Nathan was focused on [Mana Access].
He knew Hunters used mana to activate their magical abilities.
But he had something else—energy.
Energy produced by his skill: [Energetic Photosynthesis].
"Will the energy from [Energetic Photosynthesis] disappear now that I can use mana?" he asked.
—
[Tower Manager]
No. Honestly, I didn't expect you to eat a leaf. That skill was way outside my calculations.
And no—I can't remove it.
—
"…Weird. Aren't you the Tower Manager? Shouldn't you have predicted this?"
—
[Tower Manager]
You damn human. You got here because of a bug!
And you know what? You showed up right when I was about to fix it!!!
You should be grateful I'm even talking to you!!
—
"A… eum… okay… but that's not my fault," Nathan replied.
—
[Tower Manager]
Yeah, whatever. I have a gift for you…
—
Nathan's eyes lit up. "Ooh, what is it?" he asked, hopeful.
Suddenly, a notification popped up.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! The Tower Manager has granted you the Title: General Assistant]
[The Tower Manager can now assign you tasks… with rewards entirely up to her.
You might even make her happy.]
Nathan frowned. "What?"
That was not the kind of reward he was expecting.
—
[Tower Manager]
Told you. I did my best optimizing you.
—
"What kind of slavery is this…" Nathan muttered.
—
[Tower Manager]
It's the only way you're getting back. Through the gate on the first floor.
—
"Huh? What do you mean?"
—
[Tower Manager]
I can drop you to a lower floor—
—
Nathan cut him off. "Then just do that. Why do I need to be your General Assistant?"
—
[Tower Manager]
If you want your body to explode into a million pieces, I can make that happen.
—
Nathan stared, confused.
The Tower Manager continued, explaining that Nathan's current situation was like a diver at the bottom of the ocean.
If he got pulled up too fast—the result wouldn't just be exploding lungs.
His entire body would blow up.
"Can't you lower me one floor at a time?" Nathan asked.
—
[Tower Manager]
I can't. I can only send you to floors that have already been reached by humans.
Right now, they've only reached Floor 40.
Their growth is pathetically slow.
The energy pressure difference between Floor 100 and anything below 90 is just too much.
I need your help cultivating plants and gathering materials—resources that can accelerate humanity's power growth.
—
Nathan stared at the panel, confused.
"How? I can't even go down—how am I supposed to give them materials?"
[Tower Manager]
Through the Hunter Trade Center.
You can now sell and buy items directly—Hunter to Hunter.
Not just that—you even have your own page.
To be honest… the bug that transferred you to this floor?
It happened during the implementation of this feature.
—
[DING!]
[Accessing: Hunter Trade Center…]
A new interface popped up, clean and streamlined—like an online shop UI.
Nathan immediately noticed the difference.
Unlike the Tower Shop, which sold only newly-manufactured items,the Hunter Trade Center was full of second-hand goods and foraged resources.
Used daggers.
Rusty swords.
Bundles of Glowapples.
"Holy crap. It really is an online shop," Nathan muttered. "Seriously impressive," Nathan added, scrolling through the listings.
"At least it doesn't have a PayLater feature like the one that got all my coworkers buried in debt."
—
The Tower Manager puffed up proudly.
—
[Tower Manager]
Impressed, huh? Of course you are.
I designed it. Hahahah!
Alright, that's enough for today.
Tomorrow, you make your grand debut as General Assistant.
Get ready! See you~
—
The Tower Manager vanished, and the floating text panel disappeared along with him.
Nathan exhaled slowly.
"New life, huh…" he muttered.
He glanced at the corner of his screen.
"I got... hmm, 30 Tower Points," he said, finally noticing the new currency added to his panel.
Curious, he reopened the Hunter Trade Center.
His finger swiped through the listings, scrolling lazily.
Then he stopped.
His eyes widened.
"Special Edition Hunter-Girl Photo Pack: [Face Covered in Slime]"
Nathan blinked.
"…This place is seriously messed up."
He kept browsing.
Apparently, it wasn't just weapons or tower goods.
Hunters were selling everything—normal food supplies, camping tents, cheaper potions than the Tower Shop offered...
Even armor sets and firearms available for pre-order.
He scrolled past a listing for "Used Panties – Floor 17 Verified."
Nathan closed the panel.
"Okay. I've seen enough for today."
He looked around.
Then slowly sat down, letting out a quiet breath as he took in everything.
"This isn't bad," he muttered, grinning to himself.
"I actually have a role… for humanity. That's kinda cool."
Nathan leaned back, eyes scanning the horizon.
His mind drifted.
"What kind of things would help humans grow stronger on Floor 100…?"
"…Shit. I have no idea," he said bluntly.
He scratched the back of his head, then glanced to the side.
His eyes landed on the Sapoa Tree, its thick trunk glistening with sticky sap.
"That stuff… it could be useful against Mindless Monsters," he said, a slow smile forming on his face.
Some time later, Nathan was still daydreaming—
imagining how strong he'd become… how rich he'd be from earning Tower Points.
After all, Tower Points could be exchanged for real-world currency.
He pictured himself in the modern world, living in luxury.
Private penthouse. Fancy suits. Champagne. Women.
Then the ground shook.
Brughhh—
A sudden tremor snapped him back to reality.
Domina and Livia landed right in front of him.
"YOOO~! Time to take a bath!" Livia grinned brightly.