Chapter 14

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 2, 2025

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5 a.m.

Recently, Ari, who I’ve gotten a bit closer to, is snoring away.

Lumi is sprawled out, belly up, sleeping like a log.

Even the shopkeeper—no, the shop owner—

Arc is also asleep, breathing softly.

Yo-Hena’s day begins.

Though magic is in place, just in case anyone left behind might feel cold, she adds a bit of firewood to the stove.

Taking in the chilly morning air, she skips her way to the sanctuary of revelation.

“Good morning, Sister Yo-Hena!”

“Nice to see you, Sister Anna.”

Though their hometowns may differ, every time she meets the saints gathered in the sanctuary, they exchange greetings.

The frost, dust, and muddy footprints from last night—

The traces left by nature and humans—clearing them marks the start of her work.

Prayer.

Reflecting on whether she’s walking the right path.

Discussion.

The saints gather to interpret the words of the revelation, sparking lively conversations.

Before she knows it, the morning sun rises.

From then on, it’s counseling time.

Even though they’re heroes.

Behind their strong exteriors, they’re just pure and delicate maidens.

It’s only natural they’d have worries.

So, she listens to their concerns and offers solutions.

Sometimes, just listening solves the problem.

Other times, lightly suggesting a direction helps.

For questions even Yo-Hena can’t answer, she promises to ponder together.

Today was supposed to flow like that, but…

“Yo-Hena, you’ve been working hard since morning.”

“……Arc?”

Though the counseling room is divided so they can’t see each other, the sly yet affectionate and soft whisper—

Yo-Hena’s ears were certain whose voice it was.

“Can the shop owner also get counseling?”

“……Yes. And this is anonymous.”

“Aha!”

From beyond the unseen wall, the chair creaks.

And a faint scent—no, fragrance—wafts through.

Something warm, something cozy, something manly…… sweat…… smell……?

The unfamiliar scent, one she’s rarely encountered, lightly tickles Yo-Hena’s nose.

Feeling the air in the room grow a bit warmer, Yo-Hena clears her throat.

“……By the way, Arc, the hood?”

“Haha.”

Oddly, his voice sounds clearer.

Yo-Hena furrows her brow.

But it’s still early.

Probably nothing serious……?

As Yo-Hena holds that thought in her head.

“Yo-Hena, you’ve been troubled lately, right?”

“……Huh?”

Counseling is something she offers to the heroes.

But suddenly, Arc’s reverse psychology throws her off.

“It’s only natural to be troubled.”

……?

Troubled……. Of course. Because of your reckless affection……!

“We’re just doing what we’re supposed to do.”

At Arc’s calm voice.

Yo-Hena feels her world momentarily crumble.

That’s, what you’re supposed to do……?

Men and women, doing, that……?

Babies are made, right?

……No.

Bringing new life into the world…… is natural, right?

“Those efforts, those pains, make us stronger.”

Pain…….

At first, it’s painful, right? Ari didn’t look so good.

But.

Setting aside strange thoughts, it’s just kissing, right?

Why is that painful?

Do lips get chapped……?

Yo-Hena’s thoughts start to spiral.

But.

At Arc’s next words.

“Saint, you can do it too. You’re an indispensable part of our party. Even if you’re just quietly in the background now, your time will come soon.”

Yo-Hena’s brain circuits go *pop*!

Whwhwhwhwhwhat……?

Me, me too?

Me?

Me kissing……? Babies……?

I’m not mentally prepared…….

“Just think about working harder from now on, for us.”

Ugh.

Ughhh…….

“Take care today. I’ll be off now.”

“…….”

Lips twitching.

But Yo-Hena couldn’t say a word.

Just.

Clutching her cheeks, now fully flushed red.

For Yo-Hena, who genuinely believes kissing leads to babies.

Today’s conversation was way too stimulating.

* * *

Today’s the day we officially tackle the 5th floor.

After finishing my early bird run this morning, I headed straight to the sanctuary of revelation.

Because Yo-Hena seemed really down yesterday.

It makes sense.

Ari and Lumi are pulling their weight in the tower and my shop.

But Yo-Hena?

She’s just a buff totem who can’t earn her keep.

No notable achievements.

Colorless, odorless.

But that can’t be.

The game’s starting to deviate from the original.

Who knows how long we can keep overpowering with DPS and levels.

Plus.

Losing confidence at work is a sign of quitting……!

Quitting is not allowed, quitting is bad!

If you’re gonna quit, find a replacement first!

So, to boost Yo-Hena’s confidence.

I actively applied the psychological counseling techniques I learned in my ‘Human Behavior and Psychology’ class.

Casually asking.

Empathizing.

Encouraging.

Reinforcing purpose.

Finding meaning.

Judging by how Yo-Hena’s voice trembled more and more.

My counseling must’ve been a huge success.

Anyway, problem solved!

Ding──

By the way.

Lately, mysterious alarms keep popping up on my smartphone.

[(SYSTEM) Unable to verify due to lack of permissions. (43/100)]

Is it loading? I thought so, but…

When I checked the previous alarms…

[(SYSTEM) Unable to verify due to lack of permissions. (65535/100)]

…There have been overflows like this before.

The numbers are always different. Sometimes it’s 84, sometimes 36, whatever.

Are multiple “no permissions” loading at the same time?

Well, let’s assume that.

Anyway.

Time to head back to the Guild House, wake up the sleepy dog and our shopkeeper, and prepare for today’s climb.

Goal is the 5th floor.

Front and center!

—

[Tower of Wishes 5th Floor – Tynia’s Illusion Area 1]

[★☆☆: Break through the canyon.]

[★★☆: Break through without anyone falling.]

[★★★: Purify the area within 10 minutes 00 seconds.]

Up to the 4th floor, all main missions were about defeating all enemies.

But starting from the 5th floor, various clear conditions are added, making it more difficult.

And…

From the 4th floor, it was like…

“Ah, so that’s how it is. That’s how it turned out, but as the current Revelator, I can’t know for sure. Well, maybe it could turn out that way. But at this point, what I can tell you is…”

If avant-garde settings and tutorials were happening simultaneously…

Finally, a proper story development──

“Kyahaha, are you the hero party? You look so lame!”

The enemy forces have officially appeared.

That sassy girl floating in the air is the 5th-floor boss, Tynia.

A design so soft it ranked 4th in popularity polls!

From unconditional “Nuuooong” lovers…

To those who believe violence is the cure for sassiness…

Or those who drag her to Pix■v and go “Muhuhu” over her…

All those dark desires were embodied in the design right before my eyes!

“Nuuooong.”

“…Arc?”

“Ah, no. Just suddenly…”

Hot.

Unknowingly, my brain circuits merged with those extreme child lovers.

I took a moment for psychological therapy while looking at Lumi’s massive shaking… assets.

“What, you came here without a Revelator? You really are a bunch of lame fools! Try your best! Even if you break my illusions, I doubt you can break through the area! Kyahaha!”

Hmm.

Is she provoking me?

Even if I’m just a pseudo-Revelator…

A naughty girl like that needs PUNISHMENT.

“Let’s break through the 5th floor today.”

“Woof!”

“Ugh! I was getting annoyed too!”

“…We need to make her repent.”

Our “lame fools” heroes seem a bit scratched too.

Everyone’s full of motivation!

“Let’s go. Follow my instructions from now on.”

First, let’s break through the canyon ahead.