From the previous point that we have left off, a lot has occurred since then. This is the retelling of the previous 7 days that have occurred since then.
The culinary fair that Harold was waiting for in anticipation, turned out to be nothing too special. From Daegok-soo’s Eyes of Secret, nearly everything in there was below mediocre in quality thus he only extracted one attribute point at best with his Hyper-Metabolism skill. With disappointment that he may have initially, he still did enjoy the free meal that he is given.
It was also their time needed to unwind, life isn’t supposed to be filled with mindless drama and actions. Anyone who argues otherwise didn’t undergo any or enough hardship to understand just how sweet a moment of rest after so much work.
Afterward to the next day, the requested alchemy set that Yeon ordered from the Kristen White arrived, the glasswork old man that they helped before did their request for them with minimal charge beyond material cost. With haste, she quickly tested them and the Skill Tome that she obtained out starting from the basics.
With her Master of Magic, her advancement in alchemy was fast much like Gwi-jaum’s expectation. The first she did is to synthesize chemicals that already existed in their world which is by far the simplest as there’s no mana required yet.
Gwi-jaum still remembers just how glad Anssa-um was when she managed to liquify coals into carbon fuel so that he can refuel his motorcycle as his reserve was slowly running dry with no resupply as there’s no such thing as gasoline or diesels in the Tower.
And even from what he remembers, this process was a bitch in the real world to perform and all of it was sidestepped thanks to Yeon’s control of mana to supplement processes that required dedicated machineries. All within the alchemy set that she has, of course that cleaning the byproducts and side- products was also a bitch.
Beside that within the next following days, Anssa-um managed to level up after numerous orders that he fulfilled himself to gain EXP during his internment in a blacksmith. Which finally allows him to put some points into MAG attributes. And he only just started to hasten himself to become better despite his initially slow start.
Using the MAG stat he gained, he started to mold metal ingots with circulated mana into shapes. His work speed becomes faster than even his seniors as once he has enough spare time, he used it to focus on his personal projects. The earning doesn’t matter to him, what matters is the experience that obtained which is separated from the System’s EXP.
And so, he experimented with what he obtained. Using his knowledge as a Spec Ops, which is surprisingly both diverse and depth in all fields that seemingly unrelated to his job as one. He managed to recreate a replica of an electric motor through his experience and knowledge alone.
It isn’t the best in comparison to what is made in his world. But it is his creation, and he won’t deny it that he is proud of it otherwise. Now, he just needs to test if it worked or not. Using an iron wire, he got his verification as the wire turned hot as he cranks the motor with his MAG-enhanced strength. Seeing his efforts showing themselves, he continued to push himself forward to what might be the method to improve his innate Skill.
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Knowledge of Engineering (Rank: C) {Growth}
Host can easily assemble machineries if all given parts are present.
Can analyze the compartments and what it is used for.
Depends on the rank, it may also reveal greater purpose
behind said compartments.
Holder: Sung Anssa-um
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Perhaps if he created machinery that has yet to exist in this world. This skill of his will unquestionably ranks up. There’s no evidence to back up what he’s thinking but he decided to test it out. After all, he doesn’t exactly have anything to lose this early in the climb.
So, hiding the fact that he had already done his assigned works as an intern, he quickly focused on trying to replicate his own motorcycle, parts by parts.
Anssa-um began his project by first focusing on the engine, the heart of the motorcycle. Using his MAG-enhanced strength and mana circulation to mold the metal into the intricate parts of an internal combustion engine.
Pistons, cylinders, crankshafts, each piece was carefully crafted with precision. It was a slow and meticulous process, but Anssa-um was patient. He knew that the quality of his work would directly affect the performance of the motorcycle. Even a slightest mistake can break down all of his efforts in a single moment.
Next, he moved on to the frame. Using his knowledge of structural engineering, he designed a frame that was both lightweight and sturdy. He then used his MAG to mold the metal into the desired shape. The process was challenging, but Anssa-um was determined. He worked tirelessly, often late into the night, until the frame was finally complete.
Normally, he would have asked for his friends for help. But he still has a measure of self-pride to uphold. Beside, he was pretty sure that Gwi-jaum couldn’t help in this field of expertise even if he wished for help.
The wheels were the next challenge. Anssa-um knew that they needed to be perfectly round and balanced for the motorcycle to run smoothly. He used his MAG to carefully shape the metal into the form of a wheel, then added the spokes one by one. Even the other blacksmiths was wondering what was his using for a metal wheel and he narrowly dodged the questions.
It was a painstaking process, but Anssa-um was relentless in his determination. He repeated the process for the second wheel, ensuring that both were identical in size and shape. The tire issue can be resolved using Yeon’s alchemy to polymerize liquid carbon fuel into plastic. Although the prospect of proliferating such a thing isn’t without consequences for sure.
