Chapter 66: 5th Floor (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: 5th Floor (4)
The Security Force had divided its hunting operations in Zone 3 among several teams.
Roles were clearly defined: a combat unit handled the actual hunt, while a transport unit processed and moved the monster byproducts.
Team 1, led by Alex, was currently hunting along the outermost edge of Zone 3.
“...Captain! Captain!”
A man stumbled toward them, his face pale and slick with blood. It was Kevin, a member of Team 3.
“Kevin! What happened?!”
As they listened to his frantic, breathless explanation, the expressions of Alex and his team hardened.
They moved out immediately.
Upon arrival, they were met with a scene of horrific carnage.
The corpses of Team 3 members were strewn across the scorched earth. There were bodies from the Black Star Society as well, but the only ones still standing were a handful of their Climbers.
The moment Alex saw the broken bodies of his subordinates, he saw red. He lunged forward.
The Black Star Society survivors gasped in shock.
Alex blurred across the distance and slammed into their midst, seizing one man by the throat and hurling him away like a ragdoll.
Crash!
The other Black Star Climbers recoiled in terror as they watched their comrade shatter against a boulder.
“W-What the hell...”
The rest of the Security Force rushed in to restrain their leader.
“...Captain! Calm down for a second!”
Alex glared at the remaining Black Star Climbers with murderous eyes.
“You sons of bitches... how dare you...!”
It was then.
Thump. Thump. Thump...
The ground began to vibrate as a group approached from the opposite side. Alex’s expression stiffened when he identified the man leading the pack.
Boom!
Just as Alex had done, the man made a heavy, thunderous landing at the scene.
It was Wang Kai.
The Black Star Climbers scrambled behind him as if they had just found their savior.
Wang Kai scanned the surrounding corpses with total indifference before letting out a casual sigh.
“What a shitshow. What the hell happened here?”
Wang Kai’s gaze shifted toward Alex.
Alex spoke, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. “The Black Star Society encroached on our hunting grounds. And they attacked first. It’s clear who’s at fault here, isn't it?”
“...Huh?” Wang Kai furrowed his brow. He let out a snorting laugh and turned to one of his men. “You heard him. Did you guys attack first?”
“...N-No, sir. They were the ones who ambushed us.”
“That’s what they say,” Wang Kai said, turning back to Alex.
An injured Security Force member shouted in fury, “You... don’t give me that crap! You guys attacked our team leader with skills before a word was even spoken!”
“That’s not true, Lord Wang Kai! W-We tried to resolve it with words, but they attacked us!”
Wang Kai waved his hand dismissively. “Enough, enough. Obviously, the Security Force attacked first. Isn't it obvious?”
“...What?”
“And since when is this your territory? Did we sign a contract? The hunting grounds belong to everyone.” Wang Kai leaned forward, his eyes glinting. “So, how do you plan to take responsibility for this fucked-up situation, Captain?”
Alex let out a hollow, disbelieving laugh. “Responsibility? Did you just say responsibility?”
“Yeah. How many of our guys died? One, two, three... This is basically a declaration of war, isn't it?”
The Climbers from both the Security Force and the Black Star Society gathered behind their respective leaders, hands on their weapons, glaring at one another.
In this touch-and-go situation, Alex barely managed to swallow his rage and regain his composure. He had to end this here. If they started a full-blown battle now, it would be nothing short of mutual destruction.
“Let’s end it here, Wang Kai. We’ve lost many people on our side as well.”
Alex expected the other side to back down since he had taken the first step toward a truce. However, Wang Kai simply shook his head.
“Stop barking that bullshit.”
“...”
“I asked how you’re going to take responsibility. For killing this many of my boys.”
Alex’s brow furrowed. “Are you really looking to take this to the bitter end?”
“Since you can't seem to understand plain English, I guess I have to.”
“...Are you saying we should all die here together?”
“Hehe, I think you’re the only ones who’ll be doing the dying. Not feeling confident?” Wang Kai let out a mocking sneer.
Alex swallowed a groan. ‘This crazy bastard...’
A head-on collision wasn't an option for Alex. If they fought, most of the people here would surely die. But Wang Kai showed no intention of backing down. The murderous intent he was radiating was the real deal.
Glaring at Wang Kai, Alex made a proposal.
“Let’s do this, then. You and I—the two of us will fight to settle this. Leader against leader.”
Wang Kai smirked. “Oh? And then what?”
“The loser accepts full responsibility for this incident.”
“Deal. Let’s do that.”
Wang Kai accepted the proposal as if he had been waiting for it.
Alex waved his arm at his members. “Everyone, fall back.”
“Captain... this is...”
“That madman is serious. This is the best way, so stay back. Don’t you trust me?”
The Security Force had no choice but to retreat a good distance. The Black Star Society did the same. On the vast, volcanic landscape, Alex and Wang Kai stood facing each other.
Wang Kai, playfully loosening his muscles, spread his arms wide. “Since I’m the higher level, I should let you have the first move, right? Come at me.”
