Chapter 92

But it was content that seemed familiar somehow.

And whenever I saw something like this, my decision was always the same.

*Accept Hidden Quest*

*Achievement ‘Adventurer Aspiring to Become a God of Proficiency’ Unlocked*

*New Thrones of the ‘People’s Hall’ Begin to Watch You*

Unparalleled genius.

"Captain, let's go back?"

Archer Malibu said to Joaquin.

To stay here for another 30 days.

Even if you had ten lives, it wouldn't be enough to find the entrance again.

In short, it was the same as being told to die.

"No matter how important money is, this doesn't seem right."

Spirit Mage Sean also chimed in.

How many times had we nearly died just getting here?

"How many people can casually come up with 1.1 million gold?"

But Joaquin thought differently.

That man, he was extraordinary.

Apart from the sheer amount of money, his demeanor was unparalleled.

Even the woman who accompanied him possessed divine power that rivaled a saint.

'She didn't show any signs of panic when the monsters attacked.'

Looking back, the man's attitude was calm from the start.

When you usually face a horde of hideous beasts, even the bravest would be terrified.

But he didn't flinch at all.

His eyes didn't waver.

In other words, he wasn't an ordinary person.

Rather, he was more than that. If judged solely by his extraordinariness, he was in the realm of a genius.

"Besides, he's not just a rich kid. He's at least from a noble knight family."

"Like the Darcane family, the famous swordsmen of the empire?"

Sean's question made Joaquin nod.

Spirit Mage Sean and Joaquin had personally met the young masters of the Darcane family.

"Darcane... Yes, that's the feeling. So this might not just be about 1 million gold."

If they split 3 million gold, each would get 1 million.

It would be enough to live comfortably in a decent city, but 1 million gold wouldn't completely change your life.

But if there was a value that transcended the money?

*Make your own judgment.*

The words kept echoing in his ears.

The word 'judgment' kept lingering in his mind.

If Joaquin's guess was right.

"That man is giving us an opportunity. An opportunity to rise higher."

This could be a chance to escape the tedious cartel.

But the members' reactions were still negative.

"Captain, we don't have much food left. Let's come back after 30 days?"

"You're right. It's practically impossible to survive here for another 30 days. Besides, no one will know if we return to the city and come back."

Let's go back, prepare properly, and then find the entrance.

In any case, no one would know.

The most practical solution, but Joaquin shook his head.

"I think enduring itself is a test. Those who want to leave can go."

"Captain, that's hurtful."

"Yeah, just a thought. You've saved us so many times, Captain."

Still, they were comrades bound by the same mercenary unit.

They were clearly different from Maxim and his mercenary group, who were like trash.

'He's extraordinary. Even more so than the young masters of the Darcane family in the empire.'

He didn't say it out loud, but the aura he sensed from that man was beyond the young masters of the Darcane family.

Of course, it could be a delusion.

But Joaquin had been a mercenary rolling through battlefields since childhood.

The average lifespan of a mercenary is around 10 years.

Most don't have a good end.

Surviving this long and still being active means he has a good sense.

Joaquin absolutely trusted his instincts.

This time was no different.

*

After the Abyss Labyrinth was cleared.

When the erosion rate exceeded 15%, anomalies began to occur worldwide.

"The frequency of monsters appearing through warps is increasing."

"The types of monsters are becoming more diverse and stronger."

"Where are the Warriors?"

People were trembling with fear.

Only Dimension Warriors can kill monsters.

But their appearances started to decrease at some point.

"Sir, a 'Vampire' has appeared at the Gangwon warp. The city is requesting support."

"A 'Death Horn Shark' in the waters off Busan's Haeundae..."

Continuous reports of invasions.

The leader of the alliance frowned.

"Damn. We're severely lacking in fragments. Is there anyone who can go out for support now?"

"It's the limit."

"Shouldn't we first secure fragments of the Broken Golden Rule?"

The Korean Hero Alliance was also in a headache.

