213: The 10th Floor (part 2)

The 10th Floor (part 2)

Aito dissolved the "misunderstanding" between Roan and the two other challengers. The merchant actually gave George his due and Sheyla an apology. Aito did not give her any other choice but to accept.

Sheyla was being a bit unreasonable recently. Aito could understand her dislike of Roan. However, he felt that Sheyla was just looking for a punching bag more than anything else.

She went back into a corner of the cathedral without claiming her due, Ogoro followed after her for what looked like would be a heated discussion on her behavior.

George left to take a look at the gods' statues and his rewards from clearing the quest, half satisfied with how things turned out. He didn't want to oppose his monster of a boss, though, and choose to not pursue this matter any further.

Other challengers also checked their rewards while exploring the 10th floor, examining the area in search of threats. Their first finding was they could not leave the cathedral. The entrance's double doors were firmly locked and apparently indestructible with their current power.

Finally alone with the merchant, Aito took this opportunity to have a thorough chat with him.

"Now tell me, why are you really here, Roan?" He said, his arms crossed.

"Well, as I said, to do my job, hehehe," the merchant replied. Seeing Aito's dark stare, he immediately gave a more elaborate answer. "Don't look at me like this. It's the truth! Segolene, the current moderator of both High and Top floors, is currently overwhelmed with work and cannot attend to your needs.

"Challengers suddenly started flooding the 7th and 8th floors for some obscure reasons. But here's what I know. Apparently, the system preventing challengers from accessing higher floors without clearing the quest first is malfunctioning. Segolene is currently trying to repair the damages. So here I am, haha!"

Absolutely confusion flashed by Aito's face. "Are you telling me you're supposed to replace her? You? A merchant? If you think for a second I'll buy those lies, you're dead wrong, Roan. Tell me the truth now, or I am going to throw you back into the shark-infested waters."

"Ah geez, I'm not lying," Roan sighed, shaking his head in a theatrical way. "If it wasn't the truth, then why is Segolene not here, hum?"

Aito had to admit it was a sound argument. Normally, Segolene would always be around to explain the floor's quest. Her absence indeed gave the merchant a bit of credibility.

"Moderators are supposed to be at least Ascenders. You're just a normal human. So why would they put you in charge of such an important floor? Also, the last time I saw you, you were on your way to the 0th Floor."

"Ha, you see, that unfortunate incident is exactly the reason why I am here. I've been given the chance to redeem myself!" He said, smiling suspiciously. "In exchange for loyal service, Maba, the prick... I mean the gentleman who imprisoned me will give me back my freedom and rights to exercise my profession. While I may be weak, this job doesn't require strength, only abilities to guide others properly. Which, frankly speaking, I excel at."

No matter how Aito looked at it, that justification stunk from top to bottom. There were too many holes in it. And clearly, the merchant was hiding something.

He sighed.

If Roan wanted to hide his motives behind beautiful senseless words, then so be it. With barely two or three days left to clear the Tower, he couldn't tarry on this detail. As long as the merchant gave him information on how to clear the 10th floor, then he saw no other reason than curiosity to pry into his private matters.

Unless Roan was the one Aito had to kill in order to clear the 10th Floor's quest—which would be too easy—he did not mind remaining in the dark as to why he was here. Not that Aito would get an answer from him by forcing the merchant's hand.

But if he was telling the truth about the system malfunctioning, then it would make a bit more sense as to why he was here.

One of the loopholes in his justification, though, was that another moderator or anyone else could have replaced him. Why would the other moderators pick a simple merchant for this job, even if he, using Roan's words, excelled at being a guide?

Well, as far as he could tell, Roan wasn't someone who wished him malice. Actually, he even didn't know if Roan wanted something from him or was just fooling around, using him as entertainment of sorts.

"Whatever, I have no time to lose and argue with you about senseless matters that would probably lead nowhere," he said, resolving himself to remain ignorant. "Just tell me what's the 10th floor's quest and also how long I have until the Tower closes."

"Aaaah, now we're talking about interesting topics on which this humble merchant can provide guidance," Roan said, grinning. "There is a good news, another good news, and a bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Aito rolled his eyes and stared at him silently.

"Rhoo, in a bad mood, I see," the merchant sighed. "Alright, alright. You have two days and ten hours left before the Tower closes."

Aito frowned upon hearing that.

Compared to other floors, he had no references as to how many days passed in the Labyrinth, like a sun and moon.

He had expected three or four days were left, but not two. Well, that ought to give him enough time to clear the last floor.

"As for the quest, it is quite a simple one, really. You just have to beat a Fearmonger. As I said, simple!"

"It can't be that simple. What are you hiding?"

