Chapter 67 – VS Play (1)

Ŕ​ｅãɗ ｏn‍ Ka‍​tЯé​αdin​ｇC​ａ​fe

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[The Gale Sword is a speed-focused style, but the one she’s been using is too heavy. She absolutely needs to change it.]
ㄴ“This is correct. Thankfully, Reina earned the selection right herself, so she should use it well.”
ㄴ”Is it, though? There’s still a lot of debate about which sword or style is more advantageous for reaching the pinnacle. What are you even talking about? Lol.”

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One of the most overpowered rewards that can only be obtained in the tower, using the tower’s power, is high-grade equipment imbued with special abilities.

This means you have to squeeze every last drop of value from the tower before you leave.

However, there’s one problem: even the fan gallery users, who usually provide clear answers, are sharply divided on this issue.

‘Well, it’s not like there’s one definitive answer.’

The Gale Sword, chosen as the goal because it’s the latest and most efficient, is more like a realm.

You just have to reach it, no matter the method.

And since it’s the latest, there are many unknowns about how it might evolve or transform in the future.

This is the main reason why the fan gallery users’ opinions are so varied.

“In the end, it’s my choice that matters.”

Biting my lip, I continued to watch the gallery.

No matter how much the users argue, the final decision is mine.

The ideal solution is to look at the strategies they provide and choose the one I think I can execute best.

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ㄴ“The Twin Blades are absolutely out of the question. It’ll take Reina too long to master them.”
ㄴ“Then do dual swords make sense? They’re fundamentally different too.”
ㄴ“You have to consider the adaptation period. A two-handed sword similar to what she’s used to is the way to go.”

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After spending hours browsing the gallery, I narrowed down the users’ fiercely debated opinions to three main options.

The S-grade Twin Blades, Telendar; the dual swords, Blood Dragon Devourer; and the katana, Muramasa.

The so-called “public opinion” was that I should choose one of these three, and the users were going crazy writing posts and comments about it.

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ㄴ“Why isn’t Reina a mage…”
ㄴ“For real, I feel left out every time this happens. If it were spears, I’d have a lot to share.”

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Of course, the ones voicing their opinions were constellations with expertise in swords, while most users, like me, were just silently watching.

***

“Did you call for me?”

“Can you contact the exchange? I want to check out a few weapons. I need to test them.”

Early in the morning, after logging off the community and waking up, I immediately sought out Kim Ji-eun.

I had thoroughly reviewed the constellations’ opinions. Even though the debate about my weapon was fierce, narrowing it down to three options was a big win.

So, I decided to use that to create another topic of discussion.

“Why the exchange? Is there something specific you need?”

“You know I got an S-grade weapon selection, right? It’s not easy to decide which one to choose. I need to find something similar and test it out.”

I explained my reasoning to Kim Ji-eun, who was still half-asleep and yawning.

If Kim Ji-eun nodded in understanding, the constellations watching wouldn’t find it strange either.

“Well, it’s worth it. But are you sure you want to change your weapon? Why not sell the selection right and buy equipment you don’t have yet?”

“…No, I want to try changing it. I’ve gotten some advice.”

She tilted her head, wondering why I’d change my weapon when I already had an S-grade one, but I deflected by saying it was recommended by my contracted constellations.

After all, Serpina had indirectly praised me for earning the S-grade selection right and encouraged me to use it well.

‘Changing my weapon is like changing my very essence. No matter how much the constellations’ strategies and the tower’s rewards help, it’s not an easy task.’

As I watched Kim Ji-eun shuffle off to carry out my orders, I changed out of my pajamas.

Of course, I put on my usual baggy tracksuit.

It’s still too hard to wear the new outfits in my daily life.

“Reina-nim, the exchange staff will visit this afternoon.”

‘That was fast.’

And that afternoon, exchange staff affiliated with the alliance arrived at our headquarters, lugging a ton of equipment.

“Did I hear correctly? I just wanted to borrow a few weapons registered at the exchange.”

