Solo Max-Level Newbie

Episode 723 Tower of Trials, ‘Free Entry to the 50th Floor’ (2)

Bubble Bubble…

Dark green bubbles rose from the rotting swamp.

“Kaaaaak!”

“Kieee!”

Fish and various creatures that I had never seen before preyed on each other, creating a strange magical scene.

Right then.

Coo! Coo! Coo!

Footsteps that shook the earth rang out.

The once noisy swamp was enveloped in silence at that moment.

An overwhelming presence shook the space.

“Grrr…”

A low roar.

The body, which was over 100 meters long, had numerous tentacles.

At the end of each tentacle was a single, flashing eye, which was busy continuously looking around.

The moment you get caught, it’s over.

That was a common thought among all living creatures here.

Fortunately, the giant being did not seem to have much interest in the swamp. I just keep moving forward, chasing the feeling of discomfort.

And when the being finally disappeared beyond the fog.

Slurp.

“Hey…”

Cheongha, whose legs became weak, sat down.

Although I hid behind the tree without making a sound, I felt like every single cell was exposed.

“It was dangerous.”

Jinhyuk also wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

What we just passed by was ‘Sograntu’.

They are a type of guard that guards the palace of Azathoth.

The combat power of each of those guys was incredible, but the really big problem was that if they were discovered by that guy, the entire palace would go into battle mode.

Of course, top gods like Shubniguras and Nyarlathotep would also notice the presence of the intruder.

It was no exaggeration to say that his death was confirmed immediately.

“Are you really going to go in there? Even among us, entering the 50th floor is a taboo.”

“Really? So do you want to stay here alone?”

Jinhyuk smiled.

“Koooooo!”

“Keeeeek!”

Kwasik! Crack! Quad deuk!

As soon as Sograntu disappeared, the swamp ecosystem became active once again. The sight of the enemy was stained red as blood and flesh splattered around him and he was eaten.

“…I’ll follow you. Please let me follow you.”

Chungha nodded at an invisible speed.

In the first place, these poor Miao people had no choice.

“From here, we will go into the water and move around. If you keep this in your mouth, you will be able to breathe. Don’t accidentally spit it out or swallow it, but just follow along.”

Jinhyuk handed me a snail shell with three entrances.

[‘Tribune Snail’ and ‘Dark Valley Moss’. ‘The lungs of the Atrapas fish’ are fused together!]

A trait that changes not only breathing but also presence to that of a swamp creature.

It was an effect that only appeared when these three things were combined at the same time.

I didn’t want to go into the murky, heavy swamp, but it was still better than dying. Cheongha followed Jinhyuk into the water.

The creatures in the swamp immediately reacted to the being that had entered the pyramid of the food chain.

“Koooooo!”

North, south, east and west.

The crocodile, whose mouth is split into four parts, immediately catches its prey.

A maw as big as a house was aimed at Cheongha.

“Uuuuuup!”

Chungha hit the ball with all her might. However, no matter how nimble the Miao was, it could not run away from a crocodile in the water.

Even more so if it is not an ordinary crocodile, but a crocodile that lives on the 50th floor.

It was Jinhyuk who came forward instead.

[The unique ability ‘Will of the Ocean Current’ is activated!]

Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!

A strong whirlpool arose in the water.

Jinhyeok’s sword shined in the water that split in all directions.

“Living here is amazing in itself.”

still.

“You must know how to distinguish between a predator and a prey.”

How can someone who is not a god come forward without even understanding the topic?

Kwazizig! Kwajajajak!

The swamp crocodile’s body was torn apart by the whirlpool.

It was a bonus that it made it clear to the guys in the swamp who was in charge.

The creatures in the swamp put aside their hostility and distanced themselves from Jinhyeok.

“It’s this strong…?”

Chungha opened her eyes wide.

At the same time, the way I look at Jinhyuk changed slightly.

* * *

7

Same time.

Elsewhere on the 50th floor, a new variable was taking place.

Four shadows appeared in a room full of colorful thorns and crystals.

JJ and 2 chickens per person.

Eagle owl.

Saeyoung Eonhwan.

They were operators who worked to protect the balance of the tower and correct the world that had gone out of order.

“We’re finally here.”

One person and two chickens cast recovery magic and barely managed to fix their stumbling body.

It was a rough road.

So much so that even the operators have to risk their lives.

This is inevitable because this place is commonly called the ‘Gateway to Infinity’.

To be exact, into the body of ‘Yog-Sothoth’, one of the ancient gods. Although he was a god, he was also acting as a gatekeeper.

“We need to get out as quickly as possible. If we stay in here too long, we’ll be trapped forever.”

JJ also added a word.

A state in which the operator’s unique authority, ‘system manipulation’, has been used to its limit. As soon as you achieve your goal, you will have to head to the exit you have prepared.

Eagle Owl and Saeyoung Eonhwan also nodded as if they agreed.

There is a ‘pillar of dimension’ somewhere here.

A hidden piece that can seal entities on the 50th floor. If we can secure just that, we will have the opportunity to significantly change the future landscape.

There was only about an hour left, so we had to hurry now.

But right then.

“Isn’t it too much of a scam if great operators get their hands on such cheat items?”

An unexpected voice intervened.

“…!?”

“…!!”

Operators responded immediately.

The voice that caught me off guard widened the distance too much.

I didn’t know that.

My body instinctively moved like that due to some inexplicable, sinister energy.

“What a bastard!”

Two chickens each swung their whips in the direction from which the voice came.

