Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Entering the 2nd Floor
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A week had passed since Do-yoon officially became a Hunter.
His last record was still the subjugation of the King Slime on the 1st floor—
And his level remained at 2.
To level up more reliably, he had to enter the tower.
"The tower... you mean?"
"Yes. From what I know, the quicker you level up, the better."
That was why he went straight to Manager Choi Geon-woo to ask.
"Do-yoon, you're quite the unique one."
"Pardon?"
"It's like you were born to be a Hunter."
Choi Geon-woo's heart stirred at Do-yoon's question.
With his extensive experience managing Hunters, he knew all too well how desperate humans could become when faced with danger.
Yet Do-yoon wanted to climb into that danger-filled zone.
"Perfect timing—official approval just came through."
"Oh? Approval for what?"
As Do-yoon's eyes lit up with anticipation, Choi Geon-woo handed over the documents with a warm smile.
"Official approval from the Association's central office for your climbing activities."
The long-awaited response had finally arrived.
Do-yoon's heart pounded with excitement.
"Do-yoon!"
A familiar voice called from afar.
It was Hunter Han Ji-hyeok, still built like a bear.
He served as the team's tank, becoming an impenetrable wall at the front lines.
"Hyung."
"Looks like the manager already filled you in."
"Haha, yeah."
Choi Geon-woo nodded with a chuckle.
"Then I'll handle the handover and make sure everything's set for no mishaps."
"Thanks for the help."
With that, Do-yoon followed Han Ji-hyeok to the training grounds inside the Association.
"Normally, you can't detect mana outside, but this place is different."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Something activated... A strange sensation brushed past Do-yoon, just like in the simulation room.
And then it appeared.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📍 Name: Kim Do-yoon ⭐ Level: 2 💨 Vitality: 14 ⚡ Strength: 15 🏃 Agility: 7 ✨ Magic Power: 11 His status window at level 2.
"Whoa."
"Pretty cool, right? It's like the simulation room—temporarily recreating the tower's interior."
This setup would make real combat training incredibly helpful.
Above all, they could only unleash their true power inside the tower.
"You took down the 1st floor boss and hit level 2, right?"
"Yes."
"Now it's our turn for the 2nd floor—and that's where the real tower climb begins."
He'd heard this before.
The 1st floor was basically a 'tutorial' for them.
They hadn't faced any real combat challenges there.
Hunting bouncy slimes had been almost too easy, like letting off steam.
"From the 2nd floor on, the monsters get seriously aggressive."
"Like what..."
"Goblins. Heard of 'em?"
Monsters so ingrained in modern society that not knowing them would make you a spy.
'Even in the gallery.'
He'd seen a photo of one gallery user who looked like a goblin.
'Is that guy a 2nd floor resident too?'
He'd have to ask directly later, but for now, Do-yoon focused on Han Ji-hyeok's briefing.
"The others are busy with external activities right now, so I'll personally oversee your combat training for a while."
Jo Ha-rin, Cha Yun-ha, and Jeong A-hyeon were tied up with promotional work.
'They're basically celebrities.'
As one of Korea's rare Awakeners, it made sense they'd be promoted heavily.
"Looking forward to it, hyung."
"From here on, stay sharp. The higher the floors, the greater the pressure on us, and the stronger the monsters."
"Got it."
Do-yoon etched Han Ji-hyeok's advice deep into his mind.
For quite some time after, he rolled across the training ground floor, preparing for the tower.
"Hoo...!"
Back in his private break room, he let out a heavy sigh laced with deep fatigue.
Soaking in warm water, Do-yoon summoned the gallery tab.
💬 Boss Mob Gallery 📰 Title: But isn't it about time for the newbie to enter the tower? - Pretty sure a good chunk of time has passed since the last raid — Me Yeah... I'm heading in soon anyway — Anonymous Oh lololol — Anonymous 2nd floor now? — Anonymous Who's the 2nd floor boss in the tower again, Wine Lord? — Anonymous In the gal? 📰 Title: (My post) They say the 2nd floor is goblins? - There was that gal user who sent me the goblin meme, right? — Anonymous (Image of a goblin grinning grotesquely) — Anonymous What can I help you with? — Anonymous Pops out right away lololol — Anonymous Ugliness tower top 3, join gal ㄷㄷ — Anonymous ;;; Shut up — Me Oh — Me Are you the 2nd floor boss? — Anonymous That's right. Me, myself? Official gentleman ranking 29th in the Tower of the Forgotten Banquet. Forbes-selected favorite among female Hunters— — Aged Wine is... Hoe? Who is this? — Anonymous ...? — Anonymous Who is this lmao — Anonymous lololololol — Anonymous Got cut off right after that long-ass briefing pretending to know him lol — Anonymous Shit ;;; 📰 Title: Hard to tell them apart, so... 닉네임: Paper Enthusiast* - Wine, open up nickname privileges for that 2nd floor boss real quick So he doesn't get mixed up with the other bosses — Aged Wine is... Great idea..! Soon after, a noticeable new nickname appeared.
닉네임: Ugly Green Guy
— Anonymous Ugly lolololol Green lolololol Guy lolol ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy Shit, why's my nick like this ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy Didn't I get to pick it? — Aged Wine is... Hehe, seeing you like the nickname I gave makes me glad..! ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy Hey!!!!!!!!!!!! ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy (Image of an ugly goblin fuming in rage) — Anonymous Ew gross — Anonymous Remove that gross image ;;; — Anonymous Just straight-up ruined the stage lololol 📰 Title: The Boss Gal fully supports Ugly Green Guy - Ugly but sweet guy Disgustingly ugly but sweet to Hunters.. Just a fucking ugly guy — Anonymous Isn't this just straight-up insulting? ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy Fuck you rom — Anonymous lololololololol The gallery spent quite a while toying with the 2nd floor boss.
