Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 344: The Giant Factions of the Upper Floors (2)
“…….”
Information about Hasting.
It was a monumental topic, and Jinhyuk bit his lip slightly.
One of the cards he desperately wanted to secure had appeared. Hasting had always been shrouded in mystery, making it difficult to discern his true motives in the past. Now, there was a chance to confirm them.
‘But to hear that information, they want me to join Eden…’
The upper-tier faction **Eden**.
Undoubtedly, Eden had many advantages compared to other factions. Its members were solid, and more importantly, they had a strong opposition to the Demon Realm, creating a multitude of future possibilities and variables.
But before making any decisions…
Ding!
[Lv15 ‘Eyes of Gluttony’ has been activated!]
Jinhyuk’s eyes began to penetrate Gabriel.
However…
[The Blessing of the Archangel has been activated!]
Golden mist surged forth, as if waiting for this moment.
“Ugh!”
A sharp pain pierced Jinhyuk’s eyes, like a searing blade cutting through his skull from his crown to his spine.
“Trying to peek behind the veil is against the rules. We’ve also gathered some information on your skills, Jinhyuk,” Gabriel said with a soft smile.
As expected, extracting information through his ‘Eyes’ wouldn’t be easy when dealing with a high-tier deity.
Of course, there were still other ways to get what he wanted.
“I understand. Let’s put aside the probing for now.”
“Does that mean you’ll accept our proposal?” Gabriel inquired.
“No.”
Jinhyuk shook his head.
“A rejection? That’s disappointing. I thought you were eager to learn about Hasting.”
Hmm…
“It seems you misunderstand. I said I wouldn’t join your faction, not that I’d give up on Hasting’s information.”
“Excuse me?”
“I propose an exchange. I’ll provide you with information of equal value.”
“An exchange of information? With us?” Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
“That’s right. I think Eden will find what I have quite intriguing.”
At that moment…
“This is absurd,” a male angel, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up.
“Offering a proposal to a mere insect is already too generous. And now you think you can trade a crumb of knowledge for something as important as Hasting’s information?”
The angel, named **Damiel**, snorted derisively.
However…
“The reason you possess a crown yet can’t cross the boundary of the 50th floor… it’s because you don’t have *that book*, correct?”
Damiel’s smug expression instantly disappeared, replaced with shock.
“…How do you know about that?”
It was impossible for him not to be caught off guard.
To move freely on the 50th floor, one needed a sacred relic.
The **Necronomicon**.
A forbidden grimoire filled with information about the 50th floor and ancient gods.
Yet here was a mere player, speaking of it as if it were common knowledge.
“I know where part of that book is. If you give me the information on Hasting, I’ll tell you where to find it.”
“You’re more dangerous than I thought,” Gabriel muttered, unable to conceal her surprise.
Just knowing of the book’s existence made it clear this was no bluff.
If that was the case…
“Very well. We accept the trade.”
Gabriel agreed to the exchange.
***
[You have paid 1 Azure Dragon’s Dragon Ball as the entrance fee.]
The administrator at the entrance carefully inspected the dragon ball and nodded, signaling that the payment was sufficient.
“Enjoy the auction.”
As the administrator stepped aside, massive doors opened, revealing the grand auction hall.
It seemed that many deities had already gathered, as the hall was bustling with activity.
“We need to ensure…”
“The fifth item must be ours…”
“…Understood.”
Most attendees were engaged in discussions with their factions, strategizing on how to acquire the upcoming auction items.
However…
Thud.
The moment Jinhyuk stepped inside, the bustling noise came to an abrupt halt.
Every gaze turned toward him.
A rookie who had reached the middle floors of the Tower in less than two years.
The ranker who had defeated the strongest beings, which even the deities couldn’t touch.
In all the Towers that had appeared in countless dimensions, never had a player climbed this quickly.
Naturally, all attention was on him.
“Is that the guy… Kang Jinhyuk?”
“Yes, the one whose name has come up several times on our side.”
“He was a key player in the war between the Martial World and the Empire. He even took down the Right Hand of the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
“The Right Hand? Wasn’t that the one the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal, had considered as a potential apostle?”
“Haha, judging by the look on that monkey’s face, it seems so.”
The deities each made their comments.
At that moment…
Crackle!
Black sparks crackled in the air.
Unlike the others who were simply watching, someone approached Jinhyuk with open hostility.
He had long tusks and a face adorned with red tattoos, his expression twisted with anger.
“At last, I get to see your damn face. My subordinates owe you a great deal for the trouble you’ve caused, and I’ve been dying to meet you.”
His words dripped with rage.
Jinhyuk recognized him instantly.
How could he not?
**Guntaphel**.
One of the Demon Realm’s generals, and someone whose forces Jinhyuk had clashed with at the **Giant’s Fortress**.
