019. Return (3)
The fact that I killed a person for the first time wasn’t that shocking.
It wasn’t me who ran first, it was the other side, and if I didn’t kill it, it was a situation where I would die.
Of course, I felt a little psychologically depressed as if a wave was rising on the water… But
the phrase that popped up in front of me now made even that slight psychological shrinkage disappear.
「Do you want to absorb the spirit of player ‘Jin-Hoo Lee’?」
Necromancy.
A unique characteristic obtained by clearing the tutorial ordeal on the 1st floor.
The ability specialized in growth support with considerable potential was telling me.
It’s not just monsters, it’s said that you can gain abilities by killing humans.
In addition to the first murder, the fact that it can absorb human spirits was added, and my heart was greatly shaken.
If I absorb this, I feel like I will really cross the line if I lose to this temptation.
But that was short-lived, and soon I came to my senses.
‘I have to calm down. If I hesitate now, I’ll die.’
It was stated that this space, which was prepared as a special task, could not be escaped from the Tower of Trials.
In other words, the fight doesn’t end until one of the two teams completely disappears.
The more I think about it, the more my life is in danger.
I put aside the message asking if I would absorb the spirit and immediately flew away.
Kwaaang.
The moment you spur as if hitting the floor, your body shoots like an arrow.
“썅 이 개새끼가!”
And at the same time, the challenger with the crossbow was enraged.
He wasn’t nice enough to be angry at the death of a teammate he hadn’t even met.
It’s just that the person who can block me with my body is gone, so I’m just acting like sparks are flying on my feet.
It’s hard to stop me with one ranged dealer and one mage supporting me from the back.
In addition, Lee Seong-hoon is in tatters, but Lee Ha-yeon behind him is still intact.
The other side is now in a situation where they have to see a decision even if they use all their means.
Cheek!
A concise yet sharp percussive sound hits the ears and rushes.
I tried to skillfully lift the shield from my left hand, but somehow my left hand was empty.
‘Shield… Oh right. I threw my shield.’
It is suicidal to pick up a shield while being intensively checked with a crossbow or dagger.
What if, while relying only on high stats and fooling around with picking up a shield, you get hit by a hidden unique trait?
It was obvious what it would be like if it wasn’t just reading the trajectory, but at the level of being able to deliver a fatal blow.
‘Then I’ll be stuck and die.’
Time to turn crisis into opportunity.
Having judged calmly, I spurred the ground even harder and charged like lightning.
I abandoned the option of picking up a shield and decided to trust the sword in my right hand.
Wheein…!
Shortly after the car, I narrowly turned my head to avoid the arrow.
When the shield that covered her body disappeared, her heart beat wildly and her whole body became hot.
Psychologically as well as realistically, it is dangerous because there is no shield.
But you have to calm down.
‘Calmly and not conscious of the danger.’
If you shake now, the fight will lead to an unfavorable flow.
The opponent also desperately launched a series of attacks, as if seeing my shield fall as an opportunity.
Whoops!
In an instant, two daggers were fired, taking charge of the top and bottom, respectively.
Technology embodied by obviously high-level skills sends chills down the spine.
Maybe it was because of her heightened body, things that were not normally visible came into her eyes, and time seemed to flow slowly.
Even if it wasn’t, the field of view that was strengthened by the skill was wider, so I was able to notice the opponent’s goal.
That it was a win-win in order to entangle me, who uses agile movements.
‘It looks like they’re trying to snipe the gap that arises at the moment of avoidance…’
If they’re hit by an arrow right now, no matter where they get hurt, it’ll work fatally.
In the end, it’s like the answer is fixed.
‘I just need to cut all the daggers cleanly and concisely…!’
He raised his sword slightly and struck the dagger rushing to his side with the handle.
Kaaang!
Then, even the dagger that reached his left eye was deflected with the blade.
Kaaang!
I almost cheered at the sound of iron and iron touching lightly.
‘I did it…!’
I was admiring myself even when I did it myself, but I didn’t have time to admire it.
The moment he was about to accelerate his body and run into the challenger holding the crossbow.
My opponent stretched out his hand toward me and opened his mouth.
“The Serpent’s Bondage!”
The legs that were about to hit the ground hardened, and at the same time I could see why it had happened.
「Movement is restricted for 10 seconds due to the effect of the unique attribute ‘Snake’s Binding’.」 「
Movement restrictions weaken after 5 seconds.」
A feeling of being caught tightly by the snake’s tail and unable to move at all.
As expected, the opponent pulled out a hidden card.
