Chapter 37

Chapter 36: The Way a Veteran Grows (3)

The 'Moon Lake' on the 1st floor of the Tower of Trials.

A place renowned for its beauty, where the moon in the night sky seems to be floating just beneath the water's surface.

However, despite its name, no one visited this place.

It was only natural.

In a situation where the survival of humanity was at stake, it was not the time to leisurely enjoy the scenery.

A beautiful but lonely scenic spot, unmatched by any other.

That was the Moon Lake.

But right then,

Someone approached the lakeside.

It was Jinhyuk.

"It's been a while... since I've been here."

When he was at a lower level, he used to come here often.

But after passing the middle floors of the tower, he rarely visited.

Seeing it again, he felt a different kind of emotion.

[It looks quite picturesque, but how do you hunt here?]

Ellis's voice came from the ring.

"Let's see."

Jinhyuk chuckled and started walking along the edge of the lake.

He wasn't out for a midnight stroll.

He had something to find.

His pace quickened.

His pupils moved rapidly.

Definitely, somewhere around here...

'As expected!'

Jinhyuk stopped abruptly when he found a sculpture resembling a carp.

One of the twelve sculptures by the lakeside, but this sculpture had a purpose beyond just decorating the lake.

Jinhyuk reached out and felt the sculpture.

It was touchable.

An indented groove on the edge!

[Oh, so there's a secret button on that sculpture?]

"If it were that easy, everyone would have noticed it long ago."

Don't you think you're underestimating the veterans of this world?

Do you really think they couldn't find a button on a mere sculpture?

In fact, the number of players who discovered this groove easily exceeded three digits.

It was even occasionally mentioned in the community.

However, despite the rumors, no one had successfully found the key to fit the groove.

That was because...

'This isn't something you open with a key.'

Moon Lake.

In line with its name, the key to unlocking the secret of this sculpture was a bit special.

Jinhyuk covered the keyhole with his palm.

The moonlight was blocked.

Swish.

When he moved his palm, the moonlight shone on the groove again.

'Good.'

Jinhyuk used his palm to adjust the amount and angle of light entering the groove.

Calmly...

If either of the two was off, he wouldn't satisfy this finicky thing.

Once, twice, and again.

The moonlight tapped the groove in a unique rhythm.

Right at that moment.

Rumble!

The entire lake began to vibrate violently.

Like Moses parting the Red Sea, the water in the lake split to the left and right, a truly spectacular sight.

***

The landscape had completely changed.

'Shall I go in?'

Jinhyuk descended the long staircase leading to the lake bottom and entered the underground.

Thud.

A secret level that had never allowed human entry.

Thus, a place filled with indescribable mystery.

Finally.

[You have entered the 1st Underground Floor of the Tower of Trials.]

The 'Underground Hatchery,' one of the hidden places in the Tower of Trials.

He had finally reached the custom-made hunting ground where he could grow exponentially.

"You can come out now."

Jinhyuk infused magic power into the Brahm's Ring.

Then,

Whirr!

A vampire with long silver hair appeared.

To be precise, a 30cm version of her.

Ellis looked around in disbelief.

"Good heavens. There's a space like this under the tower?"

She seemed genuinely surprised.

Her red pupils dilated and contracted repeatedly, to the point of being comical.

"How is it?"

"Huh?"

"Doesn't it make you think that contracting with me was a good decision?"

"Well, it seems that what you said back then wasn't entirely a lie. I might... just a tiny bit, believe you."

Ellis answered while avoiding Jinhyuk's gaze.

Her pride...

Jinhyuk, who was inwardly rolling his eyes, paused.

Come to think of it, there was something he was curious about.

'What do the beings in the tower think of the players?'

We know that the game has become reality...

But do they think they are part of the game's data?

Or is the Tower of Trials, this vast world, actually existing somewhere other than Earth?

There are many possible scenarios, but no way to know the truth.

You can't just search for it on Naver or Google.

However, with Ellis, a pureblood who has lived for thousands of years...

She might be able to provide the answer.

"Ellis, there's something I want to ask."

Jinhyuk's lips moved.

But,

"????????????... ????????????????...!"

The words that came out were not Korean.

They weren't any language at all.

Just a cacophony of unpleasant sounds and tones.

"What, what is that? It's scary."

Ellis jumped back in fright.

Indeed.

This was how it was.

How did they plan to resolve the tension between the players and the beings inside the tower?

By completely blocking the exchange of information.

A simple but effective method.

"It's nothing, just some nonsense."

At least, he had learned that he couldn't discuss this topic with the beings inside the tower.

'They probably blocked other methods of communication too.'

Jinhyuk took out the 'Frozen Tear' and the 'Twilight Dew' from his pocket.

