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: ??*

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

?Was she a woman?

???*) Yeah.

?Hmm, well, Dark Elf noonas tend to have decent personalities.

???? 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.

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

?Elf Guy) Elves are elves, Dark Elves are Dark Elves. Each is different.

?Elf Guy) Elf by Elf. Hmph.

?LOL, what a storm of transparent rage!

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

?Absolutely triggered.

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

?Elf Guy) Bullshit...

?He’s proving it firsthand, LOL.

?Suwang) Kekekekeke! Earfolk comrade!! Suffering together!!!

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

?Suwang) 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.

?Sword of Light) Did you order a sword?

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

?Archmage) Good choice.

?Sage) The pilgrim makes wise decisions.

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

???*) 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.

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

?Sword of Light) He’s my disciple.

?Heavenly Demon) He is also mine.

?Sword of Light) I called dibs first.

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

?Try to win him over, bro.

?Plenty of teacher candidates, LOL.

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

?Gutter Swordsman) Climber, any interest in dual wielding?

?LOL, look how fast he popped up.

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

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

?Shrine Maiden) Hawawa, very satisfying!!!

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

?Shrine 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.

???*) 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: