Solo Max-Level Newbie

A black object visible through the platinum sands.

It is the ‘Path of Evil’s Crown’ that the Heavenly Demon possessed.

A key artifact for reaching the 50th floor, which on its own boasts unwieldy power unlike any other sacred relic.

The time to seize it had finally arrived.

‘Greed of the Eyes’ pierced through the target to reveal its true nature.

Ding!

[Path of Evil’s Crown]

Acquisition Difficulty: Immeasurable

Description: One of the seven crowns existing within the tower, representing overwhelming ‘Might’.

……The level of ‘Greed of the Eyes’ is too low to view detailed information.

Jinhyuk’s gaze sharpened.

‘Good.’

This is undoubtedly the real deal.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart began to race.

The promise of a stat increase wasn’t just for strength, agility, magic, and stamina—it meant everything.

‘That includes luck-related stats and adaptations…’

A truly overpowered trait.

Especially since ‘Gap’ could only be improved by dodging attacks from the ‘Minotaur’ on the first floor.

But through this, one could indirectly increase it.

‘And a key to the 50th floor…’

A pivotal item necessary to enter the 50th and gain a favorable position against the upper echelons of the tower.

There was no choice. He needed to take it by any means.

‘I would rush in right now, but he won’t sit idly.’

A careless move would be risky.

At least divert his attention or cause some damage to create an opening…

Suddenly.

Wooosh!

Jinhyuk’s presence changed entirely.

It was the desire for possession that comes from seeing something truly coveted.

“Really think you can compete with me?”

Hound scoffed in disbelief.

And to that…

“Rather you, playing the role of a hunting dog at the 50th floor. Thought you stood a chance against me?”

Jinhyuk replied with a bright smile.

“A hunting dog… well, not familiar with them, so we must seem like mere dogs.”

“No, I’ve already handled them – a thorough and utterly irritating experience.”

“Just one victory and you feel it was irritating? After resorting to tricks to extend your life?”

Hmm…

It was understandable for Hound to think that way.

He only fought Shub-Niggurath once.

And truthfully, that one battle wasn’t a clear victory.

“Right. A direct confrontation with them now would be too much.”

“Still?”

“Yes, still.”

He was biding his time.

For regaining his prime, for achieving what nobody else has. To reach the unreachable pinnacle of the tower.

Slip.

Jinhyuk drew the Twin Dragon Swords and Fang.

The twin swords, varied in length, whispered of impending action.

“The others are fighting hard, can’t just stand by. Let’s have ourselves a thrilling bout.”

“You’ll regret this for a brief moment. No player that crossed me is still alive.”

Jinhyuk and Hound moved simultaneously.

Whoosh!

With a massive roar, their figures vanished.

* * *

An attack from the bottom right.

Whooosh!

The wind clawed at his eardrums.

Simultaneously, Jinhyuk twisted the trajectory of the greatsword with Fang.

Pffft!

Sand erupted in all directions.

An absurdly powerful strike.

But before blinking, a second sword strike surged at his torso.

“…!”

This can’t be dodged.

Jinhyuk braced himself for the impact with Twin Dragon Swords.

Boom!

A heavy impact surged from fingertip to crown.

A hero-class ranked fighter. Indeed, impressive.

Simply in terms of destructive power, comparable to titans.

But…

“Power struggle…”

Fzzzt!

His right arm could match that might.

[Giant’s Right Arm’ ability activated!]

Titanic strength filled his arm. Muscles expanded and magical energy in his veins transformed.

Kaboom!

Steel clashed, sparks flying like bright fireworks.

A single miss could shatter the forehead from these relentless strikes.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Behind Jinhyuk, a 10-meter gash formed in the sand. An identical mark mirrored on Hound’s side.

Spinning strikes aimed for the throat.

One exchange. Two exchanges. Twenty exchanges.

“Hmm…”

The exchange continued and Hound’s eyes began to waver.

It was to be expected.

Under Nyarlathotep’s orders, he had carried out countless missions but never had someone countered his attacks to this degree.

‘It’s not about strength or speed.’

In fact, he was outperformed by other Old Guards in that respect.

Timing was the key.

Right before maximum impact, interfering with the force intentionally.

Boom!

It was the same this time.

The sword subtly moved to the side.

It was just a fraction of a second, but Hound felt robbed of his breath.

‘Not a fluke then.’

Once or twice could be ignored, but other than the initial three, every attack was perfectly intercepted.

