Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Valley and the Fox Sisters
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After bidding farewell to his master on the 74th floor and confronting an old enemy once more on the 75th...
Pitiful Gyun Dal-rae.
Yet she remained stern, solemn, and serious.
Just like the epithet registered in the catalog described her.
In the end, the outcome was good.
Her master had ascended, and the enemy was killed once more.
Of course, the wound lingering in a corner of his heart couldn't be washed away in one go.
Now, the final gate.
Without rest, he immediately climbed to the 76th floor.
Spot!
The environment was a deep mountain valley.
A landscape that seemed lifted from a traditional ink painting.
No, it was more like a traditional painting had been brought to life.
"How peculiar," the Mad Demon said as he looked around.
"What is?"
"The energy of nature is concentrated here. It's like a sea where the streams of Qi gather. Try circulating your Qi. Then you'll understand what I mean."
Circulate Qi. Joo-hyuk activated his Heavenly Unity Art.
Immediately, a dense, viscous energy surged over him like a tide.
'Oh!'
It was certainly true.
"However, places rich in Qi aren't always good. Excess is as bad as deficiency. This is a perfect place to fall into Qi deviation."
Joo-hyuk thought he understood. It meant you shouldn't consume too much of anything.
Anyway, what was the mission here?
Joo-hyuk and his party moved their steps toward the upper reaches of the valley.
Then,
Rustle!
The mission appeared.
76th Floor Basic Mission
📍 Objective: Defeat 15 Inmyeonjo.
76th Floor Additional Optional Mission
📍 Objective: Defeat 5 Duoksini.
76th Floor High-Difficulty Optional Mission
📍 Objective: Defeat Gangcheol-i.
76th Floor Super High-Difficulty Optional Mission
📍 Objective: Defeat Evil Spirit Gumiho +@.
'Hmm...'
Inmyeonjo, Duoksini, Gangcheol-i, and the Evil Spirit Gumiho, plus an alpha.
Traditional monsters from Korean legends.
'This is fresh.'
Until now, the tower monsters had been things you could find in Western myths or fantasy.
Goblins, Orcs, Trolls, Minotaurs...
But why were they all Western? It wasn't even monster supremacy.
Korean traditional monsters should appear too. That would be fair.
Suddenly!
A sound from the sky.
Flap, flap, flap.
Coo, coo, coo.
A flock of Inmyeonjo, birds with human faces.
Well, flying monsters could be left to our dependable Sergeant V.
"Please."
"Mission accomplished!"
She didn't even need the large-caliber rounds.
Veronica, who had recently upgraded her Magic Marksmanship skill to LSSR grade using five badges.
"Full-auto burst fire. Target: Inmyeonjo."
Bang! Bang-bang! Bang-bang-bang-bang!
The Inmyeonjo, hit by the rapid-fire magic stone bullets, fell helplessly.
Any that managed to land were finished off by Gobang and Kosak.
Then.
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Need ammo resupply."
"Okay. Our quartermaster is... huh?"
Where did Razix go? He was right beside me a moment ago.
"Has anyone seen our space-baldie?"
"Just now, hwe, hwe! He rode off on Hyeolrang with a pickaxe. Said he was chasing something."
"...Ah!"
Did he find something? This was promising.
If there's no quartermaster, I'll do it myself. Joo-hyuk's inventory held quite a lot of magic stones too.
Pour!
After pouring magic stones into the magic gun.
Another burst of fire.
Bang! Bang-bang! Bang-bang-bang-bang!
The basic mission was done in a flash. It was really easy.
Though he didn't know if other players would find it the same.
Next mission: Duoksini.
Large-bodied, walking monsters. Like the form of a yaksha from Buddhist tales.
A humanoid monster holding a spiky club.
"I'll finish this," the Mad Demon said. "My joints have been itching since I did nothing on the 75th floor."
"I'll leave it to you."
Whoosh!
A crescent blade of intense energy rose above the Mad Demon's hand.
Fwoosh!
It flew toward the Duoksini.
Swish, swish, swish...
The Duoksini's heads were severed. The clubs they raised to block were also cut through.
With the Mad Demon taking action personally, the additional optional mission was over in an instant.
After the energy crescent swept and circled a few times, all that remained were the Duoksini corpses, sliced to pieces.
The reward was a healing potion. He'd rather have gotten high-grade magic stones.
Anyway, the additional optional mission was also complete.
They set off again toward the upper reaches.
