I Stepped on Their Shadows and Skills Started Copying Like Crazy - Chapter 45

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

45
Bigo, returned with Roga at my side.
Snig came bounding over barefoot and greeted me at once.
“Oh! Master! You’ve returned! You must be exhausted from today’s climb!”
“Yeah, good work keeping the place in order.”
Sang Sik, sprawled out somewhere in the distance reading a book from who knows where, rose awkwardly to offer his respects.
“Boss. Another safe climb today, I hope?”
“Yes, came back in one piece again. Not disappointed, are you?”
“Goodness, no. Don’t even joke like that. You had me so worried I couldn’t even… well, I couldn’t focus on my book. Got scolded for it.”
That so? You looked pretty relaxed to me.
“But this one here…?”
Sang Sik’s gaze drifted past my shoulder to Roga, standing behind me.
I seized the moment to introduce my new acquaintance.
“Meet Roga. As you can see, he’s a goblin.”
“Well, yes, I can see that, but why is there a goblin…?”
“Something came up with him, so I’m planning to let him stay in Bigo for a while. You could say it’s temporary shelter.”
“Bigo? Here? You mean… you want me to live with this goblin?”
Snig wasn’t about to let that slide.
“Hey! What’s wrong with being a goblin!”
Snig fixed him with a hostile glare, but Sang Sik quickly apologized.
“No, of course I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that goblins are, well, monsters from the Tower originally… aren’t they? A smart fellow like you is different, but ordinary monsters—won’t they eat me if we’re left alone together?”
What unnecessary worrying.
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s harmless and kindhearted. Couldn’t hurt a fly—well, except he did catch a Noll, so maybe I should start giving him credit for that?”
“What… what did he catch?”
At Roga’s tale of valor, Sang Sik’s complexion drained of color.
The goblin’s frame was twice the size, and he had no shortage of courage either.
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to you. Now that I mention it, translate for me, Snig. Tell him to get along well with Sang Sik here.”
Snig promptly relayed my words to Roga, who nodded vigorously in understanding.
“Kee-hee-hee!”
“See? He understood just fine.”
“Uh… yes, I understand. If that’s what you say, then… well, I’m hardly in a position to choose my bedfellows anyway….”
It was a reluctant response, but that was good enough for me.
‘So he went from throwing his fists around at the slightest provocation to being obedient. People can change after all.’
Sincerity and effort don’t betray you, it seems.
“That’s right, Sang Sik. Since you got here first, don’t be too harsh on him. Look after him while he’s here. The fellow’s in a tight spot.”
With the roommate introductions settled, I slipped away.
“The two of you get acquainted. I have something to attend to, so excuse me for a moment. Snig, help with translation here.”
“Sir, yes sir! I’m honored to serve. Sang Sik!”
“Y-yes, Snig.”
“Your response was weak!”
Leaving the three of them to their increasingly boisterous chatter, I found myself alone in an empty corner of Bigo.
“All right, then I….”
Before I could reveal my true colors, I decided to test the ability of Bigo—my makeshift storeroom.
‘Ability stat increase proportional to the value of stored wealth… how much will it go up?’
Brimming with anticipation, I placed the freshly acquired, still-warm Varg’s Greatsword down in Bigo.
Hum—!
“Oh.”
In response, the Ring burst forth with crimson light, pulsing steadily.
At the same moment, golden luminescence like mist rose from the point where the greatsword made contact, enveloping the blade.
“So this is what it feels like.”
[Special Effect ‘Golden Ratio’ calculates the value of the newly added treasure.]
※ The result is adjusted to the optimal currency unit (KRW) synchronized with the user’s knowledge and experience.
[Spoils: Butcher’s Blood-Caked Greatsword (Rare) ▶ Estimated Value: 24,000,000 KRW]
[Tier 1 (Free) Achieved! ▶ Base Stats +1]
[Tier 2 (1,000,000 KRW) Achieved! ▶ Base Stats +2]
[Tier 3 (10,000,000 KRW) Achieved! ▶ Base Stats +3]
[Current Effect Applied: Base Stats +6]
The Tower gave Snig the Korean language, and even calculated prices in Korean won?
