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It was a space where nothing could be seen.
Somewhere infinite, with no horizon, where the pure white world continues on.
The only color Dojin could find there was his own.
‘This is the 10th floor?’
I was going to say it out loud, but it just remained a thought.
The moment Dojin realized that he couldn’t make a sound, someone’s voice rang in his head.
【Oh, I forgot to make a ‘sound’ here. Sorry. There are some things I didn’t fill in because I was in a hurry to make this space.】
With those words, a world that had been pure white began to burst into a multitude of colorful lights.
“You can talk now. Well, shall we say hello, you reckless challenger?”
Unlike the first time, the bottom of the light that speaks as ‘sound’ splits and creates a smiling mouth shape.
Looking at that light, Dojin activated his magic circuit.
Although they weren’t sure if it was the enemy, they weren’t guaranteed to be the enemy, so they were trying to prepare for battle.
The light that saw it sparkled cheerfully and said.
“You don’t have to do that. The 10th floor of the Tower of Challenges isn’t a place for testing. Well, if you feel safer by standing up like that, then that’s fine. But I don’t care, so do whatever you want.”
Light raised his arms in an odd gesture, as if trying to appeal that he was harmless.
Dojin saw that and asked with narrowed eyes.
“Who are you? What do you mean the 10th floor isn’t a testing space?”
“That’s right. The 10th floor isn’t a place for testing. It’s an awards ceremony to reward the brave and reckless challengers. Is that easier to understand?”
The light was gently rippling.
[You have cleared the Hidden Floor (10th floor) of the Challenge Tower.]
[Start calculating rewards for clearing the 10th floor of the Tower of Challenge.]
Gureuk- Dojin was surprised when he saw the system message popping up.
Light smiled with his mouth twitching as he saw Dojin’s pupils dilate.
“You see? The test given this time is over. Originally, the test was only open up to the 9th floor, but after passing numerous conditions, you reached this hidden floor.”
“… I guess the condition is a compensation bet starting from the 8th floor.”
Heh heh heh, heh heh, he covered his mouth with his hand and laughed.
It was strange that he was making hands and mouths with the light theme, but that wasn’t what was important at the time.
“That’s right. Passing the ‘test’ is a given. To get here, the first person to clear the challenge floor must choose to put all the rewards on the table.”
I had already guessed that. That wasn’t what Dojin was curious about.
“Conditions aside, I have a question. Can I ask it?”
“Of course. Of course.”
It felt like it from the beginning, the light was quite friendly.
However, as Dojin had experienced many cases of sudden changes, it was difficult to feel completely at ease.
‘But I don’t think they’ll suddenly hit me in the back of the head when the clear message has already appeared.’
Well then, let’s start by gathering some information, no, some things we’re curious about.
Judging from the atmosphere, this doesn’t seem like it will end here or with this event.
Dojin’s head started spinning as he smelled a big piece of bait.
“First of all… what are you?”
“Me? Um, the being that created this place? That might be a bit too insincere of an answer. Hmm… … .”
The light that had been emitting a ripple of hesitation for a moment finally made a sound again after much thought.
“I think it would be more appropriate to say that I’m just a tower keeper and a helper. Right now. Anyway, if I were to tell you more, right now it would be ■■■■■■■■■■■■-”
Dojin frowned at the sudden noise.
It wasn’t the kind of noise that could be tolerated, let alone loud and bothersome.
Light, who had read Dojin’s expression, shook his head with a very gloomy expression.
“Did you see? I’m in a position where I can’t tell you even if I wanted to.”
It could be acting, but Light’s expression was so gloomy that I didn’t want to ask any more.
‘To begin with, it doesn’t make sense to read the expression on a lump of light… … .’
Anyway, let’s move on. Next question.
“Okay, fine. Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it. But is it okay to ask another question?”
“Of course. Just ask.”
The light shimmered with excitement as if it was enjoying this conversation very much.
I’ve been feeling this way for a while now, but it’s amazing how emotions can be read so directly through the theme of light.
“The Challenge Floor, that is, from the 8th floor onwards, was supposed to be a risky way to upgrade the next floor rewards, right? But then at the end, it suddenly becomes unconditional and you can clear it as soon as you enter. Wasn’t the Challenge Tower supposed to be a test… no, a test?”
“No conditions? You’ve already passed the 10th floor of the Tower of Challenge test.”
“… … ?”
Me? When? Dojin’s expression made Light laugh out loud.
“Just entering this hidden floor is a test in itself! You showed courage beyond what you showed after taking the tests on the 8th and 9th floors, and you were full of recklessness. Showing that was the condition for entering the 10th floor and the test on the 10th floor.”
That’s the condition…? Light smirks at Dojin’s expression, which is filled with disbelief.
“Doubtful? Yes, doubt is good. That aspect is also important. You will continue to doubt everything, explore, and examine everything thoroughly. And yet, recklessly pursue the best. That is the value that this challenge tower is trying to teach you.”
Let’s say it’s an exploration. It’s a positive thing.
But doubts?
Recklessness beyond courage?
I wondered if this could be called value.
And I also wonder why they insist on teaching such things.
“What’s the point of teaching me that?”
At Dojin’s question, the light flickered brighter than ever.
“It has meaning. It has a very big meaning. You, you have to change the flow of destiny that flows freely. But is that easy? It’s very difficult. It’s too difficult. No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you think you’re walking the best path, it’s difficult. That’s why.”
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The swaying stopped completely. For a split second, it seemed as if I could see someone’s face in the light, barely recognizable.
