Chapter 41: 7th Floor. Yulsir (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: 7th Floor. Yulsir (3)
Yulsir’s Book of Law accounted for every conceivable situation. It even detailed exactly how one should respond based on an opponent's answers.
However, the answers the man had given were nowhere to be found within those laws. This held true for every single one of the dozens of questions asked.
Providing only incorrect answers was, in a way, proof that he knew exactly what the correct ones were. He was someone who had come seeking Yulsir with a perfect understanding of the deity's own laws.
Jun-hyeok could think of no one but Yulsir himself who fit that description.
Based on that judgment, Kang Jun-hyeok showed proper etiquette, strictly following the laws for addressing Yulsir. At this display, the man smiled with satisfaction. A voice that seemed to belong to a being from another realm echoed through the air.
[Correct.]
[7th Floor Quest Cleared.]
The quest was cleared, but the sequence differed from the norm. Instead of the usual achievement rate check, a different system window blocked Kang Jun-hyeok’s vision.
[Yulsir invites you to his Domain.]
At that moment, the world inverted. Every object and phenomenon comprising the 7th floor folded away like paper, and a massive void swallowed everything in its place.
“Ugh.”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a low groan as a wave of dizziness hit him. When he lifted his head, an alien space unfolded before his eyes.
As if the fabric of space itself were wallpaper, the area was densely engraved with Yulsir’s laws. The countless characters overlapped and layered upon each other to a dizzying degree. It was an otherworldly landscape that defied reality.
This was Yulsir’s Domain.
* * *
[I thought the atmosphere felt strange, but to think it was Yulsir himself.]
The Master of All Weapons muttered, sounding genuinely surprised.
[I didn't expect him to seek you out personally. And I certainly didn't expect him to invite you directly into his Domain.]
“Same here.”
A Domain was a god’s private sanctum. It wasn't an exaggeration to call it their home. As such, being invited was an extremely rare occurrence.
Even in his past life, Jun-hyeok hadn't stepped into a god’s Domain many times. He’d had opportunities, of course, but he had yielded most of them to others.
Chak.
The laws inscribed in the space began to shift. The characters soon coalesced into a single shape.
Colossal. Incomprehensible.
It was like gazing upon a living universe.
That was Yulsir’s true form.
Just looking at it made Jun-hyeok's mortal soul tremble. If he were an ordinary person—or even a highly talented individual—he would have collapsed, unable to endure the pressure. He would have knelt before the god’s status, begging for mercy and praising his greatness.
Gods were those who once ruled the universe. The reason they lost to the Victors wasn't that they were weak; it was simply that the Victors were stronger.
[It’s been a long time.]
The Master of All Weapons spoke calmly. Yulsir’s gaze turned toward the ego weapon. The characters shifted as if the god were speaking—welcoming him, yet commenting on his current, strange appearance.
[It’s not a pretty sight, I know. You, on the other hand, are the same as ever.]
The Master of All Weapons showed no emotion. Far from using honorifics toward the great god, he spoke with casual indifference. It was a testament to the fact that his original self possessed power equivalent to a deity.
Kang Jun-hyeok was not much different. He looked at Yulsir with a calm, steady gaze. He didn't collapse, nor did he waver. He remained in his usual state of tranquility.
Yulsir projected a sense of surprise. Jun-hyeok spoke softly.
“Thank you for the invitation. I assume you have business with me.”
A god had directly invited a mortal to his Domain. It meant there was something he wanted. And Jun-hyeok didn't even need to guess what that was.
[Yulsir proposes an Apostle's Contract to you.]
[Will you accept?]
“An Apostle?”
An Apostle was a being directly under a god, serving as the vessel for their will. Only those with exceptional talent and absolute faith were selected from among the believers.
To extend such an offer to an outsider like Kang Jun-hyeok was extraordinary. If believers of other gods witnessed this, they would think they were dreaming.
However, Jun-hyeok’s expression remained neutral. He shook his head.
