How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 15 (Part 1):

“It’s begun.”

Yujin clicked his tongue at the commotion echoing from one side.

The influx of players had fully kicked off, so it was about time for things to start unfolding.

Robbery through violence and the sorting of hierarchies.

Wasn’t it human nature to prove one’s superiority the moment three people gathered?

Subduing those who seemed weaker, taking what was theirs.

In the Tower, societal laws held no meaning, so it was only natural for base instincts to surface.

This would likely be the starting point for countless bouts of chaos.

It had been the same during his first run.

“Still, it’s not entirely a bad thing.”

As conflicts and disputes persisted, the weak would inevitably band together.

They’d compensate for their lack of strength with numbers.

And the forces formed in this way could prove immensely helpful in climbing the Tower.

“Well, that’s got nothing to do with me, though.”

There wasn’t a single worthwhile soul among those flexing their strength on the mere 1st Floor.

The truly promising ones were probably agonizing over how to level up by now.

They’d have realized that’s the only way to survive in this damned Tower.

“Let’s ignore that noise.”

He walked.

After strolling for a while along the still-dazzling streets, he caught sight of the towering walls encircling Terra.

“This way, right?”

On the 1st Floor, there were several ways to acquire a mount.

The place Yujin was heading to was the most well-known and reputedly the fastest among them.

Of course, at this point in time, hardly anyone would know about it.

As he slipped out to the city’s outskirts, the quiet was immediately noticeable.

Not only were there barely any players, but NPCs were scarce as well.

“It’s been a while, so it’s a bit disorienting.”

The roads were no different.

Unlike the city center, where wide roads stretched out like a planned metropolis, this place was akin to an ant’s nest.

Narrow, winding alleys twisted and turned in a continuous maze, so confusing that anyone unfamiliar with the area would get lost the moment they stepped in.

In fact, during the early days of his first run, many players who mistakenly wandered here never made it out.

The labyrinthine paths and the trash inhabiting them were to blame.

“A player?”

“Huh, already?”

“The city center’s been getting noisy, hasn’t it? Looks like the time’s come.”

Spotting Yujin as he retraced his memories and pressed forward, someone began whispering.

A scarred face with a long gash across the cheek, an aggressive demeanor, and a cocky tone to match.

They were the quintessential back-alley thugs, straight out of a mold.

“What’s a fancy player like you doing in a place like this?”

“Maybe he’s here to help us out?”

*Hihik-hihik-.*

The three thugs, their sneers dripping with greed, approached Yujin.

“That sword on your hip looks nice. Hand it over.”

“Got anything else? Cough up whatever you got from the tutorial floor. Do that, and we might let you live.”

“How about we start by cutting off an arm and then talk?”

The thugs drew daggers from their coats, exuding killing intent.

Trash—that’s what you called people like them.

Scum who preyed on weak players and NPCs in the outskirts of Terra.

Confirming their faces, Yujin clapped his hands with a *slap-.*

“Hey, perfect timing.”

“…Huh?”

The thugs froze at the unexpected reaction.

But Yujin, instead, stepped toward them.

*Ssik-.*

“I’ve got a few questions, you see.”

The smile on Yujin’s face as he spoke was incomparably more sinister than that of mere thugs.

“No need to worry too much. Answer well, and I’ll only cut off one arm before I go.”

“What’s this nutcase saying?”

“Who’s cutting whose arm?”

“You’re done for. Don’t even dream of walking away alive.”

The thugs burst into incredulous laughter at Yujin’s words.

They couldn’t even imagine losing.

And they had reason to be confident.

At this point, most players were probably still at Level 1.

The luckiest among them might have reached Level 2.

To NPCs, players at that level were nothing more than walking targets.

These thugs were likely at least Level 4 or 5.

So, naturally, they saw nothing but prey.

But that only applied in typical cases.

Needless to say, it didn’t apply to Yujin.

“I said. I’ll cut off your arms.”

*Swish—!*

The 『Black Wing [A]』 he drew in an instant gleamed with dark light.

At the same time, something long soared into the air, accompanied by red liquid.

“Huh?”

Three of them.

The thugs’ left arms.

*Puwhaaaak-!*

Blood sprayed like a fountain from the severed stumps.

“Aaaaargh!”

“My—my arm!”

Only after their severed arms hit the ground did the thugs realize what had just happened.

That’s how swift and clean the strike was.

‘Not bad at all.’

Yujin was quite pleased with his own movements.

『King of All Arms [S]』, 『Divinely Blessed Body [S]』, 『Unity of Mind and Body [E]』.

The synergy of these three traits far exceeded his expectations.

Even in his first run, achieving this level of harmony wasn’t easy.

To have gathered such traits on the 1st Floor was nothing short of divine luck.

“Kill—kill him!”

The apparent leader among the three, eyes bloodshot, roared.

“Want to keep going?”

Yujin tilted 『Black Wing [A]』 slightly.

Dark mana rippled along the blade.

“I don’t mind, but are you sure? Next, it’ll be your legs.”

*Flinch—*

The thugs, who had been about to charge through their pain at their leader’s command, froze in place.

‘C-crazy bastard.’

Only then did they realize.

The Yujin before them was a completely different beast from any ordinary player.

His skill was one thing, but what was even stranger was his demeanor.

The expression of someone who had just severed three arms in one stroke was far too calm.

As if he were used to it.

If he said he’d cut their legs, he would.

Just like he’d cut their left arms moments ago!

They staggered back.

They must have sensed that tangling with him further could mean death.

“Where do you think you’re going? I never said I’d let you leave.”

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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