Chapter 45 – Stepping Stone (3)

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In reality, considering the growth of the challengers, the objective difficulty of the 151st floor is actually lower than that of the 150th floor.

The only conditions are that we need to recover the resources and strength expended to clear the 150th floor and, of course, gather new information and figure out the strategy for the 151st floor from scratch.

But that strategy is no longer meaningless. Both Jung Chan-soo and I already know it.

If the others put their heads together and give it a try, we can naturally find the safest and most efficient path.

“Kuh, but the fact that it’s dangerous doesn’t change. If we just take a little more time, we can clear it more safely. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“It’s because of the defense battles, which are getting increasingly difficult. As time goes on, the failure rate of defenses will rise, and far more monsters will flood back into our worlds. Are you just going to stand by and watch that happen?”

I firmly shook my head at Daik’s words.

Climbing the Tower isn’t just about overcoming the trials on each floor; there are also defense battles.

At regular intervals, large-scale defense battles occur, and literally everyone in the Tower must come together to fight them off.

If we fail these defenses, the monsters that slip through will flood back into our worlds, including Earth, causing chaos and immense damage.

It’s not for nothing that the fate of countless worlds is tied to the outcome of our climb.

‘That’s what Jung Chan-soo is trying to prevent.’

After finishing my explanation, I glanced at Jung Chan-soo, who was silently watching me.

The monsters that appear in the defense battles aren’t mere replicas created by the Tower’s system.

They are the forces of destruction, truly trying to devour the Tower and the worlds alongside it.

You could say that defending against them is even more important than climbing the Tower, but the problem is that the Tower can’t hold back the enemies indefinitely.

“The Moonlight Sword Radiance isn’t wrong.”

“I don’t think rushing is good, but taking too long isn’t ideal either. We absolutely shouldn’t go over half a year.”

Surprisingly, people started agreeing with me one by one.

Not everyone here represents their factions, but it was still interesting to see people siding with my opinion.

“I really felt it this time. If it’s your word, I think I can trust it.”

Karom, the orc shaman, chuckled as he spoke, giving me a hint.

Those who had seen me diligently follow the strategies provided by the gallery users seemed to view me in a more favorable light.

‘This is a pretty good outcome.’

While not everything was decided here, at least the atmosphere was set for a serious discussion about Jung Chan-soo’s proposal to rush the raid as quickly as possible.

For me, it was a satisfying result.

This action would change the future I knew, but I had long since stopped clinging to the knowledge of the original work.

After all, I now had many allies who could provide real-time strategies and builds tailored to my situation.

“Thank you, Reina.”

As the vanguard began to disperse to rest after wrapping up the discussion, someone approached me while I was putting Hermetica back into my inventory.

“What are you thanking me for, Sejin?”

“You helped Oppa and us when the atmosphere was getting tense.”

The person who approached me was Sejin.

I gave a bitter smile, unable to ignore her, and stopped what I was doing to respond.

The girl, who always had a bright and innocent smile, now looked somewhat subdued and gloomy.

“I’ve always believed you were on our side from the beginning.”

“Be careful with your words. I didn’t side with Jung Chan-soo. I just did what I thought was right.”

I corrected her misconception.

While I’m walking the same path as Jung Chan-soo, I don’t consider myself fully on his side.

I respect the fate and image he showed in the original work, but in my eyes, that fate wasn’t the best or most correct outcome.

I didn’t want to share that fate by his side.

“…That’s why Oppa pays more attention to you, I guess.”

But when I said that, Sejin smiled weakly, as if she already knew, and bowed her head.

***

‘She’s a cool unnie.’

That’s what Sejin had thought since the first time she saw Reina.

Even now, when her own rank was higher, she still felt the same.

Not just because of her tall and beautiful appearance, but because Reina acted without hesitation.

She openly stood up to Jung Chan-soo, who acted as if he knew everything about the Tower, and said no when she disagreed. Sejin herself, and everyone around her, could never do that.

After all, without Jung Chan-soo’s help, none of them would have survived to reach this point.

But Reina was different.

She was the ‘only’ non old-faction ranker who had led herself and her comrades to this point without Jung Chan-soo’s help.

