Chapter 436: Ninety-Second Floor, The Feast’s End (2)

[Eliminate the third-class god ‘Eternal Feast’ alongside the other apostles. Time remaining: 47 hours 56 minutes.]

I had acted courteously with the others out of politeness’s sake, but this time I responded sincerely, “

Ah!

Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Shadow of the End and I had met after I had saved his believers and his world. Sdeeka seemed to sense my authenticity and smiled brightly in return. He resembled an Earthling and was about as tall as the average one, with features and skin tone much like my own.

The others didn’t follow this mold, however, and their appearance would seem unusual to an Earthling. Of course, the same could be said in return.

However, something else about Sdeeka set him apart. His silhouette seemed muddled and dark, as if it had been blended with shadow. Well, he did serve a god of shadow and had likely inherited some of that power.

I don’t think he comes from the world I saved.

Time passed differently in and outside of the tower, but even if he had become an apostle only after that, he couldn’t have grown this powerful in such a short amount of time. That world hadn’t contained any strong individuals. If Sdeeka had indeed come from there, then his talent was nothing short of extraordinary.

Considering that I am still climbing the tower, that would mean he advanced faster than I have.

Most likely, Shadow of the End was another world’s deity, and Sdeeka had emerged from there. Lung Shark had likely taken him as an apostle even before I entered the tower. My reasoning was simple: though unusual, even I had an apostle. I found it difficult to believe that Lung Shark—unlike Paraktus or Fenrike, who were confined somewhere—wouldn’t have one.

These were just idle thoughts, of course.

I turned my attention back to Sdeeka. “Is Shadow of the End faring well?”

“Yes, thanks to you. My lord is always grateful, although he feels some guilt for not being able to convey his words directly. The same applies to me.” He bowed slightly. “Allow me to take this opportunity to formally express our gratitude. We are truly thankful. Though late, I beg your understanding that we had no other means.”

“No, I didn’t save them with such lofty intentions. It was simply something that occurred during the course of my trials.”

“Even so, you provided an immense amount of aid. There is no one else who could have done what you accomplished. That battlefield was one my lord had nearly given up on.”

I didn’t know what other conflicts had plagued Lung Shark’s world at the time, but his apostle wasn’t wrong. If I had failed to deal with the dragon, or had two appeared as was intended, we surely would’ve lost the war.

The Night Witches I had saved at the Drina River had also fought brilliantly in the siege. Sdeeka lifted his head with a radiant smile. Both his gratitude and joy were sincere. Meeting an old acquaintance left me in unexpectedly good spirits.

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Sdeeka added, “Thanks to you, Shadow of the End was able to ascend safely to fourth class.”

The word “safely” suggested that before meeting me, Lung Shark had been a fifth-class god, and that incident had raised him to fourth. That helped me better understand the depth of his gratitude.

“I see. That is good news.”

“Due to the limitations the Tower of Ordeal places on floors that low, we could only present you with a dagger. Yet my master considers it insufficient. He has asked me to tell you that should you require help in the future, you need only ask.”

I smiled earnestly without refusal. “Thank you.”

Not bad. Who knows what the future will bring?

I had saved mostly low-rank gods, while my enemies were mostly high-class gods. Even if Thunder Axe and Master of the Five Carriage Wheels stood behind me, Kalain was not to be underestimated. If I could borrow another god’s help, if even slightly, it would be to my advantage.

Come to think of it, I hardly use the dagger anymore. Should I return it?

The dagger imbued with Lung Shark’s divinity was a treasure to other climbers. However, for me, it felt somewhat impractical. Against multiple foes, lightning proved far more efficient than wielding shadows. As a primary weapon, Soulbound was far superior.

Lung Shark and his apostle still regarded me favorably, but if I could deepen that goodwill by returning a weapon I no longer used, it wouldn’t be a bad bargain.

The other apostles watched us with curiosity. Perhaps they considered our familiarity strange. I didn’t mind. After seeking their understanding with a glance, I unfastened the dagger from my belt.

“

Ah

, since we’re on the subject, I’ll return this dagger. I no longer have much use for it.”

“N-no, that won’t be necessary,” Sdeeka hastily declined, though his trembling pupils betrayed his true feelings.

After all, this was one of his god’s sacred weapons. Such a reaction was only natural.

I had been worried about how he would respond, but thankfully, my intention had seemingly succeeded. In truth, giving him the dagger wasn’t solely about buying future goodwill. I highly doubted Sdeeka was a traitor.

Thunder Axe himself mentioned Shadow of the End.

During my bout with him, I had used Master of Shadows’ skill to create an opening. He had shared that Shadow of the End wanted to thank me at that point. Additionally, he had mentioned that it would be better not to use shadow powers anymore. Lung Shark’s abilities had their limits. They wouldn’t work against the strong and weren’t the most mana-efficient.

Conversing with Sdeeka had immediately stirred those memories.

Well, nothing is ever absolute, but since Thunder Axe seems to share some rapport with him, it should be safe to rule him out. Besides, having a confirmed ally grow stronger could only benefit me.

Other than Sdeeka, the apostles assisting me served third-class gods. Perhaps there wasn’t a traitor, but if trouble arose, having even a sliver of leeway would be worthwhile.

“Please, take it. I understand your lord’s wishes, but I no longer use it. It would serve you better. Besides, Thunder Axe gave me his counsel.”

At the mention of Thunder Axe, Sdeeka’s eyes widened in surprise. “Lord Omniscient Thunder Axe did? Are you truly certain about this?”

