Chapter 104 - Chapter 104

Chapter 104

===================

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

===================

Republic of Korea Black Tower 72nd floor.

It was a chain mission continuing from the 71st floor.

A place proceeding following a specific story.

Would the Black Towers of other countries be exactly the same as this?

Whether humans appear as mission targets, or chain missions proceed.

It's unknown yet.

Since the player climbing the 70s floor range was only Joo-hyuk himself.

They say the US is also climbing, so it will gradually be revealed.

The mission location of the 72nd floor was the Necromancer's dungeon.

As always, Gobang took the lead.

Chimeras appearing as soon as they passed the hallway.

They look bizarre too.

He checked the information just in case, but it didn't pop up.

For the exact same reason as , if there's no name, there's no information.

Therefore, the background description didn't appear either.

In short, mob monsters.

They're not named, so it won't be difficult.

Of course, the difficulty would be different again if another player entered alone.

It purely meant it was easy from Joo-hyuk's perspective.

However, Gobang pointed at the chimera and,

"Chimera, not lifeforms born naturally, but created by humans. By mixing two or more types of demonic beasts."

Oh! Gobang is sharing information too?

Usually, Gyeon Dal-rae or Cossack played the role of sharing tales regarding the conquest.

"The head of a highly venomous python attached to the body of a Blood Lion."

"We should watch out for the poison."

"It's fine. The warrior just needs to tear the head off."

The conquest began.

Joo-hyuk also took out the Thunder Storm Club from his inventory and held it in his hand.

"Advance!"

In an instant.

"Best Servant, I request of you."

"Hoe, yes."

Upon Gyeon Dal-rae's request, Rajix successively took out things from his subspace backpack,

First, a hand cart like the ones delivery drivers carry around.

On top of that, he neatly stacked a power bank, a large speaker and amplifier, and an MP3 player, then turned the switch ON,

Kung-deok-kung! Kung-kung! Kung-deo-kung.

Chae-chaeng! Chaeng-chae-chaeng-chae-chae-jaeng!

Cha-reu-reuk! Cha-reu-reu-reu-reu!

Drum sounds, kkwaenggwari (small gong) sounds, and bell sounds echoed in a 3-part harmony.

"It's a prayer Gut (shamanic ritual) recorded in advance."

"...Ah, yes yes."

"A cleansing Gut is also included. You merely need to change the track."

Gyeon Dal-rae grabbed the handle of the hand cart.

She seemed intending to push this and follow.

She looked like a middle-aged woman selling coffee appearing in a traditional rural 5-day market.

"It is a mystical artifact with talismans attached to every nook and cranny inside, so please do not worry about the effects."

"...."

"I also strung up a geumjul (taboo rope)."

"...."

Sure. As long as it's effective.

You have to live life comfortably.

Like Gyeon Dal-rae.

Now, let's go. Let's get it!

Bardin, the human Holy Sword who satisfies both lighting and striking.

The giant Gobang holding him in his hand.

Dungeon chimeras rushed out from the dungeon hallway in pairs, or in groups of three or four.

"Light!!!"

Smash! Pa-sa-sa-sa-sak!

They were shredded the moment they came out.

Swaaack!

Veronica's covering fire.

"Pulling in sniper mode, succeeding aggro."

"Aggro succeeded."

"Light!!!"

S-pat!

Cossack inflicting damage by stabbing and pulling out holding twin daggers.

Dungeon club DJ Gyeon Dal-rae also followed behind pushing the hand cart playing the Gut rhythm, applying buffs to allies and debuffs to chimeras.

Meanwhile, Rajix.

"Hoe..."

Is dozing off riding Blood Wolf.

'Hmm.'

Was he corrupted by Veronica?

Said he strengthened his searching ability.

'He really hasn't brought anything at all lately.'

No.

Let's not be disappointed.

The contributions he has achieved so far are already overflowing.

Isn't he the universal best servant Rajix?

Moreover, this is a necromancer's dungeon.

What comes to mind when you say dungeon?

Immense treasure.

Don't know if there are treasures or not, but if there are, he'd probably find something big and bring it.

Joo-hyuk and the group reached the end of the hallway.

Then, Diring.

[Dungeon Chimeras Eliminated 30/30]

[You have successfully completed the 72nd-floor basic mission.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Reward: Mana Stone 1.2kg / High-Grade Mana Stone 6kg]

Basic mission complete.

