Chapter 149: The Final Test (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149: The Final Test (3)
“I… I’m so sorry.”
Olivia Turner offered Kang Jun-hyeok a sincere apology.
It was clear what she was atoning for: the past.
After clearing the 2nd Floor, Kang Jun-hyeok had obtained a Strategy Writing Permit as a reward. He had used that permit to put the method for a Perfect Clear of the 2nd Floor up for sale for 10,000 Gold.
Olivia had been the one to purchase that strategy.
Then, she had released the information to every player through the Community for free.
While she had done it for the sake of the people, it was an act that directly harmed Kang Jun-hyeok’s interests. Because of her, no one else had bought his strategy.
Olivia bit her lip.
“I wanted to make it up to you somehow. I tried to get in touch by asking around, but I never received a response.”
“Because there was no need to pay attention to such things. I didn’t have the time for it, either.”
In the time it would have taken to deal with that, he would rather have climbed even one more floor of the Tower. That was Kang Jun-hyeok’s judgment. At his answer, Olivia’s face clouded with even deeper guilt.
“I am sorry. I caused you an irreparable inconvenience.”
Kang Jun-hyeok looked down at Olivia as she bowed.
Her desire to save others—in his past life, he had sympathized with it. Their emotions and opinions had aligned well back then, and they had spoken often.
If he were the person he was in that past life, he probably would have told her there was no need to be sorry. He might have even praised her for doing something noble.
But things were different now.
“As you said, apologizing now won’t change what happened,” Kang Jun-hyeok said. “Once information has spread, there’s no taking it back.”
“…”
Olivia bit her lip, her face filled with sorrow. Kang Jun-hyeok continued.
“So, give me the greatest compensation you can offer.”
“Co—Compensation? Of course! What do you want?”
“All the Gold you have. And your most precious material. Hand them all over.”
“Ah. Yes. Yes!”
Olivia hurriedly pulled out her Gold and a material, handing them to him.
[You have obtained 14,321 Gold from Olivia Turner.]
[You have obtained a Meteor Fragment from Olivia Turner.]
[Meteor Fragment]
• Rank: Mid-Rank
• A fragment of a meteorite that fell from the heavens to the earth.
An intermediate-rank material. Not bad. Perhaps feeling it wasn't enough, Olivia made a hasty excuse.
“I’m sorry. I used as much Gold as I could before the test. Once I return to Earth and climb the Tower more, I’ll give you more…”
“There’s no need for that. It’s a hassle.”
“…Thank you.”
Olivia bowed her head deeply. Her expression relaxed slightly, as if she felt she had finally been forgiven.
After watching her for a moment, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke again.
“I’ll give you one piece of advice.”
“I will take it to heart.”
“You are leading others, aren’t you?”
The woman called the Saintess, who gave everything to everyone. The woman who sacrificed herself as bait for the sake of weak players until the very end. That was Olivia.
“Rather than doing that sort of thing, you’d be better off focusing on the Tower. You are weak.”
“Pardon?”
Olivia was momentarily flustered. She was a 53rd Floor player. Even among the hundred elites gathered here, she was at the very top. It had been a long time since anyone had called her weak. After thinking for a moment, she spoke as if she understood his point.
“Of course, I am weak compared to you, Jun-hyeok. But even so…”
“You’re mistaken.”
Kang Jun-hyeok cut her off sharply.
“I’m not using myself as the standard. I’m speaking by the standards of the universe.”
“The universe?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
With those final words, Kang Jun-hyeok closed his eyes.
Olivia lingered awkwardly for a moment before giving a quiet greeting and leaving.
Next, another person approached Kang Jun-hyeok. The onlookers held their breath.
“You must be Kang Jun-hyeok.”
It was Trey Dice.
The strongest player on Earth, a climber of the 59th Floor. He drew his sword and pointed it directly at Kang Jun-hyeok.
“I challenge you to a duel.”
Kang Jun-hyeok looked at Trey. The man’s eyes were burning with competitive spirit and fighting intent.
Trey Dice.
He was strong. In terms of raw talent, he fell short of Yoo Jin-ha, but he was overwhelmingly superior in terms of mental fortitude. He believed in himself and climbed the Tower faster than anyone else. He didn't interact with others; he trusted only his own strength.
And that was exactly how he had died while climbing the Tower.
How can he be the exact opposite of Yoo Jin-ha?
Kang Jun-hyeok shook his head.
“It’s not a bad offer, but I decline.”
“…Are you avoiding me?”
Disappointment flickered in Trey’s eyes. He hadn't expected Kang Jun-hyeok to refuse. He clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.
“I had high expectations for a Perfect Player, but it turns out you’re just a coward.”
“You are making a big mistake.”
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled thinly despite the insult.
“When it comes to climbing the Tower, it’s better to have a certain amount of fear. It’s a problem if it’s excessive like Yoo Jin-ha, but you have a problem as well.”
“And what problem would that be?”
Trey spoke proudly, his face holding a confidence he didn't bother to hide.
“I am strong. I climb the Tower faster than anyone and possess power greater than anyone. I don’t need others. I can conquer this Tower alone.”
“No. You aren't strong. In fact, you’re weak.”
Trey’s eyebrows twitched. His voice grew heated with anger.
