Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Han Sia (4)
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Farsight.
The eyes that see more than any other in the world.
So, does that mean it has the power to detect lies?
"..."
Nope. Nothing like that.
Even knowing that, the pressure from Farsight is no joke.
I can't help but wonder if maybe I had it all wrong.
If it's this intense when you know what to expect, just imagine what it's like for someone who doesn't.
"..."
"Well, whatever. You're just not used to it yet."
Han Sia said that, turned her head, and started up the stairs.
The tower climb pushed forward relentlessly.
Up to the 20th floor, Han Sia took out every monster with magic alone.
Not that it was really magic—she was just smashing them flat with raw mana.
At first, she put on a bit of a show, but now she was starting to get lazy about it.
But the mood shifted the moment we entered the 25th floor.
[Entering the 25th floor.]
-Uh...
A familiar face appeared.
Deer-shaped skull head, emaciated body.
And long arms tipped with razor-sharp claws.
Blue light flickered to life in the Wendigo's empty eye sockets.
5th Grade Monster: Wendigo
The difference from the Chain Cave Wendigo was that this wasn't a boss specimen—it was a regular one, so no chain attacks.
Instead...
-Kieeeek!
The Wendigo tried desperately to say something, gave up, and let out a shriek instead.
The Chain Cave Wendigo was in a sealed state.
Unlike regular specimens, it had the advantage of chain attacks, but only after a time delay.
But the one in front of us now? Full-powered Wendigo, chains optional.
Han Sia quickly conjured a protective barrier.
Woooong!
Clang!
The Wendigo's "curse" bounced off the shield.
-Kieeeek!
Seeing that, the Wendigo thrashed its head wildly, screaming like it was having a fit.
What the hell is with that voice...
Then it swung its long arms and claws like a maniac, charging straight at us.
It looked just like a hyena that hadn't eaten in a week.
Starving so bad it was snapping its jaws mindlessly as it barreled forward.
Oh, and I'd just noticed—its tongue was torn out.
News to me.
"Ah... I didn't want to use the sword."
Han Sia sighed deeply and drew her blade.
Shring.
The sound of steel leaving its sheath sent chills down my spine.
She placed her hand on the blade.
Woooong!
A sharp blue sword aura flared up along the edge.
"Sever."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the hazy aura coalesced, sharpening into a deadly form.
Compressed sword energy, solidified.
Han Sia charged the Wendigo.
It met her halfway, arms spread wide in welcome.
Shiiiik!
The swing cleaved the air with a bone-chilling whistle.
But it never touched her.
'Eyes of the Sky.'
The Wendigo swung again, even bigger.
Of course, it missed.
-A... ah...
The Wendigo whipped its head around.
Its gaze locked onto me.
Couldn't get to Han Sia? Fine, switch to the easier target: me.
Smart move, for a monster.
Considering its skull for a brain, it'd score some serious points.
But a beast's still a beast.
Han Sia's sword sliced through its head.
Spurt!
The Wendigo, focused elsewhere, didn't even react as its head tumbled free.
Thud!
Its massive body lost balance and crashed to the floor.
Twitch... twitch...
Body still jerking even without a head. Creepy as hell.
Han Sia apparently agreed—she pulverized the head and body with magic.
"..."
She glanced at me.
[Entering the 30th floor of the tower.]
"You really gonna make me do this solo?"
She was starting to sound tired, grumbling as she said it.
Honestly, even I thought it was a bit much.
"Fine, I'll help starting this floor."
Her expression brightened a little at my words.
"Let's see what my junior's got."
She said that and brushed the dust off her clothes.
"Just this floor, then a quick break."
Yeah, she was worn out.
Sorry, Han Sia, but this was my last free ride.
I'd successfully hitched the bus.
Of course, the relic was mine.
Couldn't be helped.
That's just how the world works.
And for that, I needed the boss last hit.
If it wasn't soulbound, she might snag it anyway.
'...'
That couldn't happen...
[Encountering 5th Grade Monster: Rune Bear.]
Rune Bear.
Compared to all the bizarre, flashy monsters out there, it just looked like a plain old bear.
Sure, it was ten times bigger than a normal one, and top-heavy as hell.
No hero underestimated a Rune Bear.
5th Grade monsters each had some standout trait.
Take the Wendigo—it screamed to inflict a "curse."
