Chapter 7: Information Sharing (2)

After posting the information, I headed to school. I listed the details as thoroughly as possible while keeping my subjective opinions to a minimum. It’s not like I’m some expert in combat strategy. Experts will eventually analyze the data and devise proper tactics for dealing with the Goblins.

When I returned, the communication window was in an uproar.

As I browsed through the reactions, I noticed something late.

A massive stack of whisper notifications was piled in the corner of the window.

I didn’t even know this feature existed.

Opening it felt like looking at an inbox that hadn’t been checked in years—

Amidst the countless messages saying hello, offering thanks, or asking about my level and rewards, a few caught my eye.

There were numerous requests for high-level diplomatic dialogue. There was even one from our own country’s Special Climbing Division.

Not interested.

Ignoring them all, I closed the communication window. Now that I’d given them the information, I hoped they would use it to prepare for the Floor 1 raid.

I lay down on my bed, eyes closed, thinking about the future. It would be ideal if others worked hard and more Nightmare Conquerors emerged, but I couldn’t afford not to prepare myself. Someone will eventually have to clear Nightmare 2nd Floor within a year.

What if I’m forced into that situation again? I’d have no choice but to do it. I don’t want to die, and I don’t want the world to end.

“I’ll do what I have to do.”

In the Tower, it was possible to re-enter and repeatedly clear floors you had already conquered. The reward for repeated clears was only Magic Stones, which served as the primary source of income for Climbers. I didn’t care about Magic Stones. However, a specific message had appeared after I cleared Floor 1.

“It said a hidden route had been opened…”

I searched the internet, but no information regarding hidden routes came up. It seemed related to the first-clear reward. For other difficulties, first-clear rewards were usually Skill Stones or items; there was no mention of hidden routes anywhere.

The only way to know for sure was to re-enter Floor 1 and check myself. There was no real danger. It was stated that once a floor is cleared, you can exit at any time, even if you don’t finish the run.

Besides, I had grown stronger. My physical abilities had surpassed Human limits, and I had acquired a skill. I already knew what would pop out and what to do. Compared to my first try, where I was rolling around just to stay alive, this would be much easier. I’d have to go back in soon.

***

A few more days passed without incident.

“Hey, I actually became a Climber.”

During lunch with friends after a lecture, one of them made a sudden announcement.

“What are you talking about?”

“Seriously. I’m not joking.”

Sang-cheol’s face was dead serious. He didn’t look like he was kidding. First me, and now my friend? Is there a curse on me?

While the other friends sat there stunned, I asked, “What difficulty?”

“Easy difficulty. I’m considering taking a leave of absence next year to give the Tower a shot.”

Another friend tried to stop him. “You crazy bastard, do you want to die?”

“I won’t die. They say Easy difficulty is a piece of cake. The survival rate for Floor 1 is over 98%.” Sang-cheol’s eyes sparkled as he spoke. “I looked into it, and the annual income from the Magic Stones you get just from Floor 1 makes a six-figure salary look like a joke. Plus, if you become a Climber, you’re exempt from the Army, and there are all sorts of benefits.”

“Wait, aren’t you going to become a doctor? You studied so hard to get here.”

“That’s why I’m weighing my options. But it’ll take forever for us to become doctors. If I graduate in seven years after finishing military service… I thought this path might not be so bad.”

“Hey, the future of that path is still uncertain. And seriously, is 2% a low probability when your life is on the line?”

Though he said he was still thinking, Sang-cheol seemed halfway decided. I offered my own concern.

“If you’re going to do it, be careful. Have you looked into Training Facilities?”

“Yeah, I checked everything. They say you learn swordsmanship and stuff there.”

My friends all called him crazy, but as for me… I wasn’t so sure. We had entered a world where we didn’t even know what the future would look like a year from now. Even so, I was still attending school.

When I returned home and checked the communication window, that whisper was waiting for me. It wasn’t the Director who had messaged me multiple times before. Reading through, it wasn’t an invitation to talk or an offer for a deal. He was purely asking for advice on the raid information.

Training a large-scale team to conquer Nightmare?

Yes, this is it.

If it was for something like this, there was no reason not to answer. They were more than welcome. I sent a reply.

***

“So, what do you think? What are the chances?”

At the headquarters of the USA Tower Climbing Management Bureau, Max took a sip of coffee before answering Director Van Baker’s question.

“Director.”

“Yes?”

