Chapter 44
Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Seeker's First Step
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Officially speaking.
Park Chan-woo was humanity's fourth strongest, having reached the limit level of 99.
Moreover, he was the only one among level 99 Awakeners with a 'Dual Class'.
An incredibly unique case, having transitioned from the pure lineage of 'Barbarian Warrior'—a class that didn't use magic at all—to become a Mage.
―How the hell did he reach level 99 with a Dual Class?
―Knight and Mage. And he was a Barbarian Warrior before that?
―You can't possibly hit 99 like that.
―Don't you need transcendent potential in just one pure talent to max out?
Some even called Park Chan-woo's achievement one of the 'Abyss's Eight Mysteries'.
It was only natural.
The pinnacle humans could reach.
Level 99 was something only a select few, who devoted their entire lives to a single path, could achieve.
Accomplishing it with a Dual Class—especially two completely unrelated, opposing classes—was simply impossible.
Barbarian Warrior.
Commonly called 'Barbarians', they valued only the strength of the body. They were so hostile to Mages that they branded magic as heresy.
Even after classing up to 'Knight', the essence likely hadn't changed.
Yet, at level 90, he switched to Mage and reached level 99.
―I'm curious. How did he overcome that final limit-break quest, the hellish trial that tests the extreme of purity?
This was what high-level Awakeners were most curious about regarding Park Chan-woo.
The ultimate limit-break quest you had to face to surpass level 90 and reach 91!
How had Park Chan-woo cleared that trial of extreme difficulty, tied to one's class and demanding purity?
...No one had a clue.
That was why everyone who'd challenged the final trial refused to believe his story.
Denial of one's essence, the fall of purity.
These were taboos you must never commit if you sought the ultimate.
'Barbarian Warrior and Mage. The values they revere aren't that different.'
But Park Chan-woo's thoughts differed.
People saw them as irreconcilable extremes, but in the big picture, Barbarian Warriors and Mages were the same.
'Both are pioneers.'
Reclaiming the land, exploring the unknown.
The highest value both esteemed was identical.
To humans, the Abyss was the greatest unknown and mystery, so the classes of Barbarian Warrior and Mage were merely tools to pioneer it.
That was the decisive driving force behind Park Chan-woo's success in the final limit-break quest.
'The souls of the Ancient Barbarian King and the Tower Lord. Breaking their trials was tough.'
The quest was simple.
Meet the 'ancient soul' tied to your class and overcome the trial they impose.
That's why Dual Classes were deemed impossible to clear.
Those with two classes faced trials from two ancient souls.
Overcoming even one was daunting—doing two at once?
Especially right after a class change?
...Yeah, right.
All who'd passed the final limit-break quest would say the same.
Impossible.
You could maybe scrape by the Barbarian King's trial with prior experience, but how could a newbie just starting on the path of magic overcome the Tower Lord's?
'I... had lost my初心.'
But Park Chan-woo at the time knew no surrender.
He never bent his convictions.
He charged forward like a rhino's horn with the pioneer's spirit.
The resolute souls of the Barbarian King and Tower Lord acknowledged him.
As a pioneer.
As an explorer pursuing the essence of their highest values!
'I reached level 99... and despaired.'
The problem was that this unyielding conviction turned to despair after hitting 99.
He realized there were heavens beyond heaven.
He regretted discovering his Mage talent so late and thereafter devoted himself solely to magic.
But.
Park Chan-woo's essence was that of a pioneer.
He had forgotten that初心 for far too long.
'I'll walk the Mage's path. That hasn't changed. However...'
It jumps.
His heart.
Like it might go mad.
......It felt good.
'In my own way. On a path no one has taken.'
He'd chosen the Mage's path, but his way would differ from the norm.
There was no rule saying a Mage couldn't fight with a hand axe.
Likewise, no law in this world demanded Mages use only magic.
If the revered values aligned, a Barbarian Warrior could become a Mage, and a Mage a Barbarian Warrior.
Park Chan-woo returned to his初心.
Then set foot into the world.
'I walk.'
One step, one step.
Pressing onward.
He was a pioneer charting the unknown.
A researcher and explorer traversing the pitch-black Abyss without a lantern.
"...Something must've happened inside, right?"
The Seoul Alliance members tilted their heads.
Everyone who entered the tent underwent Im Chang-yeol's 'recruitment test'.
But no one had taken this long before.
Kim Byung-han and Park Chan-woo had been inside for over 30 minutes now.
The Alliance members gazed at the closed tent flap with curious eyes.
The surroundings were so noisy that no sounds leaked from within.
Still, they could sense something different was happening.
"Shouldn't we go in?"
"The Alliance Leader will handle it."
But the bodyguards at the entrance were immovable.
Bodyguards in name only—they were the Alliance Leader's personal guards.
Ignoring the members' opinions, they waited with blind faith.
About 10 more minutes passed.
