Chapter 87 — Between Villain and Hero

1

The Tower.

Starting from an unknown location, Manus and his group immediately attempted to communicate with Emerson.

It seemed they were beyond her detection range, as the communication orb was unresponsive.

Nia looked around and asked Manus,

“I never thought the school would turn into a place like this. By the way, how many floors are there here?”

“I don’t know.”

“The school has exactly 100 floors, I wonder if it’s the same here?”

No, that can’t be right.

Manus dismissed her words and spread out his mana.

The original story ended without conquering the top of the tower.

In the end, it would be up to Manus to uncover the secrets.

Manus cast the [Dux] spell.

A white line guiding the way illuminated their path ahead.

A mysterious compass visible only to Manus.

“Let’s go.”

What does he want?

To regroup with Emerson?

Or Professor Mia’s hideout?

If not that, then a powerful artifact?

In any case, the white guide would indicate the direction to move forward.

His steps were unwavering.

“Do you know the way?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why are we just going like this-“

Nia asked worriedly, but soon closed her mouth.

She was practically a novice in this matter, while they had been doing this for a month.

What am I doing?

Anyone could see she wasn’t in a position to give advice.

“Sorry. I won’t say anything. Let’s go.”

Manus smiled at the now quiet Nia.

Certainly, among those not chosen in the original work, there were too many with outstanding talent.

If only they could all be crammed into the tower-.

Unlike Nia, who was moving leisurely, Guillermo was constantly on guard.

He moved carefully, step by step, ready to deal with anything that might jump out.

It was because of such a personality that his dialogue often appeared in the game.

‘This feels nostalgic.’

Since he mostly traveled alone, it had been a while since he felt this bustling atmosphere.

It was about time to split the team into two.

Equipment farming, tower conquest, and the remaining personnel should be sent outside.

While thinking about future plans, Guillermo’s voice was heard.

“There’s something ahead. An enemy?”

“Most likely. Everyone here is an enemy except us.”

“Then-“

Clank-.

The sound of boots from the Guardian, whose armor was essentially their uniform, echoed.

Following that, a mask appeared.

A demon in the shape of a knight riding a giant horse charged in.

‘Seems we’ve climbed quite high.’

He remembered.

He organized the information that naturally came to mind.

[Strength — 5]

[Headless Knight]

[Weakness, Wind]

[Reflects Fire and Ice magic]

[Level, 35~40]

A demon that appears around the 60th floor.

A demon wearing armor and wielding a giant lance on horseback.

It was also the first appearance of a medium-sized demon, excluding the sentinels.

Manus stirred his mana.

It seemed they had landed in an appropriate place.

Rather than waiting for those coming after, it would be better to go up first and take care of business.

Thinking about the face that would be smirking at ‘that’ by now, the idea of climbing quickly arose.

“Do not use fire or ice magic. It excels in physical attacks and is weak to wind, so just buy me time to cast.”

“I’ll block.”

“I’ll help too.”

Students of Mythos Academy were not a place one could enter with ordinary talent.

Their lives had always been intense.

Especially Nia, a third-year student, had developed a strong mentality capable of handling real combat through various experiences.

Rumble-!

The stagnant air stirred as wind rushed forth.

The mana emitted by the second and third-year students headed towards the demons.

It was an overwhelming battle.

2

“Hello? Senior Manus! Senior-!”

“Still nothing?”

“No. Looks like we need to go up a bit more.”

Kael’s group, starting from the floor where they had killed the sentinel with Melanie’s help.

They had already climbed to the 48th floor, but there was still no sign of communication being established.

Emerson closed her eyes and activated her detection.

A presence barely at the edge of her detection range.

Even that quickly faded away.

She opened her eyes and said to the team members waiting,

“Let’s hurry. They seem to be quite far above.”

“Sigh, of all things, the party with Senior Manus went up. I wonder if we can catch up at this rate?”

Pearson sighed.

The thought of climbing so high already made him dizzy.

The original plan was to regroup and climb together, but-.

If things went according to plan, would that be life?

At least they didn’t have to worry about getting lost.

Guided by Emerson, they climbed the tower while avoiding battles as much as possible.

‘I wish there was a spell that could show us the way-‘

Suddenly, Pearson felt the need for a guide.

He recalled Manus’s words.

‘Your talent doesn’t lie in attack magic.’

If that’s true, couldn’t I create magic too?

‘I should try it when we get back.’

A voyage with only a destination and no exact direction is very long, boring, and arduous.

He thought a spell that could accurately show the direction was necessary.

How should it be implemented?

Pearson’s contemplation deepened.

Thanks to Emerson’s efforts, they traversed the tower at a rapid pace.

There was no time.

Just eight hours.

Too short a time to drive someone to death.

3

67th floor of the tower.

Manus stood in front of a grand door, feeling an enormous and ominous energy.

Right here.

