Chapter 45
Chapter 45.
'500,000 TP... The reward is quite substantial.'
Last time when I had to choose between the Shaman's Altar and TP.
It was definitely 100,000 TP.
This time, the TP reward was much larger than before.
500,000 would be enough to recover quite a bit of the TP I spent on investments this time.
In contrast, the installation 'Sun Stone' was.
Just from the name, it was impossible to tell what it did.
Still.
'I should choose the Sun Stone.'
Since I can earn TP anytime.
Rather than money, it's better to choose an 'installation' that I don't know when I'll be able to obtain again.
When Lee Ganghan selected the Sun Stone.
[You have selected the installation 'Sun Stone'.]
[You can install the installation in a specific area of Ten Thousand Demon Battle.]
Along with the installation guidance message.
[Clear rewards are unlocked.]
[Level increases by 3.]
[Level has reached the current grade limit. Additional experience will be accumulated as the player's personal 'Score'.]
[You gain 50,000 TP.]
The clear rewards were unlocked in succession.
'There's definitely a big difference in rewards between SSS+ and S.'
Combining the TP gained from opening chests in the treasure vault and.
The TP gained from clearing this time totaled 117,500.
Although I spent 2 million TP installing the Heavenly Mandate Tower and accepting the Sacred Fire.
If I start earning this much, I should be able to quickly recover the money I spent.
Of course.
'The costs for doing anything in Ten Thousand Demon Battle are also increasing rapidly though...'
Unlike with the Goblins.
The current situation where the required TP amount is rapidly increasing.
Would installing the Sun Stone also require TP?
Lee Ganghan opened Ten Thousand Demon Battle.
Then.
[You possess the installation 'Sun Stone'.]
[Would you like to install the installation 'Sun Stone'?]
A message asking if he wanted to install the Sun Stone immediately appeared.
When Lee Ganghan pressed yes.
[Please install the Sun Stone at your desired location.]
[Installation costs vary depending on the location.]
The Sun Stone also inevitably required a cost to install.
This damn Ten Thousand Demon Battle.
It tries to rip off TP no matter what you do.
'Hmm. Since this option appeared after bringing in the Spirit of Heavenly Sword... would it be better to install it near the sword?'
As Lee Ganghan thought.
The first location that appeared on the Ten Thousand Demon Battle screen was where the Spirit of Heavenly Sword was embedded.
Near the Sacred Fire.
When Lee Ganghan brought his finger close.
A semi-transparent golden rock appeared above his finger.
'Is this the Sun Stone?'
It doesn't look that big.
Lee Ganghan touched the ground near the Sacred Fire.
The place where the Spirit of Heavenly Sword was embedded.
Then.
[Would you like to install the Sun Stone at this location?]
[500,000 TP will be consumed as installation cost.]
"What... why is the installation fee 500,000?"
Just placing one fairly large stone.
Costs more TP than building a structure.
Hasn't Ten Thousand Demon Battle's inflation suddenly become too expensive?
Lee Ganghan complained like this while.
Wondering if there was a cheaper location, he tried touching his finger here and there.
But.
[Would you like to install the Sun Stone at this location?]
[5,000,000 TP will be consumed as installation cost.]
Anywhere other than near the Sacred Fire, the illuminated land.
Other areas actually had installation costs that jumped to 5 million, 10 times higher.
'So 500,000 is relatively cheap...'
Lee Ganghan clicked his tongue and.
With some hope, he touched various locations.
But no matter where he pressed, near the Sacred Fire was 500,000.
Areas outside the central region remained at the unchanging price of 5 million.
"Ha. These days, no matter how much I earn, it doesn't feel like I'm earning anything."
Everything I earn gets taken away.
Just as Lee Ganghan was thinking he needed to quickly earn 500,000 TP to install the Sun Stone.
Tick.
His finger brushed past the center of the Sacred Fire.
Then.
[Would you like to install the Sun Stone on the Sacred Fire?]
[No installation cost is required.]
A message appeared saying that installing on the Sacred Fire.
Required no TP.
'Oh?'
Installing the Sun Stone on the Sacred Fire requires no installation fee.
This is quite significant.
'But the Sun Stone... would it melt if it touches the Sacred Fire?'
There must be some reason why the installation fee is free.
