Chapter 28 - Autumn Rain Is Blood (1)

1

Silence fell.

It was a silence shared only between the attendant spirit and me. The Demon King's reward. Floor ninety-nine. I read the Demon King's reward over and over. The promise to transport me straight to floor ninety-nine kept circling through my head.

"It's a trap."

The attendant spirit spoke as though trying to cut off my thoughts.

"It's absolutely a trap. Zombie, don't fall for it."

'I... know. Of course it's a trap. Of course... '

I muttered inwardly. It was obvious that the Demon King's reward was a trap.

Because...

'There's no way that flaming bastard saw these options and didn't pick the Demon King's reward.'

I had a precedent: the psychopath of the century, Flame Emperor Yoo Suha.

'That flaming bastard definitely chose the Demon King's reward. He's the sort who'd say, so what if he killed other hunters? And yet... he was hanging around floor forty, not ninety-nine. Which means... '

I struggled to calmly think it through.

'The Demon King's reward is a trap. That flaming bastard probably picked it at first, found out it was a trap, and regressed again. I don't know exactly what kind of trap... '

But...

'... Honestly, it's tempting.'

My heart pounded.

'This is a chance to get the ninety-ninth-floor boss monster's skill.'

Even if the Demon King's reward was nothing but a trap, there was a crucial difference between the Flame Emperor and me. Unlike Yoo Suha, I didn't actually need to beat the boss monster.

Just going to the boss and getting beaten to death would be a win.

'The ninety-ninth-floor boss should be the strongest one aside from the hundredth-floor boss... '

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it.

'Floor ninety-nine.'

How long would it take to reach floor ninety-nine the normal way?

A year? Five years? Ten?

It might take even longer. Even the Flame Emperor, who slaughtered indiscriminately like a psychopath, had only reached floor forty after ten years. And I could cover all that distance.

All at once.

"Gongja."

The attendant spirit stared at me.

"Don't."

It was a tone I would never normally hear from him. He was looking seriously into my face.

"Look at me. I'm the Sword Emperor. I'm the guy who climbed to floor ninety-nine alone and failed. And I'm telling you, this is a trap. A sickeningly vicious trap."

"..."

"With your current ability, it'd be hard to kill all the top rankers down to number ten. And even if you did, that would still be a problem. You can never break through the wall on floor ninety-nine, no matter how hard you struggle. Give it up."

I stayed silent.

Was it because he was the only person in this Tower who had fought his way to floor ninety-nine? His words had the keen, steely edge of conviction.

'Is the ninety-ninth-floor boss monster that strong?'

The attendant spirit scowled.

"There isn't one."

'What?'

"There's no boss monster on floor ninety-nine. Instead, there's something much nastier... Tch. Goddammit. Now I'm remembering the old days. Anyway, it's a trap!"

The attendant spirit turned his back and sat down, like a little kid sulking because he couldn't have candy. I was a little taken aback.

'What on earth is waiting on floor ninety-nine? You're scaring me. I've never seen you act like this before, you know. What, is there a demon god waiting there instead of a monster?'

"Hmph. I'm not telling!"

I had misspoken.

He wasn't like a little kid. He was one.

"I hate to admit it, but you're doing well, Kim Zombie. Keep doing what you've been doing. Then you'll be able to clear floor ninety-nine naturally."

"Hmm."

I sank into thought, fingering the hilt of the dagger at my waist. The dagger I'd relied on each of the more than four thousand times I killed myself. The dagger I'd wielded to kill Yoo Suha. It was only a cheap dagger, but touching it helped calm me a little.

'All right.'

I made up my mind.

'I'm throwing away this run.'

The attendant spirit perked up his ears.

"Throwing it away?"

'Yes. I'm only going to take the safest route. Screw the benefits and rewards. For now, I'll just find out how things unfold.'

"Screw the benefits and rewards...? What? You're not going to take the [Goddess's Reward] either? Why? You don't need to go that far."

'It's fine. One step back to take two steps forward.'

The more urgent things were, the more important it was to take the long way around.

I slowly began to speak.

