Chapter 33:
16. Floor 4 Trial (1)
“Shhh!”
“To think we’d find something like this…!”
“I never imagined there’d be this much treasure!”
The dungeon beneath the drake’s nest.
Discovering this place and obtaining so many items and cultural value was all thanks to Rakuowak.
It wasn’t a bad outcome for Lee Jin-hyuk either.
If Rakuowak continued to perform well in <Lava Ocean>, it would only strengthen his own influence later.
‘Unless I really mess up, his loyalty won’t falter.’
The higher he climbed the Tower, the more achievements he gained—
The more loyal Rakuowak would become.
“Good.”
Without resting, Jin-hyuk gulped down a few potions and headed off somewhere.
“Oh Great One, I have a question.”
Jin-hyuk nodded at Rakuowak, who was showing deep respect when they were alone.
“What is it?”
“Why don’t you reveal that you’re a dragon? If you did, every Lizardman in <Lava Ocean> and <Kuik> would immediately swear loyalty.”
“There’s a reason for that.”
It wasn’t time to take control of all of <Lava Ocean> yet.
If he demanded obedience simply by declaring he was a dragon, there would be major backlash.
It was much more effective to build up strength first and reveal it later.
If he was both a dragon and possessed great power, no one could object.
“Ah…”
“That’s why I’m leaving you here. On the day I return—you’ll be the ‘Lord.’”
“Sssshh…”
Rakuowak’s face lit up with excitement, clearly looking forward to that day.
“Yes. I understand. I’ll be ready.”
“Good.”
With a final handshake, Jin-hyuk smiled.
“Be well prepared. Don’t forget what I taught you. Climb floors when you get the chance. Oh, and…”
He added with emphasis:
“Save up your points. As many as you can.”
“Understood. Will you not say goodbye to the Lord?”
“We’re not exactly best friends.”
What he’d taught Rakuowak would be a huge help.
And the increased trust he gained from him was a nice bonus.
‘The privilege of a regressor… Knowing future knowledge really is everything.’
After giving a few words to the other three Lizardman knights, Jin-hyuk declared:
“I will now challenge the Floor 4 trial.”
[Do you wish to challenge the Floor 4 trial?]
[If yes, you will immediately be transported to the trial waiting area.]
[Moving to the Floor 4 trial waiting area.]
A cliff that looked like it had been carved by a giant.
At the top—just barely enough space to stand—countless players were gathered.
“Move to the center!”
“Damn it, it’s chaos from the start.”
“A lot of people have already fallen and died. Be careful.”
Due to the constant, intense wind, players were crowding toward the center.
The wind was so strong it was hard to maintain balance.
And falling off meant instant death.
Whoosh—!
Amidst the players, a white flash appeared—
The player rewriting the history of the Tower: Lee Jin-hyuk.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“It’s Lee Jin-hyuk.”
“Ugh! Why do I have to be in the same trial as him?!”
“Isn’t that good? We could ally with him.”
“Even if we’re enemies, he’s said to be merciful, right?”
“Shut up! Just try not to fall!”
“Easier said than done.”
With a titan like him appearing, the crowd buzzed.
‘So much attention already, huh?’
[Constellation <The Serpent That Envelops the World> is watching you.]
[Constellation <Eternal Flame> greets you!]
[Constellation <Dawn King of Zhonghua> is amazed at your new aura.]
“I don’t feel that different, honestly.”
Arms crossed, sword on his back, Jin-hyuk stepped forward.
[<Dawn King of Zhonghua> admires your sense of balance.]
He’d been through every kind of battle—land, sea, and air.
Maintaining balance like this was nothing.
[<Eternal Flame> warns this trial may not be easy.]
[<King of Muspel> snorts, saying “Just watch.”]
[<Eternal Flame> scolds <King of Muspel>.]
“Not easy, huh? That’s fair.”
Jin-hyuk smiled.
“But I’ll get through it, like always.”
[<The Fire That Killed the Mother Goddess> is satisfied with your attitude.]
‘This is going to be a problem.’
The constellations swarmed, commenting non-stop.
Was it because of the high goal of 1.6 million points?
To Jin-hyuk, they all looked like “point-givers” now.
‘Can’t form contracts with them either…’
In the end, there was only one answer:
‘Just show them something thrilling.’
He smirked.
[<Eternal Flame> likes your smile.]
[<King of Muspel> growls, “Stop grinning for no reason.”]
“Let me smile in peace.”
[Floor 4 trial will begin shortly.]
[Current participants: 92/100]
The trial starts once 100 players gather.
Until then, everyone had to hold their ground.
‘Not much longer now.’