Lee Ganghan pondered whether to install this on the Sacred Fire.
Or collect more TP and install it nearby.
'I should ask the Spirit of Heavenly Sword.'
He pressed on the nearby Spirit of Heavenly Sword to connect communication.
Then.
Ziiiiing...
A communication screen appeared before Lee Ganghan's eyes.
[I'm sleeping... it's not good to disturb me...]
The drowsy voice of the spirit came from the Sword of Light.
As soon as it appeared, the status showed 'sleeping'.
Looks like it was really sleeping soundly.
"Got it. I'll just ask one thing."
[Yawn... What is it?]
"Do you know what a Sun Stone is?"
[Sun Stone...? It's a stone with the power of the sun sealed inside. I used it as my home when I was the Guardian of the Sky...]
Swoosh.
From inside the Sword of Light.
The spirit's half-opened eyes suddenly popped out.
[For me, the fire here is better than the Sun Stone... I can sleep so deeply like this...]
"Really? I'm planning to install the Sun Stone this time, but other places require TP. But the Sacred Fire doesn't cost anything. That's why I asked."
[Is that so...?]
Spin, Spin.
The spirit's head kept rotating at Lee Ganghan's words.
[Sun Stone is the original home... That fire is a better home... If I combine original home with better home...?]
Stop.
The rotating head stopped and.
The spirit's two eyes sparkled.
[Even better home!]
"...Something's weird about that conclusion? Is that right?"
[I recommend... installing the Sun Stone on the Sacred Fire... Strong fire + stronger fire... luxury house... Hehe.]
If the fire gets stronger, from the spirit's perspective, the home gets better too.
The Spirit of Heavenly Sword giggled while mentioning the luxury house.
'Hmm. Just listening to this guy, there doesn't seem to be any major problems. Rather, if the firepower gets stronger, it's good for me too.'
Strengthening the Sacred Fire's flame was also related to Ten Thousand Demon Battle's restoration.
After hearing the spirit's opinion, Lee Ganghan decided to install the Sun Stone on the Sacred Fire.
Click.
When Lee Ganghan brought his hand to the Sacred Fire and pressed it.
[Would you like to install the Sun Stone on the Sacred Fire?]
[No installation cost is required.]
The previous message appeared again.
When Lee Ganghan continued with the installation.
[The Sun Stone is being installed on the Sacred Fire.]
Flaaaash...!
In the center of the Sacred Fire.
A golden rock appeared and then.
[The Sun Stone fuses with the Sacred Fire.]
[The Sacred Fire's flame grows larger...]
The Sun Stone melted in an instant.
A golden glow began to swirl around the white flame.
Along with that.
"Ugh...?"
From Lee Ganghan's body, which had shown some stability.
Heat began to rise again.
'This feels like when I first absorbed the Sacred Fire.'
Do I have to run again like yesterday dawn?
If I mess up, I'll be pulling all-nighters for two consecutive days.
Lee Ganghan initially thought this while feeling his heated body, but.
[The Sacred Fire completely settles within the body...]
[From now on, the Sacred Fire's firepower will directly affect the player.]
[The Heavenly Demon Constitution trait is enhanced.]
[The Heavenly Demon Constitution trait is upgraded to C.]
'C...?'
Whether the Sun Stone installation helped.
The Heavenly Demon Constitution trait, which hadn't risen despite absorbing the Sacred Fire.
Finally rose to C.
Then.
The heat sensation that had been heating up his body disappeared.
"It rises like this."
I thought it would take more time to absorb the Sacred Fire.
The Sun Stone installation played a big role.
Lee Ganghan felt relieved seeing the upgraded Heavenly Demon Constitution.
At that moment.
Ding.
The Ten Thousand Demon Battle screen turned off and.
[Strengthening the body...]
Along with the message about strengthening the body.
'Ah... I'm suddenly really tired.'
Lee Ganghan felt sudden drowsiness for the first time in a while.
Since being freed from 'sleeping sickness'.
He wanted to lie down on the bed right away, but.
'Sleeping in my room is a bit...'
Remembering being dragged to the First Tower after touching the dresser, Lee Ganghan.
Lay down sprawled on the living room floor.
His eyelids closed as soon as he lay down.
As Lee Ganghan fell into sleep.
Shuuuuu...
