Han Yuseong chose a path.
It was the route filled with powerful enemies, widely considered the most difficult.
Then, a message appeared before his eyes:
[The Eyes of the Stars wish to observe your climb. Through them, the climb will also be broadcast to Korean Flameimers.]
[If you succeed in climbing the Tower, you will be given a 'reward' for the viewing.]
[You may either accept or refuse this request.]
Han Yuseong frowned as he read the message.
The idea that someone would be closely watching his climb—there was no way that could feel pleasant.
Still,
"If it's a reward for viewing, then it's probably coins."
Right now, Han Yuseong needed coins in more ways than one.
[It's not like there's any real reason to refuse. Coins! Coins! Coins!]
"If I think of it as sponsorship, it's not bad. I want to set a condition. I'd like to hide the existence of my Lord. Is that possible?"
[As a reward for allowing observation, your condition will be accepted.]
"Every time, I can't help but feel it—this system really does communicate well."
Even in his past life, the "System" had shown a surprising degree of flexibility.
Especially when it wanted something from the player.
If you asked for something in return while accepting its request, it often agreed without hesitation.
The fact that Han Yuseong had hidden his name in The Night of the Hunt was one thing,
[When you use powers related to the Eye Lord you've contracted with, the view seen by other Lords and players will be altered.]
If that's the case—
Then there really was no reason to refuse.
Eventually, the fact that Han Yuseong had made a contract with the Eye of War would be revealed. But until then, he wanted to keep that part hidden as long as possible.
Kakasha still needed time to build her strength.
"Raising an Eye Lord like raising a cat, huh."
[Do you even know how many names I have to say such a thing to me...?]
"Not particularly interested. More importantly..."
Han Yuseong pulled the Blood-Soul Glove from his pocket and put it on.
"The glove? You said it'd be ready before we entered the Tower."
[Ku-hu-hu! It's already done, hoit!]
As Kakasha let out a cheerful sound and activated her power, a surge of heat burst from Han Yuseong.
That energy became a fierce flame that swallowed the Dark Flame Scroll inside his pocket,
and the resulting blaze that turned the gear into ashes was naturally absorbed into the Blood-Soul Glove.
[The power of the Eye Lord has infused the glove you are wearing...]
[The Lord's power has been infused into the 'Blood-Soul Glove'! A new effect has been added!]
A searing red shimmer flickered across the bloodstained glove.
And with it, came a power he had never felt before.
[Blood-Soul Glove (Legendary)]
Item Type: Weapon (Glove)
Attack Power: 180
Strength +8, Fist-type Skill Damage +30%
Attack Power +5%, Critical Hit Rate +5%, Ignore Defense +5% – These effects increase each time the glove absorbs blood, stacking up to 6 times.
This glove can be infused with blood to enhance its attack power each time the owner reaches a certain level. (Max Level: 80)
Blessing of the Warlord is imbued within. If the glove's wearer offers a sacrifice as the Warlord's Oathbound, the glove will be upgraded to Mythic rank.
A conditional enhancement effect had been added to the Blood-Soul Glove.
Han Yuseong gave it a doubtful look.
In Ha Mo's case, he had offered an enormous amount of coins and life force as a sacrifice.
"You're not planning to take my life force too, are you?"
[What do you take me for? I don't need that! Coins! And the sheer joy of watching war! Just keep entertaining me!]
"And activating the blessing?"
[W-Well... activating the blessing will require... some coins...]
To be honest, the Blood-Soul Glove was a very solid piece of gear.
Based on its effects alone, it was comparable to Mythic-grade equipment.
Even though he had put on a skeptical expression, Han Yuseong was actually quite satisfied.
The glove had just become much more useful.
"Well then, I've packed everything I need. Let's get started."
A moment later, a message appeared announcing his entry into the Tower.
Below it was a countdown timer, the numbers ticking down in real time.
And the moment that number reached zero—
Fwaaaash!
His field of vision shifted entirely.
When Han Yuseong opened his eyes again, he found himself summoned into an unfamiliar arena.
It resembled the Tower lobby in some ways, but the surroundings were soaked in blood.
And someone was waiting for him there.
"The challenger has arrived."
