CH 111

Chapter 111: Interim Closing (2)

Strongest.

This was probably the reason why I was climbing the Tower.

To become the strongest one across all dimensions, so no one could restrict me in any sense.

I realized that I had gotten a step closer to achieving my goals.

「12 floor's Trial ranking board」

1st. Hunter (SSS)

2nd. Great Sorcerer (SS+)

3rd. Kim SeungHoon (SS)

4th. Katherine Benet (SS-)

5th. Bloody Lightsaber (SS-)

6th. Clock Tower's Magician (SS-)

7th. Andrei Tarkaposki (S+)

"..."

No one across all countries had gotten a better result than me in this trial.

I laughed in disbelief after seeing my name on top of the leaderboard.

To think that I would be at the top of the leaderboard that had gathered all countries around the world...

'It seems like Earth really is weak compared to other dimensions...'

Maybe the result would've been different if they'd put all S-rank Hunters across the world...

But if I was the challenger with the highest points, I could easily understand the level of others.

Not only that but in the top rankings, there were some familiar names. But most of the challengers who were in the top rankings were probably at a similar level to an S-rank Hunter.

I shook my head and stopped thinking about these kinds of things.

From what I've heard, in worlds like Ares, Kallian, or the Murim Dimension, the Tower of Trials has existed since long ago.

'I guess it's inevitable for Earth's strength to be weaker.'

What mattered in this situation wasn't the strength of Earth or the rankings.

Now that it was officially registered as a climbing dimension, challengers from other worlds wouldn't invade Earth.

Earth was probably weaker compared to other dimensions.

I became sure of that after completing the 11th and 12th floor trials.

'Earth is at least weaker than Murim and Ares.'

That's why Earth was seen as a lower dimension from beings of other worlds. So there were many people who tried to get advantage of this and try to invade.

For example, a few floors ago, I was treated as a savage by a knight from Ares. And because of that, I almost died.

After that, I faced challengers like Baek SeonHak and NamGung Hyuk.

'If I keep going up through the Tower, I guess I'll inevitably become a target.'

That's why I shouldn’t concentrate on Earth's weak forces...

And instead becoming strong enough to face the challengers from other dimensions who, after seeing how weak Earth was, tried to take advantage of it.

"Inventory."

I checked out the reward I received for clearing the 12th floor trial.

「Ancient Emperor's Grey Crown」

「Rank: A-」

「Charisma +30%」

「A grey crown used by an Ancient Emperor that served the God of Darkness.」

「While using, your mind becomes unstable, and the durability of the item goes down every minute.」

「But in exchange, you can freely use the <+Spirit Magic (B+> that's embedded in the crown.」

「As long as the item isn't destroyed, its durability will slowly recover.」

Spirit Magic...

It seemed like an ability that resembled more a Necromancer than the Unique Ability Necromancy I had.

I fell into thought while looking at the crown that was shining with a grey jewel.

'If wearing it makes your mind unstable and its durability goes down, it doesn't seem to be a great item.'

It seemed like you should only wear it while fighting.

I decided not to make a conclusion about the Grey Crown and started to check out the other things.

First, I decided to check out the B- ranked skill, 'Last Stand.'

「Skill - Last Stand (B-)」

「Proficiency Rate - 0%」

「Normal Effect - During the battle, you can dismiss a 'Critical hit damage that's going to lead you to death,' but once you use it, it will consume 88% of your HP. Also, it will be a week before you can use it again.」

「Detailed Effect - If Last Stand is activated, your senses get sharper, and all your skills will get a boost. The proficiency rate of Last Stand increases by 7% every time you use it.」

"Nice."

There wasn't an unclear side to its effect like the 'Ancient Emperor's Grey Crown (A-).'

To think I could overcome a situation that would've led to my death.

'I'm not sure what it means to dismiss critical hit damage... but it's definitely a good skill.'

It had penalties like consuming 88% of your HP and a long cooldown time, but they were penalties that didn't feel like a penalty.

The reason was that...

If I can use skills like Last Stand without any restriction, that would make me almost immortal.

Not having any penalty after stopping you from dying would be the abnormal thing.

Not only that, according to the description, after receiving the penalty, my senses would get sharper, and my skills would get a boost.

'Taking those things into consideration, this doesn't feel like a penalty at all.'

Last Stand was definitely going to save me from a dangerous situation.

