Chapter 380: A Perfect Victory (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 380: A Perfect Victory (2)
While Jinhyuk was conquering the 20th floor, the war between Ragnarok and Olympus was also drawing to a close.
It was a one-sided victory for Olympus.
Although they had struggled in Jotunheim, the ultimate outcome of the battle had already been decided.
"...I heard that all regions except Yggdrasil have fallen."
"Oh dear, has that news already reached the Players? Hahaha. This is a bit embarrassing."
"I have a few connections here and there, so information tends to reach me quickly."
To be precise, he had simply memorized every single variable from his past playthroughs. But there was no need to tell Loki or Thor that.
"Then this will make things quick. As you said, our situation isn't very good. Fortunately, thanks to its unique geography, we've managed to protect Yggdrasil, but even that won't last long."
If they lost Yggdrasil, the very foundation of Ragnarok, it would be the end. It was no exaggeration to say that the World Tree, which symbolized their mythology, was Ragnarok itself.
"So, what do you want from me?"
"We have heard much of the exploits of the faction you lead. To be honest, you are so strong it is hard to believe you are human."
As expected. They were asking for help.
But surely they knew that no matter how strong the Veteran Corporation was, they weren't powerful enough to face the main force of Olympus?
As if guessing Jinhyuk's thoughts, Loki quickly added another word.
"Ah! Of course, we aren't asking for anything absurdly unreasonable. Actually, what we want to ask of you is to obtain a specific item."
"You want the materials to protect Yggdrasil... Out of the three items that form the foundation of the Great Barrier, Ragnarok can somehow obtain two of them on your own. So the remaining one must be the 'Spring Water of the Sun'."
"...!?"
Loki was momentarily struck dumb. He had never imagined that Jinhyuk would predict the conclusion of their conversation from that single clue.
"Bwahaha! Well, you got us good. Yes, you are correct. Our only remaining hope is to protect Yggdrasil. However, to defend the World Tree from Olympus's relentless onslaught, we need a few things."
In place of the dazed Loki, the giant of a man standing beside him stepped forward.
Thor.
Indeed, just facing him was enough to take one's breath away.
To think he possessed this much presence even while suppressing his mana to the absolute limit. Jinhyuk wondered just how strong Thor's fully unleashed true self would be. In the past, Thor, the great hero of Ragnarok, had lost his life to the Demon World before Jinhyuk could even fight him properly.
That was a bit of a shame. Unlike Heracles, I barely got to clash with Thor.
This was one of the few regrets he had while climbing the Tower.
In that case...
How would the current me fare?
Jinhyuk's fingers twitched.
At this point, having entered the Tower less than three years ago, fighting a divinity was normally a taboo that had to be avoided at all costs.
But why?
He didn't feel even a shred of despair.
It felt doable.
Even if his opponent was a high divinity known to be one of the toughest.
"Hey, keep that sharp bloodlust in check. We know we're asking for a difficult favor, but there's no need to be so hostile, is there?"
"We aren't asking you to help us for free. We've prepared something of our own. Something you'll definitely like."
Misinterpreting Jinhyuk's bloodlust, the two divinities hurriedly got to the point.
Loki carefully pulled a white leaf from his breast pocket.
This was...?
Jinhyuk's pupils dilated in shock. He had expected a significant reward, but he never imagined they would offer this.
"A Leaf of... Yggdrasil."
"Haha..."
"You really know everything. There's no need to even explain."
Loki and Thor's reactions went beyond surprise to sheer disbelief. Only a tiny fraction of the divinities belonging to Ragnarok had ever laid eyes on a Leaf of Yggdrasil.
"So, what will you do? Since you possess the Crown, you must know how valuable a Leaf of Yggdrasil is."
The Crown of Hegemony was one of the highest-grade artifacts in the Tower, but it had the drawback of being incredibly difficult to handle. It was originally made for monsters with a level over 500 or those with the Heavenly Martial Physique, so its requirements were naturally astronomical.
But if he could process the Leaf of Yggdrasil properly...
I'll be able to regulate its mana so that I can fully control it even at my current level.
This offer was highly attractive. It was safe to say it exceeded his expectations.
"What is the deadline?"
The deal was struck.
His next destination was decided as well.
* * *
"What on earth is this?"
When he returned to the ball, quite a spectacle was unfolding.
Rumble, rumble!
The chandeliers shook violently. The warm, pleasant atmosphere of the ball was long gone.
"You're finally back? I hope you're prepared to deal with the aftermath yourself."
Cheon Yu-seong greeted him first, clicking his tongue.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You'll see. Just look..."
What was he supposed to look at? Jinhyuk turned his gaze toward the ballroom.
And then...
"The stupid Saintess looks a bit tired today. Did praying all day make you age ten years overnight?"
"Oh my. Does a brat who has lived for thousands of years think flashy clothes are everything? Your dress is so loose, I thought it was your mother's."
"Do you want to die?"
"I plan on living a long, long life."
The members of the Veteran Corporation were locked in an intense war of nerves. Alice and Teresa raised their voices. They weren't holding swords, but they looked ready to stab each other with words.
When did Teresa turn so dark again...?
Just as Jinhyuk was letting out a sigh...
"Hehe. Jinhyuk-nim. Come over here for a second."
Andrea approached Jinhyuk with a beaming smile. Her eyes were smiling, but the atmosphere felt incredibly chilling.
As if to prove it...
Rustle.
Rustle...
A large group of people closed in around Jinhyuk. They were the cultists from the 5th floor's 'Psychiatric Ward'. To be precise, they were Andrea's minions.