It was pitiful, yet it made Do-yoon reaffirm the boss's position.
'2nd floor.'
Just like before, lurking in the boss room.
📰 Title: (My post) So can I rip a skill this time too? - King Slime had acidic stuff What useful skill you got for me? ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy Me? Nothin' special — Me ;;; — Paper Enthusiast* Before that, what's the exact mechanic behind that 'Resonance' skill? Resonance.
The bizarre skill Do-yoon first encountered with the King Slime.
It allowed conversation with boss monsters and use of their skills.
But even Do-yoon himself didn't fully understand its principle.
He'd simply followed his instinct, guided by a gut feeling that 'it should work.'
📰 Title: (My post) But this... - I'll figure it out when I get there that day. Can't really explain the principle With the King Slime, it felt like 'this should work,' and it did... — Short-Eared Goblin* Means it's highly variable~ — Paper Enthusiast* Nothing we can do then. Just be careful out there — Me Yeah, but having that one skill gives me some confidence 📰 Title: 2nd floor is goblin zone, right? (Image of a goblin grinning viciously) - These guys have no special counters Just tank and spank straight-up, that's the meta They travel in packs though, so expect backups — Anonymous No matter how strong, getting surrounded is risky lol — Anonymous Never thought I'd be advising a Hunter — OP First advice post, hope it's good...? — Me Yeah, that's plenty. Thanks — OP Newbie thanked me!!!! ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy My kids aren't bad guys — Anonymous Bullshit lololol Goblins aren't bad? ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy We are bad... Oh, and newbie — Me Yeah? ⭐ Top Comment — Ugly Green Guy My boss room has a few Goblin Warriors and Archers too, so come with your team — Me Got it — Anonymous Weak af — Anonymous This is boss level...? — Anonymous Watch out for Hunters on your way Do-yoon closed the gallery after watching the users bicker among themselves.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Raid day.
Do-yoon donned his Ether Suit underneath and headed to the tower in light gear.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
He answered Han Ji-hyeok's question with confidence.
He'd prepared plenty.
Rolled around the training grounds, built stamina, endured the bosses' gross pics to toughen his mental resistance.
He'd done everything he could.
"Shall we head in?"
Jo Ha-rin suggested coolly as always, and with that, they re-entered the tower.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Shwoosh! 「Entering the Tower of the Forgotten Banquet...」 "..."
The first sight was the familiar 1st floor scenery from their initial visit.
But there was a difference this time.
-Shaaa...
A red portal visible right upon entry.
"Clear a floor once, and you can go straight up to the next without redo."
"Ah."
"Let's gear up quick here first."
The Hunters began pulling equipment from their inventories.
Do-yoon was handed the same old battered shield and two-handed sword from before.
Nothing much to equip on top either.
Compared to them, he looked pathetically undergeared.
But it was only natural.
Do-yoon was barely level 2; his teammates averaged level 30.
"No need to worry. Clear the floor, and you can use better gear."
"Yes."
"Straight up?"
"Yeah."
Everyone nodded at Cha Yun-ha's question.
-Squeeze.
Do-yoon tightened the leather strap on his battered shield once hard and followed the Hunters into the red portal.
'Let's go.'
He'd already gleaned all available info from the gallery.
Goblins.
To slay those ugly monsters, Do-yoon stepped forward.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 「Entered the 2nd floor.」 A barren wasteland visible beyond the black loading screen.
Noticeably different stage from the 1st floor.
"Do-yoon, you okay?"
"Yes."
Jo Ha-rin approached to check.
Do-yoon replied and slowly scanned the surroundings.
Not devoid of greenery, but clear signs of something's presence lingered.
"This place..."
"Goblin habitat. They roam in groups of three or four, and some do ranged attacks, so stay alert."
"Got it."
Han Ji-hyeok gave a quick monster briefing.
"Safe zone here, wanna move?"
"Geared up downstairs already. I'm good. You guys?"
"Aye!"
Jeong A-hyeon shot her hand up enthusiastically.
Cha Yun-ha nodded beside her.
All eyes turned to the last one, Do-yoon.
"Please take care of me."
"Difficulty isn't a huge jump from 1st floor—just stay focused."
Han Ji-hyeok gave his final reminder before heading toward the transparent barrier to the monster zone.
-Kak! Kak!
Do-yoon passed through the barrier too.
The moment a burning smell hit his nose, his gaze naturally drifted beyond the group.
"...?"
Black smoke rose in the distance.
"Ignore it. Just environmental set piece."
Guided by the veterans, they pressed on.
As they traversed the rugged terrain, a thought crossed Do-yoon's mind.
'Hidden Piece.'
Was one hidden somewhere here too, like the gallery users said?
"Any Hidden Pieces here?"
"Hm..."
"Probably not. Never heard of one on lower floors."
"I agree."
Jo Ha-rin backed Han Ji-hyeok up.
"If there was, it'd be swarming with other Hunters."
True.
This directly contradicted the Boss Gal's claims.
'But the gal feels more reliable?'
Their graduation condition, slumbering on each tower floor.
If possible, Do-yoon wanted to find that 'Hidden Piece' here.
While moving—
"Kreek! Kk!"
"Kyaek! Keuekek...!"
"Battle ready, everyone."
And they spotted them.
Small stature barely reaching human waists.
Ugly snouts, green skin.
"Whoa, seriously ugly."
Familiar face from the gallery, but uglier in person.
I gripped my battered sword tight and began the goblin hunt.