Chapter 10: 6. Second Floor Trial (2)
“Are… are we alive?”
Whew…
The players who had managed to escape to a safe location let out sighs of relief.
“Um…”
“Thank you. Really.”
Many of the players expressed their gratitude to Lee Jin-hyuk.
“I’m just glad you’re all safe,” he responded.
Though he had saved them with the goal of gaining divine speech and points, it was true that he’d saved their lives.
“You’re amazing.”
One of them stepped forward and extended a hand for a handshake.
Jin-hyuk had no reason to refuse, so he shook the hand.
“Yes.”
“My name is Ake. Ake.”
As they shook hands, Jin-hyuk noticed it—etched on Ake’s armor was a very distinct symbol.
[The Constellation <King of Muspel> rubs his eyes to check the person’s identity.]
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> tilts their head in curiosity.]
[The Constellation <Rising King of Zhonghua> begins to laugh heartily.]
‘A hammer crossed with the sun? No way…’
Even upon second glance, he was sure of it.
‘A royal from <Gigantic Punk>—and a dwarf, no less? What is he doing here?’
The 15th floor of the Tower, <Gigantic Punk>.
A world of giant machines, blacksmiths, and inventors—home of the dwarves.
The symbol on Ake’s armor unmistakably signified the royal family that ruled over <Gigantic Punk>.
‘If he’s royalty, then he must be a pureblood dwarf. But… isn’t he way too tall?’
Jin-hyuk’s body—crafted to be the perfect vessel for a Constellation—stood at 2 meters.
Ake was a head taller than that.
That made him enormous even by human standards, let alone for a dwarf.
‘If he was this unusual, there’s no way I wouldn’t have heard of him before regressing. Did he die young?’
That would explain it.
Before regression, Jin-hyuk had stayed in the first-floor city <El Land> for two whole years after failing the first trial due to fear.
‘Whatever his circumstances, he’s definitely a royal.’
There was a simple reason for that.
Anyone other than royalty who possessed an item with that symbol would be instantly cursed and executed.
‘If he wasn’t the real deal, he would’ve died before even setting foot here.’
“Jin-hyuk-nim? Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
This was a lower floor, so most players probably didn’t recognize the royal symbol.
Jin-hyuk pretended not to know and continued the conversation.
“I thought I was strong… but I didn’t expect to be carried like this.”
Ake scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
“The world’s a big place, I guess.”
His intentions weren’t bad, and the results had been good—there was no reason to think ill of him.
“Anyway, thank you. You saved my life.”
Jin-hyuk nodded.
‘He’s a good guy.’
When someone got left behind, Ake had been the first to run to their aid.
In a solo trial like the second floor, he’d acted out of sheer goodwill without any divine speech goal.
He seemed genuinely kind to the core.
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is moved by Ake’s selflessness.]
Either way, it was good that fate had brought them together.
More importantly, Ake could be a great help to Jin-hyuk right now.
‘He’s no weakling.’
Jin-hyuk had noticed during the battle.
Ake hadn’t gotten left behind—he’d lagged because he was helping others.
And he fought well against the undead.
‘No wonder. All his gear is at least Epic rank.’
His armor in particular was Heroic grade—even higher than <Eternal Frost>.
A perfect example of the kind of equipment wielded by royalty from <Gigantic Punk>, where over 70% of the Tower’s items are produced.
‘His personality and ability make him trustworthy.’
Having made that judgment, Jin-hyuk spoke.
“Ake-nim. I have a request.”
“Yes. If it’s to repay your kindness, I’ll do anything. Please go ahead.”
“I’ll handle most of the undead, but I might miss a few. If you could help clean up the stragglers, I’d appreciate it.”
Having a royal dwarf work under him was something even Rank #1 Jin-hyuk had never dared dream of.
“Also, I’d like you to take command of the others.”
But Jin-hyuk had no hesitation.
After all, he was pretending not to know Ake was royalty.
“I don’t think I can escort all the injured to the finish line by myself.”
[The Constellation <King of Muspel> bursts out laughing at you.]
[The Constellation <Fire That Killed the Mother Goddess> smiles meaningfully.]
‘I know he’s royalty, you know.’
The Constellations couldn’t imagine it, but Jin-hyuk was knowingly using him.
“Unbelievable…”
Ake, however, didn’t even think he was being used.
“You’re not doing this for yourself… but to help others…”
He looked so moved he almost dropped his shield.
“…I thought you were just strong, but you’re noble too.”
Jin-hyuk was at a loss for words.
‘I’m just doing this for points.’
With Ake’s help, he could save all the stragglers.
That’s why he asked him to cooperate—but Ake was seeing him as some kind of hero.
He was clearly misunderstanding—but Jin-hyuk didn’t correct him.
In fact, he fanned the flames.
“Players like us need to step up sometimes, don’t we? Saving lives comes first.”
Image management never hurt.
“Whoa…”
“No way…”
“His personality is incredible…”
“His face is literally glowing!”
Other players, moved by Jin-hyuk’s words, also began to show their appreciation.
“Thank you! Really, thank you!”
“If I pass this trial, I’ll repay you no matter what!”
Players including Ake offered sincere gratitude.
They all knew it.
Leaving the stragglers behind would have been more beneficial for Jin-hyuk.
But he gave that up.
Even knowing he’d never get to retake this trial, he chose to save strangers instead.
Light.
To the abandoned ones, Jin-hyuk was a savior—pure light itself.
