Chapter 205
Chapter 205
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Tower of the Gods (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Tower of the Gods appeared across the entire Earth.
It emerged in various locations, divided by nations and population densities.
The 'Tower of the Gods' that manifested in Korea stood in the middle of a flat plain in Gapyeong.
Due to the nature of the Transcendent Abyss, bizarre phenomena occurred throughout the surrounding area.
However, since these were confined to the vicinity of the tower, no major damage was reported.
There was no need for the military or government to intervene.
Ever since the 'Second Night' had passed, governments around the world, including Korea's, had left everything to human 'free will'.
......It wasn't something that could be stopped just by trying to block it anyway.
The strength of Awakeners bloomed from their own resolve.
All they could do in case of an emergency was station armed forces and paramedics in the nearby districts.
But that didn't mean they were just sitting idly by.
"A tower that must be climbed solo?"
"It's confirmed that up to four people can enter."
"Clearing floors assigns a grade?"
"Yes. Achieving a high grade grants 'Spirit Stones' along with 'Traces'."
"What's a 'Spirit Stone'?"
"A stone containing high-density energy. It seems deeply connected to 'alchemy' or 'magic engineering', Your Excellency."
The man listening to the report stroked his chin.
Spirit Stone. Even the name alone suggested it was no ordinary resource.
Alchemy and magic engineering were fields with vast untapped potential.
Humanity had uncovered less than 0.1% of their secrets.
What if 'Spirit Stones' became a cornerstone of future resources?
Or were used to create weapons capable of countering the Abyss?
This was a resource that absolutely had to be secured first.
"...Good. Then, what exactly does it mean to gather Traces to forge an Epic and complete a Stigma?"
Stigma. In literal terms, it referred to Christ's wounds, classified as a miracle in Catholicism.
Paul viewed the Stigma as Christ's brand.
But.
"We assess it's most likely some form of 'Blessing'."
"Blessing?"
"A divine miracle that strengthens humans in the region or nation where the Stigma is inscribed... or perhaps benefits all of humanity. Or—."
"Or?"
"It could be for repelling the 'Abyss' invasion."
"...We must complete it no matter what."
The Abyss's encroachment.
No methods or technologies existed to stop it yet.
All one could do was escape using Coins.
If they could block the Abyss's invasion in a desired area, calling that place a 'Sanctuary' would be no exaggeration.
Governments worldwide devoted all their efforts to understanding the purpose behind the creation of the 'Tower of the Gods'.
At the very least, since it bore the name 'God', they believed it wouldn't harm humanity—but one could never be too sure.
"However, Your Excellency, there's one problem."
"Speak."
"There's a strange 'time limit' inside the 'Tower of the Gods'."
"Time limit?"
"The time inscribed on the first floor was 24 hours. And as others reach higher floors, the 'remaining time' increases."
"Like a time bomb?"
"We believe it's the time the Tower of the Gods can remain on Earth, or until some other phenomenon occurs within the 'Tower of the Gods'."
"Hitting zero won't be good for anyone."
"Exactly. What's certain is that the 'Tower of the Gods' can rapidly bolster humanity's forces."
"Then the conclusion is clear. The state will encourage entry and provide support if needed."
"Yes. Forming a dedicated 'task force' wouldn't be a bad idea either."
"Good. Get it underway immediately."
A few nations that recognized the value of the Tower of the Gods began moving swiftly.
It might just be an incredible place incomparable even to the Abyss of 'Night'.
Moreover, no one knew what would happen during the 'Fourth Night'.
Hadn't Aheta triggered a massive summoning during the mere 'Third Night'?
As nights passed, stronger enemies appearing was a given.
Humanity had no choice but to prepare as much as possible.
And.
A few 'Transcendents' who knew of the Tower of the Gods mocked Lil's choice.
Entering the tower's interior, a pitch-black cavern greeted Park Chan-woo.
"'Black Priests'... I've heard of them. Vermin who served 'Evil Gods' in ancient times."
Ataraxia muttered.
