Chapter 421: Ninetieth Floor, Rest Area (4)

“Hello. I’m Kwon Su-Hyeok.”

Even with just that single greeting, applause and cheers rained down.

“

Waaaaahhhh—!

”

I drew in a small breath. “

Phew.

”

In the end, I decided to do what I had always done—it was time to wing it. Audiences were especially sensitive to a speaker’s nerves. Well, I wasn’t exactly a good speech-giver to begin with, but given the suddenness of the situation, the climbers would surely understand.

“

Hmm

, I don’t really know what to say. First of all, thank you so much for giving me such kind words of appreciation,” I said with a slight smile, and the climbers laughed in response.

Perhaps because of the setting, even such a trivial bit of humor drew a warm response.

“Honestly, I feel a little betrayed by my party members. How could none of you say a word to me?”

The climbers burst into laughter again upon hearing my playful complaint.

I waited for it to quiet down before I continued, “But I’m not the one who deserves this thanks.”

A hush spread.

“As Hendrick said, each and every one of you has simply done your best in your own way. I only did what I had to do and what I could do. The reason you all survived is that you, too, did what you had to do, and what you could do.”

My speech was long and winding, each part spoken as it came to mind. I wasn’t even sure if it came across as it had in my head. At least, it didn’t sound wrong.

“He said there may not be another opportunity like this, right? That isn’t true. All of you have made it to the ninetieth floor and are remarkable climbers. After passing the hundredth floor and conquering the tower, there will still be opportunities.”

Of course, that didn’t mean everyone would survive. The climbers knew it, as did I. They had created this moment precisely because of that doubt.

Regardless, I didn’t want to speak negatively and ruin the moment. I wanted them to savor this moment, and more importantly, they needed hope.

Even if that hope may soon vanish or break apart.

“If you keep doing as you’ve done until now, you’ll be fine. I’ll do my utmost to help you.”

A small cheer echoed from the crowd.

“And... death may not be the end. When we pass the hundredth floor and conquer the tower, perhaps everyone will return. I couldn’t say it with absolute certainty before, but recently I’ve seen signs that it may be possible.”

This was a bit of Ha Hee-Jeong’s information as a regressor, but I figured it was all right to share.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I hope that’s true!”

“So do I!”

I wasn’t a good speaker, but everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Their eyes brimmed with emotion.

Hmm, I said all I wanted to.

“I don’t know what else to say. Anyway, thank you, everyone. Now, let’s enjoy this final rest area.”

“Waaaaaaahhh─!”

Just like when I had first entered the dining hall, the cheers and applause erupted so loudly my ears stung.

Then the notification window refreshed.

“

Huh?”

The roar died instantly, replaced by startled exclamations of confusion breaking out all at once. It was an anomaly. Alarmed, I turned my eyes to the notification window.

[Due to the presence of a Challenger, the selection process, originally intended to begin before the ninety-first floor, will commence early.]

The festive mood plummeted. The climbers looked around in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

A weightless sensation gripped me as darkness swallowed my vision.

What the hell?

Part of what the notification window said agreed with Ha Hee-Jeong’s information, but simply because I was a challenger, the selection process started early? It didn’t make any sense to me.

[To the climbers who have reached the ninetieth floor of the Tower of Ordeal, we commend you for your efforts.]

[The Tower of Ordeal exists to enthrone a god for a planet.]

[Since the greenbelt demarcating region C-66432 was removed, the Tower of Ordeal appeared on planet Earth.]

Just like Ha Hee-Jeong had mentioned, the messages explained the tower and its laws.

Frankly, the tower should have done this on the first floor. However, it seemed like the tower intended to only share the information with those deemed strong enough to deserve it.

I read through the messages slowly, although nothing stood out as new.

Sponsorship, share percentages, ascensions—everything matched what I had already gleaned from Ha Hee-Jeong and the floors. Regardless, there was still much I didn’t know. Perhaps I would only learn it after conquering the hundredth floor.

After the explanations, messages about the selection itself appeared.

[From the ninety-first floor onward, a world’s climbers must select a provisional god.]

[As the only Challenger, Kwon Su-Hyeok has been automatically selected as Earth’s provisional god.]

[Additionally, any climbers who wish to become provisional gods may now declare their intention. Those who declare will become preliminary provisional gods, and upon conquering the Tower of Ordeal, may ascend as a provisional god.]

[However, since Kwon Su-Hyeok has already become a provisional god by right of being the Challenger, preliminary provisional gods must defeat him in order to earn the qualification.]

The selection process was slightly different from what Ha Hee-Jeong had described—all because of me, the challenger.

Still, I doubted anyone would want to step forward as a provisional god.

The distinction between us was stark. I was a provisional god, while any others would only be preliminary provisional gods. The tower had already explained the difference between a god and a provisional god.

Most importantly, they would have to defeat me.

[In a selection process involving a Challenger, a provisional god is granted a choice that may determine the lives of the climbers. Choose carefully.]

[Time remaining: 59 seconds]

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

One point of doubt arose, however. What was this choice involving the lives of the climbers?

I suddenly remembered Natalie had declared that the trials would change. Although I had assumed the changes would start after the ninetieth, in truth, some had already occurred.

Perhaps this was just another example.

The sixty seconds ticked by quickly, the tower’s message hanging all the while silently.

[No other climbers have declared their intent to become provisional gods. Therefore, Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has been selected as the sole provisional god for the planet Earth.]

[Provisional god Kwon Su-Hyeok will now choose.]

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok can either bear the remaining floors on behalf of the climbers, or face the remaining floors together with them.]

So this is the choice?

As I pondered, the messages continued popping up.

