Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! Novel - Chapter 215
C215
Rank #1: El Cid.
He was the first Master and the top-ranked player in «Pick Me Up.» Moreover, he has just become the first player to complete the game.
According to calculations, El Cid invaded Mu-ryeon after completing the game.
What came next was crucial. We needed to understand the reason behind his attack on Mu-ryeon in order to prepare adequately. If he were to attack now, when I’m not a full Master and Siris is absent, Niflheim would have to brace itself for severe losses. We might even be defeated.
‘Why?’
All Yurnet reported to me was a reconstruction video of the moment Mu-ryeon was devastated and El Cid’s induction ceremony into the Hall of Fame as the number one in the ranking. There was no further information available yet, and efforts were being made to investigate.
Furthermore, Yurnet mentioned that obtaining more significant information would be difficult. Given the great distance between the servers, it was already a miracle to have achieved the reconstruction of the video.
Should I take proactive measures or wait and observe?
I didn’t have much time to decide, as I was about to face level 50 in Taonier.
«You seem deep in thought.»
In a special room on the 13th floor of Niflheim, Yurnet offered me tea in a cup of pure white porcelain. As I drank the tea, a penetrating aroma spread to the tip of my nose.
«Don’t worry too much. You’re about to face an important battle, aren’t you? Niflheim’s affairs shouldn’t interfere with your mission there.»
«And when did you say they didn’t?»
«If that’s what the Master desires, I’ll simply pave the way. Of course, it’s not that I don’t have my own desires. For example… we’ve had little contact lately. I wonder when was the last time the Master communicated with me privately. I can’t remember.»
Yurnet smiled faintly.
I simply drank my tea in silence.
«Anyway, even if we were to confront them, it wouldn’t be anytime soon.»
«Still, it’s frustrating.»
I considered several hypotheses, but none fit.
The first is that El Cid, having completed the tower, switched his playstyle to PvP because he lost his purpose. But that doesn’t make sense.
I don’t know that guy well, but it’s not like we’ve never met.
We’ve talked a few times, and for a while, I received advice on the game from him.
And I wondered…
‘Why didn’t he come back?’
If, like me, El Cid had become a hero and fallen into Mobius, he could have returned to reality since he completed the game.
That would mean he could have left this chaotic world. I would have returned to Earth without looking back.
But El Cid didn’t leave.
«Master.»
‘Why?’
«I’m gathering personal information about the number one in the ranking. I should have it before he completes level 50.»
Does this mean we still don’t know the motive?
‘It really is a mystery.’
I recalled a conversation I had with Tel at the promotion ceremony to 2 stars.
The purpose for which Pick Me Up was created.
‘To revert a destroyed world.’
That required the power of a higher dimension, like Earth.
That’s why this place was created as a mobile game to encourage Earthlings’ participation.
‘If El Cid has reached the top…’
Does that mean Dorado’s world has returned to its original state, beyond the tower’s structure?
That too was unknown.
«… This is bothersome.»
I scratched my head.
I didn’t want to cling to an unsolvable problem.
But it was too important a problem to ignore.
From my point of view, El Cid had voluntarily chosen not to return to Earth.
Perhaps Tel had betrayed us once again…
‘I really don’t know.’
I scratched my head harder.
«You’re going to go bald.»
«I’m not going bald, don’t worry.»
I replied irritably and got up.
As Yurnet said, even if we were to fight against El Cid, it would probably be after completing level 50.
There’s an order to things. Clinging to an unanswered question wouldn’t bring any benefit.
‘I should go see Wiryung.’
Wiryung had agreed to my proposal to stay in the Lobby while we were on a mission.
It was as important a role as acting in the mission. If we were to return and find the Lobby in ruins, it would be extremely disheartening.
I needed to check if she could fight properly and if her mental state was okay.
«I can handle it. I can’t just waste time.»
Wiryung replied with a smile.
Though her face still showed shadows, she seemed much better than when she first arrived.
«I just have one request. If the day comes when we fight against him…»
Wiryung glanced down before continuing.
«No, it’s a shameful request from someone who hasn’t achieved anything. I’ll speak up when that day comes.»
«Alright.»
It would be fitting to hear it if the time for an intense confrontation with El Cid arrived.
Until then, she would act as a hero of Taonier, not of Mu-ryeon.
«As for the Lotus Oath… I’ll find a way to use it in missions. It’s not a time to maintain dignity.»
«I like that idea. I hope it’s soon.»
«But, Master, why do you subject yourself to such asceticism? It’s not common for the leader of a great clan to act as a guardian in a remote region. Is it some kind of training?»
«You could say that.»
Explaining everything was tedious.
I gave an evasive answer.
«Master, can I ask you something else?»
«If I can answer it, of course.»
«Do you know what Zone 1 is?»
I squinted.
I couldn’t understand the intention behind the question.
Asking suddenly about server 1.