"If you would just let me finish before asking further questions, maybe you'd already have an answer to that, hum?" Roan said, looking at him as if he was eyeing a bad student. "As I was saying, the quest is simple, but I never said it would be easy. Simple in the sense you don't have to destroy half of an entire labyrinth just to find the exit."

Aito narrowed his eyes, "How did you know I—"

"Hey, hey, hey, for the gods' sake, stop interrupting me. I swear, youngsters nowadays are wayyy too impatient." the merchant shook his head as if he was desperate. "*Sigh* I know because I've been the one watching over you on the 9th floor. With Segolene currently busy, I monitored you guys. There, happy? Now, can I finish what I was about to say before you interrupted me?"

He wanted to punch him so badly. But Aito currently needed the merchant. Also, objectively speaking, Roan had a point. Remaining silent, he let the talking machine do the talking it was supposed to talk about, because if there was one thing Roan was good at, it was talking.

"Thank you, black challenger. Now, as I was saying. It is simple but difficult. The Fearmonger you must face is a level 4 Goliath. While it isn't impossible to kill, it will be extremely difficult, even for you. The last floor is meant to be that way, for the rewards are worth the trouble. So here are your options," Roan said, lifting one finger. "Option 1, you and your teammates can choose to end your ascension here. No one is obliged to stay. If even one of you wants to leave, I'll use my moderator system right to teleport them to the 1st Floor."

The merchant rose another finger. "Option 2, you can remain here until the Tower closes. No other challengers will reach this floor in time, anyway. So you will have peace for a while."

He rose another finger, "Option 3, no doubt what you will pick. You can try your hands at killing the Goliath. If you choose to do so, I will activate the quest on your say so and summon that disgusting thing here. It's important to note that you are allowed to ask for surrender during the fight and leave this floor."

"I sense a 'but,'" Aito said, unable to hold his comment.

"BUT," Roan made a dramatic pause to highlight the fact Aito was right, "one of you will need to stay behind. In other words, you will have to offer a sacrifice."

At those words, Aito's face turned grim. He had to attempt the 10th floor's quest. His soul depended on it. Others, however, had the luxury of the choice. Chances were, they would follow him in battle if he asked them to.

But he didn't want to risk their lives for his goal. While Aito's life was his to give, he didn't have the right to ask others to potentially die for him.

Because that's what probably awaited them. With the knowledge about Goliaths he had received on the 8th floor, Aito knew there would be a difference between a level 3 and a level 4 Goliath.

Moreover, he could only shield two persons from the Fear, himself included. That had never been a problem before since he fought Fearmongers alone. But now…, now he felt the limits of his ability.

On top of having superior stats than his, a level 4 Goliath possibly had a level 4 Fear, which was no longer considered lesser but medium. His Aura of Bravery might work against it to a certain extent, but would certainly be weakened.

'How did the bravers of old manage to kill such a monster?' He thought, knowing a few people in the past had already cleared the 10th floor.

The answer was simple: they weren't alone.

More bravers could potentially help each other endure the power of a medium Fear. Meanwhile, other challengers with different classes could gang up on the creature.

Or maybe past bravers had reached a level beyond him. That was a possibility, too. Thinking he was special would be a mistake.

'Do I have no other choice but to use those points? It would be such a waste.'

"Hum, you look deep in thoughts," Roan declared. "Well, I get the dilemma. Before I leave you to your pondering, let me give you a piece of advice. Consider it the price for saving me from those two brutes."

Roan's gaze turned more serious than ever.

"This quest is more dangerous than you think, Aito Walker. This is partly your fault, if not entirely. Tread carefully because it may be your last quest or the beginning of another.

"So do not shoulder everything alone. No matter what, you cannot clear this on your own. Only death awaits you if do so. Rely on the people you've gathered so far. They might give you the strength you need. 

"If this is not enough, if your bravery fails you, look for an answer in the one you hate most. But most importantly..." the merchant frowned like something was disturbing him. He straightened up, suddenly lost his serious attitude, replacing it with his jovial personality.

"But most importantly, I am famished! Gods, I would give anything for one bowl of Donna's ramen. Well, when the stomach calls, there is no refusing it, even for you black challenger. I'll leave you to brief the others on these three options we talked about. Gotta feed this little tiger. Chao!"

Suddenly, a portal appeared out of nowhere, engulfing the merchant whole, leaving a confused Aito gawking at the receding ethereal matter.

[This man... is probably the weirdest mortal I've ever met,] Valinar commented

*****

Lore: 

"Ah, what a short but necessary appearance. Depending on his choice and understanding, an End or a New Beginning awaited the Woodcutter." 

Extract from, "Yggdrasil Chronicles, The Woodcutter of Iris," by Roan the Merchant.0

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