Chapter 56: The End of the 3rd Floor, the Heartless Army (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: The End of the 3rd Floor, the Heartless Army (2)
Vwoooong!
When his darkened vision returned, the entire landscape before his eyes had completely changed.
A place reminiscent of an ancient, elegant Oriental temple surrounded by vibrant red and yellow autumn leaves.
This was the end of the 3rd floor, the battlefield that would serve as the main stage for this raid.
[A new challenger has entered the domain of the 3rd floor's 'Heartless Army'.]
The status window that appeared upon entering a boss monster's room.
Seeing this, it finally began to sink in that the time to meet 'those guys' had arrived.
'I'm going to be frantically busy for the next few days.'
He was confident in chaotic brawls, but this raid demanded much more than just that.
Step.
Jinhyuk slowly walked toward the outer edge of the temple.
Before entering their domain, there were tasks he had to resolve first.
* * *
'As expected, the autumn leaves here deserve their reputation as the best in the Tower.'
The word "spectacular" must have been coined for a place like this.
The vast forest of autumn foliage, stretching for dozens of kilometers, was just that beautiful.
However, he wasn't wandering around the outskirts just to sightsee.
'It should definitely be around here...'
Jinhyuk's eyes darted around quickly.
Among the trees that all looked more or less the same, there was one special tree that stood out from the rest.
'Found it!'
Jinhyuk came to a sudden halt.
It was a giant tree known as the Human-Faced Tree, which had a human face instead of a knot hole.
Having been posted on the community forums a few times, it was quite famous among players.
Just as Jinhyuk was about to approach the tree—
[‘Small-Streamer Scout’ has entered the stream.]
-Small-Streamer Scout: I got baited by the title and came here. What kind of sucker comes to a boss room that isn't even on the schedule for any major guild's raid?
The first viewer had arrived.
However, as soon as the viewer saw Jinhyuk's face, they immediately spat out a complaint.
-Small-Streamer Scout: Sigh, this bastard is wearing a mask to bait views too. Why are there so many copycats with the exact same concept lately, like they're pumped out of a factory? I'm out, bye.
[‘Small-Streamer Scout’ has left the stream.]
Hmm...
It seemed the number of people wearing masks had surged lately, judging by that sharp reaction.
Of course, he understood.
Baiting attention was, after all, an essential virtue for rookie streamers.
And among them, a masked player who had conquered the Corridor was definitely a character everyone would want to copy.
It wasn't even hard to find a similar mask.
Just then.
[‘Hardtack Is the Future’ has entered the stream.]
[‘Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed’ has entered the stream.]
More viewers entered.
Two of them this time.
And they practically reeked of being veteran stream-watchers.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Lmao, what's up with the ViewTube algorithm? Did this pop up in related searches because it's a 3rd-floor raid stream?
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: I came in because of that too, lol. KingTube indeed!
-Hardtack Is the Future: Wow. But this is the first time I've seen someone try to solo this. Knock knock! Excuse me, are you crazy, human? Do you hoxy not know that even a 100-player raid team struggles here?
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: If you're a lost little water deer, shake your hips left and right! I'll specially show you the way out.
A conversation laced with mockery flowed back and forth.
'Cute.'
The corners of Jinhyuk's mouth curled upward.
Hearing the viewers chatter like this reminded him of his past days as a BJ, making him feel a bit nostalgic.
'Yeah. This is what streaming is all about.'
While viewers tease a rookie BJ they've never seen before, the BJ wins them over in an instant with sheer skill.
That was why he was already looking forward to it.
To see how these guys' attitudes would change.
Ignoring the two, Jinhyuk stepped right up to the Human-Faced Tree.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Huh? Isn't that the Human-Faced Tree?
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: True, there are still occasionally idiots who try the Human-Faced Tree's Tower quiz, hoping to hit the jackpot.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Does this guy not watch ViewTube at all? If he'd seen other players try, he'd know it's impossible.
To get the reward, one had to answer all three of the Human-Faced Tree's riddles correctly.
However, while someone might occasionally get one question right, not a single person had ever answered two or more correctly.
Even explorer players, who enjoyed exploring the inside of the Tower more than climbing it, had failed.
Because of this, the tree had been completely ignored.
Until Jinhyuk arrived today, that is.