The high-difficulty optional mission was to defeat Gangcheol-i.
An imugi that failed to become a dragon.
Suddenly!
Gurgle, gurgle.
Bubbles rose from a pool in the valley.
Whoosh!
A giant black iron-scaled serpent erupted from the pool.
It flicked its tongue, hissing.
"Woooooo!"
The giant Gobang, who let out a provoking roar, splashed into the pool,
Chomp!
And wrapped his arms around the creature's torso.
Crunch!
He squeezed with his Bear Hug technique.
"Grrrrrk?"
The struggling Gangcheol-i. It tried to coil its thick body around Gobang's, but...
Could it overcome Gobang's strength? He was LSSR grade!
Squish, squelch.
After writhing like that, it soon went limp.
"Oh! Jackpot!"
Two tickets! For some reason, he had a good feeling.
By the way...
"The missions on the 70s floors don't seem that difficult. Even the final super high-difficulty one feels that way."
Gyun Dal-rae nodded in agreement.
"It seems this floor was designed that way from the start. It even feels like a floor prepared for you, Master."
Right. Only a fool wouldn't know that.
71st, 72nd, 73rd floors were for Gobang.
74th, 75th, 76th floors were for Gyun Dal-rae.
The 77th, 78th, 79th floors would also be themed floors for some summoned being.
In short, they were grade-breakthrough floors for the summoned beings.
The towers of other countries were the same.
But who knew? That they were summoned-being theme floors.
Maybe that's why the basic missions were very easy. If you just climbed to the 71st floor and completed the basic mission, you could ascend at super speed.
However, something was bothering him...
"Do you happen to know anything about the 80th floor?"
This time, the Mad Demon answered.
"Not precisely, but it will probably be difficult. And I suspect it might be a bit peculiar. Like the 70th floor's Cabalan."
Peculiar? Would it cast something like the Curse of Averages?
Then, an incident might occur as soon as someone climbed it.
If so, the first person to climb would bear the responsibility.
That's what happened to the French player, Guillaume.
He jumped to the 70th floor due to depression, was the first to meet Cabalan, and triggered the Curse of Averages.
Guillame was cursed even in death.
Nuisance player, nuisance country.
'Ugh, just thinking about it is horrible.'
Considering the treatment France received back then...
'I should postpone climbing the 80th floor as much as possible.'
Anyway, the final super high-difficulty optional mission.
Joo-hyuk and his party continued up the valley.
The sound of water grew louder.
In the distance, a massive waterfall came into view.
Of course. A waterfall is a must in a valley.
Crash, crash, crash.
The falling waterfall.
Beneath it, there was a person.
'...A Gumiho?'
A beautiful woman of fox-like age, was lying in a reclined pose on a broad, flat rock near the waterfall.
Splashing water had soaked her clothes.
Perhaps because of that, the curves of her body and her bewitching posture were clearly visible.
"..."
"..."
"Ahem!"
This was awkward. Where should he look?
So he subtly turned his head away.
"Gobang's eyes are like a flounder's. He keeps sneaking peeks."
You're the one who can't tear his eyes away!
On the other hand, the Mad Demon showed no intention of looking away.
He just stared silently at the waterfall and the Gumiho.
'...Should I take a look too?'
It wasn't for any other reason. It was to check information.
Really.
The Gumiho Yeochi, who had been lying on the rock, rose, swishing her nine tails.
"Hmm, a great one has arrived. It seems this little one's wish will be fulfilled today."
What wish? Ten tails?
"Since you have come in person to offer your liver to this little one, I must welcome you properly."
Gumiho Yeochi's eyes were fixed on just one person.
Joo-hyuk himself.
Her tails swayed like pinwheels.
Like a pet dog that had caught the scent of its favorite treat.
Could it be?
"...My liver?"
"Hohoho, of course. Who else but our handsome Master?"
No, it's true I'm handsome, but...
Why my liver?
And what do you mean there's none? There are several people here.
"The rest are all fakes, aren't they? Eating counterfeit livers only gives you a stomachache."
"..."
Hmm. That made sense.
So he grew uneasy.
"Hey, I left my liver at home... I don't have it right now. What should we do? I can take my liver in and out, you know."
At Joo-hyuk's words, Kosak was visibly startled.
"No, I've told you repeatedly. When you go out, you must always remember to bring your liver with you."
"...I forgot."
Kosak clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder you've been looking tired lately. It's because you have no liver. Can't be helped. Make sure to pack it when you go home."
