Chapter 178: 39th Floor. World of Espers (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 178: 39th Floor. World of Espers (1)
[Title: Wow. It’s finally here.]
[Yeah. It’s about time Espers showed up. It’s always magic or Murim. Don’t they ever get tired of it? Espers are the trend!]
[Tuvalt Shadowstar (67th Floor): Shut up.]
[Du Hwa-in (39th Floor): Yes, sir.]
* * *
Afterward, Kang Jun-hyeok sought out the Blacksmith and handed over the Mana Root.
The Blacksmith accepted the root, his expression piqued with interest.
“Can a mere root truly harbor this much mana? Interesting. What do you want?”
“An enhancement for the Master of All Weapons.”
“A simple enough request. With this, it should be possible. Hand it over.”
A short while later, the Blacksmith returned the Master of All Weapons. Unlike before, it now pulsed with a strange, eerie mana.
[Master of All Weapons +2]
[Slot: Weapon]
[Rank: Unique]
[Attack Power: + ? + 4]
[Mana: +5]
[Corruption: Inflicts a powerful poison status effect on hit.]
[Can store ten thousand weapons.]
[Can only be wielded by one who has proven their qualifications.]
As the Master of All Weapons reached +2, a mana stat was added.
Considering he never had a reason to unequip the weapon, it was essentially a permanent +5 to his Mana. Jun-hyeok tucked the weapon away, satisfied.
“Thank you.”
Returning to Earth, Jun-hyeok took a well-deserved rest. Then, a few days later, he entered the 39th Floor.
[39th Floor Quest Start.]
[Leave your name in the pages of history. The quest will be completed once it is judged that you have left a significant record.]
Rain was falling steadily. He saw a flickering streetlight and a wrecked car beneath it.
Streetlights and cars existed here. At a glance, one might think it wasn't much different from the modern world. However, a closer look revealed that the car’s shape, engine, and overall structure were completely different from those on Earth.
Jun-hyeok draped a loose piece of cloth around himself. He looked up and gazed into the distance.
There stood a city of unparalleled splendor.
Buildings seemed to pierce the heavens, illuminated by a brilliant array of neon signs. Even though it was evening, the brightness was enough to make one mistake it for sunrise.
That place was the city of Espers: Psychotic.
The 39th Floor was a world where supernatural powers reigned supreme.
* * *
Espers.
They possessed special abilities that mortal beings were born with.
Telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, pyrokinesis—a vast variety of powers existed. While the output varied from person to person, reaching the level of a Transcendent Esper granted power equivalent to the Third Rank.
The only thing they consumed was mental strength. Since they didn't use significant energies like mana or internal energy, they were free to use their powers as they pleased. It was a form of extremely potent power that required no casting.
And because of that, not just anyone could wield it.
One could only use Esper powers if they were born with the talent. It was determined from birth and could never be acquired later in life. It was a stricter condition than martial arts, magic, or spirit arts.
At least, that was what the world believed.
But Jun-hyeok knew better. He knew that it was possible to become an Esper later in life. And he knew that the 39th Floor held the proof of that fact.
In his past life, there was a Player named Gu Bijan. He was one of the top-tier Players, possessing immense strength even among his peers. But what made him even more unique was his personality.
He pursued pure justice.
He could not tolerate injustice and walked the path he believed in. Even as he climbed the Tower, his heart never wavered. Because of that, people called him by a certain name—sometimes with respect, and sometimes with mockery.
The Hero.
This floor was where he had caused a stir throughout the entire universe. It was because he had become an Esper after achieving a Perfect Clear of the 39th Floor.
Countless Players flocked to him after that miraculous event. They asked him what on earth had happened on the 39th Floor.
‘But he kept his mouth shut.’
Gu Bijan remained tight-lipped about the 39th Floor. No matter how many people coaxed or prodded him, he never opened his mouth.
The only thing Jun-hyeok knew was one single fact: Gu Bijan had not headed toward the city of Espers.
Jun-hyeok turned his gaze. In contrast to the city of skyscrapers, he saw a broken, desolate town. The buildings were worn and collapsing, giving off a post-apocalyptic vibe.
That place was the city of Non-Espers: Useless.
The 39th Floor was divided into these two cities. The city that Player had headed to was this one.
Most Players headed to Psychotic. There, things like magic, internal energy, and skills were evaluated as types of Esper abilities. In fact, they were often treated well as wielders of "unseen" Esper powers. It was a floor close to a bonus stage, where one could clear it just by resting leisurely.
But Jun-hyeok wasn't looking for that kind of bonus.
“Shall we go?”
Jun-hyeok began walking toward Useless.
There were no guards. As he stepped inside, leaving the swirling dust behind him, he immediately felt gazes coming from all directions.
Wary, hostile, and greedy eyes.
He ignored them and walked into a tavern.
Screeeech.
The noisy interior fell silent at the sound of the door scraping. Men who looked like mercenaries were sitting in chairs, drinking. Jun-hyeok sat on a barstool and gave a small wave.
“Hey.”
“...Welcome. I haven't seen your face around here before.”
“I moved here recently. I need to pick up some work to make a living. Got any jobs?”
“Well, there are some, but...”
“Hey.”