Rumbleeee!
It was at that moment that the Human-Faced Tree shifted its massive body.
“Cackle, cackle! It has been a while since a human visited.”
Eyes colored like amber stared straight at Jinhyuk. At the same time, a voice carrying the weight of countless ages flowed from its grotesquely twisted mouth.
“Have you also come to solve my riddles?”
“Something like that. So, why don't you throw some juicy questions my way?”
Oof.
Jinhyuk lay down on the thick pile of fallen leaves.
It was nice and soft. It felt like sinking into a natural mattress.
To top it off, he propped his chin up with his right hand and casually picked his ear with his left.
At this sight, the Human-Faced Tree let out a screech.
“W-What on earth do you think you are doing?!”
“Huh?”
“How dare you take such an insolent posture in my presence! If you offend me, I might give you questions so difficult you won't even be able to touch them!”
“Ah... this? Sorry, I'm the type who needs to be physically comfortable to concentrate. Don't mind me and just ask the questions.”
“Grrrrrr!”
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Lfmao, wow. He's really committing to this concept.
-Hardtack Is the Future: This is the first time I've seen the Human-Faced Tree, which usually mocks players, get this furious.
[‘Pizza and Sweet-and-Sour Pork Are Damn Good’ has entered the stream.]
-Pizza and Sweet-and-Sour Pork Are Damn Good: What is this stream?
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Oh, a new viewer. This stream is highly entertaining.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Fr, it's pretty unique. The player's concept is "my-way" all the way.
[‘Sae Yeong Eon Hwan’ has entered the stream.]
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Oh, another one.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Man, this stream is popping off. By the way, what does your username mean?
-Sae Yeong Eon Hwan: A new hero is always welcome!
-Pizza and Sweet-and-Sour Pork Are Damn Good: What kind of concept is that? Did you day-drink?
The viewer count was steadily rising.
Not a bad start.
Most of all, the fact that the viewers who entered weren't leaving and kept watching was the most positive sign.
It meant this stream was worth investing time to watch.
Just then.
“Very well. If you answer all three questions, I shall give you whichever of my autumn leaves you desire.”
The Human-Faced Tree replied, swallowing its anger.
For someone trying to act cool, wasn't its voice shaking a bit too much?
It was painfully obvious that it was boiling with rage inside.
“You can't go back on your word later, okay? You clearly said you'd give me whichever of your autumn leaves I want, right?”
“Who do you take me for?! On my honor as a tree spirit, a promise once made shall be kept!”
“Hmm. If you put it that way, I'll believe you.”
Since it had made a spirit's oath, it wouldn't be able to change its mind later.
“Then, I shall ask the first question. State the optimal depth and optimal temperature of the water where the marine species 'Kelgorn' resides. Needless to say, there must be absolutely no margin of error.”
The trench located on the 7th floor of the Tower of Trials.
Kelgorn was a monster that inhabited that very place.
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Wow, the first question is already insane. I've heard of the monster Kelgorn, but how the hell is anyone supposed to know the depth and temperature?
-Hardtack Is the Future: Correct answer! It lives in the deep-ass ocean.
-Pizza and Sweet-and-Sour Pork Are Damn Good: Since it's icy water, it must be cold. Maybe 5 degrees? -5 degrees? Ah, I don't know.
-Sae Yeong Eon Hwan: This is literally a question designed to make you fail, lol.
The viewers poured out exasperated reactions.
However—
“A depth of 175 meters, and a water temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
Jinhyuk answered immediately.
'I've snorkeled there so many times, how could I not know?'
Back when he was deeply impressed by Disney's The Little Mermaid, he had cosplayed as a mermaid and gone free-diving there to his heart's content.
So he knew it inside out.
Not just the depth and water temperature, but even the constantly changing ocean currents.
“...”
The Human-Faced Tree's pupils dilated rapidly.
Its mouth gaped open, completely lost for words.
“Next.”
“I... have not said it is correct yet.”
“I know it's correct, so just give me the next one. Use your brain a bit this time.”
“...Very well. Then, I shall state the second question. The method by which a player can consume the cavernous body of a Feliani...”
“Put 'salt of the Sun Desert' and 'holy water made by a Priest who has completed their second class advancement' into a pot, and cook it for five hours using wood from a white tree that grows in winter caves as firewood. Very slowly, over low heat.”
