abcnovels
Chapter 11:
Chapter 11:
Chapter 11:
Chapter 11
[Secret areas have a significantly higher difficulty compared to regular areas!]
[Traps and monsters exist in every path!]
[Would you like to return to the regular area?]
This stage, due to it being the first, was equipped with various safety devices. However, if I had thought of going back, I would have not entered in the first place. I headed straight for the eastern passage.
-Keiik...!
The place ahead was infested with demons that looked similar to the skeletons earlier, but were actually different. These were called 'Warrior Demon Skeletons', and they were equipped with much stronger armor. It would be difficult to defeat them with my current state, and if Dok Gojun were with me it would have been easy. But I had no intention of ceding the area to Dok Hojun. Instead, I came fully prepared.
[Invested experience points to increase strength to level 4!]
I had accumulated a considerable amount of experience points in the regular area earlier because I had been deliberately choosing to enter only the rooms where there were demons. It would have been dangerous if I had been alone, but I had the Divine ranked Dok Gojun by my side. Thanks to him, I was able to accumulate more points than I had expected. Using my remaining experience points, I could increase my strength to the next level.
[Invested experience points to increase strength to level 5!]
With this, I should be able to take down these Warrior Demon Skeletons with ease. Unsheathing my sword, I then headed into the next room. As expected, there were tons of skeletons buzzing around.
-Grrrr......!
They all looked at me, but to my eyes, they didn't look like demons at all, just a bunch of blobs. I then lunged at them, flames rising from my hands.
[Obtained 10 experience points!]
With a loud crackling sound, the last of the skeletons shattered. Even after hours of slaying dozens of them, I was not the least bit exhausted. After all, compared to the hardships of my previous life, this was nothing.
"It's definitely easier to raise my stats early on."
After tidying up the skeletons, I summoned my personal stat window, and saw that my rating had risen considerably.
[Strength] Level 5
[Stamina] Level 4
[Agility] Level 4
Senses] Level 4
[Magic Power] Level 3
After checking my stat window, I then set foot towards the next passage.
'Now I’m almost at the exit.'
If I continued straight ahead, I would enter the boss room. However, I turned around and headed towards the east passage.
-Heu-i-iing......
Sounds of wind was coming from the east. I stood at the entrance and looked inside, but it was dark, making it difficult to see.
[Ability "Radiant Flame" is activated!]
When the wind stopped, I threw the flame inside. The previously dark room brightened up, and I was able to visually confirm the origin of the sound of wind.
‘So there's still that trap.’
Huge four-sided blades lined both sides of the hallway. The blades were spinning, making sounds like a blender, and were repeatedly stopping and starting. The wind came again, and blew out the lights and darkness fell.
‘Now I just have to deal with the boss.’
I turned back the way I came and headed north. As I approached the boss room, I felt the air suddenly crackled. The atmosphere in the boss room was definitely different from what I had encountered so far. At first glance, the room seemed to be four or five times larger, and there were countless swords that formed a mountain of swords. And two demons were standing in the center. They were about two meters tall, clad in armor, and were holding an enormous sword in one hand.
***
***read at ***
***
[Name] Sword Mountain Warlord
[Rank] Human Third Class
[Description] Known as the masters of the sword. The two of them move as one. Unless they are defeated at the same time, they are instantly restored.
Rank: Human Third Class
With my current abilities, defeating both of them at the same time would be nothing short of a suicidal act. Nevertheless, I still unleashed the Radiant Flames without hesitation.
-Boom!
-Geureureureuk?!
As the flames hit their mark, the Sword Mountain Warlords turned their heads simultaneously. The two then immediately started rushing towards me.
-Aaaah!
Intense vibration reverberated, making the entire surroundings tremble. Thankfully, after raising my Agility to level 7, I was able to quickly run. From behind, angry screams erupted.
‘I think I can lure them in......!’
With the threat closing from behind, I continued to run forward without hesitation, swiftly sprinting through the corridor until I heard the sound of wind ahead of me.
-Whooooosh...!
I immediately leaped into the eastern room and concealed myself to the side. And just a few seconds later, one of the warlords also entered the room. A piercing sound then echoed, as if tearing through the ears.
-Clang!
The Mountain Blade Warlord was being torn apart between the spinning blades.
-Graaah...!
It tried to retreat, but it had already come in too deep. While its bones and armor were being torn away, the second Sword Mountain Warlord arrived. The second warlord, sensing the crisis, hurriedly stopped, but a significant impact hit it from behind.
-Kuwoong!
Leaping out of the darkness, I collided with the Sword Mountain Warlord with my whole body. The startled warlord desperately tried to muster strength to withstand the attack. But, it soon began to give way little by little.
[Strength has grown to Level 7!]
I had reserved a certain amount of points in preparation for unforeseen circumstances. As my strength increased, the warlord began to be shoved towards the trap more and more. The enemy tried to resist, but the blades were getting closer and closer.
-Graaaw!
