Chapter 38

038. 7th Floor (3)

The first blow was, as expected, a punch, just like during the tutorial trial.

However, its destructive power was not limited to that of a mere E-rank monster.

Kwaahaaaang!

The punch that struck the sandy ground shook the earth.

Like a storm that had suddenly hit the wilderness, sandstorms spread out widely around.

Although my body had already retreated a considerable distance backward, I was not injured...

‘Damn, do I have to deal with such a monster?’

I couldn’t help but frown.

No matter how much I had grown, I wasn’t at a level where I could handle such a monster.

Moreover, it was a mismatch in size; what could I do?

Even if I made a mistake, I might die, and even if I didn’t, I might not survive.

Compared to this monster, the black knight from the other world, who was called a challenger, seemed almost ordinary.

‘The matchup is really bad.’

Originally, the proper way to deal with such a large monster is to use a skill that matches its size.

However, I didn’t have a skill that could threaten this monster.

Whether it was a blunt weapon or anything else, I needed something that could break through its tough exterior.

Being accustomed to a combat style that emphasizes agility, even evasion was a challenge.

Bang! Kwaah! Kooong! Chaaah!

I dodged the punch that followed and quickly moved my legs to avoid the attempt to stomp me.

With a large body, the range of attacks was incomparable to the sand golem from the tutorial trial.

‘I need to find a way...’

Kwaahaaaang!

The opponent was not so easy that I could think about it; the attacks were fierce.

Clearly, even a slight touch from the punch would send me flying.

If I were hit, I couldn’t avoid fractures, so I had to be careful.

While I knew that high-speed regeneration would activate for ‘critical injuries’ like losing an arm, being hit by this brute sand golem’s punch would result in more than just losing an arm.

At the very least, I would end up with a permanent disability somewhere.

‘If that happens, high-speed regeneration might not activate.’

Even more despairing was the fact that there were still two more trials left.

It had been a few minutes since the trial began.

I had to clear the sand golem within at least 10 minutes and figure out what the next trial was.

‘...Wait, there is a way, after all.’

Yes, there was.

A skill that could split the sand golem’s tough body in half.

『Skill – Triple Slash (A-)』

『Proficiency – 0%』

『Basic Effect – Enhances three attacks made with a bladed weapon using mana.』

『Detailed Effect – When the skill is used, the cutting power of the bladed weapon increases by 1.5/2.0/2.5 times with each attack.』

Since the only effect was an increase in cutting power, I wondered if it would be enough...

But now wasn’t the time to nitpick over such minor details.

“Triple Slash.”

I muttered this while pouring mana into the sword I held tightly.

At that moment, a blue mist rose from the blade.

『The skill ‘Triple Slash’ has been activated.』

『Three attacks have been enhanced by the skill effect.』

Woooom.

The whirlwind of mana contained in the blade was re-manifested by the skill’s system.

While it didn’t look particularly threatening at first glance, the Triple Slash skill was A- rank.

High-level skills and items generally have corresponding abilities.

Moreover, due to the effect of the tempered pendant, bladed weapon skills received a +7% additional bonus to cutting power.

Cutting through the sand golem’s tough body wasn’t an impossible task.

‘I have to try.’

The Tower of Trials doesn’t favor the challenger.

If I want to live and become stronger, I have to do something.

Even if it’s a gamble between life and death.

Thud!

“Gaaaaah...!”

I ran full speed towards the sand golem, which was emitting a low moan.

I didn’t plan to use instant acceleration yet.

Mana is a limited resource with a clear limit, not something that can be used indefinitely.

The mana had already been consumed in a frenzy to enhance the Triple Slash skill; adding instant acceleration would...

‘I won’t be able to handle the two remaining trials later.’

Additionally, skills like instant acceleration are kept hidden from the enemy for emergencies.

If all my skills were revealed and then countered, it would be the worst possible scenario.

Of course, even without using skills, my agility stat was high enough to surpass the sand golem’s movements.

