The Mercenary Order (1)

"System0, how long will it take for my HP to be fully restored?"

[ For The Climber's HP To Return To 100% ]

[ The Climber Will Have To Wait: 3 Hours And 12 Minutes ]

"Oh, that's going to take a long time. Especially since it's not even been an hour since I got here.

Hey, System0, if I sleep now, would you be able to wake me up if danger approaches?"

[ Negative ]

[ If The Climber Falls Asleep, System0 Will Also Fall Asleep ]

"Ah, damn, so that means if I sleep, my HP won’t regenerate?"

[ Negative ]

[ HP Regeneration Happens Automatically Without System0's Intervention ]

"So that means if I fall asleep, my HP will still return to their maximum?"

[ Affirmative ]

"It might be a good idea to sleep now, but given where I am, I don't think that's the best idea.

If that horse-slug thing touches me again, it could be dangerous for me.

And then there are all the other animals too.

With only a 5% chance of victory against one of the weakest animal in this Tower, I’m sure to lose if I run into another one.

Oh, by the way, I just thought of something.

System0, are there insects in the Tower?"

[ Affirmative ]

[ Many Species Of Insects Live Here ]

"Then why is the Lapenard the weakest animal in this Tower?"

[ Because The Insects Living In The Tower Are Stronger Than The Lapenards ]

"Oh, so that means the Lapenard must be really weak.

But that also means that if I only have a 5% chance of victory, I’m even weaker than mere insects.

By the way, how come I haven’t seen a single one yet?"

[ The Insects On This Floor Appear Very Infrequently ]

[ The Climber Should Be Grateful For This, As Against The Weakest Insect, The Climber’s Chances Of Winning Are Almost Nonexistent ]

"Yeah, yeah, I know, no need to rub it in.

If I only have a 5% chance against one of the weakest animal, I don't even want to imagine my odds against stronger creatures.

Anyway, besides that, I’m starting to get really hungry.

System0, do you know where I can find food?"

[ Affirmative ]

[ Here Are The Different Places Where The Climber Can Find Food ]

[ In A Store ]

[ In Nature ]

"I hate when you give me answers like this because I already know that.

Do you know where the nearest town is?"

[ Affirmative ]

"Oh, great! Can you show me the direction?"

[ Negative ]

"Oh yeah, that’s right, I need to be level 20.

It's not going to be easy reaching that level..."

Walking for nearly an hour, Sora didn’t find any village or town where he could get food.

"Hey, System0, are you sure you can’t help me?"

[ Negative ]

"But we agree that if I die, you die with me, right?"

[ Affirmative ]

"Then, does that mean you actually want me to starve and disappear with me?"

[ ... ]

"Oh, are you sulking?

Are you mad at me because I said I wanted to die?

But you know, you don’t have to take it literally. I was just joking, don’t worry."

[ System0 Had No Concerns About Himself ]

[ System0 Has No Emotions And Cannot Understand What It Means To Sulk ]

"Ugh, you’re so dull.

You don’t know anything about life.

Hey, System0, isn’t that a path over there?"

[ Affirmative ]

"Oh, great! Civilization is getting closer and closer."

As usual, Sora excitedly rushed toward the path he had just discovered.

"I still have a problem, though.

Should I go right or left?

System0, choose for me. Should I go right or left?"

[ Negative ]

[ System0 Cannot Fulfill The Climber's Request; Reason: Insufficient Geological Data ]

"Ugh, you're so annoying.

Just say ‘right’ or ‘left’."

[ Just Right Or Left ]

"You’re lucky you’re inside me. Otherwise, I swear I’d have already killed you.

Make a choice: right or left."

[ Affirmative ]

[ Left ]

"Okay, great, thanks.

In that case, I’ll go right. Since you annoyed me, I’ll deliberately do the exact opposite of what you said."

Heading right along the path, Sora didn’t notice anything unusual except for one or two Lapenards, which he made sure to avoid to prevent an unfortunate encounter—or worse, death.

He followed the path for about forty minutes before coming across a crossroads with three signs pointing in different directions.

"Oh, I think I’ve arrived at a pretty interesting place."

Reading the signs carefully, Sora managed to decipher the names of the towns: Legmore Grimpoint Grieford

"Wow, what kind of town names are these?

Feels like I’m in a video game.

And the worst part is, I have no idea how far I am from any of them.

I also don’t know which one is bigger.

This is kind of annoying...

System0, do you know which town I should head to?"

[ Negative ]

"Thanks for your help...

Oh well, let’s think for a moment.

The sign pointing back might indicate the village where I first arrived.

So, just to be safe, let’s avoid going back that way.

Let’s try a new path instead.

I’d say the straight one, because it goes straight.

And as the saying goes: ‘He who goes straight doesn’t make turns.’"

With that piece of great philosophical wisdom, Sora continued straight ahead.

And soon enough, he found the village he had been waiting for.

‘Welcome to Grimpoint’

"What a charming welcome sign.

Now, I just have to find a store and get som—

Oh crap, I didn’t think about the fact that money here might not be the same as on Earth...

Damn it, I’m going to have to ask for help again."

...

"Excuse me, gentlemen. Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, no problem, ask away."

"What’s the currency of the Tower?"

"The currency?"

"Yeah, the money."

"Wohoho, you’re a funny one.

Who in their right mind would stay on Floor -5 if they had money?"

"Then how do you pay for things?"

"Well, with leather coins, of course! What kind of question is that?!"

"Leather? Is that even possible?"

"Excuse me, but did you just arrive on this floor or what?"

"It's a long story, but yeah, kind of.

And do you know how I can earn some?"

"Oof, that’s a bit too complicated for me.

You should go to the Mercenaries’ Order. They’ll probably have all the answers you need."

"The Mercenaries’ Order? Where can I find that building?"

"Oh, it’s very simple.

Just keep going straight, take the third street on the right, and you’ll see a building that looks better maintained than the others.

Once you spot it, you can be sure you’re in the right place."

"Got it. Thanks a lot, gentlemen. You’ve been very helpful."

"No problem, young man. Glad to be of service."

"Alright, this is good.

At least I learned that the currency in this Tower is called ‘écus.’

And apparently, on this floor, anyone with a silver écu wouldn’t have any reason to stay here.

Which means that the people living here are really not rich.

I’d even say they’re poor.

Oh well, not really my problem.

I just need to eat and increase my abilities.

Having lots of money doesn’t seem all that useful for now.

But before all that—

Let’s head to the Mercenaries’ Order."