Chapter 70 - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Today is the day for the 64th floor clear.

After clearing it, I'll return the Holy Sword and rest for a while.

Because I need to make money by receiving the rental fee.

I'll also drop by my parents' house.

It's been a long time since I haven't gone there these past few days.

'I wonder if they're spending the money I gave them before well.'

I should go and tell them to spend it freely.

Threatening them that I'll gift them even more money if they don't spend it.

I've been running too hard all this time.

It's about time to slowly suck some honey (take it easy).

What's the point of just being happy looking at the numbers stamped in my bankbook?

It only has meaning when you take it out and spend it.

And the privilege I'll receive if I clear the 64th floor.

If I receive a privilege with this clear, the next privilege is on the 65th floor... wait, the next privilege is the 69th floor, and it might take over a year.

It became difficult to acquire privileges through the normal route of tower clearing.

Of course, if I use the Multinational Tower Use Ticket midway, it'll be faster than that, but.

If I'm really thirsty for privileges, considering other methods is also worthwhile.

For example, temporary naturalization.

If I temporarily naturalize to an appropriate country and sweep their tower completely from the 1st floor to the highest floor?

Naturally, with S++ clear grades.

Getting at least 55 Platinum Badges should be a breeze.

However, even that isn't certain.

Is the tower that easy?

It wouldn't just hand out privileges indiscriminately.

Even if judged as a first-time clear, if the level gap is too large, the S++ clear might not be recognized.

Also, temporary naturalization must be done carefully.

It's a matter worth considering when an unavoidable reason arises.

Anyway, the expectation for this privilege wasn't as great as before.

Is it because of Rajix gathering fragments?

I just need to take it easy.

Without needlessly making Gyeon Dal-rae suffer by doing rituals or whatever.

Actually, the immediate task facing Joo-hyuk isn't the privilege.

It's none other than the Random Summoning.

To draw, or to let it rot.

"The deck is important, sir. Only when there are multiple cards you can use does the combination become diverse, and it's advantageous for clearing, sir. Please draw, sir."

That is correct.

A tower clear that borrows the format of a game.

It's true that the more diverse the types of cards, the more advantageous it is, but still.

"It seems drawing a Random Summoning would be good. This girl shall entirely follow Young Master's decision. Please do not pay any mind to us."

"Replenishing troops is the commander's authority. I sincerely hope you recruit a good branch to aid in augmenting our combat power."

"The warrior thinks exactly the same."

"Ho-eng!"

The summoned entities are placing weight on drawing.

Since they just want what's best for me.

Also, knowing those feelings so well, Joo-hyuk has no choice but to hesitate.

'It makes me tear up. Tear up.'

At this point, even the heavens should be moved enough to just casually hand over a Trait Enhancement Rune.

"Let's just receive the privilege first."

"Yeah!"

"It won't be difficult, right?"

"Around the 64th floor seems like it will be smooth sailing."

Let's go, then.

* * *

[You are entering the 64th floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

Dark Ghouls appear on the 64th floor of the Black Tower.

The terrain is a large cave with a high ceiling.

Holes pierced above, below, and in all directions like a honeycomb.

Although torches hung sparsely on the walls, their light was weak, creating a very dark cave environment.

Dark Ghouls.

One could consider them an upgraded version of zombies, but listening to the stories, the difference was vast.

"Zombies were originally human, sir. Based on the human body, sir. If you strip away the aura, they're weak, sir. Mummies and skeletons are the same, sir."

"Aha,"

"Furthermore, their brains have rotted, sir. Being stupid, they merely move by instinct, sir."

Conversely, Ghouls?

"They are bastards born like that originally, sir. The species itself is the Ghoul race, sir. Their movements are natural and strong, sir. They do not creak like zombies, sir. Their brains are fresh, so they are clever, sir."

"Their flesh is also hard, sir. They aren't easily cut even with sword qi, sir. If not killed properly, they revive with the power of darkness. That is how demonic beast undead are, sir."

Gyeon Dal-rae also nodded as if agreeing,

"Thereby, the type of ritual also changes. From here on, what is needed is an Exorcism Ritual to vanquish evil spirits, not a SSitgimgut."

Let's go then.

To catch evil spirits.

[64th Floor Mission: Defeat 15 Dark Ghouls.]

Dark Ghouls revealing themselves from inside the holes in the cave walls everywhere.

They didn't charge in recklessly.

Crawling out slowly on all fours in a crouched posture, flashing bright yellow eyes, they were keeping the summoned entities in check.

"Come!"

Gobang stepped forward alone.

"Kya-reuk!"

"Kak?"

"Keu-reu-reu..."

"Ke-kek!"

Spot! Pa-pat!

The ghouls lunged and stuck to Gobang at a rapid speed.

Digging sharp claws into his back, shoulders, legs, etc.

Gobang's body covered with ghouls.

Pa-syut!

Veronica's magic gun spewed fire.

Cossack approached using Shadow Step.

Gyeon Dal-rae's Exorcism Ritual commenced simultaneously.

Rajix also rolled forward without anyone noticing.

The ghouls seemed to come out to search the empty holes.

