Chapter 217: Fifty-Seventh Floor, Recommissioned Mine Exploration (4)

[(Breaking News) U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) Secret Documents Released: “Unidentified Particles in the Atmosphere.”]

Early this morning, secret documents from the U.S. National Security Agency related to the Earth’s atmosphere were leaked on Tweeter. An individual, presumed to be an employee of the NSA, has exposed that the government has been intentionally hiding this information.

The documents state that unidentified particles were discovered in the Earth's atmosphere following the Tower of Ordeal’s appearance, and the concentration of said particles has gradually increased.

Internet users speculate whether the unidentified particles are the “mana” climbers use...

- znsadhn: Wow! Can it really be magic?

- seonbi: Seriously, listen to yourselves. It's just newly discovered molecules. What's all this nonsense about magic?

- chicorita: Lol, look at the old fogey above. A strange tower has appeared, and climbers are using magic, so what's not possible?

- denture_slayer: Seonbi may be right. Don't make a fuss.

- miix: Why would it be classified as top secret, then?

- eoljukah: They probably hid it because they knew you guys would make such a fuss.

***

Many virtues were important for a hunter, but none more than patience and quick reflexes. Not only would they have to wait for a target to come within range, but they also couldn’t spoil the opportunity.

In that sense, I considered myself an excellent hunter. I could easily stay hidden from view with Shadow Veil and would never miss the right moment due to Flash Strike.

“Kukukuku!”

Although invisible to the eyes, something in the sky was definitely approaching, and even without my senses, its laughter displayed its confidence.

Adhering to the virtue of patience, I waited under the cover of the Shadow Veil.

“Kukukuku!

Admirable fellow! You've prepared everything just as I said!”

Hearing the demon’s gleeful voice, a smile formed on my lips.

How will it react when it realizes things have gone awry?

With how fast it moved, the distance between us rapidly closed, and I readied myself for battle.

However, right as the remnant of the high-ranking demon passed over the fortress, it tried to stop. “

Huh?

Something's odd—”

Amusingly, despite having noticed the irregularities, it couldn’t retreat due to its rapid pace.

Seizing the initiative, Kyuntriachae quietly chanted, “———!”

As he stood up, a shimmering, magical wall materialized in the air.

Nice timing!

Fortunately, Kyuntriachae didn’t let me down this time. Even though he had grown old, a demon was still a demon.

Thump!

The remnant had slammed solidly against the barrier, causing it to sway intensely in midair.

“Uh? Are we all right?”

My heart sank momentarily, but fortunately, the barrier stabilized after only a slight shift.

Phew.

I had worried that the remnant would be powerful enough to shatter the barrier and escape.

Stuck on the barrier, the demon erupted furiously, “Impossible! How on earth!”

I kicked off the ground and soared up, feeling a tad regretful. I had intended to enhance my magic resistance, but it couldn't be helped if the demon ended up defeated so easily. If I dallied, the demon could possess another servant, forcing me to kill an innocent bystander.

Besides, I can always summon it in the training room.

Many climbers still lingered on the fifty-fifth floor, and they would require some time to catch up to me. I wouldn’t have much to do other than train.

Stepping forcefully mid-air, I covered another twenty-five feet and neared the demon.

“To think I, a high demon, sealed for nearly four hundred years, would end this pathetically!”

The barrier trembled wildly in the air. Seeing my approach, the demon sensed its impending doom and began thrashing wildly.

Crack—!

Fine cracks appeared on the barrier.

I considered using Flash Strike, but decided against it—the demon wasn’t doing enough damage to break free in time. As Kyuntriachae had said, the creature had exhausted much of its strength.

I gathered much of my mana, although I left some in reserve just in case.

The high-ranking demons were sealed because they were tough to kill, right?

However, having discussed with Ryun about it, I felt confident that my Aura would be different.

My Aura surged and crackled over my axe before spreading out a whopping four meters, something I had never seen before. It was the first time I had imbued so much mana into it.

I twisted at the waist and swung my axe back, above my right shoulder. Reaching the limits of my flexibility, I activated my muscles, bringing the axe down in a powerful diagonal strike.

Craaaack!

The lightning-infused Aura split the barrier, striking the remnant almost instantly.

“Keeeeek!”

As it let out a scream, the sensation of slicing through something ran through my hand. Between the cleanly split halves of the barrier, I unleashed my remaining Aura into the air.

Fizzt— Crackle—

The rippling Aura turned into a violent storm of lightning.

“Keeek!”

The boiling lightning exploded into a final burst of bright light, and as it faded, so too did the scream. I no longer sensed the remnant, and whatever was left of it dissipated within seconds.

At the same time, the dense and sticky dark mana that had filled the courtyard was washed away as if cleansed. I had worried that the demon would escape midway, but fortunately, that wasn't the case.

Of course, it did end more anticlimactically than I expected.

Still, well.

I felt relieved that no one had been hurt.

As I landed, Kyuntriachae approached while making a fuss. “Striking it down in one blow! You really are incredible! Thank you so much for your hard work!”

“It’s nothing. I just did the job I was hired to do.”

“Still, if it weren't for you, I would have been possessed by that thing. Every time I meet you, I end up needing your help. You really are a lucky charm, a lucky charm!”

His overly flattering praise made me laugh awkwardly and scratch my cheek. Kyuntriachae seemed too thrilled for me to know how to respond.

Have his emotions become richer with age?

