Chapter 39: Toward the Hell Train (1)
21st Floor
It had been six months since the "Arie Test Candidate Assault Incident."
"Hyung, try this one too!"
Luf's eyes sparkled as he pushed another dish toward me.
The more time I spent with him, the more convinced I became: if I had to pick the most modern person among my friends, I wouldn't hesitate for even a second—it was Luf.
Sometimes I seriously wondered if he had reincarnated from Earth like me.
He's that hyper, that sociable, and absolutely obsessed with taking pictures.
Like right now.
"Don't eat yet—just a second…"
Click.
His Observer, which was supposed to be for scanning the surroundings, had long abandoned its role and fully devolved into a digital camera.
To be fair, we hadn't had to fight much in the past six months, so I couldn't blame him.
Still—he takes pictures whenever he gets the chance. I wonder how much storage it even has left.
"Wow… this one looks great. Hyung, can't you just wear casual clothes with a crown forever?"
"Haha… I'd like to, but mindset matters. During fights, a uniform is better. The crown is… something I'll think about."
For the past year without battles, I've grown fond of wearing casual clothes.
Seeing the wardrobe fill up piece by piece made me oddly happy.
Today I wore a hoodie and slacks—pretty normal for an average guy.
Well, except for my face… and the crown.
The crown I won from the Crown Game—after getting it engraved, repainted white, and set with crimson jewels by a craftsman, it suited me perfectly.
The original Hoaquin also wore a crown, so maybe it was meant to be.
I like it so much that I've been wearing it almost everywhere.
Probably will during battles, too.
"Hoaquin, it's ready."
"Oh, nice. It's fully cooked."
We were at a hotpot restaurant today.
Originally, we promised ourselves to spend this year doing meaningful, balanced lifestyle training…
That resolve lasted less than a month.
Now our "balanced lifestyle" was just systematic restaurant hunting.
But hey—if you're happy and having fun, that's meaningful too.
We filled our bowls with steaming hotpot ingredients.
Just as we were digging in, Hwarang spoke up.
"So… where did you say Maschenny Zahard is now?"
"Almost here. Maybe two floors away?"
When she first contacted me, it had been surprising and confusing.
....
Six Months Ago
"Hello? Maschenny—didn't think you'd be calling. Long time no see."
— Hoaquin. Where are you right now?
"Uh? Still on the 21st floor."
— What? Already?
"Well… 'already' might be pushing it, but yeah. Though things got messy, so I'm staying here for a year."
— …A year, huh? Understood.
"…?"
That was our whole conversation the first time.
I was confused then, but a few days later, while browsing the web with Luf, I saw the news:
Maschenny had become a Test Candidate.
Then everything made sense.
Apparently she was now blazing through floors without rest.
Climbing alone must be tough—she should rest more.
Even if she took a full year, I'd wait.
But her nature is battle, after all.
"The Princess joining the team… that's surreal. Hyung, you're like someone who drags storms behind him."
A storm, huh?
Maybe.
But honestly… hotpot alone wasn't enough.
"Order more?"
"Order more?"
"Can we order more?"
We asked simultaneously.
With a laugh, Hwarang quickly placed another order—for extra hotpot and spicy stir-fried sundae-gopchang.
Fancy restaurants are great, but I think I prefer places like this.
"What are we eating tomorrow morning?"
"I heard their hangover soup and rice soup are good. Let's come back and try them."
Approved.
After finishing dinner, we returned to the hotel.
As soon as we stepped inside, a staff member approached to collect our shopping bags.
"Welcome back. Was anything lacking last night…?"
"No, everything was perfect. Thank you."
"Always a pleasure, sir."
The most luxurious hotel on the 21st floor—
after six months of polite interactions and consistent stay, we'd naturally become VIP guests.
Inside my suite—
"Alright. Let's begin."
It was time for our strategy meeting—our future plans.
Hwarang spoke first.
"Hoaquin, you're joining the Hell Train, right? Just like you said before?"
I nodded.
Regardless of everything else, the Train helps you climb quickly.
No reason not to ride.
"And another thing—you can enter the Hidden Floor if you clear the Hell Train."
"Hidden… Floor?"
Yep.
As long as I haven't been there yet in this timeline, mentioning it doesn't break anything.
"Yeah. It's a digital space where you can leave your data behind. And deeper inside… there are even greater secrets."
I stopped there.
No need to mention who waits in the deepest part.
I'll use that shock later.
I wondered…
When exactly would Zahard's data delete the Ten Family Heads' data mirrors?
He eventually found test candidates annoying and removed himself too.
But that was long after ancient times.
At this point in time, the data should still exist…
Hopefully.
Seeing the Ten Family Heads in their "purest" days would be interesting.
After my brief explanation, Hwarang looked amazed.
"A Hidden Floor on the Hell Train? How do you even know these things?"
"Haha, that's a secret."
I brushed it off playfully and thought to myself:
The Hell Train is full of opportunities—like receiving the "Revolution" blessing from the God of Guardians.
Though… I'm not technically a test candidate, so I'm not sure if I qualify.
As for the Floor of Death—I don't need to go, but maybe just once, for sightseeing?
In this timeline, no Garam Zahard, no Hell Joe…Red Bari probably exists, but—
I'm not hungry.
Greed ruins digestion.
Besides, that's something Bam needs in the original storyline.
With me refusing to become White, things were already different enough.
No need to break the story more than necessary.
A quick visit won't hurt.
"Then our goals are… reach the 35th floor, get the ticket, board the Hell Train, ride it all the way to the final station, and leave our data in the Hidden Floor?"
"That's about right."
After wrapping up our discussion, I sent Luf and Hwarang back to their rooms.
Left alone, I faced the mirror.
My lips trembled—desperately trying not to curl into a grin.
Ah, damn it.
I could already feel the thrill rising in me, excitement bubbling like I was about to burst.
Through the God of Guardians, I'd undergo Revolution.
I'd explore the Floor of Death just for fun.
And on the Hidden Floor… I'd get to meet Zahard or Khun Eduan face to face.
It felt like I was stepping onto the protagonist's path—walking ahead of the original story's footsteps.
Maschenny enjoyed battle, sure, but my joy came from adventure.
From traveling through this vast, endless Tower.
Just imagining it made my heart race.
I forced down the trembling anticipation.
First things first—35th floor.
I wonder how long the climb from 21 to 35 will take.
If Maschenny arrives, maybe we can speedrun it a little.
Something told me I wouldn't sleep well tonight.
....
The next morning, after a surprisingly deep sleep, I headed early to the 21st floor Gate—Maschenny had contacted me.
"Welcome. Are you planning to go up or down a floor today?"
"Nope. Just waiting for a friend."
The gate was silent.
Other than the staff member, not a single person was around.
Leaning against a wall, I quietly waited for the Gate to activate.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
How long had it been?
A soft mechanical sound stirred from the Gate.
I opened my eyes.
Finally—the activation sequence began.
Vwoooom—
Electricity and light surged through the structure.
Internal devices spun rapidly, forming a dense energy field.
A burst of scattered light—And from the center of the forming Gate, a familiar silhouette emerged.
She finally arrived.
"Maschenny Hi."
"…?"
"Haha, dumb joke. Welcome. It's been a while."
Nearly a year had passed since we last saw each other.
I'm getting used to the flow of time in the Tower, so a year feels short these days—
But in moments like this, a year felt long after all.
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