Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 358: A New Weapon (3)

“Come in,” Hastings permitted.

The space distorted as heavy footsteps resounded.

Thud!

The figure that emerged was none other than an angel—Kizakiel.

“It’s been a while, Senior Administrator.”

A high-ranking entity from Eden had entered Hastings’ domain.

“Haha. It’s been so long… I can hardly remember when we last met.”

“The last time we met, you were still a mid-level administrator.”

“Yes, and at that time, you were just a low-ranking angel, not the commander you are now.”

It had been tens of thousands of years since they last met.

For administrators, maintaining contact with the residents of the Tower was uncommon—that was the rule, and it was also common sense.

“Panem, you may leave now. I think we need to have a serious discussion.”

“Understood.”

Panem quickly vanished out the door.

“You’ve done well to find this place. On the surface, it’s a location hidden from the Tower’s residents.”

“I had to use my own means. It’s an important matter, so I hope you understand.”

“Go ahead, tell me what’s on your mind.”

Hastings gestured for Kizakiel to sit. Along with the invitation, some cold wine, cheese, and bread made from the finest butter available only on the 40th floor appeared on the table.

“I assume you are well aware of the current situation—of the power struggle and the ownership of the Crown, yes?”

“Of course. We monitor all major events in the Tower.”

“Then what are your thoughts on the fact that a mere player who has just entered the Tower now possesses one of its most sacred relics?”

“Naturally… I believe that any item should belong to a worthy owner. I assume Eden feels the same way, doesn’t it?”

Kizakiel’s face hardened further.

“That’s not the case. Gabriel… She’s made a pact with that human and ordered us not to touch him.”

“Is that true? The great Archangel of Heaven said something so irresponsible…?”

Hastings feigned exaggerated surprise.

“I found it hard to believe as well, but it’s true. And such leniency goes against the law of God. If the higher-ups won’t take action, then I believe it’s my duty to intervene.”

“I see. So, what exactly do you need from me?”

“All I ask is for you to tell me the location of the human, Kang Jinhyuk. I’ll take care of the rest myself.”

Kizakiel pulled a glowing white spear from his subspace.

The relic, *Joshua’s Trumpet*.

A powerful relic from Eden, famous for toppling fortresses.

“I can only strike once. But.”

That’s all he needed.

The absolute judgment delivered by *Joshua’s Trumpet* was on par with Zeus’s *Astraphe*.

It was one of the highest-ranked single-target attacks in existence.

“That’s… quite an interesting proposal,” Hastings replied, his lips curling into a twisted grin.

It was the perfect timing.

Finally, a trump card had arrived to deal with the persistent thorn in his side.

＊＊＊

Boom!

Another massive explosion shook the passage as yet another barrier collapsed.

“Huff… Huff… Huff…”

Beriel, battered and exhausted, flew unsteadily into the air. Smoke was rising from his wings, making him appear almost pitiable.

That’s what happens when pride gets the better of you.

“Wow, I’ve got to hand it to you. I really didn’t think you’d manage to get through all those traps. You truly are impressive, as expected of a Demon King,” Jinhyuk said, adding salt to the wound.

“Huhu… This body… is called the strongest in the Abyss for a reason. If I really put my mind to it—”

Beriel’s sentence was abruptly cut off.

BAM!

A heavy iron ball, summoned from a subspace trap, collided with his head.

“…Ugh.”

Beriel wobbled in midair, losing his balance.

With the exit now in sight, he had let his guard down, and the sudden sneak attack caught him completely off guard.

His avatar body was starting to fade.

Having exhausted all his mana, Beriel’s form was dissolving, returning to the Abyss.

“Ah…”

Jinhyuk had forgotten to mention that there was one last trap in the final room.

Again, this was a genuine mistake. Not an intentional ploy to avoid Beriel’s pressure to become his Black Apostle.

Jinhyuk struggled to keep a straight face as he looked at Beriel.

“It’s really unfortunate that we can’t finish this together, but I won’t forget how much you helped me today.”

“I… could have sworn you saw where that trap would fall… It looked like you knew.”

“That’s just a misunderstanding. There was a fly buzzing around at that moment.”

“You… heartless bastard.”

Beriel wheezed in frustration.

“You really should become a demon. You have the potential, more than anyone else.”

With those final words, Beriel’s avatar disintegrated into dust.

“A demon, huh…”

It sounded interesting.

If Jinhyuk underwent his third job change in that direction, he would be eternally opposed to Eden. The intensity and thrill of such a choice would be incomparable to any other path.

But that wasn’t something to consider right now.

Factions and third job changes could wait a few more months.

‘For now, let’s pick up a few necessities.’

Before proceeding further, Jinhyuk opened his inventory to check his shopping list.

He quickly bought the items he needed from the ‘Coin Exchange.’

– Caramel Milk Powder 1kg: 1,000 coins
– Eternal Glacier Stone: 30,000 coins
– Otoru Kang Catnip: 2,500 coins
– Twin Ladybugs x100: 10,000 coins

Great.

With that, everything he needed was prepared.

Jinhyuk resumed walking.

