The Final Trial of the Tower of Chaos
Whoa... This is incredible. The Tower of Chaos!
Hah.
I didn't even realize I'd gotten this excited.
Looking at the corpses of the ogre horde scattered across the floor, I couldn't help but feel my blood surge.
Yeah.
These are the corpses of the ogres.
Even in an A-rank gate, the infamous large-type ogres.
Not just one or two, but ten of them appeared at once.
“It was quite entertaining, my lord.”
“Thank goodness we had time to prepare.”
Just as the two summons said.
If we had faced the ten ogres without any countermeasures, our side would have taken serious damage.
The Tower of Chaos was kind enough to inform us in advance of exactly how many monsters would appear.
Thanks to that, we had more than enough time to prepare countermeasures.
“So... this is all there is?”
The intact corpses of the ogres numbered a staggering four.
If stored properly, there'd be plenty of uses for them somewhere.
The Death Blacksmith is currently inactive because I haven't deployed any summons.
“Still, storing them in the underground pit should be possible.”
A total of forty could be stored.
I added the one in perfect condition, bringing the total to five and storing them in the underground pit.
I didn't want to touch the rest either, but...
I couldn't even repair and dismantle them all at once within thirty minutes.
I really miss the support team that used to help dismantle monster corpses.
Haaah...
“Bring the damaged equipment.”
Some of the Tigress pack stepped forward.
Bones cracked and split.
At the moment of impact with the ogres, part of the shockwave shook the spear shafts.
A-rank monsters, and especially large-type ones... I wonder where this hasn't broken?
I picked up my hammer.
Fwoosh!
I heated the insides slightly like putting them in a furnace, then used the spare bones I had prepared to repair the cracked areas.
“It's a good thing they can be stored.”
Inside the gate, I can't enter the Death Blacksmith.
But the subspace function is still active, so I could take out the equipment needed for the furnace and blacksmithing.
“It really does need more time to repair properly.”
No choice, I guess.
Just being given thirty minutes is something to be grateful for.
If I repair the bone spears on the fly, the durability will increase from the wear, but total durability will decrease.
“Rare grade, but it's a shame.”
“It's consumable anyway.”
Bone-made weapons have low durability and consume quickly.
If I used materials like the Drake bones Han Yohan showed that retain metal properties, it would be different.
“Don't worry, Sir Isra. This sword is all yours.”
Sir Isra tapped the [Obsidian Greatsword of the Fallen Knight] hanging at her waist.
Created during the promotion exam, it carries even more meaning now.
The smile that formed on my face came from the thought that she treasured my gift so much.
“Roan, let's leave it like this.”
【Trust. Gratitude.】
St. Roan, the Saint of Silence, used Holy Power once every minute and intervened in the battle.
When people hear “Holy Power,” they usually think of buffs or healing.
But Roan's way was a bit wider.
【Holy Power – Pentalment】
A skill that delays the movement of the designated target.
【Holy Power – Dark Gaze】
A skill that turns wounds into fatal ones when the target is hit.
【Holy Power – Evil Baptism】
A buff that raises the target's stats by 30% at the cost of increasing health consumption by 50%.
He guided the battle flow with various other Holy Powers.
It wasn't decisive, but...
Perhaps it was quietly helpful.
【Evil. Encouragement.】
The Tigress that had lost one arm had recovered to its original state.
Krrroo...
Before, I would have had to stitch together the arm and body, reopen the energy circuits, and do a full revive show.
It would have been a bit wasteful to use the Life Ring, though.
Thanks to Roan, the burden of repairing undeads had become much lighter.
“The ring's utility isn't quite what I expected.”
“It still comes in handy when it's urgent.”
Roan's ability has a one-minute cooldown.
It's a drawback that continuous healing isn't possible.
In a pinch, it's quite fatal.
That's when the Life Ring comes in handy as a backup.
“Wonderful.”
“As expected, my lord! You must have planned everything!”
No.
There was no plan like that.
Just getting the Life Ring and Bloodsucking Ring set was pure luck.
Hah.
Near the end of emergency repairs, all the time passed.
【Chaos Tower】
【44th Trial】
【Ogre (A) x10, Ogre Mage (A+) x1】
【Prepare. Battle begins in 60 seconds.】
This time a mage was added.
Our forces were in perfect condition.
The mana of the Skeleton Mages was at half.
The Tigresses could charge at maximum power after emergency repairs.
The strengthened Dracos were ready to leap out anytime.
“Show your prowess once more, sorceress.”
“What? Don't get in the way.”
【My lords. You didn't forget, did you?】
【……】
The summons were also energetic.
There couldn't be anything better than this.
“Everyone, don't go wild.”
With a light clap, I calmed the atmosphere.
“Don't worry.”
“Leave it to us, my lord!”
With this momentum, let's dash to the end of the Chaos Tower.
* * *
Beyond the 40th floor, even A-rank peak hunters supposedly struggled.
Sir Isra and Ingrid had overwhelmed the Korean, but with just the two summons, it was quite tough.
“Hah hah. Even alone, I can handle it.”
“Ah, really? Who saved us from almost losing an arm earlier?”
“It was because I trusted the sorceress.”
“Hmph. Tch.”
Ingrid, who couldn't find a comeback, puffed out her cheeks.
Passing the 40th floor, our battle pattern also changed a bit.
“Go crush the enemy.”
【GROOOOW!】
The first attack was the Tigress pack's charge.
Against large-type monsters like ogres, frontal ramming causes heavy damage, so they split left and right to strike.
