Chapter 94

00094 Wow, wow. And another wow. ==========================================================

"When we first entered the lab, you said it was a place for human experiments. But this... I don't even know how to describe it."

"It seems there were things so cruel that they can't even be put into words."

Bibian nodded and let out a deep sigh.

"Yeah. But that's not all..."

She paused and lifted the record she had put down. Seeing her face wrinkle again, I felt a strong curiosity about what could be written in it.

"The subjects of the experiments... don't seem to be just humans."

"If not just humans... Hmm. Indeed, the monsters we've encountered so far haven't all been in human form. Do you mean they also experimented on animals?"

In response to Shin Sang-yong's question, Bibian threw the record on the ground and answered with a look of disbelief.

"Initially, they wouldn't have done this. The record I read is a diary-style report written by the person who used this room. It contains quite detailed information, but..."

"Then, what exactly is written that makes you so hesitant? It's frustrating."

As expected, Yoo Jung, with her impatient nature, spoke with a sharp voice, clearly agitated. Bibian took a deep breath and continued in a calm voice.

"First, the first floor where we are now is a place where all the failures are gathered."

"Failures? I don't understand. The first floor, where people come and go, should be a place where security is essential. Why would they release uncontrolled failures here?"

In response to Jung Hae-yeon's sharp question, Bibian shrugged. Then, realizing that the person who asked was Jung Hae-yeon, she coughed violently. Since joining our group, Jung Hae-yeon had never spoken to Bibian, nor even made eye contact. It was the first time she had addressed Bibian. Bibian, aware of this, looked surprised and stammered.

"I, I don't know. Without being there, it's impossible to know what they were thinking. However, according to the record I just read, everything we encountered on the first floor is described as a failure. Whether they were stored elsewhere or brought out due to some circumstances is not mentioned."

"Let's assume the first floor is like that. Then, what about the second and third floors?"

I asked Bibian in a slightly urgent tone. What was important now wasn't the failures. I wanted to know why that word I saw in the record was written there. I recalled the time I encountered a demon in the Hall Plane during my first cycle. If something like that happens again... I felt a chill run down my spine.

"I'll tell you about the experiments they did on humans, but I can't even bear to speak of it. I feel like spitting on my own face. However, the second floor seems to have some degree of success, not just failures. But the important thing is not that..."

Now, we're getting to the main point. Bibian paused for a moment and continued in a low voice.

"We used a hundred of the most successful experimental subjects as sacrifices to summon an ancient demon. That's what the record says. Later, when progress was slow, it seems they also delved into the most evil magic of the demons, the black magic."

"Demon...?"

The children, hearing the word 'demon' for the first time, murmured in confusion. However, I let out a sigh, and I could see Jung Hae-yeon's face turn pale. A hundred sacrifices. That's an excessive number for summoning a low-level demon, which means the summoned demon must be more than low-level.

Bibian, observing our reactions, spoke cautiously.

"Yes, a demon. Suhyun, have you ever heard of demons?"

"...A little. I remember reading about them in the User Academy library."

My lips felt dry. In the Hall Plane, there exists a realm called the Netherworld. More accurately, it's a place you enter through a <Portal>. The Netherworld is a space inhabited by beings called devils or demons. Some of them can be seen as counterparts to angels.

Of course, they could be ordinary devils or counterparts to angels. However, the latter possibility is almost zero. Such devils, like angels, cannot directly intervene in the Hall Plane. The problem is that even the former devils are not to be underestimated.

The ordinary demons created by the counterparts of angels are also very powerful beings. Demons can reveal their bodies in the Hall Plane if certain conditions are met. However, they cannot manifest with their full power, and the more powerful the demon, the more their power is limited.

However, there is a way to cleverly bypass this limitation, one of which is to summon a demon using sacrifices. The residents of the lab sacrificed a hundred extraordinary successful subjects. Even if I don't know the exact significance of that number now, if a Balor-level devil appears, I will have to be prepared for some sacrifices.

