Chapter 991 – 991. Ascension To The Light
General Bae Woon scattered his energy in all directions. His overwhelming aura, like a tidal wave, made the martial artists, including myself, tremble for a moment. An instinctive fear began to creep up. I channeled my inner energy, shaking off the aura that was binding me.
“As the managers of the Myriad Martial Tower, I commend you for passing the trials of the 10th floor and ascending to the 11th floor.”
Clap, clap, clap. As he clapped, the soldiers applauded in unison. Despite the applause filling the space, the entrants did not look pleased. They stared at Bae Woon, waiting for his next words.
“You must be curious about who is standing next to me. Those of you who have reached the 10th floor are qualified to know her identity.”
An old woman stepped forward. Her gait, her gaze, her attire—everything about her was elegant. Sung Ji-gon’s eyes had been fixed on the old woman since earlier, and he couldn’t seem to look away. Drool was dripping from his mouth.
“It seems some of you have already guessed. I am called Neng So-ryeo. I am more famously known as the Nine-Month Immortal.”
The Nine-Month Immortal. The master of the Nine-Month Spirit Sword Technique, a martial art offered as a reward for conquering the 20th floor of the Myriad Martial Tower. She was a master of the Creation realm, believed to be dead in the martial world.
“I faked my death. I will not reveal the reason, but if you conquer the Myriad Martial Tower, the Nine-Month Spirit Sword Technique will be given as a reward.”
Neng So-ryeo closed her mouth as if she had said all she needed to. Contrary to her elegant aura, her lips showed a stubbornness.
I easily understood Neng So-ryeo’s purpose. She didn’t die and placed her unique martial art in the Myriad Martial Tower? And she’s watching the entrants of the Myriad Martial Tower? The answer was not difficult to find.
‘Neng So-ryeo doesn’t have any disciples. She’s looking for one.’
Even if I conquer the Myriad Martial Tower, I shouldn’t choose the Nine-Month Spirit Sword Technique. It was hard to believe that the Nine-Month Immortal would willingly give away her unique martial art.
‘If I have to become her disciple by force, it’s better not to choose it.’
There was no reason to become the disciple of such an old woman. Of course, Sung Ji-gon next to me might think differently.
General Bae Woon took control of the atmosphere again.
“I will give those of you who have passed the 10th floor the opportunity to work for His Majesty the Emperor. You will start as non-commissioned officers, but with the military’s support, you can receive elixirs and martial arts techniques. The more merits you accumulate, the more support you will receive. Depending on your efforts, you may even reach a position like mine.”
It was a recruitment drive.
Bae Woon, who seemed taciturn, was surprisingly good at talking. He emphasized that it was a stable job with support in exchange for loyalty, and a monthly salary.
Starting as a non-commissioned officer and becoming a general. It was a great pitch. It made one imagine themselves as a general commanding hundreds of thousands, millions of soldiers. However, those aiming for the position of general were not just these people. Those with strong backgrounds from prestigious families or sects would also be vying for the position.
‘Even in modern times, military life is said to be hell… To live a military life in this world where there is no concept of human rights and people die without consequence? That’s like diving into hell.’
However, the people of this world seemed to think differently from me. Already, about 100 people had given up on the trials and joined the military.
“Do not forget that the doors of the military are always open.”
Following that, General Bae Woon continued to explain the trials of the 11th floor.
•••
About three years had passed since we started the trials of the 11th floor. And we had reached the 17th floor.
The trials became more dangerous as we ascended the floors. The number of entrants who had reached the 17th floor was over 300. They had all reached the level of Transcendent at the very least, and more than 50 of them had reached the Five Qi realm like me. Having faced death several times, their skills had risen vertically with the martial arts and elixirs they had obtained as rewards for passing the trials.
‘Damn it. It’s good that I skipped most of the time with auto-progress… but my relationship with Hwangbo Ga-hye is still at a standstill.’
