novelraw Chapter 138 : Chapter 138
Chapter 138 : Chapter 138
Chapter 138: Tower of Transcendence (1)
3 days later, 3 AM.
A full moon hung in the night sky without a single cloud.
Pale moonlight softly illuminated the quiet campus of the academy.
At this hour, there is no one passing by.
Because it overlaps with the dormitory curfew.
A small animal crossed over that silent path.
A black cat with a sleek physique.
[Cat (Mimicry)]
[Body Transformation Rate: 100%]
Naturally, it was me.
Normally, I cannot stroll around proudly like this at dawn.
Because CCTV and security drones installed everywhere are glaring, managing the cadets.
But a cat is an exception.
Who cares about human rules.
I walked toward the destination with hurried steps.
The day the full moon rises is the day the power of the Moonlight Stone becomes strongest.
Also, it was the day special power could be used when the Moonlight Stone is fully charged.
‘Though there is one condition.’
I stopped in front of a building.
A skyscraper soaring infinitely high.
It was the main building tower, a scale of dozens of floors above ground, like the symbol of Zero Academy.
This place possessed the condition for activating the Moonlight Stone.
‘The main gate is naturally locked. The side door won't work either. The same goes for the windows, but.’
At dawn, naturally, all entrances are blocked.
However, that too was merely a human standard.
‘I have a route I scouted in advance.’
I pushed my head into the gap of the ventilation opening touching the ground at the back of the building.
Once the head goes in, the body follows like liquid.
That is the creature called a cat.
Infiltration success, just like that.
Although the elevator was flashing in the lobby, I rode the railing of the stairwell.
I refuse to have talk going around that a cat riding an elevator appeared on CCTV.
The rooftop I arrived at after climbing for a while.
As I approached the railing, the panoramic view of the academy unfolded below the wide-open view like a museum exhibition model.
“Phew.”
When I deactivated mimicry, the cool night air brushed against my skin. It’s a bit regrettable not having fur at times like this.
I took out the Moonlight Stone from my bosom.
The stone, imbibing the moonlight, was vibrating with a humming sound.
“Preparations are done.”
The usage method is simple.
In the setting, the Moonlight Stone is a key that opens the door to dimensions.
And the activation condition it required was precisely altitude.
I stood in front of the railing, extended my hand, and let go of the Moonlight Stone.
This simple method was enough.
“…….”
The Moonlight Stone did not fall.
It was floating in the air, just like the moon rising in the sky above.
The Moonlight Stone vibrated quietly as if pulsating in the empty air.
FLASH-!
It burst forth a sharp flash in an instant.
Simultaneously, the empty air shattered like glass, and a crack of pure white light opened its mouth.
[Do you wish to enter the ‘Tower of Transcendence’? Y/N]
‘Of course.’
I made all sorts of preparations for this; there is no reason not to go.
I threw my body into the crack without delay.
***
The feeling of riding the world's most intense roller coaster lasted only for a moment.
At some point, I was standing on a landscape completely different from the rooftop just before.
An endless winter field was spread out.
And right in front of me stood a massive jade-colored tower soaring through the clouds.
‘Tower of Transcendence’
It was a beautiful structure formed of ice and jade.
Just as I was about to be lost for words at its overwhelming majesty and fall into appreciation mode.
[To think you knew the method to use the Moonlight Stone admirably]
A clear voice resonated directly inside my head.
Simultaneously, white light was formed in the empty air in front of the tower.
The light took the form of a person in an instant.
Pure white hair that seemed to dazzle the eyes, white eyebrows, pale white skin, and even pure white clothes.
A woman covered entirely in achromatic colors.
Only her turquoise pupils nobly bore color.
‘White Deer.’
A divine beast manifested in human form.
‘This person, she originally appears here for the first time.’
Originally, this should have been the first meeting.
If you move dimensions through the Moonlight Stone, you move here, to the Tower of Transcendence.
Then, the thought form of White Deer, who manages the tower, appears and reacts by asking ‘Who are you?’—that is the development.
