Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Mad Black Mage's Tower Strategy
Chapter 105
At Nimrod's sudden appearance, Seo-jin showed wariness.
"What's the matter?"
Seo-jin knew.
Although that being showed great interest in him, he was an opponent against whom he must never let his guard down.
He pretended to be friendly on the surface, but one never knew when he might stab him in the back.
They were always fickle, after all.
The great beings that Seo-jin truly trusted were only a very few, including Circe.
"Let's move to another place first. It's a bit awkward to speak here."
Nimrod gestured toward the surrounding situation.
"Hehe."
Rosaria, who was obviously drunk, was sprawled over Talis and babbling, while Talis was also fast asleep holding a wine barrel.
Narcissus was maintaining a dignified posture while holding his cup, but that was merely his outward appearance.
Judging by the wine trickling down from the corners of his mouth, he was no different from the others.
The only different one was Gabriel, who had spent an appropriate amount of time before returning to Pantheon with Zieg to maintain the dignity of a great being.
Seo-jin had no choice but to follow behind Nimrod.
The two headed to a place far from the plaza.
THUD-.
Leaving the plaza where only the embers of the festival remained, a stroll under the moonlight.
Taking a night walk with a sinister man whose true intentions were unknown wasn't particularly pleasant, but right now wariness was greater than discomfort.
In the uncomfortable silence, Nimrod was the first to speak.
"The reason I called you out is nothing else. Since I've come to understand a bit about your identity, I just wanted to have a brief conversation."
Seo-jin wasn't particularly flustered even after hearing Nimrod's words.
It seemed Nimrod had noticed Seo-jin's regression, but this wasn't particularly strange.
Rather, it felt later than Seo-jin had expected.
"You caught on quickly."
"I had been guessing, but let's say I became certain this time."
He continued while looking up at the night sky.
"I don't know what kind of history you possess. You could be the incarnation of another great being from outside the Tower, or you might have inherited only those memories. Or perhaps, you could be a mortal who has experienced the same thing as now before."
"......"
"However you look at it, you're not an ordinary climber, but well, what does it matter?"
Nimrod shrugged as if he didn't care what Seo-jin's identity was.
"It was the right decision not to reveal your identity publicly. ......Though for someone hiding his identity, you've been showing off quite a bit."
"There are circumstances for that."
"That would be the case. I won't ask for details."
Fortunately, since Nimrod said he wouldn't dig any deeper, it was fortunate for Seo-jin.
If he took a hostile attitude, the path ahead would become very arduous.
"So, was that all you wanted to say?"
Nimrod nodded readily.
"Yes, so you don't need to worry. I won't reveal your identity to others either. I will continue to act as I have until now."
At his words, Seo-jin let out a mocking snort.
"Hmph, acting as you have means you'll continue to indirectly interfere like secretly planting Demon fragments or allowing Hunting Dog's intervention?"
"Oh my. You noticed?"
Nimrod spoke playfully.
"Who else but you would do such things, you bastard."
He chuckled as if amused.
"Huhu, you're probably the only crazy human who would use such language toward the Tower's administrator."
"If you don't like it, why don't you kill me."
"I cannot do that. As long as the Tower doesn't reject you, I won't directly harm you. In any case."
Nimrod muttered calmly.
"Please remember just one thing. The fact that I pity humanity."
"......"
Seo-jin was about to retort to those words, but Nimrod had already transformed into particles of mana and disappeared.
***
The next day.
All schedules on the 12th floor had ended.
The climbers were gathering in the plaza just like when they first came to the 12th floor, preparing for teleportation.
Not only the great beings of the four major powers but also all their subordinates attended the closing ceremony.
Rosaria also personally came to see Seo-jin off.
"Well then, see you next time, darling. Contact me through Circe anytime."
Seo-jin nodded and kissed the back of her gloved hand.
"When the time comes, I'll visit you directly."
