Chapter 7: 1st Floor. Master of All Weapons (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: 1st Floor. Master of All Weapons (2)
A dignified voice, sounding like a man in his thirties or forties, echoed from the gauntlet.
[What is this? Why have I awakened? I was certainly placed in a location where no one could reach.]
The voice was filled with bewilderment—the raw emotion of someone experiencing the impossible.
“An Ego Weapon, then.”
Kang Jun-hyeok muttered to himself. Like a Holy Sword, the gauntlet was a piece of equipment with its own consciousness. Only then did the gauntlet realize Kang Jun-hyeok was standing there.
[Who are you?]
“A Player.”
[You’re in the Tower, so of course you’re a Player. That is not what I am asking.]
The gauntlet muttered, sounding flustered.
[How did you get to me? I should be in a place that no one on the 1st Floor can access.]
“I walked.”
[That’s not what I meant—]
The gauntlet suddenly fell silent. Soon, its voice grew thick with shock.
[You... don't tell me you crossed the Lava Swamp to get here?]
“Was there another way?”
[Well, no, but...]
“So there really wasn't. That’s a relief.”
It would have been frustrating if he had suffered for nothing when an easier path existed. Of course, it wasn't a total loss since he had gained skills, but he couldn't help but feel a bit strange about it. At Kang Jun-hyeok’s murmur, the gauntlet realized its suspicion was correct.
[A madman. No one but a lunatic would walk through lava to cross over. Especially without even knowing what lies on the other side.]
“That’s a bit hurtful.”
Kang Jun-hyeok picked up the gauntlet.
“So, are you the reward for reaching this place?”
[Hmm.]
Having finally shaken off the shock, the gauntlet regained its composure.
[I wasn't prepared because I never imagined this would happen, but you are correct.]
The gauntlet cleared its throat as if trying to set a serious mood.
[Congratulations, nameless Player. You have brilliantly uncovered the Tower’s secret and reached this great one. However, to obtain me, you must possess the proper qualifications.]
“‘This great one,’ huh?”
For a title the gauntlet gave itself, it was quite arrogant. But for a Unique Item, it was understandable. An item that required specific conditions to acquire—he had encountered countless such items in the past.
Kang Jun-hyeok asked, “What are the qualifications?”
[They are related to my name.]
Master of All Weapons [萬兵棋].
Ten thousand weapons.
Kang Jun-hyeok’s face darkened as he immediately caught on.
“Don't tell me.”
[You’re quick on the uptake. Correct. The qualification to obtain me is simple. You must be able to wield ten thousand weapons. That is the requirement.]
[Hidden Quest: Prove Your Qualifications]
Condition: Must know how to wield ten thousand weapons.
On Success: Obtain Master of All Weapons.
On Failure: You will be banished from the domain of the Master of All Weapons.
“What a joke.”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
Swords, axes, spears, daggers, bows, and so on. One had to know how to handle ten thousand types of weapons existing in this world to obtain the Master of All Weapons. It was an absurd condition.
Usually, when someone handled a weapon, they focused on mastering just one. Even those said to be masters of many were limited to ten at most. And yet, the condition was ten thousand. Even if it included variations like shortbows, longbows, and greatbows, it was still impossible.
[If you want the Master of All Weapons, you must be able to handle ten thousand weapons. Otherwise, you are not qualified to possess me. A pity, truly.]
Its tone was incredibly light. Kang Jun-hyeok realized something.
“You never intended to be picked up by anyone from the start, did you?”
[It’s a bother to deal with futile efforts.]
The voice of the Master of All Weapons sank into a deep, cold tone.
[You would have failed anyway. I have no intention of being a plaything for meaningless games. I plan to sleep quietly until everything comes to an end.]
Why was the gauntlet in a place on the 1st Floor that no one could reach? It was because the gauntlet itself had no intention of becoming someone’s strength. Even if someone miraculously reached it, it would present an impossible quest to turn them back. The Master of All Weapons intended to stay in the Tower until the universe met its end.
In fact, that plan had succeeded. In his previous life, no one had ever discovered the Master of All Weapons. Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
“Have you been broken?”
