Realizing they had been holding onto my ID card for too long, the waiters quickly returned it with an apology. "Excuse me," one said, "we are very happy to see the card of someone who completed the exam at difficulty level 10 and received a perfect score. Speaking of the exam results, congratulations, Mr. Fajar! You are entitled to special facilities from our Golden Star hotel. For your ten-year stay, you will only need to pay 136,875 coins."
"Ah, yes," I replied. "Since it's a significant amount, please use this to approve the transaction." I offered my payment method.
While one waiter explained the details, another meticulously recorded the total transaction on a uniquely decorated piece of paper.
"This is the transaction note," the waiter explained. "You just need to sign here and place your blood stamp here; then, the tower system will confirm it."
Following instructions, I signed the paper and applied my blood stamp to the designated area. A confirmation panel immediately appeared:
[Transaction Confirmation]
You made a Transaction to:
Golden Star Hotel.
Renting a Deluxe Presidential Suite.
Rental Period: 10 Years.
Transaction Fee: 136,875 Coins.
Do you agree?
I pressed the "Agree" button, and another system panel appeared:
[Transaction Successful]
You have successfully paid: 136,875 Coins.
Your remaining coins: 888,125
Transaction Complete.
"Thank you for transacting with us," the waiter said. "Would you like to have lunch now?"
"No, I need to return to the Association first," I said. "They have a mission they want to discuss with me. I'll be back tonight. Or, could I purchase three sets of bento to take with me? I can eat while I'm on the mission."
"Certainly, sir. Three sets of bento will be prepared immediately," the waiter replied.
Two maids quickly rushed to the kitchen to inform the chef. Five minutes later, three bentos with different contents were placed on the table.
"Here's your order, sir," one of them announced.
I took the three bentos, placing them in my leather pouch. I inquired about the cost, but they explained that any bento order of five or fewer sets was complimentary, included in the lodging service fee.
Understanding their policy, I thanked them and immediately returned to the Association building.
Wearing the green armor Grandpa gave me, and with all my accessories in place, I felt ready for a fight. I ran to the city center, where I found seven undead corpses—the riot creators I'd used earlier—and several people injured from the undead attack. I quickly bypassed the chaos and went straight to the Association building. Seeing my combat gear, the Association staff approached me immediately.
"Fajar, can you assist us in the city center? Several people have been attacked by undead and are now afflicted with a death curse. Waiting for the higher-level awakeners to descend would take considerable time, but we understand you possess holy magic capable of removing the curse. Could you please help in the city center?"
I tilted my head slightly at the request and asked, "What will I receive in return for my assistance?"
My question surprised everyone. A fifteen-year-old child demanding an equivalent exchange from the Association in a critical situation—the words stung some present,
"We will give you rank-up points. Is that sufficient?" the Association representative offered.
*Kid, I know you're in a hurry, but look at the situation. Or this way—you save those people in the city center, and I'll give you a weapon as a reward. Tell me what kind of weapon you want,* another voice interjected.
"A dagger," I replied. "A throwing dagger that returns to my hand and has a high lethality."
*That's easy. Now, act like you accepted their offer. No matter how bad our character is, we can't act ignorantly inside the tower. It was created by him in the past,* the voice in my head reminded me.
"Alright, I accept," I said. "I will heal them immediately."
I returned to the city center, oblivious to the conversation unfolding behind me in the Association building.
.
Reaching the city center, I approached the cursed victims and immediately cast a sixth-level spell: `
'Are you serious? Do you really intend to embrace chaos so readily? Do you believe yourself strong enough to disrupt the entire tower with your actions? Remember, child, you are merely the strongest beginner on floors one through fifty-five. You are not the strongest at the top of the tower; you are not even as strong as your grandfather, who reached the seventieth floor. I know you're doing this because of what I told you about the container of the figure who will destroy everything.'
'But remember, this tower was created by our master. If you cause that much disruption just for attention, believe me, you'll be dead before reaching the 50th floor—killed by other containers who won't tolerate your behavior. We are strong, but we can't do everything we want. That's why I and others try to guide the containers with potential. Act like a human being.'
`
`
The combined effect of three 6th-level holy magics, covering a one-kilometer area, astonished everyone. It not only healed wounds but also repaired minor bodily damage for everyone within the area. Even those with poor eyesight experienced a slight improvement thanks to the revitalization effects.
"You're satisfied, old man," I said.
'Kid, listen. You're one of the unique humans, one of the few Vessels who can perfectly utilize the Master of All Trades talent. You can recreate a 6th-level spell that even a Master of All Trades shouldn't be able to use, but you can. You are great, but you must also be humble. On the 40th floor, many will become aware of your talent and realize its origin. If they understand your strength, you will be hunted. Act normally, and try to do good to gain protection from the people there.'
I listened to the old man's lecture and then returned to the Association building to report that I had completed the task.