episode_0114

The story begins after rescuing Eoudong.

I shared the information with Nayami and what each of the Archbishops wants from the hunters.

“He spilled everything. Right. I also heard yesterday that once we finish conquering the 30th floor, we’ll do that.”

“We will hand over the rescued hunter to the 15th floor and request mental treatment.”

“Depending on the situation, we may also use the 25th floor. Since their minds have been destroyed by the Incubus, they may know better about the treatment methods. The senior Umma in charge of the 25th floor is also considering whether to cooperate with us like the 15th floor.”

Meanwhile, the Archbishops sided with the hunters.

He said that Ian would be pleased if he knew about it and poured another glass of tea.

He drank the tea skillfully made by him with relish, which surprisingly tasted better than expected.

“But why are you asking about the black market? It seems unrelated to climbing the Tower.”

“Do you know about the business cards distributed on the 24th floor?”

“Business cards?”

The next thing to explain was about the item that teleports to the 24th floor of the Tower.

A terrifying item that, when torn, teleports anyone, hunter or civilian, to the 24th floor.

Now that the gate has opened and the transition points have been revealed, it is easier to access, but there was also the space teleportation ticket that could be used before that…

“I’ve never heard of such an item, even after repeating regressions.”

“Me neither.”

The fact that even Sung-yeon didn’t know about the item bothered them.

“It seems like an unbelievable item was being distributed on the surface.”

“It’s a ticket to teleport to the 24th floor. Hmm… It probably wasn’t distributed openly. If it were, we would have caught wind of it through our information network.”

“Are you worried that it was circulating through the black market?”

“Yes. Even ordinary people could tell that there were a lot of them on the 24th floor. The Knight of Pure Love even said that it was so popular that it was expressed as ‘the lower floors have a good turnover rate.’ And the fact that people in the detention center were aware of it, and it has been circulating for quite some time, is certain.”

“Maybe it was the only bypass route available when the 20th-floor gate was closed…?”

“…That’s a possibility.”

Everyone pondered deeply on that statement.

“How about the black market? Have you caught the guy who runs the hunter-exclusive black market there?”

“We released our subordinates, but there’s no news about that. Once we started cutting off the sprouts that popped up outside, they seemed to have noticed something and stopped their activities.”

“Could they have escaped?”

“I don’t think so. The market itself is still active, with new members joining. New posts are still being made, so it seems bigger than expected.”

“Then they were selling items related to the 20th floor. Perhaps they were also selling business cards, as you mentioned.”

“Can’t we catch them by trading directly with them or something?”

“No, we tried buying various things as an experiment, but it seems like we can’t deal with someone who has that kind of skill.”

“When we made a purchase, the product suddenly appeared at the designated location and time. Enemies are using that kind of skill… We should consider that.”

“They are thorough individuals.”

In the end, Chang-gi, who felt that he was not helpful at all, slumped his shoulders, but Sung-yeon and Seres were opposed.

They exchanged glances as if they had obtained some hints.

“…Why?”

“Thanks to you, we confirmed that the leader over there is not just unique in skills but also a top hunter running on the front lines with us.”

“Just that alone?”

“From the moment the Tower closed, there were signs of activity. Perhaps suggesting customer attraction methods to the Incubuses and requesting business cards might have been their doing.”

“Perhaps. If the Tower had ascended faster than you guys, that might have been possible too…”

“It’s likely that they were active even before the Tower closed. With so much knowledge, they might have been the ones to suggest a bypass method to the top rankers.”

“Is that so…?”

He scratched his forehead and licked his lips.

His lips were dry, considering he had said he might get an upset stomach from drinking too much.

“Since we’re on the topic, let me ask. Who do you think came up with the bypass method for high rankers?”

“Bae Gabond.”

“…Sunyi? Why all of a sudden?”

“Let me put it briefly… Sunyi used the example of his previous regressions to explain how Bae Gabond acted like his comrade until suddenly changing his behavior.”

Without any warning, suddenly.

He also mentioned his suspicion that the map given to him on the 19th floor was a kind of trap.

“If he hadn’t given us the map, we would have been lost. Isn’t that a misunderstanding?”

“It was too perfectly timed to be a coincidence. It’s strange that he was waiting for you and Seres there.”

“That innocent guy suddenly turning hostile. It’s hard to believe.”

“Just in case. He might still be operating a hint market somewhere. I heard that members active in the hidden world all have teleportation skills, which overlaps with the characteristics of the System Guild.”

“Is that so?”

Seres continued, “The executives of the System Guild all boast about being fast on their feet. So they tend to favor those who are good runners or have related skills.”

“I see. Yeongyeong was a really good runner. He always took the lead when Natalie and I were chasing him.”

“The deputy guild master over there?”

“You know him?”

“No. I’ve seen his face, but we’ve hardly ever spoken. He’s always Sunyi’s target, and the deputy guild master never takes the lead.”

“Really? That’s surprising. He seems nice.”