It was a middle-aged man in a red battle robe.
His unkempt hair gave off a wild impression.
Leaning against a long sword planted in the ground, he stood with his eyes closed.
Soon, the man slowly opened them.
His bloodshot gaze locked onto Han Yuseong.
"I am Jeok Ilsan. I won't waste words."
Shrrrng—!
Jeok Ilsan rose to his feet.
The long sword he drew shimmered with an ominous crimson aura, like flowing blood.
"I will test whether you are worthy of climbing the Tower."
Jeok Ilsan twisted his body and swung the sword with force.
From its tip, a red wave of sword energy burst forth.
Slicing through the air, it split into multiple arcs, each veering on a different path—
All of them aimed straight at Han Yuseong.
Kwaaaang!
As the attacks struck him, a cloud of blood and flesh exploded, obscuring the view.
Shhhhhh...
Jeok Ilsan calmly reset his stance—
ready to unleash another deadly barrage.
There was no way he had died in a single strike.
The plan was to wear him down with successive attacks, reduce him to a wreck, then move in for a certain kill.
Just as Jeok Ilsan was preparing to launch another wave of sword energy—
Fwaaam!!
A violent gust of wind surged forth.
The thick cloud of blood and dust was instantly swept away, and through the clearing storm came Han Yuseong, surging forward like a hurricane.
Jeok Ilsan, as if expecting this, released another slash of sword energy—
But it didn't land.
It never had a chance.
Shhwick—KWAAM!!
"Fast."
Han Yuseong had accelerated again.
It was the effect of the artifact,
Dodging the approaching sword strikes like wind weaving through gaps, Han Yuseong closed the distance with dizzying speed.
A blood-red whirlwind slammed into Jeok Ilsan in the blink of an eye.
"No weapon... Is he a martial artist? If so…"
Jeok Ilsan didn't panic. He followed Han Yuseong's movements with sharp precision.
He swung his long sword—now charged with sword energy—along the anticipated trajectory.
From a distance too short to evade, the blade flew straight for Han Yuseong's heart with deadly accuracy.
Han Yuseong clenched his fist.
"Doesn't matter if he hits me. At this range, I dominate."
Even if his punch connected, Jeok Ilsan's sword would pierce his heart first.
But—Han Yuseong wasn't aiming for Jeok Ilsan himself.
Without a moment's hesitation,
he threw his fist straight toward the incoming blade.
As Han Yuseong unleashed his seemingly irrational move, Jeok Ilsan furrowed his brows in confusion—
Fwoooosh!
From Han Yuseong's fist, a crimson flame erupted.
More precisely, it bloomed from the Blood-Soul Glove he wore.
The flame consumed the glove entirely—and transformed it.
Kuuuuung!
"Heavy."
Fist and blade collided.
Jeok Ilsan's eyes widened at the weight transmitted through his sword.
A blade wreathed in sword energy, sharp enough to cleave through anything—
was stopped by a bare fist?
No—
It was the glove wreathed in crimson flame that blocked the blade.
And in the very next instant—
ShhhhhhK—!
The compressed storm within the fist exploded outward.
But it was unlike the technique he normally used.
Both in form and power, it was entirely different.
The bloodstorm—now infused with the blazing crimson power of the Blood-Soul Glove—was transforming.
Raging flame and a storm of blood intermingled,
flesh-rending gales and annihilating fire spun into one violent eruption—
Fwoooooosh!
"Urgh, K-Khaaaah…!"
The storm engulfed Jeok Ilsan's entire body.
The bloodwind tore through his flesh, while crimson flames scorched his skin.
The arena erupted into a storm of blood, wild and merciless.
Then—like a flash of lightning—an attack called "Blood Flash" struck Jeok Ilsan square in the chest.
He coughed up blood, and for a moment—
his movements froze.
Craaaack!
Then came "Burning Flame".
A leg, cloaked in blade-like fire, slammed into Jeok Ilsan without mercy and drove him backward, forcing his long sword downward in defense.
"He blocked the sword's motion. What follows now is…"
The martial technique he saw earlier.
Jeok Ilsan quickly assessed the situation.
A blood-red aura surged from both his hands.