But the plan got twisted, and I destroyed part of the sanctuary, and thanks to that, an ultra-high-performance surveillance camera named [Blue Moon Imprint] is already attached to my body.
So greetings like ‘Nice to meet you’ were omitted.
White Deer’s eyes scanned me down.
[From what I have observed, it seems you have no special backing, yet your knowledge is quite bizarre. Just what and how much do you know?]
“You speak of privacy invasion proudly.”
I shrugged and passed it over simply.
Since I had no obligation to answer.
[Are you applying human rules to me?]
White Deer snorted.
Anyway, this is why existences called Transcendentals are tiring.
Even though she wouldn't leave it be if someone followed her around 24 hours a day watching her.
[Impudent. However, it is a fact that you reached here, so I shall inform you]
White Deer rolled up her white sleeve and pointed at the tower.
She seemed about to bring up the main subject.
Because White Deer is the manager and guide of the tower.
‘But these are stories I already know.’
The background of the establishment of the Tower of Transcendence, long-winded, pedantic, and boring explanations about what rewards await…….
I read a bit when playing for the first time, but from a certain point, explanations that I skipped mindlessly would follow.
[This is a place that tests the limits of mortality. Those who wish to become heroes become the strongest, and villains who ascend become the most wicked. Anyone who transcends themselves]
“Yes, yes. Thank you for the good words.”
[Where are you going?]
I nodded roughly and passed by White Deer.
There is no skip button that would naturally exist if this were a game, so it can't be helped.
I have no choice but to force my way through like this.
‘This space is time-limited. I can’t waste precious time listening to long-winded explanations.’
When the power of the Moonlight Stone charged with moonlight runs out, I return to reality as if ejected.
There is also an item I must obtain today.
For me, every minute and second is precious.
[Stop. I said listen to the explanation]
If you don't like it, make a skip function in reality too.
Above all, transcendence? Overcoming the limits of mortality? The pretext is good.
However, among [Heroes Zero] users, the existence of this tower was already famous.
The true identity of the tower was also already concluded.
‘A Ponzi scheme by Transcendentals.’
A kind of hope torture content made by guys who already transcended, calling it an elite course.
Even in the game right now, if you go up past a certain number of floors, it is impossible to clear even if you are plastered with end-game stats and final equipment.
They probably set the concept of ‘transcendence’ infinitely high, but from a user's perspective, it was just shitty content that couldn't be cleared.
‘The answer is just to suck honey for growth by repeating the lower floors.’
Especially, this time the goal is the 2nd floor.
If I pierce through just there, I can obtain an item that might change my fate ahead.
Obtaining that as soon as possible is the priority, so I have no leisure to listen to White Deer’s long-winded lecture.
[Do you wish to die in vain? I shall explain what kind of place this is, so listen carefully]
“Just looking at it, it seems to be dozens of floors high, so isn't it obvious? Even the name is blatantly Tower of Transcendence. There will be a trial on every floor, right? Since you said it’s preparation for transcendence.”
White Deer fell silent at my words.
“If you take out all the long-winded stuff, isn't that the core? Isn't it? Weren't you planning to explain this simple thing incredibly lengthily?”
[That is]
White Deer started to speak but stopped.
I hit the nail right on the head.
I continued walking without stopping, and as I reached the entrance of the tower, a single mirror was blocking the way where a massive door should be.
[Challenger]
Perhaps offended because the introductory explanation was cut off, the voice of White Deer following behind became much stiffer.
[If you wish to pass here, you must prove it. Whether you have the resolve to destroy yourself.]
The tutorial to enter the tower.
A mirror is blocking the entrance.
So I just have to destroy it.
Just breaking a mirror; if you think about it like this, it seems like a simple task, but.
THUMP-!
I hit the mirror lightly with my fist.
Then, a throbbing pain was transmitted to my fingertips.
The impact I applied returned exactly to my fingertips.
‘Damage reflection.’
This was the secret of this test.
A mirror is blocking the way? I have to break it.
If I attack recklessly like this, I receive that attack back exactly as it is.
And the mirror is made not to break no matter how hard I strike it.
Then how should I break this?
Actually, White Deer already gave the answer.
