Chapter 60

060. Another Administrator (1)

"Congratulations, you have broken through the 9th floor of the Tower of Trials."

The moment I saw the victory message, I knew for sure.

'I did it...'

I had finally killed another interdimensional challenger.

Instead of sighing in relief, I immediately reached out to the old man's corpse.

It was a different, lightning-fast movement from the first time I faced an interdimensional challenger.

"Absorbed the soul of the challenger 'Baek Sun-hak'."

"Proficiency increased by 27%."

As I absorbed the soul with necromancy, the corpse turned into smoke and dispersed.

I had thought the black knight's corpse would disappear, and this one would too...

Sure enough, Baek Sun-hak's corpse also vanished.

However...

"Is this possible...?"

I managed to absorb the soul just before it disappeared.

I laughed bitterly.

I had thought the necromancy symbol would disappear along with the corpse, but it didn't.

"Considering the floor level, the restrictions on necromancy are now lifted."

"When you kill an interdimensional challenger, you can extract a soul."

Now I could absorb the souls of interdimensional challengers.

It seemed the tower had only restricted this for interdimensional challengers before.

'So, I can absorb the soul of anything I kill...'

But, I can't absorb the soul of anything I don't kill.

Just looking at the trolls, the original trial targets, piled up on the outer wall of the 9th floor arena, I could tell.

Even though they were clearly dead, there was no sign of a symbol to absorb their souls.

Even when I tried to activate necromancy, there was no reaction.

'Anyway, I gained 27% proficiency... Not bad.'

The necromancy proficiency increased significantly, probably because the opponent was so strong.

Since it was already at C-rank, it was hard to increase further, so this was a satisfying reward.

"The difficulty and reward levels do not match."

"All reward contents will be revised."

"Come to think of it, there was this too."

Seeing the message about revising the trial rewards, which I had seen on the 5th floor, I felt hopeful.

'What kind of reward will it be this time...'

Although I didn't expect a huge increase like on the 5th floor, I couldn't help but be excited.

After all, the main skill I use now, the Triple Strike, was obtained as a reward on the 5th floor.

"The reward revision is complete."

"Rewards will be distributed sequentially."

"..."

I had to focus on the messages that appeared one after another.

And...

"Reward for breaking through: Skill 'Sixth Sense (C+)' has been created."

"Reward for breaking through: '35,000 points' have been obtained."

"Additional reward for breaking through: '1,000 SP' has been obtained."

"Please move to the waiting room."

"Sixth Sense, huh."

After confirming the skill that appeared as a reward, I narrowed my eyes.

As expected, the increase wasn't that significant...

But it didn't seem much different from the original reward, 'Beast's Instinct'.

'Well, no big deal... A good thing is a good thing.'

I thought I could check it later in the waiting room.

Woo...

Seeing the portal that appeared in the center of the 9th floor arena, I moved forward.

"..."

The thrill of victory had already faded, and my mind was calm.

Perhaps because the so-called martial alliance elder, Baek Sun-hak, wasn't as strong as I had expected.

I wasn't particularly excited and maintained my composure throughout the battle.

If my judgment or calmness had been lacking, I might have lost.

The aura that enveloped his sword just before I used the Triple Strike was quite powerful.

"Even before that, there was some lightning swirling around the sword..."

But the lightning that enveloped the sword seemed to be interrupted by something and disappeared.

'There must be a penalty for intruding on lower floors.'

There couldn't be no restrictions on intruding on lower floors.

Considering the black knight's muttering about restrictions on the 5th floor, it was clear that some kind of penalty was applied.

'I need to investigate this more thoroughly when I return to the waiting room.'

Just then...

"Administrator 'Baekhakgeomsun (White Crane Sword Immortal)' is impressed by your battle."

"..."

Unexpected messages appeared, obscuring my vision.

"Administrator 'Monster of the North' is about to be enthusiastic about your struggle."

"Administrator 'Master of the Late Night' finds your performance interesting."

"Administrator 'Hero of the Black Pirate Island' applauds your combat sense."

"What is this...?"

I was taken aback by the messages that had never appeared before.

I had seen 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' send messages like this before, but that was when I was invited by him.

Since this was a completely new message, I was puzzled by the administrators sending messages.

However...

'Come to think of it, there was a message like that before.'

"System expansion has begun."

"Administrators can now observe trials."

The moment I recalled the message I saw in the 9th floor waiting room...

I understood why these messages were appearing.

'Now that they can observe, they can send messages...'

Iron-Blooded Overlord had said that observing trials was impossible for those below the 8th floor.

So, now that observing trials is possible, the administrators are observing other people's trials.

It just happened that they were observing my trial.

'It's absurd, but there's no other explanation...'

It was strange to think someone was watching my battle, but it didn't really matter.

At least someone was impressed by my battle, which was a comforting thought.

It was even a bit proud to think that even administrators like these recognized me.

But...

