Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Tower Lord's Trial #4
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This isn't right?
Rakiya Bells looked around with a bewildered expression.
Of course, there were hunters who noticed her presence, but even more eyes were fixed on Do-yoon.
In Rakiya Bells' frame of reference, she was the center of the stage—there was no world where the spotlight would be stolen by Do-yoon.
'Wow, Rakiya Bells really is an elite hunter. She looks so reliable.'
'Heh. Just follow me and you'll be fine.'
In Rakiya Bells' mind, she pictured herself stylishly leading Do-yoon along.
Showing off her dependability as she guided him through the crowd of hunters, fostering a budding bond between them.
That cheeky fantasy was ruthlessly shattered by the hunters' divided attention.
"...What?"
"Do-yoon, I know your name very well. You're pretty famous back in our world."
"How do you know that?"
"Anyone who doesn't know Kim Do-yoon, the Awakener of the Theme Stage, must be a spy."
"Pardon?"
"The story of how you perfectly understood the tower's trials and even wielded the power of the objects—it's practically legend now!"
"Thanks to you, the senior hunters are dying to strike up a conversation!"
What was this about?
As Do-yoon felt a dizzying mix of emotions, one memory surfaced.
Rakiya Bells' older sister, a high-rank hunter who had descended with the authority of the upper council.
She too had come down to see Do-yoon at the council's behest.
'What the hell is going on here.'
This was absolutely not what he had intended.
If he'd known he'd attract this much annoying attention, he would've laid even lower.
"If you've got nothing better to do, why not join us? We know every great eatery in the area."
"Hey now, over here instead. We're the best in the business at hospitality."
"Nyan nyan, you idiot hunters. You think some food will win Do-yoon over, nyan? Do-yoon! Follow me, and I'll teach you my clan's secret elixir, nyan!"
Love calls from hunters erupted from all directions.
'Ugh, this is chaos.'
It might feel good if just one or two recognized him, but this was practically torture.
Just as Do-yoon was about to force his way through the crowd amid the frenzy—
"All of you, back off."
A sharp, chilling feminine voice cut through the crowd.
"...Eek."
"Urk."
With sharp gasps from the crowd, the throng instantly parted from Do-yoon.
It wasn't just the cold voice.
There was also a high-level mana exertion laced with a life-threatening menace.
"Oh."
With his breathing space suddenly cleared, Do-yoon gratefully turned to Rakiya Bells.
"Thanks."
"No big deal."
Rakiya Bells, her momentum still unbroken, scanned her surroundings.
It was absolutely not because her alone time with him had been interrupted.
'Keeping them in check.'
She had to pay attention to preventing other hunters from cozying up.
Yes. There was no room for personal feelings to interfere.
"Wh-what? Rakiya Bells...?"
"When did she get here? Is she after Do-yoon too...?"
"Damn it, is she picking a fight?"
'These guys.'
Rakiya Bells suddenly found herself cast as the villain who had ruined the mood.
Brushing off their aggrieved stares, she growled like an enraged beast.
"All of you, scram. Or fight me right here."
"Hmph, you think we'll back down just because you say that? You know us well."
"...?"
The hunters began backing away from Do-yoon one by one.
But that didn't make it all go away.
"Let's go."
Rakiya Bells took Do-yoon's hand directly this time.
"It's easy to get lost here, so I'll lead you myself."
"I'd appreciate that, but do you know where we're going?"
Rakiya Bells wasn't new to the 9th floor sector, was she?
Dispelling such doubts, Rakiya Bells turned to Do-yoon with a smug look.
"Forgot where I'm from?"
"Ah, right, that makes sense."
Her sister was a heavyweight active in the upper floors.
So in terms of intel on the lower floors, Rakiya Bells had the edge over Do-yoon.
"Tch. She snagged him."
"Isn't she being too blatant about flexing her power?"
"Let it go. She must've taken a liking to him since he's strong."
With Rakiya Bells openly claiming Do-yoon—
No hunter in the area dared stop her now.
They all valued their lives too much.
"I'll guide you."
"Sure."
The two hunters strode purposefully toward their destination now that the path was clear.
Along the way, Do-yoon glanced curiously at the streets here and there.
Just like what he'd seen in the 5th floor Theme Stage, medieval-style buildings lined the streets.
