Chapter 33
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Tower's Welcome Party
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The old lodging, or rather, the hotel lobby.
"Has everyone from each team gathered?"
After confirming the familiar team members, I nodded.
"First, before coming here, there were quite a few items donated in Korea for us. Please distribute them freely to Hunter Han Ji-eon and Hunter Han Ji-un."
It was more than just "quite a few." Seeing the countless boxes behind Ji Hwa-yeon, I wondered when we'd ever finish handing them all out.
"And these are recovery potions made by Yoo A-han. Take two each."
While people were picking up their potions, I distributed items suited to each team member.
"The last one left is... Han Ji-eon?"
"Yes? Oh. Yes."
At the voice calling me, I stood up right away and grabbed the potion.
"You really know how to look after your team members."
"I... do?"
"Yes."
I smiled bashfully at the praise. Then Ji Hwa-yeon made a suggestion.
"How about forming a team when we get back?"
"Really? Is that okay?"
"Hunter Han Ji-un usually clears dungeons solo or with just a tiny group of hunters, and I occasionally run S-Rank or A-Rank dungeons only with A-Rank team members, so there are quite a few people left over."
"Then I'd love that."
Ji Hwa-yeon smiled brightly.
"Alright, let's head out then. Looks like item distribution is done."
I nodded in response.
The trip after that was simple. A rented car was waiting outside. Plus, the tower wasn't far, so we arrived in no time.
The scenery outside before reaching the tower was pure festival vibes. People waved banners saying "Smash that damned tower," held up photos of some unknown hunter, and tossed flowers at the cars.
Here and there were weird banners saying "Accept doom," but as always, they had about as much presence as a quail egg in a pile of chicken eggs, so I didn't pay them much mind.
The crowds thinned out the closer we got to the tower. Probably because of the warning that monsters would swarm if anyone tried to smash it, blocking access.
Screech. The car we were in came to a stop. The driver announced we'd arrived. As I got out, the massive tower I'd seen from afar dominated my view.
"It's really tall up close. And those weird patterns too."
I stared at the tower silently. What could I say? It felt like beholding something rare I'd never seen before. In one word.
'Feels like I can finally breathe.'
Ji Hwa-yeon chatted briefly with someone who looked like a guide, then led us to where the Korean flag was planted. Soon, people from other countries started arriving. And right at noon.
"Hello, representatives from each nation."
The chairman of the World Hunter Association spoke into the translation mic. Of course, I didn't understand a lick. Ji Hwa-yeon, who seemed to be smiling with her lips quirked up, was letting the speech go in one ear and out the other, while my brother stared intently at the tower beyond the chairman.
"Then, to the representatives from each nation, I hope this matter concludes without great losses. That ends my speech."
Mechanical applause followed.
After that, we entered the tower in the order of the flags. The entrance was big enough for two or three people at a time, so it took a while for everyone gathered to file in.
When my turn approached, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to see my brother. I glanced at my shoulder for a moment before asking.
"Why?"
"Well, it's not too late even now..."
Why bring this up again? He'd done the same at the airport. Of course he would.
Laughter bubbled up at my brother's unchanged demeanor. I quirked my lips slightly and said.
"I'm right here in front of you—what do you mean 'not too late'? I was prepared from the start."
"..."
"And Mom and Dad are really worried."
"That's why you should..."
"About you, bro."
"..."
If I didn't go, our parents would worry about my brother. I didn't like seeing that, so staying behind alone wasn't an option. Better if I didn't have to see them fret.
Besides, if something happened to my brother, time would rewind anyway. What good would staying outside do? Better to stick by his side and see when he kicks the bucket.
My turn came up. I left my brother behind and stepped lightly into the tower entrance. A familiar light, like entering a gate, enveloped my body briefly before fading.
'Finally.'
Looking around with wide eyes, all I saw under the colorful sky was an empty white floor.
"Puzzle format, maybe?"
"Who knows."
I brushed off Ji Hwa-yeon's question with a vague reply.
'Like a pre-game lobby.'
You know, that space where you stretch before people gather.
I turned around. People were streaming in through the massive white light.
After maybe half an hour or so. Pop. The light vanished. At the same time, the sky turned pitch black. As everyone braced for combat amid the changed environment.
Bang!
"Ugh!"
Before anyone's shout could matter, the source of the explosion was none other than.
"Fireworks?"
Fizz. Familiar fireworks lit up the black sky in sparkles. And at the center of the bursting fireworks sky, turquoise hair fluttered.
—Hello, everyone!
The voice echoed through the space like it was packed with speakers, undrowned by the fireworks.
—Welcome to the party!
