Chapter 334: The War of Revelation (3)
Chapter 334: The War of Revelation (3)
Lower Floors, Middle Floors, Upper Floors.
There are three benchmarks that divide the Tower of Trials.
If the lower floors are where players adapt to the tower...
The middle floors represent a complete understanding of the tower through power struggles with significant forces like the martial world and the elemental empires.
However, the nature of the upper floors changes entirely.
It is inevitable—for those who dwell in the upper floors were either close to the top of the tower in the past or had reached the threshold of the final 50 floors.
And now, one of these formidable forces from the upper floors has appeared before our eyes.
And by those least expected.
A low hum echoes.
[An immeasurable-grade barrier unfolds!]
[The space within 50 meters is sealed from the outside!]
Inside the distorted space,
Footsteps resonate with a crisp sound.
"Hmm, they are so engrossed in their fight, I can't tell who is who. A man... with black hair. Could it be one of those two? There's a handsome one and a less handsome one."
"Wait, you can just ask them if you're so curious, you know."
Wearing armor that seemed out of place in the modern world, a man with blonde hair and a relaxed smile caught the eye.
'I can't believe they're here.'
Jinhyuk glanced toward where Ellis stood.
Ellis and Hyacinth couldn't see him due to the barrier.
'Still, when facing the enemy of a lifetime, they wouldn't have the luxury to be distracted. Especially not by an opponent they can't afford to underestimate.'
Despite the various variables he had encountered while ascending the tower...
Before the 30th floor was liberated, beings from the upper floors had never descended outside of the tower.
'This must be one of the variables that Saeyeongeun mentioned.'
The top of the tower has changed from what it used to be known as—and Jinhyuk realized this more as time passed.
A new butterfly has caused a storm that was previously non-existent.
Of course,
'This is what makes it interesting.'
For Jinhyuk, the influx of these variables was more intriguing than alarming.
His heart pounded with the excitement of witnessing a new tower, rather than the one he had grown all too familiar with.
Just then,
"Sorry to intrude while you're busy fighting... but we're looking for someone. Can I have your attention for a moment? Oh! But first, introductions. I'm Loki, and the big guy here is Thor. We represent the gods of the Norse pantheon."
A voice as smooth as rolling marbles filled the air.
Though playful, no one present could ignore his words.
"Which one of you is Kang Jinhyuk?"
A brief question.
All eyes instantly turn to Jinhyuk.
Loki's lips curl slightly.
"So it's you, huh? Hmm. Makes sense. Someone with this aura is just like the player we're looking for. None of the regular inhabitants can even compare."
"Thanks for the compliment, but why would esteemed beings from the upper floors be seeking me out?"
"Hunting players by residents has an obvious purpose, right? We need a new card to break the balance. One that holds as much potential as possible."
'Break the balance...'
There can only be one reason Loki is saying this.
"Because of Olympus?"
Jinhyuk said it casually.
A statement that was anything but trivial.
"You! How do you know about that...?"
A tremor went through Loki's pupils.
The smile vanished from his face just as quickly.
"How do you know about us and... them? Players shouldn't even be able to access that information!"
Well, that's true.
Even top-ranked players would rarely encounter divinities.
It's only natural that players would be ignorant of the upper floors' power struggles and intrigues.
'I can't mention climbing the tower in the past.'
So then,
"Frigg's 'Prophecy of the Seer.' I happened to catch a glimpse of it. It briefly mentioned the Norse Ragnarok, the Olympian Titans, and the single force that would survive."
Frigg, wife of Odin from Norse mythology.
Hidden within the ruins on the 19th floor of the tower are pieces of her prophecy.
Of course, he didn't actually have access to it.
He just provided a plausible story for Thor and Loki to accept.
'Besides, I remember the contents of the prophecy all too well.'
He had baited them with one of the best lures possible, creating the impression that he could be an attractive ally.
And his prediction was...
"Lovely... This is truly a masterpiece! You're quite the treasure, not just useful. Thor, remember this well. Bring him to our side by any means necessary."
"Sure. That seems wise."
...Spot on.
"Glad you think so. I've always had a special interest in the Norse, personally."
"Hmm. The conditions here are not favorable for a detailed conversation. Shall we relocate? This might take a while."
"I would like to, but as you see, the situation isn't ideal. Even though the battle stopped momentarily because you arrived, we're pretty overwhelmed."
Jinhyuk shrugged.
Nietzsche and his numerous kinsmen would attack again at any opportunity.
And so would Cerberus—mighty and nearly invincible.
"Perhaps we should clean up this mess first. Then will you consider our proposal more favorably?"
Now it was Jinhyuk's turn to be surprised.
"Are you serious? You'll use your powers outside the tower?"
"Divinity doesn't double-speak. At least, not the divinities associated with us."
Descending even to the lower floors of the tower would normally present unspeakable constraints.
What more to speak of actions outside the tower?
What could possibly warrant such a sacrifice—did they offer Mjolnir itself?
As Jinhyuk wore an unbelieving expression, Loki smiled reassuringly.
