Chapter 28

028. Layer Intrusion (1)

On the last day on Earth, I spent my time learning about the tower.

Although I could say that I used up all my time on Earth without even getting a proper rest...

The main reason I returned to Earth from the tower was more for preemptive purposes than for rest, so it didn’t really matter.

In fact, apart from eating a bit and getting a deep sleep, I didn’t really take any other breaks.

‘Deep rest is a luxury.’

I also checked the information and the status of those who had reached the 6th floor waiting room.

And then.

-Recently, there have been rumors among hunters about a strange phenomenon called the ‘Tower of Trials’...

-What kind of dungeon is the Tower of Trials that rumors are spreading like urban legends?

-We are receiving reports about those who once climbed the Tower of Trials.

“Everyone is finally becoming aware of the Tower of Trials.”

I could also see how the ‘Tower of Trials’ was starting to be known in the world.

‘A rumor that floated around like an urban legend has spread to the airwaves in just a few days.’

Of course, this was because the Tower of Trials was such a significant existence.

It also indicated that there were more returnees.

‘And it also means that everyone has enough points to spare to some extent.’

This also meant that I was starting to fall behind other challengers.

“I’ll be busy when I return.”

I would have to quickly break through the 5th floor of the Tower of Trials.

As I muttered this and smiled, a message appeared before my eyes.

It was a message from the system of the ‘Tower of Trials,’ which I hadn’t seen for quite a while.

「You will soon return to the Tower of Trials.」

Return, as if it’s now natural to go back to the Tower of Trials.

As if the tower is where I should be.

But I can’t point that out because I also recognize it that way.

‘Yeah, in a way, it’s correct to say I’m returning.’

I’m returning to the Tower of Trials to become stronger again and to survive.

Thump, thump.

My heart beats, awakening a sense of excitement.

‘Well, it’s not bad that I’ve adapted to the tower in this way.’

I enjoy the intensity of the trials and relish the growth from the rewards.

The Tower of Trials has changed me in this way.

But thanks to that, I’ve become stronger and survived to become a hunter.

Is that why?

「Time expired.」

「Returning to the Tower of Trials.」

The upcoming trials no longer felt burdensome.

***

“...I’ve returned to the tower.”

The moment I opened my eyes, I immediately realized I was back in the tower.

The wide, square-shaped stone room, the unchanged waiting room, came into view.

The moment I realized this, I flinched and immediately felt my body.

‘I was definitely wearing items in the one-room apartment, so...’

Before I could finish that thought, I felt something in my hand.

「Crocken Tower Restoration Box」

A black box with gray stars etched like constellations, an item I bought from the Hunter Market.

As I felt around, more items appeared.

「Stone of Cleanliness」

A blue gem, the Stone of Cleanliness.

This was also an item I bought from the Hunter Market.

「Assassin’s Cloak」

Finally, I confirmed the Assassin’s Cloak, which I obtained as a reward from the 2nd floor of the Tower of Trials.

Only then did I realize.

“...Items can be transported freely between the tower and reality.”

Whether obtained in the tower or in reality.

As long as it’s a properly graded item, it seems I can bring it.

Of course, there was no smartphone or wallet, but that was fine.

This was a significant harvest.

‘Lucky, having something like the Stone of Cleanliness is quite good.’

At least, I wouldn’t have to worry about hygiene in the tower.

The Crocken Tower Restoration Box is also useful.

‘The more useful items I can get, the more convenient it will be.’

I can sell items that can’t be used in the Tower of Trials and buy what I need with the money.

Just then.

「Achievement ‘First Return’ unlocked.」

「Skill ‘Eye of Truth (A)’ created.」

“...?”

My body froze at the sudden achievement notification.

‘First Return?’

After reading the holographic text in front of me several times, I finally understood the situation.

“I was the first to return to Earth and then come back.”

Since I used the return stone immediately, I must have returned faster than others.

It was surprising that achievements could be obtained not just in battles.

But what was even more surprising was the achievement reward, ‘Eye of Truth.’

With an A-grade skill, it would be strange not to be excited.

I took a deep breath and opened my status window to check the description of the newly acquired skill.

And then.

『Skill – Eye of Truth (A)』

『Proficiency – None』

『Effect – Using mana, you can obtain information about the target you focus on and determine the truth of their words.』

As I read the listed text, a thrill ran through my body.

It’s not a combat-related ability, but it’s more useful than that.

‘Obtain information about the target you focus on...’

Is there a more attractive skill than this?

The concept of obtaining information about the target is unclear, but...

The ability to determine the truth is undoubtedly useful.

Of course, without proficiency, ‘leveling up’ is impossible, but it’s still an excellent skill.

Especially in collaborative trials with other challengers.

‘The usage method isn’t detailed, but I can figure it out from now on.’

Most active skills have similar usage methods.

Holding the Assassin’s Cloak in my hand, I opened my mouth.

“Eye of Truth.”

「Skill ‘Eye of Truth’ activated.」

「Displaying information about the object.」

The skill activation message is followed by the displayed information.

「Assassin’s Cloak」

「Grade: D」

「A robe-type item with abilities related to instantaneous speed enhancement.」

I smiled as mana flowed out and the message appeared.

“Not bad?”

While not as good as the original item appraisal, it’s still useful.

「Waiting Room」

「Grade: ■」

「A personal space provided for challengers in the Tower of Trials.」

「Currently provided to challenger Han Seung-yoon.」

Seeing that I could even see this, I was sure it was a useful ability.

“No, it’s not just useful; it’s a jackpot.”

Being able to obtain information about any object is a significant advantage.

