Chapter 4:
The King of Lightning
I MOVED ON to the Level Six Quest: Ultra Evasion.
This one was perfect for me! I was trapped in a room that stretched fifty meters across. Magic attacks shot at me from every cardinal direction, and for three hours, I had to dodge every attack to complete the quest. Unlike level four, I didn’t need fancy tasks to reach a certain point. All I had to do was dodge. With my Speed-focused build, as long as I got the timing right, I evaded just fine.
During the latter half of the quest, the magic attacks increased in number and speed. The window for escaping a direct hit shrunk dramatically. Twisting and leaping, I survived and thrived at the end of my stamina and reflexes until I somehow managed to run the clock out.
“Level Six Quest: Ultra Evasion is complete.”
“Level-six takedown reward: Level increased by 300!”
“Those who complete Ultra Evasion receive a bonus reward.”
“Oho! I get a bonus reward here too?” I said.
The level-six bonus reward was shaped like a piece of candy, small enough to grip with my fingers. I used Appraisal on it.
Magic Rebound Medicine
Swallowing this medicine will reduce all magic-related damage by 99% for ten seconds.
“Another big-ticket item!” I remarked.
The ten-second time frame was a ding against it, but the defensive effect was so complete that it was better than a lot of other items. If I used this the right way, it could really save my butt. Too bad it only worked once.
“Okay, just gotta keep this ball rolling!”
After a nice long rest, I proceeded to the next level.
✦ ✦ ✦
Level seven’s quest tested stamina and patience—much like level one. I equipped Nameless and defeated a never-ending stream of monsters.
“Gained XP: Level increased by 1!”
“Gained XP: Level increased by 1!”
“Gained XP: Level increased by 1!”
Level one must have prepared me, because this time, I didn’t struggle psychologically halfway through. I mowed down monsters without pause and passed the test with flying colors.
“Level-seven takedown reward: Level increased by 350!”
On level eight, a quest that challenged Intelligence again awaited me (if you could really count last time). I couldn’t brute force the puzzle it wanted me to unravel, and solving it sucked up a lot of time. After a lot of head-scratching, I managed to complete the quest.
“Level-eight takedown reward: Level increased by 400!”
Level nine’s quest was like level six, rigged with a barrage of magic attacks. Unlike level six, I was required to defeat several monsters over level 10,000. At least they weren’t level 50,000!
Since equipping Nameless was back on the table, beating them should’ve been straightforward. Unfortunately, we were forced to fight in close quarters, so it proved the most difficult quest thus far. But what was I going to do, lose? Not a chance!
“Gained XP: Level increased by 73!”
“Gained XP: Level increased by 66!”
“Gained XP: Level increased by 58!”
That was the most experience I’d ever gained from fighting individual monsters. My level climbed higher and higher, faster than any of the speed leveling I’d done with Dungeon Teleportation, or any of the floors below me in the Remote Magic Tower. As the number increased, a surprise arrived.
“Level-nine takedown reward: Level increased by 450!”
“Bonus reward: Gained skill, Revitalize.”
Revitalize LV 1
This skill activates automatically when HP is at 30% or lower.
The more the user’s HP lowers, the more parameters of Attack, Speed, and Intelligence increase.
A new skill. Nice! Receiving skills as rewards was rare, so I was grateful.
“Although, based on the description, I’d say it’s better if I never use this skill,” I said. Sitting at 30 percent HP was like playing with death. I hoped I’d never need it.
That little treat ended my time on level nine.
Only level ten remained.
I knew in my bones that a truly monstrous enemy—stronger than anything else I’d ever face—awaited me there. The time to meet it would come shortly. Carefully, I set about preparing.
Total levels gained within the Remote Magic Tower: 3,376 (level nine complete)
✦ ✦ ✦
With level nine and a good night’s rest behind me, I tinkered with my SP before heading for level ten. I had 12,510 SP remaining. Which skill levels should I increase? I scanned the list until one caught my eye.
Obtained Skills
Dungeon Teleportation LV 18 → LV 19 (SP needed: 4,500)
“Dungeon Teleportation, huh?” I said.
Based on the previous SP requirements, LV 20 would probably require 5,000 SP. Including the 4,500 I needed for LV 19, I’d spend 9,500 total.
I rocked left and right as I stared at the display. “Hrmmm. As much as I want it to reach LV 20, there’s no guarantee it’ll be useful in battle. I’d better save this milestone for after I leave the tower. Instead…”
I boosted Superhuman Strength to LV 9 and maxed out Gale Wind at LV 10. That left me with 3,010 SP, which I invested in Mana Boost, bumping it from LV 5 to LV 7.
There. Ready as I’d ever be.
“Onward to the final level. Better collect my wits.”
The system acknowledged my declaration and activated the teleportation spell. When I opened my eyes, an infinite, dismal wasteland lay before me. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, full of menace. A dense charge of mana prickled across my skin. It felt like standing at the gates of hell.
A monstrous beast waited in the center.
It prowled the ground ferociously on four thick, sturdy legs. Its immense body was clad in black armor. It stood taller than the orc general and was several times longer, with muscles that bulged as if bound tightly by rope. The fangs and claws looked blade-sharp and durable as steel, and the size of that tail?
One hit from that thing would shatter the earth.
Its cunning yellow eyes flashed brightly and bored into me with visible malice.
Like no creature I’d ever heard, it roared, long and loud. Lightning fell from the sky with a crash as if answering the creature’s call. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but the system spoke in my head and confirmed the reality of it.
“Level Ten Quest: King of Lightning. Defeat this lightning beast to complete the quest.”
The second I heard that, I used Appraisal on the monster.
King of Lightning
Level: 20,000
Simple, but devastating information.
“Ha! I see. No exits or side doors. The only way out is through,” I said. “Fine then. I’ll make it happen.”
I drew Nameless and stared the intimidating lightning beast down.
“We’ve got this, Nameless. This is the last fight.”
With everything on the line, my final battle within the Remote Magic Tower commenced.
Amane Rin
Level: 9,980
SP: 410
Titles: Dungeon Traveler (10/10), Nameless Swordsman, Endbringer (ERROR), Wiser Wise Man
HP: 77,820/77,820 MP: 21,980/21,780
Attack: 18,859 Defense: 15,800 Speed: 19,800
Intelligence: 15,320 Resistance: 15,410 Luck: 14,620
Skills: Dungeon Teleportation LV 18, Enhanced Strength LV MAX, Herculean Strength LV MAX, Superhuman Strength LV 9, High-speed Movement LV MAX, Gale Wind LV MAX, Revitalize LV 1, Purification Magic LV 1, Mana Boost LV 7, Mana Recovery LV 2, Enemy Detection LV 4, Evasion LV 4, Status Condition Resistance LV 4, Appraisal, Item Box LV 5, Conceal LV 1
Sword of the Nameless Knight
A sword used by the Nameless Knight.
Recommended equip level: 8,500
Attack +8,500
When an enemy (human or monster) is of a higher level than the wielder, all parameters except HP and MP increase by 80% each.