Leveling with the Gods

C278

Susanoo's eyebrows furrowed. That was more chilling than any of the other terrifying words. YuWon wasn't foolish enough to move without conviction. He knew YuWon very well, having witnessed how YuWon planned and executed his moves while bound to him as his spirit/phantom.

He knew it wasn't just a bluff.

However...

-And what does that matter?

Susanoo didn't care about that.

Boom!

Swinging his sword without hesitation, Susanoo unleashed a burst of Arcane Power.

-There's no fight with a predetermined outcome. I create the results.

Bwooooong!

The power infused in his sword grew stronger, and the Arcane Power received by Susanoo quickly escaped.

-Conviction?

Skkkaaaang...

Hundreds of sword blades enveloped the surroundings. The strength hadn't changed one bit from the beginning.

-There's no fight I can't win. The same applies to you.

Clang!

The sword struck fiercely.

Countless sword marks appeared on the training ground floor. As he fought, YuWon thought that he would have to endure Odin's scolding later.

"He doesn't back down at all."

The amount of Arcane Power YuWon had given to Susanoo was limited. However, Susanoo was spending that energy without concern for the future.

"I can delay the time until you exhaust yourself... but..."

Ssshhhhh...

Jjeoong...!

YuWon's sword pushed against Susanoo's. Susanoo's eyes widened as he felt the strength infused in the sword.

Wuduk...

"It's not as satisfying to do it this way."

YuWon's arm swelled.

An unusual flow of Arcane Power.

Susanoo's eyes narrowed at the familiar technique.

-Gigantification.

There was no way to defeat YuWon, who possessed a giant transformation in terms of strength. There were no abilities that drastically increased power like the giant transformation.

A direct confrontation was impossible.

Susanoo's movement changed.

-It's not that there's no way to evade.

Ssshh...

Susanoo's sword dodged YuWon's sword.

The swords did not clash.

YuWon evaded Susanoo's sword, disturbing his eyes. It was clear what he was thinking.

"He's avoiding a strength-based fight and attacking with speed. He's planning to use his advantage in speed instead of his deficiency."

It was intelligent and wise.

Recognizing one's own deficiencies was the beginning, and efficiently utilizing one's strengths was the most effective way to do it.

But...

Sshh...

YuWon's eyes shifted.

"Just being fast is not enough."

[Golden Cinder Eyes read the path]

[Sensory Field is activated]

He could see how Susanoo's sword moved. His body reacted before his mind, and the unavoidable sword struck forcefully.

"As you say, there's no such thing as a fight that must be won. That's true."

YuWon agreed with those words as well. In fact, he knew it better than anyone.

He knew he was facing an opponent who seemed impossible to defeat, no matter what strategy he tried.

YuWon received Susanoo's sword and lifted the corner of his mouth.

"But at least, it's not you."

The day of the Trial arrived

The wind blew on the upper levels of the Tower.

Muspelheim was hot and desolate, but this trial was special.

Countless Rankers and Players gathered.

"Special Muspelheim lava blocks for sale! Perfect for using instead of a stove!"

"The pride of Muspelheim, the treasure of the giants! Come, take a look!"

"Selling special beer from the dwarf race! Refresh yourself from the sweltering heat!"

Vendors raised their voices everywhere, offering the items they had brought with them. The prices were incredibly high, but the items sold relentlessly. That meant there was a high demand. The city of Muspelheim was filled with an innumerable crowd, with no room to move.

"Wow, this is incredible."

"This Trial is a great success."

The Trial organizers. Even the Administrator's messengers shed tears of excitement at the sight of those tourists.

"There is no other event like this apart from the Murim Martial Arts Tournament. This kind of event is an unmissable attraction for Rankers who live for hundreds or thousands of years."

The mischievous-looking messenger crossed his arms with a smile on his face.

"This Trial is a great success. We couldn't afford to fail, especially when the conflict between Asgard and Muspelheim has increased people's interest. This Trial was something we couldn't fail."

"Team leader, may I ask a question?"

"What is it?"

"Was it you who planned this Trial?"

"...Shut up, you idiot."

The messengers hurried to prepare for the Trial.

This Trial had to end successfully.

It was a mandatory task for the Administrator in charge of the 65th floor and his messengers.

Muspelheim, an arid and fiery world, had very few floating population.

An opportunity arose in that Muspelheim.

This Trial was an unimaginable event, and if this opportunity was seized well, it could change the image of the 65th floor.

And on the other hand...

"Does this trial even make sense..."

"I can't believe we're all on the same team except one."

The Players participating in the Trial expressed their astonishment.

The content of the Trial was as follows:

[Capture the Muspelheim castle]

[Kim YuWon and the other players will form teams. Kim YuWon will start as the one taking the castle]

[At the end of the day, the team that controls the castle will win the exam]

[Rewards will be given according to contribution]

The Trial itself was simple.

A Trial that took place during one day. Since it was a relatively long Trial, there was enough entertainment.

The problem was the balance of the Trial.

