Climbing the Tower with Multidimensional Avatars - Chapter 119

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 119. The Tower – Mechanical Spirit (1)

The airship arrived safely at its destination.
Normally, when landing on solid ground, the ship would bustle with disembarkation preparations, but after more than twenty hours of combat and with some units standing guard to contain the Gremlin, there were no soldiers rushing about trying to leave the vessel.
However, outside the airship, I could see formations being arranged and troops being deployed to capture the twenty Gremlins.
Curious about how they would restrain Gremlins capable of invisibility and spirit form, I discreetly used magic to observe.
“No way, they’re using that method!”
Rather than capturing the Gremlins, they had separated the power source and other navigation devices from the ship and removed them outside.
Since they couldn’t restrain the Gremlins, they extracted the precious power source and navigation devices to prevent damage, then hunted the Gremlins inside the ship.
It was crude and simple, yet a response that inverted conventional thinking.
Whether you’d call it Columbus’s egg or not, it was a method I’d never have conceived.
Watching them detach components so easily, it seemed the ship had been designed with Gremlins in mind from the start.
While the Gremlin disposal unit handled the Gremlins, Lugin, now in fresh clothes, came looking for me.
“Haven’t you gone to sleep yet?”
“Ah, I got a brief nap in.”
Truth be told, I hadn’t slept at all, but I let it slide.
“You’re up early. I was planning to leave you a note, but since you’re awake, I’ll convey the Captain’s message directly.”
Lugin spoke on behalf of the Captain.
“First, I offer my gratitude for your dedication.”
“It was quite the ordeal.”
At my response, Lugin let out a soft chuckle.
“The Chamsuori Airship has now landed at the Opercius supply hub city, and you’re welcome to use these quarters as lodging for the time being. If you prefer, we can arrange superior officer accommodations.”
Normally, after completing a task, one would return to the residential district or ascend to the next level, but with two of my party members completely exhausted, there was no choice.
Considering their fatigue, I suspected they wouldn’t wake for at least ten hours or more.
Since there was no urgent need to climb The Tower, a bit of sightseeing wouldn’t be amiss.
Leisure in life is like the lubricant of existence.
“I’ll discuss it with my companions once they wake up.”
“Most personnel, officers and soldiers alike, have been sent to the medical bay, so only some soldiers including myself remain. I’ll guide you to proper quarters rather than a rest area.”
It was only natural they’d been transported away—most had fought without sleeping, powered by steam packs the entire time.
I gathered my sleeping bag and followed Lugin.
Along the way, I was shown various facilities within the ship: showers, the dining hall, and more.
Likely all critical materials and equipment had been removed before dealing with the Gremlins, so I was free to wander as I pleased.
Had I been a foreigner or native to this world, the ship’s layout would have been classified information they’d hesitate to share, but I was a climber—someone who might never return once leaving this world—so it didn’t matter.
“Meals will be provided by command headquarters, and we’ve already included you in the food rations just in case. Since this is a military airport, civilians don’t have free access, but temporary passes have been issued. Use these when you go outside.”
Lugin handed me the pass.
I wasn’t sure how long we’d stay, but I accepted it for now.
“Regarding compensation, the Captain has promised a reward satisfactory enough to cover from his personal funds. Additionally, during the report to command headquarters, they may also offer their own gratitude and separate compensation.”
The prospect of generous rewards was certainly welcome.
I’m not sure how much the compensation will be, but at least we’ll avoid operating at a loss.
However, the Command Post mentioned that their compensation could take at least another two or three days to process.
Even that expedited timeline is only because we’re climbers—otherwise it would take at least two or three weeks, they said.
“If you’re thinking of visiting the City outside the Military Airport, I’d be happy to guide you. Just let me know whenever you’d like.”
“I see. By the way, when is mealtime?”
“Ah… I apologize. There’s still quite a bit of time until evening, so I was planning to quickly grab something from the BX to bring back.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
I retrieved a bento box from my inventory.
“I always keep a meal or two on hand.”
“I see. I’ve heard about it, but it’s quite a remarkable ability.”
Since this world had no magic, it naturally lacked both pocket dimensions and spatial expansion bags.
“Then please rest comfortably. I’ll see you again this evening.”
Lugin saluted and departed from the airship.
After eating my bento in the male officer’s quarters assigned to me, I cast a magical barrier around the room where Lee Su-young and Diana were sleeping to prevent anyone from easily intruding.
“Since I’m alone with nothing to do, I might as well do some sightseeing.”
How often does one get to travel in a steampunk world? Even if this city was formed primarily as a military supply depot.

