• Are you nurturing new clan members? Some awakened beings have formed guilds through mutual cooperation. They were essentially factions, also established for more effective dungeon assaults.

 

Having significant awakening power directly ties to a guild’s status and strength. As a result, guilds actively recruit awakeners and even nurture promising new talents.

 

Blue Dragon, Paradise, the Association… Quite a lot have shown up.

 

I expected this, but the response came quicker than anticipated. Less than a day had passed, and posts about him were already online.

 

Honestly, the very premise was absurd.

 

The person who held first place before Suhyun scored 940 points. Given the significant gap between first and second places, it was expected that this divine figure would appeal to many.

 

However, there is a difference between now and the future.

 

In the future, a system for optimizing data collected on awakeners proceeding to the next level was established, a result of long-term research by numerous guilds and organizations. However, such a system hasn’t been created in this world yet.

 

Indeed, if someone starting from the second floor scored 1000 points, it would be noteworthy. Even within the same level, standards differ.

 

This isn’t good.

 

Suhyun didn’t want his name to become known so quickly. If his name got out, problems would inevitably follow. Moreover, he didn’t want to worry Shin Soo-young too much.

 

The benefits aren’t significant.

 

No matter how amateur an awakener one might be, joining a guild had its perks. Resources and items related to the Tower of Trials would be a big help. But Suhyun didn’t need that information. Instead, they needed his help.

 

“There isn’t much to know just from my name…”

 

He dismissed it for now. Suhyun had no intention of joining any organization or guild from the start. Ideally, he wanted to be a mercenary, unaffiliated with any group.

 

Knowing the future, this was the best course for him. Having decided his path, Suhyun turned off the computer and went to bed. What he needed most now wasn’t a guild but rest.

 

Act 5

 

Kim Suhyun. A name that had many guilds buzzing. A new awakener who had just entered the second floor of the tower. It wasn’t enough for the guild members to merely recognize someone. It was his record and ranking that mattered.

 

“Hakjoon, do you know a man named Kim Suhyun?” Jung Dongyoung, leader of the Ares Guild, asked.

 

Sitting on a stiff sofa in a spacious office, Hakjoon shook his head. “Not me.”

 

“Really? I heard he just entered the second floor like you.”

 

“The second floor is vast. Though not as massive as the higher floors, what are the chances I’d run into someone in that vast city?”

 

“Hmm, is that so?” Jung Dongyoung lightly bit his lip. He seemed interested in the new awakener, Kim Suhyun. Hakjoon could easily sense that.

 

“How’s the assault on the third floor coming along?” Jung Dongyoung asked, gathering his thoughts again.

 

Hakjoon was one of the new awakeners supported by the Ares Guild. They provided him with various information and equipment. He was talented and had already proven himself on the first floor. He knew he was receiving support from the Ares Guild.

 

“I haven’t found the right person to join me yet. If I can’t find someone by tomorrow, I might have to go up myself.”

 

“Really? Good. Keep it up until you reach the 10th floor. We’ll spare no support until then.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“You know what to do next, right?” At Jung Dongyoung’s question, Hakjoon closed his eyes and nodded.

 

Of course, he knew. How could he not? He had been asked countless times. Did Jung Dongyoung like the compliant Hakjoon? Jung Dongyoung smiled satisfactorily and waved his hand.

 

“Proceed. We’ll check in again in a week. Try to surpass Kim Suhyun if possible.”

 

“Got it.” Hakjoon bowed slightly and hurried out of the office.

 

Kim Suhyun, Kim Suhyun… The name lingered in his mind. Simultaneously, a familiar face flashed through his thoughts.

 

Could it be that man? The man who approached to shake hands. Hakjoon suddenly thought he might be Kim Suhyun.

 

It couldn’t be. Even if he was right, there was no way to confirm it. Hakjoon shook his head.

 

No need for further thoughts. Now, he just needed to focus on his goals. He was already tired of taking care of himself.

 

Smooth, smooth, smooth—

 

Swoosh—

 

Arrows rained down like a storm above. To evade them, Suhyun hid behind a tree.

 

Below!

 

Pong, pong—!

 

Several arrows made large holes in the tree due to Shayres’ special items or energy, but Suhyun was no longer behind the targeted tree.

 

Whoosh!

 

Suhyun stealthily approached a Shayre using magic and slashed his throat with the sword in his hand. This was the priority in battle. Eliminate those who use magic immediately. Suhyun remembered this the moment he faced them.

 

Creak, creak—Scream!

 

With a grotesque scream, the Shayres drew their swords. Suhyun kept his distance from them and looked at the giant Shayre standing among them.

 

The chief of the Shayres.

 

The ruler of this vast forest.

 

He looked at Suhyun with eyes filled with fear. The Shayre tribe here had survived a month-long battle. Seen as seasoned forces, the Shayre chief was the final boss of this trial.

