I Stepped on Their Shadows and Skills Started Copying Like Crazy - Chapter 14

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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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14
A chill silence hung over the Tower Control Headquarters Director’s Office.
Jung Jin-hyeok sat at his desk absorbed in paperwork, while Lee Do-hyeon, the Field Team 2 Leader, stood before him visibly tense.
After summoning him, Jung Jin-hyeok had left him standing there for a long moment before finally opening his mouth.
“Team Leader Lee. What were you thinking?”
His eyes remained fixed on the documents.
“I apologize, Director.”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’m not looking for an apology. I’m genuinely curious—purely curious. What could have possessed you to act that way?”
He would have felt easier if Jung Jin-hyeok had simply cursed him out and torn into him.
That distinctive, colorless, and frigid politeness pressed down on Lee Do-hyeon from all sides.
“You were planning to spread rumors around the neighborhood about how our country still hasn’t pinpointed the VVIP’s location, weren’t you? That has to be it—there’s no other explanation. Otherwise, why dress up so neatly, go all the way to the plaza near the tower, and ask around here and there?”
“I was short-sighted. I thought it would be easier for that person to get help, so I just—”
That was precisely the moment Lee Do-hyeon began his weak excuse.
[An EX Grade conquest record has been confirmed on Floor 2 of the Tower of the Korean Peninsula.]
[Through the achievements of the Awakener who has accomplished this feat, the duration of the Blessing of Abundance of the Swamp, currently active on the Tower of the Korean Peninsula, is extended by 24 hours.]
A system-wide notification from the Tower appeared simultaneously before the eyes of both men, both former Awakeners.
Only then did Jung Jin-hyeok’s gaze lift from the papers to Lee Do-hyeon.
“You saw it?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then you understand.”
Jung Jin-hyeok smiled and rose from his seat.
“Since you’re a busy man, let’s leave the past matter here.”
He walked directly to the office entrance, grasped the handle, and opened the door.
It was a clear dismissal.
“Go on. You have work to do.”
“Yes, then—”
Lee Do-hyeon stepped out of the director’s office following the cue.
But just as he was about to leave, the door shut with a sharp click behind him.
Jung Jin-hyeok’s hand still gripped the handle firmly.
“…?”
“Do your job well, Team Leader Lee. I’m asking you earnestly. Really—having our safe cracked open in our own back room isn’t something we can let slide.”
“Yes, I’ll find out who did it and make up for it.”
As if waiting for those exact words, a smile spread across Jung Jin-hyeok’s face.
“Of course you will.”
But his eyes weren’t smiling.
* * *
The world had turned upside down once again.
[BREAKING] Unprecedented “Blessing Extension”—Korean Tower Sees Another EX Grade Appearance!
[Tower Analysis] ‘EX Seat,’ Unknown Newcomer’s Dramatic Reversal… Not an Established Climber?
[Economy] Blessing Shot by the ‘Abundance Seat’… Awakener-Related Stocks in Daily ‘Surge’
Breaking news poured in without pause, and mainstream broadcasters competed fiercely to cover the story.
Naturally, the Korean Awakeners were the most thrilled by this unexpected gift.
【Hot Post】 OMG HUGE BREAKING NEWS! Abundance extended one more day!!!!
▼ Comments
Anonymous1: GOAT in Tower history
Anonymous2: Another EX?? Before the EX Seat showed up, I didn’t even know EX Grade existed, but this is just insane lol
Anonymous3: Floor 2??? I had my doubts, but so the Abundance Seat wasn’t a veteran—they were a top-tier newbie. Wait, does Floor 2 even have the makings for an EX-grade clear? How the heck did they pull that off lol
Anonymous4: So will Floor 3 be EX tomorrow too? Infinite extension let’s goooo
└ Anonymous (OP): Yeah gotta go gotta go definitely gotta go lol
The traffic was so heavy that servers intermittently crashed, yet even that couldn’t dampen the festive atmosphere.
A Blessing that affected an entire nation and an EX Grade conquest record were no longer mere anomalies.
