abcnovels
Chapter 113:
Chapter 113:
Chapter 113:
True Blood Demon Sword
Class: A-
Reaction Speed +15%
Attack Speed +15%
Once a renowned treasure that descended from the Blood Demon Sect in the martial world.
Its latent abilities have been fully unlocked by a user who has reached the realm of the Flaming sword.
Challenger Han Sung Yun can activate the exclusive effect ‘Blood Qi’ when using it.
Blood Qi possesses an indestructible nature and temporarily enhances cutting power.
Challenger Han Sung Yun can activate the exclusive effect ‘Blood Feast’ when using it.
Blood Feast allows the user to absorb the opponent’s blood into the blade of the True Blood Demon Sword, resulting in an overall increase in item performance and the possibility of random skill engraving.
During this process, up to three skills can be engraved using Blood Feast, and the cost is incurred only for cooldown time beyond the recharge time.
As I appraised the newly transformed True Blood Demon Sword through the Dragon Eye, I couldn’t help but be amazed.
The increase in reaction speed and attack speed ratios had improved, and the exclusive effects had grown and even been added.
‘This is amazing.’
I squinted my eyes as I looked at the characters etched intricately on the blade.
Even though its appearance might not be particularly impressive, the True Blood Demon Sword had evolved beyond being a mere ordinary item.
With its official title, it had become a growth-type item equipped with two exclusive effects each, making it quite a significant advantage.
‘It was already decently usable before, but now it’s like a monster in terms of specs.’
What’s more, the newly generated exclusive effect of Blood Feast even had the ability of skill engraving.
I had never heard or seen anything like engraving a skill and using it without any cost.
‘Well, it’s unfortunate that it has a limit to engraving skills, up to three at most.’
Of course, it was only natural that there would be some level of restriction beyond the cooldown time.
While it made me a bit uneasy that skills would be engraved at random, I could expect extraordinary effects by engraving good skills.
‘Now I understand why only users who have reached the realm of Flaming sword can unlock latent abilities.’
If such an incredible ability could be evolved, it was only logical that there should be some constraints.
Having fully inspected the completely transformed True Blood Demon Sword, I activated the command for the trial.
“Will you challenge the 13th floor trial?”
It was time to ascend the tower once again.
»————- ? ————-«
Entering the 13th floor of the Trial Tower.
Difficulty – Hard
The theme of this trial is ‘Strategic Combat’.
May the challenger find satisfying results at the end of their chosen feat.
Crossing the portal, I looked around quietly while observing the message that appeared in the air.
The 13th floor’s stage took on the form of a forest that I had encountered once before.
‘It’s quiet here.’
It felt as if I was all alone in a forest filled with a vibrant green glow.
The scent of fresh grass seeped deep into my senses, and I completed my survey of the surroundings.
Then, as I gazed at the subsequent message, I furrowed my brows.
And rightfully so…
Initiating the 13th floor trial.
Remaining time – 14 days
Trial Clear Conditions – Cooperate with comrades to defeat the Vampire Count within the remaining time
Trial Failure Conditions – Teammate annihilation or the expiration of time
Trial Clear Reward – Random Skill Book (A+)
Trial Failure Penalty – Death
This 13th floor trial was a comprehensive trial I hadn’t faced in a while.
While I had always found it troublesome to undergo trials with teammates……
My perception began to change as soon as I saw the reward for trial completion: a ‘Random Skill Book (A+).’
“‘A random skill book.’
Seeing a better reward than expected, it seemed that this trial would yield quite satisfying results.
If luck was on my side, I might even catch the administrator’s attention and receive support for my abilities.
Naturally, this improved my mood, alleviating any lingering negativity.
‘Initiating team member assignment.’
Wooong!
Subsequently, as three portals opened in the vicinity, a mini-map appeared in my field of vision.
‘Opening the 13th floor trial-exclusive map.’
‘Indicating the city occupied by vampires.’
‘Indicating the hidden clergy within the vampire-occupied city.’
‘Indicating the location of the vampire count within the vampire-occupied city.’