And the final step was the assembly. He has reassembled his motorcycle thanks to this skill. And this time, he has built another one from scratch with all its parts made from raw materials. The other seniors were wondering what their interns were doing since it is their first time seeing such a thing.
“The time has come”. Anssa-um said as he stepped back and admire his work. It has no paintwork and a complete barebone of a thing but as all of it is made with his hard works, he couldn’t be proud of his own sweat and tears poured into this creation of his.
A surge of satisfaction welled up inside as he approached his creation. As he pours in some fuel that Yeon synthesized, he quickly rolls this thing out to test it out. He didn’t expect it to be purring smoothly or anything at all, just that it doesn’t immediately blow up or self-combust while he is riding it.
And so he took this thing outside and went on a ride. Being merely a prototype, its activation was merely a power switch with no security. If people wanted to steal this hunk of steel then go ahead, they couldn’t find anything to fuel it in this place until they completed the Floor 1’s trial to leave the Tower.
As the thing moves its gears into motion, he can now actually assess its performance for himself.
It was… bad. Not even his actual motorcycle was this loud compared to this self-made prototype. It’s more like driving a construction site than an actual vehicle. Even he couldn’t bear the loud sounds it constantly made as if every of its moving parts were at the brink.
In just a short period, he has annoyed literally every of the townsfolks here with his prototyped motorcycle. And after he made his return, he realized that even if he follows the specifications down to its minute details, it doesn’t mean that all of its parts can work in complete harmony together.
But in a twisted irony, he was happy that it worked. This was his first attempt at mechanical replication, and he expected to just crash and burn in a pathetic manner much like how he expected things to go wrong if things go off-script much like those romance novels he had once dedicated himself to.
He can always better himself, he is alive and as long it remains that way, there’s still a way forward for himself.
Knowledge of Engineering - Rank up! [C -> B]
Seeing the System notification popping up, he lets all of his repressed emotions out. While showing how optimistic he may be, he couldn’t just negate all the negative emotions that come along. He was desperate, distraught as his slow initial progress and questioning of his experiment as he slogs on.
But here, it is. The proof that his skill progression is tied to its achievement. Every great journey started with a single step and its progression isn’t any different. With his confidence reignited, he imagines to himself of what he will be capable of in the future.
“You do know that the material cost in on your payroll, right?”. One of the blacksmiths spoke to him seeing the hunk of steel that he has molded into a machinery of sorts. They didn’t exactly have much to complain about other than the quantity of steel that Anssa-um smuggled for his personal project.
“Don’t fucking rain on my parade”. Anssa-um muttered beneath his voice for the complaints he received.
In other news, back to Daegok-soo. He is being trained by Harold now that Thousand March Footwork has been registered as an Active Skill on his own. It’s merely a pale imitation of what was taught by him but since the Tower has recognized Daegok-soo’s efforts to learn it manually, it is now a part of him too.
And so, the one way to train is to put themselves into situations that demand them to use it constantly. Namely, at the rooftops of an urban area while jumping from one to another. As the mentor and disciple are chasing one another in a furious game of tag that has no reason to be so serious.
Harold being the master that he is, merely handicapping himself so that his disciple can learn. He has been teaching him all the techniques to perform, both of Motion Form and Martial Form. Although how much Daegok-soo can try to replicate is up to him. Even if he could directly give a copy of this Skill to Daegok-soo, Harold has a feeling that he wouldn’t accept it that way.
Seeing how Daegok-soo is replicating his techniques with some struggles and difficulty which is pretty much far more advanced than what any other person could in his shoes. The determination that flares up in his eyes as he tries to tag his own mentor is commendable. But…
In one moment that Harold stood still, in the next moment he was already a distance away from his own disciple. It clearly wasn’t just a matter of speed that he is forced to contend with.
He recalls that despite Harold giving a headstart for him at the beginning of his training. He still catches up to him in way too little time. Like not even before a breather has been taken properly as he felt his legs beneath swept away as he falls face flat onto the rooftop. A rather rough introduction to this training of theirs.
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Thousand March Footwork (Novice) (Rank F)
A martial footwork skill developed by the legendary Hero who
is capable of solving all the world-ending quests in only 30 seconds.
Those who master this skill will be able to travel across continents
in just seconds alone. No matter the hazardous terrains or environment
that they must cross. Its trainees will learn how to sustain their maximum
movement speed. Fast stance recovery and acceleration along with
handling at such speed impossible for the human mind to perceive.
This is merely a novice understanding and experience of this skill.
Even then, it will become its actual true technique once enough
knowledge and information regarding it is completed.
Passive Effect: Increase user's AGI and DEX by 50% of their base value.
