Entering the Tower of Chaos
Clearing the B-rank gate had confirmed several things for me.
The first, of course, was the combat power of the new undead.
The results had been a complete success—so much so that the Rift Authority was ready to submit an official record update to the World Hunter Association based solely on the bodycam footage.
“And what of the second?”
“Whether I could enter the Death Blacksmith from inside a gate.”
The Death Blacksmith was a space completely isolated from the outside. If entry were possible, I could slip away the moment a gate clear turned dangerous.
“You could also buy time to reorganize.”
“Yeah. But it didn’t work.”
Maybe because gates themselves were treated as separate spaces. The moment I tried to step into the Death Blacksmith, a repulsive force shoved me back out.
Sir Isra’s expression hardened slightly.
“Does that not mean supply will be hindered once we enter a gate?”
“The storage function worked fine.”
Pulling items or undead in and out of subspace still functioned normally.
“That is fortunate.”
“Aren’t you worrying a little too much?”
“It would be troublesome if a situation like the last one occurred again.”
Ah. She meant the gate the Black Sky Society had fabricated.
“Come on. Things like that don’t happen every day.”
“As they say—better safe than sorry. One must always prepare thoroughly.”
Where on earth had she picked up a saying like that?
Anyway. Even if I couldn’t use the Death Blacksmith as an emergency escape hatch, I could still use it for resupply.
“Good thing I checked in advance.”
The combat power of the new subordinates. Whether the Death Blacksmith could be used. Before tackling the Tower of Chaos I had confirmed a great deal of necessary information; the time had been well spent.
When I exited the gate, President Baek wore a look of pure astonishment.
“You’ve already finished the clear?”
“Yes. I got lucky.”
“Clearing a B-rank gate in under an hour isn’t something you pull off just by getting a little lucky.”
President Baek’s cheek muscles twitched. The way he tried to suppress his delight was almost comical.
“Leave the site cleanup to us and get some proper rest.”
“Thank you.”
Once I got back to my studio I still had to pack for the trip abroad. There was a mountain of luggage waiting. This was going to be a problem. A real problem.
A question mark practically floated above Sir Isra’s head.
“For what purpose do you intend to travel abroad?”
“The Tower of Chaos is overseas.”
Italy. Our next destination was Italy.
The next day the party gathered at Incheon International Airport and boarded the flight right on schedule.
“Here are the tickets.”
President Baek handed out the tickets he had already purchased.
Wow. Leaving the country on actual business. Oh my god. Mom, I’ve made it!
“This is my first time going to Europe.”
“All thanks to you, hyung.”
“Hyungnim! Eternal loyalty!”
Why was the support team coming along? According to President Baek, it was employee welfare.
“But everyone except me is in economy.”
“Are these guys the same as Hunter Park? They should be grateful just for the chance to go.”
“The president is absolutely right.”
“Loyalty!”
Since they themselves insisted they were fine with it, I had nothing more to say. Still… was it really okay?
“All expenses will be covered by company funds.”
President Baek’s quiet reminder made everything click. I was the only one who would actually climb the Tower of Chaos. For the support team this was basically a European vacation. Economy seats or not, there was no reason to complain. They should be grateful even if they were stuffed into the cargo hold—okay, that might be taking it a little far.
“Oh my. We don’t have seats?”
“Palace Minister. We must protect our lord.”
“Neither of you has a passport.”
“……”
“……”
Both retainers’ mouths snapped shut. Apparently a passport was mandatory for booking plane seats. I had left everything to the president, so I hadn’t even known.
“You can still see outside even from the Death Space.”
“Uuuugh. I want to experience the sky without mana!”
“I merely wished to confirm the ride quality of the iron horse. There is no personal desire involved.”
Saying that with a face overflowing with personal desire stripped every last shred of persuasiveness from the words.
“Hyungnim, you’ll have to take your shoes off when you go in.”
“I prepared slippers for exactly that.”
When I pulled a pair of slippers from subspace, Seongsu’s face went paper-white. Heh. Underestimating my preparedness, are we?
My first time in business class. I reclined in the absurdly comfortable seat and slept like the dead.
“Zzz…”
Maybe it was because I had been sleeping only in snatches for a whole week. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again the scenery of Rome filled the window.
“We transfer once here.”
Like chicks trailing a mother hen, I simply stared at the back of President Baek’s head and followed him through the transfer.
Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport → Pisa International Airport.
Less than an hour after takeoff we touched down in Pisa, our final destination.
“Please take us to the Tower of Chaos.”
We flagged down two taxis and headed out.
“We’ll take the rear car.”
President Baek casually claimed the front passenger seat. I ended up in the “chairman’s” seat in the back. Part of me wanted to insist on sitting up front—if only the two retainers hadn’t been screaming to be let out the entire time.
“Now I can finally breathe.”
“Seeing it with my own eyes is infinitely better than the Death Space!”
Taxi driver, please don’t be alarmed. These two are noisy, but they’re not bad kids.