Kwaah! Bang! Thud! Kwaah!

The sand golem, sensing something was off, unleashed a barrage of indiscriminate attacks...

‘Yes, keep attacking. That way, you’ll expose a weakness.’

I didn’t let the momentum falter.

Instead, I used the attacks as an opportunity, zigzagging between the punches.

Whoosh!

The sand golem’s fist plunged right next to me, and a sandstorm brushed against my cheek.

However, for some reason, I didn’t feel much fear.

The situation was more perilous than during the tutorial trial, yet my mind was calmer than ever.

As I reached the sand golem’s nose, I immediately swung my sword.

Chaaah!

Without any hesitation, I cut through the sand golem’s leg.

I then cut the remaining leg, and the sand golem wobbled and fell.

Woooom.

Of course, that wasn’t the end.

“Gaaaaah...!”

Even if it couldn’t feel pain, it realized the situation had turned against it.

It tried to raise its upper body with its arms, but I wasn’t about to let it.

Creak!

『All three attacks have been completed.』

『The skill ‘Triple Slash’ has been deactivated.』

I cut off the sand golem’s left arm and quickly moved my eyes.

Even though the Triple Slash skill had ended, this should be enough to prevent the sand golem from resisting.

‘To destroy the core, this should be sufficient.’

This monster wouldn’t die even if its body was shattered.

As long as the core stone remained, it could survive in any environment.

So, I had to find the core.

‘The sand golem’s core...’

I soon discovered a bright red gem embedded in the sand golem’s back...

I immediately climbed onto the sand golem’s body and plunged my sword into the embedded core stone.

Crack!

『You have proven that you can overcome fear.』

『The first trial has ended.』

And simultaneously, the surroundings returned to their original state.

From the space of the tutorial trial to a dark, empty corridor.

“Huff, huff.”

It was unfortunate that I couldn’t absorb the command after killing the sand golem, as the space immediately changed...

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such minor details.

‘There’s not much time left.’

With two more trials remaining, there was no time to walk leisurely.

I had to pass all the trials before the remaining time ran out.

After catching my breath, I immediately started running.

Whoosh!

To enter the second trial area of the 7th floor.

***

Running through the narrow corridor didn’t take long.

『You have entered the second trial area.』

『Prove that you can overcome wisdom.』

The scenery changed instantly at a certain point.

I thought it might recreate the trials from the previous floors...

“...I was right, damn it.”

The surroundings had changed to the forest from the 2nd floor trial.

However, unlike the previous trial, which recreated the tutorial trial from the beginning, this one was different.

Whoosh, whoosh...!

The fires attached to the surrounding foliage quickly spread to the forest.

This was the scene right after the 2nd floor trial was cleared.

‘Prove that you can overcome wisdom?’

A trial that couldn’t be cleared unless the orc hunters were present.

Now, I had to prove that I had overcome the wisdom I had gained from that trial.

‘What the hell does that mean?’

I wanted to protest, but I couldn’t.

“Huh, I might go crazy.”

Even though I usually don’t swear, I couldn’t help but let out a curse.

The atmosphere around me was far from normal.

“Squawk...!”

A loud cry echoed through the forest, making my lips twitch.

The cry came from not far away, and its source was clear.

“Orc hunters...”

This was why I tried to avoid facing these guys head-on in the 2nd floor trial.

Orc hunters are among the most powerful E-rank monsters.

Facing more than ten of them...

‘...It might be harder than dealing with the sand golem.’

Orc hunters, who are proficient in guerrilla tactics, can be more dangerous than B-rank monsters.

I hoped I wouldn’t have to face them, but the Tower of Trials was ruthless.

“Squawk...!”

The muscular orc in front of me had bloodshot eyes.

“Rage, damn it, my luck is terrible.”

I frowned at the phenomenon of rage, which often occurs in monsters consumed by anger.

I had heard that orcs in a rage state have combat power surpassing D-rank.

While their lifespan drastically decreases, they can exert such power.