It had shown the possibility of continuing today, and analyses poured in suggesting it might be sustained indefinitely into the future.
A rising supernova, pure and simple.
That heat crossed the cold sea and reached the radar of the two nations most aggressively collecting Awakeners worldwide.
“With this development, we have a new variable on the peninsula beyond K-1. Prospects? Well, who knows. K-1 failed because of their national pride, but… there’s no guarantee this newcomer will be the same way, is there?”
America’s Tower Abnormal Response Agency, T.A.R.A, was the first to move.
They classified this phenomenon’s architect as Priority Zero—surpassing the existing top recruitment target in the Korean peninsula, K-1—and immediately elevated the “K-0 Acquisition Operation” to their highest priority task.
At the same moment, China was far from sitting idle.
The National Tower Safety Bureau likewise concentrated its attention on this rising star appearing over Korea.
“Alas… how does such a talent languish in a remote corner of a peninsula rather than in the great nation? What a pity, what a shame. Through our old friend in Korea, inquire as to their price. Whatever they desire, we shall pay it—this is a talent who must be brought into the embrace of the great nation.”
Not just government institutions—the private sector was no different.
Now even ordinary people, not just Awakeners, had begun gossiping about the “EX seat.”
Who the person was, and how long this EX Grade notification would continue, became the hottest topic of conversation.
Such was the level of public interest.
Naturally, in Awakener communities across the globe, heated discussions erupted daily about South Korea’s Tower and the EX seat—or the Abundance seat, as it was called.
Only four days.
Four days had passed since an EX Grade first appeared in a Tower in human history.
In that brief new era, the world’s gaze converged on South Korea—or more precisely, on a single point: Shi-hyeon.
* * *
A safe house somewhere in Seoul, overlooking the Han River.
In a room steeped in classical elegance, Jung Jin-hyeok was carefully brewing tea for an honored guest.
The man who commanded fear within Tower Control Headquarters and was known as an iron-willed lord rarely bestowed such meticulous attention—and his guest was none other than….
“Thank you for making the long journey. Director.”
South Korea’s greatest. Shin Yu-seong, the Sword Saint.
“Not at all. Of course I should be here. After all, this isn’t just anyone’s home—it’s yours, and you’ve been consumed with Tower climbing. Even if my subordinates offered to visit, I wouldn’t dream of imposing on you. I was delighted to come myself. Please, think nothing of it.”
Jung Jin-hyeok smiled, his expression slightly different from his usual demeanor.
“Here, please. The tea leaves today are exceptional.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Shin Yu-seong nodded lightly and accepted the teacup.
As he took a sip, warmth and bitterness enveloped his tongue, followed by a subtle sweetness.
It was a taste that brought an involuntary smile.
“This is truly remarkable. I knew nothing of tea until you began visiting, yet each time you find those precious leaves and prepare such wonderful tea for me, I’ve come to appreciate it deeply.”
At Shin Yu-seong’s gentle words, Jung Jin-hyeok laughed warmly.
“Haha, to hear you say such things—I hardly know where to put myself. What an honor.”
The two men shared their recent thoughts, beginning with talk of tea.
When the tea had cooled considerably, no longer releasing warmth from the cup, Jung Jin-hyeok broached the true purpose of his visit.
“Sir, regarding the conquest of the highest floor—is there anything our organization could help with? Are you facing any difficulties?”
Jung Jin-hyeok set his teacup carefully on the table.
Though he forced a smile, his fingertips trembled faintly.
The tremor was all too visible to Shin Yu-seong’s keen eyes.
‘There’s every reason to worry. We’ve never fallen this far behind in a conquest before.’
A Tower conquest failure meant that half the nation’s population would lose their homes.
Shin Yu-seong understood Jung Jin-hyeok’s concern.
In truth, he understood it better than anyone.
“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s perfect. Once I obtain the Frost Giant’s heart, it ends the very next day.”
“Ah… what a relief. Hearing you say so puts my mind at ease.”
