The Hunter Returns Chapter 4

004 – 1st floor (3)

Karak!

There was a sound of swords clashing.

Contrary to the man’s expectations, the blood did not scatter.

Kim Yun-do’s figure was not visible at the tip of the sword that held malice.

“Huh?”

That location is already inside the guy.

The man hurriedly stepped back, but it was too late.

The speed at which the sword follows is much faster than the speed at which the hand is bitten.

The sword followed the swordsman.

It is unavoidable.

The snake’s fangs flew up the sword in an instant and bit his hand.

Woodduck.

“Kwaaaaak!”

A man screamed as his wrist was shattered by a single blow.

“Damn it! This kid…!”

Another colleague followed behind Kim Yun-do.

The sword fell, aiming at the empty rear. However, even that movement was already being read.

The sword cut through the air.

In his haste to make a surprise attack, the man’s lower body is full of gaps.

Kim Yun-do, who easily dodged the blind sword, stretched out his leg.

A man loses his balance and falls down.

The sword flashed towards the collapsing guy.

Crunch.

“Cow, hand! Shit! My hand!?”

“Ugh. Ugh… .”

Men screamed in pain that was beyond their tolerable limits.

Kim Yun-do said as he watched them lose their will to fight after just one move.

“The first time is a warning. The next time, take my neck.”

“You idiots! Just kill them! Try it once or twice!?”

Andong-hwi exploded with anger as if he couldn’t stand it anymore.

It’s the exact opposite of what I wanted.

In this case, the problem is not blocking the retreat.

He ran towards Kim Yun-do without hesitation.

Swing the greatsword with your weight on it.

The movement is good. Unlike the men who fall down in one blow.

Unlike the other two who were somewhat clumsy, Andong-hwi had a clear murderous intent.

He is handling a greatsword that must be quite heavy with one hand.

If we look at strength alone, he might be higher than Kim Yun-do.

“I see. So I’m not the first.”

“What’s wrong with that? Shut up and spit out your stats!”

Kim Yun-do’s face hardened coldly at Andong-hwi’s answer, which was accompanied by harsh insults.

“How many people have you killed? Judging by your skill with the greatsword, you must have killed quite a few.”

A successor who raised his stats by killing other successors of the same type.

Although it is an extreme method, it is an easy way to obtain bonus stats.

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with that method.

There are forces within the tower that specialize in assassination, and the tower is not so difficult that you can always climb up while cooperating.

Competition is natural, and if necessary, even taking the lives of fellow human beings.

However, this guy went too far.

It’s not about taking advantage of the skills you’ll gain later, it’s about taking the kill.

It’s not like we had to run into it to progress in the field.

A reward obtained through your first kill.

The bonus stats you can get by repeating murders will decrease.

The rewards are great only at first. After that, the rewards are noticeably reduced.

But this man ignored that fact and continued to kill his successor.

The guy was intoxicated by the act of murder.

“Killing them is nothing. They were all just turned into essence for me. They’re just trash that can’t even leave the tower anyway. What’s wrong with using them as fertilizer for me?”

Is it because I’ve seen blood so many times?

A strange light sparkled in his bloodshot red eyes.

There was no sign of reason in those eyes that were so excited.

It’s just a madness that’s lost its way and is shaking impulsively.

In this situation, even a proper conversation is impossible.

“You’ll come back to life anyway. Why are you acting all innocent and acting like you’re clean?”

“… … .”

That answer was the final trigger.

Trash is just trash.

Among them, there is no way to deal with the unburnable waste.

The only one who believes that such a guy can be saved is the much-talked-about Crusade Saint Laurelia.

“That’s not true, Mr. Yundo. Everyone has a good side in their hearts. This system called the Sky Tower just blinded them.”

Unfortunately, Kim Yun-do cannot become a proper adult like the saint.

Even if it were possible, I would like to decline. I reject that way of living.

The hunter’s movements have changed.

There is no need to show mercy to trash.

A type that puts all of its bonus stats into strength in order to wield a greatsword.

Other stats are not much different from the hunter.

No, you can’t defeat him with just a few digits to begin with.

A young sunflower being dragged around by stats.

It’s like a child holding a weapon he doesn’t know how to use.

No matter how much they struggle, a child is still a child. There is no way they can beat an adult.

Crunch.

“…uh?”

Andong-hwi blinked his eyes as he looked at the greatsword that had fallen in front of him.

What happened?

He was clearly swinging his greatsword at the guy, but the greatsword was lying on the ground.

The hand holding the handle tightly rolls along with the greatsword.

Soon, Andong-hwi realized that the hand was his.

“Eww!?”

“… … .”

Blood gushed from the severed wrist.

“fu*k, f*ck! This dirty little bastard!”

He held the greatsword with his still unharmed left hand and raised it again towards the hunter.

I would like to praise his fighting spirit for not losing his will to fight, unlike his other two colleagues.

But that’s no use either.

The greatsword I had barely managed to lift fell back to the ground.

“Eww!?”

In an instant, Andong-hwi’s knees touched the ground as he lost both his hands.

