It had been four weeks since they arrived at the Ptolemaios Sultanate. But Naeva felt that time had passed so quickly. It was true that, with her age, her concept of time was different from everyone else's. For her, even a few years living there was still a short time.
That short time, however, changed many things in her. One of the most noticeable was... Her purpose. Her encounter with Cleopatra made Naeva feel a little unsure about her death. Not because she wanted to live. But she didn't want to die without knowing anything. If she had to die, it would be after she had no regrets and had learned everything about herself first.
Naeva made this decision right after Cleopatra predicted her future. Her ultimate goal was still to die. However, there were some other goals she had to fulfill before that. Such as seeing the state of her disciple's descendants in person, knowing the reason for her immortality, meeting in person by the person who made her immortal and asking him/her some questions. If there was anyone who wanted her to live so badly that he/she were willing to give up everything, Naeva wanted to know about that person. Because everyone she knew would be like that, had gone before her.
Maybe this little journey of hers could change the way she looked at the world. Of Tower. And of herself.
***OOO***
Naeva, Ophelia, Bere, Hamer and Ruka entered the same teleportation portal that they entered earlier when they went to the 2nd Floor Ascension Exam. The difference this time, their destination was 3rd Floor.
Before the exam started, they had discussed what they would do later.
"The 3rd Floor Ascension Exam is special. Unlike other floors where the exam is to get into that floor, the 3rd floor exam is the opposite," Ruka explained at the time.
"We will be teleported directly to 3rd Floor. And the real test starts from there. The test requires us to collect something in order to get out of 3rd Floor. Until that something is collected, we will not be able to get out of 3rd Floor. There is no time limit. It all depends on when that something is collected."
Ruka's explanation sounded vague. Well, that was natural considering he was a low-level Rokka. Just being able to get that much information was good. By combining the information from Ruka and the knowledge they had, they could guess what the 3rd Floor Ascension Exam would be like. So they can strategize to face it.
And thanks to that strategy, they all got through the exam with ease and managed to finish sooner than they expected!
"......."
"......."
"......."
"......."
Or so they hope.
"........"
"........"
But yeah... It's also life. Not everything will go as you wish.
"......."
"......."
"... Where... is this?" thought Naeva.
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****OOO****
Characters Information
Name: Naeva WinterNova: X PlatinumRace: Ice PrincessAge: 30 [https://img.wattpad.com/8898c47cd5c220063abc30374f3ea0d62ea0911e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6534326d734d356f38336e6735673d3d2d313333373931313935302e313739306566386137393839663566653430383437333739333132312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Name: Naeva Winter
Nova: X Platinum
Race: Ice Princess
Age: 30.000+
Status: Irregular
Affiliation: None
****OOO****
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3rd Floor Tower (Gumble)
3rd Floor Tower (Gumble) [https://img.wattpad.com/b77658ebf737fdc9bbf9577a3b14c1b2dd257279/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4a59415354667a4b7553527945773d3d2d313333373931313935302e313735393831653335363736656238313430333830333038373730302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
[https://img.wattpad.com/5c004187bc6bc48a73026f86d7d11da670962860/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e4a783948575230726e774c65513d3d2d313333373931313935302e313735393831646463663665356134633431383932393133383632352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
It had been several minutes since Naeva had been silent on the spot without saying anything [https://img.wattpad.com/eefee45fce951c7dc830dd6ec279460454b0e4d7/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f75345a57354d48413943394276773d3d2d313333373931313935302e313735393831653633343139643139323231303733353636313736392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
It had been several minutes since Naeva had been silent on the spot without saying anything. Different from her impression of 2nd Floor, Naeva was really surprised to see 3rd Floor in a different sense.
Full color.
This place was too colorful a world, at least for Naeva who was used to an all-white Earth.
