Chapter 142

Chapter 142:

Slash, slice!

Blades whirled as Drill Sarge and Aso tore through their adversaries with relentless precision.

Fwoosh!

A blazing inferno from Stormy instantly reduced the creatures to perfectly charred meat, roasted to an immaculate golden brown.

[You have conquered the Berserker’s Tomb.]

[Congratulations!]

[You have conquered Floor 38 of the Tower of Trials!]

The typical progression required roughly an hour per level. Yet, in a mere eight-hour sprint, Baek Jinwoo had obliterated every challenge up to Floor 38. Stepping past the portal, he finally exited the structure.

“Phew.”

After enduring hours of the stagnant, filth-ridden air deep within the maze, the crisp, outdoor breeze felt like absolute paradise.

“Incredible. Just incredible.”

“H-He already cleared another one?!”

A frantic station worker came sprinting over. The staff members couldn’t take a breather even if they desperately wanted to. Leaving their designated positions was out of the question, as there was no telling when Baek Jinwoo might shatter another record and emerge.

Once considered the most relaxed assignment available, the post had transformed completely. Still, it carried a unique thrill. After all, how many people could claim a front-row seat to watch Baek Jinwoo rapidly close the distance to Rachel’s record in real time?

“Yes, it’s done.”

“That is truly spectacular, sir.”

“I need a brief moment to sort my gear.”

“Understood completely! Please, allow me to guide you this way.”

Upon hearing Baek Jinwoo’s request, the employee offered a profound, ninety-degree bow. He then darted away, only to reappear moments later with his arms completely loaded with supplies.

“Please, take this! Chilled water and a full meal! Direct instructions arrived from management stating you must nourish yourself during breaks! Oh, and don’t forget this!”

Whoosh.

With a wide grin, the staff member produced a massive, cream-filled pastry.

“They mentioned a certain someone would absolutely adore this.”

……!

Ramba, who had been called back into reality just moments prior, was already beaming from ear to ear. Forbidden from speaking in the presence of outsiders, she simply drifted through the air in joyful loops before snatching the pastry and taking a massive bite.

“Ah, I appreciate the gesture.”

Baek Jinwoo offered a warm smile and a polite nod.

A specialized delivery straight from the main office. A quick glance revealed a meticulously prepared bowl of beef rice, crowned with a beautifully poached egg. He was honestly growing tired of eating beef, but sustenance was mandatory. Energy was required to keep moving forward.

Yu Jia had undoubtedly orchestrated this behind the scenes. Knowing his habit of pushing forward without pause once he built up momentum, she must have commanded the staff to ensure he was well-fed the moment he stepped outside.

“Heh.”

The mere thought of Yu Jia brought a genuine smile to his face. It was a sensation he hadn’t fully recognized before, but moments like this emphasized just how profoundly a single individual could impact your life. What had originated as a chance encounter was now woven indelibly into his daily existence.

He consumed the food with rapid efficiency, quickly gulping down the refreshing water right after.

“Right then, time to head back in.”

As for rest? He would be forced to sleep within the confines of the Tower from this point onward anyway.

“It’s Floor 39 next, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

Floor 39 operated on entirely different rules compared to the previous labyrinths. It represented the heart of the maze. The moment the system detected an intrusion into the sovereign’s sanctuary, every single Minotaur residing within the network would converge on the intruders simultaneously.

“This particular floor might require some time. If anyone comes looking for me, just let them know everything is under control.”

“A-A while? Exactly how much time do you anticipate…?”

“Somewhere around a week, I expect.”

Had his only goal been to blitz through the core chamber, it would have concluded rapidly. However, Baek Jinwoo had zero intention of taking the short route. He planned to completely bleed these bovine creatures dry.

Since they would continuously spawn if left alone, rushing to the finish line made no sense when he could exploit an endless supply of targets. Accumulating stacks through Devour was his singular focus.

— THERE ARE SO MANY COWS! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

— ……Excellent practical training for combat.

— Gwor……?

The notoriety of Floor 39 was well-established. Even Rachel had only managed a swift crossing because she commanded S-rank summons; otherwise, the zone posed a legitimate threat to life.

“Alright, let’s get to work!”

Clap, clap!

Smacking his palms together, Baek Jinwoo surveyed the distant boundaries of the vast, square combat zone.

“To begin, sprint toward that far corner!”

Even as his forces surged ahead, Baek Jinwoo remained completely composed. Protected by his defensive barrier, he had little to fear.

“We will establish our perimeter right there.”

Standing exposed in the open center meant facing a relentless tide from all directions, regardless of individual combat prowess. Surrounded on every flank, a fighter wouldn’t find a single moment to catch their breath before being overwhelmed and crushed.

By utilizing a corner, two of the four approach vectors were completely blocked off by solid stone. That was the ideal strategic position.

“This will turn into a prolonged battle of attrition. I will divide everyone into squads to ensure we rotate and optimize our downtime.”