It was the same minimap shape I had seen once during the second trial.
So, this is what they meant by strategic combat…
Probably, this 13th floor trial required finding the clergy within the city and then slaying the vampire count.
However, I couldn’t help but feel slightly discontented with this arrangement.
‘Couldn’t I just invade the city and eliminate everything in my path?’
It seemed much better than bothering to search for clergy members and such.
In reality, I had more than enough power to annihilate an entire city.
In fact, using massive destruction would undoubtedly work to my advantage.”
“With necromancy, I can endlessly restore my health and mana by using the commanders…
Combined with skills like ‘Bloodline Archon,’ I could easily be called the strongest in an all-out battle.
Lost in such thoughts, I was seriously contemplating the chaotic battles within the city.
‘Team member assignment is complete.’
‘To facilitate smooth gameplay, the assigned team members’ nicknames will be displayed.’
Suddenly, three challengers appeared from the portals that had sprung up around me.
I slowly scanned their faces with my eyes, taking in the challengers’ appearances.
‘Andrei Tarkovsky.’
‘No wonder the system expanded, it was a unified trial.’
Starting with a Russian who outright used his real name as a nickname.
‘Legendary Ninja.’
‘Uh… Hello. Haha, nice to meet you all.’
A rather handsome Japanese person who didn’t seem to fit his rather childish nickname.
‘Clocktower Mage.’
‘…….Nice to meet you.’
Even a British individual who had covered themselves entirely with a robe, barely revealing their face…
As I examined them once, I realized two things.
They were challengers from different countries, and at the same time, they were ranked high in the settlement’s final standings.”
“The man named Andrei Tarkovsky, proudly displaying his tattoos without wearing a shirt, held the 7th rank in the rankings.
The Clocktower Mage, surpassing Andrei Tarkovsky, was a skilled individual who had achieved the even higher 6th rank.
The Japanese man using the incredibly childish nickname ‘Legendary Ninja’ also gave off the impression of having been seen in the top rankings.
Challengers from different countries’ top ranks…
Even if I tried not to be interested, it was an aspect I couldn’t help but feel curious about.
However, the others seemed to pay little attention to being in high ranks and immediately began conversing.
‘Now that we have to cooperate for the next 14 days, let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Andrei Tarkovsky.’
The Japanese challenger reacted to his words and his body which was showcasing tattoos without wearing a shirt on his upper half.
It was as if his eyes were sparkling with interest in the current situation.
‘Andrei Tarkovsky… Even though I had my doubts based solely on the rankings, you truly are from Russia, aren’t you?’
‘I have no reason to hide it. That’s right, I’m the leader of the Carpediem Guild. So what? Is it strange to have the leader of Russia’s largest guild in the tower?’
The Japanese challenger chuckled and extended his hand.
‘It’s not that. It’s just interesting to find someone in a situation similar to mine. Oh, by the way, I’m Michimoto Satchio, an S-rank hunter affiliated with the Japan Hunter Association.’
‘Oh, you have a more prestigious body than mine. You’re the sole S-rank hunter in Japan…’
‘Such things aren’t that important in the tower. Just call me Satchio comfortably. Ah, as for the person in the robe…'”
“The spotlight shifted to the Clocktower Mage, and following that, the elderly man in the robe responded.
‘I’m David Taylor. A mediocre mage from the Clocktower.’
‘A retiring archmage, huh? To be dragged to the tower in such a manner… your luck isn’t great.’
While Andrei expressed pity, David seemed to smile as if unaffected.
‘I consider it lucky to have this opportunity in my final years. The essence of mystery like the tower is an intriguing subject for mages.’
With the introductions of the three completed, their gazes naturally turned towards me.
The leader of Russia’s largest guild, the sole S-rank hunter in Japan…
Even a retiring archmage was present in this gathering of giants.
However, I accepted their gazes nonchalantly and introduced myself with composure.
Compared to them, I felt nothing lacking in myself.
After all, I was currently the highest-ranked challenger on Earth’s dimension.
‘I’m Han Seongyun, a C-rank hunter from South Korea.’