"Still, the opponent is a Ranker. And one ranked among the top 100."

Kim YuWon was a Ranker in the 80th rank. Originally, he was ranked around 400th, but thanks to his achievements in the war between Asgard and Muspelheim, his ranking rose rapidly.

There is an insurmountable barrier between Rankers and common players.

Let alone a Trial where a Player faces a high-level Ranker, especially one ranked among the top 100.

But his opponents were not ordinary Players.

"That's the first thing that doesn't make sense. What can someone do who hasn't even passed floor 65?"

Those who called themselves Reserve Rankers were at least on floor 65.

Some players, especially those who had reached floor 79, were even close to becoming Rankers.

"I heard that guy threw the Gungnir."

"Is there anyone who doesn't know that Kim YuWon is an Asgard player? It's just a way to promote Asgard Rankers."

"But how does the Ranking Office overlook that?"

"There's no way Odin doesn't have influence over the Ranking Office."

"Well, that's true."

"Still, he must have great talent. If you look at the content of the Trial, it seems that even the Administrator recognizes his ability."

The evaluation of Kim YuWon, the protagonist of this Trial, was divided into two main opinions.

Those who said there were too many inflated rumors, and those who believed it was time to acknowledge his ability.

Especially players who were attacking higher floors than Kim YuWon still tended to underestimate him.

But...

"Well, when the Trial begins, we'll find out."

Everyone shared a common opinion.

"Whether Kim YuWon's ranking is real or not."

The Trial was about to begin.

The theme of the Trial was Capture the Castle.

Whoever controlled the castle for the longest time.

Whoever was registered as the final owner of the castle.

In addition, the Trial was being broadcast live from the center of the city on floor 65.

"There are many outstanding Rankers."

"He's not exactly the type who usually stands out. But there aren't many opportunities to see him fight like this, right?"

A handsome man with golden hair and a middle-aged man with short black hair walked together.

As they walked, the crowd that was packed around them parted on both sides.

"It seems like we're causing trouble, don't you think?"

"It's because you stand out too much."

"No, I think it's because of the Elder Brother who's with me."

Hades and Apollo.

They were two high-level Rankers from Olympus. Especially Hades, who was said to hardly participate in public activities, and many feared him for being the king of the Underworld.

"Well, anyway, thanks to that, we were able to get good seats..."

Apollo looked at the enormous screen located in the center of the city.

It was as if there was a huge castle standing right in front of them. If you didn't pay much attention, you could mistake it for either a screen or something real.

"It seems like the messengers have invested a lot in this battle."

"Really? It looks quite impressive."

Hades carefully observed the numerous Players shown on the screen.

A swarm of people, like a group of ants. Ten thousand people, there were really a lot of them.

"It was even said to be a first-come, first-served registration request."

In this Tower, there were countless Players.

And only a minuscule minority could become Rankers, Players with the potential to do so.

The majority of Players couldn't even surpass Floor 10 and were eliminated.

In other words, YuWon was facing a selected elite of ten thousand people.

While Apollo continued to observe the screen for a moment...

"Senior, over there..."

Apollo touched Hades' shoulder with an uneasy voice.

"What's wrong?"

"That guy is here too."

"That guy?"

Hades turned his head.

The place Apollo was pointing at.

There was an empty circle with people moving away from a single individual.

People avoided getting close.

It seemed to be some kind of disturbance, but Hades understood when he saw who Apollo was pointing at.

"Asura...?"

Dark brown skin and well-developed muscles. A man covered in ten weapons all over his body.

He was staring at the screen.

"Why did Asura come here?"

Asura was a dangerous Ranker. He had skills, but he also enjoyed fighting and had no qualms about killing.

The number of high-level Rankers he had killed was in the double digits.

It was serious enough to receive warnings from an Administrator, as he challenged others to fight and killed them without any reason or justified cause.

"It seems that guy has also taken an interest in Kim YuWon."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"It probably is, if it's Asura."

It wasn't just an ordinary level of danger.

The fact that he, who had been quiet after receiving warnings from an Administrator, was acting meant that he was going to put an end to something.

He had probably been looking for his next prey for a long time.

"I'll inform Hercules about this."

"Alright. Please do."

Asura's appearance made Hades realize that there were more Rankers interested in this trial than he had thought.

Even with a quick glance, he recognized several familiar faces.

'Asura, Tsukuyomi, Thor, Brunhilde, Merlin, Belial...'

It was as if all the stars were gathering to form a galaxy.

The powers gathered here were enough to provoke a great cataclysmic war.

If they came to this place, there was only one reason.

To test YuWon's abilities.

With the Trial open to Rankers, this was an opportunity to verify it.

"So, what will happen...?"

Hades' gaze returned to the screen once again. Toward the top of the castle that appeared on the screen.

"It's YuWon!"

"Is it starting already?"

"We've waited for so long!"

"Here! Bring three pitchers of beer!"

Cheers erupted everywhere when YuWon appeared.

The one-against-all Trial had begun.

KO-FI

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