“I saved the materials you requested here.”
“Thank you.”
Shin Myeongjun, the heavyset man who resembled a bullfrog, accepted the USB drive handed to him by an employee of the Ascender Management Center.
“This contains everyone from the S through B Districts who registered during the past month, correct?”
“Yes. That’s correct. Not a single person was omitted.”
The center employee whom Shin Myeongjun had bribed was committing the serious crime of leaking personal information.
“Good. You always work hard.”
“Hehehe. It is the least I can do. I only managed to rise this far thanks to you, my benefactor.”
Shin Myeongjun smiled faintly at the employee’s words and took a sip of the coffee before him.
The man was not wrong.
Shin Myeongjun had invested considerable effort into raising him to his current position.
‘I asked him to investigate as far down as the B District, just in case. If Unknown recently registered his Awakening, he should be included on this list.’
All of this was for one purpose.
Finding Unknown.
It did not matter if Unknown was currently operating as an Ascender without reporting his Awakening.
He would eventually have to register.
“I’ll also prepare updated records every week and deliver them to you immediately.”
Excellent.
Very good.
It felt as though Unknown’s true identity was gradually entering his grasp.
‘For the sake of our grand plan, I hope you allow yourself to be captured quietly.’
As Shin Myeongjun smiled while thinking about Unknown—
* These people truly are dangerous.
Aleon was watching everything.
“What? They were exchanging the personal information of recently awakened Ascenders?”
* Correct.
“Could that mean……?”
For some reason, I had the distinct feeling that the heavyset brute was searching for me.
* There is no need to speculate. It is certain. He was searching for Unknown. The problem is that he is a dangerous individual.
Since it appeared that the man was receiving the records illegally, Aleon had examined him more closely.
That was how he discovered the man’s identity.
* He belongs to a villain organization called Tiamat.
“T-Tiamat?”
Good heavens!
Why was that deranged terrorist organization looking for me?
‘If they discover my identity, I’m completely screwed.’
Even someone protected by a prestigious clan would have to live in constant fear after becoming their target.
I was completely alone.
I could not imagine what would happen if they discovered my identity.
‘Wow. I’m incredibly fortunate that I learned about this now.’
What would I have done if I had remained unaware?
At least I had not done anything particularly conspicuous that might reveal my identity.
‘From now on, I have to be even more careful.’
I would also need to exercise greater caution while clearing dungeons.
* They will not discover your identity for the time being. They have already concluded that Unknown must come from somewhere between the S and B Districts.
That was another fortunate development.
For now, I remained outside their field of vision.
‘Still, I can’t afford to relax completely.’
If they failed to find any traces in the S through B Districts, they might eventually begin investigating the lower ones.
* Once you reach the second floor, we should prioritize obtaining the Robe of the Sage.
“The Robe of the Sage?”
* Correct. The <Robe of the Sage> possesses numerous abilities related to protection and safety. Once you obtain it, you will be protected from many kinds of danger.
Oh, really?
In that case, I needed to obtain the Robe of the Sage as quickly as possible.
‘I don’t have time to sit around like this.’
I had considered resting today.
But at my current level, how could I possibly have time to rest?
I should clear as many additional dungeons as possible.
A Level 9 dungeon.
This dungeon contained a settlement of hobgoblins.
Dense shrubs and towering trees surrounded me.
I sensed movement within the darkness.
“Skrrrk, skrrrk!”
“Skreeee!”
Three hobgoblins appeared.
The moment they discovered me, they began hurling stones.
WHOOSH!
WHOOOOSH!
CRACK! CRASH!
“…Wow.”
Their destructive power was entirely different from that of the stones thrown by ordinary goblins.
SWISH, SWISH!
WHOOSH!
Not only stones, but poisoned needles and poison sacs also flew toward me.
‘I really do need armor.’
Until now, I had mostly fought enemies that specialized in close combat.
After facing a proper ranged assault, I could clearly feel the absence of defensive equipment.
‘Though I don’t need it that desperately yet.’
Taking only a few steps backward carried me beyond their effective attack range.
