Chapter 9: 9

Are they fostering new clan members? Some awakeners created guilds through mutual cooperation . They were a kind of faction; they were also created for more effective dungeon attacks .

Having a great awakening was also directly connected to the guild’s status and power . As a result, guilds also recruited awakeners and even trained budding rookie awakeners .

Blue Dragon, Paradise, Association… Quite a number came .

Though he thought this would happen, the reaction came earlier than expected . Not even a day had passed and there was already a post about him .

True, the points themselves were quite ridiculous .

The person who ranked first before Su-hyeun had recorded 940 points . Since the difference between the first and second place was huge, it was expected that the appearance of divinity would appeal to many .

Still, there is a difference between the present and the future .

In the future, a system was made to optimize data compiled on awakeners who were heading to the next floor . It was the result of a long period of countless guilds and organizations studying the awakeners . But that system had not been created in this world yet .

In fact, if anyone who challenged from the second floor onwards recorded 1,000 points, it would be of note to them . Even if it were the same floor, the standard would be different .

This isn’t good .

Su-hyeun did not want his name to be known so soon . If his name were made known, problems would become inevitable; additionally, he did not want to worry Shin Su-yeong too much .

There are not many benefits .

No matter how amateur an awakener was, there was something for one to benefit from by joining a guild . The resources and items related to the Tower of Trials would be of enormous help . But to Su-hyeun, that information was not required . Instead, they needed help from him .

“There’s not much they could tell just by my name… . ”

He ignored it for now . Su-hyeun had no intention to join any organization or guild from the start . Su-hyeun ideally wanted to be a mercenary soldier, not belonging anywhere .

It was best for him since he knew about the future . Su-hyeun, who had decided his path, turned off the computer and went to bed . Now, what he needed most was not a guild, but rest .

Act 5

Kim Su-hyeun . The name that excited many guilds . The second floor’s new awakener, who just stepped into the tower . It wasn’t enough for the guilds to notice someone usually; instead, it was because of his record and ranking .

“Hak-joon, do you know of a guy named Kim Su-hyeun?” Ares Guild’s leader, Jung Dong-yeong, asked .

Hak-joon, who sat on the hard sofa in a spacious office, shook his head . “I don’t . ”

“Really? I heard that he just entered the second floor like you . ”

“The second floor is so vast . Although it’s incomparable to the upper floors, what would the probability be of me meeting a certain person in that vast city?”

“Hmm, is that so?” Jung Dong-yeong lightly smacked his lips . It seemed that he was also coveting for the new awakener, Kim Su-hyeun . Hak-joon could easily sense that .

“So, what happened to the third floor’s attack?” Jung Dong-yeong asked again after organizing his thoughts .

Hak-joon was one of the new awakeners that the Ares Guild was supporting . They were supporting him with various information as well as equipment . He had the talent and had already proven it on the first floor . He, too, knew that he was supported by the Ares Guild .

“There’s no one suitable to join me yet . If I can’t get someone by tomorrow, I might have to head up myself . ”

“Really? Good . If you maintain this, just head up till the tenth floor . Until then, we’ll give you our full support . ”

“Okay . ”

“You know what to do next, right?” Hak-joon closed his eyes and nodded at Jung Dong-yeong’s question .

Of course he knew . How could he not know? He had been asked countless times . Did Jung Dong-yeong like the obedient Hak-joon? Jung Dong-yeong put on a satisfied expression and waved his hand .

“Go on . Let’s go over it again a week from now . If possible, try to beat Kim Su-hyeun . ”

“I got it . ” Hak-joon slightly bowed his head and hurried out the office .

Kim Su-hyeun, Kim Su-hyeun… The name was left in his head . At the same time, a familiar face appeared in his mind .

Could it be him? The guy whom he approached to join hands together . Hak-joon had a sudden thought that he might be Kim Su-hyeun .

He couldn’t be . Even if he was right, there was no way to verify . Hak-joon shook his head .

No other thoughts were needed . He just had to focus on his goal now . Now, he was exhausted just looking after himself .

* * *

Plat, plat, plat—

Swoosh—

Countless arrows fell overhead like rain . To avoid them, Su-hyeun hid behind a tree .

Pababak—!

Pong, pong—!

Due to some of the Shayres’ special items or energy, a few arrows made a large hole in a tree, but Su-hyeun was no longer behind the tree that they were targeting .

Swoosh—!

Su-hyeun sneaked up on the Shayre who had used magic and slashed its neck using the sword in his hand . This was the priority of a fight: when there was one that used magic, exterminate it immediately . Su-hyeun was reminded of it the moment he encountered them .

Creak, creak—!

Squeal—!

With a grotesque cry, the Shayres drew their swords . Su-hyeun distanced himself from the Shayres and looked at the gigantic Shayre standing amongst them .

The Shayres’ chief .

The ruler of this vast forest .

