The Challenger's Return: Rebirth of the Rainbow Mage
chapter-10

Otto leisurely left after the contract was signed. The trap, at least, was complete.

Now, all he had to do was wait until the city was besieged by the monsters to go and loot the [Rainbow Corinth] from the Brenner family base.

This was the biggest reason the contract needed to be so stringent.

That way, there would be no chance of Darius Brenner stationing overly powerful forces to guard the base while he was supposed to be busy fighting the monsters.

Yes, this whole scenario was intended for only this reason.

However, Otto didn't regret his actions at all. Either way, now that all of the noble families would have to be participating, there was a much bigger chance that Bront city would survive.

Doing a good thing coincidentally versus doing a good thing by design- who the hell cared about the difference? The result was still the good thing.

You never know, it could even be worth an 'extraordinary achievement!'

Otto planned ahead as he walked to Gretta's Lodge where he hoped to meet with Jeremy again.

Other than the [Rainbow Corinth], there was one other final item he wanted to obtain in the [Tutorial].

This item was comparatively easier to get, though it might take a few days to see results.

The 'item' in question, this time, was a pair of boots.

[Great Mage Ofrand's Boots]

Great Mage Ofrand was a legendary figure in the [Tower]. Oddly enough, no one knew much about him, though.

Too many myths and stories floated around about Ofrand, making it impossible to tell fact from fiction.

Otto didn't even know exactly what the effects of these boots were.

He only knew that they were one part of an incredible set of equipment.

A set of equipment he couldn't let go, even if there was only a tiny sliver of a chance he could get it.

It was aptly named [Ofrand's Set].

The set was the sixth best equipment set in the entire [Tower], as well as the absolute best set for any elemental mage.

Even the individual pieces were said to be either a two-digit or three-digit equipment for mages.

If Otto failed in the end, unable to revive the full set, collecting the individual pieces still wouldn't be a loss.

Most people could only dream of getting their hands on a silver or gold equipment, let alone the digit equipment above that.

The [Tower] ranked equipment and weapons in a simple manner.

[Common] equipment was easy to find. A sword bought from a normal vendor or blacksmith would be [Common] equipment. There was nothing particular about it.

[White] equipment was better. [White] equipment represented that an item was made well. The maker usually had some skill. It cost more than normal stuff, but it wasn't particularly rare or hard to find.

[Bronze] equipment marked the beginning of 'rare' items. Most decent climbers had at least one or two [Bronze] equipment.

These were tougher to get, but it could be achieved with an exceptional performance on a floor, or if one was willing to close their eyes and stick out their wallet in the [Sanctuary Cities] outside the [Tower] floors.

[Bronze] equipment was also the beginning of what climbers called 'attribute' equipment.

'Attribute' equipment, in addition to the equipment's natural strength, added additional attribute points to a given attribute when equipped, whether that be strength, stamina, speed, etc.

It reminded Otto of a game whenever he saw a sword that read 'Speed +2.' How could a sword increase his speed? Otto had never gone into smithing or enchanting, so he'd never figured out the mechanics.

He only knew that it worked. In later floors, attribute equipment would become increasingly important.

[Silver] equipment was a level above even that.

It had more attributes, or stronger attribute gains- this equipment was certifiably rare, and typically reserved for strong or lucky climbers.

[Silver] equipment would always be sold at extravagant prices, if at all.

[Gold] equipment was the strongest among regular equipment.

One generally had to be strong AND lucky to get one of these, and very few had more than one [Gold] item.

[Gold] equipment never really entered into the market. It basically couldn't be bought unless one boasted truly exceptional connections.

Above these grades was the [Digit] equipment.

The [Tower] ranked weapons and equipment within their categories. There was a section for 'Mage Staffs' 'Mage Boots' 'Knight Shields' 'Warrior Swords' 'Rogue Daggers,' etc.

Items ranked 1-9 were the very strongest [Single Digit] equipment.

Items ranked 10-99 were [Two Digit] equipment.

Items ranked 100-999 were [Three Digit] equipment.

Items ranked 1000-9999 were [Four Digit] equipment.

Beyond this, there was also the [Unified Ranking] that considered all equipment regardless of piece or class type. Since there were many more, the [Tower] ranked a total of 99,999 of them, which went up to [Unified Five Digits].

For example, [Ofrand's Set] is #1 in mage-only equipment sets, so it would be a single-digit equipment.

In the unified rankings, Otto knew it was also a single-digit set, here ranked #6.

[Ofrand's Set] would then be considered 'Unified Single-Digit Equipment' the rarest of the rare.

The point was that [Ofrand's Set] held extraordinary power.