Fortunately, their attacks could not travel particularly far.
My magic, on the other hand—
“Water Bomb.”
BOOM!!
SHHHHK!!
It reached them with plenty of distance to spare.
My enemies could not reach me, while my attacks reached them freely.
Was this not the beauty of a completely one-sided exchange of attacks?
Bwahahaha.
In any case, one Water Bomb easily swept away all three hobgoblins.
When I followed the path deeper into the forest, an enormous goblin settlement appeared.
“Skree!”
“Skrrrk.”
“Skree, skreeee!”
“Krrrk!”
The sight of dozens of hobgoblins roaring at me simultaneously sent chills down my spine.
WHOOSH!
SWISH!
WHOOSH!
Countless ranged attacks rained down like a torrential shower.
THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD!
Stones, arrows, poisoned needles, and numerous other weapons struck the place where I had been standing before retreating.
That had been somewhat dangerous.
I concluded that allowing the battle to continue would bring me no benefit.
I immediately raised my hand.
HUMMMMM!
A golden aura enveloped my body.
Emerald lightning erupted immediately afterward.
KRA-KOOOOM!
SIZZLE—!
A single Thunderbolt annihilated nearly two-thirds of the hobgoblins.
As expected of Thunderbolt.
It never disappointed me.
“Sk-Skrrrk.”
“Sk-Skreee!”
The hobgoblins fortunate enough to survive because they had been farther away lost all will to fight.
After I eliminated the remainder with Mana Bolt and Water Bomb, the center of the settlement began to tremble.
[A BOSS has appeared.]
“GRAAAAAAAH!”
A deafening roar shook the hobgoblin settlement.
A goblin as large as a house appeared before me.
[Lv 10]
[Boss]
[Hobgoblin Grand Warrior Consumed by Madness]
*Its combat power has been greatly enhanced by an unidentified entity.
Oh.
Was this another result of Sage’s Sight becoming more proficient the other day?
I could now see a simple description as well.
However……
‘Even for a hobgoblin, why is it so enormous?’
Its size was clearly abnormal.
It was not an orc.
A hobgoblin had no right to possess such a massive physique.
Its abnormal growth was probably connected to the unidentified entity mentioned in the description.
‘Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter.’
I extended my hand toward the boss as it charged forward, snorting heavily.
“Thunderbolt.”
KRA-KA-KA-KA-KRAK—!
Emerald lightning engulfed my vision.
A moment later—
BOOOOOOM!
The creature toppled backward, its entire body burned black.
“Finished.”
It was no different from any other dungeon I had cleared until now.
I expected an exit portal to appear so I could leave.
However—
[Congratulations. A <Jewel Card Box (1-Star ★)> has appeared.]
“Huh?”
* Oh?
A Jewel Card Box?
I had only ever heard about them.
Occasionally, a special reward appeared after defeating a boss or Elite Monster.
“Wow. I’m actually seeing one in person.”
I stood before the jewel box, which scattered radiant light in every direction.
It resembled a small treasure chest.
[Would you like to open the <Jewel Card Box (1-Star ★)>?]
“Yes.”
At my answer, the lid of the <Jewel Card Box> opened.
SHIIIIING!!
Hundreds of cards floated into the air amid rainbow-colored light.
“Wow.”
It was an extraordinarily beautiful sight.
[Please select one Jewel Card.]
Jewel Cards could contain almost anything found within the Sky Tower, including skills, gold coins, and items.
However, obtaining a high-grade reward was extremely difficult.
Most of the cards contained Common-grade rewards.
Someone had once recorded the results of every Jewel Card Box they opened.
‘More than ninety percent were Common grade.’
Even Rare grade, the rank immediately above Common, appeared less than ten percent of the time.
That was why some people described it as no different from buying a lottery ticket.
The uncomfortable truth was that most cards were worthless.
‘But I’m different.’
* You possess an ability that allows you to avoid the worthless cards.
I grinned at Aleon’s words.
That was right.
I possessed a skill that allowed me to select a high-grade reward with certainty in situations like this.
