Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 399: The Theme Park on the First Floor (4)

‘…Fast.’

But not so fast that it couldn’t be dealt with.

Jinhyuk adjusted his spacing left and right, dodging the incoming volcanic bombs with precision and grace. His movements were sharp and methodical, as though unaffected by the restriction on abilities.

‘Just as I expected.’

Jinhyuk smiled as he assessed his body.

Although all other stats were neutralized, the adaptive stats granted by the title *First Conqueror of the Tower* were fully operational. The event’s restrictions couldn’t suppress the perks tied to his unique achievement.

*This is why it’s worth being the first to conquer the Tower.*

“Ugh!”

“How is he that agile?”

“We have no choice. Everyone, attack together!”

When the volcanic bombs failed, players hiding among the carousel and amusement rides suddenly leaped out in unison.

*Shing!*

Blades gleamed with a menacing edge.

The rules allowed players to eliminate others upon inflicting damage, free from the fear of death. This emboldened them to charge at Jinhyuk without hesitation.

‘Alright. Let’s see how my new weapon performs.’

Jinhyuk gripped [Crimson Lotus] in one hand and [Barnard] in the other. Each blade radiated a distinct brilliance.

In the next instant…

*Whoosh!*

Brilliant flames flowed along the trajectory of the blade, illuminating the air.

It was mesmerizing.

The lingering heat in the air traced the exact movements of the sword.

“Urgh!”

“What… kind of swordsmanship is this…?”

Players standing in Jinhyuk’s path were engulfed by the flames and reduced to ash.

‘No wonder the administrators favored this. Barnard was already excellent, but this weapon is on another level entirely.’

[Crimson Lotus]
– Acquisition Difficulty: SSS
– Attack Power: 92,500
– Durability: 320,000 / 353,000
– Description: A dagger forged from the fang of a Red Dragon. Extremely lightweight yet sturdy. Upon hit, inflicts an additional +5,000 fire damage due to its fire attribute.
– Special Ability: Grants access to the Red Dragon’s Breath.

It was lightweight, perfectly balanced, and devastatingly powerful with its unique abilities.

Jinhyuk twirled the blade smoothly.

“Damn it…”

“We knew he was strong, but this is just overwhelming.”

“There goes the prize money… it could’ve bought a building.”

“Don’t get too cocky. This isn’t over yet.”

The defeated players muttered as they were eliminated, their words little more than the complaints of the vanquished.

[19 players eliminated and forcibly removed.]

“Is Oh Ji-Won at the Circus Zone?” Jinhyuk asked the sole remaining player.

The man, now missing an arm, had no means of resistance.

“Yes, but by the time you reach Executive Director Oh, it’ll all be over.”

“Over? What do you mean?”

“Seems like you don’t know a thing.”

The man’s laughter grew louder, tinged with mockery.

“The entire Red Fang Guild, except for Executive Director Oh, has left to attack your base. They’re armed with skills far stronger than what we used against you.”

“So, you’ve left Oh Ji-Won alone here?”

“Funny, isn’t it? A final showdown to see who takes whose head first. Like a fiery finale in a time attack game.”

‘Funny, my ass.’

If nothing else, this confirmed that Oh Ji-Won wasn’t in his right mind.

‘Does he think he can handle me alone? Or does he believe his team will finish off our base before I reach him?’

Either way, his calculations were completely off.

“Go wash up and take a nap.”

*Slash!*

Jinhyuk’s blade severed the man with a single strike. Without pause, he accelerated toward his destination.

—

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Various skills swept through the amusement park.

Shards of ice scattered from the explosions, spreading in all directions.

“That… that’s a monster.”

“Are his abilities really sealed? How is he tanking all those skills without even flinching?”

“Stop him! Do whatever it takes!”

Panic spread as screams echoed across the battlefield.

Amidst the chaos, Chun Yoosung strode forward, gripping his longsword tightly.

“Because of you bastards, I owe that damn bastard a debt. If you’d just pissed me off outright, it wouldn’t feel this bad. But no… this is all on you.”

His overwhelming force was undeniable.

Lee Yeji and Kim Dahee, who had confidently stepped forward, were now completely overwhelmed by his presence.

“This is nothing like whack-a-mole…”

“So this is what they meant by not engaging him head-on.”

Exploiting loopholes in the rules to win was entirely different from facing someone in pure combat.

Even with an army of players and powerful skills, Chun Yoosung’s raw power surpassed them all.

*Swish.*

“Argh!”

Every swing of his blade sent someone else into elimination.

Of the 150 players who had initially gathered, over 50 had already disappeared.

“Let’s deal with the other two first. They’re the ones supporting him,” Yeji said, her gaze shifting to Yoo Yeonhwa and Lee Taemin.

Chun Yoosung’s rampage was only possible thanks to their impeccable support.

“Lee Taemin’s Machine Lord abilities are sealed, but Yoo Yeonhwa… we can’t leave her unchecked.”

She was like a human tank, smashing opponents much larger than herself with her bare fists. Her seemingly endless stamina allowed her to demolish dozens without breaking a sweat.

