In the past 30 days, Kael had learned a lot from Kaede Shirayuki.
And to be honest, her training was really amazing.
He had somewhat understood why so many people wanted to take her as their master.
Because in just 30 days, Kaede had turned Kael, who knew nothing about fighting, into someone who could be called a professional.
"Thank you very much, master!"
He knelt before the guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild.
It was all to express his sincerity.
"...To be honest, at first, I didn’t see anything called "potential" in you."
Suddenly, she said something unrelated.
"What about now, master?"
Kael asked again, still in the same position.
"I still can’t see any potential or anything like that in you."
"You’re just an ordinary person after all, but you’re also very special. As for how special you are, I don’t know."
Kael didn’t know what else to say.
Was this a way to humiliate someone?
"...If that’s the case... if there’s a next time, will you still teach me?"
"...From the start, this was a deal."
Kaede paused, glanced at Hans beside her, and then continued:
"The only person I wanted from the start was Hans, because I could see great potential in him. You’re just... a side dish. Of course, I don’t mean any harm."
On the other hand, the protagonist was looking at the two of them in a daze.
Why was he suddenly dragged into this conversation?
And not only that, he was being compared to Kael.
"Therefore, next time I won’t continue teaching you. It’s a waste of time."
"Huhuhuhu! Evelyn, I’m being bullied."
Kael, like a child, rubbed his face against Evelyn’s ample chest.
Actually, he wasn’t so sad that he actually cried, but if he didn’t, there was no way his face would be buried in her chest .
"Stop crying, I know you’re just pretending."
The villainess replied harshly.
She bluntly kicked Kael out of heaven.
With the look of someone who had just been betrayed, he gently let her go, then laid his face on the bed.
Lying motionless like a fish out of water.
"Evelyn doesn’t love me anymore. Huhuhuhu..."
She sighed helplessly, rubbing her temples as she approached Kael.
"Wake up, I have a gift for you."
He sat up, as if nothing had happened.
Evelyn’s gifts had never disappointed him.
With an expectant gaze, quite like a puppy, he looked at her.
"I’ve observed you a lot, and I’ve noticed that whenever you’re stressed, you’ll often play with sharp objects, like dagger blades."
Even Kael didn’t notice that!
"That’s very dangerous, and I don’t want you to continue."
She walked over to the cupboard, and opened the first drawer.
"But I know that just talking about it won’t do anything, because it’s your habit after all. And since you’ll be going to the 22nd floor without me in a while, I can’t control you."
Then, she took out the thing, and threw it at Kael.
"And it’s also prepared to emit my scent."
"But why did you give me this?"
"Whenever you feel restless, upset, or stressed, just smell it."
This was truly the best gift he had ever received.
"I will treasure it."
He carefully put the handkerchief in his pocket.
At that moment, the two of them received a notification from the system.
[The 22nd floor has officially started!]
"Oh, so this is what you call a ’system notification’?"
Leaning against the wall, Evelyn expressionlessly stared at the notification that had just appeared.
"It’s time for me to go."
"Don’t die. Only I have the right to kill you."
Causing him to giggle.
The villainess always made Kael understand what happiness was.
Opening his eyes again, Kael realized that he was in a giant room.
No, the hall was more accurate.
And here, besides him, were many other people.
This time, the number of participants was many times more than usual.
All 100 Rankers would participate in the 22nd floor.
Because not long ago, everyone in the Tower received news that only those who participated in the 22nd floor mission could participate in the next 8 floors.
For the 100 Rankers in the Tower, that was no different from losing 800 Experiences.
Only a fool would not participate.
And because of that, many Climbers also participated on this floor.
Because they believed that things would become safer with more Rankers.
And maybe they were right.
At that moment, Hans’s voice rang out from not far away.
With a smile, he turned towards the protagonist.
But then stopped when he saw the person beside him.
’What an unexpected duo.’
"Sorry, I wonder if Kaede can join us this time?"
What a loving couple.
They absolutely did not want to be separated.
But Kael did not feel uncomfortable at all.
Because the guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild was a great resource.
"Of course. But as long as you and her follow me like the two of us have always done."
"Of course! Are you okay with that, Kaede?"
Then, when the time was up, the Tower began explaining the basic information about the 22nd floor.
Because Kael already knew everything, he didn’t pay much attention.
[Thus, the brief introduction of the 22nd floor has ended!]
[It’s time for us to get to the main point!]
Seven doors suddenly appeared.
And each door had a different size, luxury, and decoration.
Needless to say, the door on the far right was the most eye-catching.
And above that gate was a huge number.
Because that was the door that led to the Voidveil Empire.
[Each gate represents the faction you want to side with!]
[And each gate shows the percentage of victory that faction has in this war!]
It was obvious that when the last message ended, there was not a single person who did not run towards the door leading to the Voidveil Empire.
80% was too big a number.
"We will not enter that gate."
Kael spoke up, cutting off Kaede and Hans’ intentions immediately.
"Then which gate will we enter?"
The protagonist asked.
He did not answer, but turned his gaze towards the door on the far left.
A shabby-looking door.
And there was only a 0.000001% chance of winning this war.
That was the Dicathen Kingdom.
"Are we choosing that door?"
Kael only gave a short reply, then started walking towards that door.
In the game, Hans had chosen the door that led to the Voidveil Empire.
The Voidveil Empire won, the war stopped.
However, nearly half of the world’s population was destroyed.
So, most players agreed that it was not the most optimal choice.
— If Hans Varun was not controlled by the plot, then which choice would be the best choice?
That was a question from a gamer.
And surprisingly, the game developers actually answered that question:
— Follow the prince of the kingdom of Dicathen.
No further explanation.