Chapter 29

029. Layer Intrusion (2)

Crackle, crackle...

The electric current flowing from the Thunder Sword crackled as it coursed through the wolf's corpse.

‘It’s not for nothing that it’s a C-grade weapon.’

I never imagined that the ‘Electric Shock’ effect on impact would be like this.

Literally, the electric current flowed from the sword, electrocuting the Crazy Wolf to death.

‘It’s even better than I imagined, though it depends on how you use it.’

The power was enough to instantly deal with monsters living in water.

If I think more about how to use it, it could also help with skill combos.

I gained a significant advantage right from the start of the 5th floor trial.

‘And...’

The information I gained wasn’t limited to the Thunder Sword.

「Skill ‘Hunter’s Dagger Technique (E)’ has reached 100% proficiency.」

「Skill ‘Hunter’s Dagger Technique (E)’ has advanced to the next level.」

「Skill ‘Rapid Regeneration (E+)’ has reached 100% proficiency.」

「Skill ‘Rapid Regeneration (E+)’ has advanced to the next level.」

After dealing with about ten wolves, I smiled at the messages that appeared.

"Indeed, the rewards from the Tower of Trials are quite good."

My growth, which had been stagnant, suddenly surged, and the levels of two skills instantly increased.

‘Of course, I did spend some time fighting to raise the proficiency of these skills.’

Instead of overwhelming the Crazy Wolves with my stats and killing them, I deliberately took hits from attacks that wouldn’t hit and hunted them leisurely, applying only the dagger techniques.

To raise the proficiency I couldn’t raise before.

Still, the growth rate inside the Tower of Trials is truly remarkable.

『Skill – Hunter’s Dagger Technique (E+)』

『Proficiency – 0%』

『Description – A practical dagger technique created by hunters for efficient hunting.』

『Effect – When using a dagger, the weapon’s cutting power doubles, and proficiency in dagger techniques increases.』

『Skill – Rapid Regeneration (D)』

『Proficiency – 0%』

『Effect – Quickly recovers from injuries except for critical wounds.』

The only change in the system’s description is the multiplier for cutting power, but...

In reality, the abilities of these two skills have significantly improved.

“Hunter’s Dagger Technique is already at E+...”

I can feel that I’m approaching the growth limit of the skills.

Every skill has a growth limit, and Hunter’s Dagger Technique is no exception.

‘They said that you can’t raise the proficiency of Hunter’s Dagger Technique beyond D grade.’

If it grows one more time, it will be blocked from further growth.

I don’t know the growth limit of Rapid Regeneration, as it’s a type of skill I haven’t heard of.

“I need to acquire another sword-related skill.”

Originally, the skill system allows transferring proficiency from one weapon skill to another with high potential.

If I can get a higher-level dagger technique, the growth limit won’t be a problem.

And I know where to get it.

‘Maybe I can absorb a suitable opponent with my unique trait.’

Given my lowest skill affinity, I can’t meet the conditions for skill acquisition through practice.

So, I have no choice but to absorb a dagger technique through my unique trait.

However, finding a suitable target and the absorption probability are both issues.

Well, there’s no point in worrying about it right now.

‘I hope a solution will appear as I go to higher floors.’

For now, I need to focus on passing the trial.

「You have absorbed the command of the Crazy Wolf.」

「You have absorbed the command of the Crazy Wolf.」

「You have absorbed the command of the Crazy Wolf.」

...

...

「Proficiency increased by 16%.」

‘My Necromancy proficiency must have increased quite a bit now.’

I wonder if it will level up soon.

The number of monsters I absorb increases with each floor.

And with that, my proficiency and stats have risen sharply.

‘It wouldn’t be strange if it grows soon.’

With good luck, I might be able to grow during the 5th floor trial.

So,

“I need to finish off the rest now.”

It’s time to clear the remaining monsters and kill the trial’s target.

***

Thud, thud.

“...”

While walking through the damp cave, I suddenly realized something was off.

The Tower of Trials described this place as a ‘wolf den.’

‘If it’s the wolf den I know, it should be a place where wolf-type monsters gather.’

The further I walked, the fewer monsters I saw.

It felt even easier than the 4th floor trial.

‘Given the nature of the Tower of Trials, it wouldn’t make sense for it to be this easy.’

Especially considering how it made me run from a Sand Golem from the 1st floor.

Why?

I had this question, but it was interrupted when I stumbled over something.

Thump.

“What’s this...”

The thing I tripped over was the corpse of a Crazy Wolf.

‘Territorial disputes, maybe?’

It’s understandable that monsters sometimes fight each other.

Usually, hunters watch other monsters fight and then take advantage of the situation.

So, it wasn’t an incomprehensible phenomenon.

The problem was that it happened in the ‘Tower of Trials’ rather than a ‘dungeon.’

Instead of increasing the difficulty, it seemed to have decreased.

“Feels ominous.”

Due to the unease, I stopped and examined the fallen corpse closely.

Then,

“Sword wound?”

I soon saw the marks of a sword on the Crazy Wolf’s abdomen.