[You know nothing of what lies beyond this.]
The Master of All Weapons spoke calmly.
[You know nothing of what lies at the end, or what the Master of the Universe is like. I can tell you are special since you reached me... but that is all. You cannot change the flow.]
The gauntlet’s words were filled with conviction. It was the kind of statement only someone who had reached the end could make. And because of that, Kang Jun-hyeok, who had also reached the end, sneered.
“You think I know nothing?”
[Believe what you wish. It matters not to me. I regret your wasted effort, but you must have gained skills on your way here. Consider them your reward.]
“No.”
Kang Jun-hyeok shook his head. He had no intention of leaving with just a few skills. He began to slide his hand into the gauntlet. The Master of All Weapons scoffed.
[Are you going to force it? It is impossible. Unless you can truly wield ten thousand weapons, the quest is a failure. Go back quietly—]
[Condition met. Hidden Quest successful.]
[You have proven your qualifications.]
The quest was complete. Kang Jun-hyeok, now wearing the Master of All Weapons, smiled with satisfaction.
“The fit is great. It feels like I’m wearing nothing at all.”
[Wh-wh-what?!]
The Master of All Weapons stammered in a dazed voice.
* * *
The Master of All Weapons was stunned.
Even it—the great and mighty one who had once reached the end of all things—could not understand what had just happened.
[Why... why am I equipped on your hand?]
“Because I met the conditions.”
Kang Jun-hyeok spoke calmly, as if it were obvious. After dozens of seconds of silence, the Master of All Weapons finally spoke.
[You... you know how to wield ten thousand weapons?]
Spears, swords, axes, sabers, kukris, daggers, bows, crossbows, greatbows, and more. He knew how to handle all those countless weapons? It was utterly unbelievable. However, the Master of All Weapons was clearly equipped on Kang Jun-hyeok’s hand without any issues. That meant it was the truth.
[No. No. This is...]
Even with the result right there, the Master of All Weapons sputtered, unable to accept it. Ignoring it, Kang Jun-hyeok secured the gauntlet.
“I don't care what you saw at the end, or what you think of me.”
The only thing that mattered was that he had obtained the Master of All Weapons.
“I crossed the lava and reached you. And I perfectly passed the quest you gave me. So, I am your master.”
[...]
The Master of All Weapons couldn't find any words to say. Kang Jun-hyeok ignored it and scanned the surroundings further. No matter how much he looked, nothing else appeared.
“Is this the end?”
The 99.9% achievement rate had referred to the Master of All Weapons. Considering it was a Unique Grade item, it made sense. Kang Jun-hyeok stepped out of the hole.
Squelch.
He stepped into the lava once again. Flames flared and pain surged, but it was significantly less than before. At most, it felt like a normal burn. It was terrible pain, but not unbearable.
After crossing the lava, Kang Jun-hyeok stepped onto the platform and headed toward the exit. Throughout the process, the Master of All Weapons remained silent, seemingly still unable to recover from the shock.
Thud.
He crossed the platforms and arrived in front of the exit. There was no reason to hesitate anymore. Kang Jun-hyeok stepped through.
‘Now then.’
Anticipation and anxiety mingled. Soon, the system window appeared with the answer.
[1st Floor Quest Cleared.]
[Rewards are determined based on your performance.]
[Checking achievement rate...]
[Check complete.]
[Achievement Rate: 100%]
[Perfect Clear. Congratulations! Additional rewards will be granted.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Health +100]
[Speed +3]
[Weapon: Obtained 1st Floor Sword.]
[Stat: Obtained Feat.]
[1,321 Gold has been granted.]
[Perfect Clear Reward: Obtained Title: Perfect Player.]
[Perfect Clear Reward: Obtained Weapon: Master of All Weapons.]
“Ha.”
A sound escaped his lips involuntarily. The amount of gold was staggering. On top of that, he had gained a title he had never seen in his previous life as a Perfect Clear reward. But that wasn't all.
[Players who have Perfect Cleared the 1st Floor: 1]
[You are the only one!]
