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Chapter 252




Chapter 252
Chapter 252 60 days (3)
“Ahem…”
It felt like his lungs were full of hot air. Yoon-seok coughed continuously, flustered by the sensation of something unknown inside him. He felt something was out of place.
“…Yoon-seok?”
It was the same for Cheon-ma earlier, and this too. They were both beautiful women with their unique charms. Therefore, no matter how Yoon-seok acted, he was aware that they were the opposite sex. But he had never been distracted in front of them like now.
’What’s wrong with me?’
Yoon-seok couldn’t help but notice the changes in his body, but the reason was unknown. Yet if he were to guess…
‘Was I just blocking it all this time…?’
It might have been a natural thing. The stats he possessed were enough to be called supernatural. In short, an early-twenties body during its prime. In addition, due to New Human, he even gained fertility capable of surpassing race…
Above all, the extreme duel environment must have played a big role in allowing him to move past his trauma.
“…Are you okay?”
“Yes. Please don’t mind it.”
Yoon-seok slowly pushed her hand from his forehead.
“More than that, I wanted to check the power I gained this time.”
“Oh, that? Hold on a second.”
Can admins do things like this? Elle paused as if concentrating on something, and a system window popped up in front of Yoon-seok a moment later.
*Howling Storm – Sucks in everything around you by giving the weapon in use the storm attribute. The impact increases in proportion to magic consumption.
Yoon-seok closed his eyes and focused. Since he was aware of what power it was, having seen it in the battle, the method of use was also simple.
Whoooooosh-!
He didn’t even need time to adjust to the power like before. The moment he concentrated and summoned his magic with a clear will, a black whirlwind swirled from his sword. Yoon-seok smiled at this new power in his body.
On the other hand, Elle freaked out.
“N-No!”
Her furniture was breaking and falling into the vortex. Although Yoon-seok hurriedly pulled back his magic… the house was already a mess.
“…I’m sorry.”
“…No, it’s my fault for not telling you to be careful after giving you a new toy.”
She said there was no need to be sorry, but was it just him who felt like he was indirectly criticized? Yoon-seok felt like he’d become a naughty kid.
“I’ll clean up.”
“…Let’s do it together.”
Yoon-seok and Elle cleaned the messy cabin. Contrary to what he was worried about, Elle seemed fine that her precious home had become like this. No, she seemed rather happy.
“Yoon-seok is kind.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
“You’re helping me with housework.”
“No, this isn’t housework. I made a mess, so of course I…”
“Hehe. Don’t be shy.”
Elle gave him a knowing smile. Embarrassed, Yoon-seok avoided her gaze.
“So, where do I put this?”
“The top shelf, please!”
Was it because he spent a lot of time with her? She seemed to be having a lot of fun.
He cleaned up the messy cabin, savored the sweet tea Elle prepared and even took a rest. So it slowly became time to leave.
“Then, have a safe trip!”
“…Okay.”
Elle seemed a little disappointed to hear that he was leaving, but she didn’t say anything to hold him back. Yoon-seok felt more ashamed about the send-off.
Upon returning, Ashton’s office came into view. Ashton was sitting at his desk reviewing documents, and Lee Soo-yeon ate snacks with her feet up on the sofa in front of him.
“You’re here.”
“Wow, so you did come.”
He also heard this from Elle just now. Suddenly, he thought he failed to return their trust, but he had nothing to say because Lee Su-yeon was also involved.
“…”
When Yoon-seok went silent, Lee Su-yeon smiled, shrugged, and looked to Ashton.
“I told you, didn’t I? He won’t say anything the minute he gets here.”
“…I lost this time.”
Ashton nodded and threw something at Lee Su-yeon. It was a card.
“…It’s my treat, so please refrain from buying anything too expensive.”
“Okay.”
The two of them made a bet? Rather than feeling pissed, Yoon-seok became curious. Even though Lee Su-yeon won, what would Ashton get if he had instead? He wanted to ask, but Yoon-seok decided to let it go.
“Why are you so self-conscious? It’s not like you. Come sit.”
He kept her waiting for ten days, left her unattended for another five, and went to visit Cheon-ma first. Nevertheless, contrary to expectation, Lee Su-yeon didn’t seem upset.
’I don’t think she’s normally like this…’
If it were her usual, Lee Su-yeon would’ve made a series of jokes that would criticize him even if she wasn’t serious. So Yoon-seok braced himself on his way to Earth. But why was she so calm?
Yoon-seok felt more anxious.
“I told you to relax; why are you still like that? There’s no way I would get mad at you.”
’Why did she become so generous?’
Yoon-seok sat comfortably as he was told, even though he still doubted. Then, the smile disappeared from Lee Su-yeon’s face.
“I was worried.”
“…?”
“It’s a relief that you’re safe…”
It wasn’t a trick to make him lower his guard. No, of course, she would have been worried. Didn’t it happen while he was trying to save her? She must have felt responsible…
At the same time, she must’ve felt disillusioned after discovering herself feeling happy to survive. It was an instinct to pursue life.
“Please don’t do that next time.”
“…”
“Please answer me properly.”
“Okay.”
Yoon-seok reluctantly replied to Lee Su-yeon’s desperate look. Then Lee Su-yeon let the expression vanish. An awkward air swirled around the room, and Ashton stepped forward as if to change the mood.
“Then, I want to hear what happened to you…”
Ashton cleared the table and sat on the sofa after finishing his paperwork. Yoon-seok recited almost exactly what he told Cheon-ma.
“Penalty… it’s a disaster for challengers. I’ll find out if any other challengers have experienced something similar.”
