Reincarnated User Manual-Chapter 349: Friend (3)

75th Floor of the Tower of Infinity.

‘Is it over?’

Yoru, dressed in a maid’s uniform, lowered her blood-soaked sword and looked up.

The crimson-hued space appeared dangerous at a glance. At its center were two green circles, each two meters in diameter.

‘He definitely said to step into the green circle.’

Yoru stared at the glowing green light beneath her feet, recalling her memory.

You must be inside the ‘green’ circle within the time limit to advance to the next floor.

Although the overseer had mentioned it only once, Yoru miraculously remembered his instructions.

It might seem trivial to recall a single sentence, but considering the chaos that had unfolded moments ago, it was no wonder she nodded in agreement.

That’s because there were 1,200 participants on the 76th floor. Yet, at the end of the test, only six people, excluding Yoru, had managed to stand within the green circles.

The six remained vigilant, their piercing gazes fixed on her. She considered taking them down right then, but they too were formidable competitors who had climbed to the 76th floor. Their alliance and cautious demeanor toward Yoru made any unnecessary conflict meaningless.

‘What about Sister?’

Yoru squinted and looked around. Beyond the sea of disqualified participants stood a woman with an imposing presence.

Siriel Prient. She too was standing inside a green circle, just like Yoru. The difference was, no one else dared step into Siriel’s circle.

Beeeeep———–

[The 75th-floor test has concluded. Participants 34, 575, 711, 1, 2, 1027, 1189 have passed. All others are disqualified.]

[Repeating announcement: The 75th-floor test has concluded. Participants 711, 1, 2…]

As the announcement echoed throughout the space, a staircase began to unfold from the ceiling with a sharp clatter.

The five who had been wary of Yoru jumped onto the stairs before they fully extended, rushing to the next floor. She thought of spitting in disdain but barely held back the urge.

“Well done.”

“…Yes, Sister.”

Her head turned slowly toward the heavy, cold voice coming from behind her.

Despite living under the same roof for years, it was hard to imagine their relationship could feel so frosty.

They hadn’t always been this distant. However, since entering the Tower of Infinity, Siriel had grown more tense and sharp.

Siriel’s husband, Elise’s father, Yoru’s spouse, and the master of their household had gone missing.

To find his whereabouts, they would have to clear another 25 arduous tests. Yoru could imagine how stifling Siriel must feel.

“You did well too, Sister.”

“This much is nothing.”

“But you really kept your word not to let anyone through.”

When they were first briefed about the Tower on the 1st floor, Siriel had made a promise to Yoru.

Those who advanced from the current floor would become competitors on the next.

Thus, from the 70th to the 75th floors, Siriel ensured every rival she faced was disqualified.

She had done so again just now.

Amidst the opportunists waiting for a chance, she had confidently stepped into the circle and claimed her spot.

Given the nature of the test, which required participants to remain inside a narrow circle until the test ended, Siriel became the prime target. Yet she upheld her promise.

“I know how hard it is to keep a promise. I tried so hard to follow your example, Sister, but I still left five behind.”

Yoru had seen how it began. Although she had been too preoccupied with her own test, she distinctly remembered how captivating Siriel’s presence was.

“Hmph. This much is nothing.”

Siriel’s stern expression softened slightly at Yoru’s continued praise. Seeing this, Yoru smiled faintly.

Yoru wanted Siriel to let go of her burdens, even if just a little. After all, Siriel had been exceptionally kind to Yoru, who often felt out of place at the mansion.

[Participants 1, 2. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and move to the next floor.]

“…Let’s go.”

Clearing her throat, Siriel stepped onto the stairs leading to the 77th floor.

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the tower, Seira stood face-to-face with a panting Lucia.

“What? Siriel came to the Tower?”

“Shit, we’re screwed! What do we do?”

“C-Calm down first!”

Seira tried to soothe Lucia, who was stomping her feet in panic.

Still, Seira’s heart raced, and sweat dripped from her hands and feet.

No matter how sharp Siriel’s temper was, even Seira knew this reaction was excessive. After all, Seira was a renowned archmage, and Lucia was the world’s greatest swordswoman. If they combined their strength, they could find a way to pacify Siriel’s wrath, no matter how severe it was.

‘Why did Siriel come? The magic was flawless.’

Even the letter pretending to be from Shiron had been meticulously crafted.

Technically, they had done it all for Siriel’s sake. It was a well-meaning lie.

Although they had deceived her, it was to help Siriel focus on raising her child, whom they assumed would have been born by now.

If Siriel had learned about Shiron’s sudden disappearance, who knew what chaos might ensue? Neither Seira nor Lucia could bear to take responsibility for such a situation.

“What floor is Siriel on now?”