Gumiho Yeochi laughed, holding her stomach.
"Hahaha, you're having fun joking around. Anyway, it seems you have no intention of handing it over willingly, so this little one will take it directly."
Instantly!
Clack!
It was veronica, who had already loaded her magic gun.
"You bitch, how dare you lay a hand on our commander..."
Zzzzing!
Bang-bang-bang!
Whoosh!
A large-caliber round fired with a deafening roar.
It seemed to hit Gumiho Yeochi's body, but...
Thud!
It was deflected sideways by an invisible barrier.
Boom!
The large-caliber round struck the cliff.
And then,
"Keeeeek!"
"Kghik!"
"Kyak!"
"Kyao!"
Sam-miho, O-miho, and Chil-miho fell from above the waterfall; their numbers were beyond counting.
'I knew she wouldn't be alone.'
Were the underlings the plus alpha?
Battle commenced.
Gobang moved. Bardin flew up and landed in Gobang's hand.
Kosak also shot forward with Shadow Step.
Veronica's rapid-fire magic gun, Gyun Dal-rae's exorcism ritual and talismans.
"Grrrrk!"
Squelch, squelch, crunch!
The body of Gumiho Yeochi, which had been that of a woman, suddenly transformed into the form of an evil spirit.
A body as massive as Gobang's.
With thick, dense fur covering its entire body.
It had crimson eyes, drool dripping from its mouth, and a long, thin tongue.
Seriously, did you have to transform? Couldn't you just fight in human form?
That's when it happened.
The body of Gumiho Yeochi, facing off against Gobang, vanished in an instant.
'Huh?'
A chill! The crown of his head tingled.
Gumiho Yeochi had appeared right above Joo-hyuk's head.
"Not a chance!!!"
Gobang hurled Bardin toward Gumiho Yeochi like a spear.
Swissssh!
Bardin flew, arm outstretched like a superhero.
"Light!!!"
Fwoosh!
Gyun Dal-rae's talismans blanketed the sky.
Bang, bang, bang!
Veronica's magic gun spewed fire.
Kosak also stuck right next to Joo-hyuk.
The spear throw was effective.
Hit in the flank, the Gumiho twisted its body in midair.
"Grrrk!"
Simultaneously,
"Woooooo!"
An LSSR-grade provoking roar.
All the foxes swarmed Gobang.
Gumiho Yeochi also flinched, trembling, and changed her attack target from Joo-hyuk to Gobang.
And Joo-hyuk?
Spot, spot, pat! pat! pat!
He had already moved out of the attack range using Shadow Step and Blink magic.
'Whew.'
This was a first. A tower monster specifically targeting him for attack.
Anyway, he absolutely had to survive. If he died, everything would end in an instant.
And the Mad Demon?
Amidst this chaotic melee, he didn't move.
He was worried about the Summoner, but he decided to trust the other summoned beings.
They were doing well even now. The Summoner had also evaded on his own.
He could leave it to them.
The reason he wasn't moving...
There was something in the cave behind the waterfall.
Something as strong and dangerous as that Gumiho.
He couldn't let his guard down. If he left it alone and got ambushed, it would be a disaster.
But he couldn't enter the cave directly either.
For now, surveillance was best. Until the other summoned beings could gain the upper hand in battle.
Right then!
Fwoosh!
"Kyaaaaak!!!"
A massive beast burst forth from behind the cave, parting the curtain of falling water.
"You bastard!!!"
Fwoosh!
The Mad Demon's crescent energy blade shot toward the beast.
Clang!
The blade was blocked by the beast's claws.
As if he had anticipated it, the Mad Demon, clad in Blood Jade Astral Qi, dashed forward in one breath and threw a punch at the beast.
Kwaaaang!
A storm of energy swept across the battlefield.
Joo-hyuk also witnessed it. The identity of the beast that emerged from behind the cave.
It was also a nine-tailed fox.
'What the...?' Another Gumiho? Was the '+α' that?' Not an underling?
Yeochi and Yeopae. Twin Gumihos.
Wasn't this cheating? One was already tough enough to handle.
Boom!
The Mad Demon and the mad Gumiho Yeopae clashed.
Gobang and Bardin faced off against Gumiho Yeochi.
Veronica and Kosak dealt with the Sam-miho, O-miho, and Chil-miho.
Gyun Dal-rae supported from the rear.
Razix and Hyeolrang were nowhere to be seen.
"Don't let a single one slip through."
