4. Floor 1 Trial(2)
"Insane. What is this fire show?"
"Why don't we have anything like that?"
"Did he buy it from the shop? Where did he get the points?"
"......."
SLASH—!
When his sword split the air and made a cluster of flames, it looked as though the gnolls came to that spot to take the blade for him.
It was possible only because Lee Jin-hyeok had completely predicted his opponents' movements.
An overwhelming destructive force, different again from when he used only his two swords.
The other players could only stare blankly at movement on another level entirely.
"And that's no ordinary technique either. It's like he's become one body with mana."
"It's art......"
When he had cut a path through the gnolls that way and arrived at an empty <Altar>.
He took the <Blood-Red Claw> the Goblin Chieftain had used and gripped it in a forward hold.
'Now.'
Then he shattered the <Gradri Petal Extract> he carried inside his robes.
'The second effect of <Gradri Petal Extract>. It raises the power of fire insanely. Especially.'
Swish.
'when the fire explodes.'
[Activating the skill <Mad Blood Rampage>.]
[All stats held are amplified fivefold.]
[The Mana stat is amplified tenfold.]
"Gaaahk!"
Stats amplified by the power of the Constellation <Blood-Red Hair>, and flames amplified further still by the <Gradri Petal Extract>.
FWOOOOOSH—!
Even through agony that felt like his whole body melting, Lee Jin-hyeok gritted his teeth and thrust the <Blood-Red Claw> toward the center of the altar.
[Excessive power of flame gathers into the item <Blood-Red Claw>.]
[*Warning! The item <Blood-Red Claw> is destroyed, momentarily producing a powerful explosion effect.]
<Blood-Red Claw>
Grade: Rare
Category: Sword
[Attack Power: 30]
▶Bleed effects are amplified by 10%.
▶Upon meeting specific conditions, the item is destroyed.
As the hologram window made clear, <Blood-Red Claw> had a hidden effect.
That when a 'Goblin Chieftain' held 'flames of 50 or more by the Mana stat,' it caused a tremendous explosion.
'With this.'
Tight grip.
'I can melt an altar made of ice.'
FWOOOSH—!
The flames, amplified in an instant, began to coil in a spiral around what was left of the <Blood-Red Claw>'s tip.
And then it exploded.
BOOOOOOM—!
[Constellation <King of Muspell> bursts out laughing.]
[Constellation <Blood-Red Hair> warns that you will not come out of using her power unharmed.]
[Constellation <Eternal Flame> leaps to its feet!]
"Insane!"
"Everyone get down!"
"Oh hell!"
Just before the explosion, Lee Jin-hyeok threw the <Blood-Red Claw> and flung himself clear.
Even Lee Jin-hyeok would be in danger if he met that explosion head on.
"Hrgh!"
The shockwave that followed pushed everything around it away.
RUMBLLLLE......
BARK! BARK!
GRRRRR!
The gnolls nearby were swallowed by the explosion and died on the spot.
Lee Jin-hyeok could not escape the aftermath either, and was blown far away by the blast.
[You have destroyed an altar! You have acquired 10,000 points!]
[This achievement will be included in your reward!]
[Time remaining: 9 seconds]
With a mere nine seconds left, Lee Jin-hyeok had succeeded in destroying an altar.
"Haah...... haah......"
Because he had prepared for it, he at least avoided a fatal wound.
"Hoo......"
He wanted to kill gnolls for experience and score even in the nine seconds remaining, but that was plainly beyond him.
He no longer had the strength to lift a finger.
[Time remaining: 0 seconds]
[The <Floor 1 Trial> is now over!]
[You have cleared the Main Quest <Safe Altar>.]
[From now on you may come and go freely on Tower Floor 1!]
HISSSSS......!
"W, we did it!"
"We made it!"
"Ughhh...... So I have to take the trial one more time to get there?"
Pillars of light formed around the bodies of the passing players, Lee Jin-hyeok included, and carried them straight to Floor 1.
[*There are Constellations showing interest in you!]
'Right.'
Unlike the other players, Lee Jin-hyeok's body remained where it was.
'It's about time the Constellations took an interest.'
[You may choose a Constellation of your liking and keep them as a reliable patron.]