Following the white line’s guidance, they arrived at Professor Mia’s laboratory.

From the 67th to the 70th floor.

Professor Mia, who got to use three entire floors.

The reason she was able to enter the tower was surprisingly simple.

She snuck in using the power of a wanderer.

“Is this-“

“Are we going to wait for the juniors?”

Guillermo asked.

Manus pondered.

What should he do?

According to the original work, the first-year students should play a role.

But Manus’s instinct told him that shouldn’t be the case.

Professor Mia was someone who manipulated others with words and controlled demons with reagents.

The more time passed, the more formidable her forces would become.

“Let’s go in.”

“Can we handle it with just us?”

“I don’t know. But-“

At least at this level range, there was no villain that could stop him.

It would be better to deal with Professor Mia quickly.

For the sake of the children’s mental health as well.

Still in their teens.

Rather than having young children hear her vulgar words, it would be better to take a safer path even if it meant slightly delayed growth.

That’s what Manus thought, and he made his decision.

“There shouldn’t be any enemy that surpasses our current strength.”

He said with a confident voice as he opened the massive door.

The door opened silently.

What they saw was a high ceiling that seemed to have been hollowed out through three floors, and a spiral staircase extending in the center.

On the railing three floors up stood the person they were looking for.

She probably knew in advance.

After all, she cherished this place dearly.

“My— I didn’t think you’d really come this far.”

“Professor. Did you really do it?”

“What do you mean?”

Nia stepped forward and asked.

The shocking words she had heard from Lupera’s mouth.

She wanted to ask if those words were true.

“The talk about eliminating the nobles, did you really say that?”

“Yes, I did.”

At the firm answer, the expressions of the two people except Manus twisted.

A dangerous mana began to seep out.

Regardless, Mia , Anabel curled her lips into a smile.

“Those pig-like nobles. Cancer cells of the continent who strut around believing only in their blood. Your fathers, mothers, and those above them all started the same, you know.”

“What-“

“Nobles and commoners had the same start. But how is it now? Just because that filthy blood flows through generations, they’re called nobles?”

Her words were scathing.

This was a denial of noble ideology and could negatively influence those who hadn’t yet properly formed their self-identity.

While unsure about real-world nobles on Earth, the nobles in this world were a force for maintaining peace on the continent.

“Those who live happily because they were born to good ancestors probably don’t know. How much others are struggling. Have you ever been out on the streets? Hm?”

“Just say you’re envious if you are.”

The one who interrupted her words was Manus.

With an expression like he was listening to a boring speech.

His blue eyes, filled with mana, were staring directly at Mia.

A look of contempt.

Seeing this, Mia could not contain her rising anger.

But Manus’s words were not yet finished.

“How dare a maggot who doesn’t even know why nobles are nobles talk about nobility.”

“Shut up! What do you know about the suffering of commoners-“

“Why should I know? Who is it because of that they can sleep soundly at night?”

Nobles are protectors.

Those who preserve noble blood and protect the citizens, the land, the continent.

The first names given by empires and kingdoms were created to protect.

When war breaks out, commoners evacuate, but nobles go to the battlefield.

In this world without conscription, all wars are handled by those under the nobles.

Only those with honor and a sense of duty knock on the doors of noble houses.

“Fine, no matter how much I talk to you high and mighty noble lords, you won’t understand the suffering of commoners. Then I’ll make you understand? Try stopping this with that precious blood of yours.”

She refused dialogue.

Originally, this conversation should have been heard by Kael, Anais, and others.

Kind-hearted children would worry over trivial words, creating opportunities to be swayed by Leveli-Malito.

But Manus was different.

He had lived understanding this world and knew exactly what direction to take.

To him, Anabel’s words came across as nothing more than the ramblings of an agitator with twisted beliefs.

“Everyone, keep your wits about you. From now on, we’ll have to hold out.”

“Hold out?”

“We need to hold out until the children arrive.”

“How long do you think that will take-?!”

They’ll be here soon.

Manus created a magic circle without much concern.

Maybe I should grind some magic stones while we’re at it?

[Grrr!]

[Grrrr-!]

Masked figures began to appear from the darkness.

The demons she had gathered over countless hours.

Those that had been stored away crept out to destroy the enemy.

Mia cackled as she watched from the railing.

If that noble blood is so great, then let’s see you survive this.

“If you want to protect it that badly-! Go ahead and struggle with all your might! Ahahahaha-!”

At the unpleasant laughter, Guillermo said,

“Shouldn’t we knock her down first?”

“Not particularly. We won’t get what we need if we do.”

“What?”

Manus smiled wickedly.

There was something he hadn’t mentioned — the battle with Professor Mia was also a popular grinding spot for players.

Endless waves of mobs, a newly acquired sturdy tank.

Add to that a versatile mage.

And a DPS who could sweep them all up at once.

It was time for a festival.

–TL Notes–
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