"It's easy."
Floor 2. That's how you clear it.
How was it? Really easy, right?
Gather information that you can overpower the nobles, actually secure the power to do so, come up with the idea of changing clothes to avoid the eyes of other players, and in the very end, push past the thugs blocking the path and have the physical stamina to reach the angel in 3 seconds.
It might seem impossible to figure all this out without being a regressor, but... judging from the thugs' comments earlier, it seems someone actually managed to clear the 2nd floor this way.
Alternatively, you could hoard about four gold-grade marks in advance and head straight to the angel with the three thugs blocking the path. Aside from the fact that you'd benefit just like those jerks trying to take advantage of me, it's the most rational choice.
The structure is terribly unreasonable, but in truth, they've made it possible to reap good rewards.
"Whew."
Using the 1st floor's feature, I imagined a soft bed and immediately lay down on it.
It's such a comforting sensation after a long time. I'm so relaxed and it feels great.
"...My mental state has weakened a bit."
In fact, during the tutorial, even though I regressed much more frequently and in greater numbers, I persevered and challenged myself.
There were several reasons. I had a clear goal of clearing the tutorial, there were enemies blocking my path, and I was overflowing with determination.
But now, my mental state has become as relaxed as this soft bed.
Even though there are thugs blocking the way, they're not really enemies. They're just freeloaders trying to get a free ride. If there's a real enemy, it's the god who created this unreasonable system.
Clearing the 2nd floor? It's easy. But the moment you decide to clear it properly, it becomes incredibly difficult. The rules are so intricately intertwined.
Moreover, I've already indulged in modern luxuries. Trying to push forward again is naturally exhausting.
The comfort of the 1st floor has, without my realization, eroded my spirit.
"...Let's claim the reward first."
Thinking about the message window that's subtly appearing at the edge of my vision, the message window slowly enlarges, filling my view.
"G..."
[Platinum Reward List]
After scanning the reward list, there were three particularly appealing choices for me:
- Flash's Footsteps [B+]
When worn, once a day, it allows the user to move at an ultra-fast speed for about 2 meters.
- Flash's Sword [B+]
When equipped, once a day, it lets the user call down a weakened bolt of lightning at a desired location, consuming the user's mana.
- Flash's Fist [B+]
Wearing this glove allows the user to enchant a weapon with the lightning attribute once a day. The effect lasts for 5 minutes.
All of them are great items.
Flash's Footsteps are specialized for creating a distance in an instant. No matter how skilled in combat one might be, anticipating an opponent suddenly moving at ultra-fast speeds for 2 meters is difficult. It's practically a guaranteed strike. Personally, I think it's the most valuable equipment.
Flash's Sword also has a cheat-like ability. A sudden bolt of lightning from a clear sky? It's nearly impossible to avoid. Especially for me, it's a perfect counter-weapon. If someone else gets that sword... I'd never stand a chance against them. I'd regress before I even had time to react.
Lastly, Flash's Fist is also an enticing choice. I'm not sure exactly what effects the lightning enchantment would have... but imagining lightning flashing with every attack is just so cool. Lightning has always had a romantic allure to it. I'm uncertain of its effectiveness, but in terms of charm, it's unparalleled.
The items available as platinum rewards are only B+ grade, but they're so high-performance that it's hard to believe they're rewards from the 2nd floor.
Or perhaps a B+ grade item is nearly impossible to acquire in the lower floors. The platinum reward itself is a rare reward with a limited quantity. Only about 30 people among all of humanity can receive this reward.
All of them are great items... Really great items... But the problem is that they are items.
I can't take them with me when I regress. And since I'm not advancing to the next floor this round, they're just pie in the sky.
- Flash's Elixir
Increases your agility stat. "… Another elixir?"
In the end, I chose another elixir.
Among the rewards listed, the only one whose effects remained after regression was the elixir.
Hoping there might be a spellbook in the rewards list since the nobles used magic, I held a slight expectation. However, my hopes were dashed.
The rewards listed were all either doping-type consumables or high-performance items.
"Tch..."
[Agility stat has increased by 10.]
