Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Only UP!
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Who would've thought they'd actually beat those mecha fluorescent dinosaurs!
And they didn't even use all the gimmicks I designed—they straight-up burst through with pure DPS.
I kinda want to call them out on that, but if I do, I might end up doing some cyber guerilla stuff, so yeah, I'll let it slide.
Ah... Is this the mindset you need as a developer making gimmicks?
Anyway, glad the third room is working perfectly.
As expected, working with experts makes all the difference in the details!
"Youngest, that spot turned out like that thanks to your advice."
"Hahaha, it's kinda embarrassing."
That area was something the youngest—our druid and shaman who knows nature and ecosystems inside out—and I put together.
Watching those dinosaurs roam free like that, I finally get why that one director from the game that inspired it obsessed over implementing monsters shitting, without adding any new monsters or content.
Some real JOAT vibes there.
"Big bro, looks like challengers have finally shown up for that place. But... what the heck is that room even? I get that you use the structures to climb endlessly into the sky."
"It's a test of patience, perseverance, and unwavering focus. Rather than me explaining, you'll understand faster watching them."
So the youngest and I watched the heroes tackle the fourth room.
They had no clue what kind of space it was and kept debating, but that was pointless.
Find that one structure, and the room's core reveals itself!
'What was that "Primordial Village" sign just now...?'
'Rowell, hero sir! Mind checking that out?'
'Martin, priest! See something?'
'G-Good lord... What's that in the sky?'
'No way they want us to climb up there?!'
Oh ho, they've finally spotted the structure floating in the blue sky.
And just like they said, you climb that structure stretching endlessly upward into the heavens.
But something felt off, so the youngest cautiously asked me.
"Big bro."
"Yeah?"
"Anyone who reaches there is already a powerhouse. What's so hard about climbing structures for them?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, you're thinking two steps behind, youngest."
Like the youngest said, this is a world with the strange power called mana.
Most who reach there can use body enhancement skills.
They could zip to the goal in seconds, but did I design it that easy?
Soon, they spotted a red line drawn on the floor.
'What's this?'
'You gotta cross this line to use that to reach the other structures.'
'So this is the starting point?'
'Let's cross it!'
They crossed the red line, and exactly five seconds later—
Woooooong!!
Thud!
'Ugh?!'
'Cough!'
'Wh-What the hell?'
Immense pressure slammed them down like bugs, everyone collapsing to the floor.
Seeing that, the youngest instantly grasped the room's core.
"N-No way... The belts we're wearing apply there too?!"
"Exactly. That's the gravity-enhanced jump map!"
With gravity cranked up, body enhancement is useless now!
No more free rides!
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Rowell's party reached the gravity-enhanced jump map but couldn't overcome the intensified gravity, crawling like bugs to barely escape back across the red line.
Whirrr...
"Huff... huff..."
"Ev-everyone okay?"
"Haa, this ain't no joke."
"Now we know what this place is, let's head back and report to the captains."
Rowell's group relayed the info to the Rabbit Gongdu crew, who grimaced as they pieced together the theme.
"So... we gotta overcome insane pressure and climb up to the sky?"
"Wow."
"At least no combat, right?"
"Don't count on it. Think about the rooms so far."
"...Definitely something more."
"Or maybe worse than before..."
The Rabbit Gongdu party reached the starting point and crossed the red line without hesitation, no reason to dawdle.
Woooooong!!
"Urk?!"
"Huff, huff."
"Whoa~ This... Perfect training spot for our kids?"
"Hahaha, great idea!"
"Hey, let's move."
It felt like hundreds of hands from below grabbing and dragging them down, but the Rabbit Gongdu didn't stop.
They painstakingly advanced step by step until reaching the first climbable structure.
"Hm? Something written here."
"Info?"
"Let's see... Ten chances on falls..."
"No way..."
"Kids, you know something?"
"You know how falling from Sky Island rides storm winds back up?"
"Ah, fall protection here too."
"Huh, and they give ten chances? Isn't that generous?"
"We'll find out why soon enough."
Now familiar with Ballak's dungeon layout, they grasped the system instantly and started climbing.
But the young ones trailing behind weren't faring as well.
