Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Tower of Trials
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"This level of performance isn't bad at all."
Shuv examined Levatein and wore a subtle expression.
"What's wrong? Not good enough?"
"No. I think it's a weapon that suits Master's fighting style perfectly. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"It doesn't buff undead or enhance dominance."
That was right.
The Flame Demon Sword Levatein was a magic sword that amplified the Immortal King's spells.
But it lacked any options to buff the undead summons.
In contrast, the first Immortal King had wielded a Staff of Immortality that strengthened both spells and undead.
"Should I switch to a staff then?"
"No need for that."
Shuv smiled.
In short, all he needed was gear that buffed undead summons, right?
"I recommend acquiring the equipment the first Immortal King prepared. He set aside items that enhance undead in place of a staff."
"Equipment prepared by the Immortal King?"
Shin Yu-hyun's interest was piqued.
The sword was his main weapon.
And he had talent for swordsmanship too.
In his previous life, he'd simply lacked mana affinity, keeping Getia out of reach.
Combine swordsmanship with the Immortal King's power, and he could finally touch those Getia bastards.
That's why Shin Yu-hyun hadn't abandoned the sword. He'd claimed the Flame Demon Sword Levatein.
It let him wield his sword skills alongside the Immortal King's core spells.
Still, as Shuv had just pointed out, it was a shame there were no options boosting undead or dominance.
He could reinforce skeleton soldiers with soul points via the Phnacoic Bible or use Dia's buffs, sure.
But gear that let him harness the Immortal King's power without ditching the sword?
"I suggest challenging the Tower of Trials."
Shin Yu-hyun gave Shuv a puzzled look at her beautiful yet somehow ominous smile.
"Tower of Trials?"
"Yes. It's the first Immortal King's arrangement for his successor. Ideally, Dia would have learned of it upon awakening, but..."
Shuv gazed steadily at Dia.
"Huh? What's the Tower of Trials?"
Dia tilted her head in confusion.
"Looks like the Time Crisis aftermath hit hard."
Shuv stroked Dia's head as she spoke.
Dia had lost her memories and powers from the Time Crisis, forgetting the Tower of Trials too.
"What do I get for clearing the Tower of Trials?"
"Equipment as rewards."
"Equipment? Like dungeon loot?"
"Something like that. The tower has seven floors. Clearing each one grants the Immortal King's provisions."
"How tough are the floors? With my current strength, could I handle up to the fourth?"
Shin Yu-hyun was around mid-4-star superhuman rank now.
If floors matched superhuman ranks, four should be doable.
"You'll see when you go. Just remember it's always there."
Shuv replied to his question with an enigmatic smile.
He shot another query her way.
"What’s on each floor?"
"Sorry, I can't get specific about the Tower of Trials. It's also a place to prove if the successor is worthy of the Immortal King's legacy. You must solve the challenges yourself."
"Prove my worth?"
"Exactly. That's why we can't assist. The same goes for the temples sealing the Seven Arcs. You must advance on your own power alone."
"Hm."
Even the temple sealing Shuv had been cleared solo, without undead help.
The other Seven Arcs temples and the Tower of Trials worked the same way.
"How do I get to the Tower of Trials?"
"I can send you to the first floor."
"What about the spaces with the other Seven Arcs temples?"
"Not enough power restored yet to open dimensional gates to Ruber's location."
Shuv gave an awkward smile.
"But the Tower of Trials is accessible?"
"Yes. The first Immortal King prepared it in advance, so we can use the Phnacoic Bible's power."
"I see."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded, arms crossed in thought.
He could head to the Tower of Trials anytime he wanted.
'Any chance to grow stronger than now...'
No harm in trying.
Especially if it boosted undead and dominance.
Plus, he'd soon interrogate the Ironclad Syndicate executives for their hideout and smash it.
Getting stronger beforehand was a win.
'Oh yeah, need to bolster Black Tortoise Hall's ranks or train them up.'
During the Ironclad Syndicate raid, he'd watched the Black Tortoise Sword Division fight.