* * *

The Military Airport was quite expansive, but with my knowledge of light step techniques, crossing it was quick work.
The Military Airport was surrounded by tall iron fences, with the only entrance guarded by sentries.
I used the temporary pass Lugin had given me to log my exit at the entrance and stepped outside.
The incident with twenty Gremlins appearing must have been quite significant—the sentries recognized my status as a climber from the temporary pass and asked various questions, but I gave vague answers and moved on.
Using “Mage’s Eye,” a long-distance vision spell, I created an invisible eye and sent it high into the sky to survey the entire city.
The city was larger than I’d expected, though most of it appeared to be supply warehouses or military facilities, with the actual Residential District being relatively small.
Still, it seemed spacious enough to comfortably house tens of thousands, so the name “City” didn’t seem inadequate.
I avoided the military facilities and headed toward the Residential District.
After traveling quite far from the airport, I encountered streets where steam-powered automobiles circulated.
The streetscape felt modern yet carried an atmosphere reminiscent of Egypt, the Middle East, or perhaps India rather than Europe.
Was it because the citizens walking the streets had skin tones closer to brown?
Or perhaps it was the distinctive patterned carpets being sold, or the slightly loose-fitting clothing styles.
It might have simply been colored glasses created by media exposure.
Diana, being British, might have perceived it differently.
The notable aspects were that soldiers were frequently visible, befitting a city serving as a supply base, and steam-powered machinery was visible throughout.
“Wow, a streetcar. That’s something you almost never see in Korea.”
As I wandered the streets, I bought unfamiliar fruits and browsed the Market.
Surprisingly, larger shops accepted climber check cards, but most establishments only accepted cash.
So these were actually usable even outside the residential tiers.
Though admittedly, very few places accepted them.
I was glad I’d brought Credit along, following the banker’s advice.
I wandered around the district for about an hour before discovering a Bookstore and stepping inside.
Not a single person on the street held a mobile phone, which suggested that communication devices here were limited to military-grade radios.
If that was the case, I couldn’t expect internet either, so the Bookstore was my only option for gathering information.
“Novels, scripts… oh, they sell newspapers here too.”
This world seemed to lack entertainment districts, as the Bookstore was quite spacious and filled with a considerable number of patrons.
I hesitated between the history and technology sections before turning toward the technology section.
“Would you like to purchase a book?”
As I stood before the shelves deliberating which book to choose, a blonde-haired, golden-eyed girl approached me with the question.
I turned to face her and asked in return.
“…You’re not human, are you?”
The girl standing before me was not human.
Based on my senses and experience, she was mechanical—a machine? Yes, definitely a machine.
But her presence felt distinctly different from Siu’s.
The girl laughed softly, seeming slightly surprised by my question.
“How did you know? Mages from other worlds truly are different. You’re the first person to recognize at a glance that I’m not human. Climber.”
“That’s quite the honor. …But if I may ask, are you a machine? Or perhaps a spirit?”
The blonde-haired, golden-eyed girl before me emanated a distinctly spiritual aura.
Or was it more like a phantom?
“My? You can sense that much? How impressive.”
The girl gently grasped the hem of her skirt and bowed respectfully.
“I am Opercius, the mechanical spirit who protects this City.”
Opercius—the same name as the City itself. Had the mechanical spirit taken the City’s name, or was it the other way around?
I couldn’t determine which.
“I’m Han Ji-woo. As you’ve already discerned, I’m a Climber. But how did you know I was a Climber?”
Was it that obvious? My skin tone was certainly lighter than the City’s residents.
It was because I’d been a shut-in nerd who rarely saw sunlight.
Though I had gotten considerably tanned during my time in the Military.
“The Captain of the Chamsuori Airship reported it to me. Your temporary access pass has a tracking marker that I can detect, so I can locate you anywhere within the City.”
Now that I thought about it, I had found it strange that an outsider like me was allowed to roam freely, but knowing they were tracking my location made sense.
“If you’ve received reports from the Captain, you must hold considerable rank.”
“Of course. Despite appearances, I hold the rank of Lieutenant General.”
That’s quite impressive.
“Why would such a distinguished officer seek me out? Is it because I’ve been moving about freely?”
At my question, the mechanical spirit Opercius shook her head.
“Not at all. If I intended to restrict your movements, I wouldn’t have issued the temporary access pass. I simply wanted to express my gratitude in person for protecting my sibling.”
“Your sibling?”
“The power source that you and your companions protected. My younger sibling—another mechanical spirit—resides within it. Your arrival on the Chamsuori Airship was likely due to my sibling’s earnest prayers.”
I see. Neither the Captain nor the crew wanted us aboard, yet a Quest to protect the power source appeared—which had puzzled me. So there was someone behind it all making wishes.
Occasionally The Tower assigns Quests even without someone wishing for them, so I’d assumed this was one of those cases. Apparently, I was wrong.
“Wait. Does that mean the abundance of Gremlin was also because of the mechanical spirit?”
“…That’s what I’m currently theorizing.”
At her response, I furrowed my brow.
“If such an important mechanical spirit existed, shouldn’t it have been guarded by a much larger force?”
At my question, Opercius exhaled a deep sigh.
“It’s difficult to explain in detail, but we have our own circumstances. There were more complex political reasons involved, and while we chose what we believed was the best course of action, misfortune found us regardless.”
It seemed there was something difficult to articulate beneath the surface.
I had no interest in tedious political and international affairs. I didn’t want to know.
Opercius spoke, attempting to change the atmosphere.
“Now that I think about it, you mentioned to the Captain that you’re interested in our world’s technology, didn’t you? While I cannot provide materials and information classified as military secrets, I’m prepared to offer you more detailed technical information than what you’d find in a bookstore like this. Why not browse for a different book instead?”
At those words, I nodded and made my way toward the history section of the bookshelf.
“Speaking of which, there was supposedly an event called the ‘Great Collapse.’ What exactly was that incident?”
At my question, Opercius’s expression hardened.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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