Chapter 109: 19th Floor. Magic World (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 109: 19th Floor. Magic World (4)
“Mm.”
A low groan escaped Kang Jun-hyeok’s lips.
The hand gripping his sword throbbed from the recoil of striking the golem. Given that the creature was the size of a small hill, its sheer mass was overwhelming.
And it’s hard.
Even though he hadn't put his full strength into the blow, he had only managed to leave a faint scratch. Weed, the Archmage, shouted in bewilderment from within the construct.
[What are you?!]
“Eeeek!”
“Attack again!”
The mages, having barely regained their composure, began casting once more. A barrage of spells rained down on the golem simultaneously.
[You fools never learn, do you!]
Weed clicked his tongue. The gem embedded in the golem's forehead glowed a menacing crimson. The incoming spells froze mid-air before hurtling back toward their casters with doubled intensity.
Craaaaash!
The remaining mages were swept away in an instant. Only Alprain managed to hold his ground behind a defensive barrier, his teeth gritted in frustration.
“What kind of magic is this…!”
Weed’s eyes gleamed with interest as he looked at the survivor.
[Oho. There’s actually one among you who’s halfway decent…!]
Weed made the golem spring upward. The massive frame soared through the air, easily evading Kang Jun-hyeok’s follow-up strike.
“He’s remarkably fast.”
Despite its size, the golem’s mobility was exceptional—it was agile enough to dodge his attacks without much trouble. Weed asked in a perplexed tone.
[What manner of being are you? I feel mana from you, but you don’t seem to be using magic. Are you reaching those speeds through pure physical ability alone?]
Instead of answering, Kang Jun-hyeok lunged forward. He blurred toward the golem at a speed that defied human perception.
[Hmph!]
With a snort, Weed unleashed a rapid succession of punches. Dozens of craters erupted across the earth as if the area were being carpet-bombed.
So this is the extent of its destructive power.
A direct hit would be fatal. However, the fact that Weed was relying on physical force meant he couldn't use magic simultaneously. Kang Jun-hyeok dodged with fluid, rhythmic movements, closing the distance.
[Up we go!]
Weed pulled back a massive fist and threw a heavy haymaker. Watching the attack fly straight at him, Kang Jun-hyeok exhaled slowly.
He drew upon his internal energy through his breathing, reinforcing his physical frame. He gripped his greatsword and twisted the blade toward the incoming fist.
Screeeeeech!
The Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons. Its profound and mysterious principles manifested through Kang Jun-hyeok’s body. He utilized the Force Redirection Technique, seizing the momentum behind the golem’s punch and making it his own. Weed marveled at the sight.
[What a bizarre ability!]
Tap.
Kang Jun-hyeok redirected that stolen power right back at the golem.
In that instant, the blue gem on the golem’s forehead turned red, and Kang Jun-hyeok’s body came to a dead halt.
[You’ve piqued my interest, but I have no business with those who do not use magic. Begone.]
The force loaded into the sword rebounded onto Kang Jun-hyeok. His body was about to be sent flying kilometers away.
[Balancing.]
His body stopped abruptly in mid-air. Quickly regaining his stance, Kang Jun-hyeok frowned.
Absolute reflection? He has something like that?
But Weed was even more shocked than Kang Jun-hyeok. He muttered in disbelief.
[What kind of monster is this guy?]
Vroooom!
The golem raised a foot and stomped down. Kang Jun-hyeok watched the shadow fall with a calm gaze.
[Rift Movement.]
Shimmer.
His body slipped through a rift in space, reappearing outside the attack’s range. The golem’s foot slammed into the earth, shaking the very foundation of the world.
[…Teleportation without delay or casting?]
Weed let out a hollow laugh.
Kang Jun-hyeok moved to stand beside Tia and Alprain. Tia was sobbing uncontrollably, though she wasn't particularly injured—mostly because she had been too terrified to attack in the first place.
