Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Translator: Penny
Chapter 68
I opened my Inventory and took out the most recently acquired item.
It was the shield I obtained from the Exchange Meeting.
Clank—
I equipped the shield.
[Millennial Fortress].
With a defense of 200, it had higher defense than the Mirror of Transience, another shield item. It also had a counter-type effect that reflected a certain percentage of magic damage taken.
It seemed like I could use it for a long time.
Now it was time to proceed to the 11th-floor Stage.
But before that, I thought I needed to properly establish my stance regarding the 'Constellations'.
Title: They said Constellations directly interfere from the 70th floor and above, right? Author: ㅇㅇ*
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Then that means they are enemies we must inevitably fight someday.
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This is the Hard Level Players.
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Those on Easy and Normal have never even seen the silhouettes of the Constellations.
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Archmage) Correct.
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Archmage) They are the ones you must inevitably fight.
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Absolute Monarch) So it's better not to even think about receiving things like 'Authority' from the Constellations.
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Absolute Monarch) If you engage in battles relying on Authority, you might end up dying helplessly when facing a Constellation.
I had heard this story before, but I understood why they emphasized it. The previous Hard difficulty Climbers probably often met their demise using the Authority granted by the Constellations right in front of them.
-Jjuhdak) A major blind spot, along with that point, is that whenever a subject granted 'Authority' by a Constellation achieves feats within the Tower, the Constellation's own status—their Celestial Rank—rises. Their combat power increases as well.
This was also a rather unpleasant aspect. The situation where the Constellations benefit from my struggles.
The latter made me feel as strongly repulsed about receiving Authority from the Constellations as the former.
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Sword of Light) The fact that they are enemies we must fight someday. Asking about that means you're pondering just how far you'll show your Stage progress to the Constellations.
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Okay*) For now, up to the 20th floor. Only when I feel like it during those 20 floors. By then, wouldn't I have acquired all the items worth getting?
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Sword of Light) That seems fine.
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Heavenly Demon) This Sovereign has also been blocking them continuously since the 21st floor because I didn't like the Constellations eavesdropping.
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A Heavenly Demon who dislikes eavesdropping.
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Yeah, for someone who supposedly stands at the pinnacle of demonic arts, it's unthinkable to be evaluated by the likes of Constellations.
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Archmage) I left it alone, giving moderate help with things like Magic Stones... but it felt like magical tampering at a level of complete ignorance, so I blocked it.
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Sword of Light) Are you planning to go to the 11th floor right away?
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Yeah. I already did some extended training before entering the Exchange Meeting. I plan to go to the 11th floor right away.
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Yeah*) I think I need to prepare a bit before entering the caution-required 13th floor.
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Jjuhdak) That's true.
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Jjuhdak) Now, form a line, those who will hand over the interdimensional trade items.
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Spear King) Hmm, want to learn the spear?
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Yes, I do want to try learning spear techniques.
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Okay*) I'll decide after climbing a bit more and hitting a wall. Maybe when I enter the 13th floor.
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Spear King) Right, the interdimensional trade cooldown hasn't even reset yet.
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Pioneer) Yeah, yeah, Authority or whatever. If you need usable power, just take it from us. Ah, not that I have much to give.
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Archmage) Right, we can give it.
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Ice Queen) Kkong-kkong! Good! We! Give! Kkong-kkong-!
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Shrine Maiden) Hawawa, this maiden also has many things left to give.
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Dragon King) Beltui— I must look to see if I have anything to give.
I closed the gallery and put the Terminal into my Inventory.
Since today was the day I finished the Exchange Meeting, I planned to train for a day and enter the 11th floor tomorrow.
I purchased plenty of healing potions and Mana Potions and put them in my Inventory.
I opened the door to the 11th-floor Stage and stepped right in.
Whoosh!
『Pandemonium difficulty 11th floor is a Dungeon type.』
It felt like it's been a while since I got a Dungeon type.
『Clear the designated Dungeon, 'Minotaur's Watchtower'.』
Minotaur.
If it's the Minotaur from the myths I know, then this won't be an easy path either.
Anyway, since the enemy, the Minotaur, is very clearly defined, I should ask the seniors once.
Title: 11th floor estimate is out. Author: ㅇㅇ*
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Dungeon name: Minotaur's Watchtower.
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It's the 11th floor, but a Minotaur appears... though that's nothing since a Rank 6 Knight Dekan already appeared on the 10th floor???
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Actually, it feels like untying a sandbag. An 11th floor is much easier than the 10th.
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The funny thing is, the probability of that being fact is high.
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Pioneer) The Minotaur's weakness is its horns. If you cut off one horn, its combat power reduces to about a quarter. And if you cut off the remaining horn, it halves again based on that reduced power.
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Scum Sword Saint) What to watch out for is its enraged state. Sometimes, when you cut off one horn, instead of its power decreasing, it enters an enraged state.
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That's quite the extreme, isn't it? That's the Tower for you.
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One of the two! Random~~ game!
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Sword of Light) Minotaurs mostly use axes or spears. Since a Minotaur's size is larger than the average human, you just need to overcome the distance difference well.
The seniors' advice continued.
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Archmage) The threatening part is the unique racial Magic Power they use. It's stronger than you'd think. That's about it.
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Archmage) Judging comprehensively, it's about Rank 5. Seems definitely easier compared to the 10th floor?
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Dragon King) Beltui— Small head! Minotaur extermination! Let's go!
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Anyway, go ahead.
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Sword of Light) Occasionally, Minotaurs might charge in groups; in that case, use a wide-area slash to blow them all away at once.
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Does this guy keep thinking everyone knows what only he knows?
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Well, isn't it possible this Climber bastard might know? It's probably in the Dragon Slayer Sword Manual.
