Solo Max-Level Newbie
Chapter 356: A New Weapon (1)

Chapter 356. A New Weapon (1)

A new ruler was determined for the Crown of Heresy, and a war of powers initiated by Olympus, the dominant force of the upper floors. These two issues heated up the entire Tower with excitement and discussions. Already tense with an atmosphere similar to the eve of a storm, the tension now exploded into full-scale conflict.

“How is the situation unfolding?”

A beautiful angel with sublime features broke the silence.

Gabriel.

She was responsible for overseeing this investigation on behalf of ‘Eden.’

Responses to Gabriel’s inquiry flowed in from all around.

“Olympus has officially launched an invasion on the 41st floor. If previously they engaged in localized skirmishes where their influences overlap, now a large-scale total war has erupted simultaneously across the region.”

The Greek ‘Olympus’ and the Nordic ‘Ragnarok’ had embarked on a life-or-death battle as of yesterday.

“The Aesir of Ragnarok are responding, but the difference in military power is too vast.”

“We have already lost five key outposts. Even access to Jotunheim has been blocked. If this continues, it may well be…”

Jotunheim, one of the highest-level ruins on the 41st floor. The fact that even the heartland is now within reach reflects the one-sided nature of the power imbalance.

Clearly, Olympus came prepared for battle without a doubt.

“The balance could be destroyed.”

Gabriel looked at the status window with a grave expression. Even at this moment, flames and storms of ice ravaged around, extinguishing numerous lives.

Just then.

“Archangel, aren’t we going to join the battle?”

A muscular angel with large wings spoke out.

Kizakiel.

As a battle angel, he specialized in pulverizing enemies at the front lines.

Inherently belligerent and feared by friends and foes alike due to his cruel nature.

Blood’s Judgment.

This could have been an epithet to describe Kizakiel.

“Do you think the commander of our combat troops should join the war between these two powers?”

“Maintaining balance within the Tower is both divine law and our mission, is it not? Surely we must strike down those who disrupt the order on the upper floors.”

Kizakiel emanated a tremendous fighting spirit, materializing flames that engulfed his entire body.

The overwhelming magical power made the other angels take a step back.

“Just give the order, and I will extinguish those sacrilegious factions, then bring back the head of that human, Gang Jinhyuk, along with the crown.”

It was problematic enough to subdue the two powers, but securing the Crown of Heresy was also crucial.

Eden also wanted to collect all the crowns and attempt the 50th floor once more.

However.

“We’ve made a certain contract with him. At least until that item is secured, avoid any conflicts with him, whatever the reason.”

The Necronomicon, the exploration journal of the 50th floor.

At the moment, this book was more important than the crown.

With enough dedication from Eden, the crown could be secured by any means…

But no matter how hard they tried, that book eluded capture.

“There must be something I’m not aware of. Got it. If that’s the will of the Archangel…”

Kizakiel bit his lip, displeased.

He couldn’t openly express dissatisfaction.

No matter how much he led thousands of angels in battle, he couldn’t defy Gabriel’s command.

“And.”

Before leaving, Gabriel added one more thing.

“Don’t forget to secure the Guide.”

“Are you referring to that human, Fesis?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Among the various Guides in the Tower, Fesis was the one who stood out the most.

‘We must recruit him to our side.’

While Fesis preferred to travel alone making contact difficult, they had to create an opportunity.

At the very least, they had to find someone who had made contact with him.

＊＊＊

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Having sent the group ahead outside the Tower, Jinhyuk was vigorously digging through the sand.

There were two ways to conquer the 19th floor:

Either defeat the boss monster traditionally or find a hidden place and secure the relic inside.

Jinhyuk chose the latter.

“Hmm.”

Jinhyuk scratched his chin.

Even with the map from Uasis, due to the shifting nature of Usas, pinpointing the exact location of the room where the weapon was stored wasn’t easy.

He only had a general idea based on memory.

The rest relied on animal instincts and grueling physical labor.

‘Thanks to that, I’ve been busily shoveling sand for over 12 hours.’

More precisely…

“Huff. Huff. Huff.”

“I’m going… to die, Master.”

“I’d rather you kill me. Even as a specter, I wouldn’t dare attack you.”

“Everyone quiet down. My head hurts.”

Jinhyuk was supervising those diligently working in his stead.

The scene resembled a massive construction site.

Elementals, sweaty and busy, were nonstop in their search for the hidden room.

“Come on, guys. No whining, and let’s muster up a bit more strength. We’re almost there. I really feel it this time!”

“Master, it has already been 12 hours since you’ve said you feel it.”

Undine screamed in anguish.

Her little arms shook as if straining under the fatigue.

But.

“So?”

“Huh?”

“Does our Undine find my request too displeasing and intolerable to bear?”

“That’s not it… It’s just that even elementals need at least a short break after an hour of work, right? Right, everyone?”