Current Holder: Sung Daegok-soo
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
A pale imitation of his own mentor’s. Although he has been training at each technique until he is somewhat capable of replicating their motion, but unable to replicate its essence within.
Thus, he decided that he should try to perform the most basic. To chain one Motion Form technique into a Martial Form and vice versa. Because after all, that’s the closest barrier that he must overcome right now.
Pursuing after Harold again as he moves from one rooftop to another. Jumping over the alleyways below as if they’re just nothing but a crack on the pavement. Daegok-soo desperately followed with all of his talent as he could feel both his fury and anxiety started to boil again.
It was as if Harold was deliberately infuriating him with how much he is baiting him to catch up then slipping away from his grasp so casually. It wasn’t the first time his efforts got nowhere but the frustration within is all the same regardless.
The matter of stats is still a prevalent thing. But he has a solution that he has also prepared for this very problem.
Gathering speed forward as he rushes toward his mentor head-on. He stood still as if nothing that Daegok-soo does to him will leave a slightest dent on him. When he did reach toward, Harold sidesteps briefly like before when-
Thousand March Footwork Motion Form – Branching Leaves
Turning his running direction toward his mentor, Harold quickly takes notice of Daegok-soo’s action as he immediately makes his backsteps. Enough just so that he can perform his next maneuver-
Motion Canceling.
Motion Form – Branching Leaves -> Martial Form - Hurricane Sweep.
Without a word of warning, Daegok-soo’s foot whirl its path in reversal motion as he performs a reverse whirlwind kick using Branching Leaves as kickstart. Normally he wouldn’t be able to connect techniques so easily without proficiency but Motion Canceling that he learned together with Mel has given him an insight forward even if isn’t perfect translation.
“What a surprise. It seems that you’re advancing way faster than I expected”. Harold said as he evades the whirlwind kick with ease before Daegok-soo follows it up.
Hurricane Sweep -> Martial Form – Siege Breaker
Utilizing the momentum generated from Hurricane Sweep, he quickly follows up into a swift front kick with the other foot once the previous found its footing again. Its essence infused with his intent as the front kick moved straightforward and true like an arrow.
He recalled his time in enlistment. How in urban combat, he must move in swiftly and react accordingly to the limit of his thought. And the one signals that start out those grueling combats, is always the kicking down of a door. With only maximum destructive power exerted, it will send anyone caught by it reeling.
In essence, that’s his declaration of war until either one of them admits defeat.
Narrowly evading that front kick as he intends to perform a counter sweep at his disciple’s foot like before, but no trick could work more than twice in succession as the front kick suddenly stomps down into the ground with great force. Then in the next moment-
Siege Breaker -> Motion Form – Mountain Step
Both of his legs propel him forward into Harold as Daegok-soo performs a shoulder bash squarely into his body. As the entire weight and force of his body applied, Harold lost his stance as he also fall towards the floor. Daegok-soo didn’t exactly beat or catch up to him in any traditional sense but-
You have successfully connected Motion Form and Martial Form together!
Thousand March Footwork – Rank up! [F -> E]
Realizing that they were supposed to catch up to one another in a game of tag as part of his training. Before Harold’s thoughts reassembled themselves, Daegok-soo made his word loud and clear.
“TAG!” Daegok-soo said before he ran off in a distance as fast as he can.
Harold got on his feet awfully quick despite that he was lying on the ground just now. With a gruff cough and sigh, he commends Daegok-soo’s effort to continuously improve himself. Even with this rate, it is clear that Daegok-soo will inherit Thousand March Footwork by his effort alone.
“Ready or not, here I come.” Harold said before he prepares his stance again. A dangerous air started to permeate that even Deagok-soo from the distance can feel it.
“Fuck fuck fuck fuck-“. Daegok-soo mutters to himself as he tries to get away from his mentor.
And so the waning eventide approaches as the shadows of the two cast down from the rooftops. The tireless chase between the two of them seemingly last for eternity.
In the following next few days. Through combined efforts of Yeon and Anssa-um, numerous trails and errors that occurred along the way. The result has shown itself at last.
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0.01% Purity Orichalcum-Brass
Classification: Rare Mystical Metal
Orichalcum that was synthesized through alchemy from brass.
Although, the composition of Orichalcum within is low, the general
effects of it is still present.
With unique hardness and durability along with its radiant gleam of eventide
that surpass common brass. Containing latent traces of magical property,
it is a sought-after material in crafting of magical artifacts, enchanted items.
Overwhelming usefulness in various fields, combined with its rarity making
it a highly priced item in any place that has uses for it.
Note that despite its properties, processing it does not require special
precaution.
-------_____{\\\\////}_____-------
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
0.01% Infusion Mystical Black Gunpowder
Classification: Combustible Material
Gunpowder that underwent alchemical infusion of mana to enhance its
explosive properties. Its payload and explosive power are increased by
a considerable margin in comparison to normal blackpowder. Thus
separating it from its mundane variance.