***
From the end of the Floor 1 trial onward, a player could form a contract with a Constellation that approached them first.
Constellations supported players with items, skills, and the like, making them strong.
And the players, in keeping with their expectations, produced entertaining spectacles such as climbing the Tower.
That was the nature of the contract.
'A pastime for Constellations who have no bodies and cannot intervene in the Tower directly.'
Swish.
'That's what a Follower is.'
Receiving a Constellation's advances was in itself an experience players rarely got.
The very fact that a Constellation showed interest meant one possessed enormous power or a special talent.
[Presenting the list of Constellations that want you.]
▶<Dawn King of Zhonghua>: Offers the position of 'second Apostle.'
▶<King of Muspell>: Offers the position of 'third Apostle.'
▶<Eternal Flame>: Offers the position of 'first Apostle.'
"......!"
Quite a number of Constellations had sent their advances to Lee Jin-hyeok.
But apart from the three most influential ones, the rest were not worth a glance.
'The others won't measure up to these three in reputation, in faction, or in strength.'
Swish.
'<Dawn King of Zhonghua>. Contract with that Constellation and I'd want for nothing in the martial arts.'
<Dawn King of Zhonghua>.
An absolute king who, in a human body, reached the ultimate summit of martial arts and was the first to unify the vast land of the Central Plains.
One who came to the Tower in a human body and rose all the way to the position of Constellation.
He was the First Emperor.
'Become the Apostle of the <King of Muspell> and I'd never have to worry about fire or destructive power.'
<King of Muspell>, whose true name was Surt.
An enormous Constellation that ruled the Star Universe <Muspelheim>.
It had probably seen him using flames, taken an interest, and offered the position of Apostle.
'<Eternal Flame>, is it.'
Grin.
'A Constellation I had no point of contact with at all before the regression.'
<Eternal Flame> was 'Hestia,' one of the several myth-class Constellations ruling the Star Universe <Olympus>.
'One thing is certain.'
Gulp.
'Pick even one of them and climb the Tower, and I wouldn't have to worry about a thing up to Floor 15.'
That they had offered the position of Apostle rather than Follower was more astonishing still.
'Well, I'm grateful for the offers, but.'
Swish.
'I'll have to decline.'
They were Constellations of such high reputation that he wavered for a moment, but he soon gave it up.
Just as before his body changed, he had no intention of contracting with any Constellation.
There is no power without a price.
Receiving a Constellation's sponsorship would certainly make him strong, but one had to obey that Constellation's orders.
He had no wish to live a life jerked around by a Constellation.
'Still, it feels good.'
It felt good, like having his worth recognized early.
"I have no intention of forming a contract."
Lee Jin-hyeok said it flatly.
[Constellation <Blood-Red Hair> snorts, saying she knew it and that is why she made no offer.]
[Constellation <Eternal Flame> respects your choice. However, it does not hide its disappointment!]
[Constellation <King of Muspell> thinks you are impudent.]
[Constellation <Dawn King of Zhonghua> offers to contract with you any time, should you wish to handle a sword better or take an interest in the seat of a king.]
"Let us meet again if the chance arises."
When a player takes a trial, the Constellations can watch it.
They could exert this or that influence during those trials, so there was no reason to keep the relationship uncomfortable.
Even if he did not become a Follower or an Apostle.
[No contract has been formed with a Constellation.]
[Entering Floor 1, <El Land>.]
Only once everything was settled, down to declining the Constellations' offers, could Lee Jin-hyeok go to Floor 1.
***
Scenery beautiful enough to feel like peace itself.
Children's laughter rode the gentle wind and came from every direction.
"Have some fruit!"
"Ah, players who have come here! We'll repair your equipment too!"
"Welcome!"
This was Tower Floor 1, <El Land>.
Thanks to an agreement among the guilds that this one place at least would be made 'a place without fighting,' it was able to keep an utterly peaceful atmosphere.
'Peaceful. Same as ever.'
After glancing at the children running and shrieking with laughter, he moved on.
"Hahahaha! Success! It's a success!"
"We passed the trial and made it to Floor 1!"
"Damn that thing! I'm never climbing again!"
"I have to get at least as far as my home floor, though......"
