CH 153

. Masquerade (3)

I am not Rick's colleague or subordinate.

In a tone that oozes dryness.

Rather, he's working for me.

The goblin spit out an outrageous fact.

no way .

You mean he was above Rick, the middle manager?

pounding! pounding! pounding!

heart beating fast.

Fluffy hairs all over the body.

'Here, a giant has appeared.'

That being said, this goblin is the only 'superior manager' in the Tower of Trials.

It means one of

Non-standard beings that even the divinities of the tower cannot be treated lightly.

Even Jinhyuk couldn't meet all seven senior managers until he reached the top of the tower.

Because it was covered by that much veil, the meaning of this meeting was special.

[Lv8 'Eyes of Gluttony' is activated!]

[The level difference with the target is extreme.]

[['luck']

Stats and 'Adaptive'

Additional stats will be activated!]

['Eyes of Gluttony' failed to see through the target's status window.]

I tried it just in case, but what came back was a red status window indicating failure.

Even if I used 'luck' and 'adaptation', I couldn't get over it.

As expected, the level of senior managers will be comparable to those of divinities. Or, higher than that.

still.

'not bad.'

It must not have been easy for even any ranker to restrain himself in a meeting with a senior manager.

It felt like the inside of the store was going to burn with just the mana that came out implicitly.

If it had been in the past, he, too, would have passed out or collapsed without being able to withstand this pressure.

But now it's different.

I could feel that the gap with my opponent wasn't wide enough that I couldn't even think of it.

'Not far.'

Yeah, it wasn't far.

You can catch up much faster than in the past.

It may even be possible to surpass rather than catch up.

in the not-too-distant future.

Thinking like that, I was able to regain my composure as if I had poured ice cold water into my head.

Hmm. I don't think I'm very surprised. Besides, you're holding up comfortably even with this energy. To be honest, I'm embarrassed on my part.

I didn't know I would meet a senior manager in a place like this, so I was actually a little surprised, but I've been through more absurd things than this. Thanks to that, I've become the kind of person who usually does that.

Hey, you mean you know about us?

At first glance, I heard about the rumors about the seven 'kings of no government'.

Jinhyuk's words.

...!

This time, the goblin's expression changed drastically.

Unlike before, to the extent that you can read it on your face.

It seems that you use the word surprising at times like this. Haha. I'm really curious how you got to know such information, but...

That would be against the rules of the tower.

To the discipline of the tower... haha! That's right. You're right. That's an area I shouldn't overlook. Anyway, it's interesting. I think that Rick's hearing about player Kang Jinhyuk wasn't an exaggeration, it was an understatement.

You'll get a lot of questions about me, but the point is, I've found one of the managers hiding in the city, right?

Jinhyuk smiled slyly.

Is it some sort of Easter egg?

There are several hidden Quests in this masquerade.

Like now, finding middle managers disguised as monsters all over the city.

And for the players who discovered it, quite a bit of reward was to follow.

The goblins knew it too, so they didn't ask about the background of the information any more.

I'll introduce you formally. My name is Hasting. I'm the manager on the first floor of the tower. I usually run a shop here, and I make decisions about every little thing.

These are trivial things... .

How could a senior manager in charge of the tower's events speak like that?

If the word "important" comes out of that mouth, I wonder how much of a ripple effect it will have.

"This is Jinhyuk Kang."

Jinhyuk also briefly introduced himself.

Jinhyuk Kang has found one of the managers, so of course you should compensate him appropriately. But, what do you want? If you want, we can tailor the best suit for you for free.

Are you kidding me?

I didn't come all the way here just to get something like that.

The clothes made by artisans aren't bad, either. This time, I'll decline. Instead, I'd like to receive another invitation.

If it's an invitation...

Because you can't go to someone's party and leave someone behind.

This is really. You're asking for something quite unreasonable.

Since I've done something unreasonable, I'm asking for something unreasonable. Probably, there is no other player other than me who found a manager, right?

Although he didn't lose once, Hasting seemed to like his brilliance even more.

Fuhaha! That's also true. Asking for a reasonable price is a natural right.

An exciting flash of light erupted.

Oh! And you don't have to measure your clothes. I already know that. As a personal service, I'll prepare something that suits you.

thank you.

I know you are a great person, but be careful.

Hasting added playfully.

"Among the players who are coming to the ballroom right now, there are some quite interesting people. Those who feel like the same as Kang Jin-hyuk."

After breaking up with Hasting, Jin-hyeok spent time in a vacant lot on the outskirts of the city.

About 2 hours left before midnight.

Until then, you will be able to enjoy a little break.

Come on. Here! That's right. Well done. Next is this.

Jinhyuk threw a magic stone at each sweet potato.

mosquito!

The sweet potato ran around and ate the magic stone that Jinhyuk threw.

misread. Oh Dodok!

Just like a puppy eating bone treats.

The sweet potato kept licking her mouth.

Yeah. Eat a lot. Our cutie.

Jinhyuk smiled at his mother and nodded his head.

