Solo Max-Level Newbie
Chapter 360: A New Weapon (5)

Chapter 360: A New Weapon (5)

Sssssssssss…

The suckers were rapidly pulled downward.

Naturally, the crown also vanished from sight, swallowed by the sand in an instant.

“Damn it! How could you do something so stupid! Are you out of your mind?!”

“Well, let’s just say it really was a mistake. If it’s that urgent, why don’t you go down there and look for it yourself?”

Crack!

“I’ll remember this incident.”

Kizakiel instantly leaped into the pit.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he couldn’t just give up on the crown.

He had to get his hands on it no matter what.

He couldn’t bear to watch the crown disappear again, possibly for years.

Boom!

A great burst of light followed down into the pit.

“Hmm.”

Jinhyuk watched Kizakiel disappear, a satisfied smile on his lips.

He had gotten rid of one annoyance.

Now, Gabriel would soon catch on to what had happened, so at the very least, he didn’t have to worry about getting stabbed in the back by the muscle-bound angel today.

‘Now, all that’s left is to retrieve the crown…’

Of course, there was no way he’d just give up the top-tier holy artifact he’d obtained through life-and-death struggle just to get rid of Kizakiel.

The problem was…

Not even Kizakiel or he himself knew where the sucker was heading.

Even Hasting couldn’t possibly determine the exact flow of the sucker.

But there was one being.

One being that could perfectly read the flow of the sucker.

Jinhyuk’s gaze landed on Havelian at his side.

“I’m sorry for the mess, but can you help me out just this once?”

“Meow?”

Havelian tilted his head inquisitively.

“That thing I just threw down there. It’s something I urgently need. And the fool who tried to kill you also desperately wants it, so how about it? Want to seize the chance to give that idiot a proper smackdown?”

“Meow!”

Havelian stood up, vigorously swishing its tail back and forth as if to signal agreement.

Such collaboration would have been unthinkable normally.

Indeed, there was value in using ‘Pridwen’ to keep this creature safe.

It was exactly for occasions like this that he’d willingly given up the ‘Crown of Temerity.’

To catch two rabbits at once.

Jump!

Havelian leaped toward the pit.

Kizakiel had entered long before him, but there was no doubt about who would have the last laugh.

No matter how swiftly he moved, he couldn’t obtain the crown before Havelian, who had complete knowledge of the interior.

‘While waiting, I should master this first.’

Jinhyuk focused on the long ice crystal in his hand.

A cold energy spread from his fingertips to his heart.

As delicate control was required, sweat beaded on his forehead.

How much time had passed?

[The crystal has achieved a perfect form!]

Crackle!

The chill flowing from ‘Havelian’s Soul’ was now perfectly contained.

At that moment.

Ding!

[The 19th floor has been conquered!]

[Top contributor: Player Kang Jinhyuk]

[As a reward for the first conquest, you may choose one of three rewards.]

[You have achieved a remarkable feat.]

[This event will be recorded in the ‘Hall of Fame’ for one day!]

1. Coins – You will receive four times more coins than the standard reward.

2. Special Item – You will randomly receive an item that will assist in conquering the 20th floor.

3. Base-related – You will randomly receive an item that will fortify your existing base or aid in conquering a new one.

Three possible rewards to choose from.

“Hmm…”

Jinhyuk carefully examined the rewards.

First, the coins.

‘Four times the coins is definitely tempting.’

With a guaranteed quantity, he could purchase items or put it to other uses as he pleased.

Having ample ammunition meant he could at least meet the average, so to speak.

However, compared to the other two options…

It seemed less promising.

Jinhyuk then considered the second option.

The 20th floor focused on supplies and siege warfare. Something useful there…

That could be a great help too.

Given Kizakiel and the other forces, the reward to bolster a base was also hard to pass up.

“…”

His deliberation stretched longer than usual.

Each option had its merits, so which was right would only be told by future results.

Finally.

“I’ll choose the second.”

Jinhyuk made his decision.

[A hidden reward will be given.]

[Time remaining until unboxing: 1D 23H 59M 59S]

He’d be able to check it in two days.

At the very least, he wouldn’t head to the 20th floor until then.

Then, at that moment.

“Meooow!”

A triumphant roar came from Havelian within the pit.

With all matters here concluded, it was time to return to the outside.

＊＊＊

It had been one day since leaving the tower.

As much as he had frantically raced about, fatigue had accumulated in both body and spirit.

Thus, Jinhyuk intended to enjoy a much-needed rest.

His chosen destination was an escape room cafe in Hongdae.

Elise’s eyes sparkled brightly.

“Wow! Is this the place famous among humans that I’ve heard so much about?”

“Yeah. Yeonhwa and Taemin made the reservation. They insisted I bring you along, repeatedly reminding me?”

“That sounds like a thoughtful child. It was the first time I had a personal meeting with the two of them, but the conversation was very satisfying.”