“We help one another. When the time comes, and I need assistance, you can lend me your help.”

He scratched his head. “It feels like I’m only receiving. My lord also asked me to convey his gratitude. We will aid you wholeheartedly in the future. Truly, thank you.”

“There’s no need.”

Just as I was about to hand him the dagger, a thought suddenly struck me; Lung Shark’s dagger was bound to me. It was a bit awkward, but it had only just come to mind.

Well, since I am returning it to its original owner, it should be fine, right?

That earlier message likely meant I couldn’t pass it to another climber.

Still, I quickly added to be cautious, “By the way, the tower said this dagger was bound to me after I received it.”

Sdeeka smiled. “

Oh

, that won’t be a problem. My lord had only wished for you alone to wield it.”

“I see, that’s a relief.”

I handed him the dagger.

Sdeeka accepted it reverently. The moment he grasped it, shadows emanated from the blade and rippled across his body. Even in such a short span, his strength had grown palpably.

Indeed, a divine weapon revealed its truest potential in the hands of an apostle attuned to it.

Well, our introductions are over.

I turned to look back. The apostles were waiting quietly. Though Skyalf had acted brusquely, the others were respectful. Judging by the situation, I was supposed to lead these four apostles. Besides being a provisional god, I was the strongest.

Before delving into further discussion, there was something I had to confirm. I wanted to rely on an ally I could trust for information.

“Sdeeka, do you know anything? About the trial, Eternal Feast, or the other apostles?”

“I know nothing of the trials or Eternal Feast. I was only commanded to help you in battle.”

“Then what of the apostles and their gods?”

“I don’t know much, only a little.” He cast a wary glance at the other apostles.

“Can you tell me?”

“Yes, gladly.”

Eyes were on us, and time was short. I created a soundproof bubble with mana, and Sdeeka leaned close, quickly whispering what he knew. The others looked curious but didn’t interfere.

According to Sdeeka, none of the apostles here served gods that belonged to any large factions. Only Lung Shark was loosely affiliated with Thunder Axe’s coalition.

However, not only did Wan and Skyalf not get along, but their gods occupied somewhat opposing positions. They weren’t in direct conflict, but since one was a god of magic and the other a god of battle—both third rank—it created a rivalry.

The Sea of Transformation, whom Purehe served, was a thoroughly neutral god.

Sdeeka himself admitted that this information wouldn’t really help me uncover a traitor or learn about the trial. Still, it was better than knowing nothing. Once our conversation ended, I turned back to the other apostles. I intended to ask them about the trial.

Wan, who had been waiting for us to finish, cautiously asked, “Are you acquainted with one another?”

“I have ties with Shadow of the End due to a previous trial.”

Wan calmly nodded. Whether out of courtesy or restraint, he didn’t continue questioning me.

I shifted the subject, “Now then. Before entering the portal, let’s discuss each of our roles and abilities. If anyone has information about the trial, even better.”

***

[Eliminate the third-class god ‘Eternal Feast’ alongside the other apostles. Time remaining: 47 hours 27 minutes.]

We spent perhaps twenty minutes talking since none of the other apostles had information on the trial or Eternal Feast. Truth be told, I had expected as much—the tower would never give me everything for free.

Afterward, we briefly confirmed each other’s abilities.

Skyalf specialized in various forms of destructive magic. Wan fought with a style that relied on crushing his foes with a greatsword. Purehe wielded water magic and was capable in both offense and defense, while Sdeeka carried the air of an assassin.

Although the tower had granted us two full days to conquer the floor, coordinating as a unit didn’t seem meaningful. We tried to practice coordinating together, but our styles proved too different. Rather than forcing everyone to learn a cohesive formation, we decided it would be best to let each of us act in ways that maximized our own strengths.

Especially Skyalf and Sdeeka.

A mage who unleashed destructive magic and an assassin who relied on close-range openings were an awkward pair. Wan even mocked Skyalf, asking him if he was trying to kill his comrades.

Discord had arisen before we could even face our true enemy, a troubling sign. Still, I believed we could do this, so I wasn’t overly concerned. I would be mostly responsible for killing Eternal Feast, after all.

We stood before the portal. No one knew what lay beyond or what awaited us. Eternal Feast’s entire could be on the other side for all we knew.

“Let’s go.”

After crossing through the portal, we found a deserted city. It wasn’t what we had expected at all. A towering skyscraper graced the city center, and the architecture felt both modern and contemporary. Three figures stood atop the skyscraper, clearly waiting for us.

The golden and radiant being in the middle drew my eyes. Having seen him once before, I immediately recognized Eternal Feast, which meant his apostles flanked him.

They all possess a formidable aura

.

During our last encounter, Eternal Feast had seemed utterly overwhelming—although that was only because I was weaker. This time, I didn’t feel like he was that much stronger than me, but he still emanated an immense pressure that reminded me of divinity mingled with causality.

The apostles behind me looked momentarily crushed by that aura as well.

I commanded in a deliberately loud voice, “Pair up and take an apostle. I’ll handle Eternal Feast.”

“A-are you sure?” Sdeeka stuttered, and I nodded.

Both of our sides had apostles to third-class gods, but we had three while they had two. Additionally, we had Sdeeka, a fourth-class god’s apostle. Even assuming Eternal Feast wielded causality and had strengthened his apostles, my allies shouldn’t struggle in a two-versus-one.

“Yes, it’ll be fine. Defeat them quickly and regroup.”

I steadied my breath and adjusted my grip on Soulbound.