Chapter 157: 32nd Floor. Dwarf Kingdom (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: 32nd Floor. Dwarf Kingdom (2)
As if the previous clamor had been a mere illusion, not a single message appeared for several minutes. The silence was chilling.
"You were all looking for me so desperately, yet you go quiet the moment I show up."
Just as Kang Jun-hyeok was about to type a response, a message flickered onto the screen.
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): ……The 31st floor.]
A heavy groan seemed to resonate through the text.
The gap between him and Dang Jung-ryeong was more than double. For someone counted among the top 100 players of an entire planet, Jun-hyeok’s floor was remarkably low. After a brief silence, Dang Jung-ryeong asked:
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): It is a pleasure to meet you, Kang Jun-hyeok. Are you truly the one they call the Perfect Player?]
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): If you mean the person everyone’s talking about, then yes.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Mmm.]
Only Dang Jung-ryeong was actively engaging in the conversation, but countless players across the stars were undoubtedly watching this exchange. Kang Jun-hyeok posted another message, his expression one of mild annoyance.
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): I exist in this universe. I am a real person. So stop wasting time bickering and just climb the Tower.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Hmph. Understood.]
Just as the conversation seemed to be winding down, a new voice cut in.
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (66th Floor): How arrogant.]
"Oh?"
A strange light flickered in Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes.
Tuvalt Shadowstar.
Kang Jun-hyeok knew this man well. He was a Half-Human Half-Demon—a genius that appeared only once every ten thousand years. In Jun-hyeok's past life, this was the man who had eventually yielded the Book of Lemegeton to him.
Well, now. That’s a nostalgic name.
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (66th Floor): Your claim of being the Perfect Player is just that—a claim. Why should we believe you? Furthermore, the strength of your home planet is utterly pathetic. It is highly likely you simply survived through sheer luck.]
Tuvalt’s words were laced with denial and sharp hostility. After a moment’s thought, Kang Jun-hyeok smirked.
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): You. You’re jealous of me, aren’t you?]
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (66th Floor): ……Don't talk nonsense.]
Tuvalt’s reply was delayed. It was a clear sign that Kang Jun-hyeok had struck a nerve.
Right. He was always like this.
The 18th and 19th floors were linked to the Magic Tower. Tuvalt had achieved a Perfect Clear on the 18th floor, but he had failed to do the same on the 19th. He likely believed that a Perfect Clear of the 19th floor was impossible for anyone.
Yet, as if mocking his efforts, Kang Jun-hyeok had succeeded. To someone as prideful as Tuvalt, it was an unbearable irritation.
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (66th Floor): Provide proof that you are the Perfect Player. Until then, I refuse to believe it.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): I agree. Could you perhaps explain how you achieved those Perfect Clears?]
Dang Jung-ryeong chimed back in. The eyes of the universe were gathered, waiting for him to prove his worth.
Kang Jun-hyeok replied nonchalantly.
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): Why should I?]
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (66th Floor): ……What?]
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): I have no need for your recognition right now. Nor do I have any reason to persuade you.]
Kang Jun-hyeok typed leisurely.
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): The final test is over. What do you think comes next?]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): ……A Universe Quest.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): Correct.]
The Community wouldn't have expanded for no reason. First the planet, then the universe. They would be meeting face-to-face before long.
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): So, when we finally meet, please… don’t disappoint me.]
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (66th Floor): You arrogant brat!]
[Kang Jun-hyeok (31st Floor): I’m not just talking to you. I’m talking to everyone here. If you call yourselves top-tier players, you’d better show me strength that matches the title.]
[Dang Jung-ryeong (64th Floor): Ho ho.]
[Aloanian Hasat (60th Floor): Thank you for the advice. I will do my best.]
Tuvalt continued to vent his rage, but Kang Jun-hyeok ignored the notifications and closed the Community window. Eldiria spoke up, her voice tinged with surprise.
[You’re being quite aggressive today, provoking them directly.]
"These people need a wake-up call."
