Chapter 122 : Chapter 122

Chapter 122 - Warm-up (1)

The Third Ordeal had a slightly different nature from the previous two ordeals.

While the previous two ordeals accepted participants as soon as they began and proceeded immediately, the third ordeal tended to scatter various omens before it actually started.

The second ordeal sent out invitations, but this time.

[ All designated Conquerors are requested to attend the meeting hosted by the ‘Round Table’ by the limited time. ]

[ A ‘Disaster Stage’ will be assigned for each person selected as a participant who fails to attend. ]

[ If the ordeal is failed, the intensity of the punishment will increase according to the Disaster Stage. ]

Just by looking at these words floating above the Tower, one could tell the difference.

This one outright ‘forced’ an event to make people gather beforehand.

Well, it was malicious in the sense that instead of giving a disadvantage to the one who didn't attend, it was designed to make those around them force them to go.

However, Evangeline, knowing all this, told me not to attend. That’s how much it was a section that boasted one of the highest despair levels, even among the Conqueror events that were littered with trashy death traps.

“So. What’s the reason for taking me to such a terrifying place?”

Ironclad, who had decided to accompany me to this meeting, grumbled.

“Why. Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

“You always surround yourself with a bunch of women.”

“...”

Please don’t describe me like some kind of playboy.

The trap was that if I thought about it carefully, it was strangely close to the facts, making it difficult to refute.

“It’s not for any other reason. It’s because you’re not entirely unrelated to this event.”

“What?”

“Do you remember what we talked about when we first met?”

Ironclad’s expression instantly turned serious.

Right.

I had promised him that his ‘family’ was still alive and that I would rescue them.

And this ordeal would probably be directly related to that promise.

“...Huh. That person has such a great reason. What’s my reason for coming along here?”

To Seo Ah-in, who was tilting her head with a puzzled expression, I explained simply.

“Where the needle goes, the thread follows, of course.”

“...I'm asking just in case. That doesn't have some profound meaning, does it? It just means you're going to use me as a gofer, right?”

“And a bodyguard, while we’re at it.”

“...Yeah, Ah-in. What on earth were you expecting...”

I chuckled at the girl who was clutching her forehead and muttering something.

“By the way... it seems the Tower is also changing little by little.”

Ironclad said so and looked up at the Tower.

Certainly, if before it had the feeling of just a ‘giant structure,’ these days it was getting darker and darker and exuding a threatening aura, giving the feeling that something big was coming.

‘...Well.’

[ Current Alteration Points: 2 ]

That’s why I was saving these up.

Perhaps after going through this ordeal, a clear use for them would materialize.

“Let’s go for now. That’s not something to worry about right now.”

So, for now, I should first think about successfully overcoming the ordeal before my eyes.

Thinking so, I stepped into the portal that opened in front of me, and the surrounding scenery changed in an instant.

A marble floor, chandeliers. And several huge circular tables designed for many people to sit around.

It was a scene that could be seen as a mere social venue, but unfitting for such an atmosphere, the surroundings were lined with a multitude of guys dressed in colorful full-body armor.

“...Hic.”

I heard Seo Ah-in, her face pale, gasp beside me.

Befitting a girl with the Mind’s Eye, it must have been a reaction born from instantly grasping the level of military power each of those guys possessed.

Well, they were none other than the Knights of the Round Table. The ones who act as the administrators and guardians of the Tower.

It would be stranger if they were weak.

“...”

And quickly, I scanned not the Round Table, but the ‘participants’ one by one.

Just as the previous ordeals had been, this one also had a structure where the final winner took all the rewards.

The process of checking who the competitors were was essential.

However, the difference from the previous ordeals was that this time, the number of gazes flying in my direction was quite large.

No, let me correct that.

It wasn't just quite large; it was to the extent that as soon as I appeared, everyone in this place was looking at me.

I could even hear their murmuring from here.

“That guy is the one who’s been the hottest topic recently-”

“The one called Asia’s Comet-”

“The greatest genius in history who blasphemes even the gods-”

“...”

Misters.

The further it went, the more serious words I heard.

No joke, I was confident I could die of embarrassment in three seconds if I went around with something like that attached to my name. Seriously.

“Why is everyone making such a fuss?”

“...It's not a fuss. Isn't this a natural reaction?”

“What?”

“Mr. Kim Gyu-sik, I don't know what level you think your own recognition is at, but you've become a complete celebrity while you were scurrying around.”

Right. But what’s so special about that?

I even got a B-rank through the rating test a while ago. At that level, it wouldn't be strange for my face to be known anywhere...

“First, would you like to see this?”

Seo Ah-in said so and searched for something on her phone to show me.

“What’s this?”

“These are rough summaries of mentions of you on the internet. From the top, the fan club list, the frequency of mentions in news articles, and the statistics of being on the top search keyword rankings of major portal sites-”

“...Why the hell is something like that summarized?”

