Chapter 75

Chapter 74: The Five Great Houses (1)

Whoosh!

Blue flames rose around Namgung Hyun's body.

"Does this bastard, who isn't even worth a damn, dare to insult Dae Jung Hwa?"

Dae Jung Hwa...

Indeed. The martial arts world, after all, was a group rooted in China.

It was only natural that they would get along well with modern Chinese players.

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue and immediately activated the 'Eye of Greed.'

——————————————————

Name: Namgung Hyun

Gender: Male

Age: 22

Level: 68

Strength 36 Agility 48 Vitality 37 Magic 35 Internal Energy 85

Available Stat Points: 0

Class: Swordsman (劍士)

Unique Ability: Sword and Body as One (劒身一體)

Skills: Lv15 'Taihua Sword Qi (太華劒氣)', Lv14 'Imperial Sword Form (帝王劍形)', Lv12 'Solitary Soul Sword (孤魂一劍)', Lv11 'Infinite Step (無限步)', Lv11 'Cangqiong Dàyǎn Divine Art (蒼穹大衍神功)'

——————————————————

[Copy Condition: You have encountered a resident of the 'martial arts world' within the tower. The residents accompanying them are currently hiding within the Triad. If you can identify all of them, you will be able to copy one of their skills.]

'Hmm?'

Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed as he read the copy condition.

'There are other residents here besides Namgung Hyun?'

It was surprising enough to have one, but this was the first time multiple residents had descended together.

The scale was too excessive to just come and pick a fight.

Especially considering their nature, which treated most players as mere ants.

That means...

'They must have a lot of interest in me.'

He didn't know if their goal was to capture, kill, or persuade him.

Frankly, he didn't care.

He had no intention of dying or joining the martial arts world.

What he was most concerned about now was how to copy their abilities.

Right then.

Clank!

Swoosh!

Weapons were drawn from all directions.

"How dare you speak to Lord Namgung Hyun like that?"

"You must be out of your mind, wanting to die."

Hundreds of players bared their teeth.

Given the blatant provocation, this was the inevitable result.

On the other hand, Yoo Yeon-hwa and Lee Tae-min, who were standing next to Jinhyuk, clenched their lips and prepared for battle.

"Big sister, take the left."

"Got it. It's been a while since I've had a proper workout."

Due to the 'Mechanical Overlord' effect, various weapon-armed machines appeared around Lee Tae-min.

Clank! Clank!

Magic bombs and magic bullets began to load.

"Huuuuu..."

Yoo Yeon-hwa also gathered magic in her hands and feet.

To use skills optimized for close combat, closing the distance was crucial.

"I'll take the back."

Whoosh!

A silver armor appeared on Teresa's body, accompanied by a holy aura.

The bright light indicated that 'Blessing of the Stars' had fully manifested.

Cheon Yu-sung also clicked his tongue and drew his sword.

"Every time I see you, I feel like you live without thinking about the consequences."

You're unbelievable.

"Are you one to talk?"

If you were to rank the most reckless people in the world, Cheon Yu-sung's name should be at the top of the list.

You'd have to go down a long way to find my name.

"At least I think before I fight, unlike you, Colonel Timo."

Damn. That nickname came up again.

I want to retort that he's a legendary moron, but...

It wouldn't make any difference here.

"Alright. If you're right, I need about three minutes. Can you buy me that time?"

"Three minutes? If you want, I can handle everything on my own."

Cheon Yu-sung smirked.

Well, why not.

"Make sure you don't get hit."

Jinhyuk summoned the Grand Library and read 'Memory of the World.'

And at that moment.

Clang!

Clang!

The players on both sides moved simultaneously.

Boom!

Bang!

Different types of magic exploded.

Power poles bent like twigs, and asphalt fragments scattered in all directions.

"Just hold on a little longer!"

Due to the 'Song of Battle' and 'Holy Enhancement' used by Teresa, the abilities of the others improved dramatically.

"Wow, big sister!"

"Good, isn't it?"

The mechanical drones and mini-tanks Lee Tae-min controlled grew larger.

Naturally, the density of the magic bullets they fired became more concentrated.

Yoo Yeon-hwa also became strong enough to shatter a sword with her bare hands.

"These guys are strong."

"Damn. Those damn machines!"

Despite being outnumbered, they weren't at a disadvantage.

They could hold their ground.

Moreover, Cheon Yu-sung, who was on the front, was pushing back multiple opponents alone, creating a bizarre scene.

Swoosh!

Boom!

"Kyaah!"

"My arm!"

Arms and legs were severed.

Cheon Yu-sung, advancing through a mist of blood, was a terrifying sight.

"Such madness. He's doing the impossible alone..."

"Every one of them is dying."

"A monster!"

The Triad players who were attacking drew in their breath.

The once fierce formation had lost its edge.

They took a few steps back, trying to distance themselves from the blood-soaked sword demon.

They instinctively realized they couldn't match him.

But right then.

"Looks like there are more than just trash."

Namgung Hyun moved.

Fast.

In an instant, he closed the distance with Cheon Yu-sung and drew his sword.

Swoosh!

From top to bottom.

The sword, drawn vertically, seemed to split the heavens and earth.

Boom!

"Ugh!"

Cheon Yu-sung's body staggered.

He barely blocked it, but the deep internal energy in the attack caused blood to seep from his palms.

"From the looks of it, you've handled a sword before, but you're just a minor from outside the tower who learned some sword skills."

Namgung Hyun adjusted his grip on the sword.

A dazzling blue energy rose along the blade.

"I will show you what true swordsmanship from a prestigious family looks like."