Get cursed, and you turn into a raving cannibal.
Fail to lift it in the gate, and now you're fighting monsters plus psycho cannibals.
But our Rune Bear?
No fancy gimmicks like that.
Pure physical dominance made it a 5th Grade monster among monsters.
-Grrrrowl...!
The Rune Bear growled at us.
Then it reared up on its hind legs, looking just like Bartholomew Kuma from One Piece.
Upper body twice the size of its lower half.
I glanced at Han Sia.
She had her arms crossed, eyeing the bear.
"You'll help, right...?"
"Can't handle it alone?"
"..."
I dropped into stance without a word.
-...!
The Rune Bear sensed something and charged me fast.
Upper body double its lower half, ten times a normal bear's size—the sight was pure terror.
Isekai locals might shrug it off, but for someone from normal life like me, this was scarier than any freakish monster.
Bears rip people apart.
And this one?
Arms freakishly long.
Not Wendigo-level, but way off normal bear proportions.
With that reach on a bear? I'd focus upper body too.
I drew my sword.
Fwoosh.
Flames flickered cautiously to life, heating the stale air.
Iaido Technique.
Tap.
A small click, then the air-slicing whistle.
Shiiiik.
I sheathed the blade and looked ahead.
The result?
A clean sword mark scarred the floor, and the Rune Bear lay bisected, life ended.
Roasted meat scent rose from its corpse.
"..."
Han Sia stared blankly at the scene.
The instant my sword cleared the sheath.
In a flash, a straight line etched the air, and the Rune Bear split in two.
Heat still shimmered from the cut.
"Isn't that a bit much?"
For a second, I thought she was channeling that monster rights group that bombed during the Red Gate fiasco, but luckily, she wasn't talking about the bear.
"You're that strong, and you let me do all the work?"
A new expression crossed Han Sia's face.
She looked kinda pissed.
"I'm beat. You handle the next floors."
The moment she said it...
Boom!
A sword dropped from the sky.
Right in front of me.
"Relic?"
Woooong!
A portal appeared.
"..."
Han Sia looked stunned.
Then she stared at me in disbelief.
I scooped up the sword quick.
"30th floor was the end? Lucky break."
She was right.
Tower floors were random.
For reference, the tallest discovered so far was 615 floors.
Han Sia and I exited the gate.
After the suspiciously foul air inside, breathing the crisp country breeze cleared my head.
"Thanks for today."
"..."
Han Sia just stared at me.
"..."
"..."
Then she held out a hand.
"?"
"Lemme see your phone."
She took my phone, fiddled with it, and handed it back.
"Don't forget what happened today?"
"Of course not. What about the mana stones?"
I said, flashing my Subspace Ring.
"You take 'em. I don't use mana stones."
Mana stones.
Versatile as hell.
Essential for magic engineering, gear crafting, you name it.
Biggest users? The Mage Tower.
Mages absorb mana from them.
But it's limited.
If it weren't, rich guys would be the strongest mages.
Come to think of it, the top mage is loaded.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Filled up back in my kid days."
Makes no sense.
Mana has a cap—push past, and your body warps into a demon.
Mages build slowly, siphoning mana stones bit by bit.
Filled up as a kid? Insane.
Han Sia and I returned to Orbis Academy.
The sun had long set; it was dark.
"Sticking around Orbis?"
"Yeah. They don't like me leaving much."
"..."
That hit a sympathetic note.
"Can you help me out tomorrow?"
"What, after working me to death, now you want more help?"
"Can't?"
"Not for free."
She shot back playfully when I pressed.
"Do one thing I say next time, and I'll help."
"Deal."
Back in my dorm, I eagerly pulled out the sword.
5th Grade Relic: Kasparchi's Sword
"Heh heh."
Finally, I could swing twice in a fight.
Right as I touched it...
Suddenly, black tentacle-like things erupted from my right arm and wrapped around Kasparchi's Sword.
I instinctively knew what this meant.
"Fuck, stop!!"
Tyrfing ignored my desperate plea and initiated "absorption."
You bastard!!!!
What the fuck!!!!
Kasparchi's Sword lost its color bit by bit, until it was just scrap metal.
I couldn't believe it, staring blankly at the junk sword.
Tyrfing!!!
FUUUUCK!!!! YOU BASTARD!!!!