Chapter 4, Normal Operation

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

After completing their preliminary inspection of Gazenran Tower’s first Floor, Kousuke and his group began preparations for their Tower assault that very same day. Since they had been traveling through the forest until just days before, they didn’t need to do much shopping. They merely restocked some consumables.

 

With their supplies replenished, they wandered through the city as planned, searching for something good to eat. Though ‘searching’ might be an overstatement; they were simply going with the flow, following whatever caught their interest.

 

During this casual exploration, Kousuke discovered a crepe-like food. While the dough itself was not sweet, the fruit topping provided enough sweetness to satisfy. Having had limited access to sweet treats during their travels, this simple pleasure was particularly enjoyable.

 

After savoring the delights of Seichun City, they returned to their inn to recharge for tomorrow’s Tower assault. Rather than canceling their reservation, they decided to maintain it. Though camping in the Tower would save money, returning to the city without secured lodging would be troublesome. This practice was common among Adventurers, who often paid to keep rooms reserved during extended expeditions. Those seeking more permanent arrangements could rent houses instead.

 

To establish a guild in Seichun, one needed a base of operations. However, guild recognition required reaching Gazenran Tower’s 21st Floor first. Essentially, graduating from the Beginner Class. While this system seemed cumbersome for naturally talented individuals like Kousuke’s group, it served a meaningful purpose. Conquering the Tower’s 20th Floor established one as powerful, at least within the Western Continent. Creating a guild after this achievement granted immediate reputation, benefiting both Seichun City and the aspiring guild founders.

 

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Fully prepared, Kousuke’s group began their assault on Gazenran Tower. Even Nana seemed excited, likely because the Tower’s atmosphere resembled that of Amamiya Tower.

 

“Nana, excitement is fine, but don’t get carried away, okay?” Kousuke cautioned.

 

*Woof!* Nana responded confidently, as if saying, ‘Of course!’

 

The warning seemed unnecessary. Kouhi and Mitsuki watched this exchange between man and animal with amused smiles. It was a characteristic scene they had grown fond of witnessing.

 

Thus began their conquest of Gazenran Tower, though for Kousuke’s group, it was little more than another day’s routine activity. Gazenran Tower stood about four-fifths the size of Amamiya Tower, suggesting it might be approximately 80 Floors high, though the exact number remained unclear. Not that it mattered much. After all, Kousuke’s group had no intention of completely clearing it anyway.

 

Their sole purpose for challenging Gazenran Tower was to establish a guild and strengthen their influence within Seichun City. While completing the Tower would certainly increase their fame, it would also bring unwanted attention. Besides, they were creating this guild for Crown, not for Kousuke himself, and he had no desire to invite unnecessary troubles. Once he established a guild substantial enough to accommodate Crown, Kousuke planned to hand it over and consider his duty fulfilled.

 

With this strategy in mind, the group made steady progress through the Tower. Unlike their rapid conquests of the Tower of Sacred Magic and the Tower of Four Attributes, they proceeded more cautiously this time, aware of potential observers. Still, they managed to clear about half a Floor per day. It was a pace that seemed incredible for rookies who had only recently obtained their Adventurer Cards.

 

Kousuke reasoned that this speed, while impressive, was not impossible for skilled individuals and therefore shouldn’t attract excessive attention. This assumption, however, would later prove naïve. The future consequences of their actions remained beyond their foresight as they continued their methodical daily progress through the Tower’s Floors.

 

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Half a month passed since Kousuke’s group entered Gazenran Tower. Without encountering any significant obstacles, they successfully conquered the 21st Floor. The journey had been remarkably uneventful.

 

If pressed to comment on anything noteworthy, Kousuke might mention that the monsters here differed from those in Amamiya Tower and even from those around Seichun City. Still, these were all beginner-level threats, presenting no real challenge to his experienced party.

 

Kousuke’s group had been advancing through the Tower at what they considered a leisurely pace for these two weeks. Of course, this perception was entirely subjective.

 

After reaching the 21st Floor, they headed for the central teleportation gate to exit. These gates, located at every fifth Floor, provided shortcuts through the Tower. Upon arriving at the gate, they used their card to teleport their carriage to the first Floor.

 

“Ah. We’re back,” Kousuke remarked with familiar satisfaction, having experienced this countless times in Amamiya Tower.

 

“Indeed. It’s interesting how this feels,” Mitsuki replied, suggesting she experienced similar sensations in the other Towers.

 

Kouhi nodded in agreement beside her, confirming there was something uniquely similar yet distinct about Gazenran Tower compared to Amamiya Tower, though precisely what that was remained difficult to articulate.

 

While the Tower’s entrance was wide enough for carriages, it often became congested with vehicles entering and leaving, particularly during morning arrivals and evening departures—exactly when Kousuke’s group was attempting to exit. As they waited in line, a voice called from beside their carriage.

 

“Oh, you returned today?”

 

Kousuke, who happened to be driving, looked toward the voice and recognized the woman who had processed their Tower entry cards.

 

“Yes. We reached our targeted Floor, so we came back. You have an impressive memory,” he replied, surprised she would remember them from a routine card processing.

 

The woman’s expression grew complicated at Kousuke’s remark. “Well, it’s hard to forget when someone travels with two peerless beauties such as them.” She admitted.

 

“Ah, I see. By the way, what brings you here?” Kousuke asked, changing the subject.

 

“Our job includes managing these waiting lines. Conflicts sometimes arise.”

 

“Oh, is that so?”

 

Kousuke had assumed the process relied on individual courtesy, but it appeared to be well-organized. This oversight explained the purpose behind the registration fee for entry cards.

 

Of course, even with such systems in place, problems inevitably occurred—like the commotion unfolding before them now.

 

“Anyway, are you finished here?” The woman asked.

 

“Huh? Oh, I apologize. I’ll be on my way,” she added quickly, hurrying toward the disturbance where several staff members had already gathered.

 

Observing this response, Kousuke realized Gazenran Tower operated with greater efficiency than he had initially given it credit for.