Receives a mission success evaluation even if he exits here.

However.

[Do you wish to continue with the additional option mission?]

[If refused, you will exit the tower with a mission success evaluation.]

"Continue."

Joo-hyuk is still hungry.

How could High-Grade Mana Stones fill his stomach at all?

Let's scrape it all up to the super high-difficulty mission and exit.

If completed, rewards are given unfailingly, so how could he hold back?

In no time, Dungeon Enhanced Chimeras appeared.

They're bipedal?

"A chimera combining the head of a Steel-Horned Mountain Goat, the body of an Ogre, and the tail of a Swamp Scorpion."

Dr. Know-It-All Gobang.

"I am bigger than an Ogre. The assassin will cut off the poisonous tail stinger."

"Yep... Uhm, understood."

Our Gobang has become smart!

"You could even be an intelligence character now."

"Eng? G-Gobang being an intelligence character? I can give that level of explanation too."

"Yes yes, I'm sure you could."

"Anyway, I'm smarter than Gobang. No, I must be smarter."

It seems he felt a sense of crisis at Gobang's intelligence rise.

Feels like just yesterday he was jumping up and down saying a foolish guy was summoned during their first meeting.

Anyway, Dungeon Enhanced Chimeras.

They were indeed stronger than regular dungeon chimeras.

However, like the basic mission chimeras before them, they were guys whose information couldn't even be checked, let alone having a background description; in short, they were weak.

'If done well, even ordinary players could hunt them.'

Probably the core of the 72nd floor refers to the final super high-difficulty mission, eliminating the dungeon master, the Necromancer.

"The warrior continues to take the lead. Summoner, follow safely."

Of course!

You're a tanker who combines literary and martial arts.

The Dungeon Enhanced Chimeras were also taken care of in a flash.

[You have completed the additional option mission.]

[Reward: Healing Potion (3)]

"Oh!"

Look at this. They drop again.

This is why I have to keep proceeding.

Healing potions without the tower-exclusive modifier, and 3 of them at that.

[Do you wish to continue with the high-difficulty option mission?]

Why even ask that?

"Proceed!"

Eliminate 5 Dungeon Ruination Chimeras.

Turning the right corner.

A size that completely filled the hallway.

A creepy figure.

"It combined the body of a Hell Rhinoceros, the limbs of a Manticore, and the head of a Flame Wyvern. You just need to watch out for the breath."

"I see."

A chimera that can spew breath.

"Master Sergeant Bae, if it opens its mouth, pour small-caliber rounds into it."

"Roger that!"

Now he's even giving orders.

At least here, in the Necromancer's dungeon, Gobang was the commander.

The Dungeon Ruination Chimeras were also sliced down in the blink of an eye.

If SSR's attack class summoned entities gang up, how could they withstand it?

It wasn't far.

The Necromancer would appear soon.

And a plus alpha too.

Finally!

Diring!

[You have completed the high-difficulty option mission.]

[Reward: Dwarf-Made Orichalcum Leather Gauntlet of Artifice.]

"Yes!"

It's an equipment item.

A gauntlet where leather and metal harmoniously blended.

'I just happened to not have gloves.'

It was a needed item, so he must equip it right away.

The lining was leather, and the exterior was metal plates and rivets.

He could move his fingers freely too.

[Do you wish to continue with the super high-difficulty option mission?]

"Proceed!"

It was another passageway bending to the right.

Up ahead, a part of a large space came into view.

Seemed to be the end of the dungeon.

Before entering,

"Cancel Blood Wolf summon."

S-pat!

"Hoeng?"

Because the Blood Wolf he was riding disappeared, Rajix's plump butt slammed heavily on the floor, Thump!

"Sorry. Mr. Rajix, walk from now on. You need exercise."

"Hue..."

I have to leave a spot open.

For our big brother.

Joo-hyuk and the summoned entities entered the room at the end of the dungeon.

Then, the sight that appeared,

'It's much wider than I thought?'

He thought the scale would be small since it was a dungeon,

But an immense space, large enough to easily outsize a decent school playground, appeared.

What about the height?

It looked to be easily 50m to the ceiling.

And the mission target seen in the distance.

An old man with a bald head, a face full of wrinkles, a hunched back, leaning on a grotesque staff with skulls dangling from it.