Unlike Cheon-ma, who showed great interest in the Tower’s center, Ashton and Lee Su-yeon prioritized the penalty more. It was a natural response as a challenger. All skills are sealed, and points couldn’t be obtained. Plus, it was even impossible to challenge other trials, and it lasted over two months.
“…”
As he carefully shifted his gaze to the side, he could see Lee Su-yeon’s darkened face. She was biting her lips nervously.
“It’s not your fault.”
“You’re throwing away two months because of me.”
Two months. That time was more valuable than gold for a challenger. Not to mention if it was an irreplaceable challenger like Yoon-seok.
“I’ll take this opportunity to take a break.”
“But…!”
While other rankers were growing stronger, Yoon-seok would stagnate. But this wasn’t an individual loss. The fate of Earth was at stake because of Yoon-seok’s move.
“I’m telling you this in advance, but I don’t think this situation is bad. Thanks to the penalty, I got a skill that I liked from the Skillbook.”
“Skill?”
While at it, Yoon-seok also explained and emphasized the b Transcendental Muscles} he obtained. It was a blessing in disguise, giving him the means to protect himself from the Tower’s tyranny.
And he might not have acquired it if it weren’t for the penalty. As Yoon-seok spent longer talking about the importance of b Transcendental Muscles}, Ashton and Lee Su-yeon’s expressions changed.
“Wait, Yoon-seok… can you tell us about Injection Muscle again?”
“Raising muscle strength stats? To Rank SS…?”
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The two showed greater interest in Injection Muscle than the other effects.
“But the conditions are a bit weird…”
That was putting it mildly. They were awful.
“On top of that, the durability stats have to exceed Rank A…”
“Uh, my durability stats are low, but it’s A.”
“…?”
“It may be a selfish request to take two months of your time, but please.”
Lee Su-yeon jumped up from her seat and bowed with a serious look, asking him to punch her stomach.
This flustered Yoon-seok; it was a natural reaction as a challenger when he thought about it. Could they build their muscle strength without using any points just from suffering a little bit? If other challengers had such skills, even Yoon-seok would have visited them. Challengers would sell their souls to the devil if they could be strong.
“You know my Unique Skill, right? It’s the only way to solve my weaknesses.”
Lee Su-yeon had four Unique Skills, and the core of them was b Flexibility}. This Unique Skill let her purchase an upgrade in agility at half the price and, in return, tripled the price for muscle strength. Thanks to this, Lee Su-yeon had high agility but no strength, so she had no choice but to stick to her assassin fighting methods.
“Because of that, my muscle strength is still only at Rank A. But if I can raise it to Rank SS…”
Lee Su-yeon trailed off. Yoon-seok didn’t need to listen to the rest. If she overcame that weakness, Lee Su-yeon would be stronger than now.
’If that happens, she might be able to come up to the 25th floor on her own…’
Yoon-seok’s gaze shifted. He was proud of Lee Soo-yeon, who was ready to overcome her weakness even if she had to put everything aside. That’s what a challenger should do.
Come to think of it; he didn’t have to hit her. So, Yoon-seok relaxed and threw a casual punch.
But were they not going to tolerate such tricks?
「The minimum amount of damage was not met.」
Yoon-seok slowly raised the level. However, the minimum amount of damage required was much higher than expected.
Punchhhhhh-!
Lee Su-yeon flew back like a paper kite.
“Gasp!”
She coughed blood and let out a pained moan.
“Did it work this time…?”
“I think not because I don’t see the message…?”
“Alright, then… please, continue.”
“But it’s a lot more…”
“I’m fine.”
“…”
“Please. I don’t want to be a burden anymore.”
Even talking seemed difficult for her, but Lee Su-yeon’s eyes were full of spirit. Perhaps the helplessness she felt in the last duel served as its source.
’Yes, it would be rude for me to keep hesitating.’
Lee Su-yeon was a decent challenger. Furthermore, she suffered the unique phenomenon of turning back to save this world.
Punchh! Punchh! Punchh!
Her life wasn’t in danger since she was periodically healed with {Divine Ultimatum}. But the pain didn’t disappear.
Lee Su-yeon, who at first desperately held back her screams for worry Yoon-seok’s mind would change, couldn’t help the groans leaking from her lips after a certain point. But Yoon-seok didn’t stop, and Lee Su-yeon didn’t tell him to stop.
Punchh! Punchh! Punchh!
「Due to the effect of Injection Muscle, the target’s strength stat has permanently increased by +1.」
「Due to the effect of Injection Muscle, the target’s strength stat has permanently increased by +1.」
「Due to the effect of Injection Muscle, the target’s strength stat has permanently increased by +1.」
「Due to the effect of Injection Muscle, the target’s strength stat has permanently increased by +1.」
“…”
“…”
Yoon-seok and Lee Su-yeon, passionately training day and night, stopped. Yoon-seok was relatively fine, but Lee Su-yeon’s appearance was completely different. Should he say that she seemed like a barbarian?
“…”
Her clothes and hair… rather, every inch of her was covered with blood and grime. But that wasn’t the biggest change.
“…”
Gaze. Yeah, her gaze changed. Lee Su-yeon’s eyes were already those of a warrior’s. She was brimming with confidence and determination.
“…Oppa, you’re cheap.”
Yoon-seok smiled at the sudden remark. Wasn’t she smiling too brightly?
“You’re so mean. I can’t believe you were the only one who knew this.”
Lee Su-yeon asked to confirm.
“Isn’t that right?”
Clenchhhhhhh.
She crushed an iron bar used for construction exposed through the dug-up wall with her bare hands.
“This is what it feels like to be strong, right?”
Yoon-seok didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. As he turned away silently, he heard something clattering behind him.
Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-.
It was the sound of the bent rebar falling to the ground.