
It wasn't human—more like from a higher existence.
Right, like a constellation watching.
'Why would a constellation watch the 0th Floor?'
Constellations usually started paying attention from the 1st Floor, where intervention was possible.
Contracts kicked off properly from the verified 3rd Floor.
That was why she'd warned against contracting on 1 before entering.
Offers on 1 meant one of two things:
1. Overwhelming talent prompting a preemptive grab.
2. A throwaway toy for the constellation's amusement.
A plain Earthling wasn't landing option 1.
"C-can we go home?"
"If you conquer the tower to the end, yes, moo."
"What?!"
"Send us back now!"
"Moo. Unfortunately, I lack that authority."
Lee So-ha inwardly grumbled about some pervert constellation watching the 0th Floor and headed toward the voices.
"Guide."
"Muo?"
"It's too noisy around here. Could you give me a private space?"
He wouldn't refuse.
0th Floor guides existed to help climbers adapt, materially and spiritually.
A simple request for solitude was easy.
"...If you desire a separate personal space, gladly."
Ddak.
Exactly.
Lee So-ha smiled at the sudden quiet.
"Is it to your liking, muooo?"
"Y-yes, the silence is finally calming my nerves."
She nodded with a smile at Umo's words.
"Muo. Normally not allowed, but I made a special effort."
This was normally forbidden?
Knowing guides' powers, she figured he was just bragging.
Merely partitioning space—impossible? Absurd.
'Still, he did it, so thanks are in order.'
Ordering monster refills was a hassle otherwise.
"Thank you."
"Enjoy your time."
"Ah, before you go, weapons..."
"Great Constellation."
"...What?"
Lee So-ha had misunderstood.
Unable to see, she'd assumed he complied out of hearing her.
"Constellation? What..."
But it was a mistake.
Umo hadn't looked at her from the start.
His words weren't for her.
They were for the transcendent being desiring her.