Chapter: 36
The Flame Dragon’s body, nearly ten meters long, collapsed to the ground.
Just one punch.
The boss monster that even Isia and Park Jihoo couldn’t defeat no matter how desperately they fought had died with a hole blasted through its body from a single punch by Eugene.
“…That’s insane.”
Isia let out an unconscious gasp of admiration.
She couldn’t help it.
There was only a one-level difference between Eugene and them.
A gap that could be closed in a single day if they really wanted to.
Of course, levels granted tremendous power, but never to this extent.
“How are you so strong? You don’t even have any special equipment.”
If Park Jihoo reached Level 31, would he suddenly be able to one-shot the Flame Dragon?
Impossible.
The same went for Isia, even with 『Black Wing [C]』.
Even if they reached Level 40, neither of them could kill the Flame Dragon in a single blow.
So just what kind of person was Eugene, casually accomplishing something so absurd without even blinking?
“It’s all about technique. Technique. Once you gain more experience, you’ll be able to do it too.”
Though, considering the difference in talent, it would probably take them about a hundred years to figure it out.
Answering casually, Eugene brushed the blood off his hand.
Burning.
The look in Park Jihoo’s eyes as he stared at him was practically on fire.
Despite his gentle appearance, he possessed an overwhelming fighting spirit, and it seemed his competitive instincts had been completely ignited.
“Don’t even think about it. At your current level, you can’t even attempt it.”
The Battle Maniac was a genius.
Among all those idiots, he stood alongside the Sword Empress as the most talented.
Even so, he still looked painfully lacking in Eugene’s eyes.
Maybe after another ten years of brutal training, when he reached around Level 300.
Only then.
The punch Eugene had just displayed was something the current Park Jihoo couldn’t even imitate.
It required perfect harmony between the body and mana.
Someone who couldn’t even control his own body properly, let alone mana, couldn’t even dream of pulling it off.
Though saying all this wouldn’t make Park Jihoo give up.
To get even a little closer to Eugene, he’d willingly sacrifice sleep and continue training.
That was the determination of the man once known as the Battle Maniac.
“Anyway, let’s go.”
There was nothing left to do on the Fourth Floor.
He had reached his target level and killed the Flame Dragon blocking the stairs.
Now the only thing left was to climb higher.
Bringing along the visibly excited Isia and Park Jihoo, Eugene began walking.
Hopefully they give me something decent this time.
As mentioned before, the Akasha System 2.0 absolutely loved titles like the best, the first, the strongest, and the fastest.
Whenever someone achieved such feats, it almost always handed out rewards.
That had been true until now.
When he reached the Second Floor.
When he reached the Third Floor.
When he reached the Fourth Floor.
He had deliberately entered every new floor ahead of the other two.
None of the rewards were particularly useful.
When Eugene finished the Tutorial Floor and entered the First Floor, the reward he received was 『Power Strike [E]』.
A skill described as slightly increasing attack power.
Naturally, it wasn’t something Eugene particularly needed.
Nice to have, but hardly necessary.
The rewards from the other floors were similar.
If this had been the first timeline, Eugene would have treasured every one of them and racked his brain trying to maximize their usefulness.
Now?
Not anymore.
Still… this is the Fifth Floor. Maybe it’ll be something worthwhile.
Within the Tower of Light, the Fifth Floor held great significance for players.
Not quite like Terra, but it had places to rest.
Various facilities.
And most importantly—
It allowed players to return to the real world.
Naturally, everyone looked forward to every fifth floor.
That’s why I can’t help getting my hopes up.
Maybe this time it’ll be something good?
It is the Fifth Floor, after all.
A completely baseless expectation.
As he climbed the stairs, Eugene chuckled to himself.
Hoping luck might smile on him…
It made him realize he was still just another player.
Even in his second life, situations like this still made his heart race.
Though it’ll probably be nothing special.
This was still only the lower floors.
There was no way any reward obtainable here could truly help him.
Suppressing the expectations threatening to rise, Eugene finally reached the top of the staircase.
■ You are the first player to enter the Fifth Floor.
■ Achievement Acquired: 『Trailblazer』.
■ Achievement Reward: Item 『Sun Blade [D]』 has been granted.
“Hm?”
Eugene’s eyes widened slightly.
A weapon?
This wasn’t even the middle floors beyond the Fiftieth Floor.
Receiving a weapon as a reward on such a low floor was a first.
Granted, being only the Fifth Floor, it wasn’t anything extraordinary.
Even so, Eugene welcomed it.
I was just in need of a weapon.
Because of that bastard Didascalia, he’d lost 『Flame Dragon Blade [E]』 for no reason.
He’d been forced to hunt barehanded ever since.
And now he’d received another blade.
Not bad.
A D-rank katana.
Unless Didascalia came looking for him again, this should last until around the Thirtieth Floor.
Though he’d probably replace it before then.
“Wow… Is this really the Fifth Floor?”
“Finally…”
The two who entered behind Eugene couldn’t hide the joy in their voices.
“Not bad, right?”
It looked like a small, beautiful town straight out of a fantasy movie.
Far smaller than Terra, but more than large enough for passing players.
There was also something warm and cozy about it.
Just looking at it made one’s heart feel at peace.
That’s why so many people settled down here.
The small town on the Fifth Floor was the perfect refuge for cowards who gave up risking their lives to climb higher.
Pine Breeze.
It was probably named after the pine forest surrounding the town.
