Class Selection

Episode 105

A private audience with an Administrator. This had never happened in the early stages of the game.

Normally, the standard procedure was to go straight to choosing a class. Two maids whose outfits were rather revealing.

In any case, it was the moment their gloved hands pointed toward the [Class Selection Gate].

Krrrriiiii— An unbelievable surge of mana rippled from the arched gate. "!" The previously empty air turned blue.

Mana circuits scattered wildly. Immediately afterward, lasers burst from beyond the space, slicing through it with precision.

Kwa-ga-ga-gang! As if welding the torn space, mechanical parts shot out.

In an instant, the parts began assembling themselves, producing all sorts of noise. Krrrriiiii—!

Screws tightened with precision inside the machinery. Metals liquefied and moved swiftly. Kwaaang!

A new gate was swiftly constructed. It was fundamentally different from the mechanical sliding doors the Rankers had passed through.

This was a gate crafted from machinery that seemed to transcend civilization itself.

As the gate rotated open, what emerged from within the light was— 『The Perfecter of Machine and Space』

No—it was a woman who emitted an even more intense mechanical radiance, like steam.

Futuristic mechanical limbs, the kind only seen in sci-fi. Like machines communicating with each other, LED-like circuit lights flickered chaotically.

A high nose bridge, partially concealed by some sort of alloyed visor or goggles that covered up to her forehead.

From the back of her head, untouched by the helmet, flowed an abundance of long, white hair—so pale it seemed drained

of color. <Oh dear, am I a little late~?> Standing over 2 meters tall, with ample curves at her chest and hips.

The rest of her was covered by an electronic suit illuminated by swirling mechanical lights—only her jawline, neck, shoulders, cleavage, and parts of her thighs remained flesh.

One of the five Administrators of the Tower, 『The Perfecter of Machine and Space』.

A being who could rightfully be called the strongest in the Tower had appeared. ...Never, without a doubt, had

the Perfecter of Machine and Space ever personally attended the opening of a [Class Selection Gate].

An anomaly that had never occurred even once in the game.

While my existence might be an anomaly to them, from my perspective, they were the anomaly.

Climber.> The absolute sovereign who governed all the Tower's [Gates], constantly upgrading them to ensure the Tower's evolution.

The founder of Magitech Engineering, the fusion of magic and machinery. She artificially connects and severs all spaces.

From beyond the end of civilization, the 『Machine God』 gazed down at me through her goggles.

Her mechanical legs—crafted with technology capable of trampling all civilizations—stepped onto the arched gate frame.

Behind her, intricate mechanical structures followed. Hundreds of mechanical arms extended in all directions.

Her jawline, the only part not concealed by alloyed armor, moved.

nothing more important to a person than time, after all.> Just like in the game, she was lighthearted and cheerful.

But a storm of immense mana swirled around her. It was hard to even keep my eyes open.

Took me a while to deal with it. Hope you understand. You wouldn't want your home collapsing on you either, right?> Fortunately, it didn't seem to be the

『Machine God's』 true form, so I could still barely breathe. That, at least, was a relief.

I looked up at the mechanical woman standing atop my [Class Selection Gate]. Then, as nonchalantly as possible, I spoke.

"That may be so, but this is a bit of a problem, isn't it? You—our meeting wasn't part of the plan, was it?

No, have you ever appeared before a Climber who just finished the tutorial and was about to be assigned a class?

Probably not, right? So what business could you possibly have with a newbie who just entered the Tower?"

Administrators almost never revealed themselves ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠before newbies. Yet here she was, appearing before me right after I entered the Tower?

This was undeniably an anomaly. The lips of the inscrutable Machine God twisted wryly.

Said it was her first time seeing someone as good-looking as you?

I can definitely see why.> "...Is that really such a rare occurrence?"

But in your case, she even went out of her way to make sure you *wouldn't* die.

That's never happened since the Tower was built.> "......" So the Lord of Corpses had thought of me that highly?

That was unexpected.

That brat Perdain with her "Know" ability, was it?> The Witch Council. I'd nearly forgotten.

