Unfortunately, the other doors didn’t hold treasures like golden eggs.
But that didn’t mean there were no rewards.
Items like the Sky Feather Quiver or Cloud Leather, rare and valuable items impossible to obtain in ordinary trials, were abundant behind each of the doors.
Seun’s equipment was immediately upgraded with some of them, and if the materials were given to Go Chang-seok, he seemed capable of crafting even better equipment than what they had now.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes.”
“Ehehehe, I’m excited!”
And finally, Diablo and the Valhalla Guild set foot at the end of the 90th floor.
As brilliant light enveloped everyone, a dazzlingly beautiful world revealed itself.
– Welcome to the tenth Shelter, Shining Sky ‘Scheinen.’
Shining Sky, Scheinen.
If Seun’s expectations were correct, this was likely the last Shelter of the Tower.
As soon as they arrived, exclamations of admiration burst forth from the people.
“Oh my god…….”
“I thought it would be the sky, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”
“Amazing…….”
It was understandable. Even Seun from before his regression couldn’t help but be amazed the moment he arrived at Scheinen.
Having barely managed to conquer the hellish trials of the 90th floor, he was so relieved that he almost collapsed on the spot.
‘It’s still beautiful even now.’
Seun looked around.
Like its epithet, Shining Sky, Scheinen was built on clouds that emitted a soft light.
It was as if another sun was positioned below the clouds forming the floor.
There was even a subtle warmth rising from the clouds, easing tension, making him think that his assumption might not be wrong.
“I thought the most beautiful Shelter was Elheim, but I have to correct myself.”
“Elheim is Elheim, but this place is really…….”
“It’s beautiful.”
The first thing that caught the eye was the wide-spreading road.
The road was harmoniously decorated in gold and white, with a soft light spreading widely.
Streetlights that illuminated it were engraved on the left and right, and a fountain was located in the center of the road.
In the center of the fountain was a statue of a baby angel, and around it, statues of the four archangels stood holding weapons as if guarding it.
Everything else visible in the surroundings was so beautiful that one could believe it was created by an artist rather than an architect.
“But over there, it looks like they’re coming this way?”
“Surely they’re not going to attack us, are they?”
“First of all, everyone be on guard. We don’t know what might happen.”
“Yes.”
The angels were approaching from afar.
They clearly looked like residents of this place.
It was rare for residents to approach players first in a Shelter, so both guilds braced themselves.
However, the vigilance quickly dissipated.
“Welcome, brave warriors!”
“……Warriors?”
They were welcoming them with open arms.
The angels in the front led the way with their weapons, and the little angels in the back created the atmosphere by blowing trumpets and playing harps.
Thanks to this, all the guild members of Diablo and Valhalla were wide-eyed.
“Um, Seun. What’s going on?”
“Enjoy it. It’s usually like this. But…….”
Seun’s expression changed.
Even in Seun’s memories, the residents of Scheinen were friendly to players. Showing such a welcoming greeting was also the same.
But.
‘I don’t think they called us warriors before.’
The title was a bit strange.
Moreover, the number of angels who came to greet them seemed even greater than before the regression.
Of course, it could be interpreted that there were more people who had climbed up than before, but something felt off.
“Didn’t the residents usually avoid us in other Shelters?”
What was the reason why players were avoided in other Shelters in the first place?
Too many players were flooding in.
As a result, the existing society was shaken, and even the number of players committing crimes increased.
As their territories were taken away and public safety was threatened, the residents had no choice but to avoid players.
Well, Plaka was a bit different, though.
“The standards are a bit different here.”
In contrast, Scheinen was different.
In the first place, the number of players who climbed up to this point was extremely rare.
As Seun remembered, only the guild where the Red Dragon was located had made it this far.
‘Ah, there’s one more.’
And the one who could be called the originator of the ‘Hamelga Longsword Style,’ the swordsmanship Seun used.
The legendary Sword Emperor (劍帝) [a title denoting the greatest swordsman], Francis Hamel.
That would be all.
To be honest, even Seun before his regression had never seen someone like Francis Hamel.
‘Still, it’s clear that he exists.’
In the past, Seun saw his figure in the Ice Castle he visited as a hidden piece. Although it was a remnant of the past, he clearly had a conversation with him.
Perhaps, he might be able to meet him this time.
‘He said carrot cake, right?’
Francis Hamel’s last words, a playful tone that he hated carrot pie so much.
It might not be practical, but it wouldn’t be bad to ask Kim Mi-jeong to prepare a carrot cake later.
After all, it wouldn’t spoil if he put it in his subspace pocket.
“For so many warriors to appear like this! It’s truly a blessing!”
“A blessing…….”
“Come this way! We will serve you to the best of our ability, though it may be lacking!”
In the end, the Diablo and Valhalla Guilds decided to follow them.
Brin Jarre laughed heartily and accepted their request, and Seun nodded as well.
“Welcome, warriors!”
“How long has it been since we’ve had warriors! It must be the guidance of God!”
“There are so many warriors this time!”
As they walked along, the angels who seemed to be ordinary residents also welcomed the two guilds.
It was hard to walk with their heads held high due to the unexpected welcome, with shouts of welcome and scattering of flower petals.
