382. Master of strategy (3)
“A challenge for Dimensional Cradle <Dark World [E-01]> has occurred.”
「Challenge description: Challengers from Earth work together to assassinate the Dark Emperor staying within the dimensional cradle <Dark World [E-01]>.」
「Challenge Features: However, challengers from other dimensions in the dimension cradle <Dark World [E-01]> will guard the Dark Emperor.”
「Challenge success condition: Assassinate the Dark Emperor (0/1)」
「Challenge success reward: All abilities +10 · Skill proficiency increase potion (B+) · Random item box (B+)」
“… … .”
I smiled as I looked at the system messages that appeared before my eyes.
“really… … .”
Assassination… … .
Originally, I could be called a master assassin since I had performed several assassinations with advanced techniques while climbing the tower.
In that case, it would be absurd to hear that the challenge given within the dimensional cradle was assassination.
“Isn’t this really too easy?”
It can be said that it is close to an event where you can just eat raw food.
‘This… … .’
It’s not even just that.
In fact, the moment we entered the dimensional cradle, everything we gained from the tower had to be sealed.
It’s just that I was able to make the most of it because I activated the Transcendence Myth <Absolute Immutability> and forcibly broke the penalty.
‘It’s truly a huge gap.’
And that means only one thing.
At least within the dimensional cradle <Dark World [E-01]>, no one can match my assassination ability.
Even if they were challengers from another dimension, they would not be able to maintain the original abilities they gained from the tower like they did here.
If so, this was a structure in which this side had no choice but to win.
“… … .”
And that’s not all.
If we were to be honest, one of the gaps would be the inability to use a lot of the equipment obtained from the tower with the authority of a challenger.
Should I say that it feels like I used a cheat mode in the game?
Somehow, I felt sympathy for the challengers from other worlds who would have been matched as enemies here, and I expressed a little sympathy for them.
However, just for a moment.
‘First of all, I have to do what needs to be done.’
Suddenly, I realized that staying here wasn’t particularly beneficial, so I shook off my thoughts.
In fact, isn’t the challenge given to this side in the dimensional cradle <Dark World [E-01]> to kill the emperor of a country?
There is no need to spend time in the same place to make it easy to track this.
Even if that’s not the case, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to know to some extent where the challengers from Earth are gathered or where the assassination target known as the Dark Emperor is.
Just like that, I lightly kicked the ground.
「Strongly activates the power ‘Wings of Steel.」
and.
“… … .”
In an instant, I flew up to the cloud layer in the sky and frowned.
“What is this again?”
It was worth it.
The view inside the dark world seen from the sky was similar to the demon world, which was all painted in dull colors.
The only difference is that the concentration of demonic energy spreading in this dark world is on a very light axis, unlike in the demon world.
Only then did I raise my physical senses and spread a wave of magic without anyone noticing.
‘It really is like a demon world.’
I felt demonic energy scattered throughout the world.
Perhaps this place, similar to the Demon World, has magic as the foundation of the planet… … .
In that case, it was clear that even the assassination target, the Dark Emperor, who was somewhere in this dark world, would rely heavily on demonic energy.
‘That’s fun.’
It certainly wasn’t bad.
Since I was originally a mortal, I have acquired many skills or myths that can clearly counter the opponent’s magic power.
No matter what they do, as long as I have the absolute ability to counter the demonic energy, there is no way I will be defeated.
‘Is there no need to take time?’
At this point, it can be said that there is no danger in this dark world at all.
I then spread the magic wave farther and tuned my senses to find out more information.
Beyond recognizing things like creatures and terrain, I felt where the demonic energy mixed in the air flow was flowing.
“… … .”
and.
‘There’s nothing to know anymore.’
Before I knew it, I had a complete understanding of the dark world.
Seeing that there is a large concentration of demonic energy in a place that looks like an imperial palace in the dark world, it seems like there is a dark emperor over there… … .
Somehow, the place where the challengers from Earth were presumed to be was also close to the place that appeared to be the Dark Emperor’s residence.
At that, I smiled.
“They said it was the advance team… … .”
Come to think of it, there was something like that in the briefing I heard on the warship before entering the dimensional cradle.