“I heard you’re also climbing the Tower with nothing but your own strength.”
“That’s because I’m different from you.”
Trey grimaced at the calm reply.
“You spout nonsense with such confidence. If you’re so sure of yourself, why refuse the duel?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Just as Trey was about to argue further, refusing to accept the answer—
Cr-crack!
The sky split open, and the Administrator appeared. She smiled brightly and waved her hand.
“Hello, everyone! A day has passed! I’m sure you’ve all had plenty of rest! Now then, the final test will begin!”
With her floor-length black hair swaying, she shouted playfully.
“The final test given to you is simple! It’s a Battle Royale!”
“Battle Royale?”
“…Does that mean we fight each other?”
The quick-witted ones immediately guessed the nature of the test. The Administrator nodded.
“The hundred of you will be thrown into a battlefield! Fight each other there! Those whose health reaches zero will be eliminated and returned here! Your rewards will be determined by how many opponents you defeat and how long you survive. And the final winner will be the Representative!”
The Administrator spread her arms wide.
“The Representative of your planet! They will play a major role in the events to come!”
“…Represent the planet?”
“What does that mean?”
The crowd muttered in confusion. A few let out groans as they realized the weight of the title. The Administrator clapped her hands.
“Then, let’s begin! Do your best, everyone!”
At that moment, everyone was transported simultaneously.
They arrived in a place that looked like a massive maze, with countless walls obstructing their vision. Kang Jun-hyeok calmly surveyed his surroundings.
It’s just as I heard.
The final test for the top-tier players was a Battle Royale against one another.
Looking up at the sky, a system window floated in the air.
[Time remaining until the battlefield area shrinks: 10 minutes.]
The area of the maze would decrease as time passed. It was a structure designed to slowly compress the space, eventually forcing everyone to encounter one another.
A strange silence filled the maze.
Everyone here was a top-tier player. They were by no means stupid. Realizing that moving first was a disadvantage, they decided to hold their breath and wait.
That was very good news for Kang Jun-hyeok.
He had no intention of waiting. He expanded his senses and opened his ears. He could hear the numerous noises echoing through the labyrinth. He pinpointed their locations in an instant and kicked off the ground.
* * *
“Phew.”
A dead end in the maze.
A man sat there with his back against the wall, catching his breath.
He was a 48th Floor player, which wasn't particularly impressive in this group. If he fought head-on, he would likely lose to most of them.
That was why he was holding out in a place where people wouldn't come, trying to stall for time. If he was lucky, he might be able to snatch a victory while others were exhausted. That was the man’s goal.
However, despite his intentions, someone appeared right in front of him.
Tap.
“Hello.”
“…!”
A man appeared before his eyes, cutting through the wind. He gasped and scrambled to his feet.
“Was it Chuang Zen? It’s been a while.”
“…Kang Jun-hyeok!”
The famous Perfect Player had found him. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled thinly.
“I have a lot to do. Sorry, but I’ll have to end this quickly.”
“Do you think I’ll go down that easily!”
Chuang Zen tightened his grip on his sword. His eyes were coldly analyzing Kang Jun-hyeok.
The man who had cleared every floor up to the 30th with a Perfect Clear. His skills were likely beyond anything Chuang Zen could imagine.
But in the end, his absolute floor level is low.
No matter how many Perfect Clears one achieved, the gap in absolute floor levels could not be easily bridged. His level would be lower, and he would lack experience. His stats would be lower, and his variety of skills would be lacking.
He would aim for that gap.
Chuang Zen, who had made a quick judgment and prepared his response, certainly had the qualifications of a top-tier player.
It was just that it was meaningless against Kang Jun-hyeok.
Kang Jun-hyeok took a step forward.
Thwack!
“Cough… Ack!”
Chuang Zen’s body was slammed directly into the wall. Shock filled his eyes as he let out a pained scream.
What?
Kang Jun-hyeok’s sword had pierced his chest. The problem was that he hadn't seen the movement at all.
What kind of insane strength and speed is this…!
Kang Jun-hyeok wore a surprised expression.
“You weren't eliminated in one hit. I guess you worked hard on increasing your health?”
“Grrr!”
The moment Chuang Zen tried to lift his arm to counterattack, Kang Jun-hyeok’s foot moved again. The sword dug deeper.
“Well then, goodbye.”
[Kang Jun-hyeok has eliminated Chuang Zen.]
Chuang Zen was returned to the Amusement Park.
After sitting still for a few minutes, he opened his mouth blankly.
“…What was that?”
Just two strikes.
He couldn't even defend, let alone counterattack. He had been eliminated pointlessly without being able to do a single thing.
But he wasn't alone.
A moment later, others began to return to the Amusement Park one by one.
* * *
Hold your breath and wait until the battlefield shrinks.
That was the judgment of most players. As such, they thought it would be very quiet for a while.
But it wasn't.
[Kang Jun-hyeok has eliminated Michael Stern.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok has eliminated Sergei Vostov.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok has eliminated Gundak Tak.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok has eliminated Leon Rafal.]
“…Huh?”
“Wait. Hold on a second.”
Only a few minutes after the start, elimination notices were appearing like wildfire.
Soon, they realized the truth.
Kang Jun-hyeok intended to eliminate every single one of them by himself.