[Universe Announcement]
[Please celebrate! Everyone in the universe! A Perfect Player of the 1st Floor has appeared. This is a feat that no one has ever achieved before!]
When someone Perfect Cleared a specific floor, an announcement was broadcast to the entire universe. He already knew this, so he wasn't surprised. What mattered was what came after.
[High Feat achieved.]
[The Victors recognize your existence.]
[The Losers recognize your existence.]
Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes darkened as he looked at the system window.
The Victors and the Losers. Aside from the Master of the Universe, they were the beings who could exercise the greatest influence in the current universe. They had begun to recognize Kang Jun-hyeok’s existence.
“Those tiresome bastards,” Kang Jun-hyeok muttered softly.
[Returning.]
Kang Jun-hyeok’s body was transported from the Tower back to Earth. Arriving in his familiar studio apartment, he sat down leisurely on his bed.
* * *
Upon his return, Kang Jun-hyeok looked very satisfied.
It was only natural. The average achievement rate for the 1st Floor was 0.1%. The Master of All Weapons alone would more than fill the remaining 99.9%. He had known that. However, it had been a theory; he couldn't be certain. Now that he had confirmed his prediction was correct, he couldn't help but feel good.
“Whew.”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a short breath to calm his excitement and checked his rewards.
[Kang Jun-hyeok]
Level: 8
Health: 260
Strength: 15
Speed: 18
Feat: 11
Attack Power: + ?
Defense: +0
“What in the...”
A chuckle escaped him. His level and stats were staggering. In his previous life, it had taken him until past the 10th Floor to reach these numbers.
The 1st Floor was originally a non-combat floor where one simply crossed the Lava Swamp using platforms. Normally, one shouldn't level up, but his level had been forcibly raised as a reward for a 100% achievement rate. As if that weren't enough, he had also gained a new stat.
The basic stats provided were Strength and Speed. Just two. But those weren't all the stats that existed. Internal Energy, Mana, Psychic powers, Nature Affinity, and so on—various stats existed. They could be obtained while climbing the Tower, and in his previous life, he had possessed over 30 different stats.
The Feat stat he had just obtained was one of them. It was a highly unusual stat obtained only when achieving a great feat that others could not reach.
‘To think I’d get this already.’
In his previous life, he hadn't obtained the Feat stat until around the 30th Floor. Since the acquisition condition itself was achieving a feat unreachable by others, it was incredibly difficult to get. It was a stat that provided no direct help in combat, but there were several systems that could only be unlocked if one possessed it. Whether one had it or not made a massive difference.
And then there was the gold.
[Current Gold: 2,533]
He had only just cleared the 1st Floor, yet he already had over 2,500 gold.
‘At this rate, I can get an Active Skill before heading to the 2nd Floor.’
He felt excellent. Up to this point, these were all rewards he had obtained in his previous life as well. They were as satisfying as he had expected. But that wasn't all. He had now obtained something he had never managed to get in his past life: the title.
Kang Jun-hyeok opened his Title Window.
[Title: Perfect Player]
Description: A title given to the one who perfectly cleared the 1st Floor, the beginning of the Tower.
Current Effect: All Stats + 1
Note: The effect of the title increases as the number of Perfect Cleared floors increases.
“What?”
Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes widened. Doubting his own sight for a moment, he blinked, but the text remained the same. It was a growth-type title.
Kang Jun-hyeok was stunned. Theoretically, it was a title that could grow nearly 100 times. Despite that, even its base effect of All Stats + 1 was exceptional.
‘No wonder my stats felt a bit higher.’
Since it applied to all stats, the efficiency would rise exponentially as the number of stats increased. He also realized why he hadn't obtained this title in his previous life. The acquisition condition was to Perfect Clear the 1st Floor. Naturally, no one could have obtained it. It was a title only he, having returned to the past, could acquire.
“What insane conditions. This is crazy. Now I have even more reason to obsess over Perfect Clears.”
Muttering happily, Kang Jun-hyeok lightly clapped his hands.
“So, have you come to your senses yet?”
