Chapter 20

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Heaven

"Is it already over?"

At the alley entrance, where a wall had collapsed, Carnage, wearing a skull mask, clicked his tongue and asked.

In response, a man, drenched in blood and sprawled on the ground, knelt and pleaded desperately.

"S-Save me. We're players, right? PK in the real world is a foul, right...?"

"Foul? Who decided that?"

"T-That Gracia said it. She said to avoid PK in the real world."

"Gracia's word is the law?"

"Not exactly, but...!"

"Tsk."

Carnage made a gesture of slicing his throat.

Thud!

The man's head fell to the ground.

Carnage sighed.

'Another failure.'

He had set up a secret auction with numerous items to 'phish' for Phantom.

But all he caught were these small fry.

He had killed the man in the real world because this guy happened to be nearby. Thanks to the use of a fragment of the Broken Golden Rule, his location was pinpointed.

But, as expected, this guy wasn't Phantom.

If it were Phantom, a mere 5-minute transformation wouldn't have ended the summoning state.

He was also too weak.

Carnage pondered.

'Where should I go to catch Phantom?'

There were limits to catching him in the real world.

The fact that he didn't buy the Twin Talisman with hidden options suggested he might not be using the secret auction at all.

The guys he caught through 'phishing' were all mediocre.

Carnage stroked his chin.

'The Tower.'

The content of Main Quest 3 came to mind.

Climbing the tower.

'Phantom, being Phantom, wouldn't climb an ordinary tower.'

He wouldn't climb a basic tower like the Tower of Basics. To be number one, he would need to climb a higher-dimensional tower.

For example, the 'Tower of Typhoon' that he climbed, or the 'Tower of Immortals' that Gracia climbed.

'The problem is that leveling up might delay the completion...'

Gracia had only completed Main Quest 2 and raised her level to 7 to climb the Tower of Immortals.

The reason for the brute-force leveling was to conquer the Tower of Immortals and achieve the highest score.

Even with her incredible strength, it was a miraculous feat that she climbed the tower to the top at just level 7, a level that usually required at least 9 or 10.

Could Phantom surpass the score Gracia set?

'The towers higher than the Tower of Immortals are tough even for me now.'

Carnage was strong. He was level 10 and almost reached the one-star level.

But even he found it difficult to completely conquer the Tower of Immortals. Climbing a tower higher than that? It was a question of whether he could do it even with the risk of death.

Let alone Phantom, who had just become a player, climbing such towers was impossible.

But from the way Phantom was progressing, everything was happening 'quickly.'

He wouldn't spend months leveling up like Gracia.

'...The Tower of Sacrifice. I'll go there.'

That was the only place where one could achieve the highest score regardless of level.

The Tower of Sacrifice.

An arena for warriors who excel in combat and are obsessed with fighting.

However, the gap between a gamer and a player was a wall that couldn't be crossed. No matter how good a gamer was, they wouldn't necessarily be good at fighting as a player.

But, even so, Phantom was different.

The legend of Pangenea.

'From the score in Main Quest 1, it's clear that he fights like a madman even as a player.'

When a gamer becomes a player, they all face extreme situations.

The score is distributed based on how calmly they survive and fight. In that, the Randolph presumed to be Phantom secured the top spot.

He didn't panic at all and not only survived tenaciously but also mercilessly killed enemies.

'He dealt with the situation more flexibly than I did...'

Carnage suddenly recalled when he became a player.

Main Quest 1, Survival.

He woke up in the Chimera Laboratory.

As one of many test subjects. He was slightly startled but quickly adapted to the situation, assassinated the doctor and guards, and managed to escape.

Even then, he only scored 163 points.

The 220 points Randolph received are still a mystery.

In any case, such a formidable opponent would be worth going to the Tower of Sacrifice.

'I'll wait at the Tower of Sacrifice.'

Carnage smiled faintly, having set his goal.

Phantom is someone he kills. He can't tolerate anyone else killing Phantom.

*

"Captain, we've checked all the surrounding CCTV, but there's no trace at all."

A member of the Union, who had thoroughly searched around the Cheongdam Steak House, sighed deeply.

The man called Captain also shook his head.

"Unbelievable. Even the people inside the building at the time don't know anything."

It seems they've checked all the CCTV within a 1km radius. They also met the people who were inside at the time, but there were no clues about the man who killed 'Chid Mamba.'

Even if it wasn't Phantom or an admin, he was a figure who artistically subdued Chid Mamba. With such combat skills, he was certainly qualified to join the Union.

But they couldn't find any clues.

It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

"Should we go see Jung Jin-woo again?"

"Enough. He seems to have lost his mind."

Jung Jin-woo was still in the hospital, driven mad by the shock of losing his arms. Visiting him again would be a waste of time.

The young member asked the Captain again.

"What about Kim Hana? She seemed to know something, didn't she?"