A product whose creation required an intricate understanding of alchemy
and precise control over the elements. This isn’t without risk as its volatility
exceeds that of normal blackpowder, thus requiring of careful handling in
skilled hands.
Despite that, it isn’t something that will explode at the drop of a hat.
-------_____{\\\\////}_____-------
Traces of agony reflected on Anssa-um’s face as by the time these two important items were made, he immediately crashed into sleep without a word of warning. Yeon being built-different like she is still puts on an optimistic smile on her face as she presents her work when she supposed to be the most tired amongst them all.
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When Daegok-soo comes to her side, she immediately rests within his embrace as if to show to them all how special their relationship really is. And so their project was delayed by another day until its member can proceed once more.
Within that span of times, Gwi-jaum and his ‘totally-not-girlfriend’ Mel made their usual weapon training. But this time, Gwi-jaum carries himself with numerous weapons of all types on him. This time, he intends to push his innate Skill to the limit in this life.
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Eternal Arm Masteries (Rank: C) {Growth}
The ability to wield all weapons with proficiency. Even if picking up
unfamiliar weaponries, host will be able to perform combat techniques
suitable for the wielding weapon.
Holder: Hoe Gwi-jaum
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In before, Gwi-jaum’s Eternal Arms Mastery rank-up during dire situation when he fought against someone stronger than him by a decent margin. While Skills can level up with repetition and practices, there are two methods to significantly speed up or even skip the progression required. Epiphany, or unflinching spirit that fights against demise itself.
Much as he hated to admit. He wasn’t the brilliant genius of a Regressor he is like many other Regression novels. By efforts and trials that he must exert far more than any brighter folk of his peer if he wished to make a difference. That is his only salvation and virtue in his previous life. Now is no different although he knows better now.
Mel, the greatsword user with Light-based magic. He knew exactly what her potential was considering that he together with her fought to final Floor of the Tower itself. As he recalls of her future self and the power she wields, Gwi-jaum knew that someone like her is simply one and only talent.
At the training ground within this town, the sight of Gwi-jaum carrying an entire armory of weapons on his body makes him the center of attention of the trainees around and some other Tower-climbers amongst them. Ignoring all the gazes that land on him, he took out a broadsword amongst the melee arsenal that carries on him.
With his sword pointed at her, Mel changed into her fighting stance with her greatsword. The weapon that she wields was not just a sword enlarged or similar. It was more like a slab of iron too unwieldy to be considered even as a greatsword.
During that brief moment, the two analyzed one another as they gauged each other’s ability with their perceptions alone. Even if no words were spoken, the two minds in unison initiate their duel.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Hoe Gwi-jaum
LV: 4
+Physical Attribute:
STR: 6 (+8)
END: 5 (+8)
AGI: 5 (+8)
DEX: 7 (+8)
+Non-physical Attribute:
INT: 10
MAG: 15
CHA: 7
Remaining Attribute Points: 0
+Passive Skill:
*None*
+Active Skill:
-Soul Furnace Art (Memorized) (Rank E)
-Eternal Arms Mastery (Rank C) {Growth}
-Immovable Swordsmanship (Improvised) (Rank E)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Mel
LV: 4
+Physical Attribute:
STR: 15 (+6)
END: 12 (+6)
AGI: 10 (+2)
DEX: 8 (+6)
+Non-physical Attribute:
INT: 6
MAG: 23
CHA: 10
Remaining Attribute Points: 0
+Passive Skill:
-Blessing of Light (Rank A)
-Natural Born Physique (Rank S)
+Active Skill:
-Aura Sword {Intermediate} (Rank B)
-Motion Cancel {Novice} (Rank E)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Light itself started to cover her sword as she lunges toward Gwi-jaum while swinging her greatsword downward at him. Gwi-jaum takes action immediately.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Immovable Swordsmanship (Improvised) (Rank E)
The sword art of the undefeatable Hero who has overcome all
the adversaries and threats that have befall his world in 30 seconds.
No matter how outmatched by his opponents, the Hero will stood resolute
against the impossible no matter what.
This swordsmanship isn’t merely about techniques within alone. But a testament
to said Hero who has imparted his wisdom to future generations. A physical
manifestation of his unyielding will, the refusal to succumb to any force, no matter
how formiddable.
Because the Hero’s true greatest weapon isn’t anything he wields, it is his resolve.
And this is its embodiment. To instill the belief that as long as one stood their ground,
no force in the world can move them.
This is a replication and memory of said sword art. As long as its user keep
training, the inheritance of this swordsmanship’s true form shall be undenied.
Passive: END is increased by 100% of user’s innate END.
