Chapter 159

“AAGHHH!”

Rachel flung her arms toward the heavens with every ounce of her strength and let out a resounding shout.

“At long last! FINALLY!”

They had been roughing it out in the wild for two solid months.

Even with the Great Wizard keeping them meticulously clean and Drill Sarge providing incredible meals, the sheer exhaustion was bound to take its toll eventually.

They were modern people, after all.

Yet now, the situation had changed.

A monumental gate loomed directly ahead of them.

Past those barriers lay a civilized, thriving city where actual human beings resided.

Thud, thud.

As they neared the entrance accompanied by their summons, guards positioned on top of the fortifications bellowed down at them.

“STOP RIGHT THERE!”

“They’re survivors!”

Curiously enough—

The moment the shouts reached his ears, they were automatically translated.

If the system was capable of handling translation, why hadn’t it provided the same luxury for Rachel?

“Could they be monsters?”

“No, they aren’t! Quick, open up the gate!”

Anything short of a high-ranking demon was entirely incapable of even nearing the Holy Kingdom.

The citadel itself was enveloped in a divine ward, a protective barrier that permitted only humans and untainted entities to cross.

It was for this exact reason that it remained the solitary surviving realm left on the continent.

RUMBLE-CLANK-CLANK!

The massive iron gate ground open as the heavy chains turned, allowing Baek Jinwoo to step through alongside Rachel.

Past the fortifications, a sprawling, grand metropolis unfolded before them. The countenances of the citizens navigating the streets reflected a perfect blend of anxiety and high tension.

Right then.

An armored guard standing by the entrance made his way toward them.

“You must have managed to survive in the outer wastes for a considerable time. I apologize, but according to kingdom protocols, you must submit to a screening first.”

Ah, right.

The memory suddenly clicked.

The starting point for Floor 54 had always been right at this very spot.

There was no reason to fret.

All they needed to do was walk through the sacred energy radiated by the priests, and their entry would be cleared without any issues.

Following a brief verification process, they were officially permitted full entry into the realm.

“Wow. I never imagined the day would arrive when I’d actually witness this with my own eyes instead of staring at a monitor.”

Rachel stared at her surroundings, completely captivated by the sight.

The interior of the city thrummed with a level of vitality that felt almost shocking.

It was an entirely different reality compared to the barren, lifeless wastes they had been trekking through day after day.

Traders were proudly showcasing their wares along the roads.

The lighthearted laughter of youths echoed as they darted through the tight back alleys.

Renovations and building maintenance were actively taking place on nearly every block.

Guards maintained a strict patrol across the thoroughfares, keeping a vigilant eye on the passing crowds.

The public safety here appeared remarkably solid.

“Look over there! The place is absolutely bursting with life! Ah, this energy! How long has it been since we felt this? We’ve looked at nothing but hideous monsters for what feels like an eternity, and NOW I finally feel like a human being again.”

Rachel was completely unable to hide her exhilaration.

In contrast, Baek Jinwoo maintained a stern, focused expression the entire time.

“So, what do we want to do next?”

They were thoroughly acquainted with the paths of Floor 54.

If you searched the entire world, you wouldn’t find a single soul who understood them better than they did.

“Hmm.”

Rachel placed a hand under her chin, pondering the options.

“How did you manage to clear this zone in the past?”

“Me?”

Baek Jinwoo dug back into his old gameplay memories.

The primary objective in this area was to track down Holy King Arkelion, who was presently hiding away like a total coward.

“I took the subterranean path of the kingdom.”

“Oh, that method.”

Rachel nodded in recognition.

She was familiar with it.

She simply hadn’t been a big admirer of that particular strategy.

“The one where you unravel the mysteries of the catacombs, bestow a buff on the realm’s military, and win the Holy King’s confidence?”

“That’s the one.”

“But when you take that route, the troops get completely overconfident and sprint directly at Asmodeus, convinced they’re invincible.”

“Exactly.”

“…Which means every single floor after that becomes a massive pain to clear?”

Rachel hit the nail right on the head.

The troops, intoxicated by the divine blessings, charged blindly into the fray—only for Asmodeus to utterly wipe them out.

And the aftermath?

From the subsequent floor onward, the difficulty spiked drastically. They were left completely unable to rely on the military’s assistance for the relentless conflicts against beasts and fiends ahead.

“It really wasn’t that difficult for me, though.”

“……”

Rachel pouted, sticking her lower lip out.

Arrogant jerk.

Then again, considering the circumstances.

For a top-tier prodigy like JinuGod, tackling things entirely solo was probably far more convenient.

Whether it meant invading archdemon territory or marching straight into the demon domain itself.

He was entirely capable of handling the burden by himself anyway.

During his peak, JinuGod was an absolute anomaly that transcended conventional power scales.

Even so, that specific path offered distinct advantages.

As a compensation for unraveling the subterranean mystery, the summons were granted a sacred blessing.