"Let me say it again, you needn't worry about us. Plus, wouldn't you like to see our abilities in action? If we're to work together, it's only right you know the caliber of our powers."
A golden dagger appeared in Loki's hand, adorned with gleaming jewels and wrapped in a faint aura.
"We have the true spirits behind us. Are you really going to push us to war?"
"Ah, indeed. If we can secure Kang Jinhyuk, it's a price we're willing to pay. We're prepared to take on all of you as enemies, especially since the only actual deity we'd rather not fight is already with Kang Jinhyuk."
A declaration of pure hostility.
Nietzsche, unable to see any further point in talking, put distance between them.
Simultaneously, purple blades sliced through the air, a desperate ploy to take the initiative.
But...
The clang of metal.
The blades shattered before even reaching Loki, split in two.
Walking through the fiery remnants unharmed, Loki continued forward.
"Destroy him!"
Nietzsche called for assistance from the kinsmen.
"Damn it!"
"Strike them all!"
The unexpected variable had now drawn the kinsmen into battle.
The bellows of Cerberus rang out, and fire erupted from its maw.
"I'll handle the big guy."
Thor seemed eager, his muscles swelling.
The growl of thunder, bolts of blue lightning branching in every direction.
An unimaginable tempest aimed straight at the face of Cerberus.
With a heavy thud, one of the monster's heads was sent reeling.
But it did not die; despite the impact, it still snarled, baring ferocious fangs.
"So sturdy. At least as resilient as a lesser version of Fenrir."
The battle of true divinity—a clash so powerful that, if they so desired, entire worlds could be eradicated.
"If we just eliminate the leader, it'll be over."
As Loki cut down lines of kinsmen and approached Nietzsche,
Suddenly,
A buzz in the air!
Just as Loki's dagger neared the heart—
[The presence of Norse divinities is recognized.]
[The denizens of the underworld respond.]
A new status window, shaded blood-red, emerges.
Imposingly.
For the first time ever, Loki's hand stopped.
Because of the woman with jet-black hair before him.
"My, my. Seems like you've made a misstep."
"You...!"
"This human is a dear servant to our Master. It means he can't be disposed of so carelessly by the likes of you."
Once again, another heavyweight appears.
In fact, due to the conditions, a clash with them was expected at one point.
'The Underworld.'
A domain ruled by Demon Lords and their kin—the worst of the worst.
Just think of it as a cesspool where despair and death are mere amusements for those scumbags.
Dark clouds loom, revealing crimson eyes.
[The underworld deity watches over the apostle.]
"I stand before the Great One."
Nietzsche's face drained of all color.
His previous composure was nowhere to be seen, replaced by the fear of an insignificant human desperate not to offend the powerful being he bargained with.
"A human... supported by demons?"
"Not just any demon. I sense power akin to a Demon Lord."
Loki and Thor frowned, disappointed and disapproving.
They had come thinking it would be a quick acquisition of Jinhyuk before the emergence of Shub-Niggurath, but now they found themselves entangled in a far larger conflict.
[Demon Lord 'Hesymodium' unleashes the Lv??? 'Dark Hole'!]
An ominous power enshrouds everyone, nearly suffocating.
Simultaneous to this sensation,
"Screams of terror!"
From beneath the earth, countless demonic beings surged forward.
***
Thor and Loki engaged fiercely in a bloodbath with the demonic horde.
As the situation shifted to a new phase, Nietzsche regains composure.
"Now I finally have a moment to breathe. To be honest, I'm surprised. I didn't expect the divinities to take such an interest..."
He looked towards Jinhyuk and Cheonyusung.
"But now you no longer have their support."
Nietzsche had the upper hand, as their powers were still sealed.
A purple blade struck viciously at Cheonyusung.
"Argh!"
While he managed to block it, his arms shook from the magic-imbued strike.
Once.
Twice.
The onslaught grew, and Cheonyusung's posture deteriorated rapidly.
Jinhyuk was too busy evading to counterattack properly.
Just a little more.
A few more strikes.
...It would be over!
As Nietzsche cornered them, Cheonyusung spoke.
"I've finally got the hang of it. We can start."
He gripped his sword with both hands.
"Lucky for us. Any later and it might have been the end."
Jinhyuk drew the twin dragon swords from subspace.
"You plan to fight now? How ridiculous!"
Nietzsche dodged Cheonyusung's blade with ease.
"Do you really think such dance-like moves can inflict even a scratch on me?"
Yes, that was just an imitation.
A mere mimicry—lacking the depth of skill,
The finesse of power.
So inherently, their current swordplay bore no inherent power.
But.
A faint blue glow traced the edge of the sword.
Countless times, they had imitated this, building experience.
Even without reliance on skills or talents...
Their bodies remembered.
The formula.
The shape.
Most importantly... they created dual swords through countless battles.
And then,
"What, what's this!"
The swords began to sing.
The air... changed.
Simultaneously,
[Special conditions have been met!]
['False Battlefield Selection' activates!]
['The World of Players' unfolds!]
A new reality has dawned.