Chapter 108: 19th Floor. Magic World (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: 19th Floor. Magic World (3)
Golems appeared—sturdy and imposing. They were magical constructs that, under normal circumstances, could only be countered with magic.
Against such foes, Kang Jun-hyeok simply threw a casual punch.
Boom!
A hole blasted through the golem’s chest. Its limbs shattered, sending stone debris flying in every direction.
Vroom!
Another golem slammed its arms down violently. It was a strike heavy enough to crush steel plates. However, Kang Jun-hyeok reached out and caught them with ease.
“Hmm. Is this all?”
An ordinary Player would have struggled immensely just to take down one of these.
In other words, they were only at that level. He tightened his grip. Cracks instantly spiderwebbed across the golem's arms before they shattered into dust. He followed up with a kick, sending the massive construct tumbling back.
“Let’s go.”
“……Ah.”
“Uh, right.”
Tia and Alfrain followed behind him, their expressions dazed. Alfrain let out a low groan and muttered under his breath.
“……I thought you had used some strange magic to enhance yourself when we fought, but I see that wasn't the case.”
The movements Kang Jun-hyeok had shown during their duel were the result of pure, innate physical ability. Alfrain asked with a hollow laugh.
“Where on earth did you find a man like this?”
“I didn’t find him. He came to me. I like to think the God of Magic sent him down to me,” Tia answered, half-joking and half-serious.
The golems that appeared were systematically crushed, utterly helpless against Kang Jun-hyeok’s overwhelming strength. Left with nothing to do, Alfrain began to analyze the structure of the tomb.
“The magic is being dispersed,” Alfrain muttered. “A massive magic formula is engraved into the tomb itself. Any manifested magic is absorbed by it... This is the work of an Archmage from a thousand years ago. Truly remarkable.”
As Alfrain marveled at the site, Kang Jun-hyeok asked, “Could you dismantle this formula?”
“No. It’s impossible,” Alfrain answered immediately. “This formula is incredibly high-level and complex. And it’s vast. Trying to approach it haphazardly would only result in becoming fodder for the spell. I dare say that not only myself, but even my master, the Magic Tower Master, would find it impossible.”
It was a formula of that high a caliber. Kang Jun-hyeok murmured, “I see.”
The golems appearing here were not weak. At the very least, a magic-using Player could not pass through here while their primary abilities were sealed. It was a feat that had been impossible even for the Half-Human Half-Demon in his past life.
That was why that man had dealt with it very simply. He had analyzed the tomb’s formula and forcibly dismantled it. He had been that gifted.
‘He really was an incredible guy.’
Unfortunately, Kang Jun-hyeok possessed no such talent. But it didn't matter. He had his own way.
Boom!
The limbs of a golem struck by his fist shattered into pieces. Alfrain watched the scene as if witnessing a miracle.
“That strength of yours... it clearly exceeds the human domain. Yet, it isn't enhanced by magic. Once this is over, would it be alright if I conducted some research on your body?”
“Do as you please.”
By then, he wouldn't be here anyway.
“Oh! Thank you!”
Unaware of the truth, Alfrain’s eyes sparkled. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled silently.
After advancing and smashing every golem in their path, they finally arrived at a large plaza. It was a square engraved with all sorts of intricate magical diagrams.
Alfrain muttered, “It’s a magic puzzle.”
“Unfortunately, I have no talent for magic, so I’ll leave this to you.”
He hadn't brought Tia and Alfrain along simply because he needed conversation partners. The tomb was guarded by golems and magic puzzles. He could beat the golems into scrap metal, but he couldn't solve the puzzles. He needed help for that.
Both Tia and Alfrain were born with natural magical talent. While not at the level of the Half-Human Half-Demon, they were more than capable of solving the puzzles. After a few minutes of focused effort, the puzzle was solved, and a passage appeared.
Similar events repeated. When golems appeared, Kang Jun-hyeok took them down; when puzzles appeared, Tia and Alfrain solved them. As they progressed smoothly, excitement colored Tia’s face.
“At this rate, are we really going to clear the Archmage’s tomb and get the artifact? K-Kang Jun-hyeok! If that happens, you can have the artifact! I-In exchange, can I just have my name listed alongside yours? Please? Pretty please?”
“By all means. That’s fine.”
“Yes!”
Tia cheered, throwing her arms wide. Alfrain also began to sidle up to Kang Jun-hyeok, hoping for a share of the glory. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled silently at the sight.
‘It won’t be that easy.’
The magical genius that appeared once in ten thousand years—the Half-Human Half-Demon. He had achieved a Perfect Clear on the 18th Floor.
‘But even he couldn't get a Perfect Clear on the 19th Floor.’
Countless Players had challenged the 19th Floor, only to be blocked by the tomb’s magic formulas. The Half-Human Half-Demon was the only one who had ever succeeded in conquering the Archmage’s tomb.
But even he had ultimately failed to achieve a Perfect Clear. Many were curious as to why, but the Half-Human Half-Demon had remained tight-lipped. Because he had acted as if he were embarrassed, Kang Jun-hyeok hadn't pressed him further. Consequently, even he didn't know the exact details of the 19th Floor.
‘I wonder what’s waiting.’
Kang Jun-hyeok moved forward with an expectant expression. Tia, following behind, muttered in wonder.
“By the way, the tomb’s formulas, the golems, the magic puzzles, and the riddles... all of it is in perfect condition. Is this even possible when it’s been a thousand years since the Archmage created this domain?”