Alprain had also successfully defended himself and appeared unharmed.
“You possess a truly bizarre power,” Alprain noted.
“Are you one to talk?” Kang Jun-hyeok replied.
Alprain looked at him as if he were an anomaly. The power Kang Jun-hyeok had just displayed was beyond human perception—it defied the logic of their world.
“Just what kind of power do you have?”
“I’ve had several opportunities to show you. Let’s save the questions for later. You saw the reflection power the Archmage is using. I assume you’ve analyzed it?”
“…Roughly.”
“Can you explain it?”
Alprain nodded.
“It’s a spell that seizes any force approaching the caster and reverses its direction back to the source. To think such magic actually existed… He truly is an Archmage from a thousand years ago.”
Alprain muttered with a look of awe.
However, how impressive the magic was didn't matter to Kang Jun-hyeok. All he wanted was a way to break it. He pointed his greatsword at the golem’s forehead.
“It seems that gem is what triggers the magic.”
“Correct. It’s impossible to keep a spell of that magnitude active at all times. He must be using the gem as a medium.”
“When the blue gem turns red, the magic activates… and it seems to have a cooldown.”
“Based on my observations, it appears to be ten seconds.”
Once reflection was triggered, they had a ten-second window. They had to use that time to destroy the gem to bring the golem down.
[Proficiency in Observation has increased.]
Having organized his thoughts, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke.
“Can you bait him into activating the gem?”
“…I can.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you. You too, Lady Tia.”
“Hic. Hieeeck.”
Tia began pulling out gems even as she continued to hiccup. Weed, who had been waiting patiently, asked:
[Are you finished with your preparations?]
Instead of answering, Alprain activated his magic.
“Sprint, surge, and tear them apart! Storm Surge!”
“Hieeeeeek!”
With a scream, Tia hurled her gems. Small cyclones erupted simultaneously as the power within the gems exploded.
[You lot are quite capable!]
Weed sounded impressed. The power was too great to ignore, causing the gem to glow red. The incoming force was immediately reflected back at them.
Rumble!
“Ugh!”
“Kyaaa!”
Alprain and Tia were blown back by the aftershocks of their own power, screaming as they tumbled. Kang Jun-hyeok did not miss that opening.
Dash.
He kicked off the ground, his body reinforced by internal energy. With a sound like a sonic boom, he reached the golem’s feet in an instant.
[Wall Climbing.]
Activating the skill, he scaled the golem at high speed. Weed shook his body violently to throw him off, but Kang Jun-hyeok was wearing the Kraken’s Tentacle Mass. The adhesive properties of those shoes ensured he wouldn't fall.
Thud, thud, thud!
He reached the gem in the blink of an eye. Just as he was about to drive his greatsword into it, the gem glowed red. Kang Jun-hyeok’s body froze. Weed clicked his tongue.
[Unfortunately, you were a moment too late. Fly away.]
Boom!
Kang Jun-hyeok’s body was repelled.
[Spear Throw.]
In that split second, three spears flew toward the gem simultaneously. Weed tried to twist his body to avoid them, but the spears tracked the gem with unerring precision. He hurriedly raised a hand to block them.
Clang!
The spears collided with the golem’s hand, leaving small nicks.
On the golem’s smooth, seamless surface, a "rift" had been created.
[Rift Movement.]
Shimmer.
Kang Jun-hyeok’s body moved through the rift created on the hand. Weed was horrified.
[What?!]
[Air Jump.]
[Charge.]
Kicking off the air, he vaulted over the hand and charged toward the gem.
[Thrust.]
Clang!
The greatsword collided with the gem. He poured his strength into the strike.
[Sword Ki and Sword Wind.]
[Shock.]
Cr-cr-crack!
Cracks instantly spider-webbed across the gem. Just as Kang Jun-hyeok was about to deliver the finishing blow, a massive force slammed into him.
Crunch.
