Chapter 257: The One Who Doesn’t Clear The Stages (3)

Before my regression, Yoo Soo-Ha had cleared the thirty-eight floor on his own. At that time, I didn’t even get to be the backup, let alone join the expedition team. I was just a low-level Hunter who didn’t even make it into the rankings, so I had no chances to become part of the strategy team. I found out how exactly he cleared the floor a lot later when I read an interview of his.

“You’re asking how I cleared the thirty-eighth floor? It was fucking easy-peasy. Just do nothing.

The boss monster on the floor isn’t designed to kill. You know, he’s like an invincible boss monster in a game's tutorial. You can’t take the bastard down unless you cheat or mod the game. He’s like the Demon King on the thirteenth floor or the librarian on the twenty-first floor.”

To him, the Constellations were like boss monsters that forced the Hunters to admit defeat. The Sylvans he led were no different from game NPCs.

“The boss monster on the thirty-eighth floor is like those bastards.”

Therefore, Yoo Soo-Ha’s choice was simple. He just turned a blind eye to the quest.

“You don't have to do anything. That energy dragon sleeping his ass off in the sea isn’t trying to get in the way of clearing the floor. He’s like a filler before the thirty-ninth floor.”

That was Fire Emperor Yoo Soo-Ha’s approach. No Hunter could stop the unchallengable Rank 1 Hunter. Now that I looked back on these past events, I realized I couldn’t say that the Fire Emperor had made such a cruel decision because he was a demon freshly crawled out of hell. His strategy was actually based on the shared belief in the Tower.

“Many NPCs died, but what can we do about it? What matters is that we climb the Tower.”

The residents of the Tower that weren’t Hunters were regarded as NPCs, and the Constellations were considered boss monsters. All the floors were like this. Therefore, the lives of these so-called NPCs didn’t matter to most Hunters. The entire Tower was a dungeon they had to clear.

The Fire Emperor wasn’t the only one who believed this. Everyone who climbed the Tower thought the same. In fact, I had the same mentality for a long time, even after my regression.

This mentality caused the worst outcome for the thirty-ninth floor.

When I shook these thoughts off and turned my attention to reality, I heard just how loudly Anastasha was gritting her teeth. She was furious, that much was obvious.

“What’s with this quest? Selection? Out of nowhere, he wants to kill everyone who doesn’t know how to use aura? The hurdle is too high!”

The Countess was also baffled. “You’re right. It’s only proper to allow some secondary option, like donations.”

Bambolina smiled slightly as he smoothed his chin. “

Hmm!

I was caught off guard. The Paladin said that a creator would never destroy their world. However, a mansion's owner also tends to hire workers to trim their garden. And this god is more like the owner of a mansion.”

The Paladin’s face darkened. I laughed bitterly, satisfied with my colleagues’ reaction.

Still, it’s not bad right now. Compared to before I regressed... actually, it would be rude to make a comparison. Things are a lot better.

No one even considered that they should just sit back and let the quest clear itself.

Everyone here thinks of the Tower’s residents as real people.

When we saw others as equals, we treated them the same way we liked being treated and cared about them. But if we treated others as inferior and expendable, we could no longer care about them, not even on a subconscious level.

Even if we decide that the ones who can’t use aura are expendable after careful consideration, we will do so from the perspective of a leader, not that of a player.

If so, the weight of our decisions couldn’t be the same. Never.

Anastasha looked at me. “Gong-Ja, you have a plan, right?”

This question carried numerous meanings, each with its own weight.

I looked at the hologram, which showed the seven species. The Terras were already heading to the Fire Water Council. The Shellmounts climbed walls, the Skians strode down the streets, and the Bloodborns flapped their wings and clung to the pillars of the council building.

“Yes, of course. I planted a seed there long ago and left a farmer to look after it.”

***

The building of the Fire Water Council wasn’t grand. Rather, it was somewhat crude. A waterless basin was built by digging down a spiral staircase. The council chairwoman sat in the middle of this basin. The floor was made of hard soil, just like the staircase. Props used in Cavefire plays lay around haphazardly. It was difficult to imagine that this place was the pinnacle of power that reigned over the continent.

—I heard a bark,

lime

. I don't know if you heard it too,

laimu

.

Saimeslam was the hero who chopped off the dragon's head on the previous floor. She had already aged a lot. Her shell was wrinkled, and her tentacle wasn’t plump anymore. The severed tentacles didn’t grow back, so her only remaining tentacle squirmed.