It was different from before. These were the top players in the universe—individuals who would be vital allies in the battles to come. That was why he provoked them. He wanted them to climb higher and become even stronger than they had been in his past life. Eldiria spoke playfully.
[But they are all powerful individuals. They were born with talent and strength. Some likely even possess the grace of the gods.]
They were people whose names would eventually be known throughout the cosmos.
[There are probably a few I recognize as well. People with talent so great even I marveled at it. Are you not afraid of the consequences of provoking such individuals?]
"It doesn't matter," Kang Jun-hyeok said calmly. "I’m going to be the strongest anyway."
[A magnificent answer.]
Eldiria laughed contentedly.
* * *
The Half-Human Half-Demon with reptilian eyes, Tuvalt Shadowstar, had his face contorted in a grimace. The woman beside him burst into laughter.
"You got played, didn't you? How does it feel?"
"Shut up."
His chilling voice weighed down the room. His sheer will took physical form, warping the air around him. Tuvalt ground his teeth.
"Kang Jun-hyeok."
He spat the name out as if carving it into his memory.
"I’ll be watching to see if you actually have the strength to back up those words."
In another location, within a massive and grand cathedral, stood a blonde woman with striking blue eyes. She had been watching the Community with keen interest.
"Abbess. Did you see that?"
"He seems quite confident. Excessively so."
"A Perfect Player should be exactly like that! This is getting interesting."
"Do not get your hopes up too high. The Tower demands many different abilities. Being a Perfect Player means he is versatile, but the likelihood of him possessing exceptional combat power is low."
The Abbess shook her head.
"Above all, the planet called Earth seems to be a place without innate abilities. A world of fragile civilization. You know how vast that gap is."
The Abbess’s tone suggested she didn't expect much from Kang Jun-hyeok. But the woman felt differently.
"Kang Jun-hyeok."
Gazing at the messages he had left with sparkling eyes, she smirked.
"I’ve become interested."
"Now, that’s enough. It is almost time for prayer."
"Ugh, how annoying. Can’t I skip it just once?"
"No."
The Abbess cut her off firmly and reached out a hand.
"Come, Saintess. O representative of our Great God."
The woman took the Abbess’s hand with a bored expression.
And in yet another place…
Lush greenery. A forest thick with bamboo. At the peak of a cliff stood a man wearing a simple martial arts uniform.
"The Perfect Player, huh?" the man muttered, his interest piqued. "I’ve only managed to Perfect Clear two floors, yet he’s cleared over thirty."
He had achieved a Perfect Clear on the 9th floor’s White Sword Sect and the 27th floor’s Murim world. He was the Number One in Murim. His eyes narrowed.
"I would like to test myself against him."
The Half-Human Half-Demon. The Saintess. The Number One in Murim. And countless other top-tier players. They all reacted to Kang Jun-hyeok in various ways. Some were incensed by his arrogance, while others felt a surge of competitive spirit.
But one thing was certain: the name Kang Jun-hyeok was now etched into the minds of the players across the universe.
* * *
Time passed. Kang Jun-hyeok entered the 32nd floor.
"Shall we get going, then?"
Before him stood a massive castle. It was a magnificent structure, so high and grand that it was hard to believe humans could have built it. Perfect, seamless walls protected the fortress.
And against those walls, all sorts of dark forces were being unleashed.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions erupted. The barrier surrounding the walls shook violently. Intense ripples of power made the air tremble, and shouts echoed from all directions.
"Kill the filthy demons!"
"Reclaim our holy land!"
Beings with horns on their heads and crimson eyes charged forward with a roar. In contrast, dwarves atop the walls raised their axes high.
"For the surface!"
"For the Demon King!"
Their voices overlapped, thundering across the battlefield.
""Kill the enemy!""
[32nd Floor Quest.]
[Resolve the conflict and restore peace to the region.]
* * *
A fierce battle was in full swing.
Kang Jun-hyeok watched silently from a short distance away. The dwarves and the Demon Race were hurling insults at each other as they clashed.
"You damn demon-heads! Go back to your hell!"