“It’s nothing. Just doing what I can.”
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is deeply moved by your attitude!]
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> donates 1,000 points to you.]
[The Constellation <Southeast Flame> donates 500 points to you.]
‘This doesn’t really suit me, but…’
Seeing the players and Constellations react like this, Jin-hyuk could only laugh awkwardly.
‘But this way, they’ll trust and follow me even more.’
Remaining Time: 2 Hours 29 Minutes
Only two hours remained.
The second-floor trial was nearing its end.
[The Constellation <King of Muspel> looks at you with disdain.]
[The Constellation <Blood-Red Hair> looks forward to your antics.]
Jin-hyuk still hadn’t crossed the finish line.
Many Constellations, including <King of Muspel>, were growing impatient.
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> continues to cheer you on.]
“Look! Over there!”
“That’s the finish line!”
“Finally…!”
They could see the ruined temple and the red line and crack at its center.
Crossing that would clear the trial and grant rewards.
“He’s seriously amazing.”
“I’ll admit it.”
“How did he save all those people?”
He hadn’t just saved the first group—he’d rescued others along the way too.
“Let’s go. Everyone.”
At Jin-hyuk’s words, the players began leaping into the red crack.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“I’ll repay this debt for sure!”
As the quest cleared, their bodies were transported to the second floor.
Remaining Time: 22 Minutes
It had taken time to gather them, but there was still enough left.
Now only Jin-hyuk and Ake remained.
‘He waited to see everyone through to the end…’
Maybe people like Ake were the real heroes.
“Jin-hyuk-nim.”
Standing before the crack, Ake spoke.
“Thank you. Truly.”
“No need. I only did what I could. And without you, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
He wasn’t lying.
There were more stragglers than expected, and Jin-hyuk almost couldn’t save them all.
Thanks to Ake’s help, they’d moved faster.
“See? You’re so humble too…”
While Jin-hyuk merely felt some goodwill toward Ake, Ake saw him as a true hero.
The way he wielded fire, his strength, his courage against the undead, his humility, and his determination to save everyone…
To Ake, Jin-hyuk was the brightest light—a hero among heroes.
“Please accept this.”
[You’ve obtained the item <Mark of Machinery>.]
<Mark of Machinery>
Grade: ??
Type: Misc Item
▶ A token imbued with the power and proof of machines.
The crossed hammer and sun symbol.
A token given only to lifesavers or trusted friends of the dwarven royal family of <Gigantic Punk>.
“This is my way of saying thanks. If you ever need help from the dwarves, show them this.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep it safe.”
Knowing how valuable it was, Jin-hyuk didn’t refuse.
“See you on the second floor, then.”
Flash!
With that, Ake crossed the finish line and disappeared through the crack.
[You’ve fulfilled the objective of <Divine Speech>.]
[Player <Lee Jin-hyuk> has rescued 42 stragglers.]
[You’ve gained 1,000 points.] × 42
Total reward: 42,000 points.
This was boosted by donations from the Constellations.
‘Nice. Huge profit.’
1,000 points per person was an incredible amount.
[The Constellation <King of Muspel> is disappointed you finished last instead of first.]
[The Constellation <Rising King of Zhonghua> grumbles but admits it’s not bad.]
“No one’s left now.”
Jin-hyuk looked around.
“All the stragglers have been rescued. I’m probably the only one left in the second-floor trial.”
[Many Constellations are puzzled by your actions.]
Why hadn’t he crossed the finish line yet?
“There’s still <Divine Speech> left to complete.”
He pointed at the hologram.
<Divine Speech>
▶ Goal: Finish the second-floor trial in first place
▶ Reward: 50,000 points
50,000 points were on the line.
Jin-hyuk smiled.
“The trial resumes after a 7-day cleanup, right?”
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is horrified as they realize your plan!]
[The Constellation <Southeast Flame> tries to stop you, saying it’s too dangerous.]
[The Constellation <Fire That Killed the Mother Goddess> sits up straight.]
[The Constellation <King of Muspel> starts laughing like a madman.]
“If I survive for 7 days, I can clear it first. And…”
He gestured.
“All those unclaimed points? I can take them all.”
Not only that.
Just by waiting and then crossing the finish line, he’d also get the reward for finishing first.
In theory, he could clear the second-floor trial in one second.
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> warns that the ‘Cleaner’ is no joke—run!]
[The Constellation <King of Muspel> laughs, saying no one who’s met the ‘Cleaner’ has survived.]
‘Of course it’s not a joke.’
Jin-hyuk double-checked his gear and settled near the altar in the ruined temple.
Zzzzz…
The red crack slowly faded.
[Many Constellations are worried about your recklessness!]
[Many Constellations are thrilled by your challenge!]
[Many Constellations pray for your safety!]
As the moment drew closer, their reactions grew more intense.
[<Second-Floor Trial> has ended!]
[Main Quest <Undead Race> failed!]
[You cannot enter the second floor.]
[A 7-day ‘cleanup’ will now begin.]
[Remaining Time: 7 Days]
RUMBLE!
The temple at the finish line shook, and countless holograms appeared.
[*Warning! The second-floor cleaner <Odusasa> has awakened!]
[Toxic mists begin to spread to cleanse everything.]
Soon, with the mist, a figure began to emerge.
Grrrr…
A massive five-headed serpent.
As its mouths opened, the very air turned toxic—and the atmosphere changed.
