Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Level 2 Player

Bloodsucking Sword (2)

Jin-su’s Mental Power stat is only 322. However, that was merely a number existing on the status window and something that showed as a number the ability to raise the accuracy and stability of skills and resist the enemy’s attack skills and curse skills.

The strong will and mental power that Jin-su had accumulated while climbing from Tower Floor 1 to Floor 2,222 before the regression was not something that mere stats appearing on the status window could evaluate as a number.

‘I wondered why that guy’s face was familiar.’

Only now did he remember who the leader of the robber group that attacked Jin-su was.

‘The owner of the Bloodsucking Sword, the Bloodsucking Demon, was that guy.’

Before the regression, that guy seemed to have luckily entered the Mimic Dungeon which is a hidden dungeon on Tower Floor 2 and acquired the Bloodsucking Sword.

The Bloodsucking Demon was a madman who was fascinated by the Bloodsucking Sword and committed indiscriminate slaughter without distinguishing between players and monsters while coveting blood.

‘I killed him with my own hands before the regression too.’

At that time, Jin-su killed the Bloodsucking Demon and obtained the Bloodsucking Sword.

‘Even then, the Bloodsucking Sword played tricks.’

It was the same this time too.

‘What should I do with this?’

Jin-su fell into brief contemplation. Before the regression, he threw it as food for the growth of his beloved weapon, the Black Heaven Demon Sword. But now there is no Black Heaven Demon Sword so he can’t do that.

‘Let’s just use it.’

The level of the Bloodsucking Sword is a whopping 179.

Obtaining a weapon as good as the Bloodsucking Sword on Tower Floor 2 was close to impossible. So using it directly seemed good.

-Blood! Offer blood!

If there was one downside, it was the point that the Bloodsucking Sword’s shouts were constantly resounding in Jin-su’s mind. Something like the Bloodsucking Sword cannot contaminate Jin-su’s mind or dominate his body.

But in the point of constantly attempting mental domination, it was inevitably quite annoying.

“Too noisy. Would it be better to smash it?”

Jin-su muttered softly and gripped the Bloodsucking Sword’s blade, twisted it, and drew up mana.

Pagagagak!

The Bloodsucking Sword’s blade made a strange sound and twisted.

No matter how high the level and good the durability, a sword is a sword. It meant it was at best a lump of metal.

‘Also, the fact that the Bloodsucking Sword’s level is high is only based on Tower Floor 2 standards.’

If you go up to higher floors, weapons better than the Bloodsucking Sword are everywhere.

‘Well, there is the variable of it being a growth-type weapon.’

The Bloodsucking Sword that Jin-su obtained after killing the Bloodsucking Demon before the regression had a far higher level than now. It was possible because the Bloodsucking Sword was a growth-type weapon that raised its level by absorbing blood.

It was usable right away and also growth-type so he was going to use it. But if it continued to resist like this, it was cumbersome for Jin-su to use.

Ah, of course he wasn’t really going to smash it.

‘How much is this worth to smash.’

There are some side effects, but still it was a named growth-type weapon with an ego in name. Later when he can use the auction house, he can sell it at a quite high price.

‘Will it submit?’

Even after doing this much, if it doesn’t submit, he would have no choice but to put it in the inventory normally and only take it out when needed to use it then and there.

Bajijijik!

Small cracks bloomed like spider webs on the Bloodsucking Sword.

‘I can’t go any further.’

It was in a state right before breaking precariously. If he applied more force, it would really break.

-Th, that’s enough! I’ll be quiet! I’ll be quiet! So please don’t smash me!

At that time, the Bloodsucking Sword abandoned the concept it had maintained until now and urgently shouted and submitted to Jin-su. As evidence, the blood-red haze that had been digging into Jin-su’s body cleanly disappeared.

“Well, then let’s try using it once.”

Jin-su hung the Bloodsucking Sword at his waist.

‘Of course you would.’

Jin-su made a bitter smile. The reason he threatened not a person but a sword was simple. Before the regression, when the Bloodsucking Sword was thrown as food for the Black Heaven Demon Sword by Jin-su’s hands, it begged desperately in a pitiful voice until right before extinction to please spare it.

So he tried threatening, and it worked reasonably well.

-My body hurts too much. I need blood to recover.

The Bloodsucking Sword whined.

“If you don’t want to be completely smashed, keep your mouth shut.”

At Jin-su’s warning, the Bloodsucking Sword completely closed its mouth.

