Chapter 167  

Although it was only the Tower of Heaven’s second floor, the group charged forward with unparalleled vigor. Yoo Jin-Hyuk's summoned demonic beast, Kong, was acting as a sturdy tank that cleared the path before them.

‘This is like an ass wearing a lion's skin.’

Yu-Seong and his companions ran out with such excitement that they felt like foxes riding on a lion's back. It was so satisfying to watch the skeletons bounce off of Kong in all directions, like bowling pins struck by a perfect strike, that they didn't even have time to feel the tedium of the journey.

Of course, there were still obstacles to overcome. Midway through the path, three or four forks in the path appeared. Skeletons also appeared from all sides, adding to the confusion of the path. Moreover, there were instances where they had to engage in direct combat.

However, during such times, they didn't ponder deeply about their path choice.

"Straight ahead! Go straight ahead no matter what!"

When uncertain, choosing to advance straight ahead was a decision that held true for both men and women alike. Following Yu-Seong's lead, the group charged ahead to pursue Kong, the demonic beast that resembled a tank.

As they progressed, the weakest link in their party became apparent as Yoo Jin-Hyuk gasped for breath due to his lack of stamina. But even this problem was quickly resolved with a simple command.

"Jin Do-Yoon, carry him!"

"Yes, young master!" Do-Yoon replied.

It was not a big problem, since there was certainly an individual within the group who had plenty of energy to spare.

The group had little time to rest, taking only brief breaks at occasional resting spots. They sprinted through the Tower of Heaven’s second floor at breakneck speed, only to encounter another cube-shaped room that resembled the entrance.

"We've arrived!" Yu-Seong shouted.

The group halted in surprise upon hearing that shout. Even Kong, who was at the forefront, was bewildered by the sudden appearance of the spacious room.

Shortly after, a sparkling message appeared before them.

- You have successfully passed the second floor's trial, defeating the monsters in just one hour and thirty minutes. You have achieved the fastest completion record! A hidden reward will now be calculated.

Apart from Yu-Seong, everyone was astonished at the unexpected reward.

"It must be a hidden quest," exclaimed Yoo Jin-Hyuk, who had a fondness for games.

Soon after, the next message appeared.

- Please select your method of reward distribution:

. Differential calculation based on contribution.

. Even distribution.

Naturally, everyone turned to look at Yu-Seong. If they were to select the differential calculation based on contribution, Yoo Jin-Hyuk would undoubtedly take first place. This would result in the other members of the group receiving no reward.

"Let's choose option 1," Yu-Seong calmly suggested, providing a solution to the situation at hand.

Yu-Seong had read the original novel. He had expected this situation ever since the beginning when he had allowed Yoo Jin-Hyuk to take the lead.

"What? I was definitely thinking of choosing option 2..." said Jin-Hyuk.

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have achieved the record. None of us have any complaints," Yu-Seong said as he turned to look at the group.

"Yu-Seong oppa is right. To be honest, even if we only get a small reward through differential distribution, it would still feel like being served on a silver platter," Jin Yu-Ri commented.

"I also agree with the young master’s opinion," Do-Yoon said.

"But…it was possible because we all worked hard together to achieve this..." said Jin-Hyuk.

"You would have been able to do it alone." Yu-Seong placed his hand on Yoo Jin-Hyuk's head, he still seemed like a little boy. Yu-Seong continued, "Well done. Thanks to your hard training, you were able to summon a demonic beast like Kong in the Tower of Heaven. It's the result of your efforts.”

Yoo Jin-Hyuk, unable to withstand the emotion of the moment, slightly teared up. Then, he looked at Chae Ye-Ryeong.

"Why are you looking at me? Of course, I thought you did…we-well, you kiddo," said Ye-Ryeong. "That's why I'm looking at you. I want to brag," Jin-Hyuk teased.

“You-!”

Jin-Hyuk stuck out his tongue and hid behind Yu-Seong with shining eyes. He quickly said, "Then let's choose option 1.”