“You. You. You must recklessly challenge. Don’t settle for small successes and growth. Don’t be complacent and think that’s enough. Always try to have more, go further, and choose more recklessly. That’s how it has to be.”
If you listen to it, it sounds like you’re trying to ruin someone’s life by encouraging them to make a reckless choice.
Still, everything that the light emitted was so desperate that Dojin couldn’t help but feel it and ask.
“Recklessness is risk. When you take risks to gain a little more, there are times when you have to be prepared to lose everything. And do you have to do that?”
The light bobs up and down, as if nodding.
“Do you think that’s enough to change this destiny or whatever you were talking about?”
This time the light moves up and down.
Looking at that, Dojin thought.
‘That’s right.’
Dojin knew the future.
I know and have actually experienced how many disasters befall LOST, no… this world called Rostania.
‘I blocked it as much as I could, but in the end, it only got less worse. It didn’t get any better.’
Today was always the best, the most pleasant time.
It was a world that slowly died, getting worse with each incident that occurred.
Eventually, when we reached Dojin’s point of return… … .
‘It was ruined to the point where we had to worry about the survival of humanity.’
Dojin had no intention of leaving it that way this time.
I will decorate my new life with joy and happiness.
This is the place that was the only joy, refuge, and sanctuary for my ruined self in my previous life.
I have no intention of watching such a place get ruined, I repeat, but I have no intention of watching it get ruined.
‘What this light says is true.’
It is far from enough to grow up to the point where you stand above others.
Recklessly, but safely.
Is that possible? It is possible. If you make it possible.
“Don’t worry. You don’t have to emphasize it, I’m a very greedy person.”
“Yeah, it seems like that. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be putting your precious rewards on a dangerous gambling table. You seem greedy, reckless, and overly curious.”
“…Isn’t that a compliment?”
“of course.”
… It’s unsettling. Looking at Dojin with a trembling face, Bit let out a laugh. Feeling good, he flew over Dojin’s head and shouted.
“Okay, that’s it for Q&A time! Now it’s time to settle the ever-growing rewards!”
Dojin’s heart raced at the word reward.
Although it was regrettable that I didn’t gain anything by asking and answering various questions, it was certain that the being or beings who created the Tower of Challenge and gave the users, that is, the test to Regenian, wanted Regenian to grow.
Then, if you have fulfilled all the hidden elements and have climbed up the ladder, you will receive a great reward!
‘I sang a song about recklessness, recklessness, so I’ll pay the price for my reckless choices.’
With high expectations, Dojin focused on the light.
“The basic reward for the 8th floor given to you Regenians is ‘an item that will help you on your adventure.’ For those of you who have reached here, I will give you ‘an item that will help you pioneer your destiny.’”
[The basic reward for the 8th floor of the Tower of Challenge, “S-Grade Item Random Box,” has been upgraded.]
[You have obtained a “Random Box of Artifact Items.”]
Dojin’s heart pounded at the appearance of a ‘relic’ that was higher grade than the S-grade item, the highest grade item in existence.
This is because it is an item of a level that is really hard to obtain.
From the relic level up, it is not something that can be purchased with money.
Even Dojin, who was considered a lowly ranker, only had one relic item, so it was shocking.
But Dojin’s shock didn’t end there.
“The basic reward given on the 9th floor is ‘points that help with growth.’ To you who met me, I will give you ‘evolution beyond growth.’”
[The basic reward for the 9th floor of the Tower of Challenge, ’50 Bonus Points’, has been upgraded.]
[All possessed traits evolve.]
This time, a reward worthy of the grand word ‘evolution’ has begun.
[All mana-related attributes are removed.]
[Mana-related traits are combined into one trait.]
[Hidden trait “Manajiche” acquired.]
Dojin had many characteristics that helped him handle mana, including “Mana Heart”.
As they evolved and merged, Dojin’s entire body became made of mana, beyond his heart being made of mana.
Each cell that makes up the body holds more mana, which increases the maximum mana reserves.
Needless to say, the processing speed and efficiency of all actions involving mana improved.
This was an incomparable benefit for Dojin, who deals with magic.
But it wasn’t over yet.
[The heterogeneous eyes melt a little more perfectly.]
[The left eye becomes one with the right eye and is also reborn as the devil’s eye.]
The Ma-an “Red Night” that was only applied to the left eye has now spread to the right eye as well.
The heterogeneous vision that has always followed me is now cleanly organized.
At the same time, the magic circuit has been improved in function by linking with the newly added Ma-an.
The Red Night is a magic eye created directly by the great magician, the Grand Duke.
Although it also possessed a magic circuit function, it was not fully utilized due to incomplete implantation. However, at this moment, it completely melted into Dojin and began to fully utilize its original function.
[A new magic circuit has been discovered.]
[Connection with existing magic circuit completed.]
[The circuit’s computational ability has been improved.]
In addition, the characteristics that gave the wizard a strong body have evolved.
Related messages are coming up so quickly that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
‘You’re going to give me all of this… …?’
It was such an unconventional… no, violent compensation that Dojin himself, the one receiving the compensation, was dumbfounded.
“It’s not over yet. The most important reward on the 10th floor is… ‘The New Thread of Fate to Unearth’.”
Is there more? Dojin, who was tired of being surprised, thought as he waited for Light’s next words.
‘I did well to gamble all my rewards on the 9th floor.’
And I promised myself that I would continue to live my life thinking only of challenges and nothing else.
