Ch. 31 Unyielding (1)
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 31 – Unyielding (1)
Would the Tower, which fundamentally thrives on competition, impose sanctions if challengers fought each other? Absolutely not.
In fact, there are even special rewards for killing fellow challengers.
It’s just that the alliance and mainstream factions prohibit indiscriminate slaughter and abuse to preserve the Tower’s civilization and combat power.
Even at this very moment, somewhere in an underground arena, brutal duels to the death are taking place.
‘Still, killing a quasi-ranker would come with some decent rewards.’
It’s not like it’s my first time killing people.
So, I’ve long since moved past any aversion to killing.
It was never meaningless pleasure killing—it was always retribution against those who crossed me or to set an example.
This time, my intention to kill the assassins targeting me is partly to discourage the Assassination Gallery users, but there’s also a clear desire for new rewards.
“Yes, I’ve received your message, Reina.”
“Can you give me a list of people who entered this area from last night until this morning? I don’t need everyone, just the notable ones.”
“That’s not too difficult, but may I ask why?”
Feeling a bit guilty for calling at such a late hour, I made a request to Jake.
Jake, who sounded like he had just woken up, questioned my actions.
It was a natural reaction. After all, I was known for ignoring and staying out of whatever happened around me, so this was completely out of character.
“For now, just know that it’s important.”
“…I’ll trust the image you’ve shown so far and proceed with this.”
I couldn’t clearly explain the reason, but Jake agreed to my request.
This is why reputation matters. I’ve always acted according to my principles, even if I’ve been a bit free-spirited.
If I had been a troublemaker who crossed the line and acted recklessly, he wouldn’t have agreed to this request.
‘What should I prepare next?’
Although there was still some time before sunrise, I decided to start preparing for the impending threat after changing out of my pajamas.
I’ve already received a warning from Serpina. How I interpret that warning and what preparations I make are entirely up to me now.
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[Those bastards will definitely target Reina when she enters the dungeon.]
ㄴ“Right. No matter how crazy the Assassination Gallery guys are, they can’t openly commit terrorism.”
ㄴ“If they cause a scene in the crowded lower floors and innocent people get caught up in it? They’ll get marked themselves.”
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As soon as the fan gallery users heard the news that the Assassination Gallery was making moves, they put their heads together to discuss how I could overcome this crisis, and I eavesdropped on their conversations.
Both those planning and those trying to counter the plans were fiercely gathering information and strategizing, heating up the gallery.
‘These people… seem to be enjoying themselves.’
At the same time, I felt a strange atmosphere as I watched the gallery users immerse themselves as if it were their own problem.
It was similar to how fans, who aren’t even players, act like coaches or managers while passionately discussing sports games in a community.
Well, even though it’s a frustrating situation, this incident is also a kind of “plot point” that energizes the gallery users.
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ㄴ“The dungeon Reina’s planning to enter has two routes, so she’s supposed to split up with Shadis’s party.”
ㄴ“From their perspective, that’s the perfect time. They can ambush Reina in the dungeon.”
ㄴ“Even if both sides have their stats reduced, Reina’s reduction will be greater, so the stat difference won’t be significant.”
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The comments were filled with predictions about the enemies’ actions and how to counter them.
From the countless reports, I only needed to pick and choose the ones that suited my taste and were agreed upon by other users.
However, most of their predictions assumed that I didn’t know the identities of the hitmen hired by the Assassination Gallery.
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ㄴ“What if, contrary to our expectations, Reina already knows about the assassins and prepares in advance?”
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So, I left a comment myself.
After all, even before Serpina’s emergency oracle, I was planning to face them head-on.
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ㄴ“Lol, if that happens, she could win pretty easily, right?”
ㄴ“She could even lure them into a trap. That’d be so OP. But I wonder if the administrator can properly relay that info.”
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‘They think it’ll be an easy win? I think so too.’
Their thoughts aligned with mine.
I couldn’t help but smile at the satisfying outcome.
“The dungeon we’re entering today has two routes that need to be tackled simultaneously. As planned, I’ll take the harder route alone, so you guys take the other side.”
“Yes, understood.”
Early in the morning. After meeting with Shadis’s party, who were still tense, I calmly gave them their instructions.
