Pick me Up – Chapter 255 – Requiem (1)
After surpassing the 60th floor, Anything initiated a significant expansion of the facilities.
First, he utilized the accumulated resources to add a new level to the Lobby. Additionally, he ordered the upgrade of all buildings, from the equipment factory and warehouse to the Training Field and Magic Laboratory.
‘It will take some time.’
It was no longer as simple as pressing a button to instantly build something.
Once the facilities reached a certain level, the upgrade required a vast amount of materials, artisans, and a lengthy construction time.
Due to this, the Lobby turned into a noisy construction site for a while, and the heroes had free time to maintain their equipment until the work was completed.
During the day, I patrolled the lower levels to level up, and at night, I dedicated myself to training with Halgion.
I decided to spend the time training until Yurnet finished her research.
‘On the upper levels… there is something.’
That feeling grew stronger after surpassing the 60th floor.
If it were only strong enemies like the prince or the series of fragments, I could handle them. However, there was the possibility of unexpected variables arising, and if something went wrong, it could be irreparable.
Every night, I read the Book of the Inverted Sky.
Although it was an illustrated book about El Cid’s past, its content didn’t change and continued to repeat the story I knew.
This routine continued until Yurnet completed her research.
<Excuse me, master.>
One night, in my room on the fourth floor of the Lobby, where Group 1’s base was located.
A human figure emerged from a dense fog. I turned my chair to look at the shadow. From the shadow, Yurnet’s figure slowly materialized.
‘It seems she has finished the research.’
A month or so?
I had ordered the research immediately after El Cid’s death, so it had taken longer than I expected.
“I suppose you didn’t come just to greet me.”
I said while drinking a cup of tea.
For regular contacts, a call was enough. There was no need to show up in person unless there was an important reason.
<Of course not. The research on El Cid is complete, and I come to present an official report.>
“Good job. You’ve made a great effort.”
I nodded.
<First of all, I must apologize, master.>
Yurnet approached, and before I could say anything, she bowed deeply.
<I’m sorry.>
“What do you mean by sorry?”
<The research… has failed.>
Yurnet spoke while remaining bowed.
I closed my mouth.
‘Failed?’
I didn’t expect that.
<I couldn’t fulfill your orders, master. If you give me another chance…>
“No, lift your head. If it can’t be done, it can’t be done. You’re not omnipotent.”
<I couldn’t fulfill your order…>
“Let’s drop it. You’re making me nervous.”
Yurnet slowly lifted her head.
Although her expression was unchanging, I could read the emotion in her eyes.
‘I can’t blame her.’
I was the one who unilaterally asked for her help.
It wasn’t right to complain if the result wasn’t favorable.
“Instead, I want to know why the research wasn’t successful.”
<Understood. I’ll explain.>
Yurnet began to speak.
I listened attentively to her words from beginning to end.
First, Yurnet’s basic method of gathering information involved accessing Mobius Corp’s database through a virtual identity.
Yurnet had hacked the game company’s system, created a virtual account, and granted it high-level privileges to access the internal data of Pick Me Up.
But this time…
“Not even your account could access it?”
<To access the end data of Pick Me Up, alpha-level permissions are required. My account had no chance. Alpha level is reserved for the highest ranks within Mobius Corp, only accessible to the two CEOs and some key executives.>
I narrowed my eyes.
My request to Yurnet had been straightforward.
Find out about the end of Dorado.
‘That’s where it must be.’
The reason El Cid was willing to face all of Mobius and head to server 1.
‘I can make assumptions.’
But I had no certainty.
And now, these results.
<I tried to break the security system, but it was excessively protected.>
“Really?”
<With time, it might be possible. However, there’s a risk of exposing our identity.>
I clicked my tongue and responded.
“Then it’s fine.”
<If you order, I’ll try again.>
“You said you could be discovered. Why risk so much? Let’s drop it.”
<But…>
“Stop worrying. Take a break.”
I fell silent.
I was curious, but I didn’t want to put Niflheim at risk to find out. If it was discovered that I had stolen critical information, who knows what Tel might do.
<…Understood.>
Yurnet pressed her lips together.
Her figure faded into the fog.
I shouted in the direction of the desk.
‘Hmm.’
Did they really want to keep it that hidden?
Tel had said this game was created to restore a ruined world.
So why hide the ending?
‘It smells bad. But I need certainty…’
Proof was needed to formulate a definitive plan.
But Yurnet had failed, and the path to obtaining that proof was blocked.
“…Haa.”
Still, I couldn’t sit idle.
I snapped my fingers.
[Here comes Iselle, the first servant of Loki!]
Iselle appeared striking a triumphant pose.
“Iselle.”
[Huh? What’s up, Loki? If you’re bored, do you want to…?]
“When we complete all the missions here, does Taonier return to normal?”
Iselle blinked at me.
“Does everyone who died come back?”
