Chapter 27 – Winds of Change (3)

Яҽаɗ өṅ ​К​ａ​тṚｅαⅾıｎｇＣαｆε

‘So far, I’ve managed to hide the fact that I’m a transmigrator.’ 

As Jung Chan-soo, who had given me information about the Constellations, was leaving. 

I watched his departing figure with mixed emotions. 

While eavesdropping on the community, I had come across quite a few news items about Jung Chan-soo. 

However, just as the Constellations of Fate Road didn’t know that I was a transmigrator, they didn’t seem to know that he was a regressor either. 

Of course, occasional pointless posts do pop up. 

Speculating whether Jung Chan-soo and a few others had gone through regression, transmigration, or reincarnation. 

Upon closer inspection, questioning who might be a regressor, transmigrator, or reincarnator was one of the long-standing debates in the Constellation community, like Gun vs. Sword. 

Seeing that, it seemed they were aware of regression, transmigration, and reincarnation. 

‘Is it a secret that only contracted Constellations know at best?’ 

Jung Chan-soo, who didn’t seem to know about the existence of Fate Road, didn’t openly reveal that he was a regressor until the end of the story. 

So, even if he used knowledge that no one else knew, others would just assume it was knowledge given to him by his contracted Constellation. 

——————————————————————————————————————————

[Aren’t the regression/transmigration/reincarnation traits completely overpowered?]

ㄴ“That’s why the public opinion goes to shit when it’s revealed. There are way more victims of regression/transmigration/reincarnation.”

ㄴ“But how would you know if they’re determined to hide it? lol. If you keep biting at them, they’ll just dismiss it as groundless accusations.”

——————————————————————————————————————————

And even if Jung Chan-soo’s contracted Constellation knew about his identity, the possibility of revealing it was close to zero. 

It’s a chilling fact, but the public opinion on regression, transmigration, and reincarnation isn’t very good among the Constellations. 

They say that those who have undergone regression, transmigration, or reincarnation easily steal opportunities from others.

Speculating whether someone is a regressor, transmigrator, or reincarnator is even considered an act close to tearing that person down. 

‘I have to hide it even more thoroughly from now on.’ 

As one of those involved, I couldn’t help but feel my heart pounding. 

It’s not like I intentionally deceived them, but it didn’t seem like that excuse would work. 

People’s hearts are so fickle, and the sense of loss was considerable when I thought about the hearts of those whose existence I didn’t even know were leaving.  

“Welcome! We’ve been waiting for you!” 

“You’re taking on troublesome tasks unnecessarily.” 

“Not at all. It’s something we should be doing.” 

When I reached the 35th floor, a cadre dispatched from the Union branch was already waiting for me.

Unlike when I went down to the 30th floor, there was no teeming crowd. It was thanks to the Union’s control. 

“Please come this way. You’ll be able to get to the hotel without any obstacles.” 

This black man, who was clearly an Earthling, guided me to a luxury sedan with a polite tone. I scoffed, knowing why he was going to such lengths. 

“Are you worried I might cause another accident?” 

“Of course not.” 

He smoothly brushed it off, but the intention was clear. 

They didn’t want to give me, an uncontrollable being, any chance to do something again. 

“As you know, after Reina-nim achieved the feat of breaking through the 125th wave of Continuous Bloodbath, there are even more people who follow her status and reputation. When crowds gather, accidents are bound to happen.” 

“Don’t know, don’t care.” 

He smiled like a pro and naturally turned the arrow. 

My answer that I wasn’t interested and didn’t know about it was half truth, half lie. 

In reality, I had never been interested in fame or popularity. Rather, I felt burdened by such things and intentionally avoided and ignored them. 

I couldn’t understand those who raved about how they liked that aspect of me. 

But after learning about the existence of the fan gallery, I had no choice but to force-feed myself the truth. 

Unlike me, my fandom consisted of people who enjoyed and were proud of such things. 

Although not at the same level, and not even in the same space, my fandom here was their comrade. 

“Please contact us anytime. From trivial matters to any unforeseen problems, our branch will provide everything you need.” 

When we arrived in front of the hotel, he personally took out my bag and politely handed me his business card. 

In his eyes, I could see the determination to prevent any accidents from happening in front of him, no matter what, so I bitterly smiled and took the business card. 

“If you’re going to give it to me, I’ll use it thoroughly. Can you arrange a meeting this afternoon?” 

“Of course.” 

I was the type of person who wouldn’t refuse if someone insisted on giving me something. 

I was planning to meet Shadis anyway, and it just so happened that I needed a place. 

Originally, I was going to meet at the hotel, but if the Union offered a better place, I had no intention of refusing.  

***  

“Wow…” 

“Don’t be so obvious. You look like a country bumpkin.” 

“How can I not? When else would we get a chance to come to a place like this?” 

Those who got out of the vehicle dispatched by the Union gaped at the massive building that boasted overwhelming grandeur. 

