Part 2 Episode 29
‘Demon Beasts? No… if you look at its appearance, it resembles one from the 10 heavens.’
This is when Taehyun was observing the sphinx and thinking about it.
[You cannot pass by.]
The sphinx, whose red eyes were fixed on Taehyeon, distorted its face.
The murmur grew louder due to the sudden attitude.
You can’t pass by?
who?
That was the reaction.
Spinks nailed it.
[New Korea player Kim Tae-hyun. You cannot pass by.]
Only then did the players’ eyes fall on Taehyun, who was observing the sphinx.
‘Even a stone statue can distort its face.’
Taehyun thought this as he quietly stared into the guy’s red eyes.
The reaction came from the side.
“Where is the law like that?”
“I’m embarrassed.”
“sphinx. “You haven’t even been screened yet.”
“Definitely… this is the first time this has happened.”
Kanghyuk Kwon, Siyang Kwak, Yoo Ahyoung, Seongjin Park.
Four players from New Korea showed that reaction.
[There is no need to see the selection.]
“Mr. How many people are here? How can you check things like that? “Aren’t you doing it right?”
Kwon Kang-hyuk growled as if he would use a skill at any moment.
He is angry because he thinks Taehyun, whom he acknowledged, has been insulted.
‘It’s difficult.’
Park Seong-jin looked at the expressions of Tae-hyun and the three guild leaders in an unexpected situation.
It’s a face that everyone didn’t expect.
The official mission of the S-rank players gathered here is to climb the light tower, but their unofficial mission is to unlock Taehyun’s sealed skills.
Therefore, I was not happy with this kind of sudden change.
“How did this happen?”
Taehyun calmed down Kwon Kanghyuk and asked that question.
The answer was given by Kwak Si-yang.
“As you can see, there is a gate leading to the fourth floor behind the monster called Sphinx. Normally, they only let us in after going through a simple screening…”
“What if it’s screening?”
“I’m just answering his question.”
To summarize Kwak Si-yang’s words, the stone statue in front of you is an unclassified monster, a sphinx.
It was first discovered by American players who were the first to break through the third floor, and it appears that they will be sent to the next floor as long as they undergo screening by answering simple questions.
‘This is it…’
A few questions come to mind.
A monster that can use human language. To be precise, you leave alone a monster that is intelligent enough to translate its language into human language?
“Unclassified means that the grade has not been measured yet.”
“Yes, it’s just as you said. “The Sphinx is measured to be at least SS grade.”
Yoo Ah-young added an explanation.
SS grade monster. Even at the level of national power, it is a level that can only be dealt with if one is prepared to make sacrifices.
It was a battle that did more harm than good.
The proud United States and China. In addition, it is understandable that powerful countries with many national power levels obediently follow the rules of monsters.
‘At this level, we can be considered a member of the grand duke’s family.’
Numerous clans encountered while fighting turf wars and tribal wars.
The difference between them, who are described as the highest species, and ordinary monsters is not just strength, but also intelligence.
This was the case with Kenta Zenas, a member of Orgal’s family who devastated Japan.
This was the case with Venom, a descendant of Beelzebub who devastated China.
And from Taehyun’s perspective, the sphinx in front of him was hiding a power that was no less lacking than them.
‘Why did you hide the fact that this guy exists?’
If the Sphinx had been a monster hostile to humans, the current large party would have suffered a sacrifice close to annihilation.
Yoo Ah-young opened her mouth with an awkward smile.
“sorry. Actually, there was something we wanted to check too.”
“check…?”
“I’m sorry. “I will explain.”
Kwak Si-yang began the explanation on behalf of Yoo Ah-young.
After the maze on the second floor, we matched the words in advance to figure out the point where Taehyun’s skill ‘Pandora’s Box’ is activated.
He said so.
It’s understandable, but it’s dangerous behavior.
“From now on, I would like you to tell me in advance.”
“Hmm. sorry.”
“….”
Kwon Kang-hyuk apologized, and Park Seong-jin looked at him with strange eyes.
“so. “Why are you suddenly saying you won’t even screen my brother?”
Kwon Kang-hyuk glared at Sphinx again and growled.
[New Korea player Kwon Kang-hyuk. I don’t know.]
“What is this guy?”
“Guild leader Kwon Kang-hyuk. “Don’t get caught up like a child.”
“okay. “If the Sphinx has any other thoughts, it must make a meaningless sacrifice.”
“Let’s at least upload Japanese players first. “We can’t make them stay because of us.”
The three guild leaders and Park Seong-jin put their heads together to resolve the current situation.
and.
“Oh my, what does that mean? “If we go up, we should go together.”
Grinning.
The saintess approached with a kind smile.
“I listened to it all even though I knew it was rude. “You have such good hearing.”
It’s like, isn’t it? It was a face that seemed to be asking.
“….”
“What kind of trick is that crazy bitch…”
Kwon Kang-hyuk muttered.
This is because I don’t like their erratic behavior while performing joint missions.
“Shh. “I told you to be quiet.”
Kwak Si-yang warned Kwon Kang-hyuk.
“I have a strong friendship with New Korea. And we want Kim Tae-hyun to stand shoulder to shoulder with us.”
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, wasn’t the association trying to make Kim Tae-hyun, or the porter, a national powerhouse?”
The murmur grew louder as the saintess spoke.
On the other hand, the atmosphere among the four S-rank players became quiet.
“It’s crazy.”
Taehyun said this while smiling at the saintly woman who was smiling at him.
“Don’t worry, Taehyun Kim. “I will not do anything to harm you.”
‘Perhaps it would have been better to obey.’