Their low numbers were unavoidable.
While he'd been a powerless hall leader unable to open his ki core, recruits had been poached by other halls.
Worse, the remaining members' skills fell short for Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan swordsmen.
Now at 4-star, it was time to build up Black Tortoise Hall's forces.
Recruitment and training to boost their numbers and skills.
'Scout outside talent too, if possible.'
Like bringing in Choi Hyun-seong, young but already 4-star, as an instructor.
'First, offer him a spot in our hall. After the tower, plenty to do.'
Shin Yu-hyun chuckled inwardly.
The tower trip wouldn't take long.
A few hours at most.
He planned to grab one piece of Immortal King gear and return.
"Prepare to send me to the Tower of Trials."
"Yes."
"What about the Ironclad Syndicate executives?"
"Isia the secretary said they haven't cracked yet."
"Still?"
True to Ironclad Syndicate form.
Tight-lipped bunch.
The Black Shadow Unit's interrogations weren't gentle. Clan casualties demanded results.
They'd do anything for confessions.
Yet they held out.
"How long do you think it'd take you?"
"Less than a day."
Shuv's beautiful yet chilling smile answered Shin Yu-hyun.
She looked like a goddess, but her nature was pure demon.
"Leave it to you. Ideal if you crack them before I return from the tower."
"Ah, that might be pushing it."
"What? Why?"
Shin Yu-hyun tilted his head at Shuv's unexpectedly meek response.
"Time barely passes in the Tower of Trials. Even if conquering the first floor takes you a day, only about a minute will pass in the real world."
"Really?"
His eyes lit up at the revelation. One minute per day in real time?
"Could it double as a training ground?"
"A training ground?"
Shuv pondered his question. She'd never expected that use for the tower.
"Assuming you clear the first floor, maybe. But I can't promise. I've never been inside—only heard from the first Immortal King."
"Not completely impossible, then."
"Right. You'll know once you try."
"Fair enough."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded.
He'd have to visit the Tower of Trials to check if it worked for training.
"Anyway, time to head there first."
"Understood. Please wait a moment. We need prep to access it. And since you'll be there a while, pack emergency rations."
"Rations? Can't I come back midway?"
"No. You must clear a floor to return."
"No issue then? Clear the first floor and bail."
"The Tower of Trials isn't as easy as you think. The first floor alone will take considerable time."
"That much?"
Shin Yu-hyun shook his head at Shuv's words. He'd planned to blitz to the fourth floor.
But even the first would drag on?
"I'll pack food just in case, but a few hours tops."
"You'll see."
Shuv gave him an inscrutable smile.
With that, Shin Yu-hyun took Shuv, Dia, and Ka-mang-i to the Black Tortoise Hall's underground training ground. No opening a gate indoors for the Tower of Trials.
Black Tortoise Hall's underground training ground.
Shin Yu-hyun was fully geared.
Newly acquired Flame Demon Sword Levatein equipped, DF Coat from Nam Yeon-ah donned.
His old rare-grade magic sword Ignis went back to the armory.
Too demonic for other superhumans to wield.
He'd also packed a backpack with emergency rations per Shuv's advice.
'Alright...'
Shin Yu-hyun eyed yesterday's magic beast spoils.
'Racked up a ton of soul points from that fight.'
He and the skeleton soldiers had felled about 300 beasts yesterday.
Plus the 4-star boss Heavy Armor Ant and 5-star Red General Ant converted to soul points.
'Tasted like bitter crap.'
Absorbing soldier ants with Dark Soul Eater had been like thick black coffee. Americano with an espresso shot.
Torturous to swallow, but the soul point haul made up for it.
'1280 soul points. Worth it.'
Shin Yu-hyun smiled contentedly at his soul points.
Adding the leftover 60 made 1340 total.
Now the dilemma.
Invest in stats to boost superhuman rank, or reinforce the undead?
He checked his stats.
'Hm. What to do?'
Shin Yu-hyun pondered his stats and the floating messages.
How to balance investments between Chakra and Dominance.