Chương 88: After the Clear

Time rewinds to just when I cleared the floor. I panted heavily over the dagger, exhaling deep breaths that didn't come from exhaustion, but disbelief. Did I… Really do it? [Floor Cleared!] [Time Taken: 0: 23] [You have set a record for your class!] [Rewards are calculating.] [Leaderboard has updated.] The system says so… But, am I dreaming? Is this real? Did I actually do it? My head felt light, my arms numb. I felt the war drums thumping in my chest throughout my entire body.

At this point, I couldn't tell if it was coming from my heart, my head, or my fingers. [Rewards have been calculated.] [You have gained 2 Rainbow Skill Tokens!] [Skill Tokens 10/10 (8 Gold, 2 Rainbow)] [You have received 5, 000 points.] [Would you like to enter the next floor? Y/N] [Time Remaining on floor: 59: 49] I stared in disbelief at the rewards. Half of me couldn't believe the rewards itself, did I really just get 2 of the highest grade skill tokens?

But beyond that, the other half couldn't believe that I actually did it. It was confirmation that I, did in fact, clear this floor.

"Ah…" I let out, in a daze. I couldn't think, I didn't want to. Everything can wait. For now. I want to see Luna. [Returning.] … Time returns to as soon as I left Luna's house. I quickly headed to the elevator, staring at the ground as I walked. I don't…I don't even want to know what my face looks like right now. Is there anything redder than tomatoes? If so, probably that. In the elevator, I pressed the 1st floor repeatedly until the doors closed.

"Ugh…" My head felt hot. Honestly, I cowered out. Originally, I was gonna go for the lips, but, I pivoted at the last second and settled for her cheek. I didn't want the first to be like that. Even after leaving, my head's still a little fuzzy.

"Haah…" I sighed, waiting for the elevator doors to open. It's not even like I've never kissed before…But…When it comes to Luna, I feel like some pre-pubescent teen…

"Haah…" Letting out another sigh, I stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby. Then, I froze. Eyes from all over the lobby had fallen onto me. It was then, I remembered. I had just cleared a floor—quite messily at that. I hadn't washed up or changed in the slightest. Picture this: a small girl wearing a cute outfit that was stained with dirt and dried blood, she has a weapon at her side and she looks nervous. If you saw someone like that in an apartment lobby, wouldn't you be concerned?

Even the most shameless person couldn't walk by as if nothing had happened. I closed my dropped jaw and went to speak before finding out the words wouldn't come out. What do I even say? Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! Hm… Alright! Let's just be the mostest shameless person! I bowed my head and quickly walked to the door.

"Excuse me, miss." I was stopped. It was by an older security guard.

"Ahem," I cleared my throat and turned to him, "Hello, grandpa."

"Are you okay? Do we need to call medical services?"

"Um, I'm fine, thank you." I paused before quickly explaining, "I'm um…I'm an awakener, I just got a bit messy during the floor. I forfeited, so, I'm heading home now…"

"Is that so?" I hurriedly nodded,"Ah! My pet mouse must be waiting for me to feed them! Gotta go!" With that, I left the building before he could ask anymore questions. Outside, I breathed a sigh of relief. But…It certainly wasn't any better. People who were walking on the sidewalk glanced at me with curious gazes, some people in cars stared at me as they waited for the light to turn green.

"Haah…" Eventually, I just gave up. Whatever. Don't care anymore. Let me just call a taxi already. … While waiting for the taxi, I realized something. I completely forgot about the spaghetti. Luna and I were supposed to eat together…But, after that kiss, I completely dipped… Oops. Well, she should be able to make it herself, right? …

"Um, miss, are you okay? Should we go to the hospital?" The taxi driver asked.

"It's not my blood."

"…Oh." The taxi ride to my apartment was silent the remainder of the way. … Back and finally home, I took in a deep breath of the familiar air. Nothing beats home. Yet, some part of me was a little disappointed. It was silent—too silent. Pushing down that feeling, I immediately threw off my clothes and headed to the bathroom. While I waited for the water to get hot, I rubbed rubbing alcohol on the minor cuts I got.

