Chapter 91: Crimson Roar (3)

Compared to Korean people, British people were more relaxed. No, perhaps I shouldn't generalize all British people with just them. It could just be that the ability users here were like that.

Was it because they were repeatedly hunting the same area for several weeks? They didn't seem concerned with clearing the dungeon anytime soon, as they ate dinner and sipped on red tea while they watched tunas splashing above the lake's surface.

"Ah, it's raining."

"It should stop soon, though it'll come back later."

"Does it snow here too?"

"When it gets cold enough. It's the same as in Korea."

Hwaya had rented an entire residence in Windermere as her lodging place. Currently, it was just the two of us in a small room on the second floor of her residence. Hwaya was drinking red tea while blankly watching the rain outside the window. Her flame-red eyes were calm, and her smooth, fluttery red hair was the only bright spot in the undecorated, bland room.

Seeing her holding her teacup, I thought she really looked beautiful, like she was a painting. Then, before I noticed, she turned to my direction and looked at me with half-closed eyes.

"Can you not stare at me so fixedly?"

"... Sorry. You were so beautiful that I lost myself for a bit."

"... Huu, I'm usually happy to get compliments, but because I've been getting them from people I hate recently, I'm sick of them. Sorry."

"You really are honest... I'm the one who's sorry for reminding you of them, but I didn't actually mean it in a flattering way."

"I know, and I know you're not that kind of person. That's why I'm annoyed with myself who can't come to like your compliment."

Hwaya put down her teacup as she spoke bitterly. Brightman really was hated... Was that part of his plan? Whether positively or negatively, he was making her think about him a lot... No, not even the Divine Capturer1 would think of such a method.

I put away my useless thoughts and returned to the main subject.

"Then we should get started. How to check the amount of mana you have available and..."

"Wait, before that, we need to talk about something else."

"Ah."

She was right, there was something I had to explain to her first. With a bitter smile, I scratched my head. I closed my eyes and checked if there were any other presences nearby. I didn't think anyone would be hiding and did it as a precaution... But I couldn't help but ask Hwaya curiously.

"Hwaya, is anyone else living here with you?"

"What? No."

"Really? That's weird, I can feel traces of someone that's not you... Maybe it's the people who lent you this place?"

"Maybe? It hasn't been that long since I rented it. I'll check later just in case."

Although I wasn't fully satisfied, it was true that we were the only ones in this house, for now. I took in a breath... and took off my mask.

"Ah."

Hwaya quietly stared at my face. As it was a bit embarrassing to continue staring at her face, I turned my gaze away slightly. Soon, she nodded her head.

"You're much more handsome than I imagined. Just my type."

"Thanks for the blatant compliment."

"As I thought, you have black hair and black eyes."

"I'm Korean after all."

"Mm, I had considered the possibility that you weren't Korean."

"Of course I am... By the way, my real name is Kang Shin."

"So your last name is Kang... Eh?"

She tilted her head, and I told her the truth.

"Kang Yungoong-ssi is my father."

"You scammer!"

"Hahaha."

"Uuuu, you lied to me so easily. I can't believe you!"

"Sorry, that's why I'm telling you now. It wasn't easy, you know."

"What, so you want me to be happy about it? Like you acknowledged me?"

"No... Sorry."

Hwaya complained for a little while longer, then seemingly calmed down. Ah, wait, nevermind. She placed her teacup on her plate so angrily that I almost thought the plate would break.

"I saw the number of dungeon explorers on Earth increased to six. Did you do that too?"

"Yeah, a friend of mine is an Awakened. Don't worry, that person is trustworthy and talented, worthy of being an explorer."

"Uu, so three out of the six are already... No, but considering your personality..."

I knew what she wanted to say.

"I don't plan on making an organization like you. It's just my friend and father. Not to mention, you could make someone an explorer if you wanted to."

"That's true, but... Can I trust you?"

"Why would I lie?"

"Haa, I feel like I learned too many things just now. My head feels like it might burst."

"Don't take it too seriously. My father made me an explorer, I hid my identity in Earth's dungeon explorer communication channel, and I made a friend I trusted into a dungeon explorer. There's nothing more to it. I'm also revealing my identity to someone I can trust."

"It's too hard to accept it so simply."

Hwaya put her head in her hands and looked like she was agonizing over something. Then, with a tired voice, she spoke.

"Whatever, I'll trust you."

"Thanks."

"Quiet! You made me doubt someone I acknowledged as a friend even for a moment. That's a very annoying and sad thing for me. You'll have to make it up to me properly."

"How?"

"You said you would teach me! Before I master it, you'd better make time to teach me every night. Got it? This is your punishment! ... But I'll at least serve you milk tea when you come."

Never in my life did I receive such a cute punishment. I grinned and nodded my head.

"Yeah, got it."

"... Why are you smiling? It makes you look sly."

"It's nothing. I'm just happy I got to know a surprising side of my friend."

"Uuuuk...!"

Hwaya seemed to be embarrassed by my words, as she threw the teakettle at me. It seemed I would need to wait a bit more before I could start teaching her.

*

From the 38th floor on, ghost knights appeared. If ghosts were the apparitions of ordinary people, ghost knights were the apparitions of knights riding on their ghost horses. Watching them charge at me on their ghost horses was quite a spectacle.

[Kill the human!]

[Living beings, taste the wrath of the dead!]

"Like I care, move!"

More importantly, it was much easier to break through than the previous floors.

