Chapter 40: 7th Floor. Yulsir (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 40: 7th Floor. Yulsir (2)
The next person to arrive after the merchant was an old man.
He explained that he was on his way to see his grandson in a nearby village. In accordance with Law 13, the Law of Age; Law 112, the Law of Propriety; and Law 42, the Law of the Hometown, Kang Jun-hyeok politely showed the old man the way across.
Next came a knight.
He claimed to be returning home after years of wandering. Following Laws 642, 42, 16, and 234, Jun-hyeok treated him with due respect and allowed him to cross the bridge in exchange for a single silver coin.
Then came a lost child. Following Laws 7573 and 56, Jun-hyeok escorted the child to a spot exactly 100 meters away from the bridge. It was exactly 100 meters—no more, no less.
Once the task was done, Kang Jun-hyeok returned to his post and resumed his vigil.
People continued to seek out the bridge as the day progressed, and Kang Jun-hyeok dealt with every single one of them according to Yulsir’s Law.
[Marvelous.]
The Master of All Weapons let out a cry of admiration. Over the course of a single day, a total of twelve people had come to the bridge, and Kang Jun-hyeok had handled them all flawlessly using Yulsir’s Law.
Of course, the Master of All Weapons didn't actually know the specific contents of the Laws. However, he could tell from the gaze radiating from the heavens that Kang Jun-hyeok had fulfilled them perfectly.
The light within Yulsir’s gaze was growing stronger. It burned like the sun, as if it might melt the very earth.
Then, as if to test Kang Jun-hyeok, Yulsir sent the next group.
“There are many of them,” Kang Jun-hyeok muttered, watching the figures approaching from the distance.
A group of over a hundred people was drawing near. The man leading them, clad in ornate armor, frowned when he saw Kang Jun-hyeok guarding the bridge.
“Who the hell are you?”
Up until now, Kang Jun-hyeok had told everyone that he was guarding the bridge by Yulsir’s command. Since he mentioned the name of a great god, people had complied with his words without much fuss.
However, Law 1111 stated: When facing a group of over 100 people alone, do not mention Yulsir’s name.
‘What a pain.’
Kang Jun-hyeok looked up at the sky before speaking.
“I am the bridge keeper.”
“The bridge keeper? There was no such person here before.”
“I took up the post a few days ago. I have the proper qualifications, so you needn't worry. Do you intend to cross the bridge?”
“Indeed!” the man shouted grandly. “I am the head of the Ishtar Family, Baron Halbert Ishtar! I am on my way to punish the Ataranka Family for daring to invade my territory!”
“A military campaign, then. I understand.”
Law 876: When a group of 100 or more crosses the bridge, collect a silver coin per head. That was the standard.
Kang Jun-hyeok looked at the noble and asked, “By any chance, Lord Halbert, are you the eldest son of your family?”
“...You have an awful lot of curiosity for a bridge keeper. No. I was a legitimate son, but not the eldest. I fought for my right of succession and became the head of the family.”
Halbert spoke proudly. Kang Jun-hyeok gave a thin smile.
“I see.”
In that case, he could apply Law 997 instead of Law 876.
“Very well. I shall allow you to cross. However, there is a price.”
“A price? I assume a single silver coin per person will suffice?”
“No. You must hand over the most precious thing you currently possess.”
Law 997: The Law of Succession. If one who did not possess the natural right of succession has inherited a title, take the most precious thing they own as payment.
“...What kind of madness is this?!”
Halbert froze for a moment before roaring in anger. It was a natural reaction. To be asked for his most precious treasure just to cross a bridge—his face contorted with rage.
“I see now. You’re not a bridge keeper, you’re a bandit! You arrogant brat! Soldiers! Kill this man!”
The soldiers leveled their spears. Kang Jun-hyeok calmly balled his hands into fists.
* * *
He could guess Yulsir’s intentions.
In the first place, asking for a hundred silver coins would have been absurd. Naturally, a noble would try to kill the Player. For a 7th Floor Player, facing a hundred soldiers alone was supposed to be impossible.
Yulsir likely intended to watch how he would uphold the Law in such a situation.
Unfortunately for the god, Kang Jun-hyeok far exceeded those standards.
A mere thirty minutes.
That was all the time it took for the hundred soldiers to be laid low.
“H-Hieee!”
The noble screamed and scrambled backward. He felt as if he were trapped in a nightmare. His proud soldiers had been tossed aside and struck down like toys by a single gesture from this man.
It was strength that transcended ordinary humanity.
The noble cried out, his face pale with terror. “A Swordmaster!”
“Not quite,” Kang Jun-hyeok replied, shaking his head. “Will you retreat? Or will you pay the price? Of course, you are free to simply turn back.”
“I’ll pay! I’ll pay!”
The noble frantically fumbled in his tunic and pulled out a dagger, handing it over with trembling hands.
“I-It is my family’s heirloom! I’m sure it will satisfy you! So please, spare me! I was wrong!”
“Thank you. You may pass now.”
“Wh-What? Really...?”
The noble’s eyes went wide. He had been certain Kang Jun-hyeok would kill him.
“I have received the toll for the bridge, so I have no intention of doing anything more. Please, go ahead.”
“Th-Thank you!”
The noble hurriedly kicked his soldiers awake and scrambled across the bridge. Just before they left, Kang Jun-hyeok called out as if he had just remembered something.
“Ah. One last thing.”
“Y-Yes!”
The noble had mentioned the term 'Swordmaster.' That meant this was a world where such beings existed. If so...
“By any chance, among your soldiers, is there anyone who can handle Aura?”
“A-Ah, no. There are none...”
“I see.” Kang Jun-hyeok muttered with a hint of disappointment. ‘I guess it won’t be that easy.’ “Then I have no more business with you. Safe travels.”