"Master Mad Demon, please hold on a little. We'll finish these off and join you."
"You just focus on doing your job. If the Summoner gets even a scratch, you're all dead."
"Yes, sir!"
"Kwooooo! All of you, look at me! Charge at me!"
"Light!!!"
Fwoosh! Kwa-boom!
Wham! Bang-bang!
It was a chaotic melee. There had never been such a fierce battle until now.
And because of that, he was dissatisfied. He didn't like it.
'...Sigh.'
The reason the Ordinary Guy had decided to climb the tower in the first place.
It was because it was easy. It was safe.
No matter how strong the opponent, if he left it to his summoned beings, they would show the best strategy.
Even if a slightly tough situation arose, summoning the Mad Demon would end it.
But what was this? It was tense.
Battles were breaking out on all sides.
Of course, they would win. Were these summoned beings ordinary?
Time would solve it. Once Veronica and Kosak finished the underling foxes and joined the Mad Demon or Gobang, those twin Gumihos would be dealt with in an instant.
But he disliked this. The outcome should be predetermined. An overwhelming victory. Not fighting in such a troublesome way.
'I need help.'
But if he jumped in himself, he wouldn't be help; he'd just be a hindrance.
Then?
A message Mari had left on Talk a while ago. She said to call her if a difficult situation arose during a conquest; she could help.
LSSR-grade alchemist Aliamari.
What help could she, a non-combat summoned being, offer on the current battlefield?
He would summon her and check directly.
"Summon Release: Hyeolrang."
And.
"Designated Summon: Aliamari."
Whoosh!
A brilliant halo of light appeared amidst the fierce battlefield.
Sparks flew with a dazzling special effect.
Then, as if by agreement, the battle suddenly halted.
The Gumihos, the summoned beings, everyone had a "What's this?" expression.
Mari appeared. The social phobic, room-bound alchemist revealed herself, crouching on a wide rock in the valley, head bowed deeply.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Silence flowed across the scene.
Instantly!
A round metal sphere fell from Mari's embrace, plop, and rolled out, tumbling.
It wasn't just one.
Plop, plop, plop, plop, rumble...
Five metal spheres in total, bouncing and rolling here and there.
Their color was red.
Suddenly!
The metal spheres disintegrated. Into very small fragments. Into red particles.
Fizz!
Simultaneously, the red particles began to swirl and move.
Fizz, fizz, fizz, fizz...
They flowed across the entire battlefield like a torrent.
They were homunculi. Tiny humans made of blood-colored metal.
Looking closely, they weren't just flowing. They were moving their legs, running, jumping.
Pat-pat-pat!
But they were incredibly fast.
Running, jumping, rolling, even flying.
Starting with the Sam-miho, O-miho, Chil-miho, the underling foxes...
Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat!
Red homunculi clung to the foxes one by one.
The foxes tried to avoid them but couldn't. They were too small and fast. And there were countless numbers.
They even burrowed into every orifice: earholes, nostrils, mouths, etc.
"Kghik?"
"...Kek?"
"Kekek!"
The bewildered foxes. Their bodies were soon covered in homunculi.
The foxes' bodies quickly turned red.
And then,
Kaboom!
They exploded.
Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!
The homunculi detonated simultaneously. They exploded from the outside and the inside.
The foxes' bodies also exploded along with them.
Kaboom! Splat!
Kaboom! Splat-splat-splat!
Blood and flesh scattered across the scene. The valley water turned crimson.
Next was the turn of the mad Gumiho Yeopae, clashing with the Mad Demon.
Homunculi clung to her in the same way.
"...Kikik?"
Yeopae also couldn't stop them. She manifested energy all over her body, trying to repel the homunculi with a protective energy barrier, but...
Boom! Kaboom!
Crackle, crackle!
After a few explosions, the energy shield shattered helplessly, and other homunculi exploited the gap to burrow in.
Pat, pat, pat-pat-pat.
They clung to her hands, feet, stomach, face.
They entered her mouth, nose, ears.
...And exploded.
KABOOOOOM!
It was a massive explosion. Gumiho Yeopae's body was shattered into fragments.
Even the Mad Demon was pushed back by the blast's aftermath.
Mari, alone, commanded all these homunculi.
She didn't even look at the scene. She just crouched, staring at the ground.
Like an outcast elementary school kid drawing pictures on the ground alone in a corner of the school playground.
The room-bound alchemist.
Severe social phobia.
Cyber-space keyboard warrior.
And she was also a bomber.