I Inherited the Basement of the Tower - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Inherited the Basement 1 of the Tower – Episode 16

Shing—

“How about I demonstrate just how painful a sword strike can be from someone who knows nothing but the blade?”

At those words dismissing Rare-grade abilities, Yahwi drew his sword, Yaddo.
The playful demeanor he’d shown before me vanished without a trace.
The fierce presence I’d witnessed during the second trial became palpable against my skin.

“Be quiet while adults are talking, you sword monkey.”

Barkalor didn’t back down either.
He casually brushed aside the blade that nearly grazed his neck with displeasure.
And he did so effortlessly with his thin, wrinkled fingers.

Whooom—

Looking closer, I could see dark mana rippling and blooming above his fingertips.

These bastards.
I could no longer hold back and channeled power throughout my entire body.

Ding!
【Special Stat activated: Darkness released.】

Whoosh!

“All of you, be quiet.”

Black flames surged up across my skin.

“Gasp—I-I’m terribly sorry, Master!”
“…This old fool has made a mistake. Please forgive me, my lord.”

At my aura, both Barkalor and Yahwi dropped to their knees simultaneously.
Rare, artifact-grade creatures at that. I’ve grown stronger, but I’m only level 6 now.
With merely my Darkness stat, they shouldn’t have felt threatened for their lives, yet they trembled as if death itself stood before them.
It seemed to be due to the power that worked upon the Temple’s inhabitants.

“Both of you, rise. Since you’ve been summoned here, we’re all family now. Get along well. Even if Yahwi’s rank is one tier below, he was summoned first, so don’t treat him carelessly.”
“Kugh! As expected of my lord! Did you hear that, old man!”
“Hmm… My master’s command is absolute. Understood. I shall endeavor to regard that swordplay monkey as an intelligent being.”
“…You really are something. Follow me to the Swordsmanship Hall.”

Sigh.
Watching the two bicker again the moment they stood up, I pressed my brow.
It was good that the Temple had become lively.
But it seemed they would need more time to become close.

* * *

“Are you ready?”
“Yes, Master. I await your command at any moment.”

The elderly butler Barkalor bowed with dignified posture.
I nodded and called out.

“Tower, enter Dungeon Level 6!”

Yahwi alone was sufficient as my combat inhabitant.
But Barkalor was artifact-grade.
He himself claimed proficiency in dark magic and curses.
I couldn’t help but test him.
Whoosh!

【You have entered Dungeon Level 6.】
【Clear Condition: Defeat 15 Werewears bearing sunlight.】

Dungeon Level 6 was no different from the previous floors.
The eclipse naturally activated, and Werewears—bulked-up versions of the surface Werewolves—emerged.

Roooaarrr!

Unlike the Werewolves, these creatures were built more for raw power than speed.
Yet their claws and fangs remained razor-sharp.
Normally, about thirty to forty monsters would appear on this floor.
This time, there were only fifteen—less than half.
This meant each individual was proportionally stronger.

“Hmph. An old man who does nothing but sit at a desk talking about strategy? You should admit you can’t do this even now.”

Yahwi, who had followed along, spoke up.
He had even pleaded to take a day off from Dungeon Level 3 just for this.

‘This time, we’ll get meat.’

Unlike the Werewolves, which were nothing but muscle, Werewears had plenty of meat on them.

‘I promised to call him once new meat appeared.’

My inventory of Kobold meat was already piling up.
It was time to expand into new varieties.

‘Kobold meat gave All Stats +1 on first consumption.’

Since we were on a higher floor, the effect should be enhanced as well.

‘I’ll just have to test it directly.’

I placed my hand on Barkalor’s shoulder.

“Go on. Show me your strength.”
“Yes, Master.”

Whoosh.

Barkalor adjusted his glasses and stepped forward.
His stance was entirely different from Yahwi’s, who fought at close range.
He simply stood at ease.
His hands merely extended forward.
His lean frame didn’t look like it could engage in combat at all.

‘So he’s a magic-type user.’

Not all Hunters wielded only swords and blunt weapons.
Depending on their awakened abilities, some could harness mana to cast magic.

‘The Wol-yeong-seok Shop’s skill section had a separate magic category too.’

And most of them shared a similar appearance to Barkalor.
Gaunt frames and forward-jutting necks.
In other words, Barkalor’s frail appearance actually enhanced his credibility as a mage.

‘If the strategist Barkalor could handle combat to some degree…!’

Just thinking about it made my mouth water with anticipation.

“Roooaarrr!”

Finally, the Werewears launched themselves from the ground.
Sharp fangs and claws came flying.
Yet Barkalor made no defensive movement whatsoever.
He simply extended his hand.
Tilted his chin slightly upward.
And opened his mouth.

“Sluggish.”

He spoke with arrogant certainty.
Then a sinister surge of mana erupted from his outstretched fingertips.

“Roooaaahhh—!”

Whoosh—

The released mana clung viscously to the Werewears.
Immediately after, their bodies convulsed as if time itself had slowed around them alone.

“…!”
“This is…!”

