Chapter 57

057. Martial World Challenger (1)

The ability of the Ashen Blood was simple.

Its regenerative power increased in proportion to its durability, and when it took a hit, that regenerative power would instantly triple.

Moreover, the pain block would function up to a maximum of 50% in proportion to the degree of bodily damage.

"That's the problem..."

Was it dozens of times more overpowered than I had thought?

Even when the high-speed regeneration was at D-level, it had shown the might to reattach an almost severed arm...

The regenerative ability of this Ashen Blood could instantly reattach severed fingers and arms.

'What kind of overpowered ability is this...?'

The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't understand how I had obtained such an ability.

If the Ashen Blood had belonged to someone else or a monster...

It would have undoubtedly been a disaster too terrible to even imagine.

'It's an unbelievable performance.'

Considering that it could also be linked with the Necromancy's shield ability, it was even more so.

Using the shield to mitigate the impact and then recovering all the damage with the Ashen Blood.

If that method were used, the techniques the opponent brought out would be rendered ineffective.

In other words, it could also serve as a platform for a comeback.

'If I were on the same level, could I win with such an ability?'

Now, I'm starting to find it increasingly difficult to distinguish whether I'm a monster or a human.

To be able to easily recover from bodily damage...

In essence, it's as if I have the ability to recover from bodily damage without needing to stay in the waiting room.

Moreover, the recovery didn't take much time.

Squish...

When a severed finger or arm was attached to the damaged part of the body, the severed surfaces would immediately join.

Even the pain of a finger being severed was mostly blocked and not felt.

With the durability at around 60, it already had such performance; what would happen if the durability increased further?

Thinking about this, a smile involuntarily spread across my face.

'I thought it would be a combination of unused skills...'

Contrary to the original intention, it turned out to be a much more overpowered skill than I had imagined.

Satisfied with acquiring a good ability, I soon turned on the community.

First, I wanted to find out if the 9th floor trial was a combined trial.

'If it's a combined trial, I could probably get quite used to the Ashen Blood skill.'

I also wanted to know if there was any talk about the 'Interdimensional Challenger.'

「You have entered the community.」

「Difficulty – Hard」

「9th Floor Community (2315/3498)」

-Oh Chunseok: What the hell are these 'Interdimensional Challengers'? How can these guys intrude into the layers?

-Pencil Musou: Ah, lol... I just barely made a contract with the administrator, and what? Interdimensional Challengers? Is the tower really that heartless?

-Man Level Hunter: I just used my question right now, and these guys are spouting nonsense about world integration or something. What's going on?

-Nationalism Fan: Wow, they're going crazy. What are these Interdimensional Challengers, and what's this about the 20th floor integrating with another world's tower? I can't understand any of it.

"Huh?"

Reading the rapidly appearing chat, I couldn't help but be taken aback.

After all, everyone was typing about the 'Interdimensional Challengers' and 'combined trials.'

"Already, the Interdimensional Challengers and combined trials are known...?"

I thought I would have to go a few more floors to hear about this, given that there was no chat at all.

'Who would have thought I'd hear about it right after hearing from the Iron-Blooded Lord?'

Of course, it was good that I didn't have to suffer alone, but I couldn't help feeling surprised.

-Man Level Hunter: From what I heard, there are also Trial Towers in other worlds, and it seems that challengers from there are coming to our world...

-Baaram: Yeah, those who came here are trying to kill the people here.

-Pencil Musou: Damn, and apparently we have to compete with them from the 20th floor onward. Is this even reasonable? What a load of crap.

-Hedy Gongdu: Well... The tower itself isn't something very realistic, so I think it makes sense.

-Oh Chunseok: A bigger problem is that the Interdimensional Challengers will come down more and more to try to steal the layer rewards.

-Sword Bbae Man Level: It's clear that the Trial Tower isn't a good phenomenon, but how are we going to stop these damn Interdimensional Challengers?

-Baaram: Well, I don't think the Hunter Association or anyone else can solve this problem.

-Pencil Musou: Lol, of course they can't. They can't even stop the people being pulled into the tower, so how can they solve this?

Seeing everyone chatting with a lot of excitement, it seemed they recognized the severity of the situation.

Of course, like me, no one could come to a conclusion right away.

The conclusion that came out after many conversations wasn't much different from my thoughts.

-Silver Gang Bulgu: Anyway, we have to deal with the Interdimensional Challengers on our own.

-Pencil Musou: Damn, there's no choice. What can we do if there's no way to defend against them?

-Guririring: At least, it's a relief that we can immediately tell if an Interdimensional Challenger appears in the trial thanks to some 'temporary measure' or something.

-Mage Supreme: First, I have to go back to the tower and tell the association about this. If they have any thoughts, they'll either come up with a plan or support the challengers.

'It's good that they're going to inform the Hunter Association.'

Even if they're not part of the association, it's reasonable to expect some support.

After all, not only hunters are being pulled into the tower.

'If they say that we can die to challengers from other worlds, they'll probably come up with some plan.'

However, there wasn't much helpful conversation beyond that.

Of course...

-Kim Seunghoon: There was a news article about someone from Ares. Their sword skills were nothing special, but they were a powerful magic swordsman, so it was tough.