—Those who use aura will live, and those who can’t shall die... I thought a guy with a death wish was playing a prank on me by using Aura Transmission. I tried to trace it back, but the son of a bitch is much more skilled than me. It didn’t work.

Saimeslam scratched her beautifully patterned blue shell with her tentacle. Perhaps this pattern originated from the Terras’ custom of drawing markings on themselves. I guess this was the influence of Primordial Fashionista, the trait I gave them when I first met them. As time passed, the patterns became more complex, but there was something about them that didn’t corrode in time. It made me feel a little emotional.

—What do you guys think?

—

Uger

, we also tried to trace the transmission back but failed!

—We felt a presence much, much bigger than us.

The Terras answered the Shellmount chairwoman’s question obediently. It was a wise choice. At least eleven warriors were left with one leg after challenging her, thinking they had a chance since she only had one tentacle left.

—This presence is too powerful to be considered a living being.

—Right. I think this is the will of nature and the violence of the world.

—What the heck are you guys talking about? Are you saying that we should just let everyone who can't use aura die? Just because some weirdo said that? Is that it?

—This is why there is no talking to Sylvans. No matter what I tell you, you’re still adamant about the conclusion you reached by yourself. All I'm saying is that the bastard who sent us the message is a really strong monster.

—That means we should surrender, doesn’t it?

—Or we could try fighting it.

—We are from the Let-Us-Deal-With-The-Voice-In-The-Head Organization. We demand that a team of investigators be established to thoroughly uncover the possible conspiracy behind the incident.

A heated argument broke out in the Fire Water Council. A few decades had passed since Saimeslam took over as chairwoman. Over time, the council had changed significantly, embracing a lot of non-Terra individuals. It became easier for the council to handle various situations, but it also became easier for dozens of opinions to conflict. A lot of people spoke nonsense, like the last person who mentioned that weird organization with a long name.

A Bloodborn representative sitting near Saimeslam was sleeping so deeply that if the world was destroyed right at that very moment, he wouldn’t notice. His eyes suddenly popped open.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

—Everyone, be quiet! I just received intel! Shut your eyes and take a nap for an hour! I’ll send out a projection using Dream Notice!

The council members looked at each other. Before long, they all leaned back in their chairs and fell asleep. In many cases, this would negate their duties as council members, but they were clearly doing their duty this time.

With everyone asleep, the Bloodborn representative used Dream Notice, an ability they gained after merging with the concubi. As a result of many restrictions, they could not ravage people in their dreams like before. However, they could send short projections, which was enough for now.

—Oh my god.

—What kind of monster is that?

Thus, the cutting-edge information obtained by the Bloodborn intelligent unit busily flapping their wings was delivered to the councilmen. Not even a day had passed since the Energy Dragon of the Deep Sea appeared, but now it was known where the monster resided.

One by one, the councilmen woke up and started making a fuss again.

—It's so big!

—Fuck, is that a continent or a turtle? I think you could build a city there.

—Will any one of us be able to at least scratch him?!

—And what is with the aura around him? Wait, I think his entire body is made of aura!

Saimeslam struck the ground with her tentacle.

—Zip it. First, let's summarize the situation.

The commotion gradually subsided.

—The unidentified monster turtle calls himself the Energy Dragon of the Deep Sea. Judging from his special name, he’s probably like the gods we worship, so we have to seek advice from those who have directly communicated with the gods.

Saimeslam’s words shook the council.

—Gods?

— Are you talking about someone like the Great Dog? But,

laimu

, the divine beast’s bloodline was cut off.

—Damn it! Even when the Holy Land was lost, we brought the Great Dog’s descendants with us!

—If it weren't for that chocolate from the New Continent,

lime

...We, the Memorial Society for the Great Dog, strongly recommend that the council build a team of investigators regarding the divine beast’s poisoning.

Saimeslam slapped the ground again.

—Silence! There was a time when gods such as the Great Dog, White Lion, and Viper God were with us.

Lime

. And there were people like First Prophet Gorke who communicated directly with them.

She looked around the audience. There was a kind of wisdom in her eyes that went beyond the prejudice and distrust that her species had endured.

—And isn't the second prophet still alive and well? I heard he’s sitting alone on the most rugged snowy mountain on this continent and basking in the snow. He’s waiting for the day when his clan patriarch returns.

That was right. Just as the Viper had decided to remain on the stage and persevere, so had Uburka.

“Daddy, you’re leaving, so if I leave too, my people might struggle if they encounter a serious problem. Besides, you’re their daddy, so you have to let your children become independent.