“Thank you!”
The noble fled in a desperate hurry. What kind of monster was guarding a bridge like this?! Kang Jun-hyeok toyed with the dagger as he watched them leave.
The dagger, adorned with modest decorations, felt incredibly sharp. He would have to wait until he cleared the floor to see its detailed stats, but it looked quite useful.
“Not bad.”
Kang Jun-hyeok was satisfied.
He could feel a sense of satisfaction from Yulsir’s gaze in the sky as well. It might not have been the exact scenario the god had envisioned, but he seemed pleased that Jun-hyeok had used the Law to gain even more.
Thus the day ended, and the next began.
The following day was much the same. Numerous people of various professions arrived, and Kang Jun-hyeok dealt with them all.
Two days passed, but the quest still hadn't ended. The sun rose, and yet another day began.
“He certainly is suspicious,” Kang Jun-hyeok grumbled.
Normally, clearing the 7th Floor took about a day. Yet three days had passed, and there was no sign of the quest ending. It meant Yulsir was holding onto him.
[He is a suspicious fellow. He likely wants to confirm if you truly understand his Laws.]
“That doesn't change anything.”
Kang Jun-hyeok kept his word.
Two more days passed, and dozens more people visited, but Kang Jun-hyeok didn't make a single mistake. He used hundreds of different laws to respond to them all perfectly.
Watching this, Yulsir, looking down from the heavens, was impressed.
This mortal seemed to have memorized his Laws perfectly. He knew this was a special being climbing the Tower, but this was truly extraordinary.
Therefore, Yulsir decided to conduct one final test.
The next day. Day six.
That day was strange. A long time passed after sunrise, yet no one came. Just as Kang Jun-hyeok was thinking it might finally be over, two girls walked toward the bridge.
They were covered in wounds. Their clothes were tattered, and scratches from sharp bushes were visible all over their skin. They were staggering as if they might collapse at any moment.
The exhausted girls looked up at Kang Jun-hyeok with hollow eyes.
“Who are you...?”
“I am the bridge keeper of the Law, following the will of Lord Yulsir. Do you intend to cross the bridge?”
“Yes...”
In the trembling hand of one girl was a single, verdant herb.
“We have to get to Mother... We finally found the herb to cure her in the Black Forest... Now Mother can be healthy again...”
It seemed the girls had searched the forest for medicine for their sick mother. Though they were covered in wounds, their expressions were filled with hope.
However, Kang Jun-hyeok remained silent.
It was because both girls had white hair and red eyes.
Law 4448: The Law of White and Red. When you encounter a variant with white hair and red eyes, seize everything they possess.
To follow the Law, he had to crush those faces filled with hope. Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
This world was not reality. The floors of the Tower were fragments of the past, cut and pasted together. They weren't real. No matter what he did here, it would all vanish once the floor was cleared.
But whether he could personally trample the hope of children was a separate matter.
‘What a sick sense of humor.’
Of course, Kang Jun-hyeok had been through a lot. He wasn't the type to be moved by every little thing anymore. But if he didn't have to do it, there was no reason to. There was a very simple solution.
“According to Lord Yulsir’s Law, I cannot let you pass. In fact, I must seize the herb you possess.”
“...What?”
Shock and despair washed over the girls' faces. They stumbled back. Kang Jun-hyeok looked up at the sky.
The day was dark. The sun had set, and the moon had risen.
“However, it is almost midnight. Once it is midnight, I shall remain here in silence. Whatever you do then is your own business.”
“Wh-What?”
The moon rose perfectly into the sky, and midnight arrived. Kang Jun-hyeok quietly closed his eyes.
“U-Um... Excuse me?”
Kang Jun-hyeok did not answer. He stood his ground silently, as if he were a statue.
The girls glanced at him tentatively before scurrying across the bridge. Five minutes later, Kang Jun-hyeok opened his eyes.
[Was it alright to let them pass? According to the Law, it seemed you were supposed to take their herb.]
“I should have.”
[Did you show them mercy?]
“Not particularly.” Kang Jun-hyeok hummed. “When Laws conflict, which one should be followed? The one that comes first in order.”
Law 2: The Law of Silence. Every day, for five minutes starting from midnight, one must not make any sound.
Naturally, he couldn't perform any action to seize the herb during that time. If the children crossed the bridge during those minutes, that was that.
[Hah.]
The Master of All Weapons let out a low groan.
[So there was such a way. It’s remarkably simple.]
Kang Jun-hyeok hadn't simply memorized the Laws. He understood Yulsir’s Laws. He also knew how to exploit their gaps and loopholes.
The gaze descending from the heavens was immensely pleased. And Yulsir made a decision.
No one else came that day.
The next day. Day seven.
Early in the morning, a man arrived. Wearing a faint smile, he looked incredibly ordinary.
Kang Jun-hyeok questioned him just as he had the others.
“Who are you?”
“I am a Walker of the Path.”
“What is your age?”
“I forgot it long ago.”
“What is your reason for crossing the bridge?”
“To continue my journey.”
At that answer, Kang Jun-hyeok paused. He stared intently at the man. The man maintained the same faint smile as before.
Kang Jun-hyeok continued to question the man, and the man answered. The exchange repeated dozens of times. Finally, Kang Jun-hyeok asked the last question.
“What is it that you desire?”
“I walk the path to find that answer,” the man replied softly.
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a short, dry laugh.
‘I didn't expect him to come in person.’
Kang Jun-hyeok showed his respect. He was incredibly polite, as if addressing a completely different class of being. He showed the respect dictated by Yulsir’s Law. Then, he spoke.
“It is an honor to meet you. O God who governs the concept of Law. Lord Yulsir.”