The secret organization Kim Seon-hwa would soon join. They'd be eyeing Park Se-eun, trying to recruit her too...

That can't happen... Park Se-eun's corruption must never occur. "Perdain? She's not even worth worrying about.

A woman who doesn't even plan to show her face—what's the point?" The Machine God let out an enigmatic laugh.

Well, that's not the important part. What matters is whether you truly know the future of "Wouldn't it be better to wait and see?

Though things would go smoother if you helped. After all, the Administrators' goals aren't that different, right?"

The Machine God's expression vanished from her lips as she hesitated.

Instead, her mechanical arm—what looked like a laser cutter—glowed red with heat.

I'll be watching, Seer.> Behind her goggles, her mechanical eyes turned toward the Mechanical Servitors—the maids.

<Truthfully, the reason ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I took the time to come here was to make you an offer.> "I'll hear it with an open mind."

The Machine God studied me seriously. <Have you ever considered inheriting my legacy in Magitech Engineering?> "!"

I hurriedly steadied my expression with Optimal Progression. It was that shocking.

The Perfecter of Machine and Space, an Administrator who had collected all of history since the dawn of time.

No human achievement could ever rival hers.

The power to inherit her legacy—something even those unrelated to Magitech Engineering would abandon their own

paths for in desperation. <If you take my legacy...> The Machine God glanced at the Mechanical Servitors.

The girls flanking the doorway grasped their maid skirts and bowed. The atmosphere had shifted entirely from its earlier lightness.

The pressure of mana radiated from her now-serious lips. She was forcing a decision out of me. I couldn't answer easily.

With effort, I tore my gaze from her and looked at the Mechanical Servitors.

Maids who handled The Tower's affairs, guiding climbers like NPCs. If they aided me, appearing across space at will...

An offer from an Administrator to inherit everything she had. It was an overwhelmingly tempting proposal.

But I twisted my lips into a smirk. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."

The Machine God showed no reaction, as if she'd expected it. I met her gaze and continued.

"The Lord of Corpses didn't ask me to inherit her legacy either.

No matter how much you covet my talent, cutting in line like this is a bit much, don't you think?

I'm a man of principle. And—" I locked eyes with the Machine God. "You don't need to worry. I will clear <The Tower>.

So you don't have to fret. Just looking at me favorably from time to time—that's enough for me."

If I said I wasn't tempted, I'd be lying. Becoming the Machine God's successor would mean every Magitech Engineer in existence would follow me unconditionally.

Her skills and knowledge carried that much weight. But I refused to be bound by anything. I could become anything.

I could do anything. I didn't want to limit my potential to a single path. What I wanted— Was to be free, like Park Ha-rin.

The Machine God looked down at me. Then, she smiled again. <If that's your choice, I'll respect it for now.> At the same time— Bzzzt— A violet static enveloped us.

As if we'd been cut off from The Tower itself.

In that isolated space, the Machine God whispered quickly. <Be wary of The Tower.> A moment later, the dark shroud around us dissipated.

Her words made my brow furrow briefly. <Well then~? Time is precious, after all~> After watching me for a moment longer, the Machine God turned away.

Bzzzt— Holographic code etched itself with her every movement. She stepped back into the circular gate.

The gate disassembled like machinery, scattering like blue barcodes in the wind.

I stared at the space where she had vanished, then turned forward again. The two maids bowed deeply and gestured toward the door.

[We apologize for our creator taking up your time.]

["Please go right in, handsome..."] The blue-haired ponytailed girl murmured with flushed cheeks, her expression dazed.

["......?"] The red-haired long-haired girl shot a glare at her blue counterpart, visibly flustered.

["...What do you think you're doing, acting out of protocol without consulting the network?

You've thrown everyone into chaos."] ["...It was a sudden surge of emotion.

Didn't our Creator ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠teach us to cherish our feelings, just like humans do?"] ["...Th-That's not the point!

You shouldn't have exposed it externally!"] Both maids' faces were red, as if sharing the same thoughts and emotions.