[Why are you asking all of a sudden? I already told you before. The boss created Pick Me Up for that. Why ask something so obvious?]
“No, nothing. It was a mistake to ask you.”
[What’s going on?]
Iselle looked at me, not understanding anything.
I smiled. This girl was at the lowest level of Mobius. She had no access to confidential information.
‘So, what should I do?’
I could discover that information while climbing the tower.
But…
‘I don’t want to leave it to chance.’
I was tired of taking unexpected blows.
When I got here, I had neither power nor influence, but now the situation was different.
I had to make use of what I had. Whatever it was.
Standing still waiting to be stabbed was not an option. I took a crumpled paper from the trash can beside the desk.
<Invitation>
[To celebrate Loki, one of the top rankers and savior of Pick Me Up, we will hold a party! As soon as you confirm your attendance, the company will prepare the place…]
After El Cid’s death, the game company sent me this invitation to a party.
Of course, I tore it up as soon as I received it, but they kept sending more.
Even after returning to Taonier.
‘I thought they were insistent.’
I unfolded the crumpled invitation on the desk and read it slowly.
“Victory celebration party…”
[We denounce and condemn El Cid’s atrocities. To ensure it never happens again, we will gather to discuss countermeasures. ALPHA0.]
‘Alpha Zero?’
I looked at Iselle, who was standing next to me.
“What is Alpha Zero?”
[Alpha Zero?]
I showed her the invitation.
Iselle took it and examined it from top to bottom.
[Eek!]
She screamed.
“What’s wrong? Did you choke?”
[A-Al-Alpha Zero…]
“Who is it?”
[It’s the… director of the game Pick Me Up.]
Iselle looked at the signature at the bottom of the invitation.
[This is definitely his signature…]
“Is he that important?”
[Alpha Zero has the same rank as the CEOs. He’s the boss of all Pick Me Up. Where did you get this? I only saw this signature at the fairy school.]
At the same level as the CEOs?
Well. If he’s the director, someone else must have designed the game.
Given how the game is, I didn’t expect it to be very normal.
[It’s incredible, Loki! This is… a chance to rise. They might offer you an executive position in the company!]
Iselle waved the invitation with blushing cheeks.
[Personal assistant, private office, luxury car, personal helicopter, seven-star chef, mansion, and country house. Finally, a ray of sunshine for me! Aaaah!]
I pinched her cheek.
“Stop dreaming. It’s bad for your brain.”
[But if the director contacted you personally, it’s because he wants to recruit you!]
“Would you like to work for a company that creates such a trash game?”
Tel had promised me an executive position if I completed the tower, but I had rejected that offer.
I wouldn’t accept it even if it was given to me.
“And why are you excited? The invitation is for me.”
[Please, let me go with you! Let me go!]
Iselle started kicking the desk.
[Let me go!]
“…I haven’t said I’m going.”
[You must go! You won’t have another chance like this!]
Is it that important?
I thought it was trash and threw it away.
‘There’s no guarantee it’s not a trap.’
But nothing bad should happen.
I still have value for them.
If not, Tel wouldn’t have bothered to intervene in my two-star ascension ceremony.
‘If I want to know the end of Pick Me Up…’
I need alpha-level permissions.
According to Iselle, the person who sent this invitation is at the highest alpha level, level zero.
‘I’ll have to take the risk.’
Anything could happen.
Although the possibility of a trap was low, that didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous.
I rested my chin on my hand.
I needed time to think.
[Come on, okay? Loki.]
Iselle looked at me with bright eyes.
I hadn’t said I would go, nor that I would take her.
“…”
I lifted my head.
I saw El Cid’s wolf fur cloak hanging on the wall.
I had taken it as a trophy after his death.
‘I want to know.’
Why did he want to reach server 1?
Why did he sacrifice his life for me?
‘Curiosity?’
Before, I would have laughed and thrown the invitation away.
Thinking it wasn’t worth the risk.
Even so… I wanted to know.
I sighed deeply and looked at the back of the invitation.
At the bottom, there was a contact number.
[1004 – 5858 – 8282]
Are you kidding me?
I clicked my tongue.
“Iselle.”
[Yes?]
“How do I contact this?”
Iselle approached to look at the number.
[It’s a company extension… oh, wait, Loki, then… that means!]
“Pack your things. Do whatever you need to do.”
[Understood! I’ll bring the phone!]
Iselle nodded frantically and disappeared.
I leaned back in the chair cushion.
‘I don’t know if this is the right thing.’
Yurnet would try to stop me.
Entering enemy territory without understanding their intention is suicide.
“Let’s go.”
I took El Cid’s wolf fur cloak off the hanger.
The dark blue cloak was reinforced with fabric and leather, and the collar was covered with white fur.
‘It doesn’t suit me.’
It didn’t flatter me.
I smiled and hung the cloak back in place.
---
(Up to '40' more ch4pt3rs)
Publication of up to 4 weekly ch4pters, thank you.
