Chapter 151: Forty-Second Floor, Secrets of the Ant Nest (2)

Ryun is going to help me?

I didn’t understand how that could be possible. Ryun was currently fused with the axe, and he had mentioned it would take some time to return to his original form.

I had already infused the axe with Lightning Essence, but it had still proven ineffective. Judging by how unaffected my opponent’s aura seemed, their evasion skill wasn’t some single-use, disposable ability either.

So how exactly is Ryun planning to assist me?

As that question lingered in my mind, Shogal turned his intrigued gaze toward the axe.

“What’s this? Someone who can’t even manipulate aura has an ego weapon?”

His derisive and mocking laugh carried a sharp edge, and he looked at me belittlingly, as though I was an ant.

When have I ever been so thoroughly disregarded?

Something churned within me, and I clenched my teeth hard. Rage threatened to overtake me, but then I felt my mind cool and settle into an unnatural calm.

Is Scientist Do’s Composure kicking in?

The frustration and indignation from my failed ambush continued to ebb away, leaving nothing but focus.

I shouldn’t jump to conclusions.

Shogal had avoided both the physical and magical aspects of my attack. However, no matter how formidable he seemed, he had appeared in a trial created by the Tower of Ordeal, so I was confident he would be defeatable.

Moreover, the tower had classified him as a "mid-rank" fiend. If he wasn’t even the most powerful kind of fiend, then a strategy to defeat him would undoubtedly exist.

“A lightning-based ego weapon,

huh?

I’ll make good use of it.” Shogal sneered, his lips curling into a sinister grin.

The sharp tips of his teeth glinted between slightly parted lips.

I couldn’t afford to be distracted by such trivialities, though. Another clash was inevitable, so my mind spun urgently for a solution.

Think! Fast!

An opponent possessing an absolute immunity to physical and magical attacks shouldn’t exist. Shogal seemed to be utilizing a skill that allowed him to transform into a mist-like substance to avoid damage.

His earlier remark echoed in my mind.

“Someone who can’t even manipulate aura has an ego weapon.”

His statement implied that without something like Ryun’s sword aura, I couldn’t meaningfully harm him. In other words, the axe alone was insufficient to defeat Shogal.

That left Lightning Essence and Master of Shadows as my remaining options. Although my previous attack imbued with Lightning Essence failed, I wondered if it wasn’t due to an immunity to magical attacks but that I hadn’t infused enough lightning. After all, I hadn’t had enough time to fully charge the strike, and the lightning surrounding my axe had merely flickered weakly.

If I could unleash a stronger surge, it could pierce through his defenses.

Or... does he have a specific vulnerability?

I recalled Ha Hee-Jeong mentioning opponents that contained a core. If their core wasn’t attacked directly, any attacks would be ineffective. That could very well be the case here.

Somehow, I would have to determine whether Shogal had a core, and if he did, I would then have to figure out where it was.

Is that the help Ryun offered me?

Ryun was a swordmaster. Perhaps he had identified a weakness that had escaped my notice.

Shogal’s aura shifted ominously, interrupting my thoughts. I adjusted my stance, spreading my legs slightly, before gripping my axe firmly.

I quietly addressed Ryun, “When you said you’d help earlier, were you trying to say you’d point out his weaknesses?”

“Sud...denly... yes... that’s...”

“What? You’re chatting in front of me?”

Shogal, clearly displeased by our conversation, roared and lunged forward at an alarming speed.

“... what... the...” Ryun was still in the midst of responding, but I had no time to listen.

Shogal’s claws elongated mid-attack, slashing through the air with a sharp hiss.

I dodged to the left and bent low. With chilling precision, his claws cut diagonally through the space I had just occupied.

“... talking... are we...”

Straightening my posture, I swung my axe horizontally toward his extended arm. As expected, Shogal didn’t even flinch. The severed arm dissipated into crimson mist before hitting the ground, and he regenerated at an even faster pace than before.

Fuck, this isn’t working.

Undeterred, Shogal continued his assault, slicing his claws through the air relentlessly. He showed no regard for his surroundings as he slashed, demolishing the laboratory’s equipment in the process.

Still, he kept pressing me toward the edge of the cocoon, making its importance extremely clear.

Dodging and maneuvering, I gradually increased the distance between us. I needed time to gather mana to unleash lightning at maximum output.

“

Heh heh

... Dodging won’t change the outcome. The end is inevitable. Suffer and die in agony.”

“... I don’t... know...”

Even as he attacked, Shogal’s insufferably smug grin remained as if he held all the time in the world. Irritation boiled within me. If not for his ability to turn to mist and reform, I could have overpowered him with ease. The urge to bury my axe in his mocking face surged within me.

Suddenly, a radiant glow enveloped me and caused me to feel lighter; Doppy was buffing me.

Shogal’s gaze flickered momentarily toward Doppy.

