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Screech—!
Screeetch—!
Hanbit’s party, entering Floor 30, came to a stop near the entrance.
Ten Madness Legion elites walked slowly forward.
The jarring contrast between full plate armor and jester masks was deeply unsettling.
-Just look at them. Terrifying
-Those are the summons?
-What a wild item.
-Where’d he even pick those up?
-They look like they crawled out of hell
The viewers were shocked at the summons’ appearance.
Their look was unsettling enough to come through even across a screen.
Grrk—!
[Boss: Storm Iron Bear (Lv.190)]
Ahead, the Floor 30 boss was baring its teeth.
A massive bear monster clad in tough iron-like skin.
A troublesome enemy with strong resistance to physical attacks.
But the elites’ power was considerable.
Tat-tat—!
The ten summons charged and split in every direction as though by prearrangement.
Six of them rushed the bear’s limbs first.
Fwish—!
Shhk—!
Their swords, etched with distinctive patterns, pierced through the Iron Bear’s tough hide.
Krrroooar—!
The massive bear let out a scream as parts of its body were severed at once.
That agony continued from the other elites’ attacks.
Tat-tat—!
Three elites immediately moved around to the rear and attacked the bear’s back and flanks.
Thud—!
The long swords they held slashed wounds across the body at rapid speed.
Fwish—!
Kwa-kwa-boom—!
In terrible pain, the Iron Bear lashed out madly, tearing up the terrain around it.
Just then, a shadow fell over the top of its head.
Whorl—!
The elite commander, wearing an absurdly costumed outfit that only vaguely resembled armor.
Whoosh—!
It fluidly evaded the Iron Bear’s incoming forepaw and swung the daggers in both hands.
Screech—!
Kra-krrr—!
The daggers carved the surface of the nails cleanly in half.
The elite commander, somehow now perched on the bear’s shoulder, shifted its grip on both daggers.
Then drove them straight into the weak point at the back of the neck.
Thud—!
Both daggers hit the exact spot.
Whorl—!
The commander released the hilts and stepped back one pace.
It calmly lifted a leg and brought its foot straight down.
Crack—!
Striking the hilts of the embedded daggers drove the blades deeper still.
The light faded from the Iron Bear’s eyes moments after.
Ding—
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 30 cleared.]
[Based on clear time, reward has been adjusted to maximum.]
[Additional reward granted for first clear.]
[6,000,000 Gold received.]
[16 Stat Points granted.]
[Vortex Coins x20 obtained.]
[Experience points increased by 5,500,000.]
[Level increased by 2.]
[2 Stat Points granted.]
-Whoa.
-Incredible. lol
-Instant wipe
-Just absolutely powerful.
-They really earn their terrifying appearance.
-Might actually want one?
[AutoHunter has donated 5,000 won.]
[Will buy.]
Floor 30 cleared with laughable ease.
Everyone, including Hanbit, hadn’t moved a single step.
“…Is it really over?”
“That easily…”
“Those things are really something.”
Everyone who had been watching in a daze reacted with astonishment.
But clearing the remaining floors with the elites was only just beginning.
“Let’s move to the next floor.”
* * *
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 31 cleared.]
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 32 cleared.]
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 33 cleared.]
…
The ongoing tower run progressed at a rapid pace.
Barring floors with special conditions such as survival or treasure-hunting, most were cleared by the power of the Madness Legion elites.
The climb through Floor 37 over the course of one day was wrapped up far too smoothly.
“Today we start from Floor 38.”
The tower ascent resumed from Saturday afternoon.
There were items he didn’t want to make public, so the stream was kept off.
From this point, the elites also began using skills.
Crackle—!
Fwissssh—!
Skills utilizing dark crimson lightning and fog-like shadows of madness demonstrated clear and reliable performance.
Ding—
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 38 cleared.]
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 39 cleared.]
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 40 cleared.]
…
In situations where combat wasn’t required, everyone attended to their own individual needs.
The tower ascent was that unhurried.
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 46 cleared.]
Floor 46 was reached only past midnight.
Following Hanbit’s suggestion, everyone closed the game immediately and regrouped at noon the following day.
