Chapter 156: 32nd Floor. Dwarf Kingdom (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156: 32nd Floor. Dwarf Kingdom (1)
[Title: Fantasy!]
[A battle between the Demon Race and Dwarves. Now that’s a classic!]
* * *
Kang Jun-hyeok began sorting through his rewards.
He had received three rewards in total for his Perfect Clear.
[Lowest-Grade Core from Somewhere]
• Grade: Mid-Rank
• An energy source of unknown origin. Beings of this universe cannot understand or analyze it.
[Ship Part from Somewhere]
• A part made of a strange substance. Beings of this universe cannot understand or analyze it.
These were materials belonging to the Victors. Kang Jun-hyeok looked at them with a calm expression, as if he had expected this.
It was about time these started dropping.
However, there was one pleasant surprise.
I didn't expect to get a core this early.
The core, roughly the size of a fist, pulsed with enough energy to power an entire nation. The ship part was equally impressive; no technology on Earth could ever hope to replicate a material with that level of density and hardness.
Even with his Observation skill, he couldn't fully comprehend them. These were materials of immense value and status. If handled correctly, they could be used to forge extraordinary equipment.
But there was one major problem.
In the end, they’re still materials belonging to the Victors.
Those capable of actually working with such materials were extremely rare.
After stowing the materials, Kang Jun-hyeok checked his new title.
[Title: Victor Slayer]
• A title given to one who has killed a Victor.
• All stats increase by +3 when facing a Victor.
The title provided a significant stat boost specifically against Victors. Since it was a title he had obtained in his past life as well, there was nothing new about it, but its simplicity was its strength. Combined with the effect of the Perfect Player title, which granted +1 to all stats when facing a Victor, he was becoming a specialized counter to them.
Having finished his brief check, he summoned Pixie and shared his memories of the floor. Pixie let out an exclamation of awe.
[You won? No, I knew you’d win, but wasn't that a bit too easy?]
The Captain had not been weak by any means. He was supplied with incomprehensible energy through the core in his chest and boasted near-absolute defensive power. Furthermore, the ship’s offensive capabilities were considerable; it possessed enough firepower to devastate an entire planet. Most players would have been busy just trying to stay alive.
Yet Kang Jun-hyeok had dismantled such an opponent with ease. It was as if he had faced beings like the Captain countless times before.
[You really are full of secrets. Though I suppose that’s what makes you interesting.]
Pixie laughed playfully and snapped her fingers.
[300 Starlight.]
Afterward, Kang Jun-hyeok went to see the blacksmith. The man spoke first, his hammer still rhythmically striking the anvil.
“I’m still thinking about that meteor fragment. It hasn't quite spoken to me yet.”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
Kang Jun-hyeok pulled out the core and the ship part. The blacksmith’s face instantly contorted.
“...Items from the Empire from Somewhere.”
“You recognized them immediately.”
“How could I not recognize those unpleasant things?”
“Can you use these to make equipment for me?”
Until now, the blacksmith had readily accepted Kang Jun-hyeok’s requests. He had always been incredibly confident, acting as if there was nothing in existence he couldn't forge.
But this time was different. The blacksmith stared at the materials with a troubled expression.
“I am a Heaven-Endowed Blacksmith. I can handle any material in this world without difficulty. But... in the end, I am one who refines the metals of this universe.”
The Empire from Somewhere came from outside their universe. They were not the kind of materials the blacksmith could handle. At the news that it was impossible, Kang Jun-hyeok put the materials back into his inventory with a look of disappointment.
“I see.”
He knew the blacksmith couldn't handle materials from the Victors. However, he had hoped things might be different now that the blacksmith had regained his full strength. Apparently not.
I guess I have no choice then.
There were various specialized NPCs within the Tower. The Shopkeepers sold Tower goods, the Blacksmiths refined materials, and the Enchanters imbued equipment with magic.
And then, there was the NPC who specialized in handling materials from the Victors of the outer universe. People called that NPC the Madman.
To be honest, I really don't want to see him.
Kang Jun-hyeok’s expression soured. The Madman was, quite literally, a lunatic. He truly didn't want to meet him, but there was no other way. No one else could handle these materials.
The blacksmith, who had been watching Kang Jun-hyeok intently, spoke up.
“It seems you’ve cleared the 31st Floor.”
“I have.”
“Hmm... fine. That’ll do.” After a moment of thought, the blacksmith nodded. “I told you before. To make me your vassal, you must complete several quests.”
“You did.”
“With your current level, it should be possible. I shall give you the second quest on the 32nd Floor.”
“Oho.”
A glint appeared in Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes.
“You will learn the details of the quest once you enter the 32nd Floor,” the blacksmith added.
“Understood.”
Kang Jun-hyeok nodded with a smirk. Returning to Earth, he recalled what he knew about the 32nd Floor.
