Fundamentals (6)
“As announced in advance, we're attempting a scouting raid on the 151st floor main dungeon. Finish your preparations and assemble.”
Scouting raids were exactly what they sounded like—scouting. The goal wasn't to conquer and clear the dungeon to move straight to the next floor, but to get a rough sense of what kind of place it was. If things got dicey, using an escape item to bail was the top priority. For tougher spots, the standard approach was to probe bit by bit, mapping out the layout and objectives before tackling it properly.
Though we'll probably clear it in one go anyway.
After wrapping up my short vacation on the 78th floor, I attended the prep meeting and smirked as Jeong Chan-su stepped down from the podium. Even in the original story, the 151st floor was a difficulty that got cleared in one smooth scouting raid without any dragging. Now with me in the mix, it'd be even easier.
As long as those damn trolls didn't screw things up.
Still, this time might be tricky.
I had zero expectations from those scumbags, but I held out a sliver of hope this time around. Just as we were gearing up for the 151st floor right now, they were supposedly dealing with some major event of their own.
The Heavenly Realm War seemed like a prime point-farming spot for the constellations.
Given how trolling required cold hard cash, their participation odds were high.
That evening, I logged into my fan gallery as usual. This place used to buzz all day with even the tiniest tidbits about me, but right now? Not even close.
Instead, it was live-streaming and chattering about some fierce war raging somewhere I didn't know, in real time.
The vibe was as light as ever, though. Plenty of constellations weren't fighting, so it felt just like watching climbers in the tower and bantering.
Amid the flood of posts, one grabbed my eyes instantly. Mesmerized, I clicked it—a video of someone in action had been uploaded.
Serpina.
The footage showed a goddess single-handedly blocking hordes of enemies, surrounded by countless blades floating around her.
I'd known about her since reading the original story, and we'd been contracted partners for years now, but this was my first time seeing her fight live.
In the video, atop a towering snow-capped mountain, a stunning goddess in black dragon robes let her waist-length, windswept black hair billow. Her golden eyes flashed as she swung the sword propped on her shoulder.
Instantly, the myriad blades around her launched, shredding and slicing the enemies swarming from all sides.
The Legion of Ruin charging her there? Way stronger than anything from the tower.
Yet she handled them solo—like a one-woman army.
She's even better than I thought.
I'd read descriptions of her power—creating storms with a thousand blades—but seeing it was on another level.
The strongest I'd witnessed firsthand till now was Jeong Chan-su, the overwhelming rank-one climber who'd already tapped into future saintly power from the original story.
But that just changed.
Strength had no end. Even Serpina, who'd left me stunned moments ago, wasn't top dog among countless constellations.
I want it. I want to make that power mine.
My heart pounded harder than ever. That beautiful, lofty realm—I had to reach it, seize it with my own hands.
And someday, facing Serpina directly? Just imagining it fueled my growth like a drug.
Serpina's prowess clearly impressed not just me, but the gallery users too. As the main manager, the place bloomed with talk of her for a good while.
I left a few low-key comments cheering her on. It was kinda funny—usually she watched and supported me, but now roles reversed. If I could, I'd film her myself.
It's only day one of the Heavenly Realm War. It'll drag on for days.
Like massive tower defenses, this war wouldn't wrap in a day or two. Serpina probably wouldn't return to the gallery for a few days.
“Good work.”
“It's only the first day done.”
From midday to dawn. She'd single-handedly plugged a key chokepoint against endless enemies pouring from gates. Serpina caught her breath, sheathed her sword, and returned to her temporary quarters.
Half-listening to her attendant, she pulled up two windows immediately.
First up: Reina, unchecked all day.
Training, huh.
Reina was alone in the underground training hall, sword in hand, deep in practice. Long enough that the whole place was wrecked from the shockwaves, her breathing ragged, body drenched in sweat.
“As expected.”
Serpina nodded, satisfied. The panickers didn't really know Reina. She wasn't the quitting type—at least, not anymore. Serpina wouldn't let her anyway.
Though she didn't know the real spark for Reina's sudden training frenzy was herself.
After checking Reina, Serpina scanned the boards she'd left for a day. Perbas and the other managers had kept things smooth, but amid gawking at her own popular video, uneasy comments started popping up.
“Other fronts that bad?”
“It's only day one, but some losses reported, and others burning too much power from shortages.”
“Tch...”
She scowled at the attendant's reply. As the Heavenly Realm War dragged on, the long-held balance was cracking.
Invaders from outer space grew stronger and more numerous; allies couldn't match the pace.
No one had a fix. Even Serpina was a newbie compared to the ancient towers and system.
And in this mess, more idiots distracted by troll bullshit.
Her face twisted thinking of Fate Road's worst trolls. They'd probably joined for points too.
Ironic—without skill, trolling got no attention. But wasting those points on sabotage instead of nurturing newbies? Pointless.
“Grow fast. We need more like you to restore balance.”
Turning back to Reina, she murmured blankly.
Her drive to make Reina the strongest wasn't just personal taste.
Serpina wasn't alone in those thoughts. Gallery fans had gathered to cheer and protect Reina—some even knew secrets she didn't. Now they were fiercely debating her optimal S-grade weapon.
“Time to stir the pot?”
“Nah, let it simmer. Other users need to see the bait first.”
Watching the debate with interest, Serpina let it ride a bit longer, enjoying it.
All constellations agreed: tower rewards paled next to post-graduation gains.
Guide a challenger right with constellation knowledge, let them sweep everything systematically from the start... Their saintly power later? Sky's the limit.
Our Reina still has potential.
Serpina, aware of Reina's recent changes—fixing her own personality to perfectly match what constellations wanted—held hope.
She believed Reina could reach that 'realm' everyone just fantasized about.
If she did and joined Fate Road, Serpina was sure she'd skyrocket past even her, becoming an instant star.