Episode 28 Autumn rain is blood. (One)
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One.
There was silence.
There was silence only between Bae Hu-ryeong and me. The devil’s reward. 99th floor. I read The Devil’s Reward over and over again. The words that I would transmit it to the 99th floor at once kept ringing in my head.
-It’s a trap.
Bae Hu-ryeong said as if trying to cut me off from my thoughts.
-It’s definitely a trap. It’s a zombie. Never be fooled.
‘I know… I do. Of course it’s a trap. of course···.’
I muttered in my mind.
It was obvious that the devil’s reward was a trap.
because.
‘There’s no way the plague wouldn’t have chosen the devil’s reward after seeing these options.’
Because there is a precedent for the rare psychopath, the Flame Emperor.
‘The devil would have unconditionally chosen the devil’s reward. He’s the type of guy who would react by saying, “Why not kill other hunters?” And yet… he was hanging out on the 40th floor, not the 99th floor. That means…’
I tried to stay calm and think over my thoughts.
‘The devil’s reward is a trap. Perhaps the devil chose the devil’s reward at first, but then realized that it was a trap and returned again. I don’t know exactly what the trap is…’
but.
‘···Honestly, I want it.’
My heart was pounding.
‘It’s a chance to get the skills of the boss monster on the 99th floor. this.’
Even if the Demon King’s reward was nothing more than a trap, the Flame Emperor and I were decidedly different. Unlike Suha Yoo, I didn’t need to beat the boss monster.
Just going to the boss and getting beaten to death is beneficial.
‘The 99th floor boss would be the strongest except for the 100th floor boss…’
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t greedy.
‘The 99th floor.’
How much time does it take to climb to the 99th floor in a normal way?
1 year? 5 years? 10 years?
I didn’t know that it might take more time than that. Even the Flame Emperor, who shut up and killed like a psychopath, took 10 years to reach only the 40th floor. That.
That all at once.
– Confucius.
Bae Hu-ryeong stared.
-Don’t do that.
It was a voice you would never hear normally.
Bae Hu-ryeong was looking at my face seriously.
-Look at me. I am Geomje. This is the guy who climbed to the 99th floor alone and failed. I’m telling you, this is a trap. It’s a disgusting trap.
“······.”
-With your current skills, it is difficult to kill all the top 10 ranked players. Even if we kill them all, it’s still a problem. No matter how hard you struggle, you will never be able to break through the 99th floor wall. Give up completely.
I was silent.
Is it because he is the only person in this tower who has reached the 99th floor? Bae Hu-ryeong’s words were filled with steel-like persuasiveness.
‘Is the boss monster on the 99th floor that strong?’
Bae Hu-ryeong frowned.
-doesn’t exist.
‘yes?’
-There are no boss monsters on the 99th floor. Instead, something much more vicious… Write it. Urazil. Suddenly, memories of old times come to mind. Anyway, this is a trap!
Bae Hu-ryeong turned his back and sat down. Just like a kid who was upset because he couldn’t eat candy. I was a little embarrassed.
‘No, what on earth is waiting for you on the 99th floor? Make people scared. Is this your first time seeing you like this? Well, you’re waiting for something like a demon god rather than a monster?’
-joy. Don’t tell me!
I said it wrong.
It wasn’t like he was a kid, he was a real kid.
-I hate to admit it, but Kim Zombie, you’re doing great. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing up until now. Then you will be able to clear the 99th floor on its own.
“Hmm.”
I was lost in thought. I fiddled with the hilt of the dagger worn at my waist. A dagger that has been indebted to me for over 4,000 suicides. It was the dagger he wielded when he killed Suha Yoo. It was just a cheap dagger, but when I handled it, I felt a little calmer.
‘great.’
I made up my mind.
‘This episode is abandoned.’
Bae Hu-ryeong perked his ears.
-throw away?
‘yes. I’m going to choose only the safest route. Benefits and rewards are all worthless. First, just figure out how things work.’
-The benefits and rewards are all raw… what. Are you sure you don’t want to receive [Goddess’ Reward]? why? There’s no need for that, right?
‘are you okay. ‘It’s one step back to take two steps forward.’