"You lowly creatures born of the earth! We should be saying that to you! Go back to your burrows!"
[The battle between the Demon Race and the beings of the surface. How nostalgic. I wonder how long it has been since I last saw this.]
Eldiria murmured, seemingly moved by the sight. Kang Jun-hyeok observed them quietly.
It’s just as I remember.
The demons were attacking the dwarf castle, and the dwarves were defending. Since the defense was much more advantageous and the dwarves were naturally stronger, clearing the quest wasn't difficult at all. Since the dwarves were the ones to cooperate with, building trust with them could lead to obtaining excellent equipment.
Kang Jun-hyeok was contemplating his next move when a window appeared.
[Hidden Quest: Clear the second condition set by the Blacksmith.]
The Hidden Quest the Blacksmith had personally given him. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled as he read the title, but his expression soon soured as he read the details.
"What?"
[Second Condition: 32nd Floor. Bring back Malabur's Hammer from the Dwarf Kingdom.]
[On Success: The Blacksmith will recognize you and perfectly craft equipment in the form you desire. Additionally, one of his own personal pieces of equipment will be given to you. Conditions to make him your vassal in the future will be unlocked.]
[On Failure: The Blacksmith will never recognize you.]
The rewards were excellent. Until now, even if he brought materials, the Blacksmith would craft whatever he felt like. He could make requests to some extent, but he couldn't be demanding. But if he cleared this quest, he would be able to get custom-made equipment.
However, there was a problem. A very big one.
"Malabur's Hammer."
Kang Jun-hyeok knew exactly what that was. Malabur was the god of the dwarves. The hammer was a sacred relic he had personally bestowed upon the dwarves who followed him. Naturally, the hammer was incredibly precious to them—more so than their own lives.
And the Blacksmith was telling him to take it.
"Hmm."
Kang Jun-hyeok stroked his chin. If he helped the dwarves, would he be able to get that hammer? The answer was immediate.
They would never give it to him.
To begin with, the dwarves were already winning the war. Even if Kang Jun-hyeok joined in, it would only make the clear a bit easier. There was no way they would give a relic more precious than their lives to a stranger. Even a Perfect Clear wouldn't change that. Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
"He gave me a real pain of a quest."
[The man put himself on the line. It was never going to be easy,] the Master of All Weapons said, as if it were obvious.
Kang Jun-hyeok fell into thought. What should he do? How could he achieve a Perfect Clear while also obtaining Malabur's Hammer?
His thoughts began to organize one by one. His eyes slowly grew cold. Time passed, the battle ended, and the demons retreated. The sun set, and night fell.
Even then, Kang Jun-hyeok did not move.
Another hour passed. Finally, he nodded.
"Alright."
[It seems you’ve made a decision.]
"More or less."
Kang Jun-hyeok began to walk. He passed the Dwarf Kingdom. He walked across the war-torn land and moved beyond it.
In a place quite far from the kingdom, he saw numerous tents and temporary buildings. Torches hung from trees, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
There, he saw beings with black horns and crimson eyes. The Demon Race.
As Kang Jun-hyeok approached, the demon guards hurriedly raised their weapons.
"Halt! Who are you!"
Kang Jun-hyeok stopped. The demon staring at him frowned.
"……A human?"
"That’s right."
"A human dares to come here? Do you wish to die?"
A murderous aura flared. Demons were beings of hell. They were hostile toward the beings of the surface. It was common knowledge.
In the face of that bloodlust, Kang Jun-hyeok grinned.
"It’s nothing much. It just looks like you’re having a pretty hard time invading the Dwarf Kingdom."
"……Are you on the side of the dwarves?"
"To think you’d dare crawl all the way here! You’ve got guts!"
Just as the guard was about to blow a whistle, Kang Jun-hyeok raised a hand.
"I think you’ve got the wrong idea. I’m not on the dwarves' side. Quite the opposite, actually."
"What?"
"The invasion of the Dwarf Kingdom. I was thinking of helping you out. For a suitable price, of course."
Kang Jun-hyeok spoke casually. The demons’ eyes widened in shock.