Holder: Hoe Gwi-jaum
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
There was no possible way for a mere broadsword made out of ordinary iron can block a greatsword that is enchanted by mana, especially of Light affinity that it is imbued. But-
Immovable Swordsmanship
Soul Furnace Arts – Unyielding Spirit
[Increase user’s END by 80% of innate MAG]
As azure flame wreathes his body and the broadsword he wields, he withstood her attack that would have otherwise ended her opponents of similar level in a single attack. The shockwave and force behind is tremendous but this isn’t the worst he has endured and he will keep fighting so.
The experience of the past ignited once again, as his body propels forward without hindrance.
You have blocked an attack considerably stronger than you without flinching!
Immovable Swordsmanship (Improvised) - Rank up! [E -> D]
[Passive: Increase user’s END by 150% of innate END value]
But even if the limit is being pushed, there’s still a line that one must not cross.
The broadsword that Gwi-jaum used to block her attack started to crack in the next instant. Gwi-jaum also quickly takes action as he replaced the broken broadsword with another different sword but slightly different. Then with swift motion, he wields both of the two swords with proficiency like he is wielding dual knives.
Mel swings her aura-imbued greatsword in a wide arc once more. His two blades made its arc as they collide with her greatsword at the same time.
Soul Furnace Arts – Explosive Release
[Your next action has 180% STR modifier]
Two forces of nature collide as the shockwave unleashed send both of them back. The two swords in both of his hands visibly cracked while Mel taken aback greatly despite the gap of strength between them currently. As she recovered her footing, she returned to her sword stance back again as if nothing has happened.
Your Iron Broadsword (Mediocre) has been broken.
Your Iron Longsword (Mediocre) has been broken.
Discarding his broken swords away on the floor, he took out another pair of weapons to wield. One is a rapier while the other is a parrying dagger. A form of swordstyle made specifically for dueling one-on-one in his world. While not exactly the perfect match for Immovable Swordsmanship, he has his method to connects these two together.
Eternal Arms Mastery + Immovable Swordsmanship.
This time, Gwi-jaum made his offensive. Mel returns the attack as this time, she performed proper technique with a weapon that has no use for finesse.
Divine Judgment – Radiance Stride
Completely self-invented in the heat of moment. Never existed in any moment in time before. And yet, here she is as if making clear of her superiority to anyone else. If that wasn’t an explicit enough showcase of a literal protagonist of a story then no one else can.
Moving at a speed that seemingly unhindered by the weight of her attacks. Gwi-jaum have felt a dangerous sensation before she initiated her attacks as he immediately musters all of his combined Skill together to withstand her incoming onslaughts.
Gwi-jaum’s END: 5 + 8 ([Soul Furnace Arts]) + 8 (Immovable Swordsmanship) = 21
As if the weight of the world is crushing upon him, Gwi-jaum stood his ground as Mel now swung her greatsword at him with motion and speed impossible for the greatsword she wielded. If it weren’t for his Immovable Swordsmanship and Soul Furnace Arts reinforcing his weapons, he would have met a rather swift demise at her hands, unintentionally may even.
First blow was enough to just murk any Tower-climber in the first floor and any observer who is witnessing them right now if they were in his place. The worst part that it wasn’t just one that he is being received.
Motion Canceling
So inconspicuous, so simple, yet the weight it carried behind can’t be any more devastating to those who understood. Her sword path shifted from its swing as she immediately follow up instantly. The make up as the core of functionality of Radiance Stride is her newfounded learning of the ability to utilize her previous actions’ momentum to her advantage.
Gwi-jaum is also doing his best as he continues to withstand her onslaught of that devastating sword swings that left the observing trainees around in awe. With careful positioning and motion that he is performing unconsciously, they are the only reason why he still stands, why his rapier and parrying dagger hasn’t yet been shattered by the force behind her greatsword.
You have endured an onslaught of powerful attacks!
Immovable Swordsmanship (Improvised) - Rank up! [D -> C]
[Passive: Increase user’s END by 200% of innate END value]
With his determination recognized by the Tower, Gwi-jaum become much more stalwart as his willpower manifested as he quickly musters all of his strength that still remains as he steers Mel’s sword swing in a subtle way that she lost the delicate balance that sustain the onslaught.
Gwi-jaum broke her stride with a perfectly timed deflection, as he rushed at her without hesitation. With the thrust of rapier enwrapped in azure flame, a decisive blow would have been delivered. Would have…
Light starts to shine out of Mel’s eyes as if she is once again awakening to something. As if the world is doing everything within its boundary to make her unable to take a loss for any meaningful reasoning. As Light itself started to wrap around her greatsword, the aura that surrounds it started to coalesce and solidify.