While I pondered, Kyuntriachae suddenly turned to the servants. “What are you doing? Hurry up and thank him. If it weren't for him, you would have all become sacrifices!”

The servants quickly bowed their heads.

“Th-thank you!”

“Thank you so much!”

I didn't really want a forced thanks from them, so I waved my arms hurriedly. “No, please, everyone, raise your heads.”

Kyuntriachae stepped forward again. “Given the situation, everyone has to be hungry. Plus, you're covered in blood. I'll prepare something, so go wash up and come out. We’ll start with food.”

I knitted my brow. “Uh, that could be a bit difficult.”

Kyuntriachae looked at me, wide-eyed. “What do you mean?”

“I think I need to leave. Now.”

Just then, a message appeared, as expected.

[Congratulations. Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has conquered the fifty-seventh floor of the Tower of Ordeal: ‘Recommissioned Mine Exploration.’ Achievement points will be calculated.]

“A-ah, you have to go n-now? At this hour, in that state?!” Kyuntriachae stuttered, clearly flustered.

“

Haha

, I would stay if I could.”

He narrowed his eyes at me.“You mean you’re going to disappear, just like before.”

I nodded instead of answering.

“Well, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but... I guess it can’t be helped. Thank you.”

Contrary to my concerns, he extended his hand calmly.

I hesitated momentarily, as my gauntlet was smeared with blood, but then took his hand confidently. There wasn’t enough time to worry about that.

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok defeated the high-ranking demon with a single strike and saved everyone in the fortress. Additionally, he completed the hidden mission ‘Faster Than Anyone.’]

Suddenly, Kyuntriachae pulled on my arm and brought me into a tight hug.

“I’m really grateful. I won’t forget this favor even in death. Always take care. If there’s a chance, come see me before I die.”

There was a hint of regret in his voice. He reminded me of my grandfather, who used to see me off whenever I returned to my family's childhood home. A demon living alone, amongst humans, and in a massive castle had to have felt lonely, just like my grandfather.

Remembering my deceased grandfather, I hugged the young-looking demon and slowly patted his back.

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has been awarded 14,811 achievement points. Total achievement points: 142,648. He will now enter the waiting room.]

***

[The fifty-eighth floor of the Tower of Ordeal requires all climbers to participate simultaneously. Please adjust your party accordingly.]

[Other climbers have not yet conquered the fifty-seventh floor.]

[There is no timer until the next floor begins. Please take a rest.]

Despite returning to the waiting room, my lingering feelings refused to dissipate, and I couldn't understand why. Kyuntriachae and I weren’t that close, and our relationship wasn’t anything special. I had simply helped him complete a couple of tasks, nothing that warranted such strong feelings of attachment.

I really have been quite lonely. More than I realized.

Kyuntriachae’s display of pure kindness had truly moved me. Perhaps the events on the fifty-second floor had rattled my mental fortitude more than I had let on.

Suddenly, I thought of my parents on Earth. I had deliberately been pushing away thoughts of them, but I wondered if they were doing well.

I felt unusually sentimental today.

I called out to Doppy, who was heading to the bathroom, “Doppy, let me shower first today.”

***

Hours had passed since my return to the waiting room, yet I was still lazing in bed. In all honesty, there wasn’t a reason for it. I just didn't feel like moving because of the lingering emotions, and there was a lot of time to wait anyway.

The slowest climber was still on the fifty-fourth floor. It looked like I would be stuck in the waiting room for a few more days. Training hard now wouldn't change the fact that I would end up waiting later on.

As per usual, I turned my attention to the Community.

[What's going to be on the fifty-eighth floor? ]

[It's hard to wait. Hurry up and come up~]

[I want to go up too. Just a bit more training and I'll be right there.]

[I’m a warrior on the fifty-fifth floor. I’ve prepared a ton, but still need some help.]

[Is this the right strategy for the fifty-sixth floor?]

[Please let the fifty-eighth floor be easy.]

[Why worry? Su-Hyeok will clear it all lol]

[Word chain room. English speakers only.]

[You fools, why do you think you will know what the next floor will be? You should be training instead of scrolling through the community. ]

[I heard someone spouting nonsense in the Community, and of course it was you, Alexei, wasn’t it? ]

[Ah, third place can't be helped. Let’s go train.]

Unfortunately, there wasn't really anything in the Community that caught my interest.

Playing word chain would grow old quickly, and if I joined, the others would pay more attention to my presence rather than playing the game. I didn’t want to interrupt others’ fun.

Uh, maybe I should start training?

When I thought about it, I now had plenty of viable training partners to choose from. I had to fight the black magician’s beast on the fifty-fifth floor and the high demon I met on the fifty-seventh floor.

There was also the individual I had put off until later: Kalain.

Come to think of it, the fifty-second floor had lit a fire under me, but the succession of easy floors had almost put it out.

It seems I climbed too easily by accident.

Immediately rising from my comfortable spot, I planned to train continuously until I reached the fifty-eighth floor. Combat training raised my resistances slower than during the floors, but I needed to improve, even if just a little.

“Doppy.”

“Training?”

“Yeah.”

Doppy, who had been reading a book on the bed, nodded and stood up. Unlike usual, he got up without any complaints, which was quite commendable.

Hmm, no.

Considering how much we had rested, it was only right—if he had any conscience, that was.

I stretched and pondered.

Should I get hit with magic first, or should I go straight into a bloody melee?