Ch. 14 Proof of Value (2)
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 14 – Proof of Value (2)
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[It wasn’t a walk; it was a hunt lol.]
[Ah, that felt so satisfying.]
[This is the real deal. So refreshing.]
[Looks like she really took a liking to that dark elf.]
[It’s amazing how she found her way so quickly without getting lost.]
[Is her intuition ability really that good? Or is it just that she and Reina are a good match?]
[It’s fine to suck up to her, right? Those bastards deserved it.]
[Lol, that’s why they included luck in the unofficial stats.]
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The reactions on the board were explosive.
The flood of posts showed intense reactions, with most cheering and celebrating my actions, saying it was satisfying and well-deserved.
The first goal of satisfying the fan gallery constellations had been achieved.
‘Intuition of Fate… right, I had that.’
I also gained an unexpected insight.
The first ability I obtained when climbing the Tower, Intuition of Fate (A), wasn’t something I intentionally sought. It was a random reward from an early event.
Its effect was related to intuition, providing hints at critical moments that could determine fate.
Honestly, I hadn’t thought much of its effects until now.
Most of my decisions were based on my knowledge as a transmigrator, and any coincidental help I received was largely due to the fan gallery constellations.
Though it was an A-grade ability, I had considered discarding it since its effects seemed negligible. But seeing the gallery users attribute my actions to enhanced intuition made me think it might be worth keeping a little longer.
“Reina, are you there?”
I woke up to a polite knock at the door.
“You may enter.”
As I sat up in bed, a stern-faced man entered. Outside, Shadis, looking uneasy, stood with his colleagues.
He was a high-ranking official from the 30th-floor Union branch, who had contacted me earlier about visiting.
“I’m having trouble understanding. Did they really try to rob you?”
“I’ve already given my statement.”
“But…”
“After clearing the dungeon together, I saw potential in her and entrusted her with my item, promising to meet her on the upper floors. Knowing this, they still tried to take it, which is no different from trying to steal from me.”
The fact that Shadis had entered the dungeon with me was already confirmed by witnesses.
If I acknowledged Shadis, she became my ally. Harming her was the same as harming me, and retaliation was only natural.
The justification was solid. Even though the other side was dead and couldn’t argue, he knew it too and eventually fell silent.
“Surely no one would dare to take this to trial?”
“…No. Both the Kreutz clan, to which the victims belonged, and our Union, will forgo a trial.”
As expected, the matter didn’t go to trial. While they could have pursued it, they knew better than to provoke me further.
“We’ll withdraw.”
He had come to confirm there would be no issues and left.
His expression wasn’t great, but what could he do? Such was the law of the Tower.
“Have you made up your mind?”
“Yes. I’ll definitely wait for you on the 35th floor.”
Afterward, I had my final conversation with Shadis, who was bandaged and bruised.
The hesitation in her eyes was completely gone.
Instead, a firm determination burned within her.
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“Wow, this place is so dreary.”
The top forces currently operating in the Tower have their headquarters on the 135th floor, much lower than the peak at 150th floor.
Very few have reached the 150th floor, after all.
Our guild, Over Moon, is also based here.
So, I returned here instead of the 150th floor. The problem is that the 135th floor’s theme is a massive underground continent called Netherlack.
As a result, the entire floor is a sprawling underground city carved into rock, making it perpetually dark even during the day.
Coming from the grand, earth-themed 30th floor, the contrast was stark.
“Reina!”
Kim Ji-eun, who had been waiting for me, rushed over as soon as she saw me.
Normally, she would have smiled brightly and hugged me like an excited puppy, but today her expression was a bit awkward.
“You’ve heard the news.”
“I was shocked when I first heard.”
She mentioned the five people I killed on the 30th floor, patting her chest. Since she’s usually the one cleaning up after my messes, her concern was understandable.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand what they were doing.”
“It’s fine. Kill as many as you want. If that’s what you desire, go ahead.”
I apologized with a bitter smile, and she responded with a terrifyingly casual remark, her eyes sparkling.
Kim Ji-eun was now a perfect follower, willing to die with me if I asked.
From our first meeting, she had been like this, but now she was more like a devout worshipper than a trusted comrade or subordinate.
While she had been a reliable support during tough times, her devotion now felt somewhat burdensome.
“So, that dark elf girl, Shadis… how much potential does she have? She looked quite cute in the photos.”
“You’ve already looked into her?”
The conversation naturally shifted to Shadis, the cause of this incident. I flinched slightly at Kim Ji-eun’s faint smile.
It was because of a few things I had inadvertently learned through the fan gallery.
