How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 23 (Part 2):

Yujin quickly recalled his buried memories.

He needed an item the War Demon could use until he found the 『Dragon God Armor [A]』.

“Hmm, that might work.”

It was an item utterly useless to Yujin, who wielded a sword.

But for the War Demon, who primarily used his fists, it was a perfect fit.

“『Champion Gloves [C]』.”

The name was tacky, but it was good enough to last at least until the 50th floor.

“Getting it might be a bit tricky, but the 『Champion Gloves [C]』 should be decent for him for now.”

Alright, decided.

“Time to get up.”

Yujin hoisted Park Jihoo over his shoulder and spoke.

“A-Are we heading back to the city?”

“Back? Where to? The sun hasn’t even set yet.”

“…Then?”

“We came out to hunt, didn’t we?”

“Well, yeah, but…”

“Then we hunt. We’re not going back until you two hit level 10 today, so keep that in mind.”

Level 10.

Ishia didn’t know how long that would take, but judging by Yujin’s demeanor, it didn’t seem like it would be easy.

“Let’s see… where are those Red Goblins?”

The hunt had paused briefly, but he had no intention of ending it and returning.

If anything, he needed to push harder.

To train these two newbies—the Sword Empress and the War Demon—and raise their levels…

‘This is going to take longer than I thought.’

Yujin grinned and reached for his waist, then paused—*Flinch.*

“Oh, right, I gave her the sword.”

He glanced at the sword in Ishia’s hands with a hint of regret.

Instinctively, she clutched it to her chest, her expression screaming, *You’re not taking it back, are you?*

“Tch.”

Yujin clicked his tongue.

“I liked that one.”

Where would he find another A-rank sword on the 1st Floor?

For a while, it’d be hard to come by anything as good.

“No choice, then.”

Until he reached the higher floors, he’d have to make do with what he had.

Yujin moved his hand from his waist to his arm.

“Huh?”

Ishia’s eyes widened.

She’d been too busy getting pummeled to notice earlier, but something was dangling from Yujin’s arm.

“A bear?”

It was a cute bear, slightly larger than her palm.

‘Wait, it’s alive!’

She’d thought it was a stuffed toy, but it was moving.

‘What the heck is that?’

Curious about the adorable bear’s appearance, Ishia stared intently.

“Open your mouth.”

With a grimace, Yujin shoved his hand into the bear’s mouth—*Sshk!*

“Kyaaaah—!”

Ishia screamed at the horrifying sight.

“Kuaaaang—!”

The bear, Chunbae, let out a loud wail as well.

And then—

*Srrrng—*

A red blade slowly emerged from Chunbae’s mouth.

The 『Fire Dragon Blade [E]』.

Compared to the 『Black Wing [A]』, it was practically trash, but what could he do?

He’d have to make do with it for now.

“At least it’s not covered in weird goo.”

The 『Fire Dragon Blade [E]』, stored inside Chunbae, was in the same condition as when he’d put it in.

If it had been slimy, it would’ve been gross to use.

“Kuaang—!”

Chunbae patted Yujin’s arm with its front paw, as if to say, *Don’t worry.*

“We’ve got the weapon, so let’s go. The Red Goblins are probably over there.”

Having caused a grotesque scene, Yujin walked off nonchalantly.

‘This guy’s definitely insane.’

Ishia’s eyes trembled as she watched his back, then she trudged after him, like a condemned prisoner heading to the gallows.

* * *

Enend was, as usual, standing guard at the eastern gate.

There wasn’t much to do right now, but it was bound to get busy soon enough.

The players holed up in Terra would start heading out to hunt, one by one.

‘I hope it’s quiet this time.’

The players he’d seen were always the same.

At first, they acted like the world’s biggest cowards, but as they grew stronger, their true colors emerged.

They harassed Terra’s ordinary residents, swinging their weapons without a care.

Countless residents had died at their hands.

Each time, Enend and the other guards stepped in to deal with the worst of the players, but…

“Haa.”

A sigh escaped him.

It was a familiar worry, but as always, he’d likely repeat the same experiences.

Enend had long since given up any hope for the players.

‘It’d be better if they just leveled up quickly and moved on to the higher floors.’

When would they start hunting in earnest this time?

“Hey, Enend.”

Lost in thought under the blackened night sky, Enend’s ears caught the voice of a colleague.

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Someone’s approaching.”

At that, Enend heightened his alertness and peered beyond the gate.

The 1st Floor at night was dangerous.

Monsters grew more ferocious, and creatures unseen during the day would appear.

Naturally, no player should be wandering outside Terra at this hour.

“Not people?”

Enend’s eyes caught the silhouettes of the approaching figures.

They were far from monsters.

Humans—three of them.

‘Not residents, then.’

Could they be players who had just passed the tutorial floor?

Gripping his weapon, he kept his eyes on them, just in case.

A moment later—

“Ugh, damn it! Finally back!”

Definitely human.

And definitely a player.

“Sis, I’m… exhausted…”

“Stay awake! You can’t pass out here!”

One woman in her early twenties and a staggering boy.

And…

“Quit whining about a single day of hunting and get inside. I need a wash. This is disgusting.”

A man who looked to be in his mid-twenties.

“Who… who are they?”

Their ages and genders varied, but they shared one thing in common.

They looked like they’d bathed in blood.

Enend couldn’t even guess what they’d been doing out there.

“Yo, Enend. Good to see you again. No need for ID checks, right?”

The man, the most blood-soaked of the three, raised a hand in greeting.

Dangun

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