Nightmare Echoes and the Command Skill
"Everyone, just trust me and we'll all make it out alive! Front line, shields up! Rear guard, grab those long spears! Archer, you don't have to hit anything—just keep firing!"
The man bellowed encouragement to the crowd.
"This situation? Keep your heads straight, and we'll survive for sure! Don't worry! The first floor's just full of trash mobs anyway!"
His corpse-like face took on a hint of ferocity.
"The quest's about to start! I'll lead the way, so just follow me!"
Frail humans whose biggest crises had been threats from other people now had flickers of wild instinct in their eyes.
Survival instinct and a leader.
Anyone who encountered both seemed to finally awaken their primal urges.
"Alright then..."
Squelch.
Screech.
...
"Gahhh!"
I hurled off the blanket and bolted upright.
"Wha... wha..."
I patted myself down frantically.
Soft flesh met my hands.
"Phew... just a dream."
I wiped the cold sweat from my brow.
It was a recurring nightmare since becoming an NPC.
Dreams of the moment I died.
"Days like this always turn out rough."
The kind of unlucky days where some NPC picks a fight out of nowhere or I step in dog crap on the street.
"Ugh... still gotta do what needs doing."
My head felt a bit heavy, but that didn't mean I could slack on my tasks.
"Gotta check the missed posts..."
The losses from missing the gallery for a full day were irretrievable.
So I had to dive back in as fast as possible.
I threw on some clothes haphazardly.
It was morning outside already.
A time I'd never normally be up.
Forcing myself into a "proper" routine wasn't second nature yet, but no choice.
Thanks to that damn tower.
I wandered the city until I spotted the climbers.
They were all clustered together like they did morning roll call or something.
"There's Galju!"
"Wooo!!"
Ah.
The climbers spotted me and came rushing over in a swarm.
"Uh..."
They weren't like this yesterday—what the hell...
"Thanks for the potions."
"I wanted to say it earlier, but you bolted before I could."
"You saved my guildmate's life."
"I could heal my little brother..."
"Wait... hold on a sec..."
The climbers kept piling on the thanks without pause.
What was this situation?
I glanced around slyly and spotted the two S-rank climbers watching the scene with pleased smiles.
Aha.
Your doing, huh?
You bastards!!
Surrounding an introvert like me for thank-yous? You're trying to kill me for real.
Grahhh.
I ended up enduring the gratitude for over ten minutes.
"Here... take these."
I quickly tossed ten potions per person.
Everyone's mouths stretched ear-to-ear in grins.
Yeah, must feel nice.
Even if you sold 'em, it'd fetch a decent price.
I sighed and turned to leave, but locked eyes with the S-ranks.
Choi Kang-hyuk, Choi Mi-na.
Grrr.
Seeing them made my blood boil, but skipping them would look like discrimination.
So I decided to hand some over.
"Here."
"Ho."
Choi Kang-hyuk eyed me like it was unexpected.
Yeah, bet it is.
"Thanks."
Choi Mi-na gave a pretty, perfectly measured thank-you.
Not over-the-top. Take notes, Choi Kang-hyuk.
I shot him a glare and turned away.
I had to visit Rohan again today—super busy.
No time to deal with those guys.
"...Maybe just a quick gallery peek."
A temptation hit me on the way home.
Woohoo~ Climber received a gift! Great job on today's task, Reina~ Gallery access now available!
The "gallery access available" line.
Being a little late might be forgiven, right?
I got home and pondered.
"Yeah, Rohan will understand."
I convinced myself.
Just a quick look.
"Tower Gallery connect."
"Ah."
Shouldn't have logged in.
Regret hit me hard.
"Ugh... but if a man's drawn his sword, he might as well chop some grass."
Reluctantly, I clicked the top concept post.
Title: Check out how insanely cute Galju is lololol | Author: GalJuLoveHer
[Downvotes: 1]
"Urk..."
It felt like peering into an abyss I shouldn't have.
And when was that photo even taken?
Climbers can't be trusted, seriously.
Once I get posting rights, first an NPC rights campaign, then crush the creepshots with public opinion.
"Ugh..."
Mood soured for no reason, so I closed the gallery.
"Gotta get posting rights ASAP."
This wasn't a comments-section fix.
I quickly pulled out the doll and my hair.
◈ A doll resembling Reina... but everything else recognizes it as Reina.
I immediately made one and tucked it lovingly under the blanket.
Now I'd be seen as an NPC napping here.
Time to meet Rohan.
Same robe as yesterday. Same route.
Minding the shadows, I cautiously headed to the meetup spot.
NPCs still strutted in sunlight to catch climbers' eyes, letting me slip into the alley unnoticed.
Tap. Tap-tap. Tap-tap.
"Password?"
"The tower's a pedo."
"...Enter."
Like before, the brick wall parted.
I darted in before anyone saw.
"A bit late."
...Did he notice the gallery detour?
"Had some business."
I lied without batting an eye.
"Sure you did."
Rohan clearly wasn't buying it.
"...Whatever, let's move on."
"Not the important part anyway."
"Right."
I sat in yesterday's chair.
"Find out anything?"
"Plenty. Quite a bit."
Rohan settled into his custom rocking chair, modified for his hunchback.
"First, confirm if the tower sees you as a climber."
"Hm... not sure."
"Got an item for that."
Rohan rummaged in his pocket.
"Synthesis is an NPC skill, but leveling it up is climber-only."
Out came a small glowing stone. Not ordinary.
"What's that?"
"Evolution Stone. Climbers kill for these—impossible to get."
Ah, the legendary stone.
Gallery buzzed worldwide whenever one dropped.
"How many you got?"
"A... few hundred?"
"Whoa."
Climbers would riot.
"Try it."
"Okay."
Would you like to use the Evolution Stone?
I nodded.
"Synthesis there? Level that up."
"...There's another one too?"
"What?"
"Command."
I narrowed my eyes at the Command skill.
Did I even have this?
Didn't recall seeing it in the gallery skill compendium.
"...Command? That's super rare—how's a weakling like you got it?"
"Beats me?"
My climber days ended in ten minutes—how should I know.
"Hmmm... Not a skill for a scrub NPC like you. Minimum for key quest NPCs."
"I'm not quest-related?"
"Exactly why you're a scrub."
True, but "scrub" nonstop stung. Whatever. Better than quest-NPC death by a factor of hundreds.
"So Command's from your climber days, not NPC."
"Aha."
Climber trial period, huh. Forgot about it.
"Based on ancient soul tomes and other irregulars' info, guess: tower sees you as climber now."
"Not a firm yes/no?"
"Tower's too arbitrary—unpredictable."
"Fair."
Can't expect much from something that popped up randomly.
"Anyway, level up Command with it."
"Got it."
I clicked Command in the system window.
Command skill has leveled up.
"Done."
"Good. Now prep."
"...For what?"
"To leave the tower."