I’ve had a drink before.
I’ve never bought one myself or had someone hand me one for free.
But there was that one time when a soju bottle was forced down my throat. I remember the glass hitting my uvula and the burning liquor pouring down my esophagus.
The memories after that are blurry. They say it’s like the film cut out. You close your eyes and suddenly it’s the next day.
I just experienced something similar now.
The difference is that back then, my memories before waking were hazy and my body felt numb.
Now, my memories are sharp as if they’re pushed right in front of my face, my body is pulsing with energy, and my mind is as clear as a bell.
I felt another person’s heartbeat through the skin touching mine.
That squishy sensation, which had stayed very vividly in the back of my mind, was now present on my face.
Feeling the contradictory state of being both clear-headed and dizzy, I patted Hong Yeon-hwa’s back, just like before.
“Hmm…?”
– Rustle
Hong Yeon-hwa, lying next to me, stirred. After a moment of hesitation, she pushed herself up and leaned against the wall. I was pulled up with her.
“You’re awake… How do you feel? Are you okay? Is anything weird?”
– Nods
“That’s a relief…”
Still sounding half-asleep, Hong Yeon-hwa let out a sigh of relief.
As I nodded back, she moved her hand.
“…!”
Her hand patting my back made me straighten up. The rhythmic patting made me panic, and I shook my head.
“Hmm? Why?”
Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head in confusion.
The patting stopped. Instead, her palm pressed against my back as she stroked from the top down. A dizzying sensation ran down my spine.
“…!!”
I twitched like a freshly caught fish. Hong Yeon-hwa froze in surprise.
Taking a quick chance, I dashed out of her embrace and created some space.
No matter how strange the looks were, I took a deep breath to regain my composure.
It was a strange matter.
The memories from yesterday were vivid.
The sudden madness and embarrassing behavior were all too clear. It felt odd being petted like that back then and now being like this.
If I were to make an excuse, I wasn’t in my right mind then. There was a reason for my madness.
The flame on my right arm.
‘Gop-hwa.’
As I calmed my breath, troubling thoughts began to surface.
Yesterday’s memories were sharp. I remembered the foolishness I exhibited, and I heard the conversation between Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin.
I don’t know why. But as a result, the flames I spewed forth are called Gop-hwa. It certainly had the power that suited it.
But the question remained unanswered.
‘Why?’
Why did Gop-hwa erupt from my arm, or rather, from the burn mark?
My already overcrowded mind added more confusion. Is there some strange incident happening in my body?
I frowned and opened my ears. Various sounds filled my ears. I sketched a map in my head.
In the tunnel, there were only Hong Yeon-hwa and me. I sensed the other two above us.
I pointed to a small exit with my finger. Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been staring at me blankly, nodded and got to her feet.
The moment I stepped outside, a cool breeze brushed my skin.
Pressing down my hair that flew with the wind, I took a deep breath. The fresh air filled my lungs.
I felt a little relief in my previously stuffy chest.
“Good morning?”
“Good morning, Hayeol!”
While stepping on the moderately grown weeds, I got a greeting from Baek Ahrin and Elia, who were gathered near the entrance.
Elia and Baek Ahrin were already preparing fruit they had gathered, holding them with hands wrapped in magical energy.
I nodded my head in greeting and sat down nearby. As I observed my surroundings, I felt various magic spells set up all around.
These were the security, protection, and barrier spells Baek Ahrin installed at the temporary base. The level of magic itself was incredibly high. There were many spells I could classify but not interpret.
As I observed them one by one, I couldn’t help but stick out my tongue.
It’s no wonder they invited an amazing wizard to the clan. Just having such a wizard around would greatly enrich our lives and missions compared to before.
‘Day 4…’
Before we came out of the tunnel, Hong Yeon-hwa had filled me in on the situation.
After defeating the boss, considering my mental breakdown and the exhausted stamina of the team, we created this makeshift base in haste.
Having spent almost a whole day recovering, it’s already the fourth day.
Tomorrow, the schedule for that tension-filled tower will be over.
The sounds of nature and the rustling of fingers as fruit was being cut filled the air.
It didn’t bother me. It was just the sound of white noise.
Without much thought, I reached out.
The fruit that Baek Ahrin and Elia were prepping… from their conversation, it seemed to resemble an apple. I picked up a piece of unprocessed fruit.
The smooth, cool surface was similar to that of an apple.
After fidgeting with it for a moment, I wrapped some magical energy around my opposite index finger.
This wasn’t just a rough shape; I honed the blade sharply to peel the fruit’s skin.
Crunch— the skin fell to the ground.