Whatever else the Tower might do, its localization here was flawless.
‘Makes sense—it’s built towers all over the world, so it can’t afford to botch localization. But six points already? That’s more generous than I expected.’
The blessing of the ‘Golden Age’ that recently set the entire world abuzz grants an ability stat of 5.
But this single sword gives 6.
‘If I’d known this, I should’ve emptied my pockets the moment Bigo opened and filled it up. I had no idea I’d need to pour money into it like that.’
At any rate, better to discover its true value now than never.
From here on, all that’s left is to earn a lot of money and keep accumulating wealth.
“But Tier achievements, huh….”
Just as something felt off, the system message drove home the point.
[Upon achieving Tier 4 (100 million Won), your base ability stats will increase by 4. (Current accumulated wealth value: 24 million / 100 million)]
“Ah, I knew it would come to this.”
I kept seeing another zero added each time, so I had a hunch, but there it is.
The next target is 100 million Won.
‘100 million Won—that’s no paltry sum. I’ve got nothing to eat or die for, so when am I supposed to scrape together 100 million? Wait… 100 million? Feels doable somehow?’
If I remove the Ring, the Golden Ratio itself won’t apply, and the next thing that comes to mind is the Night Song.
I immediately drew the sword and placed it on Bigo’s floor.
[The special effect ‘Golden Ratio’ calculates the value of the newly added wealth.]
[Spoils: Night Song (Masterwork) ▶ Estimated value: 158 million Won]
[Tier 4 (100 million Won) achieved! ▶ Base ability stats +4]
[The achievement conditions for the next Tier are revealed.]
[Upon achieving Tier 5 (1 billion Won), your base ability stats will increase by 5. (Current accumulated wealth value: 182 million / 1 billion)]
[Currently applied effects: Base ability stats +10]
Before I could even process that the Night Song was truly a weapon worth serious money, the ‘Billion-Won Wall’ crashed in.
The disappointment evaporated on the spot.
“The next is a billion…? At this rate, the Tower’s really looking out for me.”
If people could just buy ability stats with money, there’d be a line out the door begging to sell—even to the highest bidder.
The fact that reaching just 100 million, a decent value-for-money ceiling, nets a full 10 ability stats was nothing short of miraculous.
This was just a test.
Unfortunately, the moment I picked the Night Song back up, Bigo’s accumulated stat total dropped right back to 6.
“Yeah, this won’t work. Hmm, if that’s the case, I guess all my loot is headed to Bigo for the time being.”
The plan was to hit 100 million first.
After that, the value-for-money plummets so sharply I need to think it through. And honestly, without winning the lottery, I don’t see how I’d ever scrape together a billion.
‘I’ve tasted what Bigo has to offer… so what’s next…?’
I glanced back and caught sight of three fools deep in conversation.
I couldn’t overlook Bami either, who seemed to be taking a nap tucked away in the shadows.
‘Here I was, this orphan with nothing—Kim Si Hyeon, alone in the world—and suddenly I’ve got all these mouths to feed. What am I cooking tonight?’
One thing came to mind immediately.
‘Yeah, moving day calls for exactly this.’
I’d laid down the law myself that special meals only happen once a week, but exceptions do exist.
A new housemate had arrived, and I’d confirmed through the Tower that the Night Song was worth over 150 million Won.
If not now, when would I be in the mood?
This wasn’t about being too lazy to cook dinner—this was a celebration of Roga’s move-in.
“Hey, Snig. How was that black ramen you had yesterday?”
At the mention of jjajangmyeon, the creature’s eyes lit up.
“Without question, it was a taste of heaven! Ah, that mysterious, deep black hue and the savory richness! And it wasn’t even spicy!”
