Chapter 31

Translator: True Detective

Chapter 31. 13th Floor (1)

As my vision became clear, a familiar wasteland came into view.

It was the very place I had parted with the Imperial Princess's party on the 12th Floor last time.

If anything changed, it was just that the numerous soldiers and the Imperial Princess were not visible?

They probably returned after I disappeared.

Before moving in earnest, I checked the status window first.

"Wow... The stats are truly thuggish."

My mouth dropped open.

For a typical Level 28 Hunter, the main stat would be around 40 at most.

But for me, all stats were evenly high, and Dexterity was a whopping 84.

No wonder my arms didn't hurt even after hammering hundreds of times these days, and I didn't feel tired making potions all night.

Definitely, the stats I steadily gathered as crafting rewards were huge.

I closed the status window contentedly and looked around.

Beneath my feet, the cracked earth was screaming.

And a hideous purple plant growing like a parasite in those cracks.

It was the very guy that caught my eye just before exiting last time.

I squatted down and observed the plant closely.

Looking up close, it looked even more unpleasant.

The stem ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was pulsating like a blood vessel, and tentacles instead of leaves were squeezing the surrounding soil and sucking out nutrients.

"Angler Grass...?"

The moment I checked the name, something flashed through my mind.

It's a plant I'm seeing for the first time, why is it so familiar?

Where did I see it?

I closed my eyes and tapped my forehead with my index finger.

Angler Grass... Angler Grass....

Instantly, it flashed across my mind.

"Ah!"

I remembered.

I hurriedly rummaged through the inventory and took out a red gem.

The loot obtained after catching the Hob Goblin Captain on the 2nd Floor.

The fist-sized gem was emitting an ominous red light.

This is it.

With a trembling heart, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠opened [Primeval Craftsmanship] and searched for the refining recipe.

It was the very recipe I had only checked and passed last time because I didn't have the materials.

—Ding!

"Wow crazy...."

All materials are gathered.

Which means.

"It means I can revive this land?"

With good timing, a system message popped up in the air.

—Ding!

"Fundamental Resolution 1, huh... means there's a 2."

Well, that's a problem for later.

First, I had to solve ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the immediate food problem.

I stood up to gather the Angler Grass.

It was then.

"E... Excuse me!"

I heard someone calling me from behind.

Startled, I turned around and saw a soldier wearing familiar armor standing there.

It was one of the Imperial Royal Guards who was with me during the 12th Floor escort mission last time.

As soon as he saw me, he widened his eyes and rejoiced.

"As expected! It is the Hermit Knight! I knew you would appear here again. Her Highness the Imperial Princess has been eagerly waiting for you, Sir Knight."

"The Imperial Princess?"

"Yes. Even after returning to the capital, she went up the wall every day waiting only for your arrival, Sir Knight. I will guide you immediately."

He guided the way politely.

I pondered for a moment and nodded.

Anyway, I would need the Imperial Family's cooperation to make fertilizer and spread it.

Because I can't go around spreading fertilizer on this vast Empire land alone.

"Let's go."

The place I arrived at guided by the Imperial Royal Guard was the Imperial Princess's office.

As the heavy door opened and I entered, Cassia, who was buried behind a mountain-like pile of documents, raised her head.

Dark circles had settled deeply under her eyes, and her lips were completely dry.

But as soon as she saw me, she completely erased her tired appearance and jumped up from her seat.

"I have been waiting."

At her hospitality, I gave a light nod and sat in the chair opposite.

Soon, a maid carefully set down teacups and left the room.

I lifted the teacup emitting warm steam and took a sip.

Hmm....

Honestly, it was just an ordinary taste.

The tea I had at Hong Chae-yeon's house recently was more delicious.

Compared to that, it was a bland taste close to plain water.

My brow must have slightly narrowed and smoothed out without me realizing.

"...It seems it does not suit your taste."

The Imperial Princess said bitterly, looking at my reaction while holding her teacup.

Oh no, I thought.

Did I show it too much?

No matter how bad it tasted, she served it with sincerity, and I committed a discourtesy.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to apologize, she continued speaking first.

"I apologize. Originally, there was a high-grade tea called 'Silver Leaf' that the Imperial Family enjoyed drinking... but that cultivation area was also taken by demons. I apologize once again for the inadequate hospitality as this is all I can offer right now."

There was no strength in her voice.

The reality of the Empire, unable to even properly serve a cup of tea, seemed to be pressing down on her shoulders.

I waved my hand, relieved that it wasn't because of my expression.

"No, the scent is subtle and nice. I originally can't drink bitter things well, so this is just right."

I eased the atmosphere by adding a white lie.

And putting down the teacup, I brought up the biggest question I had harbored in my mind.

"By the way... last time you saw me and called me a 'Climber', how do you know about that existence?"

At my question, Cassia set down her teacup and stared at me with a serious expression.

She caught her breath once and opened her mouth calmly.

"A very long time ago... a giant 'Tower' suddenly appeared in our world."

"A Tower?"

"Correct. That Tower collapsed, and what formed in its ruined place is the 'Red Rift' that torments us now."

Her explanation was shocking.

A Tower collapsed and a rift formed.

She stood up, went to the bookshelf, took out an old ancient book, and opened it.

"This is the content written in the Imperial secret history. It is a record of those who appeared and disappeared like the wind at every moment of crisis in history. It is written that they used unknown power, becoming the salvation of the Empire, and sometimes becoming an unmanageable disaster."

She looked at me with strange eyes.

"Since they said they came from the Tower, we called them 'Climbers'. Honestly, because it's a story passed down only as a legend, I too was half in doubt... but seeing you, I became certain. That the legend was true."

While listening to her words, my mind twisted complicatedly.

There was another Tower inside the Tower?

No... it's more reasonable to view that this place is a world in another dimension, not Earth, and a Tower had occurred there in the past too.

And the reason I could come here is because the Tower's structure connects different dimensions on each floor?

Then why did I come to another world?

It's a phenomenon ordinary Hunters don't experience.

According to the veteran Hunter's testimony, even up to Epic difficulty, NPCs were just data.

Then there were two remaining variables.

[Difficulty: Legendary]

And my class, [Primeval Maker].

It must be either one of the two, or a singularity that occurred because both conditions were met.

When my thoughts reached here, I suddenly got scared.

'If I can come here... does it mean existences from another world can also cross over to Earth conversely?'

What if an existence with Legendary grade power from another dimension crossed over to Earth?

That was a terrible thing just to imagine.

At the sudden headache, I frowned and pressed my temples without realizing.

"Climber? Are you alright?"

Cassia leaned forward as if worried and asked.

"Ah... No. Just felt a bit dizzy for a moment."

I shook my head and shook off the distracting thoughts.

Wrapping my head around a problem I can't solve right now won't produce an answer.

I decided to slowly ponder this problem later and first had to solve the quest facing me.

I fixed my posture and brought up the main topic.

"...By any chance, if I can resolve this famine right now, what can you give me?"

Since I'm not doing business by digging dirt (for free) either.

I might look like a snob, but it can't be helped.

At my words, Cassia's eyes grew round.

Cassia jumped up with a surprised expression and approached me, leaning on the table.

"I-Is that true? Do you really mean you can resolve this tiresome famine?"

She grabbed my hands suddenly as if urging an answer.

Her grip strength imbued with earnestness was enough to make my hands numb.

Then suddenly, perhaps realizing she was holding a strange man's hands, she was startled and let go.

"Ah! S... Sorry! I was too excited and just...."

Her face flushed red.

She seemed embarrassed for failing to keep her dignity as an Imperial Princess.

She cleared her throat and cleared her voice.

"Ahem.... A price... yes, it is a natural demand."

She pondered for a moment, then looked at me as if deciding and said.

"With the Empire's current financial state, it is difficult to promise monetary compensation. However... I will give you the right to take one treasure of your choice from 'Aurelius's Secret Vault' managed by His Majesty."

Oh.

Treasure of the Empire.

If it's a treasure vault passed down through generations of the Imperial Family, there might be at least Unique, or if lucky, Legendary grade items.

The reward was bigger than I thought.

Just as a smile was about to spread on my lips, Cassia's gaze slyly avoided my eyes.

"Excuse me... I'm fine, but are you uncomfortable with something by any chance?"

When I asked, she hesitated and opened her mouth.

"That is... actually, the key to 'Aurelius's Secret Vault' is managed directly by His Majesty the Emperor... so I cannot open the door for you right now."

"But if His Majesty returns! I swear on my name as Imperial Princess Cassia Rubelia von Aurelius, I will definitely keep the promise!"

She added urgently.

Her voice was confident, but it was evident her face was tense.

So in a word, it's on credit?

Deferred payment, huh.

Normally I would have refused, but the opponent is the Imperial Princess of the Empire.

Would an Imperial Princess lie?

I pretended to ponder, then reached out my hand.

"Good. I will trust the Princess's name."

At my consent, Cassia's face brightened radiantly.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

She grabbed my hand once again and shook it vigorously.

"Then shall we put out the urgent fire first? Let's go resolve the famine first."

I put strength in the held hand and smiled confidently.