Immediately after, we used 【Death Space】 to retrieve them.
“Hah hah. I am my lord's first sword!”
While Sir Isra and the Abyss Revenant held back the monsters...
“Shut up and be quiet.”
【Unique Technique – Solar Eclipse】
Ingrid gathered the spells of the magic undeads, rearranged them, and unleashed a fatal attack every time.
When the enemy's numbers decreased, Sir Isra switched to offense.
She cut off the remaining monsters' necks.
【Kung! Kung!】
Two Dracos handled the variables.
They aggroed and hunted monsters that ignored formations, or...
Fwoosh!
With fire breath, they dealt massive damage in a short time.
“Now we can't even pass thirty minutes.”
KRRRANG!
CLANG!
After one charge, the Tigresses' armor and spears lost significant durability.
There wasn't enough time for repair, so they had to repair during the battle after retrieving them after the first charge.
Still, it was fine.
【Chaos Tower 49th Floor Cleared】
📍 Location:Chaos Tower
🎁 Reward:30 minutes rest
At the last moment, I prepared to re-deploy the Tigress pack, but there was enough leeway for emergency repairs.
【Chaos Tower】
【50th Trial】
【Lich (A+) x1, Death Knight (A+) x1】
【This is the final trial.】
【The monsters have reduced stats compared to their original level.】
What?
Lich and Death Knight?
Hah.
That's ridiculous.
Two representative super undead as trial targets.
In a place where you test B-rank hunters, you're dumping S-rank monsters? Bullshit.
“Finally, a worthy opponent has appeared.”
“How strong is the Lich in this world?”
It's good to burn with battle spirit, but...
You two are much weaker than when you were alive.
Even if the monsters' stats are weakened...
The skill sets will remain the same.
“The Death Knight can use Aura Blade.”
“Hahahaha. Of course, I know it well.”
Sir Isra laughed proudly and stroked her sword hilt.
“Don't worry. There are over a hundred of the Death Knights this sword has felled.”
Hey.
This sword is a replica, right?
What if I get too immersed like in the Continent's best sword era?
“It's fine. Even if Aura Blade is amazing, as long as it doesn't touch, it's nothing.”
It's an exaggeration to say the total doesn't hurt even if you shoot it gently.
Hah.
I have to believe she knows herself.
“Ingrid, are you okay?”
“The opponent can use Mirror Image. We have to restrain them as much as possible.”
“Restraint is the best?”
“We can't beat the Lich in a magic battle.”
Decisive.
“Understood. Then tie down their legs.”
“Leave it to us!”
The key is holding out until Sir Isra takes down the Death Knight.
The Tigresses and the Armed Zombie Strengthened Soldiers created as escorts will have to be consumed.
If that's not enough, we'll have to sacrifice the Dracos too.
“If you two get in danger, I'll quit immediately.”
“My lord!”
“My lord!!”
【……!】
Sir Isra shouted with emotion.
And Ingrid had a bit of dew under her eyes.
Why are you so moved when it's just something we have to do?
【Big Lord.】
“No need for gratitude.”
【There's really no treasure here, right?】
“……”
Hah.
It was done. It was over.
“You thief!”
“If I go out, I won't let you off!”
A killing intent swirled above the summons' eyes.
【Big Lord! Save us a bit!】
Honestly, this was probably the self-proclaimed archaeologist's fault.
Then...
Let's do everything we can.
“Is there a Holy Power that works against undead?”
A week has passed since I engraved [Oath of Release] on my back of hand, but I didn't engrave more Holy Powers in preparation for this.
Because the cooldown is a whole week, I thought it might be better to engrave according to the situation.
Roan nodded.
【Order. Night.】
【Order of the Night skill engraved.】
【Engraving – 2/5】
【Can be engraved again in 168 hours.】
【Order of the Night】
Classification: Holy Power
Type: Active
Grade: A
Interferes with all abnormalities and returns everything to normal. Scatters rearranged mana or suppresses undead power.
It suppresses magic and undead power.
It fit the current situation perfectly.
[50th Floor Challenge]
☐ Defeat all monsters — [0/1]
🎁 Reward: [100,000 Gold + Rare Materials]
The two undeads appeared from the opposite side.
『Human, I shall test your abilities.』
『Please do not disappoint us.』
The consciousnesses of the Lich and Death Knight were imprinted on my mind.
Creepy.
It was a presence that made me wonder if the suppression of abilities was correct.
Good.
Let me give them a welcome gift with a greeting.
【Order of the Night】
This was a still-warmly engraved spell.
Will the taste be good?
WEEEEEIIING!
Darkness descended slowly like a curtain and enveloped the Lich and Death Knight.
“『Order of the Night』”
“『Interferes with all abnormalities and returns them to normal.』”
⟨ ORDER OF THE NIGHT ⟩
“『Undead have entered the range of Order of the Night.』”
“『The entity's grade is below S-rank.』”
“『Resistance failed. Grade drops by one.』”
“『Stats are adjusted to match the grade.』”
『Kyah?』
『Ugh... Using such cowardly sorcery.』
The Lich and Death Knight let out a cry.
Why?
They're staggering.
“Sir Isra.”
Hmm. It seems a bit too easy, but...
Don't be so disappointed.
Why not go easy?
I love things that click together easily.
Good luck.
Thanks to the grade drop, it was fortunate... otherwise I wouldn't have been able to use the Order of the Night effect.
“Let's finish quickly.”
It'll end more quickly than the 49th floor.
A moment later.