"Everyone."

The hunters in the audience chamber turned toward me.

"The reward for the eleventh-floor stage is displayed in front of me right now."

"Really? Good."

The Witch responded first. Was it because she hadn't yet seen the [Goddess's Reward] and [Demon King's Reward]? She was as expressionless as ever.

"I was getting bored wondering how long we'd have to wait for the quest. Once you choose your reward, we'll get to choose in ranking order. Take your time."

"Yes. I've already made up my mind."

Before the watching top rankers, I declared:

"I won't choose any reward."

Silence settled over the audience chamber. Even the Inquisitor and Viper, who had gotten out playing cards in the meantime, looked toward me. Three seconds. Two seconds. One second. After a brief silence, the Witch finally furrowed her brow.

"What?"

It was already too late.

[You are declining to select a stage reward.]

[You will no longer be able to select a special class.]

[If you forfeit your reward, you may only select roles from floor thirteen onward.]

[Are you sure?]

I answered with unwavering resolve.

"Yes. I, hunter Kim Gongja, will not select any reward."

The selection window floating before my eyes shattered in a flash. That wasn't all. A sacred voice and a gloomy voice rang through my head in turn.

[The Goddess of Protection questions your choice.]

[The Demon King of Autumn Rain laughs softly.]

The hunters looked dumbfounded.

"Kim Gongja? What have you just done...?"

"Hmm."

At that moment, the Sword Star narrowed his eyes. His seasoned gaze swept through empty air. In the eleventh-floor clearance rankings, I had placed first and the Sword Star second. Now, after me, he had read the [Goddess's Reward] and [Demon King's Reward].

"... I see. I understand. You chose the safest option."

The Sword Star looked at me.

"But was it really necessary to forfeit your reward, young man? Perhaps this is merely an old man's concern, but I worry that pursuing safety too far might leave you unable to move forward."

"Thank you for your concern. But I don't regret it."

"Hmm. Well, if you have no regrets..."

The old man hummed thoughtfully. The other hunters watched our exchange in bewilderment, their faces showing they had no idea what we were talking about.

"... No."

The Sword Star shook his head.

"Giving up the reward altogether is too timid an approach after all. Forgive me, young man. I will choose the Goddess's Reward. And I shall select [Commander of the Aegim Empire's Knights]."

CREEEAK!

It happened the instant the Sword Star made his decision. The great doors of the audience chamber opened. A group of knights marched in, wearing ornate silver armor. They reached the old man and knelt on one knee.

"We pledge our loyalty to the empire's highest sword!"

"Oh?"

The Sword Star looked down at the knights with interest.

"So this is how our roles are assigned."

"Hmm? Aha? I see?"

After the Sword Star came the Inquisitor, third in the stage clearance rankings. He tilted his head, then exclaimed, "Ah!" His face showed that he had finally grasped the whole situation.

"I see. I understand now too! Aha. It's like a game of Mafia."

Of course, aside from the Sword Star, the Inquisitor, and me, the hunters were still bewildered. The Witch knitted her brows.

"... I have no idea what you're all talking about."

"Don't worry! I'll show you right away!"

The Inquisitor spread both hands. Scritch, scratch. Letters began to be carved into the smooth marble floor. He was channeling aura into his fingertips to engrave the words in the marble.

"Everyone, take a look!"

The hunters gathered and looked down at the floor.

+

[Goddess of Protection]

Description: The goddess who protects the Aegim Empire has been moved by your devotion! She has decided to entrust you with an important imperial office.

.

.

.

+

The hunters murmured.

"What?"

"Floor ninety-nine? Seriously...?"

They hadn't reacted much while reading the Goddess's Reward. But when they reached the Demon King's Reward, the guild leaders' expressions changed. They were visibly shaken.

The Witch's face darkened in particular.

"This is..."

"Yes! It's similar to Mafia! For convenience, shall we call those who choose the Goddess's Reward [Heroes], and whoever chooses the Demon King's Reward the [Traitor]?"

The Inquisitor smiled brightly.