“...”
Correct again.
The Human-Faced Tree's expression stiffened even further.
It thought it had selected only the most difficult questions, but this opponent was answering them far too easily.
There was only one chance left.
The scope of questions the Human-Faced Tree was allowed to ask was limited to the 10th floor of the Tower.
However, this was no time to worry about fairness or rules.
Its pride as the greatest ancient tree of the 3rd floor, possessing vast knowledge, was on the verge of being crushed.
“This is the final question! The Giant Eagles of the 'Sky Plateau' mate only once a year. What is the exact date?”
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Sky Plateau? There's a place like that?
-Hardtack Is the Future: First time hearing of it for me too. Same for the monster called Giant Eagle.
-Pizza and Sweet-and-Sour Pork Are Damn Good: Wow. The Human-Faced Tree is totally throwing out a bullshit question because it looks like he's going to get them all right.
-Sae Yeong Eon Hwan: Seeing how none of us know it, it must not be a region on the lower floors of the Tower. This is where it ends.
Indeed.
The Sky Plateau was located on the 15th floor of the Tower.
Furthermore, because it was situated at the highest point of the 15th floor, it was a place where even the most prominent veterans had never set foot.
There was no way he could answer this.
Just like all the players before him, this arrogant human would be frustrated and fall into despair.
That was the natural and inevitable outcome.
Yes,
that was definitely how it should have been...
“November 17th. When the first snow falls in the Tower.”
An answer that should have been impossible to hear echoed out.
“H-How... Who on earth are you? Who are you to know all of this?!”
The Human-Faced Tree shook its entire body violently.
Rumbleeee!
As its branches shook, countless autumn leaves scattered into the air.
“I'm nobody special. Just a veteran who likes wandering around the Tower.”
“Don't... don't be ridiculous. There is no way a mere human could answer all of my questions.”
“Don't get so worked up. If you stay quiet, I'll tell you a fact you don't know.”
“Something I do not know?”
“Yeah. It seems you believe Giant Eagles only mate once a year, but did you know? If their population drops, they can supplement their nutrition with a special diet and mate a second time.”
“I-Is that truly possible? What exactly do they eat to... No, wait! Ahem!Kof, kof!”
The Human-Faced Tree hastily cleared its throat.
But it was too late.
Its true curiosity had already slipped out.
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Holy shit! This is the first time I've ever seen someone beat this quiz.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Wow, does this even make sense? He's not even Naver Knowledge iN, but he knows everything off the top of his head?
-Pizza and Sweet-and-Sour Pork Are Damn Good: He's a total fossil. This is insane. Coming into this stream was seriously the best decision ever.
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: Agreed. Thanks to him, we get to see the reward being claimed for the first time.
-Sae Yeong Eon Hwan: I wonder what he'll choose.
Passing the Human-Faced Tree's quiz granted the right to choose one of the special items in its possession.
The red autumn leaf granted the fire attribute.
The yellow autumn leaf boosted defense.
Lastly, the green leaf had the effect of increasing movement speed.
-Hardtack Is the Future: Obviously the red leaf that boosts attack power. Even the raid teams desperately tried this quiz to get that leaf for their 4th-floor conquest.
-Sae Yeong Eon Hwan: I'd rather choose the yellow leaf. Defense is essential to withstand those guys.
-Twitch Viewer Outranks the Unemployed: No way. Just boost movement speed with the green leaf and don't get hit at all. Speed! Speed! Speed! Unknown hyung, let's go for speed!
-Hardtack Is the Future: Real men go all-out attack! Attack! Attack!
-Sae Yeong Eon Hwan: Uh, excuse me? Defense is the true pride of a real man!
The chat went absolutely wild.
With a Hall of Fame entry practically guaranteed, they couldn't help but be excited, knowing their chat messages would be immortalized as well.
“Speak quickly. Which of these do you desire?”
The Human-Faced Tree urged.
The viewers' attention was also locked in.
Depending on his choice, the entire landscape of the 3rd-floor boss battle would completely shift.
However—
“Keep those trashy autumn leaves to cover up your head. You have a black leaf, right? Give me that one.”
The words that came out of Jinhyuk's mouth once again defied everyone's expectations.