Chapter 21: The Corridor of the Corrupted (2)
On the way to the ruins, Jinhyuk found himself accompanying Team Leader Kim.
Considering it was Jinhyuk’s first time participating in a raid as a porter, and the fact that the raid’s difficulty boasted a notoriously low survival rate, Team Leader Kim intended to bolster his courage in his own way. Clumsy as it may have been, his intention was clear.
A warm hope resonated within him, wishing for everyone present to return safely.
“Do you also come here to earn money, Mr. Kang?”
“Yes. It requires a considerable amount of money to live.”
“Indeed, everyone’s in the same boat. I’m here to feed my fox-like wife and my rabbit-like children.”
Team Leader Kim took out his smartphone.
On the wallpaper was a pleasant-looking middle-aged woman and two teenagers who seemed to be siblings, depicting a happy family.
However.
‘Usually, showing something like this flags a death sentence…’
Why would he choose to show this at such a moment?
Jinhyuk couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
“So, you’re risking your life for them.”
“That’s right. Even if I die, the compensation will be substantial. I won’t have any regrets.”
The typical, foolishly steadfast head of the family.
It was frustrating, but not entirely unlikable.
“Don’t worry. At least the people here will safely return home.”
“What? Hahaha! Sure, sure. Your words are appreciated, Mr. Kang. You’ve got quite the spirit.”
Team Leader Kim burst into laughter, satisfied.
How long had they walked while conversing?
After over seven hours of carrying backpacks filled with supplies, the porters finally reached their destination.
“Finally…”
“We’re here.”
“I thought I was going to die.”
Exhaustion had piled up.
Without any breaks during the forced march, everyone’s stamina had long been depleted.
Everyone collapsed on the spot as if falling down.
“You’ve all worked hard. Rest up until the raid team arrives.”
Team Leader Kim handed out bottled water and chocolate bars, encouraging the exhausted porters.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this.’
Jinhyuk looked ahead with a sentimental expression.
A vast landscape of unending mountains and cliffs unfolded.
Ahead, visible was the gate leading to one of the most difficult dungeons in the Tower of Trials, the ‘Corridor of the Corrupted.’
Zap! Zap!
Even without entering, the skin tingled.
Indeed…
This was the feeling.
A strange excitement and anticipation made his heart race.
It was then.
Woong!
A magical reaction was felt from an open space on the side.
“What’s this?”
Jinhyuk raised his head.
The clouds parted.
At that moment.
Rustling left and right.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A beam of light poured down from the sky.
It was the phenomenon that occurred when spatial magic was used.
- “Ugh, my head. I never get used to this no matter how many times.”
“Is everyone accounted for?”
“Everyone’s here. All 50.”
“Of course. Who else could it be but our magic user?”
With smoke, over 50 people appeared.
Not with backpacks and pickaxes, but armed with weapons and armor.
The core raid team of the ‘Balhae’ guild had arrived.
“Is that the raid leader?”
“He looks quite young…”
“Don’t underestimate him because he’s young. He got an AA rating in the awakening test and has climbed up to the 9th floor of the Tower of Trials before.”
All eyes were on the man at the front of the raid team.
A shield taller than himself.
The armor engraved with geometric patterns stood out.
The cornerstone and pillar of the raid team, the tank.
‘This man is the leader of the Balhae guild…’
Jinhyuk quickly activated ‘Eyes of Truth.’
——————————————————
Name: Song Cheonhwa
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Level: 14
Strength 30, Agility 18, Stamina 19, Magic Power 5
Stat Points Available: 0
Coins: 3,850
Occupation: None
Unique Ability: Item Lightweight
Skills: Lv3 ‘Iron Shield’, Lv2 ‘Dense Formation’, Lv2 ‘Persistent Life’, Lv1 ‘Stone Throw’
——————————————————
The unique abilities and skills weren’t bad…
[Copy Condition: Earn Song Cheonhwa’s trust within the raid period.] Upon seeing the copy condition, Jinhyuk quickly lost interest in Song Cheonhwa.
It seemed easier to earn his hostility.
Trust isn’t something that can be earned in a short period, especially when competing for a unique relic.
However…
Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed as he observed Song Cheonhwa.
‘Was the leader of a top 10 guild only at this level?’
The stats and skill levels seemed too low for his level.
As if he had been more focused on gaining experience points than facing real battles.
And having climbed only up to the 9th floor of the Tower of Trials?
‘The level of the other raid members must be much lower than Song Cheonhwa’s.’
Of course, this situation wasn’t completely incomprehensible.
The top-tier guilds are currently focused on conquering the 3rd floor boss of the Tower of Trials.
Thus, there was a relative shortage of manpower for the lower floors.
But even considering all that…
Their lack of strength was an undeniable fact.
Then.
“Alright, everyone stop staring. The raid team has arrived, so let’s get up and do our part. We have our own tasks to attend to.”
Team Leader Kim clapped his hands.
While the mining team would enter later to mine magic stones and collect byproducts from monster carcasses,
the porters, carrying necessary supplies, entered much earlier.
Right after the battle had ended.
‘This might actually be good.’
Jinhyuk quickly got up.
Observing how a guild-level group raid was conducted was an opportunity not to be missed.
＊＊＊
An hour after the raid team entered, it was the porters’ turn.
[Name: Corridor of the Corrupted] Type: Ruin
Difficulty: Unmeasurable
Description: The place where the primordial blood is sealed. At the end of this ruin lies the purest of weapons and the most dreadful of deaths.
A sour smell stung the nostrils.
Whoosh!
A magic-type player at the forefront summoned a large flame.
The visibility improved, revealing the interior of the ruin.
“Follow closely behind me. If you wander off, we won’t be able to save you.”
“My goodness…”
“…This is incredible.”
