Zhuge Liang. Sima Yi. Zhou Yu.
A common trait among these brilliant strategists is the ability to gain two or three benefits from a single move.
Even if I can't become a phoenix, I believe I can at least be a golden pheasant...
The crux of this plan is for Choi Ji-won to replicate the actions I took to liberate the 2nd floor in the past.
Distracting the city's master is the most basic gain.
By putting Choi Ji-won at the forefront to clear the 2nd floor instead of me, we can gain three additional benefits.
Firstly,
I can conceal my true identity.
While it might be nice to step forward and be revered as Korea's hero...
Again, regression is the issue.
How would I explain the traits I possess? Initially, I could bypass it with lies, but what if a device is invented, like in a hunter's tale, to test traits? Or if there's someone with the ability to discern others' traits?
Even if I miraculously manage to dodge questions about my traits,
It becomes incredibly difficult to share useful information I gained using regression.
If I was an outsider, I could just toss the information and run, but being a full-fledged ally means inevitable questions about the source and acquisition of the info.
At first, I might dodge with excuses like "it's a coincidence," but that can't last forever.
Given Koreans' familiarity with the concept of the tower through webcomics and web novels, they'd inevitably think of a "repeater" (someone who regresses in time). The only weakness of a repeater is getting caught. Being in the forefront has more disadvantages than advantages.
That's why proposing Choi Ji-won was an appealing option. Choi Ji-won is already on track to be revered as Korea's hero, so adding to that reputation won't hurt.
Secondly,
I can strengthen my relationship with Choi Ji-won and firefighter Park Cheol-jin.
I don't mean becoming comrades like before but deepening our business relationship.
Currently, our bond is limited to our brief connection during the tutorial.
Though there's gratitude for being rescued, that's all there is... an ambiguous relationship.
However, looking again at the two in front of me.
Choi Ji-won is set to rise as Korea's top player, and firefighter Park Cheol-jin was also a player set to make a name for himself.
What if I firmly mark my presence here?
It's evident that it'll be hugely beneficial in the future, either in the tower or real life.
Being known as the aide to Choi Ji-won, Korea's hero? The thought itself is exhilarating.
Lastly, the third point,
I can provide Choi Ji-won with the Diamond reward.
Of course, holding an Elixir when moving to the 3rd floor has its merits.
But I believe investing in Choi Ji-won is even more valuable.
If we build a good relationship on the 2nd floor, I can continue to rely on Choi Ji-won's help in the future.
I could outsource battles against formidable foes I can't handle (to begin with, the city's master and I don't really get along).
I was also curious about how strong Choi Ji-won, who was already powerful, could become with an S-class trait.
Additionally, there's the sentiment of repaying the favor.
I'm not that heartless.
After using Choi Ji-won, it would prick my conscience to just wash my hands and turn away.
Since I've already benefited from the Diamond reward... it would be okay to yield the final reward to Choi Ji-won and give the Platinum reward to firefighter Park Cheol-jin.
"First... let's start with the Bronze-ranked residents of each district."
Thus, Choi Ji-won, firefighter Park Cheol-jin, and I dispersed to our respective districts.
It's truly the beginning now.
Collecting the mark boxes from Bronze-ranked residents, and with their cooperation, we swiftly move on to Silver-ranked residents.
Is it a repetition of what was done before? Yes.
But the difference now is that Choi Ji-won is leading the operation, while I assist subtly from the background.
"Everyone, let's fight. Let's change this unreasonable system with our own hands!"
If I manipulated people using my curiosity and reverence traits, Choi Ji-won captivated them with her innate charisma. A confident demeanor. Straightforward gaze. Radiant appearance.
Even if Vin Diesel wore it, the magnetic leather armor that would seem novice-like exuded an elegant aura on her.
"...Wow."
Her method of dealing with the nobles was different.
Unlike me, who would hide among the residents due to fear of confrontation, Choi Ji-won directly attacked the nobles' mansion.
Choi Ji-won is probably still at a low level now. She cleared the tutorial without defeating a single goblin. Even though her stats might have increased from achievement levels, it would still not match the stats she had when she was rampaging through goblins in the past.
So, the strongest version of Choi Ji-won I remember is the one that managed to push the Minotaur into the swamp.