“I refuse.”
[You have rejected the Apostle's Contract.]
By becoming an Apostle, one could receive a god’s Authority and wield their divine power. To put it simply, if Jun-hyeok became an Apostle now, he could win even if two or three versions of his current self attacked him at once. He would be able to climb the Tower as if he were taking a casual stroll.
However, that power came with heavy constraints. He would have to act as the representative of the god’s will and follow their laws perfectly. He would be forced to constantly adhere to the hundreds of thousands of Yulsir’s fastidious laws.
It was madness. He wouldn't have accepted even if it weren't Yulsir, but because it was Yulsir, he was even less inclined to agree.
‘I can obtain power later anyway.’
Eventually, he could acquire the power of an Apostle without the shackles. There was no reason to bind himself so early.
The only problem was that Yulsir had no intention of backing down.
[Yulsir proposes an Apostle's Contract to you.]
[Will you accept?]
“I refuse.”
[Yulsir proposes an Apostle's Contract to you.]
[Will you accept?]
“……I refuse.”
[Yulsir proposes an Apostle's Contract to you.]
[Will you accept?]
“…….”
[He’s persistent,] the Master of All Weapons said distastefully. [Gods are obsessed with the concepts they govern. And Yulsir is particularly excessive.]
He was a god who had entered the Tower himself to save his believers. There was no way he would easily let go of a talent like Kang Jun-hyeok, who perfectly understood and executed his laws.
[It doesn't look like he'll take no for an answer. What’s the plan?]
“Hmm.”
Kang Jun-hyeok crossed his arms. As the Master of All Weapons said, Yulsir clearly wouldn't accept a simple rejection. However, Jun-hyeok had no intention of yielding.
‘This is troublesome.’
If he insisted on refusing, he probably could. In the end, Yulsir was also bound by the laws of the Tower. But if he did that, there was no telling what would happen to his achievement rate. Above all, Yulsir might turn hostile.
In that case...
Having finished his deliberation, Jun-hyeok spoke.
“O Yulsir. I have no intention of accepting your Apostle's Contract. And if I continue to refuse, there is ultimately nothing you can do.”
Bound to the Tower, Yulsir could not coerce a Player. If he continued to refuse, Yulsir would eventually be forced to send him back.
“But that wouldn't be good for you, nor for me. So, I propose a compromise.”
[You?]
A mortal proposing a compromise to a god. The Master of All Weapons held his breath. Jun-hyeok continued, unfazed.
“I will find a talent worthy of being your Apostle—someone who will satisfy your standards—and bring them before you. How about we agree on this?”
Yulsir, who had been repeatedly spamming the contract proposal, paused. After a short silence, the characters forming his body shifted to ask:
Can you keep your word?
“I can,” Jun-hyeok answered with conviction.
A quest window appeared before him.
[Hidden Quest: Find a mortal who will satisfy Yulsir and bring them before him.]
[Success Reward: Yulsir’s Reward.]
[Failure Penalty: Yulsir’s Wrath.]
[You have obtained Yulsir’s Book of Law.]
Jun-hyeok accepted the quest. At that moment, the world began to return to normal. As Jun-hyeok departed, Yulsir’s voice echoed softly.
[I shall wait.]
[7th Floor Quest Cleared.]
[Rewards will be determined based on your performance.]
[Checking achievement rate...]
[Check complete.]
[Achievement Rate: 100%]
[Perfect Clear. Congratulations! Additional rewards will be granted.]
[Weapon: You have obtained the Ishtar Family Heirloom.]
[The effect of the Title: Perfect Player has been added.]
[2,812 Gold has been granted.]
[Perfect Clear Reward: You have obtained [Consumable: Miracle Herb Hidden in the Black Forest].]
[Perfect Clear Reward: You have obtained [Authority Active Skill: Judgment of the Law].]
[Players who have Perfect Cleared the 7th Floor: 1.]
[You are the only one!]
