"I hate ittttttt!! I hate bugs!!"

The next day, our party smoothly passed through the first floor and ascended to the second floor.

Despite climbing just one floor, the atmosphere completely changed.

While the first floor was filled with ruins with earthy tones, the second floor was a lush green jungle area.

And, as expected, the type of monsters we encountered also changed accordingly.

By the way, the one screaming was Emily.

"Hmm, should I just burn them all?"

"W-wait a minute! Adrian! Fire is too dangerous! Please refrain from using such extensive skills!"

Seeing a Grasshopper-type Monster charging at Emily, Adrian flicked his fingers, gathering magic.

Startled, I stepped in to stop him.

Of course, that made sense.

Using a high-powered fire spell in this grassy area would incinerate the entire area.

Nobody wants to end up as roast pork, after all.

Although I understood Adrian's reaction.

Similar to the first floor, we faced hordes of monsters because of our high stats.

Even as a man, the sight of hundreds of bugs swarming with their wings buzzing sent chills down my spine.

So, it's unfortunate that our party's flamethrower was put on hold.

Still, our party had not one, but two expert magic users.

Even if Adrian's area-of-effect attacks were restricted on this floor, we still had Mary.

━Crashhh!!

A massive surge of frost, infused with powerful magic, enveloped the swarm of bugs and instantly froze them all.

Boom!!

Then, Sieg and Raphne teamed up to shatter the chunk of ice.

“Eek! Ken, I hate bugs, they’re so gross!”

Raphne, who had been fiercely slaughtering the swarms of bugs just a moment ago, now let out a feeble cry and clung to me.

Seeing this, Emily, who had been sitting down in fear, shouted.

“Don’t be ridiculous! You weren't even scared!”

“Well, Emily, the problem is that you’re too scared.”

“But… Aren’t those bugs gross? Mary, you must be scared too!”

“Hmph, I’m perfectly fine.”

Despite Mary’s words, her shoulders were trembling as she placed her hands on her hips.

She really tried hard.

“Alright, let’s take a short break here before we move on.”

“Ugh, How many more battles like this do we have to fight?”

“Hmm, according to the map, we should reach our destination after about two more fights.”

The entrance to the third floor wasn’t far from our current Safe Zone.

Once we get there, we can say goodbye to these swarms of bugs.

Of course, we might encounter them again on the way back.

'It’s really fortunate that we managed to get a map from the shop.'

In the game, there was always a minimap displayed on the screen, but in reality, this map was a huge help.

While it might not be as detailed as a program’s minimap, it did show the general structure and locations in the Tower.

However, this map only covered up to the 42nd floor, the limit reached by the previous expedition. After that, we’d have to find our way without it.

Luckily, our party wouldn’t need maps beyond the 10th floor.

After taking a rest, we resumed our way through the second floor.

After a few more battles, we finally reached the exit of the second floor and the entrance to the third floor.

There, sitting at the roots of a tree near the entrance, was a familiar figure.

“Oh, a group of young adventurers, I see.”

An old man was sitting by the entrance to the third floor.

Although his hair and beard were white and his face was lined with wrinkles, the old man's body was sturdy, and the scratches on his leather armor showed his experience.

Sitting with his sword resting on the ground, the old man greeted us as we approached.

This old man was an NPC on the second floor in the game as well.

I didn’t expect him to be here in this reality, but seeing him in person felt peculiar.

“You young adventurers, are you heading to the third floor now?”

The old man grabbed our attention and asked as we passed by.

In the game, his sole purpose for sitting here was quite simple.

It was to give a single warning to players about to enter the third floor.

“Be careful on the third floor. There’s a dangerous trap that wasn't on the second floor.”

“A trap?

…What kind of trap?”

Mary asked seriously, hanging on his words. The old man chuckled and explained.

“It’s a deadly trap unlike the usual ones. Once you fall in, there’s no escape. You’ll end up in Hell.”

“H-Hell?”

“They say you’ll be transported to a place where time and space are warped, and escaping from there is impossible.”

Emily was startled by his words, and Raphne, looking anxious, held my hand tightly.

“Whatever you do, stay alive.”

Having fulfilled his role, the old man waved us off.

“K-Ken, that trap the old man mentioned... Do you think we can find it like before?”

“It seems to be extremely dangerous.”

“Maybe it would be better to return for today and gather more information...”

Emily and Mary, full of worry, suggested this as we approached the stairs to the third floor.

However, I smiled and reassured them.

