Chapter 402: Two Swords (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 402: Two Swords (3)
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of hammering echoed through the smithy.
[+6 Enhancement Successful!]
"Stop! No more! This is absolute madness!"
"Come on, don't be dramatic. Hurry up and do it."
[+7 Enhancement Successful!]
"Seriously, stop. I'm begging you. Haven't you ever heard the saying that greed invites ruin?"
"I think I've heard of a dwarf who invited ruin by talking back too much, though."
The hammering did not stop. Not until the desired result was achieved.
[+8 Enhancement Successful!]
"Pant, pant. Whew... I feel like I'm going to die of a heart attack. Seriously, my heart just skipped a beat. It's definitely going to break next time. I swear on my life as a blacksmith."
"I can also swear that if you back out now, your heart will stop permanently."
[+9 Enhancement Successful!]
Golden status windows popped up one after another.
The enhancement process, which had started at +1, had already surpassed +9 and was now eyeing +10.
From +10 onward lay the realm of the demonic. An unknown world boasting a success rate of less than 0.001%.
To be absolutely clear, even Orun in his prime had never successfully enhanced an S-rank or higher item to +10 or above.
It wasn't just Orun; the same went for any blacksmith in the middle floors.
In the first place, no sane person would risk throwing away an expensive weapon on such absurd odds.
"H-Hyung? You're not usually the type to enjoy gambling... Wait, actually, you're absolutely obsessed with it, but still, you need to calm down."
"Oppa, let's stop here. +9 is more than enough. And the elder looks completely exhausted."
"Haha, you two young friends truly understand this old man's heart. To be honest, I am utterly spent. I feel like I'll be bedridden for a week."
The three of them joined forces to hold Jinhyuk back.
"Hmm. Is that so? I was planning to ask the old man to enhance your gear next once mine was finished, but since you feel so sorry for him, I guess I'll cancel it."
Jinhyuk stroked his chin.
At that moment...
Whoosh.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
"Ours too...?"
Lee Tae-min and Yu Yeon-hwa's eyes changed 180 degrees.
"I need a highly enhanced weapon too. What about you, Noona?"
"If I can get a +6 weapon, I wouldn't care if someone died."
Bald Human and Bulgwang-dong Nuclear Fist.
It was the moment the toxic nature of the veterans who once inhabited the Tower of Trials resurrected.
"Hieeeek!"
The last shred of hope vanished from Orun's eyes.
Now, his only choice was to hammer away for dear life, praying with all his soul that every single enhancement would succeed.
Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew brilliantly as metal clashed against metal.
'The enhancement stones from the event only raise the success rate by a tiny bit.'
They were better than ordinary enhancement stones, but not enough for everyone to risk their lives over.
Of course, that was only from the perspective of those who knew nothing.
The true value hidden within an enhancement stone changed completely depending on what materials it was paired with.
Jinhyuk's gaze drifted to the blade of Hongryeon.
He had already had Oh Ji-won prepare 'Octopus Ink', 'Flame of Obedience', and 'Last Mistletoe'. Along with those, twelve other material items had been mixed in precise proportions and coated onto the blade.
They were quite expensive, but since Oh Ji-won said he bought them using funds skimmed from his personal slush fund, there was no issue.
[+10 Enhancement Success Rate: 0.00098%]
However, success rate after re-mixing: 87.88%.
Through 'Gluttony's Eye', every single probability was laid bare without filter.
'A weapon like Hongryeon is well worth a lavish investment.'
While it was currently impossible to even obtain the materials needed to enhance Balmung, doing so for Hongryeon was well within reach if he pushed his limits.
Not to mention, it was incredibly easy to handle.
Right then...
Hummmmm!
A brilliant light burst forth once more.
[You have achieved an astonishing feat!]
[World First! You have successfully enhanced an S-rank or higher item to +10!]
[This achievement will be recorded in the 'Hall of Fame' for the entirety of tomorrow!]
[1,000,000 Coins have been awarded!]
Hongryeon +10
Acquisition Difficulty: SSS
Attack Power: 182,500
Durability: 450,000 / 450,000
Description: A dagger crafted from a Red Dragon's tooth, exceptionally light and sturdy. Due to its fire attribute, it inflicts an additional +5,000 fire damage upon a successful hit. Critical hit rate increases by 10%, and movement speed and attack speed each increase by 20%.
Special Ability: Enables the use of 'Red Dragon's Breath'.
This was... truly insane.
The attack power alone had doubled.
On top of that, the additional options granted by the +10 enhancement were all top-tier.
'An increase in critical rate, attack speed, and movement speed.'
Even for a +10 enhancement, the value varied wildly depending on which options were rolled.
In this case, the absolute best possible options had lined up one after another like a sweet jackpot.
'This must be thanks to the effects of my monopolization and Luck stats.'
It was hard to suppress the cheer rising from deep within his chest.
"Alright, then. Please do the next person's gear, old man. From now on, you can aim for +6 or +7, adjusting based on how you feel."
Yu Yeon-hwa, Lee Tae-min, and even Alice, Cheon Yu-seong, and Teresa, who were currently sweeping through the Empire's street stalls outside...
A mountain of items waiting to be enhanced lay ahead.
"All of them...?! Without any rest?!"
"Well, our company is a bit of a black company, so there's quite a lot of overtime."
