Chapter 267: Antagonist of Earth (12)

Words : 1732 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 267: Antagonist of Earth (12) Stepping out from behind the boulder, I briefly flickered my gaze between the oddly-dressed female Challenger and the distant dragon. “...” From the look on her face, it was clear that she had absolutely no idea that I was hiding here, let alone tailing her all this time. I was sure she must be feeling many things at that realisation, but I didn’t want to focus on that too much―I was already discovered, so all that mattered was making it to the next Floor peacefully. If she was smart, she would also postpone all of her questions until then. Exchanging a cursory glance with that girl, I moved the majority of my attention to the ‘Third Objective’ of this Thirty-Fourth Floor――Towards the towering dragon perched atop the smouldering crater of the volcano. As I did so, the powerful creature abruptly snorted, its big snout recoiling like that of a dog as a slight gust of heat washed over us. The fact its actions commanded such reactions from the world and possessed such reach so as to affect us standing all the way over here, I couldn’t imagine how impossible a Floor would be if it involved a requirement to slay such an unparalleled beast. The truth was, it was very possible that there existed such a Floor higher up in the Tower, but the hope was that I could stop anyone from reaching it, if it existed, before they had the chance. Again, I didn’t know how many Floors the Tower had. That’s why I couldn’t even know if me stopping John Pierce before he crossed the threshold of Forty Floors was good or not. Of course, stopping him was better than not stopping him, regardless of the Floor, but... Well, anyway. None of that was relevant here. The higher that more people were able to climb, the harder my job would become. Even if I grew stronger, the Challengers who aimed to clear the Tower were all also growing stronger as they did so too. More importantly than stopping them before they reached a Floor that required them to kill a dragon, or even just complete an Objective of similar difficulty, the main point was to stop them before they grew that strong. Otherwise, they might become too much for me to handle alone. Rather, if things continue as they are, it’s inevitable. “――Heed mine voice.” Interrupting my sidetracked inner thoughts, the dragon’s guttural rumbling continued. “Speak; for what purpose do you seek passage on this land?” ‘Huh?’ For some reason, its question... wasn’t quite what I was expecting. My purpose? Does it mean, for challenging this Floor? Well, that was simple, right? It’s because―― “―To secure the optimal future for my family and for my people.” “...” Turning my head slightly to catch the sakura maiden’s expression, she confidently stated her reason. There was no way to tell if she was serious, or if it was just something she had made up on the spot, but whatever the case, the truth was impossible to discern from the straight look on her face alone. “...Speak.” Sliding its dominant gaze to me, the dragon reiterated itself. Having heard one person’s answer, I suppose it now awaited mine before moving on. I presumed this lady must have been telling the truth due to it being part of an Objective. It wasn’t worth the risk to lie, so it was likely true. In that case, I guess I should do the same. Raising my head to meet this scaly adjudicator’s intimidating gaze head-on, I opened my mouth. “Because it’s what needs to be done.” “...” I could feel her eyes looking at my face from the side, or rather, at my mask, with a subtle sense of curiosity. Well, I suppose that was natural. I was being purposely vague, after all. Although, that didn’t mean my words weren’t true. If I didn’t do this, the world would veritably come to a swift end. Hopefully, the dragon would realise my honesty, even through its ambiguity... Without warning, it snorted again, causing another wave of hot air to brush over us. “...Very well.” Fortunately, it seemed to have no issue with my answer. “You are for an honourable cause. You may pass.” Then, giving such a simple response, it promptly turned its head and retreated back into the volcano, returning to the depths of the earth below. [Floor Cleared] [Obtained Token of Proven Worth (x1)] Before I even realised it, the Thirty-Fourth Floor was successfully cleared. ‘What was that about...’ The final Objective was certainly odd, and it felt way too easy compared to the rest of everything I’d had to do to get here, but maybe it was just one of those things. ‘Ah, I don’t know. Since I passed, I guess it doesn’t matter much. Only, now...’ Moving my gaze from the now-empty top of the volcano to the side, where the neat lady of pink stood near, I couldn’t help but heave a small sigh behind the Villain’s Vizard. Now I had to deal with her. “Pardon me. I believe we’ve never met.” Naturally, she was the one to open the conversation. I was surprised by her initiative of non-hostility, especially considering my appearance and how suspicious it must have been to not have realised I was here this whole time... but perhaps that was virtue of the dragon’s confirmation that each our aims were honourable, or otherwise, more simply, an act of good faith. ‘Maybe things can be sorted out simpler than I thought. That’s good, at least.’ However, that was only the first step. Debating momentarily whether or not I should take off the mask and introduce myself as ‘Enki’, or if maintaining my mystique was the right path to take, there were definitely positives for both actions. Unfortunately, my internal council, having not the time to deliberate the full pros and cons of each, could only come to a snap decision. And like that, the objectively eerie, distorted voice flowed from my veiled mouth. “―That is so. I do not have a name, but it is my pleasure.” As always, I decided to put on a bit of a voice when “introducing” myself, just hoping that it didn’t come out too stiff or awkward. Of course, consciously thinking about every word that came out of my mouth, it was slower than the way I would usually talk, and some might say it only added to the suspiciousness of my character... and well, that was entirely correct, but regardless, I also thought it only served as another degree of separation between this fabricated mysterious character of mine, and ‘Enki Valentine’. In any case, that was how it is, and in return to my objectively shoddy self-introduction, the peculiarly-dressed, pink-haired Challenger adopted a likewise strange posture, holding her hands in front of her waist as she slightly bent her body and tilted forwards for a few seconds, giving a simple bow. “―My name is Chisa, representing the Hanami Taisha Shrine. The pleasure is mine... May I enquire as to how long you have been following me?” At the word ‘shrine’, I felt my eyebrows fleetingly perform a small hop behind the Villain’s Vizard, and just like that, my questions regarding her elegant, yet unfamiliar outfit were answered―the lower half of red and upper half of white was something I originally thought was related to her pinkish theme, but now that I thought about it, they did certainly carry an air of being ‘sacred’. In any case, she was sceptical. I guess it was only natural, considering everything, but I couldn’t deny it was annoying being immediately questioned like this. Nevertheless, I could only answer in a way I thought would be most beneficial. “From the Thirty-Third. It was less ‘following’, more conserving resources.” “So it appears. No matter. I trust you mean to say your intent is not hostility.” “...Not with you.” “Mm. I bear no place near harboured grudges. It is a tainted thing.” “It’s not a grudge. Just something necessary. I would ask you to maintain distance from the matter―it shouldn’t be a tall ask, if you frown upon it so, right?” Meeting her eyes, which I had just now clocked carried a hue of cherry pink, identical to that of her neatly-maintained and flowing hair, I hoped she would accept my plea, even though I admit it sounded kinda like a threat, and agree not to obstruct my goal. Incidentally, there were far too many girls I had encountered in this life with that sort of colour attached to them. It really was, never a good sign, not in any case. One of them was deathly kind, and I killed her in cold blood. The other was a fucking crazy bitch, and her life was forfeit through total immolation to ashes before my very eyes as her harrowed screams echoed around me... ...Needless to say, one was undeniably more terrible than the other, and yet, due to circumstances, it also couldn’t be said that the first girl didn’t leave an equally powerful impression on my consciousness. It likely stemmed from that, but I was only just beginning to realise that I actually didn’t like the colour pink at all. “...It is as you say. Very well. I too wish not for unnecessary disturbances and conflict. Until then, if it is alright with you, I shall continue on my way. Should you share the same path, we may advance as one, only temporarily.” Surprisingly, she offered to team up. Or, perhaps more accurately, work collaboratively only until one of our paths vies off. Since we were both going the same way, there was no reason not to, and it was mutually beneficial. ...Although, there was one certainty I couldn’t erase from my mind. “That is fine. However, I should have you know.” Taking a brief pause, I tried gathering my words to assemble the least provocative way of putting it, but no matter how I swapped it around or exchanged words, it wasn’t possible. So, in the end, I simply unleashed my most genuine thoughts. “――Advancing any further beyond the Thirty-Fifth is not permitted.”

Chapter 267: Antagonist of Earth (12)

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