"Seeing as the chimera guardians were wiped out, I thought at least a dragon had invaded..., but it was adventurers."

It was the 8-circle Necromancer Noma.

- Grade: SSR+++ (Highest-Grade Special Super Rare)

- Type: Necromancer (Human)

'...Highest-Grade SSR?'

Meaning he's stronger than our summoned entities.

If he was 9-circle, he might have been a Legend.

It's the 72nd floor, but the difficulty is quite high.

It's bound to be.

This is an option mission.

You don't even have to meet the likes of Noma if you just complete the basic mission.

There is no reason to necessarily do the super high-difficulty option mission.

Joo-hyuk wouldn't have come this far without the grade evaluation and item rewards either.

"What fearless fellows. Do you think the kingdom will bestow a reward upon you if you kill me? Do you even know who is behind me?"

Joo-hyuk replied to Noma's sneer.

"Uh, isn't the King of the Norton Kingdom behind you?"

"...Mm? How do you know that, did the King betray me? That shouldn't be the case."

I know because I can see it.

- Necromancer Noma was commissioned by the King of the Norton Kingdom to restore, enhance, and grow the Super Demonic Beast Hydra. For this purpose, he received the fresh corpse of the Super Demonic Beast Hydra, subjugated 50 years ago, from the Norton Kingdom. Due to outstanding preservation magic, it hasn't rotted even after 50 years.

- Noma's restoration of the Super Demonic Beast was at the cusp of completion. A grand task where an enormous budget was invested and a minimum of 1000 children's living spirits were consumed.

- After recalling the dead spirit to revive the corpse of the Super Demonic Beast hatchling, successfully completing the enhancement and growth will turn it into a strategic weapon that not even dragons can ignore.

"Kil-kil-kil, well! What does it matter. I happened to be short of a few spirits, but with you guys, I can birth a perfect Super Demonic Beast Hydra."

Hmm. Joo-hyuk heavily furrowed his brows.

Noma smiled fishily.

"Are you scared? If so, you shouldn't have come here; how dare a fellow unaware of his place enter my dungeon calling himself an adventurer?"

Scared my ass...

There's one word that keeps catching my ear since earlier.

Super Demonic Beast Hydra.

'Where had I heard this before?'

My memory is hazy.

"It turned out well. With your spirits..."

"Excuse me, hold on a sec."

"Mm?"

Joo-hyuk asked, looking apologetic,

"Could you stay quiet for a bit? I feel like I'm about to remember something, but I can't recall it because you keep talking to me."

"Ha!"

Necromancer Noma with an expression of disbelief.

He was so utterly dumbfounded he couldn't even find words to retort.

"Let's see if you can maintain that arrogant attitude even after seeing this."

"Ugh shit, I almost remembered."

"...I'll introduce it myself. My, Necromancer Noma's masterpiece, the Super Demonic Beast Hydra, resurrected after 50 years."

Noma raised his staff.

"Enhanced with dragon bones and scales, and a soul bead containing the living spirits of 985 children implanted in its heart."

Then, from a corner of the large cavity,

Thud, Thud, Thud,

A massive lifeform walking out.

A monster with 9 heads attached.

"Become the sacrifices for my Hydra here."

- Grade: SSR+ (Mid-High-Grade Special Super Rare)

- Type: Super Demonic Beast

It was then.

Gobang's body trembling like an aspen tree, twitch!

'Why is he acting like that?'

Gobang's complexion changed the moment he saw the Super Demonic Beast Hydra.

Is that Hydra that strong?

Since the information popped up, the description should also be visible.

- The Super Demonic Beast Hydra subjugated by Norton's King Arius 50 years ago when he was a hero, but it was just a hatchling, a young one back then. Still, since he caught a Super Demonic Beast, the hero's popularity pierced the sky, and using that as a stepping stone, he even rose to the position of King.

- Now, borrowing the power of necromancy, its spirit was restored and it resurrected in an adult state. However, there is a truth nobody knows. The person who drove the Super Demonic Beast to the brink of death 50 years ago was not the hero. In reality, it was a nameless barbarian warrior of the great plains.

"...Ah!"

A scene brushing past in his head.

A barbarian warrior fighting against a 9-headed Hydra.

Groups of humans watching that sight from behind with despicable gazes.

Now I remember.

Gobang's background description.

Deceived by the fake hero's trickery and chosen as a meat shield in the confrontation against the 9-headed Super Demonic Beast Hydra.