‘Resolve to destroy yourself.’
She blatantly spoon-fed the answer.
I stared into the mirror.
The me reflected in the mirror was making a different expression from the me in reality.
Like a scene that would appear in a horror movie, a guy twisting the corners of his mouth and sneering.
‘Making an expression like that makes me look like a jerk.’
It’s my face, but my fist goes up first.
I should live without sneering at others.
‘Let’s see.’
I pinched my cheek hard.
Then, the me in the mirror who was giggling and sneering grimaced.
‘In the end, it’s this.’
It ignores and reflects attacks applied from the outside, but the pain I inflict on myself is transmitted to that guy too.
And the moment the me in the mirror cannot endure the pain and gives up, the mirror is set to break.
In the game, it was a system where the mirror breaks if you cut your own HP by about half, but where would the limit be here?
Anyway, the core is that only those who are resolved to harm themselves pass.
The first tutorial can be said to have a quite maniacal composition.
But there is no problem.
Because it is my area of expertise.
[Pain: Electric Shock]
[Pain is converted into the pain of electric current.]
I raised the output without hesitation.
ZZZT-!
A terrible thrill flowed along my nerves.
A hot and intense sensation raced while burning my nerves.
Muscles contract on their own and my mind becomes dizzy.
“Phew…….”
A sigh leaking out automatically.
And a change was occurring in front of me as well.
[Aa, Aaaaaaack!]
A heavy and horrific scream burst out from the mirror.
The eyes of the clone in the mirror rolled back, and his mouth gaped open as if it would tear.
His whole body was convulsing roughly.
The expression that was arrogant as if sneering until just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen.
Only primal fear remained in his pupils.
“Bastard, you’re exaggerating.”
It was familiar to me.
Because I have experienced this level of pain as often as eating meals.
But that guy was different.
It seems he only shares my senses but failed to copy things like resistance or mental strength.
Then there is no problem.
I increased the output once more.
His scream became rougher.
***
White Deer stared at the back of the boy standing in front of the mirror.
‘I felt he was extraordinary since I faced him at the sanctuary, but’
The more she looked back, the more bizarre a human he was.
A relaxed attitude as if everything was already an expected flow.
It was qualitatively different from the recklessness possessed due to stupidity.
Just what is the identity of this boy, and where did he obtain the knowledge?
And now.
The boy was performing an eccentric act that couldn't be understood once again.
In front of the mirror, a rough and dangerous energy fluctuated from the boy's body.
And at the same time, an unbelievable spectacle unfolded.
[Aa, Aaaaaaack!]
The boy in reality stood still without even a movement, but only the clone reflected in the mirror began to writhe madly.
‘Is this possible?’
White Deer’s eyebrows shot up.
The mirror was already reaching its limit.
The clone’s body distorted and twisted.
Incessant shrieks burst out from that mouth.
However, the boy calmly watched that scene.
The Tower of Transcendence does not discriminate against challengers.
If one reaches here, it accepts them regardless of whether they are strong or weak, a righteous hero, or a twisted villain.
However, there is one common point among all of them.
The fact that they inevitably learn humility in front of this mirror of trials.
The process of destroying oneself.
That is fair to everyone.
Because all creation is equal before pain.
No matter if it is a hero who has built great achievements, or the worst villain.
The moment one faces the pain of crushing one's own flesh and burning one's bones, weakness is bound to raise its head.
In the process of destroying oneself harshly, one ends up making the exact same expression as the clone in the mirror.
However, this boy in front of her eyes was different.
Not a shred of fear was felt from him.
Rather, an appearance as if he was familiar with it and even dominating it.
He was merely looking down calmly at his clone suffering in pain.
White Deer felt a sensation of heaviness in a corner of her chest.
A sensation she thought she had forgotten as a divine beast and also as a Transcendent.
‘Me, towards a mere human?’
For a fleeting moment, White Deer shuddered.
CRACK-!
With a sharp rupture sound, the mirror that reached its limit shattered into pieces.
Beyond the scattering fragments, the boy was leisurely moving his steps as if nothing had happened.