“Today is the last day.”
Sunday, the seventh day since entering the tower.
As he had announced, the plan was to finish the tower today.
“The summons haven’t had a break, so their condition will start to go wrong. They won’t harm us — but it might not be a pretty sight.”
[However, as summoning time increases, the amplified madness energy may cause erratic behavior.]
One line appended to the Madness-Imbued Summoning Stone’s description.
Normally, a considerable interval was needed between uses of this item.
Summoning them for three straight days without rest was not an ideal choice.
At worst, they could go berserk and self-destruct in a frenzy.
Given that the item would be lost the moment the elite commander died, some care was warranted.
“Let’s enter.”
Hanbit’s party stepped straight into Floor 47.
The condition this time, as before, was to kill the monsters.
Screech—!
Screeeeetch—!
Using the summoning stone, the Madness Legion elites appeared.
Unlike the first time, their bloodshot eyes looked anything but normal.
“Kill all the enemies. Do not attack anyone in my party.”
Tat-tat—!
At the command, they kicked off and charged forward.
As Hanbit had grown, the monsters’ levels had risen too — but the elites, their madness deepened, were even stronger than before.
Slash—!
Screeetch—!
The creatures swung their blades while cackling — half-mad already.
And their behavior showed one particular aberration.
Shhk—!
One elite, after severing a monster’s head, suddenly snatched it up.
And then began using it as a weapon to attack other monsters.
“Why would they go that far?”
“Madness… does suit them, I suppose.”
“Can you even use that as a weapon?”
The bizarre behavior was a shock to everyone.
They were just glad it wasn’t directed at the party.
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 47 cleared.]
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 48 cleared.]
In any case, the tower ascent proceeded smoothly.
The occasional gimmicks that came up along the way were handled easily by Hanbit.
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 49 cleared.]
And when Floor 49, the second-to-last, was cleared, they came to a brief stop.
“Just a moment.”
Hanbit asked for a pause and opened his character status window.
[Black Dragon — Lv.210]
[Title: None]
Strength: 210
Agility: 210
Intelligence: 210
Stamina: 206
Remaining Stat Points: 403
The result of clearing twenty-one floors from 29 through 49.
His level was one thing — but the accumulated stat points were beyond any common sense.
‘Points are more than enough.’
Stats he had continued distributing evenly up to this point.
His total stat sum was higher than players at the same level, but his primary stats had inevitably lagged behind.
At this pace, however, reversing that was not far off.
Hanbit immediately distributed his stats.
‘Ah, right — I was supposed to do this too.’
Yeonwoo, who had been monitoring the streams, had pointed out an issue with a setting.
Stats added through titles, items, and similar sources.
Apparently there was a separate method for displaying those in the status window.
[Black Dragon — Lv.210]
[Title: None]
Strength: 310 (+31)
Agility: 310 (+31)
Intelligence: 310 (+31)
Stamina: 309 (+30.9)
Remaining Stat Points: 0
Hanbit’s weapon had an option that added 10% to all stats.
Seeing it in numbers like this — it was a substantial figure.
Slide—
Hanbit closed the status window and examined his pale blue sword.
What remained was the final boss.
A considerably powerful monster — but no supporting allies were needed.
Fwoosh—
Hanbit dismissed the Madness Legion elites’ summoning.
Kim Jaeha, watching, asked with curiosity:
“Huh? You’re not using them for the last one?”
“If the commander dies, the summoning stone disappears. And Floor 50 is manageable solo.”
With that answer, Hanbit turned his gaze to the staircase and focused on his sword.
Whoosh—!
A gale was already surging fiercely.
Hanbit lowered his sword and stepped forward.
“I’m going in. Please wait by the entrance.”
Creak—
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
[Entering Tower of Vortex — Floor 50.]
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 50]
Classification: Party
Trial: Boss
Objective: Defeat the Tower Guardian.
Reward: Floor 50 Settlement
Time Limit: 3 Hours
The message that appeared was remarkably simple.
Hanbit looked at the large monster standing at the far end.