[Universe Announcement: Please congratulate him! A Perfect Player of the 7th floor has appeared. This is a feat that no one has achieved until now!]
[Feat +3]
Back on Earth, the Master of All Weapons spoke to Jun-hyeok in disbelief.
[Proposing a compromise to a god... You’ve got nerves of steel.]
“He’s bound to the Tower anyway, so he can’t do anything, right? Rather than wasting time, this is better for both of us.”
[I suppose so.]
The Master of All Weapons was genuinely amazed that Jun-hyeok had escaped a god’s clutches in such a manner.
[But is it alright?]
Jun-hyeok had made the proposal just to escape Yulsir’s offer. He had promised to find a talent Yulsir would be satisfied with.
[It seems like it would be extremely difficult to find someone that fastidious guy would actually like.]
“You don't have to worry about that.”
Jun-hyeok spoke lightly. He already had a perfect candidate in mind. Someone who, in his past life, was more suited to be Yulsir’s believer than anyone else, but who had died without ever realizing that potential.
‘It does feel a bit like I’m pulling a scam.’
Still, Yulsir would be satisfied, so wasn't it a win-win?
[It seems you have something in mind. I wonder what you’re planning this time,] the Master of All Weapons muttered expectantly.
Jun-hyeok checked his rewards.
[Ishtar Family Heirloom]
• Type: Weapon (Dagger)
• Rank: Low-Rank
• Stats: Attack Power +16
• Description: An heirloom kept as a treasure of the Ishtar family. It was once the possession of a knight who led a kingdom to victory.
“As expected.”
The dagger he had obtained by essentially blackmailing the noble was a solid weapon. Next, he checked the Perfect Clear rewards.
[Miracle Herb Hidden in the Black Forest]
• Description: A medicinal herb that grows only in the Black Forest. It blooms once every few decades, and only when perfect conditions are met.
• Effect: Permanently increases Health +50.
“……Wow.”
Jun-hyeok let out a breath. This was the herb the girls had obtained at the end of the quest. Its effect was a permanent increase in Health—a consumable that shattered the basic premise that Health could only be raised through leveling. Even better, the value was 50, which was incredibly high.
Jun-hyeok chewed and swallowed the herb without hesitation. Next was the active skill. This was the true prize of the floor.
[Active Skill: Judgment of the Law]
• Rank: Authority
• Proficiency: F
• Cooldown: 24 hours
• Effect: If the opponent does not follow Yulsir’s Law, all their speeds are reduced by 10% for 10 minutes.
“…….”
Jun-hyeok was momentarily speechless. It was an incredibly aggressive skill. If the law wasn't followed, it simply crippled the enemy's speed.
Yulsir’s laws were so numerous they could apply to almost any situation, and each one was incredibly fastidious. Unless the target was a fellow believer of Yulsir, it was impossible to escape. It was essentially a guaranteed speed debuff against any single enemy.
“I didn't expect him to grant an Authority directly.”
He could guess the reason. It was likely a down payment to ensure he brought back a suitable Apostle.
‘I shouldn't disappoint him.’
Finally, the Perfect Player title gave him a permanent +1 to Speed. Jun-hyeok happily organized his rewards.
He stood up, washed his face, and habitually checked his phone. He was greeted by hundreds of missed calls and text messages. He stared at the screen with a puzzled face, then chuckled.
[Missed Calls: Baekdusan (123)]
• Missed Calls: Kim Tae-yeon (231)
[Text Message: Kim Tae-yeon]
- Jun-hyeok-ssi. If you check this, could you please contact me? I have something to ask you about the test. Please, I beg of you.
- Jun-hyeok-ssi? Is it difficult for you to check your messages right now?
- ……Jun-hyeok-ssi? Where did you go? Y-you’re not ignoring me even though you saw this, right?
The subsequent messages were all similar. He could feel the desperation radiating from the screen.
“It’s a total mess.”
Jun-hyeok leisurely picked up his phone.