Chapter 71: Residents of the Tower (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 71: Residents of the Tower (2)
Seeing Yu Cheon-yeong's reaction, Jinhyuk gently bit his lower lip.
'As expected, my guess was right.'
No matter how strong the mana leaking from the Tower of Trials was, it shouldn't have been enough to put someone of Yu Cheon-yeong's caliber into a coma.
After all, the stats and skills he had seen through 'Gluttony's Eye' proved that Yu Cheon-yeong was a top-class ranker.
Which meant...
'There was something that pushed Yu Cheon-yeong to his absolute limit.'
It went without saying, but among non-players, there was no ordinary person who could match Yu Cheon-yeong.
Even if one searched the entire world.
The only beings capable of such a feat were those who resided within the Tower of Trials.
Based on these assumptions, Jinhyuk established a major premise.
The premise that Yu Cheon-yeong had already encountered a resident.
"Haha. You truly have a knack for surprising people. Just how much do you plan on playing with this old man's heart?"
Yu Cheon-yeong let out a hollow sigh.
"May I take that as confirmation that my prediction was correct?"
"You are correct. On the day the Tower first appeared, someone came to find me."
Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.
This was a story about a resident.
The question was, which floor did this bastard come from...?
"Could you give me some specific details? Their appearance, equipment, fighting style... anything will do."
"He was an Asian with long black hair, dressed in white. He used a sword as a weapon... and it was incredibly fierce. I have never seen anyone wield such swift swordplay before."
An Asian wielding a sword?
He knew exactly who it was.
'...Someone from Murim.'
Murim, the massive faction residing on the 21st floor of the Tower.
As the dominant force ruling the entire 21st floor, they were a group that moved incredibly aggressively to ascend to the upper floors of the Tower.
'Even back when I was playing the game, those guys were a massive headache.'
They ruthlessly eliminated anyone who threatened their progress.
And if they deemed someone useful, they would win them over by any means necessary.
They were a collective of leech-like bastards so persistent it made his teeth grind.
Jinhyuk furrowed his brow.
Of all things, the most troublesome bastards had crawled out.
"Do you know them?"
"Roughly, yes."
"Haha, of course. I knew you would."
Yu Cheon-yeong nodded.
Then, he spoke again.
"May I ask you something this time?"
"Of course."
"I am acquainted with high-ranking government officials and top guilds in Korea, but you seem to know far more than any of us. Even those who claim to be the best in Korea had no idea about the people coming out of the Tower."
Naturally.
Since Murim was located on the 21st floor.
Of course, no player had ever been there.
Except for one person.
'Excluding me...'
Jinhyuk remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.
"Ah, I'm not trying to pry. I simply want to find someone we can pin our hopes on for the bleak future of humanity."
"Are you saying I am that person?"
"If nothing else, having met countless people at my age, there is one skill that naturally sharpens, whether I like it or not."
The corners of Yu Cheon-yeong's mouth curled upward.
"An eye for people."
Who was all talk.
Who was empty inside but spoke with a silver tongue.
As years and experience accumulated, one's ability to discern such things could only improve.
"I think you're overestimating me."
"Do you think so? In my eyes, the ones being overestimated are the current players in this world. It hasn't even been two months, yet they rank people based solely on their mana capacity or unique abilities? Now that is truly laughable."
There is a saying that it takes at least 10,000 hours to master a field.
It meant Rome wasn't built in a day.
Yet, just because the world had changed and they had gained a single ability, they believed they had become powerful.
Yu Cheon-yeong found all of this highly displeasing.
"But you are different. How should I put it... you feel incredibly seasoned. I can catch glimpses of the bitter taste of victory and defeat from weathering countless storms, and the sheer experience you've gained from overcoming them."
"I'm not quite at that level."
"Puhaha! Humble, too. However, one cannot hide the natural composure that flows from within."
Yu Cheon-yeong burst into a hearty laugh.
Of course, he didn't forget to add one more thing.
"You don't have to worry; I won't speak a word about you to anyone."
