Chapter 207: Fifty-Fifth Floor, The Seized Fortress (1)

[Welcome to the fifty-fifth floor of the Tower of Ordeal: The Seized Fortress.]

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has been hired as a mercenary. His employer has tasked him with reclaiming a fortress that has been occupied by an unidentified force.]

[Assist the employer in reclaiming the fortress. Time remaining: 47 hours 59 minutes.]

The tower had summoned me deep within a dense forest.

A thick, eerie darkness shrouded the woodland. Almost no light managed to pierce through the heavy canopy, and the moon and stars remained hidden by an impenetrable veil of clouds.

The trees here seemed unsettling. Their gnarled branches did not stretch skyward as people would expect, but instead drooped downward as if weighed down by an unseen force.

Beyond the brush, atop a distant elevation, stood the fortress.

The moment my eyes adjusted to the dimness, an unpleasant sensation settled over me. That felt heavy when breathed in, thick and cloying.

It wasn’t only the ominous atmosphere that unnerved me, however. The very essence of the mana saturating the air felt different. It was denser, almost suffocating, and instinctively repulsive.

“Demonic... energy.”

“Demonic?”

“This forest... is steeped in... dark mana. I have... encountered this... once before...”

I didn’t know much about demons, but I now understood why I had felt such an instinctive aversion. Demon Slayer would warn me about the presence of demonic energy, which seemed very useful to me.

Dealing with some discomfort isn’t necessarily a bad thing in exchange.

If my enemies could manipulate dark mana, then this ability would provide me with a distinct advantage.

After taking a moment to assess my surroundings, I turned my attention back to the tower’s message. This trial didn’t appear particularly complex.

Judging by the castle’s location, it seemed like it had been abandoned and claimed by squatters—perhaps bandits, drifters, or even wild beasts.

However, if Ryun’s observation about the abundant demonic energy was accurate, then the intruders were far more likely to be demons.

Doppy shivered and hugged its arms. “Ah, it really feels off.”

Although the task appeared straightforward, I had to agree that just standing here felt unpleasant. Hopefully, the entire floor wouldn’t be like that.

The last floor had been surprisingly easy, almost disproportionately so. That likely meant this floor would be far more demanding.

Where is my employer, though?

They were nowhere in sight. I expanded my senses as far as possible and scoured the surroundings for any trace of their presence, but found nothing.

Don’t tell me finding them is part of the trial, too...

Just as the thought crossed my mind, a sudden gust of wind swept through the forest.

Shaa—

The leaves rustled, brushing against one another in a cascade of dry whispers. A clammy breeze slid over my skin, thick and cloying.

Then, something rustled faintly behind me. The underbrush shifted, and a brittle snap echoed as something stepped on a fallen branch.

What the—?

I spun around sharply. Just moments ago, I had confirmed that nothing was nearby. There was no way something could have approached without me sensing it.

Yet as the figure emerged from the thicket, my initial shock gave way to sheer bewilderment.

“

Huh?

”

A young boy, no older than twelve, pushed past the dense underbrush. His skin had a dull, ashen-gray hue, and the area around his temples protruded unnaturally as if something was pressing outward from beneath his skin.

With a slightly sheepish expression, he scratched his cheek and cleared his throat. “

Ahem.

So, you arrived before me. My apologies. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long. I have rather short legs, you see.”

His eyes briefly met mine before flicking away, as though embarrassed.

I was beginning to put the pieces together.

So this is my employer.

The boy looked entirely out of place in this ominous forest, and if I weren’t waiting for my contractor, I wouldn’t have believed that was him. In the end, he had simply arrived late to the designated meeting place—hence the apology.

Is this a fabricated world, designed specifically for the trial?

That could explain why I hadn’t detected his presence earlier. If he had been summoned like us, then it would all make sense.

Above his head, an information window flickered into existence.

[Kyuntriachae]

It displayed no additional information, just a name.

Even so, I didn’t want to use it; he hadn’t introduced himself, after all. He would immediately question how I knew it if I did.

“No, it’s fine. We didn’t wait long.”

“

Phew

, that’s a relief. Well then, shall we proceed?”

