01. An Unfamiliar World
01. An Unfamiliar World
"In the end, the 『Humans』 were expelled from the Tower. And at the same time, from the 『Advanced Races』 too."
"In short, you guys got greedy, hogged land you couldn't even use all of, and that sparked a war between the 『Humans』 and some nameless race, which ended up blowing away two of the 『Advanced Races』."
"...Who else but a human to speak up for humans. Even if that's true, it doesn't erase the sin of humans starting the war and wiping out an entire race. Plus, their overreach."
"I'll grant you the first part, but you guys can't be the ones talking about overreach. You did it first. And like you said, humans only live 40 years on average, 60 at most—wait 100 years? You think that makes sense?"
She smirked.
"Yeah. Fair point."
"What the hell. You admit it so casually. I thought we'd have a real fight."
"I admit what's true to admit. That's what makes us Noblesse."
"Bullshit."
"Anyway, after being expelled from the Tower and stripped from the 『Advanced Races』, humans became targets for every Outer Race out there, and their forces plummeted. They were pushed right to the brink of extinction more than once. But no matter how guilty they were, letting a former 『Advanced Race』 just pitifully go extinct would be a loss of face for us too. So that's why we set the limit at 10 million."
"What's that?"
"From the Outer Races' perspective, more humans means more of a threat. Of course, with all the crap humans pulled before, the grudges run deep. So tons of them were out hunting humans early to wipe them out. We had to put a stop to that."
In other words, the population cap crushes human momentum while also protecting the human race itself as a species.
"We protect them under the name of the 『Advanced Races』 until they hit 10 million. But once they exceed it, we kill half."
Man, these psychos are nuts.
A joint crapfest from the Horned Guy, horned bitch, and hornless crazy bitches.
"Just let 'em into the Tower, duh. Why all this roundabout bullshit?"
"I told you. They were expelled from the Tower. Fine for a single person, but taking back an entire 'race' that's been booted? Absurd. It'd drag the 『Advanced Races』' name through the mud."
Frustrating.
Feels like I ate a sweet potato.
"Fine. Got it for now. So you built this Tower with all that blood, sweat, and expulsion—why the hell are you fighting your way up it out of nowhere? That's the part I get least. You built it."
"The gods intervened."
"Huh."
Gods pop up here?
"Ridiculous, right? Things from the heavens coming down here for fun when they've got nothing better to do."
Interfering when we're just trying to build a tower? That's crossing the line.
It's pretty damn tall, sure.
"When the Tower reached 100 floors, the 7 Venerable Gods led the Heavenly Army and invaded."
"100 years per floor? 100 floors... 10,000 years? So it's recent."
"About 1,000 years ago."
"Heh."
"Their excuse was that us 『Advanced 5 Races』 were after the gods' thrones. Total nonsense."
"But you did want to become gods, right?"
"Just a figure of speech. We had no intention of stealing existing gods' seats. Didn't have the power. Maybe the 『Dragonians』 could've."
The 7 Venerable Gods who invaded the Tower.
They punished the arrogant 『Advanced 5 Races』 and pushed down, all the way to the 5th floor.
"95 floors fell in an instant. We were helpless."
"You guys are pretty weak, huh."
"......The Celestial Race is strong."
"So relatively, you guys are super weak."
"...."
Heh heh. Look at her fuming.
"Anyway, they almost drove us out of the Tower entirely, but thanks to 'Ha So-ri'-nim, the Grand Chairperson back then, the whole continent banded together and barely started pushing back."
"And that's when they started picking Tower Warriors and sending them up?"
"Yeah. She's the one who founded this Academy too."
"Oh, so you don't mean..."
"She's the grandmother of 'Ha Yeon-seo'-nim, the current Chief Instructor."
"...She's still alive?"
"What a silly question. It hasn't been that long."
Didn't you say 1,000 years ago?
"Heh. To humans, that's an eternity. But to us, it's like last night."
"Don't make me laugh. Last night? That's at least 10 years minimum."
"...Nitpicking like that—is that your bare minimum pride? Pathetic."
"You're one to talk."
"You two are both ridiculously childish, you know that?"
"Anyway, that's the situation now. You get the gist, right? Whew. I'm beat. Explaining's exhausting."
+++
We'd shared a ton of stories, which should've made us buddy-buddy, but she coldly shooed us out.
Outside, it was already dim evening.
'You'll see the city right after leaving the Academy gates. Handle lodging and food there.'
"We're broke??"
"Yep."
"Ugh...."
Huge problem.
Yeah.
I got no money.
"No choice then. Bari. Can you make a house?"
"Possible, but... Nanomaterials aren't producing extra right now, so using them on a house would tank our combat power. Plus, building needs land, and buying land needs money anyway."
"...Right."
Hmm.
What now.
Beat up some back-alley thugs? Civilization seems medieval-ish, so security's gotta suck, right?
"The Tower's security is generally poor overall, but the 1st floor with the Academy and basic institutions has excellent security."
"Oh? Where'd you get that intel?"
"...The Instructor just said it."
"Right."
With Bari around, I zoned out for a sec.
But I caught the important stuff.
"So what do we do? Get jobs? Or sell something?"
Digging through my pockets, all I got is a high-end lighter... Why's this here?
"Hey. Just duplicate some money. You can, right?"
"Possible, but as I said, Nanomaterials aren't producing, so we gotta conserve."
"Just copy the most expensive currency. A little."
"Understood. So where will you get that expensive currency from?"
"......Copy one after seeing what's used in the market?"
"I recommend just going back to the Instructor's place and borrowing one. Build some rapport while you're at it."
"Hey, that's too..."
Embarrassing!