“You heard right. It’s just that someone of your caliber is worth the effort.”

The alliance operates an official exchange to facilitate smooth equipment transactions among challengers.

Selling duplicate equipment obtained as rewards to buy other gear is very common among challengers, and the higher the grade, the more substantial the fees involved.

It’s no wonder the staff member was bowing and scraping to me.

After all, only high-ranking challengers can afford to buy S-grade and A-grade equipment.

“As requested, we’ve brought various swords currently registered at the exchange. Please feel free to test them.”

The staff member began unpacking the items in front of me.

Weapons without restrictions like curses or usage limits were laid out before me.

All of them were swords of various types.

Though they mixed in a few other items as a smokescreen, what caught my eye were the twin blades, dual swords, and katanas.

“You’ve prepared well. I’ll make good use of them.”

Pleased with their efficiency, I stood up and picked up the sword at the very front.

「Black Iron Fang (A)」

A rapier specialized for thrusting.

It wasn’t something I had considered, but I needed to at least go through the motions, so I took it to the underground training hall.

“Looks like I’m in for a rough day.”

“It’s not like it’s just for a day or two.”

Waiting for me there was Mark.

He was going to be my sparring partner for the day, testing out my new weapon.

When I chuckled, Mark, already clad in heavy armor and wielding his mace, laughed from behind his visor.

“Are you serious?”

“When else would I get a chance like this?”

His grin as he gripped his weapon made me laugh.

While I was lightly equipped without armor, Mark was ready to go all out.

This was the only way to maintain some balance.

The gap between high-ranking challengers and the rest is that vast.

Just like how I’m still nowhere near reaching the constellations’ level.

“Here I go!”

That’s why Mark sees this as an opportunity.

Chances to face the beings you aspire to reach are rare.

“…!”

“It’ll be a bit different from before.”

Dodging his mace, which swung with enough force to send my hair flying, I stepped forward, raising the rapier in my hand.

The grip felt incredibly awkward. But my stance and attack, shrouded in light, were anything but clumsy.

One of my S-grade engravings, Advanced Sword Dance.

It’s one of the most overpowered engravings, guaranteeing proficiency with all types of swords, which is why I could immediately adapt to the rapier despite never having used one before.

‘No wonder the constellations say the tower is the greatest opportunity.’

Watching Mark get pushed back helplessly by my strikes, I realized it even more.

This place, filled with enemies and monsters, is also a place brimming with opportunities to seize.

“How was it? Did you find anything you liked?”

“The quality isn’t bad.”

I felt bad for Mark, who was rolling around the training hall floor in tatters, but he wasn’t even at the level of a sandbag.

After testing all the swords, I chuckled at the exchange staff’s question.

I still didn’t fully understand why the constellations recommended certain types of swords, but thanks to Advanced Sword Dance, I knew I could handle any of them.

“If you change your weapon, you’ll really be completely different from before.”

“That was the plan from the start.”

“Changing a path you were doing well on isn’t easy… How did you…”

After the exchange staff left, having been paid handsomely.

Kim Ji-eun looked at me with sparkling eyes.

She was impressed by how I unhesitatingly changed my abilities and weapons to aim for higher realms.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I were in my right mind.’

I let out a bitter smile.

Back when I was just a possessor, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of it.

At that time, what I knew was my entire world, and even following that was exhausting.

All of this is possible because I can access Fate Road and peek into the fan gallery and its constellations.

Just as Jung Chan-soo, the original protagonist, became my goal, the users there now show me new paths.

If nothing else, I’m confident in following their lead.

“So, which weapon will you choose?”

“I’ll decide slowly. I might even use it in the 151st floor raid.”

I hinted that I had narrowed down the candidates.

Since I had shown what I could do with them, the gallery users would likely provide new opinions.

I planned to watch and act accordingly.

Author Note

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

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
It’s nice to see that it’s not one of those ‘the right answer is right there!’ and make mc go through the process of trial and error to find her perfect match!

So, let’s beat up Mark till she finds a good one.

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