Chapter 339

Chapter 339

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 339: Trap (1)

When I peer into ‘it,’ ‘it’ peers back at me.

Those who hunt ‘it’ must be wary not to become ‘it’ themselves.

Beyond the borders of good and evil, far beyond the realm of human comprehension, ‘they’ stand on this side, facing us.

– ‘Anonymous Diary of an Elder Demon Hunter’ (This is the last record found within his embrace-turned corpse) –

***

“...!”

Vikir opened his eyes in the darkness.

His body was gone. Only his severed neck remained, floating in the air.

Vikir’s expression turned bitter.

“Was it all a dream?”

A brief dream, severed along with his neck.

It was all just a fleeting reverie.

In his dream, Vikir had achieved many things.

He had regained everything stolen from him since childhood.

He had uncovered the veil of death, avenged his brothers, and befriended the future heroes of the academy.

And he had found and slain countless demons and demon lords.

...But all of it was just a dream. Mere bubbles of illusion.

Now Vikir was facing reality again.

The burning land. Mountains and rivers of corpses and blood. Flocks of crows raging in the sky.

The era of destruction. The war between humans and demons ended in victory for humanity.

But it was a hollow victory.

Ninety-nine percent of humanity had been wiped out, and the lineage of countless great heroes had been severed.Folll0w current novÊls on n/o/v/3l/b((in).(co/m)

The “Gate of Destruction,” remained unclosed, and within it lurked the uncertainty of when the second or third wave of demon armies might surge forth.

That’s why Vikir couldn’t close his eyes even in death.

Despite having his throat cut, he kept his bloodshot eyes wide open, thinking of his fallen comrades and those still alive.

Then.

“Vikir.”

A voice reached him.

Vikir tried to turn his head, but with only his severed neck on the scaffold, he couldn’t look back.

“Vikir.”

Yet the voice was approaching from that direction.

Eventually, a warm hand touched his cheek.

When he turned his head, a soldier was looking down at him.

A female soldier with long scars on her cheek. She had faint and blurry features.

But Vikir recognized her at a glance.

“Sergeant Jannette from 207th Battalion, 4th Platoon, 1st Squad? You’re alive!”

But she wasn’t the only one.

Countless faces appeared behind her.

Vikir knew each and every one of them.

“Lieutenant Kirke, Sub-Lieutenant Hyal, Sergeant Kuberin, Corporal Saladin, Private Miryamu... You’re all alive! I thought you all died... I thought they were all dead!”

Could there be anything happier than the return of comrades thought to be dead?

Vikir shouted with relief.

...However?

There was something strange about the appearance of his comrades right before his eyes.

Could it be that blood had dried on his corneas? The sight of his comrades, red and blurry, differed considerably from Vikir’s last memories of them.

“Sergeant Jannette. Come to think of it, the scars and burns that once covered her entire face seem to have vanished, haven’t they? Her face looks pristine, almost like a well-grown peach.”

“Lieutenant Kirke. Didn’t he lose his left leg in the last battle? I remember making a prosthetic for him...”

“Sub-Lieutenant Hyal. Your... ear has grown back, hasn’t it?”

After confirming all the rewards, Vikir got up.

He realized he was lying on a large and soft bed, naked skin touching something soft.

“Come to think of it, this place is...”

Looking around, he spotted a comfortable sofa nearby.

Vikir was currently sprawled on a big, plush bed.

Beside him were a desk and a chair, on top of which were candlesticks and various foods such as appetizing fruits and bread.

10th Floor: The lost Paradise

Vikir already had information about this floor.

In truth, there wasn’t much information needed.

Most of the settings on this floor were open to challengers, except for a few hidden ones, and they were kindly and precisely written on the wall.

“This place is a sanctuary for challengers weary of the Tower’s trials!”

“Here, you’ll find the Tower’s largest candy shop.”

“Challengers can exchange their items for candies here.”

“Challengers can also exchange candies for items here.”

And next to it was a catalog listing the prices of items sold in the shop.

– “Small, sturdy wooden bed – [1 red candy]”

– “Large, plush duck feather bed – [2 red candies]”

– “Small fabric sofa – [1 blue candy]”

– “Large leather sofa – [2 blue candies]”

– “Cool beer, 10 cans – [1 blue candy]”

– “Crispy fried chicken, 10 pieces – [1 red candy]”

– “Sweet honey cakes, 5 pieces – [1 green candy]”

– “State-of-the-art gaming console – [2 green candies]”

– “Letter to someone outside the Tower – [1 golden candy]”

Under the catalog, there were ways to enjoy shopping.

– “You can exchange your items for candies!”

– “When exchanging candies for items, you’ll get 100% of the item’s value back, unlike the usual 50%!”

– “Even candies that have been consumed and have turned into stats can be regurgitated and converted into candies, specifically for the residents of this floor!”

– “If you regurgitate candies consumed before entering this floor, you’ll receive an additional candy for every 10 candies regurgitated!”

– “The color of the additional candies given is randomly chosen from red, green, or blue!”

– “Now, purchase your own items from the catalog and decorate this empty space to your liking!”

.

.

Underneath the cautionary notes, Vikir glanced at the bottom.

※ As a small bonus for all of you who have made it this far! Send a message to someone waiting eagerly outside the Tower!

※ Originally priced at one golden candy, we provide the ‘letter item’ to residents of this floor once a month for free!

※ The probability of entering this room is less than 0.0001%. You are the chosen lucky one!

※ Starting from the next floor, the difficulty will increase by at least ten times compared to the floors you’ve passed so far!

※ Please take a good rest here and rejuvenate your body and mind before challenging the Tower again!

That was the end of the guidance.

A structure where the vast empty space could be filled with items purchased from the shop.

Reasonably priced necessities or luxury items.

There were no elements threatening survival, and various amenities and entertainment were provided.

Above all, one could send messages to family or friends who were likely worrying about them outside the Tower.

All of this wasn’t a dream, fantasy, or illusion; it was undeniable reality.

...and Vikir thought to himself.

“This is the worst.”

The most dangerous floor where even the mightiest heroes who boasted and swaggered hesitated.

A trap laid by demons to hunt challengers.

The most sinister, vile, and blatant trap in the entire Tower was here.

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]