Know Yourself (4)
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
The familiar cabin he’d visited once before. Choi Yun-seok, standing awkwardly, turned his head toward the voice. Unlike the line that could’ve come from some scheming villain, Elle was just sitting in a pink rocking chair, swaying gently.
“……”
“What are you doing? Sit down already.”
Elle spoke to Yun-seok, who was still standing motionless. As if prepared just for him, an empty blue rocking chair sat right next to hers. After a brief hesitation, Yun-seok sat down. The moment his butt touched the seat, the chair began rocking slowly but steadily, using the motion as momentum.
“How is it? Feel like all your fatigue is melting away?”
“…Yeah.”
He honestly wasn’t sure, but Yun-seok nodded anyway. The exchange office ordeal had clearly worn her out, and he didn’t want to rain on what few joys she had.
Elle and Yun-seok didn’t look at each other. They just gazed straight ahead, out the window at the pond beyond.
Was there always a window here?
As that random thought crossed his mind, Elle broke the silence.
“How was this trial?”
“Pretty tough.”
He meant it. There had been moments when he wondered if he’d lose right there. In his view, it was one of the hardest yet.
Elle nodded in agreement.
“Well, yeah. It must’ve been even worse for you, Yun-seok. But I’m glad you cleared it on the first try. If you’d lost, the next one would’ve been harder.”
“…Harder next time? What does that mean?”
Cloned opponents grow about 10% stronger by synthesizing skill proficiency, technique, and all observed experiences up to that point.
“…So you can’t beat it unless you grow during the duel itself.”
“You get it.”
Yun-seok subtly turned to glance at Elle. Her hood was still pulled low, hiding her face. Even reclining at that angle in the rocker, it should’ve been visible… Was there some magic at play? Occasionally, a delicate jawline peeked out, but everything above was impossible to see. Hell, with the hood pulled that tight, can she even see?
“Tea?”
“…Sure.”
Elle rose from the rocker and headed to the kitchen. As she brushed past Yun-seok, he caught a whiff of something nice—had she just showered? Damp, deep crimson hair trailed from under her hood, glistening with moisture.
He considered asking to see her face but let it go.
“How is it?”
Yun-seok took the cup and sipped. Elle immediately asked for his thoughts.
“Good.”
Not the bitter, astringent brew from before. Fresh aroma, a hint of sweetness—perfect for his taste.
“Hehe, I knew it.”
Maybe sensing his sincerity this time, Elle smiled, pleased. She settled back into the rocker beside him, swaying again.
For some reason, my fatigue really is fading…
Whether from the tea or the chair, the lingering tension from battle fully ebbed away. A sudden urge to just rest like this washed over him, but he pushed it aside for later.
“Can I buy a power first?”
“Of course.”
◈ Sale Price: 900,000 WP
A power to eliminate the Blood Demon Divine Art’s side effects. He’d suffered through the harsh 7th-floor mission trial for this alone.
Heart of Freedom has been added to your soul.
“……”
“How’s it feel?”
“Not… sure.”
The Heart of Freedom settled into his body. A faint sense of clarity washed away some mental fog, but no dramatic change.
…Is this a good thing?
Even as he bought it, Yun-seok had harbored one worry. If the side effects vanished and guilt over his past actions crashed in—what then? How to bear the weight of all those lives he’d judged? Sure, the Blood Demon Divine Art had temporarily vanished in the infinite arena, but duels left no room for reflection. Now, though, he closed his eyes and reviewed everything slowly.
“……”
The 6th-floor plaza, where duel challengers were enslaved. No regrets—they all deserved death.
“……”
Korean Hospital and Challenger Management Bureau. No second thoughts there either. He hadn’t slaughtered blindly in rage over his parents; he’d meticulously exposed their crimes and executed only the guilty. Even now, he couldn’t call those judgments wrong. Just… regretting solving everything with brute force.
Having thoughts like this… yeah, the side effect’s gone.
A laugh escaped him. No more excuses for his changes. The Blood Demon Divine Art had merely amplified what was already there.
Time to face the question he’d dodged.
What do I really want?
He’d clawed to the 10th floor, betting answers would come once free of side effects. But none surfaced. So he backtracked chronologically.
What did I originally want?
