Chapter 66
If I had to summarize the interview in one sentence?
It was hell.
“I never want to do that again….”
“You worked hard.”
Cha Mi-rin handed me a water bottle, and I took a sip. The cold water felt like it cleared my entire system.
“Phew, that was refreshing. At least that’s something.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Cha Mi-rin smiled at me warmly.
Even if she meant no harm, I had to give her a warning.
“You know the Association has been handling things without my consent lately, right?”
“Pardon?”
“This is your one warning.”
“…I apologize.”
I walked past Cha Mi-rin as she bowed her head in apology and exited the building.
She’s smart enough to understand with just that.
“Lillian.”
“Yes, Master. I’ll take care of it.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Since I stopped Lillian from handling things her way, now the Association was running amok.
At this point, it might be better to just let Lillian take the reins. At least it would benefit me.
“Don’t push them too hard. They haven’t crossed the line yet, so just give them a gentle warning.”
“Understood, Master.”
Now then, what should I do to lift this gloomy mood after coming all the way to California?
Tourism, perhaps?
“There’s still plenty of time before we head back to the hotel. Should we do some sightseeing?”
At that moment, my younger sister raised her hand enthusiastically.
“Shopping! I want to go shopping!”
“Shopping? Is there a mall nearby?”
“There is!”
She shoved her phone at me, showing a map with a massive mall marked on it.
When did she even look this up? The route was already planned out perfectly.
“Alright, let’s head there.”
“Yay! Ladies, I did it!”
If nothing else, my sister excels at getting along with others.
Look at her high-fiving Lillian and Heavenly Demon. Honestly, she could thrive anywhere you put her.
*
*
*
If I had to summarize the mall in one sentence?
It was my second hell.
Dragging my exhausted body back to the hotel room, the plush sofa greeted me warmly.
And this is only the second day.
The real tough part hasn’t even started yet.
“Well then, time to head out.”
【Okay!】
To the gym—or rather, my third hell.
“Let’s go in!”
【Entering the Tower.】
At the massive entrance to the Tower, I pushed open the door and saw the usual message.
【Would you like to enter the 52nd floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Accept!”
【Entering the 52nd floor.】
【Entering the territory ruled by the ‘Barbarian Tribe’ from the 51st to the 54th floors.】
───────────────
【Mission for the 52nd Floor: Pass the Barbarian Tribe’s Trial!】
【Time Limit: None.】
【Restrictions: None.】
【Equipment Limitations: None.】
【Rule Limitations: None.】
───────────────
As I opened my eyes to the bright light, I was greeted by a swarm of barbarian warriors welcoming me.
Very enthusiastically, too.
“Our young warrior has finally arrived!”
“Sound the drum! Proclaim the pride of warriors!”
“Warrior! Come quickly!”
“Today’s training will be even more exciting!”
These people were obsessed with training.
No, they weren’t just obsessed—they were insane.
Passing through the training area from yesterday, we entered a deeper part of the territory filled with the smell of sweat and intense heat.
I had arrived at my second hell.
“Let’s start with something light.”
With those words, they handed me a dumbbell.
The dumbbell was twice as large as the ones from yesterday.
“This is impossible!”
“Impossible is just a word!”
“I can’t do it!”
“The opposite of impossible is possible!”
They shoved the dumbbell into my hands, and I almost dropped it.
If I had dropped it, my foot would’ve been crushed.
And that wasn’t the end.
“If you don’t stay focused for even a moment, you risk injury!”
“Young warrior! Trust us! With countless assists, we will nurture you into a strong warrior!”
“Now! Let’s begin! For Valhalla!”
“For Valhalla!”
They supported me with their overwhelming muscles, and the heat was intense.
Yes, their muscles were so vividly alive, I wanted to die.
Do I really have to climb this Tower at all costs?
…Yes, I do.
【I’m curious about something.】
As I was being dragged into training by the barbarian warriors, Nika’s adorable voice offered me a brief moment of solace.