'If you're done, get out.'
'Not even a polite "stay a bit longer"? I'm a guest, y'know.'
'Business done, guests leave.'
'What insane pride. Fine. We're going. Don't grab me.'
'You think I'd grab you? I won't.'
After that crap, going back to beg for money? No way! Die before I do that!
.
.
"Lend me some money."
"..."
"...I'm really broke. Just one of the priciest coins."
"..."
The Instructor stares at me like I'm insane.
She'd changed into comfier clothes, curves all on display.
Showing that off to a guy like me with zero shame.
Doesn't even see me as human, huh.
"Ha...."
She stares at me blankly, then bursts into empty laughter.
"Truly the most absurd student."
"I'm just as flustered by this situation."
"Borrowing money and acting this bold?"
"I'll pay it back. With interest."
"..."
She stares for minutes, then sighs deeply.
"Didn't I say Academy trainees get about 30 gold monthly?"
"Not today. I need cash now."
"Fair enough. Come in."
"Huh? Just give me the money?"
"That's why I said come in and talk."
What's there to talk about long? Just hand over one gold coin... She worried I'll stiff her since we'll see each other daily?
"Take Luna with you."
"What?"
She leads me inside and drops that bomb.
"No way... not that, right? I already turned that down earlier—"
"1,000 gold."
"—rejected... What? 1,000 gold?"
"How's that? Should cover you now and for a while. Pretty hefty sum to turn down out of studly pride against stud duty."
Hmm...
Let's see, 1,000 gold is...
"About how much?"
"Roughly 100 million old won."
"How much is that? Enough?"
"You know the currency values in that game you played recently?"
"Yeah."
"Enough to buy 15,000 in-game lunches."
"O... that's decent."
That's solid startup cash.
But...
The catch is taking that Luna girl...
"Ah...."
She's eyeing me and the Instructor back and forth with some weird look.
If it was just taking her full-time, no biggie. Like with Bari. Problem is knocking her up and sending her back? That's what I hate...
"Nope, still hate it."
"...Why?"
"If I offered you 1,000 gold to bear my kid, would you?"
"No, I'd kill you."
"See how quick you say that? Same damn thing. Great Noblesse like you can't put yourself in my shoes?"
"Hmm..."
Even after that, blank face.
Species difference again? Why can't she get it.
"Then call in the studs. Ride 'em till she's pregnant."
"Eek."
Such a pity face. Guess she cares for Luna somewhat.
Like humans with pet cats?
"No, just don't call studs or whatever if she hates it."
"Fine for me, but it's a family asset issue. Slaves gotta breed."
"Hah. Then snag some other guy and pitch it to him. If you'd offer to a first-timer like me, you could to anyone."
Doubt anyone'd accept pimping out their kid as a slave, though.
"Anyway, if you won't take Luna, no loan."
"...Sneaky."
"But I'll advance your trainee pay."
"30 gold?"
"Yeah. I give you 30 gold now, you give me your next month's pay."
...
That's just a loan.
"Interest?"
"Me charging interest to a trainee? Don't need pocket change."
"Heh. Since you don't need it, the principal too..."
"I'm taking that."
No mercy.
"Luna. Bring 30 gold. In a pouch."
"Yes, Mistress."
Luna leaves the room, comes back with a pouch.
"Count it."
"Nah. No need to check. You're good for it."
"Hmm. That hits right."
"Anyway, thanks."
"..."
She doesn't stand till I do.
Just gazes up at me.
"...How about this then."
"Hm?"
Voice as I'm about to leave.
"I'll sell Luna to you."
"Huh."
"M-Mistress?"
"Then no need to impregnate her. No need to bring her to me either."
"...That far?"
"Dunno what you think, but I've grown fond of Luna. If she'd be happy, selling to you could be one way."
"...Just free her?"
"You're not asking 'cause you don't know, right?"
"..."
Luna's a normal girl.
No skills, just a plain human girl.
Release her as a free citizen in this dangerous Tower?
Her end's obvious without looking.
Might be better slaving under that Instructor.
"So, how much?"
If it's a straight sale, I'm interested.
No need to breed kids for that bitch, and extra help besides Bari ain't bad.
Fair price—
"10,000 gold."
...
"What?"
"Just matured human female... pretty cute, can't buy with money alone, so fair market's around 15,000 gold."
"..."
1,000 gold's 100 million won, so 10,000's 1 billion...
"Ugh... don't look at me like that. This is my best shot."
"No, hold up. I just borrowed 30 gold from you? And you're telling me to buy a slave for 10,000? Math issues or what?"
"...Convincing the family's a stretch too."
"...How powerless are you?"
"Shut it! I'm a rookie!"
Oh right.
Newbie employee, huh.
"Deep down, I don't wanna sell to trash like you, but... ugh...."
Hey. Cold, haughty, sharp beauty image cracking?
"From the start. You know what kinda human I am before selling? What makes you think Luna'll be happy?"
"...You're human, so you'll respect humans more than us."
"Haha. You don't know humans."
Humans are humans' worst enemies.
"Anyway, I'll stall as long as I can, so scrape 10,000 gold meanwhile."
"Didn't say I'd buy."
"...Can't wait forever."
"Still haven't said I'd buy."
"1 year... max. I'll chip in what I can save. As a loan."
"..."
Bossy as hell.
"You, what if I buy Luna and resell high? Brothel or something."
"......"
Didn't think of that—her face freezes.
"Think calm-like. Right? Rush in without looking, you get burned."
"...A, a mere human advising a Noblesse. Cheeky!"
"Then handle it well. I'm out."
"..."
Total klutz, huh. Yu Ina.