Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Upon entering floor 3-5th, the four climbers decided to split into pairs to tackle their trials individually.

Phew, that was tough, wasnt it?

Well done.

And here.

After defeating the golem, Kang Chan and An Kyung-Joon reached a strange tunnel-like space.

They were waiting for Kim Jun-ho and Dok Su-hee.

It seems the other room... is taking some time.

Indeed.

Initially, the combination of the shy An Kyung-Joon and the taciturn Kang Chan seemed almost bizarre.

But, fighting back-to-back through trials sparked an odd camaraderie between them.

Its what they call the suspension bridge effect. These two unlikely companions had somehow become comfortably familiar with each other.

Heh, but that voice earlier? Do you remember what it said?

Voice?

Yes. The one we heard upon entering.

Ah.

A solemn voice had declared:

[Drink from the goblet of shared blood and look straight into the eyes of your comrade. Understand your shoulder-to-shoulder comrade completely. Only then will the true trial begin.]

Does this mean weve become blood-bound comrades? The fighting was done by our souls, but

An Kyung-Joon cracked a smile.

Ha.

Rarely, Kang Chan also slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, saying,

Werent we already comrades?

Ha, haha Is that so?

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, An Kyung-Joon, usually reserved but talkative once comfortable, constantly chattered about various things, while Kang Chan quietly listened and nodded.

How much time had passed?

-Thumb, Thumb

Hey, I think someones coming?

Footsteps echoed from far within the cave tunnel. Had Kim Jun-ho and Dok Su-hee finally cleared their trial? An Kyung-Joon was about to go greet them when,

Wait.

Kang Chan stopped An Kyung-Joon in his tracks.

Why? Whats wrong?

Theres only one set of footsteps.

-Thumb, Thumb

Kang Chan was right.

There was only one set of footsteps audible.

And there were supposed to be two people coming.

The smile vanished from An Kyung-Joons face, hardening into a grim expression.

Now, he could smell it too.

The bitter, acrid scent of fresh blood.

-Thumb, Thumb, Thumb

Finally, the footsteps ceased.

-Goooooo

Kang Chan, radiated deadly intent.

The reason was clear.

Kim Jun-ho with his head bowed low and his hair dyed red was snow in front of him.

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Blood... Blood... Blood

Blood was caked under his fingernails. His leather armor had soaked up blood, altering its color. His entire body was stained with the hue of blood.

Wheres Dok Su-hee?

Upon Kang Chans question, Kim Jun-ho finally raised his head.

His mouth was twisted into a manic grin, a smile so unsettling it sent shivers down the spine.

Shes here.

He pushed something both red and white towards Kang Chan.

I brought only the necessary part.

It was Dok Su-hees severed right hand.

.

.

.

What! f*ck!

And I cursed loudly, suddenly standing up.

Yes, this was the familiar stone chamber, and what I had just witnessed was a nightmare shown by the tower.

Ha, ha

Perhaps the tower had realized that ordinary sights no longer fazed me, for it kept showing me visions of my own downfall.

It seem to have figured out that my greatest fear is losing my sanity, crossing a point of no return.

Because they were such remarkable people, they gave Dok Su-hee the chance to survive.

But even the most noble among them must have feared a meaningless death... They would have wanted to believe that their sacrifice was for a cause.

People told me that if anyone could clear this tower, it would be you. Your trait is useful, so you can do it. We believe in you.

They hoped their deaths would be meaningful and left their will with Dok Su-hee.

And that will... became a heavy burden, pressing down on Dok Su-hees shoulders.

Ever since then, I dream nightmares every day Im scared to fall asleep Maybe I should have died there too

Unable to continue, Dok Su-hee cried. She said she had been summoned to the tutorial with her brother.

And perhaps her brother...

Despite what Dok Su-hee had done, a wave of sympathy surged within me. I had been in a similar situation before.

Ive been through something similar.

After the goblin shaman took the golden orb and killed himself in the swamp, I had to run away, leaving my dearest friend behind in the tutorial.

The day I was betrayed by the goblin shaman.

At the tutorials field, as the sun was setting.

I lost my first friend, my confidant, my companion.

The wound still hurts.

But Im still trying. Because if I give up, their sacrifices would mean nothing.

This was my heartfelt truth, without a shred of falsehood.

The Choi Ji-won I knew that day is no longer in this world. The Choi Ji-won that exists now is different from that Choi Ji-won.

And my friend, Choi Ji-won, told me I could do it. So I should move forward.

Despite the pain of regression, I proceed.

For a friend I can no longer see.

Youre amazing.

Dok Su-hee, tears streaming down her face, nodded faintly.

I may seem fine on the outside, but inside, Im rotten. But Jun-ho... I can feel that youve overcome it, and that seems so incredible to me. I I couldnt possibly

She wasnt showing her cold exterior from before.

Nor her lively demeanor seen up until now.

Dok Su-hee, revealing her true, hurt, and suffering self, smiled at me.

Slowly, emotions began to flow from Dok Su-hee.

Awe [B] >>> Awe [A] Trait evolves. Awe[A] -Praise for your greatness. Fear of not being able to understand.

-You can use the trait of those affected by awe in its deteriorated form once.

- Dok Su-hee: Inventory (SSS) >>> Synthesis/Explosion (B-)

An SSS rank. Thanks to her, my awe trait evolved.

No, more than that, its been a while since Ive experienced the transfer of emotions. I could feel that she truly admired me.

Jun-ho.

After wiping her tears with her sleeve, Dok Su-hee looked straight into my eyes.

The reward for the third floor. If its not an individual reward but distributed... I want to take it all. Please invest in me. Help me clear this tower.

I believe you would understand. No, perhaps youre the only one who can understand me. If I fall here, those who died for me would have died for nothing.

I hesitated to respond. The two Kim Jun-ho in my head were fighting more fiercely than ever, having now descended into a ground fight.

And I have a way to subdue An Kyung-Joon and Kang Chan. With Kang Chan, if I use the goblin shamans staff I obtained from the tutorial

?

That was until Dok Su-hee started making strange claims.

That

Yes? What?

Why subdue

Because I need to monopolize the rewards. They are great people, but I can use the rewards much more valuably. You would understand, wouldnt you?

Uh

Im likely to have a higher trait grade... and Im smarter and have a sense of responsibility Moreover, its for a greater cause, so you should understand Its not like Im killing them

Carefully choosing my words, I had to offer a fundamental solution.

Lets not subdue anyone, and Ill try to persuade them myself. Dont do anything rash, okay?

Yes.

Dok Su-hee nodded after a long silence.

This is a bit

I told you I was dealing with a crazy bitch, you idiot.

The two battling Kim Jun-ho in my head stopped their submission holds.

Because the gaze that Dok Su-hee now revealed was laden with intense madness.

Lets go.

And finally, I was able to make a decision regarding Dok Su-hee.

End of Chapter -

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