Pick Me Up!

Velkist’s eyes moved.

I knew where he was looking. The footsteps, posture, hands, and gazes of nearby heroes. Velkist, particularly sharp-eyed, could gauge the strength of a target just by observing.

“Wake up from your dreams, strongest 4-star hero.”

I patted Velkist’s head.

“Boring.”

If there were 4-star parties raised by high-tier masters here, it would be different, but those users would mostly move on to upper-level dimensional cities. Most of the masters gathered here were stuck at level 40. Of course…

‘Not all, just most.’

I looked back.

A large-scale airship, at least three times larger than the Capitalism, was descending.

It was covered in white steel, and a red emblem was stamped on its exterior.

There are a few masters who choose the head of a snake over the tail of a dragon.

The first of them had appeared.

Judging by the size and facilities of the airship, its master was a user in the 60s.

From an airship of a size visible even outside the docking station, 4-star heroes were descending.

“Watch them closely. Those are the real competitors.”

“Indeed. Not entirely absent.”

High-level masters began to appear one after another.

The rewards of this city would mostly be swept by them. The rest of the ordinary users would scavenge whatever was left after the high-levels had their fill.

‘Five of them, huh.’

Masters who had reached high levels and decided to join the 4-star event.

Their heroes would surely be decked out with various high-end equipment and engravings.

And it’s almost impossible for an ordinary user to gather even one innate 4-star hero, let alone a party composed entirely of them unless they’re a heavy spender.

Anyway,

It was through such events that I started to gain attention as a master.

“Hmm.”

The leader of the 4-star party snorted as she entered the square.

Dressed in dazzling silver armor and a jewel-studded rapier at her waist, she confidently walked among the heroes, her tied-back blonde hair fluttering.

“Riff-raffs.”

The woman spoke without hiding her emotions.

She wore the flashy silver armor stylishly. Her master was several levels above the users present here, and she enjoyed a status akin to a king in her own territory.

“That lady seems strong, but…”

“Does it make you irritated?”

“Yes, well.”

Jenna did not deny it.

I smiled and turned away. Watching the end of that person might not be a bad spectacle. A good show had emerged. When about half of the plaza had emptied.

Vroom.

A special vehicle appeared on the four-lane road where only buses had been passing.

It slid in silently and stopped at the entrance of the docking station.

‘Why is that…?’

I frowned.

At first glance, I recognized it, it was a luxurious black limousine. The side door opened, and an elderly man in a neatly dressed suit stepped out. The old man stood dignifiedly next to the door.

I looked to the side.

The blonde woman, who had been watching the limousine with interest, approached the old man.

“What is this?”

“A carriage for a special guest.”

“That’s good. Our party will take it.”

“I’m sorry, but you are not qualified.”

The woman’s eyebrows twisted.

“That’s funny. My master has climbed up to the 64th floor. I’m the sub-master and the leader of the raiding party. I think that’s quite enough qualification compared to the trash gathered here. Isn’t that right?”

“Miss, you’re going too far. trash, really. Aren’t we all 4-stars?”

“We’re innate 4-stars, and you all are clearly innate 1-star or 2-star. Yes, that’s right. trash. Don’t talk to me. It’s upsetting.”

“What, what…!”

The woman who had scoffed turned back to the old man.

“Our party has come here to be number one in this event. Naturally, that will happen. I think that should be enough explanation. So…”

“Again, I must inform you, that you are not qualified.”

“That’s ridiculous. Then who does?”

The old man pointed at the sky.

Everyone’s gaze followed his finger.

An airship was entering.

The woman’s expression soured.

The airship was not large. At best, it was about the size of Capitalism. However, it had a completely different design. A sleek black gloss and streamlined body. The master’s emblem was embedded on the side.

“Are you saying that our Arias is pathetic compared to that minnow-like airship? Seriously, words fail me.”

Oooong.

The propellers on both wings folded as the airship landed.

‘…Holy crap.’

“It looks to be about level 50. Let’s see. What kind of distinguished person would be qualified, I wonder. The emblem is a black goat… Hmm? A black goat?”

The woman tilted her head, then her eyes widened.

“God, a black goat!”

The woman gasped.

“What’s a black goat?”

Velkist whispered to me.

I sighed. The side of the airship opened, and stairs descended.

From those stairs, heroes in black uniforms walked down one by one.

Bwooow.

The sound of a horn echoed.

I had heard this sound before.

It was a signal for the entry of a ranker.

No, not just heard of it.

‘Yurnet.’

I recalled her smiling face.

She really pulled off a cute trick.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!