The Hunter Returns Chapter 3

003 – 1st floor (2)

Jeong Eun-ji was looking at the successor who was sitting in his seat.

The first man to jump out of the starting zone. Just a moment ago, he was the successor who had been dealing with monsters like a ghost. There were no flashy moves or elegant techniques in the man’s movements. However, he was fast. 

Probably the greatest killer of all gathered here.

One by one. It was incomparable to the other successors who were barely able to defeat monsters. He killed all the orcs gathered in one building at an incredible speed and moved to another section.

And repeat.

A dying monster turns into an orc in a game.

From orcs to goblins.

Just changed from goblin to kobold.

There was no hesitation in the man’s sword.

The man who had been running wild as if he didn’t even have time to rest stopped just after the sun went down.

He was sharpening his sword with a whetstone he got from hunting a monster.

The sight of blood and flesh scraping off the sword seemed somehow familiar.

She was also well aware of the rumors about the Sky Tower.

The Tower of Death, where the probability of clearing all floors is less than 10%. Starting from the first section, which can be called the tutorial zone, you must repeat the same slaughter battles that are no different from battle royale. Starting from the second section, where the stronghold is created, you may have some leeway, but there is nothing like that in the first section.

After clearing the 5th floor, I had to just keep going until I reached the Rest Room.

Once you enter the tower, it is certain that you will walk a path of thorns.

But you don’t have to walk that path alone. If you have a strong companion, progressing through the tower is much easier.

And, even if nothing else, the man in front of me was definitely skilled.

With a successor like this, you might be able to get through one section without any problems.

Fortunately, I’m pretty confident about my looks.

Jeong Eun-ji straightened her hair that was dirty with sweat.

Now that everyone’s starting point is the same, all she can boast about is her looks.

Opportunities must be seized when they come.

Jeong Eun-ji, who had made up her mind, walked towards the man.

“excuse me….”

“What is your business?”

The voice was younger than I thought.

Looking at his side profile as he sharpens his sword, he must be a college student at best.

I can’t believe it.

What on earth was that human doing outside that made him act like that?

He might be a so-called person from the underworld.

She opened her mouth, suppressing the small doubt that was rising in her mind.

“My name is Jeong Eun-ji. I’ve been watching you hunt. If you don’t mind, would you like to have a party?”

“party?”

He kept coming closer and closer as if he needed to go to the bathroom, so I thought he had some special business.

“I don’t have a hobby of hanging out with guys who are just a burden.”

Kim Yun-do flatly refused.

“… … .”

I expected the rejection, but the words were a bit rougher than I expected.

No, this might actually be better.

This is my first time seeing this guy.

It had not even been a day since I was dragged to that horrible place called the Tower of Heaven.

If he had just accepted her offer, it might have been better to be on guard instead.

“Ah. I think you’re saying that because you don’t know much about the party system. If you form a party inside the tower, you can clear the floors easily. Plus, you share the experience points…”

“You don’t understand. I am strong. And you are weak. A party can only be formed when there is an equal relationship.”

After finishing cleaning his sword, he stood up from his seat.

He sat down for a moment because he needed to clean his sword. He didn’t want to waste time fighting over it. He ignored the voices calling out to him from behind and entered the convenience store. 

The foods to pack are light and easy to carry.

Anyway, all the food served here has a time limit. It all disappears on the morning of the third day. There are no buffs that help with stats either.

Food that was just to satisfy hunger. But even so, eating was important.

The food from the next floor was not only tasteless, but also difficult to eat.

“Excuse me. Are you listening?”

It seems like I rushed things too much.

Jeong Eun-ji changed her method because she felt like she had just raised her guard for no reason.

“Okay. If you ignore me like that, I’ll give up. But even if you do go, please tell me your name. This is all fate.”

“… This is Kim Yun-do.”

“Kim Yun-do? That’s a nice name. Okay, Mr. Yun-do. I’ll make a formal request. Let’s have a party.”

“… … .”

As soon as the message window popped up, Kim Yun-do’s hand moved.

“The other person declined the party.”

“Oh, really!”

If you don’t deal with it, it will just fall apart.

Like Kim Yun-do, she was packing up food. Bread and kimbap. She also picked out something to drink, and her gaze stopped at a corner. She glanced at him for a moment as if thinking, and then packed up daily necessities such as sanitary pads and wet tissues.

At this point, I don’t think we need to worry for a while.

After she packed her things, she realized that Kim Yun-do was nowhere to be seen. She quickly turned her head and saw that he had already left the convenience store.

Oh, you’re really going to come out like that? Who would have thought you’d give up like this?

Jeong Eun-ji, who had stuffed the items into a disposable bag, hurriedly followed after him.

*&*

Kim Yun-do was heading into the city.

He has a chocolate bar and a drink in his hand. He walks as if he doesn’t even want to waste time sitting down to eat. 

Thanks to that, Jeong Eun-ji followed him, dragging her tired body. Successors eating meals could be seen all over the city. Their ages also varied. Some were children who were shaking, and many were men who would not be strange if they had grown children.

