Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 029
Chapter Title: The Bell of Blessing
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"We did it! Cleared the 65th floor!"
"Nice work, Gelrn. You can call yourself the Bow God today."
65th floor.
Sweep Raid Team.
Bizarru threw her arms up in triumph, cheering wildly.
And she had every reason to.
The floor they'd been tackling for a full month.
Their first successful climb.
Of course, it wasn't their first attempt.
They'd challenged it around twenty times already.
'No score pops up unless you clear it anyway!'
That didn't mean they'd intentionally failed.
No one else was challenging it besides Pseudo-Dragon and Sweep.
And clearing it guaranteed 2nd place.
In other words,
this success was the result of 100% genuine effort.
It couldn't help but taste all the sweeter and more valuable.
"[Swift Arrow] is seriously good! I get why you were so obsessed with it, Gelrn. As expected of our disciple!"
"Why start with praise and end with Gallery Master worship?"
"Because [Swift Arrow] came from our disciple, and the new bow was made by Gallery Master."
Bizarru nodded firmly.
"All you did was learn [Swift Arrow] and boost your DPS by over 50% with your skyrocketing skills!"
"Is this praise or an insult?"
Gelrn let out a hollow laugh but nodded in agreement.
'Still, she's not wrong.'
[Swift Arrow].
And the new bow.
Both were tools.
'My weapon got weaker, but overall DPS shot way up.'
Training hadn't been a waste.
His skill improved, and [Swift Arrow] expanded his options.
Honestly, it was frustrating.
If this was gonna happen, why'd he blow up his main weapon?
'It's not my fault for not checking the notice board?'
Does that mean he should've been reading notices?
The first time, fine,
but every time it updates?
No way in hell. Ever!
Gelrn retrieved his arrow with [Swift Arrow].
"What're you doing? Let's take a proof shot! Gotta post it on the Gallery!"
"Today's Gallery top post belongs to us."
Bizarru struck a pose and urged a selfie.
Jeong-uk would've thought,
women loving photo ops is universal.
But.
"Huh?"
They'd snapped a selfie of the four with mismatched skin tones,
about to upload it to the Gallery,
when Bizarru froze at the heated Gallery.
"What the...? Did our disciple cause another incident...? What? Tackling the Irregular crisis? Why?!"
There are things more important than popular posts in this world.
Like Boy Joy's whereabouts!
Bizarru, who'd even missed her sword duel with Sword Fairy,
skimmed the top post summary and was stunned.
Link?
Terror post?
Nah, no way.
'Just got unblocked, no way he'd risk re-ban.'
Bizarru checked the post and gave up.
With good reason.
It was a popular post declaring the Statue Knight clear, even seen by Idmari.
'They know each other...? [Statue Knight] and disciple?'
Too much.
Now she couldn't even tell him not to go.
Bizarru slammed her head into a teammate's back.
Damn.
Damn.
Why's my heart pounding in a situation like this.
Bizarru pondered.
'Should I rush to 0th floor right now, pin down disciple, and make it official—Sweep Raid Team enlistment oath?'
That kind of pondering.
But she held back.
Not because she couldn't go down, but out of respect for her disciple.
Instead, she just asked.
The basics of keyboard battles.
Open notepad before writing a wall of text.
Jeong-uk stood at the tower entrance, typing away.
Shouldn't hold back on flexing if it's not a lifetime secret.
Spill it all.
'Hiding it till death or going dumb is the stupidest thing.'
They're not rivals,
just fellow tower noobs trying to clear together.
And.
"If I only show you and word leaks, you'd be the prime suspect."
After that long debate,
Jeong-uk stepped into the ascent gate.
'First, take down the Orc Chieftain.'
High End 10th floor.
Time to snag a new skill.
The Orc Chieftain opened his eyes due to the cold.
"Gruk."
He gripped his weapon with a low growl.
A staff with an axe blade.
And swung down at the front.
Clang-!
"Why's he blocking so well?"
Jeong-uk muttered after his ambush failed.
