I Just Subscribed and It’s the Best Hunter of All Time - Chapter 218
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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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#Chapter 218.
Jung Han-sung found the post intriguing and searched to see if the author had written anything else.
The Community within The Tower, being based on communication magic, lacked the refined UI and abundant features of the internet in reality.
However, it did possess basic functions like search.
“Hmm. Nothing here.”
But even after searching, nothing particularly caught his eye.
The author had simply posted the same content periodically a few times over.
Jung Han-sung pondered for a moment, then set down his terminal.
‘Well, I can think about it after clearing the floor anyway.’
There was no point in deliberating before even entering the Hidden Floor.
Still, since they said even small clues were welcome, I’d probably reach out at least once if the opportunity arose.
Jung Han-sung rested a while longer in his reclined position, and once he felt sufficiently recovered, he rose to his feet.
―Already heading out, Master?
Onyx asked, observing Jung Han-sung’s movements.
In response, Jung Han-sung drew his sword from his inventory and answered.
“I have to. The 100th Floor is almost within reach now.”
The 100th Floor was a watershed moment.
Crossing it wouldn’t immediately bring about dramatic change, but it was similar to how one always wants to defeat a mid-boss when it’s right in front of you in a game. That kind of feeling.
Of course, that didn’t mean I was approaching The Tower’s conquest purely for entertainment’s sake.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Fully armed, Jung Han-sung gazed into empty space.
Normally, one would simply think of entering The Tower, but the Hidden Floor required one additional step.
Jung Han-sung retrieved a necklace from his inventory, held it aloft, and spoke.
“I’m entering the Hidden Floor.”
Immediately, a message appeared.
[Entering Hidden Floor ‘Sanctuary of Earth’]
Sanctuary of Earth.
As I turned the name over in my mind, a familiar sensation enveloped my entire body, and the surroundings quickly darkened.
Jung Han-sung waited briefly with his eyes closed, and when bright light began seeping between his eyelids, he opened them again.
[Objective: Obtain the acknowledgment of the Earth]
[Time Limit: 99 hours]
“Hmm.”
After confirming the objective message that naturally appeared before him, Jung Han-sung slowly moved his gaze around.
First, fertile land came into view, unmistakably lush at a glance.
Then, as he lifted his head slightly, a towering structure became visible.
The building exuded both grandeur and a sense of being part of the land itself.
‘Is that the Sanctuary of Earth?’
Jung Han-sung recalled the message he’d seen upon entry and surveyed the surroundings for anything else of note.
But only endless Plains stretched around him. The only remarkable thing was the massive building ahead.
“Hmm.”
I scratched my chin.
In any case, I had no idea what it meant to receive the recognition of the Land, but it seemed I would need to visit that building.
Since the distance wasn’t particularly far, instead of summoning Thunder Wolf, I set off on foot at a leisurely pace.
After walking for about ten minutes, the entrance to the building came into view.
The perimeter of the building was surrounded by what looked like earthen walls, but there was no actual gate.
This allowed me to observe the interior without any obstruction.
Inside were the tall building I’d seen from a distance and several smaller structures scattered about.
What caught my eye most was the building closest to the entrance.
Or should I call it a structure?
Tall pillars stretched in a line with a roof rising above them.
‘A Temple?’
Looking at it, I recalled a similar temple I’d seen while clearing The Tower not long ago.
‘I don’t see any people though.’
As I walked deeper inside, I carefully scanned my surroundings with my eyes.
Despite the buildings within the walls being quite substantial in scale, there were few people moving about.
But as I drew closer to the temple-like structure, I discovered where everyone was.
The building was absolutely packed with people.
“Great One. We offer our prayers to you…”
And before all these people, a woman wrapped in pure white cloth was offering a prayer in a calm voice.
The others followed along with her words of prayer.
It was exactly the image one would expect of a temple.
I stood there for a moment, observing the scene.
The atmosphere felt so reverent that it would be awkward to interrupt.
‘Should I wait until it ends?’
But it didn’t seem like it would end anytime soon. As I stood there deliberating for a moment.
The woman who had been praying lifted her head and looked directly at me.
When she stopped speaking and looked at me, those reciting the prayer turned around with curious expressions.
Suddenly finding myself the center of attention for so many people, I scratched the back of my neck.
“Ah, hello there?”
Though I hadn’t expected a response, the woman who had been praying spoke in a loud voice so I could hear her clearly from a distance.
“Welcome. Pilgrim.”
Her face bore a very calm smile.
* * *
“Does the tea suit your taste?”
“Ah, yes.”
I was sitting alone with the woman in a small room.
The woman was one of the priests who resided here in the Sanctuary of Earth.
While she claimed to be merely one among several priests, judging by the reactions of the others, she held a special position among them.
Everyone showed her respect whenever they looked at her.
However, she was not the most prominent figure in this sanctuary.
“I’ve already notified the Family. Someone will be arriving soon.”
The Sanctuary of Earth, where I stood, lay within the territory of a noble Family.
That Family’s name was Balthuran—the same name I’d seen when Jung Han-sung obtained the key.