I suddenly felt a headache. Just thinking about the devils lurking in the deep underground is enough to give me a headache, and the thought of facing demons and devils is already making me feel nauseous.

I forced myself to clear my mind. For the time being, it will only be battles between users, not monsters. The large-scale involvement of demons and devils is still a long way off, and there's no point in worrying about it now.

I spoke in a dry voice.

"If a hundred people were sacrificed... what kind of power should we expect from the demon?"

"Um... I can assure you it's more than low-level."

Listening, Jung Hae-yeon interjected in a trembling voice.

"Then... is it a mid-level demon?"

"It could be even higher. Without knowing the quality of the sacrifices, it's impossible to say. However, with a hundred humans as the standard, a mid-level demon can certainly be summoned."

Fear was evident on Jung Hae-yeon's face. Has she ever encountered a demon before? I moved a step closer to her and asked.

"Have you ever faced a demon before?"

Startled by my sudden whisper, Jung Hae-yeon looked up in surprise. But after confirming my face, she nodded slightly.

"Yes... I once faced a low-level demon..."

"How did you deal with it?"

Jung Hae-yeon closed her eyes, as if recalling the event. After a moment, she continued in a quiet voice.

"I don't have a clear memory. The low-level demon seemed to have its power sealed for some reason. Moreover, a group of users rushed out and attacked it all at once. They used a lot of holy support magic and launched a group attack. Of course, even then, the power the demon displayed was very real. They are not to be underestimated."

"Besides, there's news that a mid-level demon appeared in the Southern Continent. The surprising part is that it was defeated by a single user at the time. Demons are indeed terrifying beings, but they are also part of the Hall Plane. There's no need to be afraid without knowing their exact level."

Ah, you're talking about the user in the Southern Continent. Shin Sang-yong, who had been listening quietly, adjusted his glasses and continued Jung Hae-yeon's words, making me think of a blonde female user. Anyway, they are just part of the Hall Plane. Ordinary demons might be like that.

I nodded and turned back to Bibian.

"Suhyun, don't worry. I was just showing a serious face because I despise the summoning of demons, not for any other reason. Whether it's a low-level or mid-level demon, I can defeat it. Don't underestimate me, the ancient alchemist and chimera alchemist, Bibian."

"Right... I feel reassured. Anyway, we've obtained important information. Good job."

"Hehe. No, it's not. Although I don't like what the people in this lab did in the past, it has nothing to do with us. Our goal was just to explore, right?"

"Right."

As I nodded lightly, Bibian continued in a much brighter voice. Meanwhile, I heard someone say, "You also summon beasts..." but I ignored it. There is a clear distinction between mutually agreed and controllable beasts and uncontrollable demons.

"Then, shall we continue exploring the second floor?"

In response to her question, I shook my head. The group looked at me in surprise.

"I will stop further exploration for today. We've achieved our initial goal of exploring the first floor. Although it's a bit early, we will camp in this room today."

With my firm words, the group finally understood and sat down. Yes, Bibian is right. What was I afraid of? I unconsciously assumed the worst, but the possibility of such a thing happening now is zero.

And even if it does happen, I have the confidence to overcome it. I activated my user information window in the air.

< User Information (Player Status) >

1. Name: Kim Suhyun (0-year user)

2. Class: Sword Specialist Master

3. Nation: -

4. Clan: -

5. True Name · Nationality: Master of the Sword (劍) · Republic of Korea

6. Gender: Male (24)

7. Height · Weight: 181.5cm · 75.0kg

8. Alignment: Lawful · Chaos

< Statistics (12 points remaining) >

1. [Strength 94] [Stamina 92] [Agility 98] [Health 72] [Mana 96] [Luck 88]