Only then did Jung Jin-hyeok’s expression relax into genuine comfort.
To someone else, it might have been just a word, but that word was enough.
Especially coming from Shin Yu-seong, it meant everything.
“Without those seven days… it would have been much harder. Even now, it’s sobering to think about.”
Shin Yu-seong himself was the last person Jung Jin-hyeok expected to raise this.
Jung Jin-hyeok found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
“While your aid was valuable, it is you who climbs the Tower, is it not? The Tower was unreasonable this time. There is no need to carry that burden.”
“Hehe, is that so.”
Shin Yu-seong laughed at Jung Jin-hyeok’s attempt at comfort, but his own thoughts remained unchanged.
‘This should count as a failed conquest.’
In the end, it couldn’t have been done without help.
He could only be grateful for the miracle that nameless junior had brought into his life.
“Haha, but I never expected that junior of yours to become a rising star climbing the second floor.”
“It’s truly astonishing. The second floor—we’ve rechecked the notification so many times we still can’t believe it. Yet that announcement has helped us as well. The suspect pool narrowed considerably once we knew it was a newborn Awakener kidnapped that day.”
Rather than answer, Shin Yu-seong tilted his head, his gaze drifting away.
His eyes turned toward the Tower standing majestically beyond the window.
“Do you think that friend is climbing the Tower right now?”
“Based on the timeline, the day before yesterday was the first floor, yesterday the second… so likely yes?”
“Then today would be the third floor.”
Click.
Shin Yu-seong set down his teacup.
“The tea was excellent. Director.”
“…?”
Shin Yu-seong rose from his seat as if urgent business had just arisen.
“I know it’s presumptuous to entertain a guest so briefly, but I’m afraid I must call it here for today.”
Jung Jin-hyeok, reading the shift in the conversation and understanding why Shin Yu-seong had risen from his seat, answered with a smile.
“Not at all. Thank you for making the time. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Yes, then.”
Jung Jin-hyeok bowed respectfully and withdrew.
Curiosity flickered across Shin Yu-seong’s face as he found himself alone.
‘Just who is this person? What kind of man keeps achieving these unprecedented things?’
Perhaps a junior who would one day see the same landscape as he did.
It was natural that curiosity took root.
‘Should I look into this?’
* * *
‘This has gotten out of hand.’
He’d expected something like this much in advance.
That people would be thrilled about the extension of the Abundance of the Swamp buff.
But the reaction was even more intense than that.
Every news outlet was talking about nothing else.
‘Ah, I can’t let people get used to this.’
It felt like an unexpected burden.
Perhaps the thought had planted itself—that the Abundance of the Swamp buff would continue forever.
But one day he’d have to disappoint these expectations.
‘I figure I’ll keep attempting Trials ahead… but whether I can keep clearing them is another matter.’
His plan was to quit the moment he felt death closing in.
However rich the rewards of a Trial, they weren’t worth his life.
If he couldn’t have abandoned the Trial from the start, he never would have attempted it in the first place.
‘They don’t show you the Trial’s contents before you accept, and you can’t quit midway? I’d never sign a crazy unfair contract like that.’
Still, the return was certain. It had been the same with the reward from the second floor last time.
The basic reward—the Blessing of Gaze—had already settled into my stomach long ago.
As for the other rewards, I’d acquired one piece of equipment.
[Fang-Studded Iron Crown]
Grade: Rare
Classification: Helmet
Description: A dented steel helmet adorned with the fangs of various beasts.
Crudely imitated into a crown by goblin craftsmanship, its exterior was unimpressive, but it carried a rough, coarse dignity.
Special Effects:
[False Majesty]: Increases intimidation, raising your dominion over allied summons.
[Tyrant’s Discipline]: Increases allied summons’ resistance to status abnormalities.
I hadn’t expected much, but it was actually Rare Grade!
It was the helmet of that creature—the very one that survived the rock strike.
I planned to sell this and use the proceeds to cover the commission for crafting the Marsh Veil.