This building, which could be said to be the core of the 35th floor, is not a place that just anyone can enter. 

It is where the Union’s branch is located, and where the headquarters of the forces that use the 35th floor as their base are located. 

At least those who have just reached the 35th floor have no reason or qualifications to come here.

 ‘At that person’s word…’

Shadis was no exception, so she swallowed hard, feeling intimidated by the sight of the huge building and the well-dressed people coming and going around it.

It was Reina who had called them here.

Since those who should know already knew about the relationship between Reina and Shadis, there was nothing much to hide.

“It’s been a while.”

And in the middle of a spacious conference room located in the highest part of the building, Reina was waiting for them, wearing her signature sunglasses.

The others, and even Shadis, froze for a moment.

That’s how intense the pressure exerted by a Ranker, especially someone as famous and strong as Reina, was.

“I’ve already heard the news. You’ve climbed up here with your new companions.”

“Yes… to keep my promise.”

“Let’s hear the story. There’s no need to be so stiff.”

The atmosphere loosened up a bit when Reina, who had put her feet on the desk and leaned back in her chair in a comfortable posture, slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

“This orc is Groll, and the two humans are Wayne and Maylin.”

Thanks to that, Shadis, who had regained her energy, began to speak.

It was a place to introduce her companions and report to Reina on how she had climbed the Tower.

Even at this moment, the dagger Reina gave her was preciously stuck in Shadis’s waist.

So, this was also a briefing to explain the investment results and appeal for necessity.

‘It’s generally accurate without exaggerating too much.’

Reina, who already knew about Shadis’s activities through the fan gallery, smiled as she listened to it. 

Shadis’s explanation was accurate without fault, although she omitted mistakes and packaged successes. 

“Like on the 30th floor, I’m going to acquire two new abilities here. One of them is a dungeon that I can’t enter alone, so if you include me in your party, Shadis, I’d like to join you.”

“H-How could I refuse?”

Shadis couldn’t hide her laughter and joy at Reina’s request to temporarily join the party.

She had her achievements recognized by her idol.

There was no more thrilling sense of accomplishment than that. 

“Are your companions trustworthy people?”

“They’re all people I’ve known since before I met Reina-nim. Like me, they were people who had given up climbing the Tower and were about to fall into depravity, not knowing what to do. I wanted to give them… a chance too.” 

Reina, whose long hair, shimmering in the sunset light, was fluttering in the wind on the rooftop of the building that Shadis and she had climbed up alone, nodded after hearing the serious answer and didn’t say anything more.

In the first place, that was Shadis’s responsibility to bear. After all, Shadis was the leader of the party.

From the beginning, Shadis was far behind Reina in climbing the Tower, but she certainly had no less experience in living life itself.

“There’s not much time. The capture of the 150th floor is imminent, so I want to gain new power and finish adapting before that.”

“After the 30th floor, it’s the 35th floor. Then what’s your next goal?”

“The next is the 41st floor.”

41st floor. Shadis’s body flinched at those words. It was only a few days ago that she had been stuck on the 30th floor for over a year. 

In the midst of that, she was given another harsh trial.

In order to meet Reina’s expectations and keep her promise to her, Shadis had to continue climbing the Tower again.

“My talent isn’t very good, but… I’ll do it.”

Shadis glanced at Reina’s profile and clenched her fists.

Make it happen if it doesn’t happen. Just like Reina usually says.

“Talent doesn’t matter. This is the Tower, after all.”

Reina, who had a strange expression on her face, turned her head to Shadis. 

“A place that creates talent where there is none. If you have the will and the thought, the opportunity will surely come.” 

Those were the words of the Constellations of Fate Road. Reina also agreed with those words, so she conveyed them to Shadis as they were. 

“Ah, speaking of which, I heard a rumor once.” 

“A rumor?” 

“A rumor that there’s an achievement near the 35th floor that can get you a special reward. What would happen if you grabbed that achievement and got the reward?” 

At the same time, Reina gave Shadis a hint that would be practically helpful. It was a part of the strategy for Shadis that the Constellations had written in the gallery. 

‘It’s not like they’re really monitoring my 24 hours so closely.’ 

Now Reina knows enough about Fate Road. 

She had already planned out how she would use the strategy she had seen.

 “I will definitely repay you!”

Shadis, who accepted this as a kind of investment, nodded with a determined expression. In reality, this kind of valuable information is sold for a large sum of money at auction.

Reina had told her such a thing without any compensation, so it was only natural that she had to repay her.

“You don’t have to feel too pressured. I also get something every time I come down here. It may sound arrogant, but when I come down here from up there, where it’s so fiercely competitive, my heart feels at ease.” 

“I think I know what you mean.” 

It’s common for Rankers to visit the lower floors for rest and relaxation. 

Shadis raised the corners of her mouth when she heard that.

‘Let’s make her as comfortable as possible. That’s definitely the best I can do!’

It was the moment when Shadis had one more new goal.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
I mean it is a fair complaint, a very noob one.