STCB 42

STCB

Chapter 42:

16. The Fourth Floor Trial (10)

Mistia’s goal was obvious.

‘Points.’

The emotions she currently harbored, and her ultimate desire—
To achieve those, the most important thing she needed right now was none other than points.

Then what was her ultimate objective for collecting them?

‘Awakening.’

Exactly.

Mistia’s ultimate goal for gathering points was to awaken.

“Marjuron’s subordinates? They all had different reasons for following him.”
“In my case, my mother was taken hostage, so I had no choice but to cooperate… But that doesn’t excuse what I did.”

Before the regression.
Tang Sowol had said those words.

“Some were brainwashed since childhood, others were just fascinated by power. Ah, remember the ranker Mistia?”
“That rumored queen ant who supposedly participated in the fourth floor trial?”
“I remember her pledging loyalty to Marjuron because of the power only he could offer.”
“What kind of power? Power beyond that of a queen ant.”
“An Ant Empress.”

Alias: Ant Empress.
Mistia.

Before the regression, she ruled over the cliffside of the fourth floor, leading a horde of giant ants.
Feeding off the corpses of players who fell below the cliff and collecting items to build her kingdom.
But there were clear limits.

And the one who empowered her—none other than the high ranker, Marjuron.

‘It happens far in the future, but still…’

The Witch of Ruin, Marjuron.
Before the <Pure Radiance> began its conquest of the Tower, she was known as one of the Four Great Calamities.

Just like she did on the second floor, she extended her influence to the fourth.
Her target: Mistia.

“Marjuron gave Mistia power.”
“The power to become the true ruler of the fourth floor. From Queen Ant to Empress Ant.”
“The source of that power… was another sovereign, ‘Storm Hawk.’ That beast.”

She infused Mistia with a portion of Storm Hawk’s power and awakened her.
In return, she earned Mistia’s absolute loyalty.

That was all Marjuron did.
Yet it was incredibly effective.

As a result, Mistia carried out countless acts on Marjuron’s behalf.

‘I know all of this.’

How Marjuron gave Mistia power, and how she earned that unwavering loyalty—
Lee Jinhyuk knew everything.

Thanks to the knowledge he brought from his regression.

‘A powerful subordinate Marjuron nurtured… Now it’s my turn to steal her.’

“You’re not answering.”

Unaware of Jinhyuk’s inner thoughts, Mistia simply sipped the honey tea before her.

Others might see her as composed, but to Jinhyuk, her true feelings were clear:
Anxiety, uncertainty, and a desperate longing for opportunity.

“What do you plan to do with my past?”

“…”

“Can’t talk?”

[Constellation <Eternal Flame> suggests this situation is fishy and urges you to leave.]
[Constellation <King of Muspel> suggests smashing her head with white flames first.]
[Constellation <Serpent That Encircles the World> demands juicy backstory gossip instead.]

Constellations reacted in their usual chaotic ways.
Ignoring them, Jinhyuk smirked.

“You’re trying to sell my past for points, aren’t you?”

“…You’re sharp.”

Mistia, who showed no interest in other floors, clearly wasn’t curious about Jinhyuk’s past for fun.

But Jinhyuk was now the hottest rookie targeted by the Tower and major guilds.

Even without access to the <Community>, he was well aware of his own value.

‘If someone like me showed up, I’d try to make them my disciple too.’

“So, I’ll need a safeguard to prevent lying.”

“Going to use the <Book of Truth>?”

“Exactly. And I’m willing to go further, if needed.”

[Constellation <Flame That Killed the Mother Goddess> watches the situation with interest.]
[Constellation <Rising King of Zhonghua> says this is a test of your diplomacy.]

“Is it really points that you want?”

“…What are you implying?”

“The real reason you need points. Isn’t it for ‘power’?”

Though surprised, Mistia quickly composed herself.

“Most players in the Tower gather points for strength, don’t they?”

“Let’s stop playing coy.”

Jinhyuk curved his lips upward.

“What you want is evolution. Ultimately, domination through evolution.”

“…!”

Mistia’s pheromones surged wildly.

This time, she couldn’t even hide her shock.

“How do you…?”

Evolution. Domination.
Those two words completely shattered her composure.

“That’s not important. What really matters is…”

Tap.

“That I have a way to give you that power.”

[Constellation <King of Muspel> demands an explanation.]
[Constellation <Eternal Flame> is curious but says you don’t need to explain.]
[Constellation <Rising King of Zhonghua> urges you to spill everything!]
[Constellation <Flame That Killed the Mother Goddess> issues a new Divine Command.]

<Divine Command>
▶Objective: Honestly discuss your past and strike a deal with Mistia.
▶Reward: 100,000 points.

[The Constellations join in on the Divine Command!]

Despite the huge reward, Jinhyuk remained expressionless.

‘Even if I tell them my past, they won’t believe me. Even if I’m forced to tell the truth…’

Sssshh.

‘<Pure Radiance> will do everything it can to interfere if they hear about my past.’

So revealing his history was not an option.

“How do you plan to negotiate with me, then?”