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[Kim Ji-eun adds another to her Reina collection lol.]
[When will she cross the line? Reina probably won’t accept her.]
[She’s busy now, but it won’t be long. Honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if she made a move soon…]
[The scary part is how meticulously she hides it. She looks like a pure puppy, but she’s cunning.]
[Ji-eun is the real deal.]
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Kim Ji-eun is the only remaining comrade from the early days, even before the fan gallery was established.
She’s a charming individual with her own constellation and fan gallery, but due to our history, the two fanbases are practically inseparable, extremely close and intimate.
As a result, there’s a lot of talk about Kim Ji-eun in the gallery, and it’s been wild from the start.
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[Breaking) Kim Ji-eun licking the cup Reina drank from.]
ㄴ“I knew it.”
ㄴ“Reina just finds it cute, but it’s almost pitiful.”
ㄴ“The cliché is delicious, really.”
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[Kim Ji-eun hiding Reina’s discarded clothes instead of throwing them away lol.]
ㄴ“She carefully selects only the real ones to keep. It’s insane.”
ㄴ“At least she doesn’t steal underwear. That would be crossing the line.”
ㄴ“It’s still within the realm of fandom, I guess.”
ㄴ“I’m jealous…”
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Everything about Kim Ji-eun’s true nature was laid bare there. And almost all of it was directly related to me.
Her feelings had gone beyond admiration and into obsession.
‘I kind of expected it.’
Though I was shocked by her raw desires, hidden so thoroughly that no one else could see, I wasn’t completely devastated.
I had noticed how her gaze toward me had gradually changed over time.
From seeing me as a lifesaver from another world, to a trusted comrade, to a close friend, and now, to an object of worship.
The constellations watching from the gallery seemed to think Kim Ji-eun was meticulously hiding her feelings, but as the person involved, I had already sensed them.
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ㄴ“Reina, you oblivious fool lol. How can you not see it?”
ㄴ“Reina’s mind is only filled with training and Tower conquests.”
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So, contrary to the comments, I wasn’t being oblivious or indifferent.
I just didn’t plan to push her away as long as she kept her feelings hidden and didn’t cross the line.
Just as I had saved her life and opened her path, she had supported me all this time.
Above all, I still needed Kim Ji-eun as my capable second-in-command.
“What, what is it?”
Suddenly, I let out a hollow laugh as I looked at Kim Ji-eun’s face gazing up at me.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
I patted her head. Kim Ji-eun just smiled, happy with the touch.
‘Am I exploiting the feelings of the one closest to me?’
Once, I had tried to learn everything from the protagonist Jung Chan-soo, and indeed, I had learned much.
Even using the emotions of those who loved me—I had learned that from him too.
“I thought you’d stay longer on the 30th floor.”
“I couldn’t. The Continuous Bloodbath cycle is approaching.”
I would have liked to stay longer in the lower floors, which felt refreshing after so long, but I couldn’t.
There’s much to do in the Tower besides climbing.
Especially for those at the forefront, there’s always more to do to stay ahead.
“Continuous Bloodbath… ugh…”
At the mention of the upcoming event, Kim Ji-eun grimaced and shook her head.
The Continuous Bloodbath is an event dungeon accessible only to those who have cleared the 130th floor.
Held at regular intervals, it’s a strictly individual competition where participants fight relentlessly, competing to kill the most enemies and survive the longest.
For top rankers stuck at the 150th floor, having already cleared all available dungeons, these periodic events are the only way to earn rewards.
Additionally, performance in these events also factors into ranking.
“It’s too unfair for mages.”
“But mages dominate in large-scale defense battles.”
I chuckled at Kim Ji-eun’s pouting and grumbling.
The Continuous Bloodbath favored warriors like me over mages, whose abilities were more suited to firepower.
“I don’t think I’ll even reach the 100th wave this time. You’re aiming higher, right?”
“Of course. This time, for sure.”
My previous best was the 115th wave. Jung Chan-soo, who naturally took first place, reached the 125th wave, so I was 10 waves behind.
I didn’t aim too high. My goal this time was to surpass 120 waves.
The rewards change significantly at 120.
“There are a few days left. I’ll make sure everything is ready so you can rest well. Let’s rent out the northern hot springs, just the two of us…”
“There’s no time to rest. We need to train. You, and everyone else. This time, our guild’s goal is to surpass 100 waves.”
“Huh?!”
At my words, Kim Ji-eun made a strange noise, startled.
Author Note
A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.
Translator Note
T/N (Translator’s note):
It’s like a game except it’s not a game.Now let’s bully people.
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