Chapter 100: 18th Floor. Magic World (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 100: 18th Floor. Magic World (1)
The next day.
Kim Tae-yeon and Baekdusan arrived to visit, handing over a heavy box. When Kang Jun-hyeok opened it to check the contents, his eyes widened. Inside were over a hundred gems.
“There are more here than I expected.”
He had only requested twenty gems from them. This was more than five times that amount.
It wasn’t just the quantity that was impressive; the quality was staggering. Each gem was substantial in size and so transparent they looked as if liquid light were flowing through them.
Back when the world was still intact, these would have been worth billions. Even now, with the value of luxury goods having plummeted, such a collection was incredibly difficult to obtain. Baekdusan scratched his head awkwardly.
“It would have been difficult with just our strength alone, but… we received help from various sources.”
“Everyone was quite quick-witted,” Kim Tae-yeon added.
It was no secret that Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon had a connection with Kang Jun-hyeok. Since it wasn't something they could hide even if they wanted to, the fact was widely known among the various factions.
The two had been scouring the market for gems ever since they began their association with him. Since anyone could guess the gems were intended for Kang Jun-hyeok, a massive amount of "support" had poured in from the outside.
“Thank you.”
Kang Jun-hyeok put the box away. With this much material, the process would be much smoother. Seeing his satisfied expression, Baekdusan asked cautiously.
“How do you plan to use these gems?”
They still didn't know the reason why Kang Jun-hyeok wanted them. Instead of answering directly, Kang Jun-hyeok looked at them with a puzzled expression.
“Have you still not realized? I thought the two of you would have figured it out by now.”
“Th-that… I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Come to think of it, it makes sense that you wouldn't know.”
It wasn't exactly common knowledge. Since they had already passed those floors long ago, it would have been difficult for them to find specific information on the mechanics. Kang Jun-hyeok gave a light nod.
“I’ll be able to give you an answer before long, so I’ll let you know then. Thank you once again.”
“No, not at all!”
“Please call us whenever you need anything!”
The two bowed ninety degrees and departed.
Next, Kang Jun-hyeok summoned Pixie and passed on his memories of the 16th Floor. Pixie let out a sharp exclamation.
[You’ve perfectly grasped the spatial structure of the World of Insensibility. And how on earth did you find the secret room? Also, the Void Gem… It’s been a long time since I've seen one.]
“Do you know what it is?”
[It is exactly what it says—empty. It contains concepts from before the birth of the universe. It swallows all concepts of this world and renders them fleeting. To think they put something like that on the 16th Floor… The Master of the Universe has a wicked sense of humor.]
Pixie grumbled. Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes gleamed at this information; he hadn't known this in his past life.
“Is something like that considered mid-rank?”
[In the end, it’s an outdated concept that existed before birth. Honestly, I find it more amazing that you’re obtaining mid-rank materials starting from the 16th Floor. No, wait. You’ve been gathering them since the 14th Floor. You monster.]
Pixie muttered with a fed-up expression, then quickly transitioned into a mischievous smile.
[So, how was it? Eldiria. Were you satisfied?]
[…It was tolerable.]
[Right?]
Pixie chuckled and snapped her fingers.
[200 Starlight.]
200 Starlight.
The total amount of Starlight he currently possessed was 950. Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes grew pensive.
I wonder if I can fill it up before the 18th Floor.
“Thanks.”
[Don't mention it. See you next time.]
Pixie vanished.
After resting, Kang Jun-hyeok entered the 17th Floor.
The quest for the 17th Floor was simple: defeat a tribe of Orcs.
Dealing with a tribe of Orcs was no challenge at all for the current Kang Jun-hyeok. With his stats reaching their peak, the Orcs were swept away by a simple swing of his greatsword. Even killing the Orc Chief took only three exchanges.
The problem came afterward. The condition for a Perfect Clear was to kill every single one without leaving a survivor, but the Orcs, having lost their chief, began to flee in a panicked frenzy.
It was a hassle to chase down those fleeing into the dense forest or crossing the river, but with his high stats and his Observation skill having reached Rank C, tracking them was trivial.
After roughly two days, he hunted down and killed the very last Orc.
[17th Floor Quest Cleared.]
[Rewards will be determined based on your performance.]
[Checking achievement rate…]
[Verification complete.]
[Achievement Rate: 100%]
[Perfect Clear. Congratulations! Additional rewards will be granted.]
[Armor: You have obtained Orc Leather Armor.]
[The effect of the Title: Perfect Player has been added.]
[You have obtained 2,923 Gold.]
[Perfect Clear Reward: You have obtained Weapon: Orc Chief's Greatsword.]
[Players who have Perfect Cleared the 17th Floor: 3]
[Universe Announcement.]
[Please offer your congratulations to the entire universe! A Perfect Player of the 17th Floor has appeared.]
[Feat +1]
He wasn't the only one who had Perfect Cleared the 17th Floor. Kang Jun-hyeok wasn't surprised. He had known the Perfect Clear conditions from the start. Since the conditions themselves weren't that complex, it wasn't an impossible task for an elite player.
The effect of the Perfect Player title was Strength +1. Unfortunately, the Orc Leather Armor was useless to him.
[Orc Leather Armor]
[Part: Top]
[Grade: Lowest-Grade]
[Strength +2]
[Defense +8]
[Leather armor used by Orcs. It is quite old and worn, but boasts decent defensive power.]
Its performance wasn't even half that of the Ink-Black Armor Kang Jun-hyeok was currently wearing.