“What is it…?”
“One more!”
“Save me!”
【Why are we the only ones you bring?】
Now that I think about it, I’ve only brought Nika and Darami from the 51st to the 52nd floor.
Why didn’t I bring my sister, Lillian, or Heavenly Demon?
The reason was simple.
“There’s no need to show them this kind of hell. It’s enough for me to go through it.”
“You still have energy left! One more set!”
“Save me!”
Neither my sister, Lillian, nor Heavenly Demon needs this kind of training.
My sister, who hunts using the power of the Holy Sword, Lillian, a mage, and Heavenly Demon, who once conquered the martial world, don’t need muscle training.
For them, rest is a better form of training.
“Are you daydreaming, young warrior?! Today, you won’t return unscathed!”
“I didn’t return unscathed yesterday either!”
“Is your posture breaking down? Get it together!”
“Injury is the shame of a warrior!”
“Save me!”
Every time I finished a set, I screamed for mercy, but my cries fell on deaf ears.
They just dragged me along, insisting I had to do it.
Of course, the results were incredible, but I felt like I was going to die.
After being subjected to their training—no, torture—until the sun set, the outcome was clear.
I had gained even more power than yesterday.
“Young warrior, you are remarkable.”
“You, who endured our training, are worthy of Valhalla’s blessing.”
“May Valhalla’s blessing be upon the young warrior.”
【Valhalla’s blessing has been bestowed upon you.】
Wait, are they actually blessing me?!
A soft golden glow entered my body.
And then the swollen muscles I’d built up deflated.
…Wait a second, is this a good thing?
“M-My muscles!!!”
“Hahaha! Young warrior, do not worry!”
“This wasn’t about building flashy muscles, young warrior!”
“Young warrior! You have been reborn as a stronger warrior than you were yesterday!”
With those words, one of the barbarian warriors handed me a dumbbell.
I took it—and it felt light?
“Muscles are a blessing. You have been blessed.”
“Muscles don’t disappear. They remain within your body.”
“Believe in your muscles. And show them off.”
Every single word out of their mouths was like a priceless gem.
…But I probably shouldn’t say how annoying they are, right?
“It’s all thanks to you, barbarian warriors.”
“Young warrior, since when did you start calling us that?”
“You are one of our family. Address us like family.”
“We are a tightly bound family of one heart and one mind.”
Right, family.
If we’re family, I can address them casually, right?
“You sons of b****es! Training is hard as hell!”
“Young warrior, you’ve crossed the line.”
“Young warrior, you will not leave here peacefully.”
“Your mind has been tainted. Let us purify it.”
As the barbarian warriors slowly closed in on me, I wondered where I found the courage to say that.
It came from the clear notification window in front of me.
【Mission Clear!】
Rewards will be distributed.
【New Record on the 52nd Floor!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Would you like to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Decline! Decline!! Decline!!!”
【Exiting the Tower.】
But I forgot one thing.
The barbarian tribe’s floors go all the way up to the 54th floor.
“Young warrior, see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, we won’t let you go back alive.”
“Young warrior, enjoy your last supper.”
Hearing their words, it didn’t take long for me to realize I’d made a terrible mistake.
*
*
*
Awakener Association, Director’s Office, South Korea.
Inside, the atmosphere was so cold it was practically frozen.
In the center, someone was trembling, bound with their hands and feet frozen solid.
That someone was Cha Yuri, an S-rank Hunter and the Director of the Awakener Association.
“I’ve been too lenient with you lately, haven’t I?”
“N-No, Witch… I mean, not at all, ma’am….”
“Is that so?”
With a bright smile, she slammed her staff into the ground. In an instant, everything reverted to its original state, as if it had all been an illusion.
“This is your one and only warning. Next time, I’ll throw you into actual hell.”
With those words, she opened a Gate and vanished.
As her final words echoed, Cha Yuri lost consciousness.
All this… just for organizing one unauthorized interview?
…Ah, right, there was also the Han Ye-rin incident.
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