Jin-hyuk grinned as he surveyed the area.
‘Time to prep.’
He had about 290,000 points. A large sum for a novice, but far from the 1.6 million he needed.
Better to spend some of it to perform better in this trial.
[Accessing <Auction House>]
[Purchasing item <Floating Stone> x3]
[10,000 points consumed each.]
Item: Floating Stone
-
Rarity: Rare
-
Category: Miscellaneous
▶ A stone that floats in mid-air.
<Floating Stone>—An item found on the upper floors of the Tower.
They’re self-sustaining floating rocks.
Jin-hyuk’s were just barely larger than his feet.
‘I still don’t have wings.’
The Floor 4 trial involved jumping between cliffs.
No wings, no flight skill—<Floating Stones> were his only option.
Even if expensive, they were essential.
‘Three should be enough.’
He gently stroked the egg hidden in his robe and checked his items.
He had plenty of health and mana potions.
‘This should be enough for now.’
[Floor 4 trial will begin shortly.]
[Current participants: 100/100]
[Main Quest <Cliff Hunt> acquired.]
<Cliff Hunt>
-
Grade: Floor 4 Trial
▶ Goal: Survive within the time limit.
▶ Rewards (all):
-
1,000 points
-
Skill <Air Boost>
-
Entry rights to Tower Floor 4
▶ Bonus reward: ???
[The Floor 4 trial has specific target locations. Touching a flag earns points.]
[Flag positions vary, and so do point values.]
Find and touch the flags.
Simple enough—but the flags were on cliffs, which moved and had violent winds.
Add in airborne monsters and varying wind conditions, and it was chaos.
Still, simply surviving would complete the main quest.
So, players who weren’t aiming high usually stayed at the starting point.
[As a reward for Floor 3 trial, you gain a temporary buff for Floor 4.]
[Buff <Flag Location Detection> granted.]
[*This buff disappears after the trial ends.]
Whooooosh!
A sudden wind blew—and a mini-map appeared in Jin-hyuk’s view.
‘I see it.’
The blue hologram mini-map updated in real time.
Flags were marked as red dots.
It was 2D, which was a downside—but still a massive advantage.
‘Naturally. I gave up two other Floor 3 rewards for this one-time buff.’
Totally worth it.
[<Wind of Life> notices your buff.]
[<Descending Wind> begins observing you.]
‘More new constellations showing up, I see.’
Jin-hyuk crouched down.
‘Points are important, but…’
Flash—!
‘Hidden pieces may be even more so.’
[Floor 4 trial has begun!]
[Time remaining: 100 hours]
“What the?! So fast!”
“As expected. He’s a monster.”
“What level even is he?!”
Jin-hyuk leapt forward like a bolt of lightning.
Others began moving, but couldn’t keep up.
Maintaining balance in the storm was hard enough—
But this guy was charging forward like nothing.
[Using item <Floating Stone>.]
[Activating skill <Holy Flame Dragon>.]
Flash!
Jin-hyuk jumped between cliffs using the Floating Stones.
[<King of Muspel> is interested in your flames.]
[<Eternal Flame> goes silent.]
[<Descending Wind> is impressed by your movements.]
Jin-hyuk’s strategy was clear.
Use a stone, jump—retrieve it with flame—throw again.
Like stepping stones in mid-air.
He had no wings, no flying skill. This was the best he could do.
‘Shouldn’t dragons come with wings by default…?’
Grumbling aside, Jin-hyuk reached the first flag faster than anyone.
[You’ve reached a flag.]
[You earn 1 point.]
[You’re the first to reach this flag—points doubled.]
‘Nice.’
A good start—exactly as planned.
‘Now, stick to the route.’
There are optimized routes in this trial.
Wind patterns and cliff movements follow specific patterns—17 known ones.
Each has a matching ideal route.
But no player could memorize them all.
Only 17 were known—until now.
‘I know 25 patterns, thanks to regression.’
Flash—
One of the 25 was active now—one others didn’t know.
So he could keep sniping all the flags first and double his score.
“Crazy!”
“There’s a route for this pattern too?!”
“No clue! Just follow him!”
“He’s too fast!”
Others realized he had mapped the route—
But they couldn’t catch up.
“Damn! He’s slashing the wind itself!”
“Can that even be done?!”
“To some degree, I guess.”
If he kept going like this, first place was guaranteed.
‘Still not enough.’
Slide—
‘I need to impress the constellations more—and find hidden pieces.’
Even as he followed the route, he kept watching their reactions.
[<The Serpent That Envelops the World> licks its lips.]
‘Why is it doing that so randomly…?’