Since we had already planned everything on the day we first met, all that was left was to check our status and confirm the plan one last time.
“Something might happen there today.”
“Huh…?”
However, I couldn’t leave them completely in the dark, so I spoke quietly with a serious expression.
What I told them was similar to the warning I received from Serpina—vague and ambiguous, with no specific target.
Still, hearing that my Constellation had personally warned me, they froze in an instant.
“Of course, the warning was directed at me, so you might be safe. But we can’t afford to be unprepared for any situation.”
I opened my inventory and handed each of them an item.
They were innocent bystanders in my affairs, so I couldn’t let them get hurt.
「Joint Barrier Formation (S)」: A set of six ring-like artifacts that create a powerful barrier when multiple rings resonate nearby.
There were four of them. With four rings, they should be able to hold out until I can come to their rescue if they’re in danger.
“If it’s really dangerous, wouldn’t it be better to cancel the plan and leave?”
“In a normal situation, yes. But this is the Tower. A place where you can always receive rewards and consequences for your choices. This time, I’m aiming for that.”
I couldn’t directly tell them not to worry since I already knew the enemies’ plans from Fate Road, so I framed my actions appropriately.
High risk, high return.
It’s always been a sweet, devilish whisper to challengers climbing the Tower, and I’ve been someone who used my knowledge as a transmigrator to eliminate risks and reap the rewards.
The source of that knowledge has changed, but the essence remains the same as before.
“That’s a valuable lesson. I won’t forget it.”
They nodded as if deeply impressed by my words.
Groll, the orc warrior with a rugged face and small, sparkling eyes, looked like he was about to prostrate himself on the ground.
“From last night to this morning, only two challengers above quasi-rankers have descended to the 35th floor: Pakla from the Ephiros Guild and Grolka from the Zinus Guild.”
‘The gallery said there were five. If it’s only two, they must have come down secretly.’
I also received a call from Jake just before entering. As I had requested early in the morning, Jake gathered information about upper-floor people who had entered the 35th floor and relayed it to me.
Quasi-rankers are usually followed by reporters and crowds unless they hide themselves.
But if they really wanted to hide, it’s not impossible to descend quietly and sneak in. Though they’d have to avoid using hotels or shops to evade the alliance’s notice.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Let’s go.”
I chuckled at Shadis’s words as I hung up the phone.
This is the path I chose. There’s no room for fear.
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“Yes, sir. They’ve entered the dungeon now.”
The dungeon Reina entered with Shadis’s party was set in a ruined shopping mall.
It’s a fairly difficult dungeon on the 35th floor, but it has decent rewards that make it popular, and challengers gather daily to conquer it.
“Should I grab a cup of coffee?”
While the driver who brought them yawned and stepped away for a moment.
A new party appeared.
Like most challengers equipped with gear, they were all wearing helmets, masks, hoods—anything to cover their faces.
“Judas. I never thought you’d be involved in something like this.”
“That’s my line, Shioko.”
Unlike other parties, they acted as if they had just met today, keeping their guard up even among themselves.
“…You all know this, but today’s the day we catch a big fish no one’s ever caught. Stop the pointless posturing.”
It didn’t last long.
One of them, a burly orc warrior clad in heavy armor, growled in a rough voice.
“We just do our job. That’s enough.”
Though they were meeting for the first time, they were all experienced in such missions, having received instructions from their Constellations.
The Constellations of the Assassination Gallery had always operated this way, taking requests and acting on them.
The Constellations promised them immense rewards, and they were willing to carry out assassinations for those rewards.
‘What’s wrong with that?’
No guilt, no hesitation.
This is the Tower! A place where you can—no, must—do anything to grow stronger.
“30 minutes since entry. We move in now. As soon as we infiltrate, we go all out and overwhelm the target.”
They began their operation 30 minutes after Reina’s party entered the dungeon.
They entered the dungeon naturally, just like the other parties nearby.
「Fissure Generator (S) activated」
However, the dungeon they entered wasn’t a new one—it was already occupied by someone else on a mission.
Author Note
A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.
Translator Note
T/N (Translator’s note):
Oh so you do get rewards for killing noobs.Oh well, that’s a convenient plot point, sacrifices will be appreciated.
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