A rank that was only seen in novels. The magical 'SSS' rank It looked oddly satisfying in my status window.
But it shocked me because I thought 'S' was the highest rank, since it was the highest rank that I knew of.
But now that I had an 'SSS' skill, I knew that wasn't the case anymore.
What about my 'X' rank then? It was definitely stronger than the 'SSS' rank skill.
Since 'SSS' rank skills existed, it probably means that 'SS' rank skills also exist.
Yet the technique that Alderon gave me was actually a 'SSS' rank skill.
As I thought of that, I became a lot more grateful; now I knew how strong his technique actually was.
The 'Sealed' bothered me a little, but it was probably because I hadn't unlocked all of its abilities yet.
As I looked at Alderon, who had an indifferent face, I realized that I needed to definitely thank him.
One, for giving me a 'SSS' rank skill. And two, for giving me hope to perfectly clear this floor.
I felt that the skill he gave was the thing that I missed to be able to perfectly clear this floor.
"Thank you so much for everything". I said it with a grateful tone.
"I didn't help you with a 'thank you'. I helped you because you must start the Noom clan up again". He said it with an indifferent voice.
"Even if that's the case, I still wanted to thank you".
He shook his head.
"Don't worry about the small stuff. I am sure you want to go home, so what are you waiting for? Just leave".
As I was about to turn around, I realized something.
"How do I turn it off?".
"Turn what off?" He asked back.
"The technique. It's pretty uncomfortable to see a color covering you".
Even as I look at him now, He was still covered with the fiery color, making it hard to distinguish him.
"Just stop gathering mana for it. Why are you asking me such a basic question?"
Stop gathering mana for it. I wasn't even doing that.
As I tried to stop gathering mana from it, a transparent window showed up.
[Skill Deactivation]
- Universe Eyes[SSS](Sealed)
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
At the same time, the fiery red color that was covering Alderon disappeared.
The world returned to normal.
'What do I do now?'.
He has taught me his technique, and it's already in my status window.
Which meant that there was no need for me to be here anymore. There was a chance that this was the only reward that was remaining.
This meant that my skill wouldn't activate, and I didn't have to be forced to regress anymore.
But there was something that was bothering me a little. Now that I had gotten the technique, it turned out to be a 'SSS' rank skill.
I should have been happy. That was true, but only for a minute.
The only thought that I had now was,
'Is this it?'.
I could obviously train with Alderon a little while longer. Hone my swordsmanship, even other techniques.
I could stay here for longer and get stronger and stronger, so I could be ready for the next floor.
But there was still something that bothered me.
It was logical to train here for longer to get stronger. There was a chance that when I returned to earth, I would have to return to the tower again at some point.
My experience with reading all those webnovels was telling me one thing.
'You can never escape the tower'.
Yet, even with all those thoughts and logical reasoning, I didn't want to stay here on the floor.
It would be a smart decision to train a little longer, but as I thought about my grandpa, who was probably alone right now,
I just wanted to go home. I have had enough of repeating the same days over and over again.
With that in mind, I resolved myself and turned around.
"Wait, don't you want to train a little longer? It's not everyday that an expert like me is here to guide you".
I heard Alderon say as he floated in front of me.
"In my case, you would technically be here every day if I kept regressing". I said while chuckling a little.
"But I have thought about it. The logical choice would be for you to train me longer to make me as strong as possible. It's also what my head is telling me". I said as I bowed to him.
"Yet my heart is telling me differently. It wants to go home, and that's why I have to decline. But thanks for everything you have done". I said it with a grateful tone.
This was just a simple scenario of doing what your head or heart wants. And in this case, I chose what my heart wanted.
"If that's what you want, then so be it. But Taeho, I have a request for you." He said it with a serious tone.
"When you have finally decided to go home, I want you to destroy the crystal beforehand".
What, destroy the crystal? I wanted to take it with me if possible, but now he was saying that I had to destroy it after I left the floor.
What is going on? First, it was Park Jihye, and now he Everybody wanted to clear up every connection with me.
I looked at Alderon again.
He was a handsome young man who looked like he was in his 20s with white hair and captivating eyes.
But he wasn't just a young man who looked like a K-pop idol.
He was my master.
In these last dozens of regressions, he taught me his most important technique. Even if he was a little eccentric, he was still my master.
That's why it made me a little sad that this floor would be the last time I saw him.
But if that was his request, my only choice was to respect it and do as he said.
"Yes, I will destroy the crystal beforehand".
"Good, but are you sure that you don't want to train a little longer?" He asked again.
"I am sure". I responded while smiling.
He nodded his head as he slowly faded away.
That's when I realized what he actually did.
'Was that his final goodbye?'.
This would be the last time he ever saw me, and that was it. He was just fading away while nodding.
I thought it would have been a lot more dramatic, but I guess from his point of view, that was the first time he had met me.
As I thought of that, I was grateful for everything he did.
The only form of evidence he had was the phoenix inside me and all the things that I said.
'I should probably go and destroy that crystal'.
As I walked over to the crystal, I noticed that it had a crack in the middle.
'Did he already destroy it?'.
Well, I might as well try to destroy it anyway.
I used the handle of my sword like a hammer, and I swung it towards the crystal.
It shattered into pieces.
'Now that request is done'.
As I turned around to look at the beautiful view from up here, I noticed the small field surrounded by the forest.
"I guess it's time to go down there".