Pick Me Up!

Three days later. We were sitting on the waiting seats in the plaza on the first floor. It was early evening. Lights were on in the sky, and on the game screen to the right, Anytng was familiarly manipulating the waiting room. “Climbing, it has been a while.” Jenna breathed nervously. “Let’s not let anyone die this time. I’ll only trust you, Oppa.” “Don’t trust me. It’s burdensome.” “I’ll trust you too.” “I told you not to trust. If you get hurt, It’s not my fault.” I brushed aside Jenna and Kishasha’s words and looked to the side. In the corner of the bench, Velkist sat with a sullen expression, his legs crossed. He had been like that since Neryssa left. Well, he didn’t cause any trouble. “Is the airship maintenance finished?” “It’s perfectly done. Ready to deploy anytime.” Katiio nodded. And so, we waited for deployment amidst a bit of silence. ‘Neryssa must be busy.’ She wouldn’t have time to rest. Despite having several secretaries, the workload was beyond imagination. As soon as the foundation was established, Anytng summoned dozens of heroes at once. To submit each hero’s report to the master on time, she wouldn’t have a moment to spare. I wanted to help, but she made it clear not to touch anything and focus on the mission. Therefore. With some free time, I slightly reorganized the first party’s formation and matched our pace in the lower dungeon. One thing I could feel was Kishasha’s excellence. Not only is she outstanding one-on-one battles, but she’s unparalleled in a melee. It was worth the hassle to bring her along. ‘Personal training also paid off.’ Following Ascend, I could now use the SoulBlade Fusion at least once. It was when output was at its minimum, but unlike before, I wasn’t hindered right after using it. I could maintain about 50% of my combat power. Of course, if used at full power, I’d be instantly knocked out. “I hope we get a normal mission this time.” Jenna sighed. Anytng’s work was also nearing completion. “On the 30th floor, it was a desert, the 35th section is the ocean. I have no clue what will come out on the 40th floor.” “Whatever comes out, just do what we have to do.” I tightly fastened the sheath of my dagger to my belt. “Get ready.” Anytng brought up the deployment window. [Open, the Rift of space and time!] Iselle appeared in the air and pointed at the door. The rift opened left and right. [Han, this time it’s the 36th floor. Good luck with the conquest!] “Thanks.” I passed by Iselle and entered the rift. One by one, the members of the first party followed me. [Climb the tower, save the world!] [Main Dungeon: Current Floor – 35] ’36th floor.’ A sub-stage for the 40th floor. I waited for entry while making idle talk with Jenna. It’s not something we’re experiencing for the first or second time. ‘The familiar sense is gone.’ Two members. Suppressing the strange feeling, I accepted the light enveloping me. The sensation of floating wrapped around me, and then, ‘It’s a plain.’ We were summoned to an unfamiliar plain. “Are we, alright?” Jenna’s eyes widened. It wasn’t a desert, ocean, or labyrinth. It was a normal field for a change. A plain in broad daylight. A cool breeze came down from the hill above. ‘It’s a bit hard to breathe, but not too bad.’ Well, it’s a minor difference. I looked to the left. [Floor 36.] [Mission Type – Raid] [Objective – Steal the designated goods!] ‘Huh?’ I frowned. A different type of mission appeared. “Raid? What’s this about?” “Just as it says.” I looked around. The plain was spread out wide, with grass and rocks here and there. However, due to the many hills, the horizon wasn’t visible. It seemed we were below a hill. “Oppa, shall I scout ahead?” “No need. We can see everything once we go up the hill.” I began to climb the slope. One by one, the members followed me. “Han, I hear something strange.” Kishasha’s ears perked up. Then, she sniffed around. “And a strange smell.” “What smell?” “Iron and blood!” Kishasha did a somersault and started to sprint up the hill at a fast pace. Can’t stop her now. I followed her slowly. Kishasha was looking at the other side from the top of the hill. “…This is.” Kishasha’s eyes sparkled. “There are a ton of humans. Too many to count.” “Yeah, a lot.” I narrowed my eyes. At the foot of the hill in the vast plain, countless humans were gathered. Easily thousands by rough count. Numerous flags fluttered in the wind. The faint sounds of shouts and sword clashes hit my ears. “It’s a war.” Velkist spoke softly. The battlefield on the vast plain was hundreds of meters away. That made it even more visible. The two sides of the army clashed, grinding each other down. Soldiers armed with armor and swords wielded their weapons against the enemy. Cavalry trampled the infantry in front, and arrows from archers stuck in the horses’ heads. From above, the magic of flame and ice raged, coloring the sky. The sounds of shouts and screams from the battlefield faintly echoed. “Where is this?” “I don’t know. Does anyone?” I looked back, but there was no one who would know. Neryssa might have given some answers with her extensive knowledge. I looked at the army that was gaining the upper hand. They had a silver background with a winged cross emblem on their military flag. They were overwhelmingly pushing the opponent with their superior numbers. ‘They have a lot more men.’ I knew what the emblem meant. I saw it during the mission to rescue Priasis on the 15th floor. ‘Was it the Goddess Cult?’ The group that frantically tried to kill Pria, calling her a witch and whatnot. After escaping the city, they also placed a huge bounty on Pria’s head. Speaking of which… ‘Did she escape safely?’ In the middle of the sea. There wouldn’t have been a boat to go to the mainland. Well, she must have escaped safely. I shifted my focus. More importantly, what’s before me. “The path seems blocked.” Katiio withdrew his hand. He seemed to have scanned below the hill with magical waves. “If the way is blocked… is it that invisible wall from before?” “Yeah, a no-pass zone.” As Katiio and I talked, the war continued. They were already retreating. The right formation tried to pull back, but the left formation of the Cult army surrounded them like spreading wings, devouring them in the process. Tens of people died every moment. If they were a bit closer, it would be a spectacle of blood and entrails. “Horrible.” Jenna remarked briefly. Kishasha’s eyes narrowed. “Nothing here to do. Let’s go back.” I turned my gaze. We didn’t come here to watch. Let’s see, what else is there. ‘Bingo.’

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!