Because we needed to know at least what the dimensional cradle was, we selected 10 challengers who could be carefully selected from Earth and sent them here in advance.
And since there are challengers who went to the advance team, we just need to join the advance team and carry out the operation.
That didn’t seem to be wrong at all.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
‘It doesn’t seem like the challengers who went to the starting group achieved much results.’
It’s just that I feel regretful that I still haven’t been able to overcome this easy challenge given by the Dimensional Cradle.
‘… … Well, not all challengers from Earth came here without penalty like me.’
Of course I understood it.
Although this side avoided the penalty of the Dimensional Cradle based on the ability of the transcendental myth <Absolute Immutability>, there is no way that challengers from Earth would be able to copy it.
So, I shook off thoughts that were not particularly productive and converted the magical power in my body into demonic energy to practice black magic.
【Folding vortex】
Next moment.
Chak-.
In an instant, I jumped through space and landed in a forest dyed in black light.
At first glance, it’s a place that isn’t anything special… … .
Still, to my eyes, as an ancient god, everything is clearly visible.
It was obvious that this place was some kind of exploration base where challengers from Earth gathered.
“This is Han Seong-yoon, a challenger from Earth.”
In reality, there was no particular difference.
“Please let me in.”
Some time after I said those words.
Have some of the skills that are like security devices installed throughout the forest been partially disabled?
The space in the forest split apart, and a white man walked out from there with a nervous expression.
“… … Seongyoon Han. I have confirmed my identity. “Originally, we were going to visit you, but I’m glad you came in person.”
“Is that so.”
“… … yes. We would appreciate your generous understanding. “Then, I will guide you to the temporary base.”
“thank you.”
And just like that, I followed behind the white man and looked inside the base.
Still, is this the result of gathering only the elite of challengers from Earth?
In fact, compared to the facilities on Earth, this place was equipped with modern facilities to the point where it could be said that nothing was inferior.
“… … .”
however.
‘… … So absurd.’
I couldn’t help but frown at that.
‘… … The fact that the base’s facilities are at this level means that there are plans to stay here more.’
It was worth it.
If the challenges of the Dimensional Cradle <Dark World [E-01]> were easy to think about, there is no way that they could have raised the base’s facilities so leisurely.
It seems like they are probably looking at the assassination of the Dark Emperor somewhere in the dark world from a long-term perspective… … .
Isn’t that a strategy that is not compatible with this side?
‘Was it really necessary to take this long for such an easy challenge?’
Then, I noticed that the presence in the base was concentrated in one place and I turned my attention to the white man.
“… … .”
For some reason, the white man from earlier was glancing at me with a nervous face as if he was looking at a celebrity.
Perhaps because something is known about me on Earth, it seemed surprising to see this side in real life.
And if that’s not enough, I’d like to have a little conversation with you… … .
There is no time to do anything like that.
“I have something to ask you.”
“Hey, this is Jason. You can just call me as you please. “You can ask as many questions as you want.”
“… … Well, I understand. “Then can you tell me where the other challengers are?”
When I asked him that question, Jason stopped for a moment and answered.
“I’m in the conference room. As you may know since you have seen the challenges of the Dimensional Cradle, there is something our side needs to have in order to assassinate the Dark Emperor, and there are meetings going on about it… … .”
“Definitely, that kind of thing wouldn’t be necessary for assassination.”
“… … ?”
“That’s it.”
Just like that, I looked at Jason’s eyes expressionlessly and pursed my lips.
“Then, please take me to the conference room at the base.”
I guess… … .
“Because then I feel like I can accomplish what I need to do.”
Perhaps they needed in-depth instruction on their assassination techniques.
***
Base conference room.
“… … Im here.”
In fact, it looked more like a small building of sorts than a conference room that would be in a small base.
“… … Since you already know that Seongyoon Han is coming, there won’t be much conversation even if you enter the conference room. Then I’ll just leave. “It was an honor to meet you.”
I didn’t like it very much.
“All right.”
If we were to be honest, it would be because they were planning to overcome the challenge of the Dimensional Cradle late, so even the conference room would be the size of a small building.
“… … .”
and.
The moment I opened the door to the conference room inside the small building.
I was able to see familiar figures surrounding the large round table in front of me.
‘Should I say this is as expected… … .’