“What do you mean?”
“A mage’s domain is like a person’s house. Even if you build a house with the best materials, it eventually wears down and breaks over time, right? A mage’s domain is the same. No matter how powerful the magic is, it will eventually fall apart if it isn't constantly maintained.”
A thousand years was a very long time. No matter how great an Archmage’s domain was, it should have shown signs of wear. Yet, this place showed no trace of decay. Tia whispered.
“It’s almost as if... it’s been constantly managed.”
“I agree. Since the Archmage is dead, perhaps there’s a homunculus or a familiar carrying out his will?”
“That’s a possibility.”
After advancing while exchanging various theories, they finally reached the end of the tomb.
[Impressive, you who have arrived here.]
[Solve the final puzzle and claim the legacy.]
It was finally the end. Tia and Alfrain immediately began analyzing the puzzle and found the answer before long.
Click.
Rumble!
“Oh!”
“Ooh!”
The two let out exclamations of awe simultaneously. As the puzzle pieces fit together, a massive mechanism began to operate. They had overcome the tomb left by an Archmage from a thousand years ago. Their bodies trembled with excitement and joy. They anticipated the brilliant legacy that was about to appear.
However, contrary to their expectations, no legacy appeared.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The mechanism didn't stop. The faces of Tia and Alfrain began to stiffen.
“……Huh?”
“Something’s wrong.”
CRAAAAASH!
The tomb began to shake and collapse as if an earthquake had struck. If they stayed here, they would be buried alive. Tia’s face turned pale.
“What is this?!”
“Tsk.”
Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue, grabbed both of their shoulders, and kicked off the ground. With a scream, their bodies moved rapidly toward the exit of the tomb.
[ Instant Acceleration ]
Rumble! CRASH!
He even activated a skill to move, but the speed at which the passage collapsed was faster. Finally, the ceiling gave way and came crashing down on them.
[ Repulsion ]
BOOM!
A massive repulsive force blew the ceiling away. Using the space created, they barely managed to escape the tomb.
“Waaaaah!”
“Pffft!”
Tia and Alfrain tumbled into the bushes. But there was no time to groan in pain. The screams of mages could be heard from all directions.
“What is this?!”
“Lord Alfrain! What on earth is happening?!”
Rumble!
The mountain shook. In the aftermath, the magical barrier shattered, and the earth quaked. Mages scrambled to escape.
Rumble……
Finally, the commotion subsided. After a moment of silence, a light erupted.
Whirrrrr.
A brilliant blue light rose from the peak of the mountain. It slowly stood up. The mages stood with their mouths agape.
“Ah.”
Inside the mountain was a giant golem. A pristine golem without a single crack. A blue gem was embedded in its forehead. It slowly rose to its full height, revealing itself as the mountain crumbled away. It was a size comparable to a small hill.
[Hahahaha!]
A jovial laugh echoed from the golem.
[You have brilliantly overcome my tomb! I don't know how much time has passed since my death, but it seems some useful fellows have finally appeared!]
It was the voice of an old man. And the meaning behind those words... Alfrain’s eyes widened.
“……Lord Weed?”
[I was always curious. After a genius like myself was born, would another ever appear to surpass me? How much would the magic of this world evolve after my death? That’s why I placed my ego inside this golem!]
“……What kind of crazy talk is that?!”
“Did you not leave a legacy for us?!”
[I figured you stupid mages would search harder if I said that! I was right, after all!]
The Archmage had deceived them. The mages were at a loss for words. Weed chuckled.
[Don't be so angry. It wasn't a lie. I am going to test you! I shall bestow my legacy upon the most outstanding individual who brilliantly passes the test!]
Whirrrr!
The golem’s eyes glowed. Its massive feet began to move.
[Now then, mages of this era. Prove your magic and your talent to me!]
* * *
“So that’s how it was.”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
The tomb was a trap. What appeared afterward was a golem containing the ego of the Archmage Weed. It seemed that defeating that golem was the condition for a Perfect Clear.
The panicked mages finally regained their senses. It was unexpected, but nothing had changed. In fact, this was better. If they proved themselves here, they might be the ones to claim the Archmage’s legacy.
“You’ll regret this, Lord Weed!”
“Everyone, attack!”
Hundreds of mages began chanting spells simultaneously. Fire. Water. Ice. Pure mana. Matter. Even gravity. An uncountable number of spells poured out at once.
The mages gathered here were all individuals close to the level of School Masters. They unleashed their magic in unison. It was a literal storm of raw power—a bombardment of such a level that even Kang Jun-hyeok would not have been able to survive it head-on.
[Pathetic!]
However, Weed laughed heartily. At the same time, the blue gem on his forehead turned red.
Hummm.
Simultaneously, all the incoming spells stopped in mid-air. Alfrain’s eyes widened.
“……Reflection!”
[I’m sending it back!]
The spells that had been poured toward the golem were reflected back at their masters. Explosions erupted everywhere, followed by screams. In an instant, the majority of the mages were neutralized. Weed clicked his tongue.
[What? You didn't even anticipate a simple Reflection? How disappointing. How did people like you even pass through my tomb?]
The moment he voiced his doubt, Kang Jun-hyeok charged through the explosions.
Weed was momentarily taken aback. He couldn't sense any magic from the man charging at a speed that defied perception. The greatsword in the man's hand collided with the golem’s leg.
CLANG!
[Gah!]
A thunderous roar erupted as the golem’s massive body staggered.