This was likely true.
Yu Cheon-yeong was not the type of person to go around blabbering.
Besides, even if he did, no one would believe him anyway.
"That aside. Since you saved my life and even used a precious Elixir, I would like to repay you in some way... Is there anything you desire?"
Jinhyuk paused at Yu Cheon-yeong's words.
The most prestigious martial artist in Korea.
Not only had he swept international tournaments, but the number of martial artists training under him reached into the hundreds.
Naturally, his wealth and treasures would be beyond imagination.
"Actually, there is one thing I need. May I truly ask for anything?"
"Do not worry, speak your mind."
'He definitely said "anything" with his own mouth, right?'
The corner of Jinhyuk's mouth twitched subtly.
No matter how much Korea was known as the "Eastern Land of Courtesy," he had no intention of putting manners first when an opportunity presented itself.
If you're hungry, you should say you want to eat. He absolutely refused to be like those scholars of old who starved to death just to save face.
"I would like to have the 'Twin Dragon Sword' in your possession."
The sword of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, which had been lost for a long time before being miraculously recovered.
The name of a legendary weapon that wouldn't fall short even against the relics of the Tower had just been uttered.
"The... the Twin Dragon Sword?"
This time, an earthquake shook Yu Cheon-yeong's pupils.
His expression showed he had never expected Jinhyuk to ask for that.
"Surely, it's not too difficult a request?"
Jinhyuk smiled brightly.
An innocent and radiant smile spread across his face.
"Ahem. Difficult? Nonsense! I am not a man who goes back on his word."
Yu Cheon-yeong composed his expression.
He was a bit surprised, but the young man before him was the savior of his life.
Even if Jinhyuk had asked for his entire fortune instead of the Twin Dragon Sword, he would have gladly given it.
"I will have Yeon-hwa send it to you by tomorrow. Is there anything else you need?"
"No, that is more than enough."
He had secured everything he needed.
Now, it was time to leave.
However, just as Jinhyuk was about to turn around...
"This is merely something I heard through unofficial channels, but..."
Yu Cheon-yeong spoke one last time.
"There is information that those who descended from the Tower have made contact with Chinese players."
"……!"
"Be careful."
What humanity had to worry about might not just be the things inside the Tower.
Yu Cheon-yeong cautiously warned him of the worst-case scenario.
"I will keep that in mind."
Jinhyuk nodded slowly.
* * *
After finishing his business with Yu Cheon-yeong, Jinhyuk headed straight to Lotte Signiel.
A lot had happened, but in the end, everything had gone exactly as planned.
An astronomical sum of money, new information, Yu Cheon-yeong's heart method, and even the Twin Dragon Sword.
He had truly cherry-picked only the most delicious rewards.
'Now that my pockets are full, I should enjoy a proper rest.'
Normally, this would be an unimaginable luxury.
A suite costing over two million won per night was more than his entire monthly living expenses in the past.
However, now that he had obtained tens of billions of won from the healers, he no longer had to worry about money.
Having purchased a one-year membership stay, Jinhyuk headed upstairs while listening to the numerous benefits provided by Signiel.
Click!
As the door opened, the hotel suite came into view.
Marble floors and a magnificent chandelier.
Various pieces of furniture imported from Italy and Germany boasted their luxurious presence.
Of course, the crowning glory was the floor-to-ceiling window offering a panoramic view of Seoul's nightscape.
"Ah."
Jinhyuk let out an exclamation of admiration.
This was why money was so great.
After wetting his throat with a welcome drink and lying down on the plush bed, he felt all the fatigue he had accumulated wash over him at once.
To be honest, he wanted to fall asleep right then and there.
The warm touch of the goose-down duvet was just too cozy.
But if he spent his hard-earned staycation just sleeping, he would surely kick himself in regret once he reached the 4th floor.
'I'll take a quick shower first, then eat.'
After ordering room service, Jinhyuk headed to the bathroom.
About twenty minutes later.
Stepping back into the living room, Jinhyuk was surprised once again.
