ALL NOVEL chapter 12
12 – This Can’t Be Happening
“aaah!”
For some reason, a sprint that didn’t feel awkward.
The only relief was that the traps ended once you ran up to the turning point in the maze.
“Heh, huuurgh.”
Compared to the grueling third-floor ordeal that required running that long distance, this trap was a piece of cake. But there was a fact not to be forgotten.
The fourth trial had not even started yet.
“aaah-!”
“Huuiiiigh!”
“Oh, come on, seriouslyyy-!!”
The initial trap was just a teaser, they said.
The maze of the fourth trial incessantly unleashed traps.
The ground sinking suddenly was expected, sometimes arrows would rain down from the walls, and in certain passages, both walls would move, posing the risk of being crushed if not crossed within a limited time.
It would have been better if it were a living monster. Whether avoiding or killing, it would have met its end.
In a maze with no tangible form, constantly battling traps was truly reaching a point where blood ran dry.
Yet, if there was one consolation…
[Strength has increased by 0.1.]
[Strength has increased by 0.1.]
[Mana has increased by 1.]
[Strength…]
Perhaps the wounds from the traps reflected in the rise of strength.
So within the maze, where one couldn’t let their guard down for even a moment.
Advancing while wary of traps, choosing crossroads after careful consideration, retracing steps when the path was blocked, advancing again, lying on the floor for a short nap, repeating for almost five days.
“Huuu.”
[Trial has concluded.]
The fourth trial had come to an end.
The completion reward for the trial was 500 points, the same as the third floor. As there were no monsters, there were no additional points.
[Cleared the trial with brevity.]
[Great achievement. All rewards are doubled.]
[Total reward is 1,000 points.]
The total points now stood at 3,271.
Replenished water and jerky, spent 40 points to buy and devour pizza.
Three days of rest had passed, and there was no way out to the modern world. No matter how persistently Bukju tried to figure out what was going on, there was no answer.
On that morning, after a light meal of white rice, he faced the trial on the fifth floor.
[You have chosen to face the fifth trial.]
Cool wind and the chirping of birds echoed from various places.
Under the dazzling sunlight, Kangwoo, who wrinkled his face, was captivated by the refreshing stream of water that filled his sight.
[Mission: Catch the Golden Fish.]
[Upon completing the mission, the trial will be concluded.]
Suddenly, a golden fish. The moment irritation surged at the unfriendly system’s words,
“I’m here.” As if saying that, a transparent golden fish gracefully swam into view in the clear stream.
“Is it real…?”
Although he doubted his eyes, the fish, sparkling in golden hues, rolled around. It was indeed the ‘Golden Fish’ the system mentioned.
“This can’t be happening.”
Seeing the creature, waving its tail as if asking to be caught, and circling nearby, suspicion arose.
The trial on the fourth floor, a maze. He had wandered like a dog for a whopping five days, just a day ago.
Kangwoo, who had faced the tower according to the rules for four trials, rubbed his eyes. The trial couldn’t be this easy.
“What is it? What could it be?”
His sharp eyes carefully scanned the nearby stream.
“Is there suddenly a landslide? Or is the stream overflowing? Or maybe, is this stream not an ordinary one?”
Contemplating, Kangwoo cautiously dipped his fingertip into the stream.
“…It’s just a stream, isn’t it?”
Is it that people are fascinating, like a graceful goldfish approaching right up to your nose, brushing past?
Although it was a bit suspicious for that guy to be alone in this vast valley water, it didn’t seem like waiting would yield any answers.
Lifting up his pants and securing a shield behind his back with a rope, Kangwoo tightly gripped the staff with both hands.
“Let’s go for it.”
Stealthily.
Carefully placing only the tips of his toes into the valley water, Kangwoo, with no incidents occurring even after some time, began his decisive actions.
“There it is.”
Whether it was due to its lack of wariness or the confidence that it wouldn’t be caught, the golden fish continued to circle around him at a certain distance.
“This is what they call jerky. Want to try some?”
Kangwoo, with a friendly face, gently shook the end of the staff with jerky on it.
The golden fish, cautiously approaching the scent of meat.
“That’s right.”
Kangwoo, with shining eyes, aimed the sharp end of the staff at the golden fish.
“Eek!!”
In response to the pain felt from the heel, Kangwoo let out a scream.
The surprise outweighed the pain from the unexpected attack.
“What the!”
The golden fish had long fled at the loud scream. As Kangwoo searched the surroundings to find the culprit who caused him pain, something strange caught his eye.
“Huh…?”
Until just a while ago, the valley water that was completely empty was now gradually filling with gray fish, appearing one by one.
Around here, aren’t there any fish?
A moment of puzzlement. Kangwoo, observing fish revealing themselves among the rocks that filled the valley floor, nodded in understanding, “So, that’s why they weren’t visible?”
“…Who disturbed the back of my heel?”
Gulp. Once again, an uneasy feeling swept over him.
“…No?”
It was frightening to utter words that evoked déjà vu.
Kyaaa!
Suddenly, hundreds of fish surrounded him, mouths wide open.
“This is ridiculous-!”
PTSD, medical terms like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the widely used term trauma invaded Kangwoo’s mind.
“aaah-!”
Splash.
Pushing through the crazy fish that reminded him of the insane dogs on the first floor, Kangwoo ran towards the land as if possessed.
