Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: 2nd Floor Conquest
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Even as the boss was being summoned, the Constellation Gallery was already in an uproar.
How could he think of that? Even if he did, how could he judge and execute it so quickly?
Most had referenced hints or advice from the Constellation Gallery, but they never imagined I could see their gallery. On the surface, it looked like I'd judged and acted alone, producing these results.
This might get me treated like a genius?
Not that it mattered.
I didn't have much time to keep checking the gallery.
I just wanted to see if there was any useful advice before facing the boss one last time, but they were all too busy gasping in admiration and shock at my actions to offer anything worthwhile.
And even if there was, I had no time to spare.
A powerful pressure enveloped the surroundings.
The confidence from moments ago was gone, replaced by an intense fear that felt suffocating.
My breath caught in my throat.
It was justified.
A one-rank gap was overwhelming.
Thud- Thud-
The massive, hulking monster took one step, then another.
A nameplate floated above the monster's head.
It was just one letter's difference, but the gap was overwhelming.
True to its name, the Black Slaughter Bear was covered in black hide, taking the form of a bear.
Thud- Thud- Crunch-!
As the massive beast advanced slowly, a nearby tree was uprooted entirely.
Its sheer monstrous strength was beyond comprehension.
Normally, without raising my own rank, it would be an opponent I couldn't face.
But the item I'd created had a higher rank.
As I gripped the sword, it naturally recognized the strong foe and activated its 'Reversal' effect.
Then, the sensation in my fingertips, my vision, my breathing—every part of my body changed.
The mana enveloping my entire body swirled fiercely, responding to the evolved flesh.
It didn't end there.
Just like when the weapon reached D Rank, special abilities were granted.
Likewise, Swordsmanship reaching D Rank added a special ability.
Now I even felt a touch of omnipotence.
Just one rank up in two categories, but it meant leaping over a massive wall.
"Hah…."
I steadied my breath.
No matter how strong the power, facing that monster made anyone anxious.
My experience was still lacking.
Fortunately, I had the Endurance skill, which wouldn't crumble easily.
Even facing such a monster, I'd only tense up briefly—no need to worry about breaking under pressure.
Plus, its rank was a solid C.
Standing still, the bear spotted me, drooling as it lumbered forward.
My pitiful form must have looked utterly ridiculous—no hint of wariness.
Like meat chunk by the roadside, not even prey.
Thud- Thud-
Now right in front of me, the Black Slaughter Bear bared bloodthirsty fangs, snorting excitedly at the tasty-looking meal.
I gripped my sword tightly, staring at it.
Despite the weapon right before it, the bear made no preparations.
As if my swings couldn't harm it at all.
I smirked.
This attitude could actually be an advantage.
I focused my mind.
The world seemed to slow—a illusion from Reversal boosting my swordsmanship proficiency.
I'd reached a lofty realm in wielding, thrusting, and slashing.
Objectively, I'd only held a sword for days with minimal practice, but this tower let a fourteen-year-old girl surpass human limits.
I spotted the weakness, gripped the sword, and struck.
Mana surged through my veins, heating my body.
Using Acceleration to extend my time, adding Superhuman Strength to both hands, I aimed for one overwhelming instant kill.
It was instantaneous.
The sword arced from below upward, slicing cleanly through the bear lunging to devour me—from body to head.
And.
As my sword rose...
Slash-!!!
The Black Slaughter Bear's body split in two.
A piteous scream echoed.
More precisely, its chest and shoulder dangled, split apart—a gruesome sight.
But the bear wasn't dead.
And moreover.
"It even heals?"
The perfectly cleaved wound, gushing blood, was knitting back together.
Fatal wounds healed unless instantly lethal.
I rushed in; the dazed bear flailed its forepaw wildly.
Thud-!
Krunch-!
One swipe devastated the terrain.
Too dangerous to approach carelessly.
I somehow severed the flailing forepaw.
Boom!
The enraged bear slammed its forepaw toward me, kicking up dirt.
Covered in dust, I gritted my teeth and swung, but only left a scratch.
A mere scratch the bear could regenerate anytime.
Its tenacity restored the half-severed shoulder and chest.
What a troll!
I could attack its flailing limbs while it healed, but once fully recovered, I'd be at a disadvantage.
Growing anxious, I racked my brain.
Then it hit me.
I still had an unused trump card!
"But it's risky."
No time to weigh risks against the regenerating, recovering bear.
Seize the moment!
I launched forward.
The bear, nearly recovered, glared ferociously and swatted like swatting a fly with its left paw.
I could dodge, but I didn't.
Instead, I parried with my sword.
Suicidal madness to any onlooker!
Thud-!!!
A massive clash rang out.
Even with my body at D Rank, I couldn't match the bear's pure monstrous physique.
Yet my sword blocked its left paw.
No—it repelled it outright!
Off-balance and wailing pitifully, I thrust at the bear.
A natural follow-up from the parry.
The special effect from the Reversal Sword—actually from the Guardian Bracelet—activated.
The counter exceeded imagination.
I didn't even thrust.
Just extended.
Yet it gathered the damage I'd taken, firing immense power from the blade's tip.
Boom!!!
With an explosive roar, blood mist filled the air.
Under overwhelming force, the bear's blood sprayed into a fog.
Vision obscured.
Only suffocating silence followed.
But as the mist cleared, my jaw dropped.
"…!!"
A massive hole pierced the Black Slaughter Bear's chest where I'd thrust.
Its vibrant life force ceased.
The power surpassed expectations, shocking even me.
Thud-
As the bear died, Reversal ended; omnipotence vanished, leaving frailty.
But the rag-like corpse overwhelmed the weakness.
...Did I do this?
"Whoa, shit."
Amazed, I slowly backed away.
No desire to collapse beside such a horrific monster.
Steadying my breath, scanning calmly—no other threats.
Hell mode's danger was solely the survival time change.
Boss defeated, messages flooded in.
Gallery was half in frenzy.
They held back messages during combat to avoid interference.
Or couldn't advise freely.
I ignored slightly ominous ones.
But a question arose.
"...Why hasn't it ended?"
Boss dead, it should clear.
Considered checking gallery, but a reply came.
"Goal? I killed the boss... Ah."
Thinking back, the goal wasn't killing the boss—it was surviving.
For a week.
"Do I have to stay here the whole week?"
Good... or not?
Not ideal for a week, but it extended tower climbing spare time—a plus.
Not bad, actually.
Great for raising low proficiency.
Perfect for a short rest.
Though sleeping at night might be uncomfortable.
"Hmm, guess I should scavenge those ruins from earlier."
Initially gathered materials for combos; now, for shelter to eat, sleep, rest.
Sudden, but feasible with spare time.
As I turned to drag my weary body back, I remembered one thing.
"Gotta brag about the kill."
Can't not post this on the gallery.
Right?
I snapped a shot of the mangled Black Slaughter Bear corpse.
I thought the stir someone caused would fade with faint traces.
Until one post appeared.
This single short post.
Was enough to flip the entire gallery.