Bravely fighting and pulling off the Hydra's necks, but Gobang eventually met his death due to the accumulated acidic breath damage.

This was Gobang's world.

A world where 50 years had passed since his death.

"Mr. Gobang, is that guy the same Hydra from back then?"

"That's right. It has changed, but it's the guy who killed me."

In an instant!

Swooooosh!

Gobang enlarging his body through Gigantification.

"I will face that guy alone."

What? Alone?

That tremendous guy?

"W-wait a minute. That Super Demonic Beast Hydra, isn't the same guy from back then. It's a guy who became stronger through necromancy."

"The warrior also became stronger. Thanks to the summoner."

That's true, but.

"If the summoner orders me not to, I won't. However, the warrior asks a favor from the summoner. I want to face it alone."

"Uhh..."

This is a dilemma.

The grade of the Super Demonic Beast Hydra is SSR+, Mid-High-Grade SSR.

Who would win if they clapped?

While unknown, it would be a tough fight.

Gobang might be slightly losing.

He is worried.

Because back then he died with his body melting from acidic poison.

The poison would be even stronger now.

Due to Gobang's nature, he wouldn't fight while dodging the poison either.

Joo-hyuk shot glances at the other summoned entities.

To try and stop him.

"Excuse me, Gobang, Summoner Bong..."

"Be quiet. Assassin. You protect the summoner in my stead. I ask of you."

"Yep! ...Fighting (Good luck)!"

Hey, what if you're persuaded?

"Sir Gobang, please trust your comrades. Even a blank sheet of paper is lighter when lifted together."

"Comrade Gobang, I'll even provide covering fire."

"Oh Gobang! Lift me, Bardin! Are you and I not one body!"

"Hoeeeeek!"

Gobang remained silent.

He was only looking at Joo-hyuk.

As if asking for permission.

He could feel Gobang's firm resolve.

Was he trying to overcome the past where he was deceived by the fake hero and reduced to a meat shield when he was alive?

'Wait!'

A fake hero.

He said he's the King now, right?

'Don't tell me the next mission is...'

Meanwhile,

The 8-circle Necromancer Noma, watching that sight, was dumbfounded.

They were truly arrogant adventurers.

Paying no attention to him, they were only chatting among themselves.

"Kil-kil-kil-kil, arrogant fellows, are you trying to insult me on purpose?"

Joo-hyuk flaring up in anger,

"Really! Chattering away next to me, so noisy! I'm worried to death over here."

"...What?"

"Ahhh! Yes yes, I got it. I'll call someone to talk to you so you won't be bored, so have a good chat with them."

"This damn!"

Noma lifted his staff,

And Joo-hyuk whispered quietly.

"Gwangma, Designated Summoning!"

Hwaaaat!

S-pat!

"Summoner."

"Sir Gwangma."

As expected, Gwangma grasped the situation the moment he was summoned.

His eyes turned towards Necromancer Noma.

"An old man who has learned miscellaneous arts."

Wooooong!

Gwangma's momentum spreading within the large cavity.

"How dare you point a staff at this old man's summoner?"

Chilling! S-s-seut.

Goosebumps rose on Noma's bald head.

It felt as if he was facing the Monarch of Hell.

A 9-circle Archmage?

No.

He looked much stronger than that.

"W-Who the hell are you?"

Not even listening, Gwangma walked forward, step by step.

Necromancer Noma, suppressed by the momentum, had no choice but to haltingly retreat backward.

Joo-hyuk also permitted Gobang's solo action.

He even promised to let him fight alone, not to help.

What else could he do?

When his resolve was that firm.

Thump-thump-thump-thump!

Gobang walking towards the resurrected Super Demonic Beast Hydra.

Cossack scratched his head and said.

"What do we do?"

"What do you mean, assess the situation and go for a backstab."

"...Did you say backstab? Gobang will say something, and we made a promise too, right?"

Promises are made to be broken.

Have you ever seen an unmanly man keep a promise?

"Then do we leave him to fight alone? We just commit the act first and apologize later."

"Understood. Actually, this Cossack is a backstab expert. I'm good at side-stabs too."

Leaving Gobang to fight alone and cowardly stepping back himself?

Absolutely out of the question.

He won't create such a tragedy again.

But where did Rajix go?

He was here just a moment ago.