A table was laden with top-grade truffle-infused steak, thick slices of salmon sashimi, lobster, caviar, and various European cheeses.
It was an immense spread, enough to feed five people to bursting.
Jinhyuk cut into the steak with his knife and fork.
The slightly seared crust parted to reveal a tender pink center.
As he took a large bite, rich juices flooded his mouth.
He paired it with Chateau La Fleur-De, a wine referred to as 'God's Water Droplet'.
"Wow...!"
...This was insane.
It was on a completely different level from the stale, soggy rice, sour kimchi, and soybean paste stew stuck to the bottom of a pot that he used to eat.
As the saying goes, pleasure follows pain; because of his difficult past, his current happiness shone even brighter.
But it was right in the middle of his feast.
The TV, which he had turned on to fill the silence, began broadcasting a familiar topic.
[So, Eun-seok, what do you think is the most effective way to climb the Tower?]
It was a special program about the Tower of Trials.
A female announcer and a man with an eye-smile were discussing the Tower.
The man was Jang Eun-seok, a ranker from the Dangun Guild, which was considered the strongest guild in Korea.
[Well, there are two ways to grow stronger in the Tower of Trials. First, you can hone your unique abilities and skills, or raise your level.]
[Just like in a game?]
[Exactly. Because as you grow stronger, you can clear more difficult dungeons and labyrinths.]
[Then, what is the second method?]
[It's using Coins.]
[Ah, you mean the currency that can only be used inside the Tower of Trials.]
[Yes. I believe the power to purchase better items is the ultimate way to become a ranker. If the US dollar was the reserve currency that moved the world in the past, Coins will be the reserve currency that moves the world in the future. Looking ahead, I have also invested all the Coins I've gathered so far into upgrading my broadcasting system.]
Listening quietly, Jinhyuk snorted.
'Investing Coins in a broadcasting system...'
Currently, a trend was forming among players to upgrade their personal channel's broadcasting system to attract more subscribers.
Of course, it was a laughable waste of effort.
What was the point of promoting all day and putting up flashy thumbnails?
When the actual content, the most important part, was completely empty?
'It doesn't matter if it's not featured at the top of the screen. It doesn't matter if it's an unknown channel.'
Quality.
Only the overwhelming performance and execution that only a veteran could pull off had the power to captivate subscribers.
[Even though the 4th floor has been unlocked, not a single person has entered it yet. Could you explain why that is?]
The announcer shifted the topic.
[That's because the 4th floor is structured so that other players can only enter once the player who opened the gate of that floor declares their intention to raid it. Of course, if the first conqueror doesn't challenge it even after ten days, others will be allowed to enter.]
[Ah, I see. There was such a condition. Then why isn't that person climbing the Tower?]
[Haha. It's only natural. The 4th floor is an area where a massive zombie wave rushes in, and it can only be cleared by defending the base. On top of that, you only get one single chance to challenge the 4th floor.]
[Wait, you mean if you fail even once, it's over? No second chances?]
[In the game, failing just meant resetting to level 1, but in reality, it would mean the immediate extinction of humanity. In that sense, yes, there is only one chance.]
[Oh my...]
[Yes. Since even the player 'Unknown' cannot clear it without joining hands with large guilds, he will need at least another month or two. At the very least, that much preparation time is required to gather the necessary personnel and resources.]
[So you're saying it's impossible in less time than that?]
[I'll stake my name on it. Entering that place without proper preparation will only exponentially increase the difficulty of the zombie waves for no reason. What's the point of better rewards for going in early? The base would be destroyed before they could even endure five waves. No rational human being would ever do such a thing.]
However, with the message that followed,
[Player 'Unknown' has declared a raid on the 4th floor.]
The announcer, who had been cheerfully hosting the broadcast,
[All players challenging the 4th floor, please prepare.]
And Jang Eun-seok, who had been answering with a relaxed smile,
[The first wave will begin in 8 hours.]
As well as all the viewers watching,
[If a total of 100 waves are not defended, humanity will perish.]
Were utterly lost for words.