Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Tower's Trials #3
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"But why this tower of all places?"
Do-yoon wondered aloud as he carved through the lizardmen, pressing forward.
The Tower of the Forgotten Banquet, which he had entered, was known for its glacial clearing pace and poor efficiency compared to other towers.
Though Do-yoon's presence had recently sparked major changes, perceptions had been that way until then.
"We revere all towers without discrimination and pursue strength."
"...?"
"The tower owned by the Progenitor has stronger monsters than others. That's why we're here."
A whiff of heavy sweat clung to her words.
Do-yoon figured she was just active in the country where this tower stood.
Thoughts of another world drifted through his mind at Lakia Bells' motives, so different from his own.
"It's dizzying. Who knows how many worlds are involved, with everyone from different origins."
"That's the nature of the tower's trials."
The tower's trials.
They weren't about blindly conquering floors; they were about grasping the truths the towers meant to impart to hunters.
"And that skill of yours..."
"Aira?"
"...Yes. That intelligent being—an object and part of the tower—might be a key to conquering it."
Aira?
"Ahem!"
Aira, sensing the mention from inside Do-yoon's head like a ghost, responded with brimming confidence.
"Really?"
"None other than a copy of the Progenitor's past..."
Lakia Bells trailed off, swallowing hard.
"That might upset Aira."
"I'm Aira, not some wicked Progenitor!"
For some reason—ever since a certain incident—Aira despised the Progenitor's name.
Whether it was mere petulance or genuine hatred, even Do-yoon didn't know yet.
What she hated most was being called a knockoff of the Progenitor.
Even Do-yoon would have to soothe her endless whining for ages if he said that.
"A-Are you targeting me...?"
-A chill ran down his spine.
Lakia Bells, feeling Aira's blatant mana surge despite her not manifesting, asked with trembling eyes.
"Not that bad. But apologize."
"S-Sorry."
"Hmph! No next time!"
"It's fine."
"Phew..."
Lakia Bells sighed in relief, pondering Aira's existence inwardly.
She shouldn't exist here at all anymore—now reduced to Do-yoon's skill.
'Maybe.'
The tower's top floor, unreachable by any hunter.
The key to that hell no one returned from alive—
might lie with Do-yoon.
'No.'
Lakia Bells dismissed the arrogant thought.
With so much path left ahead, dwelling on the top was premature.
'Little sis. If you don't settle things with that hunter, big sis will end you herself.'
"..."
Lakia Bells glanced at Do-yoon, imagining her sister's menacing figure under the moonlight.
"What."
"N-Nothing."
But not now.
Despite believing she could, facing Do-yoon head-on, Lakia Bells couldn't even imagine beating him.
Overwhelming prowess.
The aura rising behind one man intimidated even her, who had never known defeat.
'No.'
Could she defy her sister, though?
'Impossible.'
As time dragged on, Lakia Bells saw her own paralysis more clearly.
Maybe this life was doomed.
"This is too easy."
-Kieeeek!
Do-yoon sliced down another lizardman, sounding bored.
The tension from the theme stage was fading.
Not good news.
Without tension, gaps would form eventually.
A assassin striking that split-second opening could end him in an instant.
"...With our current abilities, it's bound to feel easy."
"Where are the hunters who left the theme stage at? What floor?"
"At normal pace, they'd be well past the 10th by now."
"Already?"
"It's been ages since people lingered on floors. Info's everywhere now, so clears up to mid-layers are fast."
'Then me?'
Do-yoon paused to think.
Am I fast?
Considering senior hunters' reactions to his unexpected results—
he didn't seem particularly quick.
"I-I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
"...?"
"...You're aiming to get strong fast, right?"
"Well... yeah."
Do-yoon answered, reminded of Aira within.
He wanted to manifest her true form ASAP.
She was his max output now, and he'd need strength soon to manage boss mob raid points.
"Then speeding up your tower clears would help."
"Figured as much?"
"Yeah."
"Still gotta prioritize safety."
"The tower handles basic safety inside. Push beyond, and you'll just dull your senses."
What?
Her advice actually sounded sensible for once.
"Feels weird hearing that from you."
"What do you..."
"Thought your head was all fights."
"...! I value my life too...!"
After some bickering.
The pair advanced and soon spotted the 7th floor boss room.
'Handy having her around.'
Lakia Bells had cleared up to the 8th.
Ungraduated floors always had the same layout, easy to pinpoint.
Especially for veterans like her.
"Here."
"Got it. You'll head up first again?"
"Yeah. I'll wait there."
"No, really returning this time."
"..."
Lakia Bells nodded.
"Then..."
"Do your thing. Might bump into each other if luck holds next time."
This was coincidence; next could be later.
Do-yoon planned to head back to Earth first.
Hunter Association headaches lingered.
"Got it."
Seeing her accept easily, Do-yoon entered the 7th floor boss room.
"Shreek! Shreeek!"
This boss room had lesser mobs, as intel suggested.
"Aira."
"Yeah!"
Calling her lightly, he felt mana drain as two red chains coiled around his left arm.
'Feels comfy now.'
Mana efficiency had visibly improved; he could use the skill several more times.
Perk.
Did Lakia Bells have one?
Hunters got them at level 10, so probably.
Should've asked.
Chaos from suddenly hitting the 7th distracted him.
Clearing was priority; questioning slipped his mind.
"Let's go."
-Clang!
No verbal reply.
But Aira responded to his will, launching chains at the lizardman warriors.
-Kwachak!
"Kweek!"
The chain pierced a dazed one's chest, hoisting and swinging it around.
-Whooosh!
The lizardman corpse flew with fierce wind, smashing into allies.
-Thud!
"Kuwaaak!"
Do-yoon exploited the broken formation, diving into the center.
"Where's your big boss?"
No answer expected; he swung his curved sword.
It sliced tough hide smoothly, cleaving the body.
-Splash!
One down.
He slashed a lizardman dodging the rampaging chains.
"...!"
Finally, the others reacted.
'I can do this.'
With reliable chains guarding his back, this floor was clearable.
No hesitation needed.
Invisible risks weren't worth shrinking from the obvious chances upfront.
-Thud...
As he nearly finished the lizardmen.
A massive figure, silently watching till now, began to stir.
"There you are."
"Here!"
The boss monster's presence emerged.
Not murky green—pure black scales shrouded in darkness caught Do-yoon's eye.
And more.
White tattoos over the scales evoked tribal civilization.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Defeat the Boss Monster. Lizardman Champion The 7th floor's master greeted the intruder.
"Gruk."
A massive greatsword in its grip.
One hit from that, and it was over.
Do-yoon sensed it keenly.
'Minimize damage.'
"Aira."
"Y-Yeah?!"
"Can you block that?"
"Yes!"
Satisfying reply.
Grateful for her endless potential, he decided to use the two chains right away.
"Let's go."
Harboring shameless hope for a hidden piece—
Do-yoon charged the Lizardman Champion with his blood-red chains.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "..."
An immense presence loomed.
After Do-yoon headed to the 7th boss room.
Lakia Bells turned toward her goal, the 8th floor.
Until a group of hunters blocked her path.
Pale-faced, Lakia Bells stared at the woman leading them.
"Came to check on our little sis, and you're still not right in the head~"
"S-Sis."
The group's leader.
Lakia Bells' big sister had descended to the 7th floor herself.