Chapter 146: 30th Floor. Desert of Death (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: 30th Floor. Desert of Death (5)
Boom!
The earth shook. The desert was torn asunder, shattered by the impact. Black fluid, buried deep beneath the surface, soaked into the parched sand.
Rumble!
Despite losing one of its pincers, the Duneshade’s momentum didn't falter in the slightest. If anything, it rampaged with even greater violence, fueled by pure, unadulterated rage.
Rumble, crash!
The Duneshade tore through the sand, lunging for Kang Jun-hyeok. Jun-hyeok threw himself aside to evade the strike and hurled his spear in one fluid motion.
[Spear Throw.]
Thwack!
The spear sank deep into the exposed flesh within the creature's jagged wound. It was incredibly soft—a stark contrast to the monster's hardened carapace. The Duneshade shuddered in agony and lashed out with its tail.
Bang!
The tail pierced the sand, leaving a gaping crater. Though Jun-hyeok managed to dodge by a hair’s breadth, the sheer wind pressure alone battered his body.
“Whew.”
Kang Jun-hyeok caught his ragged breath.
He had succeeded in blowing off one of the Duneshade’s pincers, but the cost had been high.
He had already used Grace of Jae-a during his True Ancestor Awakening, meaning his primary means of recovery was gone. His internal energy was nearly depleted, and most of his skills were exhausted.
Rumble!
The Duneshade shook its massive frame. The sound of the air cracking echoed as shockwaves vibrated through Jun-hyeok's entire body. Just the act of the behemoth rampaging caused damage to accumulate.
He had to end this quickly.
[Rift Movement.]
The authority of Hunger Growing in the Rift allowed him to travel through the gaps in space. Its effects were peerless, but the best part was its short ten-minute cooldown. Reappearing directly beneath the Duneshade, Kang Jun-hyeok struck the wound on its belly once more.
Clang!
The cracks in the carapace widened.
Taking off a pincer was a start, but it wasn't a killing blow. Shattering the rest of the belly's carapace was his only path to victory.
Skitter, skitter!
The Duneshade was well aware of its vulnerability. It tried to crush Kang Jun-hyeok under its massive weight. Jun-hyeok did not retreat. Bracing his spear against his side, he pressed himself flat against the sandy floor.
Crunch!
The Duneshade’s own weight pressed down on the spear, driving the weapon deep into its own belly.
It was a counter-attack at the cost of his own safety. Jun-hyeok took significant damage from the impact, but the soft sand acted as a cushion, making the blow manageable.
The cracks in the carapace grew even larger. Fragments fell away, revealing patches of raw, soft flesh.
This was the turning point. Fairy wings unfurled from Kang Jun-hyeok’s back.
[Pixie's Wings.]
Soaring into the air, he repeatedly struck the wound. It was difficult for the Duneshade to land a hit on the freely flying Jun-hyeok. In its death throes, the monster made a desperate choice.
Rumble!
It began to thrash its legs and swing its remaining pincer wildly. It was an act of pure desperation—closer to a prayer that something would hit by sheer luck.
In response, Kang Jun-hyeok also offered a prayer.
‘I wish...’
That those attacks do not reach me.
[Pixie's Faint Miracle.]
Faint as it was, it was undoubtedly a miracle.
The wild, swinging attacks grazed past Jun-hyeok’s body by the narrowest of margins. At the end of his flight, Jun-hyeok placed his fingers directly on the open wound.
[Glory of the Lost God.]
A brilliant majesty descended upon the mortal realm.
Overwhelming heat seared the Duneshade’s wound. The cracked and broken carapace began to glow red-hot. Jun-hyeok thrust forward with all his might.
Crack.
Finally, fragments of the carapace showered down, leaving a hole the size of a fist. Jun-hyeok thrust his hand deep inside the shell.
At that exact moment, the remaining pincer slammed into Jun-hyeok’s body.
Crunch.
A massive impact overwhelmed him. His body was sent flying hundreds of meters in an instant.
“Ugh!”
He staggered, barely managing to regain his stance. His health had dropped below 200. He was in a state where even the shockwaves from the enemy's movements were lethal.
Yet, there was no sense of crisis on Kang Jun-hyeok’s face. He smirked and snapped his fingers.
“Burst.”
BOOM!
The Duneshade’s body convulsed violently.
He had planted several gems inside the broken carapace, and they had detonated simultaneously within its belly.
The inside of a hard shell is always its most vulnerable point. Its belly burst open. Entrails spilled out along with a flood of mucus. The Duneshade let out a final scream of agony.
[! ! ! !]
“Let’s wrap this up.”
Kang Jun-hyeok tightened his grip on his greatsword.
He was in bad shape, but the Duneshade was in a terminal state. With its internal organs spilling out, it couldn't possibly fight. Within minutes, its massive body collapsed onto the sand.
After a few final twitches, the body went limp. Mucus soaked the earth.
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Health +150]
[Strength Stat + 6]
[Speed Stat + 7]
[Internal Energy +5]
[Mana +1]
[Divine Power +4]
[Feat Stat + 10]
[Greatsword Technique proficiency has increased from C to B.]
[Divine Art proficiency has increased.]
[Mental Method proficiency has increased.]
[True Ancestor Awakening's...]
The system windows announcing his victory flooded his vision. He let out a short, dry laugh.
“Three levels all at once.”
It was a testament to exactly what kind of opponent the Duneshade had been. He sat down on the spot, exhausted. Eldiria let out a cry of admiration.
[You truly managed to win.]
