Chapter 47: The First Test (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47: The First Test (6)
"Wait, what?"
"Excuse me?"
For a moment, they couldn't process what Kang Jun-hyeok was saying. He continued calmly, his voice steady.
"You aren't skilled or comfortable enough to be helping others yet. You’re still green. However, it is true that you are superior to the rest of the rabble."
That was why he was offering to teach them.
"So, I will teach you. I’ll help you grasp the basic concepts. After that, if you still want to form a group and help others, you can do as you please."
Kang Jun-hyeok gave a thin, knowing smile.
"What will it be?"
* * *
They agonized over the decision. Was it right to accept instruction from him? Was it right for them—players who had reached the 30th Floor—to learn from a man who was only on the 7th Floor?
But their hesitation didn't last long.
Since Kim Gang-hyeon had already been overwhelmingly defeated by Kang Jun-hyeok, the answer was already decided. With the exception of one person, everyone decided to accept Kang Jun-hyeok’s teaching.
After moving to a secluded area away from the public eye, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke.
"I’ll be waiting over there. Decide on an order and come to me one by one."
Kang Jun-hyeok walked away. After the remaining players discussed it, Lee San was chosen to go first. Before he left, Lee San looked at Kim Tae-yeon and Baekdusan.
"The two of you have already received teaching from him, haven't you?"
At some point, Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon had begun to move differently than before. They had abandoned their obsession with guilds and started focusing on building their individual strength. Unlike before, they were climbing the Tower at a rapid pace.
Lee San realized the reason for their sudden change was their encounter with Kang Jun-hyeok. He asked out of pure curiosity, "What on earth did you learn from him?"
"Experience it for yourself," Baekdusan said dismissively.
Lee San walked toward Kang Jun-hyeok. In a small clearing on the outskirts, Kang Jun-hyeok stood waiting.
"You’re the first."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok. I’m late with my greetings. I am Lee San, the Guild Leader of the Free Guild."
"I know. I know you well enough to be sick of it," Kang Jun-hyeok said softly.
As the leader of one of the Three Great Guilds, it wouldn't be strange for Kang Jun-hyeok to know who he was. However, Kang Jun-hyeok’s tone was peculiar. It was as if he knew more than just Lee San’s identity—as if he knew his personality, his values, and even his philosophy.
"Then, let’s begin."
[Kang Jun-hyeok requests a duel with Lee San.]
[Duel Stakes: All Gold held by Lee San.]
"…Understood."
Lee San accepted and drew his weapon. He looked at Kang Jun-hyeok with serious eyes.
He was fast and strong.
The strength and speed Kang Jun-hyeok had shown while suppressing Kim Gang-hyeon were extraordinary. He was clearly superior to Kim Gang-hyeon. Lee San didn't know what method was used, but it meant the man's stats were higher than theirs.
In that case, I’ll force a battle focused on skills rather than raw stats.
The requirement to purchase Active Skills was the 25th Floor or higher. No matter how strong Kang Jun-hyeok was, he couldn't have bought them yet. Based on that judgment, Lee San initiated the battle.
Unfortunately, that was the exact same mistake Baekdusan had once made.
Kang Jun-hyeok drew his Greatsword without a change in expression.
Ten minutes later.
Lee San returned. He had a dazed, shell-shocked expression, as if his soul had left his body. Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon looked on, having expected exactly this.
"L-Lee San? Are you okay?"
"……I’m fine. Next person… please go in…."
"O-Oh, okay."
The next person headed toward Kang Jun-hyeok with a flustered face. Ten minutes later, he returned with the exact same expression as Lee San.
As time passed, all eight players eventually returned with that same haunted look.
* * *
These were the top-tier players in Korea, a group you could count on two hands. They had dueled Kang Jun-hyeok, and the results left them speechless.
Kang Jun-hyeok was strong. Beyond a simple superiority in stats or skills, he had a perfect understanding of the System’s concepts. Even if Kang Jun-hyeok’s stats had been lower than theirs, the outcome of the duels wouldn't have changed.
The gap between Kang Jun-hyeok and them was, quite literally, the difference between a professor and a student.
They knew nothing.
They had simply climbed the Tower by luck and deluded themselves into thinking they were exceptional. That realization came as a massive shock. Their accumulated achievements and confidence were shattered. It wouldn't have been strange if they had broken down completely.
But if they were the type to break easily, they wouldn't have become top players in the first place. Once they shook off the shock, they rushed toward Kang Jun-hyeok with burning questions.
"Exactly how should we be using Active Skills?"
"Which do you think is more important, the Strength stat or the Speed stat?"
"Could you perhaps tell us what the Perfect Clear condition for the 5th Floor is?"
Kang Jun-hyeok answered all of them.
"Active Skills ignore the laws of physics. For example, the Thrust skill is an offensive skill, but it can be used in other ways. Simply put, even if your body is flying through the air like a billiard ball, activating Thrust will stop your momentum and drive you accurately toward the target. You should use them in diverse ways."
"Personally, I value the Speed stat more. Strength doesn't mean much once you have the advantage over your opponent, but the faster you are, the better."
"I don't know if you’ve seen it, but there are strange vines on the outskirts of the 5th Floor. That is the condition for a Perfect Clear. However, they cannot be opened by normal means."