A permanent enhancement that boosted their core attributes.

Because of that, back in the active gaming days, even the most experienced players would engage in endless debates regarding which path was superior.

“That tactic of yours might have been viable back then, but there’s absolutely no shot it works under current conditions.”

Rachel spoke with absolute certainty.

“The difficulty has spiked far beyond the game we used to play. You’re well aware of that.”

“I am.”

Baek Jinwoo nodded in agreement.

He was already well aware of the path Rachel preferred to utilize.

An absolute, unrestricted blitz.

Demonstrate a terrifying, overwhelming display of raw power.

The Holy King panics, loses his nerve, and comes begging for your aid on his own accord.

All so he can employ you as his personal shield.

“Hmm.”

Baek Jinwoo shut his eyes for a brief moment.

What was the best course of action?

To begin with, he agreed with Rachel’s assessment.

If this environment were still bound by game mechanics, he truly could have opted for a solo slaughter. But their current reality was fundamentally altered.

With the adversaries reportedly buffed to ten times their baseline power, the only realistic blueprint for success was leveraging the Holy Kingdom’s military strength all the way up to Floor 60.

If that was the case?

They needed to project an undeniable aura of strength and grandeur to these people.

That being said.

The attribute enhancements were far too valuable to simply ignore.

Following a brief window of contemplation, Baek Jinwoo offered a solution.

“Let’s execute both strategies.”

“Both of them?”

“Yeah. I believe there’s a viable method.”

The military capability of the Holy Kingdom was staggeringly formidable.

If they could properly manipulate the Holy King, they could even deploy his forces effectively within the demon domain on Floor 58.

The catch?

The exact moment the troops received that enhancement, they lost all semblance of discipline.

It operated less like a divine gift and more like a bloodthirsty berserk status.

With blood-red eyes and countenances warped by absolute fanaticism, they would sprint at any demon they spotted without a second thought.

The plan was straightforward.

In the original game structure, players were locked out of returning to Floor 54 once they advanced to Floor 57.

But the rules had shifted now.

The rigid divisions between floors were completely gone.

They were navigating a massive, interconnected realm.

Right at Floor 58—just before they made their descent into the demon domain—they could backtrack here and trigger the enhancement then.

Until they reached that specific juncture?

They would proceed with Rachel’s preferred method.

“Drill Sarge.”

— Standing by, Master.

“What’s the status on the stacks?”

— They appear to have wiped clean. I noticed the change the precise moment we crossed into the realm.

It was exactly as he had suspected.

When they departed from the archives on Floor 51.

And when they traveled to rendezvous with Rachel on Floor 52.

He had distinctly noted the stack counter resetting on both occasions.

Even though the world had merged into a singular entity, it clearly still monitored the old floor thresholds based on geographical zones.

“Whew.”

Baek Jinwoo exhaled softly and shifted his gaze to the tiny pixie resting on his shoulder.

“Ramba.”

— EEK!

Ramba gripped the sides of her head, her face twisting into an expression that made it clear she had fully anticipated this request.

“My bad about this.”

— Again?! You’re making me swing this catalyst AGAIN?! My shoulders feel like they’re going to snap off!

“We can’t pull this off without your help.”

He cast a subtle glance toward the passing city guards.

Just as the adversarial creatures had experienced a massive power spike, the military forces stationed here had also been boosted tenfold.

He could likely handle standard infantry without much trouble, but confronting anyone holding the rank of Paladin or higher meant Ramba required at least five hours of continuous stack accumulation.

Drill Sarge, Aso, and Rolly.

The enhancements needed to be distributed equitably among the three of them.

Swish-swish-swish-swish-swish-swish!

— Fine, WHATEVER! Honestly, what would my Jinwoo even accomplish if I wasn’t around!

Rachel observed the ongoing display with genuine amusement.

“No matter how frequently I witness that, it’s just completely broken. So this continuously boosts striking velocity by 3% with every single stack?”

“Yep. Completely ridiculous, isn’t it?”

“Without a doubt. You’re an absolute freak of nature. I’m incredibly envious.”

“For the time being.”

Baek Jinwoo took a sweeping look at their immediate environment.

“Why don’t we track down an eatery or a tavern? Let’s get some actual food in our systems.”

“I am so down for that.”

Rachel’s eyes lit up instantly.

Her stomach had been letting out audible complaints for a while now.

They didn’t possess a single coin of the local currency, but that was a minor detail.

They had already resolved to trigger a massive commotion anyway, hadn’t they?

They walked along the main road for roughly ten minutes.

Eventually, a rich, mouth-watering aroma wafted through the air toward them.

It was a vibrant, packed culinary quarter.

“This looks like the spot.”

Baek Jinwoo halted his advance.

“Wow, that smells incredible.”

Rachel took a heavy gulp.

The scent of seasoned meat roasting over open flames blended perfectly with the aromatic vapors rising from boiling cauldrons.

