Chapter 108 - Chapter 108

Chapter 108

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The 73rd floor's basic mission is the Battle Chimera Hounds.

An additional selective mission to eliminate the Royal Knights, the Knight Commander, and even the King.

However, the high-difficulty and super high-difficulty selective missions even had the condition 'condition clear' attached.

What kind of condition could it be.

He'd know once he proceeds.

"Mr. Gobang,"

"I am listening. Summoner."

"Do you know a person named Yornte?"

"I know him."

"...Who?"

"He was my comrade in the past."

I knew it would be like this.

One of the bastards who caused Gobang's trauma.

Will he be okay?

"If he's someone you know, and it makes you uncomfortable..."

"I am not uncomfortable. I want to meet him quickly and break his back."

So he is fine.

Let's handle the basic mission first.

Battle Chimera Hounds.

There was no need to go around looking for them.

"Sniff sniff, grrrr..."

"Bark bark!"

"Grrrgk!"

Hounds appearing after catching the scent.

Their bodies were as large as Siberian tigers.

Bright crimson red eyes.

Drool dripping sloppily.

Their metallic jaws, modified with steel and flashing brightly, had teeth like sharp blades.

Their claws were the same.

It seemed as if sharp, edged daggers were embedded instead of claws.

To the point where chunks of flesh would be torn off if bitten or scratched.

Their torsos also laid bare bulging muscles, as if they had been injected with steroid drugs.

However, the hounds didn't just blindly rush in.

Sniffing their noses, they were approaching with extremely cautious postures, repeatedly advancing and retreating.

"They're a little different?"

The groups of chimeras on the 72nd floor had nothing but offensive instincts.

They just charged in blindly and pounced.

"They are completed chimeras."

"...Completed?"

"When synthesizing a chimera, the most important core is intelligence. Only with high intelligence is autonomous situational judgment possible."

As expected of our Gobang, a chimera expert.

"If they are stupid, they are useless no matter how strong they are. Like the me from the past."

"...."

A somewhat bitter tone.

"When enhancing intelligence, the essential ingredient is a soul, usually human souls are used the most. Because they are smart."

If so, it means those Chimera Hounds were also synthesized with human souls.

It's a deed that enrages both heaven and humanity.

Who is the bastard who made them like that?

Naturally it would be the Necromancer kind like Kate and Noma, and the Norton Kingdom King who gave the orders.

"Still, a dog is a dog, sir."

"That is true."

Cossack continued speaking while pointing at the Blood Wolf carrying Rajix on its back.

"A dog should be dealt with by a dog, sir. It's time for Blood Wolf to earn its keep too, sir."

"But Blood Wolf is our servant's mount?"

"Rajix worker gained weight, sir. He needs to exercise, sir. Look at that plump belly fat, sir."

"...H-ho-e?"

Rajix, seemingly shocked by the cold-hearted body evaluation.

"Hmm."

Actually, Joo-hyuk agreed too.

Rajix did gain some weight.

With a round body like that, he might roll well, but what if he catches an adult disease?

'Should I bring in a large hamster wheel for him to exercise at home?'

Moreover, Blood Wolf can't just act as a mount forever.

Having it participate in the clear is also a good idea.

[Catalog : Blood Wolf]

- Grade : Phase 1 (Level 71)

- Type : Demonic Beast

Although it is Level 71, it is still in Phase 1.

Summon levels are linked with the player, but substantial ability increases are achieved through phase evolution.

Since Blood Wolf has never fought a proper battle, it is still stuck in Phase 1.

"Alright. Let's deploy it."

"Hu-e-e..."

As soon as Rajix got off the Blood Wolf.

"Earn your keep!"

Cossack kicked the Blood Wolf's backside hard toward where the Battle Chimera Hounds were! Bang!

"Yelp!"

No, if you just kick it like that...

"It must be raised tough, sir."

The kicked Blood Wolf fell into the middle of the hound pack.

"Bark bark bark!"

"Grrrr!"

"Kyaak!"

"Kyaaaak!"

As if they had been waiting, the Battle Chimera Hounds bared their steel teeth and lunged.

"Yelp yelp yelp!"

The Blood Wolf suffered a concentrated attack.

It was a guy still only in Phase 1.

On top of that, it was at a numerical disadvantage.

Bitten on the nape, bitten on the legs, bitten on the rear...

