Chapter 38

Chapter 37: The Method of a Veteran's Growth (4)

Time passed quickly.

It had just been 24 hours since Jinhyuk entered the basement level.

His level, which was initially 1, had grown to level 12.

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Name: Kang Jinhyuk

Gender: Male

Age: 27

Level: 12

Strength 8 Agility 8 Vitality 8 Magic 41 Gap 100 Luck 10 Adaptability 10

Available Stat Points: 33

Available Coins: 22,740

Occupation: None

Unique Abilities: Fusion (融合), Tomb of Swords, Blessing of the Stars

Skills: Lv4 'Fire Element', Lv3 'Eye of Truth', Lv3 'Empathy', Lv3 'Soul Brand', Lv3 'Feast', Lv3 'Shallow Breath'

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It was an insane growth rate.

Even Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeon-hwa, who were veterans, took a week to surpass level 10.

However, despite the overwhelming growth, Jinhyuk's expression showed no particular emotion.

'This is a raid with mob hunting and Ellis's support.'

Level 12 isn't high; it's just natural.

And he had no intention of being satisfied with just this.

Whoosh!

[Lv4 'Fire Element' has been activated.]

A stream of fire shot up from behind him.

As his level increased, the power and versatility of 'Fire Element' also changed.

'Combat senses are almost back to their peak.'

His body had adapted perfectly.

Thanks to the constant battles with the endless waves of monsters.

Then,

"Shall I draw the monsters' aggro again?"

Ellis, who saw Jinhyuk activate his skill, gently flew up into the sky.

The small wings on her back fluttered continuously.

Jinhyuk smiled at the sight.

'She seems to have completely mastered it.'

Despite her grumbling, this little queen was doing her job well, so he wouldn't have a moment to be bored.

"Give me more than usual. And this time, there's no need to use the binding."

"Huh? Isn't it easier if I tie them up?"

"It is, but if possible, I want to conserve your magic power."

"Conserve... magic power? Why?"

Ellis tilted her head.

She wouldn't understand.

If they shared the aggro appropriately while hunting, there would be no need to conserve magic power.

Jinhyuk's gaze turned to the pit in the center.

In the bottomless abyss, insects were crawling up at that very moment.

"I've warmed up enough. It's time to go down there."

Leveling up and improving his combat senses.

He had already achieved both of his goals.

Now it was time to achieve the final purpose of coming here.

'By now, guilds around the world must be in a frenzy over the boss on the third floor.'

They must be jumping out of their skins. Originally, they would have needed to grow significantly and prepare thoroughly before tackling the boss battle on the third floor.

But no amount of deliberation would yield an answer.

There couldn't be one.

The corners of Jinhyuk's mouth turned upward.

The boss monster on the third floor, which no one had yet overcome.

The key to breaking through this obstacle with speed was right down there.

＊＊＊

A medieval, gothic castle.

Representatives from four of the seven major guilds were gathered here: America's 'Titan', Europe's 'Olympus', China's 'Zhonghua', and Korea's 'Fighter'.

Their purpose was one.

To discuss the failed eighth attempt at the third-floor boss raid.

'Impressive.'

Teresa let out a small exclamation as she watched the high-ranking players enter the banquet hall.

The situation was more serious than she had expected.

The fact that the heavyweights of each guild were moving personally was a clear sign.

'Of course, they must be anxious.'

There was less than 40 days left for humanity.

No doubt, this meeting would bring about significant turning points.

Right then,

A middle-aged man holding a wine glass spoke.

Patrick, an S-rank player representing America's Titan guild.

"Since most of us are here, let's begin."

The murmurs in the room subsided.

All eyes turned to Patrick.

"As you all know, the eighth raid to reach the fourth floor has failed. Out of the 15 attack squads, each consisting of 100 players, only 9 survived."

It was a raid they had put a lot of effort into.

A desperate attempt with 1,500 players and two relics.

Despite the overwhelming support, the attack squads failed to break through the final barrier to the fourth floor.

Why?

Was the boss monster overwhelmingly strong?

Were there difficult traps?

No.

The final boss monster on the third floor was quite ordinary, and there were no challenging traps.

"Damn it. Even with a relic that has army-level abilities, we failed. So, how are we supposed to break through that swarm of monsters?"

That's right. The problem was not quality but quantity.

To reach the fourth floor, they had to destroy tens of thousands of statues, not just hundreds or thousands.

"Now that I think about it, the strategies for the second and third floors were too quick. In the end, look at the price we're paying."

Maria, a mage representing Olympus, added her thoughts.

If there were enough players over level 15...

The attack squads would never have failed.

However, the rush to climb the tower and the gap in player levels led to this disaster.

"You're right. Wasn't all of this because of China's attempt to monopolize the mana stones?"

Baek Jin-ho, the third attack squad leader of Dangun guild, growled, baring his teeth.

A heavy killing intent emanated from the Chinese side, which had been silent.

"That's a hard remark to let pass. We climbed the tower for the sake of humanity. Accusing us without evidence is a provocation."

Tianwei, a member of Zhonghua, frowned.