The fear that the doppelganger had imprinted on me has largely disappeared.
A promise that Taehyun received through victory in a friendly match.
This is because the awakened people’s oath ordered them to forget their memories of the doppelganger.
On the other hand, the Ghost Sword and the Saint made a new pact to guide Taehyun to the 5th floor.
And in this way, every time the saint crosses the line.
“Tsurara. This is the new Korea. “It’s none of your business.”
The ghost sword stopped her.
“Oh, the New Korea is our blood alliance, right? “If a national power level is developed, it will be good for Japan.”
“Tsurara.”
The ghost sword added strength to its voice.
It is a warning not to say anything more.
“Hmm. all right.”
The saintess stuck out her tongue and closed her mouth, but it was already too late to stop the gaze focused on Taehyeon.
The demon sword shook its head and bit the Japanese players.
It meant waiting for New Korea’s decision.
“What should I do?”
Kwak Si-yang asked Park Seong-jin.
“I’m going to stay overnight today. “It’ll be okay for about a week.”
“I agree with you.”
“This is going to be a long conversation.”
And so, in front of the 4th floor, an unexpected camping start began.
* * *
Yoo Ah-young approached the monster that was lying down.
“sphinx.”
[What?]
“How about we resolve it through conversation?”
[….]
The Sphinx’s red eyes scanned Yoo Ah-young.
and.
Crack-clack-
His tail made of stone swung, kicking up dust.
“Cough. “Cough.”
Yoo Ah-young coughed and checked the situation unfolding before his eyes.
Taehyun, who was out of hiding, was coughing just like himself.
[Do you call this a conversation?]
“Chi…”
“It doesn’t work as expected.”
Taehyun’s stealth is not triggered by a skill, but is merely an imitation.
Even if you play well, you have to be at grade A level.
Thinking that it would work against SS-rank monsters was relying too much on luck.
[Residual tricks do not work. Go back.]
The Sphinx only warned but did not show any action.
Taehyun stood in front of him and faced his red eyes.
“sphinx. “I have to pass by here.”
[You are not qualified to undergo screening.]
“You said screening means asking questions?”
[You are not qualified.]
They just blindly say you are not qualified without any convincing reason.
From Taehyun’s perspective, it was a ridiculous situation.
“Why not go hunting instead?”
The person who said that was a saint.
In addition to her, the ghost swords Kwon Kang-hyuk, Park Seong-jin, and Kwak Si-yang approached Yoo Ah-young.
This is because tricking the Sphinx through stealth was a strategy they came up with.
[….]
Even though I heard that the Sphinx was going to hunt me, I remained indifferent.
“Tsurara. “You have to say things like that without being heard.”
“Ulssu. “For the first time, I am on the same page with that crazy prosecutor.”
“Watch your mouth, beast.”
Shinji Nakata threatened Kwon Kang-hyuk while keeping an eye on Tae-hyeon.
“The saint’s words make sense.”
Park Seong-jin, who had been quietly watching the whole time, opened his mouth.
“I can’t be stuck here forever.”
The reason players from New Korea and Japan reached this place without much difficulty was because there was no interference from the United States and China.
If time goes by and their joint mission becomes known, it is obvious that there will be a lot of trouble.
Reach the 4th floor as quickly as possible, explore it, and obtain information about the 5th floor if possible.
That was the official goal of the two associations’ collusion.
‘Formal and informal. There’s nothing better than killing two birds with one stone…’
At that time.
The Sphinx stood up and unleashed blue magic power.
[I will deal with you if you want. It would be best not to ask for mercy.]
Sigh.
His presence quickly rose to a level that could overwhelm the group.
‘This guy…’
The corner of Taehyun’s mouth twitched.
And this is the moment to warn the party members not to move.
Tiring.
[The ‘Tower Manager’ demands fair selection from the highest species of Sphinx.] [The
‘Tower Manager’ emphasizes the quest ‘Pandora’s Key’.]
[The ‘Tower Manager’ says the order of the tower must be fair. Shouts.]
A message appeared before Taehyun’s eyes.
It was about the tower manager putting pressure on Spinks.
The other players still looked nervous as they raised their magic power.
It looks like he doesn’t know what’s going on.
‘Me and the Sphinx. Is this a message sent only to the two of you?’
Taehyun thought that as he watched the sphinx twitching.
The Sphinx suddenly calmed down.
and.
[Good…. Let’s take a screening test for you, Taehyun Kim.]
It was a sudden decision.
[You guys should step aside for a moment.]
Boom.
When the Sphinx raised one foot and struck down, an opaque curtain trapped the group.
It was subdued in an instant.
‘also. ‘It wasn’t a match for me.’
The Sphinx opened its mouth as if it did not like it.
[They can’t hear our conversation.]
“How can you believe that?”
[It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not. A person who even intervenes in the tower’s manager… What are you doing?]
“You, a bastard of the Archduke, what are you doing here?”
The Sphinx’s body shook at Taehyeon’s words.
It’s like, what are you doing with the Archduke? It looks like he is asking.
“That’s it. I don’t know why you refused to be screened. “Just take that damn test.”
Sphinx admitted that he was caught up in the pace of the human in front of him.
The tower manager is watching.
There wasn’t much he could say.
[Good. Then, I will ask a question.]
Taehyun nodded.
[Guess the name of the master I am serving.]
The sphinx’s red eyes focused on Taehyeon’s mouth.
It was as if he was emphasizing that pointless questions or trickery would not work.
‘As for the level of the question…’
It was a curiosity I had since I first saw him.
It was a conclusion that had already been answered.
“You…”
Taehyun mouthed the correct answer.