‘It’s nice that it’s quiet.’

After packing usable items, Jin-su went outside the dungeon. For growth and also for the Bloodsucking Sword’s recovery, he needed to hunt monsters.

‘The options are usable.’

The Bloodsucking Sword had options such as self-recovery by absorbing blood, increased cutting power, inducing bleeding effect, and increased durability. It wasn’t simply strengthening the Bloodsucking Sword alone. By consuming the absorbed blood, it could increase the user’s physical abilities and recover stamina.

It was more than enough level for use on Tower Floor 2.

‘It doesn’t affect item skills either.’

The Ring of Recovery and Ring of Worsening were Level 22. So the options were also Level 22. The blessings cannot affect the levels of skills embedded in items.

‘Rather good.’

If the levels of high-level items had been forcibly adjusted to Level 2 or Level 22, it would have been an enormous loss for Jin-su as well. But he avoided such a worst-case situation.

‘It would be good if there was one more like the Bloodsucking Sword. Can I obtain it?’

Probably it would be hard. Obtaining a weapon of the Bloodsucking Sword’s level on the lower floors was the same as the probability of winning the lottery.

‘Why did that guy use something like a two-handed axe.’

How good would it have been if the Goblin Champion had used a sword instead of a two-handed axe?

Putting the regret behind, Jin-su picked up the highest level among the newly acquired items, a Level 7 longsword.

“Kiruruk!”

“Kyaaaaak!”

The goblins charged toward Jin-su.

Seogeok! Puuk!

Jin-su hunted the goblins while holding the Bloodsucking Sword and the Level 7 longsword.

Shuuuuk!

The Bloodsucking Sword greedily ate the goblins’ blood. As if boasting that its level was high in its own way, it sucked in from a distance not only the blood of the goblins it directly finished off but also the blood that came out from the corpses of goblins killed by the Level 7 longsword.

Jjeojeojeok!

The corpses of the goblins whose blood was sucked dry withered like mummies.

‘There are still cracks left.’

Seeing that the increased cutting power or the enhancement of the user’s physical abilities didn’t activate, it seemed he needed to feed it more blood to make it somewhat usable.

‘I’ll feed you plenty.’

Jin-su moved to the place where the next hidden dungeon was while hunting the monsters charging from all sides.

[Class Blood Demon Swordsman level has risen.]

In the midst of that, the class Blood Demon Swordsman’s level rose.

[Class Blood Demon Swordsman level has decreased.]

However, it was instantly restored to original by the blessings.

‘Class level is also fixed, it seems.’

His face furrowed, but he had no choice but to believe the blessings would resolve it.

Jin-su continued hunting.

[Level has risen.]

[Stats have increased.]

[Level has decreased.]

[Stats have decreased.]

‘The interval of level rising has become faster.’

Jin-su was a Level 2 player on Tower Floor 1 and a Level 2 player on Tower Floor 2 as well. But the monsters are different.

‘The goblins on Tower Floor 1 and the goblins on Tower Floor 2 are the same species but different levels.’

Naturally, the goblins on Tower Floor 2 have higher levels than the goblins on Tower Floor 1. That meant they give more experience points.

‘Later, even catching one monster will allow power leveling.’

Well, even so, it was obvious that the level and stats would be restored to original.

‘The extinguished levels and stats will help the blessings’ growth.’

Of course, the more the blessings grow, the required levels and stats also rise.

‘But low level doesn’t mean it gives less stats.’

Whether rising from Level 2 to Level 3 or from Level 102 to Level 103, the increasing stats are the same anyway. But the experience points required to rise from Level 2 to Level 3 and the experience points required to rise from Level 102 to Level 103 are as different as heaven and earth.

‘As the Tower’s floor number rises, the monsters’ levels also rise.’

That meant that the higher the floor you climb, the efficiency of the blessings’ growth through level ups increases.

‘Good.’

This was a truly enormous gain from Jin-su’s position.

‘Cross to Tower Floor 3 exactly at 22 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds.’

Then he had the conviction that the blessings would unconditionally grow.

‘Let’s move diligently.’

He had to monopolize the titles and hidden dungeons before crossing to Tower Floor 3.

***

Around the time 22 hours had passed since coming up to Tower Floor 2, Jin-su completed the goal.

‘The problem is that most were duds.’

Most of the hidden dungeon clear rewards were elixir-type items that permanently raise stats.

‘Useless to me.’

