Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Climber Gallery's Unfair Treatment Worse Than the Tower
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This was the first time I'd ever slept like the dead.
They say if you're too exhausted, you don't even dream.
Sure enough, when I finally came to, I was sprawled out on the lounge floor.
Not on a bed, but straight on the floor, so my body felt half-broken.
"Gyaak."
I twisted my body this way and that, realigning some slightly dislocated bones, and dazedly looked around.
The aftereffects from clearing the 4th floor must've been rough—my head was still foggy even after opening my eyes.
I lay there in that state for a few minutes before finally snapping out of it.
Ugh, I thought I was gonna die.
Looking back, solving 100 puzzles in a row was insane.
From midway, I was half out of my mind; the moment I registered the fatigue, I'd have collapsed right there.
Still, I broke through before the puzzle difficulty spiked too much, clearing the 100th floor faster than expected.
Thankfully, it didn't take too long to fully regain my senses.
Even if the lounge restores you to peak condition, massive tower consumption takes time to recover from.
Seeing myself half-wrecked like this solidified my resolve not to push so hard again as I got to my feet.
First things first, crawl to bed and check the results window.
Since I'd been moved to the lounge, the results were probably already in.
A quick peek at Constellation Gallery showed everyone hyped for rewards.
They were buzzing about what rewards I'd get.
Guess the massive nerfing hyped them up big time.
The results were already floating in my view.
"Oh."
Already felt ominous—in a good way.
The tower usually gives one reward; now it's handing out two.
Wonder what it's planning.
A brilliant light formed in my hand.
A round pill, like an elixir.
"Oh."
An elixir forcing rank breakthrough.
Incredibly rare.
Usually from major floor clears or high-rank alchemists.
Trades for absurd prices in the tower, exploding in demand among peak F-rank easy climbers exiting.
They're sold for fortunes.
Not for nothing is a D-rank upgrade elixir priced at C-rank.
But I wasn't surprised.
The constellations had predicted this.
One post I'd seen discussed my D-rank breakthrough.
The constellations figured I'd hit D-rank elixir around 4th floor based on my trajectory.
Spot on.
But it's a poisoned chalice.
No reason to consume it.
For me, pricey combo material at best.
The surprise was the extra 4th-floor reward.
Second reward incoming.
Waiting expectantly, a notice popped.
"...Unlocked?"
I expected standard latent ability enhancement like before, but wording was off.
Unlocked?
Wait, don't I already have one?
Getting another?
My mind reeled a bit.
Already scamming hard with one; adding more?
Even for mega-nerf compensation, balance tho?
But rewards are rewards.
Checked the new latent ability.
Clone - Rank.? (Inactive)
▶ Can create and summon one clone in desired form.
▶ Clone rank one stage below main body. ▶ Revival time required if clone dies. ▶ Requires main body D-rank minimum.
"Huh?? "
I was a bit shocked reading it.
Latent abilities like this exist?
Couldn't have imagined it.
Constellation Gallery freaked too.
One clone that big a deal?
Tower deliverrrs, knew it.
Clone << Top-tier alone? Matches her combo potential easy.
Nah. Leisurely solving would've exponentially hiked remaining puzzles. Crushing in a week was key; any delay, C-rank Reasoning couldn't hack it—basically dead on 4th.
"Ah."
I was a bit dumbfounded.
Too good to be true?
Sudden windfall sparked thoughts.
Reasoning from tower assault.
D-rank elixir from clear.
And Clone latent.
On clones: If I shape as desired, could recreate Climber Gal's imagined Tower King?
"Hm, probably not."
Checked standard rewards first.
Curious on clone mechanics, but need D-rank to activate.
Lounge kept expanding—from studio to full apartment with living room and bedroom.
Plus a new room labeled "Training Room."
Hell mode expands fast.
Easy caps at studio even full clear; Normal house-sized.
Hard to mansion with invites and extras.
Hell? No need to say.
Excited for future changes.
"Time to clear my name first."
Puzzles crushed.
Now hit Climber Gallery, debunk Tower King's dumb musclehead slander.
Logged in, ready to post pic-proof...
"No proof shots tho."
No time snapping during 100 puzzles.
Whatever; Hell 4th-floor tag on nick is proof enough.
Snickering, checked comments for reactions.
Something off tho.
Believed in you.
"??? What the hell with these guys."
Expected slanderers bowing heads; not a tearjerker.
These trolls/jokers/slanderers turning sentimental?
Been gone over a week; hard digging old posts for vibe.
Believe you? Sure.
That's child abuse; others'd found it by now?
"... ."
Unspeakable injustice hit me.
I legit solved all 100!
Why not believe 'cause too fast?!