A magnificent sword dance, enough to make one's hair stand on end, was performed.

The exclusive martial art of the Namgung family.

Imperial Sword Form (帝王劍形).

If a storm were to swallow a person, this is what it would look like.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

"..."

Cheon Yu-sung used all his strength to block the hundreds of sword strikes.

The clash of energies.

Blood and sparks painted the sky red.

However, it was clear which side had the upper hand.

Cheon Yu-sung, exhausted from fighting multiple opponents, and Namgung Hyun, who was now fully warmed up, were separated by an insurmountable gap.

At best, they exchanged blows.

The moment Cheon Yu-sung's stamina reached its limit, his head would be cut off.

And as if to prove this.

"It's over."

Namgung Hyun, having deflected Cheon Yu-sung's final strike, smiled coldly.

The sword flew straight toward Cheon Yu-sung's neck.

Cheon Yu-sung involuntarily squeezed his eyes shut.

But then.

"..."

He didn't feel the chilling sensation of his neck being cut.

Nor did he feel any pain.

Cheon Yu-sung cautiously opened his eyes.

"Three minutes."

Jinhyuk, who had finished all his preparations, appeared.

"Damn. You could have been a bit faster."

"Sure. Thanks for holding on."

This was the baton pass.

***

Namgung Hyun looked at Jinhyuk with interest.

"I thought you were hiding in fear, but you're surprisingly bold."

"I had a few things to prepare. It took a bit of time."

"Do you really think you can defeat me with just a few preparations? You just saw your friend get crushed, didn't you?"

He did.

To be honest, it hurt.

Cheon Yu-sung, a hardworking guy, was living on a floor above the 20th and still causing trouble. How could his eyes not well up?

Troublemakers are a problem wherever they go.

But you know what?

Only one person has ever climbed the Tower of Trials to the top.

And that person really enjoys causing trouble.

"Considering you're just on the 21st floor, stop pretending to be something you're not... Though, I admit, it's cute to see you excited about getting a red belt at a Taekwondo dojo. But it's starting to get annoying."

"21st floor? How do you know that?"

Namgung Hyun's eyes widened rapidly.

"Of course I know. Why? Did you think I wouldn't know about the residents on the 21st floor?"

"…You. You're not an ordinary player. Who are you? Could you be from the Empire…?"

"Sorry, but I won't answer questions."

The first wave was coming in less than 20 minutes.

Cheon Yu-sung and the others needed to rest, so he couldn't waste any more time.

Jinhyuk released the magic he had been gathering all at once.

Whoosh!

A massive flame devoured the ground in an instant.

"Such a shallow trick!"

Namgung Hyun took a large step back, but the thick smoke obscured his vision.

Did he intentionally do this?

If so, he would have to rely solely on his senses.

"Up there!"

Namgung Hyun, focusing his senses, looked up.

He felt the opponent's magic above.

"Stupid. You've put yourself in a place with no escape!"

It wasn't a bad choice to catch him off guard.

However, that's only if he caught him off guard.

In a situation like this, where his move was anticipated, it was the worst choice.

If he dodged and looked for an angle, the fight would end right there.

But then.

"What?"

Namgung Hyun tried to move, but his body wouldn't budge.

Icicles, formed by 'Glacial Formation,' had reached his feet.

A combination of drawing his attention and using the time difference to bind his feet.

As the smoke cleared, Jinhyuk's figure appeared.

"Here's a tip: always check your footing when you fight."

Pew! Pew! Pew!

A dazzling light gathered at the tip of the sword.

[Maximum Range]

[Level 3 'Daylight' activated!]

At that moment, a condensed beam of pure white light was released.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

A straight white sword extended toward Namgung Hyun.

The only flaw was the time it took to activate, but it was the skill with the best range and power among his area-of-effect skills.

However, just before Daylight hit.

"This completely subverts my expectations. I'm completely surprised."

"Indeed. It seems Hyun can't handle this alone."

Two people from within the Triad intervened.

[Guardian Aura (護身剛氣) activated!]

[Imperial Sword Barrier (對軍劒膜) activated!]

Boom!!

Two defensive skills, made of aura, protected Namgung Hyun and the Chinese players around him.

Cracks appeared in the transparent wall, but Namgung Hyun and the others barely survived.

They were saved by the perfect timing of the skill usage.

"Hmm. Impressive. I didn't expect to find someone with that level of internal energy among the outsiders."

A third man also stepped forward, marveling.

That made a total of three.

All the hidden rats had come out onto the stage.

'As expected, they appeared.'

To find the hidden ones among the hundreds of people, this was the only method.

By setting up a situation where his ally couldn't survive alone, they would naturally come to help Namgung Hyun.

And his prediction was spot on.

[All residents present have been identified.]

[Conditions met.]

A familiar status window appeared.

Of course, he had already chosen the skill to copy.

[Unique Ability 'Infinite Step (無限步)' copied successfully!]

He had obtained the skill of a resident of the martial arts world.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Jinhyuk's heart beat rapidly.

Normally, he would have been satisfied and ended it here.

This alone was a tremendous achievement.

But.

'I'm not like that.'

If he had intended to just copy abilities, he wouldn't have chosen the unique ability 'Fusion.'

To obtain more powerful and diverse skills.

To use abilities superior to the opponent's.

He chose this unique ability.

['Infinite Step' and 'Grave of Swords' fused.]

Jinhyuk combined the two abilities into one.

Whoosh!

An indescribable light flowed out.

And at that moment.

[Fusion successful!]

A new, combined skill appeared before him.