***
Golden fish swimming smoothly in the valley and carnivorous fish inhabiting the valley.
Kangwoo marveled at their beautiful harmony.
Even if he rushed into them, with hundreds gathering, the eerie grotesqueness was beyond description. With just a small bite, he confidently endured the pain, having developed some resistance even to his own suffering.
The time consumed to clear the trial was a total of 18 hours.
Whether it was the benefit of increased strength or whatever, he endured the pain, venting his frustration by catching and killing fish for quite a while.
Having dispatched a few, now facing those vicious fish that jumped and targeted precious areas, Kangwoo had to carefully revise his plan due to these shameless and ruthless creatures.
Title: Operation Fishing Expedition
Observing those who voraciously devoured their own flesh, it was clear they were individuals well acquainted with the true taste of meat(?).
Kangwoo, having devised a plan, immediately retrieved all the jerky from his backpack.
Splash.
Kyaahhhhh!
The first attempt was a success. As he casually tossed a piece of jerky, the carnivorous fish, as if possessed, momentarily hesitated before starting a jerky looting war, flipping their eyes.
Seeing even the golden fish that had fled in the distance now sneakily poking its head out, Kangwoo knew there would be no more roughness.
Kangwoo tore open three bags of jerky and scattered them all into the stream. It was truly a do-or-die situation!
When the pervasive scent of jerky spread, rendering all the fish temporarily disoriented, Kangwoo swiftly entered the stream. While diverting the attention of those approaching to devour him, he evenly distributed the remaining jerky, ultimately securing a struggling golden fish.
“Waaahhh!!”
It was the result of human victory obtained at the cost of enduring heat without sleep and persistently hanging on.
[Trial Completion Reward: 500 Points]
[Monsters Defeated: 86⨉15 Points]
With achievements doubling the points, the total reward earned on the 5th floor amounted to 3,580 points.
Adding the existing amount, he now possessed a whopping total of 6,683 points.
Having arrived at the safe zone, Kangwoo summoned the Chicken God to console himself for the hardships endured.
[Purchased Half-and-Half Chicken]
[40 Points Deducted]
While admiring the crispy fried coating, he savored yet another victory.
Before long, Kangwoo pushed aside the chicken, leaving only bones, and opened the shop, calming his pounding heart.
Shalalalak.
Ding.
Finally, the time to gear up with loot had come.
***
4th and 5th floors. Kangwoo, having endured two trials, was dazzling on his status screen.
[Name: Choi Kangwoo
Strength: 10.2 → 17.4
Health: 7+(1) → 10+(1)
Agility: 5 → 7
Intelligence: 7
Magic Power: 6+(1) → 9+(1)]
A whopping 17.4 in strength. Considering it was 10.2 after the 3rd-floor trial, this was truly a significant change.
It was a figure worthy of celebration, but transparent tears welled up in Kangwoo’s eyes as he confirmed it.
How much had he endured, received blows, been torn apart, to welcome such a beautiful transformation?
Thanks to that, his health had increased by 3, and as a bonus, his magic power had also risen by 3.
Although there was a noticeable improvement in the speed and scope of healing compared to before due to the considerable numerical changes, it wasn’t significant.
“Hmm…”
Thinking about his specs, Kangwoo, who had been immersed in shopping, carefully selected items within his available points to purchase.
[Alter Magicians’ Basic Mana Ring]
[Wearing increases mana efficiency by 5%. / Additional effect: +2 mana.]
First, an item with a slightly better efficiency than the forgotten witch’s failed bracelet, which was among the bookmarked mana increase items.
It was an item that increased mana by a whopping 2, a bonus effect not present in the witch’s bracelet. However, the price was higher, reaching 6,100 points.
[Necklace with the Blessing of the Saint]
[Wearing increases the efficiency of healing magic by 5%. / Additional effect: +3 intelligence.]
With the only skill being ‘Sacred Touch,’ healing power was an indispensable presence for Gangwoo.
Although the additional effect was a bit disappointing, considering the research results that intelligence is related to the efficiency of mana usage, it wasn’t too bad. Therefore, the necklace’s price was 6,200 points.
And finally…
[Health Belt]
[Wearing increases the healing effect received by the wearer by 8%.]
A neat description with no additional effects. The price was 6,600 points.
Since the percentage effects of the same stat for each item cannot overlap, the Health Belt is known as a cost-effective item that can be used by warriors up to the early 40s.
Even though it’s the lower levels, the amounts that can be obtained are at least from the 20s. Gangwoo found himself in a happy dilemma as he could purchase them in the 5th Safe Zone.
Mana or healing power? Self-healing power?
After much contemplation, Gangwoo finally made a decision.
[You have purchased the Health Belt.]
[6,600 points will be deducted.]
“hahahahaha!”
Kangwoo, gripping the belt with devout hands, burst into hearty laughter.
[Current Points: 43]
In an instant, he became a beggar, but his heart was rich.
Wearing the new item, after a day of ample rest, he spent a meager amount of points to buy three bottles of water (8 points) and two bags of jerky (30 points).
Kangwoo, now transformed into stock with jerky, confidently crossed the door of the 6th-floor trial.
“…Damn?”
Unaware that the diligently upgraded stats and newly purchased items would become utterly useless against the enemy he was about to face.