With the conversation flowing smoothly, Hong Changki finally spoke up.

He had intended to keep it a secret, but he swallowed his saliva and gathered his courage.

“Since we’re on the topic, I have something to say about Sunyi… Will you listen?”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“It’s a funny story, but…”

In the end, he confessed to meeting the future Lea on the 30th floor.

Of course, he didn’t talk about anything related to sex and quickly moved on to the story of meeting the girl by chance.

Even if he tried to brush it off, the fact that he ‘came out of the gate’ was all too obvious.

‘Changki slept with Lea.’

‘Poor guy. He slept with his future daughter.’

Normally, a woman might have been angry, but both of them sympathized with him honestly.

Because they knew that ‘every woman who gets involved with this man is abnormal’ without exception.

“So, what did Lea say?”

“She asked me to protect Sunyi. She said she’s not an enemy, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Bae Gabond…?”

“…What do you think?”

“…?”

He scratched his forehead.

This was a first for him.

“It’s hard to believe… Bae Gabond… Sunyi always interfered with me… At first, subtly… but in the end, he always exploded…”

“Yet Lea said she’s not an enemy. I believe in our clever Lea.”

“But…”

He pondered deeply whether he could trust this side.

This was the first time a chapter had been resolved so smoothly, making it hard to believe.

“I was already investigating the System Guild or Bae Gabond, and now you’re saying they’re not the enemy.”

“…That’s right. But it’s a role that can’t be ignored. Coming from the future means reaching a happy ending, which also means achieving what we hoped for.”

So, it can’t be ignored.

Maybe there’s a separate enemy besides the Baekabond.

“Let’s put this story aside for now. Since Changgi rescued Senior Uudong this time, we can go there, listen to the story, and organize it.”

“Senior Uudong’s words, I see. But even Bridgette, who climbed the tower with us, didn’t know, so would they know?”

“Still, we should ask. They were close to the top 1, so they might know something.”

With that, they tried to organize the story.

“Did you receive any rewards?”

“No, they said the gate was too easy, so they didn’t give any rewards. So, I just answered a few questions and that was it.”

“Hmm. What kind of questions did they ask?”

“Just personal stuff? Like why I suddenly became stronger.”

“Oh, why did they ask about that of all things?”

“It wasn’t the atmosphere to ask anything significant. So, this reward was practically a bust.”

“I see… I was curious.”

“Me too.”

They asked the two to reveal their secrets, and they were about to explain without hesitation.

There’s no way they could say that the system is ‘getting stronger as you approach Seongyeon’s secret.’

“Why? Can’t you tell me?”

“There are circumstances.”

“Hmm. Then I won’t ask separately.”

They probably have a lot of secrets between them, so they wouldn’t complain about that now.

They casually moved on from today’s story, chatting briefly and saying, ‘Let’s talk about the rest at Machenroo,’ as they got up-

“Right. Seres.”

“Why?”

“Seongyeon will go, and you stay here.”

“Oh…?”

“Ah…?”

At those words, Seres’ face turned red, and Seongyeon reacted strongly.

“Oppa… this is awkward…”

“What is?”

“Even so… to be persuaded in front of the guild leader…”

“Huh?”

Seres’ reaction made Changgi wonder why he reacted like that, and after a few seconds, he realized what he meant.

“Oh, crazy! I called you to talk about something, don’t imagine weird things!”

“Why only me?”

“It’s a secret, that’s why! Hey, Seongyeon! Go straight to your room!”

“Y-yeah… but why are you talking alone without me? What’s the secret!?”

“There’s a reason for that! Anyway, go back quickly!”

“Ugh! So annoying!”

Saying that, Changgi moved aside as Seongyeon closed the door with a thud.

The two were still sitting at the table, but after such a conversation, it was surprisingly quiet.

Hong Changgi pursed his lips with a thoughtful attitude, and his words felt like a storm was brewing.

“Oppa, what did you do?”

That’s why Seres spoke first.

It was easier for him to speak.

“What did I do?”

“I feel like you did something wrong. I don’t understand why you prepared the car. You seem so uneasy right now…”

“……”

He briefly avoided her gaze at her questioning, breaking out in a cold sweat.

He was puzzled if he made her drink something dangerous, but he knew he wasn’t that kind of person, so he asked again.

“What did you make her drink?”

“That… I said I was worried I might die….”

“You’re going to die?”

“I’m worried my head might explode….”

“Oppa?”

Seres’ heartbeat increased.

It was beating so fast that it might not be heard outside the body.

Changgi was the same, barely saying.

“Seres, let me ask you one thing.”

“If it seems dangerous, you don’t have to do it. Stop here.”

“No. I have to ask this now. If I don’t ask now, I might never ask in my life.”

“O-oppa…?”

Their eyes met.

Changgi’s face twisted, and cold sweat dripped down his chin and hit the floor.

“Is Seongyeon a girl?”

I finally mustered up the courage and did it.