Chapter 139: 28th Floor. Stone Mountain (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 139: 28th Floor. Stone Mountain (1)
[That was quite enjoyable, in its own way.]
The Master of All Weapons spoke, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.
[To think such potential existed in this universe. A pity. It would have been grand to meet him while I still drew breath.]
Kang Jun-hyeok began reviewing the gains he had secured from the 27th Floor.
First and foremost, the proficiency of his Swordsmanship skill had risen by one rank.
[Passive Skill: Swordsmanship]
• Rank: Lowest-Grade
• Proficiency: B
• The technique of wielding a sword. Even a talented individual might not reach this level despite a lifetime of effort.
While martial arts represented high-level sword techniques, the Swordsmanship passive skill represented the most fundamental proficiency in handling the weapon. Since it was essentially his foundation, the higher it was, the more it aided him in mastering other sword styles.
A B-rank proficiency placed him just below the Peak Realm, yet well above the first-rate.
Of course, since it was only the basics, he didn't actually possess techniques of that caliber yet, but it was a sufficiently high level.
And finally, the proficiency of the Master of All Weapons’ martial arts had increased.
[Passive Skill: Divine Art]
• Rank: Unique
• Proficiency: E
• The Divine Art of one who has fallen. All Streams Return to the Source; thus, all things eventually reach the great trunk. You have taken your first step toward that trunk.
• Integrated Techniques
1. White Sword Technique (Intermediate)
2. Erlaon Hashka's Dagger Technique (Lowest-Grade)
3. Scale Swordsmanship (Mid-Rank)
[Passive Skill: Mental Method]
• Rank: Unique
• Proficiency: E
• The Mental Method of one who has fallen. All Streams Return to the Source; thus, all things eventually reach the great trunk. You have taken your first step toward that trunk.
• Integrated Techniques
1. White Sword Mental Method (Intermediate)
2. Scale Mental Method (Intermediate)
“Took long enough.”
He had finally understood the basic principles and could now execute the forms. As a result, his proficiency had risen from F to E.
[It is much faster than I expected. Had it not been for Faded Heaven Supreme, you would have struggled for several more months just to reach this point. Perhaps you might never have reached it at all.]
“Just how on earth did you create something like this?”
[This Seat is a genius. I have reached a realm that commoners cannot even fathom,] the Master of All Weapons said calmly.
His words couldn't be dismissed as mere arrogance. The martial arts he wielded were truly that extraordinary.
Next, Kang Jun-hyeok checked the restoration pill.
[Blue and Red Great Restoration Pill]
• Rank: Mid-Rank
• A Great Restoration Pill cherished by the Blue and Red Family for generations. Unfortunately, due to poor storage, the energy contained within the elixir has dissipated and spoiled. Nevertheless, it still contains a significant amount of power.
The pill was in a damaged state.
It was unlikely he could obtain a perfectly preserved Great Restoration Pill on a floor as low as the 27th. Having expected this, he wasn't disappointed as he popped the pill into his mouth.
Boom!
A powerful force swirled inside Kang Jun-hyeok. It was a torrent so fierce that it could have caused Qi Deviation if he didn't manage the energy properly. However, with the System’s assistance, it became a part of him without much resistance.
[Internal Energy +13]
“Not bad.”
Kang Jun-hyeok whistled. It was a significant increase. Since he had been feeling a desperate lack of internal energy, it was an excellent reward.
Next was the Ring of the Alliance Leader.
[Ring of the Alliance Leader]
• Part: Ring
• Rank: Mid-Rank
• Strength +3
• Speed +3
• Internal Energy +5
• A ring passed down through generations. The possessor of this ring gains the qualification of the Murim Alliance Leader and can command the Murim Alliance.
The Ring of the Alliance Leader.
The fact that this was the Perfect Clear reward meant only one thing.
One had to challenge the position of the Murim Alliance Leader and actually become the leader. That was the orthodox way to clear the floor.
‘In fact, the Number One in Murim from my past life cleared it that way too.’
He wasn't the only one who had achieved a Perfect Clear on the 27th Floor. The Number One in Murim had also succeeded in doing so. He had challenged the position of the Alliance Leader and won. In the end, he became the leader and reached 100% achievement.
In other words, raising the proficiency of the Master of All Weapons’ Divine Art was worth just as much—or perhaps even more.
The effect of the Perfect Player title provided an additional +2 to Internal Energy. He whistled again as he checked the title window.
“It’s getting quite long.”
[Title: Perfect Player]
• A title given to one who has perfectly cleared the floors from the beginning of the Tower.
• Current Effects
- All Stats +2
- Proficiency gain for Passive Skills slightly increased.
- Proficiency gain for Active Skills slightly increased.
- Defense +4
- Strength +3
- Speed +2
- All senses further enhanced.
- Internal Energy +3
- Health +30
- Attack Power +1
- Mana +2
- Feat +2
- Divine Power +1
- Resistance to Poison.
- Resistance to Mental Attacks.
• The effects of the title increase as the number of perfectly cleared floors grows.
Kang Jun-hyeok had achieved a Perfect Clear on every single floor up to the 27th without missing a thing. As a result, the effects of the Perfect Player title had stacked up to the point where it provided substantial benefits on its own.
As he climbed higher and achieved more perfect clears, the effects would only grow stronger. Grinning, Kang Jun-hyeok summoned Pixie and shared his memories.
[……Whoa.]
Pixie’s face first twisted into a bizarre expression.
[That guy called Faded Heaven Supreme. He has the Eye of the Coffin?]
“The Eye of the Coffin?”
[Mutants pop up in the world every now and then. Strange abilities that a mortal body shouldn't be able to hold. One of them is the Eye of the Coffin.]