Wearing a 3-silver hood from the tower shop,
and a waterproof, windproof sleeping bag robe flipped inside out.
-Thud!
Staff slammed into the ground, mana surging.
The chieftain's magic seized the earth.
"Can't touch me?"
But Jeong-uk dodged easily.
Magic from afar?
Too predictable.
Thud! Thud-thud-!
Dodging rising thorn rocks, he dashed in.
Then [Fury Barrage] for continuous thrusts.
The chieftain blocked well again.
Jeong-uk expected that.
'That's Orc Great Warrior tech.'
He knew all the moves.
Of course he'd block.
The real aim was the left arm attack.
Simultaneous skill activation is hard,
but non-skills are fair game.
Black Rain Sword, Form 1.
Rain Parting.
...Shuk!
Reverse-grip butchery knife.
Its sharp slice severed the knee ligament.
"Kraaak!"
"Ugh, feels gross."
One more hit to finish.
Jeong-uk swung both butchery knives.
'Dual gear skills for simultaneous [Butchery].'
Dismantling slash with both arms.
Two skills at once.
'Cut thin skin and muscle first.'
He'd killed orcs here dozens of times.
Vitals and muscle layout memorized roughly.
He had the talent for it now.
Shred-!!
Whittling defense with skills,
Jeong-uk kept using Black Rain Sword.
To show his master Bizarru.
"...Urk?!"
As he tore into flesh,
Jeong-uk suddenly stumbled.
His foot nearly buckled like he was drunk.
He didn't fall purely by luck.
And his vision went yellow!
'Curse? When?'
His surprised breath came white.
Pausing, Jeong-uk spotted the cause.
This was tower 10th floor too.
One with the Statue Knight space!
Filled with mana's chill.
Enough to miss spell activation.
And the Orc Chieftain waited for this.
"Groooaaar!!"
Great Warrior-level strength grabbed Jeong-uk's neck.
Slammed him down hard.
Thorn rock magic already active.
Short chant, mere protrusions—child's play.
Humans die impaled on sharp rocks.
-Plop plop plop!
A split-second lapse cost dearly.
Body riddled with holes, breath cut short.
No cheap price.
For Jeong-uk or the chieftain.
"Had backups lined up so left a clone."
Behind the Orc Chieftain.
Jeong-uk lowered his bow, clicking his tongue.
"And it takes him down."
Thud...!
The Orc Chieftain collapsed limply.
Dozens of arrows in the back—even an orc warrior couldn't survive.
"Sorry for tricking you."
...Fwoosh!
Paper burned in Jeong-uk's hand.
[Beginner Stealth Charm].
A small magic scroll hiding appearance.
'Meant for escape, but trading for skill card's better profit.'
The hooded climber the chieftain killed?
Jeong-uk's clone, his "fake Jeong-uk."
'Entered, hid immediately, sent clone for ambush from behind.'
Possible thanks to hazy cold vision.
Mana chill hard to detect magic.
Chieftain too.
Still, 50% spec clone.
Didn't expect mutual destruction fail.
Impressive.
Lower skill than main, but level 20 climber tier.
'Chieftain lived up to his name.'
Jeong-uk checked footage, catching breath.
No plan for round 2.
'One last proof to Bizarru, straight to [Statue Knight].'
No fatigue with clone.
Plus insights from recent fights.
'I loosen up better in real combat than training.'
What to call it?
Talent sharpens on the edge of death?
Brush Flower agreed: real battle best training.
Consecutive fights?
Perfect for conditioning.
"Whew."
Sent Bizarru the clear vid, caught breath.
No sound in vid anyway.
'Grab all High End rewards, Statue Knight clear guaranteed... Huh?'
Wait.
Why no clear message?
-Whoosh!
Body hairs stood on crisis end.
A brutal axe straight to Jeong-uk's crown.
Dead center.
"Gah save me?!"
"Krrraaaar!!"
Leapt aside, kicked axe arm.
Followed by mid thrust with knife.
Black Rain Sword Form 5, Iron Shower.
-Clang!
