Chapter 190: 42nd Floor. Loser of the Great War. Paltry Assassin (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 190: 42nd Floor. Loser of the Great War. Paltry Assassin (4)
“Ha... hahaha. Hahaha!”
Loctia let out a hollow laugh, as if she still couldn't wrap her head around what had happened.
What was this?
What on earth had just transpired?
A Third Rank had nearly been killed by a Second Rank. It was a scenario more absurd than a stag beetle slaying a wolf. She let out a low groan.
“Good grief. My pride is absolutely in tatters.”
“It was merely an expedient.”
He had utilized the advantage of his immortality, analyzed his opponent's techniques through endless combat, and finally aimed for a gap using a power he had kept hidden until the very end. Only then did he manage to land a single blow.
At Kang Jun-hyeok’s calm reply, Loctia burst into a short, dry laugh.
“There wasn't a single person who could pull off that ‘expedient.’ You’ve found quite a splendid successor. And a fine disciple, too.”
[I do not deny it.]
[He is a successor with many secrets.]
“Then a splendid Player deserves a reward. Take it.”
Loctia handed one of her twin daggers to Kang Jun-hyeok. His eyes widened.
“You’re giving this to me?”
“It’s a dagger forged from black iron in lava and tempered with acid. Its sharpness is my pride; it is second to none. You’ve proven yourself worthy of it.”
“Thank you.”
“And I’d like to give you one more thing… but I don’t have anything suitable on hand. Is there anything in particular you want?”
“There is,” Kang Jun-hyeok answered instantly. “The technique you used to evade my Glory of the Lost God. I want to learn that.”
Loctia paused.
“……Are you talking about Semi-Materialization?”
“So that’s what it’s called. Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Loctia hesitated. After agonizing over it for a long while, she finally shook her head.
“I’m sorry, but that’s going to be difficult.”
Semi-Materialization was a unique technique Loctia had spent her entire life refining. It was the culmination of everything she had built, not something that could simply be handed over.
“I’d sooner see the universe perish once more than give that away. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. It can’t be helped, then.”
I guess I can’t get it that easily.
An absolute evasion technique that bypassed all physical force—it would have been incredible to have, but it seemed he was asking for too much. Loctia spoke with an apologetic expression.
“Still, I can’t let you leave empty-handed. Do you remember my technique that cut through light?”
“I remember.”
Loctia had used her dagger to slice through the Glory of the Lost God itself to avoid taking damage. That, too, was a miracle in its own right.
“I can give you that.”
“That will be more than enough. Thank you.”
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled broadly. Loctia looked at him with a peculiar expression.
“……I settled on the 42nd Floor because I wanted to see those who at least had the basics down. But seeing you makes me feel a bit regretful. If we had met further down… I might have become your master.”
[Loctia.]
[You.]
“It’s a joke. A joke! Don’t look so serious.”
Loctia, flinching slightly at the voices, hurriedly made an excuse. She stretched her arms over her head.
“The 42nd Floor is cleared… To be honest, I tested the Players but didn't expect much. I thought it would be impossible anyway. I believed the universe would perish again, and that this was all just a futile struggle. But, with you here…… the story might be different.”
She smiled and lightly tapped Kang Jun-hyeok on the shoulder.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
With those words, numerous system windows appeared.
[Proficiency in Control has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Control has increased from E to D.]
[Proficiency in Spearmanship has increased from D to C.]
[Proficiency in Heaven-Defying Spear of Jealousy has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Anti-Field has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Shock……]
[42nd Floor Quest Cleared.]
[Rewards will be determined based on your performance.]
[Calculating achievement rate……]
[Calculation complete.]
[Achievement Rate: 100%]
[Perfect Clear. Congratulations! Additional rewards will be granted.]
[The effect of the Title: Perfect Player has been added.]
[4,213 Gold has been granted.]
[Perfect Clear Reward [Weapon: Loctia's Black Iron Dagger] obtained.]
[Perfect Clear Reward [Active Skill: Concept Cutting] obtained.]
[Players who have Perfect Cleared the 42nd Floor: 1.]
[You are the only one!]
[Universe Announcement.]
[Please offer your congratulations! Everyone in the universe! A Perfect Player of the 42nd Floor has appeared. This is a feat that no one has achieved until now!]
[Feat +7]
* * *
“Wow.”
Back on Earth, Kang Jun-hyeok let out a low whistle.
The proficiency of four skills had increased in total. Among them, Control had jumped two ranks at once. It was one of the most significant leaps he had experienced so far.
It made sense, though. For a Second Rank to nearly inflict a fatal wound on a Third Rank was, as Loctia said, like a stag beetle killing a wolf.
No matter how many infinite challenges were allowed, such an achievement was bound to have a corresponding reward. Jun-hyeok checked the details.
[Passive Skill: Control]
• Rank: Mid-Rank
• Proficiency: D
• Description: The ability to control all things. You gain near-absolute control over yourself and the environment within a certain range. You can grasp the phenomena, concepts, structures, and principles of objects.
As the proficiency of Control reached D, its effects became even more powerful. Now, he could control the flow of blood within his body, the electrical signals in his brain, and even changes in the surrounding environment, bending them to his will.
