[You have selected "Nawh" as a Minor Sponsor]

[You have selected "TheeReaper" as a Minor Sponsor]

[More information has been revealed]

[Nawh]

[1] An existence from a very distance universe. Currently holds authority over "Shadows". Nawh's representation of "Shadows" is that of "secrets" and becoming "unknowable". Once inflicted by his existence, the Stream Hunter will have their destiny slightly altered to a future that is secretive and unknowing.

[TheeReaper]

[1] An existence from a very distance universe. Currently holds authority over "Destruction". TheeReaper's representation of "Destruction" is that of "Uncontrollable" and "Relentless". Once inflicted by his existence, the Stream Hunter will have their destiny slightly altered to a future that is destructive and uncontrollable.

[Please select ranking of minor sponsors.] (Ranking cannot be changed once set)

Adam's lips twitched.

A future that is slightly altered to being secretive, unknowing, destructive, and uncontrollable...

That was definitely a disaster waiting to happen.

Still… Adam wasn't foolish enough to dismiss the potential benefits of such traits.

In the hands of someone careful, even traits like these could be turned into weapons.

He fell silent for a moment, then made his choice.

[Minor Sponsorship Ranking Confirmed.]

[1st] (Empty)

[2nd] Nawh – (9%)

[3rd] (Empty)

[4th] (Empty)

[5th] TheeReaper – (6%)

Adam had his reasons.

[Nawh] was someone he remembered well.

A regular in the chat during his streams.

Always polite, always supportive, and often chatting with other viewers.

They even offered him help in not just small and thoughtful ways, but through life-saving gifts.

At the very least, [Nawh] seemed like someone who still held on to their empathy despite being an existence who holds authority of "Shadows", and having "Secrets" and "Unknowing" as its representation.

That gave Adam some peace of mind.

Whatever Nawh had become, they still chose to engage with others.

And that made all the difference.

'Although, I wouldn't necessarily trust an existence who's representation leans to being secretive and unknowing...'

Adam frowned.

On the other hand, [TheeReaper] was a complete unknown.

Adam didn't remember ever seeing that name pop up in the chat...

Not offering greetings, help, or even messages.

Nothing at all!

That, in itself, was concerning.

Adam could only assume that TheeReaper's state of existence had long drifted away from human behavior—

Possibly becoming something completely detached, cold, and self isolating...

The kind of Sponsor who would watch you burn and not lift a finger.

He glanced at the Sponsor screen once more.

"…Let's just hope I don't regret these decisions."

He muttered.

Just as Adam thought the Sponsorship selection was over, a sudden notification popped up...

[Error]

[A minor sponsor has been detected...]

[A very weak connection from a viewer has been detected on you]

[Re-evaluating minor sponsorship rankings...]

[1st] (Empty)

[2nd] Nawh – (9%)

[3rd] (Empty)

[4th] (Empty)

[5th] TheeReaper – (6%)

[6th] Knight of Rose – (1%)

Immediately, confusion popped up all over Adam's face.

...

On the tenth floor, where darkness swallowed everything whole and only faint drops of glowing light floated through the air like dying fireflies, a tall, bulky man stood silently.

His combat boots made no sound as he stepped forward.

He was massive...

Over six feet tall, with wide shoulders and arms like tree trunks.

His combat gear looked custom-built, layered in reinforced plating and black mesh armor.

The material shimmered faintly, almost as if the darkness around him couldn't quite cling to it.

Some enchantment or tech made him harder to see in the dark.

There was a hint of belly under the vest, but none would mistake him for weak.

His arms were thick with muscle, his posture unshakable.

He had a short, scruffy beard and brownish hair swept back under a headwrap made of stitched cloth and leather.

There were light scars across his cheek and a burn mark near his neck—visible even in the dim.

Krev Malgor— The Bandit King, leader of the Rustfang Dogs.

As he eyed the area, a group of Stream Hunters rushed to gather around him.

Some came for orders. Others, just to see him for themselves.

Behind him, a few of his subordinates immediately stepped in, blocking the hunters from getting too close.

They didn't raise their weapons, but the message was clear...

No one touches the King.

From the shadows ahead, a woman stepped out.

Her armor was lighter, tailored for speed over endurance.

Her face was calm but sharp, and though her eyes seemed tired, they showed emotion with a quiet fury.

She approached without fear and stopped a few feet away.

Then, with a slight bow of her head, she greeted him.

"Welcome to the tenth floor, Bandit King."

Matilda said, her voice respectful but lacking warmth.

Krev grinned faintly, folding his arms.

"It seems you've really been waiting for more reinforcements. Tell me, is an S-authority holder truly that powerful? One person stopping hundreds of you from advancing?"

Matilda let out a slow breath.

"As much as it pains me to admit it, yes. We've confirmed there are supposed to be three S-authority holders on the tower. One is already dead… or erased... nobody's sure. The second one is strange, unpredictable, no one really knows where they are. And the third…"

She paused.

"Celestia. She's the worst one."

Krev raised an eyebrow.

"Omnipresence, was it?"

"Yes."

Matilda said.

"She doesn't fight us directly, but often makes us die in indirect ways."

"When we try to find and kill the boss monster, she seems to be able to transfer its location. Even worse, she is able to separate us from our teams and scatter us in the dark."

Matilda clenched her fists, the irritation finally surfacing.

"She even moves our lamps and light sources. Can you believe that? Sometimes the darkness kills us before the monsters even get close."

Krev's brow furrowed slightly.

"That's annoying..."

"It gets worse."

Matilda continued.

"Even when we're sleeping, she relocates us. Some wake up in pits. Some in traps. Some next to monsters. We've lost rations, tools, medical supplies. Over time, it wears us down. Mentally, physically. Every night, we sleep with one eye open."

"We tried ambushes..."

She added.

"However it does not work as she can scatter herself into the molecules in the air. Sometimes it's not even her. Might be puppets. Might be illusions. Either way, they talk like her and screw with our heads like her."

Krev chuckled darkly.

"Sounds like a nightmare. So your plan is to gather everyone you can?"

Matilda nodded.

"One mind can be outwitted. But a hundred minds, a hundred weapons… even an S-authority holder can be cornered."

"Well..."

Krev said, crossing his arms as he looked over the scattered maps and worn blueprints on the table.

"Besides me, the old tinkerer, and a few of the A and B-rankers we can trust to hold a line... we still lack one."

Matilda stood by the reinforced window, watching the dim glow of the lift shaft in the distance.

"We've gathered what we can."

She said.

"Anyone else would just be extra weight."

Krev didn't argue.

His voice dropped.

"No. There's one more person we're waiting for."

Matilda didn't turn.

Her voice came out a bit quiet as she finally understood what was on his mind.

"…The Chosen Conduit."

Krev said nothing.