It was because of this that I believed I didn’t lack anything compared to them.
»————- ? ————-«
And indeed, the subsequent conversation was filled with trivial formalities.
Who would have guessed that a top-ranking challenger in the final reckoning would be a C-rank hunter…
Of course, such thoughts were fleeting, and soon the conversation shifted to discussions about the trial, initiated by David.”
“The trial with the theme of strategic combat and exterminating the vampire lord seems like an interesting challenge.”
“I don’t know about it being interesting, but I’m getting annoyed. It’s not feasible to just charge in without any strategy.”
“I guess you could say the conclusion is quite simple. We need to infiltrate the city, rescue the clerics occupied by the vampires, and then kill the vampire lord.”
The discussion was summed up quite simply.
“We need to infiltrate the city, rescue the clerics occupied by the vampires, and then kill the vampire lord.”
“It sounds simple, but… I’m skeptical about whether we can secretly infiltrate the city.”
The story was about infiltrating the city and meeting the clerics to kill the vampire lord.
“Don’t worry about that. I haven’t wasted my years; I can use stealth magic. Without detection skills or similar techniques, we shouldn’t get caught.”
“That’s a relief to hear. However, as far as I know, the duration of stealth magic isn’t very long…”
“Even so, I can maintain it until we infiltrate the city. Of course, it won’t be useful if we’re detected during combat, but until we infiltrate, it should be fine.”
“Oh, then I’ll use my unique ability to scout the outskirts of the city secretly. That way, infiltration will be easier.”
“That sounds good.”
I listened to all this conversation without voicing my opinion.
I was curious about how top challengers from other countries approached trials.
Perhaps there might be a better strategy than engaging in open warfare within the city.
However, as I lay there listening, I began to feel a growing disappointment in my teammates.
While cautious reconnaissance and careful infiltration of the city were good strategies… they seemed to be overly cautious.
Even Andrei, who showcased his tattoos without wearing a top, appeared more cautious than expected.
Even the Russian challenger, adorned with magical accessories all over his body, was cautious, so the others had no choice but to be even more careful.
Due to Satchio’s unique trait as an assassin, he was more adept at ambushes and covert actions than direct combat, and David wasn’t much different.
The British mage, skilled in concealment magic, favored clever tactics in battle.
As if determined to stick to the theme of the trial, he seemed to engage in thoroughly strategic combat.
If things continued like this, it was evident that they could smoothly overcome the trial without failing.
However…
“That means we might not receive the additional breakthrough reward.”
I wasn’t afraid of the 13th-floor trial to the extent that I followed clever combat strategies.
The Tower always offered conventional methods, but blindly following them was foolish.
Even the 11th-floor trial gave off the impression that we just needed to overcome each gate,
but in reality, it was a well-designed system where passing through all the gates allowed for more comprehensive growth.
Thanks to that, I obtained the additional breakthrough rewards quite satisfyingly from the 11th-floor trial.
“There’s no need to avoid potential losses when I can create a stage that leverages the advantage of all-out battles.”
Therefore, I had no intention of following the plans of the other three, and I soon voiced that thought.
“It seems like everyone is mistaken about something…”
“······?”
“Passing the trial like that isn’t efficient.” “Not efficient? What does that mean… Does it imply there’s a better way?”
David’s question, which was at the heart of the discussion, made me nod my head.
“Of course there is.”
At my words, Satchio, who had been discussing in front of me, brightened up.
“Oh… Could you please tell us what this method is?”
“Certainly. It’s not a difficult method, so you’ll understand easily.”
Andrei and David also reacted as if curious about my thoughts.
“I’m curious too. If there’s a more efficient way than this. It sounds quite interesting.”
“Indeed, as befitting the world’s top-ranked challenger, it seems you have your own secret to clearing the trial.”
A secret…
In a way, couldn’t this also be considered a kind of secret?
“A more efficient method than this plan is simple.”
I articulated the strategy for the 13th floor that was in my mind.
“You can just charge in recklessly, kill them all, and pass the trial.”
Just as raw and straightforward as it was in my mind.
[To be continued.]