Eventually, the Blood Wolf tucked its tail and fled while covered in blood.

"Uh..."

"Why is that guy so weak, sir?"

Indeed. It's not a match.

Thump! Rajix plopped down on the floor and wailed in a miserable voice.

"Ho-e-e-e-e...."

It seems he grew very attached to it all this time.

Joo-hyuk hurriedly shouted.

"Let's clear quickly."

Thump thump thump thump!

Gobang ran forward.

Bardin, who got on his shoulders and prepared to be swung naturally.

"Light!!!"

At that moment! One of the Chimera Hounds that had been attacking the Blood Wolf leaped toward Gobang's head.

"Bark!"

Simultaneously, another hound lunged aiming for Gobang's ankle.

"Grr-ragh!"

Is that all?

Another hound aiming for his flank too.

A well-coordinated joint attack.

Crush!

A Chimera Hound bit down and hung onto Gobang's forearm.

Steel teeth sinking into his skin, flowing fresh blood.

However, it was not nearly enough.

Because he regenerates quickly.

Crack crack!

Rather, the teeth of the one that bit broke.

"Light!!!"

Gobang grabbed Bardin and swung him.

Powwww! Pow! Pow pow!

A simultaneous attack from the torso and the flail.

Pa-juk! Pa-ju-ju-juk!

Veronica's focused fire followed.

Spot-pat-pat-pat!

Cossack also hurriedly ran and rescued the Blood Wolf that had fallen into a near-death state.

"Whimper."

De-gu-reu-reu-reu, Rajix running over and wailing upon seeing the Blood Wolf's miserable state.

"Hu-e-e-eng..."

It might die at this rate.

Before it dies.

"Blood Wolf unsummon."

Spot! Did it live?

Checking the status window catalog, it isn't in an unsummonable state.

He managed to save it before it died.

"Phew."

That's a relief.

"I-I'm sorry, sir. Rajix worker, sir."

"Ho-ek!"

"I won't do it again, sir..."

"Ho-e-ek!"

"No, what did I do wrong, sir..."

"Hu-eng!"

Tsk tsk.

I was wondering when he wouldn't cause an incident these days.

You should have it join forces with the other summoned entities to fight, why kick it right off the bat?

Anyway, the empty spot left by Blood Wolf...

"Gwangma designated summon."

Flash! Filling it with Sir Gwangma.

"Summoner."

"Welcome."

"You called me out sooner than I thought."

"I felt there would be enough time... please come with me."

"Hohoho, it is this old man's honor."

He's already reliable.

Royal Knights? Knight Commander? The King?

Their lives are all forfeit.

He's someone who sweeps away an entire country.

"Sending Blood Wolf and having Gwangma come is a highly profitable trade."

Still, it won't be easy.

Guys who bit into Gobang's solid forearm and even left wounds.

Adding coordinated attacks to that, the 73rd floor seemed difficult for ordinary players even for the basic mission.

"Except for us, of course."

[Battle Chimera Hounds Defeated 20/20]

[You have succeeded in the 73rd floor basic mission.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Reward : Mana Stone 1.3kg / High-Grade Mana Stone 6kg]

The basic mission was merely a light warm-up.

[Will you continue to proceed with the additional selective mission?]

[If you decline, you will exit the tower with a mission success judgment.]

Now for the earnest selective mission.

Of course, we proceed.

But then?

"Excuse me, Summoner Bong, sir."

Cossack, who had been bickering with Rajix, sneaked up next to him and whispered, as if something happened.

"Why?"

"Rajix worker keeps asking to go somewhere together with me, sir..."

Where?

Don't tell me?

"You aren't planning to beat up our worker somewhere no one can see, right? Since I saw you fighting with each other until just before."

Cossack freaking out.

"Eek? Why would I hit our worker, sir? No, sir. Absolutely not, sir."

I can't really trust him.

Let me check with Rajix directly.

"Do you really have business?"

"Ho-e."

"Really?"

"Ho-eng!"

Did he catch the scent of items or something?

Then I should let him go.

"Take good care of our worker. If even a single hair gets hurt..."

"Oh my! I would rather smash my head and die, I will absolutely protect the Universal Top Servant, sir."

Then I guess.

When Joo-hyuk nodded, Cossack and Rajix disappeared somewhere.

It's fine if they aren't here.

Since Sir Gwangma is here.