But the problem was that the hidden card had a fatal effect on me, even momentarily.
I tried to move my body somehow, but I couldn’t move as if I was blocked by an intangible barrier.
‘Unique characteristics of bondage series!’
It’s the worst.
I assumed a unique characteristic, but I didn’t know it would be a restraint type of ability called ‘binding’.
My fighting style, which relies on overwhelmingly high stats, is a rat poison.
He smirked to see if the other party knew that, and opened his mouth soon.
“It’s good to eat! Lim Sang-yoon Now! Shoot!”
Upon hearing those words, the challenger named Lim Sang-yoon immediately raised his staff.
Unlike normal magic, arrows of ice are created immediately when the staff is extended.
‘Omitting the chant, is that also a unique characteristic…!’
The arrows made of pure white ice even harbored a subtle anticipation.
It is as clear as seeing fire that it will penetrate the skin the moment it hits.
Even if you got something called durability from the steel elixir, that doesn’t make your skin like iron right away.
If there is no way to stop it, no matter what, it ends there.
Desperately pulling the muscles of his body tight, he devised a way to escape from the crisis.
‘Damn, there’s no way to escape…!’
However, an arrow of ice pierced the air as if he would not let such a calculation be completed.
Peeing…!
It was a blow that could not be blocked and could not be avoided, but the senses of the body became more sensitive.
1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds…
My body accepts the flow of time more sensitively, and the muscles of my whole body twitch.
In the end, realizing that there was no way, I gave up trying to break the bondage.
And…
I focused on my legs as much as possible, aiming only for the moment when my body’s restrictions were lifted.
Kwadeuk.
The moment when the abilities that have been developed with unique characteristics pulsate and break the stone floor.
「The duration of the bondage has ended.」
「The effect of the bondage is weakened by the slowing effect.」
The wriggling muscles moved in an instant and the body leaned back.
And in that instant, an arrow of ice passed in front of my eyes and cut through the empty space.
It was said to be a slowing effect, but even that effect was no joke.
It seems that the slowdown rate is high, seeing as the feeling that the body is getting very heavy presses down on the shoulders.
‘What unique characteristics…’
If it wasn’t for his overwhelming ability, he would have had an arrow stuck in his temple.
An action that was possible because of the unique characteristics of Growth Specialization.
It is only now that I know for sure why competition is an ordeal and why team play is central.
This crazy ordeal tower put great restrictions on individual play from the beginning.
But at the same time, resentment also welled up.
No, my team only has search and shield roles, so why is this team specialized in combat?
Why is my team not suited for direct combat?
I feel like arguing with the manager in the tower, but…
「The Assassin’s Cloak (D) exclusive effect is activated.」
「Movement speed +15%」
「Remaining duration – 00:00:59」
Such complaints Unlike, the body moved quickly.
“Wait a minute! great conversation! I didn’t do it on purpose!”
The speed was slower than before, so the challenger holding the crossbow panicked and shouted something.
We were going to kill each other and there was no hesitation.
In other words, there was no need to give up a gap while listening to that pitiful excuse.
As soon as he reached the challenger who was hurriedly trying to set an arrow on the crossbow, he decapitated him.
Squaw!
「Do you want to absorb the command of the player ‘Ishion’?」
And the black smoke rising and the phrase asking if you want to absorb the command announced the death of the enemy.
dump.
As the body of the challenger, who had lost his head, collapsed, the man wearing glasses behind him was startled.
“Ughhhh!”
Lim Sang-yoon’s body began to rattle as he effortlessly wiped the blood from his glasses.
My hands, feet, and even my jaw trembled, and the sound of teeth grinding echoed.
I confirmed that the unique attribute magic and the skills I have are not threatening to me.
The strength that can only be achieved with a team member.
I shook the blood from my sword into the air and turned my head back.
There was Lee Ha-yeon, whose face was hardened as if she was terrified, and Lee Seong-hoon, who lowered his body and watched.
“…”
The battle was over and even the team members behind it seemed to have no major injuries.
What could be called a wound would be a large mark on Lee Seong-hoon’s forearm, but that much would heal in the waiting room.
Right now, it’s not that much of a hindrance in battle.
‘The power hasn’t weakened at all.’
I was wondering what to do if I can’t do my part in the boss battle ahead.
It seemed there was no need to worry.
The team members have not come to their senses yet, but they have to make a decision.
Regarding the disposition of the remaining competitor Im Sang-yoon.
“Please help me… You’re not even a murderer, huh?”
Did he decide that he couldn’t win because the last remaining team member was also dead?