"Ugh..."
"Kids! You alright?"
"D-Don't worry about us, go ahead."
Rowell's group knew their limits and roles, sending the Rabbit Gongdu ahead.
But unexpected hardship struck them.
Ping!
"Buff?!"
"Ugh!"
The body-boosting buff had expired!
Now they understood why the dungeon rest area offered buffs.
"N-No way... Catch that monster and clear this in the one-hour buff window?!"
"No wonder the buffs were so good—tricked us!"
"Hoo, this just got harder."
That's right! From the third to fifth room, it was basically a time attack!
To break the old [Easy-Easy-Boss] setup, this part was Karian's idea.
Fail to clear fast? Buy buff potions from the shop with coins to refill time.
Or brute-force it like a man.
Perguson recommended heat-proof potions like before, hinting at other buffs, but the Rabbit Gongdu refused.
Now pure suffering awaited!
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Tsk tsk tsk. Getting info from taverns is RPG 101, and they missed it!
What's a tavern in medieval fantasy?
Where you snag connections, info, quests!
I banned spoilers for Second Bro at the rest area but allowed hints.
If they'd listened, this would've been smoother—instead, self-inflicted pain.
"But the heroes seem adapted to the gravity now."
"Oh come on, youngest. Think I'd make it that easy? Look—their faces are more pained than before!"
The youngest checked the lead players' faces and puzzled.
Then saw the rearmost players and mid NPCs had different expressions—finally got it.
"No way... Gravity keeps ramping up?!"
"Bingo!"
Paradoxically, the higher you go, the stronger gravity—harder to move!
But that alone wouldn't knock them down, right?
Exactly!
Time to activate the second main system!!
Hell Joseon's most infamous rice-grind game's "Jungle of Patience and Perseverance" jump map.
Why's it brutal?!
This!!
Ping!
Piping!!
'What the fuck?!'
'Watch out!!!'
Damage 1, but guaranteed knockback from projectiles galore—pure rage fuel!!
Here, it'd hurt bad, so everyone gets a strong shield on arrival.
But knockback x10—hit by tiny darts, you're flung like truck-struck, no fall protection!
And those incoming aren't normal.
Swing at them? Embedded magic explodes massively!
So! Take this!
Now it's mega-knockback falls!!!
Boom!!
'Aaaah!!'
'Cough?!'
First room: Madhouse Country.
Second room: Iron Labyrinth.
Third room: Mecha Fluorescent Dinosaur Park.
Fourth room: Patience and Perseverance Jump Map.
Fifth room: Bullet Hell Playground.
Ahh, perfection.
Themes don't overlap—ultimate dungeon!!
Need five more... Tough choices ahead.
"Big bro, doesn't the first and fourth room overlap a bit?"
"Hahaha! Fair point. But fourth's core is jump map! Projectiles, giant iron balls, etc., only in set spots! And look!"
The old knights jumping structures hit a massive diagonal uphill slope.
Devices activated—dozens of walls with three doors rushed at them.
And the walls' true nature!
Clunk!!
[ 8 + 99 + 15 ]
[ 122 ] [ 123 ] [ 121 ]
''''Huh?''''
Yes! Inspired by Fall Guys, scattered "brain full throttle" puzzles everywhere—totally different concept from room one!
Roland sliced giant balls last time, so everything here explodes on touch—zero smash-through cheese!
Later, Ascension ups chances from 10, but stuff like hammer-climbing jars or party magic chains—endless plays!
And falling from the top? Lame without payoff.
So, healing devices!
[ Everyone seeks life's big meaning, but chasing giants makes you miss the small stuff— ]
'What bullshit is this!!!'
[ Don't rush each day—think of the good and gaze endlessly to tomorrow— ]
'Gaaaah!!'
Ahh! Yes!
Fallen ones get motivational crap philosophy via telepathy.
Heroes! Embrace the bullshit philosophy—heal your souls!
But not over yet!
Finale awaits!
Fallen from heights ride winds like mini-dungeon fall prevention, landing precisely at a sign.
What is it?
｢ Primordial Village ｣
'''………….''''
Ahh, the grand finale.
The perfect curtain call.