The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-332

Chapter 332: Draw (2)

[ So, what do you say? Shall we make all the next few floors completely meaningless? ]

The fairy’s proposal was truly absurd. Currently, Vikir was on the 4th floor, the Black Sea. The next floor to encounter is obviously the underground 5th floor, and below that is the underground 6th floor. But the fairy suggests making all the floors below meaningless.

[What do you say?]

In essence, If Vikir goes down the floors, he would likely clear all the hidden stages, devouring all the monsters placed to be avoided, and seizing all the hidden prizes arranged not to be obtained. In doing so, after receiving continuous special rewards, it is certain that he would become a formidable force beyond the standard. Therefore, the fairy’s offer to skip significant portions of their jurisdictional floors and promise an average level of stage-clearing rewards in return.

“So as long as I play nice, you’ll let me get to a certain floor quickly, without wasting any time?”

[Correct.]

“What do you intend to give?”

In response, the fairy folded two out of twelve fingers and extended the remaining ten.

Vikir immediately understood. “Ten golden candies, that’s it?”

[Yes?]

The fairy nodded with a tense expression. Then added a word. [Can’t you just accept it? I’ll really go bankrupt like this?]

Hearing this, HighBro, MiddleBro, and LowBro exclaimed together.

“This bitch! Where’s the cooperation coming from? Our lord does not take such easy paths or compromises!”

“He does not compromise!”

“He does not compromise!”

But the determined shouts of the triplets were futile.

“Be more generous.”

Vikir showed curiosity about the fairy’s deal. “You’re only giving ten golden candies for sending us down a few floors?”

[Th-th-th-that’s… I could possibly give a little more?]

To the stuttering fairy, Vikir added a word. “The candies are enough. But could you get me an item I desire?”

Until now, Vikir always emphasized candies as the best, and he had never really needed an item. The items that couldn’t be taken out of the tower were always pushed down in the priority of rewards. So, Vikir asking for an item now was somewhat unusual.

[What item do you need?]

As the fairy asked with a puzzled tone, Vikir replied firmly.

“The balance scale of forced equality.”

Vikir, stating the name of the desired item precisely, observed the fairy’s expression turn perplexed.

“That’s the Hidden Piece only available on the 3rd underground floor? Oh?”

For a moment, the fairy seemed to want to say something but stopped short, looking caught off guard. However, Vikir had already gleaned information from the fairy’s slip of tongue.

“I see. It’s an item obtainable in the area guarded by the Bloodsoaked jade flower on the 3rd underground floor.”

[But that floor is already cleared?]

The fairy felt relieved knowing Vikir had already passed the 3rd underground floor. The “Balance Scale of Forced Equality” was a Hidden Piece dropped only on the 3rd floor guarded by the Bloodsoaked jade flowe. If one missed it in the beginning, it was over.

However…

“Did you forget? This is given to all who challenge the Tower.”

Vikir produced a single sheet of paper.

– [Return Scroll] / Scroll / Grade: ?

Allows a one-time return to the tutorial zone.

It contains the answer to the question, ‘Where are you going, sir?’

※ Level will be reset upon use.

It was a scroll enabling a return to the tutorial zone, allowing him to challenge from the 1st floor again, a one-time use item. Since Vikir’s level was 1 anyway, there was nothing to regret. Stats wouldn’t reset even if he used the scroll.

Vikir spoke as if threatening, “Thanks for the information. I will use this scroll to return to the tutorial floor, and once again, I will devour all the gimmicks and Hidden Pieces on my way here. I’ll sweep through everything. Of course, I’ll have to visit the 3rd floor again, won’t I? Because I need to find the Balance Scale of Forced Equality.”

[Uh…]

The fairy sensed trouble brewing and frowned.

Eventually, with a dejected expression, the fairy rummaged through a thick booklet.

[Item Catalog – Hidden Pieces Edition]

1. Flute Summoning Demons (Inventory: 8) – Red Candies 500

2. Revenge Armor (Inventory: 3) – Green Candies 250

3. Potion of Super Regeneration (Inventory: 15) – Blue Candies 400

4. Sleight of Hand Gloves (Inventory: 5) – Green Candies 50, Blue Candies 50

5. Persistence’s 10,000 Swing Two-Handed Sword (Inventory: 2) – Red Candies 1,000, Blue Candies 800

6. Hourglass of Lust (Inventory: 1) – Golden Candy 1.

.

.

A catalog booklet filled with various rare items. Surely, it also contained information about the item Vikir had mentioned.