‘So the Sanctuary of Earth exists within Balthuran Family Territory, and the Priests are the ones who actually manage it.’
The Family’s main estate was said to be quite a distance from here.
But since there was a member of the Family staying at the Sanctuary, I would likely meet them soon.
Things were progressing more smoothly than expected. Yet I couldn’t simply accept this with joy.
“But I’m curious—why are you treating me with such hospitality?”
I didn’t understand why this Priest was welcoming me so warmly, or what “pilgrim” truly meant.
The Priest didn’t deliberate long before answering my question.
“Because you are a pilgrim.”
“Then what exactly is a pilgrim?”
“It is the name we give to visitors who arrive at this Sanctuary on predetermined days and times.”
The Priest continued speaking with a faint smile, his explanation courteous.
“You likely don’t fully understand yet.”
“That’s true.”
I hadn’t come here to make a pilgrimage, nor did I know precisely what the Sanctuary of Earth was meant to do.
And I hadn’t bothered to hide that fact.
Yet the Priest remained certain that I was a pilgrim, which only deepened my suspicion.
This time, too, the Priest answered immediately.
“The word ‘pilgrim’ may carry certain connotations. Visitor, traveler, or simply a stranger—any of these names would suffice.”
There was a peculiar power in the Priest’s voice as he spoke. A force that compelled one’s attention.
The atmosphere itself was equally strange.
A subtle yet formidable presence—difficult to approach casually.
This was why I had maintained formal speech throughout our conversation from the beginning.
“We receive revelations. Prophecies that someone will arrive on specific days and times. We simply call them pilgrims. So regardless of your intentions, it matters not.”
“What if I came with the intention of causing harm to this place?”
“Even so, the fact that you are a pilgrim remains unchanged.”
The Priest answered with an unwavering voice, then smiled once more.
“And typically, pilgrims have different purposes in mind. I suspect you do as well.”
Rather than answer immediately, I fell silent. But the Priest, sensing I wouldn’t respond, continued speaking himself.
“Your purpose is to undergo the Trial of Earth and receive its recognition, is it not?”
He was right.
To be precise, I didn’t know what a “trial” entailed, but my objective clearly stated that I must receive the recognition of Earth.
I showed no surprise, merely lifting the corners of my mouth in a smile.
“Your revelations seem remarkably precise.”
“Of course. They are the words whispered by the Divine.”
“Then, am I able to challenge this trial?”
“Yes.”
The Priest nodded and spoke.
“You’ll need to seek permission from someone of the Balthuran Family, but that’s merely a formality. You may proceed with your challenge immediately after our conversation.”
“Then what exactly is this trial?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“That’s correct.”
The Priest spoke again.
“The trial belongs to the pilgrim alone. We are not permitted to know its nature.”
“I see.”
Jung Han-sung pondered for a moment, then nodded. He sensed no deliberate deception, and he knew that pressing further would yield the same answer.
“Understood. Then we’ll wait.”
“It shouldn’t take long.”
The Priest had scarcely finished speaking when, less than a minute later, someone knocked on the door.
―Priest. Someone from the Balthuran Family has arrived.
“Show them in.”
―Very well.
A few moments passed before another figure entered, pushing the door open.
It was a man with sharp features, dressed in ornate garments.
“Hmm.”
The man alternated his gaze between the Priest and Jung Han-sung, then spoke.
“Is this the pilgrim who has come after thirty years?”
“Indeed. There is no doubt whatsoever.”
At the Priest’s response, the man’s expression tightened slightly as if to protest, but upon seeing Jung Han-sung, he fell silent.
After a long pause, he spoke in a tone of displeasure.
“Tsk. Proceed.”
“Yes.”
The Priest responded with a faint smile, just as he had with Jung Han-sung.
The conversation ended there.
The man turned and left without introducing himself or addressing Jung Han-sung.
The moment he departed, the Priest rose from his seat and spoke.
“Then, allow me to guide you to the trial’s location.”
“Yes.”
Jung Han-sung followed the Priest as they moved forward.
They exited the cramped room, traversed the Corridor, then descended the Staircase.
What awaited them was a rather modest space.
At first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary Storage, but the Priest gestured inward and spoke.
“You need only enter through that door.”
Looking in the direction she indicated, I saw a small door.
For something bearing such a grand name as the trial of the earth, its appearance was remarkably humble.
The Priest smiled as if reading my thoughts and spoke.
“He pays little mind to outward appearances.”
“I see.”
In truth, whether the exterior was grand or humble mattered little to me.
What truly mattered was what lay within.
“Then, should I open it and enter directly?”
“Yes.”
Jung Han-sung nodded and stepped toward the door. He then released a pulse of mana into the surrounding area for a moment.
But he sensed nothing particularly unusual. There were no traps to speak of.
With that, Jung Han-sung grasped the door handle and applied force.
The door swung open silently.
The door opened without a sound, and through the widening gap, the scene beyond came into view.
A thick Darkness. And….
A blinding radiance erupted forth!
Brilliant light.
It engulfed Jung Han-sung.
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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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