I Just Subscribed and It’s the Best Hunter of All Time - Chapter 251

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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 251
Though I had only climbed two floors, Jung Han-sung decided to take a brief respite.
He judged that he had expended considerable energy.
The 190s layers were far from trivial to conquer in an exhausted state.
‘Back to my territory.’
With that decision made, my body shimmered faintly before flashing away to another space.
I arrived at the Third City.
Looking around, I could see people moving about with vibrant energy.
Baek-seol was nowhere to be seen.
She had likely returned to the First City by now.
I walked slowly toward the portal’s location.
People scattered throughout the area hurried to greet me upon sight, and I acknowledged their salutes as I entered the portal chamber.
“Well done.”
I offered words of encouragement to the soldiers guarding the portal before stepping directly into it.
Whoooosh!
The familiar sensation washed over me as my surroundings shifted.
I found myself in a chamber with the exact same structure as the one I had just passed through.
“Hail!”
But the soldiers standing before this portal were different. As expected.
I greeted them as well before leaving the chamber.
Shortly after, the landscape of the First City came into view—a dramatically transformed one.
“Now it truly deserves the name ‘city’ far more than before.”
―I agree completely.
Onyx licked his lips in agreement with my assessment.
Once, this place had been nothing more than a small village surrounded by wooden palisades, but now towering stone walls encircled it.
The golden-hued ramparts were formidable barriers in themselves, and multiple layers of magic were woven into them besides.
Ordinary attacks would scarcely leave a mark.
This was the most vital of my territories—practically my capital—so such defenses were only natural.
‘My capital cannot afford weaker defenses than the newly acquired Third City.’
Beyond the walls, the city interior was packed with numerous facilities.
The flow of people moving through it was extraordinary.
―The population seems to have increased nearly tenfold?
“I heard recently that people have been flooding in from the surrounding territories.”
―From the surrounding territories?
“Yes. The territories around me simply cannot compete with my strength.”
The territories currently surrounding me belonged to relatively late arrivals.
Had their original power levels been comparable, they would have fought fiercely to absorb one another….
But I am here.
My forces now possess the power to crush smaller territories with the merest gesture.
Even territories several tiers above my original level fell easily to my conquest—proof of my ascendance.
Because of this, the territories surrounding the area abandoned their infighting and chose to engage in trade with Han-sung’s Territory instead.
It was not a bad choice.
Han-sung’s Territory was quite vast and prosperous, so they could gain considerable benefits simply through exchange.
‘And it benefits me as well.’
Jung Han-sung could have annexed their territories, but the reason he didn’t was simple.
He didn’t have the time to spare.
Soon, I would reach Layer 199. Beyond that lay Layer 200.
I knew that something changed starting from Layer 200. Several transcendents had even hinted at this obliquely.
If one harbored a desire, they could obtain it beyond Layer 200.
Setting aside my personal ambition to continue climbing The Tower and finally reach its summit, my greatest objective was to protect Earth from The Tower’s calamity.
I occasionally traveled to other nations to assist in Tower conquest, but that was merely a stopgap measure.
To ensure true protection, I needed to establish a defensive barrier across the entire planet.
‘And if the transcendents’ hints are accurate, by reaching Layer 200—or beyond it—I could accomplish that.’
I didn’t think it was an unrealistic notion.
During my ascent through the 190s, The Tower’s defensive barrier had been reinforced several times over, and its range had expanded accordingly.
Currently, The Tower in Seoul possessed a defensive barrier that extended not only across all of Korea but also to neighboring nations.
Then surely it was entirely possible for that barrier to extend across the continent and eventually encompass the entire globe.
“You’ve arrived, brother.”
While I was lost in these thoughts, a familiar voice reached my ears.
I turned my head, and there stood Cho Cheon-woong.
Jung Han-sung met his gaze and spoke.
“What’s the current floor?”
“Layer 179.”
Layer 179.
An astounding pace.
Especially considering they had once lagged dozens of floors behind me.
It was natural, of course—The Tower grew more dangerous the higher one climbed, and the conquest speed slowed accordingly.
Yet Cho Cheon-woong and the others were not slowing down; their pace was accelerating.
The synchronization between the three of them had stabilized to a considerable degree.
Of course, the support I had provided also played a role.
I had taught them how to fight and invested generously in equipment and items.
“I’m at Layer 196.”
Nevertheless, they had not completely caught up to me.
I had already surpassed every nation in the world and reached the summit—even the United States.
Cho Cheon-woong’s expression showed a hint of regret, because of what I had told them.
I had told them to climb the floors diligently and prove themselves useful to me.
It was likely impossible for them to catch up to me before reaching Layer 200.
However, I harbored no regret about this.
Their current level alone was sufficient proof that they were exceptionally talented individuals.
‘Besides, I’ve already confirmed that Layer 200 isn’t the end.’
Layer 199 and Layer 200 are a boundary. And beyond that lies a realm governed by different rules.
It wasn’t a theory backed by concrete evidence, but Jung Han-sung had gradually come to suspect as much.
Since when?