“Imagine I have to enter a building full of armed rebels by myself, through the front door, carrying only a single handgun. And I can’t retreat because those bastards are threatening to flip a nuclear switch. That’s the situation.”

“…”

“Any ‘chance’ of success is buried deep underground. It’s almost ridiculous to even discuss it. We’re only doing it because we have to.”

“Is it that bad? Even with the best preparation possible?”

Max shook his head. The man still didn’t get it.

“It is exactly that bad. It’s not a matter of preparation. I’m honestly starting to doubt if the person who cleared this without any information is even human.”

Nightmare Floor 1. The information shared on the Climbers’ communication window could be summarized as follows:

Fight two Sword Goblins and one Spear Goblin simultaneously.

Immediately fight one Sword Goblin, one Shield Goblin, and one Archer Goblin simultaneously.

Once the stone gate begins to close, finish the fight and escape through the corridor.

In the corridor, a giant iron ball rolls toward you; sprint forward and dodge into a niche in the wall.

Continue forward to encounter the final boss, the Knight Goblin. It possesses strength far beyond a human’s and is encased in full plate armor.

Beware of an ambush by a Crossbow Goblin during or after the fight with the Knight Goblin.

One has to accomplish this bare-bodied, armed with only a sword. There is no way to heal wounds mid-climb.

…How on earth did he do it? Does that even make sense?

Reality wasn’t a movie. A Climber challenging Floor 1 is just an ordinary person with no special abilities. No matter how talented someone is, facing three Goblins armed with cold weapons on flat ground with no cover is nonsense.

Let’s say they somehow defeat all six and prepare for the stone gate and the rolling ball since they have the info. But a Knight Goblin at the end? Defeating a monster stronger than a human, covered in plate armor, while worrying about bolts flying at you?

It was utter madness. There was a reason tens of thousands had died.

However, it was Max’s mission to somehow train members who could fulfill those insane conditions. The government’s fate was at stake. No one wanted to experience the helplessness of that recent doomsday again.

Max—a former Delta Force operator, veteran CQC instructor, and a Climber who had cleared Hard difficulty up to the 3rd Floor—had been appointed as the head instructor for the Nightmare Project. Recruitment for Nightmare Climbers had already begun across the US, accompanied by extraordinary incentives. They would be thoroughly refined and then sent into the jaws of death.

He wondered what the survival rate would be, but if sacrifice was necessary for the survival of humanity, there was no choice.

“But didn’t you say you got in touch with him?”

“Yes.”

“…Is there any way to get more active help beyond just consultation?”

At Van’s suggestive question, Max clicked his tongue. “Tell the higher-ups not to do anything stupid. I’m worried that if they annoy him, he’ll cut contact with me too.”

Max thought about the man. Person123. Currently the sole conqueror of Nightmare Floor 1. He knew Director Van had been ignored repeatedly. Max had reached out just hoping for detailed advice on the posted info, and surprisingly, he got a response.

They had engaged in a productive conversation, asking questions and exchanging opinions. Of course, he couldn’t be certain the information was 100% true, but if he doubted that, he had nothing else to rely on anyway. Max felt like he understood the man’s character to some extent.

‘At least he’s someone who cares about humanity.’

His actions showed it—from releasing all the information on Nightmare Floor 1 for free to ignoring the Director’s advances while actively responding to requests for raid advice. He was likely an Unregistered Climber with no intention of revealing his identity.

However, it was clear that the man also wanted more Nightmare Conquerors to appear. In that case, Max just had to do his best to produce results.

“You should leave now. I’m busy.”

“Hmph, I can’t tell who’s the Director here. Anyway, I’m counting on you.”

Van grumbled as he left. Max finished his coffee and organized the messy documents on his desk. It felt overwhelming, but there was a glimmer of hope. Among those who were called by the Tower after the Nightmare Floor 1 clear, one had applied for the project faster than anyone else.

It was someone Max knew well. A comrade he had fought alongside in the military. He was the closest thing to a monster Max had ever seen in his life. As a Delta operator, he had left behind so many legendary achievements that his nickname was the “God of War.”

“If it’s him, it might actually be possible.”

Producing as many Nightmare Floor 1 conquerors as possible—Max intended to do his absolute best. For the world, and to establish this country as the leader in the Nightmare Difficulty conquest.

***

Saturday, early morning.

I went to bed early yesterday and woke up at dawn. I stretched to wake up my mind. This hour, while my family was still asleep, was the perfect time.

“Let’s go.”

Time for a repeated clear. I was curious to see just how much easier it had become to deal with Goblins in my current state.