I Became a Gallery Newbie Beloved by Transcendents-Chapter 35: 5th Floor (2)

Hard Mode, Floor 65.

Hard Mode Tower Numbering #35.

Targon, the guild leader of the Strategy Union, looked at Attack Captain Bellasia as she approached him.

"Bellasia, if this is something Vertex initiated, it’s not even worth paying attention to. They’re just overstepping their bounds without knowing their place. What we should be focusing on is clearing Floor 66 completely."

The blond man gazed at Bellasia with unwavering eyes.

"All the Constellations of this tower... want our victory."

Bellasia nodded at Targon’s words.

"I heard from the Judge of a Thousand Eyes as well. They're supporting us."

Targon recalled the notifications he saw on the Floor 64 stage.

The names of the Constellations who supported him.

[‘Judge of a Thousand Eyes’]

[‘Guide Who Follows the Stars’]

[‘Blazing Spear of the Crimson Sun’]

"Yes, even the Guide Who Follows the Stars... and the Blazing Spear of the Crimson Sun are watching over us."

Bellasia sensed the firm resolve in Targon’s words.

"Then, should we reject Vertex’s guild war declaration...?"

Targon shook his head.

"No. Those insects also need to be dealt with. If anything, this is an opportunity to boost morale before we ascend to Floor 66."

Targon steeled himself to use the guild war against Vertex as motivation to conquer Floor 66—a floor infamous as one of the most brutal in Hard Mode.

According to the ‘Administrator’ he had faced, even the top Hard Mode climbers from the previous season had suffered heavy casualties in that hellish section.

He intended to overcome it with minimal losses, proving his dominance.

***

The moment I tore the Master Craftsman Summoning Scroll and activated it...

I found myself staring at a presence within the suddenly unfolding black space.

Fortunately, I could tell what kind of being it was from the notification floating above their head.

[Master Craftsman Dark Elf Malenis]

Gray skin, black hair.

Golden eyes that stood out.

And, as expected of an elf species, long ears.

I saw Malenis’ lips slowly part.

"Coordinates... Pandemonium?"

Malenis’ murmuring continued to reach my ears.

"Of all the things... I never thought I’d end up trading with a Pandemonium climber."

I saw her gaze sweep over my body from head to toe. Then, her eyes moved to the surroundings—the Floor 5 waiting area.

I spoke first.

"Do you also trade with players from other difficulty levels?"

Malenis scratched her long hair.

"Hmm. I feel bad for bringing it up first, but... if I talk about anything unrelated to trade, I don’t know what kind of penalties I might get."

"Oh, that’s fine."

If I didn’t know something, I could always ask the senior members of the Transcendent Gallery.

Malenis slowly straightened up.

"I am Malenis, a Dark Elf blacksmith. Though, you probably already knew that from the text floating above me."

"Yes."

"I’m not allowed to ask for a customer’s name. No idea why. And even if you kindly tell me, it won’t reach my ears."

She had a trustworthy appearance, wearing long-sleeved leatherwork clothing and a smith’s apron—very fitting for a blacksmith.

"Let’s get to the point. What do you want?"

A very straightforward personality.

"A sword. Can you make me one?"

Malenis smirked.

"As expected. You want a weapon too. Almost everyone does, rather than armor."

She continued speaking.

"Any specific requirements?"

I had a clear request in mind.

"I want a sword that can fully contain Aura and Sword Qi."

A gleam of interest flashed in Malenis’ eyes.

"Oh? You’re already handling Sword Qi? Alright. Anything else?"

"It’d be great if it had an additional effect when facing multiple opponents. Like an increased critical hit rate."

That was because I had already felt how useful the effect of my primary weapon, [Great Opponent’s Sword, Carnavalte], was.

"Hah, that’s easy."

Malenis pulled out a scrap of paper, jotted down a few words, then looked back at me.

"You saw the cost negotiation part on the scroll, right?"

"Yes."

"This time, I’ll just take food as payment. Prepare something tasty."

...What the hell?

Another "whatever works" like the Shrine Maiden?

That was always a headache.

"It’d be easier if you had a firm preference."

At my words, Malenis gave me an exasperated look.

"Hah... so it’s actually harder if I don’t choose? Is that how it works? To be honest, I don’t really care about compensation. You’re my first Pandemonium client, so I want to continue trading with you for a long time."

Malenis tilted her chin at me.

"As long as you don’t die, that is."

Was she favorably impressed by me?

The reason was obvious—I was a rare creature, a Pandemonium climber.

I voiced the question that had popped into my head.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"But will I even be able to keep trading with you?"

"There are designated summoning scrolls, not just random ones. You’ll get one around Floor 15. That’s information I’m allowed to share."

Malenis added another explanation.

"If you remember my name and race correctly at that time, you can summon me specifically."

"Understood."

Malenis stroked her chin as if pondering something.

"Hmm... my taste in food, huh? I like crispy things. Crispy, crunchy."

I decided in my mind—I’d get her roast cutlets.

Malenis asked me another question.

"You’re not planning to move to the next floor right away, are you?"

I shook my head.

"I’ll be staying in the waiting room for about four days."

Four days. Enough time to consume the Mana Orb.

Enough time to grasp the basics of the Flexible Breaking Fist technique given to me by the Heavenly Demon senior.

