5th Floor (2)
‘No wonder the achievements tab unlocked at this exact moment.’
One could grow in ways beyond just AP. Most importantly, LP allowed a full reset of all growth points. This was surely a measure to accommodate challengers with poor matchups against this trial's target. Of course, if they hadn't racked up enough achievements on the climb with scant LP to show for it, they wouldn't even get that consideration.
Yun-seok tried summoning Raguna in the chat room. No reply came.
‘Guess she already used her return ticket and headed back.’
It made sense—she'd said she planned to leave the moment she had enough AP.
Before spending any AP or LP, Yun-seok kept monitoring the chat. With fixed duel opponents, he intended to gather intel on them first, then tailor his growth accordingly.
Unlike the 4th floor, where they had to compete against each other, plenty of people were sharing info on this trial.
‘One out of three... that's tricky...’
And their traits were all different. The Ark Drake, which flew and would be a nightmare without ranged attacks. The Giant Hydra, which passively blanketed the area with silence to prevent any skill use. And topping them in raw stats and ferocity, the Twin Head Black Ogre.
Time until next duel: 23:07:45
Yun-seok had burned through all his AP and trained in under an hour before, but this time was different. With challengers whining en masse, it was bound to be a tough foe.
‘But why haven't these people returned? Why stick around?’
The question crossed Yun-seok's mind briefly, but as he lurked in the chat, the answer revealed itself. Unlike him, with a clear goal keeping him here, they had reasons preventing their return.
Their worlds weren't Earth. And those who'd reached here were powerhouses in their originals. Thus, many had grudges waiting. Unlike Yun-seok, whose combat prowess had skyrocketed in the Tower, theirs had plummeted to civilian levels. They couldn't return—without the strength to protect themselves, only tragedy awaited.
The chats overwhelmingly fixated on reset tickets. Understandable—they offered clear gains. Skills grown awkwardly, obsolete gear cluttering inventory... And using one refunded spent consumables too.
‘Useless for me, though...’
Resetting might wipe Predation gains too, probably. Yun-seok wasn't risking LP for a pittance of AP.
For now, he started push-ups while scanning chat. Not taxing, and he could multitask his pondering. Chat refresh slowed dramatically—apparently, he wasn't alone.
‘Imagining everyone doing this en masse is kinda funny.’
A wry chuckle escaped as he tallied them up. 10,000 push-ups—once impossible even over days, now done in under an hour at 200 per minute.
It actually unlocked. With achievements open, it even popped up properly. HeroA had done this blind? Made sense—nobody sane would, hence the reward.
Similar timings across the board; LP gain reports flooded in.
HeroA's sharing sparked reciprocity—gratitude plus achievement tips galore. Low LP each, low difficulty, but they added up big.
Yun-seok quietly memorized the viable ones, then closed chat. Time for serious AP spending.
‘First up, Cheolpo Sam.’
◈ Body training method devised by a master smith.
◈ Absorb gear to boost Durability. Growth fixed at 50% of gear's AP value.
Cheolpo Sam, deferred for scrap gear yielding 6,000 AP. Yun-seok bought without hesitation. Just the gladiator's Combat Armguards (Rank D) alone promised 10,000 AP growth, and he planned a weapon swap too.
You have acquired a new skill.
Early shield, Raguna's Alchemist's Lab Coat (Rank F+), dubious gladiator armguards. Even trusty Conqueror's Lefty Sword and Frontal Court Sword. All fed to Cheolpo Sam.
Cheolpo Sam's effect raises Durability (E) rank.
Cheolpo Sam's effect raises Durability (E+) rank.
Durability, boosted to E from the orc absorption, hit D-.
Predation or Cheolpo Sam—shortfalls lingered for rank-ups. Yun-seok ignored it. Zero AP spent for this gain? Plenty satisfying.
‘Should've invested in Durability sooner.’
Blood Pact's healing made it inefficient before. Still true, but escalating foes demanded a baseline. Raguna, Keriksis—slight slips meant instant death, healing or no. Plus, losing Blood Pact on defeat was a risk to prep for.
‘Durability's good enough now...’
Still 250,000 AP left post-Cheolpo. As pondered during push-ups, he invested: 162,000 AP hiked Strength and Agility to C-.
With Durability surging, lowest was now E- Stamina. Ignored—pointless. Heavenly Demon Physique prevented fatigue; Blood Pact made life infinite barring core loss.
‘Next...’
Time for new swords, Cheolpo-converted ones gone. Yun-seok's eyes gleamed like a kid eyeing May 5th treats.
◈ Sword infused with a moonstruck smith's soul, exuding eerie chill.
◈ Grows with duel victories.
◈ Ignores magic resistance; worsens wounds 30%.
◈ 1.5x efficiency on sword-related skills.
Shortened to "Moonlight Sword." Single-edged, maybe a dao, but irrelevant—description covered "sword-related skills."
Purchased item has arrived.
Please check your possessions.
Yun-seok gripped the Moonlight Sword cautiously. No expert eye, but it fit his hand perfectly pre-inspection—luxury quality.
"Nice..."
Silver blade like captured moonlight. Grip leather-wrapped, soft yet grippy. A few air swings, then a satisfied nod.
No stat boosts like Conqueror's Lefty, but effects pleased. Especially growth on victory—every man's dream weapon.
‘One sword feels empty now.’
Dual-wielding ingrained? Left hand ached for purpose. AP spent, but LP covered it: 2,290 stocked.
One item from achievements caught his eye.
◈ Execution dao used by an ancient emperor.
◈ User defines their own "evil." +1 to all stats vs. evil; scales with judgments.
◈ Wields "Light of Purification" to purge foul energies (72h cooldown).
◈ Ignores magic below user's mana.
◈ Indestructible.
◈ 3x efficiency on fire skills.
"Sun Sword." Single-edged too—execution practicality?
Bought despite price; options galore, but reason simple: sole indestructible sword.
‘Left hand, mainly defense.’
Visualizing future fights, gripped Sun Sword left-handed. Prompt appeared.
Please define the code.
Define evil, huh? Yun-seok pondered the most helpful.
"All enemies who oppose me."
Does not meet target criteria.
No exploits, apparently. Why call out his criteria specifically? Bemused, next try.
"Anyone who's killed even one person."
Does not meet target criteria.
Failed again. Why offer custom codes? Felt scammed, but low expectations tempered it—vague description anyway.
Tried various conditions, all rejected. Then, beyond efficiency, he pondered true "evil."
Answer came swift.
"Those who take pleasure in harming others."
Thoughts of Lee Chang-hoon, Kang Hyung-woo. How could they laugh pushing innocents to despair without reason? Yet fuss genuinely over friends? Revolting contradictions. They were society's evil.
Meets target criteria.
Choi Yun-seok's "evil" defined as "those who take pleasure in harming others."
The Sun Sword in his left hummed deeply: uwoong!
Judge them.
The sword itself seemed to command, not the system. Or mere fancy?