Axe deflected, magic stir from ground.
Everything but the kitchen sink.
Jeong-uk jumped stepping on rising thorns.
To gain distance first.
"What?! Why's he fine!"
One sec late, head split.
Jeong-uk gawked wide-eyed.
Chieftain bloodied.
But little bleeding.
When clone charged first,
Chieftain noticed.
- This guy's fake.
- Real's hiding elsewhere.
But not where.
Finishing blow and arrows real too.
Survival all skill.
Evasion skill, [Faceless Totem]!
Shaman art blocking with earth or dodging,
High End Orc Chieftain's survival tool.
Arrow damage?
Few pierced skin through earth flesh.
Skill lets him dodge hits too.
Moment main appeared,
sprang up, axe to skull.
Chieftain's scheme to there.
Last-ditch revival.
Failed, but no matter.
"Krrraaak!!"
Flailing high-jumping Jeong-uk,
no way to dodge thrown axe now.
Panicked Jeong-uk reached for knife.
Parry axe to land safe.
Defense over counter safer.
Before drawing knife,
if not distracted by unexpected mark.
'Arrow scar?'
Not back.
Upper chest skin, no Jeong-uk arrows.
Old scar.
Goblin arrow.
Crude tip failed to pierce chest.
Some goblin sniper's handiwork.
"...Tch."
Jeong-uk pursed lips staring at his bow.
No choice.
1st floor goblin archer eyeing him enviously.
He'd landed a hit on this guy too.
Can't back off as junior here.
Whose bow is this?
What'd he say back then?
Aim torso next time?
Jeong-uk released sheath, grinned.
"Gotta keep my word."
Kreeing-!
Aimed bow midair.
Goblin bow frame bent wide.
Senior, watch close.
"Torso like this."
-Thwack!!
Arrow hit scar dead on.
Speed one step ahead of chieftain's throw.
"[Swift Arrow]."
Secondary explosion from embedded arrow obliterated heart traceless.
Landed with roll,
Jeong-uk exhaled big, shouted.
"Chieftain! Repelled!"
Wow.
SR skill on lowbie floor? Where?
No conscience, really.
After soul-clashing the Orc Chieftain,
I ate lunch and vented to Ssonni.
'Nearly lost my head in what I thought was just a prelude to [Statue Knight].'
Didn't underestimate.
If I did, wouldn't have sent clone unseen.
What the sudden?
'10th floor boss has survival? Insane.'
SR all-purpose survival evasion/defense?
Why's orc got this.
Honest, tower balance issue?
So I learned it.
By choice.
'Shaman art, easy.'
Understand principle, not just earth?
Lifeline extended.
Chieftain senior, thank you very much...
'How many free SRs from scraps.'
Minus [Swift Arrow], about 4?
Snagged 4 free SRs~.
Showed Bizarru only pre-revival.
Just clone fight.
Hid [Sword Soul Liberation] etc.
Not suspicion.
Ultimate moves taste best hidden.
Anyway.
Irregular clear conditions met.
Mixed rice with doenjang, typed furiously.
No need to go that far.
Though not wrong.
'Confidence solid, going now.'
Finished digesting warmup.
Entered ascent gate.
The regular 10th floor.
'High End climber perk.'
Clear High End, regular floors easy pickings too.
What perk?
This.
"Saaaaaa!!"
Ice Knight bowed prayer-like.
Spotted offering, rose,
I nocked arrow point-blank.
"Hey senior."
Calling master's son senior right?
Dunno.
But certain.
Bro takes this and lives.
Fired mana-squeezed arrow.
No wait for result, backdash.
"Open, gate of dimensions!"
Unclaimed High End rewards.
I.e.,
Chieftain-dead safe plain.
Daaaang-!!
Like barista hitting a bell.
Senior's blessing bell for me?
Suddenly proud of priest ties.
Op name.
No clear no rank, so bow-chip HP, flee safe zone.
'TLDR: Bow-Kite Operation.'
Senior!
Card grinding in 3 min, back soon!
Pray for UR skill!