"Are you suggesting we raid the CK Broadcasting Station?"

"Not exactly... but can't we just wait for her?"

"Don't mess with her. It'll just cause trouble."

"Is Kim Hana backed by someone?"

"Did you know Gracia is visiting Korea?"

"Yes, it's causing a stir among all the Korean players."

"Apparently, he's doing a one-on-one interview with Kim Hana."

"Huh? Did he fall for her at first sight?"

"I don't know, kid. Just don't stir up a hornet's nest."

Gracia.

The undisputed strongest player.

A true hero revered by all players!

He suddenly announced his visit to Korea.

And rumors were circulating that he was secretly conducting a one-on-one interview with Kim Hana.

The world is in chaos due to invasions and infiltrations. At a time when even taking care of their own country is a challenge, Gracia suddenly decided to come to Korea.

Despite the US government's attempts to dissuade him.

'Something big must be going on.'

Kim Hana was a hornet's nest.

While it's naturally curious, it's best to stay away if Gracia is involved.

If he were to be offended, the entire Union could be crushed.

The Captain is ranked 4th in the Union. A powerful level 10 player, just one step away from transcending once he finds a star. Even he had no confidence in lasting more than 3 seconds against Gracia.

The Sword Star (검성), who had transcended by consuming stars.

No one knows how many stars he has.

There were even rumors that he was a match for Wilhelm, a 5-star transcender.

"Who would win if Gracia and Wilhelm faced each other?"

"Wilhelm is dead. Such comparisons are meaningless now."

"Still, aren't you curious? After all, they're both 'Eight Heroes.'"

It is indeed curious.

Wilhelm, the character Phantom spent the most time and effort cultivating.

He fed him 5 stars and wrapped him in unique-grade equipment, making him a legend and myth in Pangenea's history that would never be seen again.

What about Gracia?

He continues to write his legend as a player.

His limits seem boundless, as if he's using bugs or cheat codes.

No one truly knows how strong he is, as he has never faced an opponent who could push him to his limits.

'He recently consumed another star, right?'

This is also a rumor, but if true, it means he has become even stronger.

How much stronger? How strong is he?

'Still, Wilhelm must be stronger right now.'

The Captain judged coldly.

Wilhelm is an unprecedentedly strong player.

Most importantly, the Captain has seen Wilhelm fight.

He also participated in the Great Expedition to the Demon Realm.

The overwhelming power Wilhelm displayed when cutting down demons.

If there were a god of martial arts, it would feel like that.

The thrill of that moment still hasn't faded.

Additionally, the fact that Gracia avoided meeting Wilhelm as much as possible is telling.

But Wilhelm is dead.

And Gracia is alive and getting stronger.

'Why is Gracia mentioned as one of the Eight Heroes? He didn't participate in the Great Expedition at all...'

*

As I entered the Tower of Spirits, Isabella and Hudson, who entered with me, disappeared.

From here on, it's individual.

Each was guided to a spirit door suitable for them.

The Tower of Spirits only answers the truly earnest. If Hudson truly desires and yearns for something, he will achieve it by climbing the tower.

The same goes for Isabella.

At the entrance of the tower, a face protruded from a massive stone door.

One of the spirits and managers of the tower, also serving as a measurer to open the appropriate door for those who climb the tower.

-Amazing. You possess affinity with all elements.

The mouth moved, reading my talents and expressing amazement. After all, having affinity with all elements is also a part of 'talent.'

The door measures the most suitable elemental affinity and opens the corresponding door.

If you have the water element, it opens the door of the water spirit; if you have the fire element, it opens the door of the fire spirit.

However, if you have affinity with all elements, it becomes difficult to open just one door.

-You even possess opposing elements. The void element... but there are too many.

The spirit of the stone door pondered.

Originally, no being can possess opposing elements.

Like how fire and water cannot coexist.

However, there is an exception: those who possess the void element. The void allows the coexistence of opposing elements.

But even with the void, there were too many.

Literally, he has affinity with all elements.

'Even the Door of Void doesn't fit here.'

-When everything is mixed, it becomes chaos. But the Door of Chaos has never been opened...

The spirit of the stone door frowned.

The Door of Chaos is a door that has never been opened since the Tower of Spirits was established.

"Open it."

Another mystery.

It wasn't me, Madal.

Choosing without hesitation, the spirit of the stone door no longer hesitated.

-...Arrogant druid. Fine, I'll open it. You seem qualified.

Creak!

The spirit of the stone door opened its body.

-But be careful. If you're consumed by chaos, you'll never return.

Hearing the warning, I shrugged and walked in confidently.

*

The Tower of Chaos.

A place where mind-warping curses are rampant.

It was pitch black.

《'Heart of the Iron-Blooded Overlord' supports your mind.》

《'Giant's Anti-Magic' neutralizes the curses.》

《'Mutation' reveals the hidden path of chaos.》

I can see it.