Divine Judgment – Let There Be Light
Mel slams down her greatsword into the ground as a shockwave of light surges toward him as it tore into the dueling ground itself. Realizing that he just can no longer evade out of its path anymore, he quickly triggers his trump card.
Soul Furnace Arts – Overdrive
[Increase all physical attributes by 180% of MAG. Duration: 30s]
With everything he has once more, Gwi-jaum alters his rapier and dagger’s pathing as he mustered as much force as possible to overcome the surge of light. Within a single breath, he muttered.
Immovable Swordsmanship – Against Raging River
Translating techniques to ill-suited weapons, the essence of Immovable Swordsmanship merged with his rapier and dagger as they together unleashed all of their power within. Two great forces collided as the ground between Gwi-jaum and Mei were torn apart.
Gwi-jaum cleaved said attack into half as he diverts the surge alone with a decisive blow, partially using the attack’s own momentum to accelerate the slash. Like swimming against the current itself, the recoil effect is immense otherwise if he didn’t activate Overdrive.
Your Iron Rapier (Mediocre) has been broken.
Your Iron Parrying Dagger (Mediocre) has been broken.
Discarding his broken weapons once more, an outcome to this duel must be decided. Now that his Overdrive is in effect, this is his only remaining choice.
Mel clearly hasn’t yet adjusted herself to this new realm she found herself in. And as Gwi-jaum approaches with another weapon taken from his back, she snapped out of stupor and swung her greatsword still lingering with that imbued light which its lethality hasn’t waned at all yet.
Your Iron Sabre (Mediocre) has been broken.
Your Iron Cutlass (Mediocre) has been broken.
Your Iron Falchion (Mediocre) has been broken.
Your Iron-
Your-
The entire arsenal that he carries on himself dwindles slowly. Swords shattered with his enhanced physical attributes in seconds even if he uses his Soul Furnace Arts to reinforce, the ultimate proof of how extraordinary her strength and potential is. While this relationship of theirs is what merely considered as friends with benefits, the way it will develop is something beyond expectation.
10 seconds passed since Overdrive’s activation. All of his swords that he carried with is broken as its remnants scatter across the broken ground. Thus, he then switched toward the more unfamiliar weapons that his Eternal Arms Mastery will carry his weight along.
Your Iron Mace (Mediocre) has been broken
Your Iron Warhammer (Mediocre) has been broken
Your Iron War Axe (Mediocre) has been broken
Your Iron-
Your-
20 seconds have passed, all of his reserved weaponry was also broken by Mel’s attacks. Yet he isn’t the only one becoming tired as this duel at its climax is progressing. She is squeezing every last ounce of her strength and exhaustion has finally run her dry. But ‘stubborn’ is what can describe the two of them as such with how far they are willing to push themselves forward for their own belief.
There was no better match made in heaven at all.
Gwi-jaum’s mind is now in overdrive much like his body right now. All the experiences of his past life converges once more. How someone who wasn’t the strongest survived till the end, is because it wasn’t power alone that he persisted.
He took hold of the broken broadsword that he discarded at the beginning. And within the few last seconds of Gwi-jaum’s Overdrive. They engaged one another for the final time in this duel.
Immovable Swordsmanship – Foolish Old Man Moves Mountain
Two attacks of immense power converged their paths with one another. As azure flame and radiance light clash with one another, no one could tell what the outcome is. And as the last second is about to tick down, when victory is seemingly within Mel’s reach.
You have successfully translated your weapon arts onto unsuitable weapons!
Eternal Arms Mastery Rank-up! [C -> B]
And the scale tipped at the last fraction toward Gwi-jaum’s. And as if pushing the broken sword to its limit, even the hilt that remains completely crushed by the combination of his determination and willpower. As the exerted force overpowered Mel briefly, she was now outside the dueling ground, lying outside its boundary ring.
Gwi-jaum collapsed to his knee. A sense of satisfaction and overwhelming pain courses through his body. Although he has endured so many similar events like this, its combination as a whole is still something unique to each time. Because after all, a happy ending may be cliched, but it is deserved after all.
“Nice performance you have right there. But how on earth are you gonna repay the damage you did to the dueling ground?”. A familiar voice spoken from behind as his short-lived victory suddenly die as fast as it was spoken.
It was the sword instructor Victor that he come across before. And it seems that he wasn’t amused by the wanton destruction that both Gwi-jaum and Mel had just done. This training ground was the town’s public property and they just outright damaged it in their duel.
“How about you do the labor so that I can look past the monetary fine, will you?” The sword instructor said as if he is trying to be manipulative but in reality, he is trying to be sincere. Gwi-jaum could probably take him on but in this state? He would sooner have his face caved-in by the shield that the sword instructor is using than his actual sword. The irony didn’t exactly fly over him either.
