Chapter 175: Universal Sharing (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 175: Universal Sharing (1)
Representatives of various factions, composed of both humans and non-humans, gathered around Jinhyuk.
"It's that guy again."
"I know, right? He's hogging all the good stuff for himself."
"Of course they're going to Kang Jinhyuk. I wonder if he'll end up bursting at this rate."
"Seven of them... That's seriously incredible."
Envious glares from the surrounding players poured over him.
While only minor factions were sniffing around them, the 'Empire' and the 'Spirit Realm'—arguably the largest forces—were both showing interest in Jinhyuk. It was only natural they felt this way.
Excluding the 'Moorim' faction, who were sitting at a table conversing with someone, virtually everyone had moved to recruit Jinhyuk.
"If it weren't for him, we would have all had to bury our bones in the Labyrinth. So everyone, watch your mouths," Maria, who had been watching silently from the side, snapped sharply.
If Jinhyuk hadn't made an additional agreement with the Administrator through the Empire...
The number of people who could have survived the 25th floor would be countable on one hand.
In fact, most of them had been summoned back to the ballroom after struggling helplessly against the various traps in the Labyrinth.
"Hmm. It looks like those people are incredibly jealous of you, Oppa."
"Right, right. I heard them too."
Casey and Judro giggled.
Screeech...
Grind.
A massive halberd, completely disproportionate to a small frame, scraped against the floor.
Having run amok so much, its blade was still drenched in an unidentified pool of blood.
"If they couldn't see, they wouldn't have to be jealous. Right?"
"Yeah! If they couldn't hear either, they'd be even more well-behaved!"
A chilling conversation of unknown intent ensued.
Of all people, those crazy siblings had to step in.
Since they were battle maniacs devoid of rational judgment, everyone knew just how much of a headache it would be to make enemies of them.
"T-that's..."
"Well, that's true, but..."
"Calm down. We didn't mean it that way."
Having their sore spots pricked, everyone shut their mouths.
In truth, they had no excuse even if they had ten mouths.
It was an undeniable fact that Jinhyuk had saved them all.
Meanwhile, Penheimer approached Jinhyuk.
"We finally meet again."
His face was slightly flushed.
Penheimer's voice trembled faintly.
After a long wait, he was finally about to obtain the talent he so desired.
"Thanks to you, I received a lot of help in the Labyrinth."
"Hahaha! Don't mention it. It was only natural. How could we not do at least that much for a player who will be joining us?"
Penheimer burst into a hearty laugh.
Hmm...
Jinhyuk scratched his head awkwardly.
Breaking a heartwarming atmosphere was never something he was used to.
At the very least, it would be polite to maintain his poker face.
"Ah. There's something I'd like to say regarding that."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can choose the Empire."
"W-what do you mean by that?"
At the sudden announcement, Penheimer's eyes widened.
What kind of absurd nonsense was this? Do they have any idea how much they had invested in him?
But...
"I know the Empire has bestowed many favors upon me, but it seems a bit lacking for achieving my goals."
Jinhyuk uttered these preposterous words while still wearing a face that looked terribly apologetic.
The Empire was lacking for him to achieve his goals?
The players, who still didn't clearly understand the ecosystem of the Middle Floors, might not grasp the weight of those words.
But the other Residents certainly did.
For the 'Empire' was a colossal entity backed by a vast territory of seven kingdoms, formidable military power, an economy capable of feeding millions, and a brilliant culture.
Even an Administrator could not recklessly touch such a massive force without a proper justification.
And yet...
'That is lacking?'
'Just what is his goal...?'
'Is he actually serious?'
'Look at Penheimer's face turning red. He looks like he's about to start screaming any second.'
The Residents swallowed hard.
Penheimer was only showing courtesy to recruit a new talent.
If he deemed Jinhyuk unobtainable, he wouldn't hesitate to ruthlessly cut down a mere player.
After all, what they needed was an obedient pawn.
The air froze icy cold.
Everyone anxiously awaited Penheimer's next move after being rejected.
However, the one who moved was neither Jinhyuk nor Penheimer.
An intervention came from a completely unexpected direction.
"I am Meirena, a water spirit representing the Spirit Realm."
The water spirit, possessing the appearance of a noble lady, wore a gentle smile.
"We are also a force that dominates the Middle Floors, and we can provide great assistance in your climb up the Tower, Jinhyuk-nim. You may not know this, but you won't find any beings as helpful as us when it comes to support. Furthermore, we can also provide the fastest route to the 30th floor."
If the Empire didn't satisfy him, then they would have a chance.
Meirena quickly tried to appeal to their strengths.
However...
"I'm sorry, but I already have plenty of spirits."
Jinhyuk rejected her as well.
Murmur, murmur.
The surroundings grew noisy.
No one could have predicted that he would reject the most promising factions one after another.
Yet, choosing the Moorim, with whom he was constantly in conflict, was out of the question.
'If not a major faction... does that mean he has a minor faction in mind?'
'No, that makes no sense. If even the major factions aren't enough for him, choosing a minor faction would only make climbing the Tower even harder.'
'Just what on earth is that human thinking?'
Because no one could fathom what Jinhyuk was thinking, the ballroom fell into unprecedented chaos.
* * *
"Puhaha! You were right. He really is an interesting human. I never expected to see the day when those incredibly proud Residents would all look like they've chewed on dung."