Before starting the hunt, he needed to increase his magic power.

['Twilight Dew' is making contact with 'Frozen Tear.']

[The second thaw is beginning.]

With a warm light.

Sizzle...

New magic power began to seep into Jinhyuk's body.

[Your magic power has increased by +18.]

...Good.

He had successfully completed the second thaw.

The difference was immediate.

"Phew!"

Steady breathing and smooth-flowing magic power.

Clearly, maintaining Ellis was much easier now.

Of course, it had to be.

It was like gaining six levels.

'I can't wait to test it out.'

He was eager to see how much of his innate abilities and skills he could use with the increased magic power.

***

The reason the 1st Underground Floor of the Tower of Trials is called the 'Hatchery' is simple.

Because monsters continuously crawl out from the depths.

"Keee!"

"Kraaa!"

Insects with black exoskeletons screamed.

Thud, thud, thud!

Hordes of carapace-covered creatures the size of tigers.

Dozens of legs moved, closing the distance at a rapid pace.

Not only were they numerous, but their levels were all over 20.

None of them were easy opponents.

Thud!

Boom!

As the distance closed, the insects leaped in unison.

But just before their sharp claws and teeth could reach Jinhyuk,

[Innate ability 'Blessing of the Stars' activated!]

A beam of light fell from above the lake.

Rumble!

The power to summon the protection of the constellations.

It was Teresa's innate ability.

[The magic defense of the monsters has weakened by 30%.]

[The physical defense of the monsters has weakened by 30%.]

"Keee!"

"Keek! Keek!"

The insects twisted their bodies in agony.

Having lived in darkness for a long time, they couldn't endure such bright light.

To them, it must feel like their eyes are on fire.

And Jinhyuk wasn't about to let such defenseless enemies go.

"Indeed, bugs taste best when roasted."

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

Turning them all into charcoal was fitting.

Whoosh!

The 'Element of Fire' in his left hand grew larger.

From the size of a baseball to a basketball...

From a basketball to a massive sphere a meter in diameter.

Jinhyuk's shoulders pulled back.

The flames burned more fiercely.

"Keee..."

"Keeing!"

The insects crouched on the ground.

A gap appeared in their frontal exoskeleton.

...Now!

Jinhyuk released the magic power he had gathered to its limit.

Boom!

A stream of fire engulfed the insects.

The monsters, blinded and unable to scream, turned to ashes in an instant.

"Seems like it's cleaned up."

Just as he said that,

"No, more are coming."

Ellis pointed to the back.

Dozens of new insects were already crawling out.

"Don't just talk, show some skill. You need to earn your keep."

"What? You want this noble body to exert itself against such lowly creatures..."

"Does the noble one want to be locked in the ring forever because of sunlight?"

Still can't break the habit of looking down from the throne?

'From the queen of the empire to a Sudra in India... How about a bit of a reincarnation drama?'

Ellis shuddered at Jinhyuk's icy threat.

She instinctively knew.

That she could really end up miserable if she kept whining.

"Alright, alright. I'll do it, I'll do it!"

[Ellis activates Lv?? 'Blood Bind'!]

Whirr!

Drops of blood appeared in the air at that moment.

A massive circle made of red liquid.

"Kee?"

"Keek?"

In the blink of an eye, the insects' bodies stiffened.

A skill of double-digit level.

No matter how many times their weight the insect monsters could carry, they couldn't move.

Now, it was time to finish them off.

Jinhyuk approached them, dagger in hand.

'Indeed, she's useful.'

He didn't kill them but supported him.

The experience points would be claimed by the one who delivered the final blow.

He kept Ellis around to share his magic power for this very reason.

Swish!

The dagger drew a curve.

The insect's head cleanly severed.

Next, and the next.

With their movements sealed, dealing with them was as easy as eating cold porridge.

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

His level rose rapidly.

The status window flashed incessantly.

'Ha ha.'

A chuckle escaped Jinhyuk's lips.

It was so enjoyable to act as he pleased.

No, really.

He had almost died from holding back.

'The stress of maintaining level 1 was too much.'

But now, he didn't have to.

He could finally satisfy his thirst for strength to his heart's content.

Thud, thud, thud!

More new insects were climbing up.

"This time, don't interfere."

"Do it yourself?"

"Yeah. I want to see how much of this ability I can use with the magic power I have now."

Jinhyuk infused magic power into the dagger.

[Innate ability 'Grave of Swords' activated!]

The talent of a sword demon permeated every cell.

His senses became extremely sharp.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart began to beat rapidly.

A proper stage, finally set.

"Please, don't stop. Keep coming endlessly."

Thud!

Jinhyuk pushed off from his spot.