It was exclusive to summoners, so it wasn’t something I could use myself.
‘But since I’m not registering as an Awakener, finding a trading broker is its own chore.’
I’d already noted the largest private trading broker in the city.
The very place I’d already relied on to check item prices.
‘I should visit them tomorrow or the day after.’
My finances were tight right now, but once I had some breathing room, I planned to gradually acquire better equipment.
‘It’s not a small amount, and I have no idea when that’ll be… but someday it’ll happen.’
And then there was one final item remaining.
This one was unidentified.
[Unidentified Black Page]
Grade: ???
Classification: Miscellaneous
Description: A page of mysterious material—resembling tough parchment, or perhaps the shed skin of an ancient serpent. Nothing is written upon it. (Currently possessed: 1)
‘The name itself says unidentified.’
Still, I understood one thing—I needed to keep collecting them.
Just looking at the “currently possessed” counter suggested that the more I gathered, the more likely it was to transform into something useful.
‘The Tower doesn’t hand out nonsense rewards. I know that much.’
Even the Nocturne was a blade rotted beyond use before its restoration—no one would’ve kept it.
This scrap of paper might be worthless now, but there’s no telling what it’ll become later.
“Well then, shall we go?”
Everything was already prepared.
Today I’ll challenge the trials of the third floor and the third floor to confirm whether this scrap of paper will keep appearing.
“To the third-floor waiting area.”
Instantly, a portal materialized before my eyes.
I stepped boldly toward the portal leading to the third-floor mission zone.
In a blink, the transfer to the third-floor waiting area was complete.
By now, this felt routine.
But what greeted me was anything but routine.
‘…!’
A scent so overpowering it didn’t just prick my nostrils—it would bend my nose out of shape if I kept breathing it in.
It was an overwhelmingly delicious smell, in a completely different dimension from anything I’d encountered so far.
My Delicious Scent skill was screaming with signals.
‘How could such a scent possibly exist on the third floor….’
The smell of a winter forest, the air of dawn after the first snow.
The nature of the scent wasn’t the issue.
That only told me what kind of person they were—the problem was its depth.
Enchanted by the scent, no, mesmerized by it, my feet moved of their own accord.
Following the source of that smell.
A moment later, my steps halted.
Standing alone some distance apart from the crowd was a solitary figure.
A robe pulled down so far it nearly swallowed them whole, paired with a triangular mask that looked straight out of a cartoon, their face completely hidden.
‘That’s them.’
Apart from the mask, their attire was utterly ordinary—so unremarkable there was no other word to describe it.
Yet one thing was different. The scent.
This person’s scent swept across the entire third floor.
Like a colossal typhoon that had erased the presence of everyone else around them.
And the eye of the typhoon was perfectly still.
The fact that a scent I’d never encountered once in all my time on the third floor now filled the air made me wary—but at the same time, I was utterly captivated.
That shadow.
What could I possibly gain if I stepped on that person’s shadow?
‘After all, they don’t know who I am or what stepping on their shadow means.’
To not tread on the shadow of someone with a scent like that? I’d dream about it my whole life.
My hesitation was brief; my action swift.
Blending in with the crowd as if nothing were amiss, I drew closer.
Like a passing pedestrian.
One step, then another. The closer I got, the more my heart pounded wildly.
I thought the sound of it beating might become audible.
The distance narrowed, and the moment their shadow fell beneath my feet…!
‘Now!’
I stepped on the shadow naturally, as if it were simply the continuation of my walk.
Or at least, that’s what I meant to do.
But my foot didn’t leave the ground.
In that instant, goosebumps crawled across my entire body.
A sharp gaze pierced past my face.
An overwhelming presence that seemed to see through every intention I harbored.
I felt it unmistakably.
That they were looking at me.
‘If I just pass by now, maybe another chance will come….’
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a soft voice emerged from behind.
“So it was you.”
The scent of winter lingered.
From behind me.
I only stepped on their shadow, but the skill copied right away
Author|
Killing Part
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(주) Samyang C&C
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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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