Poor people who were dragged into the Sky Tower without even knowing why.

The same goes for me. People all over the world talk about the Tower of Heaven, but I don’t think I’ll be the one to do it. If you’re brought here, you have to clear the tower. If you don’t, you won’t be able to leave the tower for the rest of your life.

However, the Sky Tower was not an easy place for everyone to clear.

As you climb the tower, you will often encounter dangerous trials and even death.

People are not characters in a game.

Experiencing terrible pain and death wears down and damages the mind.

Of course. Death, which we only experience once in our lives, must be faced here many times.

In the end, people become ruined after being broken like that.

Those who conquered the tower and those who were unable to climb it.

The former went on to become a hunter that everyone looked up to, while the latter ended up living out the rest of his life in the tower.

Don’t make me laugh.

Jeong Eun-ji forced her legs to move. She doesn’t want to be like that.

 I must clear this tower and escape.

That’s what this party is for.

If you can party with this devil-may-care guy, your chances will increase significantly.

Kim Yun-do’s back moves away.

Jeong Eun-ji, who had passed the corner of the alley, hurriedly followed behind.

Bam.

“Ouch.”

She hit something hard and fell on her butt.

She rubs her reddened nose and looks up. The man in front of her is the one who had been following her just a moment ago. Why did he suddenly stop? He was moving around so quickly, as if he was busy.

“Oh, do you want to have a party…?”

“Look at this kid. He’s got a girl with him.”

“It’s also pretty there.”

Three large men with physiques that could be called big guys.

Jeong Eun-ji, who was receiving a suspicious gaze, hid behind Kim Yun-do’s back without realizing it.

“What, what are these people? Do you know them?”

“I thought you and I knew each other for sure.”

“What? How do you see me…?”

She frowned.

How can you say that you know those people? 

“Good. Leave the magic stone you got and that woman with you. These guys will use it very well.”

“… … .”

Jeong Eun-ji realized what was happening at the sound of giggling laughter.

I never thought I would encounter this situation from the first floor. I hadn’t even gotten a solid party member yet. No, no. There was still someone I could lean on. She grabbed Kim Yun-do’s clothes.

“Two, you’re not going to leave it behind, are you? Right?”

But he is silent.

Could it be that he was scared by this situation? Monsters and humans are different. Furthermore, there were not one but three opponents. No matter how strong this man was, could he defeat them without even getting enough rest?

“Student. You’re not thinking of doing it with us, are you?”

“You’d better quit. Just leave the woman and the magic stone behind. What’s the point of fighting each other?”

“Do you want to have fun too? The kid is already revealing it. Yes. I feel like it. Just wait a little bit. We’ll have fun first.”

“… … .”

Jeong Eun-ji’s complexion turned pale.

Come to think of it, she doesn’t even know what kind of person the man in front of her is. She only saw him slaughtering monsters like a demon. If this man has such intentions, there’s no way she can deal with it alone.

Should I run away now?

“Oh my. Where are you going?”

“Our pretty one, just empty your mind. If you close your eyes, it will be over quickly.”

The one blocking the retreat was a familiar man.

He was clearly the man who had been killed by the constellation Baekja in the starting zone. He was blocking the alley with a beginner’s greatsword and had a sinister smile on his face.

That was the moment.

The man who had been quietly watching this situation opened his mouth.

“Everything bothers me.”

Kim Yun-do sighed.

I’m so busy that I’m about to die. The runny nosed guys who just entered the tower are playing the role of the alley boss.

“What did you just say?”

“I won’t make much of a fuss, so just go. You probably don’t want to see blood on the first day.”

“This kid. Did he get so scared that he lost his mind?”

Talking about it only hurts the mouth. He raised his hand after seeing the men’s mocking expressions.

Open your palm and slowly close your fingers.

First the thumb, then the index finger. 

“If you’re going to be crazy, be pretty crazy. Hey.”

“Yeah. I have no business with men anyway. Just kill them.”

There’s no need to wait until your fingers are fully folded.

Two men, excluding the one blocking the escape route, jumped toward Kim Yun-do.

And then, as if they had been waiting, the ring finger and little finger folded at the same time.

“It’s a nuisance.”

Jeong Eun-ji’s body fell backwards as she was pushed by Kim Yun-do’s hand.

“danger….”

When she opened her mouth, it was already too late.

The swords swung by the two men were aimed at Kim Yun-do.

*&*

Tower of Heaven.

Progress through the tower, which consists of a total of 50 floors.

Advance through the sections, climb up the tower again and again to gain new powers.

After hearing a brief explanation from the constellation on the tower, Andong-Hwi realized that his opportunity had come.

“I don’t remember exactly, but I think there are about five weapons. I’m sure the greatsword is the best.”

“You fell asleep while talking nonsense. It would be nice if you could give me a look.”

“The first 10 floors are tutorial zones. You don’t have to worry because you’ll be resurrected even if you die.”

“You idiots. Once you get in, kill people first. It’s said to give you a bunch of bonus stats.”

“It’s a rumor from the Martial Arts Federation. They say that if you die to a constellation, you get bonus stats.”

