SSS-Class Revival Hunter-Chapter 170: Between a Master and a Friend (3)

My colleagues and I talked a lot about the stage we just conquered, mostly saving our species from the snails’ reign and getting rid of pursuers. Of course, our chat didn’t lack trash-talking.

“We really need to do something about the Inquisitor!” the Black Witch huffed and puffed as if she was sick of him. “I don’t know what he’s thinking. Well, I kind of understand, but it makes me even angrier! People usually don’t go that far.”

“Well, I guess it’s because he’s not normal,” the Viper said indifferently, not looking very good. Ever since learning that the Inquisitor had ruled the world alone for two hundred years, the Viper had a strange expression on his face. He shrugged. “He’s lived his whole life like that. He won’t change now.”

“There is something more important than that right now,” I said, “Remember the reward, everyone.”

“Huh? Reward?”

“Yes, we haven’t received the reward for clearing the thirty-first floor yet, right? It said that the reward for the thirty-first floor would be given on the thirty-second floor, but we were once again told that the reward for the thirty-second floor would be given on the thirty-third floor. The rewards we’re supposed to get keep being delayed.”

The Countess rested her chin on the end of her fan, her eyes sparkling. Among High Rankers, she was particularly sensitive to issues of money and compensation. “Hmm. You’re right. From what I remember, the Tower has never owed Hunters anything until now. It’s not like they’re delaying compensation because they don’t have anything to give us...”

Pop!

[The Mirage-Walking Princess has appeared.]

“Yup, that’s not the case! We wouldn’t do that.”

The princess appeared with a funny noise. The location where she popped up was also strange. She stuck out her head from the floor as if she was a mole.

The Viper jumped in surprise before sighing with relief. “What the shit? You scared me!”

“Sorry, sorry. I was late because I had some work upstairs. Phew, seriously, everybody wants to have a competent person around. This is why you should never show how reliable you are.”

As soon as the princess crawled out of the hole, the floor returned to its clean white state.

“You had work upstairs?” I asked.

“Yeah. I may not look like it, but I have a fairly high rank in the Tower. I need to take part in managing some affairs. Anyway, you guys were talking about rewards, right?” the princess asked, dusting off her knees. “It’s not like the Tower is being stingy. We were trying to give you guys all the rewards after you clear the fortieth floor.”

The Countess raised her eyebrows. “Are you saying you’re going to treat the ten floors as one and then settle the rewards?”

“Yup, there is a reason for that, but you’ll find out later.” The princess looked at me, smiling. “It seems like some people have already guessed it.”

I didn’t confirm nor deny that.

“Well, I feel too bad for keeping you in complete darkness, so I’ll give you a bit of a bonus. Though I can’t give you the stage clear reward right now, ahem, I do have some power!” The princess proudly puffed out her chest. “Let’s see... If I cut Inquisy’s points into even pieces... Okay, this will do it!”

Swish.

[The Mirage-Walking Princess has settled the points.]

[You have received 9,160 species points!]

[You now have 9,160 species points.]

“What?” the Black Witch muttered after a short silence. “9,160? Are you sure you gave us the correct amount of points? 9,160 points?”

My other colleagues were also dumbfounded.

It’s more than I thought.

I was just as surprised as the rest. Looking at the Black Witch’s reaction, it seemed like we all received 9,160 points each.

“There is no mistake,” the princess answered right away. “Inquisy was eliminated, so I simply distributed one-sixth of his points to each of you. It’s the ironclad rule to give preferential treatment to winners over losers in any Tower!”

“Wait... So, you’re saying the Inquisitor had around sixty thousand points?”

“54,964, to be exact. That leaves an extra four points after dividing it by six, but I just gave them to Swordy. Please think of it as the benefit of being the Rank 1 Hunter.”

We were at a loss for words.

The princess tilted her head. “Hmm? What’s the matter? Inquisy was on the stage by himself for two hundred years, six months, and twenty-one days. Of course he accumulated a lot of points. You guys can be honest and be happy about it!”