Still, since he guaranteed his members' survival, it wasn't a completely terrible deal.
"Here. Drink some of this while you work."
Jinhyuk handed over bottles with green skull drawings on them.
'Bursting Vigor Tonic' x10
Acquisition Difficulty: D
Fatigue recovery speed increases by 50%.
Even if you are on the verge of death from overwork, it ensures your hands will keep moving.
"Th-thank you."
"Don't mention it. I have plenty, so let me know if you need more. I've also stocked up on fried dumplings, so make sure to nourish yourself as you go."
Honestly, this was a pretty decent level for a black company.
There were places that worked people to the bone while feeding them nothing but grass porridge, after all.
Now, next...
Jinhyuk walked over to Yu Yeon-hwa and Lee Tae-min.
"Yeon-hwa."
"Yes, Oppa?"
"Once you go to the 29th floor, it's crucial to establish a foothold before anyone else. I've already told Yu-seong what to do, so work together and hold the line until I get there."
Players who had received transit permits for the Empire and the Murim were appearing one after another.
Since we cleared the most difficult gates, others could now enter the middle floors through much easier paths.
And on the 29th floor, they would likely clash with them. Atop a vast ocean where naval warfare was the main stage.
"Aren't you coming with us, Oppa?"
"I have a few places to stop by before heading to the 29th floor. I won't be too late, so don't worry."
First, he had to go to the temple on the 27th floor.
A hidden place where Demonic Humans had once established a connection to communicate with the Demon King.
There was something he needed to do there.
'Now that I've copied both of their abilities, I've wrapped up everything here perfectly.'
By coming to the 20th floors together with the two of them, he had also managed to copy their unique abilities, 'Kyokushin Taekwondo' and 'Machine Lord'.
With this, his brief vacation was over. It was time to move toward the top of the Tower once again.
* * *
Unlike other floors, the 44th floor of the Tower of Trials possessed a rather unique structure.
Specifically, Eden and the Demon World—two massive factions of the upper floors—split the single floor right down the middle.
Because they shared a border on a single floor, friction occurred almost daily. Thus, it was no exaggeration to say that the 44th floor was in a state of war 365 days a year.
And currently, in the deepest depths of the Demon World, Guntaper was resting after just finishing a battle.
Inside a grand banquet hall littered with corpses, Guntaper repeatedly gulped down red wine.
"An arrogant bastard who doesn't know his place dared to raid my castle. And he did it relying on a moron like this."
With a kick from Guntaper, a severed head rolled across the floor. It belonged to a subordinate of Demon King Veliel.
Right then...
"We have eliminated all intruders who entered the castle."
A succubus with two pairs of horns entered the grand banquet hall.
She was a high-ranking noble with beautiful features and blue hair that cascaded down to her waist.
"And Veliel?"
"We searched everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. He likely only sent his subordinates."
"Doesn't even have the guts to show his face? Well, he's been constantly pushed into a corner, so he probably doesn't have the luxury."
The long, drawn-out struggle for hierarchy in the Demon World was finally taking shape. This was because the gap in their respective power and military forces had gradually widened.
"However, Veliel's recent movements are somewhat strange. He seems to keep heading to the lower floors... and he is investing far too heavily to do so."
Recently, he had even lost a fortress and a forest he owned. All for the sake of helping a single Player.
"Kang Jinhyuk... Yes, I know. He is obsessing over that human to a fanatical degree."
"Do you think he believes that man is the wild card that can turn this situation around?"
"He is indeed a bastard capable of creating variables. Certainly... if he joins hands with Veliel, it will become a headache."
Guntaper massaged his temples with his thumbs.
"And... there is one more piece of news I must report."
"Speak."
"The Demonic Humans who survived some time ago wish to make a request of you, my Lord, through the temple."
At the succubus's words, Guntaper's brow furrowed.
"I gave those insects permission to enter the middle floors of the Tower, and they couldn't even earn their keep. Yet now they dare make a request of me? And you didn't tear them to shreds on the spot after hearing such nonsense?"
"I-I was planning to do so. However, there was something highly unusual in what they reported."
The succubus hastily added an explanation.
"They claim strange movements have been detected at the temple. Specifically... that the gate connecting to the Demon World is beginning to glow."
"That's impossible. That gate... should be sealed under multiple layers."
A gate upon which five Demon Kings had each placed a restriction. Unlocking that seal was impossible through ordinary means. Unless, of course, someone had gathered all the specific items...
"No way."
Guntaper's pupils trembled in shock.
Though the possibility was slim, if by some miracle Veliel had gathered all the materials to break the gate's seal and was planning to bring Kang Jinhyuk here...
If so, then Veliel's reckless descents to the lower floors made perfect sense.
"It is information worth verifying, at the very least."
"Y-yes, indeed."
"Very well. Contact those Demonic Humans yourself. And if there truly is an anomaly at the gate, set a trap and bury them all right there."
Veliel currently lacked the luxury to head to the lower floors. On the other hand, Guntaper had more than enough leeway to send a subordinate down.
"Understood."
Having received her orders, the succubus moved immediately.
"Muhahaha! In the end, everything is smiling upon me!"
Veliel was probably pouring everything he had into what he believed was his golden opportunity. Yet, even that sliver of hope would be utterly crushed this time.
Thus, the grand banquet hall was filled with Guntaper's mad laughter.