“What kind of person was Han Istrat?”
[Han Istrat?]
“Not me. The one originally meant to come here. Did he look like me?”
[No, not at all!]
Iselle, sitting on my shoulder, started chattering.
[That guy was a little kid, not even ten years old. How could he have any connection to you, Loki? I knew it as soon as I saw the hero list.]
“...A little kid.”
[Yeah, you two are nothing alike. You’re way different in size and build!]
Iselle flapped her feet as she spoke.
[The representative swapped two people. Normally, there’s no overlap between higher and lower dimensions. Except in rare cases like this. If anyone here tried to go to Earth, they’d be torn apart by dimensional pressure!]
“Is that so.”
[Yeah, totally.]
I summarized the situation.
I had been switched with Han Istrat, the default hero here, by the goddess ‘Tel.’
There was no connection between me and him. The beings of higher and lower dimensions couldn’t coexist.
‘A baseless theory, after all.’
I shook my head.
It was just a wild thought. It didn’t make sense.
None of it fit together. I needed to focus my mental energy on something more productive.
For example, my promotion to a seven-star hero.
Yes.
After reaching the max level as a six-star, I had attempted the promotion to seven-star.
I also had the Book of Reversal. If the promotion succeeds, I will be able to continue the climb under more favorable conditions.
However, it was a complete failure. Even with Iselle using the master’s authority to check things, the promotion window wouldn’t open. It was clear I was missing something, but I didn’t know what it was.
‘Looks like I’ll have to go as a six-star for now.’
Anytng wouldn’t wait any longer either.
I looked to the side. Iselle, still perched on my shoulder, smiled at me.
What a carefree little creature.
I smiled back.
Time passed after that.
Each day, Anytng climbed another floor, and eventually, she reached the 79th floor.
I skimmed through the records of Niflheimr’s 80th-floor attempts to prepare for the final challenge. The 80th floor would feature at least three complex patterns. Anytng alone wouldn’t be able to handle it.
‘There are three major obstacles.’
The first is the Fragment Series.
They will swarm the mission field in the thousands.
Conventional weapons or magic cannot harm them.
They were one of the main reasons many masters failed.
The second is the Crown Prince.
He would block my path with two ancient creatures. The combination of the Fragment Series and a formidable boss drove many masters crazy during their 80th-floor attempts.
The third is the unpredictable random pattern.
It alters the nature of the mission, introducing sub-goals that constantly shift, disorienting both the master and the heroes. While completing these could aid the mission, the 80th floor was anything but forgiving.
‘This is more annoying than Niflheimr.’
When I was Loki, I could send a reconnaissance team ahead to get a sense of the mission.
But this time, that trick wouldn’t work. Anytng sent a scouting team of prisoners from the waiting room a few times, but they were wiped out almost immediately. This meant I would have to tackle the 80th floor with no prior intel.
I calmed my mind.
There was no time for idle thoughts.
Now was the time to proceed with logic and reason.
And then, late that night.
Anytng started distributing consumables to the heroes.
The meaning of this was clear. She always did so before every major boss stage.
‘Tomorrow, then.’
The 80th-floor attempt.
Other heroes noticed the atmosphere and started moving busily.
The officers, who were responsible for leading the raid, gathered in the strategy room to review Anytng’s base tactics and prepare for deployment.
I could join in if I wanted, but I had other priorities.
The role of the first party was clear.
To subdue the main boss monster, Crown Prince Phraios al Ragnar.
I discussed with Halkion and Assinis, learning about the abilities of the other ancient creatures and how they might combine to cause trouble while strategizing with the first-party members.
‘It would be great if we had one more member.’
Even if not a full party.
The absence of that one person was palpable.
“So, it’s finally come to this.”
The day before the 80th-floor climb.
I sat in my room with Velkist and Jenna.
“He looked really strong... We’ll win, right?”
<As long as we follow the training.>
Halkion muttered while preening his beak.
Next to him, Assinis, now a white ferret, pecked at some seeds.
Velkist was polishing his sword.
“It would have been nice if Aaron were here. Who knows when he’ll show up.”
“Maybe he liked it there.”
“No way, he’ll definitely come back.”
“Whether he comes or not, it doesn’t matter. I’ll do what I need to do.”
Velkist drew out his sword and inspected its edge.
“But what’s been bothering you so much lately?”
I looked back silently.
My eyes fell on a large leather sack in the corner of the room.
The sack reached up to the ceiling.
‘No space to put it?’
Half of the statues hadn’t been disposed of.
She had refused, claiming there was no °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° room in her tiny living quarters.
I would have given it to her with great resolve.
I looked at the sack and muttered.
“Tomorrow, the climb begins.”
“It will.”
“I have a request. Will you do it?”
“Yes, what is it?”
I got up and walked over to the sack.
Then, I opened the top.
“Take 300 each.”