[Boss: Storm Guardian (Lv.220)]
The tower’s guardian protecting Floor 50 had the appearance of a knight.
Two pairs of great grey wings.
Gleaming armor covering its entire body — a fitting look for something called a Guardian.
Crackle—!
Hanbit activated Elemental Awakening and called forth Salliste’s flames.
The effect of his remarkably elevated stats was already evident in the size and intensity of the blaze.
Boom—
The Guardian, having spotted an intruder, lifted the sword in its right hand.
A massive shield in its left guarded its body.
“Phew.”
Hanbit fixed his gaze and concentrated on the fire mixing into the gale.
The spirit’s power, filling rapidly to its limit.
That sensation was unmistakable.
Tat—!
Hanbit immediately kicked off and charged toward the enemy.
Hummm—!
At the very moment he moved, a grey shockwave came flying from directly ahead.
It struck the ground and produced a tremendous explosion.
Ka-boom—!
The blast, as large as a house, sent violent shockwaves rippling outward.
But Hanbit’s speed carried him clear of the attack with ease.
The Guardian, having missed, immediately used its next skill.
Flash—!
Hundreds of grey orbs materialized above.
From them, thin grey beams rained downward.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa—!
The downpour of attacks tore into the ground in every direction.
But Hanbit didn’t slow down even slightly.
Tat-tat—!
He moved faster than the beams could fall.
With the Guardian’s position confirmed, Hanbit immediately activated Wind Leap.
Fwish—!
The distance closed in an instant.
The Guardian, seeing this, immediately drove its shield hard into the floor.
Kwa-kwa-boom—!
A different grey shockwave burst out in a fan shape.
And just before that attack reached him, Hanbit leapt high.
Ka-boom—!
The shockwave’s impact grazed past beneath him as he twisted his body in midair.
Whoosh—!
At that moment, the Guardian’s sword came sweeping in horizontally at speed.
A nimble movement that didn’t suit its massive frame.
Whorl—!
Still airborne, Hanbit pulled his sword close and twisted his body.
Screeeech—!
The blade grazed past and the sharp sound rang across the entire floor.
An impact that could have shattered his body — but high Strength and Stamina stats were more than enough to absorb it.
Thunk—!
Using that rebound, Hanbit shot upward once more.
His gaze was fixed solely on the Guardian’s throat.
Crackle—!
The blazing heat of the wind-wrapped flame erupted in an instant and invaded the space around it.
In midair, body inverted, Hanbit settled into a draw-cut stance.
And then—
Fwish—!
Wind Leap, loaded with every ounce of force, surged forward.
Crackle—!
A firestorm scattered along the trajectory.
Hanbit’s body, which had vanished like a light switching off, reappeared behind the Guardian’s head.
Slash—!
A moment later — a tremendous fountain of blood erupted from the Guardian’s neck.
It was consumed by Salliste’s burning flames and extinguished of its force.
Thwack—!
Hanbit landed on the ground and looked up.
Slide—
The Guardian’s massive head, slipping along the clean, sharp wound.
It couldn’t support its own weight for even a moment before plummeting toward the floor.
Kwa-boom—!
The head, with its size, hit the ground with a crash as large as itself.
A hollow death for the Guardian.
Ding—
[Tower of Vortex — Floor 50 cleared.]
[Based on clear time, reward has been adjusted to maximum.]
[Additional reward granted for first clear.]
[10,000,000 Gold received.]
[30 Stat Points granted.]
[Vortex Coins x30 obtained.]
[Experience points increased by 10,000,000.]
[Level increased by 2.]
[2 Stat Points granted.]
[Tower of Vortex cleared.]
[Achievement: Climber of the Tower of Vortex unlocked.]
[Additional reward granted for first achievement.]
[30,000,000 Gold received.]
[40 Stat Points granted.]
[Vortex Coins x50 obtained.]
[Experience points increased by 20,000,000.]
[Level increased by 3.]
[3 Stat Points granted.]
A continuous stream of rewards for clearing Floor 50 and the tower as a whole.
One more message appeared immediately after.
[Additional privilege granted for first achievement.]
[Invitation from the Merchant Who Reached the Summit received.]