[Item Catalog – Hidden Pieces Edition]

203. Balance Scale of Forced Equality (Inventory: 0) – Golden Candy 20

Truly an item of tremendous value. It demands a whopping 20 golden candies.

[They’re all out of stock.]

The fairy expressed deep disappointment. However, Vikir remained resolute.

“There must be a hidden stock somewhere.”

[Huh? That’s ridiculous!]

“It’s not just a request. I’ll pay for it.”

Vikir handed over all 20 golden candies he had just obtained, adding a few leftover candies from commoners as well.

[Hm? Uh…]

The fairy began to show signs of hesitation.

Vikir subtly added a threat to his voice.

“Shall I use the return scroll and devour all the hidden pieces on every floor? And later, if a senior manager comes out, I’ll file a complaint. It seems like the manager of the 4th underground floor embezzled hidden pieces, and ask for an inventory check.”

[Uh, okay? I’ll find it ;-; Please wait,]

With tears in its eyes, the fairy reluctantly accepted the candies from Vikir.

And soon, the pages of the catalog were turned.

What seemed like one page was actually cleverly stuck together to form two.

With a resigned expression, the fairy tore off one page from the catalog and handed it to Vikir.

[Item Catalog – Hidden Pieces Edition]

203. Balance Scale of Forced Equality (Inventory: 0) – Golden Candy 20

※ Seller’s Rating: Solely a hidden piece obtainable only on the 3rd underground floor throughout the Tower.

Its abilities are quite impressive, but its cost-effectiveness is poor, so few people use it.

It’s practically useless in the early stages, only starting to demonstrate its abilities in the later stages. But it’s almost unheard of for someone to survive until the later stages with this item.

Then…

…BANG!

The page that landed in Vikir’s hand transformed into an item with a resounding boom.

– [Balance Scale of Forced Equality] / Scale / S

According to the highest stat among one’s own stats, other stats change.

All stats gradually increase at the rate of the highest stat until all stats become the same. This change continues until all stats become identical.

The skull-shaped weight and the scale plate with engraved angles made it appear quite ominous at first glance. However, according to the description, it was an item with quite impressive abilities.

For instance, if one’s strength stat was 10 and all other stats were merely 1, possessing this weight would cause all stats to gradually increase in line with the strength stat over time. Thus, after a very long time, when all stats reached 10, the weight would disappear. However, the time it took for stats to increase was so long that unless one was prepared to withstand several years within this Tower, it would ultimately be a useless item.

Knowing this fact, the fairy accepted Vikir’s proposal after much contemplation.

At that moment…

“Hmm? What’s this?”

While putting the item into his pocket, Vikir discovered a small note enclosed within. It outlined the ‘conventional’ method of obtaining the item.

[Item Catalog – Hidden Pieces Edition]

203. Balance Scale of Forced Equality (Inventory: 0) – Golden Candy 20

※ Item Acquisition Condition: Challengers encountering the Bloodseed’s Crimson Slumber must vote to sacrifice one person per day.

However, the order of selection for sacrifice is not from the weakest to the strongest, but rather the opposite.

A special reward will be given to the last survivor.

Unexpectedly, he had learned the method of acquiring the item.

“I see. So, this is how this item is obtained.”

Before regressing, Vikir had learned of the existence of this item from the memoirs of the great heroes.

There was a villain within the Tower at that time who disrupted the order, but initially, they didn’t attract much attention. However, as the Tower reached its later stages, they displayed tremendous power. The heroes of that time investigated how the villain had gained such formidable strength, and eventually, they discovered the existence of this item. However, no matter how much research they conducted, they couldn’t figure out how to obtain the item, which is why Vikir now understood the reason. “With such a monstrous acquisition method, who could have obtained it?”

Before regressing, it was astounding to know that only one person had managed to obtain this item.

Finally, the fairy grumbled and spoke up.

[These people will be going to the 5th underground floor, won’t they? And from the next floor onwards, it will be a different fairy? That means even more sinister supervisors are coming out, right? Aren’t you scared that I’ve been the only one you’ve encountered so far?]

As the fairy spoke, a gate leading to the 5th underground floor appeared before everyone’s eyes. It seemed that each person would be sent to different places, judging by the fact that only one person could enter at a time.

[Shall we go one by one?]

The fairy, looking at all the challengers, particularly lingered on Vikir. Then, with a hint of suggestion, the fairy uttered:

[Weren’t things bad when we were together? Let’s not see each other again?]