Perhaps since the moment I glimpsed the fundamental nature of things while searching for the Pantheon.
“Layer 196… You truly are remarkable, Han-sung.”
Cho Cheon-woong spoke with a voice tinged with both admiration and regret.
I turned to address him.
“There’s no need to be so impatient.”
“Sir?”
“You, and the other two as well—you’re already proving invaluable to me.”
This was sincere.
At first, I had invested in them based solely on their talent, but through their recent accomplishments, they had definitively proven their worth.
Moreover, as long as their hunger for advancement remained intact, they would not abandon me.
After all, no one else could show them greater heights than I could at this moment.
“And I look forward to the day when we might meet on the same floor.”
At my words, Cho Cheon-woong’s expression brightened slightly as he bowed in gratitude.
Just as our conversation concluded—
“Master! I’ve returned with my report!”
Baek-seol came rushing toward us from the distance.
I smiled at her approach and spoke.
“There’s no need to hurry like that. Has anything gone amiss?”
“No, sir! The resource circulation system with the Third City has been perfectly established, the barracks expansion is in its final stages, and our population continues to grow steadily!”
Baek-seol delivered her report at a rapid pace.
I gestured to Cho Cheon-woong to attend to his duties, then began walking alongside Baek-seol.
“What of the spirit stones?”
“They’re incredibly efficient! The defensive barriers have become at least twice as strong, and we’re currently improving the Golems’ efficiency through the spirit stones as well.”
The spirit stones I had obtained as rewards from Purgatory were energy sources far more efficient than magical stones.
We were currently conducting research on them here.
“Oh, and the Atlas Frame is nearly complete as well.”
“Already?”
“Yes! We made significant progress recently when we began utilizing spirit stones as the core! The skeletal frame and external armor were already nearly finished.”
“I see.”
The Atlas Frame blueprints were brought back as rewards from the Cyberpunk Floor.
It could be described as a sort of piloted bipedal walking robot.
It wasn’t easy to construct with the current technological level of this place, but the skilled Golem technicians managed it.
Of course, it wasn’t 100% perfect.
Where technology fell short, they compensated with alternatives, and they boldly omitted certain components.
Still, they were confident it would achieve approximately 90% of the original’s efficiency.
“Excellent. I’d prefer it to be completed before we challenge Layer 199.”
“I’ll make sure it’s finished by then!”
At Baek-seol’s words, Jung Han-sung nodded once more and asked about various matters.
Han-sung’s Territory was currently generating astronomical sums of money.
With numerous specialty products and processed goods selling at a frenetic pace, the revenue was staggering.
Likely, even combining several mid-tier Guilds across Korea wouldn’t match Han-sung’s Territory alone.
By mid-tier Guilds, he meant those managed by massive Corporations, not small to medium-sized operations.
‘Well, even without that, I’d never lack for funds.’
Jung Han-sung had conquered The Tower for numerous countries in his stead.
The compensation he’d received was truly astronomical—enough that not only he but several generations of his descendants could live comfortably without worry.
Yet managing the Territory well and maintaining steady revenue remained important.
Among the things purchasable with money earned within this place, there were items difficult to acquire even with real-world currency.
‘Just these alone prove it.’
Jung Han-sung observed the clothing beneath his armor-shaped Onyx and the bracelet adorning his wrist.
These were relatively recently acquired equipment.
Though they proved largely useless in this conquest, they could serve as a spare life in different circumstances.
Purchasing them consumed nearly several months’ worth of the Territory’s profits.
‘Fortunately, I don’t need new sword or armor.’
Had he sought to acquire a sword or armor matching his current level, he’d have needed to drain all remaining Territory funds.
Such equipment was difficult to obtain in the first place.
Fortunately, he possessed Onyx and Arzka.
Both grew alongside him according to his level, eliminating the need for new equipment.
Though Onyx, in turn, endlessly consumed armor and swords.
“For now, I’ll rest a bit.”
“Yes!”
Jung Han-sung told Baek-seol he’d rest briefly, then headed toward Han-sung’s Home.
Upon entering the vast residence within his Territory, he lay upon the bed and fell asleep with remarkable speed.
* * *
When he opened his eyes again.
Jung Han-sung stood within deep darkness.
A space both unfamiliar and strangely familiar.
Gathering his thoughts to assess the situation, he rose and surveyed his surroundings.
A soft rustling sound.
Shortly after, he sensed something approaching him.
Jung Han-sung turned his gaze toward it.
―It’s been a while.
Soon, it revealed itself.
A woman radiating an alluring presence.
Though he’d never seen this form before, Jung Han-sung immediately discerned her identity from the aura she emanated.
‘Lilith?’
One of the Transcendents obsessed with him.
Lilith approached Jung Han-sung gracefully and spoke.
“There’s no need to be so tense. I haven’t chased you into your dreams—I’m merely here to offer counsel.”
Lilith approached with a radiant smile, coming to a halt before Jung Han-sung.
Her eyes gleamed as she spoke.
“The trials that await you on Layer 199 will be far harsher than you imagine. Far more brutal than anything you’ve anticipated.”

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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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