“Don't worry. I know enough about the traps on the third floor.”

“R-Really? Well, it’s Ken, after all.”

Emily, encouraged by my confident reply, smiled softly.

But Mary still looked uneasy.

“Um, Ken, are you sure it’s okay? I just have a bad feeling about this.”

Even Raphne, who had been quiet, expressed her concern.

The ominous atmosphere created by the old man's warning seemed to have affected everyone.

I silently smiled and gently patted Raphne’s head.

The third floor we arrived at afterward was a region with the appearance of a collapsed grand castle.

We were at the Outer Castle Wall of the structure.

From where we stood, we could see an endless chasm below the castle walls.

At the edge of our view, there was a massive outer wall of the castle, its size impossible to estimate.

Unlike the previous first and second floors, the layout here consisted of narrow castle paths, which imposed restrictions on our movements in battle.

Of course, this also meant that monsters were more likely to be funneled into a single area, so it had its pros and cons.

“It’s really high… Is that abyss below what the old man mentioned? Hell?”

Siegfried peered over the wall’s edge and remarked as he looked down the cliff.

“Well, if you fall, you might end up in Hell…”

I also looked down at the abyss below.

An endless darkness.

Even though I had never fallen in the game, it certainly looked dangerous.

Unlike in the game, where things might be less fatal, here in reality, a fall would mean free-falling without any issues.

My legs started to shake as I continued to gaze below the cliff.

“Ken! That’s really dangerous.”

Just then, Raphne grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

“I... I feel uneasy. Don’t do anything risky.”

Her expression, usually playful, looked genuinely anxious.

The atmosphere of the third floor seemed to be adding to her unease.

“Okay, I’ll be careful.”

I smiled, feeling a bit guilty.

After assuring them it would be fine, we proceeded with maximum caution.

“Enemies incoming! Skeletons!”

Mary’s shout alerted us to the approaching monsters, signaling the start of our first battle.

A fight atop the castle walls.

Due to the narrow passageways, there were fewer monsters compared to the first and second floors.

However, the tight spaces made it difficult to coordinate with team members.

Though I expected a tough battle, ‘This isn’t a problem.’

━Crash!!

Even from my position in the rear, I could see the swarm of Skeleton Soldiers flying through the air.

The spectacle, reminiscent of leaves blowing in the wind, was the handiwork of Raphne at the front.

She seemed to be using more power than usual, perhaps eager to clear this unsettling third floor quickly.

The Skeleton Soldiers fell helplessly under her fierce assault.

Moving forward with less danger than anticipated, we reached the entrance to the castle’s interior.

“From here on, I’ll take the lead. The traps I mentioned earlier are said to be inside the castle.”

Just like in the ruins and jungle area before, I took point to inspect for traps.

Upon finding a trap, we would either bypass it or take a detour.

Unfortunately, while my game knowledge helped in identifying traps, I didn’t know how to disarm them.

“…Ken, be careful.”

Raphne, who had been leading us earlier, stood behind me with a worried tone.

“They’re easier to spot than I thought, so it’s okay.”

I reassured her.

It wasn’t a lie.

Unlike the first and second floors, the traps on the third floor were relatively easy to find.

Even traps like wall arrow traps or Mimics, aside from the ones leading to Hell as the old man had mentioned, were easy to identify.

As I led the way, navigating our path according to the map,

“…Wait.”

I raised my hand, signaling the party to stop.

“Wh-Why?”

“Is there something?”

“There’s a trap. We can’t go this way.”

After examining the floor, I answered Emily.

“Is it the trap he mentioned earlier?”

Mary followed up with a question. It seemed she was most concerned about it.

“No. It’s simply a pitfall trap. Don’t worry.”

“There! I told you Ken could handle it!”

“Weren’t you really worried too, Emily?”

With the revelation that it was just a simple trap, everyone seemed relieved and finally smiled.

“Then let’s take a short break here.”

“Huh? Right here? Next to the trap?”

“There won’t be any monsters coming near the trap. It’s actually the best place to rest.”

“…Hmm, okay.”

At my suggestion, everyone set down their heavy gear, stretched out, and took a seat.

Then, they began to inspect their equipment.

“…Ken.”

As soon as our break started, Raphne naturally approached my side. Unlike her usual cheerful smile, she had an uneasy expression.

I gave her a gentle smile and stood up from my spot and moved with her.

Then, I glanced over at Adrian and Siegfried who were sitting nearby.

They met my gaze and nodded.