-Oh Chunseok: I saw someone from a place called Wulin. I don't know what their sword skills were like, but their sword skills were like cheating.

-Sword Bbae Man Level: I also saw an Interdimensional Challenger who seemed to come from a martial arts novel... They were weak against skills and items but didn't easily fall to swords.

-Guririring: Hmm, I haven't seen an Interdimensional Challenger yet, but I should keep this in mind.

There was some information to be gained.

Everyone mentioned the Interdimensional Challengers they had encountered...

And I carefully memorized all those chats.

However, beyond that, there was no practical way to deal with the current situation or how to respond.

'At least, it's good that everyone is aware of the Interdimensional Challengers.'

Additionally, it was useful to know the types of Interdimensional Challengers.

'By the way, it seems the 9th floor is not a combined trial.'

I kept checking the conversations and even looked at the chat logs, but...

I couldn't find any mention of a 'combined trial' anywhere.

In other words, the 9th floor trial is also an individual trial like the 8th floor.

'I need to break through to the 9th floor and reach the 10th floor waiting room as soon as possible.'

The special abilities that can be purchased from the contractor's exclusive shop start from the 10th floor waiting room.

I needed to reach the 10th floor waiting room to prepare for the Interdimensional Challengers I would soon face.

'Not to mention, the 8th floor trial ended rather anticlimactically...'

In any case, there was enough time left to break through more trials.

I soon checked my weapons and pondered whether I needed to buy anything else.

'The Thunder Sword can be used more because of its special effect, and I can use the shield until it breaks and then sell it at the Hunter Market next time.'

However, I won't sell the Chain Iron Pendant or the Swift Boots.

They are still useful enough to keep.

After finishing the weapon check, I came to a conclusion.

'I think the weapons can still be used for now.'

I didn't think I needed to replace or stop using anything.

"First, it's better to take the shield."

Since it could be useful, I immediately attached the shield to my left arm.

'Just in case, I should buy some potions and food.'

「You have purchased a Rechargeable HP Potion (E+).」

「5,000 points have been deducted.」

「You have purchased a Rechargeable MP Potion (E+).」

「5,000 points have been deducted.」

I bought two rechargeable potions, including some food.

The reason I chose rechargeable potions was simple.

'If I'm going to buy potions later, it's better to buy rechargeable ones.'

I chose rechargeable ones because I thought I would occasionally use potions even after a few floors.

Of course, their effects would be minimal, but that wasn't important.

Potions are just 'substitutes,' and I have the ability to convert them into HP and MP if I have absorbed souls.

'Considering that, it doesn't have to be a high-level ability.'

Since I considered that, I had no regrets.

「Rechargeable HP Potion」

「Grade: E」

「A rechargeable HP potion that restores 20% of lost HP when consumed.」

「It can be consumed twice, after which the potion begins to recharge.」

「It takes one day to fully recharge the potion.」

「Rechargeable MP Potion」

「Grade: E」

「A rechargeable MP potion that restores 25% of lost MP when consumed.」

「It can be consumed twice, after which the potion begins to recharge.」

「It takes one day to fully recharge the potion.」

"Potions should be enough now."

After putting the potions in my inventory, I immediately executed the trial command.

Since there was no waiting time now, there was no problem with challenging immediately.

「Do you wish to participate in the 9th floor trial?」

After responding to the message, a familiar portal appeared...

And I stepped into the portal without hesitation.

「Entering the 9th floor of the Trial Tower.」

「Difficulty – Hard」

「The theme of this trial is 'Battle.'」

「May the chosen trials lead to a satisfactory result.」

I immediately realized I had entered a coliseum where the sunlight was intensely shining.

「The 9th floor trial has begun.」

「Remaining time – 1 day」

「Trial breakthrough condition – Eliminate all the monsters in the arena within the remaining time.」

「Trial failure condition – The challenger's death or the end of the remaining time.」

「Trial breakthrough reward – Skill 'Beast's Instinct (C-)'」

「Trial failure penalty – Death」

There were no spectators, but I had expected that I would soon fight the monsters.

However...

「(!) The current 9th floor trial of challenger 'Han Seungyun' is not safe.」

「(!) The intrusion of a Wulin World challenger has been confirmed.」

「(!) The goal of the Wulin World challenger to steal the trial objective has been confirmed.」

I hadn't expected the sharp, bitter scent of blood to pierce my nose.

"..."

Numerous pieces of flesh were scattered on the ground, and blood was forming a river.

At the end, three trolls were piled up as cold corpses.

「The trial objective is being modified.」

And...

"Finally, you've come?"

Only then did I see the old man standing in front of the piled-up trolls.

He stood with a white martial robe and a snow-white sword...

A being that seemed out of place amidst the flowing blood.

"Nice to meet you."

I immediately understood who this old man was.

'An Interdimensional Challenger...'

He was a different existence from the black knight, but I was certain.

"I am Baek Sunhak, a senior member of the Wulin Alliance."

The moment the old man stroked his long beard with his left hand and finished his introduction...

「Kill the Wulin World challenger Baek Sunhak.」

Seeing the message that appeared as if it were the correct answer, I gripped my sword tightly.

'Damn...'

This was the second Interdimensional Challenger I had encountered.