"Proceed."

The time has come.

Joo-hyuk opened his inventory and took out a [Potion of Courage].

A potion that maintains a strong mind for 10 minutes and prevents swaying from external influences.

Gulp.

Drinking it finished the doping.

"Is there an effect?"

It feels like courage is welling up too.

Right at that moment!

Clank, clank, click, clack!

Rattle! Rattle! Rattle...

The prison iron doors opened one after another.

Knights carrying heavy armor, swords, and shields emerged from inside.

[Norton Kingdom Royal Knights]

"...Huh?"

However, the knights' appearances are strange.

Their faces and body shapes are all exactly the same.

A right arm as large as his torso, a lower body shaped like horse legs, a giant single eye occupying half the face.

They aren't undead.

As if they modified their own bodies, or were modified.

"They are human chimeras."

"....."

"Troll arms transplanted. The eyeball is a Cyclops, the lower body is a combat warhorse."

They modified their own bodies?

Why?

"Wouldn't it be to gain power? If one enters the path of heterodoxy without going through proper training, a price is required."

Terrible.

Can you even call them human?

Their eyes also looked empty.

"Excuse me?"

There was no answer either.

Just, shwing, shwing.

Merely drawing their swords with their brutish right arms and aiming forward.

Hwaaaaat!

Sword energy lingering on the swords.

They knew how to wield aura at the very least.

"The difficulty of the additional selective mission has also increased."

Knights using sword energy numbering a whopping 15.

They were even moving systematically.

There was no need to give instructions.

The summoned entities and chimera royal knights clashing head-on just like that.

Crush! S-pa-pa-pat!

Joo-hyuk gripped the Thunder Storm Club tightly.

He should jump into the clear as well.

What is the meaning of clearing?

He must kill the knights.

However, flinch!

His body wouldn't move.

They are humans.

Although they are merely souls who died once in the past, if they even have actual physical bodies, that makes them human.

It's like this even though he drank the Potion of Courage.

Even armed with a strong mind, it has no effect.

In a way, it's natural.

They were unrelated from the beginning.

Courage and murder, that is.

If you kill people well, are you courageous, and if you can't kill people, are you a coward?

"That is true, it has absolutely no relation to courage."

Gwangma, who had approached at some point, spoke quietly.

It seems he saw Joo-hyuk drinking the potion.

"Courage is necessary to carry through one's established beliefs, not succumb to power, and equip an unbending will. On the other hand, murder..."

Gwangma extended his finger toward a royal knight.

"You only need experience. Regardless, once you go through the rite of passage once,"

Tseu-pit!

A lump of energy flying from his hand pierced the royal knight's eye in a single blow.

"The next murder becomes very easy. Just like slapping and killing a buzzing mosquito on a summer night with your palm."

The royal knight falling with his single eye pierced.

Thump!

"Summoner."

Gwangma patted Joo-hyuk's shoulder.

"...Yes."

Warm energy entered Joo-hyuk.

"Do not rush. You don't have to force yourself to be tainted. Is a person weak because they cannot kill someone? Rather, the opposite case could be stronger."

It is true.

However, it is already too late.

He too has stepped onto this path.

Is direct murder the only murder?

Indirect murder is murder too.

Making only the summoned entities do the dirty work while he acts noble and steps back is shameless.

Rite of passage?

Such a trivial thing.

"There's no reason I wouldn't be able to do it."

Joo-hyuk drew up his magical power.

And just as he was about to dash forward.

[You have completed the additional selective mission.]

[Reward : Multinational Tower Utility Ticket]

'...Tch.'

The additional mission is also over.

He missed the timing while hesitating.

"Next time, definitely."

Anyway, the tickets drop well.

How many is this already?

At that time!

Tti-ring!

[Will you continue to proceed with the high-difficulty selective mission?]

[Missions from high-difficulty and above are condition clears.]

[If you do not wish to, you may exit the tower here.]

[Upon successful clear, 10 times the High-Grade Mana Stones and a 100% chance for an additional clear reward are given.]

10 times the reward?

However, a condition is attached.

He'd know if he tries.

"Proceed!"

Right at that moment!

Screeech!

A speck of light entering from the ceiling.

What is it?

Screeeeeeech...

It's opening.

The ceiling was opening.

Just like the dome roof of a nightclub.

[The condition clear has been established.]

[You have entered the Royal Palace Colosseum.]

