episode_0079

79. Entrance into Demonic State (入魔).

[When killing a player in the future, the movement speed of the vehicle will increase by 0.1%. *Limited to the 3rd floor*]

“Oh…”

Yohan looked at the newly appeared hologram with an intrigued look. Movement speed increases every time you kill someone…

‘It’s too blatant.’

With this level of merit, even people who hadn’t thought much about killing would be tempted. No, frankly, at this point, not killing would make you look like a pushover.

The others get faster, but you stay the same. The rankings will quickly change. And the future direction could be easily predicted.

‘There aren’t many people at the very front, and there are relatively many people in the rear. There will be some teams pushing forward.’

What if a team in the rear, having boosted their movement speed, also gets a good car? The synergy would be enormous.

Conversely, the very front could intentionally slow down to devour the players in the rear. The new rule spawned several strategies.

Yohan pondered what would be the most effective method. How could he reach the destination in first place?

‘I could just steal a car that has had its movement speed boosted.’

The conclusion came quickly. It was the simplest and most effective strategy. Yohan looked back.

Hopefully, a team with excellent means of transportation will target the group. It’s about time to replace this sports car and bike.

***

Yohan’s group continued to race across the wasteland. There weren’t many battles during the day, but after nightfall, it was a continuous slaughter. Of course, the group won all the battles.

The time zones continued to shift. Day turned into night, and night eventually transformed into day. After that constant and monotonous repetition had passed several times, the group’s appearance had changed a lot.

Not only were the sports car and bike they originally had replaced, but their equipment was also continuously improved. They were able to buy groceries and magic-related items at the shops they stopped by from time to time.

Especially when buying magic books, Yohan noticeably expressed his joy.

And as the speed increased, Deok-su’s lips gradually turned upwards. He was a man who felt a thrilling pleasure from the fast speed.

“Kuhahaha! I feel amazing!!”

Deok-su roared with laughter as he drove the car. The sound was so loud that Sarah, who had been silent, said something. Only then did the volume decrease. He was a man with no tact.

Vrooooom-!

Yohan felt the sleeker design of the bike, which was nimbler than before, and entrusted his body to the wind. It was smaller than the original monster bike, but the speed was far superior.

‘The 75% flag will be out soon.’

It’s been quite a while since he saw the 50% achievement flag. Wouldn’t it be about time for it to appear? That was Yohan’s assumption.

He suddenly recalled the hologram that had been displayed when he reached 50%. It was, as expected, a nasty rule.

[When killing a player in the future, stats will increase by 0.04% each. *Limited to the 3rd floor*]

The Tower continuously forced the players to kill, and we simply followed. This was the same for Yohan.

‘This feels disgusting.’

Well, what can you do? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. In a strange land, you follow the rules of that strange land. If you can’t adapt, you’ll be left behind. At least, that wasn’t Yohan.

Vrooooom-!

The roaring exhaust sound digging into his ears is deafening. It was a sound nurtured by the blood of countless players. It somehow sounded like the screams of the dead.

After driving for a while, Sarah discovered a new flag. Yohan wondered what kind of crazy rule it would throw at them this time.

Thanks to the increase in physical abilities, the distance was quite long. However, the car’s speed was much faster than that. The group quickly passed the flag.

‘It’s up.’

[For every 20 players killed in the future, 1 Karma will be awarded. *Limited to the 3rd floor*]

Stingy. That’s what Yohan thought as soon as he saw it. On the 1st floor, you could get dozens of Karma just by killing a few players.

This was because the levels were similar. This was still the case now. Yohan and Sarah were the only irregulars; the remaining humans’ capabilities were all similar.

It might be weird to put it this way, but on the 1st floor, a player’s life was much more valuable. But not now. A mere 1 Karma?

The Tower seemed to be mocking the players. To offer twenty lives for just one point, to reveal that ugly selfishness.

What on earth does it want? Just for fun? Or is there some benefit? Before he knew it, Yohan was even using [Thought Acceleration] to infer the Tower’s intentions.

“…”

Hoo, Yohan sighed.

‘The emotions are excessive. Let’s stop.’

He must have been in this damn Tower for a long time. Even Yohan, who rarely experiences emotional changes, was briefly angry.