It looked at Su-hyeun with terrified eyes . The Shayres here were the remaining ones who survived after a month-long battle . If they were considered seasoned troops, the Shayre chief was the final boss of this trial .

“Why don’t you fight me head-on?”

Though he did not expect it to understand his words, he was confident that his intention was conveyed . Sure enough, the Shayre chief raised its hand and walked towards Su-hyeun .

Creak, creak—

Clang—

The Shayres that stood between their chief and Su-hyeun started murmuring . They were possibly saying that there was no need for the chief to do it personally . But it seemed the chief had no wishes to lose more men, and he asked them to step back as he walked up to Su-hyeun .

Stomp, stomp—

The size of the nearing chief was enormous . Unlike a usual Shayre, who was a head taller than a grown man, the chief had a build that was many times taller than Su-hyeun . Furthermore, its body was entirely made of muscles .

“You should have done this earlier,” Su-hyeun said, but he was glad to see such a reaction from the chief .

I’ve waited for a long time .

It had been an entire month . Su-hyeun was buried in the second floor’s trial while moving between reality and the Tower of Trials during this period . It wasn’t easy meeting the Shayres’ chief . Their chief was surrounded by numerous Shayres, and the chief seemed to have no intention of taking the first action . Eventually, Su-hyeun made the decision to wipe them all out .

Creak, creak—

The chief said something to Su-hyeun . Of course, Su-hyeun could not understand . But he understood the gist of it .

“Are you saying that you’ll avenge your men?”

Creak—

The chief nodded . Su-hyeun turned speechless . How did he understand my words enough to nod his head?

He didn’t understand why he was trying to communicate with a monster . Su-hyeun sighed and picked up his sword . “Forget it…”

Pat, pat—

“I’m sick of this . Let’s end it . ” Su-hyeun leaped and jumped a few flights of stairs in a flash .

Zong-!

The chief’s ax blocked Su-hyeun’s sword . As his magic-filled sword and the chief’s ax struck, a sharp pain was left on Su-hyeun’s grip .

Pat—!

The chief swung its ax again, this time passing by Su-hyeun’s eyes .

Swish—

A thin cut . At the same time, Su-hyeun shrunk his body downwards .

Slash—

Stab, stab—

Su-hyeun’s sword stabbed deep into the chief’s shoulder .

Splash, splash—!

Su-hyeun stabbed the chief continuously, but none of his blows were deadly . If he got ambitious, the chief’s ax might still swing towards him if he wasn’t careful .

Slowly, steadily . No matter how small the stabs were, if they accumulated, the chief would eventually fall . If the opponent were superior in health, Su-hyeun would merely crumble when going head-on . Thus, he needed a more flexible fight .

Roarrrr—!

The chief couldn’t stand it any longer and had an outburst . At that moment, the chief had gotten more agile . His pure white skin turned red .

Stomp—!

Soon enough, the chief dashed towards Su-hyeun and swung its ax widely .

Fwooom—!

Su-hyeun’s body flew up as the strong wind ripped the still air . The faceless Shayre’s chief looked up following Su-hyeun’s body . The chief stepped back and took out a huge bow and arrow in its hands from behind .

Stretch—

The bowstring was stretched taut and aimed at Su-hyeun . A force was applied on the bow, which was similar to the magic that awakeners use .

Twang—!

Swoooosh—!

The arrow flew at a terrifying speed too fast to avoid . However, Su-hyeun wasn’t looking at the chief’s arrow, but its hand .

Boom—

Su-hyeun’s body bounced forward . The repeated leap was not restricted to just leaping upwards . It was possible to go in any direction one wanted .

“Bingo . ”

Screeeech—

A bow that he picked up from one of his previous fight was in his hands . Su-hyeun held the bow at the chief’s head the moment he reduced the distance between himself and the chief .

Twang—!

Swooosh—

The arrow went flying as soon as the bowstring was released .

Stab—!

Kyaaaaaaa—!

The chief grabbed the arrow stuck in its head and screamed .

Swash, swash—

The other Shayres who were watching started to move . As it wasn’t a fair fight from the start, the Shayres came forward to protect their chief .

It was expected .

Pooot—

Su-hyeun grabbed the spear from behind him after releasing the arrow .

“I said to end this quickly, right?” This time, Su-hyeun’s body became the bow . He widely swung the spear and released it .

The magic filled spear smashed the chief’s head . It was a moment when no other Shayres could have helped . Suddenly:

[You have gained 300 achievement points . ]

[Your Health has increased by 1 point . ]

[The Shayres have been defeated . There is no other enemy who can harm you . ]

[You have perfectly passed the second floor’s trial . ]

[Your achievement will be ranked . ]

[You are ranked first . ]

[Your Strength has increased by 2 points . ]

[Your Agility has increased by 1 point . ]

[Your Reflex has increased by 1 point . ]

[You have gained 25,000 achievement points . ]

[Your Magic Factor has increased by 3 points . ]

[You have obtained the Shayres’ treasure . ]

[Will you advance to the next floor?]