Don't underestimate being #1 in an entire category. That category included millions, or even billions of sets of equipment. Just how powerful must a set be to come out on top of that ranking?

Not even in Otto's past life was this set ever completed.

Otto knew that Ofrand's Boots were currently held somewhere in the military compound.

The man who had gotten them in his past life only received them accidentally. He hadn't been able to unseal them.

Not knowing their value, he had decided to sell them to an unlucky mage who had only bought them because they had Ofrand's name.

That mage quickly realized they were sealed. He spent a full decade of his life trying to unseal them; the more he suffered, the more he felt the boots were extraordinary, and the harder he kept trying.

Alas, he failed in the end.

Not many people knew of [Ofrand's Set], even back then.

It was only later theorized that this set existed, because one man who called himself the 'Item Analyst' had spent many years revealing and cataloguing all the known equipment, and had managed to sniff out a pattern.

After that, any item that held Ofrand's name was hoarded viciously, not that there were very many in the first place.

Otto looked up at Gretta's Lodge and halted his train of thought.

He paused for a second.

It seemed like…he hadn't taken a break at all since he returned to the past?

He spent so much time running all over the place trying to get stronger and complete his plan.

Otto suddenly realized that despite his nearly full stamina bar, his body felt a little heavy.

He checked his status screen, and felt a little dumbfounded at himself.

[Toto]

New Summoned

Debuff: [Moderate Fatigue]

[Moderate Fatigue]

Stamina capped at 50%

-75% Stamina Regeneration

How stupid!

He carefully went over his memories, and found…he completely forgot to sleep! It'd been two days, nearing three!

Otto nearly tripped in surprise. How could he forget such a basic thing?

Okay, fine, he was busy, but Otto was NOT someone who treated himself poorly.

The [Tower] had beat his laziness out of him long ago, but Otto felt like he was acting like a huge workaholic all of a sudden.

Ugh. He didn't want to be a workaholic any more than he wanted to be a lazy bum.

Was it because his task was too urgent? No.

It was probably because his body hadn't needed to sleep more than once a week for quite a long time. Otto had probably subconsciously ignored his body's signals.

He silently decided that he would be a bit more relaxed from now on.

Anyway, the hardest part of his plan was now over. He now had a little more wiggle room.

Otto entered Gretta's Lodge and found a young Jeremy Smalls sitting alone at a table.

Not a single person noticed the boy there, and there were no servers that asked him what he wanted, either. It was as if he was invisible.

Otto once again marveled at his lack of presence.

Jeremy was currently fidgeting as he tried to decide if he was allowed to drink the large mug of beer in front of him.

Back on Earth, he could never do something like this.

But those rules clearly didn't apply in this place.

Subconsciously, Jeremy still felt he wasn't allowed to drink alcohol.

Otto sat down across from Jeremy and smiled faintly as he waited for Jeremy to decide on his own.

Jeremy saw Otto, who was older than him, wasn't saying anything. He took it as permission to try, so he gulped down a large mouthful.

Soon, his eyes bulged. He reflexively wanted to spit it back out, but also didn't want to look like a wimp.

Or a child.

Instead, he swallowed painfully and said with righteousness,

"I'm not old enough, so Mister Franklin, you can have the rest."

Otto tilted his head quizzically.

"Mister Franklin?"

Jeremy flushed as he realized he accidentally called him that out loud.

"Heh, yeah, you know, I don't know your name so," he looked everywhere but at Otto,

"Since you gave me a lot of money, and Benjamin Franklin was on the $100 bill…"

Otto once again wanted to laugh at this awkward kid.

'How did he get by before he met me?'

The question would perhaps forever be left unanswered.

"My name is Otto."

"Okay, Mister Otto, and also, erm, I wanted to…"

"Just Otto, I'm only a few years older than you anyway. Plus, there's no need to thank me for the money. I had an ulterior motive."

Jeremy's mind whirred as his heart dropped to his stomach.

He quickly looked around. Was this man here to kill him? No way, in front of all these people?

Probably not.

Then, what…oh no!

'Could it be that my first guess was correct??? Did he just want me for my body? I was joking at that time, but to think it might be true...'

Jeremy carefully peeked at Otto.

Otto rolled his eyes and slapped Jeremy on the back of the head.

He didn't hold back.

Jeremy lost 3 health, and squawked in indignation,

"Hey!!! Don't just hit me like that!"

"Don't think of stupid shit. Listen before you jump to conclusions."

Jeremy nodded, chastised.

"I saw that your stealth was excellent, and your presence is naturally really low. Basically, I think you could be an excellent assassin or rogue.