To an ordinary 17th-floor player, even this would be a treasure, but to Kang Jun-hyeok, it was no different from trash. It was proof of how far ahead he was. Still, the Perfect Clear reward was somewhat useful.
[Orc Chief's Greatsword]
[Part: Weapon]
[Grade: Low-Rank]
[Attack Power +40]
[A greatsword used by the chief who led the Orc tribe. Due to its massive weight, it is closer to a blunt weapon than a greatsword.]
Its attack power was 12 points higher than the Goblin King's Greatsword. Kang Jun-hyeok let out a short laugh.
“I’m finally changing my greatsword.”
To think he was only now replacing a weapon he had obtained on the 2nd Floor. It was a testament to just how exceptional that early drop had been.
Kang Jun-hyeok summoned Pixie and passed on his memories. Pixie’s face crumpled in disappointment.
[This floor is boring!]
“I suppose so.”
Since it was a floor where one simply had to hunt down Orcs, there was nothing to satisfy Pixie’s curiosity. Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
Is it impossible to obtain Pixie's Wings before entering the 18th Floor?
It was a pity, but not a major problem. He didn't have a pressing need for them right now.
[Then the next one is the 18th Floor. Hmm. This one looks interesting.]
Pixie grinned.
[I’ll be looking forward to it!]
Pixie departed.
Kang Jun-hyeok made various preparations while waiting for the tower's cooldown. He purchased food ingredients and other miscellaneous daily necessities. Finally, he organized the hundred-plus gems in the box one by one.
The reason he had requested them from Kim Tae-yeon and Baekdusan was precisely because of the 18th Floor.
After taking a sufficient rest, Kang Jun-hyeok entered the 18th Floor three days later.
[Will you challenge the Tower?]
[Floor to challenge: 18th Floor.]
He entered the tower. The world shifted, and a new realm came into view.
The first thing he heard was the thunderous boom of fireworks. Looking up at the sky, rainbow-colored pyrotechnics were bursting in succession.
And at the center of it all, soaring even higher than the fireworks, was a brilliant blue tower.
It was a tower that seemed poised to pierce the heavens and reach the ends of the universe. A visible haze of mana surrounded the structure. As Kang Jun-hyeok stared at the haze, he could tell it was a defense system composed of dozens of layers. It was the power of his Observation skill, which had reached Rank C.
That was the Magic Tower.
Kang Jun-hyeok stood before the Magic Tower.
But he was not alone. The plaza in front of the tower was filled with hundreds, no, thousands of people. They wore different clothes, spoke different languages, and had different expressions. However, there was a common light in their eyes: hope and expectation.
Suddenly, the air grew heavy. The murmuring died down as every gaze converged on one spot. An old man floating in the air in front of the Magic Tower was slowly descending. His face was familiar to Kang Jun-hyeok.
In the silence, the old man spoke.
“There are many young people wishing to apply to the Magic Tower again this year.”
Though his voice was incredibly quiet, it echoed clearly throughout the entire plaza. The eyes of the crowd filled with excitement at the mysterious phenomenon.
“You have all come here to become mages. Is that correct?”
“Yes!”
A thunderous roar erupted in response. The old man smiled.
“Indeed. This is the great Magic Tower, Aihinber! Dozens of schools and thousands of spells exist here! Not only can you achieve what you imagine, but you can also achieve what you cannot even conceive!”
“Waaaaah!”
The people burst into cheers. The old man clenched his fist and raised it high.
“I am the Magic Tower Master, Wihanian! I welcome you, young ones! As long as you possess the qualifications and talent, the Magic Tower accepts all without discrimination! Prove those two things and enter the Magic Tower! Take with you the power of great magic!”
The doors of the Magic Tower swung wide open. Along with a massive roar, a window appeared announcing the objective.
[18th Floor Progress Quest.]
[Enter the Magic Tower and find your place.]
* * *
“First, you must undergo a test of your qualifications and talent! Enter through the entrance in order!”
“Move!”
“I’m first!”
People began to scramble into a line. Kang Jun-hyeok leisurely joined them. The Master of All Weapons murmured quietly.
[The Magic Tower Aihinber. It’s been a long time.]
“Is this a place you know?”
[Many Magic Towers exist in the universe. Aihinber is one of them.]
The planet where Aihinber existed was a world friendly to magic. Most tools operated through magic, and those that didn't were persecuted. It was a world solely of magic, by magic, and for magic.
Because of its lopsided structure, it had produced a significant number of powerful mages for the universe. The Master of All Weapons said indifferently.
[Of course, that is a story of the past. Now, it has been devoured by the Victors, and even its remnants vanished long ago. To think they put a place they destroyed themselves into the tower. They really have terrible taste.]
“So that’s how it was.”
[There might be a few survivors, but they’ve been scattered across the universe. Among them are those who fought in the Great War but were defeated. That old man blathering up there is one of them.]
The Magic Tower Master, Wihanian.
He was one of the Losers who had fought against the Victors. The Master of All Weapons said playfully.
[He’s in the same boat as you, isn't he? Isn't that right, Eldiria?]
[…He is different from me. He is merely appearing as a supporting character. He wasn't directly insulted like I was. He isn't even worth comparing.]
“Please don't compete over such strange things.”
Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
He was already aware of the situation. In fact, he had even met Wihanian before. But the only thing that mattered to him was what he would obtain from the 18th Floor. That was it.
The 18th Floor.
This was the floor where one could obtain magic.
And he had finished all his preparations. Kang Jun-hyeok slowly followed the line.