[Lv.11 Medea’s Palace]

A lofty palace stood at the heart of Prestige. The gothic spires and stained glass gave off an antique charm and the mana crystals shone even in Prestige’s eternal darkness.

Only magic power sustained this mystical palace that represented the sovereignty of the abandoned princess, Medea.

The palace halls resembled a maze that one could only enter with her permission. The walls featured magic cannons that could shoot down any enemy. She even added 8 legs to the palace so she could escape with it. This showed how much she loved the place.

“Hmm…”

Medea’s faithful servants surrounded her. They followed her every wish and the table in front of her contained delicacies from the upper floors. However, she seemed to be in a bad mood despite all this.

Only one thing bothered her.

No one in Prestige would have the skills to craft such an item.

Medea thought back to the event she held 4 days ago. The robe belonged to the first ranked man named Buyong. The surface flowed like water and its beautiful engravings exuded a faint aura of artistic magic power that could only be seen by those who possessed an aesthetic eye. Medea could see the aura and it felt so natural as if it had been created like that.

Who could have made such a robe?

She grew curious since no one in Prestige had such skills. She would’ve brought them to the palace a long time ago. Someone like that couldn’t be found outside the 3rd floor either. A civilization that could produce such luxuries would be on a much higher floor than Prestige.

“Could it be?”

She suddenly thought of Hephaestus, who should be hiding somewhere, but quickly shook her head. That ignorant man wouldn’t be able to make something so delicate. Dwarfs possessed far greater dexterity than elves, but avoided cloth and only focused on metal because of that damned blacksmith.

“Tsk.”

It all seemed so pitiful to Medea. Everything in Prestige would be cheap anyway. It slightly piqued her interest, but that was all. She wasn’t dying to get her hands on it. Only items like the Blue Wave or the Song of Sorrow could hold her attention.

“Reiley.”

Medea stopped thinking about the robe and called the old butler. A part of the room trembled and the old butler appeared out of thin air. This simple teleportation only worked inside the palace.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“When is the next administrator conference?”

The tower’s administrators frequently held meetings.

Some felt apathetic to the whole thing, some kindly helped players ascend, and others tried their best to disturb them.

Medea was the self-indulgent type, an apathetic administrator.

She couldn’t care less about who died. She only focused on gathering performance points and TP to manifest herself in the phenomenon realm. After all, being stuck inside this tower for the rest of her life would be very sad and boring.

“The meeting is scheduled 10 days from now.”

“Is that so?” Medea oddly smiled and licked her lips. “Then let’s get one more thing done before then.”

It would be a bit difficult, but she wouldn’t be the one to shoulder the burden.

“Isn’t it about time for Prestige to receive a sun?”

Medea’s enchanting voice filled the palace.

***

[Lv.6 Strange Valley of Darkness]

I entered the valley to escape Jin Seyeon’s sight.

“It should be around here.”

I finally managed to find [Krakoon’s Vault] through all the dirt with my thousand-mile eyes. Then I easily opened it with the mystic key.

“…?”

It only contained documents inside. I carefully looked over the land documents and slave contracts.

[Magic Land Document] A land document made from magic power. Ownership can be transferred to another person upon the original owner’s death.

[Magic Slave Contract] A slave contract made from magic power. Ownership can be transferred to another person upon the original owner’s death.

First, I infused my magic power into the land document.

[The owner of Valley of Darkness has been changed to the player Extra7.] [Currently, around 480 kg of dark ore are buried within the Valley of Darkness.]

“Oh?”

Something like this existed. How could I dig up all this dark ore?

[TIP! Lv.1 Player Shop sells an automatic miner for 800 TP.]

“Ah, thank you.”

I didn’t know a lot of things. Naturally, I purchased the automatic miner from the player shop. The machine looked like a drone.

[Lv. 1 Automatic Miner] A cute machine that will search for buried ores and automatically dig for them. Lv.1 Ore Mining: Will dig up to 1 kg of ores per hour. Lv.1 Ore Searching

I bought 3 automatic miners and released them. Then I began to search the Valley of Darkness for enslaved human NPCs.

“Aah!”

“W-Who are you?”

The sudden incident confused them. I gently approached and asked about their hometown. Then I released the shackles around their necks.

I found 16 in total, all former residents of Prestige.

I tore up their slave contracts, collected their ores, and sent them back. I also messaged Henry and Kiri to introduce the freed slaves to Kedrick. He would take care of them somehow since they all went through tough times together.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

“I won't forget your kindness!”

We stood in front of the crystal stele that allowed travel between the 3rd and 4th floor. A system window popped up as the 16 NPCs shed their tears.