[Giving up mid-way is impossible.]

[The super high-difficulty selective mission also proceeds automatically.]

[Giving up mid-way is impossible.]

"Wow!"

So it was a trap.

He thought it was a prison, but it was actually the basement of the Colosseum.

The completely opened ceiling.

Beyond it, spectator seats could be seen.

Looking at their attire, most of them seemed to be nobles or wealthy merchants.

And at the very highest place, even an elderly king wearing a brilliant crown on his head, resting his chin on his hand with a bored expression.

The king stood up.

He raised his thumb with a fishy smile.

The tip of the thumb turned from the sky toward the ground.

"Kill them all!"

A roar bursting out.

"Wooooaaaah!!!"

The frenzied spectators.

"Kill them!"

"Tear the intruders to shreds!"

"Fresh blood!"

Simultaneously.

Thump!

A giant man holding a massive axe dropping down into the arena from above.

[Royal Knight Commander Yornte]

Step, step.

A knight in iron armor with a bulk matching Gobang, who had enlarged his body through gigantification.

He wasn't alone.

Grrrr, over 30 hounds again and.

Over 20 knights were also entering the arena together.

"Amusing."

Gwangma smiled radiantly.

Meanwhile.

De-gu-reu-reu-reu, Rajix rolled quickly down a dark passage.

Spot! S-pa-pa-pat!

Cossack chasing closely behind him,

"Rajix worker, please go slowly, sir."

"Ho-e! Ho-e-e-e-e!"

"Aha, we won't be able to bring it all back if we are late, sir?...Bring what, sir?"

"Hu-e-e-e!"

"U, understood, sir. I will follow quietly, sir."

Still, Cossack was pleased.

Seeing Rajix exercising so hard like that.

Following Rajix, he entered inside the Royal Palace.

Passing through maze-like corridors, subduing guards on their own if they encountered them.

At that moment! Rajix stopping short.

"Ho-o-e!"

He tapped the floor with his stubby foot.

"Hmm."

Cossack examined the floor closely.

"There is a mechanical device, sir. It's a secret passage, sir. Do you smell items, sir?"

Rajix also nodded his head.

"Oh my, our worker brought me here because of this. Am I not Cossack, the mechanical device dismantling expert, sir?"

Cossack smiled broadly and took a pair of daggers out of his chest.

And then pressed his ear close to the floor.

"Let's see, break this here, and,"

Stab! A dagger piercing into the stone plate.

"Slice this here, and."

Slash,

"Slice that there, and,"

Slash,

"If I break these two spots here too..."

Swoosh! The floor opening.

A pitch-black hole came into view.

A passage sloping like a slide.

"Ho-e!"

"Don't mention it, sir!"

De-gu-reu-reu-reu, Rajix and Cossack rolling down the opened passage.

They went down for quite a while.

And stopping again, this time he tapped the wall, kong-kong.

"Does it smell from here, sir?...Dismantle mechanics?"

Nod nod.

Stab stab! Slash, slash!

Another door opened.

This time, the appearance was a bit different.

Not a narrow corridor but quite a wide underground passage.

There was a massive iron door ahead, and 4 watchman soldiers guarding that place.

"Shall I take care of them, sir?"

Nod nod.

Spot!

Cossack appearing behind the soldiers in an instant.

Pow pow pow pow!

Hitting each on the back of the head once, the soldiers collapsed on the spot.

"I didn't kill them like earlier, sir. The soldiers didn't commit a sin, did they, sir. Even though I look like this, I am a Cossack who distinguishes when to kill and when not to kill, sir."

"Hu-e."

Rajix tapped the iron door, tak-tak.

Meaning open the door instead of talking unnecessarily.

"Isn't the lock picking master that Cossack, sir. Lock magic is also applied, but this much is a piece of cake, sir."

Tak-tak! Ta-da-da-dak!

As he fiddled with the entire iron door a few times,

Clank.

Along with the sound of the lock unlocking.

Creak,

The iron door opening.

Cossack and Rajix went inside.

"Ho-e-e-e-e..."

An ecstatic expression on Rajix.

"Eek?"

Cossack startled in surprise.

It couldn't be helped.

The entire interior of the room glowed brilliantly.

The Norton Kingdom Underground Treasure Trove.

It was more than twice as large as the Necromancer's Dungeon Treasure Trove.