I'm Way Prettier: The Wasp Nest Inferno
I'm way prettier. Floor 42 was a massive wasp hive.
A 1-meter-long white larva charged at us, spewing viscous fluid from its mouth.
The way its fat body writhed was so disgusting that curses nearly spilled from my lips, but I swallowed them down and swung my sword.
"Looks like this is the larva room."
"What happens if those things grab us?"
"What do you mean? We'd get dragged off alive and eaten!"
The larvae's attacks were straightforward. They'd suddenly stretch their segmented bodies for a headbutt, snap their sharp jaws, or occasionally spit digestive fluid—which melted the floor on contact, so getting hit was a no-go.
"Still way better than dealing with those damn sluts."
Couldn't agree more. They were just numerous; individually, the larvae were easy prey. My sword sank deep into their fleshy bodies with satisfying stabs.
And the EXP was generous—one larva gave more than fifty goblins.
"Hm? One of the sparrows got hit. Looks like a worker wasp's coming."
That ominous hunch proved spot-on. Soon, a helicopter-like buzzing filled the air as a hornet appeared.
"It's like a Daewoo Tico with wings... If this is a hornet, how huge is a giant hornet?"
Luckily, its massive size meant it wasn't fast. But if dozens or hundreds swarmed? Major headache. And that stinger—getting jabbed wouldn't end with just swelling.
"Where do you think you're running—!"
The worker spotted us and tried to flee, but I yanked out my spear and pinned it, finishing it off clean. Letting it go would've been trouble. No way I'd let that happen.
"Entrance seems cleared. Shall we start?"
"Yes!"
Common bug spray works by paralyzing muscles—shutting them down one by one until even the respiratory ones seize. Think tetrodotoxin from pufferfish. Harmless to humans, mostly, but we donned gas masks anyway.
"Ready? Opening the valve now."
I twisted the valve on our prepped gas canister, and white smoke billowed out through the hose. In the sealed space, it lingered, trapping the wasps. They dropped one by one, legs twitching, then spat out EXP as they died.
"If every floor were this easy..."
"No way Babel's owners would allow freebies like that. And we're not done yet, right?"
True. One survivor lurked deepest in the hive—too far in, too huge for the gas to fully affect.
Didn't drop dead—instant kill dodged thanks to its size. Even slight movements shook the nest violently, making it hard to stand.
What kind of monster is that?
Insane strength. Get too close, and the vibrations would knock you flat. Or your eardrums would burst first.
"Hard to aim at this thing."
"I'll handle it."
"Huh? You're a swordsman, Hyunwoo. How do you take it down from 100 meters? Better to chip away with my magic."
Time to correct that misconception before disaster struck.
"Your attack spells are fire and ice spikes. Fire here? Gas ignites, boom—we're fine, but you'd all get wrecked."
"Ice spikes are..."
"Too small, hard to aim. Queen neutralizes the poison and kills us first."
No options worked. My turn.
Queen's neck strangled, hoisted to the ceiling.
[Kieeeek!]
Insects might not have "breath," but confusing its head's vision worked. It flailed wildly mid-air, rope straining. Even the rope that bound the Giant King was fraying.
Pure strength outclassed any 30s-floor boss.
But I've got seconds to spare.
And I could fly. Soaring up, I slashed the Phantasma-like beast down. Green blood gushed from the wound.
You have cleared Floor 42.
No item rewards, but massive EXP flooded in. Now LV.40—a player who could stand tall before Master.
[Sun Blade Enhancement]: Sun Blade's length increases further.
[Valkyrie Enhancement]: Summon two Valkyries.
The first boosted me and Valkyries, but the second was too OP to pass. Chose it—and power surged through my body.
"Wrapping up here today. Good work, everyone. See you in three or four days?"
Stronger again. Dying to test it...
"Hyunwoo, got time? Not for anything big—just inviting you and Sword Saint to a nice dinner."
"Nice dinner?"
"Yes, a humble thank-you meal for all your help."
Her intentions were obvious. Nearly refused, but... Master might allow it.
"Sure. When?"
"...7 PM! That building from last time."
Sigh, wish Master had said it boldly.
Would've spared her the awkwardness.
Ryu Ga-eul flung open her wardrobe of favorites the moment she heard her cute disciple's words.
"Mm~ Found it."
She pulled the priciest outfit, tried it on repeatedly (making Hyunwoo inspect), then forced herself on him while wearing it before heading out.
"This shit's insanely expensive. Item-level pricey?"
Wearing that and mounting him? Unbelievable to Hyunwoo.
She didn't stop—hauled the garage's priciest car, a brand you couldn't buy without status, no matter the cash. The engine roared luxuriously.
"Holy fuck... Insane. That rolls around in Korea?"
"Dude riding shotgun too. Player?"
"Fucking rich pricks are so gross."
Sword Saint puffed her cig on the luxury seat, basking in superiority. Designer clothes from the world's priciest, car worth an apartment, groping a younger man's body...
This is life.
Envy and jealousy from passersby? Pure fuel for her ego.
Yes, this is it.
Arriving at the reserved restaurant, Ryu Ga-eul smirked at the building.
"Ah, here?"
"You know it?"
"Yeah, been a few times. Decent, but not true high-end."
High-end? Hyunwoo deflated stepping inside. Everything screamed luxury—tiles gleaming opulently, jazz softly playing. Ra Chae-young waved from their reserved table.
"Over here."
Hyunwoo smiled faintly, sitting. Legs shaky. How much per meal here?
My god.
Menu prices: six-figure balls everywhere. Not starting with 1 or 2. Liquor? Seven figures, heavy on the 9s.
"Thanks for coming. Tried booking the whole place, but someone reserved ahead. Barely snagged this via connections."
"No worries."
That "someone" was Ryu Ga-eul, grinning sinisterly as she raised her wine.
"Mm, tasty? New arrival?"
"Yes, a friend of Mother's runs a vineyard in Italy."
"Good, but for tonight? Something better. Right?"
Snap of her fingers—decanted wine served. Not for sale to mere rich folk.
"Uh..."
She swept up in inexplicable emotion. So intense...