Oh, shit.

I should have warned him not to use buffs. A wave of unease swept over me.

Is Shogal going to start targeting Doppy?

Thankfully, Shogal only twisted his lips into a sneer before turning his attention back to me.

“Admirable effort, but it won’t change the outcome. A goblin priest,

huh?

Quite rare. I’ll deal with you first, then have my fun with your companion.”

“... his... weakness...” At last, Ryun finished his sentence, having said basically nothing of value.

So how is he planning to help me then?

My frustration bubbled over again, and I let out a long sigh. There was no time to continue this conversation.

Just focus on gathering mana for now.

Shogal still believed the lightning originated from the axe. If I caught him off guard with an unexpected strike, that could be the turning point I was looking for. Since his mist ability likely diminished incoming damage, I couldn’t afford to waste this chance.

Shogal slashed diagonally again. I leaned back, dodging, then swung my axe in response. He smirked as the blade connected. As expected, crimson mist burst from him, and I swiftly retreated, widening the gap between us.

Now.

As Shogal reformed from the mist into his original shape, I activated Flash Strike, channeling the gathered mana into Lightning Essence. The crackling lightning radiating from my fingertips shone brighter than it had when I subdued the queen ant.

“... I’ll...”

Ryun’s sluggish words faded into the background as I unleashed the concentrated lightning. One fleeting moment later, the searing bolt struck Shogal with devastating force.

“... an... aura...”

This time, the lightning wasn’t dispersed between multiple targets. The force blasted Shogal and ricocheted throughout the chamber, exploding the surrounding equipment and sending fragments scattering like shrapnel.

When the electric glare finally subsided...

“

Heh heh.

”

Shogal remained standing. A spherical barrier enveloped him, crimson and unyielding. Residual lightning flickered weakly against its surface.

I had used Flash Strike and unleashed the most concentrated burst of lightning I could manage given the short timeframe, yet Shogal still remained untouched, chuckling softly. “So, the lightning doesn’t come from the axe,

huh?

”

I glared at him wordlessly.

“Good thing I noticed you gathering mana. That could’ve caused me a little trouble.”

Casually waving his hand, Shogal dispelled the barrier and erased the lingering lightning.

He had detected even my most subtle efforts to gather mana. Despite my caution, he had seen through it all.

A sinking feeling settled in my chest. My meticulously planned strike, executed with nearly all my mana, had been utterly futile.

Damn it. Come to think of it, every enemy on this floor has used magic.

Even the door had opened on its own when I first arrived.

Because Shogal had engaged in melee combat so far, I had overlooked the possibility of him wielding magic. That oversight had cost me dearly.

Scientist Do’s Composure steadied my nerves, but it couldn’t craft flawless plans on my behalf. The reasoning behind my predicament quickly became clear to me.

I have never faced a proper mage in battle before.

It was an issue of inexperience.

Fundamentally, I understood how to fight a mage, but applying that knowledge mid-fight to someone like Shogal was another matter entirely. Not only that, but Shogal wasn’t just proficient in magic, as his close-quarters combat skills were equally dangerous, making him an exceptionally versatile threat.

Ryun’s slow speech continued despite the lull, “... I’ll... awaken... it for you...”

Awaken what?

Though he had spoken earlier, I had been too absorbed in the fight to catch his meaning.

He mentioned something about aura, right?

“What? Aura—”

“This laboratory has grown far too filthy. It’s time to bring things to a close,” Shogal cut in brusquely.

Ryun remained silent, and Shogal didn’t wait for his reply. True to his word, he launched himself at me, trying to overwhelm me with a blend of claw attacks and spells.

A fireball hurtled unwaveringly toward me, threatening to engulf me in flames if I didn’t move. If I evaded the spell, however, his melee strike would land on me.

I chose a third option. Coating my gauntlet with mana, I punched toward the incoming fireball.

Pwish!

The fireball detonated on impact, sending a shockwave rippling through the air and briefly scorching my skin. Before I could recover, Shogal’s outstretched hand came hurtling toward me.

“Su-Yeok!” Doppy’s panicked cry pierced the chaos.

I instinctively stepped back, bowing my head just in time to feel Shogal’s claws slice through the air above me.

No sooner had I dodged than a glowing blue sphere of magic shot toward my midsection. I activated Flash Strike reflexively, but the spell had been launched from a distance too close to evade.

Instead, I poured mana into my armor, activating a feature I had only known about but never used. The enchanted armor concentrated its protective energy on the targeted area, reinforcing it.

Bang!

The impact sent me flying backward and tumbling across the ground.

Fortunately, the armor had absorbed much of the force. I rolled to my feet almost immediately, shaken but unbroken.

Though my armor remained intact, a sharp, stinging pain radiated from my abdomen. It had been a long time since I had felt this kind of visceral discomfort. However, instead of despair, determination surged within me, and I curled my lips into an involuntary smirk.