Bam!
A man flung open the tent flap and emerged.
"K-Kim Byung-han?"
The guide who'd escorted him widened his eyes.
Kim Byung-han was covered in blood.
Of course, many got injured during recruitment tests.
But Kim Byung-han's expression was strange.
Above all, he hadn't come out alone.
They were supposed to exit together—why was only Kim Byung-han out?
"Where's the guy who went in with you?"
"...Wanna know? Go inside and see."
Kim Byung-han shook his head like he was done with it and walked out.
Then muttered under his breath, "Crazy bastards..."
Something serious had gone down.
The bodyguards and guide entered the tent.
"......!"
"......!!!"
They faced an unbelievable sight.
The tent interior was a total mess.
All items and weapons from the boxes were scattered everywhere.
And.
"A-Alliance Leader!"
...Alliance Leader Im Chang-yeol lay sprawled on the floor, unconscious.
Right next to Park Chan-woo.
With an extremely satisfied smile on his face.
Night.
A chilly evening breeze blew.
Im Chang-yeol stared blankly at the moon in the sky.
'What a monstrous guy.'
He'd used every weapon at his disposal.
Every skill he could muster.
He gave his all, no regrets.
He fought like a madman, pouring his soul into it.
He collapsed alongside Park Chan-woo, but Im Chang-yeol considered it his defeat.
'Monstrous regeneration, perfect situational judgment, exceptional reflexes.'
Nothing was lacking.
Seasoned like he'd faced hundreds or thousands.
Even exquisite techniques to effortlessly deflect attacks.
'His only weaknesses are strength and stamina.'
Park Chan-woo's stamina was worse than expected.
He tired quickly and never took hits head-on.
He focused solely on deflection.
He knew he was outmatched in raw power.
But he compensated for weaknesses—most wounds regenerated instantly.
'...His movements got smoother as time passed.'
Was he hiding his true strength?
Pretending to be weak in strength and stamina to lure an opening?
'Hah.'
For a moment, Im Chang-yeol was dumbfounded.
That he had hidden power even mid-fight.
As proof, the instant Im Chang-yeol gained the upper hand, Park Chan-woo's eyes gleamed, and he turned the tables, pressuring him instead.
Like he'd gained enlightenment, his aura completely shifted.
'A dangerous one.'
No one had ever given him this feeling before.
He'd faced countless foes, but Park Chan-woo was overwhelmingly unique.
Not just skill, but the vibe.
His overall aura.
If he became an enemy, he'd be a real headache.
So, a decision was needed.
'Root him out completely, or keep him under me.'
The reason Im Chang-yeol survived so long in the back alleys was his ruthless distinction between enemy and ally.
If potential foe, eradicate utterly.
If ally, place under him and show favor.
However.
'...Park Chan-woo. Not one to stay under anyone.'
Someone like Park Chan-woo would never serve under another.
He'd end up above, whether he wanted to or not.
A ruler by nature.
Collision was inevitable someday.
'......What to do.'
Even agonizing like this was a first.
Im Chang-yeol valued first impressions, read people well, and discerned friend from foe like a ghost.
But Park Chan-woo was the exception.
He couldn't read him at all.
He slowly stroked his chin.
"Should I... watch a bit longer?"
Holding off judgment was unprecedented for him.
His personality was judge on the spot—yes or no.
Tsk.
Im Chang-yeol clicked his tongue, shook his head, and reentered the tent.
The next day.
A party was formed.
Fifty people, led by Seoul Alliance Leader Im Chang-yeol, decided to climb the tower together.
All had surpassed level 11, limit-break veterans.
Among them were Kim Byung-han and Park Chan-woo.
'He was hiding his level.'
That was Kim Byung-han's conclusion about Park Chan-woo.
The display against Im Chang-yeol three days ago.
Impossible without breaking the limit level.
Yet he hadn't revealed surpassing level 11.
'What a sly bastard.'
But his skill was real.
No idea where it came from, but no gain in making him an enemy—confirmed again.
Still, it felt off.
In a spot where he should shine as the protagonist, wasn't his 'subordinate' Park Chan-woo stealing the show?
'Plenty of chances to turn it around. Just get stronger in the Tower of Arrogance.'
Kim Byung-han clenched his fist.
Soon, Im Chang-yeol at the front, masked, spoke at the Tower of Arrogance entrance.
"No one knows what's inside this tower. Trust only our Alliance—don't scatter."
No need for long speeches.
All briefings done earlier.
As he approached the door.
Select a faction.
Orc Master Kankun.
Death Witch Adora!
Choose one, strengthen them, and climb to the 10th floor.
Orc Master Kankun was a warrior, Death Witch Adora a Mage, no doubt.
And the 50 Awakeners gathered here were all warriors with beastly hearts.
The answer was decided from the start.
"...Everyone, choose Orc Master Kankun."