Despite feeling like my muscles were about to burst, I gritted his teeth and pushed the Sword Mountain Warlord forward until the warlord lost its balance and staggered forward. The blades, as if waiting, then swallowed their prey.
-Gagagak!
A screeching sound echoed out. Bone fragments, after the warlords were sliced through, scattered in all directions. And with a loud noise, a notification window popped up.
[You have defeated the 'Human Third Class Sword Mountain Warlords'!]
[Your experience points is being calculated].
[You have defeated a target stronger than you, earning additional experience points!]
Despite accumulating a significant amount of points, I was not satisfied, and I just stared at the still splintering armor of the warlords. Just then, another notification popped up.
[Confirmed deaths in range].
[Do you want to use the ability 'Destiny Theft'?]
This was the true purpose of visiting this secret area: to steal the destiny of these demons. Generally, demons did not possess Destinies, so even if they were killed, their abilities couldn’t be stolen. However, among the demons, there were those classified as humanoid demons.
'Indeed, if they are humanoid demons, I can steal their Destiny.'
In my past life, I attempted to steal the Destiny of demons instead of humans. Unfortunately, it was impossible for me to defeat a humanoid demon with my skills. It was impossible to even approach them in the first place.
'That’s because the powerful magic of high-ranking demons was fatal to me.'
Humanoid demons mostly appear in high-ranking areas, and I couldn’t withstand the magical energy emanating from said areas. Even with the help of my sect, I couldn't make it halfway before I collapsed.
'There are also drawbacks to stealing Destiny.'
I silently stared at the notification window before me.
[Using this ability will accumulate karma.]
Committing murder or other evil deeds, or using certain abilities would accumulate karma under the category of 'karmic debt.' And when the karmic debt accumulated too much, the person crosses the 'boundary.'
'Those who have crossed the boundary all met miserable ends.'
[You have accumulated a significant amount of karma.]
It was the cost of stealing 422 destinies in my previous life. The exact value of my karma was unknown, causing a greater sense of unease within me. While there hadn't been any penalties inflicted on me yet, it was unknown when the boundary would be crossed. Even if it was the case, however, I couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
[Ability 'Destiny Theft' is activated!]
['Strength' is partially acquired!]
[Ability 'Sword Unsheathe' is acquired!]
[Ability] Sword Unsheathe
[Rank] Spirit Third Class
[Description] Automatically applies when drawing the sword. If using the sword as a weapon, swordsmanship skills are adjusted to at least the Spirit Third Class.
From being a third-rate swordsman, I now had mastered the art of swordsmanship. Just this achievement alone made my journey worthwhile.
‘In this case, I can tolerate accumulating a certain amount of karma points. I never had the intention of giving up on Destiny Theft, but I couldn't use it haphazardly due to the penalties.’
If I were to kill weak humans and steal their Destiny, the penalties would outweigh the gains.
‘Instead of humans, it would be better to steal from humanoid demons since killing demons resulted in fewer penalties compared to killing humans.’
I then proceeded to leave the Secret Zone, and when I returned, a white notification window popped up.
[First Stage, ‘Sword Mountain’ Cleared!]
[Subject: Seo Gangrim (1 person)]
[Special reward for the first person to clear has arrived!]
With that notification sound, the color of the first door began to change. Originally, it was a deep red color, but it gradually faded and turned white.
"What? Has it already been cleared?"
"He cleared it alone?"
"Is that person Seo Gangrim?"
Voices of astonished people who remained in the hall could be heard. At that moment, someone stood up from among the people and approached.
"Seo Kang-rim, you......!"
Dok Gojun stared at me in surprise. The Sword Mountain had a complicated path and many traps, so it was impossible to clear it on the first try. In my previous life, it took Dok Gojun several days to break through the stage. The fastest he broke through was three days, and the average trainee took ten days to clear the stage. But it had taken me only one day, including the secret areas. This was likely to hurt Dok Gojun’s pride, but his expression was bright. No, saying it was bright was an understatement. He appeared ecstatic to a disturbing extent.
"As expected of my ally! I believed in you!"
"You're not even an ally, so don't expect anything. I'm tired, so I'm going to rest."
As Dok Gojun clung to me, I pushed him away and tried to leave. Thankfully, at this moment, Annaby approached me.
"Seo Gangrim, the first person to the first stage, is that correct?"
"Yes."
Annaby silently looked at me. If she didn't have a mask, her face that was drenched in surprise would have been completely revealed.
‘To clear it so quickly, and alone... Who are you?’ She didn't vocalize such thoughts, but her eyes shone with it.
Maintaining composure, Annaby took something out of her pocket and handed it to me.
"You've worked hard. And this is an additional reward."
What Annaby gave me was a small card. Upon checking, a complex Wi-Fi password was written on it.
"Thank you."
It was a reward that I didn't feel particularly grateful for. As I indifferently pocketed the card and was about to go to my room, a few people approached me hesitantly.
"Um, Seogangrim, sir. We have something to ask you..."
"Yes, what's the matter?"
"Well, if it's alright..."
They spoke with pitiful, even submissive faces.
"The Wi-Fi password, can you..."