[You have defeated Krakoon, the Valley of Darkness’ administrator, and rescued the NPCs.] [Subquest completed. The Wishes of NPCs in Prison Camp – Murder of the Valley Executive] [All stats have been increased by 0.3 points.]

“Mmm.”

I nodded in satisfaction and wondered what to do next. I didn’t want to act carelessly with Jin Seyeon nearby. Should I check out the 5th floor?

I could easily scout around with my thousand-mile eyes. I climbed one of the many mountains and focused stigma’s magic power into my eyes. Then I looked around the entire landscape.

I studied the alliance team moving together. A group of about 50 busily discussed a castle attack. The two best guilds, Essence of the Strait and Frost Sanctuary, prepared to attack the [Lv.7 Demon Castle No.1] along with the English Royal Court guild.

— About 150 demons and 800 undead inside the No.1 castle.

Rachel spoke and seemed delighted to work with the upper guilds.

— Are you sure?

Kim Youngjin, Essence of the Strait’s team leader, asked.

“Yes. My wind elemental personally scouted the area.”

Rachel nodded with a serious expression as Kim Youngjin smiled.

— An elementalist sure has great tactical value.

— No, I'm still just a beginner.

Rachel seemed happy at the praise, but remained humble. She probably jumped with joy inside.

— We only have 50 people. Maybe the difference is too much.

— What do you think about asking Aileen for help?

Jung Hosun, Frost Sanctuary’s team leader, responded to Kim Youngjin’s concerns.

“Aileen.”

I took my eyes off of them and began looking for Aileen. I easily spotted her white hair and short stature.

— Yongha, I have 1030 TP on me right now. Remember that.

— Huh? Why are you telling me that?

At least 100 undead and 5 demons surrounded the two of them.

“Well, I just thought we should check beforehand. I can’t lose them again.”

Aileen only worried about how much money she had with so many enemies before them. She probably thought she mistakenly lost the TP that Jain stole.

— Okay, 1030 TP. I’ll remember that.

— Good.

Aileen nodded and smiled at the ghastly undead and the demons.

— Hey kids. Hail is falling from the sky right now.

The demons looked confused. The sky above appeared dark as ever without a sign of precipitation. However, her words would be their death sentence.

— You see, those hailstones will split your heads!

Anything the Spirit Speech Master said became true. Hailstones filled with magic power instantly poured from the sky. Kugwagwagwagwang!

The hail seemed more like a meteor shower and completely wiped out the demons. The masses of ice crushed their armors on contact and pulverized the undead before they even took a step.

“…”

I scratched my neck as I watched the massacre.

“Sigh.”

I should try harder from now on. I shouldn’t lose now that I could mine for dark ores. Then I could use synthesis to compress them into stronger arrows.

I finished my surveillance and took out the dwarven supercar.

***

[Lv.5 Chameleon Troupe’s Hideout]

“I’m back.”

— Is that you, Hajin?

I heard Boss’ voice from the bedroom as I stepped inside. I smiled and headed towards her room. Boss lay in bed with the Orb of Regeneration in one hand while patting Spartan with the other.

“How do you feel?”

“Much better. I think I’ll recover by tomorrow. This orb is quite effective.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I sat next to Boss and formed a comb with stigma’s magic power. Then I brushed her messy hair and began thinking.

I didn’t write much about the Chameleon Troupe in my settings book. Most of the ideas remained in my head as I agonized over what kind of background to create. I purposely left it blank to fill it with a better setting later.

However, I stopped writing before the Chameleon Troupe and Kim Suho became equals. It should be around 2-3 years in the future.

I regretted it now with so many things I didn’t know. Jin Sahyuk’s relationship with Bell. Bell’s relationship with Boss. Boss’ relationship with the previous leader. I would’ve written more if I knew this would happen. Well, I’d been a failure after all. Kim Hajin couldn’t even finish his own novel.

“Hmm…”

Boss enjoyed my combing with her eyes closed. I calmly looked at her. I should just directly ask to learn what I didn’t know.

“Hey, Boss.”

— Oh? Looks like Hajin is here.

A noise came from the entrance. I tilted my head and stood up.

“Wait just a moment.”

I stopped brushing her hair and stepped outside. Jain stood at the entrance with another person.

“When did you get back, Hajin? We’ve got 2 more members in the tower now. You know him, right?”

Jain spoke first. Then the gentle-looking man next to her smiled.

“Hey, newbie.”

I smiled back at Jin Yohan, the seat of green.

“Yes, hello.”