< Achievements (1) >

1. Rite of Passage Boss Monster

< Unique Abilities (1/1) >

1. Third Eye (Rank: S)

< Special Abilities (1/1) >

1. Sword and Spirit Union (Rank: EX)

< Potential Abilities (4/4) > (1 point remaining, but this point is for rank increase, not level increase)

1. Close Combat (Rank: A Plus)

2. Unyielding (Rank: A Plus)

3. True Insight (Rank: A Plus)

4. Blessing of the Battlefield (Rank: EX)

Compared to my first cycle, I now possess incomparable power. It's not just about the increase in statistics. I have multiple unique, special, and potential abilities that other users can only dream of. Moreover, I have the ancient priestess's tattoo imprinted on my heart, and all the toxins in my body have been cleaned, further enhancing my mana circuit and mana efficiency.

And the Fire Warden. The reason I chose to be a Fire Warden is based on the Atlanta liberation battle. The Netherworld follows a similar summoning ritual to the Nether Realm. At the time, a Grand Duke of Hell, the Death Incarnation, was summoned using 1,700 users as forced sacrifices. I chose to be a Fire Warden to target that Grand Duke.

The only fire that can stand against the Death Incarnation, a being of the Netherworld, is the Flame of Fire, a fire of the same attribute.

Therefore, even if high-level demons appear, I have the confidence to defeat them single-handedly. I am strong now. There's no need to view myself through the lens of my first cycle. I tasted my lips and lowered my eyes.

The best way is to prevent the summoning in the first place, but that's not something I can control. I sighed and closed the information window. For now, it's best to rest and recover our strength, and then attack the second and third floors tomorrow.

"Brother, do you want to eat? Rice, rice."

"Pig."

"Moron."

Yoo Jung, responding to Ahn Hyun's teasing with a sharp retort, skipped over and grabbed my arm. I nodded and addressed the group. I realized I had only announced we would camp but hadn't given any orders yet.

"Then, let's prepare for camping now. I'll set up the campsite by embedding mana stones around the area, so mages, please set up any necessary magic for camping. The rest of you, prepare the food."

"Brother, who will take the night watch?"

"Everyone, without exception. You'll also have to do the dishes."

Yoo Jung, disappointed, slumped her shoulders. The group, amused by her reaction, soon got up and started following my orders. Someone handed me a backpack. I silently took it and reached inside.

I might have to use some of my ability points and statistics this time. While dealing with Yoo Jung's tantrum to be the last one on night watch, I pulled out a mana stone.

============================ Author's Note ============================

Hello, I'm Ro Yujin.

Ah, I managed to keep up with the daily update somehow. I pounded the keyboard with the energy you readers gave me. Hahaha... I want to rest now, but I have to write another chapter for the midnight update soon. (If I don't appear by midnight, just assume I fell asleep... ㅜ.ㅠ)

PS. Hahaha. I'm currently practicing a cutting magic technique. In exchange, I'm also practicing the daily update technique, so I hope for your understanding, readers. (I've only achieved 2-star in the daily update technique, but I wonder how far I've come with the cutting magic technique? Hahaha.)

『 Reader Comments 』

1. Black Crown: Congratulations on the first place. This is the first time I'm meeting you! I thought your momentum would continue... Huhuhu. I hope you enjoy the 94th episode.

2. zjekfksqlc: I'm currently considering it. After leaving the Mu and progressing a certain event, a character popularity vote will be a turning point. Also, the Sword Master's body from the first cycle was inherited, and the Sword Specialist is the highest tier in the same series as a swordsman. Therefore, the experience points were judged to be passed down as a Master, not a Beginner.

3. Hane Ryu: Many H scenes are good, but it's also nice to have these sweet moments. Personally, I find these more enjoyable to read. Of course, H scenes will also appear soon. Hahaha.

4. Creation War: Ah, I see. Everyone has similar goals, but the meanings are subtly different. Thank you for the explanation. (__)

5. MT Bear: I might have to run again today. But if I go out today, I really feel like my body will break down. I plan to turn off my smartphone and