The message appeared even before Yu-Seong could nod his head.

- Differential calculation based on contribution had been selected.

The rankings are as follows:

. Yoo Jin-Hyuk, 2. Jin Do-Yoon, 3. Choi Yu-Seong, 4. Jin Yu-Ri, 5. Chae Ye-Ryeong.

Aside from Yoo Jin-Hyuk being ranked first, the other rankings were also acceptable.

'Jin Do-Yoon carried Yoo Jin-Hyuk on his back…and I was in command.'?

As they nodded in satisfaction at the ranking table, an individualized message about rewards appeared in front of their eyes.

- Third place reward: An additional random skill.

Yu-Seong could only look at the reward in front of him with a satisfied expression. He said, “Third place reward is good enough.”

"Even fourth place isn't bad. It’s a random piece of equipment," Jin Yu-Ri said.

"Fifth place is a honey fruit bundle. Haha.” Chae Ye-Ryeong laughed emptily and held up the honey fruit bundle that had appeared in her hand.

"How’s the reward for second place?"

“I can select an additional skill," said Do-Yoon.

"Ah… It's definitely better than mine," said Yu-Seong.

Clearly, the rewards for second and third place were considerably better than those for fourth and fifth place. Therefore, it was only natural to have high expectations for the top reward.

Yoo Jin-Hyuk, who felt the weight of his companions' gazes, hesitated as he looked at the message that had appeared before him. He asked, “It says ‘evolution of a selected skill’… Is this a good thing?”

Just then, the other members’ expressions turned strange. Perhaps the additional skill awarded to the second and third place seemed more appealing.

However, Yu-Seong’s eyes widened in surprise. He grabbed Yoo Jin-Hyuk's shoulders tightly and exclaimed, "Oh my god, you hit the jackpot."

A conglomerate family’s son talking about a jackpot seemed odd, but who cared?

"What?"

"It's a huge deal. Really well done, Jin-Hyuk."

The more Yu-Seong messed up the already messy clump of hair on the pretty bundle's head, the more Yoo Jin-Hyuk blushed. He soon burst into a childish smile, expressing his joy.

***

The evolution of a selected skill meant exactly that: upgrading a skill to a higher level. So why was this reward better than simply getting another skill? The reason was simple. This reward could upgrade any skill brought from outside the Tower. In other words, this included Special Skills.

In Yoo Jin-Hyuk's case, he possessed a summoner Special Skill, the Demonic Beast Tamer. Although it was a single Special Skill, its effects were tremendous, like Kim Do-jin's Genius Skill. The Demonic Beast Tamer had additional effects, including enhancing affinity with all demonic beasts, strengthening control, increasing mana, understanding Barrier, creating Barrier, releasing Barrier, and improving cognition, among others. What if this already awe-inspiring Demonic Beast Tamer Skill was evolved?

"Uh... My Special Skill changed to ‘Magic Trainer.’ Basic abilities have been enhanced, and it seems that I can use Curse-type magic as an additional ability?" Yoo Jin-Hyuk's eyes twinkled as he looked at Yu-Seong. "It feels like I've become much stronger!"

Although he acted like an innocent boy, Yoo Jin-Hyuk was quite cunning and intelligent. He probably knew better than anyone else just how much more he could do now that his Special Skill had changed.

"That is really great," said Yu-Seong, nodding with a satisfied expression.

Thus, within the Tower of Heaven, Yoo Jin-Hyuk had become the group’s strongest member.

‘No, he might be stronger than anyone else in the Tower of Heaven now. In this situation, Kim Do-Jin won't be able to compete with Yoo Jin-Hyuk.’

At the moment, Yoo Jin-Hyuk was on another level. In spite of that, he still had his bright and kind personality.

‘I feel like all the effort I put into trying to reform the future villains has paid off…’

Feeling impressed by Jin-Hyuk, Yu-Seong then turned to Do-Yoon and asked, "What skill did you choose?"

"I chose Mana Reinforcement. This skill is not something that can be easily obtained based on my combat style..."

