Harsh Highlands: The 20th Floor Begins
Three days later, Namgung Seojun's party, fully prepared to ascend the 20th floor, passed through Sauschiro's gates and left the city behind.
"You all know this, but I'll brief you again. The 20th floor is a highland plateau region. We'll be climbing mountains right from the start, and with the thin oxygen up there, everyone needs to manage their stamina carefully as we move."
The 20th floor section was a rugged highland terrain filled with mountains. At elevations over 4,000 meters, traversing peaks, plateaus, and ridges demanded tremendous physical endurance.
"Yes!"
With a resounding response from the group, the party's journey through the 20th floor commenced. Leading the way, Seojun followed the path for a short distance before the mountain they'd discussed came into view.
"Whoa, that's high."
Lee Guho's words drew nods of agreement from everyone. Scaling this towering peak marked the beginning of their 20th-floor climb.
"Let's go!"
The group began their ascent. Climbing the mountain was no easy feat. Stamina was the primary challenge. The combat members and porters had the baseline endurance to push through somehow, but the sex slaves lacked it, so they rode the donkeys led by the porters.
Even so, a second issue arose: breathing. Navigating the high altitudes was grueling, and altitude sickness often plagued climbers. They'd packed plenty of medicine, but everyone had to steel themselves for the hardship. On top of that, the terrain itself was a nightmare—rocky crags and steep valleys appeared frequently, far beyond simple mountain paths.
After climbing for over half a day, the group reached a jagged rock face. The already treacherous slope grew even more punishing amid the brutal stone outcrops.
"We can't proceed on the donkeys from here."
At the porters' report, Seojun issued immediate orders.
"Sex slaves, dismount and walk from here."
Under the party leader's command, the sex slaves had no choice but to climb down and proceed on foot. The group's pace slowed as a result.
"Leader! We need to adjust speed!"
The relentless rough terrain and thinning air began taking their toll, with some members struggling. Jo Jaehun shouted, and Seojun spotted a suitable spot, calling for a break.
"Rest!"
The command prompted everyone to halt and gasp for breath. They hadn't even reached the true high-altitude zone yet, but some were already faltering, so Seojun summoned a sylph.
"Sylph, help those having trouble breathing."
The sylph aided with oxygen supply. With it in the party, no one seemed at risk of dying from altitude sickness.
The party finished resting and resumed marching. But then, Namgung Seojun signaled a stop.
Stop!
Everyone froze at the hand signal. Using his Super Sense and mapping, he assessed the situation and spoke.
"Horned deer herd, ten minutes out! Shields, brace for charge. Dealers, prepare attacks."
Per the briefing, party members readied for battle. Moments later, the ground rumbled.
Thud thud thud thud.
Fifty horned deer charged over the rocky terrain, barreling straight like buffalo on the mountainside.
"Uwo!"
The lead horned deer spotted the enemy and bellowed, the rest echoing as they rushed headlong at the party.
"Battle Hymn!"
Perfectly timed, Wu Kanghwa's rare-grade buff skill enveloped all party members, slightly boosting their strength and agility.
"Hold the line!!"
Jo Jaehun raised his shield and roared. His confidence stemmed from mastering the top-tier rare skill Iron Wall Defense, which had vastly improved his defenses. Centered on him, the guards raised shields to block the herd's charge.
Boom!!
A massive impact echoed, but the guards held firm. They'd weathered the herd's most devastating assault. Now it was the dealers' turn.
Lee Guho chanted his newly acquired 3-circle spell.
"Fire Burst!"
A fiery explosion erupted in the herd's center, damaging nearly half. Following his lead, the other dealers struck.
"Thrust!"
Each sweep of Li Zhangwei's spear felled a horned deer.
"Holy Shield Bash!"
Pinara mercilessly smashed them with her unique attack skill. The other dealers followed suit. Isu-yeon and Yasiro Yakamura hurled daggers, inflicting wounds, while Lee Doyun embedded arrows with multi-shot. Idohun, wielding both sword and shield, finished off injured ones with rapid slashes.
