Chapter 43
Chapter 43.
'This is getting absorbed into the Sacred Fire.'
The white electric current that had been swirling around the giant arrow.
Previously, when he had definitely thrown the arrow down below the cliff, it seemed to have caused a massive explosion.
He hadn't expected this to be absorbed directly into the Sacred Fire.
'If this is the case, will that sword I saw last time also be absorbed into the Sacred Fire?'
The giant light sword that had appeared on the cliff when the Guardian descended as he opened the 25th box.
That sword had split into numerous light swords and chased Lee Ganghan.
When he avoided the swords and grabbed the sword handle.
The sword had disappeared on its own, saying it couldn't subdue the 'Sword Spirit.'
'This time, I need to test whether it will be absorbed into the Sacred Fire.'
For that, first.
Opening the 25 boxes should come first.
Swoosh.
As Lee Ganghan looked up at the boxes floating in the sky.
-It's been a while since this map
-This is Iron 777 map, right?
-Yeah, the difficulty is insane lol
Chat messages began appearing in the chat window.
-But why didn't the arrow explode this time?
-Did the difficulty get easier?
-It looked like the electricity got sucked into Heavenly Demon's hands...
Despite the scene that unfolded right at the start.
Many people witnessed the absorption of the electric current.
"Well, I'll have to play a bit more to know for sure."
Lee Ganghan answered like that.
Swoosh!
He immediately leaped toward a nearby treasure box.
Then.
[Skill, 'Heavenly Demon Reign Step' is activated.]
As Heavenly Demon Reign Step was naturally used.
Lee Ganghan's body flew like a cannonball.
-Oh, you can jump without using Heavenly Demon Divine Art?
-Seems like it
-Since it's the same map, I can feel the growth compared to last time
-Wait, wasn't this map done like a week ago? lol What kind of growth is this in just a week
-Heavenly Demon is playing a different game by himself...
Even without using Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Seeing Lee Ganghan's movements that looked much lighter than before, viewers' chats flowed up.
'The hardship I went through at sea was worth it.'
Lee Ganghan himself also felt that Heavenly Demon Reign Step had improved.
Even without using Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
His movement was similar to when he used it before.
Or even better than that.
It felt like running around doing Water Walking on the sea had helped.
Creeeeak!
When he opened the box.
[Treasure box has been opened.]
[You gain 1,500 TP.]
'1,500.'
Although the previous 100% reward acquisition effect had disappeared.
The TP reward itself had increased from 1,000 to 1,500.
Why did it increase this time?
Lee Ganghan thought about what was different from before.
He recalled one thing.
"Does the 777 map also have different rewards based on the Tower stage?"
Last time he went to the 777 map, it was during stage 2.
This time he came during stage 9.
To Lee Ganghan's question.
-Is that so?
-You'd have to have experienced the 777 map to know haha
-But it's true that rewards increase as Tower stages go up
-Yeah, even for the same grade, rewards differ based on stages, so treasure boxes probably follow that too, right?
The viewers weren't certain either.
But they answered that since rewards increase with stages, there would be a connection.
'Still, it's 500 less per box than last time.'
In this case, to earn more money than when he opened them last time.
He'd have to work harder opening boxes.
With that determination, Lee Ganghan.
Swoosh!
Began opening boxes at an even faster speed.
-Wow, so fast lol
-Aren't those boxes heavy? He just opens them lightly with one hand
-His Strength is 10+
-Opening them was instantaneous last time too lol
Creak! Creeak!
As he opened the 25th box.
[The Guardian is greatly wary of you.]
[The Guardian directly descends to 'Sky Treasure Vault.']
The Guardian descent message appeared.
Crackle, crackle...
The giant sword stuck in the cliff at the initial starting point.
That sword would soon split.
Dividing into dozens of swords to chase him.
Then.
'I need to open more before they come flying.'
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Lee Ganghan increased his speed even more.
He began opening boxes.
Although he had opened many boxes so far.
Still, using the footholds on the box side as stepping stones to advance.
Treasure boxes kept appearing beyond there.
-Why do boxes keep appearing?
-More appear as you go inside lol
-Since he's experienced it once, he's ignoring the swords and only opening boxes
As he opened about 10 more boxes.
[Return portal opens.]
As the return portal opened.
