Reincarnated User Manual

Chapter 334: Orion (1)

Two months after passing the 77th floor, Shiron’s party had reached the 93rd floor.

It seemed odd that it took so long to conquer just 16 floors, but the exams for floors 78, 79, and 80 were scheduled on specific dates, requiring strict adherence to the schedule.

They had spent over a month and a half there, and after that, they advanced as fast as two floors per day. Each day was spent climbing another floor as soon as they rested, and today, Shiron was taking a break in a hotel to check his condition.

[“Only 58 days from the 77th to the 92nd floor! This alone is an extraordinary record, and the climbing record was broken again yesterday!”]

[“You’re talking about Shiron Prient and the other two, right? They started directly on the 77th floor with Platinum rank—so envious!”]

[“It’s fine, really! There are even those starting from the 88th floor with Diamond rank!”]

[“…This tower is just too much. For some people, it took 250 years just to climb here from the very bottom, the 1st floor.“]

[“But the Princess, who climbed from the 1st floor to the 93rd floor in only 878 days, is truly an inspiration to everyone! She could have started from Diamond rank, yet she chose to climb from the dark underground herself!”]

On the large screen covering one wall of the room, a talk show was being broadcast about climbers—currently the hottest gossip topic.

“Isn’t the current owner of the tower the 3rd Apostle? They’re really hyping up this tower something-or-other.”

Thump—Lucia muttered as she sat on the bed.

On their way here, they had seen various promotional materials.

Electronic billboards installed all over the tower, hanging banners, and even talk shows like this one, which were broadcast when magic stones were burned into the screens—all of them praised the Princess of the Tower, the Demon King’s daughter.

The Demon King’s daughter and the Tower’s Princess.

[Aisha Vant Abydos]

While news of Lucia and Shiron climbing at the same time wasn’t completely absent, as one could see, they were essentially supporting characters in the Princess’s spotlight.

“They said ‘tower something’ again.”

Lucia frowned at the voice coming from a luxurious chair in the corner of the room.

Whirrrrrr—

It wasn’t just any luxurious chair. It was a massage chair that diligently relieved tension in the shoulders and thighs. Aisha Vant Abydos was reclining half-lying, as if floating on clouds.

“Yeah, tower something.”

“It’s not even ‘tower something.’ Isn’t it about time you started calling her Aisha?”

Her galaxy-like blue eyes curved sadly as Aisha lowered the massage intensity and spoke in an even tone.

“Playing hard to get isn’t good, Lucia Prient. Think about who’s behind the bathrobe you’re wearing, the hotel buffet filling your stomach, and the royal room you’re resting in. Who do you think made it all possible?”

“I… I opposed this.”

Lucia glanced at Aisha’s side with a bit of resentment. Shiron, wearing a robe adorned with golden embroidery, was enjoying a full-body massage in that spot.

“Why do you hate me?”

Aisha alternated her gaze between Lucia and Shiron with a pouty expression.

Since the 77th floor, she had felt instinctively drawn to them, even making eye contact and greeting them first. Yet, unlike the easily bought Shiron, earning Lucia’s favor still seemed like a distant goal.

“It’s rare for the Princess of the Tower to offer such kindness. Normally, you wouldn’t even have the chance to act so rudely without—swish—losing your head. Get it now?”

“Well, it’s clear you’ve never been slapped as a kid.”

“…There it is again, harsh words.”

Aisha chuckled softly and let it slide.

Did she truly not understand why Lucia disliked her, or was she pretending not to?

Born into nobility, Aisha’s demeanor resembled those Lucia despised: arrogant individuals who looked down on everything outside of themselves while assuming any material favor they offered would naturally win loyalty.

Such groundless acts of kindness always carried ulterior motives.

“If it’s harsh, then at least get angry.”

“I want to befriend you. So harsh words alone aren’t enough to upset me.”

“Then why are you trying to befriend us?”

“Because your climbing speed is just too fast. And I’m getting a little help from you. Is that enough?”

Beep-beep—Aisha increased the intensity of her massage chair again. Having revealed her purpose, she felt further conversation was unnecessary.

“See, that’s it. So why don’t you come and sit here too?”