The boy turned and began walking toward the fortress. I had expected more of an exchange, so his actions left me a bit confused.

As I watched him stride calmly through the eerie woods, a nagging and uneasy feeling settled in my gut.

He hadn’t displayed a shred of fear despite the environment. Regardless, I couldn’t let him wander off alone. The trial required me to reclaim the fortress for my employer, which meant ensuring his safety had to be my priority.

As I quickened my pace to follow, Ryun murmured, “A... demon.”

I frowned. “The boy?”

“Yes...”

A story began to form in my mind.

A fearless child would hire mercenaries to retake an abandoned stronghold, leading them through a forest thick with dark mana.

It absolutely reeked of classic horror tropes. In stories like these, the child always turned out to be the final boss.

No, that would be too predictable.

Or was it?

He spoke far too measured and old-fashioned for someone his age. Conversing with him felt more akin to speaking with an old man than a boy.

Moreover, while the trial appeared simple, the tower rarely made things that straightforward. Something always lurked beneath the surface.

Now that I thought about it, I had simply assumed he was the employer.

That wasn’t a given, however. He hadn’t been summoned alongside us and had appeared after the fact.

What if the true employer is already dead, and this boy is the one who stole the fortress? Is he merely toying with us?

No, that didn’t quite add up either. The tower had instructed us to reclaim the castle for the employer. If the employer were dead, then the trial should have already ended.

Perhaps I was overthinking things. Unfortunately, given the tower’s history, a healthy dose of skepticism was warranted. Even if the employer was alive, that didn’t necessarily mean they were the boy.

I decided to probe our guide. “Are you my employer?”

The boy snapped his head toward me, his expression darkening. His shoulder-length hair swayed, catching what little moonlight filtered through the trees.

“You don’t remember?” he remarked, displeased. “We met at the mercenary guild just a week ago. Has your memory failed you already?”

A flicker of irritation crossed his face. “Did I pay a hefty sum for an incompetent fool? Or are you playing games with me simply because I arrived late?”

Since I had no recollection of such a meeting, I couldn’t respond.

As I remained silent, his expression softened slightly.

Letting out a deep sigh, he shook his head. “Never mind. I was late, after all. I’ll double your payment afterward, so let’s not dwell on this.”

His reaction felt oddly natural, as if he truly believed we had met before.

My attempt to gauge him hadn’t gleaned anything useful. Regardless, I wouldn’t lower my guard. There was always a risk of being blindsided later.

Feigning nonchalance, I offered a vague response, “Apologies. My memory has been a little unreliable lately.”

The boy studied me for a moment before turning his gaze back toward the fortress. “I see. Well, I suppose that happens. Anyway, we should continue moving.”

***

[Assist the employer in reclaiming the fortress. Time remaining: 47 hours 42 minutes.]

As we neared the fortress, the surrounding landscape grew increasingly ominous. The trees deepened to an even darker shade, while the ground became blanketed in an eerie layer of fine black dust.

I had no way of knowing whether there was an upper limit to the density of demonic mana in the air, but the suffocating feeling remained unchanged.

As we neared the fortress, the boy, who remained silent the entire walk, suddenly remarked, “Oh, right. Did I ever explain the request in full detail?”

I nearly responded absentmindedly, wanting to parrot the mission's objective.

However, I hesitated at the last second, trying not to reveal anything. “

Hmm

, well. I’m not quite sure.”

Instinctively, my muscles tensed.

So, he isn't my employer?

Keeping my expression lighthearted, I smiled and rubbed the back of my head. “

Haha

, my memory isn't the best. Ever since I took a hit to the head, I’ve had a tendency to forget things.”

“And yet, you still managed to find the promised meeting spot without issue.”

“I make sure to take notes when money is involved.”

The boy cast a disapproving glance my way. Although the background didn’t really match, the way his brows furrowed slightly gave him an oddly endearing look.

“You were contracted to reclaim the fortress.”

“Oh! That’s right. It’s coming back to me now.”

“

Ha

. The guild assured me I was hiring an elite mercenary, but I find myself unimpressed.”