[Congratulations. I suppose I can finally say you’re capable of doing your part.]
“I’ve told you before, your standard for ‘doing one’s part’ is way too high.”
An adult Duneshade. It was a monster that transcended the very concept of life. Its power was far beyond the level of a Peak Realm expert, a Swordmaster, or a Court Wizard.
It was in the class of the Transformation Realm, a Grand Swordmaster, or an Archmage.
In terms of raw power alone, it meant he had reached that pinnacle. He wanted nothing more than to rest right there, but it wasn't over yet.
“Time to finish this.”
Jun-hyeok caught his breath and stood up. He brushed the dust and sand off his body and began to walk.
* * *
“Ah...”
“Lu-Lucator-nim...”
The members of the desert tribe were trembling in fear.
Three days after Kang Jun-hyeok had left, the desert had begun to shake. The earth surged, and the sound of it shattering echoed through the air. The massive vibrations alone threatened to rupture their eardrums and rattle their organs.
It was the aftermath of the battle between Kang Jun-hyeok and the desert monster—a level of power so horrific it defied human cognition.
All they could do was pray for his victory.
Finally, the commotion subsided, but none of them dared to move. Then, exactly one day later, Kang Jun-hyeok returned. Just as when he had first disappeared, he looked as though not a single speck of dust had touched him. He wore a serene expression, like that of a god.
[Sound Amplification.]
“I have returned.”
Kang Jun-hyeok’s voice spread across the entire tribe.
“I have returned to slay the enemy that dared to occupy this place and to grant this land back to you.”
“Oohhh!”
“Lucator-nim! Lucator-nim!”
“Oh, God!”
Cries of joy erupted as an intense wave of faith directed itself toward Kang Jun-hyeok. It was a level of devotion that was almost visible to the naked eye.
[Divine Power +4]
[Glory of the Lost God proficiency has increased significantly.]
* * *
Kang Jun-hyeok brought back parts of the Duneshade’s carapace and tail as proof. With that evidence, even the slightest shred of doubt within the tribesmen vanished.
With pure faith, they began to build a royal castle upon the sand. Jun-hyeok assisted them occasionally, and in just a few days, a royal castle—crude but functional—was established.
It was finally time. Kang Jun-hyeok summoned the tribesmen and spoke.
“I shall now depart from this place.”
“Ah...”
“Lucator-nim! Please, do not abandon us!”
“Please lead us!”
The people who had initially doubted and rejected him were nowhere to be found. Jun-hyeok stopped them as they tried to cling to him and spoke slowly.
“Use this foundation to make your name known far and wide. Build my royal castle high and expand into the world. I shall watch over you from the heavens.”
“Sob.”
“We understand!”
“Lucator-nim!”
“Lucator-nim!”
“Lucator-nim!!!”
Intense worship.
Just before he left, one man approached him. It was the Tribal Chief he had first encountered. He had once doubted Kang Jun-hyeok, refusing to believe even after witnessing miracles.
But now, he radiated an aura of pure faith. He slowly knelt and offered a scimitar.
“Please, accept this. It is a scimitar made by completing a fragment passed down through generations—said to be granted only to the conqueror of the desert.”
Kang Jun-hyeok accepted the weapon. At that moment, the quest concluded.
[Divine Power +4]
[Glory of the Lost God proficiency has increased from F to E.]
[Acting proficiency has increased significantly.]
[Persuasion proficiency has increased significantly.]
[30th Floor Quest Cleared.]
[Rewards will be determined based on your performance.]
[Checking achievement rate...]
[Check complete.]
[Achievement Rate: 100%]
[Perfect Clear. Congratulations! Additional rewards will be granted.]
[The effect of the Title: Perfect Player has been added.]
[2,544 Gold has been awarded.]
[Perfect Clear Reward [Weapon: Conqueror's Scimitar] obtained.]
[Perfect Clear Reward [Duneshade Carapace] obtained.]
[Perfect Clear Reward [Duneshade's Tail] obtained.]
[Players who have Perfect Cleared the 30th Floor: 1.]
[You are the only one!]
[Universe Announcement.]
[Please celebrate! Everyone in the universe! A Perfect Player of the 30th Floor has appeared. This is a feat that no one has ever achieved before!]
[Feat Stat + 7]
Kang Jun-hyeok returned to Earth.
He immediately sat down on his bed. The "great god" was gone, and only the human Kang Jun-hyeok remained.
“I’m exhausted.”
He had acted the part of a god for twenty-four hours straight to ensure not a single doubt remained. It was no easy task. He closed his eyes and tried to soothe his mental fatigue. After resting for a while, he opened his eyes and checked his status window.
He let out a low whistle.
“This is insane.”
[Kang Jun-hyeok]
• Level: 35
• Health: 1290
• Strength Stat: 87
• Speed Stat: 85
• Internal Energy: 55
• Mana: 22
• Divine Power: 34
• Feat Stat: 155
• Attack Power: + ? + 4
• Defense: +65
His Strength and Speed stats were nearing 100. To have such values at only the 30th floor... if he told other players, they would laugh and dismiss it as nonsense.
Above all, the growth rate of his Divine Power stat was remarkable. He had cleared just one floor, yet it had jumped from 13 to 34. More than three pages of the Scripture of the Lost God had been filled. It was staggering.
It wasn't just his stats that had increased. The proficiencies for Glory of the Lost God and Greatsword Technique had also risen. On top of that, he had obtained three Perfect Clear rewards.
“There’s a lot to check.”
He happily began to inspect his rewards.