Chapter 13: Nightmare 2nd Floor (1)

I returned home, glancing around suspiciously for no reason.

“Whew…”

I actually went and met him.

Billon Must had said he would leave the Skill Stone at a designated spot, but I figured if he was planning something strange, the method wouldn’t matter anyway. So, I just met him face-to-face.

It was surreal seeing someone in person whom I’d only ever seen on the internet.

He wouldn’t have done a background check on me, right? Was I followed on the way back? Since my counterpart was a tycoon like Billon Must, all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.

Whatever. It’s done.

I told myself that since I couldn’t undo it now, what will be, will be.

‘You are the hope of humanity. Please, conquer the 2nd floor.’

I could feel the sincerity in his words… but I also wondered why he was going this far for me.

I’m not the only Nightmare Conqueror anymore. If Billon Must wanted to, it would have been much easier for him to invest in the USA’s conquerors. Did he judge that the first person to conquer the 1st floor would have the highest chance of conquering the 2nd floor as well?

Come to think of it, he might already be investing in them while looking after me too. Diversification is the basic rule of investment, after all.

I stopped worrying about the trivial things.

I examined the newly acquired skill. The willpower consumption was only 10, and the cooldown was relatively short.

‘Look how cheap the cost is.’

There was no strange requirement like “mental concentration” either. Compared to Magic skills, this was an absolute steal. Well, that might be because it’s only Normal rank.

I decided to test the skill immediately.

After entering the Tower, I tried the Leap skill. I jumped as hard as I could from a standing position. My body soared explosively, as if the stone floor had turned into a trampoline.

“Oh…!”

I almost smashed my head against the ceiling of the cavern. When I landed on the floor, my legs vibrated with a ring. I think I just jumped nearly 20 meters. I hadn’t expected much since it was Normal rank, but the skill enhanced my jumping power more than I thought. Didn’t it at least double?

Ke-re… kek—

I dealt with the Goblins emerging from the passage and continued testing the skill. I tried jumping forward from a standstill and jumping while running from one end of the cavern to the other.

It wasn’t a difficult skill to use. However, like Blink, I needed time to get used to the sense of distance.

‘I think I’ll be adjusted after a few days of practice.’

I decided to enter the 2nd floor after that. Since I got a new skill, I should build up some proficiency before going in.

***

The second Nightmare Conqueror to appear on the Climbers’ communication window was Jackal. His provocation toward Person123, the first Nightmare Conqueror, had been a hot topic for a while.

A few days later, when the number in the Nightmare Communication Window decreased by one, the chat exploded once again.

Just like a year ago, as the deadline drew near, an atmosphere of anxiety became prevalent.

At the US Climbing Management Bureau, the mood was no different from a funeral home after Jack’s failure. For them, all the efforts of the past year had vanished like bubbles in an instant.

One person still remained. Though, it could hardly be called a hopeful situation.

“Taylor, let’s push the date back.”

Taylor, who had been steadfastly focusing on training for the 2nd floor, sighed at the news Max brought.

“Does that even matter?”

“Probably not. But those above want to monitor the situation further.”

“…The ‘situation.’ I bet everyone is thinking the same thing. Waiting to see if someone else will go in first.”

It was a game of chicken. None of the remaining Nightmare Conquerors wanted to be the first to challenge the 2nd floor—especially now that one had already failed.

A country declaring they would challenge the 2nd floor? There were none. China, India, and Russia were all silent. Even with only 20 days left until destruction, everyone was still calculating their own gains and losses. If this continued, they would all end up holding hands and praying on the day the deadline expired, just like before.

“Jack… he was aggressive, but I believe the direction he was aiming for was right. His fighting spirit was something to be respected.”

The project had started to save humanity and to place this great nation at the forefront of the Nightmare Difficulty. Both of them knew that if they were this busy playing it safe, the project was a failure from the start.

“So, proceed as originally scheduled. I’m going in even if it’s not approved.”

Max’s face darkened. He knew someone had to take the lead. But the place they had to jump into was clearly hell. Jack, who was thoroughly prepared and had received every bit of support, died within a minute.

They couldn’t even imagine what kind of nightmarish trial was waiting on the 2nd floor.

“I’m sorry, Taylor.”

Moreover, she would be entering without even receiving the proper support from the Bureau. Since the decision to pour all resources into Jack had been partially based on Max’s opinion as the 1st-floor training instructor, he couldn’t help but feel even more ashamed.

Taylor understood the meaning behind his apology and gave a bitter smile.

“It was a natural decision. You don’t need to apologize.”

It was a perfectly rational choice to concentrate resources on the side with a higher chance of success. The rest was just hindsight.

Taylor suddenly remembered why she chose to climb the Nightmare Difficulty. As an agent of the CIA’s Special Task Force, Taylor had done many things for the country she was born and raised in.

The department she belonged to officially didn’t exist. She had participated in many black ops, killed and tortured enemies, and watched her close colleagues die.

As her skepticism grew, she was chosen as a Climber for the Nightmare Difficulty. She thought she had been pushed by a sense of duty to a place far beyond return, but a new path had opened. With this, she could serve her country without having to witness the deaths of anyone—friend or foe—ever again. This was a matter concerning the fate of all humanity, not just this nation. It was more important than anything else.

So, she quit everything and volunteered. Having done that, she was willing to go to the very end.

Taylor looked down at her trembling hands and then clenched them into fists. Praying that there would be even a sliver of hope.

***

After practicing for a few days, I became completely accustomed to the Leap skill. I slowly began preparing to enter the 2nd floor.

To my beloved father, mother, and sibling… I wrote a will and put it in my desk drawer. I hoped that, once again, this will would never have to be used.

“I enjoyed the meal. It was delicious.”

As I was clearing the table after dinner, my mother spoke.

“Seohyun, is something going on lately?”

“Huh? No.”

What, was it that obvious?

My father, sitting at the dining table, also stole a glance at me. I thought I was acting as usual, but my parents were too quick to notice.

“I guess I’m just a bit troubled. That’s why.”

“…Don’t worry. The world won’t end that easily.”

My father spoke as if to reassure me.

“It was like that last time, and someone will succeed this time too. What was it? That person called the first conqueror is also preparing thoroughly with the help of the Russian government?”

He must think I’m worried because of the Nightmare deadline. But since when did I start receiving help from Russia? That’s fake news, Father.

“Is that so? Then I feel a bit relieved.”

“Yeah, see? I told you.”

I forced a smile and returned to my room. I sat quietly at my desk and composed my mind. Even though I had hardened my resolve, risking my life was still not an easy task.

To be honest, I hesitated even more than last time. Last time, I had a “do-or-die” mindset, but now, there was still quite a bit of time left on the clock.

Do I really have to be the one? If I wait longer, won’t someone else succeed…

I soon brushed away all distracting thoughts. Time passed, and it was the early hours of the morning, past midnight. After confirming that my family was all asleep, I quietly closed my door.

I changed my clothes, put on my shoes, and stood in the middle of my room.

“Enter.”

Alright, let’s go.