Lim Sang-yoon begged for his life while trembling like an aspen tree.
“Please. Earth Yes, you can go back to Earth. I’ll give you my money when I get back. I have a lot of money.”
“….”
“Huh, it was Hunter. I am. If you steal all the back money, it will be at least 500 million.”
“okay.”
“Is it real? So if you just let me live here!”
“You know you can’t do that.”
Lim Sang-yoon’s face distorted upon hearing those words spoken coldly.
“The Special Assignment Tower said you can’t get out of here until one of the two teams is wiped out.”
“That’s something you don’t know. Maybe there’s a way to get out of here.”
“No, there is nothing like that. You knew that from the start, so you tried to kill me too.”
“…”
Yes, let’s say that there is such a thing after conceding a hundred times.
But just because there is such a thing, is there any reason to let go of Lim Sang-yoon, who tried to kill him?
The one who threatened my life and won’t help me in the boss fight ahead.
‘I’ve come too far to just say I don’t want to kill people.’
It is too late to become an adult.
‘shit.’
I feel like I don’t even know what to say.
As if drowning in muddy water and floundering, a very dirty sensation covers your body.
The lukewarm, dried blood running down his skin feels even more stark.
I’m not a saint, but I’m not a guilty killer either.
Standing on that halfway borderline made me feel even worse.
Status window skill stats, etc.
After the cataclysm, the world changed like a game, but that didn’t limit individual choices.
‘It’s a special task, so kill people and get a reward?’
A hunter is a hunter, not a killer who kills people randomly.
So, how is it different from the monsters who killed their parents long ago?
The reason I became a player seven years ago was because I wanted to kill monsters, not like this.
I hoped that people like me would disappear by killing monsters and reducing dungeons that threatened people.
However, Top urges him to kill people quickly and get the reward as if that was the case.
Trial rewards and growth.
Gradually, it seems that the outline of what the tower wants from me and what it wants from those with the title of challenger is revealed.
“….”
It is not an absolute evil, but it is not good enough to let go of those who stand in my way.
He strongly gripped the black iron dagger and approached Im Sang-yoon, who was in panic.
“Oh don’t come! Let’s talk calmly again-”
He didn’t listen anymore and cut Lim Sang-yoon’s throat at once.
There was a creak, and then a new message appeared.
“Congratulations, you have completed the special task.”
“Additional calculation will be added to the 4th floor ordeal reward.”
I looked at the message that additional calculation will be made, just like the information announced before the battle.
After staring at the message for a long time without speaking, I turned around.
‘…I have to pick up the shield first.’
I picked up the shield that had fallen on the ground and put it on again.
Then, he called out to the rest of the team to prepare for the final battle.
“It’s over. Now let’s prepare for the boss battle.”
Lee Ha-yeon and Lee Seong-hoon quietly looked at my face.
“…?”
I know my face is not very good, but for some reason I am startled.
I was reluctant to show this distorted expression to others, but…
‘It doesn’t matter.’
I couldn’t hide it anymore, and I didn’t want to.
“Are you okay over there?”
At that time, Lee Ha-yeon looked at my complexion and asked a question with concern.
“Yes, it is fine.”
Actually, it’s not okay, but I can’t say it as it is.
“…Okay then, would it be better to go in now?”
Lee Ha-yeon must have noticed that as well, so she no longer asked questions and agreed.
Lee Seong-hoon also glanced at me, and then cautiously expressed his opinion.
“I don’t have too many wounds, so you can go in.”
As his complexion deteriorated, Lee Seong-hoon seemed to be paying attention.
It wasn’t bad.
“I’m fine too.”
After finishing the conversation, he approached the door with a large eye and put his hand on it.
“…”
He briefly thought about what to do with the necromancy marks emitted by the corpses of the challengers, but the answer was pending.
…Even if I killed a person, I didn’t have the resolve to absorb that person’s soul.
‘Not yet… I need a little more time to think.’
Of course, the answer may have been decided with the option of absorbing it, but…
at least for now, I couldn’t control my fluctuating emotions.
Should I say that if I absorb all the spirits of real people like this, I will be shattered?
It doesn’t mean that you can’t come back after going through the door anyway.
If you don’t cross the portal later, you can come back here and absorb the remaining spirits.
I just hoped for some time to calm down this messed up mind.
Yes, if I have just that much time, I can definitely choose a reasonable option.
I looked at the boss room door again and opened my mouth.
“Then I will open it.”
and.
「Enter the residence of the Goblin King.」
The end of the 4th floor ordeal is beginning to appear.
