Pick Me Up!

Pluck.

The crimson blood drew an arc.

Thud. The knight’s body split in two fell to the ground.

“Wow, scary. Did you see her expression just now? Gave me the chills.”

Jenna rubbed her arms.

I looked down at the knight. She lay dead with her eyes wide open.

As expected, the capture was a failure. I relayed the news to Pria, who expressed her disappointment but thanked us nonetheless.

“She’s dead.”

Shortly after, Velkist joined us at the scene and spoke.

Velkist kicked some dirt over the woman’s body.

“Is this the end of the aftermath?”

“Yes. It’s over. The mission clear should pop up soon.”

Our bodies were slowly becoming transparent.

I cleaned the blood off my blade and sheathed it.

“Rest well tonight. The promotion to 4-star probably starts tomorrow. A lot will change.”

Once this mission was completed, Jenna, Velkist, and I would all reach level 40. The reason I attempted the new mission, the 41st floor, instead of going to the 39th or 38th floor was to level up at the same time.

“The seal will be lifted, huh? How do we get it?”

“Exploration dungeons are the standard, but there are many other ways. I’ll walk you through them gradually.”

“I’m sorry to say this to Kishasha, but I don’t want to turn into an animal.”

She was a special case.

Usually, an engraving is an extension of skills.

Maybe it’s like a set of similar types of skills tied together. A few extra stats and bonuses are attached.

Then Kishasha and Katiio also arrived at the clearing.

“…”

Katiio closed the knight’s eyes with a somber expression.

[Stage Clear!]

[‘Han(★★★)’, Level Up!]

[Reward – 10,000G]

[MVP – ‘Jenna(★★★)’]

[There are heroes awaiting promotion among the master’s heroes. If the materials are collected, combine them with the promotion stone, and retrieve the fragments of forgotten memories!]

[Promotion Eligible Heroes – ‘Han(★★★)’, ‘Jenna(★★★)’, ‘Velkist(★★★)’]

[Tips/4-star is a very important grade that determines the future of heroes! Heroes need the master’s attention. Please take good care of them!]

When the light faded, we were back in the rift of time and space.

It was late evening. Except for those dedicated to training, it was time for everyone else to be sprawling out and sleeping in their quarters. I issued the disband order to my members.

‘Traitor, huh.’

Looking back now, there are more than a few suspicious aspects in Pick Me Up.

Too many to count on both hands. Indeed, my being summoned here was nonsensical from the start.

[Item Synthesis Begins!]

[Selected Materials – Fire Element Stone, Water Element Stone, Wind Element Stone, Intermediate Promotion Stone, Intermediate Soul Stone]

[Completed Item – Advanced Promotion Stone]

[Success Probability – 54%]

[Synthesis Method – Automatic]

Anytng was fully engaged in the promotion preparations.

Pure elemental stones that come at a low probability from daily dungeons, soul stones made by grinding 2-star or higher heroes, and intermediate promotion stones mixed together. It was a formula for creating a 4-star promotion stone.

[Clang Clang Clang!]

[Fairy Power!]

[Fail!]

[Synthesis Failure!]

[Materials Disappear.]

[Fail!]

[Synthesis Failure!]

[Materials Disappear…]

Although failures were frequent, there was a substantial stockpile of materials.

At least one promotion stone should be achievable. I headed to the mansion on the 4th floor. The other members had already gone up upon returning, so I was likely the last one.

“You’ve worked hard on the mission.”

Entering the hall of the mansion, a familiar figure greeted me.

It was Neryssa, the acting sub-master. She bowed to me once.

“Why are you up? It’s late.”

“There’s something I need to discuss with you regarding the 4-star promotion ceremony.”

She got straight to the point.

I said with a grin.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you what I’ve seen.”

“Thank you. There’s something specific I want to confirm.”

“It’s suspicious, I know.”

Between 3-star and 4-star, there’s a significant gap in information.

Tomorrow, what I’ll see will undoubtedly be distinctly different from the mysterious scenes I’ve witnessed before. The attitude of the heroes who have promoted to 4-star tends to change.

Whether it’s the content or the form, changes are definite.

‘It doesn’t really matter.’

Frankly, whatever secrets this world holds are irrelevant to me.

My goal is to climb to the top of the tower and return to Earth. After all, I’m not a resident of this place. As long as I do my job right, nothing else should matter.

But still… it would be better to know.

Who knows how it might be helpful.

‘It’s going to get a bit busier.’

Learning the reason for his summoning and the truths of Townia might throw them into some confusion.

Not just Jenna and Velkist. Soon Edis, as well as Raine and Maien, and the other heroes will likely be promoted to 4-star. Their perception of being summoned from unknown places for unknown reasons to fight will change.

‘You won’t forgive?’

Suddenly, the glare of the knight who had looked at me with bloodshot eyes came to mind.

What could a dead person do, after all?

I chuckled bitterly as I entered my room.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!