Kang Jun-hyeok provided clear answers to the questions they had never been able to solve. Their trust in him soared. They clung to him like baby birds begging for food.
In exchange, Kang Jun-hyeok received a massive amount of Gold. Furthermore, since he was teaching them how to fish rather than just giving them the fish, the results would be different from his past life. They were receiving invaluable information that couldn't be bought with Gold.
Everyone was satisfied.
Except for one person.
When they moved to the restaurant for a meal after their discussion, Yoo Jin-ha was there.
"……You’ve all returned."
Out of all of them, only Yoo Jin-ha had not accepted the deal. Consequently, he couldn't join them and was forced to remain alone.
Normally, Yoo Jin-ha would have monopolized everyone’s attention. He would have become the nominal leader of the group, and people would have hung on his every word. That was exactly how it had been in the past life.
But not anymore.
As much as everyone was sticking to Kang Jun-hyeok, Yoo Jin-ha was effectively excluded.
"……Everyone looks very satisfied."
Yoo Jin-ha’s expression was strange. He looked like a beast whose territory had been invaded. Lee San, failing to notice this, nodded with an excited face.
"Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok’s knowledge and experience are truly incredible. It’s been more helpful than all the time we spent climbing the Tower."
"……Is that so?"
"Mr. Yoo Jin-ha, why don't you try learning from him as well? I’m sure it will be helpful."
At those words, Yoo Jin-ha’s expression contorted. Lee San flinched.
"Mr. Yoo Jin-ha?"
"No. It’s fine."
Yoo Jin-ha was back to wearing a gentle smile as if nothing had happened.
"It’s not a matter of pride, but a matter of my own principles. Relying on someone else’s words to climb the Tower could cause problems later on."
"Ah… I suppose that’s possible."
"Then, if you’ll excuse me. I hope you have a good time."
Yoo Jin-ha quietly stood up and withdrew. In his final glance toward Kang Jun-hyeok, there was clear wariness. After he left, Lee San muttered in confusion.
"Mr. Yoo Jin-ha doesn't seem to be in a good mood."
"Maybe it’s because I stole everyone’s attention from him."
"Oh, come on. No way."
Lee San shook his head at Kang Jun-hyeok’s words, as if that were impossible.
"Mr. Yoo Jin-ha is a hero. He helps people for free. Many people, including myself, have received help from him. He even refused to join any organization, saying that his affiliation might upset the balance. A man like that wouldn't obsess over something as trivial as attention."
Lee San spoke with total sincerity. He truly held Yoo Jin-ha in high regard. And it wasn't just Lee San; the strongest player who desired neither power nor fame—an absolute saint and hero who brought hope to everyone—that was the reputation of the Sword Saint, Yoo Jin-ha.
But Kang Jun-hyeok knew the true nature of the man. He knew that Yoo Jin-ha was a very human person. He was closer to an ordinary, flawed human than anyone realized.
I’ll have to crush that guy later, too.
Kang Jun-hyeok continued to teach them steadily after that. Each time, Yoo Jin-ha watched the scene with a strange, half-contorted expression.
Two days passed, and it was time to return to Earth.
"Thank you for everything."
Everyone expressed their sincere gratitude. They had paid all the Gold they possessed, but considering what Kang Jun-hyeok had taught them, it was still a bargain. Kang Jun-hyeok asked them:
"Do you still intend to form a group?"
"……No."
Kim Gang-hyeon, who had been crushed by Kang Jun-hyeok, spoke bitterly.
"As you said, Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok, we are lacking. We were nothing more than children who believed we were special. We don't have the capacity to lead and look after others."
"I see."
Unlike the past life, a group would not be formed. They would each strive to climb the Tower on their own. It was a significant departure from the previous timeline.
Kang Jun-hyeok nodded silently.
"Then, I’ll see you again."
"Yes. Thank you."
His vision blurred. Kang Jun-hyeok’s body returned to the empty white space. The Master of All Weapons muttered as if relieved.
[It’s finally over.]
"Was it boring?"
[Teaching children with no talent is not to my taste. The only one who seemed somewhat useful spent his time being wary of you and pushing you away. It was a thoroughly uninteresting time.]
"It’ll be a bit different next time," Kang Jun-hyeok said with a smirk.
Now, it was finally time for the long-awaited rewards.
[Did you have an enjoyable time? I hope it was a sufficient rest! Now, the rewards for the test will be granted!]
[Your Achievement Test: EX.]
[Your Comprehension Test: EX.]
[Your Combat Test: EX.]
[Total Evaluation: EX.]
A fanfare erupted.
[Incredible! You have reached an evaluation rank that is unique among all players in the universe.]
[Universe Announcement.]
[Please offer your congratulations! Everyone in the universe, a player has appeared who achieved the highest rank in the test. This is a one-of-a-kind feat. We hope you will follow his example and continue to climb the Tower diligently!]
[A special reward befitting your brilliant achievement will be granted.]
[Please choose one of the following rewards.]
[1. Gold befitting your rank.]
[2. Unique equipment just for you.]
[3. A Unique Skill just for you.]
[4. A very special material item.]