He wielded a sword, yes—but that didn't mean he was unfamiliar with hand-to-hand combat.
He would block the next incoming strike and look for a chance to counterattack.
That was his judgment.
But then—
Srrrrrkk…
"…"
A moment later, he realized that his judgment was wrong.
Shadows rose from all sides.
They surged up instantly, then transformed into countless swords, each one aiming at Jeok Ilsan—
from every direction.
He let out a quiet, involuntary laugh.
"Didn't expect magic..."
Pfft—!
The shadow blades shot forward all at once, impaling Jeok Ilsan from every direction.
"So? Does this count as a pass?"
"...Kuh."
Han Yuseong asked calmly, standing in front of Jeok Ilsan.
It was in response to his earlier declaration—whether Han Yuseong was worthy of entering the Tower.
A crooked smile appeared on Jeok Ilsan's bloodied lips.
"You… pass."
Swish—!
The blade of shadow sliced through Jeok Ilsan's neck.
His body dissolved into a spray of blood, disappearing into nothing—
His long sword vanished with him.
Han Yuseong flicked the blood from his hand and looked up at the sky.
[Level has increased to Stage 2.]
[You have defeated a formidable opponent.]
[You have fulfilled the activation condition for your unique ability: "Battle God."]
[As a bonus reward, Strength +2, Willpower +2 has been granted!]
He had been a strong opponent—
But ultimately, still just the guardian of Floor 1.
And yet, strong enough to fulfill the conditions for awakening Battle God.
If he could keep getting additional rewards even from the early floors—
"Feels like I've struck a gold mine."
And then, another message appeared.
[You have conquered a 'Formidable Enemy'.]
[As a reward, you have obtained a "Blood Relic"!]
A reward exclusive to the Tower of the Blood Fiend had appeared.
A Blood Relic.
From the air, a blood-stained blade began to form.
[Bloodthirsty Blade (Unique)]
A Blood Relic, usable only within the Tower of the Blood Fiend.
Attack Power +50, Attack Speed +10%.
For every enemy defeated, Attack Power increases by +10.
Exceptionally, defeating a Formidable Enemy increases Attack Power by +20.
This is a growth-type artifact that activates even without being equipped.
In the Tower, depending on the gimmicks of each floor, these kinds of special relics would sometimes appear.
And items like these were invaluable for clearing the Tower.
Han Yuseong slipped the Bloodthirsty Blade into his pocket.
"Now I've got even more reason to hunt down Formidable Enemies."
[Hurry and choose your next path, Oathbound One. Can't you see the crimson flame on your gloves fading?]
At Kakasha's sharp reminder, Han Yuseong looked down at his gloves.
Just as she said, the blazing red flame that once danced over them had dimmed noticeably.
[Blood-Soul Glove of Crimson Flame (Mythic)]
Item Type: Weapon (Glove)
(Item details continue...)Attack Power: 300
Strength +15, Fist-type Skill Damage +40%
Attack Power +10%, Critical Hit Rate +5%, Ignore Defense +5% — These effects increase each time the glove absorbs blood, stacking up to 6 times.
When using martial arts skills, fire attribute is added, and the gloves are further enhanced. Wounds inflicted on enemies burned by the flames cannot be healed.
The Blessing of the Warlord has activated, strengthening this item. As long as the conditions are met, the blessing's duration will continue to increase.
This was the result of absorbing the blessing sealed within the Dark Flame Scroll.
Once the crimson flame goes out, the blessing will vanish as well.
Fortunately, the condition for keeping it was simple: never stop fighting.
And for Han Yuseong, that was the easiest condition of all.
[You may proceed to the next floor.]
[Another Formidable Enemy awaits you.]
[Will you advance?]
Han Yuseong had chosen a path filled with nothing but combat.
He nodded without hesitation.
"Six hours, was it?"
After six hours, other players would also be allowed to enter the Tower.
But of course, Han Yuseong had no intention of sharing the Tower's rewards.
"I'll end this fast."
And so, before anyone else could catch up—he would finish it first.
Han Yuseong stepped forward toward the next floor,
and his silhouette vanished into light.
End.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : http://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]