It feels like something is almost within reach, but not quite.

‘I need more information.’

I looked at Priasis standing blankly and said.

“About that dream, tell me more…”

[Stage Clear!]

[‘Velkist(★★★)’, ‘Katiio(★★★★)’, Level Up!]

[Reward – 170,000G, Lower

 Grade Shark Gills X 3]

[MVP – ‘Katiio(★★★★)’]

Light began to envelop me.

‘Talk about timing.’

I smiled bitterly.

Priasis’s eyes sparkled as she watched me.

“That light…”

“I’m returning to the original place. The contract isn’t over, so don’t worry.”

“Weren’t you going to ask something?”

“It’s fine. I’ve changed my mind.”

I have no motivation to save this place anyway.

If nothing unusual happens, it should be okay to proceed as is.

“See you next time.”

“Ah, got it.”

With Priasis’s bewildered response, I returned to the round room.

I first looked up.

The Master had disconnected.

Given the time-consuming nature of the mission, they couldn’t have continued to watch.

The current time in the waiting room was late at night.

‘But still.’

Logs about Katiio’s actions would remain.

I could also rewind the mission footage.

‘I’m satisfied.’

Velkist was smirking, looking at Katiio.

“What, what? You’re giving me the creeps.”

“Will this kid join our training tomorrow? I think we need a different formation.”

Velkist’s gaze turned to me.

I nodded.

“Come to the reception room by 7 AM tomorrow.”

“I have to maintain the airship in the morning…”

“Do it at night.”

Velkist spoke as if it was nothing.

“Then it’s overtime! That’s different from the contract!”

“Contracts always change before and after they’re made.”

“Hey, I won’t accept this abuse!”

I sighed.

“This does complicate the schedule.”

An unidentified message popped up in the operation window of Anytng.

[Master, from the 33rd floor, you can use the airship!]

[Bring a ‘Wizard’ class hero, select the summon tab, and touch the airship!]

[However, the airship must be in a summonable state.]

‘An airship.’

The ship appeared in the latter part of the mission.

This meant that ships could be replaced by airships.

Flying might not be possible due to field characteristics.

And the airship’s maintenance wasn’t finished yet.

However, once you join Party 1, formation practice is essential.

But neither can be excluded.

“Hmm.”

I cleared my throat and continued.

“You’ll have to work a bit harder.”

“Dammit.”

“I’d like to give you a rest, but there’s no choice due to the schedule.”

“I knew it.”

Katiio slumped his shoulders.

“When the schedule is over, I’ll give you double the holiday. I promise.”

“Fine, fine. Tomorrow morning at 7. I’ll be there.”

Katiio walked out through the space-time gap with a fed-up expression.

The other members also gradually left the room. I stared at the message on the mirror above the square that read ‘Save the World!’ before heading to the square.

And then I encountered an unexpected person.

“How was that wizard?”

Eloka stood there, wrapped in a scarf and coat given by the Master, instead of her usual dress.

“According to Vel, he played a significant part.”

“Why are you here? Not on the 3rd floor?”

“I came down for a walk and thought of you.”

“A walk to the 1st floor?”

“T-that’s how I felt! Anyway, how was it? While you were in the mission…”

Eloka spread her palms out.

A breeze played over them.

“I managed somehow. Just one month…”

“Iselle.”

[Appear!]

Stardust twinkled next to us, and Iselle popped out.

I asked Iselle, who was gazing at me intently.

“How many regeneration stones are left?”

[Hmm, about 7 left.]

“Give one to her. Log it in the system as if I took it.”

Shortly after, Iselle brought a black stone swirling with energy from the warehouse.

“What’s this?”

“A regeneration stone. It lets you view the mission footage.”

I placed the stone in Eloka’s hand.

After giving Iselle a cue, the space-time gap opened.

“You’ll know everything you need about him when you see it.”

“It’s the footage from when I wasn’t there?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Let’s take a look.”

Eloka took a deep breath and entered the space-time gap.

The door closed.

[‘Eloka(★★★)’ has started viewing!]

The 32nd floor is long, but the viewer can fast-forward if they wish.

You should be able to get an estimate of a few hours-long mission. I settled on a nearby bench.

Iselle flapped her wings and said.

[Aren’t you going to sleep? It’s late.]

“I’ll just rest for a bit.”

[Are you worried about the fire magician? I don’t see why! She’s powerful indeed, but useless otherwise. I think the little wizard is much better.]

I didn’t respond.

[That woman, always acting so superior. Serves her right, heh!]

Iselle laughed sinisterly and disappeared with the light.

I sat on the bench and crossed my arms.

Occasionally, heroes from the 1st floor appeared and passed by, staring blankly at me.

And as dawn deepened.

The door to the square opened with a thud.

“Did you watch it well?”

“Didn’t you go?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why did you wait?”

Eloka, noticeably worn, sat next to me.

“He was impressive.”

“He’s a wizard.”

“The world is unfair. At such a young age. Back then, I hadn’t even started my training.”

“Wizards can’t be judged by their appearance, can they?”

“It’s obvious he’s young.”

Eloka sighed deeply.

“If I knew this would happen, I would have studied harder.”

“If you wish, you can join another party…”

“I don’t want to be anywhere but here.”

Eloka opened her mouth.

“I haven’t given up.”

“…”

“I’ll be there by 7 AM tomorrow, right? I’m also a prospective first-party member, so there should be an opportunity. See you later.”

Eloka ended the conversation on her own terms, chuckled, and got up.

She climbed the stairs and disappeared.

‘This is something.’

Aaron was the same. I don’t understand why they’re so fixated.

It would be easier to shift to a researcher at this opportunity. The Master might dislike it, but I was willing to help with that. I had prepared a few reasons.

I think I understand, but then again, maybe not.

I shook my head and headed towards the stairs.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•