Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 381: The Sun’s Spring (1)

From the 21st to the 29th floors of the Tower of Trials, two massive forces reign supreme.

The Empire and the Murim.

Only players who have received permission from both powers can proceed past these floors to reach the 30th floor.

And, of course…

Jinhyuk and the players affiliated with the Veteran Corporation were free from such restrictions, able to traverse the levels without hindrance.

Currently, players from the Titan Guild were gathered in a secret underground bunker located in Washington, D.C.

“Sigh…”

“Hm…”

The conference room was filled with heavy sighs.

Sitting in a plush chair was a man with a solid build and long blond hair slicked back.

He was Snyder, the leader of the Titan Guild’s raid team inside the Tower and an S-rank player.

In addition, other high-ranking guilds appeared on the screen, including the Olympus Guild, whose image had suffered due to the failed 20th-floor raid, as well as Japan’s “Samurai” and China’s emerging guild “Heaven’s Soul.”

Everyone was present to discuss an important agenda.

Snyder broke the tense silence.

“In the end, it seems we need Player Kang Jinhyuk’s permission to smoothly progress through the 20s.”

That was correct.

Each guild wanted to monopolize the various resources and unique opportunities within the Tower.

They wanted it more than anyone else.

But that dream had to be shelved due to the massive power wielded by the Veteran Corporation.

So then…

The next best plan was to cooperate with that power and aim for the second-best position.

“It won’t be easy to persuade him with just any offer. Access to the upper levels of the Tower is priceless, even if we offer an astronomical amount.”

“Well, even I wouldn’t share such access if I were him. It’s common sense; anyone would do the same unless they were a fool.”

Monopolizing information was the most basic strategy.

And Kang Jinhyuk knew this better than anyone.

“Or perhaps we could recognize the Veteran Corporation as an equal at the national level?”

Extraterritorial rights and complete autonomy.

In short, it was a suggestion to treat him with the same respect as a head of state.

The Seven Great Guilds already enjoyed such privileges due to their immense wealth and lobbying power, but Jinhyuk, being uninterested in power struggles outside the Tower, had never paid it any mind.

“Indeed, that could be quite appealing.”

“There’s no way he’ll stay inside the Tower forever.”

Everyone nodded in agreement at the not-so-bad suggestion.

After fighting battles in the Tower, one would need to return to reality and live outside of it too.

It might be premature, but someday the entire Tower might be conquered.

Considering that, the conditions offered by the Seven Great Guilds were not insignificant.

It meant that a single individual could hold the power of a nation.

“Ridiculous!”

Before Snyder could finish speaking, someone interjected.

The voice dripped with anger and envy, emanating from a hardened face.

The master of the Gandhara Guild. ‘Nirasha.’

An Indian ranker who had lost everything after being defeated by Jinhyuk in the Empire and vowed to become stronger at any cost.

“Seems like Nirasha isn’t too pleased.”

“Of course not! Everyone’s treating that piece of trash like he’s something special, but he’s nothing but a scammer! And why would we reward a guy who’s only good at stabbing people in the back? If you don’t want to get burned later, you’d better remember what I’m saying now.”

Nirasha, usually known for her cold demeanor—earning her the nickname Ice Witch—was so agitated that she even dropped the formalities.

It seemed she had accumulated quite a bit of resentment.

“I heard India lost many rankers. So it was true.”

Yang Chi-an, representing Heaven’s Soul, clicked his tongue.

“Acting out of personal feelings and ruining a significant mission is foolish. How many times has Player Kang Jinhyuk saved us from crises? He’s not an opponent; he’s a savior. A hero who’s given us such great favor that we could never repay him in a lifetime.”

Takeshi, the false prophet of the Samurai Guild, also spoke in support of Jinhyuk.

In fact, the biggest reason this meeting was convened was because of Takeshi’s future sight.

“In the future I’ve seen, Player Kang Jinhyuk is essential.”

For the future of humanity.

If only one could be chosen, it had to be Jinhyuk.

Takeshi made it clear on behalf of the Samurai Guild.

“Everyone is correct. Just because one guild feels slighted, we can’t sacrifice the greater good. The meeting with Player Kang Jinhyuk will proceed as planned.”

“Just wait. You’ll regret this decision, mark my words.”

Nirasha let out a chilling smile.

“Regret? Are you saying siding with him won’t lead to regret?”

Snyder asked, incredulous.

“Well. Time will tell who backed the wrong side.”

‘Apostle of Balance.’

The collective of great deities from India, including Shiva, forming the ultimate entity of ‘Hinduism’ and ‘Veda’—the ‘Millennial Sage.’

And.

Nirasha was one of the chosen apostles they had selected just days before.

“Feeling a bit cocky just because you’ve been chosen by a deity, I see. But you don’t need to be so condescending. We’re prepared for this, too.”

At those words, all eyes turned to one side of the room.

In one corner of the conference room.

An individual exuding a unique aura sat quietly.

Just in case.