"Ow… It stings…" Sticking on the bandages, I tested the water's temperature. Nice and hot! Stepping into the tub, I sank into the water and relaxed my body. Honestly, I still couldn't believe that I actually cleared the floor. But… [Skill Tokens 10/10 (8 Gold, 2 Rainbow)] [Would you like to spend 8 gold, and 2 rainbow skill tokens for a skill or trait?] [Y/N] The rewards were right there. 2 rainbow skill tokens. These were priceless. There must be millions of people who would kill just for one of these tokens.

And I actually got two of them. And in turn, a chance at obtaining a rainbow skill. Although, that's extremely unlikely. How many people in the world actually have a rainbow skill? Probably less than a thousand if I had to guess. I could be one of those people… But, odds are, I wouldn't be. I'd have to get extraordinarily lucky. Right now, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I couldn't decide if I wanted to test the odds. Did I want to spend all of my tokens for a new skill or trait?

It was something I've been waiting for, for ages, but… It feels a bit wasteful. Did I want to use these 2 rainbow skill tokens just to gain a gold skill? No… I really didn't. I'd rather save them until I get 10 rainbow skill tokens to confirm a rainbow skill. But, then, I'd have to wait even longer to get a new skill! Ugh! This is really a 'My lobster too buttery, my steak too juicy' type of situation! I internally chuckled. I'll just keep them in my token inventory for now.

I'll wait until I get more tokens to use. It's not like I'm in dire need for a new skill or trait anyways. Although, I can grumble about it. Hm… Maybe I'll even complain online? Hehe… Seeing peoples reactions to that would be funny. Finally, I checked the leaderboard. I knew I ranked on it, I just didn't know where.

[Floor 5 Leaderboard] [#1: Anonymous: 0: 15 (Swordsman)] [#2: Raccoon: 0: 23 (Alchemist)] [#3: Lightning Lord: 0: 24 (Mage)] [#4: Flame Queen: 0: 24 (Fire Witch)] [#5: Sword Saint: 0: 25 (Swordsman)] [#6: Eel Love: 0: 26 (Mage)] [#7: Samurai: 0: 30 (Samurai)] [#8: Emperor Dragon Queen: 0: 36 (Mage)] [#9: Kim Jinhyuk: 0: 40 (Swordsman)] [#10: Cherry: 0: 44 (Mage)]"Pfft!" I blew a jet into the bath water.

"Rank 2!?" I stared at the screen, baffled.

"Heh…Hehehehe!" I started to maniacally giggle. I'm the best! The bestest! Oh, lord, how the internet must be blazing hot right now. It wasn't only a production class making it on the floor 5 leaderboards, it was a production class taking rank 2 on the leaderboards! My eyes glanced at the names below me. Lightning Lord, Flame Queen…Sword Saint, Dragon Girl…

"Wow…" I let out. Poor dragon girl… I can already imagine the flack she'll get. Well, if it gets too bad then I'll just say something. Hm… But Anonymous seems to have struggled with this floor too? 15 seconds? You've changed, man… The old anonymous would've cleared it in 5 seconds. Does he get carried by his equipment that much? Hehe, ah, the weight of my crown is getting heavy. It's tough being the strongest and greatest production class in existence. Huh? Is it getting to my head? No! Heavens no!

I'm smack dab in the middle of my right mind!

