SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 170

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 170: Between a Master and a Friend (3)

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We chatted about the stage we had just conquered, the 32nd floor, how everyone managed to escape Slimepolis, and whether they had safely shaken off their pursuers...

Of course, there was also some backbiting.

“That Heretic Inquisitor really needs to be dealt with!”

Black Dragon Master expressed her frustration.

“I can’t fathom what he’s thinking. I mean, I do understand, but that only makes me angrier! Normally, no one would go that far.”

“Well, he’s not normal, so he behaves like that.”

Viper spoke listlessly, looking none too pleased. Ever since learning that the Heretic Inquisitor had ruled alone for 200 years, Viper had worn a face like he had chewed on shit.

“A person who’s lived like that all their life isn’t going to change now.”

“...There’s something more important than that.”

I spoke up.

“About the rewards, everyone.”

“Huh? Rewards?”

“Yes. We still haven’t received the rewards for clearing the 31st floor, right? We were told that the 31st floor rewards would be given on the 32nd floor, but then the rewards for the 32nd are supposed to be given on the 33rd. The rewards owed to us keep getting deferred.”

“...Hmm.”

Countess tapped her chin with the end of her fan, her eyes gleaming. Among the top rankers, she was particularly sensitive to matters of money and rewards.

“Indeed, that’s true. I remember the tower never owing hunters before. It can’t be that they have nothing to give us, right...?”

“Yep! That can’t be it!”

[The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages manifests.]

Poof!

With a comical sound, the Princess appeared. Not just the sound, but even the location of her appearance was odd. Like a mole, she poked her head up from below. Viper, who was nearby, was startled.

“Whoa?! That scared me!”

“Sorry, sorry. I was a bit delayed because I had some work up above. Ah, being capable sure is a hassle. When you have abilities, they summon you here and there.”

The Princess crawled out of the hole in the ground. As her body emerged, the floor returned to its pristine white state.

“You had work [up above]?”

“Yep, despite appearances, I hold a pretty high position. I have to participate in managing the tower. Anyway, about the rewards?”

The Princess dusted off her knees.

“We're not stingy with rewards. It’s just that we planned to give them all to you after you clear the 40th floor.”

Countess raised her eyebrows in intrigue.

“You mean to bundle the rewards for ten floors and settle them together?”

“Yep. There’s a reason for that, which you’ll find out later.”

The Princess glanced at me.

Constellation was smiling with her eyes.

“Seems like someone already has a hunch about it.”

“Well, but if we're too secretive, I feel bad. Even if we can’t give the [Stage Clear Reward] right away, I’ll give you something small for now. Ahem. I do have that much discretion!”

The Princess proudly puffed out her chest.

“Let’s see. If I neatly divide the race points that the Heretic had and distribute them... Yep, this is how it’ll be!”

Swoosh.

A message appeared before us.

[The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages is tabulating points.]

[You have gained 9,160 race points!]

[You currently have a total of 9,160 race points.]

There was a moment of silence.

“...What?”

Black Dragon Master mumbled in disbelief.

“Ten thousand? Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake? …Ten thousand points?”

My comrades were dumbfounded.

‘That’s more than expected.’

I was surprised too. Considering Black Dragon Master's reaction, it seemed like each of us received 9,160 points.

“That’s correct.”

The Princess affirmed coolly.

“It’s not favoritism. The Heretic was eliminated, so we just divided his points by six and gave them to you. It's our principle to favor the winners over the losers!”

“Wait a minute… Are you saying the Heretic Inquisitor had sixty thousand points?”

“Exactly 54,964 points. There were four points left over as change, so I just gave those to Swordy. Consider it a courtesy to the top-ranked hunter.”

"......."

We were at a loss for words.

“Huh? Why the long faces?”

The Princess tilted her head, puzzled.

“The Heretic monopolized the stage for 200 years, 6 months, and 21 days. It’s natural for him to have accumulated that many points. Feel free to be happy!”

With a jaunty clap of her hands, the Princess said, “Now we’re going to start the 33rd floor stage. Before I accelerate the time in that world, does anyone want to spend their points in advance?”

Sword Saint raised his hand.

“I have a question.”

“Yep, Swordy boy. Go ahead.”

“What do you mean by ‘spend in advance’?”

“It's exactly as it sounds. The world of the race you’ll be intervening in… Ugh, it’s annoying to call it since it has no name. Anyway, that world is currently on pause. Like a temporary stop, you know? If you use items now, they will affect the history, and the results will show up in the next stage.”

The Princess swirled her index finger in the air, tracing invisible characters.

Purple text began to form in mid-air.

[Bronze-rank Technology Invention (Lottery)] - 1,000p

[Silver-rank Technology Invention (Lottery)] -3,000p

[Platinum-rank Technology Invention (Lottery)] -6,000p

“If you use these items now, they will be reflected in history, and you’ll see the results in the next stage. You can't control history in real-time, but from your perspective, the effects of the items will be immediate, so it's not too bad, right?”

“...Indeed.”

Sword Saint stroked his beard.

“While we can’t fully control history, we can try to influence its flow. Last time we immediately skipped to the next stage without such an opportunity.”

“Ah, yeah. Since the Heretic pulled that trick, I felt a bit sorry for you guys.”

The Princess sighed.

“He merely exploited a loophole in the system. It’s largely my fault for leaving that loophole exposed in the first place. Honestly, between the King of Death and the rest of you, none of you ever leave the system alone.”

“Hmm.”

While the Princess grumbled, my comrades began to open the [Civilization Store] and browse through items. I, watching both the Princess and my comrades, was lost in thought.

‘...She smoothly sidestepped the topic of stage rewards.’