They kept stealing shy, furtive glances at me. ...It was absurd, but their impossibly flawless beauty was undeniably breathtaking.

Just then, their unfiltered inner voices reached me. —...The competition to guide Climber Park Si-hyun is going to get fierce.

This is a disaster. —...Is there any way to keep Climber Park Si-hyun here a little longer? "......"

But what truly left me speechless wasn't that. It was the hundreds of thousands of consciousnesses I sensed within the two pairs of eyes fixed on me.

Gooooo— —...So handsome... —...Everyone, stop ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sharing sensory data and focus on your assigned tasks...

Actually, I have some free time too. —...I keep running into weird humans lately.

It's killing my motivation. —...I'm next in line to be summoned by Climber Park Si-hyun. —...No, that's not happening.

It's me. —...Nope. It's me. —...We should prioritize whoever aligns closest with Climber Park Si-hyun's romantic preferences... —...That would require thorough research first.

Ugh...Mechanical Servitors were, at their core, machines.

Their bodies—artificial skin, artificial organs—mimicked humans, but their thoughts were processed by electronic brains.

Moreover, they were both individuals and a collective. Their consciousnesses were networked to handle the Tower's miscellaneous tasks.

And right now, that network was flooded with thoughts about me.

The sheer density of information, coupled with their overwhelming obsession, made my head spin.

I strode toward the door, exasperated. The two maids watched me with expectant faces.

Maybe it was the height difference, but their maid uniforms exposed a hint of cleavage. No—it was deliberate.

Their sultry gazes made that much obvious. "......" ["Please, go right in."] —...Don't go in.

["If you're still uncertain, you're welcome to stay a while longer."] —...Good push-and-pull tactic. 3-403201.

"......" Feeling their obsession coil around my neck, I stared at the towering arched door, easily 50 meters tall.

Beyond it lay the selection of professions suited to my aptitudes. I brushed past the two girls and placed my hand on the door.

A flicker of regret passed through them. 'Come back when you're older. You brats are getting too bold.' Without hesitation, I pushed the door open.

Darkness spilled through the widening gap. ### The moment I crossed the threshold, all light vanished.

Only darkness remained. Even gravity disappeared, as if I were sinking into an endless void.

『Welcome to the Profession Selection Space.』 A single strand of light emerged within the abyss. A message.

Then— 『Listing available professions for Climber 「Park Si-hyun」.』 『Swordsman (Normal)』 『Knight (Normal)』

『Warrior (Normal)』 『Berserker (Normal)』 『Spearman (Normal)』 『Polearm Master (Normal)』 『Fist Fighter (Normal)』

『Magic Swordsman (Rare)』 『Berserker (Rare)』 『Guardian Knight (Rare)』 『Holy Knight (Rare)』 『Dark Knight (Rare)』

『Archer (Normal)』 『Gunslinger (Normal)』 『Thrower (Normal)』 『Sniper (Rare)』 『Assassin (Normal)』 『Thief (Normal)』

『Ninja (Normal)』 『Pirate (Normal)』 『Mage (Normal)』 『Black Mage (Normal)』 『Spirit Summoner (Normal)』 『Shaman (Normal)』

『Taoist (Normal)』 『Onmyoji (Normal)』 『Astrologer (Normal)』 『Illusionist (Normal)』 『Summoner (Normal)』

『Druid (Normal)』 『Voodoo Practitioner (Normal)』 『Magitech Engineer (Normal)』 『Priest (Normal)』 『Monk (Normal)』

『Holy Knight (Rare)』 『Bard (Normal)』 『Chef (Normal)』 『Blacksmith (Normal)』 『Farmer (Normal)』 『Dancer (Normal)』

『Artificer (Normal)』 : : 『Magic Blade Wielder (Heroic)』 『Holy Swordsman (Legendary)』

An overwhelming list of professions filled my vision. But my gaze was drawn elsewhere. 『Agent (Hidden)』

There, almost as if trying to escape notice, was a single profession.