Pick Me Up!

I ascended to the third floor, leaving Iselle behind.

From the first party to the third, it was a place reserved only for main combatants. The structure of the third floor wasn’t much different from the second; the most recognizable thing is that the training ground entrance was slightly wider. 

I walked towards my lodging.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

I stopped in my tracks.

Passing by the training grounds, I heard an unfamiliar noise. It was the sound of metal clashing against metal. I peered inside through the half-opened door.

“Velkist.”

There, in front of what looked like a human-shaped steel doll, Velkist was swinging his sword.

Swish! The blade sliced through the air with a piercing sound, leaving an afterimage as it darted in all directions. Sparks flew as the metal clashed.

“What are you doing? It’s late.”

I said as I entered the training grounds.

The sword stopped. Velkist turned to look at me, his narrowed eyes piercing.

“Oh, it’s you, senior. It’s been a month.”

“I just got here. Is something going on?”

“Nothing special. Just training.”

“It looks like you’re taking it out on a perfectly good dummy.”

“Don’t mind me.”

Velkist glanced at the dummy and then sheathed his sword.

His exposed forearm glistened with sweat. I looked down and saw that his grip was tearing his hand apart, and blood was flowing steadily. Velkist’s expression remained nonchalant as if it was nothing.

“Just give me a minute. Just one minute. Then, let’s have a match.”

“I was planning to go in and get some rest.”

“Just one round.”

I straightened up from where I had been leaning against the wall.

Velkist’s eyes turned cold. I hadn’t seen this expression on him much since we met.

Clang! Clang!! Clang!!! Clang!!!!

He kept striking down the doll, and the fourth and final strike shattered one of the dummy’s shoulders.

Broken pieces of metal scattered around.

“Ready?”

Velkist extended his sword.

“Sorry for not saying hello earlier.”

“If you call that a greeting.”

I chuckled and stepped onto the practice grounds.

Velkist’s eyebrows twitched.

“I don’t see a shield. Did you throw it away? Why are you wielding such a strange sword?”

“I’ve had quite a month.”

Swish.

I drew Bifrost.

The blade gleamed coldly under the training grounds’ lights.

“It’s a nice sword.”

“Are you jealous?”

“If I say that, will you give it to me?”

“That’s not happening.”

Velkist chuckled wickedly.

Then, he took a deep breath and suddenly charged.

As his feet moved, his arm swung. The sword in his right-hand thrust like an arrow.

Clang!

I blocked with the side of my sword.

Velkist’s attacks continued. Thrusts, upward slashes, and diagonal strikes, all flowed like water. I parried and dodged, saying as I did.

“It seems like something is bothering you.”

“It is what it is.”

I deflected the sword tip aimed at my groin.

He still showed no mercy.

‘He has definitely improved.’

Sharper and cleaner than what I remember.

As I blocked and dodged, the relentless attacks kept coming. Let my guard down for a moment, and blood would be pouring from my body.

‘His lower-level swordsmanship is at least Level 9.’

Learning from Ridgion allowed me to estimate Velkist’s skills a bit.

It was a noticeable growth. However,

I gripped the sword hilt.

I put strength into my toes, bent my waist, and swung the sword.

Whoosh! The wind screamed. There was no way to avoid it. Velkist brought the sword to meet mine. When the swords clashed, a dull sound echoed.

“Shi-at!”

Velkist, along with the sword, flew and slammed into the iron bars.

I lifted Velkist, who was about to collapse.

“If you’re going to fight, at least wipe the sweat off. Don’t go picking on someone while you’re already tired; you won’t even show your true skills.”

“You filthy… You’ve gotten stronger. Did you take some kind of potion? I thought I was going to break when I clashed swords with you.”

“That’s a company secret, buddy.”

We left the practice grounds.

Velkist put his nearly broken sword back in its sheath and muttered.

“But, you know, life is really strange sometimes. I never imagined I’d break so easily in front of a brat.”

“A brat?”

“Be careful, senior. Even from just the appearance… no, you’ll probably figure it out just from the appearance.”

The reason for Velkist’s anger became somewhat clear. I smiled and said.

“Is the newcomer really that strong?”

“The other four are worth a try. But there’s one problem. Do you know, senior? In your absence, they…?”

“I heard they reached the 25th floor.”

“Then, there’s no need to say more. That guy…”

Velkist’s expression seemed to darken as if he was remembering something, and there was a strong sense of displeasure in his gaze.

“Anyway, be cautious of that guy.”

“He’s not an enemy, so why bother? Having a strong guy around makes climbing the Tower easier.”

“They might not see it the same way. Anyway, I’ve said my piece. I’m heading out.”

Velkist put on his coat and headed outside the training facility.

As he left,

“Welcome back.”

He left with those words.

‘It’s pointless.’

We’re going the same way anyway.

I followed Velkist.

When I opened the door to the lodging, something strange caught my eye.

“Hmm…”

A woman in pajamas was dozing off on the sofa.

“Are you sleeping?”

“… “

No response.

Eloka stood with her back straight, tilting her head as she sat in a cross-legged position.

Why isn’t she lying in her bed but sitting here? I ignored her and walked past.

I surveyed the lobby’s corridor.

The layout had changed slightly. It had split into three paths.

“I see.”

I had a feeling I knew the purpose.

I headed to the left. Soon, a small parlor came into view.

And in the inner corridor, there were five doors.

‘He has categorized lodgings by parties.’

Until now, we had simply chosen rooms randomly, but now he was assigning rooms by party.

It was the concept of group living.

I looked at the clock on the parlor’s wall.

It was past 3 in the morning. I was getting sleepy. The empty one among the five is most likely my room. 

I entered it.

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