He stationed LG alongside the Dhampir directly in the center, flanked by Drill Sarge on the left and Aso protecting the right.

“Rolly, take a breather for now and prepare to relieve either Aso or Drill Sarge. The three of you will cycle through active duty.”

Krrk.

“Stormy, manage your resources carefully and focus purely on securing the fatal blows. Once your enhancements reach peak capacity, obliterate everything in a single, massive strike.”

Understood, Jinwoo.

“LG and Dhampir, hold your positions right there… I assume this qualifies as relaxation for your types?”

Gwor……

The massive golem offered a slow nod. Golems remained impervious to physical pain, meaning its sole responsibility was to stand firm and absorb incoming damage. Meanwhile, the Dhampir merely needed to maintain a constant stream of restoration.

— Hold on a minute!

Ramba interjected with an indignant cry.

— What about MY role?!

“Hmm?”

— I don’t see any rest periods scheduled for me!

“……Well, you see.”

Baek Jinwoo gave his head a sheepish scratch.

“Just endure it for roughly twenty-four hours. At least until the accumulated attributes make the standard difficulty irrelevant.”

— THAT IS LITERALLY NOT HOW MEDIATION WORKS!

It was a harsh reality, but unavoidable. After all, providing that exact utility was the primary reason for Ramba’s presence.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be lounging around doing nothing either.”

Settling down, Baek Jinwoo assumed a meditative, cross-legged posture.

Geoncheongsimgong.

For the foreseeable future, he intended to refine his internal breathing techniques while observing his companions manage the battlefield.

With every ticking hour, the destructive capability of Stormy grew exponentially more terrifying. By the fifth day inside the dungeon, the transformation was undeniable.

Where the blazing torrents of Storm Dragon Arts: Shift had initially been reserved for executing weakened targets, the flames were now vaporizing completely healthy enemies before they could even be hindered.

Fwoosh, fwooooosh!

Consequently, the rest intervals for Drill Sarge, Aso, and Rolly extended further and further.

An extraordinary inferno illuminated the center of Floor 39. Massive rivers of fire twisted through the stone corridors, completely reducing every Minotaur that emerged from the darkness into ash.

— Jinwoo! There is literally nothing left for us to fight! When will these stubborn bulls stop spawning?!

“The longer the onslaught continues, the more advantageous it is for us.”

The most tedious aspect of progression was always the endless hunt. Instead of wandering through unpredictable, scattered dungeons to gather power, lounging comfortably while the targets willingly threw themselves into the meat grinder was far superior.

“Stormy, how are your energy levels holding up?”

His solitary lament was that Stormy remained on perpetual duty without a break.

I am doing wonderfully, Jinwoo. I feel no exhaustion.

Naturally, summoned entities lacked the physiological requirement for sleep. However, psychological burnout remained a distinct possibility during such monotonous labor.

It is actually quite captivating. With every foe that falls, my destructive power swells… It brings an odd sense of fulfillment, honestly.

In truth, the act of hunting itself held little appeal for Stormy. Her genuine happiness stemmed from simply occupying this space alongside Baek Jinwoo and her fellow summons.

“The end is drawing near regardless.”

The frequency of the Minotaurs bursting from the subterranean passageways was beginning to plummet. Their ranks were visibly thinning. Once the final standard warrior fell, the supreme ruler of the zone would materialize automatically.

The guardian of Floor 40.

The S-rank Cronotaur.

A massive, bovine monstrosity gifted with authority over the flow of time itself—a foe that demanded a reasonable degree of vigilance. Then again, realistically speaking, every guardian encountered prior to Floor 70 followed a relatively predictable pattern. He would dismantle it swiftly and return to civilization.

Heh.

Simultaneously, a state of sheer panic gripped the leadership of England.

“Has she truly not returned yet?”

Olivia bit her nails in frustration, her expression twisted with deep apprehension. Two full weeks had elapsed since Rachel ventured into Floor 51 of the Tower of Trials. Even under the most grueling circumstances, conquering a tier rarely exceeded seven days.

Remaining inside past that threshold without emerging was universally interpreted as a fatality, given that no challenger had ever defied those odds and survived.

“Regrettably, there is no news.”

“Total communication blackout.”

“What could have possibly befallen her?”

“If our guild master truly perished within those walls……” someone whispered, their voice cracking with dread.

“Silence that absolute NONSENSE!” Olivia barked fiercely. Yet, despite her outward rage, the chilling thought echoed repeatedly in her own mind.

Rachel failing to overcome Floor 51? It makes no sense.

Rachel was the furthest thing from fragile. She commanded three separate S-rank summons and possessed thorough operational knowledge for every single floor up to the 60th tier.

However, a nagging sensation weighed heavily on Olivia’s mind. A distinct memory. When Rachel had crossed the threshold into the Tower, her psychological state had been visibly compromised and erratic.