“First, I’ll clear the trial. Then I’ll come see you separately.”

“…”

“Besides, once the trial ends, you’ll all return to your domains.”

What he said was true.

Storm Hawk and Mistia—two rulers of the cliff’s summit and its depths—
They were only summoned temporarily during the trial.
Normally, they remained in the fourth floor’s domain, <Skyfall Cliff>.

Meaning, Jinhyuk could visit them later freely—
Without the eyes of the constellations on him.

[Constellation <King of Muspel> fumes at your actions.]
[Constellation <Eternal Flame> expresses disappointment.]
[Constellation <Serpent That Encircles the World> is dying of curiosity!]

Like viewers waiting for the next drama episode, the constellations reacted dramatically.

‘Oh well.’

Jinhyuk decided it was better to hide things from them, even if they felt disappointed.

“So, I just have to wait?”

“Yeah.”

“You barged in and killed my people, and now you want to make a deal?”

“…”

“Well, if it gets me my evolution, I don’t care.”

Though Mistia was called a queen, she did not reproduce herself.
She merely used other female ants via pheromones and mana to breed.

‘She only pretends to care.’

Jinhyuk knew Mistia felt little affection for her “subjects.”
Her emotions now were filled only with desire and hope.

“All right. Then first…”

Jinhyuk grinned.

“Let’s go touch the flag.”

[You’ve approached the flag.]
[You gain 200 points.]
[First to reach the flag! Points doubled.]

There were two flags on the fourth floor that were nearly impossible to reach:

One was the black flag at the very summit of the cliff, guarded by Storm Hawk—
No one had ever touched it.

The second was the white flag deep underground, protected by Mistia herself.

‘Nice.’

Another 400 points added.

Either flag alone would’ve granted record-breaking points. He got both.

And as the first to do so, the rewards were doubled.

[Divine Command Objective Met!]
[You gain 56,002 points.]
[You acquire Skill <Book Burning>.]
[You acquire Skill <Flame Sword>.]
[You acquire Item: Epic Grade Item Exchange Ticket.]

By fulfilling yet another Divine Command, rewards poured in.

▶Current Points: 648,886

He now had a massive pool of points, two new skills, and a rare item ticket.

[Five Constellations are shocked by your accomplishments!]
[Constellation <King of Muspel> screams foul play and urges battle!]
[Constellation <Rising King of Zhonghua> agrees enthusiastically!]
[Constellation <Eternal Flame> shrugs and praises your diplomacy.]

The five Constellations were in awe.

—They beat me down, but look at this guy solving things with words.

“Sometimes, words work better.”

Pat pat.

Jinhyuk smiled as he held the egg that leapt into his arms.

[Time Remaining: 20 minutes 56 seconds]

With the white flag secured, about 20 minutes remained.

This trial was essentially complete.

“Well, I’ll be seeing you.”

—Me too.

“Try not to fight. Oh, right.”

Jinhyuk took out an item from his inventory.

“What’s this?”

A clump of fur bound with wax—
The <Wanderer’s Wing>, which he had used before.

“Use this.”

“…”

“Think of it as a prearranged measure.”

“…Got it.”

Mistia, though pretending otherwise, began to trust Jinhyuk more.
Offering such a rare item was proof of his sincerity to help her evolve.

“By the way, you…”

“…So that’s how…”

Sitting at the table, Jinhyuk leisurely sipped his honey tea and chatted with Mistia.

Time passed quickly.

[Time Remaining: 0 seconds]

The holographic window signaled the trial’s end.

[Main Quest <Cliff Hunt> cleared!]
[You may now freely enter and exit the fourth floor!]

Fwaaash!
Everything around Jinhyuk was engulfed in white light.

All the ants and Storm Hawk were teleported away.

[Constellations are showing interest in you!]
[You may choose one to become your sponsor.]

[Constellations Desiring You:]

▶<Rising King of Zhonghua>: Offers the position of ‘First Apostle’.
*Promises powerful martial arts skill.

▶<Flame That Killed the Mother Goddess>: Offers ‘First Apostle’.
*Promises combined fire and swordsmanship skill.

▶<Serpent That Encircles the World>: Offers ‘First Apostle’.
*Promises a piece of its own scale.

▶<King of Muspel>: Offers ‘First Apostle’.
*Promises destructive fire skills.

▶<Eternal Flame>: Offers ‘First Apostle’.
*Promises a helpful fire-based skill.

All five constellations watching Jinhyuk offered enormous rewards.

Not only the First Apostle title, but additional gifts as well.

While details weren’t listed, the sheer weight of their names made it clear these were incredible offers.

‘The next trial will be a fierce competition.’

For now, due to the “Migration of Stars,” all other constellations were excluded.

Yet even among five, the tension was intense.

“I don’t plan to form any contracts.”

[Constellation <Eternal Flame> grows anxious over the looming competition.]
[Constellation <King of Muspel> calls you a tease and curses you!]
[Constellation <Rising King of Zhonghua> insists with a very powerful offer!]
[Constellation <Serpent That Encircles the World> glares at you and demands to know how you became a dragon!]

“See you next time.”