After all, there is nothing more rewarding than growing a pet.

Even if I fed them all of the Magic Stones I received from Caracal, it wouldn't be a waste.

Oh!

Come to think of it .

Jinhyuk, who had been feeding for a while, got up from his seat as he remembered something.

A unique ability that was copied with Caracal and drinking on the 7th floor.

Now was the time to try it out.

'The best condition is that the vacant lot is so wide and it's dark.'

If other people are watching, you can't use the skill arbitrarily, but if there are few people like this, you can practice to your heart's content.

[The unique ability 'White Beast' is activated.]

[Attack power and attack speed increase by 15% for 5 minutes.]

[['Invisibility' on the weapon you have]

The effect is given.]

[The degree of invisibility varies depending on the skill level of the ability.]

As the golden parchment unfolded, the unique ability that Caracal used was activated.

white beast.

Literally, it is the ability to maximize the attack power while hiding the gap between the weapons.

Jinhyuk glanced at the fangs he was holding in his hand.

'It's impossible to completely hide it because of its low proficiency.'

Translucent would be more appropriate.

It was enough to confuse my vision, but that was all.

For those accustomed to fighting to a certain extent, this level was not much of a threat.

'Still, if you continue to raise your proficiency, it will become quite useful later on.'

Translucent and transparent are two completely different things.

Because if you can fool the gap perfectly, it's never been as annoying as that.

Especially if you're fighting for your life with someone you've never seen for the first time.

great.

Then... .

[Lv10 'Glacier Formation' is activated.]

As the white snowflakes flew, the blade became a little blurry.

In addition, through the 'Element of Fire', the view was made more dizzy.

Whoops!

Late evening when the sun goes down.

in an empty vacant lot. Snowflakes and fireworks blended together.

Whoa...

Jinhyeok, who cleared his breath, used his unique abilities and skills in a row.

The hand holding the sword stretched forward.

Feet gently shared the center of gravity.

like that.

The talent that permeated through the tomb of the sword.

The Basic Form of the Soulless Sword.

It began to be reproduced through a sharp dagger.

How much time has passed?

Jinhyuk, who was wielding a dagger in a trance, finally stopped moving.

Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh.

The dry lungs were desperate for oxygen.

It feels like every cell in your body is screaming.

After moving like crazy for about an hour, all my stamina ran out.

However, rather than difficult .

The corners of his lips went up in excitement of 'fun'.

I don't know if it's been a while.

Acquiring new skills and practicing the linkages between those skills came to me like crazy.

Even the sweat that soaked his whole body was approaching him with ease.

'I mean, I can't give up training for this taste.'

That was when Jinhyuk was picking his breath.

Can I ask you just one thing?

Elise, who was sitting in the chair, spoke.

I kept thinking that the party might have dropped because of my fat expression, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Ask anything.

I've only met one senior manager, and that's on the 40th floor of the tower. It was just a coincidence.

They're not the kind of people a senior manager can easily meet.

Well, what's the reaction! You're a senior manager!? I've met the Egyptian divinity, so I guess it doesn't make sense to me, but those guys are the ones who make the rules for this tower!

Alice raised her voice.

It was quite frustrating and absurd, and the corners of my eyes trembled.

However.

I know.

what?

How dangerous these guys are, and what they can do if you look at them funny. I know everything.

Jinhyuk answered dryly.

However, it was never an easy answer.

Like the monologue of a regressor who has experienced everything, worn out countless times.

Those words carried an unknown weight.

How the hell do you know so much? You even knew that they were the kings of military officers. The existence of the crown was known only to me and the bastard Axencion among the headmasters...

The crown is a hidden piece to see the top of the tower, and it is the highest level relic that symbolizes the power of the tower.

The fact that each of the powers was desperate to expand the territory. Ultimately, it was to obtain the crown and ascend to the position of monarch.

But Alice wouldn't know.

Collect all the crowns that symbolize the Absolute in the tower.

Go up to the 50th floor.

The fact that there is a player who conquered the last of that floor.

I am me.

That's enough.

No further explanation is needed.

Jinhyuk took out another large magic stone and handed it to the sweet potato.

Whoa whoa!

mosquito!

The sweet potato that swallowed the magic stone like a crab hides its tail and gently wags its tail.

A pink tongue gently licked Jinhyuk's palm.

...ha. Well, I didn't expect an answer. Yeah. You're my contractor. Now that we're together, that's all.

Alice let out a small sigh as if she had given up.

It will be useless to ask any more anyway, and it is an unchanging fact that Jinhyuk's overwhelming strength and absurd information are reassuring.

As long as we are on the same side, there is no stronger contractor than this.

But right then.

A status window appeared in front of Jinhyuk and Elise, respectively.

[The 'ordered finished suit' has arrived from Hasting.]

A phrase indicating that the clothes you have been waiting for are ready.

"Is it time to go slowly?"

Finally, the time to go to the long-awaited prom has come.

Who will be arriving?

How much talent can you extract from it?

I was already looking forward to it.