“I didn't do it. The government did. You're being openly used as a signboard, the pride of the nation, you know?”

“...”

Sorry. Let me correct myself.

For a B-rank Climber to be this well-known, it was true that an exceptionally crazy amount of attention was being focused on me.

What on earth was there about me to pay so much attention to, for everyone to be making such a fuss?

“...Mr. Kim Gyu-sik.”

“What.”

“Smug people all have short lifespans.”

“...”

What nonsense is this.

As I narrowed my eyes and glared at Seo Ah-in, I felt someone from the nearby people, who had been glancing at me until now, striding this way.

Looking closely, it was a middle-aged female Climber who seemed to be wearing a strict atmosphere all over her body.

‘I'm sure...’

I racked my brain and recalled information about the opponent.

A Western A-rank Climber. A vanguard. Her name was Catherine Stegor. The nickname users called her by was ‘Rational Bulldozer’.

As for why she was called that, one could tell just by looking at the proposal coming my way.

“Are you Climber Kim Gyu-sik?”

“I am?”

“I am Catherine Stegor, leader of the Solstia Guild. I would like to propose an alliance with you in this ordeal.”

With that one sentence.

An atmosphere of shock rippled and spread through the surroundings.

It was because it was the first time in history that a Western guild had ‘first’ proposed an alliance to an Eastern Climber.

Even in the West, an A-rank Climber was given considerable respect. For such a person to approach me first and extend a hand like this, how could people not be surprised?

“...An alliance. The reason?”

“The skills you have shown were impressive. You are likely far superior to most of the people here. There is no other reason.”

“...”

And even the explanation that bluntly pierced through, rather than an excuse to save face.

As expected, she was a person of action who didn't care about the gazes of others if she thought she was right. She wasn't called a bulldozer for nothing.

“We will meet any conditions you demand. Are you interested?”

Even the subsequent proposal made it feel like she wanted me quite badly.

This blatant act of ‘I will bow my head, so please work with me’ was, naturally, the attitude a lower-tier guild takes toward a higher-tier one.

No matter how much I had proven myself, considering her position and mine, it would not be a problem at all to call it an exceptional offer.

Of course, even so.

“I appreciate the offer, but I think it will be a little difficult.”

When I replied so, Catherine closed her eyes for a long moment and then opened them.

It seemed she was organizing her thoughts.

“Is that so.”

“...You’re not very surprised?”

Indeed, looking around, the majority of gazes perceived me as almost a crazy person for kicking away the proposal in this situation.

But this person looked as if she had expected this.

“Haven't you always stood out on your own until now? I rather expected it would turn out this way.”

And yet, she came over to make the proposal. Did she come with the feeling of poking at a fruit she couldn't eat?

She must have really coveted me.

“...What great insight. I know there are still many who subtly look down on you. To take the initiative and come forward like that.”

Ironclad muttered in admiration as he watched Catherine disappear without any lingering attachment as soon as the proposal was rejected.

“You rate her that highly just because she came to me first?”

“It would be more accurate to say that you are being underestimated compared to what you have proven so far.”

“Yes. They’re all just a bunch of idiots, you know? He’s a person who will once again showcase his perverted exploits without a second thought.”

“...”

Ah-in.

Is that a compliment, or an insult?

Well, apart from that, Catherine was certainly a sharp person.

She would probably stand out quite a bit in this ordeal as well. The structure was such that smart people had a considerable advantage.

[ It has been confirmed that all subjects are present. ]

[ Knights of the Round Table, please proceed with the meeting. ]

And that, the guys who just appeared would explain well.

***

-Greetings, Conquerors. I am the ‘Guardian of the Tower’ who will be presiding over this ordeal. This is our first time meeting directly, isn't it?

A blue image of a woman wearing a robe rose up in the center of the hall.

The eyes of everyone in this place sharpened.

In fact, except for me, everyone here was probably meeting the existence of the Round Table for the first time, so they tensed up when the Guardian, who clearly seemed to be its leader, revealed herself.

However, apart from that, I was just waiting for the words that would follow from her mouth.

‘...I’ve been through a lot until now.’

Most of the people here probably thought this ordeal would be conducted in ‘small groups’ like before and had likely only prepared for that.

However, I had been throwing myself into all sorts of places to solidify relationships between ‘groups’ and ‘groups’.

Cornelius’s Mangrave, the Magic Tower, the Hunting Alliance, the Martial Arts Alliance, and even the other miscellaneous guilds I met during the promotion test.

Now, hurry up and say it.

Say directly the reason why I went through all that trouble, struggling to form connections with all sorts of groups.

-The genre of this ordeal is... to put it simply.

And as if she had somewhat noticed my thoughts, the Guardian’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before moving away.

-’War’.

That's right.

A broad smile spread across my face.

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