I know. I'm aware that what I'm doing now feels forced.
It's different from how I normally behave. Until now, I've acted while worrying about the well-being of those left behind when I regress.
When I alone regress, this world remains as it was, and considering the possibilities of that, I've acted cautiously, which greatly limited my actions.
But now, I've decided not to worry about such things. As I've said before, I've chosen to act based on emotions rather than logic.
I don't know; maybe this world will regress with me. I've decided not to think about problems without clear answers.
Right now, what my heart wants is to have a conversation with the owner of the city.
"Boss, come out, will you?"
As I was making a fuss, and while the angel was contemplating whether to simply clear this brat,
"Huh?"
I merely blinked, and there was a woman standing in front of me whom I hadn't noticed before. It felt like a bug in a game, where something that wasn't there appeared in the blink of an eye.
She had a main sword hanging by her waist. A sleek design of full-body armor, possibly custom-made. But she wasn't wearing a helmet, so her brilliant blonde hair fluttered in the wind.
"… Nice to meet you. By the rules, I cannot reveal myself unless someone commits a sin or searches for me. So, I'm only able to greet you now."
Her pleasant voice wasn't loud, but it had a charisma that dominated the audience.
The excited faces of the residents had already hardened.
The once heated atmosphere of the square suddenly turned cold.
"I am the owner of the city."
She was the owner of the city.
I could tell at a glance. She was the owner of the 'Flash' set in the platinum rewards.
She was emitting electric sparks all over her body from her fantasy-themed full-body armor. It would be strange not to recognize it.
"Shall we start with a handshake?"
The city's owner, with an emotionless face, reached out her hand.
"Ah... that might be problematic."
If I were to shake her electrifying hand, I wouldn't be able to withstand it and would regress instantly.
I was even hesitant to get close. Sparks were flying from her body like an electric mouse; even without the ability to regress, I wouldn't have shaken her hand.
"First... drop that bag and let's talk. I knew climbers were variables, but I never imagined someone like you. What do you want?"
She gestured towards the bag I was holding.
"The mark boxes are useless outside the second floor. There's no reason for you to take them, is there?"
"... I don't like seeing the suffering of the people in this city."
"Suffering? They are 'understanding' each other. Can't you see this perfect structure?"
"... What?"
She glanced at the residents gathered in the square.
"The people of this city were all sinners. No, they were."
"Lazy and selfish nobles. Commoners who pretended to be polite but didn't care about anyone but themselves. The city's resources were limited, and the poor, due to their lowly birth, had to eat rotten food and muddy water. They despised each other."
It's a sight commonly seen on Earth too.
People disparage those better off than them, assuming they must have a dark side, while looking down on those worse off, blaming their lack of effort. They don't even try to understand those with different circumstances.
"Why else would the city's nickname be 'The City of Endless Screams'? Gossiping in groups in the square was an everyday sight."
"... So?"
"I had many concerns. The conflict between classes reached its peak, and I felt that if it continued this way, the city would turn upside down. There was even a noble who wanted to kill all the residents using magic."
Distrust, hatred, contempt. Negative emotions were rampant in the city.
This isn't right. As God teaches, it's right for people to understand and care for each other. She had a duty to lead the city she inherited from her parents properly.
But there was no solution to this conflict. Should she suppress them with force? Should she take the political risk and get rid of all the corrupt nobles? But what's the point? The residents would just split and fight again. Is there a fundamental way to eliminate this conflict?
One day, as she pondered this, God whispered to her.
Surrender this city to the tower that He is constructing.
Devote her life to God.
Then, He would bring a genuine peace where everyone understands one another.
"So, I dedicated this city to the Lumina God. The result is this beautiful city you see now."
"...Lumina?"
"Human beings cannot understand one another. They come from different backgrounds, have different life experiences, and different personalities."
She continued speaking, brushing aside my question with ease.
"That's why... this city is beautiful. In a true sense, one can become someone else and understand them from the depths of their heart."
