Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: A Truly Wrong Encounter
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While Iru Ri was inside the tower, the Wolverine Guild's underground combat waiting room was bustling.
This was the place where guild members underwent mental and health checks and inspected their gear before entering the tower.
"How many teams went in today?"
"Five teams. Three didn't reach past the 10th floor, one made it to the 32nd, Room 1 has the 2nd Army team heading for the 51st."
Everyone was inputting data and handling their daily tasks.
"51st floor means they won't be back until after rotation, right?"
"Yeah. Even on the highway, it's the 50s."
The managers and researchers for each team measured and analyzed their capabilities with data.
Their job was to gauge how high each team could climb the tower safely, without incidents.
Low-floor climbers went aggressive, mid-floors from 25 up were defensive by default.
High floors past 40 had multiple analysis teams collecting and crunching data for incremental challenges.
No room for even minor mistakes up there.
"Looks like a quiet day!"
So the day's staff, medical team included, were working with relaxed minds.
"32nd floor?"
"That team's a promising newbie bunch, should be fine."
"Coffee's here!"
They passed around coffee in high spirits, certain nothing would happen, enjoying their break.
"Lab Director, have some."
"Yes... thanks."
Seo In Ah, the lab director, was among them.
She took her coffee and sucked hard on the straw.
Her daily five cups of double-shot iced Americano.
'What now...'
The guild had been in chaos since morning.
The so-called "Grimoire Heist."
Seo In Ah hadn't seen the guild master that furious in ages.
Afterward, he'd gone to the association chairman and hadn't returned.
'Even used a skill, they said.'
Without the chairman, it could've been a disaster.
Her Dragon Humanization made her clumsy with power control—probably wrecked the building.
"I had so many questions myself."
She was a scientist at heart.
Even through a scientist's lens, Moon Byul was endlessly mysterious.
Enviably chatting away with Iru Ri.
She'd thought his invitation for her next visit was a golden chance, but poof—gone.
Slurp, slurp.
She chewed the straw, feeling drained.
The presence beyond the monitor had sapped her strength; could she even talk properly? Still, she'd secretly looked forward to it.
"Huh?"
A chance to question a divine being!
What scientist would pass that up?
"What? Who touched... Room 1..."
But why the sudden commotion?
Pulled from her reverie by the noise, she snapped in annoyance.
"Ugh, what is it! What's going on!"
Screeech—bang.
The heavy door swung open—a returning climber team.
"Hm? No team was due back yet."
Strange. She stood and strode toward the noise.
'Burnt smell!'
The whole waiting room reeked of char.
Clearly something happened mid-Lava Golem clear on 32.
"Medical team! To Room 2, hurry!"
The 32nd-floor team had entered via Room 2. God, please not human barbecue.
Medical and managers scrambled to assess.
"In Ah, something happen?"
"Iru Ri! Perfect timing. Status recovery skill! The newbie team right now..."
Iru Ri? Already?
She stared blankly toward the voice.
There stood Iru Ri and the 2nd Army team—who should still be in the tower.
"How already...? Wait, this smell?"
The whole 2nd Army team stank of burns.
Other teams confirmed the source: Room 1, their entry point. Tension eased.
"Uh, well..."
Iru Ri slowly explained, skipping skill details. Only Seo In Ah, knowing Moon Byul, got the full picture.
'New magic from Moon Byul did this?'
Iru Ri sheepishly scratched her head.
"No way! Something's wrong! Iru Ri couldn't have attack magic like that."
Choi Jin Ah stepped forward, protesting. It made no sense.
Seo In Ah got it—Moon Byul's magic exceeding expectations.
"Seung Cheol, you answer. You saw it yourself, right?"
She asked the leader. Kim Seung Cheol would stick to facts.
"Everything Iru Ri said is true. We cleared the highway with her new magic and returned."
Now the waiting room buzzed, accepting it as fact.
"Makes no sense. They weren't due for four hours minimum."
"If Seung Cheol says it, it's real."
"What skill lets them do that?"
As noise rose, Seo In Ah took charge.
"Okay... 2nd Army, good work. Iru Ri, guild master's summons—wait in his office till he returns. Everyone else, status check then off duty."
"Wait? We're a team—why just Iru Ri...?"
"Unrelated to her new skill. Please understand."
Seo In Ah reassured Choi Jin Ah to avoid misunderstanding, but it backfired.
If it was about the attack magic, fine—but it screamed guild master favoritism.
"Alright, back to work, everyone."
2nd Army exchanged goodbyes and split.
Waiting room teams returned to posts. Choi Jin Ah stood alone.
"Why... why always just you!"
No one to share her frustration.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Time passed, and Moon Byul's promised week arrived.
Moon Byul slowly opened the window. The outside view felt... different.
"They must've moved the Grimoire."
Truth be told, he hadn't liked the old storage much.
No window, sealed tight—like being imprisoned.
So many requests piling up.
Magic stones needed. A leisurely outdoor stroll. Moonlight by night, sunlight by day.
'Maybe ask for sweeter fruit.'
Or other foods.
He knew piling on favors was a nuisance.
All he had was meager power.
'What gift to prepare?'
Fear of rejection, but refusal was fair.
Trades felt better—mutual satisfaction, no embarrassment, gets what you want.
Better than handouts. Humans can't just take.
'Should've prepped something.'
Expectant, he climbed out.
Clap, clap, clap.
Before his pile eyes opened, applause greeted him.
"Impressive."
A sharply dressed stranger stood there.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Clap, clap, clap.
Han Yu Seong was genuinely impressed.