Her eyes were dazzled and unfamiliar with all the strange sparkles that filled 3rd Floor. This world where internet cafes, game centers, playgrounds, etc. were scattered everywhere was very strange to her. Then even though Naeva was silent and just looked around, she didn't find her partner at all. In other words, Naeva was separated from them. Naeva and the others, were sent to different places on this 3rd Floor. It honestly didn't matter much to her.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
What bothered her most now was not the fact that she and her companions were separated, but rather the message that appeared next to her.
| Welcome to 3rd Floor (Gumble), Conqueror Naeva Winter. While on this Floor, all of your personal items and most of your powers will be sealed by the Tower. You will have them back once you successfully complete the Test |
| The 3rd Floor Exam is Gumbling. Since you completed the 2nd Floor Exam by handing over 1 Ruby. Then your 3rd Floor Exam is to hand over 1 Milliar Carmela to the Exam Supervisor who you can visit anytime at the Supervisor's Office |
| You will be given 10,000 Carmela as starting capital. Please note, the only way you can legally acquire enough Carmela is by multiplying it with Gambling |
| A great Conqueror is a Conqueror who sees and grasps opportunities well |
| We wish you success in passing your Exams |
"......."
That's right. Naeva was speechless now. The information from Ruka was indeed correct in outline. But this was a bit...
Yes... Beyond prediction.
"Even though this world looks like a kid's fantasy. But the exam..." Naeva thought to herself.
Naeva had tried to use her powers several times. But as the message said, 99% of Naeva's powers could not be used. Naeva could still use some ice magic to protect herself. So that was better than most people here. But still, in Naeva's eyes, her abilities were now trash. No different from ordinary people. Well, the purpose of this floor was to solve everything with gambling. What could be done if the Tower forced them not to use violence.
Funnily enough, the ability that Naeva wanted to lose the most didn't decrease in effect at all. Her immortality was still the same. All of Naeva's wounds healed right away. And after a few experiments, Naeva also realized that the magic she had installed before entering 3rd Floor was still working perfectly.
Naeva glanced at the Constellation Zodiack symbol engraved on the back of her hand and upper right arm.
Naeva glanced at the Constellation Zodiack symbol engraved on the back of her hand and upper right arm [https://img.wattpad.com/9017580f021fed99e607cacbea83b0c9933cb563/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f795430316d3078593366575a50413d3d2d313333373931313935302e313735393832333861653437633633633131353736383432362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
That soft bluish-silver luster was still so clearly visible.
"You guys aren't affected, huh."
Naeva had predicted this. That all the magic she had formed before entering 3rd Floor was still working. This meant that the circle dimension that held the 12 Constellation Frozen Weapons was still safe and usable. In other words, Naeva could still unleash her ego weapons whenever she wanted.
Naeva turned to look at the crowd of people in front of her.
"Now... What should I do?"
No human being is perfect. Of course Naeva was one of them. Even though she had lived a very long life, there were still one or two things that Naeva couldn't do or that she sucked at. One of those things was gambling.
Yes, Naeva... sucks at gambling.
How come? Isn't she smart? Gambling isn't just luck. It takes intelligence too. How come Naeva can't gamble?
If you ask me that... To be honest, Naeva herself doesn't know. Although she is good at predictions and strategies. But if in a game related to luck even just a little, the possibility of failing that child is very high. It felt like the God of Fortune was deliberately avoiding her. Or deliberately favoring her opponent.
Naeva understood that very well. But she couldn't let herself give up trying. Even if the outcome was obvious. Naeva tried to beat her bad luck with intelligence.
As if going with the flow, Naeva went to a table of people who were playing poker not far from her. She immediately challenged them with all her money. And the result?
Thanks to her intelligence and strategy, Naeva managed to get a Straight Flush and convince the other players that she was the winner. But...
"No way! I was just taking it, but this..."
The other player sitting across from her stared at his own cards in disbelief.
It felt like Naeva could see a strange glow coming out of that person's card. Her hunch instantly worsened.
PAATT
The man slammed his cards down on the table with a look of bliss.
"Royal Flush!!!"
"Hooraaay!!!!!! I won!!!!!"
DANG DANG
"!?"
"Why!?" shocked Naeva.
Well, right. What I said.
Ha~ahh... it's possible that Naeva managed to break the record. As the person who lost all her money the fastest once she entered 3rd Floor.
"......."