The Abyss had its share of beings classified as Evil Gods.
When something evil wielding power akin to evil spirits drew numerous followers, it was dubbed an 'Evil God' and scorned.
The Black Priests were one such group.
"I shall handle it, O Great One."
Ataraxia moved.
She couldn't let the Great One soil his hands with filthy vermin.
Trivial matters like this had to be resolved on her own.
Boom!
Rumble!
Soon, several explosions echoed from afar.
Ataraxia's prowess, unhindered by sealed mana, was truly exceptional.
Not only was the mana density impressive, but her spellcasting was flawless.
Park Chan-woo slowly advanced through the cavern.
'Traces.'
The Black Priests had vanished into thin air.
Countless 'Traces' emitting faint lights remained scattered about.
Traces had no form.
They merely scattered lights of different colors.
Gray, white, yellow, orange, red......
The names of the Traces were inscribed above the lights.
【Trace of Ancient Iron】
【Trace of Ancient Carcana】
【Trace of Ancient Seya】
All bore the name 'Ancient'.
They seemed to be remnants of ancient beings, cities, or legends.
'Everything destroyed by the Abyss is lumped into 'Ancient'.'
Such were the ancients.
Even the 'Lion King' contracted with Lee Hyuk-soo was the last survivor of a perished race.
A monstrously powerful being hiding from the Abyss's demons, hating them with a vengeance.
Likewise, these Traces were tied to 'extinct races'.
The 'Tower of the Gods' appeared deeply connected to destruction.
"All eliminated."
Ataraxia, who had annihilated the Black Priests in an instant, appeared before him and bowed.
Honestly, her speed was astounding.
The cavern was vast, twisted like a maze.
Finding the way alone would have taken over an hour.
'A true master of pursuit.'
Locating him during the Second Night and uncovering Aheta's secret lab were surely Ataraxia's doing.
With skills like these, no wonder the 'Black Witch' favored her.
Thanks to her, there was no worry of getting lost.
However, even a quick scan of the entire cavern yielded no appealing 'Trace'.
'Why Black Priests of all things.'
He focused on that point.
Ancient Traces.
And 'Black Priests' on the first floor.
There was definitely a connection.
An intent behind it.
Simply 'defeating' them felt too straightforward.
Picking any 'Trace' and moving on?
Lil wouldn't give him such a simplistic trial.
Considering how she awakened his mana stages, Lil always imposed trials bordering on the 'impossible'.
He had brushed death countless times.
This, her final legacy, surely wasn't meant to be climbed the 'easy' way.
Therefore.
'Bingo.'
......It was there.
The Radiant Philosopher's Stone lent 'the eyes and wisdom of a sage'.
A tool that revealed the unseen and let one sense the insensible.
In a corner of the intricately twisted cavern.
At its end lay an invisible 'tunnel'.
"A hidden path."
"......My apologies. I failed to detect it."
Ataraxia was greatly startled upon confirming the tunnel.
It definitely hadn't been there.
Even his detection spells hadn't caught it.
Yet as Park Chan-woo stood before it, a tunnel materialized as if from nowhere.
-How dare you awaken me!
-Foolish human!
-Repay with death... Gahk!
Screeech!
Boom!
At Ataraxia's gesture, a massive fireball engulfed the 'Black Evil King'.
That was it.
A mere last boss on the first floor couldn't match Ataraxia.
Soon, where the Black Evil King vanished.
【Trace of the Ancient Black Evil God】
......As expected.
This was why the Black Priests had appeared on the first floor specifically.
The related Trace was here.
The Trace spewed black light maniacally.
Without hesitation, Park Chan-woo grasped the 'Trace of the Ancient Black Evil God'.
Then.
Endless messages scrolled by.
But Park Chan-woo could only tilt his head at 'something' manifesting before his eyes, absent from the messages.
Neither Ataraxia nor even 'Chronos' reacted, so it seemed invisible to them.
'What is this?'
It was clearly visible to Park Chan-woo.
'...An Easter Egg?'