Layer 150 Assault (1)
“We proceed with the Layer 150 conquest as planned. All members of the Assault Party must assemble in perfect condition, without the slightest deficiency.”
That cocky attitude...
I knew it was just his true nature, unavoidable as it was, but I still snorted inwardly at the sight of him standing tall on the platform, addressing us. There might even be someone here who resents or dislikes Jeong Chan-su more than I do. You never know what's in people's hearts. But no one raised any objections in that room. After all, he was the undisputed strongest in the tower right now and the leader of the Assault Party.
“We’ll now move to the press conference venue. Those not participating, please exit to the left...”
The meeting wrapped up soon after, and the gathered members began to disperse. With so many rankers already assembled on Layer 35 because of my incident, we’d held the Layer 150 Assault Party briefing here too. Even though nearly half had to come fresh, opposition had been surprisingly minimal. That was largely because Layers 30 through 59—Earth-themed—were hugely popular among the tower residents.
“Five days left. What an awkward stretch.”
“Might as well rest up fully and adjust our conditions.”
We’d originally planned over a week of prep: training with our new powers from the lower layers, honing them to peak form. But the assassination attempt and cleanup had thrown it all into chaos. Kim Ji-eun chattered away, stuck to my side like glue. This time, she was probably right—better to just rest instead of pointless busywork.
We’re clearing it anyway.
Truth be told, while everyone else was on edge and the tower’s internal media—not to mention external outlets—were hyper-focused on this Layer 150 conquest, it looked like a breeze to me. Not just my own growth, but Jeong Chan-su, the Assault Party’s core, had finally completed the Star Series and awakened his divinity fragment. In the original story, it came a bit later, but this madman had snagged it early.
I wasn’t the only one thinking that. Gallery users were already predicting a comfy clear for Layer 150. So unlike the nonstop battles prep, we actually had some leeway here. Those were my solo fights; Layer 150 was with over 100 Assault Party members.
“Haven’t been down here in ages, so we can enjoy a full day, right?”
“After all that drama, you sure it’s safe?”
“Actually, right after an incident like this is safer. We’re not diving into some dungeon anyway.”
Kim Ji-eun giggled and slipped her arm through mine naturally. She didn’t show it overtly, but like me, she loved this place that let her reminisce about home. Layer 55—with its strong Korean vibe—was her top pick for vacations. I’d tagged along under the excuse of escorting her, visiting often myself.
“Guildmates are all working, and we’re just gonna slack off?”
“If they’d reached Layer 150, we’d party with them too, obviously?”
I chuckled and stood, not shrugging off her sneaky arm-link. “Heard Shadia escorted you properly for a few hours. Can’t let her outdo me.”
At her suggestion of Layer 55, I clicked my tongue lightly. We rarely hung out publicly there anyway—personalities, attention, awkwardness—but today felt like an exception.
“But today... please, please ditch that tracksuit?”
And just like that, as she wriggled against me, Kim Ji-eun dropped the line I’d been waiting for. I’d wondered why she hadn’t nagged me to death about it lately.
Reina fashion bait? Shockingly, it was ancient stale drama in the fan gallery, festering for years. Because I’d ignored it completely. Kim Ji-eun wasn’t alone; gallery users split into factions arguing what suited me best, all united in wanting my tracksuit shredded.
The gallery’s existence, how it survived, and the benefits it brought me—considering all that since learning about it recently, I’d started shifting my mindset just a bit.
Yeah, even I wouldn’t stan someone dressing like this.
I’d liked celebrities in my past life too. Entertainers living off public attention put in massive effort to win hearts. Compared to that, I’d been freeloading. Just training, fighting, climbing—day by day to grow stronger. When I first discovered the gallery, most users gathered because they liked that raw me. But even those who hated me “playing idol” as a warrior secretly wanted more variety from me. They were immersed, treating us like celebs, athletes, or dress-up dolls.
“For real? Really? You’re ditching this annoying... no, boring outfit?”
“Not just you. Everyone stares and begs me to stop wearing it.”
Kim Ji-eun’s eyes went wide, hand over her mouth, as I declared I’d finally retire the tracksuit. Her reaction was more intense than when we’d broken Layer 149.
“But I dunno what to wear.”
I’d pondered for hours, but solo was impossible. I needed a push, and right beside me was someone more eager than any gallery user—my diehard personal fan.
“Of course... I’ll help!”
“You’re nosebleeding.”
She nodded with trembling eyes, like she couldn’t believe it. Excitement had blood trickling from her nose. Cringey situation, but I got it. Decorating your ultimate fave your way? I’d love it too.
That evening, in the hotel room on Layer 55 where I’d crash for the night, I scrolled the heated gallery reactions and smirked. New users flooding in lately amped the energy way beyond when I first discovered it.
Not like I did anything huge.
Today with Kim Ji-eun wasn’t extravagant: pricey gourmet at a luxury restaurant, shopping Earth-brand luxury (huge in the tower), topping off with expensive drinks at the hotel bar upstairs. Trauma from a rough upbringing? Once she gained power and wealth here, she obsessed over indulging. Now she was blackout drunk, passed out in her room.
My trait purified alcohol, and Radiance kept even strong stuff to a mild buzz.
One comment caught my eye: I’d granted Kim Ji-eun’s wish. Not wrong. Or that I’d gone along with it. Wearing awkward, uncomfortable clothes unlike my usual self wasn’t my style. It was payback for her past—and future—support, and a nod to gallery users too.
“My dream used to be taking everything I gained here back home. Flaunt it, get perfect revenge on those I hate.”
Her drunken bar mumble echoed. Yeah, her stated goal: return home with tower achievements for revenge. All challengers believed conquering the tower let you go back.
“Now I don’t need any of it. If I can stay by Reina’s side forever...”
She trailed off into sleep, but I got the gist. Forever by my side... I’d given a wry smile hearing it. Knowing the future of tower conquerors-turned-divinities, her shift was a relief. We might stick together lifelong, but returning home with gains? Impossible. She’d revert to a powerless human, losing everything.
Some wondered what I’d choose. Fair. I’d long given up on returning to my “real” home—it seemed impossible anyway.
I smirked and prepped my final task before bed: dumping my self-shot pics on the gallery. As seen before, my weird angles were hits. Self-praise sounds odd, but my selfies claimed solid board space amid the hype.