"Excellent choice."

As expected, Jin Do-Yoon was not talkative but very intelligent. Skills such as Regeneration Reinforcement and Stamina Reinforcement would have been automatically acquired as Do-Jin continued to fight. On the other hand, skills such as Mana Reinforcement were difficult to acquire typically for someone like Jin Do-Yoon, who was a typical Physical-type player.

"I got this… Too bad that I’m not Jenny,” said Jin Yu-Ri, looking somewhat disappointed.

When Yu-Ri showed the item that had appeared in her hand, Yu-Seong asked, "Huh? That's...a gun?"

"Yes. To me, it's pretty much useless."

If it had come with bullets, it could have served as a means of intimidation. However, in the current situation, it was basically a useless item.

"Can I use it?" Yu-Seong asked, his eyes glittering.

"What? You? I know that Jenny taught you how to shoot, but... Well, I assume you're asking because you have a plan," said Jin Yu-Ri, promptly handing the gun to Yu-Seong.

"Great," replied Yu-Seong.

"You do know that you have to pay me back later, right? Since I gave it to you for free."

"Of course." Yu-Seong nodded. Then, after tucking the gun into his pockets, he looked at the group and said, "From here on out, we have to split up again."

"What? Again?"

"There's no other way." Yu-Seong pointed to the only exit, then asked, "Do you see the number above the door?"

The group turned to look at the closed solid stone door. An angry eagle's face was carved above the door, with the Roman numeral II inscribed on its forehead.

"Can we assume that the number indicates how many people can go in?"

"Correct. And I'm sorry, but I can’t provide any information about the inside. I don’t know either."

Starting from the third floor, the maps were assigned randomly.

‘I might know the maps depicted in the original novel, but... For the rest, even I don't know what's going to come out.’

It was rather dangerous to carelessly give out information in such a situation.

Jin Yu-Ri shrugged and cast a sympathetic glance at Yu-Seong, who wore an apologetic expression. She said, "Do you think we are fools who are unable to do anything without information?"

“That’s not true... I trust you, of course," Yu-Seong said with a smile. He nodded and clapped once. "Let's stop worrying about useless things. In any case, we have to split up. If more than two of us get close, that guy won't open the door."

"Then one person is going to be left?” Yoo Jin-Hyuk asked with his hand raised up high.

"Yes. I'll be the one staying behind."

"You?" exclaimed Jin-Hyuk.

"Then how will you get there, young master?" asked Do-Jin.

"I have promised to meet with someone here," answered Yu-Seong. He was lying, but this was one way to get out of this situation.

Although the group gave him suspicious looks, Yu-Seong had developed a thick skin and could brush it off. He said, "Just as I'm not worried, I hope you guys can trust me as well. And, I'll be the one deciding the teams. Jin Yu-Ri and Jin Do-Yoon will be in one team, and the other two will be in another.”

"Do I have to go with this shortie? I'd rather stay here with you, hyung!" exclaimed Jin-Hyuk in terror.

"Hey, dummy, it says only two of us can go," Chae Ye-Ryeong responded with an absurd look.

"Come on guys, I don’t take complaints. There's no other way. Jin-Hyuk, you are the strongest for now, so you have to protect her until she levels up a bit more. You can do it, right?"

"As expected... Hyung, I knew you had a deeper meaning behind it! I'll do my best to protect this shortie even if it means sacrificing myself!"

"Ugh… You know you’re so full of yourself, right?" said Ye-Ryeong.

Yu-Seong clapped his hands, lightening the mood once again. As he left the two who were quarreling behind, he said urgently, "Alright, now that it's settled, let's get into position and enter. Jin Yu-Ri's team goes first. Hurry, hurry.”

As he pushed the group forward and sent them up to the third floor, Yu-Seong quickly looked back.

‘We're almost there.’

Although he had lied about having an appointment, in truth, he had predicted who would show up at this location.

. ???? is a Korean saying where someone is borrowing someone else’s power to threaten others.