episode_0108

After the chaos subsided and a day passed, the prison was neatly destroyed.

Although it didn’t take a full three days and the prison itself collapsed on the second day, other matters delayed the process.

“Why do we have to fight against fellow hunters…?”

There were guys holding Incubus banners in front of the collapsed prison, declaring that they would live here.

With the 29th floor being so well organized, there were a lot of hunters who couldn’t return to their daily lives.

Moreover, most of them were high-ranking hunters, making them unnecessarily strong!

They were so easy to manipulate and strong that it was natural for them to be kidnapped in places like the black market!

“If I had killed them all, it would have been faster, but since I didn’t kill most of them and instead restrained them until they fainted, it took a long time.”

It seemed that this was Ian’s instructions as the guild master of 【Mana】.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Nayami approached me as I lay sprawled on the ground, groaning.

“Thanks to Changgi, everything was resolved smoothly. Thanks to you, we were able to rescue Teacher Uudong as well. On behalf of all of Bronze, I sincerely thank you for your help.”

Our young man with slightly longer hair scratched his cheek and handed me a drink.

As he expressed his gratitude, I casually rejected it as usual.

“You were lucky. If you hadn’t brought the potions, Teacher Uudong would have been killed, right?”

“If you put it that way, we didn’t even know he was there. If we hadn’t brought the map, we wouldn’t have known if he had died until now, so please accept it honestly.”

It wasn’t a wrong statement.

Thinking it was okay to straighten my shoulders, I accepted the drink without rejecting it twice and quietly.

While watching the prison rescue operation, I suddenly had a question.

“…What is Ian thinking?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why is he rescuing so many hunters? Most of them were so damaged that they couldn’t be saved. Is he bringing them all here because he can take care of them all?”

“I heard that he is preparing something in collaboration with the 15th floor.”

“If it’s the 15th floor… where the Mama Yumas are?”

“Yes.”

It seemed like I knew, but I couldn’t be sure.

“What do you think? Do you think everyone was rescued well?”

“I don’t know about that, but I think Ian did it well on his own. Even when our top ranker was in danger, Ian was the one leading the guild.”

“Do you think our top ranker has a plan?”

“I think so. He mentioned that he is collaborating with the 15th floor.”

Well, he wouldn’t make a mistake without any thought.

“Still, it’s fortunate that there is a plan. It would have been a sight to see if he had left them abandoned on the surface.”

“Indeed. Since we started this, it’s good that it ended well.”

He sat next to me.

Even though he was an adult, he seemed quite small.

“What is Teacher Uudong doing? I haven’t seen him since he was rescued.”

“He is recovering. Due to the aftereffects, it seems difficult for him to return immediately, so I have taken over as the guild representative.”

“A kidnapping victim is in charge of the guild. What’s the relationship between the three of you?”

“Ah. Since we have time, let me explain in detail.”

Since there was time, I asked Nayami quietly, and he explained.

“Well, it wasn’t a kidnapping at first. It all started when I coincidentally met Natalia during a Tower of Lust tour in Korea.”

“Wait, what’s a Tower tour?”

“It’s a travel package. At that time, Tower tours were popular. It was a trend in various countries, regardless of nationality.”

Come to think of it, even in the Huangdong era, there were occasional sightings of ordinary people…

I guess I couldn’t even afford to send my parents on a filial piety tour.

“If I continue, the problem was that I got too close without knowing anything and ended up receiving a curse. Climbing the tower, I received skills from someone I couldn’t tell was a bishop or the tower owner… But the skills I received were too support-oriented, so I guess it triggered my curiosity.”

It’s like meeting by chance during sightseeing and getting cursed, then being kidnapped after seeing the potential.

“Did you not know he was a terrorist when you first met him?”

“Well, he was the vice guild master of the 2nd ranked guild, ‘Bronze Shield.’ With such a prestigious title, I followed him without knowing anything, but then I found myself in this situation. He never caused me any major harm, but he often linked me to pleasures or mental attacks that he couldn’t handle… Ugh…”

From the way he spoke, it seemed like he was using a condescending tone when dealing with an ugly child.

Since Natalia referred to me as her partner, we did have some communication.

“You’re 24 now. When exactly were you kidnapped at such a young age?”

“When I was 20. It was during the time when the Tower of Gold was being conquered. I was recruited then, and I even had some interactions with Udoong. I remember Natalia, my disciple, crying and begging me to control her because she wouldn’t listen.”

“Didn’t you ask to be sent back home when you had the chance with the Bronze Guild master?”

“I did consult with Udoong about going back. But Natalia insisted on staying, and after a long argument, she convinced me to stay with her by going around various places for about a year. Thanks to that, I ended up being proudly listed on the international terrorist list.”

“A year… By the time you returned, Udoong must have-”

“Yes. A major incident occurred where he kidnapped everyone, including the guild master, at the Tower of Desire. Since then, I became Natalia’s right-hand and worked for her. There were certainly complaints and stress, but I had no choice but to accept it since I couldn’t go back.”

Just listening to it was painful.

I wonder what the parents on this side are feeling.

“You didn’t contact your parents?”

“I was fortunate. It seems there was a big misunderstanding about me being wanted. Of course, my parents were worried and panicked.”

He let out a sigh and chuckled.

“But really, this floor was truly full of hardships. Pleasures would come rushing in whenever I tried to forget, making my head go white. Natalia would come back laughing after killing many. Honestly, I thought a lot about just hitting her and sneaking back to my country.”

It was a natural ramble.

I was just listening while sipping on my juice.

