How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 16 (Part 1):

The importance of a mount within the Tower cannot be overstated.

Each floor boasted an immense scale, making traversal a daunting task.

Especially in the early levels, without access to convenient skills, moving from one place to another could take an eternity without a mount.

To save even that precious time, securing one was an absolute necessity.

‘Well, that’s not the only reason.’

In any case, to obtain a mount quickly and reliably on the 1st Floor, this was the place to be.

Scratching his head, Yujin stowed 『Black Wing [A]』 and turned his gaze toward Tailon.

‘The King of Trash.’

His level was likely well over 100.

He was one of the five lords ruling Terra, alongside Cupiditas.

‘Too much for me right now.’

Yujin quietly assessed the gap in their strength.

Even with all his skills at play, he didn’t stand a chance just yet.

“You’re as fearless as they say,” Tailon remarked, noticing Yujin’s stare. His eyes gleamed with audacity as he let out a dry chuckle.

“That goes for you too, doesn’t it?” Yujin shot back.

Tailon wasn’t the only one sizing up his opponent.

Yujin had felt it—the moment Tailon flicked his hand to send a lump flying, a subtle pulse of mana had brushed over him, probing.

“And sharp, too,” Tailon said, his expression unfazed despite being caught.

No, if anything, his curiosity and interest seemed to deepen.

“I heard you just came from that damned pervert’s den,” Tailon continued. “What brings you here? From the timing, it seems you came straight to me.”

As expected of the King of Trash.

His information-gathering ability was beyond imagination.

Within the confines of the 1st Floor, it might even surpass that of the Information Guild.

“I’m here to get a horse,” Yujin replied. “A strong one, and fast, if possible.”

“A horse?” Tailon’s eyes flickered with faint surprise.

True, horses were among the goods Tailon dealt in.

But only a select few among the NPCs knew that.

For a player—let alone a newbie summoned today—to know this was unthinkable.

Yet Yujin’s casual demand left Tailon momentarily speechless.

“Who told you… No, never mind,” Tailon said, his gaze shifting to Chunbae, the small bear dangling from Yujin’s arm. He nodded with a meaningful look. “If you managed to pry *that* from Cupiditas, you must have some skill.”

‘Well, I just know it from my first run,’ Yujin thought.

Still, there was no harm in letting Tailon misunderstand, so he stayed silent.

“I’ve got plenty of horses,” Tailon said, unexpectedly nonchalant. “Pay the right price, and I’ll give you one.”

This was why this place was the fastest and easiest way to secure a mount.

“How much?” Yujin asked.

“Three Coins.”

“You damned highway robber,” Yujin muttered.

Back in his first run, a horse cost just one 『Coin』.

Even then, few players bought horses here.

『Coins』 were rare items, after all—nearly impossible to come by on these lower floors.

And now, three? Triple the original price?

“What did you just say?” Tailon frowned, digging at his ear as if he’d misheard.

But he hadn’t.

Yujin met his gaze squarely and repeated himself, clear as day.

“I said, you damned highway robber.”

To think he’d try to rip him off, assuming he was clueless.

The words slipped out naturally.

“Krk,” Tailon let out a grating laugh, like metal scraping.

“It’s been a while,” he said. “Seeing someone in this trash heap dare to speak to me like that.”

His estimated level was over 100.

On the 1st Floor, he was practically a god.

Early-game players wouldn’t even dare meet his eyes.

Yet here was a newbie, fresh from the tutorial, calling him a highway robber to his face.

From Tailon’s perspective, it was beyond absurd—it was downright ridiculous.

But it also piqued his curiosity.

First Cupiditas, now him.

This guy was brazenly defying two of the five lords of Terra.

“What makes you so cocky?” Tailon asked.

Either he was supremely confident in his skills, or he was utterly insane.

“What do I rely on? Just my own strength,” Yujin replied, baring his teeth in a grin.

“Strength, huh…” Tailon smirked.

“Just an ignorant brat, then.”

He acknowledged Yujin’s talent.

Surviving a face-to-face with Cupiditas in the Alchemist Guild was impressive enough.

But that was it.

No matter how exceptional Yujin was, he was still just a newbie.

“Drunk on the power you gained in the Tower, unable to tell heaven from earth,” Tailon said.

Every so often, someone like Yujin appeared.

Players who, after excelling in the tutorial floor, deluded themselves into thinking they were chosen, special.

Maybe they grew faster than others or acquired superior items.

The reasons varied, but they all ended up the same—arrogant, overconfident in their abilities.

And then?

“Guys like you die early,” Tailon said.

They run wild like this and vanish without a trace.

Tailon lost interest in Yujin.

If he had Coins to buy a horse, that’d be one thing, but from his words, he was clearly penniless.

“Deal with him,” Tailon ordered.

He didn’t know how Yujin had survived Cupiditas’s clutches, but expecting that same luck here?

‘That’s your mistake.’

As Tailon turned away, he waved a hand, and his subordinates moved.

“Hmph,” Yujin glared at Tailon’s retreating figure with irritation.

If it had been one Coin as he remembered, he wouldn’t have picked a fight.

But now things were different.

“Wow, now even a lowlife thug like this looks down on me,” Yujin said, letting out a hollow laugh.

Tailon? The King of Trash? Level 100?

None of that meant anything to Yujin.

Back in his first run, didn’t guys like this avoid his gaze entirely?

Sure, things were very different now, but that didn’t mean his pride would let it slide.

“Fine. Let’s dance. I’m getting that horse today.”

He wouldn’t pay with Coins.

He only had two on hand anyway—not enough.

That left only one option.

‘I’ll take it.’

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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