"Good."
Seojun, observing without joining, was highly satisfied. The guards performed flawlessly, dealers delivered solid damage, porters and sex slaves caused no issues, and synergy between new and veteran members was excellent. Everything exceeded expectations.
The biggest upgrade came from the core party members' enhancements. Lee Guho, Jo Jaehun, and Li Zhangwei had bought skills with merit points and gained new traits from low-grade random talent tomes. Lee Guho drew the odd Low Heat Resistance, useful for hot zones. His 5,000-merit-point Fire Burst promised massive firepower.
Jo Jaehun got Speed Reading—not combat-related—but his 7,000-merit-point Iron Wall Defense elevated him to elite guard status.
Li Zhangwei struck gold with Low Agility, boosting his needed stat, plus Tough Skin (normal skill) for bolder melee.
Another skirmish occurred en route—a werewolf and wolf pack ambush—which the party dispatched flawlessly with minimal damage.
As dusk fell, Seojun selected a campsite and ordered setup.
"Big temperature swings here. Prepare camp thoughtfully."
True to his warning, the highland days were hot, nights frigid. Porters pitched tents with thicker fabric.
"Isu-yeon! Take Yasiro and scout the area!"
Usually, Seojun handled scouting, traps, and threats himself, but he delegated this time.
"Stock plenty of firewood!"
They gathered enough to keep fires burning all night. The mountainous 20th floor had abundant trees; Anpisa Sarapova and Iban Sergeyei felled them with axes, others hauled.
"There's a stream nearby. Lee Doyun, go with Chigusa Sakai for water."
Seojun directed them to the stream from his mapping.
"Don't skimp on dinner ingredients."
Im Soo-jin and Park Eunhye went all out on the meal, featuring horned deer from the hunt. Edible monsters were common here, promising hearty feasts.
Seojun, who typically left camping to Jo Jaehun, oversaw everything closely. The 20th floor's harsh changes and doubled party size demanded it—from minutiae to major setups.
At dinner, the group enjoyed abundance.
"Oh..."
The massive horned deer barbecue by Im Soo-jin and Park Eunhye was overwhelming in scale.
"We made plenty. Eat up."
Party members feasted heartily. Some suggested alcohol, but Jo Jaehun shut it down firmly. Still, the mini meat party satisfied all.
Namgung Seojun dined with his women: Gisohee, Isu-yeon, and Dmitri. Their hierarchy was sorted, so Isu-yeon and Dmitri treated Gisohee with deference—even Dmitri eyed her cues. Seeing this, Seojun felt no need to intervene, easing his mind.
The slaves appreciated the vibe. First-class slaves valued the non-condescending treatment from regulars. Second-class ones marveled at such humane handling—it was unprecedented.
Garyunmi, the latest addition, teared up mid-meal. From death's door to normal adventurer life felt dreamlike.
Amid the merriment, one quiet figure: Lee Guho, silently eating.
"Guho? Tasty?"
Seojun approached deliberately, but Lee Guho just nodded, mouth full.
"..."
Knowing his friend hadn't fully healed from Yuki's departure, Seojun patted his shoulder twice and left him be.
Post-dinner, as darkness fell, temperatures plummeted. All but sentries entered tents. Seojun retired to his, soon joined by Isu-yeon.
"..."
Isu-yeon blinked at the tent's surprising warmth, contrasting the chill outside. A quick scan revealed why.
"Ah, sylph..."
Seojun had summoned it; the sylph warmed the interior air.
"Master worked hard today."
At her words, he smiled and beckoned her closer.
"Your turn tonight? Shall we train some more?"
Isu-yeon caught his meaning—this "training" was different—and, weaker in this area, stripped with grim resolve.
"Yes. I'll endure as much as I can today."
Steeling herself, she approached, and they made love for a long while. Thus ended the party's first day in the 20th-floor wilds.