Though she had been troublesome in various ways, it was true that Rosaria had been a great help in creating the magic system.
He intended to repay the favor someday.
"Good, good. I'll be looking forward to that time. Let's have one hug before you go."
Rosaria smiled brightly and embraced Seo-jin.
The soft sensation touching his body.
Since it was the last time, instead of being cold, Seo-jin patted Rosaria's back.
"Hmph."
Rosaria, while tightly hugging Seo-jin, winked once at Se-yeon.
"......"
Se-yeon, who had been glaring at Rosaria for a moment, also turned her head to bid farewell to Talis.
Talis ruffled Se-yeon's hair with his large hand.
"It's regrettable to part like this. But where there are meetings, there are also partings. I look forward to the day we meet again."
"Thank you for your teachings."
She had truly learned many things from Talis. Not only techniques and skills but also mindset.
Based on this, if she continued training, she would someday be able to stand beside him.
"There are many branches of the Hall of Fighting Gods on various floors. You should be able to contact me if you mention my name."
"Yes!"
Zieg and Austin also finished their greetings with Gabriel and Narcissus respectively.
Eventually, Gabriel, in the same appearance as when they first met, spread her wings wide in the sky and declared to everyone gathered in the plaza.
"Then we conclude this cycle's 12th floor opening. Although it was a short period of one month, there were many ups and downs and interesting events. All of us, including Pantheon, will not forget you. Climbers, you have all worked hard."
Gabriel smiled brightly and emitted light.
"May God's blessing be with you all."
Her voice brushed past their ears along with the sight turning white.
FLASH-.
Along with the climbers being teleported to the 13th floor, this cycle's 12th floor opening came to an end.
And before that day had even passed, the events that occurred on the 12th floor spread throughout the entire Tower.
The appearance of the Supernova and his accomplishments.
And the appearance of another genius swordsman comparable to him.
***
A haggard face appears in front of the monitor.
The internet article reflected in her eyes. News that Supernova was estimated to have broken through the 19th floor.
"He's still making a fuss, that person."
Han Seo-hee, who had taken a moment to browse the internet, chewed on the cigarette in her mouth.
All the media was paying attention to the Supernova's movements daily and talking about his accomplishments.
Although the Supernova had always been at the center of attention, the most definitive time he stood out was when he climbed to the 12th floor.
The impact was different from simply records appearing on the leaderboard or videos showing only fragmentary appearances.
He displayed his strength in the 12th floor ranking tournament.
And that too, in front of thousands of climbers from around the world and the Tower's administrator.
Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times, and seeing directly once is better than watching a hundred times through video.
With that incident as a turning point, those who had doubted the Supernova completely disappeared.
People who had dismissed the Supernova's achievements as exaggerated illusions or media manipulation all fell silent.
Governments of various countries that had shown lukewarm attitudes also began earnestly searching for the Supernova.
"It was good that I brought him, right? Since you've established a connection, there's nothing to worry about."
So-yul, who was lying on the sofa eating cookies, spoke proudly, and Han Seo-hee nodded and praised So-yul.
"Mm, well done. As expected of my sister."
"Hehe."
News that governments and guilds from around the world were tracking the Supernova's movements and intelligence that they were deploying schemes to win him over poured in endlessly.
That was natural too.
Although the Supernova was presumed to be of Korean origin, it hadn't been confirmed whether he had close ties with the actual Climber Association or the Korean government.
When they were already approaching high-ranking rankers who belonged to the association or government, recommending naturalization, there was no reason to leave alone the controversial rising star whose affiliation wasn't certain.
If it hadn't been for So-yul, Han Seo-hee would have been worrying herself sick about the Supernova being stolen by other countries.
"But lately, there are hardly any sighting reports."
"Yeah, he said he got a good artifact on the 12th floor. One that can change appearance......"
"Was it the Mask of Ten Thousand Forms?"
"Yeah. Since it has no side effects or mana consumption like magic, and the duration is unlimited, there's no chance of being caught."