My comrades didn’t seem to notice anything odd, but having experienced the future once, I know. The continual deferral of rewards is a kind of [hint].

As soon as I mentioned it, the Princess appeared and changed the subject.

‘I was trying to give my comrades a hint naturally... Could the Princess have deliberately stepped in to stop me?’

‘Did she deliberately counter me?’

Our eyes met. The Princess was smiling and waving. There was no hostility on her face, but her intentions were not clear either.

[The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages seeks your understanding.]

Understanding, huh.

‘Well.’

I looked at the Princess and nodded silently without a word.

‘Whatever I tell them from start to finish would only deprive my comrades of their opportunities to grow.’

Until now, I've been leading my comrades using my experience of regression as capital. I've wielded the privilege of knowing the future.

However, this privilege also has an expiration date.

‘The Flame Emperor cleared stages up to the 40th floor.’

Beyond that lies the unknown.

Although I know what concept the 40th to 49th floors are based on, and I’m aware that the 50th floor opens a stage shared by all worlds' towers, that's all I know.

From the 51st floor onwards, even I will be stepping into an unknown world.

‘Then... It's problematic to have subordinates who only move as I instruct. I absolutely need comrades who can fill the gaps in my thinking, the parts I haven't considered.’

Hoarding knowledge and experience for oneself.

Like monopolizing food, monopolizing knowledge is also harmful.

It might solve immediate difficulties, but from a broader perspective, it gnaws away at the strength of [our tower].

‘I can't follow in the footsteps of the Flame Emperor.’

I accepted the Princess’s request for understanding.

Let's leave it to my comrades to realize the truth on their own.

They're all people who've struggled like me, even better than me. They'll figure it out on their own.

‘The real question is where to invest the remaining points....’

I carefully examined the [Civilization Store].

In truth, I already had an item in mind to purchase.

‘There’s a reason why I've been investing every spare point into it from the 32nd floor.’

I read the item description.

[Race Evolution]

Rank: Undecided

Effect: Certain races harbor evolved forms within them. In worlds where aura or magic exists, ecosystems are incredibly complex, and races consequently undergo extremely dramatic evolution! Aura is the power to give will physical form, and changes driven by will occur far faster than evolution through natural selection.

There is no guarantee that evolution will proceed in a positive direction. A race that wills destruction may degenerate into a race devoted solely to slaughter, while a race that wills seclusion may become entirely isolated from the world. Choose carefully!

Cost: 8,900 race points (Currently, 1,100 points have been invested....)

Unlock Condition: Your race must acquire at least three identities.

*Currently, the Earth Spirit Tribe meets the evolution conditions.

"I originally thought I could only buy it after the 34th floor, but..."

My eyes gleamed.

"I can buy it right now."

Race Evolution.

The reason the Earth Spirit Tribe could fight against the [High Elves] raised by the Flame Emperor until the very end.

-Eh?

Guardian Spirit let out a surprised sound.

-Was there such a backstory?

‘Of course. Did you think I chose goblins for no reason?’

-You said it was out of sympathy for being similar.

‘I did feel that. And still do. But I was serious when I said these guys would soar into the sky one day. I sincerely believed the goblins would rise.’

-Was that for real...?

‘Tsk. As if I would lie.’

-Your life is a lie, you prophet.

Let's call it a white lie.

"Princess."

"Hm?"

"I'll purchase this."

I pointed to [Race Evolution]. The others couldn’t see it, but it appeared that the Princess could see the hologram, as she showed interest with an "Heh."

“You really are thrifty with your points, King of Death. Don’t you think it’s a waste? You could draw several things like [Bronze-rank Technology Invention] or [Nation-level General].”

“No.”

Simply inventing technologies is meaningless if they can’t be utilized properly.

Even if a talented individual emerges, it's pointless if they are hindered by jealousy and cannot rise.

On the other hand, [Race Evolution], benefiting the entire Earth Spirit Tribe, assuredly has a solid effect.

"I’ll go with this."

"No regrets?"

"None. Why do you keep asking? Do you wish I chose something else?"

“…That’s why dealing with a cheat player is...”

The Princess sighed softly.

“Thank you for your purchase.”

A sound of coins dropping echoed.

[You have purchased ‘Race Evolution’.]

[8,900 race points have been spent!]

[You now have 260 race points remaining.]

Okay.

I immediately used the item.

[A tidal shift in the era! The Earth Spirit Tribe undergoes evolution!]

[The status of the Earth Spirit Tribe is changing.]

[You will not be able to confirm the evolved form of the Earth Spirit Tribe until you enter the next stage.]

I smiled contently.

"Okay. One more stage before the final evolution, but we're getting closer to the goal."

The day when goblins stand as the rulers of the world is not far off.

‘Ah, the moment when Goruks echo throughout the world and everyone chants Keruk, it ignites a fire in my desolate heart and makes my cold heart flutter.’

-Crazy bastard….

The other comrades also purchased items. Some spent all their points, while others saved for later. Still others allocated their points judiciously. Everyone had a different approach to shopping.

“Is everyone done? Nothing left?”

The Princess looked around and nodded.

“All right. No take-backs! I’m going to set that world’s history in motion now. Let’s see, how many centuries will pass this time...? Huh? Oh. Hmm?”

The Princess blinked in surprise.

"This time, far more time has passed than last time. It’s been 660 years since the fall of Slimepolis due to the slave uprising."

660 years.

Definitely a leap in time compared to the drastically shortened era by the Heretic.

“The last era’s losers, the Mountain Snail Tribe... oh dear.”

"What happened to the Mountain Snail Tribe?"

"Hmm. Well, you'll find out when you go in."

The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages spread her arms wide.

"Then, I'm now opening the 33rd floor!"