Chapter 61: 10th Floor. Vampire Princess (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 61: 10th Floor. Vampire Princess (4)
Tension and wariness bled through their joined hands.
“Please, stay calm,” Kang Jun-hyeok whispered. Eldiria responded with a sharp, haughty snort.
The city gates loomed ahead. He could see the guards standing watch, their eyes scanning the approaching travelers.
Now.
Act.
Become someone else.
His posture shifted instantly. His back straightened, his expression hardened, and even the rhythm of his stride changed.
“Hm?” Eldiria’s eyes widened.
She could feel it through his palm. Though his outward appearance remained the same, the man known as Kang Jun-hyeok had fundamentally transformed.
Approaching the guards, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke in a clipped, disciplined tone.
“Greetings.”
His voice was stiff, carrying the weight of a stubborn, no-nonsense man. One of the guards tilted his head, eyeing him curiously.
“I don’t recognize your face. Are you visitors?”
“Yes. We are merely passing through and need to resupply for our journey. We shall depart in a day or two without causing any trouble.”
“Show me your identification token.”
“Identification… I see.”
Kang Jun-hyeok’s expression faltered. He looked conflicted, as if caught in a compromising position he hadn't prepared for.
The guard studied the pair intently.
Kang Jun-hyeok’s clothes were clean and well-maintained. He stood with a rigid spine, his stiff demeanor suggesting a man unaccustomed to dealing with commoners. He carried a sword at his hip, and while he seemed a bit green, he possessed the unmistakable air of military discipline.
Is he a knight from some distant house? the guard wondered.
He certainly didn't look like a commoner. The guard’s gaze then shifted to Eldiria.
She wore a high-quality crimson robe—one that likely cost more than his entire year's salary. Judging by her petite frame, she was a young woman. And she was clutching the knight’s hand with desperate intensity.
“…Ah.”
A sly, knowing smirk spread across the guard’s face.
“I see. Eloping, are we?”
The 10th floor followed a medieval fantasy setting. Tales of romance between reckless noble ladies and the knights sworn to serve them were common tavern lore.
“…!”
Eldiria, who hadn't immediately grasped the guard’s implication, suddenly realized what he meant. Just as she was about to snap in a fit of fury, she gasped.
Kang Jun-hyeok had tightened his grip on her hand.
His strength was immense. The pressure, as if her bones were being crushed, forced a silent scream from her throat and kept her quiet.
“I’m afraid we have no tokens to prove our identity… Is there no other way?”
“Hmm.”
As the guard feigned hesitation, Kang Jun-hyeok stepped closer. He pulled a few coins from his pocket and pressed them into the man’s palm. The guard’s expression brightened instantly.
“Pass on through. I wish you a pleasant journey. Open the gate!”
The guard hammered on the heavy wood, and a moment later, the gate groaned open. Kang Jun-hyeok gave a slight, formal nod and stepped inside.
[Proficiency in ‘Acting’ has increased significantly.]
[Proficiency in ‘Persuasion’ has increased significantly.]
Once they reached a quiet spot, Eldiria finally hissed.
“You are quite the actor.”
“You flatter me.”
It really is a useful skill.
Kang Jun-hyeok allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
[Passive Skill: Acting]
[Rank: Lowest-Grade]
[Proficiency: E]
[The act of deceiving one's own emotions and wearing a mask. Not only can you hide your feelings more skillfully, but you can also fabricate your physical behavior.]
Now that his Acting skill had reached E-rank, he could even fake his physical mannerisms and micro-expressions. Thanks to that, he had successfully played the part of a naive knight without raising a hint of suspicion. Given the sheer variety of scenarios in the Tower, it was an essential skill.
“So the reason you were looting those corpses was for bribe money.”
“Humans are mercenary creatures. If you provide a plausible story and a bit of material gain, they’re more than happy to ignore their suspicions.”
Kang Jun-hyeok offered a quiet apology.
“I am sorry, Princess. Even if it was to enter the city, I was presumptuous to act as your lover and cause you pain. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit once this is over.”
“Hmph. There had better be results worth the insult.”
Grumbling, Eldiria looked around the city.
“So this is a human city. It is chaotic and filthy.”
“It is a humble place compared to your kingdom, Princess.”
“And what do you intend to do here? Do not disappoint me.”
Despite her words, there was a faint glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. She looked as though she secretly wanted to explore.
Unfortunately, Kang Jun-hyeok had no such intentions.
“Follow me.”
He led Eldiria into a dark back alley.
Rats scurried through the shadows, and flies swarmed over piles of refuse. Eldiria’s expression soured instantly.
“This place is utterly revolting.”
As they ventured deeper into the maze, a group of thugs appeared as if they had been waiting. They surrounded the pair, brandishing rusted daggers.
“Hehe…”
“Drop your gear and get lost.”
“Wait, no. Leave the girl, too.”
A well-dressed man and a woman in a luxury robe—they were the perfect targets for street scum.
The only problem was that Kang Jun-hyeok had been waiting for them, too.
“Please wait a moment.”
Asking for Eldiria’s patience, Kang Jun-hyeok stepped forward. Closing the distance in a flash, he buried his fist in the lead thug’s stomach.
Thump!
“Gah!”
The thug hit the wall with a wheeze. The crumbling masonry collapsed over him with a loud crash.
The thug next to him panicked and lunged with a dagger. Kang Jun-hyeok caught the blade by the tip, snapped it effortlessly, and slammed his palm into the man’s temple.
Realizing they were hopelessly outmatched, the remaining thug tried to bolt, but Kang Jun-hyeok grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and slammed him into the dirt.
“Ack!”
“I have a question. Is there an Information Guild in this city?”
“Y-yes! There is!”
“Is that so?”
Kang Jun-hyeok’s face lit up. He’d hit the jackpot.
