C277
Ascending multiple floors at once.
"I've never heard of such a trial. But if such a trial exists, it would save me a lot of time."
YuWon was intrigued.
"Of course, the difficulty level would be high. It will be a trial that requires you to ascend multiple floors at once, and it will be open to other players on the same floor."
If they couldn't prevent YuWon from participating in the Trial, they planned to send him quickly upward to balance the game.
The Administrators always thought in that direction. They had a keen mind for increasing the game and rewards, and balancing the System.
"Will you accept the challenge?"
Since YuWon was in a hurry to climb as quickly as possible in this situation, there was no reason to refuse the proposal.
"Yes, I will."
It was an offer he had no reason to reject.
"It will take about ten days before the Trial begins. We need to prepare and give enough time for others to find out as well."
"Understood."
Ten days.
Since he was currently trapped at the base of Valhalla, it was the perfect time to test his new power.
------------------
Player kits received messages.
"Hmm? What's this?"
Even in the kit of a player who was deeply asleep.
"Who is it?"
Even in the kit of a player who had just started eating.
"I don't recognize this number..."
From floor 65 to 79.
The same messages with the same content arrived in the players' kits who were climbing the Tower and waiting for the Trial.
They were messages from the Administrator.
[In ten days, a special Trial awaits you. The reward will be...]
"A special Trial?"
"Suddenly, is this some kind of event?"
"What kind of reward will it be...?"
It was an exciting event.
Moreover, it wasn't just a simple event like the Murim World Martial Arts Tournament.
"If you obtain permission to ascend to the top..."
"Isn't this simply a Trial?"
"It's a great challenge."
"But the content of the Trial..."
The Trial that would take place at the top of the Tower drew the attention even of the Rankers at the summit.
It was on a massive scale like the Murim World Martial Arts Tournament, but the Players participating in this Trial were much more competent.
The Trial turned into a festival, and rumors spread quickly.
The ten days passed swiftly.
--------------
Boom!
Behind the golden castle, the Valkyries' training fields were boiling.
Fire!
Purple flames dissipated, revealing the figure of Hercules. Black soot clouded the air as Hercules lowered his arms to cover his face.
"Hot."
It was a comprehensive evaluation considering the intensity and heat he had released. But it was enough to satisfy YuWon.
"The important thing is that it works."
"It's not an ordinary fire."
It wasn't the first time Hercules had tested the Holy Fire. But it was the first time he felt something strange through it.
"It's an unpleasant sensation. And if this discomfort cannot be overcome, it will feel even hotter. Usually, that doesn't happen with a normal fire."
"Really?"
YuWon's eyes sparkled.
What Hercules felt wasn't just heat; the "unpleasantness" he referred to was something entirely different.
The Holy Fire was a fire that grew by feeding on the emotions of its opponent.
And the essence of its power lay in instilling fear in its opponents. If the flames couldn't instill fear, they would simply be colorful flames and slightly hotter.
However, those flames had instilled fear in Hercules.
"The power of the flames varies based on my skill and the user's capacity. The fact that the flames worked on Hercules means..."
The place where Hercules stood. The distance that seemed far away shortened, and it felt as if he had taken a step into Hercules' realm.
"Does that mean I'm starting to enter his territory?"
It was good news.
He had obtained the 'Fire' he had long desired, and his Holy Fire had grown significantly.
If it was good enough for Hercules, it could be assumed that it would also affect most of the higher-level top Rankers.
"Is the trial tomorrow?"
To Hercules' question, YuWon responded while changing his clothes.
"Yes."
"I guess I'll have to take a look."
This time, the trial was much bigger than the Martial Arts Tournament of the Murim World.
Several outstanding players would participate and engage in a sword dance together.
"I'm looking forward to it."
When the details of this trial were revealed, the attention in the Tower soared.
"I wonder what will happen when all those players gather."
Hercules was also intrigued by the trial.
Almost 10,000 players would join as a team. YuWon, on the other hand, would have to face them alone.
One man against ten thousand.
It was a ridiculous structure. First of all, trials are either team-based or solo.
A trial that was sure to be controversial.
But there was no other choice.
"It's because my ranking has become very high."
[Kim YuWon: Rank 88]
Rank 88.
In the blink of an eye, he had entered the top 100 in the rankings.
It was solely because of that news (Throwing Gungnir) that his ranking had risen.
The Station and the Ranking Management Office had a fairly close relationship under the administration of the Administrators.
"Still, it's an exaggerated setup. We're not in the lower levels."
The players who had reached Floor 79 were the upper-level ones, those on the verge of becoming Rankers.
Of course, some of them would have abilities nearly comparable to those in the higher ranks. The number 10,000, composed of those players, would be a burden even for the High-Rankers within the top 100.
"The goal isn't to fight and win anyway. I believe I can do it."
He spoke with a confident attitude.
Indeed, YuWon wasn't worried about the content of the Trial. He had already decided in his mind that he would pass the Trial and hasten his ascent.
"By the way, what's with that attire?" Hercules asked as he looked at YuWon's change of clothes.