It saw the world. It saw through all things and found answers. It was an ability that approached the concepts of the universe and its providence. Eldiria asked, sounding puzzled.
[I have never heard of such a thing?]
[That’s because I’m the one who named it.]
[…….]
[It wasn't well-known to begin with. I only saw it once while traveling across the universe.]
Pixie was a fairy who traveled the cosmos. The fact that she had only seen it once meant it was a truly exceptional ability.
But there was something even more surprising.
[But…… even someone with the Eye of the Coffin couldn't figure out your martial arts?]
Faded Heaven Supreme had failed to understand the Master of All Weapons’ martial arts. He had only managed to grasp a clue after several experiments and actual combat. Pixie let out a short laugh.
[Your martial arts. To think the day would come when I’d see them with my own eyes again.]
[It is a pathetic display of power. The proficiency is woefully lacking,] the Master of All Weapons remarked.
[That may be true, but the technique itself is beyond bizarre. It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. How on earth did you create something like that?]
Pixie snapped her fingers in wonder.
[To think there was another Eye of the Coffin in the universe. And that guy’s martial arts…… it was quite entertaining.]
[370 Starlight.]
“Oh.”
A substantial amount of Starlight. Kang Jun-hyeok beamed.
“Thanks.”
[I should be the one thanking you.]
The more memories she received, the more life seemed to return to Pixie’s face.
[Who knows. It’s still a faint possibility, but…… you never know.]
Muttering to herself, her body was swallowed by the void.
The 27th Floor, the Murim floor.
He had gained so much from it. Because of that, he needed to test things properly.
Kang Jun-hyeok moved to a nearby deserted mountain. He drew his sword and steadied his breathing. He circulated his internal energy.
Stepping forward, he swung his sword. One strike. Then, gathering all the power, repulsion, and momentum contained in the blade—a second strike.
The first form: Hot Wind Sky Slash.
KABOOM!
The boulder struck by the second strike shattered. Fragments flew in all directions, battering the surrounding trees.
“Whew……”
Next, he caught his breath. He put strength into his legs, drawing power from the earth. The energy of the atmosphere gathered within him.
The second form: World-Shaking Wind Descent.
SCREEECH!
A storm descended upon the earth. It literally ground the surrounding forest to dust. Trees were torn apart and scattered as the ground was leveled.
As if a bomb had gone off, everything centered around Kang Jun-hyeok was devastated. He let out a hollow laugh.
“What kind of insane power is this?”
Even with his abysmal proficiency, he could upend the surrounding terrain. To produce similar destructive power, one would likely need Arcana Gem Magic, and even then, it would require several high-purity gems to barely match this.
It was a technique that transcended the category of martial arts. That was the Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons.
However, it wasn't without its drawbacks. Kang Jun-hyeok opened his status window.
[Health: 790/1140]
‘Just using it consumes health.’
The process of executing the forms put a significant strain on his body. Without the System’s protection, he would have suffered internal injuries.
The first form consumed roughly 10% of his health, while the second form took about 20%.
That wasn't all. It also dealt physical damage to his body. The muscles throughout his entire body creaked and screamed. It was to the point where he needed to use Divine Power to recover.
Furthermore, the consumption of internal energy was astronomical. His current Internal Energy stat was 50. Even compared to those who entered the Tower as martial artists, he was in the upper ranks.
Yet, half of that internal energy had been depleted just by using two forms. The consumption rate was several times higher than that of ordinary martial arts.
‘And the preparation time is long.’
It was difficult to respond if he was interrupted while gathering power and moving his internal energy.
Health, physical body, and internal energy. All three were heavily taxed.
It was a double-edged sword. If handled well, it could pierce an opponent's heart, but if handled poorly, it would leave scars on his own body.
“I can’t even dream of the next form.”
The subsequent forms were also etched in Kang Jun-hyeok’s mind. But he could tell. His proficiency, health, internal energy, and strength—all of it was insufficient to execute them.
It was a martial art that even a Player’s body could not withstand. And the Master of All Weapons must have mastered this art perfectly without any protection from the System.
Kang Jun-hyeok asked in disbelief.
“Were you born with a Heavenly Martial Body or something?”
The ultimate talent bestowed by the heavens. A supreme physique that could be counted on one hand in all of Murim’s history. It was the same physique the Number One in Murim from his past life had been born with.
To that question, the Master of All Weapons replied indifferently.
[Do you truly think the mere heavens could contain This Seat?]
“I suppose so.”
It was an incredibly arrogant statement, but it was hard to argue with. The level of his martial arts warranted such pride.
‘I’m still lacking.’
He needed to raise his stats even further. Only then could he draw out the true power of the Divine Art.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Kang Jun-hyeok muttered softly.
Suddenly remembering something, he pulled an old book from his inventory. It was the Scripture of the Lost God.
In that scripture, the 27th Floor was described as follows:
The agent of the lost one ventured into the world. At its end, he met a talent, and by achieving his own purpose, he reached a lofty realm.
“Just two sentences?”
The events of the 27th Floor were summarized in a mere two sentences. He had felt it in his past life too, but this thing was damn stingy. Shaking his head, Kang Jun-hyeok closed the book.
For three days, Kang Jun-hyeok circulated his internal energy to train his mental method and recover his health.
Then, he entered the 28th Floor.
Upon stepping onto the 28th Floor, the first thing he saw was a single stone.
Naturally, it was no ordinary stone.
Its height seemed to swallow the clouds, and its width appeared to engulf the entire horizon. The surface was covered in jagged basalt. Moss grew between the cracks visible here and there, emitting a green glow.
A stone as massive as a mountain.
A quest window appeared.
[28th Floor Quest]
• Collapse the mountain within one week.