She clapped. “Now, I’m going to unlock the thirty-third floor. Who wants to use some points in advance before I fast-forward time in the world?”

The Sword Star raised his hand. “I have a question.”

“Yes, Swordy, go ahead.”

“What do you mean by using some points in advance?”

“I mean it literally. Within that world... Okay. Referring to it is annoying because it doesn’t have a name. In any case, the world of the species you are ruling over is paused for the time being. If you buy and use an item now, that item will affect your species’ history.”

The princess moved her index finger in the air, drawing purple letters.

Bronze-Grade Technology Invention (Random draw): 1,000 points

Silver-Grade Technology Invention (Random draw): 3,000 points

Platinum-Grade[1] Technology Invention (Random draw): 6,000 points

“You’ll see the result in the next stage. This invention has the downside of not being able to affect history in real-time but, well, from your perspective, the effect is immediate. It’s not going to be that bad.”

The Sword Star stroked his beard. “I see. We may not be able to determine history, but we can control its flow to some extent. Though last time we skipped straight to the next stage without having this opportunity... ”

“Ah, yes. I felt sorry for you guys after the trick Inquisy used,” the princess said with a sigh. “But Inquisy simply used a loophole in the system. It’s my fault for exposing the loophole in the first place. Really, Inquisy, and you, Death King, the two of you just won’t leave the system alone, will you?”

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While the princess was complaining, the colleagues opened the Civilization Store one by one and began looking around for items. I looked around, pondering what I was just told.

She skipped the part about the stage reward.

My colleagues didn’t seem to notice anything strange, but I knew something was up because I had experience as a regressor. The fact that the reward settlement was continuously delayed was a hint. As soon as I mentioned it, the princess appeared and changed the subject.

I tried to give hints to my colleagues... Did the princess pop up at the right time just to stop me?

When I met the Constellation’s eyes, the princess smiled brightly and waved at me. The smile carried no hostility, but I couldn’t read anything from it either.

[The Mirage-Walking Princess asks for your understanding.]

I looked at the princess and nodded. Well, if I tell my colleagues everything before they can discover it themselves, I’d be taking away their chances to improve.

Until now, I had been leading my colleagues using my experience as a regressor. However, the privilege of knowing the future was going to end soon.

The last stage that the Fire Emperor cleared was the fortieth floor.

From then on, it was uncharted territory. I knew the Concepts of the fortieth to the forty-ninth stages, and I was also aware that from the fiftieth floor onward, Hunters from any Towers could be on the same stages together. But that was it.

If so... it will be troublesome if my colleagues always turn to me whenever they don’t know something. No matter what, I need them to fill in for whatever I’m not prepared for.

Keeping knowledge just to myself was as dangerous as hoarding. It definitely made it easier to overcome immediate crises, but from an overall perspective, it would erode the Tower’s capability.

I can’t follow in Yoo Soo-Ha’s footsteps.

I told the princess I understood and decided to wait until my colleagues would realize the truth without my help. They had all gone through a lot, just like me, and were cooler than me, so they would figure it out on their own.

The question is where to invest my remaining points...

I carefully went through the list of items in the Civilization Store, though I already had an item in mind.

There is a reason I invested my points every time I had any to spare on the thirty-second floor.

I read the item description.

Species Evolution

Grade: Undecided

Effect: Certain species have evolved forms. In worlds where aura or mana exists, the ecosystem is very complex, and because of this, species can undergo very dramatic evolutions!

Aura is the force that materializes one’s will. The changes caused by this power are much faster than evolution by natural selection. There is no guarantee that an evolution will be a good one. A species may rely on wrong beliefs.

A species that relies on destruction may degenerate until they are driven to commit massacres with every opportunity. A species that relies on seclusion may end up completely isolated from the world.

Choose carefully!