They had spent a considerable amount of time on the 'Fragments of the Broken Golden Rule' to enter the Abyss Labyrinth.

The alliance leader, frowning, said,

"How?"

"Push the main quest further..."

"Can't we get them by clearing a Transcender-level dungeon?"

It's a valid point.

But the main quest has already been pushed to its limit.

Challenging it further is too risky.

The same goes for clearing dungeons.

Transcender level. Clearing dungeons of level 11 and above can yield a large amount of fragments of the Broken Golden Rule.

But the effort required doesn't match the yield.

When we cleared the level 11 'Sky Whale Dungeon,' it took a total of 40 hours, with each of the 20 alliance members obtaining about 2 hours' worth of fragments.

Considering the month it took to prepare and clear, it wasn't very efficient.

If we don't prepare thoroughly, there will be a large number of casualties.

Therefore, this method is not practical.

"Short-term methods to obtain fragments... Nothing comes to mind except PK. Damn."

Player Kill.

Finding a player with a large amount of fragments and hunting them.

It doesn't align with the Hero Alliance's principles.

At that moment, a guild member offered an opinion.

"Does Phantom know?"

"Do you know where Phantom is?"

"He's on the Mountain of Practitioners, of course."

"Is there anyone in our alliance who can climb it?"

"...... Not right now?"

A mountain that can only be climbed once when you reach level 7.

Most players have already climbed it once.

Everyone knows Phantom is on the Mountain of Practitioners, but no one can confirm it.

"We have a friend who's still at level 6. What if we force them to level up and climb?"

"Push them to level 7 and send them to the Mountain of Practitioners? Even if they find him, will Phantom tell them?"

"Phantom would have set the restriction to the maximum. Entering without restrictions won't kill them, right?"

"Maximum restriction? Who in their right mind would do that?"

The Mountain of Practitioners is well-documented because most players climb it.

Setting the restriction to the maximum is sheer madness.

No one would do it unless they wanted to commit suicide.

Moreover, even if you increase the proficiency rate by a few dozen percent, it's negative if the restriction is too high.

If your body can't keep up, a high proficiency rate is useless.

Phantom would know that much.

Most importantly, forcing a confrontation would only cause trouble.

"Is there really no other way?"

Another alliance member raised their hand in response to the leader's question.

"The new thrones that appeared in the People's Hall."

"The thrones that suddenly changed?"

"Yes. One of them actually offered me an 'Apostle Contract.' They said they would give me some fragments."

"What? What are the contract terms?"

"In exchange for 10 hours' worth of fragments and a skill related to my class, I have to offer 30% of all future fragments."

"...... 30% is like a slave contract, isn't it?"

"But the skill is quite useful."

It was the first time the thrones of the People's Hall had offered an Apostle Contract.

The newly changed thrones seemed to have a different disposition from the previous ones.

30% is a bit high, but it's a small price to pay.

If you need fragments immediately and get an additional class-related skill, it's not bad.

"Ah, if you offer a 'Complete Golden Rule,' you don't have to pay 30%."

"Complete Golden Rule?"

It was the first time they had heard of it.

Not fragments of the Broken Golden Rule, but a Complete Golden Rule.

"I don't know what it is either. But if you make the Apostle Contract, you can put out the urgent fire, right?"

"Can just anyone do it?"

At that moment,

A message appeared before the alliance leader.

*The 'Throne of the Tsunami' highly evaluates you.*

*The 'Throne of the Tsunami' offers you an 'Apostle Contract.'*

*If you accept, you will receive 20 hours' worth of fragments of the Broken Golden Rule and the 'Wave Spear' skill.*

*However, you must offer 28% of all future 'Fragments of the Broken Golden Rule' to the throne.*

*Offering a 'Complete Golden Rule' will remove the offering restriction.*

*

...... My vision is blurry.

My body feels like it's weighed down by lead, making every movement a struggle.

All restrictions set to the maximum.

This setting challenges the limits of human endurance.

All senses, including sight, smell, and touch, are 99% paralyzed.

