Chapter – 55
Ohhh, finally!
They said it was a large-scale update, so it took a long time. The longer I waited, the higher my expectations grew.
With my heart pounding, I looked at the system screen.
And at last, the content revealed itself…!
[<Notice> ‘Trial Tower Update’
Hero who has been transported to another world! How far can you push your limits? Challenge the top floors of the tower and prove your infinite strength!]
“Wow!”
Exactly! This is it! A tutorial always starts with a tower.
[‘Runes that Shape the World’ calls this their masterpiece.]
[‘Architect of the Tower of Trials’ says that normally the top floor is 100, but since you’re Overbell, you had to make it up to 300 floors and almost lost his mind.]
[‘Eye that Watches the Chaos of All Things’ gently touches the eyeball he nearly lost during QA.]
[‘Critic who Balances Everything’ announces that they will patch the balance according to your strategy.]
The gods of the development headquarters made their remarks and disappeared to celebrate.
<What’s with all the sudden cheering?>
“Agnes, let’s go train. The Runes have prepared a real combat training ground just for me.”
<They prepared an entire training ground?>
“Yes. They’re very generous.”
At that moment, an important question came to mind.
“Wait, Runes! Just one urgent question!”
[‘Runes that Shape the World’ asks what’s going on.]
“Just checking… once I enter the tower, I won’t be trapped until I conquer the top floor, right?”
So many towers had imprisoned challengers. I didn’t want to go in to get stronger only to vanish and disrespect my parents!
Fortunately, the Runes immediately put my worries to rest.
[‘Runes that Shape the World’ say they would never pull such a frustrating trick.]
[‘Runes that Shape the World’ explain that entering and exiting the Trial Tower is free within 24 hours.]
Since it was part of the ‘Possessed Support System,’ it was user-friendly.
“Thanks for the answer. Enjoy your celebration!”
Now, nothing was weighing on me. I packed my satchel lightly.
<I hear it’s like a dungeon-like extra-dimensional training ground. I’m excited.>
“That’s right.”
<Then, to commemorate entering real combat training, let’s use ‘that sword.’>
“Wow! Are you finally allowing me to use a real sword?”
<Yes. Now that your aura has awakened, you can’t keep using a training longsword forever.>
The sword Agnes mentioned was Euroupe, a loot item obtained three years ago from the “Black Salt Desert” dungeon.
It originally belonged to my mother, who mainly used spears and polearms, so she didn’t need it.
Thus, it became mine. I pulled the long-unused sword out from the corner of my satchel.
Euroupe had a silver-blue gleaming blade with elegant curves.
After strapping Euroupe to my waist and tying my long hair into a tight knot, I was ready.
“Let’s go, Agnes.”
[<System> Do you wish to move to the ‘Trial Tower Entrance’?]
Yes!
A white light enveloped me.
✠
‘Sigh… the Saint…’
Clovis Argent, the young and handsome blonde paladin of the Holy See, let out a sigh.
He was the biological son of Cardinal Bezalios Argent and the commander of the Holy Crusader Order, a truly promising paladin.
But now, his career was about to get a blemish.
The Holy Crusader Order had been assigned the task of searching for the Saint for three years.
They scoured the entire continent but found no clues about her.
‘Were they stuck in a dungeon all this time? How could her divine power not be felt at all?’
Still, the Saint’s vessel of grace had now reached human limits, and her presence had become all the more distinct.
Every time he returned to the Holy See, there was hope of escaping the nagging of cardinals asking why they still hadn’t found the Saint.
“‘Righteous Order and Good,’ please, let me finally behold the Saint you’ve been hiding.”
As he straightened from kneeling and made the sign of the cross, a voice came.
“Brother.”
“Ah, Tesilid. You’re here.”
“Yes.”
Tesilid Argent, a boy with special silver hair proving divine blessing, stood behind him.
Though they shared the Argent name, they weren’t blood-related.
For the Saint’s upbringing, cardinals were merely godparents in name. Tesilid received the Argent name because Clovis’ father was his godparent.
The Saint’s upbringing was fully entrusted to the Education Department of the Holy See. Even cardinals didn’t take responsibility.
The Saint’s treatment by the Holy See was like a public resource for world salvation.
Clovis’ environment was just as harsh.
Whenever Clovis returned, the only interaction he had with Tesilid was brief eye contact, like now.
“You were appointed a paladin last winter. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I heard the Saint has been reassigned to the Inquisition Department. Are you starting field operations?”
“Yes, we have started. I’ve completed three missions so far.”
“Already? What missions?”
“Dungeon clearance.”
Over the past two weeks, they cleared two B-rank dungeons and one A-rank dungeon. It had been a tough start.
The squad consisted of Tesilid, the Saints, and four trainee healers. All were inexperienced and faced several dangerous situations.
Especially in the A-rank dungeon, when trapped in a dead-end with the boss, Tesilid practically carried them alone.
He recalled fighting the Black Dragon by himself on a thin cliff-side rock bridge, leaving the injured squad behind.
‘I wish we had a competent healer.’
This had started Tesilid’s catchphrase throughout the original story.
“What’s the next mission?”
“The day after tomorrow, we go to the Agony region to purify it and evangelize the locals.”
Clovis raised an eyebrow and lowered it, which Tesilid noticed.
“Agony… that’s near the Ragneif Magic Republic. If you find any clues about the Saint there, let me know.”
“I will.”
“Good.”
It seemed like enough conversation. Tesilid made a formal bow and turned to leave.
“Wait, Tesilid.”
“Do you have something to say?”
“How much do you know about the Agony region?”
Tesilid’s earlier reaction suggested there was more to it.
“I’ve heard it’s land still damaged from an old Dungeon Burst.”
“It’s a nest of heretics.”
“….”
“If evangelization fails there, you know the Church’s rules.”
Tesilid’s fingers twitched. Clovis noticed his unease and spoke firmly.
“You’ve been appointed to the Inquisition. You now have the authority to excommunicate. Those excommunicated have no rights, and killing them is not murder. Keep this in mind and do not hesitate to obey God and the Church.”
“….”
The Church, devoted to an exclusive monotheistic God, sometimes made Tesilid feel that his God was not “Righteous Order and Good” but simply “Righteous Order.”
Order was prioritized over Good. Rules, doctrine, and discipline over mercy.
The special holy mark on his left inner arm reflected this.
“I should get going.”
He was used to swallowing his words.
Tesilid bowed and left the chapel.
A long shadow followed him closely as he walked down the corridor.
The grim expression on Tesilid’s face foreshadowed the challenging path ahead.
✠
I woke up to the smell of grass and a gentle breeze.
A majestic tower rose from the vast plains. Its top was hidden by sunlight so bright it hurt the eyes.
I stood before the massive iron gate. A polite notice was attached.
[Divine Intervention Forbidden!]
I had no intention of using cheats. I wanted to fight with my true strength.
As soon as I entered the classical interior, the gate closed behind me, blocking the exit.
[<System> You have entered Trial Tower Floor 1. Stay alert.]
Combat began immediately. I liked this.
I waited for my eyes to adjust to the dim light and focused on hearing.
‘There’s… one presence.’
Since it was the lower floor, it seemed to be one-on-one.
<It’s coming, Cadet Eyelet.>
I heard Agnes’ warning and placed my hand on Euroupe.
Thud! Boom! Kuuung!
The floor trembled from the approaching presence.
The mysterious enemy slowly approached the torch-lit area.
And finally, the fearsome boss of floor 1 appeared…
Squishy!
[<System> Trial Tower Floor 1 Boss, ‘Cute and Adorable Slime’ has appeared!]