The establishment was absolutely jam-packed.

Patrons who looked like they stepped straight out of a medieval era were conversing loudly while digging into their meals.

They stepped up to a vacant table that caught their eye and seated themselves without a moment’s hesitation.

The colossal summons like Baekho and LG were instructed to remain outside on the street while the duo went indoors.

“Welcome. What can I get started for you today?”

A server stepped up to the table and inquired. Baek Jinwoo offered a calm grin.

“Bring out your absolute finest options. All of them, please.”

“Every single one, sir?”

The server appeared slightly caught off guard, though his reaction seemed entirely genuine.

With a rapid nod of his head, he logged the request and retreated into the back.

It didn’t take long before an opulent array of dishes began filling the empty space on the table.

First to arrive were the roasted pork ribs.

Perfectly charred on the exterior while remaining incredibly tender and juicy on the inside—massive, heavily seasoned portions stacked high on the platter.

Following that, a bowl of lamb stew.

Slow-cooked lamb that practically melted off the bone, submerged in a deep, flavorful broth.

Chunks of potatoes, carrots, and onions were completely fused together in a comforting, steaming mixture.

Then came loaves of crusty, artisanal bread accompanied by fresh butter.

A whole roasted poultry dish made its appearance next, its cavity packed tight with fragrant herbs, citrus, and garlic.

To complete the feast—a crisp garden salad and mugs of ice-cold, frothy draft ale.

Gulp!

Rachel quickly swallowed her saliva while casting a slightly self-conscious glance around.

“Are we really certain it’s fine to just consume all of this without paying?”

“…It won’t be an issue.”

Considering the overarching narrative.

They were literally the prophesied champions fated to deliver the continent from the tyranny of Asmodeus.

They were surely entitled to a complimentary meal at the very least, right?

“Let’s start with the bread.”

Whoosh!

Baek Jinwoo ripped off a chunk of the freshly baked loaf and threw it in Ramba’s direction.

The little pixie was still frantically waving her catalyst like someone possessed by a spirit.

“You’re allowed to chew while you wave. We have more than enough time on our hands.”

— Om nom nom!

Despite relentlessly cycling the staff, her appetite won out—and she happily munched away on the baked goods.

He had fully adjusted to this reality by now.

In a realm of this scale, it was far more prudent to proceed methodically and prioritize survival rather than recklessly sprinting through the objectives.

After all, they didn’t get a second chance at life.

…Though, I really do miss Jia.

Then again, wouldn’t ensuring he made it back in one piece be far more vital to her than simply returning in a hurry?

They savored the experience, consuming the meal at an incredibly relaxed pace.

Particularly when the chilled ale washed down their throats—

“Ahhh.”

Rachel clenched her hand into a tight fist, a visible shiver running down her spine.

She was visibly overwhelmed with satisfaction.

After roughly two hours of eating and chatting.

“Pardon me, sir? Miss?”

The server stepped up to their table once more, adopting a tentative tone.

“I deeply apologize for the interruption, but we enforce a specific duration limit on our seating. Would you mind settling the payment for the meal at this time?”

Baek Jinwoo and Rachel locked eyes.

It appeared the moment had arrived.

In a perfect scenario, they would have allowed the stacks to build for the full five hours, but… the worker appeared to have pieced together that something wasn’t quite right.

The payment?

Regrettably, they lacked even the slightest clue as to what type of money was utilized in this kingdom.

Screech.

Baek Jinwoo pushed his seat back and rose to his feet.

Just as the waiter’s facial expression began to turn suspicious—

“We appreciate the hospitality, but we don’t have any funds on us.”

“Come again?”

“I said we don’t have any money.”

The server stood completely frozen, utterly flabbergasted by Baek Jinwoo’s incredibly bold admission.

Apologies for the trouble.

Once I have my audience with the Holy King later on, I’ll ensure he provides full financial restitution to this establishment.

“Y-you fraudsters!”

The waiter’s face turned a deep shade of crimson.

“How dare you pull a dine-and-dash in an establishment like THIS! If you refuse to settle your tab immediately, I will have no alternative but to summon the city watch!”

“Go right ahead. Be my guest.”

From the perspective of the worker, the entire situation was nothing short of mind-boggling.

These individuals were actively encouraging him to summon the patrol forces? Just like that? Without showing even a shred of remorse or embarrassment?

Are these lunatics completely out of their minds?!

“You’re going to throw your lives away in a dungeon cell! Committing a crime right under the nose of the Holy Kingdom—do you people possess absolutely no fear of the Heavens?!”

The Heavens?

If the higher powers had actually been fulfilling their duties, this land wouldn’t have collapsed into such a miserable state to begin with.

And as for a prison cell?

Regrettably for them, that simply wasn’t going to happen.

Because starting from this exact moment, piece by piece.

Deliberately and thoroughly.

They were about to completely dismantle this entire city.