Yohan composed himself. Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult because he had [Stillness of the Waterfall].

Inner mana and Yohan were one. As his mind stabilized, the surging mana regained its peace.

The narrowed vision widened, and the widened eyelids lost their strength.

Yohan, back to his usual mindset, recognized the endless wasteland. At that moment—

[Acquired Skill.]

[Stillness of the Waterfall]

“Huh?”

Was he seeing things?

Yohan hurriedly opened the status window. He wasn’t seeing things. Newly added text was visible. It read ‘Stillness of the Waterfall.’

For a moment, the rotation of his brain stopped. It was a completely unexpected situation. Yohan, who had been staring blankly into space, suddenly came to his senses.

Could it be?

‘The moment you reach a certain level, it changes into a skill?’

He felt like he had just had some kind of realization. The operation of mana was smoother than usual, and his mind was much clearer.

Even if the mana control method was registered as a skill, there was nothing bad about it. A skill was an element that added to the technique, not a fixation of the technique.

For example, Yohan could use spells without using skills. The consumption of mental power was greater, but the power was increased instead.

Yohan was able to create one hypothesis from this phenomenon.

‘Then, is it possible for me to create new spells myself?’

It was interesting. One more way to strengthen his abilities had increased. In this barbaric world, it was a great boon.

Of course, there was something strange about it.

‘Then, shouldn’t a chef who has been cooking for decades get a cooking skill, and a Taekwondo athlete get a Taekwondo skill?’

Well, it’s something to find out gradually in the future. Let’s not be impatient. Hastiness narrows the vision.

At that moment, Sarah, who was next to him, sent a signal. As the frequency of battles increased, the group had promised several signals. The meaning of this signal was simple.

‘Moth detected.’

Another team was approaching, targeting the group. Of course, the purpose might not be battle. They might be trying to socialize or make a deal.

However, that had never happened before. Yohan didn’t deny the slight possibility, but he didn’t bother ignoring the probability.

‘Let’s see what they’re going to do this time.’

Even so, Yohan didn’t take preemptive action. This was the last bit of pride he had, and it was also an act of defiance against the Tower. If slaughter isn’t necessary, he wouldn’t do it.

Vrooooom-!

He loosened his fingers and stared ahead. Immediately afterwards, the world slowed down.

──────.

‘They don’t disappoint.’

It was a car with a long wheelbase for a sports car. From there, black rain poured down on the group. It was all arrows. There didn’t seem to be that many of them, but it was quite mysterious archery.

As expected of the player team that was still maintaining the lead. They were among the best archers Yohan had ever seen.

Yohan fired a huge Fire Arrow straight ahead. The size was quite large, but it looked pathetic compared to the rain of arrows.

Soon, the fire arrow and the rain of arrows collided violently. Immediately afterwards, Yohan, who was already prepared, snapped his fingers. A very faint volume. It was a pathetic sound to make in a fierce battlefield.

But the aftermath was not pathetic.

Explosion.

Kwaaaang-!

A red, inky cloud created in the sky swallowed the rain of arrows. The jet-black rain was sucked into the domineering cloud.

─…!

The opponent seemed to be flustered. He couldn’t see very well because the distance was far, but their movements became a little hectic.

What are they talking about? The next moment, Sarah said from the side.

“They’re running away.”

“Is that so?”

How can she see that? They just look like black dots to me. I can somehow distinguish the shape, but I can’t possibly know if they’re speeding up. In times like this, I’m a little envious of physical ability users.

“I’ll chase them! Be careful not to get thrown off!”

Deok-su shouted loudly. Of course, Sarah had excellent balance, so she wouldn’t get thrown off. He was just saying it.

Yohan also lowered his posture slightly. He was controlling the wind pressure by using a shield, but there was no need to have a high center of gravity.

The hand holding the steering wheel gains strength. Immediately afterwards, the feeling of his body floating up and the change in the surrounding scenery accelerated.

A black dot, slightly smaller than before, appeared in Yohan’s vision. He slightly raised the corner of his lips.

‘They should have fought instead.’

Yohan pulled up his mana. They were the ones who started the fight, but he was the one who would decide the end of the fight.

There is no mercy for invaders. Numerous combat methods came to his mind and were assembled.