Utopia (2)
Fahur, who had gone through the trial on the sixth floor three times, was said to be the top-ranked challenger here. Perhaps that was why the other challengers who were based here didn’t seem to have a high rank. However, the other party didn’t seem to think so.
“Hey, you must have a lot of guts? Thanks to you, I don’t have to waste time looking for you.”
“Shin Sang-hyun, don’t let your guard down. It’s scary, even if the information the hospital gave was half true. The team leader Lee Do-sung was killed without doing anything.”
“Uncle, don’t you know me? Don’t worry about it. And Lee Do-sung, I knew he’d end up like that one day. He didn’t even practice with his skills but always went drinking with the superiors.”
Of the hundred or so people who came out to meet him on the roof, there was a person in his early twenties who stood out as confident. His name was Shin Sang-hyun.
“I’m really curious. What floor have you reached to act up?”
Shin Sang-hyun, who walked out and stood in front of the crowd, suddenly asked Yoon-seok. Not feeling the need to justify himself, Yoon-seok remained silent. Perhaps he intended to brag; he babbled on.
“Oh, that’s why a noob like you won’t work. But you don’t know your place? I’m Shin Sang-hyun, a 10th-floor challenger. And unlike team leader Lee Do-sung, I’m an Explorer.”
After checking with Eyes of Truth, it was true that he was a tenth-floor challenger and an explorer. Yoon-seok’s brow furrowed. Aside from the fact that the number of floors was much higher than expected, the equipment Shin Sang-hyun was wearing seemed to have come from the Tower.
‘Can we bring along our original equipment once we get to the tenth floor?’
It was different from the swords taken from the challenger in the hospital. His was a sword made from modern manufacturing technology. But Shin Sang-hyun’s was different. The exterior was antique, and above all, he could feel magic radiating from the weapon.
“Ah, fuck. You’re not a dumbass, but why aren’t you answering? Anyway, all I have to say is, you’ve fucked up.”
Unlike the frivolous attitude, his floor was three higher than that of Yoon-seok. Plus, he was also armed with equipment from the Tower. No matter how easy explorations were compared to duels, he couldn’t let his guard down this time. But they would find out soon which side of them was the one in trouble.
Swoosh!
Shin Sang-hyun smirked and pointed his spear at Yoon-seok as he gathered energy on his sword.
“Sword energy? I guess it’s basic, though. Aura Spear.”
When he chanted the command, a dim light glowed on Shin Sang-hyun’s spear. Like Yoon-seok’s energy, he seemed to have learned the art of enhancing weapons using magic.
“What are you all doing? Not gearing up?”
When Shin Sang-hyun said something to his surroundings, the challengers began to scramble and chanted commands.
“Expansion!”
“Blessing of the Fire Spirit!”
“Strength!”
Was that why they were all gathered here in the first place? Dozens of buffering skills overlap in their cries. Shin Sang-hyun giggled as if he was high on drugs.
That was his last moment.
Slash!
His body, which had been emitting colorful auras due to the overlapping buffs, was split in half. Those who were watching the scene had question marks in their eyes. Did that just happen?
T-thud.
In their eyes, Shin Sang-hyun’s body split in two and slid to the floor. Everything came to an abrupt end.
“…”
If he had focused on his sword instead of giggling, he might have blocked the attack at least once. Then, if he had used his equipment or skills he hadn’t used yet, they might even have fought a serious battle.
But it was all a meaningless assumption.
Shin Sang-hyun somehow looked down on Yoon-seok’s skills and let his guard down. On the other hand, Yoon-seok didn’t miss the moment when an opening was visible and went all out.
Whoosh!
The air became far colder. Then suddenly, a fragmented light particle began to emerge from the body that had been split in half. When he looked closer, Shin Sang-hyun’s equipment crumbled and was floating up.
‘Does it mean that items taken from the Tower will not remain?’
It was a very alluring and beautiful scene, but at the same time, it was a spine-chilling sight for a challenger like Yoon-seok. He didn’t know where it was headed, but the fragmented light particles rose into the sky and soon disappeared from view.
“…”
Yoon-seok quietly lowered his gaze from the sky. More than a hundred people on the rooftop ran away as soon as Shin Sang-hyun was cut in half. Yoon-seok didn’t run to catch them. No one could escape without Yoon-seok’s permission anyway.
So there was no need to rush.
「Returning in 21.42.13.」
There was still plenty of time left. Yoon-seok shielded his parents’ bodies with energy. Then he hoisted them in the air and carried them behind him. Although it’s uncomfortable since he had to always look back, there were no other better alternatives. It was impossible to leave his unconscious parents here.
After all, it was safer to keep them next to him.
Thump. Thump.
Yoon-seok slowly went down the stairs and scanned one floor at a time. All floors were well-lit with no sign of life. But he was neither nervous nor in a hurry. He could predict where they would be.
As expected, about three hundred people were standing in front of the entrance when he arrived on the first floor.
“H-here he comes! T-the monster is here!”
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