“But I’m your son and the eldest brother of the Terras. Their big bro, so to speak. Big bros always meddle in their younger siblings’ business. It doesn’t matter if they’re independent now. Ugor. So, go on, Daddy. I will wait here like I did before. Still, I hope we can meet sooner than before.”

That was the conversation Uburka and I had when we parted ways.

My son is pretty dang trustworthy.

The council decided to send a formal invitation to Uburka. Some protested, saying they didn’t want their ancestor to interfere, but they failed to present an alternative plan. Propositions that failed to manifest as actions were nothing more than bravado. Saimeslam destroyed this bravado with her only tentacle.

—Bring in Uburka, the two hundred and twelfth chairman of the Fire Water Council!

A summoning ceremony was performed. Uburka seemed to have told his descendants to carry out a special ritual if they needed him. Twelve warriors with a particularly large amount of aura gathered and used all their might to shoot their aura in a straight line at the sky.

Twelve rays of different colors—blue, yellow, and apricot—pierced the clouds. The aura was so clear that it could be seen from the other side of the continent. This beacon of light lasted only about six seconds until it gradually faded. The warriors sat down on the ground after they used up all their energy.

—

Hufff, huffff....

—I can't,

uger

, do something like this again...

—W-Will this really summon our ancestor?

—I don't know,

uger

. It's our first time using it.

—Even if he does come, it doesn't seem like he’ll hurry.

Three minutes later, a Terra noticed something in the sky.

—

Uger,

is that a meteor?

Something crashed with a loud noise in the middle of the council building, turning the council upside down.

—

Gyaaaah!

—

Lime!

Dust and debris flew around everywhere like sea waves. Everyone trembled. Eventually, when the dust settled, a giant figure rose from the crater created by the impact.

[The Immorality-Dreaming Muscle Pig has arrived.]

The living legend was back.

—

Uger

, I had a feeling you would call me soon.

He didn’t ask why the councilmen had summoned him. Well, it was obvious to anyone what the global issue was. Saimeslam addressed him.

—Uburka, we would like to ask for your wisdom! Do you have any advice for us about that turtle dragonbutt thingy?

Uburka grinned.

—Seeing as how you’re calling it turtle dragonbutt thingy, it seems you already figured out what you’re dealing with.

Uger

, you’re quick with your homework.

—I appreciate the compliment, but does this have to do with the advice you will give us?

Uburka crossed his arms.

—Of course. My advice is very simple. Since you discovered the monster, you know that the energy dragon is a huge mass of aura. It’s possible to say that he’s the pure essence of aura.

Uburka, a warrior who had reached the sky, sat in the lotus position, a basic breathing technique of aura cultivation, and took a deep breath. A pure white airflow entered his nostrils, sweeping through his entire body before he exhaled it.

—

Uger

. If so, suuuuuuck it like this!

The council members tilted their heads in confusion.

—Suck it in?

—

Uger.

Suck what?

Uburka grinned and stood up.

—You don’t get it.

—Get what?

—You idiots! That turtle may be the size of a mountain, but it has a body made entirely of pure aura. It’s the very aura you guys want to build up so much.

Ugor

, that huge creature is no different from a thousand-year-old elixir!

Only then did the councilmen pause. When they understood what Uburka meant, their eyes widened. Saimeslam’s tentacle twitched. Soon, they began to talk loudly among themselves. Uburka continued giving them advice.

—Gather people. Not only those who can use aura, but also those who haven’t learned how to do it. Bring dozens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, millions of people.

Ugor

. This is not a crisis. It’s an opportunity! A once in a lifetime opportunity! Even those third-tier martial artists will rise to the first tier! You’ll never get a better opportunity than this!

Uburka was suggesting group aura cultivation—no, group aura absorption!

—Gather everyone and have them climb on the turtle’s back. Make them sit in the lotus position and start aura cultivation!

All the councilmen gaped. My colleagues watching the hologram also had their jaws on the floor from the shock.

I smiled.

I have an incredibly amazing son.

Yoo Soo-Ha had conquered the thirty-eighth floor by doing nothing. Although I swore that I would take a different path from the Fire Emperor, my choice had ended up being somewhat similar to his.

You guys now know how to weasel on your own. Great!

I was also going to do nothing. However, even though Yoo Soo-Ha had allowed tens of millions of children to die because of his choice, my decision would yield a significantly different result. In the hologram, my son was shouting about that very different result as he flashed a wicked grin.

—Let's slurp that turtle baby’s aura like soup and become Peak-Tier martial arts masters!