A girl sitting not far from Naeva furrowed her brow. She had been watching Naeva from earlier because Naeva teleported not far from where she was relaxing. After sighing heavily, she got up and walked slowly over to the gloomy white girl in the corner.
"You are... Pathetic, huh."
She said to the girl without guilt.
Naeva raised her head, trying to see the girl who was mocking her.
"Who?"
The figure of a foreign girl with long ponytail red hair and clothes that were quite modern for Naeva stood looking at her with an expression of pity and wonder.
The figure of a foreign girl with long ponytail red hair and clothes that were quite modern for Naeva stood looking at her with an expression of pity and wonder [https://img.wattpad.com/1dd3f6b145124998219d5fb81730a4884eaef81a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f694a6e6a704e3264556f796554673d3d2d313333373931313935302e313739306630323562663439663230303531303331343738383736322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Ophelia's soul mate?" Naeva thought to herself.
"Ah, no..."
The girl's eyes were a bright and refreshing grass green, different from Cleopatra's description.
"This is the first time I've seen someone as unlucky as you. From the moment I saw your game, you seemed to be dominating and your actions were calculating. So I guessed that you would win. But how come... Ha~ahh..."
"Is this between you being really unlucky or your opponent being really lucky?" asked the girl to no one in particular.
The girl squatted down so that she was the same height as Naeva who was sitting gloomily. A mocking smile was painted on her face.
"Hey, you're really interesting."
"Try gambling again! I want to see if that was a coincidence or your destiny!" she grinned.
Still with her flat expression, Naeva watched the girl.
".... No."
"Ehh... Why?" she whined.
Naeva pointed at the gambling table.
"My money. It's all gone there."
"!"
"Pfftt... Ahahahahahahaha!!! You bet 10,000 Carmela. Is that all your money? So you're really a rookie, huh? Hahahaha, how could a rookie get slaughtered right away even though no one is interested!" laughed the girl while holding her stomach.
"So stupid, hahahaha!"
"Hahh... I was in a bad mood and wanted to spend people's money. But instead I met someone whose money ran out that quickly. Hahahaha!"
Naeva furrowed her brow. It was very rare for her to be annoyed. But this girl in front of her made her feel a little hot. Trying not to care about the girl, Naeva stood up and walked away from her.
Unfortunately the girl also walked after Naeva.
"Eit, wait, wait, wait."
"Where are you going alone without money?" the girl asked.
"......"
Naeva ignored her.
The girl didn't give up.
"Hmm... Let's do this. Want me to lend you Carmela?"
Naeva didn't care, she kept walking.
"No interest! I just want to see you gambling again, that's all!" she offered.
Naeva kept walking.
"Ah, don't do that. Umm..."
The girl tried to think of an offer that would not harm either party but could make her see Naeva gambling again.
"Okay, let's gamble!" She exclaimed while blocking Naeva's path.
A somewhat annoyed Naeva just looked at her expressionlessly.
"?"
Seeing Naeva finally pay attention to her, the girl did not miss the opportunity.
"Let's gamble. The bet is simple. If I win, you have to be with me all day. In other words, a date!"
".... If I win?" Naeva asked.
"Hmm... For the rest of the day, I'll take your place gambling. So you can have a little more money for capital. How about it?" the girl offered.
Naeva thought for a moment. It was indeed a gamble that wouldn't hurt her. Even if she lost, she would only have to follow the girl around all day. Maybe that was even good, since Naeva didn't know 3rd Floor, it was like she had a free guide. But still, this was a bit strange. Why would someone she didn't know go to such lengths to see her gamble again?
"......"
"Come on, is my offer any less favorable?" she whined.
Naeva let out a small sigh. What a pushy girl.
".... Okay."
Well, anyway, no matter what that girl tried to do, Naeva could counter it in ways other than gambling. Let's try to see first.
"Really!? Yess!!!" she exclaimed.
The girl smiled contentedly at Naeva.
"My name is Zeta! You?"
"Naeva. Naeva Winter."
"Naeva, huh... Okay, Naeva. Get on with it! Let's gamble!"