The Ruler of the Desert and the Ancient Pharaoh
Hmm, is that all it takes? She watched the Transcendents being sucked into the painting, a relaxed smile playing on her lips.
We’re both Transcendents, yet the gap in our power is this vast? Are we not all Transcendents?
“Is there a standard for classifying Transcendents?”
The Guardian of All Things says that they exist from the Lowest-grade to the Highest-grade.
Lowest, Low, Mid-low, Mid, Mid-high, High, and even Highest-grade Transcendents. So, there are ranks even among Transcendents.
“What rank are the Transcendents that appear as monsters?”
The Guardian of All Things says they are Lowest-grade.
Lowest-grade…?
“What are you two chatting about so happily?”
She approached with a playful smile. Then what rank was she?
“Um….”
The moment I opened my mouth to ask, a solemn voice boomed, and a figure clad in full-body armor emerged from the sand.
Transcendent: 'Lord of Sand' has appeared.
Four Transcendents on the 35th floor? How many are going to show up on the 40th floor at this rate?
“Ho, you look quite strong.”
Judging by her comment, this one wasn't a Lowest-grade Transcendent. A Low-grade? Or maybe Mid-low?
To such a pathetic human….
The air shook. At the same time, the Lord of Sand’s body shattered into pieces!
The Guardian of All Things asks if you dare to insult our Suhyun.
The Guardian of All Things exerts its power.
It vanished in an instant, and new messages appeared.
“Yes…?”
You have been registered in the Hall of Fame.
Rewards for the Hall of Fame are being distributed.
Congratulations! You have acquired the Special Ability: 'Fate's Link'!
Grade: Undetermined
Effect: Strengthens the connection with specific Transcendents. Oh, it's me, bro.
You have reached Lv. 70 and acquired a new Unique Ability!
Unique Ability: 'Inner Strength' has been acquired!
Inner Strength
Grade: EX-rank
Effect: Awakens the power dormant within. Oh, don't worry, cutie. I'm always by your side.
What on earth is happening? A Transcendent that didn't look like a Lowest-grade, but rather a Low or Mid-low grade, was 'obliterated' in an instant. If she can erase a Transcendent of that level with a single word, what rank is she exactly?
The Guardian of All Things shows signs of discomfort.
You shouldn't be uncomfortable. I’ll have to show you a chicken mukbang tonight.
I found these posts while browsing the gallery, as peaceful as ever. Come to think of it, I had set my Hall of Fame entry to private.
“Hall of Fame.”
[35th Floor Hall of Fame]
1st: Lee Suhyun (Private)
2nd: Han Yerin
3rd: Kim Haneul
“Change to public.”
Changing Hall of Fame settings to 'Public'.
[35th Floor Hall of Fame]
1st: Lee Suhyun
2nd: Han Yerin
3rd: Kim Haneul
Is that enough? When I refreshed the page, new posts were appearing in real-time, but the reaction wasn't what I expected!
“…….”
The Guardian of All Things encourages you, saying it's natural to be curious.
The Twelve Starry Ships say it's important to check one's reputation.
The Saintess of the Sun God Cult says this, too, is the grace of the Sun God.
It's fine to search if you're curious. Just as I was grumbling while refreshing the posts, the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong.
What is it? I didn't order anything.
“Who is it?”
“It’s the neighbor.”
The neighbor… Awakened Kim Haneul?
I went to the entrance and opened the door to find her standing there in casual clothes.
“Hello, do you have a moment?”
“What’s the matter?”
“Um… it’s not really something to talk about here. Could I come inside for a moment?”
Suddenly?
The Saintess of the Sun God Cult whispers to be careful, as it might be a cult.
Even the Saintess….
“Come in.”
“Excuse me.”
She stepped into my living room and paused.
“Oh… are you into minimalist living?”
“It’s a bit empty, isn't it?”
With only a two-seater sofa in the living room, it did look quite sparse for a 60-pyeong apartment. Should I fill it with furniture later?
Come to think of it, do I have anything to offer her? I tried to offer her some tea, but she politely declined.
“The reason I visited today is to give you a warning… or rather, some advice.”
“Advice?”
“Yes, about why I couldn't clear the 50th floor.”
She had a serious expression on her face. What on earth appears on the 50th floor to make her look so grave?
“On the 50th floor… a monster called a ‘Transcendent’ appears.”
“A Transcendent?”
They appear right now, though? And four at a time, at that. Ah, are the ranks different?
“What rank is it?”
“Pardon? Rank?”
I tilted my head. What was going on? I had a feeling our conversation was completely off-track. Was it just my imagination?
“Is it Mid-grade? Or Mid-high?”
“What?”
“D-don’t tell me it’s High-grade!?”
“What is that?”
We just stared at each other blankly. Something very important was missing from our conversation. What could it be?
The next morning. I finished preparing for today's homework, mulling over the conversation I had with Awakened Kim Haneul last night.
“Shall we go then? Enter.”
South Korea: Moving to the Black Tower.
In an instant, my vision shifted, and a massive tower appeared before my eyes. As I approached and opened the door, a message popped up.
Will you challenge the 36th floor? Yes / No
Scenario quests from the 31st to the 40th floor are in progress.
Please be careful, as the monsters appearing on each floor are different.
36th Floor Mission: Protect the Pyramid!
📍 Time Limit: 1 hour
🎁 Success Condition: Protect the pyramid and defeat the monsters.
💀 Failure Condition: Failure to defeat or death.
🚫 Restricted Equipment: None.
🚫 Restricted Protocol: None.
I was moved to the middle of a desert, and a massive pyramid appeared before me. It was even larger than the one on the 35th floor. Just as I was staring blankly, overwhelmed by its grandeur, a strange voice echoed.
【Who is it that has awakened me?】
The air shook, and a figure clad in pitch-black armor emerged from the sand.
Transcendent: 'Ruler of the Grand Desert' has appeared.
They all show up in fancy armor—is that a trend?
【The crime of waking me shall be paid with your life.】
He summoned a massive spear in one hand and aimed it directly at me!?
“H-help me!!”
Fate's Timeline - Thousand Memories activated.
Transcendent: 'Ancient Pharaoh' has appeared.
A crack formed in the air, and a figure emerged. A woman with brilliant blonde hair and Egyptian attire appeared, deflecting the incoming spear.
“Oh, Su-cutie. I have been longing for the day I would meet you.”
“Pardon? Su-cutie?”
Why does she talk like that too? Wait, Ancient Pharaoh?
She was clearly….
【How dare you chat in my presence… such insolence.】
As I watched the countless spears forming in the air, she stepped out in front of me.
“Awaken, Ancient Spirit.”
Following her command, a magic circle appeared in the air, and a spirit began to reveal itself, starting with its head.
Head and torso. Both arms and both legs slowly came into view.
…I saw something familiar.