He had already passed through ten trials. Only one remained.

From this point on, he would have to manage without Beriel’s help.

Clunk!

The final door creaked open.

[You have entered the 11th trial: *Havelian’s Nest*.]

A low, heavy breath filled the air.

A creature with a long, seven-meter body covered in white fur emerged, resembling something akin to a weasel.

Havelian.

Like Pentagris, it was one of the mythical beasts residing within the Tower.

“Roaaar.”

Havelian let out a low growl upon spotting the intruder, showing no hesitation in expressing its displeasure.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t come to harm you.”

Jinhyuk raised his hands, signaling that he meant no harm.

He was only here to retrieve the *Crystal* deep within the nest, not to fight the beast.

Of course, that didn’t mean Havelian would let him off easily.

Even the most docile mythical beasts wouldn’t tolerate intruders in their lair.

“Roaaar!”

When Jinhyuk didn’t back off, Havelian rose to its full height.

At the same time—

Whoosh!

A freezing wind whipped through the air.

Extreme cold attributes.

As befitting a beast that controlled ice, the temperature around them plummeted dramatically.

It was hard to believe they were still in the same dry, hot place.

It’s coming.

Jinhyuk readied himself.

Swoosh!

Sharp ice blades rushed toward him, seven in total.

A frontal assault focused entirely on speed.

[Lv18 ‘Glacial Sculpting’ has been activated!]

White crystals formed at Jinhyuk’s fingertips.

The key was calculation speed.

In other words, how fast and precisely he could counter Havelian’s ice magic.

Crash!

Fourteen ice streams collided in midair.

Perfectly, with no margin for error.

“Roaaar?!”

Havelian flinched.

The attack that had always destroyed intruders in one blow was completely nullified.

However, the surprise didn’t last long.

“Roaaar!”

Crackle!

A brilliant light gathered at the corner of Havelian’s mouth.

This time, it was unleashing its strongest attack: a breath attack akin to a dragon’s breath, unique to mythical beasts.

If Jinhyuk were to take this attack head-on, he would surely be turned into an ice sculpture.

‘Glacial Sculpting’

Jinhyuk poured his mana into his counter-attack.

Timing, power, and force—all had to align perfectly.

Snow and ice swirled violently.

‘Heaven’s Sword.’

An ice stream descended from above…

‘Earth’s Sword.’

…while another surged from below.

The two streams collided, creating a massive wave of cold that engulfed Havelian.

However, even within the ice, Havelian’s breath attack continued to charge.

Boom! Boom!

The twin swords of ice managed to restrain Havelian for less than a second.

Its magic resistance was absurdly high.

‘I never expected this to stop it.’

It was just a distraction.

[‘Frost Barrier’ has been activated!]

A rune-inscribed ice shield formed in front of Jinhyuk.

Like a lone mountain in the tundra, it stood tall.

At that exact moment—

Havelian’s fully charged breath attack was unleashed.

BOOOOOM!

The impact was overwhelming.

The breath hammered down on the shield.

“Urgh!”

Jinhyuk’s adaptive stats and gap-closing ability were strained to the limit.

His muscles screamed in pain.

Just a little more…

Just hold on a little longer.

The breath wouldn’t last forever.

“Rgh…”

As if on cue, the breath attack finally subsided.

…Now!

Jinhyuk quickly retrieved the items he had bought from his subspace inventory.

“Roaaar?”

Havelian hesitated in confusion, bewildered by Jinhyuk’s sudden actions.

Instead of pulling out a weapon, Jinhyuk was taking out various food ingredients. The sight was baffling, to say the least.

[‘Caramel Milk Powder’ and ‘Eternal Glacier Stone’ have been combined.]

The finely ground ice crystals, mixed with the mana dispersed in the air from the breath, emitted a peculiar aroma.

“Roaar?”

Havelian sniffed the air curiously, its tail twitching involuntarily.

＊＊＊

‘I bet you’re getting hungry.’

Jinhyuk chuckled.

The items he had prepared wouldn’t normally tempt Havelian on their own, but combined, they created an irresistible synergy.

Especially when infused with the mana from its own breath, they became a delicacy no beast could resist.

Moreover, the *Otherworldly Restaurant* skill had provided him with a recipe perfectly suited for feline-like mythical creatures.

Even if Havelian lived on the purest air and mist, it wouldn’t be able to resist.

Of course, his *Mantra Taming* and *Communion* skills had also worked wonders in breaking down its wariness.

“Roaar… Roaar…”

Havelian sniffed at the freshly made shaved ice, its tail wagging wildly.

Though it was still wary, its defensive posture was gradually crumbling.

And that final barrier…

Lick.

The moment Havelian’s tongue touched the shaved ice, its hesitation dissolved like sugar in water.

“…!!”

In an instant, Havelian buried its face in the shaved ice, devouring it greedily.

So that’s what they mean by “eating as fast as you can blink.”

‘Now I can safely retrieve the crystal.’

Jinhyuk’s gaze shifted to the center of the nest.

A crystal of indescribable brilliance lay there.

Finally, it was time to conclude his business in the Dunes of the Sun.