The Story is Told to the Protagonist.

“No way!”

Right. It probably won’t go that far. These kinds of conflicts are common in the Tower.

But the important thing is to kill the man in front of me. Before my face is synchronized with the entire Ash-White Clan.

Fortunately, the situation ended quickly.

“You! Who are you to spread such false rumors…”

Crack. A sword pierced the throat of the man who was ranting.

“Phew! If it weren’t for Mr. Healer, we would have been in big trouble!”

Luckily, the new team member, the bearded man, had no mercy in his actions.

“Did you know a lot about the Ash-White Clan?”

“…I saw it in a book.”

“We’ve got a smart teammate on the team!”

I made up an excuse. It wasn’t a lie that I saw it in a book.
But it’s too early to feel relieved.

‘The Ash-White Clan isn’t just this one guy. In this batch alone, there could be dozens, maybe even hundreds. They’re the type to act in groups using their characteristics.’

Surely, they must have entered the Tower in droves for this batch too.

I thought it would be fine at first. Climbers are isolated from the outside world up to the 10th level.

However, news from the outside was flowing in through other methods. It’s dangerous.

‘It’s okay if my name is exposed. Up to the 10th level, my information on Earth is protected.’

People from other planets can’t immediately interfere with Earth.

The problem is my face, which has already been broadcast live in space, and the fact that I’m from Earth.

‘I need to find a way to cover my face quickly and absolutely must not reveal my origin to those around me.’

Especially the information that’s already starting to spread. The fact that I’m from Earth is even more so.

It must never be revealed.

Never.

***

[You have cleared the 1st level trial.]

I closed my eyes and exhaled, feeling the changing space around me.

‘I cleared it safely…’

How many times did I come close to death in just the first trial?
Even the moment I encountered the team was a life-threatening situation of being shot in the head.

‘But I got through it all well.’

The 2nd level waiting room wasn’t a room. I can already see the open gem forest.

The difference is that while the 1st level was a dim dawn, the 2nd level was much brighter daylight.

The trees aren’t as dense either, with tall ones standing sparsely. It’s closer to flat terrain.

But the pastel tones characteristic of the gem forest were still there. Even the sky had a unique color, with a slight purple tint.

“Whoa… The 2nd level is beautiful too.”

The bearded man let out an exclamation, and even the taciturn Ein’s tail was slightly puffed up, which was rare to see, indicating she was in a good mood.

“…Is the Tower filled with such beautiful places everywhere?”

Certainly, the 1st and 2nd levels are famous for their beauty.

‘But it’s a place we need to pass through as quickly as possible.’

If we linger admiring the scenery just because the 2nd level is beautiful, we’ll be in big trouble.

But unlike the happy bearded man, Ein was making an uncomfortable expression.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

“The smell of blood is overwhelming.”

“Everyone must have had a tough climb.”

Ein was a fox beastkin and a hunter, so her senses were good.

Her ears stand straight up. She’s wary of others who have come up from the 1st level. A semi-transparent barrier was gathering the people in the waiting room.

And as if Ein’s wariness wasn’t unfounded, a commotion broke out on one side.

“You! Where’s my little sister?!”

People’s heads turn towards the direction of the shout.

A limping man was approaching another team with a face that looked like he was about to cry.

“Oh? You’re alive?”

“Why is it just you guys?!”

“Don’t know, she’s probably living well on the 1st level.”

“You son of a bitch!”

As the atmosphere seemed like a fight could break out at any moment, people around them stepped back.

While Ein and others were wary of that situation, I looked around.

‘Seol Ga-ram… I guess she’s not here this time.’

Is she in a different sector? Or still on the 1st level? At least she’s not visible here.

Ding!

[Climbers’ injuries will be healed. Please form teams and prepare for the 2nd level trial.]
[Violent conflicts within the safe zone are prohibited.]

Some simple food and water were provided.

“Finally, food! I thought I was going to die of thirst after losing my canteen!”

It was, at best, military rations, but no one would complain about this.
We just need to endure for a bit. We’ll be able to enjoy proper meals and leisure from the 5th level.

Unlike the welcome message, somewhere, a one-armed man shouted into the air as if denying reality.