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' frowns at the excessive attention to the contractor."

'So, Iron-Blooded Overlord was watching too...'

Iron-Blooded Overlord sent a message expressing his displeasure.

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' tells the contractor not to be swayed."

It felt like being scolded for looking at another woman.

"A, yes..."

Feeling a bit intimidated, I had no choice but to agree.

'Well, he's not giving me anything or observing my trial...'

Just then...

"Administrator 'Baekhakgeomsun (White Crane Sword Immortal)' wants to add a power to the contractor's exclusive shop."

"Do you accept?"

"..."

The unexpected message made me widen my eyes.

'What is this...?'

I was taken aback by the unexpected message but soon understood what it meant.

"(!) The power list can be filled through sponsorship and transactions with other administrators."

Recalling the message at the bottom of the power list, I narrowed my eyes.

'So, this is what it means to fill the power list through sponsorship and transactions with administrators...'

In other words, Administrator Baekhakgeomsun wants to sponsor me with a power.

'Why?'

Isn't sponsorship a loss for the administrator?

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' says it's fine to accept the power, even if it's unsatisfactory."

"Really, it's okay to accept?"

Considering he had just warned against favoritism, I was curious why he changed his mind.

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' says powers can be sponsored to win the contractor's favor."

'Favor?'

I didn't understand.

There didn't seem to be any benefit in winning the favor of a challenger who had already completed a contract...

"Will I have to deal with administrators again?"

Iron-Blooded Overlord didn't answer, but...

"Administrator 'Baekhakgeomsun (White Crane Sword Immortal)' says it will happen quite often, smiling shyly."

"..."

That explained why he wanted to add a power.

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' says the SP spent on buying powers goes to the administrator who sold the power."

Hearing Iron-Blooded Overlord's additional words, I was convinced.

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' says the provided power won't be that great, so don't feel obligated."

'So, it's not a particularly good power, just to win favor...'

While it's a decent condition to receive a power without any downside, it's clear they want something from me.

'Then there's no reason to hesitate.'

"Accepted the power addition from Administrator 'Baekhakgeomsun (White Crane Sword Immortal)'."

"Power 'Sword Qi Wounds (劍氣傷人)' has been added to the contractor's exclusive shop under the category 'Powers'."

'Sword Qi Wounds?'

It was a difficult power to understand, but I could check it in the waiting room.

"Thank you, I'll accept it gratefully."

"Administrator 'Baekhakgeomsun (White Crane Sword Immortal)' smiles and asks to remember the favor."

"Administrator 'Baekhakgeomsun (White Crane Sword Immortal)' says it will be somewhat helpful, so use it well."

"I will. Thank you."

Of course, I would decide whether to use it after checking if it's useful...

But I maintained formalities with the administrator.

I didn't expect other administrators to offer powers, but it didn't seem likely.

'No more messages except for the compliments...'

I thought it was time to return to the waiting room.

"Then, I'll go now."

As I said that, someone quickly sent me a message.

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' tells you to check the added power when you return."

"Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' says her power will definitely be helpful."

"I will. Don't worry."

After all, Iron-Blooded Overlord was my contracted administrator.

I intended to use her powers effectively.

I briefly said goodbye and entered the portal.

And...

"You have entered the 10th floor waiting room."

"System expansion has begun."

"Entry to the public area is now possible."

"..."

As usual, my familiar waiting room appeared after passing through the portal.

'Can administrators observe here too...?'

Feeling a bit awkward, I asked.

"Are you still watching?"

However...

"..."

No one answered.

"Ahem."

Ignoring the heat in my face, I quickly opened the contractor's exclusive shop.

I wanted to check the power I received from Administrator Baekhakgeomsun and the newly unlocked power list.

"Viewing the contractor's exclusive shop 'Category: Powers'."

And the moment I checked the power list...

"Category: Powers"

"List (1/3)"

"Power: Clear Mind (C-) [Owned]"

"Power: Steel Soul (A+)"

"Power: Winter King (D+)"

"Power: Sword Qi Wounds (劍氣傷人) (C+)"

"Whoa..."

I was surprised by the grade of the sponsored power.

"Power: Sword Qi Wounds (劍氣傷人) (C+)"

"Price: 1,500 SP"

"Description: The result of the ability to use sword qi (劍氣), which is said to be used by first-class martial artists. It is stronger than regular sword qi, and when obtained, it allows the enhancement of bladed weapons with magic or internal energy."

"..."

This power allowed the injection of magic into bladed weapons and the use of sword qi (劍氣).

'It's better than I imagined...'

Despite Iron-Blooded Overlord's words, it was quite useful.

It was also attractive because it could be bought with the SP I earned on the 8th and 9th floors.

However, I couldn't make a hasty judgment, so I turned to the next page of the power list.

Unlike before, the power list flowed smoothly, and new powers appeared.

And...

"What is all this...?"

Seeing the powers on the next page of the power list, I was shocked.