Chapter 64: 5th Floor (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: 5th Floor (2)
"I'm Chloe."
"I'm Hyun."
After exchanging names with the woman, we shared small talk while we waited.
About thirty to forty people had gathered to take down the Zone 1 boss. They carried a variety of weapons—swords, maces, axes—but almost everyone was equipped with a shield. I had brought one along myself, not because I strictly needed it, but because I didn't want to stand out.
As expected, a one-handed weapon paired with a shield was the most reliable setup. It was the gold standard for beginners. No matter how much a Climber leveled up or how superhuman they became, it didn't mean they suddenly became masters of complex weaponry.
But putting that aside...
I noticed the crowd was split roughly in half, with a clear physical distance between the two groups. The people on the opposite side were likely Climbers from the Chinese faction.
"That must be the Black Star Society over there, right?" Chloe asked, glancing toward them.
"Looks like it."
The faction centered around the United States and the Climber Association had formed the Security Force. Conversely, the group centered around China was an organization called the Black Star Society. To put it simply, it was the US versus China. That was the power dynamic here on the 5th Floor.
I had a general idea of how these boss expeditions worked. The people gathered here were aiming for the first-clear rewards, just like me. In other words, they were low-level Climbers who had never defeated this boss before. At most, they were around Level 20. Chloe had mentioned she was Level 15.
Exiting the 5th Floor was only possible within the range of the portal in Zone 0. Unlike repeated clears where you could make an emergency escape, you couldn't just vanish if things got dangerous during a boss fight. Therefore, a boss raid was a perilous undertaking where one had to risk their life.
However, the reason the Zone 1 boss wasn't considered too dangerous was because high-level Climbers from both the Security Force and the Black Star Society accompanied the group to supervise the raid.
Soon, several people wearing armbands stepped to the front. They were the Security Force.
"...?"
I blinked in surprise when I saw one of them. It was a familiar face—the Manager from the Climbing Agency. Manager Shin Su-jin also seemed startled to spot me, her eyes widening.
What is she doing here?
Well, she was a government official, so it made sense she’d be handling Security Force duties on the 5th Floor. Since ignoring her seemed rude, I gave her a slight nod. Shin Su-jin acknowledged me with a small nod of her own before quickly averting her gaze.
A member of the Security Force shouted at the top of his lungs.
"A warning in advance! Any Climber below Level 15, step out! Boss raids are extremely dangerous, and we do not take responsibility for your lives! One person died during the last expedition! If you aren't at least Level 15, it'll be hard to even meet the contribution requirement for rewards anyway! Don't even think about trying to ride someone else's coattails!"
It was a blunt warning for the underqualified to back out. A representative from the Black Star Society was shouting a similar warning to their side. At that, about a fifth of the gathered crowd sheepishly withdrew.
Chloe spoke in a nervous whisper. "I guess the Security Force doesn't actually intervene in the fight, Hyun. Someone actually died last time..."
"It would be meaningless if they intervened," I replied. "We're the ones who need to build up contribution points."
"T-true. Still, I thought they'd step in if things got really dangerous."
"They probably would if it was a total disaster."
But since their response couldn't be perfect, people still ended up dying.
"We're moving out!" the leader shouted.
The expedition left Zone 0 and began the march into the forests of Zone 1.
* * *
Among the Security Force and the Black Star Society, South Korean Climbers naturally aligned with the Security Force. Therefore, Shin Su-jin's duties as a public official of the Climbing Agency on the 5th Floor were primarily tied to them.
The Security Force was composed of Climbers from the Association—meaning the US and Western bloc nations. It included people like her who were on official duty, as well as volunteers of various nationalities. Regardless of their origins, they were an organization that joined forces to maintain a minimum level of order on the lawless 5th Floor.
As a high-level Climber over Level 30, Shin Su-jin was a high-ranking figure within the Security Force. She had been assigned to supervise this specific Zone 1 boss expedition for two reasons.
The first was to protect the Climbers. They wouldn't directly intervene, as that would steal contribution points from the participants, but they would step in to perform a rescue if someone's life was in imminent danger.
The second was to keep the Black Star Society in check, ensuring they didn't try any underhanded tactics. Of course, the Black Star Society had their own supervisors following along for the same reason. Zone 1 boss expeditions were carried out under this mutual, if tense, agreement. There was no need to cause unnecessary conflict over a boss whose primary rewards had already been claimed by the top players long ago.
"...?!"
As Shin Su-jin scanned the crowd, she was startled to find a familiar face.
Saram123 was here.
He looked her way and gave a small nod. Shin Su-jin reflexively nodded back before turning away.
So he's already made it to the 5th Floor...
She immediately understood why he was here. A man like him could easily solo the Zone 1 boss, but he was likely being considerate of the other Climbers who needed the rewards. He probably intended to blend in with the expedition and build just enough contribution to secure his own prize.
He really is a kind person, Shin Su-jin thought.
She tried her best not to stare, fearing that making it obvious would make him uncomfortable. However, she couldn't help her hearing from focusing in his direction. He was engaged in small talk with the woman next to him...
For some reason, Shin Su-jin felt a pang of envy.
I want to talk to him in person too, not just through a communication window.
Still, she had managed to learn something new: Saram123's name was Hyun.
* * *
The expedition cut through the forest toward the boss's spawn point. Monsters occasionally ambushed us along the way—Goblins, Orcs, Horned Deer, and wolf packs. Since the normal monsters in Zone 1 were Level 10 at most, the expedition handled them with ease.
"We're almost there. Get ready."
The Zone 1 boss was known as the Forest Giant. It wasn't an official system name, but one the players had coined. As soon as I saw it, I realized the name fit perfectly.
