Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Ruins Where the Most Radiant Sun Slumbers (2)
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A strange sensation washed over me, like the time before when my body was forcibly pulled in, and my vision shifted completely.
The world, bright and scorching under a radiant sun, vanished. In its place emerged ruins filled only with darkness, as if the sun had lost its light and fallen into ruin.
Click!
Right after, another person burst out from the portal. Seo Mi-na glanced down at herself, then quickly turned away from me to frantically brush the sand that had gotten into her clothes during her hasty dive.
Even in four dimensions, it seemed embarrassing to show her undergarments to a strange man. Well, it was too dark to see anyway.
Tsk!
As I clicked my tongue in mock regret, something briefly pinged on my senses before vanishing.
It felt just like something had appeared and swiftly retreated. The presence I'd sensed in front of the portal disappeared in an instant.
'So I wasn't imagining it after all?'
I recalled the single trace I'd felt while digging into the desert.
After focusing my senses for a while to check again, I soon gave up searching for the presence that no longer registered.
'I have a pretty good idea who it is anyway.'
I'd planned to deal with them regardless, but now they'd handed me the perfect excuse on a silver platter.
I smirked inwardly while outwardly tilting my head in feigned ignorance.
"So it's started, as expected."
I nodded at the rising Misfortune message. I'd seen it coming—about 90% of it, anyway—and I'd prepared as best I could. Bring it on.
Let's see who comes out on top—you or me.
'And if I use that guy right, I can force Seo Mi-na's awakening.'
Her awakening was a bit risky for me to trigger directly, so this worked out perfectly.
'Still...'
I stared at the single black coin in my hand, my expression turning subtle.
"A Black Coin, huh."
These were special coins obtainable at an extremely low probability when leaving massive footprints in the Abyss.
Black and White Coins. They were rare and astonishing, sure, but...
"I've got a ton in my inventory."
Unlike the standard rainbow coins, they weren't infinite, but I had quite a stockpile.
I couldn't use coins properly until entering the Abyss and meeting a merchant anyway. Coins were basically the Abyss's universal currency.
'My early plans include a hidden piece using Black and White Coins.'
I'll use them then!
I mentally organized the info, flicked the coin into my inventory, and drew my sword.
As time passed, my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I pulled out the headlamp I'd prepared and strapped it on, illuminating the path ahead.
"Let's go. From now on, I'll take point, you cover the rear. Read the presences and handle anything I miss or overlook."
I handed her a headlamp too and briefly outlined the plan.
Beyond triggering her awakening, there was another reason I'd brought her here as insurance, even sharing info and EXP on this ruin.
'All the monsters here are weak to light and fire attributes.'
Even a promising rookie who'd cleared this pre-regression—could they really conquer a hidden stage tougher than the Tutorial without a hitch?
No matter the elixirs, weapons, or training, real combat was different from practice. Some lunatic hyped up from killing Tutorial mobs digs into the ground to wipe out underground monsters? Clearing a hidden stage unscathed?
It was all because that guy had awakened a light-attribute unique ability.
In a later interview, he'd said that as soon as he unleashed his light mana, all the monsters fled.
'They fear not just light, but any light or fire abilities!'
And lightning was the superior attribute combining both fire and light!
In other words, she was the perfect support partner to make this hidden stage easier and safer.
'Time to grind EXP here!'
I could monopolize the rewards anyway, so trading some EXP for safety was fine. Actually, calling it a trade was weird.
Even in a hidden stage, it was still inside the Tutorial. No levels past 10, so it just took time—the EXP for her and me was more than enough, overflowing even!
Just as I moved toward the entrance ahead, I noticed Seo Mi-na hesitating and realized the issue.
"Can't sense presences yet?"
"Not yet... That's a high-level skill. I have to spread faint currents around to detect them, but..."
Got it. I'd expected too much. She couldn't even control the currents surging from her body properly without awakening, let alone handle detection.
Thanks to my Infinite stat expanding my senses, I'd assumed anyone could do it.
"I can handle it, so I'll signal if enemies show up on your side."
We warmed up and stepped into the entrance beckoning us.
The message upon entering threw me off.
'A tower-type hidden stage?'
I'd never heard that. It was an event from the Tutorial I'd practically lived in, and I'd researched it thoroughly out of interest—no way I'd miss something big like pure gold ingots.
The promising guy had just said he cleared the hidden stage easily and got a sacred relic.
Meaning he'd only cleared the 1st floor!
'Doesn't change anything.'
Coming as a pair was the better call in this case.
Hidden stages locked you out after one escape, so you had to conquer as many floors as possible. Two people could climb more than one.
That's when it happened. Monsters, spotting fresh prey entering on their own feet after so long, began to emerge. They prowled the darkness, encircling us.