The more urgent you are, the more you have to go back.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“everyone.”
The hunters in the throne room turned to look at me.
“Right now I have a reward for the 11th floor stage.”
“okay? “Good.”
The witch reacted first. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t seen [The Goddess’ Reward] and [The Demon King’s Reward] yet. The witch was as expressionless as usual.
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“I was getting bored wondering how long I would have to wait for the quest. If you choose the reward first, we will choose it in order of ranking. “Make your choice leisurely.”
“yes. “My mind has already been made up.”
I declared in front of the top rankers.
“I choose no compensation.”
Silence fell in the throne room. The Heretic Questioner and the Viper, who had just taken out their trump cards and were playing, also looked in my direction. 3 seconds. 2 seconds. 1 second. After a moment of silence, the witch finally frowned.
“what?”
It was already too late.
[You do not select a stage reward.]
[You will no longer be able to select special classes.]
[If you give up the reward, you can only select roles from the 13th floor or higher.]
[Are you really okay?]
I answered with firm determination.
“yes. I, Hunter Kim Gongja, do not choose any reward.”
Faaah!
The selection window floating in front of me shattered. That wasn’t all. A sacred voice and a gloomy voice rang one after another in my head.
[The guardian goddess questions your choice.]
[The Demon King of Autumn Rain laughs softly.]
The hunters looked dumbfounded.
“Gongja Kim? “What are you doing now?”
“Hmm.”
At that time, Geomsung narrowed his eyebrows. Skilled eyes scanned the air. In terms of the rankings for conquering the 11th floor stage, I was in first place and Sword Saint was in second place. Now, after me, Geomseong has read [The Goddess’ Reward] and [The Demon King’s Reward].
“···indeed. I understand. “I chose the safest option.”
Geomseong looked at me.
“But is there any need to give up compensation? young people. “Maybe it’s just my anger, but I’m worried that if we pursue safety too much, we might end up compromising.”
“Thank you for your concern. But, I have no regrets.”
“Umm. “It would be nice if you don’t regret it…”
The old man sighed. The other hunters watched the conversation between the two of us in confusion. It was as if he did not understand what was being said at all.
“···no.”
Geomsung shook his head.
“After all, giving up compensation altogether is a very gentle way of handling things. I’m sorry, young man. I will choose the goddess’s reward. And let’s choose [Knight Commander of the Aegim Empire].”
Good!
It was the moment when Geomsung made a decision. The main door of the throne room opened. A group of knights came in on foot. Gorgeous silver armor. The knights arrived in front of the old man and knelt down on one knee.
“I pledge allegiance to the highest sword of the Empire!”
“Hoo.”
Sword Saint looked down at the knights as if he was interested.
“This is how roles are determined.”
“hmm? aha? indeed?”
After being a swordsman, he was a heretic interrogator. 3rd place in stage strategy ranking. The Inquisitor tilted her head and said, “Ahh!” He sighed. She looked like she had finally figured out what was going on.
“okay. I understood too! Ahhh. “It’s similar to a mafia game.”
Of course, except for me, the Sword Saint, and the Heretic Questioner, the other hunters were still confused. The witch frowned.
“…I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Do not worry! “I’ll let you know right away!”
The Heretic Questioner spread his hands. square. square. Letters began to etch into the smooth marble floor. The Heretic Questioner put an aura at his fingertips and carved letters into the marble.
“Everyone, please take a look!”
Hunters gathered around and looked down at the floor.
+
[Guardian Goddess]
Description: The goddess who protects the Aegim Empire is moved by your devotion! The goddess has decided to entrust you with an important position in the empire.
dot
dot
dot
+
Hunters murmured.
“what?”
“99th floor? “Is this true?”
There was no reaction until I read the goddess’s reward. However, when they reached the Demon King’s reward, the guild leaders’ complexions changed. He was visibly agitated.
In particular, the witch’s complexion darkened.
“This···.”
“yep! Similar to mafia games! For convenience, shall we call those who chose the goddess’s reward [Heroes], and those who chose the Devil’s reward as [Traitors]?”
The Heretic Questioner smiled brightly.