«I heard him mention Zone 1.»
«He mentioned?» I asked back.
Perhaps due to the severity of my gaze, Wiryung hurriedly responded.
«No, it was just a moment. I might have misheard.»
«That place is a test server. It’s not somewhere you can go.»
Server 1 was used for the beta testing of ‘Pick Me Up’ and housed the main system that monitored all areas of the game. It was shut down when the game was officially launched.
Laskandar mentioned server 1.
It was information that hadn’t been heard when Mu-ryeon was recreated.
A premonition suddenly crossed my mind.
«……»
But I shut that thought down.
I decided to worry about that matter later.
Now, level 50 was the priority.
«I apologize for saying something unnecessary. It seems I was mistaken.»
Wiryung bowed her head to me.
Well, I didn’t need to share my thoughts right now.
Then, I explained the plan to Wiryung.
We would be taking the express back to Taonier at dawn the next day.
Once back in Taonier, we would begin the final preparation to conquer level 50.
‘The resource problem is solved.’
We had reached the target number of both troops and aircraft.
But there was still one obstacle.
‘The heroes’ level problem?’
Taonier’s main team far exceeded the level of a 4-star hero.
That was evident just by seeing how they had monopolized the major events in the 4-star Dimensional City.
But that wasn’t enough.
I foresaw that named-level monsters would appear in masses on level 50.
Monsters tens of times stronger than ordinary ones. We needed to strengthen our forces to properly face them.
‘We don’t need someone to reach my level, but at least we need someone similar.’
Since Wiryung was bound by an oath and couldn’t be used on missions, we would have to select and intensively develop one of the existing talents.
‘Jenna or Belkist, one of the two.’
I had just mentioned to Gugukon that I was thinking of increasing our strength.
I would have to ask him when I returned.
After bidding farewell to Wiryung, I began to prepare for the return to Taonier.
Well, there wasn’t much to prepare. I just securely fastened Bifröst’s sheath to my belt and picked up the plan I had written the night before.
It was time to go back.
Wooong.
In Niflheim’s small aerodrome on the 13th floor.
A small high-speed aircraft was taking off.
«I hope you emerge victorious.»
Lydigion bowed to me.
I nodded silently.
A greeting as laconic as ever.
«Wiryung, I will not forget to avenge Mu-ryeon’s sub-master.»
Lydigion turned to Wiryung, who was beside me, and fist-bumped him.
«Thank you.»
Wiryung responded to the greeting and then climbed the stairs first.
Yurnet, dressed in Niflheim uniform, approached me.
«Master, I believe you will win as always.»
«As always.»
«You are invincible, master, no matter who the enemy is. Like when you saved us from hell, please, save others this time too… and come back safely.»
Yurnet placed her hand on her chest.
«Don’t forget it. If it gets too hard for you, you can always come back. I’ll leave the throne of Niflheim empty for you.»
«It won’t happen…»
I paused.
Maybe I’ll visit briefly like now, but if I ever return fully, it’ll be after surpassing level 100.
But saying that now was pointless. I smiled and continued.
«Then I’ll leave it to you.»
«It will be an honor for me.»
Yurnet bowed.
«Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ll keep in touch from time to time.»
«That’s all I wish for.»
Yurnet slowly walked away with a playful smile.
I nodded to both and boarded the aircraft.
<Taking off!>
Following the pilot’s instructions, the aircraft ascended and headed towards the dimensional vortex.
—————
[Congratulations!]
[Master, congratulations on completing all stages of Pick Me Up!]
The man was watching.
[Your rank is number 1!]
[The honor of being the first player to complete the game!]
«…»
The hologram screen floated.
On the screen, clumsily created paper dolls were applauding.
[Congratulations once again!]
[The Master’s feat will be praised forever.]
[Mobius INC]
[DIRECTOR – ALPHA0]
A somewhat childish 8-bit background music started playing.
The screen darkened, and the credits in white letters began to slowly scroll up.
[GAME DESIGN]
[Game Lead Designer – ALPHA1]
[Lead Game Designer – ALPHA2]
[Game Designer – ALPHA3]
[Game Designer – ALPHA4]
[Game Designer……]
The man watched without blinking.
[CHARACTER MODELING]
[Lead Game Designer – DELTA1]
[Game Designer – DELTA2]
[Game Designer……]
The sequence continued for a long time.
From 1 to 5 minutes. From 5 to 10 minutes.
[SPECIAL THANKS]
[RAUD……]
Finally, after about 20 minutes, the long video ended, and the credits rolled.
A message appeared with a sound effect.
[Master, the ‘Golden’ scenario has concluded.]
[But don’t forget.]
[The real adventure begins now!]
Crackle.
A gray noise flashed across the screen, and the hologram disappeared cleanly.
The man stood alone in a vast plaza.
Then, everything around him darkened.
«…This world.»
The man murmured.
«It has nothing.»