“Heh, that black noodle you ate back then was actually just ramen styled after the ‘original’—but what if I told you the real thing exists? How’d you like that? Dying to try it?”
“No, wait…! I desperately want to try it!”
Yeah, I knew he’d say that.
The way he devoured that jjajangmyeon, he barely left any dishes to wash.
“Perfect. So tonight’s Chinese food. Sang Sik! We’re ordering from the Chinese place tonight—what’ll you have? Jjajang? Jjamppong?”
“Oh, me too? I’m fine with ramen….”
“Come on, don’t be shy. I’m not the kind of person who discriminates based on what others eat. Food tastes better when we share it anyway.”
“Then I’ll have… Mapo Tofu Rice.”
Mapo Tofu Rice?
A dish I’d only ever seen on a Chinese restaurant menu and never actually ordered popped right out.
“Mapo Tofu Rice, got it. I’ll go place the order and come back when the food arrives. Get some rest.”
And so, leaving Bigo behind, I pulled up the delivery app to order….
“Hmm, is this price right?”
Jjajang is 8,000 Won.
Jjamppong is 9,000 Won.
But Mapo Tofu Rice? This mystery dish dares to cost 15,000 Won on its own?
For that price, a sweet and sour pork upgrade from regular to extra-large would be child’s play.
“No, it won’t do. It won’t.”
I’d told him to order whatever he wanted, but I hadn’t planned to pick up the tab for something twice as expensive as everyone else’s meal.
‘This guy seems to be suffering from a lack of awareness about being kidnapped. Has he gotten too comfortable?’
In the end, Sang Sik’s order was quietly amended on my authority to a double serving of mixed noodles with black bean sauce.
I’d been tempted to punish his audacity by ordering plain black bean noodles instead, but I held back.
‘Honestly, I’m too generous for my own good. No wonder Sang Sik keeps harping on about his ruined budget.’
Those days when I’d tried to order even a single bowl of noodles and had to cancel because it didn’t meet the minimum order amount felt like ancient history.
With four meals and crispy fried wonton on top, the total crept well past fifty thousand won.
“Ugh…”
Over fifty thousand won for a single meal?
There’d been months when I’d survived on fifty thousand won for food altogether, and this felt wrong.
And quietly vanishing from the order screen: the crispy fried wonton.
Bigo was the one who’d shown me the line where cost-effectiveness reached its maximum—I couldn’t just spend recklessly now.
I needed to save until I hit a hundred million.
Right, I’d have the fried wonton next time.
Once I’ve accomplished something, at least.
‘Though technically I did accomplish something today…’
But it didn’t come out of my own pocket, did it? It all went straight to Bigo.
That doesn’t count.
Anyway, if that’s how I’m thinking, then that’s how it is.
After placing the order, I returned to Bigo.
“Sang Sik, they don’t have the sour plum rice today. I changed it to double-portion mixed noodles with black bean sauce—that’s all right, yes?”
“Oh, I actually prefer seafood noodle soup to black bean sauce…”
Honestly, this wasn’t going to work.
“You’ll have the black bean noodles?”
“…”
“Sang Sik?”
“Yes. Black bean noodles are good. I’ll eat them. Black bean noodles. I like black bean noodles.”
* * *
The Highest Floor of South Korea’s Tower.
Lava flowed across the ground like a river, and acrid sulfurous smoke hung like a curtain over the wasteland.
In that inferno where even the air shimmered with heat, a single man stood.
A greatsword gripped firmly in his hand.
Leather armor torn to shreds, scale mail melted through.
The skin beneath glowed raw and blistered from burns, yet he showed no sign of disturbance.
His eyes remained calm, his blade pointed steadily at his opponent.
“Hah… it’s still not easy.”
The Blade Saint hadn’t come to assault the Highest Floor relying on the seven days Si Hyeon had won him—no, he returned to it without fail, day after day.