"Four days. That should be fine. If I send the weapon while you’re inside a stage, you won’t receive it until you reach the next waiting room, so you might as well wait and get it before moving on. I’ll have it ready before the third night is over."

"Sounds good."

Clap!

As if she had gathered all the necessary information, Malenis gave a light clap.

"When you receive the sword, a notification will appear allowing you to send items to me as well."

Malenis smirked.

"Don't die. Stay alive for a long, long time, Pandemonium."

"I intend to, Malenis."

Right after Malenis raised her right hand in a wide wave to bid farewell,

the distorted space—like a rift—returned to the ordinary form of the floor’s waiting area.

I pulled out my device and entered the Transcendent Gallery.

Title: Master Craftsman Summoning Scroll result—Dark Elf Blacksmith appeared.

Posted by: ㅇㅇ*

ㄴBut was it because she was a Dark Elf? Her personality seemed pretty normal?

ㄴWas she a woman?

ㄴㅇㅇ*) Yeah.

ㄴHmm, well, Dark Elf noonas tend to have decent personalities.

ㄴㅇㅇㅇ Elves and Dark Elves are different leagues. It’s like the difference between someone who was coddled and someone who grew up in a harsh environment.

ㄴElf Guy) Coddled, my ass. What kind of nonsense logic is that?

ㄴElf Guy) Elves are elves, Dark Elves are Dark Elves. Each is different.

ㄴElf Guy) Elf by Elf. Hmph.

ㄴLOL, what a storm of transparent rage!

ㄴ"Earfolk"... Nobody even uses the term "Elf by Elf" anymore.

ㄴAbsolutely triggered.

ㄴNah, it's science. Dark Elves do tend to have better personalities.

ㄴElf Guy) Bullshit...

ㄴHe’s proving it firsthand, LOL.

ㄴSuwang) Kekekekeke! Earfolk comrade!! Suffering together!!!

ㄴElf Guy) Why the hell am I your comrade, you furball?

ㄴSuwang) You have fuzz too, don’t you? Or do you not even have peach fuzz? Fur, fur, fur...

Elf Guy seemed too exhausted to keep replying and stopped commenting.

ㄴSword of Light) Did you order a sword?

ㄴㅇㅇ*) Yeah. One that’s fully compatible with Sword Qi.

ㄴArchmage) Good choice.

ㄴSage) The pilgrim makes wise decisions.

ㄴHeavenly Demon) Have you been reading the martial arts text?

ㄴㅇㅇ*) I’m starting now. Oh, did I mention? I used the Flexible Breaking Fist against the Son of Thunder. Technically, I used the fist technique as a footwork technique, though.

ㄴHeavenly Demon) Hehehe... That technique is meant to be adaptable. You did well. I can officially consider you my disciple now.

ㄴSword of Light) He’s my disciple.

ㄴHeavenly Demon) He is also mine.

ㄴSword of Light) I called dibs first.

ㄴSpear King) I’d like to be the third teacher, though.

ㄴTry to win him over, bro.

ㄴPlenty of teacher candidates, LOL.

ㄴBut Easy and Normal Mode climbers can never hope to claim the title of an official climbing instructor, ㅠㅠㅠ.

ㄴGutter Swordsman) Climber, any interest in dual wielding?

ㄴLOL, look how fast he popped up.

ㄴShrine Maiden) Where’s the girl’s talisman? Where’s the girl’s talisman? Where’s the girl’s talisman?

ㄴㅇㅇ*) Of course I used it. It blocked everything, thanks to the lightning. Does it always work that way against ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) all attacks?

ㄴShrine Maiden) Hawawa, very satisfying!!!

ㄴShrine Maiden) Unless the attack covers the entire field, it generally provides perfect protection for about 20 minutes.

ㄴShrine Maiden) But since this is Pandemonium Mode, there might be times when an attack covers the whole field, so don’t place blind faith in the protective seal.

ㄴㅇㅇ*) Got it. Thanks, thanks.

After saying everything I needed to, I closed the gallery.

I ate a sandwich to stave off my hunger, then opened my status window.

<Player Status>

Name: Han Yuseong

Race: Human

Lv.26

Strength: 166

Agility: 164

Stamina: 170

Mana: 132

Skills:

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

Pain Suppression Lv.7Composure Lv.7Concealment Lv.4Crisis Detection Lv.4Vision Expansion Lv.5Enhanced Focus Lv.5Combatant’s Movement Lv.6Mana-Infused Body Lv.6Doombringer Lv.3Mental Barrier Lv.4Trajectory Insight Lv.4After consuming the Mana Orb, my mana increased by 15.

Current Mana: 147.

Two days had passed since I arrived at the Floor 5 waiting area.

By now, I had a rough understanding of what kind of martial art Flexible Breaking Fist was.

As the night of the second day passed...

Just before the third day began...

[Floor 5 Coin Shop]

FoodDrinksPotionsMiscellaneousA sudden thought struck me.

I should buy something from the newly added Miscellaneous category.

A single sheet of paper - 3 coinsA fountain pen and ink - 6 coinsScritch—

I wrote.

Scritch.

I left behind a message.

That I was still alive.

【 Is anyone there?

If you’re reading this, it means you’re alive too. Let’s meet up above.

Write a reply and send it to the next floor. 】

I carefully folded the letter in half and placed it inside the red mailbox.