Because the stats went down as soon as they rose, Jin-su just put the elixir-type items into the treasure pouch. Even if he repeatedly ate elixirs and the stats rose and fell, it would help the blessings’ growth.

‘But using elixirs like that makes the efficiency too bottom.’

It was only because Jin-su easily obtained them while clearing hidden dungeons, but originally the price of elixirs that permanently raise stats was expensive beyond imagination.

‘It’s much better to sell them after the auction house is activated.’

What Jin-su currently needs is items of the type of weapons, armor, accessories, class change books, and skill books, not things like elixirs.

‘Let’s just climb to Floor 50.’

Then the auction house activates and he can sell the inefficient elixirs and purchase the absolutely necessary items.

‘Shall we slowly go in now?’

After checking the time, Jin-su looked at the shimmering space located in front. It was the space where the boss monster of Tower Floor 2, the condition for climbing to Floor 3, was waiting.

‘Entering here alone.’

Before the regression, he entered forming a party with other players. Jin-su waited while checking the time.

‘Entering.’

Then, the moment it became 22 hours 22 minutes since coming up to Tower Floor 2, he crossed into the shimmering space.

Hwaak!

Along with a cluster of bright light, Jin-su arrived at the center of a coliseum-shaped circular arena.

“Kwaaaaang!”

One hobgoblin let out a fierce roar and charged toward Jin-su.

Kwaaaang!

The hobgoblin’s club struck down the place where Jin-su was. However, Jin-su lightly twisted his body and dodged the hobgoblin’s attack.

“Kruk?”

The hobgoblin widened its eyes and once again poured a fierce attack toward Jin-su.

Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!

However, they all only missed. Jin-su naturally dodged the hobgoblin’s attacks as if water flowed while checking the time. Then, right before exactly reaching 22 seconds.

Seogeok!

After swinging the sword held in his left hand to cut off both arms of the hobgoblin.

Kwajik!

He stabbed the Bloodsucking Sword held in his right hand into the hobgoblin’s forehead.

Kuuung!

The hobgoblin’s body rolled on the floor.

Hwaaaak!

At that moment, a cluster of bright light enveloped Jin-su’s body.

[You have arrived at Floor 3 of the Tower.]

[Within 10 days, defeat the boss monster of Tower Floor 3 and climb to Tower Floor 4.]

[Time remaining on Floor 3 - 10 days.]

[Blessing of Hwangsin has grown.]

[Blessing of Hongsin has grown.]

‘As expected.’

The blessings grew.

‘It’s regrettable that it’s only once, but.’

Even though he neither obtained a title nor leveled up, the blessings grew because he matched the time well. From Jin-su’s position, it felt like receiving a reward without effort.

‘Clear Tower Floor 3 also within 22 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds.’

Originally, as the Tower’s floor number rises, the clear time should increase. But for Jin-su, it was an exception.

‘This time, I hope a class change book comes out.’

And preferably of the holy type. But the fact that the probability of a class change book coming out on the lower floors, whether holy type or dark type, is extremely low was only regrettable for Jin-su.

Jin-su quickly cleared the titles and hidden dungeons obtainable on Tower Floor 3, dealt with the boss monster, and crossed to Floor 4 matching the time. And he continued repeating the same thing while quickly climbing the Tower.

***

Jin-su arrived at Tower Floor 12.

[Blessing of Hwangsin has grown.]

[Blessing of Hongsin has grown.]

As expected, the blessings grew.

‘I was worried because it hasn’t been rising well recently.’

The level of the monsters had risen, but the problem was that the experience points the blessings needed for growth had increased accordingly. Also, from after Floor 5, even while climbing the Tower keeping 22 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds, cases where the blessings did not grow occurred frequently.

‘Still, although it slowed a bit, doing actions related to 2 or acquiring items is advantageous for the blessings’ growth.’

From Jin-su’s position, the blessings growing only with titles and level ups took too long a time.

Doing actions related to 2 or acquiring items had also declined a lot in efficiency compared to the beginning. But still, in the point that the blessings grow just by matching the timing without special effort, it was quite usable.

However, this was only Jin-su’s thought.

Due to this growth of the blessings, Jin-su was in a state where all stats had grown to 922. Just having climbed to Tower Floor 12, the pure total stats alone exceeded 5,000.

It was an enormous growth speed that other players would have no choice but to make a fuss calling it cheating if they saw it.

This was all thanks to climbing the Tower keeping 22 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds and also making efforts to match sets for items as much as possible.