"But there's a crucial difference. The [Traitor] is at a much greater disadvantage than the mafia! There are as many as nine [Heroes], but only one [Traitor] at most. And we have the Vigilantes' deputy leader!"

The Inquisitor pointed at the Paladin. She was staring down at the marble floor with an impassive face.

"Remember! The deputy leader has the [Lie Detector] skill. Ahaha. In Mafia terms, she plays something like the cop. Even if someone here chooses the Demon King's Reward, that's fine! She can expose the [Traitor] right away!"

"Hmm... That's true."

The Paladin slowly raised her head.

"Provided you believe what I say."

"In any case, this game overwhelmingly favors the [Heroes]! Hunter Kim Gongja, forfeiting your reward was rather an excessive precaution!"

The Inquisitor adjusted his hat.

"You finally cleared floor eleven in first place, only to accept no reward at all. Hmm! That's a decision I find difficult to imagine making. With respect for your decisiveness, I shall choose [Supreme Commander of the Aegim Empire]!"

CREEAK.

The audience chamber's great doors opened again. General NPCs entered, their red cloaks billowing. They stopped before the Inquisitor and saluted smartly.

"Loyalty to the empire's highest banner!"

"Ah, splendid. I look forward to working with you!"

The general NPCs lined up behind the Inquisitor.

That was the deciding blow.

"Tch. I can't stand all this brainwork. Anyway, choosing a reward is better, right? Then I'll pick [Commander of the Imperial Guard]."

Viper chose.

"Then I'll select [Foreign Minister]. It seems the most straightforward."

So did the Paladin.

"... I'll take [Chancellor]. Please, I'm begging you, don't choose the Demon King's Reward. If nobody chooses it, it'll disappear on its own. Letting it vanish is the wisest course. Everyone, remember that."

And the Witch.

"Don't worry. Hmm. Well, naturally I'll be [Finance Minister]."

And the Count.

Every other hunter had selected a reward.

Before long, the audience chamber was filled with NPCs and their murmuring. Knights stood behind the Sword Star, who had chosen to command them, while civil officials lined up behind the Witch, who had chosen chancellor.

"Wow."

There was only one spot in the spacious audience chamber that stood empty.

Behind me.

"You really are the only one who didn't take a reward. Are you sure about this, Zombie? Even if you're throwing away this run or whatever, isn't this a bit much?"

'No.'

I was certain. Perhaps it was my instinct as a hunter.

'This is the right answer.'

When to pounce on prey and sink my teeth into it.

When to give up on a meal and quietly retreat.

I—

[Reward distribution is complete.]

I instinctively knew that now was the time to retreat.

[All top contributors have completed their selections.]

[Kim Gongja, Sword Star, Inquisitor, Viper, Paladin, Witch, Count...]

The voice echoed through the audience chamber. The hunters quietly exchanged glances as their names were called.

[Reward forfeited: 1.]

Everyone turned toward me. I was the only one here who had announced that I was forfeiting my reward. The voice had effectively testified that I had received no benefits.

For a moment, the hunters wore expressions that said, "He really didn't take a reward," and then...

[Recipients of the Goddess's Reward: 8.]

Their faces froze.

[Recipients of the Demon King's Reward: 1.]

The hunters looked at one another.

[Total: 10.]

[All top contributors have completed their selections.]

[We repeat.]

Silence fell.

[Reward forfeited: 1.]

[Recipients of the Goddess's Reward: 8.]

[Recipients of the Demon King's Reward: 1.]

[All top contributors have completed their selections.]

It was a long silence.

[May fortune be with you.]

2

GRIND.

The first thing to break the stillness was the sound of someone grinding their teeth.

"You fool...!"

It was the Witch, Black Dragon's guild leader and the second-ranked hunter.

"I told you! Never choose the Demon King's Reward. And yet... you idiot!"

Murderous intent poured from her. Her face was no longer its usual expressionless mask. Hatred. Contempt. Rage. Her features twisted beyond a mere scowl as she glared at everyone assembled.