They're almost useless.

Right now, I can barely see outlines and hear subtle sounds, but this will become impossible as time passes.

"Maximum restrictions? It's been a while since a suicide hopeful came in."

A voice came from nearby.

It was probably a practitioner performing ascetic practices on the Mountain of Practitioners.

They were a kind of helper NPC who lived here and assisted practitioners.

Since they can check the restrictions set by practitioners climbing the mountain, this reaction was natural.

Maximum restrictions.

All stats decrease by -99%, and the five senses disappear.

With almost all stats approaching 1, it's naturally difficult to move.

The practitioner said,

"Hey, leave while I'm being nice. You'll die if you climb the mountain in that state."

I know they're worried, but once I accepted the hidden quest, I can't leave even if I want to.

I moved my heavy body and pulled a sword from the armory.

"Ha...... Do as you please. I won't be responsible if you die."

The practitioner shook their head.

"You can barely move in that state. Try swinging the sword once. You might change your mind after hitting the 'Practitioner Dummy.'"

"Seo-a."

"Sure~"

Seo-a blessed me.

*The Saint's Blessing reduces restrictions by 5%.*

All stats increased from 1 to 5.

It's still far from enough, but it's enough to move around.

I slowly swung the sword and approached the 'Practitioner Dummy.'

Despite the grand name, it's just a wooden dummy.

The first thing practitioners encounter when they climb the Mountain of Practitioners.

Those who set restrictions check their body condition by hitting this dummy.

"...... To reduce restrictions with a blessing. You must have had some faith."

The practitioner opened their mouth in disbelief.

A blessing that can somewhat offset the restrictions you set. It's something only a saint-level healer could do.

So, is that woman a saint?

But no saint has ever climbed the Mountain of Practitioners.

'Even so......'

The practitioner shook their head.

Even so, this level of offset is negligible.

You will die if you climb the mountain.

This place is not easy.

'Sure enough, it's beyond imagination.'

The sword feels as heavy as my body.

It feels like holding a 100kg steel bar.

But I'm determined.

I slowly swung the sword.

Thud!

*Your Sword Proficiency has increased to level 7.*

Thud, thud!

*Your Sword Proficiency has increased to level 8.*

I reached level 8 after just a few swings.

Indeed, a 450% proficiency rate.

Combined with the base proficiency rate, it's nearly 550%, making the speed of leveling up an insurmountable wall.

Not only that.

'Sure enough, the experience of Sword Saint Ralili is significant.'

I've already summoned the soul of Sword Saint Ralili and reached level 26 in sword proficiency.

It means that the experience is qualitatively different from the memories inherited from Wilhelm.

That's why, even with the proficiency rate, the speed of leveling up feels faster.

Huff, huff.

The problem is that it's that much harder.

The fatigue is overwhelming. Every muscle and cell is screaming.

I raised my right hand.

"I'll heal you~"

Whoosh!

Light enveloped my body, and the fatigue disappeared.

Indeed, the healing shuttle.

Good. In this state, I can manage.

I continued to swing the sword.

"...... What...... is this......"

The practitioner's pupils trembled at the sight.

After seeing countless practitioners for a long time, this was the first time they saw someone like this.

A healer at the level of a saint and a practitioner with all restrictions set to the maximum.

Moreover, the speed of proficiency level increase felt even faster.

Swinging the sword was becoming more natural at an alarming rate.

'If you keep pushing yourself like this, your mind will break.'

But even if you use healing to heal your body, the human mind has its limits. Receiving too much healing in a short time will eventually break your mind.

There were people who brought healers to climb the Mountain of Practitioners.

Those who climbed the mountain with high restrictions.

But most of them eventually gave up.

Because even if your body recovers, your mind doesn't.

On the contrary, it wears out faster and reaches its limit.

Thud! Thud!

Whoosh!

Thud, thud, thud!

Whoosh!

Thud, thud, thud!

Whoosh!

"......"

But this practitioner was different.