“Oh, you’re really good at peeling!”
On the other side, Baek Ahrin, who was diligently peeling skins, exclaimed in admiration. From what I felt with my senses, it seemed to be cut pretty cleanly.
I kept peeling the skins off the fruit the team had gathered. Since everyone was superhuman, this amount would suffice for a meal.
While moving my hands, I organized my thoughts.
There were three main objectives I aimed for when entering the tower.
The first was my inherent growth.
To enhance my overall abilities through the amplified growth blessing, including physical abilities, mana, unique skills, and proficiency.
This aspect had been fulfilled beyond my expectations. The escape plan I initially devised was obliterated along with spatial perception, and during the first and second days, I was chased by the students and engaged in scuffles.
Though it was some extreme hardship, considering the changes and outcomes I’m feeling now, it all felt sweet.
The second was the proper collection of materials.
Compared to the outside, the internal mana density of the tower truly reflects the meaning of a different world, making it possible to find various material items here.
Even the fruit I just bit into is filled with quite a bit of mana.
Of course, it’s not even comparable to elixirs. Still, it has a positive effect.
I planned to gather such materials through spatial perception, but that plan fell apart.
I thought about gathering now, but my tactile and auditory senses and mana detection have limitations, so I gave up.
Also, while my current condition isn’t at its worst, it’s still not at peak efficiency. Just quietly training alone would be more beneficial for my growth.
And lastly, acquiring the hidden piece.
This part… is really disappointing.
If it weren’t for Elia’s help on the second day, I might have failed, but still, I can’t help but feel regretful because of my excessive greed.
The trials in the tower change content, and this trial is considered a safe trial typically conducted on the first floor. The hidden piece I wanted could only be obtained on the first floor.
‘The Egg of Origin.’
After learning that piece of information, it’s a mandatory hidden piece to obtain in any round.
The method to find it is simple.
You just need to find the structure located somewhere on the first floor. Time is given for five days, so as long as you don’t get knocked out in a ridiculous manner, it should be easy to get.
The way to acquire it is also straightforward.
The very condition to approach the hidden piece is the title of ‘Special Enrollee.’
Unlike other hidden pieces which are randomly taken by NPCs, this is player-exclusive.
You just need to approach the altar, and bam, the altar opens up.
It’s not only easy to approach, but also the actual difficulty of acquiring it is the easiest of hidden pieces. Plus, it has amazing effects.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the starting point of the snowball effect for the “Diamond Warrior,” which dramatically increases character stats, is the Egg of Origin.
With such efficacy, I really wanted to get it… but this is where I am now.
‘Sigh.’
Though I was overflowing with regret, there was nothing I could do with spatial perception in its current state.
If I recall correctly, I remembered re-entering the first floor around the end of my first year or the beginning of my second year.
Now, I had no choice but to aim for that time.
‘… Where was that location?’
With deep sighs, I finished peeling the fruit’s skin.
As I cut several pieces into suitable sizes and shoved them into my mouth, I reminisced about the knowledge I gained from the original work.
The first floor is often compared to a lush jungle from the dinosaur era yet confirms that there are inexplicable structures scattered throughout.
The Egg of Origin lies asleep in one of those structures.
I recalled that the description of that structure was rather unique.
‘An old stone altar surrounded by eight pillars.’
Of those, three dark ones…
“─ The three triangular pillars encircled the altar while five white pillars surrounded it in a pentagon.”
‘Huh?’
My mouth, which had been mumbling, suddenly stopped.
“That’s strange. I found a few unusual things on my way, but everything was just crumbling stone structures. Did you not find anything special?”
“Yes, I was looking around to see if anything was there, but it just looked decorative to me.”
I tilted my head at the sudden voice. My head felt like thunder was rumbling inside.
It took a moment to process the information. Did I just say that out loud? It should be impossible due to the curse.
After organizing my thoughts for a moment, I turned my head.
In that direction was Elia, who was currently sharing her observations of something peculiar she found.
I racked my brain again.
The altar placed in the center. The eight pillars surrounding it.
The three black pillars situated in a triangular shape.
The five white pillars arranged in a pentagon.
The judgment was made. I sprang to my feet and stepped forward.
“… So I thought… Huh? Hayeol?”
I reached Elia, clasping her hands suddenly. Elia, caught off guard by the abrupt grab, shot me a puzzled look.
“Hayeol?”
“Hayeol?”
I felt the gazes of Baek Ahrin and Hong Yeon-hwa from the side. I didn’t mind.
“…!”
Suppressing my excitement as much as possible, I shook her arm vigorously.
Moments later, I was forcefully petted and subdued.
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