I want to train you so you can become part of my team. That's why I gave you money. Think of it as an investment in you."

As Jeremy's eyes wandered in confusion, Otto rolled his eyes in annoyance and poked Jeremy's chest to make sure he was paying attention.

Soon, Jeremy's eyes were as wide as his smile.

Otto could tell he was about to chatter on non-stop with some narcissistic BS so he quickly interjected before Jeremy could begin.

"I'll be blunt. You're no good to me right now. I could beat a thousand of you with my hands tied behind my back. What I see in you is not your skill, Jeremy Smalls, but your potential.

Understand?"

This time, Jeremy was a bit more solemn.

But his smile didn't go disappear.

A warm feeling sprouted in his chest.

It reminded him of when his parents were alive.

He wanted to cry a little, but didn't really dare to. Otto was too scary!

Otto continued,

"If you want to be on my team, you'll have to work harder than you've ever worked in your entire life.

I can tell that you know some martial arts, but that isn't nearly enough to be considered proficient in combat."

Jeremy shrunk his neck. He asked softly,

"Will it be painful?"

Otto nodded without hesitation.

"Very painful."

Jeremy went silent for a second.

Just when Otto was sure he would back out, he heard Jeremy say quietly,

"Will I be able to help my big brother?"

Otto cocked his head slightly.

Jeremy's voice was barely above a whisper.

"He went missing two years ago. I think... he's in the tower too."

Otto watched the boy who was stuck in his memories. He was inexplicably reminded of his own little brother who would be arriving in a year or so.

When he came to the [Tower], did he try to be strong to help Otto, too?

His gaze gentled a little.

"Yes. If he's up there, you will be able to help your big brother."

Jeremy looked at Otto again.

"Then I agree."

And the temporary team was formed.

And if a few tears happened to leak out of Jeremy's eyes, and if Otto suddenly felt soft-hearted thinking of his own kid brother and rubbed this dumb kid's head in silent comfort while they finished their meal, well, neither planned on mentioning it.

****************************************************************

Otto finally felt satisfied.

After a huge meal last night, he rented two rooms for himself and Jeremy. As soon as he laid down, Otto instantly fell into slumber.

In the end, he only woke up after fourteen straight hours of sleep.

He hadn't even heard the sound of the meteor fragments falling onto another part of the city.

He wasn't used to such restful sleep!

It was now mid-morning. Alas, Otto's break was over.

He promptly dressed before going into Jeremy's room and punting him out of bed after a single line.

"We're leaving in five minutes. Hurry and dress."

After a quick breakfast of bread, potatoes, and juice, the two of them were out the door.

"Don't ask me questions. It's too early. Better yet, don't talk for an hour."

Jeremy obediently shut his mouth.

But his inner thoughts were different.

'Just because you're stronger than me doesn't mean you can be an asshole!'

Well, strictly speaking, Jeremy didn't dare to retort, so it actually DID mean he could be an asshole.

"Keep up."

The two ran to the wall, where the military was busy fighting the monsters. It was where Otto wanted to find [Ofrand's Boots].

While they ran, Otto decided to get some information from his new tag-along.

"What difficulty did you choose? What's your end mission?"

Jeremy could barely talk as he ran, but he still responded in fear of being hit on the back of the head.

"I chose high difficulty. Err, I chose the mission to kill 1,000 monsters."

Otto looked at him as if he had a second head.

"You chose to kill 1,000 monsters? Just how were you planning on completing that?"

Jeremy was now out of breath and awkward,

"The guide said I could form a team, so I thought it wouldn't be so hard with a team…"

Otto wanted to smack him, but resisted the urge.

"How many have you killed already?"

Jeremy shrank his neck a little further,

"223."

But Otto was pleasantly surprised. He grunted.

"At least it's not nothing."

Of course, Otto was not worried about this mission at all. With him here, even if Jeremy needed 10,000 monsters, Otto would still find a way.

But he was deeply curious about how Jeremy had completed the mission in his past life.

"What would you have done if you hadn't met me?"

"Either made some money, hired someone to form a team and help me kill a bunch of monsters, or go to the military and tell them about my righteousness and determination and then form a team with some soldiers."

Jeremy grinned cheekily while Otto inwardly rolled his eyes.

'It was definitely the second. Those idiots, I bet they believed him too.'

Otto refocused. He had two goals, today. First, he had to kill as many monsters as possible to raise his own mission rating as well as Jeremy's.

Second, he had to get the commander to offer him something from the military storage, the likely dwelling place of the sealed Ofrand's boots.

Otto had an idea.

'I have to meet the commander.'

The duo soon entered the military base.