[If Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok chooses the former, future trials will have both greater difficulty and greater rewards. Moreover, the remaining climbers will observe Kwon Su-Hyeok’s trial from the ninetieth-floor rest area.]

[During this time, Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok will be unable to communicate or meet with the other climbers in any way.]

That ruled out the use of portals. In the truest sense, the last floors would be a solitary challenge.

[Alternatively, if Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok chooses the latter, trials will proceed in a fashion similar to before, with the provisional god’s stats temporarily increasing in proportion to the current number of climbers.]

[The provisional god has complete control of climbers during trials and may consume or make use of climbers in any way. However, if they succeed in conquering the Tower of Ordeal, climbers who have died in the Tower of Ordeal and its trials will not be revived.]

[Even if the provisional god initially chooses the former, they may switch to the latter at any time.]

I furrowed my brow. It had initially appeared like the first option was exclusive to challengers, while the second was just the normal route, but that turned out to be far from the truth.

Nothing in that follow-up message—from the control over climbers, to their consumption, or even the dead climbers—had been there in Ha Hee-Jeong’s previous life.

Either way, this was all intended for a challenger.

Suddenly, Kalain came to mind.

He had raged at the tower because of those who had died, and that fury had persisted to this day. If he had chosen the former, though, they would have revived.

Knowing his character, he definitely had chosen the first option. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t have switched to the second later on.

Ah, I don’t know.

Who knows how he could have changed? He could have lost himself to rage and chosen the latter. Or perhaps he had chosen the former, saved the dead, and yet his fury had still remained.

In any case, for me, there was only one choice.

To carry the burden alone.

The other climbers likely wanted that as well. Some would worry about me, but it made no difference either way.

Even if the first four floors matched Ha Hee-Jeong’s memory, anything beyond was uncharted territory. According to her, the ninety-first floor would cause half of the remaining climbers to periodically die until they completed the floor. With the prospect of such a floor appearing, I couldn’t always assume Ha Hee-Jeong would escape unharmed.

Now, if we tried to follow her previous life’s path, the climbers wouldn’t even resurrect after we cleared the tower. It was easier for me to take on the risk alone. To shoulder the burdens of those who placed their faith in me was what I believed a god of a world should be. Moreover, the tower itself probably favored the former choice.

Well, Ha Hee-Jeong will want to help me, but I will never consider that as an option.

S

ince I would be unable to meet the climbers, Master of Five Carriage Wheel’s necklace would be practically useless. Still, once I conquered the tower, I could see everyone again.

My mind grew cold and clear. The restriction only mentioned climbers, so I hoped I could still meet Natalie or Gehenna. After all, they were associated with my divinity.

Some climbers may feel this is a little anticlimactic.

It was out of my control, however. As the provisional god, the climb wouldn’t end until I reached the hundredth floor. The tower was designed to be difficult, and no one had climbed higher than me in our previous life. Going alone would be best.

“I’ll climb on my own.”

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has chosen to bear the burden alone.]

[From this moment on, the climbers will remain in the rest area and observe Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok until he conquers the tower.]

Finally, the sensation of floating gradually faded.

Uh, it won’t thrust me straight into the trial, right?

Probably not. Surely the promised rest area time would still be honored.

Hmm.

Now that I thought of it, the situation came off as odd. Just a few minutes ago, I had encouraged everyone to do their best, only for it to turn meaningless.

As the thought passed, the notification window updated.

[We deeply praise your decision to shoulder everything as a provisional god.]

The tower had just spoken with its warm voice, one I hadn’t heard in a long while. So I had done as it had desired.

A faint smile spread across my face.

[I will be waiting above.]

Before I could even process the last message, light filled my vision.

The dining hall, filled with cheers moments ago, had transformed into an atmosphere of bewilderment and unease. I caught sight of some whose eyes had grown red and teary.

“Su-Hyeok,” Ha Hee-Jeong called softly.

The other climbers had seen all the messages I had received.

I patted the hand she had laid on my shoulder. “Just a moment.”

Although I had already given a grand speech, it was time to address the climbers again.

I imbued my voice with mana. “Well... this is all very awkward now. I just thanked you all for what lies ahead, and we said we’d do our best. But it all turned out meaningless.”

Gratitude, relief, guilt, anxiety, impatience, futility. Amid the tangled emotions, a small ripple of laughter spread. I felt it was my duty to put an end to such thoughts.

“You’ve all worked so hard. Some of you may feel a sense of futility at the current situation, but not too many, right?”

Many faces were sorrowful. Even those who couldn’t hide their joy felt guilty on my account.

I steadied my breath and added, “Maybe it’s just my imagination, but it feels like a lot of you are feeling sorry for me right now. Don’t. It was thanks to all of you that I was able to make it here.”

It was true. The faith they had in me had greatly helped me overcome the trials.

“Once more, I want to say that you’ve worked hard. Your trials end here.”

A strange thought struck me.

In the last waiting room, Thunder Axe had suggested helping Doppy, Ryun, and the non-humans return to their homes. My companions, who had helped me countless times, and the others I had saved would see their suffering and trials end here. The changes to the trials had revealed that the other climbers’ tribulations had ended as well.

Now, only I remained to forge ahead.

Perhaps that was the tower’s desire. After all, even the shares Thunder Axe bore as my sponsor had required the tower’s approval. The two were connected somehow.

I set aside the stray thought. “And as you just saw, when we conquer the tower, the dead climbers will be revived. Rest easy. Leave everything to me. I’ll see that you’re brought back to Earth soon.”

Silence filled the space. After a moment, someone broke the silence, although not with cheers; only the small clap of one person applauding echoed. It didn’t end there, though, and climber after climber added to the growing swell of applause. Some wept quietly in the background, but the sound of clapping continued without end.

Then, the notification window updated again.