If several of these orcs were to attack together...

‘It’s the worst scenario.’

The outcome was clear.

“Prove that you can overcome wisdom, my ass...”

I was furious that my strategy as a hunter had been changed to a direct confrontation.

But the source of the cry didn’t stop and continued to approach me.

More orcs with bloodshot eyes appeared behind it.

Seeing the orcs slowly closing in, even in a rage state, I laughed in despair.

“Haha...”

Yes, I had to clear this trial within 40 minutes...

A feeling of boiling anger rose within me, but my mind remained calm.

“Alright, if I have to, I have to.”

No matter how much I complained, I had to kill these orcs.

The best course of action was to clear it as quickly as possible and face the final trial.

『The skill ‘Instant Acceleration’ has been activated.』

『The skill ‘Triple Slash’ has been activated.』

I poured all the remaining mana into the sword and smiled wryly.

“Let’s finish this today.”

***

『All the commands of the orc hunters have been absorbed.』

『Current number of commands held – 19/30』

『Proficiency has increased by 6%.』

As I hastily absorbed the commands of all the orcs around me, the environment returned to a dark, empty corridor from the burning forest.

『The skill ‘Hunter’s Dagger Technique (E+)’ has reached 100% proficiency.』

『The skill ‘Hunter’s Dagger Technique (E+)’ has advanced to the next level.』

『The skill ‘Instant Acceleration (D)’ has reached 100% proficiency.』

『The skill ‘Instant Acceleration (D)’ has advanced to the next level.』

As the notification of my skill growth appeared, another message also appeared.

『You have proven that you can overcome wisdom.』

『The second trial has ended.』

“Guh...”

I felt a sense of nausea as if my lungs were being crushed.

I knew that deciding to climb the tower was not a normal decision.

However, the situation was even more perilous than I had anticipated, and I couldn’t help but swear.

If I had been a bit weaker, I might not have survived the two trials.

“Damn...”

The only fortunate thing was that I hadn’t been hit by the orc hunters.

Thanks to that, I didn’t have to experience the third detailed effect of necromancy.

I had killed all the orcs before they could attack me, and when ranged attacks came, I used the orc’s corpse or the shield attached to my left arm to block them.

‘...I can’t use my trump card for the third trial with this condition.’

Of course, my mana and stamina were almost depleted, regardless of whether I had been hit or not.

‘...I can’t pass the third trial in this state.’

High-speed regeneration is a skill that regenerates the body by consuming ‘stamina’.

It only consumes and doesn’t return the consumed stamina.

Ultimately, the situation I had feared had arrived, but fortunately, I had a contingency plan.

『Potion of Life』

『Rank: D-』

『A recovery potion made from a special water rich in life.』

『When consumed, it restores 20% of lost stamina and mana.』

Without hesitation, I uncapped the potion and drank it.

Gulp, gulp.

“Phew...”

Now, I feel some vitality returning to my body.

Compared to a moment ago when I couldn’t even move my fingers, the difference is noticeable.

My mana has also recovered enough to use a few skills.

After confirming that my stamina had somewhat recovered, I opened my status window.

“Status window...”

『Skill – Instant Acceleration (D+)』

『Proficiency – 3.7%』

『Effect – When the skill name is spoken, mana is used to instantly accelerate the body.』

『Skill – Hunter’s Dagger Technique (D)』

『Proficiency – None』

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

『Effect – When using a dagger, the weapon’s cutting power increases by 2.5 times, and proficiency in dagger techniques improves.』

‘The existing skills haven’t changed much.’

The performance has slightly improved, but there are no significant changes.

The only notable point is that the Hunter’s Dagger Technique has reached its growth limit...

But it was as expected, so it wasn’t a major issue.

“Phew...”

I then closed the status window and started moving my legs, forcing myself to do so.

I couldn’t rest, as I didn’t know how much time was left.

Thud, thud...

While running weakly down the corridor, I imagined what the next trial would be.

‘If it was the 1st and 2