“You want me to die as soon as I enter? Are you scared and want to do that?”

“Idiot lol. What’s there to be afraid of once you’re in the tower? It’s like an endless continuation in a game.”

It’s all as I heard.

An indescribable excitement ran through my whole body.

A story that was floating around the internet.

A flyer claiming to come from a current hunter.

My friends laughed at me, asking if I could believe such a ridiculous story.

If there are ten lies, there is bound to be one truth in them.

Andong-Hwi, holding a greatsword among the weapons given, came out of the room.

“The Tower of Heaven? Is this really the tower we know?”

“What the hell is going on?”

Among the anxious people, he was searching for memories.

Information that might be helpful.

The constellations that govern the tower? There is little talk about them.

Are you just an incredibly strong manager?

The stories that circulated were all different. Some said it was a white mouse. Some said it was a red chicken. And as if that wasn’t enough, there were cats and cows. It wasn’t like the tower was an animal farm. It was a story that was completely unbelievable.

But the moment the white rat that appeared before his eyes revealed itself to be a constellation, he changed his mind.

The rumors were true.

In that case, I had to use everything that was available.

“… Then the successors will be able to control powers that cannot even be imagined from the outside… .”

“Hey, rat. Enough with the story that everyone knows. Tell me what we should do first.”

He deliberately provoked the rat pups and took a reckless risk.

If you say you’re not afraid, you’re lying.

But perhaps because of the excitement of entering the tower, Andong-hwi was unable to make rational decisions.

And he met his first death at Baekja.

“Learning from death.

 – You have met a regrettable death. But do not worry. This is the Tower of Heaven. The successors who climb the tower will not find peace until they have achieved greatness. Learn how to stand up again, and take up your sword. Do not forget. There are things that can only be learned by falling.

“Bonus stat: 3”

Andong-hwi, who woke up from death, laughed like a madman.

It was a terrible feeling when I was killed by the white rat, but I was happier that the adventure was a success.

Most of the flyers that were dismissed as rumors turned out to be true.

You can do it.

It’s different from the outside. Here, the one with the information has a much greater advantage.

Invest all bonus stats into strength and swing your greatsword to deal with monsters.

The speed is different from that of people who have a hard time catching monsters one by one.

Accumulated essence levels up from time to time, widening the gap between you and others in an instant.

In the meantime, I looked for a colleague who seemed to have some potential.

If the rumor is true, we will be given a short break after this battle.

That moment is the time to hunt.

As soon as the sun set, Andong-Hwi and two of his colleagues surprised an exhausted man.

The first thing I wanted to do was grab the items. I stole all the essences that the monsters had dropped. When I robbed the man, I found that he had two essences.

Each and every one of these integers is experience and money.

It’s a fairly satisfactory result.

Haven’t they always said that the more money you save, the more you gain?

“Don’t do this. Please. That’s all I want!”

“What should I do? Should I let it go now?”

“Yeah. There’s nothing more to say, right?”

“You’re talking like an idiot. Hold on tight.”

Andong-Hwi took up the greatsword in place of his two hesitant colleagues.

This is just like a game.

There is no need to feel guilty about taking a life. You won’t die in the tower anyway. Didn’t you experience it yourself? It’s just that the feeling you get when you die is very dirty.

What matters is how you feel while playing the game.

Yes. I think I’m playing a game. The man in front of me isn’t a person, he’s just a game character.

So there is no need to hesitate.

“Are you lying? Hey! Wait a minute. Why are you using a sword…!”

The greatsword flashed.

It’s like killing a monster. A terrible voice rang out.

“Eww!”

The man screamed in agony, as if he had not died at once.

It was tougher than I thought. I had intended to cut it in one stroke, but the broken neck was creating a grotesque sight. Killing a person is harder than you think. That’s when Andong-hwi realized.

“Black Murder.

 – You killed the successor who was climbing the same tower. This act is clearly unforgivable. However, only the successor can carry on the successor’s will. If you need strength to climb the tower, you may need to stab the successor in the back. I respect your courage in not choosing the means to achieve your goal.

“Bonus Stat: 5”

Where there are no rules, violence is justice. Power is the answer.

The two colleagues who saw the stats that Andong-hwi had gained also stopped hesitating.

It was just difficult at first.

Second. Third. As the killings continued, human hunting became easier.

Unlike when catching monsters, no dangerous situations came up.

No matter how much they were wary of this side, they never thought that they would kill them. On the other hand, this side clearly harbored murderous intent. This difference in perception soon showed in the results.

“Stop, stop… .”

“The increase in bonus stats due to repeated killings has been reduced.”

“Bonus Stat: 1”

After eating his sixth victim, Andong-Hwi looked for his next prey.

In those eyes, he saw a man walking down an alley with a woman.

The girl is quite pretty. The boy, on the other hand, is a young guy who looks like he might be in college now.

The two colleagues, noticing Andong-hwi’s gaze, nodded.

This time, you might even be able to see something different.

The eyes of the three men looking at the woman shuffling her feet turned sinister.