Cost: 8,900 species points (Invested points: 1,100 (including the interest))

Requirement: Obtain at least three traits for your species.

※Terra satisfies the requirement.

My eyes sparkled.

I’ve been investing the points because I thought I would only be able to purchase this after the thirty-fourth floor... But I can buy it right now.

Species Evolution was the reason Terras had been able to fight until the end against the Fire Emperor’s high elf civilization.

***

Before my regression, the Fire Emperor had chosen Sylvans, the species that was innately gifted at sensing aura and mana. Under his protection, they thrived, but one species continued to resist the Sylvans’ arrows—the Terras in their final evolved form.

—Huh? What? Is that why you chose the goblins?

I sure did. Why else would I have chosen them?

—You said that you felt a connection with them because they had a lot in common with you.

That’s true. I haven’t changed my mind. But I told you these guys will shine someday. I really meant what I said.

—You meant it...?

Tsk, tsk. I wouldn’t have lied about something like that.

—Your whole life is a lie, you quack clairvoyant.

White lies existed.

“Princess.”

“Yes?”

“I will buy this,” I said, pointing at Species Evolution.

Although the other colleagues couldn’t see what I was pointing at, it seemed the Constellation could.

Intrigued, the princess giggled. “You’re going to use every last point of yours, aren’t you? Are you sure about this? You could try buying multiple draws of Bronze-Grade Technology Invention and National-Grade General instead of this.”

“Yes, I’m sure of it.”

Even if they invented some new technology, that would be meaningless if they couldn’t use it well. Even if a person had outstanding talent, it could all go to waste if they couldn’t succeed because of others’ envy and jealousy.

But Species Evolution would affect all Terras. It was clearly more effective.

“I’ll choose this,” I said again.

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Why do you keep asking? Do you want me to choose something else?”

The princess let out a small sigh. “This is the problem with cheaters. Thanks for the purchase.”

I heard the sound effect of coins jingling.

[You have purchased Species Evolution.]

[You have used 8,900 species points!]

[You now have 260 species points.]

Okay.

I used the item right away.

[An upheaval in time has occurred!]

[Terras are undergoing evolution!]

[Terras’ status is changing.]

[You cannot check Terras’ evolved form until you enter the next stage.]

I smiled. Okay. There is still one more step left until the final evolution, but I’m closer to my goal.

The day when goblins would stand tall as the rulers of the world was within reach.

Ah, the time is coming. “Goruk” will resound throughout the world, and everyone will chant in “keruk.” My bleak and cold heart has been kindled. It’s pounding so loudly.

—You wackadoodle...

My colleagues also purchased their respective items, demonstrating many different shopping styles. Some used up all the points, others saved up their points for later. And, of course, some simply made balanced purchases.

“You guys are done, right? You don’t have anything else to buy?” the princess asked, looking around until she eventually nodded. “Good. No backsies! I will fast-forward time in that world. Let’s see. Let’s see... Would hundreds of years pass this time...? Heh? Wow. Huh?”

The princess blinked. “A lot more time has passed this time. 660 years have passed since Slimepolis collapsed due to the slaves’ rebellion.”

Compared to the era that the Inquisitor drastically abridged, a long time had passed.

“Shellmounts, the losers of the past era... Oh, I feel bad for them.”

“What happened to them?”

“Umm... Well, you’ll find out when you go in and see for yourself.” The princess spread her arms wide. “I’ll unlock the thirty-third floor now!”

Swiiiish!

The light we were used to enveloped us. The feeling of my brain swirling around in my head was now somewhat bearable.

When I opened my eyes, shouts that seemed to shake the heavens and earth almost deafened me.

“Kill them! Cut off the dirty snails’ tentacles!”

“Charge! Chaaaarge! Don’t let the enemy get away! Go after them till you land a killing blow!”

We were standing in the middle of a battlefield.

1. Gold is missing because platinum is actually platinum-gold. ☜