Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm
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"Keh... gah..."
Thud.
"Hoo..."
I'd used every last magic stone thriftily, and with my exhausted body, I'd barely swung my sword myself to finish off all the goblins.
"Finally..."
I clenched my fist at the clear message floating in front of me.
It had been way harder than I thought.
Honestly, I'd underestimated it at first.
Goblins? Of all things?
And their chief went down in one hit?
Swordsmanship, parrying, magic, wiki strategies...
With all those tricks up my sleeve, I figured it'd be a cakewalk.
'Even fighting on favorable ground, I nearly died.'
I'd learned firsthand just how crucial numbers were.
Even after taking out dozens with water and lightning magic combos, it was still dangerous.
Honestly, I couldn't call myself strong yet by any means, but compared to the start, I'd grown ridiculously stronger... and the road ahead still looked endless.
Crackle—
'So that's how it goes.'
As I exited the cave and looked around, the goblin corpses vanished all at once.
More precisely, they turned into shimmering blue holograms, including the bloodstains they'd spilled—perfectly.
'The blood on me didn't disappear, though.'
Whatever. The clothes I was wearing at midnight refilled every day anyway.
Blink—
I blinked, and suddenly I was back inside the dim tower.
With faint light, I slowly stepped toward the two wide-open doors.
『Tower of Trials』
-30-
"Not bad."
Even with the bonus, it still felt kinda lacking somehow.
Magic stones alone for the 30th floor cost 1,800 TP.
They were definitely effective, but at this rate, it didn't feel sustainable.
'Low-grade ones are fine, but...'
I'd even splurged on mid-grade ones here and there, but later, for pricier skillbooks demanding high-grade or better? That'd be trouble.
At first I didn't see the issue, but after trying it, the efficiency just sucked.
'The best part is snapping my fingers to cast spells.'
As an ace up my sleeve or last resort.
For now, that's how I'd treat it.
TP income wasn't great enough to make magic my main thing.
I'd need more TP sources later, or a way to cast without stones, before it could be primary.
'Real combat's definitely different.'
I felt swordsmanship and stamina's importance deep in my bones.
Better to prioritize gear and sword skills over pouring TP into stones like a bottomless pit.
Though I'd still buy some stones.
'What this unlocks is the key.'
60 floors left to the new feature.
Feels like big progress, but still a ways off—makes me chuckle dryly.
"So what even is this...?"
No clue what it'll be.
With Star Wiki and Star Bang, feels like I have everything I need?
Expand to internet scale, too many ideas; narrow to tower-helpful, nothing fits.
Whatever it is, hope it's useful across the board.
'First, rest a bit...'
My whole body ached. Adrenaline still lingered, so it was okay, but my sword arm trembled nonstop.
At this rate, two days bedridden before I could walk properly again.
Click!
'Still... gotta do what needs doing...'
I snapped a pic of the floating gallery ticket in the hideout and headed there.
"Wiki..."
I looked bitterly at the posts from the search.
Why's he climbing so frantically?
Confidence in his skills? Or desire for that Irregular?
I always left congrats and well-done comments, but I couldn't help worrying.
One floor a day is plenty, but 3-4... sometimes 5+ per day.
He has the ability, sure—he climbs because he can—but it worried me.
'If he burns out... I don't even want to imagine failure...'
I knew he was different from everyone I'd seen, but I knew too well how hard strong egos crash.
Hundreds who'd climbed towers madly to prove themselves.
And I remembered their ends vividly.
"...Another tower climb?"
As expected, another climb proof.
35th yesterday, now +5 today.
He's climbing so fast it makes me wish he'd rest.
"Haa..."
I couldn't help but smile.
Even watching makes me happy; smiling at comments that aren't mine.
He's such a weirdo.
Too weird, but I don't hate it.
Not even a year in—total newbie—yet feels like an old-timer.
"...Which makes me worry more."
Beyond the Irregular I cost him, pure worry for him.
No failures since entering towers, so unpredictable how he'd handle one.
When this guy who amuses me and the gallery daily gets down... no idea what to do.
I selfishly wish he wouldn't overdo it.
"..."
'Not just climbing towers blindly...'
Not many train in towers, but Wiki especially hardworking.
Thought mage learning sword, but not quite mage.
Uses magic, but sword skills not pro-level.
Mystery, but everyone knows his insane effort.
[Check My Form Please]
[Magic for combos?]
[Form.]
[Ah f*ck sword heavy af]
[Mana Gain Prayer Day 1@]
Few learn from others here.
He's trying everything.
'Cool...'
I wasn't putting in any effort like that.
Just drifting along.
Even if apocalypse comes, I'd just shrug.
'I tried escaping at first too.'
Too long since giving up climbing for real.
Boredom filled me: if can't, oh well.
1500 years broke my spirit.
"Don't break, Wiki. Escape for sure."
I'll cheer full throttle.
Regain the Irregular I cost him, return to happy world.
"Ah...!"
I widened my eyes at the new comment on my post.
Knew I shouldn't, but my lips twitched up.
"Not... Boss... at all..."
[Comment posted]
[Comment deleted]
"Couldn't reply yet...!"
Definitely sent food again.
Soon big noise in hideout, food I missed for days appears.
Honestly fine without, many never received.
But couldn't say don't bother.
Precious food, now my sole joy—can't refuse.
'Feels tamed... but thanks, Wiki...'
Grateful he's so kind despite my screw-up.
Boom—!!
"Wonder what today...?"
Sandwich'd be nice... maybe hint next time?
-1-
"Ugh...!"
I stretched, eyeing the hideout timer.
Two months since entering towers.
Three weeks since goblin horde.
Climbed hard for new feature.
Never slacked training either.
'Nothing else to do anyway.'
Gallery lurking gets repetitive; low drama for population.
"...Hoo."
Deep breath at phone screen.
Prep done.
Today, all 50 floors at once—fully geared.
Swish—
'Damn heavy for real.'
Chuckle lifting iron sword trained with all week.
Bought with TP from 40th floor: million-won iron sword.
Form changed with new sword.
Redid 'Royal Knights Basic Swordsmanship Form 1' and ongoing Form 2 basics.
Actually slowed climbs a bit for this.
'Not sure if all today... but...'
Believed I'd climb without dying somehow.
"Alright, let's go~."
Aggro post up, gear packed.
Full rest yesterday stocked stamina; pills to energy drinks—full buffs.
Rumble—!!
Trusting Wiki unlocks something OP, I stepped beyond the rumbling door.