As per that comment, I knew which technique of the Dragon Slayer Sword the Sword of Light was referring to.
First, I turned off the gallery and put the Terminal into my Inventory.
Then, I swiped up the notification windows at the far right of my vision.
There, I could see the clamoring of the Constellations.
['The Guide Who Follows the Stars' is desperately begging you to lift the block.]
['The Crimson Blazing Creator' is reported to be indignant about the repeated blocks.]
['The Blood Demon' closes its yawning mouth and urgently demands its anger be conveyed.]
However, these weren't notifications coming in right now.
They were traces from when I had previously completely lowered the Constellation window.
Since I had applied the Constellation Block even before entering the Stage, they wouldn't even know I had entered the Stage now.
They probably don't even know which floor I'm on now.
They said it's possible to apply a secondary block where even these notifications wouldn't be visible.
I planned to do that complete secondary block from the 20th floor.
By then, I would have extracted all the items I could get.
This time, since it didn't seem to be a Quest Type with a narrative either, I decided to lift the block and reveal myself to the Constellations.
If it's just a simple Dungeon type, I wasn't too hesitant about being seen by the Constellations.
As soon as I lifted the block, the Constellations, realizing I was progressing through the 11th-floor Stage, came swarming in.
['The Sword Demon of the Black Typhoon' shouts, asking why I've only come now.]
['The Giant Who Swallowed the Moon' broke into a wide smile.]
['The Warrior Burdened by Rage' raises both arms and looks at you.]
['The Judge with a Thousand Eyes' glares at you.]
['The Saintess Who Chases the Light' smiles brightly and claps.]
I lowered the window again.
If I show them I'm not giving them much attention, they'll probably get a bit heated and offer tempting rewards.
I can't afford to wait until those rewards are offered.
I had to enter the Dungeon first.
Grrrrrrk!
As I pushed open the door, which looked like a black stone slab, the red lights flashed in the eyes of the towering figures standing there.
Hmm.
I wasn't scared, but it wasn't a sight you could call beautiful.
Bull heads on muscular human torsos.
Monsters looking exactly as popularized by myth came charging.
Five Minotaurs simultaneously.
I felt at ease.
Achieving Rank 5 definitely felt like crossing a line.
I could clearly see the Minotaurs' movements.
Enough to see their attack trajectories and plan my strategy.
I moved my feet.
As efficiently as possible.
As concisely as possible.
I twisted my body to the left, dodging the vertically plunging axe spewing crimson Demonic Energy.
Then, I swung my sword towards the Minotaur's neck.
Swaaaash!
Vivid red blood flowed out, covering my vision.
Before that blood hit the ground, I sliced through the neck of another Minotaur.
I vertically struck upwards against the trajectory of a horizontally swung axe, breaking the flow of the attack.
['The Sword Demon of the Black Typhoon' expresses surprise at your efficient movement.]
['The Blood Demon' senses leisure in your actions and judgment.]
['The Emperor with Immortal Glory' wants to see you fight at full strength.]
['The Watcher Swimming in the Abyss' attempts to register a Constellation Quest for you.]
『Constellation Quest Occurred! 'The Watcher Swimming in the Abyss' has registered a quest.
Quest: Clear this Stage by putting in a little more effort without hiding your power. The judgment regarding the extent of power usage will be made by 'The Watcher Swimming in the Abyss', who assigned the Constellation Quest.
Additional Condition: 'Constellation Block' cannot be used during the Constellation Quest progression.
Reward: Authority - Shadow Dive
Authority Description - A technique of the Constellation 'The Watcher Swimming in the Abyss'. Allows perfect stealth within shadows or darkness. It is a transparent invisibility where the opponent cannot even sense your presence. Can be used until Mana is fully depleted.
However, if the shadows or darkness disappear, the Authority is automatically released.』
It looks usable.
It certainly seems worthy of being called an Authority.
But I had no intention of accepting any Authority.
Ultimately, in the moment I have to fight these guys, not being able to use Authority.
And knowing that it essentially means doing a favor for the Constellation, I decided not to accept any Authority, no matter what it is.
I had made that decision.
When receiving a Constellation Quest with an Authority as a reward, what's the best way to express that I dislike Authority?
It was a question I asked in the gallery before sleeping yesterday.
The seniors gave almost unified answers.
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Jjuhdak) If you act strongly, they probably won't suspect.
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Sword of Light) Talk like you're slightly insane.
I decided to follow the advice.
"I'm not interested in such trivial tricks."
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Absolute Monarch) Like a madman obsessed with strength.
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Jjuhdak) Isn't that pretty much your true nature anyway? Hahaha
"Instead of such trivial things, offer usable items."
-Scum Sword Saint) Right, since they started out that way too, they won't suspect that you know the pitfalls of receiving Authority. In fact, some might feel a strong sense of kinship with you.
"Becoming stronger—I do it solely through my own power and effort."
-Heavenly Demon) It's a resolution they themselves wanted to keep but ultimately failed to uphold.
['The Sword Demon of the Black Typhoon' curls the corner of its mouth into a smirk.]
['The Blood Demon' agrees with your words and mocks someone, calling such things useless techniques.]
['The Warrior Burdened by Rage' is reported to be looking at the warrior.]
['The Watcher Swimming in the Abyss' expresses anger towards you.]
['The Watcher Swimming in the Abyss' reveals hostility towards you.]
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Pioneer) The one who offered the Authority will show hostility and such. Well~ You can't do anything, right? Ignore it.
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Dragon King) Beltui— Ignore.
['The Emperor with Immortal Glory' laughs at someone while checking its own relics.]
After 'The Emperor with Immortal Glory', notifications about some Constellation looking for something continued in succession.