However, I couldn’t properly confirm the ability to determine the truth.

‘I need someone to talk to to confirm its effectiveness, but there’s no one here.’

Still, the unexpected achievement reward was satisfying.

‘It was worth buying and using the return stone immediately.’

Thanks to being able to return to Earth faster than others, I obtained this skill.

The return was already beneficial, and with this reward, I couldn’t stop smiling.

‘If I get used to the skill and can activate it without speaking...’

It will definitely be a game-changing skill when talking to others.

Of course.

‘That’s after I finish the 5th floor trial, though.’

Now that I’ve obtained and confirmed the achievement reward...

It’s time to choose a weapon.

I planned to buy better weapons since I sold all my original ones on Earth.

“Shop.”

As I opened my mouth, the shop window appeared, showing various weapons.

I would have hesitated, but I had already looked at some weapons before.

「Purchased Thunder Sword (C).」

「5,500 points deducted.」

「Purchased Stealth Hunter’s Shield (D+).」

「3,800 points deducted.」

“These should be enough.”

「Thunder Sword」

「Grade: C」

「Attack Speed +12%」

「A blue sword imbued with the power of thunder, crafted by a blacksmith who worshipped thunder.」

「When hitting an enemy with this weapon, there is a 10% chance to apply the ‘Thunderstrike’ effect.」

「Stealth Hunter’s Shield」

「Grade: D+」

「Movement Speed +3%」

「Stealth +5%」

「A small shield that can be attached to the arm, made with a small amount of mithril.」

「Allows for faster movement and added stealth.」

The Thunder Sword doesn’t have many additional effects, but it applies the ‘Thunderstrike’ effect on hit.

The Stealth Hunter’s Shield is a suitable attachment-type shield for my combat style.

Of course, more points were invested in the sword, making the shield somewhat weaker.

‘But I don’t primarily fight with a shield, so it’s not a big deal.’

I didn’t think it was a significant issue.

After completing all preparations, I entered the community to check the remaining members.

「5th Floor Community (443/691)」

“Over a thousand people, and already this many are gone.”

Clearly, many are immediately challenging the trials.

‘So most have moved on to the next trial, and the remaining are likely those who originally came to the 5th floor.’

Perhaps some are challengers who managed to climb from lower floors.

Of course, the probability of that is almost zero.

I also checked the trial settlement rankings and felt relieved.

‘The trial settlement rankings are the same.’

I smirked, realizing I was still designated as a ‘Pioneer’ in the Tower of Trials.

After all, I was told that just being designated as a Pioneer in the Tower of Trials was enough.

It doesn’t really matter if the settlement rankings change now.

However.

“...Well, just in case.”

I don’t know what benefits I might get if I’m continuously designated as a Pioneer.

Maintaining the designation as a Pioneer is important.

Considering the possibility of additional benefits if I maintain it.

“There’s no time to dawdle.”

Catching up with others is more important than lingering.

With that decision, I immediately executed the ‘Trial’ command.

「Do you wish to participate in the 5th floor trial?」

「Y/N」

The waiting time for the trial had already passed.

Without hesitation, I pressed ‘Y,’ and a familiar portal appeared before me.

I put the ‘Crocken Tower Restoration Box’ and ‘Stone of Cleanliness’ in my inventory and equipped all my gear.

‘Now I’m ready to enter.’

With that thought, I stepped into the portal, and the scenery changed instantly.

From an empty stone room to a cave shrouded in darkness.

「Entering the 5th floor of the Tower of Trials.」

「Difficulty – Hard」

「The theme of this trial is ‘Hunting’.」

「May the chosen challenger find a satisfactory result at the end of their arduous journey.」

And then the trial objectives appeared.

「Starting the 5th floor trial.」

「Remaining time – 1 day」

「Trial breakthrough condition – Defeat the boss ‘Werewolf’ in the wolf den within the remaining time.」

「Trial failure condition – Challenger’s death or expiration of remaining time.」

「Trial breakthrough reward – Savage Wolf Headband (C-)」

「Trial failure penalty – Death」

As I finished reading the message, a growling sound came from around me.

Grrr...

“Welcoming me so fiercely from the start.”

Muttering indifferently, I looked around.

The cave, which should have been pitch-black, revealed the enemy’s form thanks to my improved night vision.

A brown-furred creature with red eyes, resembling a wolf.

“Eye of Truth.”

「Crazy Wolf」

「Grade: E+」

「A D-grade monster that primarily lives in packs and inhabits caves, with a wolf-like appearance.」

「Has extremely strong jaw strength, capable of severing a normal person’s arm with a single bite.」

The description was brutal, confirming the skill’s usefulness.

A single bite can sever an arm...

Of course, with my durability from the steel elixir, it wouldn’t be that easy.

But it’s better to be cautious.

“Grrr...!”

Holding my sword tightly, I faced the three ferociously howling Crazy Wolves.

“D-grade monsters, not bad.”

As I finished speaking, the three Crazy Wolves charged at me simultaneously.

“Kwaaang!”

And that was the last howl of the Crazy Wolves.

Poke, poke, poke!

I dodged their attacks and swiftly pierced their necks, creating holes.

Their bodies fell to the ground lifelessly.

Thud.

It was a death without even a final scream, but I felt no particular emotion.

With my improved stats, D-grade monsters are not difficult opponents.

“The feel is good, but I didn’t see the Thunder Sword’s strike effect.”

It’s supposed to activate with a 10% chance, but it didn’t work as expected.

Still, I wasn’t disappointed.

—Grrr...

There are more monsters inside to help me practice.

The howls echoing from the depths of the wide cave told me so.