Several blue portals appeared nearby.
'I've already come this far.'
Previously, he had to go further to reach where the return portal was.
This time, perhaps because he increased his speed.
The portal was close enough to reach with just a few jumps.
'But there are still boxes beyond the portal?'
The endlessly spread Sky Treasure Vault.
There were still treasure boxes beyond the escape portal.
But.
-Don't the boxes beyond the portal look a bit different in color?
-Right, they're kind of sparkling
-Don't they give more rewards? lol
-Open them
As the viewers said.
The boxes beyond the portal were different from those he had opened so far.
The box surfaces were sparkling with golden luster.
'I should open this.'
Swoosh!
When Lee Ganghan went beyond the escape portal to the back.
[The player has entered the inner part of the treasure vault.]
[Additional Guardians descend.]
Along with news of additional Guardian descent.
Crackle, crackle...
One of the several return portals turned white with electric current.
Flaash!
Soon a giant sword revealed itself from there.
***
-Whoa, the portal is disappearing
-Won't he be unable to escape at this rate?
-Let's just go back;
-Hey, it doesn't matter if he dies, right? Even if he dies, open the boxes
As the escape portal disappeared.
The chat window was divided between escaping vs. entering.
Actually, 'death' in the Tower of Infinity wasn't a big penalty.
Most viewers had the opinion that it didn't matter if he died, so he should try opening a box.
However.
'The penalty here is severe.'
Death being okay was only in the first Tower.
In other places, dying would lower the grade of Heavenly Demon Constitution.
For Lee Ganghan, no matter how much he needed money after spending all his TP recently.
He couldn't risk death.
But.
'Should I try opening just one?'
Since there were still about five portals left.
About one treasure box beyond there should be fine.
Creeak!
When Lee Ganghan, who had made up his mind, opened the treasure box.
[Sky treasure box has been opened.]
[You gain 15,000 TP.]
"Wow... it gives 15,000 TP?"
-15,000? Wow
-That's 20 million won at once lol
-Gold also gives 10,000 TP per box, but Iron gives 15,000?
-That's just opening ones lying on the ground, but here the difficulty is different lol
The Sky treasure box that gave more TP than Gold 777 map boxes.
Lee Ganghan considered opening one more.
[Sky treasure box has been opened.]
[Guardians are urgently summoned.]
[Additional Guardians descend.]
Flash! Flash!
As soon as he opened one box.
Two portals exploded and swords appeared from there again.
Now only 3 portals remained.
'And among those, only 1 portal can be reached by leaping with Heavenly Demon Reign Step...'
If he opened one more box carelessly.
If those portals exploded, his way back would disappear.
Lee Ganghan stopped opening boxes at this point.
Flaaash...
He decided to face the numerous swords flying toward him.
Actually, today's main goal in coming to the 777 map wasn't the treasure boxes but the light swords.
-Wow, but there are way more swords than last time?
-Isn't that over a hundred?
-Three big swords appeared additionally lol
Unlike before.
The three additional Guardians that descended as he entered the inner part of the treasure vault.
As these, who had split from giant sword forms into dozens of light swords, spread an encirclement around Lee Ganghan.
Up, down, left, right.
All directions were filled with swords.
"Heavenly Demon Divine Art."
As Lee Ganghan activated Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Swooosh!
Light swords flying with intense force.
But.
'I've definitely grown, seeing how weak they look.'
There's no need to dodge them, right?
Lee Ganghan ignored the swords' fierce attack.
Instead, he reached out and grabbed them.
Then.
['Sword Spirit' is being subdued...]
[You do not have sword-related skills.]
[Cannot subdue the Sword Spirit.]
Saying there were no sword-related skills.
Fizzle...
The sword blade cracked and the light sword lost its form and collapsed.
Previously, the sword disappeared like this.
[Sacred Fire absorbs power matching the wavelength.]
This time, the light sword that had lost its form and scattered.
It was absorbed into Lee Ganghan's body and added power to the Sacred Fire.
'Oh. This light is also absorbed.'
Even if the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword skill acquisition doesn't appear, this is beneficial?
Lee Ganghan, who confirmed the Sacred Fire's absorption.
Moved his hands busily.
-Last time it felt like he was precariously dodging while grabbing swords...
