How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 11 (Part 2):

A crazy guy who awkwardly greeted her, insulted her appearance out of nowhere, and then drew a sword.

If this were the middle of Seoul instead of the Tower, Ishia would’ve punched him in the face without hesitation.

Or maybe kneed him in the most sensitive spot.

But she couldn’t act recklessly here.

This was a bizarre, surreal space where unrealistic and irrational things happened.

‘You have to be wary of people like that.’

It was the same in the tutorial floor.

There were scumbags who, to save themselves, threw others into the abyss.

She could understand why they did it, but that didn’t mean she could empathize.

Ishia steeled her resolve, pulling herself together.

‘From now on, every player I meet has survived the tutorial floor. I can’t underestimate any of them.’

That lunatic from earlier might’ve been one of those scumbags.

‘What did he look like?’

Just in case she ran into him again, she tried to recall his face.

‘Early twenties? Late teens?’

He didn’t seem that old.

Around her age, maybe a bit younger.

‘Could even be the same age.’

His appearance was average.

Nothing particularly stood out.

But his aura was different.

There was something unlike any other player she’d seen so far.

She couldn’t quite put it into words, but…

Skilled?

Familiar?

Ishia and the other players were still struggling to adapt to this strange situation.

That was only natural.

It had only been a day since they entered the Tower.

Everything was unfamiliar and frightening.

But that lunatic was different.

He seemed… like he’d been living in this place for years.

‘He looked so relaxed.’

Yes, relaxed.

Like he was just strolling through his neighborhood, carefree and casual.

That’s how he approached her.

“He’s no ordinary lunatic.”

To adapt to this hellish place in just a day and brazenly draw a sword in the middle of a crowded street—how insane was that?

Maybe he was a notorious psychopath or serial killer on the outside.

‘I need to avoid running into him.’

She gently touched the sword she was carrying.

The sword she’d luckily obtained from a treasure chest during the tutorial, 『Crimson Lotus [E]』.

It felt strangely calming to hold it.

It was her first time wielding a sword, but it fit her hand oddly well.

She wasn’t confident she could fight with it, but she felt she wouldn’t be completely useless either.

During the tutorial, Didaskalia had said:

Kill monsters, complete quests, and level up to grow stronger.

Gain the strength to climb floor by floor.

If she did that, she could become strong too.

Strong enough to face the monsters from the tutorial floor or even that lunatic from earlier without running away.

“Alright. Let’s make leveling up my goal for now.”

If she kept at it, maybe one day she’d clear the 5th Floor and get a chance to return home, even if just for a moment.

Stand—!

After waiting a while and seeing no sign of the lunatic following her, Ishia rose to her feet.

It was tough, but she didn’t have time to sit around like this.

She needed to get stronger, and fast.

That was the only way to survive and see her family and friends again.

And the first thing she needed to do for that was…

“Where are the monsters?”

She had to hunt.

But she had no idea where to even find monsters.

“Should I just go outside and look around?”

She couldn’t think of any other plan.

“Um…”

That’s when she heard it.

A cautious voice from behind.

Ishia startled—Flinch!—and spun around.

Even in her surprise, her hand instinctively went to the handle of 『Crimson Lotus [E]』.

It was a reflexive move, but so swift and precise it was almost admirable.

“Who are you?”

Recalling her earlier encounter, Ishia asked with heightened wariness.

“I’m the owner of this place. I was wondering if you needed any help.”

“Oh.”

Now that she thought about it, she’d barged in here without even knowing where she was or asking permission.

‘A tavern?’

It looked like a bar, the kind she’d only seen in movies.

Inside, five or six patrons were silently watching her and the owner.

To think she’d stormed into a place like this and crouched down for so long…

How baffled they must’ve been.

And yet, they’d quietly waited without saying a word.

“I’m so sorry!”

She bowed deeply in apology.

“No, no, it’s fine. You seemed to have some circumstances, so I just stayed quiet.”

Thankfully, the owner smiled and waved it off.

“By the way, I heard you mention looking for monsters earlier.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh, you just arrived on the 1st Floor, and you’re already talking about monsters? Are you planning to hunt?”

“Y-Yes. I want to get stronger quickly.”

Ishia blushed slightly, a bit embarrassed, as she answered. The owner nodded.

“That’s a great mindset. To survive in this Tower, that kind of ambition is essential.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course. So, let me help you with what you were wondering about.”

The owner went to the back of the bar and returned with a large sheet of paper.

“A map?”

It was a map of the surrounding area, centered on the city of Terra.

“If you head east from the city gates, you’ll find a habitat for monsters that even inexperienced players can hunt.”

Tap—.

The owner tapped a specific spot.

“This is the habitat of the Sulfur Deer. Dangerous creatures. To take one on alone, you’d need to be at least level 7.”

Level 7.

Ishia had no frame of reference for what that meant.

She hadn’t even leveled up once yet.

But one thing was clear: she couldn’t handle it alone right now.

“So don’t venture too deep. Stick to the outskirts and hunt the stragglers—one or two at most.”

Sulfur Deer?

What kind of deer has such a menacing name?

“And you’ll absolutely need companions. Don’t let the name fool you, they’re very powerful monsters.”

The owner’s voice carried a slight weight.

“…Can I really take on monsters like that? Isn’t there something weaker or easier to hunt?”

“They’re dangerous, but they give a lot of experience. Far more than other monsters on the 1st Floor. If you gather five or six level 1 players, you should be able to take down one Sulfur Deer somehow.”

Oh, if that’s the case…

Ishia, who wanted to get stronger as fast as possible, was willing to take on a bit of risk.

“Th-Thank you.”

For someone she’d just met to show her such kindness…

For the first time since entering the Tower, Ishia felt the warmth of another’s goodwill, and her eyes grew slightly red.

“No need to thank me.”

The owner shrugged as if it was nothing and continued.

“But if you need information in the future, come to me.”

He slid a business card toward her.

*-Information Guild Terra Branch Leader, Mullen-*

“We provide the best information at the lowest prices.”

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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