It wasn't the clothes he usually wore, but a thin yet sturdy iron armor.
It was a different kind of garment from what YuWon typically wore.
"This?"
It was an item made by Hephaestus at YuWon's request.
"I plan to participate in the sword dance later."
---------------
The training ground after Hercules left.
YuWon had asked Odin to lend him the training ground for another hour.
The training ground was empty.
"Come here."
Whiss-.
A figure larger than YuWon rose twisting in the shadow.
"Susanoo."
Shhhh-.
Another person appeared in the empty training ground. It was a pale undead with a cold and unpleasant appearance.
-So you have finally called me.
"You haven't forgotten our previous promise, have you?"
-Are you saying that you'll make me your master if you defeat me?
"That's right."
Creak-.
The armor trembled on YuWon's body.
It was quite heavy and seemed sturdy. The moment Susanoo saw it, he recognized it as a creation of Hephaestus.
-It seems you have prepared in some way.
The Sacred Spirit Vestment was an item that had strong resistance to various magical attributes.
However, since the fabric of the clothes itself was of quality, the resistance to magic could be high, but the defense and durability themselves were not as high.
On the other hand, the armor YuWon was wearing was focused on defense against 'swords' only.
"I have to be prepared at this level."
YuWon looked into Susanoo's eyes that were already filled with a killing intent.
"It won't be easy to defeat you with just a sword."
Susanoo was a skilled Swordsman in this Tower, where it was difficult to find suitable opponents when it came to swords.
His sword was dangerous.
More than anything else.
"This time, we will have a truly thrilling fight."
Fwoosh-.
Flames ignited on Susanoo's body.
A massive amount of Arcane Power filled his body. It was clearly a different amount of magic than he had used before.
And Susanoo also realized that fact.
"No tricks. It's only half the Arcane Power I have."
YuWon and Susanoo were connected by their souls. Although it was a subordinate relationship, Susanoo couldn't help but wonder how much magical power was left in YuWon.
It was a greater amount of magical power than before, after obtaining the fire from Surt.
With this, Susanoo could showcase his ability at its peak, as he did in his glory days.
The Spirit called Susanoo was reborn here in his perfect form.
"Do you like the dance of swords?"
-I do.
Woong-.
The excitement and thrill of Susanoo could be felt in his soul.
Until now, due to the lack of Arcane Power, he had only shown much weaker skills than when he was alive.
But now.
He felt that his body was light and full of energy, as if he could fly at any moment.
Now, there was only one thing left.
He, who was an undead, awaited YuWon's order to find his freedom.
And for that, YuWon opened his mouth.
"Kill me, Susanoo."
At that moment...
Shhhhhh-.
The corner of Susanoo's lips lifted, and a fierce energy burst forth from him.
-I obey your order faithfully...
Swoosh-.
-I will kill you.
YuWon nodded as he saw Susanoo's sword approaching his face directly.
"As you wish"
***
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***
He had only seen Susanoo's Sword once before. In the battle against Amaterasu, one of the Three Precious Children.
At that time, Susanoo had set aside his pride for the first time since becoming undead and helped YuWon.
The power of an undead depended on the degree of submission of their soul. That's why YuWon tried to gain Susanoo's obedience.
Defeat him with a sword.
That's what YuWon wanted.
Clang, clang-!
The swords clashed against each other.
Every time the sharp line of energy passed in front of them, they felt a chill running down their spines.
Amidst that...
YuWon found Susanoo's face smiling.
"Although it doesn't feel the same wielding a sword now as when I was alive, but..."
A fight between life and death was insignificant for someone who had already died.
There were only fights to win or lose.
"Still, it's not bad."
YuWon's eyes sparkled.
Among the swords that were merely swift, the tip of a sword with extraordinary power could be seen.
Shukkaaak-!
Kwagakak-!
A massive sword strike tore through the middle of the training ground.
If he had evaded as passively as before, he would have been cut in half.
Was it due to a failure in his counterattack motion?
Unlike before, Susanoo frowned.
"That look of yours really annoys me."
Hwaryuk-.
Golden Cinder Eyes.
An ability to comprehend the opponent's weaknesses and the essence of the attack. Furthermore, YuWon was using his expanded Sensory Field throughout the training ground.
"You have been preparing a lot, haven't you?"
After exchanging sword strikes for about ten minutes, Susanoo, who had been enjoying the fight, gradually began to lose interest.
The sword frequently got stuck. He didn't feel the satisfaction of cutting through something or engaging in an exhilarating battle.
This sensation was something he had never experienced even in his past life.
Instead of an immense mountain impossible to overcome, it felt like he was swinging his sword in emptiness.
"I have prepared a lot, as you said."
The spirit/phantom Susanoo.
Undoubtedly, he was a more skilled Swordsman than YuWon.
This fight was not just about defeating him.
It was a fight in which he had to completely subdue him.
YuWon pondered and pondered.
"Don't you know it too?"
How he could win this fight perfectly.
How he could make him acknowledge him.
And now...
"I am not foolish enough to move without confidence."
YuWon faced him with conviction.
Tags:
LWTG (Novel)