And so the duo was punished to fix the damage they caused, mainly through the humanitarian labor they have to do. At least with their enhanced attributes, it was quicker and less tiresome.
In the last few days of the 7 days, after Anssa-um and Yeon recovered their mental strength. Anssa-um quickly made and craft makeshift firearms to test how much they can stand in comparison to the weapons being made here.
By using Knowledge of Engineering, Anssa-um managed to turn even discarded junks into actual firearms. Its effectiveness, however, wasn’t much in comparison and its method of combat could easily make him understand why firearms fall out of usage so quickly.
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Pipe Break-action Single-barreled Shotgun
Classificiation: Firearms (Shotgun)
Melee ATK: 3
Ranged ATK: 52 + (0)
Chambered ammunition: None
Caliber: 12 gauge (12.7mm)
Quality: Uncommon
Durability: 30/30
Capacity: 0/1
A makeshift shotgun made out of pipe and metal parts slapped
together carefully. Its proper craftsmanship and engineering are the
only reason it won’t immediately fall apart when fired.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Steel Buckshot Shell
Classification: Firearm Ammunition (Shotgun)
ATK+: 60
Caliber: 12 gauge (12.7mm)
Cartridge: Brass
Propellant: Blackpowder
Ballistics: Steel pellets
A brass shotgun shell loaded with steel pellets.
Using blackpowder as propellant.
In comparison to the power of later Floors of the Tower,
its simplistic power may be unable to stood against the inevitable
obsoletion.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Gwi-jaum recalls of the stats that later Tower-climbers have in comparison to this pitiful stat this buckshot shell has. By the final 90s out of the 100 floors that the Tower has, having over 6-digit in attributes was the norm and requirement just to not instantly get murked in those Floors. Seeing this small number on display was just nostalgic to him.
Funnily enough, the only stats that remain untouched by the powercreeping was INT and CHA. Because that is a subjective measure that ultimately should not be altered or else. He won’t even go into details because of how disastrous of having too much INT or CHA could do.
Daegok-soo loaded the makeshift shotgun and used his Eyes of Secret to analyze it.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Pipe Break-action Single-barreled Shotgun
Classificiation: Firearms (Shotgun)
Melee ATK: 3
Ranged ATK: 52 + (60)
Chambered ammunition: Steel Buckshot Shell
Caliber: 12 gauge (12.7mm)
Quality: Uncommon
Durability: 30/30
Capacity: 1/1
A makeshift shotgun made from an iron pipe and metal parts slapped
together carefully. Its proper craftsmanship and engineering are the
only reason it won’t immediately fall apart when fired.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
“Isn’t it strange that the Tower’s System actually analyzed a gun down to its anatomy like this?”. Daegok-soo asked because he can’t tell if this level of scrutiny of analysis in a makeshift firearm like this is normal or not. It doesn’t even elaborate the magic systems of the worlds residing in it let alone any mechanism. Perhaps only ranged weaponries get such treatment.
To make sure that there isn’t something unusual going on. He took Jiang’s crossbow and uses his Eyes of Secret to analyze it. The result was as much as of the same as the pipe shotgun. It tells of the melee ATK, ranged ATK, and the arrow that is chambered. Not as detailed but the general guideline is the same.
The normal wooden crossbow and its standard bolt has total ranged ATK of 17. The pipe shotgun along with the ammunition chambered is over at least 5 to 6 times of it. The massive ranged ATK of the pipe shotgun has proven Gwi-jaum’s word about how powerful a proper firearm really is, but its advantage will soon be diminishing as the challenge mounts in later Floors.
Because of its nature being detached from a majority of its user’s attribute, the methods to improve its capability is entirely limited.
After selecting a spot where no one will find them in the outskirt of this beginning town, Gwi-jaum made a temporary wooden target so that they can test out their firearm. 50 meters is the common distance for test firing for shotgun-type firearms. And Daegok-soo is the one testing it out since shotgun is his expertise back during his enlistment.
50 meters isn’t a lot at the beginning but in later time, even that distance is nothing but a single step forward. With a calmed breath, he pulled the awkward trigger as it fires the chambered shell inside. In the next instant, the target made out of wood log bore multiple holes on it.
That’s just what a shotgun obviously do. You aim it at your target that you want dead and pull the trigger. Although it looks deceptively simple, the handling of a gun no matter what isn’t something to be done lightly.
“That’s how much a blackpowder shell could do. Now, try this thing”. Anssa-um said as he partially hesitates to hand over what is essentially his masterwork that he puts his soul into it. Not literally but may as well be the same. He still parts it eventually as Daegok-soo analyzes the thing with his innate Skill.
