I looked around.
It seemed to be a waiting area in front of the dungeon entrance. I could see yellow walls.
The scenery reminded me of the Stage 1 of Floor 1.
The theme of this exchange meeting is the dungeon.
There are a total of three themes for the exchange meeting: dungeon, mission, and duel.
Except for ‘duel,’ players can kill each other in dungeons and missions.
In other words, the things I need to watch out for were not just the monsters that appear in the dungeon, but also the other six players aside from myself.
On the 7th floor, there was a Chinese player named Sun Haoran.
Next, the person who approached me and told me his name was a Korean.
“I’m Baek Jin-yeong.”
The number above his head was 8. Baek Jin-yeong spoke softly and smiled.
I spat out the alias I had decided to use.
“I’m Jung Woo-hyun.”
Anyway, it was impossible to hide the fact that I’m from South Korea once we start the conversation. It would be best to use a completely fake name in preparation for any arising variables. After all, this place is different from the modern era I lived in; there are no CCTV cameras here.
Since only those under the 10th floor are gathered together, there’s no one around to take pictures with a terminal.
Even if someone sees my face, it doesn’t seem like they could spread it clearly.
‘Handle any arising variables as thoroughly as possible.’
The next person who approached me with a bright smile was a brown-haired man.
“My name’s Jake. Nice to meet you!”
Jake introduced himself as an American while immediately asking for a handshake.
We shook hands. The number floating above Jake’s head was 6.
At that moment, Baek Jin-yeong, who had been standing back, scratched the back of his head and approached.
“I’m really glad to meet another Korean. Last time, during the exchange meeting, it was all Chinese and Japanese people, which was quite awkward.”
Baek Jin-yeong tried to keep the conversation going with the common ground of being Korean. It didn’t feel strange at all.
Feeling happy to meet someone from the same hometown is a very natural thing. Even without any tricks, this was a behavior pattern that could sufficiently happen.
“Is this your first Exchange Meeting?”
“Yes.”
“The tower might seem like it’s trying to kill all the players at first glance, but it’s not always like that. If the harmony among the players in the exchange meeting works well, it’s often easier to solve than the regular tower floors.”
This was what a senior pioneer had told me.
As long as we’re not unlucky enough to find ourselves stuck in an extreme situation like a sewer, this should be easier than Pandemonium Tower.
“May I ask which difficulty level tower you’re from?”
It seemed like he was conducting a thorough investigation. I mentioned both the alias I had prepared and the difficulty level I had already decided on.
“Normal difficulty.”
Baek Jin-yeong widened his eyes.
“Oh, I’m also from the Normal difficulty. I’m from Normal Tower Number 121.”
According to the notification window that appeared when I entered the second floor, the Pandemonium Tower where I currently reside is numbered 01. Based on what the Transcender Gallery members have said, it’s assumed that towers are generated when people start needing them.
The Normal Towers have reached as many as 121, which shows how overpopulated they are with summoned people, whereas Pandemonium Tower only needs to exist as a single entity.
Indeed, how perilous will my path be?
It was very daunting.
I saw Baek Jin-yeong try to open his mouth to say something more when a window appeared in front of the dungeon’s waiting room.
[You have been given 10 minutes to prepare.]
[Enter the dungeon once you’re ready.]
[10:00]
…
[09:59]
Why is there a restricted time for entry?
I touched the handle of the straight sword on my waist. This wasn’t an action born out of tension.
“Are you alright…?”
It seemed like the Japanese woman perceived that I was nervous.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“My name’s Misaki.”
Misaki, Floor 8.
I sorted out the people.
Baek Jin-yeong and me. Two Koreans.
And Jake, who greeted me, from Floor 6, an American.
Misaki, a Japanese woman.
The Chinese woman standing next to Misaki and Sun Haoran, who was the one to greet me first from Floor 7. Thus, two Chinese people.
Finally, the blonde woman yawning in the corner opened her mouth.
“Germany, Laura.”
One German.
In total, there were seven of us.
The number ‘9’ was above Laura’s head. Laura stretched and stood up.
“Is there really any preparation necessary? Someone with a shield, please step up to the front. And as long as everyone plays their part, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
Is her slightly arrogant attitude born out of confidence in her power?
Or is it confidence from being on the 9th floor? I couldn’t tell.
I’ll find out once the dungeon challenge begins. I intend to strictly aim for a one-person role this time.
Not too much, not too little; just act human.
My main objective is to observe others’ battles.
“I have a shield.”
Jake held up his shield and spoke. Laura nodded her chin, pointing at Sun Haoran.