"What... are you doing, Andrea?"
"Well, in a little while, there's an event where we dance in front of the Emperor."
He seemed to recall hearing about such an event.
"So, what does that have to do with this?"
"Oh my, stop playing dumb...!"
Andrea covered her face with both hands in mock embarrassment.
At the same time...
Shring!
Clank!
Various weapons slid out from the cultists' robes.
"I absolutely, no matter what, want to dance with you, Jinhyuk-nim. Hehe. The older sisters are too busy fighting each other to notice. Now, will you quietly be my partner?"
Chilling.
Cold sweat trickled down Jinhyuk's spine. This was dangerous.
"Yu-seong...?"
"Didn't I tell you? Deal with the aftermath yourself. I have nothing to do with this."
Cheon Yu-seong instantly averted his gaze.
"Damn it."
Dash!
Jinhyuk kicked off the ground and sprinted down the side corridor of the terrace.
"I won't let you get away!"
Andrea and her cultists began to chase after him in a swarm.
How long had he been chased by the cultists? The one who saved Jinhyuk when he was cornered was none other than Frey.
Crash!
She used her short spear to collapse a wall, creating a distraction.
"Thanks, Frey. You saved my—huh?"
Frey looked up at Jinhyuk with an expressionless face. He couldn't help but think that the blue dress she had obtained somewhere suited her blue hair exceptionally well.
The problem was...
"What is dancing?"
Frey, whom he had fully trusted to rescue him from this hell, was not on his side either.
"...It's a type of social activity, but it's a useless action that doesn't help in combat at all."
"I've never done it, so I don't know."
Frey tilted her head.
But...
"I have determined that I must try it at least once for data accumulation. The probability is 100%."
"..."
He was in deep trouble.
"So this is where you were hiding, stupid Contractor!"
"If I can't have you, I'd rather cut you down."
To make matters worse, Alice and Teresa joined the fray, turning the situation into an absolute living hell.
* * *
About an hour later.
The battle, which was practically a war, finally ended. To be precise, it was a pyrrhic struggle with neither winners nor losers...
Because Jinhyuk had vanished into the crowd, Alice, Teresa, Frey, and Andrea could only stare blankly at the highlight of the ball: the dancing.
Watching the handsome men and beautiful women dancing in pairs made a corner of their hearts ache.
"...Sigh."
Alice let out a deep sigh. She had wanted to be right in the middle of that, dancing with Jinhyuk. No matter how hard one tried, things in life rarely went as planned.
"I'm going to look for him a bit more. What about you, stupid Saintess?"
"Well, I think I'll stay here a bit longer."
"Giving up so easily. Suit yourself."
As Alice left, Teresa, now alone, sat down on the stairs.
Right then, Cheon Yu-seong silently extended his hand to Teresa.
"Hmm. Did you come to comfort me?"
"I was taught never to leave a sad woman alone."
"Honestly... what a silly man."
Teresa chuckled and stood up.
"Still, I should give this Softie a chance to dance like this. Otherwise, she'll just spend her whole life suffering in silence."
[Teresa deactivates 'Corruption'.]
"Yu-seong-ssi?"
Teresa's eyes widened.
"Ah, me... um..."
"This way."
Cheon Yu-seong led Teresa to the center of the dance floor. Soon, the two began to dance to an elegant melody.
* * *
"Did I finally lose them?"
Hiding among the crowd, Jinhyuk let out a long sigh. He had been running so frantically that he hadn't noticed, but countless people around him were already dancing to the music.
I'll just hide out for a bit and then slip out of the ballroom.
As expected, when a veteran player made up his mind to run, no one could catch him.
But right then...
"Bwahaha! It seems my disciple isn't popular at all, seeing how you're just standing here all by yourself."
The voice of the Dark Emperor boomed from right behind him.
"Wait, Master, how did you get here... No, what do you mean, not popular?"
"Do not worry. You have your master, don't you?"
The Dark Emperor suddenly grabbed Jinhyuk's left wrist. Almost simultaneously, his claw-like right hand firmly gripped Jinhyuk's waist.
"M-Master?"
"Watch closely! This is the 'Black Heaven Overlord's Martial Dance' passed down through generations in our cult...!"
Boom!
A massive shockwave rippled across the floor.
"Black Heaven or whatever, if you use that, this whole place will collapse!"
"Since ancient times, a man is all about power. When I performed this dance, there wasn't a single woman who didn't fall for me!"
They didn't fall for you, they probably died.
The words to stop him rose to Jinhyuk's throat, but it was already too late. The Dark Emperor's dance had begun.
"Uryaaah!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
In a storm-like spin, Jinhyuk's body spun so fast it became a blur. Would a carousel spinning at 100x speed look like this? The marble floor was gouged out at a terrifying speed.
"Kyaaaah!"
"Run away!"
"If you get caught in that, you won't even have bones left!"
The nobles scrambled to escape the ballroom.
Watching the pillars collapse like toothpicks, Jinhyuk felt like even ten lives wouldn't be enough. In the distance, he could see the current Emperor weeping, Penheimer foaming at the mouth, and Abraham laughing as if it were the most entertaining thing ever.
Even during the rebellion, the imperial palace hadn't collapsed. Now, hundreds of years of history were on the verge of turning to dust.
"I'm going to die, Master! I'm seriously going to die!"
"Endure it! This is all training to win a woman's heart! Black Heaven... Overlord's Martial Dance! Third Form!"
No, I'm literally dying!