When he tried to manipulate a pool of blood as a test, it was twice as easy as before.
The Control skill was difficult to acquire, but its power was proportional to its rarity. It created a massive gap between a novice and an expert in handling power. Since it was already at D, things would be much easier moving forward.
[Passive Skill: Spearmanship]
• Rank: Lowest-Grade
• Proficiency: C
• Description: The technique of wielding a spear. A level that a talented individual can only reach after a lifetime of effort.
Spearmanship had finally reached C as well. Next was the Heaven-Defying Spear of Jealousy.
[Active Skill: Heaven-Defying Spear of Jealousy]
• Rank: Authority
• Proficiency: E
• Cooldown: 3 days
• Description: Throws a spear imbued with the Authority of Jealousy. It possesses immense physical force and shakes the emotions of the target it strikes. The higher the target's rank and power compared to yours, the more significantly the spear's power increases.
With the proficiency reaching E, the description changed to "significantly increases." It was a skill that guaranteed a meaningful hit against a higher-ranked opponent. It was extremely useful.
[Active Skill: Anti-Field]
• Rank: High-Rank
• Proficiency: E
• Cooldown: 24 hours
• Description: Deploys a field around the body proportional to twice your Health and Defense. The field blocks all attacks directed at you and is consumed in proportion to the damage dealt.
In the case of Anti-Field, the proportion to Health and Defense had doubled. Simply put, it meant he had become twice as sturdy. It was an excellent improvement.
And next was the newly acquired skill.
[Active Skill: Concept Cutting]
• Rank: High-Rank
• Proficiency: F
• Description: A technique that cuts through concepts. For 5 seconds, you can cut things that matter recognizes. At this point, you can only cut simple phenomena.
“Oh-ho.”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out an exclamation of admiration.
No matter how superior one's swordsmanship was, against attacks like light or a tidal wave, there was usually no choice but to protect one's body or escape the range. However, with Concept Cutting, he could slice through them and counterattack. It was a highly versatile skill.
And finally, the equipment.
[Loctia's Black Iron Dagger]
• Slot: Weapon
• Rank: High-Rank
• Attack Power: +90
• Description: Loctia's Black Iron Dagger. A treasure-like weapon she used since the days when she was still fragile.
“An attack power of 90 for a mere dagger.”
The stat was high enough to make him laugh. He almost felt regretful that he hadn't obtained the other one of the pair.
But even this was more than satisfactory. Jun-hyeok called Pixie and shared his memories.
[You won? I thought it might be possible, but I can't believe you actually did it. You achieved it through pure experience and a battle of wits. What on earth did you do in the past?]
Pixie asked in a tone of genuine curiosity. Since the memory itself was highly satisfying, he was able to obtain 440 Starlight.
“Fortunately, I was able to finish in time.”
There was one day left until the First Universe Quest. The timing was perfect. Skill cooldowns would reset once the quest began, so there were no issues.
He steadied his breathing and circulated his internal energy. He honed his Telekinesis and drew out his control over blood.
And finally, the time had come.
[Hello, everyone!]
[Thank you for waiting! Have you been climbing the Tower diligently in the meantime?]
[Now! Everyone! The First Universe Quest begins!]
Finally, quests on a galactic scale, moving beyond just the planet, were beginning. System windows continued to appear energetically.
[You have passed the tests wonderfully so far. From here on, we get to the main point! You must move to protect your universe! From here, it's very simple! If you fail, the universe perishes!]
At those words, the majority of Players must have held their breath. The system windows continued cheerfully, as always.
[Of course, you don't just have one chance. The Master of the Universe is a very kind person! However, as the number of failures increases, penalties will gradually be applied!]
[Now! Then, let us begin the First Universe Quest!]
[The First Universe Quest will be conducted by two planets joining forces!]
[The representative of each planet, please select the planet you desire!]
[Representative of Planet Ishtar: Tukan Tak.]
[Representative of Planet Rominaburush: Abradiano.]
[Representative of Cheongryeong Planet: Namgung Cheon.]
[Representative of Planet Volanta: Tuvalt Shadowstar.]
.
.
.
[Representative of Planet Earth: Kang Jun-hyeok.]
An uncountable number of planets appeared. Choosing one of these planets to proceed together was the first step of the Universe Quest.
[You will be given a generous one hour for selection! Planets that are not chosen by the end will be assigned randomly!]
In his past life, Earth had not been chosen by any planet.
It was only natural, as it was a mundane mechanical civilization without superpowers, magic, or martial arts. By teaming up with a planet in a similar predicament, they had barely managed to clear it after numerous trials.
But it won't be like that this time.
No sooner had his thought ended than system windows began to scroll down rapidly.
[The representative of Planet Ishtar, Tukan Tak, has selected your planet.]
[The representative of Planet Rominaburush, Abradiano, has selected your planet.]
[The representative of Cheongryeong Planet, Namgung Cheon, has selected your planet.]
.
.
.
[The representative of Planet Volanta, Tuvalt Shadowstar, has selected your planet.]