Solo Max-Level Newbie
Chapter 358: A New Weapon (3)

Chapter 358: A New Weapon (3)

“Please, come in.”

With Hastings’ permission, the air distorted.

Kwoong!

The being that revealed itself with a heavy step was none other than an angel.

It was Kizakiel.

“It has been a while. Supreme Administrator.”

It was a high-ranking spiritual being from Eden who had approached Hastings’ domain.

“Ha-ha. I can hardly recall how long it has been since we last met.”

“The last time I met you, you were still a mid-level administrator.”

“That’s right. At the time, Kizakiel, you were but a lowly angel, not the warrior chief.”

A meeting after tens of thousands of years.

Administrators had that little contact with the residents inside the tower.

It was common sense, and it was the rule.

“Mr. Panem, you may leave. It looks like we need to have a serious talk now.”

“Ah, yes, understood.”

Panem quickly disappeared out the door.

“You did well to find this place. Officially, this spot is unknown to the residents.”

“I employed my own means. I’m asking for your understanding since the matter is of great importance.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Hastings gestured for Kizakiel to take a seat.

Some cold wine, cheese, and bread made with butter only obtained from the 40th floor was served.

“I assume you are well aware of the current situation. The power struggles, or issues concerning the ownership of crowns.”

“Of course. The Management Bureau monitors everything that happens in the tower.”

“Then, what are your thoughts on a player who just entered the tower now owning one of the most honored relics?”

“Surely… I believe that an object’s owner should be worthy of its caliber. Wouldn’t Eden agree with that stance?”

Kizakiel’s expression hardened further.

“That is not the case. Gabriel… told us not to touch him under any circumstances, having formed a contract with that human.”

“You must be joking. Did one of the great archangels of the celestial realm speak such irresponsible words…”

Hastings let out an exaggerated gasp.

“It was hard to believe, but it is true. And such laxity directly violates the divine laws. If those above will not act, then I believe I must step in.”

“I see. Your grave tone does convey the seriousness. So, what do you require of me?”

“Simply inform me of the current location of Kang Jinhyuk. I will handle the rest personally.”

Kizakiel drew a shining white lance from thin air.

The sacred relic ‘Joshua’s Horn’.

One of the strongest sacred relics of Eden, capable of destroying fortresses, appeared.

“An attack that can reach the lower floors is possible only once. But.”

Yes.

Once is more than enough.

A single blow from the ‘Joshua’s Horn,’ with an absolute judgement effect, equalled Zeus’s ‘Astrapai.’

It meant that, as a single-target strike, it was among the highest ranked.

“That is… quite an interesting offer.”

Hastings’ lips twisted with a hint of intrigue.

The perfect timing.

A pivotal card arrived, capable of getting rid of the leech that wore out its welcome.

＊＊＊

Kwaang!

Another gateway crumbled with a massive explosion.

“Ha, ha… Haah….”

Battered and wounded, Beriel staggered into the air.

It was somehow pitiful to see smoke trailing from his wings.

This is why arrogance should not be wielded carelessly.

“Wow, I didn’t think you’d really break through all these traps. The real Devil King sure is something.”

“Ha-ha… me, the body… it is no accident that I am called the strongest in the demonic realm… if I just put my mind to it…”

Beriel’s words were cut short.

Kwaang!

A massive iron ball appeared with the void space, hitting him squarely on the head.

“…Cough.”

Beriel lost his balance and wobbled through the air.

He had let his guard drop, seeing the exit in reach.

The surprise blow to the back of the head certainly contributed to the hit.

The vanishing doppelganger.

With magic power depleted, it intended to return to the demon realm from whence it came.

“Ah…!”

I forgot to mention it.

I neglected to recall that the last gateway had this trap.

Let me say it again – this was a pure mistake.

It was by no means an attempt to escape the pressure to become a dark apostle.

Jinhyuk managed his twitching lips, watching Beriel with determined calm.

“As regretful as I am that we can’t see it through to the end, I’ll never forget the help you gave me today.”

“Y-you… I’m sure you saw where the sphere was going to drop…”

“It was a mistake. Just then, a housefly buzzed by.”

“You… heartless creature.”

Recapturing his breath, Beriel wheezed sharply.

“You truly ought to become a devil. You have more aptitude than anyone else.”

And with those final words.

Beriel’s duplicate crumbled to dust.

‘A devil, huh…?’

The notion seemed intriguing.

If I opted for the third class change to be that, I’d forever become an enemy to Eden, but the sheer thrill of that choice could not be experienced by taking any other path.

However, that was not a matter for my current considerations.

Clashes between powers or a third class change could wait months to ponder over.

‘Let’s lighten the load of what I need first.’

Before entering, Jinhyuk remembered he had a shopping list to attend to.

Entering the ‘Coin Exchange,’ Jinhyuk swiftly scooped up items.

-Caramel Milk Powder 1kg – 1,000 coins

-Perennial Glacier Stone 1 piece – 30,000 coins

-Autol River Catnip 1 sack – 2,500 coins

-Twin Ladybugs 100 pieces – 10,000 coins

Good.