Chop-chop-chawn-ch…!

A whip with sharp thorns split the crystal in half.

But the moment the whip touched my voice, it was blocked by something invisible.

Wow!

The whip that bounced back returned to Chicken 2.

“They started off with an attack so quickly. I guess you were quite surprised?”

“You…” When

the man appeared from the shadows, the eagle owl’s expression shook greatly.

Also known as ‘man’.

Because there was little known information, its identity could not be identified, but it was an irregularity among irregularities whose status window was completely blocked even to operators.

…Perhaps a more dangerous variable than Azathoth.

An uncontrolled existence could threaten not only Jinhyuk but also the Tower of Trials itself.

It must be stopped.

“It’s better. Don’t you think that if we just take care of that guy, Jinhyuk can take care of the rest?”

“Yes. That guy once crossed Azathoth and reached the top of the tower.”

“I agree. Above all, there will no longer be a stage where we can fight under these conditions.”

There are as many as four operators gathered here.

In addition, I brought along appropriate relics and hidden pieces in case I had to fight against high-ranking ancient gods.

No matter how much the opponent is a monster leading the hostile operators, he will not be able to deal with all of them.

Sreung!

chuck!

Ugh!

Various weapons appeared through subspace.

All of them were top-quality relics that were purple grade.

“Are you going to start right away without even talking? It feels like the final battle stage. Isn’t it so bleak?”

The man shrugged his shoulders.

Even though the four operators were openly showing hostility, there was no sign of any nervousness.

“It’s a conversation…”

Saeyoung Eon-hwan repeated those words.

“Then can you tell me what your identity is?”

“I was hooked from the beginning. Aren’t you just trying to look at the last hidden card without knowing anything?”

Questions and answers cannot come without a price.

It means that to get one, you have to give one.

Saeyoung Eon-hwan’s mind moved quickly.

If only I could find out about the man’s identity. No, if I could get even the slightest hint…

it could have more meaning than just securing the hidden piece here.

“What do I have to pay?”

“Hmm. Well, if that’s the case, wouldn’t they have to offer something quite expensive? For example… Ellis or something.”

“Ataraxia’s… matriarch?”

“Yes. Personally, it’s my taste. I definitely want to add it to my collection.”

“This is a difficult request for us to accept. She is Jinhyeok’s cherished colleague.”

Saeyoung Eonhwan shook his head as if he was troubled.

“It’s a shame. Negotiations broke down.”

The man clicked his tongue briefly.

At first glance, it seemed like there was nothing to be gained from the question and answer, but Saeyoung Eon-hwan had a different idea.

‘Are you saying that Ellis is the key?’

The man seemed to control everything as he wanted, but there was something he couldn’t get his hands on yet.

Ellis von Ataraxia.

Perhaps it will play a much more important role than simply being a powerful Jinjo.

Saeyoung Eon-hwan continued.

“It’s a pity, it’s the same here. But from now on, I’m just going to talk to myself, so can you just listen?”

“Are you planning on judging me based on my reaction? That might be fun too. Give it a try.”

“At first, I thought you were Unknown’s data. There was nothing else that could make something like this possible.”

but. Unknown is not.

The data that conquered the top of the tower in the past has already been destroyed by Jinhyeok’s hand.

If so….

the number of possible cases is further narrowed.

Approaching Jinhyeok. Perhaps only a handful of people in the entire world can possess greater power than that.

“As far as we know, Kang Jin-hyuk was an orphan. He was abandoned when he was young and grew up alone. Aren’t you… one of the people related to him?”

Blood and flesh.

That was the most likely one.

If this prediction is correct, the reason why not only Jinhyuk but also themselves could not figure out their identity could be solved all at once.

“Hmm.”

The man scratched his chin.

At the same time, he gave a response that was neither positive nor negative.

“It could be blood relatives. Or it could be closer than blood relatives. Or it could be something else entirely.”

Partzitz.

A dark red force rose along the sword.

[The unique spear ‘Sword Strike’ is activated!]

Kukukukukukuku!

The man’s body was enveloped in black energy.

An ominous feeling on a different level than before encroached upon the entire space.

…It’s scary.

Just by activating the unique spear, I felt a pressure that surpassed that of the primeval being.

“be careful.”

“Know.”

“shit. “I see it’s real. It’s real.”

“…It’s coming!”

JJ stepped forward.

Kagagagagaang!

Sword strikes that were far beyond recognition poured out.

It was a swordsmanship that was as soft as flowing water, yet rough and elegant as if it were a typhoon.

” Pfft!”

Numerous stab wounds appeared all over his body in an instant.

“Why do you think I gave you hints about Ellis and other things?”

The man’s eyes turned cold.

The playful look had completely disappeared. The sword spirit was oozing with murder. They were taking their places.

“Not one of you can get out of this place alive.” All

the operators left here.

The only one who could see the last of the tower was Kang Jin-hyuk.

* * *

Down the side road through the swamp. Even if I had used it, it took quite a while to get to my destination. It wasn’t until late at night that I finally arrived at the end of the swamp.

Still,

I could now see with my naked eyes where the pinnacle of this world lived.

-Contractor.

Watching the situation at Braham’s Ring. Ellis, who was watching, spoke up.

That’s right. I know it without having to say

it. From now on, it’s real.

Right then.

Tiring!

A purple status window appeared in front of Jinhyuk and Cheongha.

“Hoo, look at this?”

From Jinhyuk’s mouth. A meaningful exclamation flowed out.