I forgot to react and just stood there with my mouth agape.
Yahwi and I were essentially swordsmen.
All we knew was how to move faster and stronger than our opponents.
But Barkalor was different.
With minimal movements as if he were a gentleman, he bound his opponent completely.
This was a tremendous shock to both Yahwi and me.

Snap—!

Barkalor didn’t stop there.
His remaining hand, embarrassingly idle, was placed firmly behind his back.
The hand he had extended clenched once more, then opened with tremendous force.

“Discord.”

Malevolent magic surged forth once again.
This time, the hearts of the Werewears were the target.

Boom—!

“Grrroaaah! Grrr! Grrroooaaaagh!”
“Guwooooo….”

Barkalor seemed like a conductor on a battlefield.
With just a wave of his hand.
The Werewears forgot their kinship and were busy tearing each other apart.

“Are you satisfied?”
“Y-yes, that was incredible!”
“Hehe. I’m honored by your praise, Master. This old man doesn’t know what to do with himself.”

It was a lie.
Barkalor kept his back perfectly straight as he gazed at Yahwi.

“Are you interested? This is curse-type magic. Of course….”

Whoosh—!

Barkalor drew back the hand he had extended, bringing it across to his opposite shoulder.
Then he swept it forward with a sharp whoosh, unfurling it like a blade.
As if his very hand were a sword.

“Krrr… Warrgh….”

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, the Werewears whose necks had been severed collapsed in unison.

“Such barbaric combat methods are certainly within my capabilities, should the need arise. Though I confess they are not to my personal taste.”

Tap-tap-tap.

It was nothing short of a display of overwhelming dominance.
I could not deny it.
Barkalor was both a strategist and a formidable combatant.

‘He is strong. Perhaps even stronger than Yahwi?’

Was dispatching fifteen Werewears truly such a remarkable feat?
No.
Both Yahwi and I could accomplish as much.
What astonished me was the overwhelming force and effortless grace with which he did it.
And yet.

“Summon.”

Whoosh.

Barkalor raised his clenched fist, fingers and palm facing upward with a sharp gesture.

Rumble-rumble-rumble!

Malevolent mana coalesced and surged forth, taking the form of Werewears.
They howled and walked, kneeling before me as they passed Barkalor.

“As long as I remain summoned, battles against vast armies shall pose no difficulty whatsoever.”

Click.
He adjusted his glasses.
Thump, thump.
A familiar pulse spread through my chest.
It was the same sensation I felt when I first encountered Yahwi.

“By any chance, can I learn it too? I’ve never handled mana before.”
“Heh. Of course, Master. You need not bother with mana at all. There exists a far more advanced and magnificent power—Darkness. Simply trust this old man.”

Barkalor shrugged his shoulders.
His confident expression seemed to say, ‘How about that, you sword-swinging monkey?’
But.
I had discovered something.
I chuckled and pointed to a spot in the grassland.

“I acknowledge you’re impressive, but it seems you lost today.”
“W-what do you mean, Master! That sword-swinging monkey hasn’t even… Cough!?”

Barkalor turned his head and was taken aback.
There, Yahwi had butchered all the meat and hides of the Werewears.
It was such an exquisite level of craftsmanship that calling him a master of butchery would be an understatement.

“Hehe! Master! I’ve prepared everything for your convenient departure!”

Barkalor.
No matter how formidable an artifact-grade ability user you are.
You still can’t match Yahwi.
That’s what experience truly means.

“Good work. Let’s head back.”

Ding!

【You have cleared Dungeon Level 6.】
【You have acquired 1 Darkness stat.】
-Current Darkness stat: 14.
【You have acquired a large quantity of Werewear meat and hide infused with sunlight.】
【You have acquired 60 Wol-yeong-seok.】
-Current possession: 560.
【Moving to the Underground Temple.】

Whoosh—!

The scenery before my eyes shifted rapidly.
Once again, Nix’s Goddess Statue came into view.

* * *

“Master. Shall we dine immediately? Or would you like me to prepare a bath first?”

Yahwi approached with rubbing hands.
He was subtly concerned about Barkalor.
Since he himself, being Rare-grade, wasn’t overwhelmingly dominant in combat,
he seemed determined to prove his usefulness somehow.

“Yes. Prepare the Werewear meat for me. I need to receive the first consumption reward.”
“Right away!”

If the effects are good after tasting it, I’ll need to sell it alongside Kobold meat.
The meeting with the Association President regarding meat that I’d postponed last time couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Yahwi withdrew to begin cooking.
I approached Barkalor.

“Ah, Master.”

He appeared dazed by the shock of his loss to Yahwi.

“About that curse and magic you mentioned earlier.”
“Ah, ‘Dulling,’ you mean? It’s entirely possible to implement with the Darkness you possess, Master. Of course, you’ll naturally fail on your first attempt. I shall continue to guide you going forward….”

A curse that slows one’s speed.
I recalled the curse that Barkalor had cast earlier.
Barkalor distinguished between magic and curses in this way.

‘If magic is a one-time execution, then a curse is a continuous application. It leaves the caster’s hand and continues to move until the very moment it disappears, realizing its intent.’