With that, he had everything he needed.

Jinhyuk stepped forward.

He had breached all ten gateways, leaving just one last.

Now he must rely on himself, not Beriel’s help.

With a clunk, the final door opened.

[Entering the 11th Gateway ‘Havellian’s Nest’.]

A breath of something washed over him.

A long body of about 7 meters, covered with white claw fur, resembling a mustelid family creature.

Havellian.

It was a spirit beast that, like Pentergris, resided in the tower.

“Kyao.”

Havellian growled lowly upon discovering the intruder, expressing its disposition toward the reckless one who had entered its domain.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t come to harm you.”

Jinhyuk raised his hands, signaling he meant no harm.

He was here merely to secure the ‘crystal’ inside the nest, not to fight Havellian.

Of course, even the most docile spirit beast wouldn’t take kindly to an intruder in its inner chamber.

“Kyao!”

As Jinhyuk stood his ground, Havellian rose from its lying position.

Along with that…

Kukukuku!

A white frosty wind began to howl.

The attribute of extreme cold.

True to an ice-wielding spirit beast, the temperature around transformed completely.

The heat and aridity of the place seemed a distant memory.

It’s coming.

Jinhyuk readied himself.

Paang!

Ice blades, sharp as knives, surged toward him.

Seven from the front, a frontal attack centered on speed.

[Lv18 ‘Glacial Sculpture’ activates!]

Following Jinhyuk’s fingertips, white crystals began to form.

The key was processing speed.

In other words, how quickly and flawlessly he could neutralize Havellian’s ice magic.

Kwakwakwang!

Fourteen ice strands collided mid-air.

Perfectly, without an inch of discrepancy.

“Kyao!?”

Havellian’s frame flinched slightly.

Its unbeatable strike that had ended all invaders thus far had been nullified.

However, the surprise was brief.

“Kyao!”

Patsuc!

An enchanting radiance formed at the corners of its mouth.

Power, far stronger than before, condensed within.

A breath akin to a dragon’s, unique to spirit beasts.

Naturally, taking such a thing head-on would only add a statue of ice to the nest.

‘Glacial Sculpture’

Jinhyuk poured out magic power without reserve.

The timing, might, and the force at which it hit.

Snow and ice clashed madly.

‘The Sword of Heaven.’

The ice strand from the sky…

‘The Sword of Earth.’

…and the strand rising from the earth collided into one.

A fearsome chill swallowed Havellian whole.

However, within the ice, the breath continued to rupture.

Kukukuku!

Both swords held Havellian for less than a second.

Its resistance to magic attributes was absurdly high.

‘I never expected to stop it with this.’

An ephemeral gap.

[‘Barrier of Harsh Cold’ activates!]

A shield of ice bearing runes appeared before Jinhyuk.

Like a lone mountain rising in the tundra.

A wall was formed to counter the breath.

At that moment…

The breath was unleashed.

Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!

The impact was immense.

The breath pounded directly atop the shield.

“Kuk!”

The ‘Gap’ and ‘Adaptive’ stats writhed insanely.

Muscles screamed in shock.

Just a little longer.

Just need to hold on a bit more.

The breath wouldn’t last forever.

“Kukukuk…!”

Proving his thoughts true.

The breath that seemed unending abated.

…Now!

Jinhyuk swiftly pulled out items from the void inventory he had purchased.

“Kyao?”

Havellian’s puzzlement returned as it watched Jinhyuk’s abrupt actions.

Instead of weapons, he had pulled out an array of food ingredients, a sight perplexing enough to bewilder anyone.

[‘Caramel Milk Powder 1kg’ combines with ‘Perennial Glacier Stone’.]

The finely cut ice began to glitter.

Enriched by the magic from the breath, it diffused into the atmosphere.

A strange fragrance permeated the area.

“Kyao…?”

Intrigued by the scent it had never encountered, Havellian unconsciously twitched its tail.

＊＊＊

‘This must be mouthwatering.’

Jinhyuk chuckled.

The ingredients he acquired each had significant appeal, but combined, they created immense synergy.

Especially once the unique magic from ‘Breath’ infused the mixture, crafting a delicacy irresistibly craved by Havellian.

And with the help of the skill ‘Otherworld Dining’, optimized cooking was achieved, making it impossible for any spiritual beast to resist the concoction, even if they fed solely on dew.

Needless to say, the ‘Mentra Taming’ and ‘Empathy’ skills played their part in dissolving such steely vigilance.

“Kyao~!”

Havellian, drawn by the scent, approached the freshly prepared shaved ice.

Its tail wildly thrashed in anticipation.

Still harboring a sliver of wariness, it hadn’t altogether let go of its defenses yet.

That final glass shield…

Lap.

Melted away like cotton candy the moment its tongue touched the shaved ice.

“…!!”

Havellian buried its head in the shaved ice.

Devouring it so fast it seemed to disappear, one might wonder if that’s what was meant by the saying.

‘I can finally secure the crystal without rush.’

Jinhyuk looked toward the nest’s center.

The crystal shone with an indescribable light.

At long last, it was time to resolve the last matter at the core of the Sun Sphere.