“You should take the front line with Jake. I’ll stay in the center. Figure it out yourselves.”
“Alright.”
Sun Haoran accepted without much resistance. It seems like the pair with Misaki and the Chinese woman clearly form a party.
I can’t tell about the rest.
Laura, wearing leather armor, grinned at me.
“You have to take care of your own life. No one will be able to look after you here.”
Ah, yes.
I nodded obediently.
Weakling role.
It’s not bad. Instead, it’s a good position from which I can leisurely observe these people’s movements.
The gargling sound.
Jake pushed open the giant door in front of the notice window.
[You have entered the dungeon – ‘Cobalt’s Cradle’.]
…Cobalt?
I recalled the gallery browsing I did before going to sleep last night.
-Major Mage: Cobalts are stronger than goblins but weaker than orcs.
It seems Major Mage’s prediction of ‘What kind of monster dungeon would come up in the exchange meeting?’ ended up being correct.
So, I’m fighting enemies weaker than what I faced on the second floor?
I heard Jake’s voice.
“Ugh, Cobalts—they’re not pushovers, huh!”
?
Is that true?
Are Cobalts really tough? There’s no way to gauge what tricks these guys in front might have up their sleeves.
A few things senior members mentioned came to mind.
-Male Dragon King: Veltwi-, as with all species, the king is exceptionally powerful within the race.
– ? Strong even by Lord Dragon King’s standards?
-Male Dragon King: This is just level-appropriate education for Climber-sama. Veltwi- has a high empathy value.
Meaning, just be cautious of the Cobalt King.
A faint light was seeping through the darkness. Torches were hung all over the walls.
Upon entering the dungeon, I could feel moisture and dampness right away.
Screeeech!
A chain flew out from the giant crack between two stones. I kept my eye on Jake’s movement. Jake forcefully held up his round shield.
Clang!
The chain was deflected from the shield, losing its direction.
Swish!
Laura, who was standing at the back, stepped out with her longsword.
Fluidly, her figure darted towards the cobalt hiding behind the rocks. Her longsword pierced the cobalt’s shoulder.
Aaack!
A scream erupted from the cobalt’s mouth.
Laura didn’t kill it with one strike; she accurately delivered three sword strikes before cutting off its windpipe.
There wasn’t much form beyond cutting and thrusting.
Still, her combat sense wasn’t bad.
Kadook-!
Suddenly, rocks fell from the wall on the right. What I thought was just a narrower wall compared to the front turned out to be a trap.
The target of the spear flying through the cracks was my neck.
Kakgaek!
I deflected the spear’s trajectory with the straight sword I drew.
Pffft!
And I plunged the sword into the heart of the cobalt who threw the spear.
I could feel someone staring at me intently.
It was the Japanese woman, Misaki. Her gaze carried a question of how a Level 3 person could react this way.
I gestured with my chin and said.
“It’ll come flying to you too. Be careful.”
“H, high?”
Why doesn’t this get automatically translated?
Next, a mace was flying from the direction the spear came from, aimed at smashing Misaki’s head.
I grabbed Misaki’s shoulder and pulled her back before thrusting my straight sword into the chin of the cobalt wielding the mace.
And I pulled it out.
“As I said, be careful.”
“S, sorry…”
Misaki, who clung closely to the Chinese woman in the party state, awkwardly nodded her head.
“…You’re quite adept at combat for a Level 3.”
The voice of the Chinese woman reached my ears.
Yes, that’s an appropriate level of recognition. I intend to maintain the observer’s perspective during this exchange meeting.
*
[Elysian Gallery].
Even though Han Yuseong wasn’t present, the subject of their discussions remained centered around their only existing climber.
Title: He’ll be fine, right?
Author: Archmage
– The monsters’ level might be lower than Floor 2 of Pandemonium, but ultimately, the unpredictable factor is always humans.
n What problems can possibly occur? ㅇㅇ
n There’s no way there’d be someone from the 10th floor who exceeds Level 20 and uses sword energy during an exchange meeting.
n MainDeck: From what I’ve seen, climbers so far don’t easily believe in people they haven’t met in a long time.
n Ice Queen: Absolutely agree!
n Light Sword: We’ve given enough advice; it’s up to him whether he listens.
n Demon Dragon King: Veltwi-, evening snack advice also, please!
n Light Sword: Shut up
n Rather, wouldn’t it be more interesting if there was some variable?
n Pioneer: That’s true.
n Locked Room Theorist: Life expert ㅇㅇ
n Archmage: These people who are addicted to dopamine…