The hunter looked down at him with cold eyes.

I have no intention of finishing it in one breath.

There’s no need to show such mercy to this guy.

“You’ve already died once. The death carved into you by the little rat was probably funny, wasn’t it?”

The hunter knocked down the crouching guy.

Put down your sword and raise your foot.

The hunter trampled on the head, which was soaked with tears.

“Turn it off, turn it off?”

“Learn again. This is death.”

The hunter did not move his feet until Andong-hwi died from excessive bleeding.

*&*

Jeong Eun-ji hugged her trembling body like a poplar tree with both hands.

The smell of iron, which was nauseating, filled the narrow alley. The smell of blood that filled the tip of her nose wouldn’t go away. Her eyes felt dizzy. She covered her mouth with her hand as she felt dizzy.

I don’t know where the two men that Kim Yun-do subdued went.

I think he ran away, muttering something like a monster. I don’t remember very well.

It was obviously because the scene unfolding before my eyes was so shocking.

There was a thick pool of blood at the hunter’s feet.

It was a horrifying sight created by a man who had lost both his hands. He was the same man who had attacked Jeong Eun-ji and Kim Yun-do earlier. At first, he had been screaming nonstop, but now he was only shaking intermittently.

The sight of life cooling off felt not just bizarre, but unrealistic.

“You were the one who drew your sword first. Pointing your sword at someone means you are prepared to get stabbed. Keep that in mind.”

“… … .”

And then the man stopped moving.

“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”

The hunter raised his head after confirming that the guy was out of breath.

In the alleyway where nothing but silence remains, only Kim Yun-do and Jeong Eun-ji remain.

“… … .”

“… … .”

When their eyes met, Jeong Eun-ji unconsciously stepped back.

Strong.

She finally realized what the man had meant.

Kim Yun-do turned his back on the frightened Jeong Eun-ji.

There was a big rat outside the alley.

Manager of Section 1. Constellation Baekja.

He had a big smile on his face, as if he was watching this whole scene.

“Wow. That’s scary, Successor. Killing someone without even blinking an eye. This isn’t your first or second time doing this. I want to learn from you too.”

“I want to go to the next floor.”

There’s no need to bring up the story that happened in the alley.

At Kim Yun-do’s answer that got straight to the point, Baekja put his hand on his chin and said, “Hmm.”

“That’s unexpected. Wouldn’t it be better to rest a bit? If you keep fighting, your body will become tired. You might even end up dying a violent death. Are you really going to go to the next floor?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Well, that’s true. Okay. The second floor. The second floor. Okay. Of all the sections I’m in charge of, the second floor is my favorite. I’ll give you special permission. But, will the successor there come with you?”

Baekja’s gaze turned towards Kim Yun-do.

There was Jeong Eun-ji, her complexion pale.

She was leaning against one wall, and she shook her head frantically at Baekja’s voice.

“Is that so? That’s a good choice. It would be better to stay here and rest a bit more. Then, only you are heading to the second floor. Heir Kim Yun-do. It’s good to hurry, but you should be careful. I’ve seen many heirs like you. Foolish people who are only slightly better than others and fail to look around.”

“… … .”

“It’s okay. I really like people who are true to their desires. At least they’re not people who talk behind people’s backs.”

Baekja, smiling with satisfaction, snapped her fingers.

A space dyed black appeared in front of him.

“Then please go to the second floor. I’ll meet you there.”

“thanks.”

The darkness was so dark that he couldn’t see even an inch ahead. Kim Yun-do walked towards the next floor.

*&*

“Arrogant challenger.

 – A bold and challenging spirit that steps into unknown territory. The constellation of the tower presents a small reward for the choice of successor Kim Yun-do. However, courage and recklessness are different. I hope you can take responsibility for your own choices.

“Small Ball of Light”

Kim Yun-do, who confirmed the second achievement, received a small bead that appeared in front of him.

The ball trembled when he placed his hand on it.

The light was shining. The orb soon began to emit a light that was enough to drive away the darkness underground.

So far so good. It was worth rushing through.

I obtained several items that were helpful in completing the initial tutorial.

A sphere of light that moves according to the will of its owner.

Depending on how it was used, it could be used as either a means of attack or defense.

Kim Yun-do, who confirmed that his surroundings had come into view, stepped forward.

The second floor of the Sky Tower was an area where monsters did not appear.

Unlike the first floor where you hunt monsters, this is a section that torments players with damp terrain and traps.

It was a section filled with the sinister tastes of the Seongjwa Baekja.

That was the reason why Kim Yun-do came down without resting on the first floor.

Because it is a place where even if you move quickly, there are bound to be sections where you can rest.

There were a total of four two-story labyrinths that he knew of.

First, the fire labyrinth that he had progressed through after falling from the top.

The Fire Labyrinth, where flames rise from all over the labyrinth, was the place I least wanted to visit at this point. The Fire Labyrinth was a place where the slower you progress, the more you lose stamina and become dehydrated, so you have no choice but to take breaks in between. With your stats low, it was a troublesome labyrinth to face right away.

Next is the Ice Labyrinth, the exact opposite of the Fire Labyrinth.

This is the labyrinth that his close friend Park Jae-hyun ran. This place is no different from the Fire Labyrinth.

It would be better to go there after clearing at least one labyrinth and leveling up with the essence you get from it.

The remaining two locations are the labyrinths that the Black Knight and the Saintess went through.

The Labyrinth of Swords and the Labyrinth of Darkness.

The Sword Labyrinth, filled with deadly devices, tests the limits of the body.

A dark labyrinth where no light enters will test the player’s mind.

If possible, I would like to see the latter two mazes come out… .

What greeted Kim Yun-do as he advanced forward was a labyrinth with a broken sword in the shape of a door.

You’re lucky.

A faint smile appeared on Kim Yun-do’s lips.

The white rat sitting on the door saw Kim Yun-do approaching.

The rat jumped to the ground with a thud. It looked exactly like white porcelain, but was dozens of times smaller. The guy looked at Kim Yun-do, who had stopped walking after seeing him, and nodded his head.

“Hello, Successor Kim Yun-do. It’s nice to see you here again. I’m Baekja, the constellation of the first section that takes care of our little chicks.”

“… … .”

“Oh, my. You’re not surprised by this appearance? I’m a little disappointed. Well, I like that kind of reserved appearance. To be honest, I don’t like people who only talk. For you, I will explain the second floor of the Tower of Heaven. The Labyrinth Trial.”

“Voila,” Baekja said, raising his hand.

In response to that movement, a translucent image appeared in front of Kim Yun-do.

“The Labyrinth Trial.

 It is a test prepared for the successor who climbs the tower. What we want is not simply a strong successor. A will to use the power in hand in the right direction. A healthy body must be followed by a healthy mind. A total of 4 labyrinths will test your mind and body.

A feast of fire and ice.

Whispers of Swords and Darkness.

 You want to advance to the next level? Okay. Then go through the labyrinth given to you. Each labyrinth grants special rewards based on the successor’s choice. Don’t be upset if you don’t pass. The first section is a place prepared for you, the rookies. There are rewards prepared for those who fail.

The image of the video flows in accordance with the tone.

A labyrinth of sparks and ice. A labyrinth of darkness and eerie devices. The last thing that shines is a treasure chest at the end of the labyrinth. The sparkling box opens. Surprisingly, there is white porcelain inside.

The guy who tore the video up laughed as if it was funny.

“Now, the second floor of the Sky Tower is a labyrinth. You thought you could level up slowly by hunting monsters? Not at all. The world is not that easy. Successors to the Sky Tower, wake up. 

 This is not a game. This is reality. Reality is not a world that comes easily. Unexpected trials may fall before your eyes, and unforeseen dangers may lurk everywhere. This labyrinth trial is a trial prepared for such successors.

Face the reality unfolding before your eyes.

This is the proposition of the second floor of the Tower of Heaven.

That’s the end of the explanation of white porcelain.

The entrance was woven with broken swords.

The door with black flames rising up looked like the entrance to hell.

“Lastly, I’ll ask you just one question. This is a very special privilege. Is there anything you’re curious about? Heir Kim Yun-do.”

Baekja, the constellation that moves as it pleases.

One of the most outstanding constellations of the tower is the one with the most quirk. However, the principle of his actions is fixed. He wants to grab the successor who is climbing the tower and shake him. He is a monster who is truly happy to see the successor suffering and in pain.

He’s a rotten rat to the core.

Even though he is asked questions, it is highly unlikely that he will tell the truth.

There were set questions to ask this rat-pup.

“How long can I stay in the labyrinth?”

“Time? Of course, until you clear the labyrinth. Oh, and don’t worry if you don’t pass. As I explained earlier, this is a special section where even those who failed will be allowed to pass.”

“No, I’m not worried about failing. You said there were four mazes in total. I just want to get through them all.”

“Hoo… “

A strange light appeared in Baekja’s eyes.

A savage smile appeared on his lips, as if he had found interesting prey.

“I really like it, Successor Kim Yun-do. You say you want to clear not just one but all of these mazes? I like it. That spirit of challenge. The period is one week. If you can clear all four mazes, I will give you a small reward. However, if you can’t, I will give you a disadvantage. How do you like it? Do you accept it?”

Tiring!

“A proposal from Baekja.

 – Baekja, the manager of Section 1, shows interest in the Successor who takes on a bold challenge. Baekja’s proposal is to pass through all the dungeons. If the Successor succeeds, Baekja will give him a small reward. It will be a time to relieve his boredom. However, if he fails, he will be punished appropriately for stealing Baekja’s precious time.

“Of course.”

“I accepted Baekja’s offer.”

Baekja let out a creepy laugh at Kim Yun-do’s answer.

“Okay, Successor Kim Yun-do. I will watch your challenge. I wonder how far your meager abilities will go.”

How those who take greater risks reap greater rewards.

There was no time to rest.

Kim Yun-do, who hadn’t even glanced at the base, entered the labyrinth.