Meanwhile, Shiron, feeling refreshed after shaking off his fatigue, stood up. The rest after two months of hard climbing made the relaxation all the sweeter.

“Shiron, are you really okay with this?”

“Okay with what?”

“That tower-something is tagging along behind us as we climb!”

“Well, she repays us with kindness like this. It’s best to just enjoy it.”

“Exactly. Just enjoy it.”

Despite Lucia’s overt hostility, Aisha didn’t seem to mind.

…To be honest, Aisha couldn’t comprehend Lucia’s hostility at all.

She was known throughout the tower, always revered by others. Besides, in the Infinite Tower, using each other while climbing was common sense.

Compared to those who betrayed others or failed to express even a word of thanks after receiving help, Aisha’s actions were indeed unusual. Whether Lucia could comprehend this goodwill was another matter entirely.

‘The back of my head itches like crazy.’

Over the past ten years, hostility had somewhat subsided, but no matter how much goodwill was extended, demons were still demons. Especially those who called themselves kings, thirsty for authority—they were the most dangerous kind.

“…It’s the first time I’ve seen someone openly admit they’re using others.”

Even Seira, who understood this, silently kept her guard up against Aisha. Instead of expressing outright hostility, she stubbornly avoided using the massage chair.

“Do you really need to throw away all your pride just to climb the tower faster?”

“Yes, that’s right. You’re smart.”

Aisha nodded roughly, her eyes closed.

“To be precise, I need to leave a greater impression than the current master of the tower.”

“An impression?”

“The magician who became the tower’s master not only broke records but also killed the previous master of the tower, who had coexisted with the Demon King. That balance has been completely disrupted.”

“So, are you planning to kill the master of the tower?”

“Only after assessing how strong they are.”

For the first time, her voice gained weight.

“I’m still inexperienced. Originally, I would have climbed the tower slowly, gaining strength over time. So perhaps, with my current strength alone, I wouldn’t be able to kill the tower’s master.”

“…Are you asking us to help you kill the master?”

“That might be a choice I have to make eventually. But that will remain the last resort.”

Her galaxy-like eyes fixed on Lucia. The intensity startled her for a moment, though fortunately, Lucia’s emotions didn’t veer into an odd direction.

“If you kill a floor guardian, you become permanently bound to that floor…”

“Well, the tower’s master is essentially a guardian, so you’re not wrong.”

Lucia’s voice grew heavier as she spoke. Aisha let out a small laugh and turned her gaze to Shiron. Shiron, wearing a blank expression, reached for the massage chair’s button and pressed it for Lucia.

“I won’t ask why you’re climbing the tower. But you should know that my presence will be essential to you.”

“…”

“You’re trying to kill that magician, right? But you’re human, living beyond distant mountain ranges, unable to endure the demonic environment here.”

Aisha glanced around at the group with a slight smile before focusing on the silent man.

“I don’t mind staying in the tower forever. I was born and raised here; it’s my entire world. But you don’t want to stay here, do you?”

“…”

“If you want, I can kill the tower’s master for you. Of course, it’ll look like I’m stealing the decisive blow, but still.”

“…I wanted to talk about this later.”

Shiron met her piercing blue gaze and smiled. He had planned to reveal his intentions closer to the 99th floor, but the Demon King’s daughter was both perceptive and cooperative.

Killing the Apostle required a holy sword. While it remained uncertain whether a demon like her could wield one, the idea that she could become bound to the tower instead of the hero Shiron was welcome news.

Before thinking about how to kill the Apostle, they needed to consider what would happen afterward. This realization left Shiron deep in thought.

“There’s something I want to confirm first.”

Shiron muttered, glancing at Aisha’s body vibrating in the massage chair. She tilted her head slightly, sensing his curiosity.

“What do you want to confirm? After everything I’ve said, do you still not trust me?”

“The holy sword.”

“The holy sword?”

“I want to see if you can wield it to sever the magician’s neck.”

Shiron retrieved the holy sword from his side. Its pristine blade emitted a soft divine aura.

Just looking at it made Aisha feel like she was staring directly at the sun. Tears welled up in her eyes, and dark smoke began to rise from her burning skin.

“Can you grip this and swing it?”