During the ride President Baek briefed us on the Tower of Chaos once more.
“You’ve already reviewed the materials I sent, but I’ll go over the essentials again.”
① Dying inside the Tower of Chaos is not permanent death.
② If you die, you forfeit all rewards up to the highest floor you reached.
③ The highest floor currently known is the 43rd.
④ Clearing a floor grants a thirty-minute rest period.
That was the summary.
“So we have to be only moderately greedy and know when to leave.”
“Exactly. Monsters on each floor follow random patterns.”
“Luck will play a part as well.”
At Sir Isra’s words President Baek shook his head.
“They claim the difficulty is adjusted to stay roughly consistent, but individual variance still exists.”
Luck plus skill, then. Hunters who could adapt to any environment would have the advantage.
“And isn’t just such a talent sitting right here?”
Who, me?
“With me, Isra—my lord’s First Sword—there is nothing to fear.”
“Hmph. Listen to this iron-headed fool.”
The Continent’s Greatest Sword and the strongest of the Witch Order. Having strengthened both the knight order and the witch order for this climb only made me feel more secure.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Here you are. Keep the change as a tip.”
President Baek spoke fluent Italian. For a moment I genuinely thought he was a local.
“Not to brag, but I speak about five languages.”
That’s more than enough to brag about. Are all executives of major conglomerate subsidiaries in their forties this capable?
The second taxi had been caught at a light and arrived a little later. The support team piled out and immediately let out cries of awe.
“So this is the Tower of Chaos.”
“It looks so strange.”
“Like someone just stuck a bunch of buildings together at random?”
I agreed completely with Mijeong. A blue Santorini-style roof perched atop hanok pillars, and every architectural style from East and West slapped on top of one another in a chaotic mess. It looked exactly like something a child had stacked for fun. Literally the Tower of Chaos.
“Really bizarre,” I muttered.
I had seen photographs, but standing in front of it made the strangeness twice as intense.
“Hunter Park. Good luck.”
“Hyungnim! Fighting!”
“Hyung! Break the record and come back!”
“When you come out we’ll have a proper company dinner. I’ll scout the best places.”
Everyone offered encouragement in their own way. Feeling both awkward and grateful, I scratched the back of my head and bowed.
“I’ll be back.”
I placed my hand on the surrealist structure.
Tower of Chaos entry ticket confirmed.
Once you enter, the ticket will be completely consumed.
At this rank, obtaining additional tickets will not allow re-entry.
Do you wish to enter?
Y / N
If I had intended to turn back after flying for more than half a day, I never would have come in the first place.
I clenched my fist and slammed the Y button.
Entering the Tower of Chaos.
A blinding radiance hammered against my retinas. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again the bizarre structure was gone. An entirely separate space greeted me instead.
Welcome to the Tower of Chaos.
This place was established to test the qualifications of hunters.
The higher you climb, the greater the rewards you may obtain.
Beware. Should you grow greedy beyond your ability, you will lose everything.
Know when to go and when to stop, basically. I had already heard all of this, so it didn’t leave much of an impression.
One C-rank? What was there to prepare for? This wouldn’t even count as a warm-up.
“Allow your First Sword to open the curtain of battle, my lord.”
Using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken, basically.
“Go ahead.”
I let her do as she wished.
“Grrraaah!”
“Do not bark so loudly.”
Shhk—
A mere C-rank monster. No need even for Mana Release. The blade that emerged was spotless—not a single drop of blood. That was how swift and precise the cut had been. Fur, hide, flesh, and bone had all been parted, yet the steel looked brand-new.
“Hahaha! Behold! I am Isra, First Sword of my lord!”
“Making such a racket over a single C-rank.”
“Magic-user. Care to wager who will achieve greater glory on this battlefield?”
“Very well. I accept, iron-head.”
Tower of Chaos Stage 1 cleared.
A 30-minute rest period is granted.
You may stop the challenge or proceed immediately.
“Sir, want to catch your breath?”
“My body itches for more. I wish to cut loose a little longer.”
Then I would let her have her way.
“We challenge immediately.”
Silver Fang (C) × 5
Prepare yourself. Combat begins in 60 seconds.
Shhk-shhk!
Werewolf (C) × 7
Prepare yourself. Combat begins in 60 seconds.
Shhk!
“Hmm.”
Watching Sir Isra’s one-woman massacre was surprisingly entertaining.
Understanding of Imperial Sword Style has risen.
The subtle insights contained within her blade. At first I had only felt a dizzying sensation, but thanks to my rising comprehension of the Imperial Sword Style I was beginning to grasp them little by little.
It was a strange and wonderful feeling. Heavenly Martial Body, Spirit Eye, and Origin of Magic—all three abilities resonated, awakening my senses in perfect synergy.
Tower of Chaos Stage 15 cleared.
A 30-minute rest period is granted.
You may stop the challenge or proceed immediately.
Huh? Already stage fifteen?
Teacher, the pace is a little too fast.