Chapter 330: Infinity Tower (3)
Beyond the mountain range that divided the world into two lay the Demonic Realm.
As the name suggested, this realm was overflowing with demonic creatures and demons—no humans or animals resided here.
Even the vehicle Shiron was riding in wasn’t pulled by humans or horses but by the wind itself. A windmill, propelled by magic that generated tailwinds, advanced leisurely down the quiet street.
“…It’s a city, but why is it so deserted?”
Sitting at the front of the vehicle, Lucia muttered.
The city of the tower, Ilryusin, was built in concentric circles with the tower at its center. Its design and scale didn’t fall behind those of the Empire at all.
While traveling through the streets, they hadn’t encountered a single demon, let alone a demonic beast. Before entering the city, they had literally carved a path through hordes of beasts, but strangely enough, the moment they entered the city, not even a shadow of a beast could be seen.
That’s why the intricate fountains, sculptures, and buildings appeared so untouched.
The colossal creatures that had reigned over the Demonic Realm like towering mountain peaks didn’t even dare approach the vicinity of the tower.
“Why is that? Did someone put up a barrier or something?”“It’s because the tower’s administrators manage the city.”
Shiron, checking on his healing wounds, replied. Perhaps due to lingering guilt, Lucia glanced back at him with a reserved attitude.
“Administrators? Are you referring to demons?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… Where are these demons, then?”
Lucia focused all her senses, trying to detect even a single hair of demonic energy. However, the only sensation she picked up was the immense energy emanating from the tower.
Neither the streets nor the surrounding buildings held any trace of life or energy.
It was as if they were in a ghost town straight out of a horror story.
“Where else would they be? Inside the tower.”
It wasn’t Shiron who answered, but Seira. Having traversed nearly every corner of the realm over the past 500 years, she was well-versed in the geography and history of the Demonic Realm.
“Was it 300 years ago? When I last came here, it wasn’t this empty. It seems the migration has been fully completed now.”
“…Migration? Does that mean all the city’s inhabitants live inside there?”
“Yes.”
“In such a cramped space?”
“It’s not cramped. The tower’s interior looks entirely different from the outside, though I don’t know the exact mechanics behind it.”
“I see…”
With wide eyes, Lucia gazed up at the tower. The wind-powered mill stopped just short of the tower’s base, forcing Lucia to crane her neck to look up.
‘Will I find out once I go inside?’
Life always made more sense when seen and felt, rather than merely heard or understood. With that resolve, Lucia gripped the door handle, which seemed to mark the tower’s entrance, with all her might.
She steeled herself once more.
The adversary they would face was a magician, said to reside on the top floor of the tower.
The higher the tower, the greater the trials and enemies to overcome.
Demons inherently lived long lives. Hence, many of them likely retained memories from 500 years ago, and they might still harbor grudges from that time.
‘If they attack as soon as we open the door, that would be troublesome.’
Thus, Lucia resolved to open the door before Shiron.
Even if they were ambushed, Lucia would take the first blow.
This time, she had to protect Shiron, to atone for her past mistake!
Rumble—the ancient door opened with a cascade of dust, revealing the first-floor interior of the tower.
“Welcome! You’ve arrived at the Tower of Infinity!”
Demons in uniform bowed in unison.
“…”
Lucia froze, her mouth half-open in disbelief.
The tower, which she had expected to be a battlefield of demons, presented a scene entirely different from what she had imagined.
As Seira had mentioned, the inside of the tower was astonishingly vast.
From the outside, it didn’t even appear as large as a mansion, but once inside, its vastness seemed immeasurable.
“How many members are climbing the tower? Is it three of you by any chance?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Ah, so it is three of you!”
But what was even harder to measure was the demon standing before them.
A female demon dressed in a pristine suit… With horns on her head, one might think she was a devil, but the small wings on her back revealed her to be a succubus.
Succubus. Although individually weak, they used their charming appearance as a weapon to drain the energy of warriors exhausted in body and mind, causing losses in combat effectiveness—the primary culprits of non-combat casualties.
“Would you kindly fill out this survey?”
The succubus smiled brightly as she handed them paper and pens.
“A survey? What’s it for?”
“Visitors to the tower must first go through an identity verification process. We’ve had major incidents in the past from letting outsiders in without checks!”
“Major incidents?”
“Yes! Vagrants of unknown origin entered and spread infectious diseases, or religious zealots with dangerous ideologies came in and formed dark cults. There was even a huge case where an economic criminal with the ability to create gold entered and disrupted the tower’s economy!”
