Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The 100-Floor Puzzle Hotel
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"The TOPKING stans are going way too hard."
Anyway, side rewards came for climbing the 3rd floor.
Stuff like expanding the lounge, extending wait times, etc.
"Oh."
Outdoor space, huh.
Honestly, the lounge isn't great for holing up in.
Layer 1 gave some scenery before entering the Tower, but from Layer 2, you're stuck rotting in the lounge.
At least from Layer 4, it's better.
Stepping into the lounge, there were simple beds, wardrobes, desks, dining tables—various furniture scattered around.
I started neatly arranging them in the lounge.
I sorted the clothes and accessories showered on me by the constellations into the wardrobe and bookshelves, wiped my brow, and felt a sense of accomplishment.
Ah, this is what living looks like.
I don't know how long I'll stay here, but the lounge felt like my own little home.
Makes me attached to it somehow.
Wanna bring stuff in and decorate.
After finishing up, I decided to breathe some fresh air outside.
Clunk—
Opening the newly appeared front door and stepping out, a lush grassy landscape greeted me.
Felt like a remote island.
Only a yard-sized plot was visible; beyond was a transparent barrier blocking the way.
"Will it get bigger later?"
The yard was barren, but it looked good for planting something.
Perfect for a small veggie patch?
But what would I even grow... no seeds anyway.
As I thought that, a few seed pouches dropped from the air.
Why's this old man giving me these?
I tilted my head at the mystery seeds in my hand and opened Constellation Gallery.
Still, fearing sword aura on their heads, the gallery's criticism was noticeably milder.
Anyway, I get it now.
Old Man Carving wants me to farm? Why not?
I've been usefully wielding the Challenger's Double-Edged Sword he gave me.
Swordsmanship is the foundation of my combat power.
Farming should be doable.
Even in Hell, there'll be downtime instead of endless gallery scrolling.
"But how?"
I've never farmed—gotta till soil, fertilize, maintain... zero knowledge.
...Whatever. He didn't give seeds expecting a bumper crop. Just go through the motions.
Besides, I had zero reasons farming would be hard for me.
"Hup."
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pak—!
Casting Wind Cutter underground carved the soil precisely where I wanted.
Then, deftly manipulating wind elements, I planted seeds one by one into the holes.
Incredibly skilled.
Had to be.
My Elemental Magic proficiency had already maxed out.
When? During downtime on Layer 3.
Maxing proficiencies is old news these days.
Planted all seeds in a flash—next, watering.
Shwaaak—!
No water source, so elemental magic for that too.
Magic makes farming easy.
After finishing, an alert popped.
Knew it'd happen.
Repeated on empty plots—proficiency shot up fast.
My proficiency gains left even constellations slack-jawed, especially for misc skills like this.
A few plant-harvest cycles and it'd max out.
No reason not to farm.
"More ingredients for cooking—worth it."
Grinning as I finished planting, but the constellations' reactions felt off.
Didn't get it.
I farmed fine, magic worked perfectly—shouldn't they be thrilled?
Checked Constellation Gallery—total chaos.
"... "
Farming with magic was that triggering?
Hmm.
Too late for sorry now—would scream I'm watching the gallery openly. Can't do much.
Plus, no reason to stop using magic. Hand-farming takes too much effort.
Even if hands-on feels rewarding, Hell difficulty—no time to waste.
Nothing to be done.
They'll have to deal.
Looks like those two constellations' wailing won't end today.
"Time to tackle the next floor then."
Crops'll grow while I'm out—Layer 4 awaited.
It's only been this long since Layer 3 and you're rushing Layer 4?
Word is Layer 4's just puzzles.
No real danger if you solve them.
"Puzzles are easy."
Cheating... er, puzzles are my specialty among specialties.
Hell, 10-second clear if I try.
Climber Gallery slandering me as dumb? Time to crush that slander.
Didn't look back—dove straight into Layer 4.
Clearing faster is better for me, and Layer 4 unlocks D-rank official promotion time.
No reason to delay.
Layer 4 starts in a hotel lobby-like space.
Very different from the medieval fantasy vibe so far, but the Tower doesn't care.
Hotel has elevators, elevators have floors.
Each floor a puzzle room—usually 10, up to 20.
Puzzles can take time, but hotel provides food—no starvation.
But delays ramp up puzzle difficulty—could trap you forever.
So solve fast and escape.
And the hotel's top floor...
"100 floors...?"
Couldn't believe my eyes.
The huge number weighed on my shoulders—dizzying.
Constellation Gallery, hyping easy clears, went dead silent.
They'd toed the line with salt before, but the Tower's malice slamming 100 puzzles panicked even the constellations.
Enough to rush comfort messages, thinking I'd be shocked.
I walked silently to the elevator and pressed the button.
"Alright, let's see who wins."
Acting calm for the constellations, but inside I was clutching my stomach laughing.
Other layers, this'd be dangerous.
But not here.
100 puzzles? 1,000 wouldn't matter.
And all that salt means extra rewards, right?
Wonder how much they'll shower me with.