Back when Kang Hyung-woo bullied him, escape was the goal. Entering the Tower of Heaven? Pure survival, no time for else. But adapting to this new world, returning to Earth to settle things with Lee Chang-hoon—he realized then. All the injustices he’d suffered stemmed from his weakness.
His first true goal: Grow strong, strong enough to prevent it forever. Arm himself against the chaos looming over the world.
That was all, back then. But…
What do I want now?
6th-floor plaza, Korean Hospital, 7th-floor missions… In the tower, Yun-seok met countless powerful beings—unimaginable strength to his old self. Yet they didn’t use it for protection. Just harm, theft, domination.
Deep rage boiled—at them, at the heavens. Unexplainable, but if no one else would… he had to.
Was I always like this?
He thought no, but maybe weakness had forced him to pretend otherwise. Maybe he’d always hated this world full of those who trampled others, smiling at their screams.
He asked himself again.
So what’s changed?
He’d judged many on Earth and in the tower. But ripple effects? The world hadn’t budged.
What can I change going forward?
Slay all evildoers? Possible—he’d only grow stronger. But would the world truly change? Maybe while he lived. Years, perhaps decades with a solid system. But after him? Back to normal, as if fated.
What he craved was an unattainable utopia, a perfect world beyond human reach.
“Elle.”
Ending the long silence, Yun-seok asked.
“What’s at the top of the tower?”
Elle, sipping tea quietly, flinched but replied calmly.
“…Like I said before, I don’t know. I haven’t been there. But you have a guess, don’t you?”
No need to ask what. One hunch: The tower grants the challenger’s wish.
He recalled the Future Vision from the Wish Auction—the Heavenly Martial Artist’s words.
—Hahaha! Only one left—why so anxious?
—Don’t worry! You’ll achieve your wish soon.
—Rest easy! I’ll make it happen for you!
With the final trial ahead, “wish” had come up repeatedly. Baseless hypothesis, but convincing.
Yeah. See the end first. Decide then.
His policy unchanged, but his heart lighter. Elle picked up on it.
“Sorted your thoughts?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“No need. I just sat quiet.”
Her subtle care touched him, but he didn’t repeat it to avoid awkwardness.
“Hold on. I’ll warm it up.”
As Yun-seok lifted his cooled cup, Elle placed her hand over it. Steam soon rose invitingly. A new ability, but no surprise—too much weirdness in the tower. Still, a petty question: Why boil water in a kettle earlier if she could do this?
Hobby, probably…
People aren’t efficiency machines. Like him chatting idly instead of rushing back.
Swaying and chatting revealed two new facts.
“New furniture? I can’t make it—bought with WP. Don’t misunderstand! It was cheap!”
The rocker: 1,000 WP. Mental stability effect, apparently.
And second: Elle was deeply embarrassed by her past self.
“…Please forget it. I was a kid.”
Even fun mission trial tales halted at her childhood mentions. She’d shudder recalling abandoning duty for money, angering the gods—Kanna severing the contract, challengers vanishing.
Teasing her was fun.
“How could I forget telling you you’re not the type to ditch duty for cash and sully your soul?”
“……”
Unsure how to retort to his earnest tone, the trembling Elle sighed and changed topics.
“Anyway, time to go?”
“Yeah. Can’t stay forever.”
Sudden dismissal, but Yun-seok felt ready too.
“Send me to the waiting room, then?”
“…I meant the garden, not here?”
“…Problem with the garden?”
Elle flinched at his question, mumbling incomprehensibly.
“Problem? Why connect it like that…?”
Yun-seok was equally baffled. Power bought, chat done—why garden unless trouble needing his help?
“……”
“……”
Silence fell. Elle rubbed her forehead.
“…Wait a sec. I’ll send you.”
“Garden okay?”
“Yes. No issues. Really, none.”
“Alright, then…”
Elle suddenly thumped her chest. Worried, he asked if okay—she blamed hiccups.
“Anyway, from 10th floor, it’ll differ. Stay cautious.”
“Differ how?”
“You’ll see!”
Her oddly pouty shout flashed his vision.
Moving to the 10th-floor waiting room.
All S-rank and below items in the shop are now unlocked.
You can now enter the unified plaza.
Your 11 coins have all been consumed.
Reward: Acquired 1,100,000 AP.
Different from now, huh… This what she meant?