Moreover, with each exchange, the accuracy in reading his rhythm was chillingly precise.

Like he just started to get a feel for it.

Thirty-nine exchanges in, and still no decisive outcome, the two backed away momentarily.

“This is… surprising.”

Hound expressed his genuine admiration.

It seemed undeniable even against his will.

The ability to read individual ‘Breaths’ was something he had to concede to the opponent.

“So this is why you were so confident? Waiting for me to falter in haste to claim the crown?”

Jinhyuk, indeed, was subtly shifting his balance towards the crown while appearing focused on the fight.

All attention on the crown, even amid the battle with an Old Guard ranked fourth.

“Kekeke… Kahahaha!”

Hound burst into laughter.

A maniacal display that momentarily paused other ongoing battles.

“To be irritated by such petty tricks. As if you had the luxury to be distracted in a life-or-death fight.”

Timing and rhythm didn’t matter.

Before overwhelming force, tricks are useless.

Now, he would show how gravely mistaken that approach was.

Grinding!

The dark blade revealed red runes as it moved.

[The Old Guard’s seal is released.]

[The unique Holy Armament ‘Reversal of Heaven’s Wheel’ is activated!]

The greatsword moved slowly.

Twin Dragon Swords and Fang reacted.

But…

“It’s over, rookie.”

Crack.

At the moment sword met sword.

A sound that should never be heard echoed.

“…!”

Jinhyuk’s eyes trembled with shock.

The dagger crafted from the Fang of Beast Kind Pentagris began to fracture.

In the face of an unanticipated ordeal, it felt like time had stopped.

But this was no illusion.

No cursed dream.

Crack…

The Fang’s edge split completely.

A weapon he had relied on for so long had lost its light.

[The absolute judgment ‘Collapse Effect’ has been activated.]

A red status window followed.

“How about now? Still eyeing the crown?”

A sardonic smile played on Hound’s lips.

With Jinhyuk’s cherished weapon lost, he was sure panic would follow.

However…

* * *

‘Reversal of Heaven’s Wheel… At last, that proud Holy Armament rears again.’

Jinhyuk had anticipated this turn of events.

‘Pity about the Fang, but it can’t be helped.’

His gaze went to Hound’s status displayed in ‘Greed of the Eyes’.

Name: Craxus De Acaius

Nickname: Hound

Level: 315

Stats: Strength 533 Agility 215 Vitality 305 Magic Power 255 Will of the Foreign God 644

Unique Ability: Reversal of Heaven

Unique Holy Armament: Reversal of Heaven’s Wheel

Skills: Too many to display, folded away.

Detailed Information: About 1300 years ago, Acaius of the 20th floor was a noble of the ‘Lost Empire’. Yet his house fell during the tower’s power struggles, leading him toward suicide out of disillusionment. That’s when Nyarlathotep recognized his talent and enlisted him among the Old Guards.

[Copy Conditions]

To copy the target’s ability, you must sacrifice something of corresponding value. The value of the sacrifice determines success of the copy, the more precious it is, the higher the fidelity of the copied ability.

The decision to part with a weapon…

Was to enact this ability copy.

As Hound put it, the crown was the priority, but with such formidable individuals gathered…

Not attempting a copy would be foolish.

Ideally, he would copy all, but given the circumstances it was likely limited to one, or maybe two, abilities.

And the first would be the unique ability of Hound, the Old Guard’s leader.

‘Please…’

Jinhyuk swallowed dryly.

Hoping that the loss of his beloved Fang would be enough for recognition…

[Copy Ability does not meet the required conditions. Additional sacrifice is required.]

Given the absurd power, it was still insufficient.

He would need to pay more, either with something bigger or with higher quantity.

Damn.

It wasn’t possible to give up ‘Bal Mung’ as well.

‘While the lost Fang could be procured anew inside the Sun’s Sandbox, going further would be problematic.’

To sacrifice Bal Mung, optimized for hunting dragon-kind, would be to mistake the means for the end.

Then…

A spark of insight flashed in Jinhyuk’s eyes.

A means to secure the crown, copy the ability, and deal with the bothersome Old Guards.

High risk but feasible if conditions aligned.

He had to try.

Thump.

Jinhyuk turned his back.

Towards where the Path of Evil’s Crown rested.

“Puahaha! Indeed, your thinking is simple. After all that fretting, do you sprint to the crown with prayers alone!”

Convinced of victory, Hound hurried in pursuit.