“Ah, right. You met with them yesterday, didn’t you?”

Suddenly, she had said she needed to go out last night.

Elise recalled hastily dashing out of the hotel late at night.

“That, that’s right. It was just that they are acquaintances of my contractor and I also had many questions about this era, so I sought some advice. It’s nothing wrong, is it?”

“Right. I told you to rest as much as you want, so whatever you do is your choice.”

“Sigh.”

She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Unbeknownst to Jinhyuk, Elise’s mind was racing through the extensive strategy session from the previous night.

-‘Sis. Do you like Jinhyuk?’

With a sly smile, Yeonhwa had thrown the question out of the blue.

Naturally, Elise quickly denied it, but couldn’t escape the sharp eyes of Yeonhwa, well-versed in modern love.

After a day full of family honor and pride, vying for power, and grappling with egos.

When it came to romantic feelings, she was as green as they come.

-‘But listen. I’ll tell you how to break through that iron wall.’

-‘It might seem obvious, but the basics are what matter most. Especially since you, Elise, seem oblivious to even that much.’

Yeonhwa and Lee Taemin.

The advice from the two of them followed.

They elaborately explained why they’d reserved a ‘horror’ theme escape room and how it could firmly catch someone’s heart.

And that suggestion.

Sounded quite reasonable to Elise.

Armed with a fragile and delicate image, quite unlike her usual self.

She had donned heirlooms handed down through the Ataraxian family and even crammed a quick course through popular YouTube channels.

But then.

She had prepared so diligently, and yet!

“…?”

A blue-haired girl was standing next to Jinhyuk.

It was the homunculus named Preinze, whom she had also met in the Sands of the Sun.

“What is this one doing here?”

“Huh? Who are you asking about? Preinze, you know…”

“I know who she is!”

Elise clenched her fist.

Her silver hair bristled.

“But, why are you angry about it?”

“I thought it would just be the two of us!”

Ah. Just the two of us?

That must be the important point.

Now he understood why Elise was angry.

Thinking about it, if they were going to share the ‘Yoogwaja Bingsu’ they were planning to have later, it might be a bit scarce for more than two people.

After all, it’s so delicious, and they only make 50 bowls a day, no wonder she was feeling possessive.

Nodding in agreement, Jinhyuk understood.

And witnessing his reaction.

Snap.

A string in Elise’s mind snapped.

“You idiot!”

Elise’s fist swept through the air.

＊＊＊

[The Cabin Where The Moon Vanished]

A terrifying theme with a five-star difficulty, five-star horror rating.

As frightening as a horror movie, this room required coordination, and there was a rumor that any couple with a budding romance who entered would certainly end up together.

That’s why Yeonhwa had strongly recommended it.

‘Alright, stay calm. It’s not over yet.’

Elise steadied her breathing.

She’d memorized every trap and hidden passage in this room.

She hadn’t spent all of yesterday learning the layout for nothing.

A gloomy room thick with cobwebs.

Creeeeak…

An eerie noise assaulted their ears.

The atmosphere turned cold as if a maniac with a saw was about to enter the cabin.

“Contractor…”

In an awkward tone and expression, Elise tightly grabbed Jinhyuk’s sleeve.

“I am… frightened. This place is…”

Her eyes, invoking protective instincts, and her huddled frame were key elements.

But…

“Don’t lie. You wouldn’t even blink if a whole tribe of ogres came rushing in, so what could possibly scare you here? Ah, unless a dragon’s egg or one of the divine beings manifested here. Actually, even then, they would probably be too scared to approach you.”

“Hey.”

“Hm…?”

“Do you want to die?”

Words she didn’t mean slipped out.

Despite having a few more crucial moments planned, no significant progress followed.

If anything, the stoic steps of Prein, who moved about indifferently, only served to turn Elise’s stomach.

“No, Prein. That’s not how you do it. Look, see here. This lock needs to be moved to the left three times.”

“Lock… left three times. Okay, got it.”

Jinhyuk patiently explained, side by side with Prein.

Seeing their hands occasionally brush against one another, thick veins popped on Elise’s forehead.

“I… I don’t know how to solve this either. Do I just turn it to the left like this?”

Elise grumbled as she struggled to turn a round lock.

But Jinhyuk, busy explaining to Prein, didn’t hear Elise’s pleas.

“Contractor! Am I not talking to you?!”

“Just try turning it left. Or just do the opposite for good measure.”

“Left… three… times…”

Crack!

Snap!

The metal lock began to crumple like paper.

“Mocking me with your left three times nonsense!”

Simultaneously.

Whoosh!

Pools of thick blood began to gather around Elise.

“Elise? Have you lost your mind? Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? You’re the one who wanted to come here, singing its praises.”

“Forget it. Just forget it all. Just…”

An overwhelming magical power engulfed the entire escape room cafe.

“Die, you idiot!”

A massive blaze erupted throughout the building.