“Wh-what? Why isn’t my arm returned?! Heal my arm too!”

The healing upon trial completion is more of an injury recovery rather than a ‘complete recovery’ like an elixir. Otherwise, the trials would be a cure-all, right?

Others became busy forming teams at the message.
Unlike us.

“Looks like the 2nd level is team play.”

“Great! That’s perfect!”

We, who already had a team, started our delayed introductions along with the meal.

Even though it was just the bearded man left.

“You said your name was Noah, right? I’m Duke! I use a shield and sword!”

“Right. I’m not good with names. Since you’re the vanguard, are you the team leader? I’ll call you Leader.”

It was a bit rude to ask for understanding, but the leader’s face twitched strangely at the word ‘leader’.

“…Hm? L-leader? Are you talking about me?”

“Yeah. It’s common for the tank to be the leader, right?”

“Hmm, hmm. That’s right. Noah, you’re a friend with excellent insight!”

His cheeks. What’s with him.

I looked at Ein with that meaning, and she answered without being asked.

“He greatly admired the previous leader.”

“Previous leader?”

“There were two more teammates who entered the Tower together. They were torn apart by monsters on the 1st level.”

“Ah.”

“G-good! Y-you can call me Leader!”

Well… I don’t know if he’ll do well, but he seems passionate about it.

“I’m counting on you, Leader.”

“Leave your back to me! Teammate! Noah!”

I’m in the rear, so why would I leave my back to you?
Ein answered this time too.

“It was the previous leader’s catchphrase.”

“Ah, okay.”

“…Although his speech is clumsy, he’s a reliable warrior. He’s smarter than he looks, and his judgment is decent.”

“Huh? Really?”

Ein is usually stingy with praise, so if she says that, it might be worth believing.

Seems like a good teammate. That’s good.

Even after the introductions were over, others were busy looking for teams. We enjoyed a moment of leisure.

“Hahaha! To recruit a precious healer from the 1st level, the gods must be blessing us!”

Ein also nodded quietly.

This is another good thing about the [Tears of the Gem] tree. Since healers are so rare, I don’t have to worry about finding a team.

We can coast through the most difficult early stages with healing from the rear.

But was the leader’s laughter too loud? Someone put their hand on my shoulder from behind.

“Are you a healer?”

A woman’s voice.

Our three heads turned toward the voice.
A female swordswoman with a good impression and a man with a sharp look were standing there.

“Come to our team. We have a mage too.”

At those words, the leader immediately wrinkled his face and growled.

“Get lost while I’m still asking nicely, you little rat.”

But the woman seemed prepared for this and rather snorted.

‘But they have a mage?’

A mage, which was also a rare resource in the early stages?
If I go, we’d be the strongest team for this trial in terms of team power, right? I was a bit tempted.

“Your team atmosphere seems barbaric. Isn’t the important thing the individual’s will?”

“You’re not leaving? You’re really not going to leave!?”

The leader was even more aggressive, knowing the situation.

I glanced at Ein. She was leaning against a rock, staying still.
She probably knows that it’ll be decided by my will anyway. She’s not the type to forcibly hold onto someone who wants to leave.

But her ears were perked up, watching the situation while holding her crossbow, ready to load immediately.

What could it mean? Is it her will to step in right away if the team gets into a difficult situation?

I was curious about what she was thinking, but now wasn’t the time to play around.

“Oh yeah, you won’t leave? Then I’ll…”

“Leader. Wait.”

I stopped the leader, who was about to charge in with fierce momentum.

“Thank you for the offer, but I like this team.”

“…Can I ask why? This trial is likely to be team play. If you come to our team, everything will go smoothly.”

Well. From what I see, it’s not.

I looked over the people watching us over her shoulder. They’re obviously teammates, but it looks like they don’t have a physical ranged DPS.

‘This team might die in this trial if they’re unlucky.’

Go look for a ranged DPS instead of a healer.

“I like the atmosphere of the current team. Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine.”

“Oh, that’s too bad…”

“It’s not fine though?”

Just as things were wrapping up well, the other man who came with the woman interrupted.

“What do you mean it’s not fine?”

“If you don’t come over to our side, we’ll kill you first as soon as we start.”