Summoning courage, Undine appealed for support from the other elementals.

As if to back her up, the elementals eagerly nodded their heads.

“Right. If it’s that hard, you should take a break.”

“Really?”

“Yes, so rest. Thoroughly.”

Jinhyuk smiled slyly and summoned ‘Hellfire.’

“For eternity.”

Undine’s water started to simmer under the menacing flames.

“Eek! I’ll work. I’ll work hard.”

“Everyone work like dogs. Quick!”

“Work. Let’s work.”

The worksite sprang back into frenzied motion.

Right then.

“Hold on. Wait a minute.”

Jinhyuk pulled out a teapot and poured out a blue-tinted liquid with a glug, glug, glug.

A tea brewed with a single lowest-grade magic stone, served cold with a few ice cubes – a cheap energy drink concocted to stave off fatigue.

“Before we start, everyone take a sip of this. It should relieve some of the tiredness.”

“Ma-Master…”

“Thank you…”

“We never expected you to prepare this for us…”

Tears glistened in everyone’s eyes.

This is why you shouldn’t pamper your workers too much.

It’s best to exploit them without mercy regularly, instilling fear, and when they’re on the brink, toss them a withered carrot as a reward.

‘There’s a reason why the ‘bad boy’ appeal is fatal.’

With the elementals’ complaints briefly placated, Jinhyuk returned to considering the likely location of the room.

＊＊＊

The Usas, moving at 10 km/h.

Humidity at 17.5%.

The corridor had tilted by 1.5 degrees from a recent fight with a hound, so this too needed to be factored into the calculation.

There were dozens of variables, but Jinhyuk had unearthed relics under far worse conditions.

“Dig at the second tunnel on the left there. Yes, follow that path next.”

“This spot? The gnomes said it’s empty.”

Even the earth elemental was puzzled, feeling no vibration through the ley lines.

Despite that, Jinhyuk, driven by instinct and experience, led the excavation efforts.

‘We’re nearly there.’

He could sense the summit was near.

The real challenge awaited after finding the room…

‘We’ll struggle with the traps and guardians inside with our current strength.’

He needed a powerful ally to breach the traps.

But just then.

Woosh!

The space around Jinhyuk warped.

[A higher deity partially manifests!]

Flashes of red alerts flickered on the status window.

“Who is it…”

His curiosity wasn’t left hanging for long.

A familiar figure emerged, cutting through the warped space.

Berial.

One of the Demon Kings of the demon world had materialized on the 19th floor of the Tower.

However, as a full manifestation was too burdensome, his form was significantly reduced in size.

About the same as Elise.

Berial, fluttering his diminutive demon wings, laboriously perched on Jinhyuk’s shoulder.

“Huff. Huff. Huff. Damn it. Moving with a soul speck like this nearly kills me.”

Berial panted like a chipmunk.

“Why come all the way here? This doesn’t seem like a good holiday spot. Here of all places.”

“Eeek! Why do you think! Weren’t you the one who agreed to become my apostle? Yet, you’ve been dodging the responsibility, so I had to come here personally!”

Ah…

It seems there was such a promise.

He vaguely remembered receiving a few telepathic messages but had dismissed them, forgetfully.

“Ah, Black Apostle. Of course, I remembered.”

“Don’t lie!”

“No, really. I’ve been exploring information related to the demon world and preparing myself for the conversion, you know?”

Berial’s momentum softened slightly at Jinhyuk’s words.

“Then… are you saying you’ll make a contract with me now?”

“I really want to, but I can’t make a contract with you. Not just yet.”

“If this is another baseless excuse…”

“Gunthafar.”

Jinhyuk uttered a single word.

A deity with whom he had developed hostility from the Fort of Giants and was now openly hostile.

He had even met the deity’s true form at the auction house of the gods.

“He threatened me recently. He said if I made a contract with you, he would kill everyone associated with my territories, including using the relic given by the Demon King. So there was nothing I could do.”

“Would he wield Kabalardo’s Sword just to stop you from becoming the Black Apostle? To prevent such a small matter?”

“I must be that much of a thorn in his side.”

Although it was a given, this was a lie.

However, Berial had no way of verifying it.

Communications between divinities and players were impossible for other divinities to intercept.

“Besides, my relations with Ragnarok and Olympus of the Nordic divinities are strained. You know, I’m entangled with various interests.”

“…I’ve heard about those two factions.”

“It’s only if I become stronger and can obtain a relic capable of resisting Kabalardo’s Sword that I can contract with you without harming the demon world.”

“Hmm. There’s not entirely a lack of rationale. If you grow stronger, even Gunthafar won’t be able to scheme behind our backs.”

Berial seemed slightly convinced, nodding his head.

“In that spirit, help me out a bit.”

“Hm?”

“I have to go into a troublesome place soon, but I got involved in a big fight earlier and sent my companions outside.”

To conquer this area…

…I need a solid tank.