Gruuuu—
It was a massive, tree-like creature that moved with the sluggish, undulating gait of an inchworm. The Forest Giant loomed in the center of a clearing.
It's bigger than I thought.
The others seemed to agree; their faces stiffened with tension. Manager Shin Su-jin stepped forward to address the crowd.
"You likely already know this, but I will explain the mechanics once more. The Forest Giant's primary method of attack is swinging its arms. It has four arms and can attack in all directions, so stay alert. For a Climber of Level 15 or higher, the impact is something you can block with a shield. Use them actively. It will be easier if you divide roles between those blocking the arms and those focusing on offense. Please take a position that suits your skills."
Once the explanation ended, the supervisors from both factions stepped back. The remaining Climbers looked at each other before slowly closing in. Once they entered its range, the Forest Giant reacted.
Gwaaaa—
Several Climbers from the Black Star Society charged with a roar. Taking that as a signal, everyone else rushed in. In the end, if you didn't meet the contribution requirement, you got nothing. Everyone had to earn their keep.
I followed at a moderate pace.
"Urgh...!"
"Attack now!"
The Climbers fought surprisingly well. While a few people braced against the swinging arms with their shields, the rest hacked at the limbs or moved in close to strike the torso and legs.
Thump!
I stepped in front of one swinging arm and caught it with my shield. The impact felt as light as styrofoam. I continued to play the part of a defender, blocking attacks to allow the surrounding Climbers to strike. Chloe was nearby, swinging her mace at the boss's legs with all her might. Further back, the mages were focusing their minds, taking an eternity to fire off a single spell.
Wow... seeing it in person, magic-type skills really are garbage.
The battle continued smoothly. Zone bosses were known for having massive health pools compared to their actual combat power—true "bullet sponges." Even though the Climbers were pummeling it, the Forest Giant showed no signs of falling.
Should I chip in?
Originally, I had intended to only defend. Since blocking counted toward contribution, I didn't feel a strong need to attack. However, I felt a slight pang of anxiety. Contribution points weren't displayed in real-time, and I didn't want to miss the reward by a hair.
Deciding to hit it just a little, I moved toward the boss's legs. This kind of power control was always the hardest part. Acting with the strength of an ordinary person in daily life was easy, but gauging a "moderate" blow for a Level 20 boss? That was tricky.
I reached the leg and swung my sword with what I thought was appropriate force.
This should be enough.
Crack!
Apparently, it wasn't. As soon as my blade connected, the boss's entire massive frame staggered violently.
"Oh! It's falling!"
"Focus on the legs! Bring it down!"
The Climbers excitedly swarmed the off-balance giant. I broke into a cold sweat and quickly backed away.
I mean, if it can't even handle that, what am I supposed to do? I almost shattered the damn bone.
Regardless, the Climbers joyfully dogpiled the staggering boss.
Thud.
Before long, the giant collapsed.
[The Zone 1 Boss has been defeated.]
[You have obtained the Zone 1 Boss Defeat Reward.]
Having more than met the contribution requirement, the message appeared instantly. Most of the Climbers looked ecstatic, though a few had expressions like they'd swallowed a bug—likely the ones who hadn't done enough.
"Wow! Thank goodness!" Chloe cheered, hopping up and down. She grabbed my shoulders as if my success was her own. "Hyun! How about you? Did you get it?"
"I got it."
"Congratulations! I'm so glad we both made it!"
Feeling self-conscious about the leg incident, I glanced toward the supervisors. No one seemed to be paying me any attention. I wasn't the only one attacking the legs, and in that chaotic melee, my specific strike had gone unnoticed.
The expedition disbanded on the spot. There were a few injuries, but no fatalities.
"Ah, I wonder what I got."
"Please, just let it not be a magic skill...!"
The rewards could be checked in the Reward Room, accessible via the portal in Zone 0. I watched as people began rushing back.
"Hyun!" Chloe caught me before I could leave. "How about we go back and have a drink at the Drake Restaurant? To celebrate the kill!"
I declined with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I have to head back to the surface immediately."
"Ah... really? That's a shame."
Chloe didn't push. She seemed like a genuinely good person, but getting close to others on the 5th Floor was risky. If we became friends and exchanged IDs... it would be a headache. On the 5th Floor, it was best to be a lone wolf.
I waved goodbye to Chloe and turned to leave. My eyes met Manager Shin Su-jin's one last time. After another awkward exchange of nods, I stepped through the portal.
Now... let's see the prize.
At best, it would be Common+ grade, so I didn't have high expectations.
[Skill: Lesser Ice Resistance (Common+)]
You gain a slight resistance to freezing.
Category: Physical (Passive)
Willpower Consumption: None
Cooldown: None
"Oh."
Not bad at all. I immediately crushed the skill stone. With this, I now had three lesser resistances: Poison, Burn, and Ice. They were minor, but in the Tower, minor advantages often saved lives.
[Zone 1 (0%)]
[Zone 2 (10.4%)]
[Zone 3 (90.8%)]
I checked the boss gauges. Zone 1 was cleared. Zone 2 had a long way to go, but Zone 3 was almost full.
This was perfect. The main course was Zone 3. That boss had never been defeated; when that gauge hit 100%, it would be its first appearance. And just like floor clears, 5th Floor bosses had "First-Clear" rewards. If multiple people were involved, the reward went only to the person with the highest contribution.
It was the greatest reward one could obtain on the 5th Floor.
"That one's going to be mine."
I had no intention of sharing.
* * *
"The Zone 3 boss is coming up soon, isn't it?"
Wang Kai flicked his finger as he listened to the report from a Black Star Society executive.
"Pick up the pace. Don't worry about those Security Force bastards."
"Understood."
"I should probably head in soon myself."
A cruel, hungry smile played on Wang Kai's lips.