I Like It, I Like It, I Like Presents (4)

‘A craftsman never blames his tools.’

If you stopped a passing adventurer and shared this time-honored lesson with them, nine times out of ten, they’d spit in your face.

Of course, relying on your equipment is a common rookie mistake. But does that mean you shouldn’t pay any attention to your gear at all?

You’d be better off quietly hanging yourself at home. It’d be less painful. In the Tower, equipment is a necessity, not a choice.

The presence or absence of a cheap antidote carelessly stuffed in the corner of your bag could determine whether you lived or died.

And if you’re a proper mid-level adventurer, there’s really only one place to go for equipment: Eisen Schmiede on the 17th floor.

It offered such great value that most adventurers went there. Even plenty of rankers active on the upper floors sought it out.

The man’s greatsword, his trusted comrade that had fought by his side for so long, had been forged there, too.

‘A greatsword forged at Eisen Schmiede, one that had comfortably held its own against a boss monster on the 60th floor, was destroyed by a single blow...!!’

But he didn’t have so much as a moment to mourn his comrade’s death. He had to escape the imminent death closing in on him.

That meant the nun’s fist before him was far stronger than the full might of the boss monster he’d fought on the 60th floor.

In other words, he was fighting an opponent stronger than a 60th-floor boss monster. And he didn’t even have a weapon.

“Wait! I surrender!”

“Pardon? You’re surrendering?”

“That’s right. You can decide what happens to me, so please, just spare my life.”

He hadn’t joined a guild or anything. He’d only taken the job to earn money and make a comeback as a ranker.

In other words, he had no loyalty worth risking his life for. Sure, the rest of his life might be difficult... but it was much better than dying.

At the man’s sudden surrender, Zion, the Silver Nun, was a little taken aback. There was being quick to change your tune, and then there was this.

‘Could this be a trap? Is he waiting for me to let my guard down so he can ambush me...?’

He didn’t seem like much of a threat after fighting him, but there was no reason to take an unnecessary risk.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to wonder for long. Amid the sound of hurried footsteps, a familiar head of red hair appeared...

An adventurer with flame-red hair and red bikini armor. Ifrit had returned.

“What on earth is going on here?”

“...Well...”

“They tried to kidnap me first. I had no choice but to fight back to defend myself.”

“You fought back? By yourself, Zion?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

There had to be a problem. Zion was a healer, after all. Healers supported their allies with powerful assistance skills.

As a result, their attack power was bound to be low. Even <Miracle>, another high ranker, had the offensive power of an ordinary ranker.

Surprisingly, Ifrit readily believed Zion. She already had a pretty good idea of who Zion was.

‘Well... if she’s the great saintess who defeated the Demon King alongside the hero, she must at least be strong enough to protect herself.’

She’d just come from looking up the records. The era when the Demon King ruled had been a time of survival of the fittest in the truest sense.

To fight the Demon King after making their way through monsters far stronger than those of today, they must have needed abilities to match.

The problem was that this only made Ifrit’s mistaken assumptions worse... but there was no way Zion could know that.

“Good timing, Mad Flame. I need you to mediate—Kgh?!”

“Shut up unless you want to be burned at the stake.”

“...”

“Zion, you really aren’t hurt anywhere, are you?”

“No.”

“You should be grateful. If you’d so much as harmed a hair on Zion’s head, I was going to drag you out and burn you.”

At Ifrit’s threat, the man could only tremble and say nothing. It wasn’t an empty threat.

She wouldn’t think twice about burning someone alive. What else would you expect from someone called Mad Flame?

So the man could only nod meekly. Only then did Ifrit smile with satisfaction.

“Who sent you?”

“...The Ice Emperor.”

“...So that person sent you after all.”

“The Ice Emperor? Who’s that?”

“A creepy stalker who keeps following me. Knowing about him will only give you a headache.”

How many people in the Tower could call the ruler of the Misty Land on the 22nd floor, the high ranker Ice Emperor, a stalker?

But the man didn’t add anything. Everyone in the Tower knew how obsessed the Ice Emperor was with Mad Flame.