It looks like I can just leave them be.

Rajix is also an SSR.

Being clever, he absolutely never went to dangerous places.

Even while digging the ground, he worked while looking around, highly vigilant just in case a ghoul approached.

'Now, then...'

Joo-hyuk resolved to definitely step up this time.

After the clear is over, the Management Agency will hold onto the Holy Sword for a while.

Because there are many reservations piled up,

If I just stay still during this clear too, when will I ever catch one?

I should use the Holy Sword properly taking this opportunity.

Of course, it is scary.

Still, one of the Holy Sword's effects.

Firm mind.

Perhaps because of that, courage sprouted vigorously even in a beta male's timid heart.

Just in time, the summoned entities are frantic dealing with the ghouls as well.

"Kuwaaaaaah! Come at me!"

"Mr. Cossack, a ghoul has stuck to this woman. Please dispose of it."

"Roger! Princess, please distance yourself a bit, sir. The weakening debuff applies even if you don't stick close to them, sir."

"Quartermaster! Requesting ammo resupply."

"Ho-e-ek!"

Stealthily.

Joo-hyuk moved closer to the battlefield.

He already turned on his Energy Shield earlier.

Additionally, he finished preparing to cast Blink magic.

'That guy seems appropriate.'

A ghoul that came out of a hole belatedly and was prowling around.

Target acquired.

Gripping the Holy Sword firmly.

The image of himself drawn inside his head.

'Using Shadow Step, pat-pat-pat, creating illusions, and then with Blink....'

Right then.

Swoosh!

"Kyaaaaak!"

"Hiek, fuck, that startled me."

From a hole on the right immediately next to him, a ghoul popped out like an arrow and pounced on Joo-hyuk.

In the blink of an eye.

The ghoul with black, long claws slashed Joo-hyuk's upper body diagonally.

Cheu-pi-rit!

Claaang! Pa-chi-ji-jik....

The Energy Shield shattering into pieces.

Simultaneously, it bit at Joo-hyuk's neck with sharp, yellow fangs.

"This bastard!"

Whoong! Joo-hyuk instinctively slapped the ghoul across the face.

"Get lost!"

Slice! Its head was severed diagonally. Thud!

"Whew,"

That startled me.

This was a place the party swept through once, seems it was lying in ambush while in a state of concealment without fighting.

"Approaching without even turning on your blinker?"

If it wasn't for the Energy Shield, it would have been a big deal.

That aside.

'Its head got severed with a single slap?'

He didn't even expect it.

It seems Gwangma's Blood Jade Astral Aura activated automatically.

Along with the brilliance of the Holy Sword.

As the brilliance neutralized the dark aura, the Blood Jade Astral Aura sliced the ghoul's hard head in half.

Originally, the core of the Holy Sword is the brilliance.

If one holds the Holy Sword, their entire body is affected by the brilliance.

It applies to skills as well.

This can be understood just by looking at the Norwegian player who rented this Holy Sword.

His trait is a long-ranged archer type, not melee.

He didn't have a single skill related to swords. How did he hold it?

He said he held the bow stave and the holy sword hilt together with his left hand, and pulled the bowstring with his right hand to kill them.

It was very cumbersome, but even arrows shot like that were imbued with brilliance and dealt damage to the specter, so they say.

It's the same in Joo-hyuk's case.

A collaborative work between a Gwangma skill and the Holy Sword's brilliance,

The moment! The back of his head prickled. Glancing back slightly, he saw.

'Hmm.'

The summoned entities had stopped their clear and were staring at him blankly.

'They saw it all.'

Subtle expressions.

Worry, regret, guilt, shame, self-reproach, remorse; such emotions seemed complicatedly mixed.

"Don't worry. I am safe...."

It was then.

"Kuwaaaaaah!"

Gobang leapt up enough to touch the cave ceiling and executed a Stomp.

Kwooooong!!!

Ghouls tumbling down from that impact, Gobang mercilessly trampling the bastard flattened on the floor.

Then he grabbed a ghoul with his hand and started smashing it onto the ground.

Whish! Smash! Whish! Smash! Whish! Smash....

"I'll kill you! I'll kill every single one of you!"

With a stiff expression, Cossack wildly swung the dagger, imbued with glowing blue sword qi.

Defense? Evasion?

He didn't do anything like that at all.

An unconditional all-out attack.

Slice! Slice! Slice!

Ghouls being sliced away.

Veronica was in assault mode. She didn't even use cover or concealment.

"Uwaaah! Die!"

Charging in just like that, shoving her magic gun hard into the mouth of a shreiking ghoul, she just fired.

Pa-syu-syu-syut!

The ghoul's head exploded like a watermelon.

Thwack!

Gyeon Dal-rae's Exorcism Ritual also changed.

The rhythm gradually quickened.

Talismans soared up from her hands.

Yellow papers filled the cave.

As soon as a talisman touched a ghoul's skin, it burst into flames in a flash.

What about Rajix?

Holding the golden pickaxe used for mining, he mercilessly struck the heads of fallen ghouls.

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

Everyone was running amok in madness.

Mere dirty and vulgar Dark Ghouls.

