How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 4 (Part 1):

“S-Sung Yujin, Player?”

Didaskalia stammers, calling out Yujin’s name.

Its expression is one of utter bewilderment.

But right now, the bastard has no grasp whatsoever of what’s happening to Yujin.

It senses *something* has changed, yet it can’t pinpoint exactly what or how.

That’s only natural.

The Yujin standing before it now is an existence on an entirely different plane from the Yujin of mere moments ago.

Though Didaskalia is one of the thirteen bastards managing the Tower of Light, it lacks the ability to discern the power of a being who conquered the Tower single-handedly.

“I thought long and hard before deciding.”

Paying no heed to Didaskalia’s call, Yujin mutters under his breath.

“Honestly, there were so many potential uses for this, I couldn’t even count them all.”

“…What in the world are you talking about, Player Sung Yujin?”

Naturally, Didaskalia can’t make heads or tails of his words.

It doesn’t even seem to know anything about the 『Lantern of Life [S]』 skill Yujin used.

“I mean, think about it. There will definitely be times when you get stuck climbing, and times when you fall into danger. If I used it in those situations, it could be the solution to break through and keep climbing. So of course I had to think it over carefully.”

The Tower of Light has numerous floors known as Hell Zones.

Even Yujin, in his first run, had to expend tremendous time and effort to conquer them.

He faced countless brushes with death in the process.

If he used 『Lantern of Life [S]』 in those moments, it would be like wielding a cheat code.

“But then, a thought hit me.”

Yujin’s gaze finally meets Didaskalia’s eyes.

“What does the 【Akasha System】 love most?”

A sudden, out-of-nowhere question.

But as the administrator of the tutorial floor, Didaskalia is obligated to answer a player’s query.

“Uh, achievements?”

Yujin’s casual tone, as if he knows the 【Akasha System】 inside out, only deepens the confusion in Didaskalia’s eyes.

“Right. Achievements. That’s what matters.”

The 【Akasha System】 always—without fail—grants generous rewards for any act deemed an achievement.

Firsts, strongest, greatest, fastest, and most crucially…

“When you accomplish the impossible.”

A level 1 player, freshly summoned to the Tower, defeating a 90th-floor boss that appeared in the tutorial?

That’s as close to impossible as conquering all 100 floors solo.

That thing was summoned to slaughter newbie players, not to be defeated.

“But let’s say, just *what if*. If I snapped the neck of that pitch-black lizard bastard right here, what do you think would happen?”

And for a player who achieved such an absurd feat, what kind of reward would the 【Akasha System】 offer?

Even compared to what Yujin received for defeating the Apocalypse in his first run and clearing the Tower, it wouldn’t fall short.

Sure, this was a gamble, no question. But it was a bet worth staking every last coin in his pocket.

That’s why Yujin used 『Lantern of Life [S]』.

To achieve an unprecedented, never-before-seen feat—neither in his first run, nor his second, nor ever imagined by any player or administrator!

“Y-You… what are you?!”

Finally realizing what Yujin is planning, Didaskalia cries out, its voice stained with panic.

“Haven’t you heard from the 【Akasha System】 yet?”

The corner of Yujin’s mouth curls upward.

Then, as if making a proclamation, he declares:

“I personally asked it to tell you that *I’m* your Apocalypse now.”

*Crack-crack-crack-crack-!*

Stomping the ground with force, the solid stone floor shatters, and Yujin’s form rockets into the air.

Soaring like a missile, he comes to a stop right in front of the massive head of *Darkness*.

“Hey, been a while, huh?”

*Grin-.*

Three years, was it?

“Nice to see you, but let’s not meet again. Not that you’ll be around after today anyway.”

*RRRROOOOARRR-!*

The Death Dragon’s maw gapes open.

It seems intent on swallowing the blabbering Yujin whole.

“Eyes down, you bastard. Who do you think you’re glaring at?”

Compared to the Death Dragon’s colossal body, Yujin is no bigger than an ant. Yet, with a curse, he throws a punch.

*BOOOOOOOOOOM-!*

Would striking a house-sized bell make such a sound?

Astonishingly, the Death Dragon, struck by Yujin’s fist—less than a hundredth of its size—has its jaw wrenched sideways.

An unreal, irrational sight.

Everyone watching, player and administrator alike, drops their jaw with a *gasp-*.

“Man, that felt good.”

With a satisfied smile, Yujin leaps onto the reeling dragon’s head.

Sensing him, the Death Dragon, despite its agony, thrashes its head wildly.

Driven by an instinctive sense of crisis, it tries to shake Yujin off.

An ordinary player would’ve struggled just to avoid being flung off, let alone maintain balance.

But Yujin is different.

As if his soles were coated with glue, he stands firmly atop the dragon’s crown without the slightest waver.

“Would’ve been nice if I had a sword. Too bad for you, huh?”

If Yujin had a sword in hand, the dragon could’ve died cleanly with its neck severed.

But right now, he doesn’t even have a kitchen knife.

So he’ll just have to beat it to death, literally.

“It said ten minutes, right? Got about seven left? If you survive until then, I won’t kill you. So go ahead, try to hold out.”

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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