The hidden path of the Tower of Chaos.

The spirit of the stone door didn't know that I possess 13 hidden traits.

Thanks to these hidden traits, I can walk through the realm of chaos unharmed.

-Does chaos not affect you?

-What is this human? Or is it a druid?

-Let's make a contract!

In an instant, chaos spirits swarmed around me.

I passed through them.

As I climbed higher, larger chaos spirits appeared.

-Insolent one. How dare you climb here?

-I'll turn you into chaos.

They were much more aggressive than the spirits on the lower floors.

Suddenly, they transformed into giants and tried to crush me.

But they were illusions. They were merely mental entities that oppressed the minds of those who feared.

Whoosh!

I confidently touched them, and they disappeared like smoke.

-Did you come to reclaim past glory? Is that even possible?

Climbing another floor, there was Wilhelm.

Swish.

I drew Michela's sword.

I faced the chaos spirit in the form of Wilhelm.

Clang! Swish! Swoosh!

He was exactly like me. He slashed, thrust, and stabbed in the same way.

However, I didn't back down. If it were the real Wilhelm, I would have been instantly killed, but this was a 'me' in the form of Wilhelm. He had the same strength and skills and acted the same way.

How long did we fight?

It felt like a day had passed, surpassing the units of time.

Time continued to pass quickly.

Two days, three days, ten days.

Perhaps even more.

-Disgusting!

Whoosh!

The chaos spirit emitted smoke and disappeared.

Breathing heavily, I climbed the stairs.

-You've come this far, you've met the criteria.

-Let's make a contract.

-You are qualified.

There were much larger spirits than the previous chaos.

There were no stairs.

Is this the top floor?

"There's not a single one I like."

The chaos spirits in front of me are indeed powerful. Stronger than any spirit I've seen.

But I don't like them.

What dignity do these spirits have, begging for a contract just because I've climbed this far?

-If you make a contract with me, you'll gain the same effect as obtaining a star.

-Let's make a contract. I'll tell you the location of a 'unique' piece of equipment in the world.

-How about a skill? I'll gift you the highest-level chaos skill.

It seems they really like me.

They're even offering various conditions.

The unique-grade item and the highest-level chaos skill are somewhat tempting, but how can I trust a contract with chaos?

These are unreliable spirits, pretending to be giants and me, and spouting lies. The content of the contract could very well be a lie.

Contracts must be made carefully.

You can't make contracts with multiple spirits.

-Where are you going?

-There's nothing if you go down.

-You're making a foolish choice.

-You'll end up climbing back up anyway.

Ignoring the chaos' attempts to dissuade me, I descended the tower.

With each floor I descended, more extreme trials awaited.

As if urging me to climb back up.

But if I don't like it, I don't like it.

Thus, a long and arduous trial, a battle, began.

*

I faced two 'me's.

Further down, four 'me's waited.

Next, eight, then sixteen.

Strangely, my body didn't tire, but my mind was wearing down over time.

Even with the Heart of the Iron-Blooded Overlord, it can't protect my mental strength indefinitely. Even a superhuman mind is useless against time.

I did consider just climbing up and making a contract with any chaos spirit.

But I shook my head each time.

I couldn't make such a forced contract.

The choice of a contract must be entirely mine. If I succumbed to coercion or compulsion, I would continue to do so in the future.

Time flowed aimlessly.

10 days.

20 days.

30 days...

I fought chaos for so long that counting time became meaningless.

-You're a disgusting one!

-Get out! Get out!

The chaos spirits finally waved the white flag.

They opened the door to go out.

An ordinary person would have run out excitedly.

But I didn't leave.

Especially at such times, one must be vigilant.

Swish!

Sure enough, chaos attacked from behind.

'Underhanded bastards.'

They intend to hold on until the end.

I cut through the shadow-like chaos, and a bright light appeared in the gap.

A spirit.

Could it be a light spirit?

The light spirit is a rare and high-ranking spirit.

But why would a light spirit be in the realm of chaos?

'This isn't a light spirit.'

But it's subtly different from a light spirit.

I walked towards the light, not the exit, which could have been a way to escape.

-That's not the exit.

-Are you thinking of going back?

-Fool. Fight until you die!

The chaos spirits tried to dissuade me.

Their attitude was clearly different from the mocking and teasing they had shown before.

So, I wanted to go further.

The exit door was getting smaller.

If I don't leave now, I might not get another chance.

But the light continued to call to me.

Clearly different from chaos.

-Stop! Stop!

-If you go further, there's no turning back.

-Do you want to stay in chaos forever?

The chaos was unusually talkative.

I continued to clear away the chaos and kept walking.

And the moment I reached the light.

《You have reached the top of the tower!》

《Main Quest 3 is completed.》

《Results are being processed.》

...This was the real top.

The correct