I pointed out their positions from my senses and quietly briefed her.
"We're surrounded. Eight total, dog-like forms!"
I swung my sword down at the first charging monster.
Slash!
The one leaping to tear my throat took a massive gash to the face, crashing down with a agonized scream.
'Too bad. Would've been one-shot if the sword effect procced.'
Ducking low, the fallen beast thrashed wildly in the headlamp's light, as if it were dying.
"Die."
Stab!
I pierced its neck cleanly, ending it.
With triple rewards and EXP applied, my bar shot up fast.
-Grrr! Woof!
-Woof! Woof! Woof!
-Woof! Woof! Woof!
The remaining seven, witnessing their comrade's pathetic end, crouched low in rage, bellowing ferociously as if ready to pounce.
"Come on, then! Get ready, Seo Mi-na! They're weak to light, so your attacks will be lethal!"
"Got it!"
With her response, the seven charged simultaneously—four at me, three at her.
Hoo!
Holding my breath, I felt their incoming presences and channeled my mighty physique's power into my right arm, swinging my sword with all my might.
Timing it as the simple-minded fools leaped from the ground with jaws wide. I slashed from left to right, delivering a single strike.
Left to right. Clear, simple, yet destructive and overwhelming—one sword stroke!
Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!
The four Dark Hounds charging head-on lost their heads, bodies tumbling bloodlessly to the ground, spilling black blood.
+ Spare Points +2
The 300% amplified EXP from four beasts pushed me up two levels, gaining two spare points.
'All into Infinite.'
I dumped three spare points into Infinite right away. Vitality surged through me, erasing the prior battle's tension.
"Status Window."
🛡️ Endurance:Fortune (Myth) F- (41/100)
Infinite (Myth) F- (28/100)
Unyielding (Legend) F- (1/100)
In less than a week post-regression, this growth was jaw-dropping.
'All thanks to the Tower of Gold.'
That bastard's Curse of Misfortune nearly erased my innate Fortune ability, but the Primordial Spring Water evolved it into an authority. The Radiant Nectar granted three cheat-level unique abilities.
Four stats awakened too. One being a trap was the issue, though.
'Didn't raise it myself, but Fortune went up and Infinite followed.'
Ridiculous. I clicked my tongue, closed the window, and glanced back.
Crackle! Zap!
Seo Mi-na's fight with the Dark Hounds was one-sided. Against her currents, darkness-born, darkness-fed beasts were pitifully weak.
Kieeeek!
With their death cries, they all perished. She leveled up too, checking her stats.
"Easy?"
"My power counters them perfectly. Didn't even need my spear."
She tapped the foldable spear at her waist and nodded. I agreed.
"From now on, we clear every monster in sight. Let's max out the gains here."
Crackle!
Instead of replying, she drew her spear, wrapping her body in currents. We advanced through the ruin's maze, overwhelming the monsters with sheer power.
Slash!
+ Spare Points +1
My fourth level-up since entering. I invested the spare point into Infinite, bringing it to 30, shook the black blood off my sword, and caught my breath.
"Take a break?"
"Good idea. My mana’s running dry; it’s getting tough."
Her low stats meant her mana had flickered out earlier, slowing her kills and forcing me to handle more.
Without her overwhelming lightning counter, she’d struggle against even two Dark Hounds.
Not that she couldn’t fight. I didn’t mind taking more EXP either.
I hadn’t expected more from her anyway, and for day two in the Abyss, it was impressive.
"Yeah, rest here, then go boss hunting."
I sat, regulating my breath, and set my sword down.
'That Misfortune bastard’s fault?'
The sword’s 20% proc effect hadn’t triggered once mid-battle.
Made hunting annoying, but hitting level 5 dulled the anger.
'Pre-regression, it took at least a month to reach 5.'
I barely remembered how many Horned Rabbits I’d grinded for 1 EXP each.
Tutorial capped at 10 anyway.
'So I’ll hit 10 here.'
Dark Hounds gave Goblin-level EXP and threat, but no big deal for me.
'If there’s a 1st floor, there’s more above.'
No need to camp here. No clue on upper-floor mobs, but surely better EXP than 1st floor.
Just as I revised plans from entry and tried to actually rest—
Chill!
Boom!!!
The ground quaked, a roar echoed, and the upper wall we’d leaned against crumbled from impact.
"Urk!"
"Kyaa!"
Quick reactions. The moment my senses picked up vibrations in the wall, I grabbed my sword and Seo Mi-na, diving aside.
Avoided the debris, but...
-Groooar!!!
-Kraaaang!!!
A massive roar heralded its arrival. Tension gripped me at the sight ahead.
This was the floor’s ruler and warden... the boss.