"So that's why he's been following Se-yeon around lately."
Supernova's previously known physical description was now useless.
Now he could distort not only his height, physique, and appearance but even every single body hair.
The best method to track such him was to follow someone connected to him.
That target was Se-yeon, who had also become famous on the 12th floor.
Although her face wasn't known because she usually wore a baseball cap and white mask, her physical description was still easier to recognize than Supernova's unclear appearance.
"Well...... he'll handle it well on his own."
Since he was a very cautious and strong kid, it wasn't much of a concern.
"More importantly, sister, how's your body? Are you feeling better?"
At So-yul's question about her health, Han Seo-hee shook her head while holding the cigarette in her mouth.
"Yeah. I never imagined my body would improve while smoking."
The tobacco that Supernova had given as a gift.
At first, she wasn't pleased with the idea of cigarettes, but after trying one, it wasn't harsh and had good effects, so she had been using it regularly.
The scent was also like gentle herbal medicine, to the point where employees visiting the association president's office would sniff around asking what fragrance it was.
Since smoking this tobacco, the pain in her heart had also eased and the occasional seizures had become much rarer.
Although returning to active duty would be a distant matter, if she continued recuperating like this, her lifespan probably wouldn't be shortened further.
"That's a relief. How much is left? I'll get you more."
Currently, Circe was in charge of manufacturing the medicine.
Since bringing too much outside the Tower at once would reduce the medicinal effect, So-yul periodically received and brought it to her.
"Just bring about three days' worth and I'd be grateful."
KNOCK KNOCK-.
Just as the sisters were chatting, someone knocked on the association president's office door.
"Please come in."
At Han Seo-hee's permission, the secretary entered and gave a report.
"Ah, it's good that So-yul is here. Hanseong has requested a meeting regarding the Mana Storage Pouch development project."
***
20th floor. The port city of Ceuta.
SCREECH- SCREECH-.
The sound of waves and seagull cries.
HAH- WHOO-.
Seo-jin, who had warped to the back alley of Ceuta using the teleportation stone, stood in place and took a deep breath.
The salty yet refreshing air penetrated deep into his lungs.
"Good air."
As he always felt, the air inside the Tower was refreshing on any floor.
Perhaps because civilization's conveniences hadn't reached it.
Seo-jin left the alley with shallow impressions and strolled around the port area.
The port where fishing boats and large ships were densely moored.
But this place had something unusual unlike other ports.
Namely, the massive 'submarines' moored around the port.
The stage of the 20th floor was the sea. More precisely, it was the underwater city located deep in the sea.
The submarines were the means of transportation to that underwater city, Atlantis.
'The interior of the underwater city is protected by barriers.'
Since teleportation stones alone couldn't penetrate inside Atlantis, he had no choice but to visit the port.
[Are you planning to tackle this alone this time?]
Hyeon-wol, who would be missed if absent, asked while sitting on his shoulder.
"I suppose I'll have to."
Currently, Se-yeon was temporarily staying at the 18th floor branch of the Hall of Fighting Gods.
He might have to tackle the 20th floor alone.
"Let's rest today and depart tomorrow."
[Let's do that.]
Afterward, Seo-jin was looking for an inn after examining the submarines' conditions while touring around the port.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Seo-jin's mana circuit sparkled.
This was a signal alerting him when a being bound by contract came close.
At the same time.
FLASH-.
Someone's ambush was reflected in the Future Sight that Seo-jin activated.
After checking the Future Sight, Seo-jin quickly turned around and blocked the unexpected attack.
CLANG-!
A hidden blade blocked by the barrier of the small Protective Body Energy that Seo-jin summoned.
JINGLE-.
Along with that, a rough-looking guy appeared.
"Finally found you."
Nam-gung Cheon. And.
"Hah, hah. Let's go together!"
His younger sister Nam-gung Rin, who had followed him.