Feigning casual indifference, I smoothly responded, “That just goes to show how powerful I am, doesn’t it?”

The boy let out a sigh and shook his head as though exasperated.

Did I doubt him too quickly?

He clearly knew the details of the request, which meant he was likely the real employer.

Then, he continued in a more somber tone, “I hired you because I trust in your abilities. I would appreciate it if you took this a little more seriously.”

“My apologies.”

“I recall only mentioning the basics before, but there is something else you should be aware of.”

“What is it?”

Is this a clue to a hidden mission?

I listened intently as the boy scanned our surroundings, seemingly wary of unseen ears, before whispering, “Before hiring you, I sent my servants ahead. I had already sold my previous residence, and they were to make preparations for my immediate move. After all, the place had been abandoned for two hundred years. I expected it to be in terrible condition.”

“I see.”

“But none of them returned. They didn’t even send a single message, not a word.”

A chill seemed to settle in the air.

“Moreover, one of them was a first-class knight.”

“I see.”

I wasn’t sure how powerful a knight of that caliber was, but judging by the way he spoke, it had to be considerably powerful.

My lack of reaction, however, seemed to take the boy aback.

“You don’t seem concerned at all. Surely you know that a first-class knight is strong enough to qualify as a top-tier mercenary?”

Something seemed odd here. Sensing a contradiction, I turned the question back on him. “If the situation is that severe, why did you only hire me? Surely, you’d need more mercenaries.”

“Well. I didn’t have enough funds on hand. The sale of my previous property hasn’t been finalized yet.”

“That doesn’t explain why you’re coming with me in the first place. If a first-class knight disappeared, wouldn’t you feel uneasy traveling with just one person? If I were in your position, I’d have waited until I had the money to hire more help.”

His eyes widened—not in shock, but in discomfort. “Ah, well... I suppose humans wouldn’t know much about demons. There aren’t many of us, and we rarely leave our territories.”

“What do you mean?”

“First off, I’m not young.”

“Excuse me?”

Not young? What is he talking about?

Letting out a long sigh, the boy scratched the back of his head. “My appearance may suggest otherwise, but I am three hundred eighty-two years old.”

“What?”

“

Hm

, it is complicated to explain. Demons retain the form they were born with for their entire lives. In any case, some demons even develop dementia around my age.”

Wait... three hundred eighty-two years old?

I had mentally considered him adorable just moments ago. The realization was so jarring that the rest of his words barely registered in my mind.

“Anyway, I am not weak. I can easily take on ten first-class knights alone. I only hired you for added security and to avoid raising suspicion.”

“Suspicion?”

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

“Ever since the war three hundred years ago, demons have been under strict surveillance. If my servants were found dead, the Demon Affairs Bureau would likely pin the blame on me.”

“Why didn’t you seek their help?”

“They told me to wait two months. I don’t have that kind of time. If the intruder flees in the meantime, the deaths of my servants will fall squarely on my shoulders.”

I listened quietly as the boy—no, not a boy, but an elder demon—continued, “That’s the real reason I hired you. A top-tier mercenary’s testimony holds significant credibility.”

“I see.”

“Well, in any case, I’m explaining this now because it is of the utmost importance that you remember it. I noticed earlier that your memory seems rather unreliable.”

“I understand. I’ll make sure to keep it in mind.”

Nothing about his story sent red flags. Everything followed a clear logic. Of course, since I lacked the knowledge to verify his claims, he could be lying.

If that were the case, however, he wouldn’t know that I was unaware of the truth. Although I doubted he would risk making up details I could recognize as fabricated.

Rather than some hidden final boss, he is starting to seem more like an ally.

I wouldn’t let my guard down completely, but for now, I had more reason to trust him than to doubt him.

As we continued talking, we finally reached the fortress entrance. A massive, tightly shut gate loomed before us.

The place looked like something out of a horror novel; Dracula himself would reside here. The soil surrounding the entrance had rotted away, releasing a foul stench that burned my nose.

Even standing there, I felt as though my energy was being drained.

Wait a moment, rotted away?

Suddenly, the Core of Decay came to mind.