"Of course. You can't reason with fools. Fine! As the master of Black Dragon, I declare here and now: I don't yet know who dared betray us, but I will give that person the most agonizing death possible."

"Hmm. How surprising."

The Inquisitor stroked his chin.

"This game puts the traitor at an overwhelming disadvantage. And yet they chose the Demon King's Reward... As the Black Dragon leader says, an exceedingly foolish choice! Aha. Of course, that foolishness also makes it infinitely human!"

"Ah... fuck."

Viper scratched vigorously at the back of his head.

"Yeah, I know. I know this atmosphere. This air. It's how things felt when we were clearing the Tower's early floors... My back and neck feel fucking cold. A few people are going to die today."

"Indeed. It feels like the days when the five great guilds were ten great guilds."

The Count opened a fan. The tone was gentle, but the eyes glaring over the fan were as cold as a wild beast's.

"So many died back then. And we killed so many. Didn't we?"

"Shut up! All of you, be quiet. This is no time to reminisce."

The Witch's face was contorted.

"Paladin!"

"Hmm."

"Question everyone with [Lie Detector] right now. Every single person! If anyone refuses to answer the Paladin's questions or evades them, I'll kill them right here!"

Everyone knew it wasn't an empty threat. The Witch radiated murderous intent, which rose through her aura like a heat haze. Pitch-black. An ink-dark aura. A color that cursed every light in this world.

"I intended to do that without being told."

The Paladin nodded quietly.

"First, let me state that I am not the traitor."

Then she turned and walked. The first person she approached was... none other than me. She stopped squarely before me.

"Hunter Kim Gongja."

"Yes."

"You forfeited your reward, so you're not a suspect. There may not even be any need to test you. Nevertheless, I will ask. Did you choose the Demon King's Reward?"

"No."

The audience chamber was still. Every hunter watched us.

After a few seconds of silence, the Paladin nodded.

"The truth."

Sighs of relief escaped here and there. Without pausing, the Paladin walked toward the next person.

TAP.

The audience chamber floor was laid with marble. Each of her footsteps rang out unusually loudly. Our eyes followed her steps.

"Sword Star."

"Speak."

"Did you choose the Demon King's Reward?"

The Sword Star crossed his arms.

"On all my honor, absolutely not."

"The truth."

TAP.

"Inquisitor."

"Yes! Ask me anything!"

"Are you the one who chose the Demon King's Reward?"

"I'm sorry, but..."

While no one else spoke, the Inquisitor's laughter rang out. It bounced off the marble floor and slid over the armor worn by the knights and generals.

"It wasn't me! I don't want to be killed by the Black Dragon leader just yet!"

"The truth."

TAP.

"Viper. Did you choose the Demon King's Reward?"

"Fuck. It wasn't me!"

"... The truth."

TAP.

"Count. Did you choose the Demon King's Reward?"

"... It wasn't me either."

"The truth."

TAP.

The air grew steadily heavier. When it was established that I wasn't the traitor, there had been sighs of relief. But one person. Then another. And another. With each declaration of truth, the audience chamber filled not with sighs but silence.

Like water rising little by little.

Before we knew it, the silence had risen to our chins.

"..."

"..."

The Paladin faced the Witch.

All the hunters except the Witch had already been questioned. This was the final interrogation. Facing the hunter who commanded what was said to be the Tower's strongest guild, the hunter considered second only to the Sword Star, the Paladin drew a deep breath.

She spoke.

"Black Dragon leader."

"... Yes."

"Did you choose the Demon King's Reward?"

There was silence.

"No... It wasn't me."

Silence followed again.

The Paladin slowly parted her lips.

"... The truth."

And at last, complete silence settled over us.

No.

We had sunk into silence.

"Wait... Then what?"

Viper looked around.

"Who is it?"

The Sword Star looked at the Witch. The Witch looked at the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor looked at the Count, and the Count looked at Viper. Viper cast an almost pleading glance at the Paladin, and the Paladin silently looked at me.

Everyone looked at everyone.

"Why is everyone saying it wasn't them...?"

But no one answered.

"Fuck! Who betrayed us?!"

No one.