Chapter 78

078. Secret Garden (1)

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch' invites you to the Administrator's domain."

"Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' invites you to the Administrator's domain."

"......"

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at the two messages that appeared before me.

I had noticed that the observation and interference zones of the administrators had expanded, but...

It was only now that I began to truly feel the power of this expansion.

An administrator's domain?

The fact that they could move a challenger to a different space rather than the waiting room was quite surprising.

Of course, with the tower's permission, a challenger could be moved to a different space, but until now, this had always been due to the tower's influence.

Whether it was a trial or a common area, it was the same.

Most spatial movements were either chosen by the challenger themselves or forcibly moved by the tower.

Now, administrators could autonomously offer this to challengers.

'It seems like refusing would be almost meaningless.'

For a challenger, the contract with an administrator is of great importance.

Not only can one obtain transcendent abilities that are on a completely different level from skills, but one can also receive various information and advice from the administrator, making it impossible to take lightly.

Therefore, in practice, there was no real option to refuse such invitations.

For that reason, I had no intention of refusing the administrator's call.

However...

'Being invited simultaneously like this is a bit...'

Being invited by both Iron-Blooded Monarch and White Crane Sword Immortal at the same time was a dilemma.

Even though I had a contract with Iron-Blooded Monarch, White Crane Sword Immortal was also an administrator who showed great interest in me.

With the new additional contract feature now active, there might be discussions related to contracts.

"......"

After a moment of contemplation, I closed my eyes firmly and made a decision.

"I accept the invitation from Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch'."

Even with the tempting prospect of an additional contract, I couldn't ignore my existing contract.

Therefore, it was right to respond to Iron-Blooded Monarch's invitation first.

With a clear decision, my actions were swift...

"I accept the invitation and move to the Administrator's domain."

The scenery around me changed instantly as I accepted the invitation.

"I have entered the world of Iron-Blooded Monarch."

I took a step forward, seeing the manor covered in white snow with dozens of swords haphazardly stuck into the ground.

Despite the passage of time, it felt quite nostalgic.

Whereas before I would have walked through the manor with tension, now I walked with a faint sense of anticipation.

I wasn't sure why I was called, but I doubted it was for trivial matters.

If there was a reason to call me, it must be something worth looking forward to.

With this thought, I soon reached the cabin.

Creak.

Without hesitation, I opened the door to the cabin upon arrival.

And...

"Of course, I knew you would choose me."

There, Iron-Blooded Monarch was smiling slyly for some reason.

***

The interior of the cabin hadn't changed much from before.

The table with a businesslike atmosphere and the deer decoration on the wall were just as I remembered.

It felt like a recreation of a medieval setting.

However, if asked what had changed, there was something.

"......Why are you smiling like that?"

It was the way Iron-Blooded Monarch treated me.

Seeing her cold face break into a grin was unsettling.

Moreover, seeing cookies on the table, which she hadn't offered when we first contracted, made it even more so.

"Isn't it because the contractor does such pretty things that I can't help but smile?"

"I don't think I've done anything that deserves such treatment..."

"You did something that warrants it. Or, more accurately, you made a choice that warrants it."

"......?"

As I pondered what I had done, the answer quickly came to mind.

'Could it be because of the choice I made when invited to the Administrator's domain...?'

Choosing her over White Crane Sword Immortal might have pleased her.

"Thanks to you, I won a bet with another administrator. I feel quite good about it."

I didn't bother asking what bet or with whom.

"......"

I felt I already knew the answer.

'Why did they both invite me at the same time...?'

Now I understood why Iron-Blooded Monarch was smiling slyly.

It was a silly bet, but she was genuinely happy about winning it.

Her behavior, which seemed out of character for the cold beauty, was even endearing.

"......Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No, I was just looking."

"Your gaze seemed a bit inappropriate..."

"It must have been a mistake."

As I tried to explain, she looked at me for a moment before shrugging.

"......Well, it doesn't matter. Let's get to the main topic now."

The moment she mentioned the main topic, my eyes lit up as I looked at her.

'So, there was something specific she wanted to discuss.'

What administrator would call a contractor just for a bet?

The bet was a side issue; there must be a main topic.

Sensing this, I asked directly.

"Are you finally going to tell me why you called me here?"

"It seems you guessed there was a specific reason."

"To some extent. We're not the type to call each other for trivial matters."

"Even though we have a contract, that's a bit hurtful to hear..."

Iron-Blooded Monarch looked slightly disappointed but soon smiled and changed her expression.