He’d long since disposed of all the lesser creatures, and his brutal duel with the boss, the Avatar of Dread Flame, had finally entered its final act.
“Shrieeeek!”
Whoosh!
Backed into a corner, the creature erected a massive wall of flame.
Its pale blue radiance was like facing a tidal wave.
“It’s come.”
The Wall of Flame—the move the creature always unleashed when sensing mortal danger. It had always been his greatest obstacle.
“I’m sick of this infernal heat. Let’s end this today.”
A scorching heat that seared flesh with mere proximity.
Yet even as his skin burned, the Blade Saint did not hesitate—he hurled himself into the inferno.
“Hah!”
Brilliant white light wrapped around his blade.
A man who had become light itself met the pale blue wave head-on.
Crack!
Force colliding with force.
A deafening roar split heaven and earth, and suffocating waves of superheated air came rushing in.
‘Ngh…!’
Up to this point, the Blade Saint had lived through this prescribed outcome dozens of times before.
But what came next was different.
‘…It’s breaking through!’
Crackle!
The white light wedged itself through the wall of flame that had seemed unbreakable.
That was where the decisive moment came.
What faced him now was no longer a tidal wave.
Just a fluttering sheet of blue paper.
Screeeeeech―!
One sword, two halves.
The blade that had torn through the wall bisected the Avatar of Dread Flame standing behind it in a single, unstoppable stroke.
“Guh….”
The flames crumbled pathetically, scattering like wilted petals and vanishing into nothing.
The conquest of the Avatar of Dread Flame—something that had seemed absolutely impossible without the Frost Giant’s Heart—had concluded successfully.
[Server Announcement: South Korea’s Tower]
[The first conquest record has been confirmed on Floor 75, an Unexplored Territory within South Korea’s Tower.]
[The Tower Collapse Timer currently applied to South Korea’s Tower is being reset.]
[Remaining Collapse Deferment Period: 99 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 52 seconds]
A single person.
Through the efforts of one individual named Shin Yu Sung, South Korea’s ordinary days had been extended another hundred days.
As had been the case every time before, the world would soon be busy praising his dedication and showering him with accolades.
Yet even in this joyous moment, Shin Yu Sung merely sheathed his sword with calm composure.
‘It would have been impossible. Without the Golden Age.’
No one in the world knew it, but Shin Yu Sung understood perfectly.
This victory was not one achieved by his strength alone.
That wall just now could not be overcome by any amount of flashy swordplay or technique.
It was a realm of pure power—one that could only be surpassed by receiving aid from the opposing force’s frigid essence, or else by sheer brute strength.
But unfortunately, neither option had been within easy reach.
‘And yet….’
The basic stat boost of five from the Golden Age had filled that gap.
That narrow margin which determined whether one could or could not succeed at the knife’s edge of an insurmountable wall.
“And so I’ve received help from my junior once again.”
Could that benefactor ever imagine it?
What influence the actions they had undertaken—from the lowest reaches of the tower all the way to this highest floor where the Sword Saint now stood—were exerting across all of South Korea?
“…I really should thank them properly.”
Shin Yu Sung smiled softly at the thought of his junior, who continued to climb steadily and quietly despite having accomplished something unprecedented.
On the other hand, he felt a touch of chagrin.
‘It’s been a while since I got their contact information, and they haven’t sent a single message. That’s rather disappointing. I am, after all, a Sword Saint in my own right.’
Though he understood.
They hadn’t merely altered the strategic landscape of South Korea’s Tower—they had become a talent coveted by the entire world. How busy they must be.
“…I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Someone that occupied would have to be sought out in person.
I Copied a Skill Just by Stepping on a Shadow
Author |
Killing Part
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Editor in Chief |
Editorial Department
Published by |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books
Address |
7th Floor, Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260703072
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter(X) |
@dreambookss
Submission |
[email protected]
This book may not be used or reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever without the written permission of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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