Ch.65Each One’s Day

    # 65. Each One’s Day

    Meanwhile.

    “I thought I did really well… but I guess it wasn’t enough for an S-rank.”

    “Hey, but we still got an A-rank! And thanks to that, we got this great weapon!”

    “And I’ve gained some confidence too.”

    The Golden Wing raid leader nodded while gripping and releasing the sword in his hand.

    ‘Certainly, a weapon of this quality is almost too good for this level.’

    Although they couldn’t confirm the hypothesis that receiving an S-rank would allow them to summon raid members, it was still a significant achievement that the two who were about to give up easily had regained their determination.

    Of course, there was no telling when that determination might easily break again… but that was a problem for another time.

    “If the Veritas raid leader also came to the Tower, where do you think he’d be by now?”

    “That Veritas raid leader, he was famous as a guide writer back in the day. I read quite a lot of his guides too.”

    “What was his nickname again?”

    “I think his in-game nick was ‘JoanOfArcIsASaint’ or something like that, and when writing guides, he used ‘SuccessionInProgress’.”

    “Ah! Now that you mention it, I remember too! His guides were quite famous. I think I read a lot of them too. Anyway, are you saying he might have climbed pretty high by now?”

    “Yeah. I don’t know when he arrived, but even if he came around the same time as us, I think he’d be at least on the 2nd floor by now.”

    The Golden Wing raid leader thought Yalli-Yalli raid leader’s words made sense. The Veritas raid leader was already well-known before forming the Veritas raid team, and although he constantly waved off compliments saying he was just average or overrated, those who knew him recognized his true skill.

    It wasn’t easy to be both a guide writer and a skilled player, yet he formed an all-star raid team by recruiting famous players one by one, and then led the Veritas dominance era for over a year.

    Though they weren’t particularly close, if he had to describe him in one word, it would be “monster.”

    The idea that such a monster would still be struggling on the 1st floor? That was nonsense. Unless he had received some terrible penalty or was deliberately underperforming for some reason, it couldn’t be possible. This was a speculation bordering on certainty.

    If by some chance he was indeed still there, it would be an insult to all gamers.

    And now wasn’t the time for us to worry about him, nor were we in a position to do so.

    “Let’s not worry about him. He’s on another level. I don’t want to split my legs trying to follow a stork. We have our own path to focus on.”

    “Come on, we’re not exactly sparrows compared to him, are we?”

    Is he really saying this after claiming to have read many of that monster’s guides?

    Brother Tess. Your words seem to be right again today.

    “Looks like we’ve sorted everything out, so let’s go. I’m sure there’s more to the 1st floor than just area 1-1.”

    “Huh? You seem to be avoiding the question. Why are you avoiding it? Hmm?”

    “Don’t cling to things you already know the answer to… it’s unseemly.”

    “Hey!”

    The Golden Wing raid leader was grateful they at least received an A-rank. If someone had been seriously injured or if the reward grade had been lower… they would have been in real trouble in a place that wasn’t even a city.

    ‘Perhaps, from a self-preservation standpoint, staying holed up in Edenguard would have been the best option.’

    He moved forward, thinking about the few—or perhaps now increased number of—people who remained in Edenguard.

    **

    ‘Surprisingly, nothing happened.’

    After the physical therapist’s forehead flick and note, nothing occurred. Not during the watch shift changes, not when I came back after it ended, and not even now as I woke up.

    I was just blinking away sleep bit by bit when—

    “You sleep very quietly.”

    “Ah!”

    “Why are you so startled?”

    The physical therapist was staring down at me from inside the tent!

    I seriously thought a ghost had appeared without any warning message.

    “W-when did you wake up?”

    “I tend to wake up early in the morning. Hmm, without a clock I’m not sure, but roughly 30 minutes ago.”

    “I see.”

    How should I put this?

    The atmosphere feels different from yesterday? There might have been a change of heart overnight, or it could be the result of self-hypnosis bordering on resignation… but whatever it was, I was glad it wasn’t a negative change.

    At least my efforts weren’t in vain.

    “If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, please let me know anytime.”

    “What if I say everything is uncomfortable?”

    “Um… I’d have to try my best to fix what I can, one by one.”

    “I suppose so.”

    The physical therapist shrugged and said:

    “Then, let’s start by fixing that formal speech?”

    “Pardon?”

    “It’s nice that you’re being polite, but it feels strange when you’re only formal with me. We’re not that far apart in age, and it makes me feel older.”

    “Ah. Yes. If that’s okay with you, noona.”

    I naturally used honorifics because of the summoning situation and because she was older than me. Plus, it didn’t feel awkward given the physical therapist’s mysterious appearance. But now that she brought it up herself, there was no reason not to speak more casually.

    “I’ll speak comfortably from now on, noona.”

    “Yeah. I’ve rarely been called ‘noona’ before, so it feels new every time I hear it.”

    “Why?”

    “Most people call me ‘unni’ or ‘teacher’.”