“Haah……”

Olivia had quietly reached out to the remaining members of the Five Emperors for insight. Every single response arrived with the same dismissive nonchalance:

— Rachel? She isn’t the type of competitor to stumble on Floor 51.

— Floor 51 is elementary. Call me if she gets stuck on Floor 60, but 51 is a walk in the park.

— Hahaha! Do you truly have nothing better to do than fret over Rachel’s capabilities?

— Honestly, I lack a definitive answer. A two-week absence is admittedly peculiar. Have you considered consulting that Baek Jinwoo fellow?

A collection of entirely unhelpful individuals. Left with no alternative, she recognized what needed to be done.

The mere prospect of approaching him still brought back humiliating memories of the “Run along home” debacle, but if she required genuine assistance, JinuGod was her sole remaining option.

“Clear my schedule, everyone. I will be departing for a short period.”

Ultimately, Olivia found herself traveling beyond the borders of her homeland once more. She was charting a course straight back to South Korea, the territory where JinuGod resided.

The monarch of the bovine humanoids and absolute ruler of the labyrinth made its presence known.

Lifting a titanic greataxe high into the air, the S-rank Cronotaur let loose a deafening roar.

— UWOOOOOOOOOOH!

The entire structure trembled violently beneath the weight of its voice.

— INSOLENT MORTALS.

— Those who dare trespass within my domain are meant to quietly serve as NOURISHMENT! How have you managed to penetrate all the way to my inner sanctum?!

KA-BOOOM!

Greeting Baek Jinwoo the moment he transitioned into the parameters of Floor 40, the furious Cronotaur pulverized the surrounding stone walls in a blind rage.

— My fellow Minotaur warriors! AWAKEN, ALL OF YOU!

The sovereign issued its absolute decree.

— Rise up and SEVER the heads of these arrogant defilers!

According to the established order, the countless Minotaur elite stationed throughout every corridor should have mobilized simultaneously. With eyes burning with murderous intent, they should have formed flawless ranks, inundating the central chamber until the room was completely choked with bodies.

That was the intended sequence of events.

But.

— ……What?

The grand labyrinth remained completely silent. Not a single soldier stepped forward to answer the call.

— This is impossible.

The guardian stood utterly paralyzed by confusion. Their collective absence revealed a terrifying reality: the invader had eradicated every single defender before even stepping foot inside the sovereign’s inner chamber.

How could a lone challenger accomplish such a feat?

— CEASE YOUR HIDING AND SHOW YOURSELVES! MY BROTHERS!

Regardless of the sheer desperation and fury laced within its bellows, the solitary bounce of its own voice was the only response.

KRAANG!

It buried its massive weapon deep into the stone floor with cataclysmic strength, yet the reality remained unchanged.

— ……This cannot be happening.

The situation defied all logic. The complex served as a garrison for forty thousand seasoned combatants. Engaging a force of that magnitude simultaneously was a feat beyond even the Cronotaur’s own capabilities.

Worse still were the remnants surrounding the perimeter of the primary chamber. Every single corpse had been completely reduced to piles of fine ash. The intruders had systematically established a choke point and eradicated the entire army without exception.

— Puhahaha!

Right at that moment, a tiny, winged entity began flapping its wings, projecting a thoroughly mocking sneer.

— Gaze upon that cow-headed fool losing its absolute mind! This is peak entertainment, Jinwoo! Come on, team! Let’s dismantle this joke!

— Y-YOU—YOU DARLING PEST—!

The Cronotaur’s composure shattered entirely. Slaughtering its entire lineage was a grievance beyond forgiveness, and now this minuscule creature had the audacity to insult its dignity with such a dismissive, casual posture?

This transgression demanded total annihilation.

Time Manipulation.

The moment the Cronotaur’s vitality dropped below the halfway threshold, it possessed the unique authority to suppress the temporal flow of its adversaries to absolute zero. Ensnared within a frozen slice of time, its targets would be rendered completely immobile. That single instant would stretch out into what felt like an endless nightmare, leaving them entirely defenseless before its blade.

In truth, the legendary despair associated with Floor 40 rested entirely upon the activation of this singular mechanism.

— I WILL RENDER YOU INTO DUST!

It raised its weapon with sadistic anticipation, yet its gaze locked onto a singular target standing firm in opposition.

A Burst Dragon.

Storm Dragon Arts.

Secret Technique: Annihilation.

Furthermore, this was no ordinary specimen—it was an authentic Ancient Burst Dragon! A magnificent, crimson leviathan manifested directly from Stormy’s palm, its piercing gaze locking onto the Cronotaur with chilling, homicidal intent.

And then.

CRACK!

The leviathan parted its jaws.

— Wh-What is that—

The immense power harvested over an entire week of continuous utilization of True Devour, multiplied by the explosive energy reserved through Chain, erupted in unison.

It manifested as a catastrophic, final breath weapon.

BOOOOOOOM!

A cataclysmic detonation capable of sundering the heavens entirely engulfed the labyrinth, erasing it from existence.