“But Natalia said that damn girl wouldn’t return my gender, so it’s a problem. I can’t live as a man like this. Without her help, I can’t even become a woman. What should I do when I go back?”

“…Huh?”

“……..”

He watched my reaction, knowing that he had said something surprising.

Of course, I was also surprised, so I stopped sipping my drink and opened my mouth.

“…You took away your gender?”

“You saw my skill, right.”

I did.

A link skill that endures something of the opposite gender that you designate.

[Polyamory Link (A)]

[A skill that endures the wounds, fatigue, or other things of the opposite gender that you designate. It even accepts curses and status abnormalities on their behalf. If the wounds are too much to bear alone, both parties share them.]

[※This skill targets the opposite gender, so it cannot be used on the same gender.]

[※Currently sharing pleasure with ‘Natalia Ambrosio Fernandez.’]

-I remember it clearly like this.

“Wait a minute. That’s insane. Did you really change your gender using your skill just to utilize it?”

“Think about it logically. Where would you find a handsome guy like me?”

“In the lower floor, the Incubus.”

“They’re an exception.”

Well.

In that case, is Seongyeon also an exception?

…Hmm.

“……..”

“Changgi?”

Suddenly, my head started to ache.

This time, it wasn’t just a metaphorical pain, but it felt like someone was hitting me hard.

“Oh, come to think of it, the Incubus guys mentioned something.”

“What is it?”

“I used the lower floor gimmick to turn them into women. So when they tried to escape as men, they were shouting and all.”

“That must be what Natalia wrote to me.”

Of course.

It’s been four years since the Golden Tower conquest time, so it wouldn’t be strange for Natalia to have it.

“I don’t like this floor. If he didn’t know about it, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Is the alias Nayami and that awkward formality all part of hiding your true identity?”

“The formality is for work, but the name is correct. It’s necessary to return to normal life after the wanted status is lifted, right?”

Despite saying that, the TS boy (?) looked gloomy, slightly hunching his shoulders.

I didn’t have any intention to get involved in this relationship, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him and unconsciously took out an item pouch.

“If you’re okay with it, would you like to use this?”

“A water bottle? Wait… really?”

“I left it while conquering the gimmick on the lower floor. I filled the item pouch just in case, so let me know whenever you need it.”

“Wow!”

Nayami looked at the water bottle I gave him as if it were a life-saving elixir.

I never would have thought this little guy was a girl.

Feeling sorry for the life forced upon her, I handed it over without thinking.

“I never thought you would bring this all the way up to the upper floor! Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome. Even if it wasn’t me, you would have gotten it quickly up to the 29th floor.”

“No, not at all! Ultimately, Natalia is the one holding the reins of the Bronze kids. If I had asked someone else, they wouldn’t have listened.”

“Is it that serious?”

“I’ve been with Natalia for a long time, so I don’t have a dagger or a word to say. But if others cross the line, they’ll immediately resort to violence.”

…I regret giving this now.

I gave it thoughtlessly, but I confirmed that it shouldn’t be involved in related matters.

“I-It’s okay! I’ll desperately beg Natalia! Even if I can’t use the link, I need to be there to do guild work, so she’ll understand somehow!”

“Will a woman who doesn’t listen to her master listen to you?”

“Come on. You helped with the rescue of Uudong! Even if it’s Natalia, she wouldn’t go that far! …Probably!”

It’s an out when the word “probably” comes up.

“And Uudong is back, so the guild atmosphere will return. And Changgi is the core key of our 6th guild. If you mess with her, Ian won’t stay still… Is that okay?”

“You shouldn’t be asking me that.”

“…Really?”

An awkward silence passed between us.

For now, I decided to put aside my thoughts about Natalia.

I decided that Nayami wouldn’t reveal where her master is, no matter what… Anyway, that’s what I decided.

“Are you going to the 30th floor now?”

“…Yes. I’ll rest a bit and then go up.”

“Will you go down right after you’re done?”

“I will. Why? Do you have some business?”

“No, it’s nothing. I just want to say hello to Seongyeon.”

“To him?”

It felt distant for a friend, so I was puzzled by the request, and Nayami awkwardly smiled.

“I actually came all the way to Korea to tour the tower because… I’m actually a fan of Song Seongyeon….”

“…?”

This is a sudden story.

“I didn’t expect to be kidnapped while touring Korea… I didn’t expect to fight alongside the hunter I was cheering for….”

This kid really has a rollercoaster life.

The more I listen, the more amazed I am.

“Same tower comrades. And it’s directly related to guilds too.”

“I still haven’t lost my fan feelings. So when I actually see his face, I feel embarrassed, and meeting him is awkward unless it’s work-related.”

“Oh, I see.”

One side is feminine yet truly masculine.

The other side seemed feminine with a hint of masculinity, but this time, she was truly a woman.

Reluctantly nodding my head, wondering if I became a fan because of these aspects that drew me in.

“Alright then. I’ll pass on the message.”

“Thank you! From asking about your well-being to greetings! I’m sorry for causing you trouble!”

Nayami bowed her head continuously.

Despite my various concerns, I thought she was a good person, so after chatting for a bit, I also headed upstairs when everyone else was leaving.

“Good luck on conquering the 30th floor!”

“Sure. Before you turn back into a woman, make sure to cater to Miss Natalia’s preferences. Don’t come back and cause trouble for me.”

“Yes, yes…! I’ll do my best!”

‘…I shouldn’t have said that.’

With a reply that was truly untrustworthy, I headed towards Jeon Ijin with the thought that there would be more chaos after clearing the 30th floor.

As we parted ways, everyone gave me words of encouragement, and I immediately headed to the next floor.

The golden light greeted me, and the world changed.