The golem’s fist swiped him aside.
He was sent flying, his body wracked with heavy pain.
However, as he tumbled through the air, a single weapon appeared in his hand.
[Beam Rifle.]
Vriiiiiing!
A beam of light struck the gem, and it finally shattered. A powerful shockwave swept through the area, blowing away the fallen mages.
[Block.]
Paaaaang!
He blocked and neutralized the incoming shockwave. Landing on the ground, Kang Jun-hyeok caught his breath.
“Whew.”
He had succeeded in destroying the gem. The first condition was met.
Weed remained still. After staring down at Kang Jun-hyeok for a long moment, he finally spoke.
[You are no mage.]
“I’m certainly not the kind of mage you’re looking for.”
[It’s not just that you aren't a mage. You aren't even human.]
“Biologically, I’m human. My heart is human, too.”
Kang Jun-hyeok shrugged. Weed let out a low groan.
Weed was an Archmage from a thousand years ago. He had perceived Kang Jun-hyeok’s true essence, and he realized that it was something that transcended his understanding.
[An anomaly that cannot exist in this world. Where did you drift in from?]
He couldn't understand it. But one thing was certain.
[Something from the outside mimicking a mage. I can never acknowledge the likes of you.]
His voice rang out cold and sharp.
[This is a world of magic. An anomaly like you must not exist here. I shall eliminate you.]
A surge of energy erupted. A murderous intent so thick it was palpable washed over Kang Jun-hyeok. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled.
“Acknowledgment, huh?”
He was starting to understand how the half-human half-demon of his past life had cleared the 19th floor. He hadn't defeated the golem. He must have faced the Archmage and cleared the floor by earning his acknowledgment.
And for the prideful half-demon, that must have been incredibly humiliating. He had likely kept his mouth shut because he was ashamed that his "great self" couldn't defeat his opponent and had to settle for mere recognition.
Unlike him, Kang Jun-hyeok could not earn Weed’s acknowledgment. And he had no intention of seeking it in the first place. He spoke leisurely.
“In that case, I’ll just have to take you down.”
[Hahaha! You! Take me down?!]
Weed burst into a fit of derisive laughter.
[A grand ambition and a fine goal! But how do you plan to achieve it?]
Though the reflection gem was destroyed, the golem was otherwise perfectly fine. The only damage they had dealt so far were mere scratches. Weed pointed to the golem’s chest.
[The core that moves this golem resides within. If you break that, it is your victory. But how will you break it? I acknowledge your anomalous nature, but your destructive power is woefully lacking!]
“You’re not wrong.”
Kang Jun-hyeok admitted it. The power he had shown so far wasn't enough.
“That’s why I’m going to use the magic you love so much.”
[Magic? Your mana is pathetic. It’s nowhere near enough to destroy this golem.]
“By the standards of the magic you know, perhaps.”
[What?]
Weed paused. Kang Jun-hyeok grinned.
Now then.
It was time to use the things he had been hoarding.
[Pixie’s Wings.]
Fairy wings sprouted from Kang Jun-hyeok’s back. Weed spoke in a dazed voice.
[Fairy wings. And not just any ordinary fairy’s. Their quality is so high it defies my comprehension. Just what are you?]
Kang Jun-hyeok took flight, soaring above the golem’s head. Weed watched him calmly.
[You’ve flown to a height I cannot reach. And what do you plan to do now?]
“It’s simple.”
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled brightly.
“Have you ever heard of a bomber?”
[A bomber?]
Weed asked, sounding puzzled. Instead of answering, Kang Jun-hyeok showed him.
He opened his inventory. Dozens of gem crystals appeared in his hands.
“Here. Catch.”
[…!]
The gem crystals rained down like hail. Realizing the danger instantly, Weed moved to protect himself.
Boom.
Rumble!
Craaaaash!
A chain reaction of explosions, accompanied by a prismatic light, began to tear through the world.