Chapter 72

Chapter 71. The Tower's Inhabitants (2)

Jinhyuk bit his lip tightly after seeing Yoo Cheonyeong's reaction.

‘As expected, my guess was right.’

No matter how strong the mana flowing from the Tower of Trials was, someone of Yoo Cheonyeong's caliber wouldn't fall into a coma.

Indeed, the stats and skills he had seen through the ‘Eye of Greed’ were at a top-tier level.

This means...

‘There must have been something that pushed Yoo Cheonyeong to his limits.’

Of course, among ordinary people, no one could stand up to Yoo Cheonyeong.

Not even in the entire world.

The only beings capable of such a feat were the inhabitants of the Tower of Trials.

Based on these assumptions, Jinhyuk formed a major premise.

The premise that Yoo Cheonyeong had already met one of the inhabitants.

“Ha ha. You really have a talent for surprising people. Just how much do you plan to make an old man's heart race?”

Yoo Cheonyeong let out a sigh of resignation.

“Can I take it to mean that my guess was correct?”

“You're right. On the day the tower first appeared, someone came to see me.”

Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.

This is a story about the inhabitants.

The question is, which floor did the visitor come from...

“Can you give me any specific details? Appearance, equipment, fighting style, anything would do.”

“A man of Eastern descent with long black hair and wearing white clothes. He used a sword... it was incredibly fast. I've never seen anyone wield a sword with such speed.”

An Eastern swordsman?

I know who it is.

‘...A member of the martial arts community, then.’

The massive force on the 21st floor of the tower, the martial arts community (Wulin).

They are the dominant force controlling the entire 21st floor, moving aggressively to reach the upper levels of the tower.

‘They were a real headache even when I was playing the tower.’

If they felt threatened, they would eliminate you without hesitation.

If they deemed it necessary, they would use any means to persuade you.

A group of leeches, truly.

Jinhyuk frowned.

Of all the people, the most troublesome ones had to come out.

“Do you know who they are?”

“More or less.”

“Ha ha, as expected. You knew, didn't you?”

Yoo Cheonyeong nodded.

And he spoke again.

“Can I ask you one question this time?”

“Of course.”

“I also know high-ranking officials and top guilds in Korea, but you seem to know much more than we do. Even the best in Korea didn't know about the people who came from the tower.”

That makes sense.

The martial arts community exists on the 21st floor.

Naturally, there are no players who have been there.

Just one.

‘Excluding me...’

Jinhyuk remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.

“Ah, I'm not trying to pry. I just want to find someone who can give hope to the bleak future of humanity.”

“Are you saying I'm that person?”

“Regardless of my age, I've met many people, and there's one thing I've learned to do well.”

Yoo Cheonyeong's lips curled upward.

“Judging people.”

Who talks the talk but can't walk the walk.

Their insides are empty, but their words are smooth.

The more time and experience one has, the better one becomes at discerning such things.

“You seem to be overestimating me.”

“Do you think I'm overestimating you? From what I see, the players in this world are the ones being overestimated. After just two months, they're dividing themselves by mana quantity and unique abilities? That's ridiculous.”

It's said that to become proficient in a field, one needs at least 10,000 hours.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Yet, they think they've become strong just because they've gained a power.

Yoo Cheonyeong found this all distasteful.

“But, you're different. It's hard to describe. A sense of weariness, perhaps? The bitter taste of victory and defeat, and the seasoned experience of overcoming them.”

“I don't think I'm that much.”

“Ha ha! You're even modest. However, the ease you exude naturally can't be hidden.”

Yoo Cheonyeong laughed joyfully.

Of course, he didn't forget to add a word.

“I won't tell anyone about you, so you don't need to worry.”

That's true.

Yoo Cheonyeong isn't the type to blab.

And even if he did, no one would believe him.

“By the way, since you saved my life and used a precious elixir, I want to repay you somehow... Is there anything you want?”

Jinhyuk hesitated at Yoo Cheonyeong's words.

The most authoritative martial artist in Korea.

He has swept world championships, and hundreds of martial artists have learned from him.

Naturally, the money and treasures he possesses are beyond imagination.

“Actually, there is something I need. Can I ask for anything?”

“Don't worry, just say it.”

He did say ‘anything,’ right?

Jinhyuk's lips twisted subtly.

Even in a country known for its etiquette, he didn't want to be formal when the opportunity came.

If you're hungry, you should say you want to eat, not worry about saving face and starve to death.

“I want the ‘Twin Dragon Sword’ you possess.”

The legendary weapon, which could hold its own against the relics in the tower, had been lost for a long time but was miraculously recovered.

“The Twin Dragon Sword?”

This time, Yoo Cheonyeong's pupils dilated.

He didn't expect Jinhyuk to ask for that.

“Surely, you're not making an unreasonable request