How dare they (attack) the Summoner!

It was inevitable.

Because this was Bong Joo-hyuk's most dangerous moment while climbing up to the 64th floor.

The Energy Shield was broken in a single hit, and he almost had his neck bitten by a ghoul.

'...I'll be hearing this again too.'

I almost feel sorry for the ghouls facing the summoned entities' fury. Thanks to that, the clear ended in a flash.

[You have succeeded in the 64th-floor mission.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Reward: 6.4kg of Mana Stones]

Mission complete.

Of course, the clear grade too.

[Notice: You have achieved the S++ clear grade for the 64th floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

[S++ Clear Reward: A Platinum Badge is awarded.]

* * *

Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

The summoned entities with solemn expressions.

"The warrior was still foolish. Hit me."

"I am a bastard who deserves to die, sir. I will return my right arm, sir."

"It is due to this girl's lowly skill. Please blame me."

"My field of vision was narrow. I do not have the qualifications of a Ranger. It is cheap even if I am dishonorably discharged."

"Ho-e-e...."

Why are they doing this.

It's not even a clear failure,

Of course, I know the reason, but,

"Now now, it was an excellent clear. And I'm perfectly fine, right."

I lightly caught one though.

"My carelessness put Summoner Bong in danger, sir. I committed a sin deserving of death, sir. Sob sob."

Cossack is crying.

"Heo, heok, sob sob... a nobody like me is a completely useless assassin, sir. Please abandon me and summon one more competent dealer to fill my empty spot, sir."

He's really crying.

"Rather than a foolish warrior, pulling out a smart knight will be more stable."

"A soldier who fails an operation cannot be forgiven. I will return my badge. Cer, Certain Victory!"

"This girl's heart is tearing apart. Ahh, please cut off my neck to make an example of me."

Even Rajix.

"Hu-e, Hu-e-e-e-e.... Hu-e."

This is driving me crazy. Here come the high traitors.

'This is making too much of a fuss.'

Could they be doing this on purpose?

Because I participated in the battle?

The possibility of that is extremely high.

"Got it. I won't step forward from now on. I promise."

Then,

"Yeah!"

Sniff! Cossack discontinuing his crying.

"A man's word is worth its weight in gold."

Gyeon Dal-rae bowing as if flying.

"The warrior is hungry."

Gobang walking toward the front of the refrigerator.

"Snore..."

Veronica fast asleep in that brief instant.

"Ho-e-e..."

Rajix sneakingly starting to clean the room.

Oh really?

I knew it would be like this. It was all a tactic.

"You people seriously!"

Joo-hyuk shouted in anger.

"I, what? My level is 64, what? I have an Energy Shield, Blink, and even held the Holy Sword, what? You saw Gwangma's Blood Jade Astral Aura. What? I can fight a little, what are you making a fuss about it for?"

The summoned entities staying completely silent.

"Who are we? Aren't we comrades united with one mind and intent across dimensional boundaries. Trust in each other, if that crumbles, tower climbing has no meaning."

The summoned entities lowered their heads deeply as if touching the ground.

"If you overreact like this just because I fought once, what? Can we even work together going forward? What?"

People, I tell you. You should know when to stop.

The atmosphere has been set. Then right about here...

"I'll frequently participate in clears from now on, so know that and...."

The people suddenly putting on serious faces.

"That's not right, sir."

"What if I participate anyway?"

"I'll go on strike, sir. A united struggle, sir."

"This girl might faint."

"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! I will commit insubordination and go to the guardhouse."

"Ho-ek!"

Resolute expressions conveying they will absolutely not back down,

'It's not working.'

No helping it.

"Okay. Okay. I will act like a beta male. Happy?"

"Aigoo, what beta male. Summoner Bong is a supreme alpha male, sir. Hehehehe."

Well, let's just check the privilege.

Joo-hyuk opened the inventory.

[A privilege is granted for accumulating 65 Platinum Badges.]

I wish it would just give it to me directly.

Roulettes and ladders make me dizzy.

...What is it?

[Privilege: One Restore (Restoration) Scroll is provided to the tower-exclusive inventory.]

"Hmm."

It's my first time seeing it.

Information?

- Restores a damaged item to its original state.

A simple description.

But I think I know what it is.

"What came out, sir?"

"It's a Restore Scroll, they say it restores items."

"Oh! That's good, sir."

"Congratulations."

"Ho-e?"

Where do I use it?

"We just fix the Holy Sword, sir. It'll be perfect, sir. Undead will melt left and right, sir."

The Holy Sword, huh....

'Not a chance,'

We just have to leave the Holy Sword to Rajix.

There's a separate place to use the Restore, Restoration Scroll.

Joo-hyuk took out the half-assembled rune fragments from the inventory.

Now!

Which of these 3 is the Trait Enhancement Rune?

I can't know for sure yet.

Its identity will be revealed if we attach more than half.

If the letters fit together say Rune of 'Karma', it's ... if 'Ascension', it's ... if 'Enhancement', it's , like this.

Once confirmed, I'll use it immediately.

Who cares about the Holy Sword.

The Restore Scroll should naturally be used for the Trait Enhancement Rune.