“It’s awkward.”
“Ehehehe! What does it matter!”
“Warriors, it feels like we have to do something…….”
The Diablo guild members were embarrassed and didn’t know what to do each time.
In contrast, Seun’s expression became more serious.
Warrior.
That title, which others just felt embarrassed about, felt very suspicious to Seun.
As they walked along the beautiful road, they were soon able to reach their destination.
The destination was a splendid building in front of the gate of a huge platinum castle where even a king might live.
“This is the place! After relieving your fatigue, please come to the Platinum Castle to pay your respects to the god.”
“God?”
“Yes, our god. Ah, there are warriors who arrived earlier in the building on the opposite side, so we recommend fostering friendships with them. Then, farewell.”
The angel at the forefront bowed deeply and bid farewell, and the other angels also lowered their weapons, bowed their heads as if paying their respects, and left.
“It’s nice that we don’t have to find accommodation, but it’s incredibly luxurious.”
“But isn’t it good? Isn’t it the best accommodation we’ve ever had?”
“Wow, it’s amazing!”
“How did they build it? I’m curious!”
“Let’s go inside and find the framework first!”
“Okay!”
The size of the building was enormous.
Diablo, Cheonghae, and even the Valhalla Guild.
Even though there were over three hundred people in total, the building accommodated all of them at once.
Even then, there were still several rooms left over.
“Did they have a prophecy or something? I wonder how they knew we were coming and built such a place.”
“It’s not like a prophecy.”
“Then?”
“It was the same even before the regression.”
“Ah, did they just build it big? But, why…….”
“Because the first player they encountered was so extraordinary. This huge hall is also for that.”
“That?”
“You’ll find out later.”
Seun nodded and chose a room.
He didn’t know how long he would be staying this time, but he didn’t bother unpacking.
Seun, who had a subspace pocket, didn’t have any luggage worth unpacking.
“Oh my, isn’t the room too empty? If you want, should I decorate it a bit for you?”
“No thanks.”
“I’m also confident in interior design, so call me anytime if you need anything~”
Since he was planning to leave soon anyway, he left the door open, and Arcana naturally entered.
“By the way, this place is amazing.”
“You said this was your first time here too?”
“I gave up on the trials above the stairs. Thanks to Wolf, I finally made it up here~”
Arcana.
The last place she reached was the 90th floor trial.
Since it was also her first time reaching Scheinen, she also seemed a bit excited, unlike before.
“Look around calmly. There’s probably more to see than Plaka.”
“Araumi and Da-un were already asking me to go out with them~”
“Looks like you’ve become good friends?”
“Thankfully~ Ah, what are you going to do, Wolf? It’s my first time here too, so I’d like to hang out together if possible.”
“I don’t think I can right now.”
“Do you have any plans?”
“Rather than plans, there’s something I need to confirm.”
“If it’s something to confirm?”
Seun looked around and looked out the window.
Generally, the windows of lodging facilities like inns would be installed to provide a good view of the surrounding shopping district, but the windows here were pointing towards the Platinum Castle instead of the city center.
‘Warrior.’
The future can change. In fact, as Seun regressed, the Tower changed quite a bit from what Seun knew.
However, this case is different.
Changes have occurred in the tenth Shelter, which Seun could not influence at all.
Although it’s a minor change, such as the title changing, it was a change that could never be ignored.
Perhaps, if Seun’s expectations were correct…….
“It seems like there’s a regressor here who has gone back in time before me.”
There was a high probability that the first reverse-regressor that the 폐왕 [Pehwang, a term for a tyrant or absolute ruler] mentioned was here.
* * *
However, he did not head straight to the Platinum Castle. No matter how much of Seun he was, he had just conquered the 90th floor.
The mana that had filled the nine circles like the sea had been used to its limit and was dried up, and even the muscles throughout his body were screaming.
– Master, I’ll rest for a bit…….
“Rest well, Tureik. You’ve worked hard.”
– Okay. Haaam…….
Tureik was also pushing himself too hard.
Since Solomon’s Key also had a cooldown, he decided to take a break.
Although he had consumed a lot of power, his overall recovery ability had increased as his tier rose, so he was able to recover quickly.
Moreover, thanks to the potions that Lee Ha-neul personally manufactured and distributed for everyone who was tired, his body was full of energy.
‘Shall we go now.’
There was no need to inform anyone, so he quietly left the room.
He had explained the situation to Yoo Seo-ah in advance, so he left the accommodation without hesitation and quickly arrived at his destination.
In the first place, Seun’s destination was the Platinum Castle right in front of the accommodation.
“Warrior, have you come!”
“I came because I wanted to see the ‘god’.”
“You must be tired, but already! I understand. I will report it immediately.”
The angels guarding the Platinum Castle saluted vigorously and carried out their assigned duties.
And after a while, the splendid gate of the Platinum Castle opened, and the angel with two pairs of wings who had welcomed Diablo and Valhalla first approached with open arms.
“Welcome, warrior! Please come in quickly!”
The Outer [likely referring to an outer area or guardian] of the tenth Shelter.
If Seun’s expectations were correct, it would be in the basement of this Platinum Castle.
Perhaps, even the first regressor that the 폐왕 [Pehwang] mentioned.