"Ruyue, run!"

[Aoooooooooo!]

As Ruyue ran crazily, the wall of ghosts to my left and right were pushed back at an incredible speed. Meanwhile, I only looked forward as I swung my spear. Although there were also ghosts, because their numbers were low, I was perfectly fine just defending myself while running forward. Ghost knights weren't my opponents. I was happy that clearing the dungeon floors became easy again. While Ruyue ran carrying me on her back, Peika watched out for the ghosts' soul arrows. Compared to the 36th and 37th floor, this floor matched my style much more.

[Kuaaaaaa! Kill that rat! Stab your swords in his neck!]

[As knights, we'll recover our besmirched honor!]

"Come at me! Get in line!"

Cutting past the ghost knights as I charged onward mindlessly, I managed to break through the 38th floor in five hours, half the time it took me to clear the 36th floor.

[You became level 39.]

[You obtained 5 bonus stats.]

"Perfect timing."

Watching me gasping for breath, Lin threw something at me apathetically. I caught it and confirmed what it was. It was an earring, only one of what usually came in a pair. With two oval gems radiating a glowing gold, the beautiful craftsmanship made it more suitable for a woman than a man. I stared at it blankly for a while, then asked Lin.

"Lin, this is?"

"See for yourself."

[Golden Teardrop (Unique)

Durability - 90/90

Equipment Limit - One Who Defeated the Blood Succubus

Options - Intelligence +5, Magic +5, Charm +15

Skill - Succubus' Pupil (Passive): Wearing the earring amplifies your charm. You can resist mental status effects more easily, and there is a small chance it can reflect the status effect onto the enemy.]

"Wow... This really is an amazing item!"

"Is it?"

With that, Lin put out his hand. As promised, I gave him 100,000 gold. It was my turn now!

"So Lin, shouldn't you start making my other equipment? My weapon and the like."

"Once you break through the 40th floor, I'll do it without you having to nag me! Don't make me remember such painful truths when I'm collecting money!"

"Lin, you should really be more honest. You already know I'll break through the 40th floor."

"You...!"

Lin shook in rage while holding the bag of gold. It was only then that the emptiness I was feeling seemed to be filled. I couldn't help but let out a refreshing smile. Then, I equipped the Golden Teardrop. Since I was already equipping the Power Earring and Blood Succubus' Earring, I decided to say goodbye to the Power Earring, which only raised my strength by 2.

"Ek, disgusting."

"You know, I agree."

I didn't really care that the earrings were different. As they were both from the Blood Succubus, they went together quite well. The problem was that I was male, but with no other choice, I put on the earrings firmly.

When I arrived at the 39th floor, the ghosts had disappeared and were replaced by specters. Of course, most of the enemies were still ghost knights. Without a care in the world, I raised my spear. Specters were apparitions known for their ability to possess people. As such, they charged towards me the moment they caught sight of me.

[Kiikii, it's a human.]

[Control him.]

[Stabbing yourself with your own spear will feel special!]

I dematerialized Ruyue and infused her into my armor. Now, Peika was in my spear and Ruyue was in my armor. What would happen if specters tried to possess my spear or armor?

[Ugyaaaaaaa!]

[Gyak! Cold! It's too cold, I can't move!]

They were electrocuted or frozen by themselves.

[Uwaaak, an Elementalist!]

[Elementalist!]

[Run!]

When all the spectres were chased away, the ghost knights that were charging stopped in their tracks. With a smirk, I raised my spear. They were slowly backing off. Of course, I didn't just leave them be.

*

[You became level 40! You obtained the qualification to challenge the Floor Master!]

[You obtained 5 bonus stats.]

"You really are fast. You seemed to be having trouble yesterday."

"Compared to the 36th and 37th floor, the last two floors were a piece of cake. I was nervous for nothing."

"I feel stupid just talking to you now. Hurry up and go to the 40th floor. Then die and come back a week later."

"You really are blunt about it now..."

Even as I was dumbfounded, I made sure to buy plenty of Holy Water from Lin. I didn't know the identity of the 40th Floor Master, but he was sure to be some sort of ghost. With Holy Water, I would have a much better chance!

"Wish me luck, Lin, so that I can get the dragon leather cape!"

"Screw off!"

Yep, angry Lin was the best! Giving him a thumbs up, I climbed to the 40th floor. As the 40th floor wasn't any different in structure or the type of monsters that appeared, I got to the end without much trouble. When I was in front of the Floor Master room's unique black door, it was four in the morning. Since breakfast was at seven, I would be able to sleep for about two hours after defeating the boss once.

"Good..."

Nobody had taken the 40th floor boss' 'first' achievement. There was sure to be a reason that no one had succeeded the 40th Floor Master's first achievement, even though the 25th through 35th first achievements were accomplished. First, I applied an ample amount of Holy Water onto my weapons.

"Huu... I can do it!"

I had paid Loretta 50,000 gold for this info. I couldn't screw up here after doing so well until now! After taking in a deep breath, I opened the door with my Black Earthen Spear in hand.

"Fight me... Eh?"

What was beyond the door was a dreary land that seemed to have been taken out of hell. There were a countless number of ghosts and specters, and also ghost knights that were ready to charge.

Floating above them was an existence wearing a worn down cloak and pointing a pitch black scythe at my direction.

[Kikikik... It seems I will have to guide another dead soul.]

1. The World God Only Knows reference