 

“Why don’t you face me directly?”

 

Though he didn’t expect it to understand his words, he was sure his intent was conveyed. Indeed, the Shayre chief raised his hand and walked towards Suhyun.

 

Creak, creak—

 

That sound—

 

The Shayres standing between the chief and Suhyun began to murmur. Perhaps they meant the chief didn’t need to bother himself. However, the chief, not wanting to lose any more troops, approached Suhyun while instructing them to back off.

 

Thud, thud—

 

The approaching chief’s size was immense. Unlike an ordinary Shayre, which was just a head taller than an adult, the chief was several times larger than Suhyun and made entirely of muscle.

 

“I should have done this earlier,” Suhyun said, but he was pleased to see the chief’s reaction.

 

I’ve waited a long time.

 

A month had passed. Suhyun had spent this time moving between reality and the Tower of Trials, buried in the second-floor trial. Meeting the Shayre chief was not easy. He was surrounded by numerous Shayres, and the chief showed no intention of launching a preemptive attack. In the end, Suhyun decided to eliminate them all.

 

Creak, creak—

 

The chief said something to Suhyun. Of course, Suhyun couldn’t understand it. But he grasped its meaning.

 

“Are you saying you want to avenge your followers?”

 

Creaking noise—

 

The chief nodded. Suhyun was speechless. How could this creature understand his words to the extent of nodding?

 

He didn’t understand why he was attempting to communicate with a monster. Suhyun sighed and picked up his sword. “Forget it…”

 

Smooth, smooth—

 

“Let’s end this. I’m tired of it.” Suhyun leaped several floors in an instant.

 

Dong!

 

The chief’s axe blocked Suhyun’s sword. The clash of Suhyun’s magic-filled sword and the chief’s axe left a sharp pain in Suhyun’s hand.

 

Light tap!

 

The chief swung his axe again, this time passing by Suhyun’s eyes.

 

Slash to cut-

 

A thin wound. Simultaneously, Suhyun ducked down.

 

Slice-

 

Stab, stab-

 

Suhyun’s sword deeply pierced the chief’s shoulder.

 

Splash, splash!

 

Suhyun continued to stab the chief, but none of his strikes were fatal. If he were ambitious and not cautious, the chief’s axe could still swing towards him.

 

Slowly, steadily. Even the smallest stabs accumulate, and eventually, the chief would fall. If the opponent’s stamina was superior, Suhyun would simply collapse when facing him head-on. That’s why he needed a more flexible fight.

 

Growl!

 

The chief couldn’t hold back his rage any longer. At that moment, the chief became even more agile. His pale skin turned red.

 

Thump—!

 

Soon after, the chief charged at Suhyun, swinging his axe widely.

 

Ugh!

 

The strong wind cutting through the tranquil air sent Suhyun flying upward. The faceless Shayre chief looked up at Suhyun’s ascending body. The chief then stepped back and pulled out a giant bow and arrow from behind.

 

Stretch—

 

The bowstring was tightly drawn, aiming at Suhyun. The bow was imbued with a power similar to the magic used by awakeners.

 

Sneeze-!

 

Ahh!

 

The arrow flew at a terrifying speed, making it impossible to dodge. However, Suhyun wasn’t looking at the chief’s arrow but at his hand.

 

Leap—

 

Suhyun’s body propelled forward. The repeated leaps weren’t just upward but could be directed anywhere he wished.

 

“Bingo.”

 

Screaming—

 

The bow he had picked up in a previous battle was now in his hand. The moment Suhyun closed the distance with the chief, he aimed the bow at the chief’s head.

 

Sneeze-!

 

Swoosh—

 

As soon as he released the bowstring, the arrow flew.

 

Stab-!

 

Kyaaaah—!

 

The chief screamed as the arrow lodged in his head.

 

Swish, swish—

 

The other Shayres began to move, too. Since it had never been a fair fight to begin with, the Shayre clan moved to protect their chief.

 

It was expected.

 

Thwack—

 

After shooting the arrow, Suhyun grabbed a spear from behind him.

 

“I said let’s end this, didn’t I?” This time, Suhyun became the bow himself. He swung the spear mightily and released it.

 

The spear, filled with magic, struck the chief’s head. It was a moment no other Shayre could assist with. Suddenly:

 

[You have gained 300 achievement points.]

 

[Your stamina has increased by 1 point.]

 

[The Shayre clan has been defeated. There are no other enemies that can harm you.]

 

[You have perfectly cleared the second-floor trial.]

 

[Your achievements will be ranked.]

 

[You are in first place.]

 

[Your strength has increased by 2 points.]

 

[Your agility has increased by 1 point.]

 

[Your reflexes have increased by 1 point.]

 

[You have gained 25,000 achievement points.]

 

[Your magic power has increased by 3 points.]

 

[You have obtained the treasure of the Shayre clan.]

 

[Would you like to move on to the next floor?]