White haze began to rise from his body.
And so he.
Slept for 24 hours straight.
***
The next day.
"Ugh... what's that smell?"
Lee Ganghan, who had been completely knocked out.
Realized a terrible stench was coming from his body and bolted upright from the floor.
He had definitely gone to sleep wearing a white t-shirt.
'Why did my clothes turn yellow like this...?'
The t-shirt was soaked and had turned yellowish.
No.
Not just the shirt, but also the sweatpants and underwear he was wearing.
Everything was stained with sticky liquid and emitting a terrible smell.
'I don't think the smell will go away even if I wash this...'
I guess I'll just have to throw it away.
When Lee Ganghan thought this and took off his clothes.
The terrible smell spread in all directions.
"...Wow. To think such a garbage-like smell is coming from my body."
I wash every day, this is too much.
Lee Ganghan covered his nose with his hand.
Suddenly recalling yesterday's message.
'Right. It said 'Strengthening the body,' didn't it?'
Right after seeing that message, I got incredibly sleepy.
Is the strengthening complete now?
Lee Ganghan took a shower to wash his dirty body and looked in the mirror.
'My skin wasn't bad originally...'
Lee Ganghan's skin was already good since he slept 12 hours regularly.
But now it went a step further.
His skin was smooth enough to almost seem glossy.
This must be an effect of the body strengthening too.
Well, but.
'I can't really tell what else has changed besides the skin.'
My body does feel a bit lighter.
Since Lee Ganghan's physical condition was already beyond human level.
He didn't feel much significant change.
"Hmm... Should I try reciting the Heavenly Demon Divine Art incantation?"
Whenever I recited the Heavenly Demon Divine Art incantation.
I used to feel some kind of change in my body.
When Lee Ganghan recited the Heavenly Demon Divine Art incantation like that.
Burning...!
An intense heat sensation was felt from his lower abdomen.
'This is... the feeling from when I absorbed the Sacred Fire.'
The heat of the Sacred Fire that had tormented Lee Ganghan all night.
But after the Sacred Fire settled and the Heavenly Demon Constitution rose to C grade, the heat sensation was no longer felt.
But when I started reciting the Heavenly Demon Divine Art as usual.
The Sacred Fire's energy suddenly emerged.
It said the Sacred Fire would directly affect the player.
Is this what that means?
'Hmm...'
Lee Ganghan didn't recite the Heavenly Demon Divine Art incantation from the beginning.
He moved on to the internal energy part.
Then.
Paaaaat...!
The heat sensation that started from his lower abdomen.
Spread throughout his entire body, and power began to surge through his whole body.
'The feeling is somewhat similar to when I activate the Heavenly Demon Divine Art...'
Of course, compared to when I fully activate the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, it's much weaker.
But still, by following the Sacred Fire's heat sensation.
I could somewhat understand how the internal energy flow of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art moves.
Even when I just recited what I memorized, I wondered if it was just meaningless talk.
But with the Sacred Fire's heat clearly showing its presence and moving.
Even Lee Ganghan, who was clueless about martial arts, could instinctively understand.
'From now on, I'll be able to research the Heavenly Demon Divine Art more.'
Now I can move beyond simple memorization.
Deciding to understand the meaning contained within.
Lee Ganghan got up from his spot.
"That aside, I slept for a whole day..."
I've slept 12 hours many times, but.
This is the first time I've slept for 24 hours straight.
Lee Ganghan checked the time and date and.
'Hmm. Then I should go to the Tower first.'
Towers that allow re-entry 24 hours after completing the ascent.
I can't let time get pushed back by training now.
Lee Ganghan decided to go to the Tower first.
So he entered the 777 map again like yesterday.
There he could definitely feel his changes.
-??? What's this
-Did he eat something wrong?
-Why is he flying around like this? ㄷㄷ
-No, it wasn't this much yesterday...
-Excuse me, why does it feel like it's ending already?
And for good reason.
Before the TowerTube viewers could even fully enter.
[Calculating Iron Tower No-777 performance...]
[You opened 30 or more treasure chests.]
[You encountered the Spirit of the Sword.]
[You opened the Sky Treasure Chest.]
[Clear Evaluation - SSS+]
'I already cleared it?'
He had cleared the 777 map in an instant.