Pick Me Up!

Two days had passed since I received the analysis on Nord.

“Are you really going?”

Yurnet asked with a forlorn expression, looking down.

I was stepping onto the airship bound for Townia.

“Should I stay then?”

“Of course…!”

“No way? I need to go.”

“You’re too much.”

Yurnet glanced at me sideways.

I couldn’t stay in Niflheimr.

Staying here would make me complacent. I could never move forward.

There were things I had to take responsibility for in Townia too.

My second visit to Niflheimr wasn’t long, but I had achieved some meaningful results.

Firstly, I was able to raise my intermediate weapon skills to level 5 through duels with Ridgion.

Secondly…

‘Incredible.’

I had managed to grasp an outline of the method to ascend to a 7-star.

The synthesis of a master and a hero. I can’t be 100% sure. However, the completed hypothesis matched the information I had. It’s over 90% likely to be correct.

‘Trustworthy my foot.’

I chuckled bitterly.

Yurnet, Ridgion, and Nihaku came to see me off at the launch pad.

I can’t rely solely on those guys. If I don’t become stronger, it’s all for naught.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Ridgion bowed his head.

Nihaku waved her hand.

“Come again next time!”

“I’m not sure when that’ll be.”

“Once a week seems reasonable, doesn’t it?”

“I can’t come that often.”

“Ah.”

The stairs carrying me went up to the deck.

“Master, don’t forget to contact us this time, please.”

I entered the airship, ignoring Yurnet’s warning-not-warning.

The airship began to move. The guide this time was also Lydel.

It would take a day to arrive.

‘I need to change the operation method in Townia.’

Late at night, I spread out some papers on the desk in my cabin.

The current structure of Townia was drawn on them.

‘It’s a three-story building.’

Initially, heroes are assigned to the first floor upon summoning.

They live almost like beggars, eating only potatoes and water for a while.

Only after obtaining their roles do they move up to the second floor.

Though it’s a significant advancement from the early days of the waiting room, where everyone lived on one floor and controlled heroes through synthesis,

‘It’s still lacking.’

It’s somewhat primitive.

The scale of heroes has grown as large as it can, approaching 200 members.

It’s almost like a large village now.

‘We’ll increase it to at least 300.’

The rate of hero consumption in missions is too violent.

The reason is simple. An unexpectedly ridiculous difficulty level.

If this trend continues, many will die in each mission.

To quickly replenish the forces, we need to increase the pool of heroes.

For that…

‘Anytng better do a good job.’

My guide of strategies, named “The Book of Sky” by Iselle, includes such intermediate operational methods.

The core remains the same.

If you do well, you rise; if not, you fall.

Just maintain the basics while adding a bit of seasoning.

‘There are two viable operation models.’

The model I used in Niflheimr and the one once used by the legend who was ranked No. 1.

His active period was long before I became a ranker.

He was a true genius. If my guess is correct, he’s no longer alive.

‘…’

As I pondered, time flew by rapidly.

I opened my eyes to Lydel’s announcement.

A message indicating the location appeared on the right side of my view.

[Dimension 1935 – Townia]

Townia.

As I stepped onto the deck, the airship was entering the dimensional whirlwind.

Seeing me, Lydel saluted with a respectful tilt.

“It was an honor to serve you!”

“Honor, my foot. Don’t overdo it.”

“By the way, when will you return to Niflheimr…”

Lydel looked at me with a hopeful, yet subtly expectant gaze.

Was it Yurnet’s doing, or just pure sentiment?

“Who knows.”

I lightly dodged the question.

And then.

[Dispatch Complete!]

[‘Han(★★★)’ has safely returned from ‘Niflheimr’.]

[‘Han(★★★)’ is now under your control.]

[※The hero’s status has changed due to the dispatch effect. For more details, check the ‘Hero’ tab!]

Landgrid07 docked in the dimensional gap.

I stepped back into the waiting room, receiving Lydel’s salute.

“Then!”

Booom.

Not long after, the airship disappeared from view.

‘Hmm.’

I looked up.

The sky was tinged with a gloomy light.

Anytng was not connected; judging by the color, it was late evening.

Thud.

The sound of my footsteps echoed hollowly on the metallic floor.

I took a deep breath of air.

Exiting the dimensional gap, I headed straight to the second-floor plaza and then climbed the stairs to the third floor.

‘…’

It was dark.

The lights in the plaza were off.

I hadn’t encountered anyone on my way here.

Even though it was late, it was an unusual situation.

As I was about to enter my quarters, the stairs leading to the fourth floor caught my eye.

‘They’ve built a fourth floor.’

It seems the waiting room has changed in my absence.

I turned and stepped onto the stairs to the fourth floor.

Soon, the panorama of the fourth-floor plaza was revealed.

Fundamentally, it was similar to other plazas.

However, the difference was that it had expanded to the size of a large sports field, and instead of pathways leading to dormitories or training centers, an unfamiliar building stood.

I chuckled to myself.

A luxurious mansion that seemed straight out of a photograph stood there.

It was three stories tall, surrounded by a fence.

I think I understand Anytng’s intention.

He had built a private residence for me.

‘…This is unexpected.’

I opened the mansion’s front door and entered.

Inside the spacious hall, fanfare erupted, and then.

“Congratulations, Loki!”

Iselle, wearing a party hat, flew towards me.

Following her, the interior of the hall was revealed. The walls, decorated with balloons and paper, had a garish banner on the left side saying, “Congratulations on Your Appointment!”

“What’s all this?”

[Poo! Poo!]

Iselle blew a party whistle that shot out pieces of paper.

“I’m going to bed.”

[Wait, wait! Please! I worked hard on this!]

Iselle hurriedly flew towards me.

“What’s all this about?”

[It’s a celebration of Loki’s appointment!]

“Appointment?”

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