    “I see.”

    The physical therapist groaned as she stretched. Despite her somewhat loose clothing, the provocative outline of her body and the suggestive sound of her voice made me quickly avert my gaze.

    Stay calm! Stay calm!!

    “Pfft. Three women, no, four including me now. Four women, and you still turn your head away at something like this?”

    “I don’t know what you think of me, noona, but I need to maintain boundaries. I don’t want to cause any misunderstandings. Before being a man and woman, we’re raid leader and raid member.”

    “Someone else seems to think the opposite. Right?”

    No comment.

    Unless someone was particularly oblivious, they would have grasped the situation after yesterday’s argument. The physical therapist seemed quick to understand situations, so she must have figured it out.

    “Raid leader and raid member. Until everyone safely reaches the top of the tower.”

    “Hmm.”

    “That’s the top priority, no matter what anyone says. This won’t change. If you want, you can give me another forehead flick.”

    As I offered my forehead, recalling last night’s incident, she chuckled and actually flicked it.

    “Ouch.”

    “Strange. It’s not usually my style.”

    “What did you say?”

    “It’s interesting. Just interesting.”

    I asked again because the physical therapist mumbled something quietly, but…

    – Oppa~ Make me breakfast~

    “Oh geez…”

    “Pfft.”

    – Oppaaaa~~ Breakfaaaast~~

    “Alright! I’m coming!”

    The conversation was cut short by Saeax’s morning food demands.

    I wanted someone to make me breakfast too. Making breakfast is such a hassle!

    Ah. Except for Yebeob Nojeong.

    **

    After breakfast, we quickly packed up the campsite and set off early. This was considering our experience crossing from Albrant to 2-1, which took much longer than expected.

    “Damnatio memoriae.”

    *Sizzle*

    “Hmm. Maybe it’s because my level and mana are low, but the firepower seems less than I expected.”

    “Skill level is important too.”

    “Ah, right. But this uses a lot of mana, so it’s hard to practice often.”

    “Since I’m here for firepower, I’d like you to focus on healing and barriers for now.”

    “Sure. I should follow the vice-leader’s advice.”

    “I’m not forcing you. Just suggesting.”

    Yebeob Nojeong and the physical therapist, who seemed to be engaged in a subtle battle of nerves yesterday, were now calmly discussing skills together.

    “Unni, unni.”

    “Yes? What is it, Yuri?”

    “I’m sure something happened between oppa and Soyu unni yesterday… what should we do?”

    “What can we do? Besides, I trust the leader.”

    “Ah, unni, you’re too nice for your own good!”

    “No, I’m not. I’m just… scared.”

    Kutjukyeora and Saeax stuck together like when they were “that duo,” laughing and chatting happily.

    ‘Let’s keep it this way.’

    Of course, this wasn’t the end. I didn’t even want to imagine what might happen when we brought back the remaining two members, Muldabal (WaterKnowsTheAnswer) and Dwitmun (SteadfastBackDoor).

    According to the physical therapist, they must be very scared right now… but that’s a problem for later.

    What I most desperately hoped for now was that this floor would be 3-0, not 2-3.

    To be frank, I was extremely tired.

    If a neutral zone appeared, it would likely be Ayord, the spiritual homeland of the Ayor (beast people) beyond the Ansilla Mountains… which would be practically heaven compared to the xenophobic city of Albrant.

    As long as they shared our hatred for the Albs.

    ‘Actually, we can openly criticize them there, so that’s not a concern.’

    However, since beast people greatly dislike elves, we’d probably have to seal away the equipment and items purchased in Albrant while in Ayord.

    This isn’t just my speculation—in the original game, characters wearing Albrant equipment or playing as elves would immediately hit rock-bottom reputation when entering Ayord.

    “Ah, oppa!”

    “Huh?”

    “Looook! Over theeere! Can you see it?”

    While I was lost in thought, Saeax, who was walking at the front, pointed somewhere on the horizon. No matter how much I squinted, I couldn’t see even a dot-like something, but seeing her jumping up and down excitedly… could it be?

    “Ayord?”

    “Correct! It’s Ayord! We’ve reached the 3rd floor!”

    “Yuri, really?”

    “Really!!”

    “Wow…! Finally, we can get some proper rest…!”

    It still seemed like we had more than half a day’s journey ahead, but the raid members were overjoyed.

    The physical therapist seemed more disgusted than relieved at seeing us so happy despite having to walk such a long distance, but well. Maybe after climbing one more floor, she’ll become just like us?

    **

    [SteadfastBackDoor: ..]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: ..]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: Seriously]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: I’m so scared, what should I do..?]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Me too…]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Should we take a break for a while??]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: …]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: …]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: For now]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: Let’s keep in touch daily]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: And]

    [SteadfastBackDoor: I’m done for today]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Yeah, I need to go too]

    [SteadfastBackDoor has logged out.]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Where did everyone really go…]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: It’s too quiet…]


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