But the current Choi Ji-won seems stronger than that one.
Of course, the Choi Ji-won from back then was faster, stronger, and sharper.
However, the current Choi Ji-won, although perhaps physically weaker than the one who captured the Minotaur, moves with an elegance and precision that's on another level.
'Did she fully adapt to her changed physical abilities?'
Choi Ji-won, the genius, had three weeks.
She grew steadily during that time. And Bong-Bong, her pet, would have matured in those three weeks too.
There's a reason Choi Ji-won will clear the 10th floor in just over a month from now.
"...I've improved a lot, right?"
After seizing the mark box from the unconscious noble, she turned her head to look at me.
"...I worked really hard on the 1st floor. To become stronger than the version of you I saw that day. I also refined my sword techniques to suit my current physical condition."
Choi Ji-won, with a slight smirk,
Having fully adapted to her changed physical abilities and refined her sword techniques, was truly overwhelming.
Of course, right now, I'm stronger, having stacked my hero traits.
But if Choi Ji-won keeps leveling up and equipping herself with quality traits and items...
I thought she might become the world's strongest.
"Nice to meet you. I am the city's master."
Finally, we faced the city's master.
"So, will you hand over the diamond mark and leave, or will you fight me to free the residents?"
Choi Ji-won, having been forewarned about the city's master, didn't seem too surprised.
"...Choi Ji-won?"
But no, she was really taken aback. She looked lost.
"...I don't think I can beat her."
Choi Ji-won bit her lower lip.
"That woman... she's a monster."
The word "monster" coming from Choi Ji-won's mouth.
Even the current Choi Ji-won, fully adapted to her new physical abilities, seemed incapable of challenging the city's master.
"It's okay."
But it's fine. The goal isn't to fight and win.
"She's the type who enjoys the fight itself. She won't go all out from the start."
I'm not crazy. I have a plan. I trust what Michael Jeter told me.
The city's master doesn't give her all from the start. She plays with Jeter, then delivers a heavy blow at the end.
I aim to exploit that moment of carelessness.
"But..."
"Remember the plan? Do your best, but subtly target the spot I mentioned. Without making it obvious. I'll strike when she's caught off guard. Trust me."
If things look bad, I'll regress before Choi Ji-won gets seriously hurt.
"...I trust you."
With that, Choi Ji-won stepped forward.
"You want to fight? Good. I don't dislike spirited individuals."
The city's master nodded with a satisfied smile, while the angel seemed quite flustered.
"Oh, oh...! If you fight here..."
"It's fine, right, angel? I'll make sure the residents aren't harmed."
"Oh... Ugh! I'm not responsible!"
The angel, holding a wooden board listing the grade rewards, hurriedly disappeared.
"You... you're fighting the city's master? I thought you'd just negotiate. Threaten with the mark box and..."
"Let's get out of here. This isn't right."
The residents, hearing of the impending fight, hurried back to their homes. Players who realized the situation sneaked peeks from between the residents. "If I win, you'll have to leave behind that bag."
"...If I win, let's end this ranking game."
"Well, if you can win, that is."
An empty square.
In the very center, Choi Ji-won and the city's master faced each other.
The frightened residents had long retreated to their homes, and the alleyways were packed with players waiting to watch the fight.
Many people were watching the two silhouettes, but the square was eerily silent.
However, this silence was not cold but a heated one, seeming ready to explode at any moment.
"...Is this fight for real?"
One player unconsciously swallowed hard.
From the moment the residents began to act strangely, they felt something was off about the second floor.
And then, suddenly, a riot? A revolution? Something happened.
At first, they wondered what was going on...
But now, all the players realized the reason.
That woman, the one with a ponytail, is the culprit.
She's the one who turned the second floor upside down, and now, she's about to face off against the city's master.
Having experienced life-or-death battles in the tutorial, they instinctively understood.
What they were about to witness would be a fight unlike any they had seen before.
"This will be fun, won't it?"
The city's master said, stretching her neck and loosening up.
"Huuu..."
The moment Choi Ji-won exhaled slowly and drew Bong-Bong from her scabbard,
Both Choi Ji-won and the city's master disappeared from sight.