Secrets of the 66th Floor
Floor 66 was where players who sold their souls to demons appeared.
Sometimes in Babel, demons would tempt players with so-called hidden routes. If you gave in, you'd end up trapped between floors 66 and 70.
They were the world's biggest fools. Selling your soul to demons just to get a little stronger?
In exchange, they could never die eternally, their existence forever bound to Babel.
"Those are just toys for Babel's owners to play with, right?"
"They look kinda pitiful like that. Can't even die."
The players retained the traits they'd had in life, transformed into beings that were neither demon nor human.
"Probably made by Sloth, one of the Four Heavenly Kings."
Their appearances were straight out of a cheap horror flick.
Bodies warped with insect parts bulging like tumors... Their swollen upper bodies dragged along pitifully.
"Every year, there are always people who can't resist the demons' temptations and end up like that."
"The government even made it illegal to fall for those temptations."
What kind of lure could make someone endure that fate?
The failed creations pointed at us and charged like madmen.
True to floor 66, they swung filthy fast, heavy attacks.
On top of that, they unleashed their pre-death traits in a frenzy.
"Don't ever scatter! If we hold our formation, they're not that tough—!"
They were definitely dangerous physically. But without reason, if you fought smart, they were easier than goblins.
As one massive-fisted failure lunged forward, we tightened our positions and fought.
"Trash like them are the ones who fall for demons anyway."
There were a few close calls, but we handled them way smoother than expected.
You have cleared Floor 66.
Clearing floor 66 got us another level up. Now LV.65. Time for a new trait.
Double Slash Enhancement: All your attacks now guaranteed strike twice.
Bloodbound Summon Enhancement: All your summons' attack power and health increase by 30%, and normal attacks apply bleeding.
The first was solid, but the second looked better, so I picked it.
Now the valkyries' attacks would cause bleeding. Massive power boost.
"Choosing and focusing is always tough. Sometimes I just wanna pick both."
"Whoa... LV.65 on floor 66. Sword Emperor for real."
"Wait, you guys too? Calling me by that stupid nickname?"
"Everyone's doing it."
...How fast did this spread? Everyone using that nickname already? Just one day in, and it felt off.
Hyunwoo's fame spread like wildfire on dry tinder.
The hype wasn't just domestic—it exploded overseas too. Simple reason.
"Anything's forgivable if the face is cute."
"I didn't do anything wrong. What's to forgive?"
"Not what I meant. Anyway! Cute goes viral."
Even the same feat looks more impressive from the social underdog.
Debuting young, killer skills, cute looks—Hyunwoo hit the jackpot trifecta. Bound to blow up.
"Now no one in the world won't recognize your face."
"That's overkill, honestly."
"Know the top male player level? LV.70. And even that's probably dead."
Which meant Hyunwoo was now the world's top male player.
Once again, he grasped the record he'd set.
'Like the world's number one female soccer player joining a Euro team and killing it.'
Thinking that way, his fame didn't seem so shocking.
"Honestly? You're more famous than the US President."
"That's exaggeration."
"No, for real. You haven't believed me once."
*Believe that if you can!* Hyunwoo grumbled inwardly. Master was impossible to buy sometimes...
"If you can't believe it, check Insta right now."
Hyunwoo logged into his Instagram account.
"What the hell is this?"
He hadn't checked lately, but his official account had blown past 100 million followers.
"No way, for real."
100 million was oppressive just to look at.
Twice Korea's population—insane. Hyunwoo shivered.
"DMs full of companies begging for ads, offering cash."
"All big names I've seen before..."
Major corps lining up for ads? Hyunwoo chuckled dryly.
"One of these could pay off my entire debt to Master."
"Hey now. Don't get funny ideas. You think I'd let that? Ads? Focus on your job."
Of course, Hyunwoo had no plans for ads. Better to clear another floor and level up.
With Babel's rules changing, player-vs-player fights were rampant. No leveling, no survival.
Being famous just painted a target—bad news.
"If you've got time, check my weapon grip. Been holding the scythe like this, but feels off."
"Looks fine to me."
Swords and big scythes had different grips. Weight balance differed.
But the Sword Saint's specialty was wielding any epic item freely. A giant scythe? No sweat.
"Your fingers are too tense though. Watch how I do it."
She casually pulled a massive scythe from Loki's All-Purpose Box, whirling it effortlessly in front of her disciple.
It was "Derry City's Clown Grasp," one grade below the legendary Amodius's Scythe.
'She can handle it like that?'
Grades differed, sure. But in Ryu Ga-eul's hands, Derry City's Clown Grasp shone beyond legendary.
"Higher grade items are better, yeah. But skill overcomes all that."
"Whoaaa..."
"What? Sister looks badass as fuck?"
She spun the 2m+ double-edged scythe like a toy.
"Toss some pebbles."
Hyunwoo grabbed some at his feet and flung them at his master.
LV.65 power—filthy fast and precise. Aimed at different spots.
But none touched her. They split perfectly into five pieces, dropping harmlessly.
"No way! Four pebbles..."
"Five? Hid one in my palm and flicked it."
"...Yeah. Thought you wouldn't notice."
He could spin a scythe like her, but not swing that wide blade invisibly fast.
'Strength? Speed? I've got Sword Ghost's Eye. My dynamic vision should be better.'
Conclusion: Depth of technique. Over ten years separated them. Levels couldn't bridge that easily.
"Too much finger tension narrows your technique range. Hyunwoo, precise power distribution matters only when slicing foes."
"But every enemy needs different force—I don't know how much."
"Experience teaches that. Get more under your belt. Hm? Your grip's all wrong now."
Ryu Ga-eul hugged her dazed disciple from behind, murmuring. She groped his small butt, adjusted his arm position.
"I'll teach you right from now. Follow close?"
"...Yes."
It had been ages since she'd given direct guidance. Precious stuff.