“…I see.”
“So, please fill out the survey!”
Before Lucia knew it, a paper and pen were already in her hands. Strangely enough, the thought of refusing didn’t even occur to her.
Lucia wasn’t the kind of person to spit on a smiling face. Especially when the person was answering her questions so kindly, pulling a sword on them felt even less appropriate.
“After we complete the survey, then what?”
Shiron skimmed through the survey with an indifferent expression and fixed his gaze on the succubus guide.
“An entry permit will be issued, and based on your survey responses, you’ll receive permissions to operate within the tower!”
“…Permissions, huh.”
After some thought, Shiron began filling out the survey. Lucia and Seira widened their eyes in disbelief.
“Hey, are you seriously filling that out?”
“My occupation is ‘Hero,’ and my purpose is to challenge the tower’s master.”
“…What?”
Lucia stared at Shiron with wide eyes. He’s lost it. After barely surviving, he had completely lost his mind!
Unlike the panicked Lucia, Shiron’s expression remained unchanged. In fact, he seemed more composed, as if nothing was wrong.
“Sh-Shiron. Are you insane? This is enemy territory. How can you just write that down so honestly…?”
“Would you prefer I lie?”
“I’m saying you could at least sugarcoat it a bit!”
Lucia whispered, tugging on Shiron’s sleeve, but he simply patted her reassuringly.
“It’s fine. You should fill yours out quickly too.”
“Seira Romer. Occupation: Archmage. Purpose: Assisting the Hero in challenging the tower’s master. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
While Lucia hesitated, Seira also submitted her survey. She figured that with the curse in place, they’d be forgotten soon enough. Since Shiron had already been straightforward, it was better for her to follow suit.
‘Everyone’s gone mad…’
Watching the two, Lucia looked back down at her survey. Name, occupation, age, gender, purpose of visit… It all felt suspicious. Couldn’t this information alone be used to cast a curse?
‘…Maybe I’m the weird one?’
Even so, she managed to fill out the blanks, bit by bit. Shiron’s confidence had an effect on her, and the smiling demon in front of her showed no hostility, only patiently waiting.
“…Here you go.”
“Lucia Prient. Occupation: None… Unemployed?”
“…I just don’t have a set job yet…”
“Purpose: Tourism?”
“…Yes.”
“Confirmed! Please wait here for a moment!”
The succubus receptionist disappeared with their surveys. A moment later, she returned, holding gleaming badges, and presented them to the three.
“These are Platinum-tier entry permits! After verifying your identities, it’s been determined that you pose no harm to the tower. Please proceed to challenge the upper floors at your discretion!”
“…Platinum tier? So there are other tiers too?”
Lucia muttered, glancing between the badge in her hand and the receptionist. The idea that a hero, the nemesis of demons, was deemed ‘harmless’ was absurd, but the succubus guide cheerfully pointed to a nearby chart.
“Yes, the entry permits range across seven tiers, from Unranked to Master Diamond. Platinum is the third-highest tier, just below Master and Diamond.”
“…I was sure we’d be Unranked.”
Suspicious, Lucia glared at the receptionist. A complete stranger granting a high rank to humans, and a hero at that? This had to be some sort of trap.
As if reading her thoughts, the receptionist smiled even more brightly.
“Miss Lucia, since you’re unemployed, you almost got an Unranked and would’ve been expelled. But thanks to the Hero and Archmage accompanying you as your guarantors, you’ve been granted Platinum-tier!”
“Expelled?”
“Yes! Unemployed individuals are expelled!”
At the receptionist’s chirpy response, Lucia’s tense gaze softened. She murmured absently, her lips moving silently.
‘Unemployed means expulsion…’
The fact that this tower was called the Tower of Infinity and not the Tower of Despair, that it didn’t outright oppose heroes, that it recognized archmages at a glance, and that it ensured no harm came to its system—there were so many mysteries. Yet Lucia decided to stop thinking for now.
‘Unemployed means expulsion…’
All she could do was follow behind Shiron, dragging her feet as she moved.
With the guide leading them, the three ventured deeper into the tower.
Though it seemed they were being led into a trap, the space was so open that there was little to worry about.
At the center, a metallic pillar stretched upward—a lift for ascending to the upper floors.
Ding!
A clear sound echoed as the doors opened.
“Well then! Best of luck to you!”
The receptionist bowed deeply until the door fully closed.