It’s not even just that.
‘Most of them are familiar faces.’
Still, is it because he has built relationships with challengers or hunters from Earth?
Before I knew it, I realized that I could recognize almost everyone in this conference room.
This was the case with Sachio Michimoto, who faced the combined trials on the 13th floor while climbing the Tower of Trials, or Xiaoling Chen, who came face to face with an incident related to the Heavenly God Cult on Earth.
Also, challengers who had some level of familiarity with each other, such as Catherine Bennett and Seunghoon Kim, were also present in the conference room.
‘It doesn’t seem like the meeting is going particularly well.’
However, just for a moment.
“So you secretly went to the Dark Emperor’s base and had him gather information?”
“… … This is crazy. Michael. “You probably know what kind of magic world that place is.”
“… … what. Still, I understand. This is because not only one person’s life is at stake, but also the survival of the Earth. But don’t cross the line.”
Could it be that a challenger was dispatched to where the Dark Emperor was to gather information?
The challengers in the conference room were getting angry when they saw a black man sitting at the head of the table.
Without even noticing that I entered the conference room.
Then, a black man named Michael, sitting at the head of the conference room, frowned, sighed heavily, and said as if it was obvious.
“There is no such thing as reversing the decision.”
Michael continued speaking in a cold tone.
“I thought it would be best to dispatch challengers to the heart of the dark world and have them gather information.”
It evokes a look of disdain, as if looking at the lower class people who are merely ignorant.
“… … under. You idiot. And then the challengers die. “And there are only 30 challengers, so we can’t replenish any more.”
Xiaoling Chen growled at that, and Catherine Bennett, Sachio Michimoto, and Seunghoon Kim all agreed with that opinion.
“… … This time, Chen Xiaoling is right. This intelligence-gathering operation is too bold for the number of challengers that may enter the dimensional cradle. “There is no solution.”
“okay. Since the survival of the Earth is at stake, we can be sensitive. However, it makes no sense to thoughtlessly sacrifice challengers using this.”
“Michael. Your argument borders on the nonsense of a lunatic. … … “I have also mastered the ability to hide, but I think I will be killed if I try to gather information in that demonic world.”
Michael responded with a crooked smile.
“okay… … . Dog death? I don’t think it’s such a big deal to spend time sending useless challengers to collect information when the fate of the Earth is at stake. “It’s pathetic.”
Suddenly, Michael spoke with a hostile look in his eyes.
“It’s just a pity that I have to shoulder the fate of the world with you guys.”
and.
“Do you really think that challenger Han Seong-yoon, who came here, also thinks like you about the fate of the Earth?”
It was that moment.
“Is it really that big of a deal to entrust the task of gathering information to ten useless challengers?”
Suddenly, Michael turned his head while sitting at the head of the table and suddenly looked in this direction and smiled.
“well. Probably, the challenger for the world’s No. 1 ranking has the same thoughts as me. yes?”
If I had to be honest, it seemed like it was a kind of intra-team politics situation.
‘What… … .’
But is he too absorbed in playing politics to get his way on the team?
It also uses the effect of some kind of skill to apply invisible pressure.
It was absurd to see this person who had just arrived in the conference room and give him that look without even explaining the situation.
and… … .
‘What is it doing now?’
That means only one thing.
“… … “Did you say Michael?”
“ah! That’s right. Seongyoon. Haha, you might be confused because I asked for your opinion without explaining the situation. Well, as you probably know from what we said when we entered the conference room, we… … .”
“I’m not curious. “Anyway, at best, it would have been a squabble over whether or not to allow the challengers to risk their lives to collect information where the Dark Emperor is.”
“oh! you’re right. Those challengers are truly selfish, unaware of the seriousness of this situation and trying to take care of their own lives, but seeing as Seongyoon’s opinion will differ… … .”
“That’s okay.”
It’s no different… … .
“I have something to ask Michael.”
“… … yes? “What on earth do you have to ask?”
“Do you want to be killed by me right now?”
“?”
Isn’t that the same meaning as a rabbit fighting in front of a wild beast with its eyes wide open?
“It’s just a question purely out of curiosity, so you can answer with the skill effect turned off now.”
I grinned at him, giving him a look like that of an interested predator.