Jinhyuk had turned his grand plans into dust, so it was no surprise Guntaphel harbored nothing but ill will.
Standing beside him was a man in armor adorned with the emblem of **Ataraxia**.
**Exenscion**.
The current head of Ataraxia who had betrayed Alice had also come to this auction.
Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed slightly.
…They were strong.
Overwhelmingly so.
The heads of factions he’d faced on the lower floors had their powers restricted, but here, they could wield their full might.
And the weapons and artifacts they carried were all renowned, top-tier relics.
“Forget the auction. All I want is to take your head.”
Guntaphel’s sharp nails extended, glistening with deadly intent.
“You’re going to make a scene and pick a fight with me in front of all these deities? I came here as a participant. If you try anything, do you really think the others will stand by idly?”
“Hmph, you clearly don’t understand how deities work. They don’t care about your life. Deities only act when there’s something in it for them.”
Indeed, in this place, strength was the only rule and law.
A resident or player who had no affiliation with a deity was easy prey.
That was the reality of the hierarchy.
He wasn’t wrong.
It was the natural order of things.
But…
There was one thing Guntaphel had misunderstood.
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m actually quite popular.”
“What kind of nonsense is that…?! Huh? You…!”
Guntaphel suddenly froze, his eyes widening in shock.
“Hmm. Who was it again that said they were going to take someone’s head? He’s already agreed to be my apostle, which means… he’s under the protection of the Demon Realm.”
**Berial** cut in smoothly.
“You’re telling me this guy is going to be one of the Demon Realm’s Black Apostles?”
“Huh? Me? An apostle? Of the Demon Realm?” Jinhyuk was equally shocked.
Ah… right.
Berial had tried to lure him with promises of becoming an apostle during their battle with Shub-Niggurath.
It had been such a blatant lie at the time that Jinhyuk had almost forgotten about it.
Oh, and he had also pawned off Chun Yoosung during that exchange.
“So, it’d be wise to back off unless you’re keen on starting a war.”
“Berial… you filthy fallen angel! Just because the Demon Lord favors you doesn’t mean you should get cocky. I know you’ll betray us someday!”
“Betrayal, huh? That’s a rather unpleasant word.”
“And what are you going to do about it?”
“What am I going to do? I’m going to cut off your head and hang it above my castle gate.”
Crack!
Crackle!
The tension in the air thickened as the temperature seemed to drop.
If a full-on fight were to break out among the deities, there was no telling what kind of catastrophe would follow.
Especially here, where they could all wield their full power.
However, just as the situation was about to escalate…
“Everyone! I’m so sorry for the delay. We had a lot of preparations to make, and I’m afraid I’ve arrived a bit late.”
A small rabbit beastman suddenly appeared at the center of the room, announcing the start of the auction.
With that, Berial shrugged and backed off.
“Running away?”
“Unlike you, I’m actually interested in the auction. You should relax and enjoy it too. After all, you’ll need something from this auction if you want to train your pathetic apostle.”
“…Tch. Damn you…”
Guntaphel clenched his fists, the bones cracking under the pressure.
However, he refrained from causing further commotion.
Berial had a point. Securing items for the growth of his apostles was a priority as well.
“Now that everyone’s calm, let’s start the auction! Our first item is a brand-new acquisition from the 45th floor, fresh from last week!”
With a snap of the rabbit’s fingers, a massive glass case materialized on the stage.
Inside was a 3-meter-long claw.
It belonged to none other than a **Behemoth**, one of the ancient species.
The sheer size of the claw spoke volumes of the beast’s immense power.
“Behemoth?”
“An ancient species. It’s rare to see them, and to find one on the 45th floor, no less?”
“They actually managed to track it down.”
The legend about Behemoths swallowing islands whole wasn’t an exaggeration.
The starting bid was set at 700 million mana stones.
However, the numbers skyrocketed the moment the deities joined the bidding.
“1 billion!”
“1.5 billion!”
“3 billion!”
“8 billion!”
A Behemoth’s claw was top-tier material for both weapons and armor.
But for Jinhyuk, it was far out of reach.
“Enjoying the show, rookie? Oh, wait! Of course, you’re just a spectator. Someone as broke as you wouldn’t dare participate in this auction. Hahahaha!”
Guntaphel burst into raucous laughter.
However, Jinhyuk remained silent.
“……”
After all, that wasn’t the reason he had come here.
“The **Pandora’s Box** goes to Hermes of Olympus!”
“The **Transcendent Mana Stone** has been claimed by Gabriel of Eden!”
“The **Elemental Heart** has been won by Yuasys, representing the Spirit Realm!”
The auction proceeded rapidly.
Time passed, and finally…
“And now, our next item…”
The highlight of the auction was about to be revealed.
Finally, the moment had arrived.
Shhh…
Jinhyuk slowly opened his subspace inventory.