Leaky Cauldron,

London

The tink of the glasses striking together rang across the room.

The four Contestants, all robed in black cloaks with their hoods down, cheered and drank a mouthful of wine, celebrating the momentous occasion.

This was it, wasn’t it?

This was what they called a true, unquantified privilege!

Luna and Patricia, the two High-level Sixth Floor Contestants, had arrived here with no particular enthusiasm, other than that it was their job to assist a higher-up. Still, it would help them close the gap to their Set Ascension Mission. So, they hadn’t planned on holding back anyway.

Cooler, on the other hand, had been looking forward to the Mission from the start.

When he accepted Golden Mage’s summon, the Top-level Sixth Floor Contestant knew it would be his Set Ascension Mission.

That’s why Cooler had tried to test the famous Contestant’s reputation with sharp questions.

Golden Mage had gone beyond answering those questions, easily finding out what he had been planning. She had shown him that her reputation hadn’t been a bastard child of her relationship with the Thunder Faction, but because of her innate potential.

So Cooler had decided not to hold back, either, revealing all his trump cards, like the Multiverse Interdependency he carried — Flying Thunder Disapparition Technique!

"Cooler..." Shae looked at the unusually quiet man, who was now smiling to himself. "You did a marvelous job out there. We would have completed the Mission anyway, but... your contribution made the job much, much easier. And safer, yes. Thank you."

Luna and Patricia nodded, their eyes shining as they looked at Cooler, not finding him bad at all. The two women’s eyes matched, and they shared a giggle between them, knowing each other’s thoughts.

Shae ignored what the two girls were planning.

Cooler indeed deserved a reward.

Revealing the secrets of one’s Multiverse Interdependency was one of the greatest taboos of the Primordial Tower.

Not only were they few and far between, but each Multiverse Interdependency was a testament to a Contestant’s strength, hinting toward his true nature, potential, and overall Stats.

She wouldn’t have done that, Shae knew.

Spending years with Arlen had made her see people differently.

When she had arrived in the Primordial Tower, she had an easy-going personality, prone to trusting others with no thought of consequences or worries.

However, it was during her Initiation Mission that she had met the monster.

If it wasn’t for Arlen, Shae didn’t know what she would have done.

Still, the monster had scarred her heart, gifting her traumas.

Now, no matter how crucial it might seem, she wouldn’t reveal her true thoughts, secrets, and Stats to anyone but Arlen. Much less needed to be said about revealing something as personal as a Multiverse Interdependency.

However, she was still different from Arlen.

He would have rewarded Cooler’s contribution with a thank you, knowing the man only did it because he wanted to ascend the Set and not as a charity.

Shae couldn’t do that, though.

"We must give credit where credit is due," the Golden Mage said, looking up at Cooler. "After arriving at the 7th Floor, visit Thunder Faction’s Headquarters and select any Rare Grade Item you wish from the organization’s Treasure Vault."

Luna and Patricia’s jaws dropped.

Cooler’s eyes let out a shiny glint, his breath breaking slightly.

Rare Grade Items were already scarce. Still, people like Luna, Patricia, and Cooler had a few on them. However, the level of these Items barely ranged from Low to Mid. At their level, it was still good. But on the 3rd Set, it wouldn’t nearly be enough.

Cooler would have needed to secure a good Item during his 7th-floor missions, taking enormous risks.

Now, though, Golden Mage had already taken care of that.

She hadn’t just awarded him an Item, but an entire life, because she hadn’t mentioned the level of the Rare Item at all.

That meant Cooler could even ask for a Top-level Rare Grade Item, and they would give it to him!

Or... he could... even get a Named Rare Grade Item...

Finishing his wine in one gulp, Cooler bent his waist as low as he could. "Thank you for the generosity, Golden Mage," he said. "I am glad I could contribute to your endeavors meaningfully."

Shae nodded, a small smile on her face.

This guy will go far in politics, she noted, thinking of recommending Cooler to Arlen once she returned. The Notification must be coming soon as well...

"So lucky!" Luna hopped around Patricia and playfully slapped Cooler’s arm. "First, we got a Hidden Mission, and now you got another reward... Not fair..."

Patricia joined Luna in cozying up with Cooler, both pouting as they praised him.

Shae shook her head and sat on the bed, ignoring them.

Contestants needed to take advantage of opportunities, she had learned. Girls, more so than others. She was lucky to get Arlen’s assistance early in the game, but Luna and Patricia... they hadn’t been so lucky.

Shae instead focused on the Hidden Mission, though.

Through Cooler’s help, she had practically finished her Main Mission. They should have returned to the Primordial Tower immediately. However, only minutes later, Shae’s Party had received a Hidden Mission.

Hidden Mission...

If there had been a sign of things going well, then it was this, Arlen had told her.

Hidden Missions were nothing but the straightest road to power — to rewards that could only be desired and not obtained.

Shae had become a 7th Floor Contestant, but this was only her third Hidden Mission.

For Luna, Patricia, and Cooler? It was their first, clearly dictating how rare its occurrence was.

Shae took a deep breath and brought out the Notification once again, with a touch of pride on her face.

...

[

Hidden Mission: Help Lord Voldemort Escape

Hidden Mission Grade: C+

Hidden Mission Summary:

Lord Voldemort is engaged in a heated battle with Professor Dumbledore and Darcie Malfoy. As he has only regained his new body, with enhanced magical abilities, his state is unstable and unsuited to prolonged battles.

Hidden Mission Objective: Create a distraction without revealing your presence to Dumbledore or Darcie

Hidden Mission Time Limit: Not Applicable

]

...

A C+ Hidden Mission’s reward would be enough to push her to the 8th Floor singlehandedly, Shae knew.

Against that, her promise of a Rare Grade Item didn’t really matter much.

Shae suddenly remembered the three enormous creatures — a bloody Serpent, a black Phoenix, and a six-winged Thunderbird.

Just thinking of what kind of divergences could lead to such a scenario excited her as much as it alerted her.

Still, it didn’t matter.

She had made sure to meet the Hidden Mission’s Objective, lingering at the boundary of that battle. Not to mention, other than the major Pillar Storyline Characters, no one knew about the existence of the Contestants.

So, technically, they had already completed the Hidden Mission.

The only reason Shae could think of for the delay related to the Notification of its success was that Voldemort had yet to settle at his new secret location.

So, as Cooler took the two girls to the next room, with his arms around their waist, she got up from the bed and poured herself a glass of wine, relaxing.

Her first 7th Floor Mission, and she already secured a Hidden Mission?

Arlen would be happy, Shae thought, smiling and sipping wine...

... waiting for the dull gray Notification with no hurry.

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

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