Chapter 703: Eternal Spire (81)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 703: Eternal Spire (81)
To be honest, since this was a medieval fantasy world, we couldn't enjoy a date like people do in the modern world.
‘There are no movie theaters, for one.’
However, thanks to the Tower’s system, the Eternal Spire was surprisingly civilized. The streets were lined with various shops, and several entertainment facilities for participants caught my eye.
‘And thanks to the participants who pull all sorts of stunts just to survive, there’s never a shortage of things to see.’
In the middle of the street, someone dressed as a clown was performing acrobatics, while another person played the guitar and drums, singing for the passing participants. But the most popular attraction was, as expected, the performances by the theater troupes voluntarily formed by the participants.
‘Was the troupe’s name the Wandering Troupe?’
I knew them to be a fairly famous troupe among the participants.
‘I heard there are even a few actual actors in there.’
Holding Seo Eun-ha’s hand, I took a spot on one side of the crowded plaza. As luck would have it, there was a performance scheduled for today.
Seo Eun-ha spoke with a bright smile.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before. It might be more fun than I thought.”
“Do you know what the play is about?”
“Yeah, I looked into it… The title is ‘Heroes Climbing the Tower.’ They say it’s modeled after some famous people among the participants.”
“Heroes Climbing the Tower, huh… Man, the name alone reeks of propaganda.”
I glanced at the stage and thought to myself.
‘There’s definitely a major guild or a sponsor behind a troupe like this. It’s perfect for controlling public opinion.’
They were likely using the troupe to recruit talented individuals to climb the Tower.
In reality, only a tiny fraction of people actually reach the highest floors. Conversely, there were far more people who stayed on the lower or middle floors, seeking moderate safety or trying to survive in various other ways. Instead of risking their lives to fight, people were mostly just waiting at the bottom, hoping someone else would open the path from above.
‘Waiting for someone to reach the top floor and end it all… I suppose I can understand that.’
In the original story, this issue was treated quite seriously. But back then, it wasn't as severe as it was now.
‘Because Night Bloom and I are so overwhelming, the entire atmosphere of the Tower has changed.’
There was an underlying belief that Night Bloom and I would eventually reach the 100th floor.
‘The funny thing is, they hate us just as much as they rely on us.’
It was incredibly contradictory.
While I was lost in thought, Seo Eun-ha carefully squeezed my hand. Her soft fingertips lightly brushed against the back of my hand.
When I turned my head, I saw her face was flushed bright red, though her eyes remained fixed solely on the stage.
‘If she keeps acting this provocative, it’s going to get harder to hold back…’
Whether she knew I was trying my best to refrain from being forceful—acting the part of a "Sweet Korean Man" version of Geum Tae-yang—she was being incredibly teasing.
Seo Eun-ha held my hand tightly, acting as if nothing was wrong, with no intention of letting go.
“I-It’s starting…”
Noticing my stare, she muttered in a trembling voice.
Soon, the play began.
“Oh, heroes who climb the Tower! Before you, who overcome the trials of the Tower, stands an evil—”
Flashy stage effects unfolded, and actors appeared one by one. By the time the play reached its midpoint, my brow furrowed.
In the center of the stage, an actor draped in a black cloak shouted in a threatening voice.
“The evil of all evils… the Great Evil, Night Bloom! They represent the darkness of the Tower—forcing prostitution, human trafficking, monopolizing dungeons, and even human experimentation!”
Gasps erupted from various parts of the audience. I muttered quietly to myself.
‘It’s obvious a major guild like the Holy Cross Knights is behind this.’
The real theme of the play wasn't about heroes climbing the tower; it was agitation meant to brainwash the audience into believing who was good and who was evil.
Just then, someone shouted.
“Bullshit! This is total propaganda! Did you all forget that Night Bloom distributed food and equipment for free on the lower floors?”
Looking toward the voice, I saw a tall, brown-haired woman in heavy armor shouting loudly. Judging by the spear strapped to her back, she seemed to be a spearwoman.
“What, are you a Night Bloom whore?”
A man in the audience shot back with a sneer.
“Yeah, those Night Bloom bitches only treat women well. Looking at you, I bet you got a nice handout from them, didn't you?”
In an instant, the spearwoman’s face contorted.
“You little piece of shit…!”
As the woman reached for her spear, the people around her hurriedly held her back.
“Hey, you can’t fight here!”
“If you break the rules, you’ll both get a penalty! Are you crazy?!”
I chuckled as I watched the scene.
‘Interesting.’
Seo Eun-ha gripped my hand even tighter, looking anxious.
“Tae-yang… isn't this getting dangerous…?”
“It’s fine. This kind of commotion is a daily event here. It won't actually escalate to someone getting killed or hurt.”
Indeed, it wouldn't lead to an actual fight.
However, the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile. Those defending Night Bloom and those supporting the Holy Cross Knights began to raise their voices at each other.
“Night Bloom are villains!”
“Shut up! What do you know?! They are the saviors who will deliver us!”
“The Holy Cross Knights are the true saviors who understand and embrace us!”
In an instant, the plaza turned into pandemonium.
‘They’re determined to blow this out of proportion.’
I could see a few members of the Holy Cross Knights mixed in the crowd, shouting.
‘They’re dressed like civilians, but I’ve run into those faces a few times.’
Eventually, the woman who had defended Night Bloom was overwhelmed by the numbers and retreated through the crowd with a visible scowl.
‘I should find out who she is. Since she defended the guild, I should give her a fitting reward.’
I naturally led Seo Eun-ha away by the hand.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay…”
Seo Eun-ha nodded with a slightly dejected expression. We quietly slipped through the crowd and left the plaza.
