Chapter 22 - Someone's Beacon (1)
Reina executed the strategies spied from the constellations with flawless precision, even on stages she'd never challenged before. No matter how thorough the prior scouting, she covered every minute detail that couldn't be anticipated.
Most of the constellations on Fate Road were veterans who'd already endured those trials. Even a single word from them became invaluable experience for Reina. And that was something very familiar to her—following strategy guides.
The follower. That was Reina's talent, as even Serpina acknowledged.
The strategies from her fan gallery constellations were the product of their collective intellect, crafted purely for her alone. The beacon in the darkness she'd chased until now had been Jeong Chan-su, the strongest being she knew. But from this moment, the ones she followed became the constellations gathered in her own fan gallery.
Of course, they had no idea she was peeking at them. So every action and movement she made now could only appear as innate genius she'd awakened on her own. How could her supporters not go wild?
"What do you think? Has Reina truly awakened some new talent we didn't know about?"
"What else could it be?"
Perbas chuckled incredulously at Serpina's question as they watched it all unfold.
"True talent is something even the possessor doesn't recognize. Those who awaken it through fateful opportunities or sheer luck become the victors."
Unlike Serpina, who infused cold rationality and calculation into her swordsmanship, Perbas was a warrior who always sought instinctive, primal combat. That's why he could easily accept a destined awakening. In a tower whose depths even constellations couldn't fully grasp, anything was possible.
"More importantly, stay sharp, main manager. What's at stake with Reina's run isn't just our gallery's vibe."
Perbas glanced at Reina breaking through stage 118 and shifted the topic.
Sylvia was barely surpassing her personal best of 120, now challenging 121.
"If that private betting upset blows up, it won't stop at wrecking the gallery. You know that, right? Those guys are capable of anything."
"Of course I know."
Serpina snorted. The rivalry with Jeong Chan-su's fandom was healthy and minor by comparison—nothing that could spark a real explosion. Back when Serpina herself was a challenger, constellations on Fate Road had tried bribing or seducing tower residents to harm her directly. Most were driven by hatred and sabotage tied to point gambling.
Like hell I'd let those scum touch our Reina.
Serpina's focus on community trends was to detect any shady movements early and warn. Protecting contractors via oracles was a constellation's duty.
"Oh dear, but right now, we need to fend off the incoming horde first."
But as Reina finally broke 120 and closed in on Sylvia, the two managers spent their busy time gleefully purging the troll posts flooding the boards.
··· The moment Reina entered stage 123, where Sylvia had been, boards across Fate Road flipped upside down.
Reina Fan Gallery (▲5)
The hottest reactions poured into Reina's fan gallery at the center. While the showdown between Reina and Sylvia was a quiet affair known to only a few in reality, it had spread across other towers' communities on Fate Road, drawing massive attention—naturally.
Riding that attention, quite a few flooded into Reina's fan gallery. Whether trolls mixed in or not, managers would handle it later. As the perennial punching bag for Jeong Chan-su's massive united fandom, Reina's fans welcomed newbies with open arms. Fame begets more fame, after all. As the gallery ranking climbed, more newcomers poured in, swelling its size considerably on this occasion.
And finally, Sylvia, entering stage 124, declared retreat due to mana exhaustion, accumulated injuries, and fatigue. Just as Reina stepped into 124.
Reina's fandom, already certain of victory, fired off celebratory salvos.
Not a few stormed Sylvia's fan gallery, drowned in shock and despair, to repay past humiliations. With justification in hand, fandoms went full throttle brawling; trolls stirring division amid the chaos; pure newbies seeking drama.
Reina Fan Gallery (▲3)
Fueled by the users' explosive fervor, Reina's fan gallery hit its all-time high ranking that day. Posts buried under the flood, pushed to back pages; Serpina's donation account overflowed with points.
·Main Manager - Manager slots expanded too. As you know, bigger scale means more trolls. Tough for two to handle 24/7.
In the midst, Serpina posted. Astonishingly, the users—boiling over with excitement—fell silent in an instant.
From fresh newbies to hardcore vets, all united in watchful silence.
Finally, the day had come.
Stage 125, which Jeong Chan-su had cleared in the previous cycle. The massive serpent there glared at me, eyes flashing from its three heads. Each head dwarfed my torso, its body coiling to crush a trailer like tin foil.
Even the fan gallery constellations, pooling collective wisdom for strategies, split on whether I could solo this beast. Victory meant accepting injuries.
It depends on my choice.
Gripping my sword, I gritted my teeth, feeling my dwindling stamina. Retreating here wouldn't lose to Sylvia. But I obsessed over 125 for another reason: the reward for the top 5 fastest clears in this tower. Jeong Chan-su took 1st. Likely Kim Dong-su, Lee Se-jin, and Diana among his crew too. By my estimate, one spot left. Miss it, and we'd lag behind his faction again.
"---!"
"Gotta do it. No choice."
I smirked at the serpent roaring dinosaur-like and kicked off, sword aimed.
"Ugh."
Its eyes flashed. My body's radiant glow intensified in resistance. Per gallery strat, that was a curse ability: Petrifying Gaze. Potent enough to slow me despite the glow.
"...!"
I didn't even see it. As its body writhed, its thinning tail whipped like a lash, smashing me. Bones crunching, I flew into the floor.
Hermetica Barrier Destroyed
One hit destroyed part of my S-grade gear, Hermetica. Dry-heaving from throbbing guts, I raised my trembling sword arm. The constellations were right—my stats lagged. Unlike prior foes, tracking its moves was grueling.
Grinning like it toyed with prey, the serpent approached slowly. Gallery comments flickered in my mind. Kneeling before it now matched their predictions.
Even they, seeming omniscient on the tower, weren't sure if I could execute their strat. Not a knowledge gap—their unknown was me. How far could I go? Even I didn't know.
What's not to do? Just do it.
I glared at the foe looming, eyes bulging with strain. I'd have been the same without the guide. No fleeing with one provided.
"---!"
The serpent spewed venom from three heads, as if annoyed its curse failed—intent on melting me and surroundings alike.
Trait Radiance, S-grade armor Hermetica, S-grade ring Ring of Reflection on one finger, A-grade ability Iron Rod, etc. I mobilized every means, standing firm to endure the poison, teeth clenched.
Skin burning real-time, poison infiltrating—organs and lungs wrecked, bloody tears blurring red. I endured that hell for one reason: seize the advised chance.
And at last, as thick purple poison cleared, I wrung final strength from my unresponsive body. Sword unyielding even in death, I charged.
Kicking air naturally, I soared to its head in one breath.
"Grk..."
Central head's fangs clamped my body, massive venom fang piercing one thigh instantly. I saw its eyes smirk at my shuddering pain. As if daring my last swing, offering its neck.
If you want.
Snapping focus from near-delirium, fangs-locked resisting, I slashed a crescent—not at central head, but right head watching amused.
"---?!"
Its shocked face, never expecting this—last sight I caught.
Without gallery strat, I'd never know the reverse scale on right head's brow housed its true self.
Crashing limply after, the rest blurred. Mumbling exit, emerging from Continuous Blood Battle, Kim Ji-eun and guildmates—faces aghast—rushed to me, or so it seemed.