“Alright, let’s go. Once their support is gone, even Chun Yoosung will have a weak spot.”

“It’ll cost us some casualties, but let’s leave it to the guild members for now.”

The two women sprang into action.

“!”

“Sis!”

In a flash, Yeji and Dahee lunged at Lee Taemin with their blades, moving like assassins in the shadows.

*Bang!*

“Argh!”

Lee Taemin’s body flew several meters through the air.

“Taemin!” Yoo Yeonhwa shouted.

“You don’t have time to look away!”

“You bastards!”

Yeonhwa stepped forward, guarding her face with her fists as she braced herself.

*Whoosh!*

Her gauntleted fist shot toward Yeji’s face.

Lee Yeji evaded Yoo Yeonhwa’s attack with just a subtle shift of her shoulder.

In response, Yeji’s blade aimed for Yeonhwa’s torso.

This time, Yeonhwa countered by slamming her elbow into the blade, disrupting its path.

In the span of a single breath, over five exchanges of attacks and counters occurred.

“…….”

Realizing the fight was heading into dangerous territory, Chun Yoosung decided to join forces with Yeonhwa and Lee Taemin.

But just as he prepared to move—

“Your opponent is me.”

Kim Hyungjin, who had been silent until now, finally made his move.

A sharp slash, as precise as if measured with a ruler.

The weight behind his bastard sword was impossible to ignore, a single misstep could mean defeat.

“It’s an honor to face the famed Sword Saint directly. I’m Kim Hyungjin of the Red Fang Guild.”

“Step aside.”

“That won’t happen. I’ve got my own orders to follow.”

“Then I’ll cut you down.”

*Clang! Clang!*

Chun Yoosung swung his sword with relentless ferocity.

Even without his mana, the techniques of the *Phantom Sword* he had honed through countless battles remained intact.

However, Kim Hyungjin met Chun’s strikes with equally formidable force.

While he lagged slightly in speed and finesse, his sheer power exceeded Chun’s.

‘Breaking through him will take time.’

Chun Yoosung gritted his teeth.

Meeting such a formidable opponent in a critical moment was an infuriating setback.

Failing his mission again was not an option.

He couldn’t bear to see that smug smile on Jinhyuk’s face one more time.

“Damn it.”

As much as it stung his pride, Chun Yoosung decided to use his last resort.

[Activating Defensive Skill: ‘Curse of the Stone Sentinel.’]

[The longer the unfavorable situation persists, the stronger the effects of the skill become.]

[The skill has reached its maximum potential.]

[Due to the area-wide crowd control effect, all players in this vicinity will have their movements restricted for 10 minutes.]

*Whirr!*

Everything in sight began to turn white.

A crystallization of salt.

The skill, designed to buy time, indiscriminately turned all entities—friend or foe—into salt statues.

For Chun Yoosung, who was at a disadvantage, this was the only way to create a variable.

“W-what is this?”

“My body… is turning to salt?”

Shouts of panic erupted from all around.

*Ten minutes… finish it in that time.*

Chun Yoosung muttered as he glanced in the direction Jinhyuk had gone.

—

*Step, step.*

Jinhyuk arrived at the base camp of the Red Fang Guild, a towering tent that seemed to touch the sky.

Just as he’d been told, only one presence was detectable within the tent.

‘If Yoosung activated the Stone Sentinel, that gives me about 10 minutes.’

This had to end quickly.

Inside, Oh Ji-Won stood, smiling smugly.

“You arrived faster than expected. Blocking the skills we poured 20 million coins into… impressive.”

“Yeah, it was a bit annoying. But if you’ve got that many coins to spare, why not just hand them over to me?”

“Haha. If Player Kang Jinhyuk were to join us, I could offer far more than that.”

“Funny, I was going to propose something similar. Join me, and I’ll turn the Red Fang Guild into something three times its current size.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.”

“Hah. Ridiculous. No matter how strong you are, you’re still just one individual. What do you think you’re saying to an entire corporation?”

“I’m saying that size doesn’t determine strength. Strength is simply about being stronger, period. And judging by how nervous you look, it seems you already know that.”

In the end, the strong are strong. Nothing more, nothing less.

“So, this is how it’s going to be. Fine. If you’re eager to be punished, I won’t stop you.”

Realizing no negotiation would work, Oh Ji-Won opened his subspace inventory.

Beyond the distorted space emerged… a serpent’s shed skin.

What was that?

“Do you know why I chose this place as our base?”

The Circus Zone.

It was the area with the greatest allowance for “freedom” in the event zone.

In line with its whimsical theme, the zone had an additional unlocked condition:

Players could summon divinities through relics or other means without restriction.

“Watch closely. No matter how extraordinary you are, you’re still a mere human. Feel the gap in power firsthand.”

A strange energy emanated from the serpent’s skin.

*Whirr!*

[The Divinity ‘Master of Eight Heads’ has descended!]

The tent was filled with an enormous snake.

It was none other than the mythical *Yamata no Orochi*, the serpent with eight heads and eight tails.