After swallowing the electrifying elixir, I saw a message indicating my agility stat increased. I threw a punch into the air to test it out, and I could genuinely feel the heightened agility.
"It's good."
Yes, what remains are stats, and the best friend of a regressor is always the elixir.
Flashy items can be acquired again at another opportunity. While I deeply desired to sink further into the soft bed, I knew well that hesitating now would lose me the drive to move forward.
"This time… maybe I should stir up some trouble."
I had one more thing I wanted to try.
The structure of the 2nd floor was much like a caste system.
What would happen if I completely destroyed that hierarchy here?
I bit the skin inside my mouth, swirled the wound with my tongue, and closed my eyes.
[You've taken damage.]
[You will regress to the moment you first entered the 2nd floor.]
The repetitive life lacked vitality, but it was still a prosperous city.
From the start, this city was blessed by God. The moment one crossed the walls, the paradise of Eden unfolded before them.
There were more clothes than one could wear, more food discarded due to spoilage than consumed, and everyone had a home to rest in.
Although there were disturbing rumors lately due to some climbers, the formation of a citizen's watch quickly quelled them.
The city, once called "the city where the screams never cease," now seemed embarrassingly peaceful in comparison. Every corner of the alley was blessed by God. While there were some complaints, overall, people were happy.
"Uh, ugh..."
Except for this beggar lying in the gap between buildings.
Wearing clean clothes felt like hundreds of bugs crawling on him. Eating delicious food tasted and smelled like garbage. Soft beds felt more painful than thorns. He couldn't even wash because the touch of water sent chills throughout his body.
He didn't want to be a beggar.
He just kept choosing the less painful, less torturous options until he ended up as a beggar.
He knew the cause: the same-colored box in his possession. It forced his actions.
But knowing didn't change anything. He remained a moaning beggar in the dark, and exchanging or even discarding the box would violate the city's rules.
"Oo..."
As he lay on the ground moaning, a man in leather armor carrying a bucket full of water stopped in front of him. The beggar quickly turned over, stretching out his hand.
"Please... give me something to eat… I'll give you a mark if you want..."
He knew from past experiences.
For some unknown reason, food given by climbers tasted like regular food, not like something fished out of a sewer.
Thus, when someone in leather armor approached, lying flat and begging for food became the beggar's routine.
"Please, please..."
But there was no response.
Was the cold-hearted climber not willing to waste time on him? Or did no one in that prosperous street have the mercy to bring him a single meal?
"Get up."
Unexpectedly, the climber grabbed the dirty arm of the beggar, pulling him to his feet.
"Wha, what..."
Before the startled beggar could react, the climber reached into his possession and pulled out the familiar same-colored box.
"Step back."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With a hammer he seemed to have on hand, the climber repeatedly struck the box. After a few hits, he tucked a brown box into his belt.
In this sequence of bewildering events, while the beggar was still trying to make sense of everything, the mysterious climber looked at him, flashing a confident smile.
"How do you feel?" "... Huh?"
"How does your body feel?"
"... What do you mean by... Ah!"
The climber pours the water from the bucket over the beggar's head.
Knowing that the touch of water on his skin would bring an intense coldness, the beggar instinctively cringed. However...
"Huh?"
Surprisingly, the water wasn't cold. It was actually refreshing. When he touched the grime on his skin, he felt a pleasant moisture that he hadn't experienced in a long time.
"How... How did you..."
"I took it, didn't I? The box. You're free now."
"First, wash up... Fill your stomach... Change your clothes, and get a haircut. Don't you have things you've wanted to do?"
Indeed.
How many things had he wanted to do?
Being forced to live as a 'beggar', how much had he to give up?
"In return... after you do all that, help me out."
The climber smiles warmly.
Due to the beggar's weakened state, sitting down, the shining sun overlapped with the climber's head, casting a halo-like glow.
The climber had understood the rules of this city.
That this box... controlled the actions of the citizens.
That the residents could never dispose of the box by their own will.
That if someone took this box, the resident would be liberated.
With tears welling up in his eyes, the beggar... no, Thomas closed his eyes.
"Now, repeat after me. Viva la Revolution."
"... Viva la Revolution."
This climber was the hero he had been waiting for.