I had approached Hwangbo Ga-hye several times. The best atmosphere was on the 15th floor. At that time, Hwangbo Ga-hye had lost her bodyguards and was weakened. The level of skinship had even gone up to the point just before a kiss. However, Hwangbo Ga-hye had stood up again. She drew an impassable line to me.
‘An ordinary woman would have already fallen and be whimpering under me…!’
Hwangbo Ga-hye was not an ordinary woman. Maybe that’s why I was more drawn to her.
General Bae Woon appeared in front of us.
“300 people on the 17th floor… Amazing. A phenomenal record. This trial must have been particularly difficult… Is it the effect of the Nine-Month Spirit Sword Technique?”
After muttering a few times while stroking his chin, he ordered the soldiers to bring a large map and hang it on the wall.
“Pay attention. I will only say this once. The terrain drawn on this map is the terrain of the 17th floor trial. The 17th floor is a free-for-all, and the starting locations will be determined randomly.”
The faces of the entrants looking at the map darkened. The terrain on the map was a circular island. It was surrounded by seawater, and in the center was a volcanic mountain spewing black smoke.
One of the entrants asked Bae Woon.
“…General Bae Woon. Is that volcano… real?”
“I’ll tell you something special. The trial of the 17th floor is an island that actually exists somewhere in this world. The volcano is real. It’s boiling hot. It erupts on average once a week.”
“Crazy…! But there’s a forest around the volcano? Is that even possible?”
“That’s what makes this island special. Let’s get back to the main point and explain the 17th floor trial. The 17th floor trial is a bead hunt. There are 500 beads hidden on this island. Find five beads within three months. And combine the five beads at the same time. Then you will automatically be transferred to the Myriad Martial Tower.”
Only 100 out of 300 people would ascend to the 18th floor. Of course, 100 was the maximum. There was also the possibility of not finding any beads.
“I will not interfere with how you find the beads. Do it yourselves.”
No one was surprised by these words. Having ascended to the 17th floor, it had already become commonplace to steal from and kill each other within the trials.
“Your expressions are stiff. I’ll tell you one advantage of this island for your sake.”
“Is there an advantage to that hellish place?”
“There is an advantage that you will go crazy for. There are monsters, spirit beasts, and elixirs on that island. If you hunt monsters and spirit beasts, their spoils are yours, and if you find elixirs, they are also yours.”
“……!!”
“It will be a hellish island and an island of opportunity for you.”
General Bae Woon grinned. He seemed pleased with the way the entrants’ eyes had instantly turned serious.
I reflexively looked at Hwangbo Ga-hye. She was staring fiercely at the map with her mouth tightly shut. Next to her was her fiancé, Oh Ji-moo. The distance between them was 1 meter. It was closer than when I had seen them before.
‘Oh Ji-moo and Hwangbo Ga-hye were active together on the previous floors. Did they get closer because of that?’
Oh Ji-moo, who had been talking to Hwangbo Ga-hye, turned his gaze to me. Oh Ji-moo’s face hardened for a moment, but he soon smiled at me and placed his hand on Hwangbo Ga-hye’s shoulder. Hwangbo Ga-hye frowned and immediately slapped Oh Ji-moo’s hand away.
‘This bastard… dares to touch my woman? Oh Ji-moo, that place will be your real hell.’
Oh Ji-moo had reached the Five Qi realm this time. He had become confident since he had reached the same realm as me. In addition, there were more than 10 subordinates around him. Three of them were in the Five Qi realm. If they stuck together, they could probably stand against someone like me.
‘Damn it. I only barely reached the 6th stage of the Five Qi realm last time….’
I, who had a higher realm, had hardly grown. It was inevitable. Originally, in games, the higher the level, the harder it was to level up.
“I have explained everything. The rest is up to you. The 17th floor trial will begin in one hour. During that time, rest or strategize as you please. However, fighting each other is forbidden.”
General Bae Woon stepped back, and his adjutant took his place. The adjutant ordered the soldiers to watch the entrants to prevent them from fighting.