“But there is a crucial difference. [Traitors] are at a much greater disadvantage than the Mafia! While there are 9 [Heroes], there is at most 1 [Traitor]. Besides, we have a vice-captain of the vigilante group!”
The Heretic Questioner pointed at the Paladin.
The paladin was looking down at the marble floor with a grave expression.
“Think about it! The vice-captain has the [Lie Detector] skill. Ah haha. If you think of it as a mafia game, it’s kind of like a police role. Even if one of these people chooses the Demon King’s reward, that’s okay! The vice-captain can quickly expose who the [traitor] is!”
“hmm···. “That is correct.”
The paladin slowly raised his head.
“If only you would believe me.”
“No matter what, this is a game that is infinitely advantageous for the [Heroes]! Gongja Kim Hunter. “I think you’re overreacting a bit by giving up compensation!”
The Heretic Questioner adjusted his hat.
“I finally broke through the 11th floor in first place, but I don’t receive any compensation. hmm! This is a judgment that is difficult for me to imagine. In honor of your determination, I choose [General of the Aegim Empire]!”
Sigh.
The front door of the throne room opened again. General NPCs entered, waving red capes. The generals stopped in front of the Inquisitor and saluted vigorously.
“Loyalty to the highest banner of the empire!”
“Ah, that’s great. “Please take care of me!”
The general NPCs lined up behind the Heretic Questioner.
This was the final blow.
“Tsk. I just hate stories about using my brain. Anyway, it’s more advantageous to choose a reward, right? Then I will choose [Captain of the Guard].”
Even poisonous snakes.
“Then I will choose [foreign minister]. “It looks the most normal.”
Paladins too.
“···I will take charge of [the Prime Minister]. Please do me a favor and never choose the devil’s reward. If no one chooses, this reward will disappear by itself. The smartest thing to do is to let it disappear. “Everyone please keep this in mind.”
Witches too.
“Don’t worry. Hmm. Well, of course I am the [Minister of Finance].”
Count too.
All of the remaining hunters chose compensation.
Before we knew it, the throne room was filled with NPCs. Murmur. Knights lined up behind the swordsman who chose the knight commander, and civil servants lined up behind the witch who chose the prime minister.
-Wow.
Only one place in the spacious throne room.
There was no one behind me so it was empty.
-You’re really the only one who didn’t receive compensation. Are you okay, zombie? No matter how much I throw away this episode, isn’t this a bit harsh?
‘no.’
I was confident.
Maybe it was the instinct he had as a hunter.
‘This is the correct answer.’
When should you pounce on your prey and bite it?
When should you give up on your prey and meekly retreat?
I am-.
[Compensation settlement ends.]
I had a gut feeling that now was the time to step back.
[All top players have been selected.]
[Kim Gongja, Sword Saint, Heretic Questioner, Viper, Holy Knight, Witch, Count…]
A voice rang out from the throne room.
The hunters quietly exchanged glances each time their names were called.
[Those who gave up compensation, 1 person.]
People turned to look at me. Of these, I am the only one who said he gave up compensation. It was as if the voice testified that I had not enjoyed any benefits.
For a moment, the hunters looked like they were ‘really not receiving any compensation.’
[Those who received the goddess’ reward, 8 people.]
Soon, his face hardened.
[Those who received the devil’s reward, 1 person.]
The hunters looked at each other.
[Total 10 people.]
[All top players have been selected.]
[I inform you once again.]
There was silence.
[Those who gave up compensation, 1 person.]
[Those who received the goddess’ reward, 8 people.]
[Those who received the devil’s reward, 1 person.]
[All top players have been selected.]
It was a long silence.
[May good luck be with you.]
2.
Snapping.
The first thing that broke the silence was the sound of someone gnashing their teeth.
“Foolish…!”
Black Dragon Guild Leader. The 2nd ranked hunter. she was a witch
“I told you! Never choose the devil’s reward. And yet… so stupid!”
Life passed from the witch. Her face wasn’t as expressionless as usual. Hatred. contempt. anger. With her face distorted from frowning, the witch glared at her audience.
“but. Words don’t make sense to foolish people. good! I will make a declaration here as the owner of the Black Dragon. “I still don’t know who betrayed us, but I will give that person the most painful death.”
“Uhm. “That’s amazing.”