-Now he's playing with them
-But why are those swords so dull? Even when they cut his skin, only scratches remain lol
-Looking at how well they cut clothes, that's not necessarily true
-His skin just got tougher;
Regardless of the fierce attacks pouring from all directions.
How many times did he repeatedly grab and burst swords with both hands?
['Sword Spirit' is being subdued...]
[Skill 'Heavenly Demon Divine Sword' acquired.]
As the message saying he acquired the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword skill appeared.
The light sword that had been exploding.
For the first time remained in Lee Ganghan's hand without exploding.
'Since I got the skill Heavenly Demon Divine Sword, subduing became possible?'
The Sword Spirit that said you needed sword-related skills.
To be subdued.
Until now, it exploded every time because there was no skill.
But after acquiring Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.
The light sword continued to remain in Lee Ganghan's hand.
Then.
[Use skill 'Heavenly Demon Divine Sword' to subdue the Sword Spirit.]
A message to use Heavenly Demon Divine Sword appeared.
Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.
'Heavenly Demon Divine Fist activated when using fists.'
Then Heavenly Demon Divine Sword should work when swinging a sword, right?
Lee Ganghan raised and moved the light sword in his hand.
Swish, Swish.
The light sword swayed and moved according to Lee Ganghan's gestures.
Was it because the center of gravity was too light?
The sword didn't move as quickly as he wanted.
-What's he doing? lol
-Looks like he's waving taffy
-For the first time, Heavenly Demon doesn't look strong...
-Just use your fists?
Seeing Lee Ganghan using a sword, harsh criticism appeared in the chat for the first time.
To make matters worse, the 'Heavenly Demon Divine Sword' skill didn't even activate.
'Light sword... I can't control it as I want.'
Swish, Swish.
As Lee Ganghan blocked other sword attacks with his left hand.
And swung the sword with his right hand.
[Failed to use sword-related skill.]
[Cannot subdue the Sword Spirit.]
With the message that he failed to use the skill.
Fizzle...
The sword shattered and disappeared like before.
Activating Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.
It wasn't as easy as fists.
Still.
'It's okay, there are many swords.'
There were still many light swords targeting Lee Ganghan from all directions.
If he grabbed these and swung them, the skill would activate eventually.
Thinking so, Lee Ganghan.
Swish! Swish!
Grabbed one sword in each hand.
And began swinging them.
But unlike when they flew fiercely.
'This has no style again.'
The light swords in both hands were swung randomly.
Fizzle...
They shattered again.
"...Fine. Let's see who wins."
There are many swords.
So if he continued, he'd succeed eventually.
The sword swinging that started with that mindset.
-How long is he going to swing...?
-He seems to be doing something, but before that, all his clothes will be torn lol
-Let's just enter the portal now? We can tolerate losing the top, but losing the bottom is not okay
-Right, bro, next time come wearing three layers of clothes...
Continued until his top and bottom were torn to rags.
And until more than half the swords disappeared.
Fizzle...
[Sacred Fire absorbs power matching the wavelength...]
[Sacred Fire has absorbed power to its limit.]
When about 50 swords had exploded.
The Sacred Fire said it could no longer absorb power.
Then the light power that was being absorbed scattered outward instead.
'Oh?'
Among the swords in both hands.
The right sword that hadn't exploded yet became solid.
'This, I need to send my energy in reverse to use it as a sword.'
Not just grabbing the sword.
A sword that only gains weight when you inject energy into it.
Until now, he hadn't realized the method.
But when the Sacred Fire full to its limit sent power in reverse, he got a sense of how to do it.
'Good.'
Swish!
When he swung the sword in his right hand.
Unlike before, the sword moved quickly and smoothly.
[Skill, 'Heavenly Demon Divine Sword' is activated.]
As this message appeared.
The sword blade flashed.
Then.
Fwoooosh...
The light swords floating in all directions instantly lost their power.
And crashed down below the sky.
"Is this Heavenly Demon Divine Sword?"
When the skill activated.
The feeling of using a sword was definitely different.
As Lee Ganghan looked at the sword with fresh eyes.
'Hmm?'
At the center of the light sword.
A small child crouched with knees hugged.
The being presumed to be the Sword Spirit.
Slowly...
Released its posture and was gradually standing up.