If Jinhyuk refused their proposal…

Then they would play this card.

＊＊＊

Three days had passed since the 20th-floor raid.

The request from Ragnarok was to gather materials to protect Yggdrasil.

The item assigned to Jinhyuk was the special ‘Sun’s Spring.’

“Hm…”

Walking along the edge of Seokchon Lake, Jinhyuk rubbed his chin.

Enjoying a rare day off outside the Tower was nice, but he was also preparing to head to a troublesome place, which gave him much to consider.

‘I need to gather my thoughts and outline my strategy before tackling this.’

The Sun’s Spring was located within a labyrinth on the 23rd floor of the Tower, and obtaining the key to enter was no easy feat.

Even if one managed to enter, the labyrinth’s Gate Guardian required specific attack patterns to be defeated.

‘That’s why Thor or Loki handed this task to me.’

They hadn’t even figured out the precise location of the Sun’s Spring.

And Chun Yoosung… when was that idiot planning to show up?

He’d been gone for an hour, supposedly just to feed stray cats.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be so bad if the hungry cats decided to eat him instead…

And just as he was thinking that—

Vroom… screech.

A black Mercedes S-Class pulled up beside Jinhyuk.

It was an armored vehicle, unmistakably special at first glance.

Clunk!

The door opened, and out stepped a man with meticulously groomed blond hair.

A familiar face.

He had seen it many times in the media.

Snyder of the Titan Guild.

An S-rank player skilled in long-range sniping.

Smiling warmly, Snyder reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card.

“Nice to meet you, Player Kang Jinhyuk. I’m from the Titan Guild in the United States…”

“I watched your video from the Bellermos Labyrinth. Your ability to control a boss monster from a distance was impressive.”

“…You saw that?”

Snyder awkwardly tucked the card back into his pocket.

“I tend to keep close tabs on top-ranked players.”

“It’s truly an honor. I never imagined Player Kang Jinhyuk would be interested in me. Haha, it’s enough to make me feel a little proud.”

“So, what brings such a prominent American guild all the way here?”

“Well…”

Snyder glanced around.

Though it was early, there were still a few joggers out for a morning run.

Standing and talking here could draw unwanted attention.

Especially with Jinhyuk involved.

“How about we move this conversation elsewhere? We’ve rented an entire floor of a hotel.”

“Sorry, but I’m waiting for someone. Leaving now would be difficult.”

“I see… Then I’ll get straight to the point.”

Snyder quickly composed himself and continued.

“I’ve heard that the Veteran Corporation currently holds the authority for moving between the Empire and Murim.”

Of course.

Jinhyuk had expected this topic to come up.

Ever since the 20th floor had been cleared, it was only a matter of time before major guilds approached him.

“You know, simple offerings won’t be enough for access to the upper levels, right?”

“Of course. We didn’t come with mere pocket change. If you grant us what we seek, we’ll offer a blank check, extraterritorial rights, and visas allowing unrestricted movement in any country.”

Snyder added a final touch.

“And if you wish, obtaining citizenship in a powerful nation wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”

One trillion or ten trillion, even a hundred trillion.

Whatever number was written, it would be converted to dollars upon submission.

The other two privileges were extraordinary for any individual to hold.

The kind of offer one would normally accept without a second thought.

But.

That only applied to ordinary people.

“Hm. I’m not interested in money. And there isn’t a force that could touch me, so the other conditions are irrelevant too.”

To Jinhyuk, these things were meaningless.

“But…!”

“For instance, if I committed a crime in the United States… do you really think you could arrest me?”

A short, light question.

But the weight it carried was far from light.

Could the Titan Guild, even with all its power, subdue the monster standing before them?

No, even if all the rankers from the large guilds that had met three days ago were assembled?

…It wouldn’t be easy.

It was a conclusion they couldn’t voice confidently.

“Player Kang Jinhyuk… we know how powerful you are. Takeshi strongly recommended you, too.”

But.

“According to the official records, the Veteran Corporation only has about ten members. Do you really think you can maintain dominance with such a small group?”

“It seems you’re misunderstanding something…”

Jinhyuk smirked.

“We’re small because we don’t need to be bigger.”

Elite forces.

When each individual has the strength of hundreds or thousands, there’s no need for a larger group.

“…”

Snyder fell silent, unable to argue with Jinhyuk’s undeniable logic.

Each member of the Veteran Corporation was unparalleled—whether it was the swordsman everyone feared, Chun Yoosung, the saint Teresa who had saved Amsterdam, or the silver-haired ranker known as Alice.

‘I wasn’t expecting him to agree to become a U.S. citizen… but to not even consider negotiations?’

No.

It wasn’t over yet.

He had prepared a hidden card for situations like this.

“It can’t be helped… I didn’t want to do this, but…”

Snyder nodded towards the Mercedes.

Then.

Clunk.

The door opened, and someone stepped out.

“…!!??”

Jinhyuk’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint.

Because the person Snyder had brought was someone who should never have been there.