Watching the entire situation from the second floor, Hastings burst into laughter.
Finding Jinhyuk's unexpected behavior highly amusing, the corners of his mouth twitched continuously.
"Even the Egyptian deities were quite flustered."
Rick smacked his lips bitterly.
If no one else did, he at least had expected Jinhyuk to act this way.
He knew that a player who had rejected even the proposals of the deities would never be satisfied with the factions of the Middle Floors.
"Hooh. He has met with the Egyptian deities as well? And he rejected their selection?"
"Yes. He rejected them without a second thought."
Rick recalled the past.
Even though he had the opportunity to have the highest-ranking deities backing him, Jinhyuk hadn't hesitated.
It was as if he were saying even they couldn't handle him.
Hastings's expression grew quite serious.
"Not being satisfied even with the 40th floors..."
It was hard to believe, but it meant only one thing.
"He's aiming for... the summit."
An uncharted territory that no one had ever reached.
It meant he intended to challenge the inviolable sanctuary where the beginning and the end of this world resided.
"That is likely what he means."
"Although the arrival of the Tower has greatly influenced human nature, this is the first time I've heard of someone being so incredibly audacious. Honestly, I'd love to take a peek inside that fellow's head."
Though most didn't even realize it themselves...
Adapting to reality too quickly,
and being able to take people's lives without hesitation,
were all things made possible only because the Tower had appeared.
Of course, even so, it wasn't to the extent of completely losing all fear like Jinhyuk.
Hastings stroked his chin.
"To put it nicely, he has guts; to put it badly, he has nothing to lose. It's interesting to watch, but it's too reckless. It's as if he's walking a tightrope on purpose."
"Perhaps..."
Rick carefully responded to Hastings's words.
"He is enjoying it."
"Enjoying it? Even though he might lose his life because of those actions?"
"If it's him, he is more than capable of doing so."
If he had feared death in the first place... he would never have been able to show such an overwhelming performance.
Every moment spent in the Tower of Trials,
every process of growing stronger and developing,
and the journey toward the end of the Tower—
because he enjoyed all of it, he was able to capture the attention of both the deities and the Residents.
"Perhaps... you might be right."
Hastings nodded as if in agreement.
With an intrigued expression, he waited for Jinhyuk's next move.
'Show me.'
What the reason was for setting up this stage,
and above all, how he was going to clean up this mess...
* * *
"Then what is it that you want, Player Kang Jinhyuk? Just which faction do you wish to align yourself with?"
The one who spoke this time was another figure.
To be precise, it wasn't a human.
Pale skin, long horns reminiscent of a deer,
green hair cascading down to the waist, and four legs made quite an impression.
'Hooh.'
Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.
Another rare specimen had appeared.
The non-human leader of the Dryads, 'Uasis'.
She was the representative of the third faction aiming for hegemony over the Middle Floors.
'To think the Blue Horn Clan would come in person.'
Although he would eventually have to go to that ruin with Uasis, today was not the day.
Jinhyuk spoke slowly.
"I will not choose any faction."
He had no intention of groveling under the factions of the Middle Floors.
Whether they fought among themselves or strengthened their control over a few floors,
that was merely the business of the parties involved, wasn't it?
"Are you saying you intend to climb the Tower without a faction?"
"No, that's not it. Not belonging to a faction would cause many inconveniences."
Instead...
"I plan to take this opportunity to create a new faction. My own faction, led by me."
"Create... a new faction?"
At Jinhyuk's words, Uasis's complexion changed.
Penheimer from the Empire and Young Ho-myung of the Moorim, who was with Alice, were equally bewildered.
"Hmm..."
"...Absurd."
They knew Jinhyuk did many crazy things,
but this was an action that completely transcended common sense.
"Do you understand the meaning of what you just said? To the balance of the Tower that has lasted for thousands of years... do you know what it means for you, who hasn't even been here for a year, to create a new faction?"
Uasis raised her voice as if she had received a great insult.
It was no illusion that her pale face had flushed red.
Indeed, from their perspective, no matter how high he soared, he was bound to look like a novice who didn't even understand the ecosystem of the Tower.
It was like a toddler who hadn't even learned to walk insisting on going to a battlefield, so it was only natural that their pride was wounded.
But...
'How cute.'
From his perspective, it was the same as newbies who didn't even properly know the Tower chirping away.
Of course, trying to persuade them here would only be a waste of mental energy.
Rather than that, it was better to show them clearly.
"To create a new faction, one must receive the recognition of the existing factions... Wasn't that the rule of the Tower?"
"...H-how do you know the rules of the Tower? Just what are you..."
"I happen to be quite knowledgeable."
"Knowing that won't change anything. It's true that you are remarkable, but you aren't strong enough to create a faction."
Uasis shook her head.
On the other hand...
"Then, I just have to show you if I have the qualifications that everyone will recognize."
Jinhyuk smiled brightly.
And at that very moment...
[Using Unique Ability 'Universal Sharing'.]
The time limit was a mere 30 seconds.
However, that was more than enough.
[You have selected the Unique Ability of True Ancestor 'Alice von Ataraxia'.]
[Your understanding of the target exceeds the requirements for activating the ability.]
[Unique Ability 'Blood Lord' is manifested!]
Along with the brief messages...
...his vision was dyed crimson.
At the same time...
Ruuuuuumble!
An indescribable energy weighed down upon the ballroom.