The atmosphere that was improving suddenly plummeted.

“…What?”

“So if you don’t want to see an ugly sight, let’s do this nicely.”

The leader’s expression crumpled.

“You son of a bitch!”

And he approaches with big strides.

‘What’s this? Is he crazy?’

I knew the value of healers was high, but I didn’t expect someone to come on like a bulldozer like this.

At his sudden acceleration, even the female swordswoman who came with him seemed a bit flustered.

“…Brother, there’s no need to go that far. Let’s go.”

But the man called brother doesn’t even listen.
Rather, suddenly, really without any warning, he drew a dagger and stabbed at my neck.

‘Huh?’

When my body was frozen by the completely unexpected surprise attack, the leader’s shield knocked away the dagger.

Clang!

I regained my dazed senses.

My heart pounds as the knife almost stabbed right in front of me. Did I just almost die?

The leader glares fiercely at the guy instead of me.

“You’re a crazy bastard. You started this first.”

“Wow, you blocked it.”

“Brother, I told you not to!”

“Oh… Their skills are better than I thought? What should we do.”

The man took a step back and assumed a defensive stance.

Skills’ plural’?
Looking back, Ein had already aimed her loaded crossbow at some point. I guess that’s why he couldn’t do more and retreated.

The atmosphere turned savage in an instant.

‘What is this….’

Suddenly stabbing with a knife? Is he a psycho?

As the situation became strange, their team members also gathered.

“What are you doing!”

A total of five. We are three. The situation is not good.

The man explained as if he was wronged.

“Well, they’re a team with even a healer, so it would be troublesome to part ways with bad feelings. I was just trying to kill the healer at least.”

“You crazy bastard, how can you say that…”

“The situation got worse because of you, brother!”

“Oh, um. I guess so. I didn’t think they’d be able to block it.”

“That’s not what I mean…!”

Is he really a psychopath? This isn’t the thought process of a normal person.

I realized once again that this is the Tower. There’s no place in the universe where such a diverse group of humans gather like this.

Even without being villains, dangerous and bad guys are everywhere.

On some planets, killing for a purpose is everyday life, and on some planets, morality at the level of criminals might be common sense.

In fact, it’s not even that surprising. You could see people like that quite often just in foreign slums on Earth.

‘…Right. I was naive. I didn’t stay wary of others just because they weren’t villains.’

I remembered Ein, who was watching our surroundings cautiously while I was leisurely looking for Seol Ga-ram.

I need to become tougher.

‘Let’s deal with these guys first.’

As they said, it’s troublesome to start with enemies like this.

I learned from the guy who went berserk. Those who tried to kill me shouldn’t be left as future troubles.

But it’s 5 against 3. We can’t win with normal methods.

I deliberately took a step forward. Back into the guy’s attack range. And I glared at him provocatively.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Try to kill me, you bastard. We’ll kill you guys first as soon as we start.”

“…Haha. Really?”

He turns his head as if dumbfounded and gestures to his team with a ‘see?’.

Did their team members also think the situation couldn’t be reversed? Their expressions start to change, and the atmosphere shifts.

Regardless of who was wrong first, they’ve judged that our team will be harmful to them.

I would have done the same. Beyond right and wrong, one’s own safety comes first unconditionally.

In the end, they also drew their weapons.

The leader blocks me with his arm.

“Noah, don’t provoke them. Stay back!”

Unlike when he was growling earlier, he’s trying to rationally contain the situation. An unexpected side.

But I also put my hand on the leader’s shoulder and gave him a look. I have a plan.

The leader flinches after meeting my eyes. But he seems too confused to immediately understand just from a look and back off.

At that moment, taking advantage of the leader’s gaze being directed at me, the guy stabbed with his dagger again.

‘He really is a psycho bastard.’

This time, too, the leader tried to block belatedly, but I thrust my neck out first.

At my sudden action, the leader and the guy’s eyes widened, and in that instant, the sword bounced off my neck.

Clang!

Along with the notification sound, a message window appeared in front of their eyes.

Beep!

[You have inflicted harm on others in the safe zone. A penalty will be imposed.]
[Your movement will be restricted for 1 hour.]