*
It was true that the messy atmosphere from the play had slightly derailed the start of our date. However, once we were back on the streets, Seo Eun-ha’s mood quickly improved. I made a point of holding her hand firmly as I led her around.
We bought grilled skewers and sweet snacks from street vendors, and at an accessory shop, I picked out a silver necklace for her.
“Is this… really for me?”
Seo Eun-ha’s eyes sparkled as she held the small necklace in her palm.
“Of course. Today is Eun-ha-chan’s day, after all.”
“Thank you….”
With a shy smile, she put the necklace around her neck.
“How is it? Does it look good?”
I intentionally gave her a thumbs up.
“Uhyo~! You look totally gorgeous!”
“…Idiot.”
Seo Eun-ha turned her head away, her face flushing.
After wandering around and enjoying our little date, evening soon arrived. I led her into a tavern located in the middle of the market.
“Um, Tae-yang… I’m not very good with alcohol…?”
Seo Eun-ha looked at me tentatively, her expression uneasy.
“That’s even better.”
“What?”
“No, I mean! Let’s just enjoy the atmosphere. I’m a lightweight too, so don’t worry.”
“I think… you just said ‘that’s even better’… Tae-yang, you aren't thinking of something weird, are you…?”
Seo Eun-ha looked at me skeptically and lightly grabbed my collar.
“A Sweet Korean Man like Geum Tae-yang would never target a drunk woman! Today is really just about eating something delicious.”
“…Really?”
“Really! I swear on the name of Geum Tae-yang.”
Seo Eun-ha stared at me suspiciously for a long moment before finally sighing and letting go.
“…Fine. I’ll believe you.”
“Uhyo~! As expected of Eun-ha-chan!”
Exchanging light jokes, we stepped inside the tavern. The interior was already bustling with participants who had returned from the dungeons. The sound of clinking beer mugs, someone bragging about a victory, and small arguments and reconciliations filled the air.
“There’s an empty seat over there.”
I spotted a quiet spot in the corner and led Seo Eun-ha by the hand.
“Let’s sit here.”
“Okay.”
We sat side by side. Seo Eun-ha looked around curiously, as if the atmosphere was new to her.
“There are more people than I thought.”
“It’s where everyone comes to blow off steam after a hard day’s work.”
Soon, a server came over to take our order.
“What can I get for you?”
“Um… two glasses of Instant Climax. And what’s the best snack today?”
“I recommend the grilled meat.”
“Then we’ll take that.”
Once the server left, Seo Eun-ha asked quietly.
“Instant Climax…?”
“It’s the signature drink here. It’s good, so give it a try. It’s worth looking forward to.”
“…The name sounds a bit dangerous.”
Before long, the cold drinks and steaming grilled meat were served. I picked up my glass and looked at Seo Eun-ha.
“Alright, cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Clink!
The glasses met with a cheerful sound.
Seo Eun-ha took a sip without hesitation.
“Oh… this is surprisingly delicious.”
“Right?”
“Yeah!”
Seo Eun-ha smiled brightly, and she seemed to be relaxing bit by bit.
We shared the food and talked about various things—what happened in the dungeons, jokes about party members, and our plans for the future. As time passed, a faint red glow began to appear on her cheeks.
A moment later, she picked up her glass again and looked at my face carefully.
“By the way… Tae-yang.”
“Yeah?”
Her voice was slightly thick with the alcohol.
“Do you… like me?”
At the sudden question, I set my glass down and met her serious gaze.
“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?”
“Answer me. Do you like me? Or not?”
“Of course I like you.”
“Really?”
Her eyes were full of doubt.
“As much as my Uhyo!”
“Ugh… I like you too, you jerk.”
“Uhyo~! Eun-ha-chan confessed!”
“B-Be quiet!”
Seo Eun-ha shouted embarrassedly, covering her face with her hands.
At the sound, people nearby glanced our way.
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop teasing.”
“…Idiot.”
Seo Eun-ha began to gulp down her Instant Climax.
“Hey, slow down!”
“It’s fine… this is tasty…”
Her cheeks were already flushed deep red, and she smiled with a slightly drunken expression.
‘She’s getting drunk faster than I thought. She said she was a lightweight, but I thought her stamina would have improved from living in the Tower.’
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah… I’m fine… I just… feel good…”
Seo Eun-ha rested her arms on the table and stared intently at my face. After a moment, she grinned and spoke.
“Tae-yang~”
Her voice was full of aegyo, her tone much higher than usual.
“Are you drunk?”
“Hehe… ♡”
She laughed loosely and leaned her body against mine. Then, she rubbed her chest against my arm and whispered playfully.
“U-Uhyo…!”
“What’s this? You usually stare at my chest so much… Hmph, now that I’m doing this, you can’t even move, can you?”
“People are going to stare if you do this here, you know?”
“So what! Let them stare!”
Now that the alcohol had kicked in, Seo Eun-ha had become much more aggressive than usual.
It was exactly the situation I wanted.
“You’re completely wasted.”
“I told you, I’m not drunk!”
Seo Eun-ha puffed out her cheeks and glared at me. Then, she rested her chin on my shoulder, looked up at me, and whispered softly.
“Tae-yang~ Do you… want to do something naughty with me?”
“Of course!”
“Hehe… but you can’t. I took a Purity Vow!”
I grinned and blew a soft breath into her ear.
“Eun-ha, there’s no such thing as ‘never’ in this world.”
As I lightly placed my hand on her luscious breasts and began to fondle them, she flinched sensitively.
“Ah… ♡ Where are you touching, you pervert…”
I whispered playfully into her ear.
“Shall we break that Purity Vow today?”
“I don’t knooow… ♡”