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Mystic Steel Buckshot - 0.01% Infusion Purity
Classification: Firearm Ammunition (Shotgun)
ATK+: 230
Caliber: 12 gauge (12.7mm)
Cartridge: 0.01% Orichalcum-Brass Alloy
Propellant: 0.01% Mystic Blackpowder
Ballistics: Steel pellets
A brass shotgun shell loaded with steel pellets.
Using mystic blackpowder as propellant.
A relentless pursuit of an uncharted path. It is unknown
if its invention is the path toward greatness or a dead
end that awaits.
A stubborn answer to a reality where human strength
long eclipsed a tool that invented to overcome the original
human body’s limitation of power. A desire to prove that
the path they have taken before wasn’t wrong.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
After seeing all he has to see, Daegok-soo loaded the mystic buckshot shell into the gun. With brief hesitation of the potential power that it may have, he preemptively activated his Mana Circulation just in case the recoil might be too great to handle. With all he has prepared, he pulled the trigger.
“… Why am I on the ground?” Daegok-soo can’t help but notice that he completely lost the moment that he fired the gun. The recoil was simply so great that even with his shooting stance in place, the recoil still knocks him down to the ground. The pipe shotgun itself was boiling hot as nearly all of its barrel turned white-hot.
The fact that it didn’t immediately explode in his face was a miracle. Daegok-soo analyzed its status again and saw that its durability is down to 2/30. Anymore and it may have blown up for real.
With carefulness, he extracted the orichalcum shell out and saw that it wasn’t fazed at all by the explosion that it was forced to contain. And as Gwi-jaum and Anssa-um pulled him up to standing position, Daegok-soo looked ahead to see the status of the target.
To say that its power was more tremendous was understating, the wooden target is completely blown away, and the tree that was behind is also blown a hole through it. Seeing the difference that was made, the three of them agree unanimously that the mystic shell shall not be used unless in an emergency or that they have become stronger physically. In fact, no 1st Floor Tower-Climber is going to be able to replicate such a display of power at all.
Carefully disposing of the traces of their presence, Gwi-jaum also knocks down the tree and cutting it down into wood planks to hide that they were reinventing the firearms. Even though firearms alone won’t clear the Tower, they do not want to unleash such dangerous tools when no one is capable of surpassing it yet.
The three of them soon left the site as if nothing unusual of note had happened.
In that night, Daegok-soo decided that he is going to use the Dragon Queen’s Cookbook to see if there’s any recipe that he can make use. Because after all, the day following is Instructor’s Exam Day and he decided that he should treat his friends here a proper meal for that big day.
The book is written only in Dragon’s Tongue but the translation notes from Dragon’s Tongue to Common language was there so that any human can read it. He read its analysis from Eyes of Secret before but, he wonders just what is actually in there.
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Dragon Queen's Culinary Record
Classification: Skill Tome (inert)
Rank: S+
A household list of recipes that is made by the Dragon Queen herself.
Made with love for her human husband so that they can share a meal together.
Contains both mortal, dragonkin and combination variation for each recipes.
Consumption of the following recipes will grant temporary positive effects
and long-term usage will grant permanent stat boost.
Written in both Dragon's Tongue and Common. With additional notes, and hints.
It's not only a cookbook but a testament to a love that crosses the boundary of
human and dragon's realm.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
The first translation note he read was… completely witty. And from its handwriting, it was the same style as the Dragon’s Tongue written in this book. Thus, it is the Dragon Queen herself that wrote the notes.
His image of the Dragon Queen completely shattered. He thought that she would be a regal and serious woman who won’t tolerate any discourtesy toward her and her subjects but from the way this note is translated and likely its actual contents, this is her actual true feeling and natures hidden from anyone else. The actual image of her in recorded history and the truth is startlingly different if he comes across them in later Floors of this Tower.
Looking past the first note, he looked for a recipe that he can have with a group. One that caught his eyes are basically chilly curry, it was probably the most cost-effective recipe for quantity that he has back during his university day when he was the one who cook.
“What the fuck is a lava chili pepper? Is that thing even grow here in Floor 1?” Daegok-soo said as he glances over the dragonkin recipe of it. And realized that there’s nothing here that can even register as such for a single ingredient in it.
Given up on attempting to decipher the dragonkin variation, he decided to just check up on the mortal recipe which was a lot more forgiving by comparison. He is thankful that the Dragon Queen decided to make the mortal recipe just so that there’s a way to replicate the taste of her recipe. And from the way of
how she goes such roundabout way, there must have been a natural divide between the races in the Floor that she is from.
He wonders who is the eccentric amongst them? The human husband who betrothed to her or the Dragon Queen herself? The most likely answer was just both of them for being the oddballs they are to love each other like this.
“Fuck… I guess that I’ll laugh my ass off reading this cookbook”. Daegok-soo said as he prepares the utensil for the meal.
Tomorrow is a big day, and it will be when they finally take off from this town.