A female Jung Chan-soo.

Sejin often thought that when she saw Reina.

Though if she jokingly brought it up, both Jung Chan-soo and Reina would frown or make faces, reacting strongly.

“I don’t know much and have little experience, so I can’t be of much help. All I can do is follow what Oppa tells me.”

“But you’ve reached the 6th rank with that. Don’t underestimate yourself. That alone is impressive.”

Reina chuckled at Sejin’s words.

She knew what Sejin was worried about, but to Reina, who already knew so much, Sejin’s concerns seemed almost cute.

“You already have so much. Don’t be greedy. You could lose even what you have.”

Talent, courage, charm—Sejin already had everything she had shown in the novel.

If she just kept growing, she would undoubtedly achieve the powerful presence she had in the story’s conclusion.

‘To me, just walking around in that armor without a care is impressive.’

Reina inwardly clicked her tongue as she looked at Sejin’s flashy armor, which exposed her chest, stomach, and thighs like a game character’s costume.

At first glance, it was hard to believe it was armor, but Sejin’s fanatical fanbase had meticulously designed and enhanced every part and color combination, making it one of the best armaments in the Tower.

Even though she was trying to change recently, that level of exposure was still a distant barrier for Reina, who had a different disposition.

“It seems like you’ve changed a bit lately.”

“I’ve changed?”

“You seem more at ease.”

Sejin, who had been watching Reina’s reaction, smiled slightly and cautiously spoke up.

“Can I call you unnie now?”

That day, Sejin ended up changing how she addressed Reina, just like Kim Ji-eun had.

***

“Reina unnie is cool and kind. She even gave me sincere advice.”

-“But she’s your competitor. A cool and righteous warrior. Your roles overlap. Don’t you think that as her standing rises, yours will weaken?”

After Reina left, Sejin, now alone, muttered to herself.

Then, a familiar yet solemn voice, that of her Constellation, began to echo in her ears.

-“It’s good to be close to her. But you must shine brighter beside her. You can do it.”

The Constellation didn’t ask much of her.

After all, she was a good girl who listened well and had never once refused the Constellations’ advice.

The only one who came before the Constellations for her was Jung Chan-soo, who had been her savior even before she met them.

The Constellations, knowing this, never said anything about Jung Chan-soo.

-“Even though she surpassed you this time by cowardly receiving a blessing, it will be different in the future. You can do it, right? You’re a righteous and good girl.”

“…”

But it was different with other challengers, including Reina.

They always urged her to surpass them, to shine brighter, and to stay ahead.

‘I can’t refuse, not after receiving so much.’

Sejin bit her lip, unable to disappoint them.

She had already received too much to let them down.

Above all, Sejin had one most important goal.

To help Jung Chan-soo achieve his wish. To save the world and its people. Surely, that was the justice Sejin desired.

But the Tower was a place where the words of the powerless held no value. In other words, she needed to be stronger than anyone to achieve that.

And for that strength, the Constellations’ help was essential.

-“Don’t worry. We’re always watching over you. ‘Just like we’ve done so far’, we’ll help you.”

The Constellation’s words seemed to soothe and comfort her, but those who knew the truth couldn’t take them so lightly.

Sejin herself didn’t fully understand what they meant.

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[Our Sejin looks so down ㅠㅜ]
[Didn’t the Reina fans cross the line first? Shouldn’t we start fundraising too?]
[So, did they find out who interfered during the raid? They just gave us a reason and now…]
[Report any Reina fans you see harassing us]
.

.

.

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In another place she couldn’t see, Sejin’s fan gallery was already buzzing with activity.

Author Note

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

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
How sad, it’s almost as if a bunch of idiots intentionally made the difficulty and rewards higher to mess with someone, only to realize they glossed over the second part…

Smh, kill Sejin in fun ways like skinning her and dressing up her corpse in a cute outfit, then screenshot it and show it to the gallery, blaming them for everything that happened to her and how it could have been prevented had they toned down their idiocy. 

Maybe this time they’ll learn, or they will become angrier and be the next on the fun board.

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