Chapter 60 - The Fifth Evolution (4) (1/2)

The Fifth Evolution (4)

If you qualify to enter the 2nd floor of Jinma’s tower, you should already be level 80. I was convinced that if I went straight there, then I wouldn’t be able to come back for a while, so I was putting off entering Jinma’s tower until the time came.

And now, I have satisfied the conditions of every quest but Jinma’s Tower and raised my level to a point where I’m satisfied. I wanted to get to level 90, if possible. When I reached level 89, I couldn’t even fathom how much experience I needed to level up. Any more than this, can’t be put off. I have to clear the dungeon as quickly as possible.

To do that, I went through the dark passage and reached the fourth floor. After passing through the gate on the third floor, this dungeon was connected with corridors. Its walls seemed to be made of obsidian, similar to the fourth floor.

Instead, the 4th floor had a high ceiling and wide corridors as if the palace had been renovated. Moreover, there was an abundance in the energy of life in the passages beyond the entrance. In short, there were at least hellhound-level high-class species scattered throughout the floor. I was assuming that said monsters may just be waiting for us beyond, so I might be expecting the worst.

“I’ll be back.”

“I’ll just wander around the entrance until you come back.” Lee Chan-yu said with a rather comfortable smile. He looked tense, but his recent evolution into a Beast Commander seemed to have instilled some confidence in him. Moreover, the three hellhounds under his control seemed to be the most reliable protectors in case of emergency.

“I’m not going to use them as a shield, we’ll be hunting together!”

“Ah.”

“Yes, I won’t die, I’m managing well by myself.”

I opened the door to Jinma’s Tower.

Away from the Trickster’s influence… No, the inside of Jinma’s tower, which was revealed after the death of the Trickster who fooled me, was quite dark. But at least the light was bright enough for me to recognize A’s face from across the room.

“You’re late.” A said as soon as he saw me. His voice was audible, even at such a distance.

I thought I would see him as the first challenge on the second floor, but when I came to, I felt a different pressure from him than when we first met.

First of all, he had a burdened appearance. He was handsome and muscular, and he was big enough to not be pushed by a bugbear’s body like mine.

If Rain had the feeling that comforts people and L excites people, then A makes people feel overwhelmed. I felt like I was facing something vast and inhuman. Don’t people feel helpless in front of an absolute being? Yes, it’s silly to discuss the strengths, but I think it’s probably A.

Is this something he does on purpose? Or is it because my senses have improved that I can see some of his skills?

“I had other things to do first,” I responded, struggling to get used to the pressure.

“Have you met her?”

Even though he didn’t know Rain, I thought that he would not react to L. His reaction was so unexpected that I couldn’t answer for a while. But there was no need to hide things from him.

“Yes. She calls herself by L.”

“L…” He muttered then laughed.

Laughed?

In a moment, L’s face popped into my head. After all, her beauty was so great that even A was enamored. I don’t know what A thinks of her, but it was surprising to see his expression change by mentioning L. Maybe A being here had something to do with L.

However, he quickly turned to his expressionless face again.

“The second floor of Jinma’s Tower. The adversary you will face is a legion that does not die.”

I haven’t said that I’m going to challenge the second floor yet. Moreover, this place seemed to be the same as the first floor. Was the first and second floor a play on words?

“When they are no more, that is when your challenge is completed.”

There was no time for me to mull over what he said. Even before A finished speaking, four walls rose up around just as he did when I challenged the first floor of the tower.

I sensed slight malice in his words. I wonder if I’ve gotten mad at the fact that I noticed A’s feelings. It was needless anger that I wish I could hide until the end.

There was no time for me to blame A. Even though the Trickster is no more, a small black fog began to rise around me.

I noticed only now that the walls were further apart than the first floor. I must say that the size of the arena had increased.

Then, they appeared.

[Hahaha…]

[I feel warmth…]

[It is the energy of the living!]

Inside the black fog, were monsters of different kinds but share similar characteristics. They had no blood, only rotting flesh and bones. I immediately realized what I said.

Those who are revived. Undead. There are so many things to call them by, but the undead were definitely the worst enemies.

[Life is so dreadful!]

I have to battle this thing that I can’t eat!

‘I can’t use the inventory.’

With that, most things I can do are gone. Most of my skills consume magic and stamina. The same applies to the special high-level skill ‘Ubiquitous’ that I synthesized a while ago. And it’s because of the inventory that I can use these, high-consumption skills freely and can recover stamina and magic using Predation.

But what if I can’t take advantage of Predation in battle? For example, what if the target is something I cannot consume, like right now?

[Oh oh oh oh oh.]

[Offer your blood!]

The only things that can be consumed with Predation are ‘creatures.’ Of course, the undead are not creatures. Skeletons, zombies, and ghouls reanimating all over the arena cannot be consumed.

‘Then what do I need to do now….’

This is simple. Even if it’s a legion that cannot die, it will disappear if it’s destroyed. If I can figure out all their numbers and distribute my stamina and magic accordingly, I will complete this challenge.

First of all, I distanced myself from them. Because the monsters were rising from behind me. I swung Blood Shadow, but unfortunately, I could crush them with just that.

If I keep attacking, I could get rid of them. But just swinging the sword several times will consume stamina even more than only using skills.

In other words, I have to thoroughly analyze the strength and magic consumed by all my skills and find the best course of action.