The Heretic Questioner stroked his chin.
“This is a game that is overwhelmingly unfavorable to the traitor. Nevertheless, I chose the devil’s reward… As the Black Dragon Master said, this is an extremely foolish choice! Ahhh. Of course, in being foolish, it is also infinitely human!”
“ah···. “f*ck you.”
The viper scratched the back of its head.
“Ah, I understand. I understand. This atmosphere. This air. That’s the feeling I got when I conquered the early part of the tower… My back and neck are so f*cking strong. “How many people are going to die today?”
“That’s right. “It feels similar to the time when the top 5 guilds were the top 10 guilds.”
The count raised a fan. Soft speaking tone. However, the gaze peering over the fan was as cold as a wild animal.
“A lot of people died in those days. I killed a lot. is not it?”
“Shut up! Everyone be quiet. “This is not the time to get caught up in old stories.”
The witch’s expression was twisted.
“Paladin!”
“hmm.”
“Interrogate everyone with a [lie detector] right now. No one left out! “If even one person does not answer or avoids the paladin’s questions, I will kill that person right here and now!”
Everyone knew that these were not empty words. The witch shed her deadly energy, and her murderous energy rose like a haze through the aura. Jet black color. A silent auror. It was a color that cursed all the light in this world.
“I plan to do that even if I don’t say it.”
The paladin quietly nodded.
“First of all, let me start by saying that I am not a traitor.”
And the paladin took a step back.
The first person she approached was none other than me.
The paladin stood tall in front of me.
“Hunter Gongja Kim.”
“yes.”
“You have given up compensation, so you are not in the dragon’s line. You may not even need to check. Still, don’t ask. By any chance, did you choose the devil’s reward?”
“no.”
The throne room was quiet.
All the hunters were watching us.
A few seconds of silence passed, and the paladin nodded.
“It’s the truth.”
Sighs of relief flowed here and there.
The paladin walked towards the next opponent without stopping.
Step by step.
The floor of the throne room was covered with marble. Every time the paladin stepped on the floor, the sound of his footsteps rang particularly loudly. We followed her steps with our eyes.
“Sword Saint.”
“Say it.”
“Have you chosen the devil’s reward?”
Geomsung crossed his arms.
“With all my honor. “Absolutely not.”
“It’s the truth.”
Step by step.
“Heresy Questioner.”
“yes! “Ask me anything!”
“Are you the one who chose the devil’s reward?”
“Excuse me.”
The Heretic Questioner laughed while no one spoke. Laughter bounced off the marble floor and skidded on the armor of knights and generals.
“Not me! “I don’t want to be killed by the Black Dragon Master yet!”
“It’s the truth.”
Step by step.
“venomous snake. “Did you choose the devil’s reward?”
“f*ck. not me!”
“···It’s the truth.”
Step by step.
“Count. “Have you chosen the devil’s reward?”
“···Me neither.”
“It’s the truth.”
Step by step.
The air gradually subsided. There was a sigh of relief when it turned out that I was not a traitor. But one person. One more person. As one more truth was declared, silence, not sighing, overflowed in the throne room.
Like the water surface rising little by little.
Before we knew it, the silence had reached our chins.
“······.”
“······.”
The paladin faced the witch.
Hunters, excluding witches, have already been questioned. This is the final interrogation. The Paladin took a deep breath as he faced the Hunter who had the most powerful guild in the tower and was ranked second only to the Sword Saint.
She said.
“Black Dragon Lord.”
“···okay.”
“Did you choose the devil’s reward?”
There was silence.
“no···. I’m not.”
Silence followed again.
The paladin slowly opened his lips.
“···It’s the truth.”
And so, finally, complete silence settled.
no.
We sank into silence.
“Wait a minute… then, what is it?”
The viper looked everywhere.
“Who are you talking about?”
Geomseong looked at the witch. The witch looked at the Heretic Questioner. The Inquisitor looked at the Count, and the Count looked at the Viper. The viper looked as if it was clinging to the paladin, and the paladin looked at me in silence.
Everyone looked at everyone.
“Why do you say it’s not all…?”
But no one answered.
“f*ck! “Who betrayed you?”
no one.
etc,