Fine. Whether or not I collapse from mana exhaustion and die, I will make sure to kill you first.

He wouldn’t have blocked the lightning attack if it couldn’t hurt him. I just needed to find the right moment.

As if responding to my resolve, Ryun’s energy stirred within the axe. A surge of mana coursed through the handle and flowed steadily along the blade in a distinct manner.

Ryun’s translucent sword aura shimmered atop Wrath of Yagmur, radiating a lethal elegance. He opened his mouth, barely letting out a noise before I cut him off. Although I didn’t fully understand what was happening, I already knew what he was about to say.

“Now is the time.”

I burst forward, closing the distance between Shogal and me in an instant. The accelerated mental faculties I gained through Flash Strike allowed me to perceive the world in surreal clarity, each detail heightened as I surged forward.

Shogal’s pupils dilated as realization dawned on him, but it was too late for him to react. I brought the axe down precisely, aiming for his crown.

Even with everything slowed, Shogal’s expression was etched vividly into my memory—the shock and dread serving as his final emotions.

Ryun’s razor-sharp aura cleaved through his skull, splitting it cleanly. Blood and thick brain matter erupted from the wound as the axe continued its descent. It tore through his neck, chest, abdomen, and finally groin, emerging cleanly on the other side.

As Ryun’s aura dissipated, time resumed its natural flow. Shogal’s bisected form collapsed to the sides, his life extinguished.

His bountiful reserve of mana flowed into my gauntlet, an overwhelming influx of energy that quickly restored my drained reserves.

Ryun’s calmly but laboredly, “I’m... a bit... late, it seems... This body... takes... so long...”

“No, not at all. Thank you.”

However, there was no time to continue our exchange.

“Lord Shogal!”

A horde of fiends spilled into the room, their cries echoing in fury.

Though the aura surrounding my weapon had vanished, it no longer mattered. I had memorized the flow of mana Ryun had demonstrated earlier.

Mimicking it precisely, I channeled my own mana into the axe. A radiant, blue-gold aura engulfed the weapon. I could finally summon my own weapon aura.

Ryun stared at me, astonished. “You... how... is this possible...?”

Ignoring his shock, I charged toward the incoming fiends.

For now, I wanted nothing more than to wield this newfound power.

***

[Secrets of the Ant Nest. Time remaining: 2 hours 27 minutes.]

After eliminating the fiends, only the cocoon remained.

Although I had checked on the winged creatures lying next to the cocoon shortly after eliminating the fiends, Doppy had confirmed what I already suspected; it was too late. Their skin clung tightly to their bones, and assorted fluids seeped from their noses and mouths.

Switching my attention to the strange egg, I recalled that we had purified the similarly strange egg on the sixth floor, but when I asked Doppy, he shook his head firmly.

“This can’t be purified!”

This cocoon had drained the life energy of other creatures to sustain itself—a grotesque creation of fiends. We all agreed it had to be malevolent.

The trial hadn’t concluded—I hadn’t seen a notification window appear—likely meaning the cocoon needed to be destroyed to conquer this floor.

Without hesitation, I swung my axe at the hideous thing. It fell to the ground and rolled a few feet. Within its ruptured shell, a dark, pulsating entity throbbed, causing a sense of unease and foreboding to rise within me.

[■■■ Egg]

Its name was obscured, and the tower didn’t give it a description, so determining its true nature remained impossible. I asked Doppy and Ryun, but neither could identify it.

Gathering my aura, I brought the axe down again, fully cleaving the cocoon.

A small, black creature lay inside. It sported four ebony wings and sharp, upward-curving horns, clearly marking it as a demonic entity. Though it had already been split in half by my strike, its sinister appearance lingered in my mind.

Then, a notification appeared.

[Optional hidden mission completed. Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has been recognized as having conquered the forty-third floor. Achievement points will be calculated.]

[Congratulations. Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has completed the optional hidden mission ‘Secrets of the Ant Nest.’ Achievement points will be calculated.]

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has been awarded 46,921 achievement points. Total achievement points: 122,205. He will now enter the waiting room.]

46,921 points? What on earth was in that cocoon?

Before I could fully grasp the situation, my vision brightened. The familiar, weightless sensation enveloped me once again.

***

「Invisible message: The demon Hrusan, a foreseen calamity, has been annihilated.」

「Invisible message: The sixty-sixth, sixty-seventh, sixty-eighth, and sixty-ninth floors have collapsed.」

「Invisible message: The second-class god ‘Abyss of the Demon Realm’ has requested floor replacement instead of floor collapse.」

「Invisible message: The Tower of Ordeal has deemed the result to be due to the efforts of the challenger, and therefore valid. The Tower of Ordeal has rejected the request.」

「Invisible message: The second-class god ‘Abyss of the Demon Realm’ has been demoted to third class.」