If I remember correctly, it was a battle between the Demon Race and the Dwarves.
It was a floor where the Demon Race invaded the Dwarf Kingdom. The goal was to help the dwarves fend off the demonic assault. Since the player acted more as a supporting character rather than the lead, it wasn't a particularly difficult floor. Above all, the dwarves were stronger than the demons. Since defending was much more advantageous, one could—to put it bluntly—clear the floor just by watching.
However, since the blacksmith was giving him a direct quest, it likely wouldn't be that simple.
I wonder how it’ll turn out.
Kang Jun-hyeok stretched his body in anticipation. He had three days left, so he could afford to wait leisurely. While resting, he suddenly remembered the Community.
He was now one of the top 100 players on Earth. This meant he could finally participate in the Community for high-ranking players, which had been inaccessible to him before. It seemed like a good way to kill time.
When Kang Jun-hyeok opened the Community, the chat was alive with conversation.
[Charang (58th Floor): So you’re saying that in your world, the Five Great Families and the Nine Great Sects exist?]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Indeed. Do they not exist in your world?]
[Charang (58th Floor): We have no such concepts. A single, massive sect—the Heaven One Sect—rules over everything. I am the twenty-fifth successor of that very sect.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): You are a person of high status, then. What martial art have you mastered?]
[Charang (58th Floor): The Heaven One Divine Art. I took great pride in my martial arts, but hearing your story, my confidence is shaken. Just what kind of world is yours?]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): It is not a very pleasant planet to live on.]
The martial artist players stuck with their own kind.
[Emilia Traina (61st Floor): So in your world, you handle mana as if it were a physical substance?]
[Tukan Tak (62nd Floor): Yes. Mana itself possesses mass.]
[Emilia Traina (61st Floor): How interesting. But I think it would be difficult to handle in our world.]
[Tukan Tak (62nd Floor): Did you say mana is buried in the earth in your world?]
[Emilia Traina (61st Floor): Yes. We mine it and use it as an energy source.]
The magic-using players stuck with their own kind.
[Abradiano (58th Floor): Anyone here who handles Telekinesis?]
[Suamjang (59th Floor): Right here.]
[Abradiano (58th Floor): Oh, excellent. Let’s discuss power control.]
The Esper players stuck with their own kind. Everyone was conversing according to their interests. It was only natural; the top players in the universe were likely watching this Community right now. It was an unprecedented event in the history of the universe. Since they were all powerful individuals, they had a great interest in different forms of power.
And unfortunately, the players from Earth were unable to join their conversations.
[Chuang Zen (49th Floor): ...I can feel the wall between us.]
[Michael Stern (51st Floor): It’s a bitter pill to swallow.]
Those called the top players of Earth were only in the late 40s to mid-50s in terms of floors. But here, players reached as high as the mid-to-late 60s. Furthermore, they were discussing all sorts of bizarre abilities that Earthlings couldn't even comprehend, let alone handle.
Only then did they realize how weak they truly were, and how vast the universe was. Naturally, they couldn't help but feel intimidated. This was true not only for Earth’s players but for most players from lower-ranked planets.
Yet paradoxically, Earth was receiving more attention than any other planet. The reason was simple.
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): So, you’re saying there is someone called a Perfect Player on your planet?]
[Yoo Jin-ha (56th Floor): Uh... yeah, I think so?]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Intriguing. I have attempted a Perfect Clear myself but never once succeeded. The highest I reached was 90%. I simply couldn't find the answer for the remaining 10%. How on earth did he Perfect Clear every single floor?]
[Yoo Jin-ha (56th Floor): I-I wouldn't know even if you asked me.]
[Charang (58th Floor): Does such a person truly exist? I have my doubts.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): There was a universe-wide announcement. It wouldn't speak falsehoods.]
[Charang (58th Floor): It could be a different person each time.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Looking at the timing and the dates of each clear, that is unlikely.]
[Charang (58th Floor): It makes more sense than someone Perfect Clearing everything from the 1st to the 31st Floor. From what I’ve heard, their planet is weak. No martial arts, no magic, no superpowers—nothing. And a Perfect Player emerged from such a place?]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Hmm.]
Dang Jung-ryeong couldn't refute that. These were the top-tier players in the entire universe. They had all challenged Perfect Clears and knew full well how absurd the difficulty was. That was why it was so hard to believe.
They continued to debate back and forth about whether Kang Jun-hyeok actually existed. Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
“They’re making quite a fuss over nothing.”
[Even we feel a sense of anomaly regarding your existence. How could mere mortals possibly accept it?] The Master of All Weapons answered as if it were obvious.
The Community members continued to preach their own arguments and refute others. In the process, the conversation began to grow heated. They were even starting to trade insults.
Watching quietly, Kang Jun-hyeok lightly typed a message.
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): Hi.]
The short sentence was posted to the Community.
At that moment, a dead silence fell over the chat.