It was a bizarre scene, clearly killed by a bladed weapon.

‘It seems to have died from a single strike to a vital point.’

The precise and clean sword technique indicated it was killed by someone other than another Crazy Wolf.

I initially thought it might have died from a fatal wound in an unseen place...

‘But this changes things.’

There’s someone else in this wolf den besides me.

Unbelievable, but it’s the best conclusion I can draw.

‘Definitely a clean sword strike that a goblin-like monster couldn’t make...’

It’s clearly a fatal wound inflicted by a human or a similar creature.

‘The 5th floor wasn’t described as a special trial, and previous trials varied for each person.’

So, it’s safe to assume that another challenger is not the enemy.

While I don’t fully trust the Tower of Trials, the system indicates a low probability of that.

The remaining possibility is a monster that uses a sword better than a human.

“...If such a monster exists, I might die.”

Just thinking of the monsters that come to mind, they are far from ordinary.

‘I need to be on guard.’

If I underestimate it, I could die instantly.

With that conclusion, I tensed my body and cautiously moved deeper into the cave.

One step, two steps, three steps...

The more I went deeper, the more corpses I found.

‘How many did it kill?’

The larger the wolf, the more sword wounds it had.

The walls of the cave were increasingly marked with fatal strikes.

The issue was that the marks on the cave walls were not crude but concise.

It means the walls were cut along with the strikes.

“Eye of Truth.”

「Aura Trace」

「Grade: D-」

「A clean cut in the wall created by a highly proficient aura.」

This time, instead of wall information, the trace information appeared.

“Maybe I focused more on the trace than the wall...”

The term ‘aura’ was more intriguing than the unexpected fact.

‘Aura.’

Is it a skill?

I don’t know what it means, but one thing is clear.

The one ahead can easily cut through rock walls.

I can’t match the marks on the wall even with all my skills and stats.

I might be able to do something similar, but not exactly the same.

‘Well, the Tower of Trials wouldn’t make it easy for me to pass the trial.’

Now I feel like I’m really undergoing a trial.

Yes, this is the Tower of Trials.

If it’s not going to give me easy tasks, I welcome it.

Overcoming the trial will allow me to grow more dramatically.

I decided to think of it as a good thing, as I need to prepare for the integrated trial on the 6th floor.

Regardless, it’s a situation I can’t control even if I’m negative.

Slowly, but steadily.

While tense, I moved forward, starting to apply force to my left hand.

To be ready to raise the shield attached to my left arm at any time.

‘If I block with the shield and immediately activate a skill, I can handle even a higher-level opponent.’

While thinking this, a roar echoed from beyond the cave, making my body shiver.

‘What’s happening...’

At that moment, a new message appeared before my eyes.

「Trial completion condition, the werewolf has died.」

“What?”

A dizzying sensation washed over me, and I was momentarily dazed.

‘No way, in a trial where hunting is the main objective, the target was taken by another enemy?’

The absurdity of the message made me look at it, and a new message appeared in response.

「Cause under investigation...」

「Since the failure condition was not met, the challenger will not die.」

「Time will not decrease until the cause is interpreted.」

Perhaps it’s a fortunate misfortune, as the system didn’t consider this a trial failure.

But the message made me more anxious.

It means the Tower of Trials doesn’t know why the target died...

At least, I can be sure that an unreasonable situation has occurred.

‘Damn it.’

My body trembled, and a primal warning sounded.

I don’t know what, but it’s dangerous.

Then, the system displayed another message.

「Interpretation complete.」

「Evidence of someone intruding into Han Seung-yun’s trial has been found.」

I quickly understood the situation.

Intrusion, meaning someone entered my trial uninvited.

‘Is that even possible?’

There was no way to enter another person’s trial in the Tower of Trials.

How could someone enter my trial?

Amidst the confusion, the answer was provided.

「The trial objective is being modified.」

Specifically, the answer to how to pass this trial.

「An ‘intrusion’ not registered in the system has occurred in the Earth dimension.」

「Kill the intruder from another dimension who entered this trial.」

It’s fortunate that a solution was provided.

At least, the ‘enemy’ still exists, and killing it will allow me to advance to the next floor.

‘I don’t know how the intruder got in, but I just need to kill them.’

However, the term ‘another dimension’ in the solution was unsettling.

‘It’s like there’s another world beyond Earth...’

As this thought continued, a heavy and rough sound came from beyond the cave.

Clank, clank.

The sound, more terrifying than any I’ve heard, made my body stiffen.

Like prey facing a predator, I couldn’t even breathe.

“...”

Just as I stiffened, someone appeared from beyond the cave.

The enemy, now visible, was dressed like a medieval knight.

Black armor from head to toe, and a dueling sword covered in blood.

His eyes, belonging to a completely foreign entity, turned to me.

“...Hm, I thought you’d be dead by now. So, you’re the owner of this trial?”

The unfamiliar language was instantly understood, but that wasn’t important.

Before my mind could process it, my body sounded the alarm.

“I didn’t expect a primitive to be alive. This is interesting.”

It was an unexpected and sudden situation.