Colossal Metal Heap
After Artificial Intelligence (2), I took down the monsters that appeared one by one, leveling up steadily.
It was truly rewarding. I could see myself getting stronger with every monster I smashed.
Players apparently never bothered with sports.
And why would they? Everything in Babel was way more thrilling.
Not bad earnings at all. I snagged five whole phones...
I'd looked it up separately—they fetched about a million won each, pricey items.
Makes sense, though. Even outdated military radios cost over ten million won. A functioning phone with a smooth internet connection? Yeah, that'd be valued even higher.
Sell these, and that's five million won. Covers a whole month's tuition.
Players deliberately avoid rushing past floors packed with certain items.
Level up, and those drops stop coming. To prevent that, they hang around, farming endlessly without leveling.
Wish I could do the same here...
Bad luck, though. My gear boosted EXP gains too much. Solo farming shot my level up way too fast.
This is a problem. Still, higher floors should yield even better loot, so I'll push on for now.
Stepping onto the next floor, a massive robot—easily 11 meters tall—appeared, shoving over a small building with one hand.
Colossal Metal Heap
A named monster. Same concept as that count or the harpy I'd fought before.
But way stronger. This thing used its 11-meter bulk to come at me.
Intruder Detected
At 11 meters, it had to weigh dozens of tons. Metal? Hundreds, easy.
Every step crushed the already crumbling ruined city even further.
Damn it... We were about a kilometer apart, but it'd reach me soon.
Weak point's that core in its chest, huh.
Alright, let's do this...
That's what I wanted to say. But stabbing a knife into the chest of an 11-meter behemoth? Easier said than done.
It barreled toward me, toppling buildings in its path. At that size, each stride covered ten times my pace—meters at a time.
No time to hesitate.
Perfect—there's a building right there...
This city had been massive, Seoul-scale. Landmarks everywhere.
Player physiques outpace Olympic sprinters. At level 25? Several times faster.
"Halt, intruder. Comply with termination protocol."
The Colossal Metal Heap whipped its head around. Its eye-lens thing whirred, locking onto me.
Moments later, a deafening screech—then a searing beam blasted out.
Shit!
I vaulted over a wrecked car, diving into an alley to barely dodge.
Ziiiiing—! Searing heat blanketed the street. Metal and rock glowed red, bubbling grotesquely. The stench hit hard, and its footsteps grew louder, closer.
Can't fire continuously, good. Otherwise it'd vaporize everything.
Grateful for that, I burst from the alley, sprinting for the building.
Intruder!
Vwoom! Something massive whooshed overhead.
Explosive air displacement—a whole car crashed down.
Being short has perks. Any taller, and my head's gone.
"Cease futile resistance. You are obligated to be crushed underfoot immediately."
Looks like a cockroach to it, huh? Fat chance. You think I'd just roll over?
I scaled the building's outer wall. It stomped closer, but distance bought me time.
Fall and splat if I fail? Worth the gamble. It's worked so far.
11 meters up—dizzying just looking. But as it closed in, excitement chilled to steel resolve.
Action turned bold. The instant I felt weightless, I realized I'd leaped right at it.
"Danger! Danger! Collision probability 91%! Activate defense systems immedia—"
Too slow—I was too fast. The sunblade aura from my sword was devastating.
I thrust like a spear into its chest. Slid in like butter.
Blade hit the core, shattering it moments later.
You have defeated the Colossal Metal Heap!
Please select your reward.
1. Return Stone
2. Instant Level Up
Hmm... Picking level up as a reward isn't efficient, or so I'd heard.
Honestly, this deep? Time to head back.
I picked the Return Stone without hesitation.
◈ Use to return to Babel's entrance. One-time use.
◈ Rumor has it, using this on some continent warps you to an inn where card games are all the rage... Who knows if it's true.
The description's kinda weird.
Eh, probably nothing. Maybe. I used it anyway—time to rest off the fatigue.
Back from Babel, I strode to Master like a triumphant general.
"Looking all smug, huh? Pisses me off... Should I just knock you down and fuck you senseless?"
"Won't be hearing that nonsense much longer, Master!"
"The hell? You'd just twitch and blow your load under me."
Her sexual harassment and groping wouldn't last forever.
"Master, I had no idea being a player paid this well."
Truth was, I knew. Just never had the chance before.
"Oho, struck gold?"
"Not exactly jackpot, but I found items that sell big."
"Hm?"
"Better to farm and sell multiple valuable items than chase one big score."
So obvious now. How'd I miss it?
"Found five comm devices that work with internet inside Babel. Turns out they go for about a million won each?"
"Five mil total, yeah? Mmm~"
"Nope."
Stopping there'd suck. Time to reveal my magic money trick.
"Made ten million. Double market price."
"How? Pawned your soul or what?"
"Auction house owner said that. Desperate for stock, so sell only to him—at double pay."
Supply and demand. Econ 101.
High demand, low supply? Prices skyrocket. Nailed it.
"Even a scam like that—you fell for it easy."
"Hm? Scam? Isn't that your contract schtick, Master?"
"Not wrong, but moving on. You got scammed, idiot."
"...What?"
Scammed? Me? Auction house is government-certified.
"That's how they lure quick stock—looks good. But payment? Whenever they feel like it. They got the goods already."
"Ah...? But if I go demand it?"
"Possible? Items handed to auction house? Irretrievable. Unless stolen."
Meaning...
"Congrats? You just bought a mystery-term deposit."
"Ahh..."
"Oh, perfect. Love that despair face. Always hits the spot. Anyway! Saw you made an official account?"
Wanting to cry, but she wouldn't let me wallow.
"I'll make you famous."
"W-what?"
"Strip first."
No way. The fantasy I'd only imagined... for real?
"We'll think after you strip."