“Aisha said she started at the 70th floor… no, it must be higher by now, considering how long it took me to get here.”

“She’ll still need more time to catch up.”

Seira sighed in relief at Lucia’s answer.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

It had taken Seira months to climb to the 77th floor. Siriel, starting from the 70th floor, would undoubtedly take even longer.

“Besides, we climbed at an abnormal speed thanks to the prophecy and Aisha’s help.”

“R-right?”

When Seira climbed the Tower centuries ago, it had taken far longer than it did with Shiron. Siriel would likely need several months to reach them.

Moreover, since the timing of tests on each floor varied, it was likely Siriel would arrive even later than expected.

“For now, we need to create an alibi. Ideally, the kid should return immediately, but that’s unlikely.”

“…Okay.”

With grim determination, Lucia nodded.

The brilliant mind of Archmage Seira, paired with the intelligence of Lucia, a proud graduate of the Imperial Academy, went to work.

The Administrator of the 77th Floor, Yuriyuri, surveyed the test venue with a perplexed expression.

The auditorium felt excessively empty. While there had been instances when the overseers of lower floors acted capriciously, leaving climbers scarce, she hadn’t heard of any such news this time. Her head tilted in curiosity.

Ah, the hall wasn’t completely empty.

At the end of her tilted gaze, she spotted two figures.

A silver-haired swordswoman and a black-haired maid sat primly at the very front of the auditorium. Yuriyuri noticed the smell of blood emanating from them.

‘What’s with these guys?’

Occasionally, she came across such individuals. Dangerous types reeking of blood, often due to committing murders within the tower.

But such paths rarely ended well.

Killing outside of designated test zones was strictly prohibited. The self-proclaimed Demon King, who ruled the tower, would send vigilantes to capture such offenders as an example—a fact Yuriyuri knew all too well.

‘But how are they still here? Did they kill the vigilantes too?’

“Excuse me. When does the test start?”

The curious fairy was interrupted by Yoru, who raised her hand.

“Since everyone seems to be here, can’t we start quickly? We’re busy.”

Yuriyuri chuckled at the boldness.

“Sorry, but today’s test is canceled~. Come back next time.”

“…What?”

“What nonsense is this!”

Siriel widened her eyes as Yoru threw the headband off her head and jumped up. Ignoring Siriel’s earlier command to behave, Yoru stormed over to Yuriyuri and grabbed her.

“Didn’t you hear me?! We need to ascend quickly!”

“That’s not my problem~. If I, the test administrator, decide to cancel the test, what’s it to you~?”

Despite being physically threatened, the fairy showed no signs of concern. Just as Yoru’s grip tightened, Siriel swiftly approached and seized Yoru’s wrist.

“Stop. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble here.”

“…”

“Administrator, doesn’t the tower’s rules state that scheduled tests cannot be canceled? Or am I mistaken?”

“Nope. You’re absolutely right~.”

Yuriyuri chuckled and cackled, almost mocking them.

“But those rules were made by the Demon King, not the tower’s true owner. There’s no reason for me to follow them, is there?”

“Then…”

“Oh, but that’s not the reason I’m stopping you~.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s because there’s a possibility you’re murderers.”

At Yoru’s glare, which brimmed with killing intent, Yuriyuri casually responded.

“I like funny people, but I’d rather avoid stirring chaos in the tower. If you want to take the test, you’ll have to wait until the vigilantes complete their investigation.”

“…”

“But do you think that’s possible? With the stench of blood reeking off you like this? I honestly can’t understand how you’re walking around so brazenly!”

Cackle, cackle!

Yuriyuri laughed mockingly. She cared little about the vigilantes or the tower’s rules, but she wasn’t about to miss the chance to witness something entertaining for the first time in a year.

Pressing the report button repeatedly on the podium, Yuriyuri watched the flustered pair with delight.

…There was such a time.

“I apologize!”

Yuriyuri bowed her head in apology to Siriel.

After about an hour of investigation, it was concluded that the two were not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Who would have thought that every climber from the 70th to the 77th floor would have been eliminated, leaving no challengers at all?

“Oh dear, Administrator. How many times is this now? If this keeps up, it’ll be troublesome for us too.”

“Thank you for your hard work today. Take care on your way back.”

Yuriyuri awkwardly bowed repeatedly, even to a demon with a sheep’s head.

But her troubled expression lasted only a moment.

“Now, let’s start the test! Ta-da! Do you see that rock? If you can either pull the sword embedded in it or lift the entire rock, you pass!”

“…Oh, come on.”

The fairy’s antics were clearly not a first-time occurrence, as her delivery was seamless.

Suppressing the urge to give the arrogant fairy a good thwack on the head, Yoru stepped up onto the podium.