Someone grabbed Jun-hyeok’s shoulder. A burly man with a menacing face glared at him.
“If you’re a newbie, you should greet your seniors first. You just barge in and go straight to the Master? What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ah. Sorry.” Jun-hyeok gave a thin smile. “Nice to meet you. Happy now?”
“Is this guy crazy?”
The man grimaced and tightened his grip on Jun-hyeok’s shoulder. He intended to apply enough pressure to the bone to cause excruciating pain.
But Jun-hyeok didn't react at all. With a nonchalant face, he reached up and grabbed the man’s shoulder in return.
“Or did you need a different kind of greeting?”
“...Argh, ah, aah! Aaaaaagh!”
The man’s face contorted as a scream tore from his throat. His bones began to creak and shift out of place. He shrieked in agony.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I was wrong!”
“Let’s behave next time, okay?”
“Yes! Yes!”
As soon as Jun-hyeok let go, the man scrambled out of the tavern. Silence followed, though it carried a different weight than before.
“Now then, Master. Can I get a job?”
“...Of course,” the Master replied with an awkward smile.
* * *
Gu Bijan had headed to Useless.
Most of the Non-Espers in Useless barely scraped by as mercenaries. It was highly likely that he had worked as a mercenary to adapt to this place as well.
So, Jun-hyeok did the same.
He didn't even need to use magic or skills. His stats alone were a massive power. With his outstanding abilities, he made a name for himself in no time, and before long, even Espers were commissioning him for tasks.
“Eek! H-Hieeeek!”
The mission he had accepted was to escort a rich man from Psychotic. He grabbed the rich man by the scruff of the neck and dodged a barrage of attacks. An Esper shouted in disbelief.
“What kind of freak is this? Try dodging this too!”
Clang! Clang! Clash!
The glass of the surrounding buildings shattered into pieces. The falling shards stopped mid-air, defying gravity. The Esper snapped his fingers.
“Die!”
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The glass shards rained down all at once. The density of the attack made it look like there was no room to escape.
However, Jun-hyeok stared calmly at the shards. Through Control, he grasped the trajectory and direction of the fragments, and through Observation, he found the answer. He moved his body lightly.
Clang! Clang!
The glass shards brushed past him harmlessly and slammed into the ground. The Esper let out a dumbfounded sound.
“How can a mere... Ugh!”
Boom!
A powerful force struck the Esper. Another guard, who had arrived late, hurriedly stood in front of Jun-hyeok.
“You’ve been guarding him well.”
“Please finish this up.”
Jun-hyeok successfully escorted the rich man to the designated location. The Esper who had been guarding alongside him looked at Jun-hyeok with admiration.
“I’ve heard the rumors. That a brilliant Non-Esper had appeared recently. I thought you’d just be another Non-Esper regardless... but you’re certainly different. Impressive.”
“Thank you.”
“Ahem. You’re quite useful. Not like the other trash.” The rich man straightened his clothes and made a low offer. “How about it? Become my direct guard. For a mere Non-Esper like you, this is an exceptional offer. You should be celebrating.”
The rich man spoke with an arrogant face. He looked as if the possibility of Jun-hyeok refusing hadn't even crossed his mind.
Jun-hyeok thought to himself.
Gu Bijan. What would he have done in this situation?
The answer came quickly. Jun-hyeok smirked.
“I appreciate the offer—actually, no, I don’t even appreciate it, but I’ll refuse.”
“W-What?”
“Because I don’t like people like you.”
Jun-hyeok turned around and walked away. The rich man’s face turned red with rage as he shouted, “You’ll regret this!”
Ignoring him, Jun-hyeok returned to the tavern in Useless. The Master welcomed him warmly.
“Oh, Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok. You’re back. How was it this time? I heard it was a mercenary job for the Espers.”
“It was unpleasant. A fat, bloated pig was talking all high and mighty. His only power was barely being able to light a cigarette, yet he acted like he owned the world.”
Jun-hyeok spoke cynically. The Master smiled and handed him a drink. Behind him, the other mercenaries chuckled.
“That’s right! Exactly!”
“Damn Espers! They’ve got nothing going for them, but they discriminate just because they have powers!”
“I want to flip the whole world upside down!”
The tavern instantly became rowdy. The drinking session lasted late into the night. With everyone else passed out, Jun-hyeok flipped a coin onto the counter and stepped outside.
“Here’s the tab, Master.”
“Always a pleasure.”
Jun-hyeok walked through the dark night streets. Two weeks had passed since he arrived here.
During that time, Jun-hyeok had perfectly assimilated into the city. He had handled numerous tasks with his superior abilities and consistently shown his animosity toward Espers. Everyone, except for the man he had first taught a lesson to, had come to view him with favor.
‘But I still haven’t seen anything yet.’
Jun-hyeok frowned. Ultimately, his goal was to obtain Esper powers. But the path to that goal remained invisible.
‘I knew it would be difficult.’
If it were easy, more than just one person would have obtained it. But he hadn't expected to be running in place for nearly two weeks. What should he do? What action would open the path?
Lost in thought on his way home, Jun-hyeok suddenly paused. A strange smile played on his lips.
‘Finally, something’s here.’
[You’ve got a tail.]
The Master of All Weapons muttered. Someone was following him, keeping their presence hidden.