I sounded composed, but my mouth twitched with tension. The Chameleon Troupe members had begun to gather. Silver should arrive next and they would soon meet Kim Suho.

***

“Auu, I’m exhausted.”

Kim Suho returned to the [Lv.1 Creator’s Sacred Grace Hideout] after grinding his stats and skill on the 4th floor.

He had more guests than usual today. Chae Nayun and Shin Jonghak accompanied him along with his usual companions. The small 55 square meter hideout became quite crowded.

“You didn’t have to follow me back. Anyways, come in.”

Kim Suho scratched his neck as he guided them.

“Pft, what a tiny place.”

Shin Jonghak naturally sneered. He still acted a bit rude, but not out of line like in the past. Did he become an adult? Kim Suho grinned and nudged Shin Jonghak’s shoulder like close friends.

“Are you crazy? Did you just shove me?”

Shin Jonghak immediately turned serious. Startled, Kim Suho simply coughed.

“Stop being so noisy. Here, it’s a housewarming gift.” Chae Nayun handed Kim Suho a bundle of potions.

“Oh, what’s this?”

“A potion set from Riry Shop. It’s worth 1000 TP, so be thankful.”

“1000 TP? Wow, thanks. Call me if you ever need help. I’ll be there right away.”

Kim Suho gratefully took the potions. Chae Nayun smiled at his child-like excitement.

“Take a seat everyone. I’ll make dinner.”

Venessa Fermun went into the kitchen as the rest sat near the table.

“Hey, doesn’t this remind you of the good old days?” Yi Yeonghan spoke after looking at the familiar faces around the table.

“We’re only missing those two. Yoo Yeonha and Kim Ha— huuk!”

Kim Suho pinched his side before Yi Yeonghan could finish. However, Chae Nayun’s expression had already turned sour.

“Uuu, my side…”

Yi Yeonghan didn’t notice anything wrong as he endured the pain. Kim Suho quickly changed the subject.

“So Nayun, how have you been doing? I heard you got inflicted with a curse.”

“Oh, that? How did you know? I guess rumors travel fast.”

Chae Nayun didn’t want to think about such things as she shook off what Yi Yeonghan said with a bitter smile.

“I heard from Yi Jiyoon.”

“Yi Jiyoon? That girl is too talkative.”

Chae Nayun sighed. Once again, she reaffirmed her belief in not telling Yi Jiyoon any secrets. Now everyone knew about that embarrassing curse.

“I’m fine. Someone I know treated me.”

“Oh? Who?” Yi Yeonghan asked.

“I’m not going to tell you, but he’s famous in the tower.”

Chae Nayun made a smug face. She naturally knew many people because of her background. However, she only trusted a few and Extra7 had become one of them. His status had risen at least 2 levels in her heart.

“What’s his nickname?”

“Extra7.”

The player who made a name for himself in the tutorial. His achievement became a legend that others still talked about in the community.

“Ah, that’s the person who made 20000 TP in the tutorial!”

Chae Nayun widened her eyes at Yi Yeonghan’s words.

“Eh? You knew? How?”

“He became famous outside the tower too. You don’t know what’s going on outside, right? The world is only talking about the Tower of Wish. I’m not even exaggerating. Every news station is reporting on the internal structure and analyzing the tutorial along with every new floor.”

“Oh? Interesting. Ah, then keep it a secret that I know him. You guys aren’t like Yi Jiyoon, right?”

Extra7 hyung might be bothered, so Chae Nayun asked them to keep it a secret.

“Sure, but how do you know Extra7?”

“I’ve known him for a long time. I first met him as a cadet,” Chae Nayun confidently replied to Kim Suho’s question with a smile.

She had never met him in person, but they interacted like normal friends. Back then, they used to play a match together at least once a day.

“Hey, can you ask him to lend me some money? I want to buy an item,” Yi Yeonghan asked.

“Shut it.”

Chae Nayun looked at him in disgust. Suddenly, the system windows popped up around them.

[Hello, everyone. This is Medea.]

“Woah!”

Yi Yeonghan jumped out of his seat and fell backward. They hadn’t encountered Medea until now.

“Be quiet. This seems important.”

Chae Nayun quickly became focused. Last time, she failed to participate in Medea’s quest because of the curse. She wanted to do well and rank in the top 100 this time.

[I hope you’re having a nice day players. I believe you know what I will say.]

Medea’s breath-taking beauty caught Yi Yeonghan’s attention after his initial shock.

[It is time for another quest.]

Medea smiled.

[The quest is called, Sunlight. It is very important.]

However, her smile gave off a creepy feeling because it looked too perfect.