How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 8 (Part 2):

Yujin’s gaze turned to the three remaining Sulfur Deer, frozen as they stared at their dead companion.

“Wanna end up like your friend? Or just hand over your horns nicely?”

Unsurprisingly, the Sulfur Deer, unable to speak human language, chose the former, and the briefly paused battle resumed.

Srrk—Srrk—Srrk—!

Three swings of his blade.

Not a skill, not even a technique.

Just casually swinging at their necks.

That was enough.

Like the first, the others dropped their heads and met their end.

“Hm, didn’t expect it to be *this* easy.”

Of course, Yujin had never doubted his victory.

Sulfur Deer, Vampire Bats, Blue Slimes—none were worth worrying about, except maybe the Earth Dragon.

Even without skills or traits, his [experience] of climbing to the 100th floor and killing Apocalypse alone ensured that.

Still, he hadn’t anticipated it would be *this* effortless.

“Things are going smoothly.”

As Yujin let out a sinister chuckle, the Sulfur Deer corpses glowed and vanished.

In their place, dropped items appeared.

“Oh, lucky me.”

Not only did he get the 『Sulfur Deer’s Horn [F]』 he’d come for, but two 『Coins』 as well.

“These aren’t supposed to drop this easily.”

『Coins』 were items used for trading with NPCs.

While bartering was possible, the truly valuable goods required Coins.

Getting two Coins on the 1st Floor, from his first hunt, was incredibly fortunate.

“These are usually hard to come by on lower floors.”

Humming a tune, Yujin stuffed the dropped items into his pocket.

“The horns are enough for now. Next up, Vampire Bats?”

At this rate, he might finish today instead of tomorrow.

It depended on how he dealt with the Earth Dragon, but…

Compared to Apocalypse, an Earth Dragon was practically a worm.

“Earth Dragon, Heavenly Dragon—doesn’t matter. I’ll catch ‘em all and strip their flesh.”

For now, he needed to hunt Vampire Bats.

“But ugh, this is getting annoying.”

As Yujin started walking, he furrowed his brow.

The items in his pocket were making movement cumbersome.

“Gotta get 『Subspace』 soon.”

It wasn’t a big issue now, but as items piled up, it’d become a hassle.

“After dealing with Citadel’s task, I’ll prioritize getting a mount and 『Subspace』.”

You don’t realize how much you miss small conveniences until they’re gone.

Clutching his jingling pocket, Yujin headed toward the Vampire Bat habitat.

* * *

Citadel sat quietly, staring at the liquor bottle on the table.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t even ask his name.’

A player who’d appeared out of nowhere, promised to revive the flame, and left.

Caught up in the moment, Citadel had nodded, but as time passed, a growing sense of unease gnawed at him.

“Can I really trust him?”

He didn’t know.

But one thing was certain: if that player could truly revive the flame…

“Even giving up 『Black Wing [C]』 and 『Grace [C]』 wouldn’t feel like a loss.”

The question was whether he’d succeed.

Citadel himself didn’t know how to revive the flame.

If he did, he wouldn’t be sitting in his shop, drowning in liquor—he’d have acted, no matter how hard or difficult it was.

But despite all his efforts, he’d found no answers.

Yet, a player who’d just arrived on the 1st Floor claimed to know how.

“And he said he’d return with the method by tomorrow.”

Even if Citadel wanted to believe him, he couldn’t.

Frustrated, he grabbed the bottle and chugged the harsh liquor—glug, glug.

“Krrrgh!”

A burning sensation seared his throat, and he groaned involuntarily.

Still, the knot in his chest showed no signs of loosening.

“No, this won’t do. I need to see with my own eyes how he plans to pull this off.”

It hadn’t even been half a day since the player left.

No matter how vast the 1st Floor was, that was enough time to track him down.

“I’ll ask the information guild to find out where he is and borrow a horse to catch up.”

Tailon would probably lend his horse without hesitation.

As Citadel was planning the specifics, it happened.

Kwaaaang—!

Someone kicked the door open and stormed into the shop.

“Who the hell—?!”

Already on edge, Citadel shot up from his chair—thud!—ready to confront the intruder, but his body froze.

“Goddamn, that was a pain in the a*s.”

Cursing, the figure who appeared was none other than *that* player.

“What’s this? I told you to wait, and you’re chugging liquor and about to head out somewhere?”

Thud—.

A blood-red leather sack hit the floor with a heavy sound.

“Y-You…?”

“What’re you doing? Take it.”

As Citadel stammered in shock, the player kicked the leather sack on the floor—tap, tap—and spoke.

“The materials to revive your flame.”

“What?!”

His doubts and unease vanished in an instant.

“『Sulfur Deer’s Horn [F]』, 『Vampire Bat Membrane [F]』, 『Blue Slime’s Core [F]』, 『Earth Dragon’s Blood [D]』.”

What the hell was this guy saying?

Did he just mention the *Earth Dragon?*

“You’re welcome. Now hurry up and take me to the furnace.”

The player urged him with a face full of annoyance.

“Come on, what’re you waiting for? Let’s get this over with.”

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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