A rowdy tavern.
Passing through a place where people were each drunk out of their senses, Lee Jin-hyeok spoke to a server.
"Hello! What can I get you?"
"How much for a room?"
"A room with guaranteed privacy is 3 points a night! One without is 2 silver!"
Hearing that, Lee Jin-hyeok handed the server 3 points at once.
'Exchanging currency is a nuisance, and I need privacy guaranteed anyway.'
"Thank you so much!"
Guided by the cheerful serving girl, Lee Jin-hyeok went into the room.
HISSSSSS......!
After soaking and washing himself in hot water, he put on a bathrobe and lay down on the bed.
He had paid a full 3 points for one night, so the security here was worth trusting.
"Check the rewards."
[You have acquired 500 points.]
[You have acquired the Hunter's Leather Equipment Set.]
[You have acquired the item <Hunter's Leather Jacket>.]
[You have acquired the item <Hunter's Leather Gloves>.]
[You have acquired the item <Hunter's Leather Boots>.]
<Hunter's Leather Jacket>
Grade: Common
[Physical Resistance: 10] [Vitality +1]
<Hunter's Leather Gloves>
Grade: Common
[Physical Resistance: 10] [Magic Resistance: 5]
<Hunter's Leather Boots>
Grade: Common
[Agility +3]
#<Hunter's Leather Equipment> Set Effect
[3] Set Effect
▶[Strength +1] [Vitality +1] [Agility +1]
For Common grade, and a trial reward at that, the <Hunter's Leather Equipment> set boasted tremendous efficiency.
Being meant for beginners, it raised Strength, Vitality, and Agility in sensible measure and covered physical and magic resistance as well.
They were very good items to use until he obtained new ones.
'Good.'
He had obtained every basic reward given out by the Floor 1 trial.
Now it was time to receive the additional reward.
[Player <Lee Jin-hyeok>'s final score is 10,204 points.]
[This is the highest score in history! A reward is granted!]
[Player <Lee Jin-hyeok>'s name and achievement are recorded publicly in the Floor 1 <Archive>!]
[Your level rises further.] x3
[You have acquired the item <Eternal Frost>.]
[You have acquired the item <Burning Frost>.]
'Two items, is it.'
<Eternal Frost>
Grade: Epic
Category: Armor
[Physical Resistance: 100] [Magic Resistance: 50]
[Mana +10]
▶It does not melt under any circumstances.
▶Raises the Mana stat in proportion to the chill it holds.
<Eternal Frost> was Epic grade armor.
'Oho.'
It was made of ice, and as with any item, it adjusted itself to fit the wearer's body as it was equipped.
Befitting its Epic grade, it had considerably high physical and magic resistance, and the fact that it did not melt despite being ice was impressive.
'It clings to the body, so it isn't awkward to move in, and it isn't cold either.'
Even with the <Hunter's Leather Jacket> put on over the equipped <Eternal Frost>, there was no sense of mismatch at all.
Above all, he liked that it raised his already lacking Mana at least a little.
<Burning Frost>
Grade: Epic
Category: Accessory (Necklace)
[Fire Attribute: 1] [Water Attribute: 1]
▶Absorbs and stores heat or chill.
The second item was a necklace.
At its center it held frost that burned like a flame.
"<Burning Frost>, is it."
It was a material normally used by chill-type mage players.
The grade the system stated was Epic, but it held value far higher than that.
Heat, or chill.
Because it could absorb and store two opposing attributes.
'Mages, blacksmiths, and enchanters especially hunt for it with fire in their eyes. It's also a piece toward a hidden piece.'
Swish.
"Status window."
{Status Window}
Name: Lee Jin-hyeok
Race: Human
Level: 16
[Strength: 46] [Vitality: 47] [Agility: 49]
[Mana: 15] [Divine Power: 0]
'I'll need to raise the Mana stat further after all.'
After thinking it over for a while, Lee Jin-hyeok stared hard at the status window.
'Current points held, roughly 6,500.'
The Floor 2 trial was <Undead Race>, breaking through undead to reach a finish line within a time limit.
It was time to prepare for it.
"Shall I pay a visit, for old times' sake?"
Swish.
"The Black Market."