Chapter 26
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【20 enemies defeated.】
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【30 enemies defeated.】
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【40 enemies defeated.】
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As we moved forward, Nika shredded every Flame Golem she encountered.
I carried Lillian, who seemed too dazed to walk properly, and followed Nika deeper into the cave. The further we went, the more intense the heat from the Flame Golems became.
Perhaps because of the heat, Lillian started to take off her clothes, prompting me to shout, “Stop!” while launching into a lecture about Confucian values.
Meanwhile, Nika continued hunting without stopping.
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【50 enemies defeated.】
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【60 enemies defeated.】
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【70 enemies defeated.】
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Claw marks left by Nika were scattered throughout the cave, making it hard to fathom just how powerful she had become.
Out of sheer curiosity, I tapped the wall with my finger—it wasn’t an ordinary cave wall.
The wall appeared sturdier than steel, yet Nika shredded it like paper.
Just how strong is Nika?
No, more importantly, how much stronger is she going to get?
“I wonder, Nika… How strong can you become?”
“······.”
Lillian, trembling and unable to answer, nodded when I told her not to worry about it too much.
Could Nika become even stronger than I’m imagining?
In that case, wouldn’t climbing one floor per day actually be a waste?
If we kept going like this, we’d eventually hit our limits.
…Wait, what am I even thinking? Snap out of it.
This isn’t a game. If we die here, it’s over.
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【80 enemies defeated.】
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【90 enemies defeated.】
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【100 enemies defeated.】
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【Mission Complete!】
Rewards are being distributed.
【14th Floor Record Broken!】
You have been added to the Hall of Fame.
【Would you like to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Decline.”
【You are exiting the Tower.】
With a flash of light, we returned to our newly moved-in home.
Nika clung to me, saying she worked hard today. I patted her on the head, and I could feel her joy.
After petting Nika for a while, I checked my inventory. As usual, I stored away 【Growth Stones】 and 【Magic Stones】. However, there was a new item I hadn’t seen before.
【Red Rune】
A rune with red engravings. Could something special happen if you collect all the other runes?
“What is this now?”
I stared at the unreadable runes, trying to figure them out.
When I handed the rune and a bottle of water to Lillian, she looked at it and immediately widened her eyes in shock.
“W-Where did you get this?!”
“It was part of the rewards.”
“This is incredibly rare!”
Lillian began explaining how valuable the rune was, but I couldn’t understand a word she was saying.
She talked non-stop for 30 minutes, finally explaining that collecting all six remaining pieces could unlock an ancient treasure.
Did she really need 30 minutes to explain that?
Thinking it was impressive in its own way, I decided to put the rune into my inventory until I could find the remaining pieces.
When I reached for it, Lillian refused to return it.
“Can I research it until we collect the rest? Please!”
“Fine.”
“Really?! Thank you so much! I love you!”
“W-Wait! Don’t cling to me!”
After giving Lillian another lecture on Confucian values, the day finally came to an end.
The next morning.
A voice came from the TV.
“Today’s special guest! If you don’t know this Hunter, you must be living under a rock! Let’s welcome South Korea’s hope and the first person in the world to clear the 50th Floor—Awakener Han Ye-rin!”
The broadcast featured an interview with the first-ever person to clear the 50th Floor.
She was stunning.
The woman with striking brown hair smiled warmly at the camera. Could anyone be this beautiful?
Even though I’m surrounded by beautiful women, looking at a celebrity is different from looking at regular people.
I was staring blankly at the TV when an unexpected question came up during the interview.
“Awakener Han Ye-rin, have you heard about the Awakener making headlines recently? A super rookie breaking records up to the 14th Floor in the Hall of Fame?”
…Is that me?
“Of course, I’ve heard of them.”
Han Ye-rin said she knew about me.
I’d rather have about two daughters who resemble her rather than me…
“I’ve heard they haven’t revealed their identity yet, but they’re incredibly smart. If you recklessly reveal your identity, you risk your family being taken hostage or getting entangled in unfair contracts. That’s a headache to deal with. If you’re like me and have no family, it’s not a problem though!”
…I almost recklessly tried to reveal my identity. I’m alive now because I was forced into a low-profile lifestyle. Reflecting on my past self, I’ll be more careful in the future.
“If by any chance you’re watching this broadcast, I have just one thing to say. I’m always cheering for you. Please become the hope of South Korea.”
As I turned off the TV and sat in silence for a while, Lillian opened the door, stepped into the living room, and asked what was going on. When I replied it was nothing and mentioned visiting my younger sister at the hospital, she said she’d come along.
I grabbed Lillian’s shoulders and told her she couldn’t, but she puffed out her cheeks. Is this what they call feminine wiles…?
“I want to come too!”
“W-Well then, shall we go together?”
“Yes!”
As Lillian cheerfully headed toward the front door, I grabbed her shoulders and asked if she forgot anything. She hastily grabbed her hat and mask.
“Will this be enough?”
“Shouldn’t you wear an outer garment too?”
“That’s so suffocating…”
“Wouldn’t it be better than being harassed by men?”
“Fine…”
“You’re here, sis?! Come, have a seat!”
“Excuse me.”
Watching my younger sister chatting away with Lillian felt unfamiliar.
When did they get so close?
“Since when have you two been so friendly?”
“It’s easy to get along with a pretty older sister!”
“Oh my, but our Min-ah is pretty too!”
“Really?!”
Of course, that’s a lie. Does she really believe that? My naive little sister…
“Brother, your expression is weird. Do you have something to say?”
“Just eat the chicken feet you asked for.”
“That’s from the last time! I said I wanted pork trotters!”
“Just eat, pig.”
“Who’s a pig?!”
Despite grumbling, my sister ate well, and Lillian, finding her endearing, laughed at her antics.
Should I be glad they get along well?
Later, it should be fine to bring up the idea of Lillian living with us…
The Tower has a mid-boss every 5 floors and a boss monster every 10 floors.
And today’s challenge was the 15th floor.
The mid-boss rewards were sweet, but the difficulty was insane, and I already had a history with it.
I had such a hard time with the Fire Rabbit on the 5th floor. This time, I prayed desperately for better luck.
“Enter.”
【Entering the Tower.】
Arriving at the massive Tower entrance, I opened the door and stepped inside, where a message appeared.
【Do you want to enter the 15th floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Accept!”
【Entering the 15th floor.】
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【15th Floor Mission: Defeat 5 Shadow Golems!】
【Time Limit: Within 24 hours.】
【Restrictions: None.】
【Equipment Restrictions: None.】
【Regulations: None.】
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Ah, look at this beautiful mission window.
The task is simply to defeat five monsters, with no restrictions, no equipment limitations, and no regulations.
And there’s a generous 24-hour time limit. It’s like easy mode.
I thought my path ahead was finally paved with roses.
That’s what I thought, anyway.
A pitch-black space where you can’t see an inch ahead.
Lillian shot a beam of light into the sky, but nothing appeared in this vast, empty void.
And in such a place, I’m supposed to hunt five golems hidden in the shadows?
Oh, shit!
“Can we even do this…?”
【Alert!】
【Alert!】
【Alert!】
Flying around and scanning the surroundings, Nika shook her head and shouted. Even Nika seemed to find this challenging.
“Isn’t there some way?”
While I was pondering, Nika glanced at me nervously. What’s wrong?
【Are you okay?】
“What? I’m fine!”
“No, stop!”
Lillian screamed as Nika smiled brightly.
【Then I’ll begin!】
What does she mean by “begin”?
As soon as Nika flew into the sky, there was a loud bang. What was that?
Before long, something began writhing and emerging from all directions.
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