The Disciple Who Crosses the Line
After hitting level 49, my EXP gains slowed to a crawl. So we decided to push on to floor 51.
The previous floor had been swarming with demons bursting out everywhere, but starting from floor 51, mummies appeared instead.
Babel's system changes slightly starting from floor 51. One of those changes is monster level indicators. They weren't shown before, but now they're clearly displayed. Considering that Wild Hunt summons also showed levels, it wasn't that strange.
"This is the sacred tomb of the Pharaoh. Intrusion is not permitted."
The mummies charged with long spears in hand. Shouldn't they give us time to retreat or something?
"Those bastards have sun blades wrapped around their spears! Be careful!"
I knew monsters could use traits. These mummies were mimicking my sun blade trait to fight.
"Don't rush in recklessly—keep your distance!" "Easier said than done. Those things are fucking fast!"
Some mummies even took proper spear forms, like they'd trained in martial arts. Only I could parry the attacks from mummies stepping with incredible footwork, so I ended up fighting at the front.
The named monster ramped up the difficulty even more, resurrecting dead mummies to fight. Amid dozens of mummies swarming in an instant, I activated Valhalla.
Pharaoh's High Priest trait "Mummy Reinforcement" has been sealed.
But the main body was nothing special. I yanked it in with a rope and unleashed Valhalla from the inside, taking it down.
Sun Blade trait has been removed.
It seemed the priest was the one enhancing the mummies. Once it was down, the sun blades vanished too, making things much easier.
"Let's head straight to the next floor."
Similar-looking mummies swarmed out again, but this time armed with swords and shields instead of spears.
They charged while repeating the same ridiculous line, but the fight itself was no joke. Unlike before, they didn't need sun blades—their sword and shield skills far outclassed any normal player. Even Chae-young could barely hold off three or four.
The valkyries seem to struggle against more than ten, too.
And their numbers were filthy high.
"Ice Golem!"
A normal party would've retreated here to grind more levels first, dragging things out even longer. But I didn't. I ordered the ice golem summoned for area mez control, then charged.
One at a time.
Maybe because of the level gap, the mez didn't last long, but it pulled aggro successfully. I swung my sword immediately, slicing through a mummy and dropping it.
"Clearing floor 52 this fast... I heard this was a wall."
"Mummies with mages popping up mid-fight, right? We already handled those too."
Yeah, tell me about it. I thought it'd take forever, but we wrapped it up quicker than expected. Plus, my level shot up fast—halfway to the EXP tub for level 50.
"Good thing 52 went by quick too. Don't you think?"
"Yeah..."
"I'd love to hit the next floor, but look at the time."
"Three weeks for this kind of leveling is unprecedented—not just in Korea, but worldwide."
Is it? Honestly, I could farm anytime, but considering the party's stamina, stopping makes sense.
"Got it. We'll call it here for today."
"Sounds good. Uh... but aren't you claiming the floor clear reward?"
"Ah, I took it as EXP."
One system change past floor 50 is this: rewards are pure EXP now, no levels. Probably to stop power-leveling climbers from cheesing ascents.
"Huh? No Mummy Beer? That permanently boosts strength—sells for a fortune."
"We can't even use it. Level 20 and under only."
"Hmm, true. I got one. Five million won each."
Sometimes I wonder why Babel items cost so damn much. Hard to believe anyone's buying them. Does currency value mean nothing?
Oh yeah, gotta pay back that debt.
Whatever, later. Plenty of time left.
Back from Babel, Hyunwoo showered and set the dinner table.
"Impressive results. Leveling like this in days... Who knew it was possible."
"Of course. Who do you think my disciple is?"
Backed by 10 billion won, plus Hyunwoo's skills and traits, this was the fastest climb in Babel history.
"Right, Hyunwoo. But about repaying my money..."
"Argh! I will pay it back!"
Like the saying goes, the one who farts gets mad. Ryu Ga-eul was exasperated by Hyunwoo's sharp reaction.
"Hey, why're you snapping? I lent you the money."
"There's still time left, and you're nagging. Yeah, I snapped—that's on me. But you're not innocent either."
What the hell is this little shit saying? Ryu Ga-eul barely held back from tackling and punishing him on the spot.
"You don't seem to grasp the weight of 10 billion. A normal player couldn't save half that in a lifetime of breathing."
"I'm not a normal player. I'm your disciple."
"...Fair point."
Starting to seriously doubt her disciple's repayment ability, Ryu Ga-eul probed further.
"Hyunwoo, our deadline's a month, right? Three weeks gone."
"Hm... yeah."
"One week left? No 10-billion item exists. You'd need like 10 uniques."
Hyunwoo scoffed, unable to hide his smirk.
"I'm not even lucky—how am I getting 10 uniques in a week? Are you dumb, Master?"
That snapped the Sword Saint Ryu Ga-eul's patience.
"Whaaat? But Hyunwoo, your tone toward your master feels awfully disrespectful lately."
"Your imagination!"
"Doesn't seem like it. The plain truth is staring you in the face."
Her tone was like scolding a child. Hyunwoo kept up his cheeky attitude regardless.
"Sorry if it seems that way. But it's the truth."
"You... know what happens if you can't pay up? You have to."
"I'll pay. For real. Why won't you believe me?"
Even as he thought that, Hyunwoo had zero intention of paying the 10 billion in cash.
I'll just pay with my body.
"People need trust to talk, Hyunwoo. With yours gone, conversation's tough."
"That's a shame."
"...Not like it's someone else's problem."
"Hm... I've always seen it as my problem. You're the one mistaken, no?"
That severed Ryu Ga-eul's last thread of reason. At the same time, a plan formed deep in her heart. The woman who'd endured seven months to rape her cherished disciple could maintain patience through this scheme.
Boiling inside, she barely managed a smile at her disciple.
"Can't pay the 10 billion? I'll collect two months' worth. Cool?"
"No such term... but sure, do it."
"Good."
Despite advancing the deadline by two months, Hyunwoo looked relaxed, like he was just enjoying the moment...
This punk has no intention of paying. Fine...
Then she'd make him regret it properly. Ryu Ga-eul planned to thoroughly punish her now-comfortable disciple. The price for defiling his master wouldn't be light.
I'll fuck him raw for sure.
From this day, Ryu Ga-eul resolved to abstain. For the sweet fruit in a week.