Transcendent, was it?
Pale skin, tall frame, cosmic robe.
Definitely not human.
"Impressive."
He'd figured just an artifact NPC. But unlike tower ones, this felt fundamentally different.
No matter. He'd charm this monster for his goals.
The book figure slowly opened eyes, gazing at him.
Those eyes... lifeless, abyssal voids, no human spark.
He's looking at me but not seeing me. What am I in those eyes?
A chill crept from his toes.
"Pleased to meet you, Grimoire. I'm Han Yu Seong, Meteor Guild master."
Formal greeting first. Eavesdropping suggested etiquette mattered.
"Pleased to meet you, Han Yu Seong."
Voice soft, low—but crystal clear in his ears.
"I'm Moon Byul."
Self-intro, then glancing around.
Unlike Han's fears, no crushing pressure.
Just inhuman. Even in a fight, he wouldn't lose—or so he thought.
Things might go smoothly.
Grimoire's just a tool.
No need to own it—cooperation suffices.
Info first.
Other guilds' secretaries blocked clearer eavesdropping. Intel was sparse.
He offered prepared fruit. It liked fruit. Ripe bananas.
"Care for some?"
"No thanks. Where's the Saintess? We were to meet today."
Moon Byul refused.
Han eyed warily; Moon Byul eyed back.
High-up type—intimidating.
Give and take is common sense.
Nothing he wanted to give, so declined.
Iru Ri felt like friendly neighbor prepping exams. This guy? Politician vibes, distant.
Han oblivious.
"Saintess means Iru Ri?"
"Yes."
Han bristled inwardly.
Snubbing him for a half-baked sorceress? Irksome.
Face neutral.
"Is she your Grimoire's owner?"
"..."
Necessary question. If she was master, plans derail.
"Let's clarify first."
Pale hand raised, showing fingers.
"First, I'm not the Grimoire. I'm human inside it."
'Hilarious.'
Pathetic—it truly saw itself human. No one else would.
Eavesdropped, but didn't expect sincere self-view.
"I'm the master; Grimoire's my possession."
"Hm."
Got the gist.
It thought itself human in a Grimoire house.
'Fairy-tale nonsense.'
Beasts/monsters craving humanity—universal myths.
Moon Byul fit that to Han.
"I see. Shame, but Iru Ri's tied up. Chat with me instead."
"...No choice."
Good, not hung up.
Originally sway it, but human approach viable.
"Straight talk: We need you and the Grimoire's help."
"Why?"
Han explained patiently. Korea's dire straits.
Tower collapse in a month-ish; no Korean team breaking ceiling.
"If it falls, massive casualties. As humanity's rep, I seek your power."
Meteor Guild stock skyrockets post-event; he'd be Korea's first 62-floor hero.
Usable long-term.
"Moon Byul, lend a hand? Only you can. Help humanity."
"...How could I help?"
Free powerhouse for Meteor Guild.
Little Saintess's attack magic announced—Grimoire's doing.
Meteor gets the creator as ally.
Goose that lays golden eggs.
"Ha, just... enter tower with me, cooperate. Heard you use mystic magic. Use tower-clearing spells harmless to my party."
"...Then may I make a request?"
Magic stone appeared in his hand. Top-grade mana density.
"Need lots of these. And meet Saintess later."
"Hmm..."
These beings' deals were contractual.
Music to his ears—aid in some form.
He'd dealt with grape-eyed lunatics; stayed cautious.
'Voice laced with mana.'
Air's mana particles quivered when it spoke.
Its words interacted magically—whole convo might be spell-like.
Like walking a tightrope.
No breaking promises, misinterpretations.
Unknown demerits creepy, but fine.
All for the "greater good."
'Stay calm.'
He pondered: ambiguities in its words, his replies? Double-checked.
Seemed clean.
"Agreed. Magic stones in three days. Tower in a week. No other prep. I'll call you inside."
Deal sealed.
"How many?"
Pricey, but cheap for Grimoire coop. He'd recover from tower anyway.
"Assuming same mana as this: about 130. Okay? Refuse if hard."
"Wha... what...?"
Cautious deal. No loopholes.
Except... he ignored its sense of norms.
Top-grade? Maybe 10 max, he'd thought.
Over 100?
Who asks for 130 buildings?
Loans needed. Guild collateral.
"Fine..."
Couldn't refuse.
Monster mimicking human irked; gluttonous too.
Grimoire's mine anyway. Slowly make it serve me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "!"
Han's agreement—no flinch, but Moon Byul was stunned.
'Magic stones cost a lot, I thought.'
Pre-imprisonment, unknown ore—priceless.
Five years on, infinite tower spawn? Prices drop natural.
High floors produce tons—trash value inevitable.
'No wonder Iru Ri called it pricey gift. Just decor.'
Wouldn't pair with fruit basket otherwise.
Shiny rocks: great interior props.
Prototype dummy needed ~30 actually.
His way of deterring tower trip—didn't expect Han's quick bite.
'Tricky. Can I even help?'
His magic set him apart, but not high-tower conquering.
He knew his uniqueness.
Magic-using human.
But specialties far from combat.
Why? Never needed to.
No fights, barely saw lifeforms.
His magic: architecture, travel, conveniences.
Tower collapse talk...
'How would I help?'
Baffling. Some rationale, he guessed.
Didn't refute or outright refuse—socially clumsy.
Craved talk, forgot discomfort with unpleasant company.
Would honor promise, but his plans...?
Gotta research combat magic awhile.
"Stroll postponed."
Even loved Earth, but not strolling with disagreeable folk.