People approached me. It wasn’t just Sung Ji-gon and Jung-bin. My skills were already famous here. I was considered one of the strongest among the entrants. Those who wanted to form an alliance with me were lining up.
“Great Hero Sung. I would like to do the 17th floor trial with you.”
“If I join hands with you, Great Hero, we will easily pass the 17th floor.”
“Great Hero. I came from Shanghai. Have you ever heard of the Mokjung Baekga of Shanghai? I am the third son of the Mokjung Baekga. If you help me, I will not forget this favor and will surely repay you in the name of my family.”
Seeing the faces of these male bastards made me feel annoyed. I raised my middle finger at them. Their faces twisted. They didn’t know exactly what it meant, but they understood the unique nuance and atmosphere.
“I have no intention of cleaning up after you idiots, so get lost, you losers. If you meet me on that island, bow your heads and hand over your beads. Then I’ll at least let you live. Got it?”
The attitude of those who had been watching my mood changed in an instant.
“…Arrogant and rude. The name of the Namgoong family will be tarnished.”
“You will regret this.”
“Foolish guy. Turning us all into enemies? Your limit is the 17th floor.”
They hurled various harsh words and threats. I gave them another middle finger and mocked them.
They wouldn’t unite to kill me. Their grudges were too weak for that, and they would pursue their own individual gains much more. Their words were just complaints.
‘What’s more concerning than these losers is….’
I turned my gaze to the corner.
Eight people dressed in black were gathered together. A gloomy aura emanated from them. They were a bad bunch.
“Yoo-jin, what should we do?”
“Amitabha. Since there is a map, wouldn’t it be better to decide on a suitable place to gather? In this humble monk’s opinion, the 17th floor trial is a difficult trial to break through alone. We must cooperate.”
Sung Ji-gon and Jung-bin said.
“Joining up is good, but it will be harder than you think. The island is too big to join up with each other as soon as we start. It will take at least a few days.”
“It seems we have no choice but to act alone in the beginning.”
“Hmm… Considering the variables that may occur, it doesn’t seem good to be obsessed with joining up.”
“I’ll go find you. So, until then, you guys have to survive somehow.”
“Okay.”
“Amitabha. Do not worry about this humble monk. …Rather, please share some food before we start. Please, I beg you…. I’ll even lick your feet… Please!”
Jung-bin knelt in front of me. He was about to bow his head.
“You bald monk. Get up right now. Don’t stick out your tongue. I’ll really kill you.”
We were just chatting when it happened.
“Great Hero Sung.”
Hwangbo Ga-hye approached and called me. Her black eyes, full of determination, were directed at my face.
“Miss Hwangbo! What’s the matter?!”
I turned my right hand behind my back and waved it. Sung Ji-gon and Jung-bin understood my signal and moved away.
“I would like to do this 17th floor trial with you, Great Hero Sung. What I’m aiming for is not just the beads, but also the elixirs on this island. Of course, I also want the cores of monsters and spirit beasts.”
Hwangbo Ga-hye had entered the Myriad Martial Tower aiming for elixirs. This trial was an opportunity to make a big score.
I stopped myself from smiling.
“I would also like to be with you, Miss Hwangbo. Miss, how about just the two of us? The more people there are, the less loot there will be.”
“That’s right. Then let’s move on to the next thing. If we join up, where should we meet?”
“Let’s meet west of the volcano. You see that rock that looks like a cat’s head here?”
“I understand. But isn’t it too conspicuous….”
“Haha. Don’t worry. Even if it’s not the meeting point, I will find you first and meet you.”
This was a golden opportunity. I looked at Hwangbo Ga-hye’s retreating back and said to Sung Ji-gon and Jung-bin.
“You guys heard, right? You guys do this trial on your own. I’m a bit busy.”
“I’ll cheer you on. Well, if it’s you, Yoo-jin, you’ll easily get Hwangbo Ga-hye.”
“Amitabha. Get her as easily as an ice cream. But can’t you give me some ice cream?”
