How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 10 (Part 1):

In the end, it was decided that Citadel would handle moving the furnace later on his own.

There was no reason for Yujin to help with that, and frankly, he had no desire to either.

Give and take.

Since Citadel had fulfilled his part, it was now Yujin’s turn to receive what he wanted.

“Wait just a moment. I’ll bring it out quickly.”

Citadel had a rugged appearance and a prickly personality.

But he was someone who took responsibility for his words to the very end.

In this Tower, where even NPC guards would backstab players without hesitation, someone who upheld such integrity was worth keeping close.

“…If only his skills were a bit better, I might’ve considered training him.”

NPCs could grow too.

Of course, they couldn’t use the 【Akasha System】, but as living, breathing beings, it was only natural they could improve their skills.

Unlike players, who were specialized solely for combat, NPCs held considerable potential in crafting fields as well.

‘That’s why, in my first run, those guild-building types scrambled to recruit artisans.’

The saying that a well-raised NPC was worth ten players didn’t come from nowhere.

Of course, that didn’t apply to Citadel.

“That guy’s skills are too lacking to keep using him.”

The [Citadel’s Golden Hammer] was filled with F-rank junk.

Was he supposed to drag along such a mediocre guy and make use of him?

“Rather, there are a few decent NPCs in the upper floors. Picking one of those would be better.”

If he leveraged his experience from the first run wisely, he could secure one or two artisans with high growth potential.

“I’m not planning to start a guild, but having some support would definitely make things easier.”

As he began to flesh out the vague plans in his mind, the back door opened, and Citadel returned.

“You’re not late this time.”

When he went to fetch the furnace, it took an eternity.

“These were hidden nearby.”

The thing Yujin had wanted most since arriving on the 1st Floor.

“This’s 『Black Wing [C]』.”

Citadel held out a slender sword with a strained expression.

From the scabbard to the hilt.

It was as if the night sky had been carved out, entirely composed of a glossy, subdued black.

The overall design was simple, but one part stood out.

The guard connecting the hilt to the blade was unique.

“Black wings.”

It was shaped like the darkened wings of an angel.

“That’s why it’s called 『Black Wing [C]』.”

With Citadel’s reply, Yujin reached out and grasped it.

It felt heavier than expected.

“It’s made of black iron, so it’s quite heavy. Unless you’ve leveled up considerably, swinging it will be tough.”

That seemed likely.

If Yujin hadn’t acquired 『Divinely Blessed Body [S]』, he wouldn’t have been able to hold it so lightly now.

“If you overlook that drawback, it’s a sword worthy of being called the best. Of course, someone like you, who took down an Earth Dragon, should be able to wield it just fine.”

Citadel spoke with a proud expression.

He wasn’t wrong.

Indeed, 『Black Wing[ C]』 was a masterpiece, nearly unmatched below the 50th floor.

‘…This is my first time holding it.’

■ 『Black Wing [C]』 : A fine sword imbued with the sealed power of a fallen angel. Its true strength lies dormant.

Honestly, it was exceptional enough to spark greed.

The 『Fire Dragon Blade [E]』 obtained on the tutorial floor wasn’t bad for early use, but it couldn’t compare to this sword.

And its true power?

‘It’s sealed, huh.’

That wasn’t surprising.

Sealed items were occasionally found in the Tower.

And most of them boasted remarkable performance.

In his first run, several of the weapons Yujin used were such sealed items, so he knew well.

‘I really want to try swinging it.’

But…

“This isn’t a sword for me to use.”

“What?”

Citadel’s eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d heard.

Did that mean he went through the trouble of slaying an Earth Dragon for a sword he wouldn’t even use?

“There’s someone who suits this sword. It’s a kind of bribe. To get on their good side.”

“What kind of lunatic…?”

Citadel let out a hollow laugh.

To give 『Black Wing [C]』 to someone else.

And on the 1st Floor, not even the upper floors?

If other NPCs heard this, they’d point fingers and whisper.

That a complete fool had shown up.

“You should think it over. 『Black Wing [C]』 isn’t an ordinary sword.”

He knew.

To those unaware, they might scoff at a mere C-rank item, but…

‘In the Tower, getting anything above D-rank is like plucking stars from the sky.’

Be it skills, traits, or items.

Even Yujin, by the time he faced Apocalypse, had only managed to collect two A-rank items.

So, a C-rank item on these lower floors was practically an endgame piece.

Yet Yujin didn’t waver.

“The person destined for this sword isn’t ordinary either.”

Someone worth bribing with such an item to build a connection.

That was none other than the Sword Empress, the owner of 『Black Wing [C]』 in his first run.

From the moment she received it as a reward for a favor to Citadel until the moment she died.

She never once let 『Black Wing [C]』 leave her side.

“Who’s that?”

Citadel asked, and Yujin shrugged.

“There’s someone like that.”

The least useless among the useless.

Aside from Yujin, the greatest genius with a sword, pure and noble, willing to sacrifice herself for others.

And because of that, she had to stop climbing at the 64th floor.

‘This time, I’ll make sure she survives.’

So they could reach the 100th floor together, cut down that damned Apocalypse, and prevent the world’s destruction.

『Black Wing [C]』 was a stepping stone for that.

Dangun

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