* * *

After checking out the details of the rewards, I changed the center of my thoughts.

'Although I've finished checking out rewards, there are still things I need to check.'

It was time to check the Powers I had gained by applying pressure on the Administrators.

"Exclusive Store."

The shop window opened as I mumbled the command words for the contractor exclusive store.

「Contractor Exclusive Store.」

「SP - 10,500」

「Category: Skill」

「Category: Power」

「Category: Objects」

「Contractor: Iron-blooded Monarch and White Crane Sword Saint」

「Note: First contractor of the 'Iron-blooded Monarch' and Apostle of the 'White Crane Sword Saint'.」

A crazy amount of special points appeared before my eyes, but...

I didn't hesitate and went directly to the Power category.

「Enter the Power list you want to open.」

「1. Iron-blooded Monarch」

「2. White Crane Sword Saint」

「3. Sponsor Power」

And—

「You've selected the 'Sponsor Power.'」

「Category: Power (Sponsor Power)」

「List (1/2)」

「Power: Sword Aura Merchant (C+)[Acquired]」

「Power: Steel Wing (C+)[Acquired]」

「Blood Demon Hole (C+)」

As I entered the Sponsor Power category list, I saw new Powerss.

「List (2/2)」

「Power: Hero's Protection (C+)」

「Power: Quick Mana Charge (C+)」

I didn't stop there and entered the second list.

Then I returned to the first page and expanded the description of each Power.

It was to make them easier to read.

「Blood Demon Hole (C+)」

「Price: 3,000 SP」

「Description: It's a Power only the successors of the Blood Demon Cult can learn. You can change mana with ki and inherit the characteristic mana of the attributes. The energy changed to Ki will react more sharply. When you begin fighting, your battle senses will get stronger.」

「Power: Hero's Protection (C+)」

「Price: 3,000 SP」

「Description: A Power that is given only to those chosen by Gods. Those who have obtained this Power, regardless of the time in which they were born, acted as the world's saviors. However, the subject's contract with God has been cut. So the only effects they can get from the Power are Divinity Control and Increased Luck.」

「Quick Mana Charge (C+)」

「Price: 3,000 SP」 

「Description: When your mana drops to less than 50%, you can absorb and recharge your mana from nature. However, if you over-recharge, your magic circuits or blood veins could be damaged.」

They were all good Powers.

The Blood Demon Hole seemed like a vision technique people from Murium used to change Mana to Ki.

Hero's Protection allowed me to control the Divinity inside me.

Quick Mana Charge allowed me to recharge mana.

These three were quite good, considering they were C+ Powers.

Of course, they were expensive, taking into consideration these were C+ Powers, but they were worth it.

"Hmm."

After stroking my chin for a bit, I made a decision.

"I should just buy these."

I couldn't help but be tempted by these great Powers.

Although they weren't as good as higher-ranking Powers, these were still quite good in terms of price and quality. 

Among the Powers of White Crane Sword Saint, there were some A- or even A+ ones that tempted me quite a lot. But...

But seeing how fast I got special points, I thought I might not need to buy higher-ranking Powers yet.

'I guess it will be okay if I buy it on later floors.'

Not only that, but they also gave me special points as an extra reward. So it probably doesn't matter.

I left these useless thoughts behind and chose the more effective ones.

「You've bought the Power: ‘Blood Demon Hole (C+).'」

「You've spent 3,000 SP.」

「You've bought the Power: ‘Hero's Protection (C+).'」

「You've spent 3,000 SP.」

「You've bought the Power: ‘Quick Mana Charge (C+).'」

「You've spent 3,000 SP.」

These three were sponsored Powers.

After buying the Powers, I felt my body changing. But I didn't stop there and did a ceremony with the remaining rewards.

I wanted the effect of the Blood Demon Hole and the Hero's Protection, but...

I decided to leave those behind and checked out the last remaining reward.

The reason was...

「You've absorbed the soul of the challenger 'Han Sungyeun' and increased your stats permanently.」

「You've absorbed one of the skills the challenger 'Han Sungyeun' had as a reward.」

There was a more interesting reward left than the three Powers I had just bought.

Not only that, but… 

「Challenger Han Sungyeun's soul matches the challenger Han Sungyeun's soul.」

「You've satisfied the conditions for the Power 'Divinity,' so it has activated.」

「Trying to absorb Divinity.」

I received a message that had something written that I wasn't expecting.

——