How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 25 (Part 1):

How could players become stronger?

Naturally, the first method was leveling up.

As a player’s level increased, their strength grew exponentially.

Even surpassing Level 5 was enough to break world records in every Olympic event.

By Level 10, one could be considered superhuman.

They could leap over ten meters in a single bound and shatter massive boulders with a single punch.

A high level meant immense power.

However, leveling up wasn’t the only way for players to grow stronger.

Skills, items, and traits.

Acquiring high-grade ones could grant strength that surpassed mere levels.

Among them, traits offered the most significant boost in power.

Yujin’s 『King of All Arms [S]』 and 『Divinely Blessed Body [S]』 were proof of that.

“So, skip the small stuff and go all-in on traits.”

What Yujin sought was precisely a trait.

The most exceptional ones available on the 1st Floor.

Of course, being low-floor traits, they weren’t game-changers of earth-shattering caliber, but they were sufficient to serve as a foundation for growth for the time being.

“The first one to get should be 『Sword Heart [D]』, right?”

As the name suggested, it was a trait highly valuable for swordsmen.

It was said to grant the ability to read the “mind of the sword.”

‘No clue what that even means.’

In rough terms, its effect made swordplay more fluid and slightly enhanced swordsmanship skills.

If the Sword Empress mastered it, it could produce tremendous synergy.

“I’d love to get her something better, but this is the limit for now.”

There were no superior traits on the 1st Floor.

At least, not when it came to sword-related ones.

“Next up…”

Something suitable for Park Jihoo, the War Demon.

“Guess it’s gotta be 『Fighting Spirit [D]』?”

It was the same trait Park Jihoo had obtained in the first run.

The fiercer and more disadvantageous the battle, the more it boosted overall stats.

Though it was low-grade, this ability remained useful even in the upper floors of the Tower.

It was widely agreed that 『Fighting Spirit [D]』 played a decisive role when the War Demon single-handedly defeated the boss on the 70th floor.

“Well, it’s just a D-grade trait, after all.”

If Park Jihoo had even a single A-grade—or even B-grade—trait, he wouldn’t have faltered on the 70th floor.

“There’s a decent one around the 50th floor, so I’ll get him a new one then.”

For now, this would suffice.

“Alright, what’s left?”

He’d need to pick up one or two skills along the way.

Without usable skills, hunting was too slow.

Items could be sorted out later.

“Was it that way?”

Yujin, who had been running for a while after leaving Terra’s southern gate, pulled the reins to change direction.

It had been so long that his memory was hazy, but he was pretty sure the mountain ahead was the right one.

“Bukmang Mountain.”
[T/N: Bukmangsan is a mountain historically known as a burial ground in Korea, implying a place of no return.]

In the early days of the first run, not a single player who set foot on that mountain returned alive, earning it its name.

The reason was later revealed, but until then, Bukmang Mountain was practically a forbidden zone on the 1st Floor.

Whatever.

Yujin spurred his horse toward Bukmang Mountain.

*Dudududududu-!*

The black steed galloped across the darkened land with impressive agility.

‘Getting a mount first was definitely the right call.’

Otherwise, this would’ve taken so much longer.

With a satisfied smile, Yujin reached the foothills of Bukmang Mountain in no time.

“Dismiss summon.”

He couldn’t ride up the mountain, so he unsummoned the horse and began to walk.

The night-clad mountain was steeped in an eerie atmosphere.

There were no proper trails, and the waist-high underbrush only amplified the ominous vibe.

Of course, Yujin couldn’t care less.

Creepy, foreboding—whatever.

The fact that he had to climb a mountain in the dead of night was just annoying and tiresome.

“Might as well have a ghost pop out.”

At least then he could slice it up and gain some levels.

Smacking his lips, Yujin pulled the 『Fire Dragon Blade [E]』 from Chunbae’s mouth.

“Kuaaaang-!”

No matter how many times he saw it, he couldn’t get used to the sight, and his brow furrowed instinctively.

‘Now *that’s* horror.’

Wasn’t this far scarier than any Bukmang Mountain ghost?

Glancing at Chunbae, who clung to him with a ‘Did I do good?’ expression, Yujin drew the 『Fire Dragon Blade [E]』.

*Pabababababat-!*

With a single swing forward, a blade wind burst forth, slicing through the underbrush.

In an instant, a path was cleared, as if erased by an eraser.

Yujin moved along the path he’d created, swinging the 『Fire Dragon Blade [E]』 every so often.

“Gotta level this up soon, too.”

『Blink [E]』.

A teleportation skill usable only once a day.

If he could raise it to B-grade, he could conquer Bukmang Mountain in less than ten minutes.

But for now, it was limited to once a day with a measly three-meter range, making it hard to use effectively.

“When am I ever gonna level this up?”

The idea of retracing old paths was both exciting and tedious.

He knew firsthand how grueling the process was.

But there was no helping it.

If he didn’t want to face the same ending as the first run, he’d have to do better this time.

“Hm, I heard it’s around the midsection.”

Bukmang Mountain was tall.

Nothing like a neighborhood hill.

In height, it rivaled Mount Halla, but its terrain was several times more treacherous.

As a result, it drained more stamina than expected, making Yujin’s irritation grow.

“A rock where the peaks of three sword-like summits meet, was it?”

Dangun

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