Without hesitation, Alex kicked off the ground and lunged at Wang Kai with incredible speed.
Boom!
Their fists collided, sending out a massive shockwave. Alex dug his feet in and pushed forward with all his might. Simultaneously, Wang Kai used a Leap skill to spring backward. Alex stayed glued to him.
It was a battle between two of the world’s highest-level Climbers. Their bodies moved so fast they left afterimages. To the members watching from afar, the exchange of blows was a blur. Only the constant thunder of shockwaves echoed through the air.
Alex’s speed was gradually increasing.
[Skill: Exhilaration (Rare)]
Your physical abilities are enhanced the more you move. The effect gradually fades when movement stops.
Category: Physical (Passive)
Willpower Consumption: None
Cooldown: None
[Skill: Endless Combo (Rare+)]
Damage continuously stacks the more you attack the same target.
Category: Physical (Passive)
Willpower Consumption: None
Cooldown: None
Boom!
Wang Kai, who blocked Alex’s fist with his forearm, was blown backward. As the skill stacks accumulated, Alex’s strikes grew heavier. He unleashed a storm of consecutive attacks, giving Wang Kai no room to breathe.
‘The gap is almost non-existent...!’
For now, it looked as though Alex was overwhelming Wang Kai. Though there was a four-level difference, it was being bridged by the Exhilaration skill, and the stacks for Endless Combo were building up smoothly.
Of course, Wang Kai hadn't used his signature skill, Berserk, or any of his other known abilities yet. Just as Alex was about to continue his assault while staying on guard—
“...!”
Wang Kai’s eyes turned blood-red. He swatted Alex’s fist aside in a single motion and countered.
Alex hurriedly crossed his arms to block the punch. The impact was beyond anything he had imagined. He was sent flying backward.
Closing the distance in an instant with a leap, Wang Kai brought his leg down in a crushing blow. Alex desperately rolled across the ground to dodge.
“Over here!”
But Wang Kai’s kick followed immediately. Alex couldn't dodge and took the hit full-on.
“Guh...!”
As if everything until now had been a joke, Wang Kai began to rampage like a demon. Alex couldn't understand it. No matter how powerful the Berserk skill was, it shouldn't have created such a drastic gap.
Alex could no longer keep up with his opponent’s speed.
BOOM!
Finally, he took a direct hit to the chest. With the sensation of his sternum shattering, he was sent skipping across the ground like a stone.
“...Captain!”
Wang Kai dusted off his hands and approached the fallen Alex. “Pathetic. Did you really think you could stand a chance against me?”
Spitting out blood, Alex forced his head up. “You... you’re not Level 60!”
Wang Kai grinned. “You noticed? I went up another floor just recently. I’m Level 64 now.”
It was Alex’s total defeat.
Despair washed over the faces of the Security Force members. Conversely, the Black Star Climbers erupted in cheers.
“Wang Kai! Wang Kai! Wang Kai!”
Wang Kai raised a hand with a satisfied smile, and the chanting stopped. Barely pushing himself up, Alex gritted his teeth.
“I... lost. I will keep my word.”
Alex couldn't bring himself to look at his subordinates. He had been utterly defeated and now had to admit fault for the incident.
“Yeah, yeah. That’s that, but we need to finish this.”
With those words, Wang Kai lunged toward Alex. One of the Security Force officers desperately jumped in to block the path.
Crash!
The officer was sent flying like a ragdoll, his shield crumpled. The Security Force members shouted in horror.
“W-What are you doing?!”
Wang Kai had just tried to finish Alex off. He gave a sickening smile.
“What does it look like? I’m going to take your captain’s life as 'responsibility' and end this.”
“...!”
“Or... should I just take care of all of you while I’m at it? If you all die here, the Security Force’s main strength will be wiped out, right?”
Alex shouted in shock at Wang Kai’s absurd words. “What are you saying...! Do you think you can handle the consequences of such an act?!”
Wang Kai chuckled. “Consequences? Well, the Party will take care of that. Is the whole world going to attack China or something? Either way, the 5th Floor will be entirely ours from now on.”
Realizing Wang Kai was serious, Alex felt a chill run down his spine. The man was completely insane.
“Let’s start by killing you first.”
It was the moment Wang Kai lunged at Alex again.
Clang!
A man suddenly appeared out of thin air and blocked Wang Kai’s path. Startled, Wang Kai recoiled.
The man was also pushed back slightly, coming to a stop in front of the fallen Alex. Alex couldn't help but gasp when he saw the man’s face.
“...Hyun?”
The young Korean man he had met at the Drake Restaurant. It was him.
* * *
I had been hunting in Zone 3 for quite a while.
“...?”
I heard a faint, booming sound coming from the distance. I tilted my head. This... sounds like people fighting.
And for the shockwaves to reach all the way here, they had to be quite powerful. It wasn't something I could just ignore, so I moved toward the source of the sound to investigate.