"The backdrop's all the same. Consistent."
"Hunters can only use them. The buildings and facilities here are just systems the tower has set up."
"So the hunters didn't build them."
Yeah, given the risk of going mad from staying too long, hunters probably wouldn't settle down here.
General stores, restaurants, even a bulletin board plastered with papers.
As he tore his eyes away from these novel facilities, a massive building loomed before them.
"We're here."
"This the guild?"
"Yeah."
"This isn't some building other hunters gathered to build, right?"
"We're just using an existing structure. Same as everywhere else."
"Got it."
Rakiya Bells and Do-yoon entered the building without hesitation.
-Clunk.
The interior carried a tense atmosphere.
A faint salty tang mixed with humid air amplified the bustling unease.
In short, it was a place that sparked an urge to leave the moment you walked in.
"...."
The eyes of hunters chatting among themselves snapped to the pair.
"Rakiya Bells."
"It's been a while."
"Looks like you made it up without a hitch. Of course. A powerhouse like you belongs at the top."
The hunter chattering excitedly on his own now turned to Do-yoon beside her.
His curious gaze gradually filled with a certain emotion.
'Ah.'
Do-yoon instinctively braced himself.
The sharp reaction directed at him as an outsider, just like back on the 5th floor Theme Stage.
The backdrop named 'Earth' made his position even more precarious.
'Yeah.'
A familiar pressure.
But he wouldn't go down easy like last time.
Force with force—Do-yoon lightly rolled his shoulder, ready to counter the approaching hunter—
"This guy's you, Do-yoon?!"
"Huh?"
"Nice to meet you! I'm a hunter at the same progress as you, name's Ashurtan!"
"Uh... yeah."
But caught off guard by the unexpectedly friendly attitude, Do-yoon absentmindedly shook the hunter's outstretched hand.
"This is how humans greet each other, right?!"
"Aw, he stole my first greeting."
The other hunters watching him expressed their regret.
'What the...'
Do-yoon was bewildered for a different reason.
He hadn't expected such friendliness, even here.
"I've heard all about you! Thanks to you, my dimwitted little brother made it out of the Theme Stage alive."
"Oh."
Only then did Do-yoon realize.
The reason for the instant goodwill.
"Your brother was in my group?"
"Yeah. Remember? The guy with fox ears on his head."
"That fox beastkin? Wait, you're..."
Do-yoon instinctively looked up at the hunter's head.
He didn't have the same features as the fox beastkin he'd seen before.
No animal ears at all.
"Oh, this?"
As if just realizing, the hunter chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head.
"I got caught by beastkin hunters as a kid, and they cut off both my ears. They fetch a better price that way."
"That's insane."
"Haha! Don't sweat it. I'm used to it. Anyway, thanks for looking after my one and only brother!"
Ignoring Do-yoon's shocked reaction, the hunter fulfilled his purpose.
"He seemed fine on his own."
"No way! I know that kid's shortcomings better than anyone in this tower. Without you, he'd have been wiped early. I heard that..."
This Theme Stage trial had played out unusually.
The object that should've appeared mid-story showed up from the start, abducting hunters left and right.
And hunters who failed the trial died.
That was the tower's way.
"You're my brother's benefactor, which makes you mine too! Need anything? Just say the word! I'll help however I can."
"No, I..."
Watching this, Rakiya Bells was stunned once more.
The friendly gazes didn't end there.
Long-eared elves, beastkin, dwarves.
Regardless of race, they approached Do-yoon with goodwill.
It was a far cry from the brutal hunters the Gallery had fretted over.
"Remember me? The one who was captured by that object and bawling my eyes out...?"
"I owe you big time last round. I survived because of you!"
"The senior hunters are all interested in you too. Skilled folks are always welcome."
'Nice.'
If he could communicate, gathering what he needed would be easier.
Things like information.
"Yeah, good to meet you."
Do-yoon exchanged greetings with the other hunters for a while.
When he came to, he was at the center of the guild.
The ace of the Theme Stage.
The trust that position brought elevated his value like a blank check.
And yet.
"Hmph, making such a fuss."
"It's all exploits anyway. The tower's preset skills are full of ridiculous stuff."
There were always those who viewed Do-yoon's actions unfavorably.