Once you’re caught by it, people often mistake it for an incurable disease. Ordinary healing methods or potions can never dispel it.
That’s why you have to go through a ‘curse-breaking’ ritual to remove it.

Honestly, I didn’t have much formal training, so I wasn’t entirely sure what the difference was.
But I reflected on how the malevolent mana clung to the opponent with some kind of intent.

“So that’s definitely it.”

Ding!

【Releasing Darkness stat.】

Whoosh!
A massive black flame bloomed from my body.
It soon gathered at my palm.
I shot that Darkness at Barkalor’s body.
It wasn’t an attack.
I visualized an image.
An image of heavy sandbags made of Darkness attached to both arms and both legs.
Then.

Swoosh—!

“…!”

For a brief moment, something clung to Barkalor’s limbs.
Then it scattered.

“Tch. Still not working well, huh. But it’s interesting, right? You’re truly a genius. Teaching is your forte too—a real all-rounder. Whether it’s Yahwi or you. I’m blessed with good students, I tell you.”
“…Thank you.”

Barkalor smiled quietly.
For a moment, his eyes seemed to waver.
What was that?
Did I perform poorly?
Well, it’s my first time. I’ll improve with practice.

Crack—

A pleasant exhilaration bloomed within me.
A curse, no less.
Until now, I’d only thought about growing stronger by blocking out the sunlight.
But thinking about it, I could also weaken my opponent instead, couldn’t I?

‘Truly an artifact-grade ability.’

“Master! The meat is all done! I’ve also packed everything you’ll need to take to the surface tomorrow!”
“Excellent. You’re quite capable, Yahwi. Let’s go, Barkalor. Time for a meat feast.”
“Yes, Master.”

Barkalor bowed his head.
Right now he maintains the dignified appearance of an elderly butler, but once he tastes the meat, he’ll likely abandon all pretense.

“Oh, that’s right. Speaking of which, didn’t you mention something about curse breaking earlier?”
“Are you interested in curse breaking, Master?”

After hearing his explanation earlier, I’d grown somewhat anxious.
What if someone precious to me, like Hyeon-jun or Jae-jun, fell under a curse?
Without knowing how to resolve it, I’d be left helplessly wringing my hands.

‘I don’t want that.’

There’s no harm in learning it, right?

“Why? You don’t know?”
“That couldn’t be, Master. This old man can break virtually any curse that exists. Curse breaking is simply the reverse process of curse casting.”
“I see.”
“The first step in curse breaking is diagnosis. One must distinguish whether it’s a simple ailment or an actual curse. The method for that is….”

I nodded as I listened to Yahwi’s explanation.
Diagnosis, then.
I’d like to test it once.
There’s no one sick around me….

‘Ah. Didn’t they say the Association President was suffering from an illness of old age?’

They said it was a serious incurable disease.
I might as well test it while I’m there.
Of course, it’s unlikely to be a curse.
Even if it were, there are so many capable people around him.
They would have handled it themselves.
It’s probably an actual illness.
And so, shortly after.
The Temple echoed with an elderly man’s exclamations mixed with groans, bursting out repeatedly.

“Th-th-this taste! Phew! Did this monkey really cook this food!”
“You little brat, calling me monkey till the end! Tsk. You’re getting no meat from now on.”
“Th-that’s not fair! I was careless.”

* * *

Meanwhile.
In the Gyeonggi-do Association Building, safe from the aftermath of the Black Land.
On its highest floor, continuous coughing echoed.

“Cough, cough! Ugh….”
“Association President!”
“Hunter Kang Ha-jin… have they not contacted me yet? I still have things to do-! Cough!”
“Doctor! Doctor!”

The Association President stared down at his trembling hands.
There truly wasn’t much time left now.
He too had once been a Hunter.
And he was a patriot who loved the Republic of Korea.
Before Ahn Jae-jun appeared, he had been Korea’s representative Hunter, and he had single-handedly prevented countless Tower Breaks.
And that was the problem.

‘The more I use my power, the weaker and sicker I become.’

I had expended far too much power to protect the Republic of Korea.
Now, this illness showed no signs of being contained.
Fortunately, Ahn Jae-jun had emerged to succeed me.
But he was far too dangerous and reckless.

‘The other Guilds must be in the same predicament.’

My last hope was Kang Ha-jin, a Hunter.
He would die soon anyway.
By my estimate, roughly a month remained.
Within that time, I had final words and requests to convey.
The money and authority of the Association President as well.
I wanted to use them meaningfully before my death.

‘There’s not a single person in the Association I can trust.’

I had to deliver this in person.
In that moment.

Bang—!

“Association President!”

The office door burst open.
Under normal circumstances, such a thing would be absolutely impossible.
Yet upon seeing the face of the intruder, the Association President broke into a bright smile.

“Hyeon-jun, it’s you. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
“Yes, sir. Actually, regarding that matter… Kang Ha-jin the Hunter has reached out. He expressed his desire to meet as soon as possible. Shall I arrange an appointment?”

He’s finally arrived.
The Association President rose unsteadily from his seat.

“Send Gu Jang-hun to bring him here at once.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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