By the time the noise died down, I had arrived at the scene. What I saw was...
‘...What the?’
What is going on here?
Remaining in Stealth, I approached the group gathered in the distance. They looked like Climbers from the Security Force and the Black Star Society. There were several corpses lying around, making it clear something serious had happened.
‘Alex...’
The man lying on the ground with severe injuries was a familiar face. It was Alex, the captain of the Security Force I had met at the Drake Restaurant.
And the Asian man on the other side was...
“What does it look like? I’m going to take your captain’s life as responsibility and end this,” the man spoke.
After assessing the situation for a moment, I could easily guess the man’s identity.
‘Is that Wang Kai?’
Are the Security Force and the Black Star Society fighting each other? To the point where people are dying? Why?
Regardless, it was clear that Alex had been defeated by Wang Kai. And...
“Or... should I just take care of all of you while I’m at it? If you all die here, the Security Force’s main strength will be wiped out, right?” Wang Kai continued.
What is this crazy bastard talking about? He’s going to kill everyone here?
“What are you saying...! Do you think you can handle the consequences of such an act?!”
“Consequences? Well, the Party will take care of that. Is the whole world going to attack China or something? Either way, the 5th Floor will be entirely ours from now on.”
Radiating murderous intent, Wang Kai took a step toward Alex. “Let’s start by killing you first.”
He really intends to kill him.
...I had no choice.
I stepped in between Alex and Wang Kai, blocking Wang Kai’s attack.
Clang!
A heavy impact vibrated through my arm. I was pushed back slightly. Wang Kai, who had also been forced back, blinked in surprise when he saw me.
“...Who are you? Where did you come from?”
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me. Ah, damn it... what a mess.
I spoke to Wang Kai first. “Stop this. Are you really going to kill all these people?”
“...Huh?”
Wang Kai stared at me for a long time, tilting his head. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, his face twisted in shock.
“You... is it you? No way.”
“...”
“Saram123! It’s you, isn't it? Right?!”
Wang Kai’s voice boomed, announcing it to the entire area. The Climbers from both the Security Force and the Black Star Society began to stir.
“What? Saram123...?”
“Did he just say Saram123?”
...So it’s come to this. I let out an internal sigh and spoke to Wang Kai again.
“Please stop here. I don’t know what happened, but...”
Suddenly, Wang Kai charged at me.
“...!”
His fist grazed the bridge of my nose. I dodged Wang Kai’s attacks, continuously backing away. He was fast and strong. His physical abilities were superior to mine. When I crossed my arms to block his punch, the impact was much heavier than before.
Only after I had been pushed back a significant distance did Wang Kai stop his assault.
“...Why are you attacking me?”
Even with Skin Hardening active, the shock was piercing through. Whether it was a skill or something else, Wang Kai’s eyes were stained blood-red.
“Hey.” Wang Kai laughed like a madman. “I really, really wanted to meet you, you know? You little brat. I finally got my wish today. Wow.”
I had no idea what he was rambling about. I stated once more that I had no intention of fighting.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about... but could you just stop?”
“Stop? Stop what?”
“Trying to kill Alex and the Security Force members. I don’t know why you’re fighting, but you’ve already won.”
Wang Kai wore a disgusting smirk. “Oh? You want me to stop?”
“...”
“Then get on your knees and kowtow. Then I’ll stop.”
I frowned.
“Hmm? If the Savior of Humanity kowtows to me, of course I should stop. Don’t you think?!”
Wang Kai cackled and looked back at the Black Star Climbers. The stunned Black Star Climbers began to laugh along, trying to stay in his good graces.
Feeling far from amused, I spoke to Wang Kai again. “Stop joking around.”
“I’m not joking. Get on your knees and ask politely.”
“...And if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll kill everyone. Oh, don’t worry, I’ll make sure to leave you just barely alive.”
From this brief conversation, I had a very clear grasp of what kind of person stood before me. It seemed words would never reach him.
If words didn't work, only fighting remained. My opponent was a powerhouse in the 60s; if I fought half-heartedly, I would be the one in danger. I had no intention of taking that risk. If I was going to fight, I would give it my all.
And giving it my all meant...
“...I’ll say this one last time, Wang Kai.” I let out a sigh. “Stop here. This is your final warning.”
Wang Kai mocked me. “A warning? I’m shaking. What happens if I ignore it?”
“You’ll die.”
“...”
“I don’t have the confidence to just suppress you or anything like that. Let’s end this here so no one else dies. It’s not that hard.”
Wang Kai laughed, his murderous intent flaring. “...I listened because I was curious, but your bullshit knows no bounds. Fine, don’t kneel. I’ll break both your legs myself and make you kneel.”
...Fine. I guess there’s no other way.
Before Wang Kai could attack, I stopped time.
After completing 300 seconds of Mental Focus, I released the time stop and fired the Destruction Ray.
The pitch-black beam erupted instantly, engulfing the spot where Wang Kai had been standing.
Fwoosh...
Wang Kai was no longer there.