“Is this the ruin?”
Reminiscent of the ancient Maya civilization.
The exterior walls, covered with stones and moss, extended in all directions.
Step by step.
As they ventured further along the path, a buzzing noise was heard.
“Ah, they’re here. This way!”
“Cheonhwa hyung! The porters have arrived.”
It seemed a fierce battle had already taken place in the front, filled with the corpses of monsters.
Ghouls and skeletons, among other undead types.
The number was easily over a hundred.
Yet, no player corpses were seen.
‘Something’s off…’
Even without high-ranking undead monsters, dealing with so many without any casualties?
With the Balhae Guild’s capabilities seen before entering the ruin, such an outcome seemed impossible.
“What?”
It was at that moment Team Leader Kim grabbed Jinhyuk’s shoulder.
“Yes?”
“What are you standing around for? Quickly distribute the water and ice.”
As if it was obvious.
Team Leader Kim gathered a few people near Jinhyuk.
“We’ll take care of this side, so you see those foreigners over there?”
His finger pointed towards players with exotic appearances.
Aside from the main Balhae Guild, it seemed a mid-tier guild had joined them.
One of them, perhaps.
Jinhyuk paused, recognizing the emblem.
‘That’s from the Tower of Trials.’
The ‘Sion’ Guild.
Based in Europe, it was a small but robust guild.
“Four of you, go and serve those players.”
“Understood.”
Jinhyuk filled a large container with water and ice and headed towards the Sion Guild.
＊＊＊
They distributed the water and ice in order.
There were brief expressions of gratitude, but nothing out of the ordinary.
At the last stop…
Among the towering figures, the last person was significantly smaller.
Barely over 160cm?
Seemingly not a man…
A woman, perhaps?
She was fully covered in metal helmet and armor, making it hard to be sure.
“Here, please drink this water.”
“Ah…!”
With a short exclamation.
Clank!
The helmet came off.
Curled blonde hair fluttered in the wind.
“Ah!”
“My goodness…”
The porters gasped in astonishment.
Her beauty was almost doubtful as human.
Her fair skin and blonde hair matched her armor, creating a breathtaking sight.
But the astonishment wasn’t just due to her appearance.
Her inherent abilities, accumulated achievements, and even her lineage.
These three pillars supported her.
‘The Saint of Amsterdam…’
Teresa de Lorencia.
Unmistakably one of the most famous players in Europe.
Jinhyuk’s gaze sharpened.
The youngest daughter of the Lorencia family, holding an actual noble title, and the hero who saved Amsterdam from being devastated by the outbreak.
That was her identity.
Now it made sense.
Why not a single member of the Balhae Guild had been harmed.
‘With her against the undead, the efficiency would have been unmatched.’
A versatile player who could handle sacred power, excelling in attack, defense, and even healing skills.
It was said that her contribution was the reason for clearing the 2nd floor of the Tower of Trials.
However, something didn’t add up.
‘Choosing this over progressing to the next floor?’
Even if the relics from the ruin were valuable, moving to the next floor would have been more beneficial unless it was a sacred relic.
Moreover, it seemed unlikely for the Sion Guild to have the capability to recruit such a high-ranker.
…How did they manage to bring her here?
After a moment of contemplation, Jinhyuk shook his head.
The priority wasn’t to speculate on the Sion Guild’s financial capabilities.
What mattered was understanding Teresa’s abilities.
And figuring out how to copy them.
‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’
Soon, ‘Eyes of Truth’ activated.
However.
[Skill activation is canceled due to level difference.] A red status window blocked Jinhyuk’s view.
‘Damn. A level difference?’
She must have surpassed level 20 already, even though she’s not affiliated with a guild.
Just then.
[Luck and Adaptability stats have negated the level difference.] [Peering through the target’s status window.] Fzzt…
The red status window crumbled, revealing Teresa’s personal information.
‘That’s right, I had this.’
The luck and adaptability stats came in handy at a crucial moment.
And at a very important time.
——————————————————
Name: Teresa de Lorencia
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Level: 29
Strength 42, Agility 31, Stamina 25, Magic Power 30
Stat Points Available: 8
Coins: 10,850
Occupation: None (Currently undergoing a job quest.)
Unique Ability: Blessing of the Stars
Skills: Lv5 ‘Divine Strengthening’, Lv5 ‘Stealth Movement’, Lv4 ‘Blessed Touch’, Lv4 ‘Holy Command’, Lv4 ‘Illusionary Barrier’
——————————————————
[Copy Condition: Teresa is a top 100 ranker. Saving her life will allow you to copy one of her unique abilities or skills of your choice.] Astonishing figures.
‘Indeed, worth the adoration.’
Jinhyuk let out a soft exclamation.
This was like a premium hotel buffet.
Moreover, accessing the status window allowed him to understand why she was here.
[Currently undergoing a job quest.] ‘So that was it.’
That’s why she opted for this location over the boss raid.
The situation was becoming interesting.
This card might be very useful.
[Lv1 ‘Empathy’ activates.] [The target feels a slight affection towards you.] A warm sensation fluttered.
Teresa looked at Jinhyuk and smiled gently.
Her turquoise eyes seemed to draw him in.
“Thank you… I’ll drink well.”
Thankful?
I should be more thankful.
‘Blessing of the Stars.’
The best-rated unique ability for those choosing the Paladin profession.
And she provided the opportunity to acquire it.
The challenge was…
Creating a situation where she’s in danger.
And saving her life from it.
‘Certainly not an easy condition.’
Jinhyuk moistened his lower lip with his tongue.
A habit that appeared when he was pondering.
But at that moment.
“Ch, Cheonhwa hyung! Come here, quick! Right now!”
A desperate cry followed. Everyone’s gaze turned in one direction.