Afterward, I approached Mary and Emily, who were chatting nearby.

“Oh, Ken? What’s going on? Do you need healing magic?”

“Did you get hurt somewhere?”

Emily greeted me with a warm smile, while Mary looked concerned at her words.

Without answering their questions, I quietly rummaged through my pocket.

“Hey, do you remember this?”

I showed them what I had taken out from my pocket.

“Huh?

...This is.”

“…This is from before.”

Before Emily and Mary could figure out what it was that I was holding.

I activated the magical device in my hand.

━Flash!

Unlike me who had previously experienced petrification, the two who had never seen it coming were unable to avoid it and immediately froze.

“Wa-wait! Ken?!”

“K-Ken! Why!”

Before they could finish their sentences, the petrifying magical device had completely immobilized them.

I then bowed my head to them, knowing they could still hear and see.

“I’m really sorry to both of you. I’ll release you soon, so please wait a little longer.”

After saying what I needed to, I turned around.

“Ke, Ken... What are you doing right now?”

Raphne, who made eye contact with me, was trembling, evidently not understanding what was happening.

It pained me to see her like that, but I had to proceed with my decision.

“Senior!”

Siegfried responded immediately to my call.

“W-wait. What are you doing!!”

Siegfried matched my signal and grabbed Raphne from behind.

“Ken! Ke-e-en!! Wh-why are you doing this!!”

Raphne screamed, likely realizing that her fears were coming true.

The anxiety on her face wasn’t about her own safety.

It was all about her concern for my safety.

Despite being restrained, she was worried about me, and I gave her a gentle smile.

“I’m sorry, Raphne. But don’t worry, I’ll come back safe and sound.”

“N-no! Ken, no! Don’t do this! There must be another way!!”

Tears began to well up in Raphne’s eyes as she shook her head, desperately trying to persuade me.

But no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t break free from Siegfried's grip.

I gently approached her and softly patted her head.

“Please trust me.

...And I’m sorry for holding you like this.”

“Ke, Ke-en! Sobbing, Ke-e-en…”

“Because of the pendant, you’re immune to petrification. So, please endure this just once.”

“Don’t do it! Please, please don’t do this!

If it's about climbing the tower, I'll do my best! So, please..."

"This is the best option."

We don't have the luxury of time to leisurely climb a tower that’s nearly 100 floors.

If we take that long, the Demon King's Army will catch on.

We have to climb the tower as quickly as possible.

I turned my head to look at Adrian.

"Then, I'll leave the rest to you as explained."

"Ah, don't worry."

He nodded with a serious face, unlike his usual playful smile.

I then walked past Raphne and approached the floor I had investigated earlier.

"Ken!! KEN!!"

Raphne's voice calling me from behind made my steps heavier.

But I kept walking.

And when I stood in front of the target spot on the floor:

"Ken."

I heard Siegfried's voice from behind.

I turned my head to look at him, and he continued speaking with his back turned.

"Be sure to come back alive."

I grinned and replied to his words.

"Don't worry. Please take care of everyone!"

Mary and Emily, who are probably watching and listening to all this, and Siegfried and Adrian, who will carry out the plan, and finally, Raphne, who is crying and calling out for me.

After responding so that everyone could hear, I turned my body back again.

And with one last step.

I moved forward and stepped onto the floor.…

━Swoooosh!

The previously empty floor began to ooze black liquid.

In an instant, it engulfed me.

When the darkness enveloped me and I felt a strange sensation, I opened my eyes to find myself in what could only be described as hell.

“…One year here, huh.”

I had prepared myself, but actually being here brought an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

“Sigh, how did I end up in this mess?”

But there was no other choice.

This was the only way I could think of to ensure Raphne's safety.

A desolate land stained with purple.

Barren, branchless trees.

A dark sky covered in black clouds.

And countless varieties of monsters visible in the distance.

I must survive here from now on.

‘First, I need to find water and food before my supplies run out. Then, I’ll set up a tent near the water supply…’

With these thoughts, I moved forward.Then, suddenly.

‘Keeeen! Sob, Keeeeen━!!’

Raphne’s voice, crying out for me at the last moment, came to mind.

Her sorrowful wails made my heart ache.

And I looked up at the sky.

Even though I could only see the dark, cloudy sky, I hoped my words would reach her.

“Wait just a week, Raphne.

...I’ll be back soon.”

For those waiting, it would be a week; for me, it would be a year of survival.

The timer to accomplish each mission began ticking.

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