"Hehe…" I giggled. Time to brag to the alchemy misters! [Success. Floor 5 Clear.] Author: BinLover Just around a hour ago, I successfully cleared the 5th floor using free alchemy. Thank you all so much for the help, guidance, and motivation you've given me. Anyways, I'm literally the best! Appreciate and worship me already! → [Juxtaps: PFFT, this girl couldn't keep the mood serious for more than a sentence. Congratulations, Bin, proud of you.] → [ObsidianTier: Congratulations, Bin! No clear video this time?] ↳ [BinLover: Ahaha… Later.] ↳ [ObsidianTier: You did something wrong, didn't you?] ↳ [Juxtaps: Oh, for sure, and she knows it. She doesn't want to be nagged, so, she'll probably post it later and immediately close the gallery after. So obvious.] ↳ [BinLover: Shush!! Just continuing singing my praises!] → [CauldronBro: Congrats!] → [SlimeLube: Slime!!! Slime!] → [HomunculusTheBest: Let's go!! Now! Let's make some homunculus?] → [EfficiencyLord: Good job, but don't let this get to your head.] ↳ [BinLover: GAH!! You again!!] ↳ [EfficiencyLord: It's not very efficient to ignore reality.] ↳ [BinLover: Blah, blah!! You will eventually say "Bin is the best!"] ↳ [EfficiencyLord: Infeasible.] → [Love Fusion Mix Hands: Congratulations, cutie! I noticed that you waited an hour to let us know. I wonder what's that about (knowing smile icon)] ↳ [BinLover: (Nervous raccoon darting eyes icon)] ↳ [Juxtaps: No! No! Don't leave me out of the loop again!!] ↳ [Love Fusion Mix Hands: Stop trying to dig into girls talk.] ↳ [Juxtaps: Tsk…] → [Meditation Is Medicine: After a tough battle, you should meditate to clear your mind. Congratulations.] → [✪Potions Are Easy: Congratulations! It must feel pretty good to finally achieve results after months of hard work. You got to this point way faster than I, or probably any of us, could have expected. You've crossed one mountain, but, there will be many more to climb. You should take a nice, long, relaxing break for now. If I remember correctly, you haven't done basic alchemy is quite some time? I recommend not doing anything strenuous and enjoy yourself for a while. Good work, Bin, you deserve this success.] ↳ [BinLover: Thank you. I couldn't have done this without you teaching me free alchemy.] ↳ [✪Potions Are Easy: Teaching the youth is my pleasure. It was your dedication and ability that allowed you to learn.] → [KrakenFin: Congratulations, young alchemist. Do you plan to continue using the 'Free Alchemy' style?] ↳ [BinLover: Thank you. No, probably not. Although it's a fine style, I don't find it fun.] ↳ [KrakenFin: I see. That fellow would be satisfied.] ↳ [BinLover:? Who's 'that fellow'?] ↳ [KrakenFin: The creator of the style, @Alchemist of War. They dislike using and other people using Free Alchemy.] ↳ [BinLover: Eh?? The creator themselves is in here? Why haven't I seen them once?] ↳ [KrakenFin: I believe they are preoccupied. Their world isn't exactly peaceful.] ↳ [BinLover: I see…] Closing the gallery, I stretched, listening to the water drip off my arms. The worlds of the alchemy misters… Huh. I've never thought about them much, but… I'm a little curious. Alchemist of War, huh. That moniker tells a lot. If I get the chance, I should thank them. Even if they don't like free alchemy, it was the thing that actually allowed me to clear the floor.

"Haah…" Yawning, I stepped out of the bath. As I dried up and put on some clothes, a familiar text tone sounded. I smiled, looking at my phone. [Luna: Did you get home safe?] Then, a faint red appeared on my cheeks as I remembered what happened.

"Phew…" I let out a breath. Although I didn't know what Luna thought of it… I hope she didn't dislike it. [Me: Safe!] [Me: (happy raccoon icon)] [Me: Did you eat?] [Luna: Ah… I was about to order something.] [Me:?] [Luna: I… I don't know how to cook.] [Me: Pfft. Silly~ You can't even follow instructions? Just what would you do without me~] After I pressed send, I paused. Ah… I didn't think of how that message sounded before I sent it. Taking a small breath, I waited for the reply. [Luna: I don't know…] [Luna: Oh, my foods here, talk to you later.]"… You just said you were about to order something?" I mumbled with a smile. For some reason, I was picturing a mouse with red cheeks, sending a reply.

"Hehe," I giggled, heading to my garden with a pep in my step. I should plant more strawberries.