‘So you’re going to find that ‘key’ thing?’

I chuckled.

‘I think I’ll see you often in the future.’

[00:00:00]

[Quest Success!]

A message appeared in my field of vision.

Quest success. There were no attacks after the initial assault.

[Mission has changed.]

[Mission Type – Escape]

[Objective – Escape from the city with the escort target.]

[※Notice]

[Since this is a quest that has already been cleared, adjustments will be applied.]

[Enemies disappear.]

A bright light flashed in the sky.

“What’s that?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I replied shortly.

On the opposite side of the street, Lizardmen turned into light and disappeared.

It probably wouldn’t be visible to Priasis’s eyes.

“Let’s head out. We’re going out through the north gate, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you ready?”

“I have all the basic items taken care of.”

Priasis looked at the backpack behind her.

A bag made of white leather was bulging.

“I’m done talking. You can come out.”

Three people walked out of the alley.

“What did you talk about?”

“Why? Are you curious? It’s just idle chatter with no real content.”

“Then, that’s fine.”

Velkist replied curtly and scanned the surroundings.

“The corpses are gone.”

“Oh? Really, they’re gone. It’s clean now.”

Eloka opened her eyes wide.

As the two of them said, the area that had been covered with Lizardmen corpses had suddenly become clean.

Priasis spoke.

“Whenever I’m with you, strange things always happen.”

“That’s true.”

I laughed and continued walking.

There was no need to delay. The monsters were gone, and after guiding them to the north gate, my job was done.

‘…’

As I walked down the street, I briefly pondered about this mysterious world reminiscent of a mobile game.

“Priasis Al Ragnar.”

I recalled the memories of the 15th floor.

We weren’t the first party who challenged it.

It was back when we were on strike.

The previous third party formed by Anytng with paid summons had attempted the challenge…

They had all been wiped out due to mission failure.

In other words…

‘Priasis has died at least once.’

The current Priasis was the second event.

‘No, is it the third?’

The mission process had changed due to this sub-quest.

‘It’s an unknown place.’

I sighed.

It hadn’t been ordinary from the beginning.

This world, which seemed to mock the laws of reality, felt like it was created for the sake of a game. People who were supposed to be dead were suddenly alive and well, healthy lives disappeared without warning, and cause and effect repeated and overlapped.

The more I delved into it, the less I understood.

In the end, I gave up on pondering it.

‘Regardless of what it is, I’ll return alive.’

My course of action remained unchanged.

I hurried my steps. The north gate was getting closer.

I stopped at the entrance of the village where the desert stretched beyond the horizon.

We couldn’t go any further together. An invisible barrier blocked our way.

“Will we see each other again?”

Before leaving, Priasis said.

“On the next floor.”

“The next floor?”

“It means we’ll meet again soon.”

“In that case, I’m relieved.”

Priasis smiled gently and looked back at us.

“I’m grateful for your help. I won’t give up. I’ll definitely live up to your expectations.”

Priasis’s figure faded away beyond the door.

[Quest Clear!]

[‘Han (★★★)’, ‘Jenna (★★★)’, ‘Eloka (★★★)’, ‘Velkist (★★★)’, ‘Neryssa (★★★)’, Level Up!]

[Reward – 100,000G]

[MVP – ‘Jenna (★★★)’]

[Special Reward!]

[A bonus stage will be unlocked.]

[Bonus stages can be attempted in the ‘Rift of Time and Space.’]

[Limit – 1 opportunity, 1 person only]

“Is it over?”

“Yes, it’s over.”

The village’s landscape began to be engulfed in light.

Jenna put away her bow and chuckled.

“There wasn’t anything special this time. I hope the 30th floor is like this.”

“It’s even more ominous. From my experience, if the front is easy, the back is tough. What do you think?”

“I agree.”

“No effort in your response.”

The light grew brighter and enveloped us.

When I opened my eyes again, it was a familiar place.

I immediately disbanded the party.

No one was injured, but it was a business trip after a long time. Fatigue must have built up. The members left without saying a word and headed upstairs through the Rift of Time and Space. Of course, I stayed on the 1st floor.

‘I can’t leave it behind.’

[‘Han (★★★)’ suggests.]

[Request – Complete the bonus stage]

[Will you accept?]

[Yes (Selected) / No]

Anytng must have been curious too, as she accepted it right away.

I started the strategy for the bonus stage.

Only one opportunity. It was a quest for one person.

The field was a labyrinth.

There were no special rewards for the bonus stage.

Just a complex maze with twists and turns. There were no monsters or traps either.

I continued to explore, memorizing the structure of the labyrinth one by one.

After about an hour, I was able to find the exit.

[Bonus Stage Clear!]

[Reward – 5,000G]

There was really nothing.

Not even the common treasure chest could be seen at the exit of the labyrinth.

‘Is it a dud?’

No, it couldn’t be.

Anyway, I had completed all the missions for the 25th floor.

Starting tomorrow, I will continue with the climbing of the 26th floor.

‘A desert.’

It seems that the field won’t change this time.

If my prediction was correct, the mission for the 25th floor was just the beginning.

As I said before, if it’s easy in the front, it’s tough in the back.

‘I know this game well.’

I laughed and left the Rift of Time and Space.