Even if it was for money... getting caught up between Mad Flame and the Ice Emperor. Only now was the man starting to regret it.

“...If only I could’ve gotten enough money for treatment, none of this would’ve happened.”

“Treatment costs?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Do you think you have a choice right now?”

“...I needed a huge amount of money to get treated by <Miracle>. That’s why I took a job from the Ice Emperor and came all the way down to the first floor.”

It was a familiar story: an adventurer climbed the Tower with dreams, suffered an unexpected injury, and retired.

His body was ruined, and he couldn’t manage even half his former ability. Relying on his equipment had its limits, too.

So he’d started saving money, clutching at straws. But a washed-up adventurer couldn’t exactly earn a decent income.

“Miracle? Who’s that?”

“One of the Tower’s only hundred high rankers, and the best healer among those currently active in the Tower.”

“They say that if you get to her within a day, she can bring even the dead back to life.”

“I see.”

At the man’s helpful explanation, Zion nodded. Of course, she had a resurrection skill called Revival herself, but...

It wasn’t all that effective... so she chose to keep quiet rather than say something she’d regret.

In any case, Zion left the man and woman’s fate in Ifrit’s hands. Ifrit would know far more about it than Zion did.

“I asked some others to lock them up in prison for now. Later, I’ll meet with the Ice Emperor and try to negotiate about this.”

“I’ll leave it entirely to you. I trust you, Ifrit.”

“...Thanks. Then shall we get started?”

“Pardon?”

“The church repairs. I said I’d help you, remember?”

Ifrit smiled and pulled out a hammer. It was an unusual black hammer with a six-pointed star of light drawn on its handle.

The Hammer of Akiteon. It was among the more expensive construction tools in the Tower, but its performance was supposed to be first-rate.

And just as she’d said, Ifrit finished the repairs in a mere hour. Zion spoke, looking stunned.

“I-it really is an amazing tool.”

“Right? Of course, we only have wood and stone for materials right now, so this was the best I could do. But if we get a chance later...”

“It’s all right. This is more than enough.”

The cracked, creaking chapel door had become sturdy, if rough, and all the holes in the roof had disappeared.

Sturdy wooden beams firmly supported the roof. They couldn’t compare to those of a grand temple, but...

At the very least, it seemed like a peaceful sanctuary where lambs seeking shelter from the elements wouldn’t turn around and run away.

“Thank you so much, Ifrit. You saved me.”

“It was worth all the hard work. More importantly...”

“Yes?”

“Ahem! Um... wasn’t there an item you promised me?”

“Oh, right. I’m sorry, I completely forgot.”

Zion hurriedly handed Ifrit the old book she’d set aside. Honestly, she almost felt guilty.

To think she was handing over an old book in exchange for such a thorough church renovation. Still, she didn’t let it show.

She could treat Ifrit well from now on. Unaware of Zion’s thoughts, Ifrit simply treasured the book.

“Now that the church is repaired, what are you planning to do?”

“For now, I plan to spend my days helping people in need.”

“...Are you serious?”

“Yes. Of course, I need to make a living, too, so I’ll accept offerings like bread and cheese, or a little money.”

‘Guh... She’s so dazzling I can’t look straight at her!’

Seeing Zion help others so naturally, Ifrit actually felt guilty.

Her own choice to repair the church for a reward suddenly seemed rather shabby. Of course, Zion was getting something in return, too...

But unlike her or the other healers, Zion had said she’d accept only a minimal reward. That was only fair.

‘To think you can get money or food just by clicking Heal... Healers really are nobles wherever you go.’

Naturally, Zion had no such noble purpose. She was simply trying to coast through life as comfortably as possible.

From what she’d heard, there were already healers who charged money to heal people. Compared to them, Zion was a latecomer.

For a latecomer to survive in the market, she had to compete on price first. Just like Zion was doing now.

But Zion had no idea.

That this choice would one day earn her the title of the ‘Saintess of Beginnings.’

Or that it would make countless rankers become obsessed with her.