[Mostly.]
The Master of All Weapons responded to Jun-hyeok’s words. Having finally recovered from the shock, it spoke in a weary voice.
[No matter how much I deny it, I cannot change what has already happened. It does not feel good to be held by a mere child... but I am not so foolish as to reject it now. I have no choice but to accept it.]
Having calmed down to some extent, the Master of All Weapons checked Kang Jun-hyeok’s status and let out a groan.
[Wait. What is this? Your stats are bizarre.]
“Can you see my stats too?”
[Since I am synchronized with you. You’ve only cleared the 1st Floor, yet you’re Level 8 and your Speed is already 18?]
As it continued to check his status, the Master of All Weapons couldn't hide its astonishment.
[Three skills. Fire Resistance and Pain Resistance. Plus Dagger Technique. Did you seriously hunt the Mantises on the 0th Floor? And 2,500 gold?]
The gauntlet’s voice was laced with suspicion.
[Did you use some kind of sorcery? No. The Tower’s system wouldn't be designed so loosely. You truly obtained these through your own ability? What are you?]
The Master of All Weapons let out a hollow laugh.
[You’re beyond my expectations. At this rate, you might actually survive the climb without dying halfway. You’ll be a decent way to kill time.]
The gauntlet’s voice still showed no real expectation for Kang Jun-hyeok. It seemed it still didn't believe the end could be changed. Kang Jun-hyeok didn't mind. It would find out naturally as time passed.
[Regardless, I look forward to working with you for a while, Kang Jun-hyeok.]
“Sure. What should I call you?”
[Call me Master of All Weapons. That is my current name.]
“I’ll be in your care, Master of All Weapons. So, what exactly is your ability?”
Kang Jun-hyeok asked the most important question. He had a rough idea from the item description, but hearing it directly from the source was different. The Master of All Weapons began its explanation.
[It is exactly as my name suggests. I can store ten thousand weapons. Think of it as a specialized equipment inventory.]
At those words, Kang Jun-hyeok let out a small chuckle. Hearing an inventory described in the archaic tone of a Murim warrior was strangely amusing.
[Why are you laughing?]
“No, it’s nothing. Anything else?”
[Hmm. If I were to mention one more thing, it would be that I can freely swap weapons during combat.]
The Master of All Weapons spoke as if it weren't a big deal, in a tone that suggested it was of little significance. However, Kang Jun-hyeok didn't take it that way at all.
“...That’s incredible.”
Normally, swapping equipment during combat was impossible. If you pulled out a bow to deal with a distant monster, you couldn't just instantly pull out a sword to deal with an ambush. This applied to all Players; it was a restriction of the system itself. Even if you obtained a good weapon, it was difficult to use it according to the situation.
Everyone had grumbled, unable to understand why the Master of the Tower had created such a restriction. But because that was the system, they had no choice but to adapt.
But with the Master of All Weapons, that problem was perfectly solved. It was a piece of equipment whose value would only increase over time, allowing one to handle various weapons to suit any situation.
Satisfied, Kang Jun-hyeok pulled out the basic reward from the 1st Floor.
[1st Floor Sword]
Category: Weapon
Grade: Lowest-Grade
Attack Power: +10
Description: A sword provided to those who clear the 1st Floor.
It was exactly as described. Usually, a Player clearing the 1st Floor would only receive this sword and a small amount of gold. Kang Jun-hyeok placed the sword into the Master of All Weapons. His movements were incredibly practiced.
“I’ll be able to put this to good use.”
The Master of All Weapons was flustered by his reaction.
[What are you?]
The gauntlet had said its ability was nothing special, but as Kang Jun-hyeok’s reaction suggested, it was a truly extraordinary power. However, a beginner would have no way of knowing that. Only a veteran who knew the system’s restriction on weapon swapping—and just how massive that restriction was—could understand its true value.
And yet, Kang Jun-hyeok, who had only just cleared the 1st Floor, had grasped its worth instantly.
[How strange. Are you truly a Player who has just entered the Tower?]
The Master of All Weapons asked in a tone of pure bewilderment.