‘Sage’s Sight. Activate!’
SHIMMER!
A refreshing sensation spread through my eyes as Sage’s Sight activated.
Then—
Among the hundreds of cards floating before me, a tiny handful began changing color.
“Phew……”
A long sigh escaped my lips.
“Could I have been a legendary figure in my previous life?”
* You are speaking nonsense.
“Bwahaha. Fine. Perhaps even my excrement was golden in my previous life.”
My laughter sounded almost deranged.
Why was I so delighted?
How could I not be?
I had successfully drawn a Legendary-grade piece of equipment from the <Jewel Card Box>.
‘Hehehe.’
I removed the ‘mask’ I had obtained earlier from my Inventory.
It was a pure-white Hahoe Mask designed to reveal only the lower half of the face when worn.
At first glance, it might have appeared to be an ordinary mask.
‘Inspect information.’
[Unprecedented Hahoe Mask]
*Grade: Legendary (1-Star ★)
*Vitality +2
*Magic Power +1
*Presence Reduction +30
*Immunity to Appraisal Skills
*Mana Recovery +10%
*Magic Resistance +30%
*Contains Stealth (5-Star ★★★★★). Cannot be detected by Detection abilities of five-star grade or below.
It increased my Stats by three points!
More importantly, it increased the Magic Power Stat—the one I needed most—by 1.
Thanks to that, my total Magic Power had finally reached 10.
Once my Magic Power entered the double digits, the increase felt far greater than when it had remained in the single digits.
At long last, I finally possessed an amount of Magic Power worthy of a one-star Ascender.
And that was not all.
It also increased Mana Recovery and Magic Resistance.
It supplemented my inadequate mana and reduced my concerns about defense.
The equipment seemed almost as though it had been designed specifically for me.
‘How could I possibly stop smiling?’
The most exceptional effects attached to the Hahoe Mask were Presence Reduction and the Stealth skill.
I had already felt uneasy about Tiamat tracking my identity.
Thanks to these two effects, I no longer had to worry as much about being discovered.
‘I’ve also reached Level 10.’
Today marked exactly one day before the second week since my Awakening.
What if I passed the Ascension Trial tomorrow?
I would reach the second floor in an unprecedented two weeks, not merely within one month.
“Hmm.”
However, there was one matter troubling me.
Simply passing the trial would not be difficult.
‘But if I’m going to ascend, shouldn’t I break the highest record while doing it?’
The fastest record for completing the Ascension Trial to the second floor had remained unchallenged since James established it.
‘Then again, he is a monster even among monsters.’
All of the Great Seven Ascenders were considered monstrous geniuses.
However, James was the only one who had received his government’s complete support from the very beginning.
The United States was the most powerful nation in the world.
The government had supported James with its unparalleled influence and financial power.
Equipped from head to toe with numerous Legendary-grade items, James established an astonishing record during the Ascension Trial.
That created an enormous difference compared to the God Tree’s Hall of Fame, where equipment was restricted.
‘James himself is also known as an extraordinary genius.’
Could I surpass a record like that?
I could probably break it.
But could I surpass it overwhelmingly?
That was uncertain.
‘Of all things, the first-floor Ascension Trial is a poor match for me.’
The Ascension Trial on the first floor required the extermination of a boss monster.
A Level 10 Hidden Boss appeared during the trial.
It was a Wood Element monster known as the [Corrupted Ent of Despair].
That created a problem.
Thunderbolt and Water Bomb, my two strongest skills, were both at an elemental disadvantage.
Their power would be greatly reduced.
‘Should I simply attempt it anyway?’
While I was considering the matter, Aleon suddenly spoke.
* Why not attempt to advance the <Tome of the Sage> today?
What?
Advance the Tome of the Sage?
* Correct. Once it reaches two stars, you should be able to strengthen one Elemental Power. If you strengthen the Lightning Element, Thunderbolt will display far greater destructive power than before, even against an unfavorable elemental opponent.
Oh.
Was that so?
Then there was no reason to hesitate.
“I’m in.”
Let us do it.
This Advancement.