The fragrant breeze flowing through those trees was surprisingly charming.
Lost in old memories for a moment, Eugene shook his head and continued walking.
“Let’s go inside. There aren’t any monsters here.”
The Fifth Floor existed purely as a place of rest.
There were no monsters.
Not even dangerous wild animals.
There was no need to stay on guard.
“Relax your eyes. Doesn’t it get tiring?”
He was talking to Park Jihoo.
Trying to adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings, the young man kept scanning the area with obvious tension.
“Ah… yes.”
He tried to relax as Eugene suggested.
But his natural instincts refused.
His body remained tense.
No matter how safe the place was, anyone would be nervous somewhere they’d never seen before.
Meanwhile, Isia had relaxed so much she looked like she was about to melt.
“Oh my gosh, isn’t this place gorgeous? Wow, what kind of flowers are these? They smell amazing! I can even smell the pine trees! This village is so beautiful!”
Was she always this talkative?
The Sword Empress from his first life definitely hadn’t been like this.
“Hmm…”
Eugene frowned slightly before dismissing the thought.
He knew exactly why she was so excited.
“Let’s head in.”
Taking in the familiar scenery of Pine Breeze after such a long time, Eugene leisurely walked toward the town.
“Huh? Players?”
“Weren’t they summoned just a few days ago? They already made it here?”
“Wow, it’s true!”
Unlike Terra, there was no identity check.
Instead, they were greeted by the curious stares of the NPCs.
With a population of less than fifty thousand, it was closer to a village than a city.
It almost looked as if every NPC living there had come outside to see them.
Still, there was nothing threatening about it.
Everyone merely watched from a distance.
“I kind of feel like we’re being put on display.”
“That’s because you are.”
“Huh? Why?”
Isia blinked in confusion.
“Well… probably because we’re the first players to make it this far.”
More accurately, they were amazed anyone had reached this floor so quickly.
Eugene didn’t bother explaining that.
If they asked how he knew, he’d have a hard time answering.
“So, what do you want to do? You’ve got three options.”
“What are they?”
“First, rest here for the day and climb to the Sixth Floor tomorrow.”
“I reject that.”
Well, that was expected.
“Second, wash up, rest a little, then head outside.”
“And the third?”
“Leave immediately.”
“Number three! I like number three!”
Park Jihoo nodded vigorously in agreement.
“Figured as much.”
Without stopping, Eugene headed straight toward a certain place.
The plaza at the center of Pine Breeze.
In the middle of the flower-filled square, which radiated a peaceful atmosphere, stood a stone pillar resembling an ancient ruin.
It possessed an unmistakably ancient elegance.
But Eugene was far more interested in the immense mana dwelling within it.
If I can figure out how to manipulate it properly… I think it might actually be possible.
Even after reaching the top of the tower and obtaining the power to kill the Apocalypse itself, Eugene had never fully understood the force contained within the stone pillars standing every five floors.
This time, however, he intended to study them thoroughly.
If used correctly…
He had a feeling they could be used to create something very interesting.
Well, that’s for later.
Feeling the burning gazes behind him, Eugene abandoned the thought and turned around.
“The way to leave is simple. Place your hand on this pillar and pour mana into it.”
At his explanation, Isia bounced excitedly, looking as though she might rush forward immediately.
“You know, right? You can only stay outside for one week.”
“…Is that really true?”
Didascalia had told her the same thing back on the Tutorial Floor.
“Couldn’t we just hide somewhere?”
Maybe tie themselves down so they couldn’t move?
Or ask family and friends to physically stop them from being taken?
“You really think that would work?”
A mocking smile spread across Eugene’s face.
“When you were first summoned here… do you remember how it happened?”
Of course she did.
The instant the Akasha System announced it, she had been summoned without any chance to resist.
Remembering that moment, Isia’s face darkened.
She had hoped there might be some loophole.
There wasn’t.
“Don’t cling to false hope. After exactly one week, you’ll probably return to the tower just like when you were first summoned.”
“…Okay.”
Watching her shoulders slump, Eugene clicked his tongue inwardly.
She’s got a long way to go.
If she was going to be controlled so easily by her emotions…
“Just relax and enjoy your break. A week isn’t long, but it’s more than enough time to rest.”
At his words, Isia nodded.
Emotionally, it would be difficult.
Still, she understood.
“So, who’s going first?”
“Jihoo, you go first.”
Even now, she instinctively looked after the younger Park Jihoo before herself.
That was somewhat admirable.
“Thank you.”
He bowed respectfully to Isia and Eugene before placing his hand on the stone pillar.
Hummmm—
As instructed, he circulated his mana.
A cluster of light flowed from the pillar and wrapped around his body.
Then—
Flash!
He vanished.
He had been transported outside the tower.
Watching that, Isia nervously swallowed and reached out her hand.
“S-See you in a week!”
Was she afraid someone might stop her?
Hurriedly pouring mana into the pillar, she disappeared as well.
“Hmm.”
Left alone, Eugene pondered for a moment.
Should I go? Or not?
There wasn’t really any reason to leave.
But still…
Let’s go.
The last memory Eugene had of the real world from his first life was a wasteland.
Not a single living person remained.
But now…
Things would be different.
“It’s been a while. I might as well go see some people.”
And enjoy some good food while he was at it.
Having made up his mind, Eugene placed his palm against the stone pillar and released his mana.
Hummmmmm—
Flash!