The clear condition for the 10th floor was simply to reach the destination. Because of that, there were numerous ways to complete it.
One could stumble upon it by accident.
One could hire mercenaries and travel with them.
One could even defeat the werewolves and extract the information by force.
Among those options, there was a specific route that involved using an Information Guild in a human city to find the way.
That was why he had come here. He had been worried it might be the wrong city, but it seemed his memory served him well.
“Then, could you tell me how to get to this Information Guild?”
“Uh…”
The thug’s eyes darted around. Seeing him hesitate, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke indifferently.
“If you don’t want to talk, I suppose I have no choice but to keep hitting you.”
“I-I’ll talk! Just spare my life!”
“Thank you.”
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled thinly.
Having extracted the location, he moved immediately. Deep within the maze of alleys, an old man sat against a wall, begging.
Kang Jun-hyeok dropped a coin.
Not into the basket, but directly onto the old man’s head.
“…A new customer, I see.”
Despite the rude gesture, the old man caught the coin with practiced ease and moved aside. Kang Jun-hyeok stepped through a hidden opening in the wall. After passing through a narrow corridor, he found a small, dimly lit room. A man sat in a chair on the far side of a table.
“Well, well. A face I’ve never seen before.”
The man spoke with a grin.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Haftan, the head of this Information Guild.”
* * *
Kang Jun-hyeok murmured as if surprised.
“The head himself came out to meet us?”
“You’re a rather unique pair. Information about you two has already reached my ears. I wondered if you’d show up when you entered the alley, but I didn’t expect you to find your way here so quickly. May I ask why you’ve come?”
“Is there any reason to seek an Information Guild other than for information?”
Kang Jun-hyeok sat in the chair opposite him.
“I need information. Specifically, about a certain location.”
“…Hmm.”
Haftan’s expression turned noncommittal.
“I’m sorry, but you’re outsiders. I can’t sell information to people I don’t know.”
It was a rejection.
Kang Jun-hyeok had expected this. He knew that the player who had cleared the floor using this route had spent two months just earning the guild’s trust.
But Kang Jun-hyeok had no intention of waiting that long. He reached into his robe. Haftan tensed for a moment, but then his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
“Would this be enough to buy that trust?”
“…Wh-what?”
Haftan’s jaw dropped.
Kang Jun-hyeok had produced a brilliantly shimmering Blue Sapphire.
He had demanded gemstones from Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon in exchange for his information, and this was one of the jewels he had received in advance.
Gemstones were a universal currency of value. They were incredibly useful throughout the climb up the Tower.
Technically, this is meant for a Perfect Clear on another floor, but…
He didn't mind using one here. Haftan lunged forward, his eyes glazed with greed.
“Let me see!”
“Be my guest.”
Haftan examined the gem as if possessed, letting out a low moan of appreciation.
“…It’s real. And the purity is incredible. This craftsmanship… was this cut by a Dwarf?”
“Is it valuable enough?”
“Of course!”
Haftan nodded vigorously, a wide, oily grin plastered on his face.
“Ask me anything! I’ll do whatever you need!”
Information that had taken another player two months of grueling effort to obtain was bought in seconds with a single gem.
Kang Jun-hyeok described the destination he was looking for. After listening, Haftan tapped the table thoughtfully.
“Hmm… a few places come to mind, but I can’t be certain. I’ll need to organize my records.”
“How long will it take?”
“One day.”
“Then I’ll return tomorrow. Oh, and I have another request. Is that alright?”
He had spent a precious gem; he wasn't going to settle for just one piece of information. Haftan nodded eagerly.
“Of course! What do you need?”
Kang Jun-hyeok smirked and stated his requirements. Haftan looked puzzled.
“I can do it, but… why would you want something like that?”
Haftan’s confusion was natural. To him, Kang Jun-hyeok’s request seemed utterly useless.
Kang Jun-hyeok replied softly.
“I have something I want to test.”
“Hmm… alright. It shouldn't be too difficult.”
“One more thing. Can you find me a mage?”
“A mage?”
Haftan grimaced.
“There’s no way a mage would be in a small city like this. I could find one if I looked, but it would take quite some time.”
“I figured as much.”
I guess I can’t take the easy way for everything.
Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“Forget the mage, then. See you tomorrow.”
“Right. Very good…”
Haftan muttered, a dangerous glint momentarily flickering in his eyes. Just before leaving, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke as if he’d just remembered something.
“Ah. And when I come back tomorrow, I’d prefer it if there weren't so many people hiding in the shadows.”
Haftan’s body stiffened.
“…What are you talking about?”
“Four on the ceiling. Five under the floor. Seven in the walls.”
Haftan flinched. Kang Jun-hyeok gave him a bright, chilling smile.
“If you’re thinking of stabbing me in the back to take what I have, you’d best give up on the idea.”
“Ha… haha. Why would I ever do that?”
Haftan forced a laugh. Kang Jun-hyeok reached out to Eldiria.
“Shall we go?”
Eldiria, who had been watching him with a strange, unreadable look in her eyes, took his hand.
Kang Jun-hyeok showed her a bit more of the city before finding an inn to spend the night.
The next day, they returned to the Information Guild. This time, there was no one hiding in the shadows. Haftan was waiting for them with a bundle of supplies.
“Here. This is the map. I’ve marked several forests that match your description.”
Kang Jun-hyeok unfolded the map. One of the forests triggered a memory.
That’s the one.
Having confirmed the destination, he tucked the map away. Haftan then produced the other items Kang Jun-hyeok had requested.
“And these are the other things you asked for.”
They were books.
Dozens of them. Their covers were adorned with illustrations of swords, spears, and bows.
“These are Instruction Manuals,” Haftan explained. “They contain the techniques and forms for various schools of martial arts.”