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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Who Are You?
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—That's why I don't like using it much. I prefer to attack dirty.
Before he could even process her words, Helios felt something approach his feet and quickly backed away.
A golden light tilted its head, then swayed gently, as if greeting him.
Helios's relief was short-lived.
*Thump!*
He fell backward. When he looked up, his master was smiling. A golden disk floated beside her.
—My Siri is good at finding openings.
“Siri, my ass…”
Just as Helios was about to lash out, Mint's strange smile deepened.
Helios froze.
“Helios, why have you been talking to yourself this whole time? Have you lost your mind like those guys over there?”
Haira asked, frowning in confusion.
Helios was baffled. *What is she talking about?*
“I was having a conversation.”
“Oh…”
Haira's expression soured. She glanced over at the people who had completely lost their minds after entering the 29th floor a little while ago.
They were fumbling at the empty air as if seeing hallucinations, muttering incessantly like madmen.
Helios followed her gaze. And then he understood the true meaning behind Mint's smile.
“No, I was really talking to someone.”
“Right… Looks like you’ve made an imaginary friend. Congratulations…”
“No, that’s not it…”
“C-Captain, should I get you some water?”
Seth, who was with them, asked sympathetically. Instead of answering, Helios pressed a hand to his forehead.
—Oh my, did you make a new friend behind my back?
He’d thought there was something strange about the way her voice echoed. Helios glared at Mint.
—Hey, don't be mad.
“…I’m going to kill you.”
—There, there. You look a bit like an idiot right now, don't you?
“…”
—Once you get better at handling Kia, you’ll be able to have secret conversations with your master like this, too.
Her voice became conspiratorial. Forgetting his anger, Helios paused.
Meanwhile, Mint was now enjoying Helios's exasperation. She responded to his fiery gaze.
—There, there. I know you like me.
Helios gritted his teeth.
“Who says.”
* * *
*Is there a way to contact the Warden?*
I pondered in my cell.
Helios had gone to wash up, so I was alone in the room.
I’d done my fair share of moving around today, too.
I had long since cleansed my poison-tainted body with Kia.
*If every floor is like this, how am I supposed to get Helios to the top?*
It wasn't impossible, of course, but it would take much longer than I anticipated.
*This difficulty level is on par with my own childhood…*
Twelve years old. Back when she first started climbing, this tower was truly insane.
The top dog back then was a lunatic. A one-of-a-kind madman who derived pleasure from the suffering of all humans, including himself.
Even on the lower floors, there were a significant number of retriers, and besides the failures, prisoners were driven mad one after another by the murders that occurred on each floor.
I'd guess that was the era with the most psychopaths.
This living hell continued until that top dog died and the next one took his place.
The person who became the next top dog… well, he was a strange one, too.
He made any prisoner he liked call him ‘Mama,’ no exceptions.
It changed one more time after that.
When I was the top dog, I used the same difficulty and theme system that ‘Mama’ had created.
And I figured my successor, with their lazy personality, would continue to use it as is.
As expected, they did.
Until now, that is.
*I really do need to contact him.*
Though it might have seemed like I was just fooling around on each floor, I was always keeping track of the combat strength of Helios and Ged’s group.
The Warden also remembers that living hell, so I doubt he’ll let this difficulty level stand for long.
*Being a prisoner is so inconvenient.*
The method to contact the Warden was simple. I just had to use my unique Kia.
As befitting a place that houses prisoners, the hallways—and of course, this very cell—were designed to prevent the use of Kia below a certain threshold.
The cells, in particular, were structured to make it difficult for even high-ranking prisoners to use their powers properly.
On top of that, this message to the Warden couldn't be detected by anyone.
Sending it secretly would take twice the usual effort.
It was too difficult to do while maintaining Garet’s appearance and without revealing my unique color.
I stared at the bracelet. I hadn’t taken it off once since taking on Garet’s form.
*To send the message, I'll have to temporarily return to my original form.*
I glanced at the door.
*First variable: Helios might walk in unexpectedly.*
I would have to focus on sending the message all the way to the Warden's office, which meant I wouldn't be able to sense presences as I normally would, and my senses would be dulled.
“And I have to avoid ‘his’ eyes, too…”
Unfortunately, in the original novel, this prison was a memorable place for readers.
That was because another male lead, aside from the protagonist, was here.
The very guy I was currently trying to avoid.
I’d already run into him several times when I was the top dog, and aside from his personality, he was someone who absolutely could not find out about my current situation.
Of course, I couldn't be discovered by anyone who knew the prisoner ‘Mint,’ but he was at the very top of that list.
Can't even stand the sight of that bastard.
That's why I had to be extra careful about being discreet.
I soon reached a conclusion.
Not contacting the Warden wasn't an option.
Running through all the possibilities, I took off the bracelet without hesitation.
*Fwoosh!*
At the same time, a teal light, similar in color to my name, bloomed from my body.
I swept back my long, flowing hair.
*Wow, this feels like I just took a shower.*
Maintaining Garet’s appearance was like wearing an uncomfortable mascot costume for a long time.
I’d gotten used to it, but it was obviously better not to.
It was refreshing.
I carelessly tossed back my teal hair and began to focus.
*There isn't much time.*
Soon, a disk popped out of my body and slowly transformed into the shape of a puppy.
*Woof woof!*
“Yeah, Siri. Not a puppy. Something that flies. Something that flies.”
It turned back into a disk, then became a small titmouse.
*Chirp!*
“Who told you to be cute? Its wings are too short.”
It changed once more. This time, it was a tiny mayfly.
Maintaining such a small size while carrying a message required immense precision. Even for me, it took an extraordinary amount of mental energy.
*Hah, if I didn't have to worry about that bastard finding out, I could have sent this much more easily.*
Of all things, the one I was wary of used a mental-type Kia, so I had to be careful.
“Honestly, a piece of trash like him having a power like that.”
I grumbled calmly and sent out the mayfly-shaped Kia. I watched it seep into the wall.
I had to keep my eyes closed and concentrate until it arrived.
*It's done…!*
After a long period of concentration, I felt the summoned Kia creature safely arrive at the Warden's location.
I sent my question with it, so now the Warden should leave a message in return.
I slowly opened my eyes and habitually ran a hand through my hair. As my senses returned, I felt it.
“Oh no…”
A presence. And it was right in front of me.
The door opened.
“…”
Helios, who had just entered, froze in place.
*Thud.*
The heavy iron door closed.
Helios, his eyes wide as if they would tear, slowly shifted his gaze.
From head to toe.
“…Who are you?”
*Who do you think? It's your master.*
I wasn't flustered. I had figured Helios would be back around the time I sent the message to the Warden.
“Where did my master go?”
*To think he's still looking out for me in a situation like this. I'm a little touched.*
Feeling this impassively, I didn't move. Since I had considered the possibility of being caught, I already had a plan.
*His unique Kia is such a pretty color.*
Having shed Garet’s form, my eyesight was a bit more sensitive. The Kia that seemed to be on the verge of emerging from Helios shimmered before my eyes.
A beautiful blue light.
“…Did my master bring you here? Don’t tell me… his lover?”
“…”
“…So, this was his type.”
*I never knew my disciple had such a rich imagination.*
“Can you not speak, perhaps?”
*Since Helios won't remember this moment anyway.*
I gave a light nod.
I could have knocked him out immediately, but I didn't.
*His fresh reaction is fun to watch.*
Helios approached cautiously. His expression was careful and serious.
With the blue light of his Kia visible as well, he somehow seemed even more mystical.
Honestly, even though I saw his face all the time, he was so handsome it was breathtaking, no matter who was looking.