"Haha! Talking about humanity. Everyone here knows how many people you killed to create Zhonghua."

"If you say one more word..."

"More? What are you going to do about it?"

"Enough!"

As the tension between the two escalated, Patrick intervened.

"This is not the time to argue over past grievances."

There was a pressing reality to address.

It was not the time to argue over who was right or wrong.

"Do you have any ideas?"

"Yes. There is one way to turn this situation around."

A shadow fell over Patrick's face.

His lips trembled as if he hadn't expected to say this.

But he explained the reason for convening this meeting with a determined look.

"Early this morning... we received a message from the 'Mines'. They offered to help us if we meet one condition."

A huge commotion erupted in the hall at Patrick's words.

"Really?"

"Surely, you're not considering accepting their offer?"

"They are a collection of internationally wanted criminals."

"I will never, ever, work with cockroaches."

The representatives from each guild were shocked.

Currently, the influence of major guilds surpassed that of governments.

Their public image was crucial.

A single word or action could have significant repercussions.

Thus, they were extremely wary of any association with the Mines.

"Tsk. Criminals, huh? I bet it hurts to hear that."

At that moment, something stirred in the shadow of the bonfire.

A strange, eerie shadow.

Rumble!

The shadow soon took on a human form.

A gaunt old man with a white beard. Despite his appearance, the malevolent magic power emanating from him was not to be underestimated.

"Your pride is commendable, but you know very well that you can't do this alone, right?"

The old man sneered.

"Arrogant! Who do you think you are to come here!"

"Mr. Patrick, did you really bring such a scum here?"

"I'll cut off that dirty head right now!"

Swish!

Clang!

Various weapons were drawn.

Magic power surged, and the once peaceful banquet hall turned into a chaotic battlefield.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The old man clicked his tongue.

"A room full of energetic friends. But, once you hear our conditions, you might change your mind. We have the power to break through the boss."

"Barking! How can a few of you break through that army?"

The Mines' forces, in terms of numbers, were negligible.

A single group could never win a war.

Even a thousand-strong attack squad couldn't last three days before being wiped out.

"Hmm. Numbers can be created, can't they?"

The old man struck the ground twice with a staff made of bones.

Thud! Thud!

A dull sound echoed through the hall.

At that moment,

[Unique Ability 'Cursed Tombkeeper' activated!]

Crack! Crack!

Several cracks appeared in the marble floor.

"What, what is this?"

"This is...!"

People leaped to avoid the sudden cracks.

At the same time, skeletons began to rise from the deep ground.

"Tsk. This land has quite a few usable corpses. Thanks to that, I can get some good-quality soldiers."

At a glance, there were hundreds of skeletal soldiers.

Though worn by time, their swords and shields retained their former sharpness.

"Numbers can be countered with numbers. As you can see, many of the Mines are skilled in necromancy and summoning."

"Necro...mancer? But to control this many..."

Tianwei's eyes widened.

"That staff!"

The staff the old man held.

He had seen it before.

Specifically, when he played the Tower of Trials in the past.

"Interesting. Someone recognizes it?"

The old man stroked the staff proudly.

A special item that required 99 materials to create.

'The Staff of Greed.'

Though the materials were bizarre and cruel, making it difficult to create,

If the synthesis succeeded, this item provided the best abilities for a necromancer.

"Indeed... with the combination of the Staff of Greed and a necromancer, there's a good chance of success. The ninth attempt might just work."

"Mr. Tianwei! Surely you don't mean...?"

Maria's eyebrows furrowed.

"If they had approached with a half-hearted scheme, I would have acted. But this plan isn't bad."

"Hmm. I apologize, but I also agree with the Chinese this time. Of course, it must be kept from the public."

Baek Jin-ho spoke heavily.

The mood was shifting.

Toward accepting the Mines' offer.

＊＊＊

Teresa, watching this, bit her lip.

'How did it come to this?'

No matter what, working with the Mines was unacceptable.

She wanted to stop it immediately.

To reject this outright.

But without a clear alternative, she couldn't just oppose it blindly.

'If only Mr. Jinhyuk had participated.'

If he had,

There would be no need for such deliberation.

Unlike the 'fakes' here, Jinhyuk was the only 'real' veteran she knew.

Considering his numerous feats in the impenetrable ruins, he must know the way to the fourth floor.

But,

'There's nothing I can do.'

Yes, there was nothing she could do.

She couldn't turn the situation around with her opinion alone.

But then,

Whirr!

A blue status window appeared before her.

[Incoming video call from an external source.]

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have bothered with a call from another player.

However,

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Teresa's heart began to race wildly as she read the content.

[The caller is Player Kang Jinhyuk.]

He's here.

[Do you accept the call?]

A message from the person she had so desperately hoped to hear from.

"Jinhyuk...!"

Her trembling hand pressed the accept button, and a familiar face appeared.

A relaxed expression and sharp eyes.

The confident aura of Jinhyuk, whom Teresa knew well.

And Jinhyuk,

"What's with these osteoporosis-ridden skulls?"