Chapter 7
Chapter 7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Proficiency
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Climber Gallery was in perfect chaos.
It kept boiling over endlessly like a furnace that wouldn't stop.
"But clearing up to the 2nd floor is common, right?"
So I thought it would die down quickly like before even if it got rowdy, but this time was different.
"Come to think of it?"
I didn't pay much attention to the tower since I'd never go there anyway, but this one thing I knew well.
Info on Hard mode rankers.
Impossible not to know—their stories flood news, the internet, YouTube.
Thinking about it, it's weird how much I know.
Humans who might never emerge, yet every top-floor conquest gets massive news coverage.
Why does the country even offer direct contracts and support?
"That's how it is?"
I knew top floors mattered, but not this much.
I've only cleared 2F, so 10F is far off, but still.
I was dumbfounded by the piling slander.
I never posted anything weird, why this?
At this rate, I'd be treated like a muscle monster, so I posted a clarification.
I nibbled my lip and mumbled.
"This is unfair."
With my frail body, sleeping without warmth often led to colds—not just once or twice.
Misunderstandings didn't clear; some golden-handed climbers even drew hideous human weapons as "me."
Defamation I'd sue over if outside, but no words left.
Despite slander, some gave normal advice.
I turned and hustled to gather materials for night prep.
Gallery reactions aside, my survival mattered.
Closed the gallery, dragged my drained body back to prior wreckage.
But.
If someone's an idol, jealousy and rage follow.
Amid TOPKING buzz, someone rage-posted.
While gallery keyboard war raged.
"This should do nicely?"
I lay in my scrap-made tiny tent, mumbling.
Cozy surprisingly?
Small frame meant no big build needed; easier than thought.
Curl up—perfect fit.
"Right?"
Constellations agreed, praising.
Grinned, lay down, rested briefly.
Sudden thought.
So, what for the remaining week?
Hmm... dunno.
Raise swordsmanship proficiency?
One day tops.
Real combat + D-rank sword bumped it to Lv.18.
Ask for skillbook? No sponsorships mid-climb apparently.
Stuck idling, grinding survival.
"Sleep first, think later."
Yawn.
Mouth wide, yawned, passed out.
Exhausted apparently.
After a day rest, morning hunger hit.
Waiting room fixed peak condition; ground camping sucked.
"...Urgh."
Back hurts.
Groaned, hauled body up.
Bent waist, dying sounds, half-asleep scanned around.
Usual forest, no change from yesterday.
Others never linger; I stuck a week somehow.
Bored, gallery tumble?
Reached out, screen on—active Climber Gallery.
Post-buzz mentions my nick, weird vibe.
"Fight?"
Why?
Scrolled; clear—my 2F hype triggered jealousy rage.
Tower breeds winners and losers.
Trials crush some into shut-ins.
Unlike them, I never lose.
I vanish undefeated!
Uh, not good.
Chuckled dryly, ignored.
No gain arguing crazies.
Past life community hell taught: block the sick.
Tired of it, switched to Constellation Gallery.
"...".
Tiring in another way?
Constellation spotlight kills privacy.
Sleep pics circulating? I'd call cops, but impossible existences.
Since when main gallery lead?
Used to mix topics; post-2F boss, I'm it.
Good or bad?
Face in hands, new post pops.
Creepy now.
What wanna dress me in?
Sighed lightly.
Words aside, all good folks.
Worried, providing stuff.
Browsing, spotted intriguing post on 2F.
Hidden piece?
Eyes sparkled, sat up.
Paused before hunting.
Act on gallery post instantly? Suspicious.
Constellations react like they watch too; doubt.
...Maybe legit circus.
Stared bored, savior arrived.
One line cleaned borderline posts.
Posters sanctioned.
Floaters whined innocence, swept away.
True Constellation Gallery mod sharpness.
Clean gallery at last.
Glad mod back, but curious—who is Moderator?
Manages Constellation Gallery—not normal human.
Good news for me?
Intrigued, but mod dipped after bait.
Food first anyway.
Overdid yesterday, nothing today.
Starving.
"Wreckage had lotsa food, recall."
Rummaged, gathered, lit fire (Bear Grylls Able post help), cooked.
Thin porridge bubbled.
"???"
Spooned porridge pre-taste, suddenly cooking proficiency.
This gains proficiency too?