"Unfortunately, that's the correct answer."

"......"

"Did you know that the system expanded when you entered the 11th floor waiting room?"

"I know. That's why I could come here."

The dimension travel function and the expansion of the administrator's observation and interference zones were mentioned.

Thanks to this, I could reach the administrator's domain.

"Then there's no need for a special explanation."

Iron-Blooded Monarch looked satisfied and continued.

"The expansion of the administrator's interference zone wasn't just to add a feature like inviting to the domain."

"......?"

"The real purpose of the expansion is to allow administrators to actively cultivate challengers."

"Can you explain that in more detail?"

"Without further ado, it's like this."

"Like what...?"

As I was confused, Iron-Blooded Monarch snapped her fingers without hesitation.

Snap!

And...

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch' is using [Interference Zone] to gift a power to the contractor."

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch' is granting one of the powers for sale at random."

An unexpected gift was suddenly bestowed upon me.

***

For a while, I was dazed, staring at the message that appeared before me.

It was understandable.

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch' is using [Interference Zone] to gift a power to the contractor."

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch' is granting one of the powers for sale at random."

The ability to randomly receive a power?

For someone who had been accumulating SP like a madman to break through trials, this was like a bolt from the blue.

"......Can you really just give powers like this?"

Unable to contain my curiosity, I immediately asked Iron-Blooded Monarch.

Is a power something that can be given at will by an administrator?

"Of course not."

However, her answer was not what I expected.

"The tower never allows something to be given without any cost."

"......"

"Especially in a system where the growth of a contractor directly benefits the administrator, it's impossible for an administrator to give powers freely."

"Then...?"

"I have already paid the tower enough to randomly gift a power."

"......"

I couldn't understand.

Powers are not something that can be given easily, so why was she giving me one?

My curiosity grew, and I couldn't help but ask.

"Why are you helping me so much?"

I couldn't understand why she would pay such a high price to give me a power.

Even though I was her first contractor, I wasn't that valuable.

The potential of challengers from other dimensions was several times higher than that of Earth dimension challengers.

So why was she paying such a high price to give a power to someone who couldn't even be the top in the Earth dimension?

'Maybe it would be better to look for other challengers now that the additional contract feature is active.'

As I pondered this, Iron-Blooded Monarch spoke.

"......I see. This level of treatment must seem extraordinary to you."

"To be honest, Administrator Iron-Blooded Monarch's powers are not bad."

"......"

"They are quite useful, even if they are expensive, and better than those of other administrators."

Among the contractors I had seen, no administrator's powers were as strong as hers.

Even in the cases of Catherine Bennett and Kim Seung-joon, their powers were not particularly strong.

While they seemed to have combat-oriented powers, their effectiveness was not better than skills.

In contrast, many of the powers I could purchase from Iron-Blooded Monarch were several times better than skills, especially in combat.

Particularly, powers like Clear Mind, which could negate penalties, were invaluable.

"I don't understand why you are doing this for me."

Finally, Iron-Blooded Monarch sighed deeply and spoke.

"......Even if I say it's because you are the first contractor I've contracted with in decades, you don't seem convinced."

She twirled her long silver hair and continued.

"I see potential in you, and that's why I'm investing in you."

"Potential...?"

"Administrators receive additional rewards based on the growth of their contractors, but that's not the main reason for cultivating them."

"......"

"Everyone invests in contractors to achieve their own secret wishes. I am no different."

For a moment, her eyes became serious, as if she had a wish that must be fulfilled.

"......I can't tell you now, but you will know eventually."

While the conclusion was not clear, my mind was at ease.

There was a reason for Iron-Blooded Monarch's kindness to me.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

So, I wondered if I was being used...

Seeing Iron-Blooded Monarch's serious expression, it was clear she had high expectations for me.

'I don't know what her secret wish is... but it doesn't matter.'

Iron-Blooded Monarch said I would know eventually, but...

More importantly, she saw me as an equal trading partner.

Give and take.

If she expected something in return for what she gave, it meant I had the upper hand.

Ultimately, her secret wish would require me to become stronger.

Therefore, I accepted the system message without hesitation.

"Randomly acquiring one of the powers for sale by Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch'."

Iron-Blooded Monarch treated me as a legitimate trading partner and a contractor.

There was no reason to hesitate.

Whoosh!

"A new power is being inscribed into your soul...!"

I would take what I could and help her achieve her goals, continuing my growth.