With that, the turquoise head spun in place with a twirl.
I had no clue what the turquoise head would do next. But one thing was clear.
'It's nuts.'
—More than I expected. Hmm. Whatever, the more the merrier at a party! And... hm.
At the same time, the turquoise head shifted its gaze toward us. I felt it looking right at us. The sudden threat made me shrink back.
—Something interesting too.
But that lasted only a moment; the gaze soon moved elsewhere.
'Just my imagination?'
Plop. The fireworks stopped.
—First off, I'm the owner of this tower. As you all know. Anyway, you lot came to destroy this tower... yeah, let's call you heroes. And I'm the demon king!
"Cut the crap, monster!"
Someone yelled. At that moment, the tower's grandeur hit me.
'It spoke in Korean just now.'
As if reading my mind, someone from our side muttered.
"Full translation...?"
The space itself was translating languages automatically. That alone must take immense power.
'Showing off its strength.'
—Hey, monster? I'm no monster. Look. Same form as you guys.
The turquoise head turned its head this way and that, inspecting its own body. Same form didn't mean it wasn't a monster. Drawing lines on a pumpkin doesn't make it a watermelon.
—Ah. Unnecessary talk! Don't make me say unnecessary stuff! Every minute counts for more fun!
We needed every minute to wipe you out faster, though.
—Right, yeah. You came to kill me, heroes! To do that, as I said before, climb this tower. Like clearing a dun— I mean, like you do dungeons! Climbing the tower is simple! What is it?
Simple. It was laughable coming from that mouth. What it always did, always wanted, was one thing.
—Games!
'Games.'
Fizz. Paper confetti burst and fluttered down. I waved my hand to brush away the drifting bits.
—Games on each floor. Clear the game to go up to the next floor!
Games. Sounded like harmless fun at first glance, but the games it meant...
"We should be careful."
I whipped my head toward the voice. It was my brother.
"It might be trying to make it seem easy."
Hearing my brother, realization dawned instantly.
'You caught on.'
Yeah. Good thing that part was in the novel too. Of course it was. How much did we fight that thing?
'I never won, though.'
Tsk. I clicked my tongue softly.
As my brother said, it called them "games" to lure people in easily. It forced deadly games that were barely more than circus tricks and reveled in the slaughter. No way it'd make conquering the tower easy now.
'Can't let our guard down, like he said.'
Thankfully, aside from a few, no one was buying its words. Our side especially stayed alert, thanks to my brother.
—The games are special! I prepared ones you might know from your world. So many games there. Tweaked them a tiny bit. Now, moving to the first game...
At "moving," I stared at the turquoise head like a meerkat.
—Before that!
"..."
—Let's pair up! Two per team for the games! Pairing is simple. Hold hands like this, and a string will appear on your wrists. Oh, break it and you die, so careful~ It won't break easily, though. Ah, and anyone left unpaired? Dead meat?
At the pairing order, a deep sigh came from beside me. Ji Hwa-yeon's. We'd just formed teams, and now pairs.
Chaos erupted around us instantly. Ji Hwa-yeon turned to the group and spoke.
"First, we have an odd number. I can pair with Ha-na for that, but the issue is how to pair up."
I chimed in with my opinion.
"How about lining up roughly and pairing off by line?"
"Not bad, but it could lead to bad combos. We'd know if we knew the game."
"Then how about grouping with people easy to move with?"
Ji Hwa-yeon let out a hum at my brother's words.
"That's honestly best... Yeah. Let's do that. Breaking the string means death. We trained together briefly, but you're all pros, so you should know who suits you. If you can't find a partner, I'll help—just say."
As Ji Hwa-yeon finished, people started pairing with friends or those whose abilities complemented theirs. No hand-holding yet. To avoid mishaps, hands would link only after all pairs were set.
'Then for me, obviously...'
I turned my head. My brother stood there. He seemed to think the same, calling me as he approached.
'Better with the strong ones anyway. No one really matches my abilities.'
My powers were like a long-range bomber: explosions, corrosion, projectiles. So pairing with my similar brother made sense.
"Looks about done. I talked with Ha-na too. She agreed."
Ji Hwa-yeon scanned the pairs. Judging no issues, she nodded slightly.
"Good combos. Let's pair up like it said."
People nodded and clasped hands like handshakes. Sure enough, a rope-like string appeared on their wrists, connecting them about arm's length.
"Bro."
I reached out to pair with my brother. He extended his hand without a word. Soon, our hands clasped.
"..."
The problem was, the hand holding mine...
I turned my head with a creak.
Festive pink hair, black eyepatch covering the eyes, and a pulled-down parka hood.
"Hi!"