Each Mark Box symbolizes one human. When a resident incorporates a Mark Box, their way of life is completely transformed.
If humans can't understand each other, then experiencing another person's life might allow them to understand, a seemingly mad concept.
"Even without the influence of climbers, the Marks of the residents are designed to be shuffled every 10 years. Since there's no aging in this city, after a very long time... everyone will understand everyone. Because they've lived each other's lives. With abundant resources, this city can truly evolve into a utopia. By then, Mark Boxes will be unnecessary."
A paradise where everyone perfectly understands one another.
It seemed that's what the city's owner wanted.
"...What do you think?"
The city's owner, with blue eyes, stared directly at me.
After hearing all that, my response was simple.
"...Is that any of my business? Why should I care?"
I dropped all formalities. I had no interest in her lofty philosophy.
All residents of this city are sinners? While it's true they were selfish and of questionable character... I'm not sure if they were all sinners.
But I had no intention of arguing with her. From the start, there was something off about her gaze. Nowadays, they'd say she had the eyes of a zealot.
"What bothers me are the nobles above the gold rank. I don't like the crappy tasks they give out. To become stronger, players are forced to commit sins. It's pitiable for the residents who are forced to live others' lives."
"Why not just assign reasonable tasks directly and reward based on difficulty? Why the need for this understanding?"
But the city's owner just shook her head.
"...There is a need. A need you can't understand."
She touched her chin, pondering.
"Look, I really need that bag... but because of the rules, I can't seize it first. How about this?"
She rummaged in her main pocket at her waist and produced a shimmering diamond-colored Mark.
"I'll give you this. It's the highest reward. Archangel Raphael said, 'Give it when you want to. But, only one is allowed.'"
"I originally intended to give it to someone talented enough to win my heart... but given the circumstances... I'll give this to you if you leave all the Mark Boxes behind. I like the current structure of the second floor and have no intention of changing it. Let's each take what benefits us."
"So... you're trying to buy me off with that diamond-colored reward?"
"Think whatever you want. After all, you have no relation to the residents, right?"
"...Damn."
The dazzling diamond-colored reward. And the freedom of the city's residents who must live faithfully in set roles due to the city owner's decisions.
Which should I choose?
It's true the residents were selfish. It's also true they ruthlessly criticized one another.
But... did they do wrong enough to deserve all this suffering?
Should they live acting out someone else's life, under the pretext of understanding them?
"I've decided."
I untied the knot on my waist and put on the leather gloves that were provided when I first entered the second floor.
The soft feel wrapped around my hand. This should be enough. "… Do you intend to fight? Well, I don't dislike spirited men."
"... No."
I slightly stretched out my hand, then curved both palms into a triangle shape.
"Throw the mark from there. If I get too close, I might get electrocuted."
Whether the diamond mark is an actual diamond or just colored as one, I wasn't sure...
It would be a wasted effort if I regress while trying to retrieve the mark. From what I know, leather is an insulator.
"Alright then."
With a cold expression, the city's owner tossed me the mark, as numerous residents looked on, their faces filled with disbelief.
Without hesitation, I handed the diamond mark to the angel, who then cautiously opened a portal for me.
Before entering the portal, I didn't forget to address the residents.
"Please... wait a bit. I plan to regress."
I intended to regress anyway. If I genuinely took all the mark boxes to the upper level, wouldn't all the latecomers, including Ji-won, be trapped on the second floor?
I did try to adjust the structure more reasonably for the residents before regressing... but she was too adamant. Arguing further might have resulted in a physical altercation.
In this situation, wasn't it a hundred, even a thousand times better to just secure the diamond reward for this round?
I felt sorry for the residents... but I hope they can wait a bit. I plan to regress soon.
With that, I gently stepped into the portal.
[You have cleared the second floor.]
[Please select the diamond reward.]
Now, it was time to check the anticipated hidden reward.