I Stepped on Their Shadows and Skills Started Copying Like Crazy - Chapter 52

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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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52
“…!”
The shock hit like a blow to the back of his head, leaving him reeling.
‘Not yet…? Did Shin Yu Sung really say not yet?’
It meant he couldn’t predict the future.
Jung Jin Hyeok had known Shin Yu Sung for nearly a decade, but he’d never heard the man speak like this before.
“You mean… to that extent?”
“Yes.”
What kind of person are they, exactly? How old? No—what’s their initial Awakener ability?”
“That’s not something I can discuss.”
“Ah, forgive me. I’ve overstepped.”
Jung Jin Hyeok, shaken enough to abandon his usual restraint, caught himself and immediately withdrew.
Silence settled between them then, broken only by the soft clink of teacups.
Shin Yu Sung was the one who broke it.
“Speaking of which, there’s something I need to discuss with the director.”
“Of course. Please, go ahead.”
“The Frost Giant’s Heart we’ll obtain next time. We’d originally planned to use it for Floor 75. I’d like to use it for something personal instead.”
“That’s… a matter I’d need to take up with the higher-ups.”
Just days ago, it had been one of the rarest treasures in all of South Korea.
It had lost its immediate utility, but it was no mere byproduct of the tower—it was a strategic resource.
“The Frost Giant’s Heart has high priority at the national level. I can’t treat it as just personal spoils.”
“I’m the one who took it, and you’re saying even I can’t use it?”
It wasn’t about confiscating it.
Items of this caliber were normally purchased from Awakeners by the state.
At generous prices.
That the one person who knew this best was being uncharacteristically stubborn struck him as odd.
“Are you looking to acquire new equipment? Personally? That shouldn’t be difficult. I can speak to the higher-ups—”
Suddenly, Jung Jin Hyeok stopped mid-sentence.
A possibility had flashed across his mind.
“…It’s a gift. A token of gratitude.”
Shin Yu Sung smiled slightly, as if the pieces had finally fallen into place.
“Yes.”
A gift for the person who’d single-handedly altered the security landscape of South Korea’s tower. There was no reason to object.
“Then think nothing of it. Simply arrange the transfer as a gift. I’ll handle the bureaucracy beforehand to ensure there are no complications.”
“Thank you, Director.”
“Not at all. It’s my honor to be of service.”
In truth, Jung Jin Hyeok was the one who wanted to give thanks.
The VVIP was someone the entire world was desperate to recruit, bringing fortunes to the table.
If he could, Jung Jin Hyeok would do the same—but he couldn’t offer a gift to someone whose identity he didn’t even know.
Yet here was Shin Yu Sung, delivering a gift on his behalf. It was a stroke of tremendous fortune.
‘This is significant.’
Not a gift given in the name of the state, but any gift at all would serve.
An item, money, honor, family, friends, a lover—anything.
Anything that might make the VVIP think, ‘Well, my family and friends are all here anyway, and staying in Korea might not be so bad after all.’
“I’m curious how they’ll react. It’s almost a shame I won’t see it.”
Something seemed to occur to Shin Yu Sung at that, and he let out a quiet laugh.
“They’ll probably ask the price first.”
“…Pardon?”
“And then refuse. Say it’s too much. That’s why I’m struggling—figuring out how to get them to accept it.”
“I see…”
Through Shin Yu Sung’s words, Jung Jin Hyeok began to sketch out the figure hidden behind the name VVIP.
An unknown Awakener who saved South Korea.
A promising junior whom Shin Yu Sung himself had sought out.
Someone who might one day stand shoulder to shoulder with Shin Yu Sung.
And someone principled enough to refuse even a Frost Giant’s Heart as excessive.
‘Ah. They’re as upright and unblemished as Shin Yu Sung himself. No wonder he holds them in such regard.’
The teacup before them had long since emptied.
It was time to leave.
“Thank you for the tea.”
“I should be the one saying that.”
“Haha, I do this because I enjoy it. Do look forward to it. Next time I’ll bring even finer tea leaves.”
Jung Jin Hyeok rose to leave. As Shin Yu Sung walked him to the door, he added one final word.
“Director.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll promise you this much—whenever that friend of yours asks, I’ll introduce you.”
Jung Jin Hyeok, tying his shoes, froze mid-motion at those welcome words.
But something caught him at the same time.
‘Whenever that friend of mine asks…?’
It meant Shin Yu Sung had no intention of taking the first step.
“Wouldn’t things move faster if you thought otherwise?”
“I don’t think this is something I should accelerate of my own will.”
Jung Jin Hyeok ventured the question, but the answer that came back was as resolute as expected.
“…Even if Poongyeo Jwai is a hero this country needs—Korea needs?”
“Whether this country needs him or not, it’s not my place to interfere unless that friend desires it.”
Jung Jin Hyeok, holding back a sigh that had risen to his throat, quietly accepted his defeat and withdrew.
Once someone as principled as Shin Yu Sung drew a line, there was no point in trying to cross it.
“Very well, then… I’ll be in touch again soon. Please rest well.”
He bowed curtly and stepped out through the door.
Alone, Shin Yu Sung cleared away the empty cup and smiled to himself.
“Yes, that’s right. Next time we should share a cup of tea. At my place.”
* * *
The day after Floor 13, Floor 14 fell in one swift stroke.
Since Barg had been on Floor 12 and Sla on Floor 13, there was some hope for Floor 14, but it proved unremarkable.
The same fetid marshland, bound goblins being dragged somewhere.
Some had their ear tips cut off; others bore burn marks on their foreheads or nape of the neck as if branded by a hot iron.
These were traces he’d glimpsed in the mine on the previous floor.
At first he’d wondered if they’d been tortured, but it seemed more likely they were marks denoting slavery.
A column of prisoners was intercepted by monsters and a three-way battle erupted, but it wasn’t difficult—no named monsters appeared.
“Boss. Lunch is ready. Everything’s prepared.”
Having returned from the tower, bathed, and spent some time with Bami, mealtime had arrived.
Sang Sik, promoted from kidnapping victim to cook, had appeared.
Wearing a bright floral apron.
‘This was the cheapest one at the store… should I buy a new one?’
The combination of the forearm with its faint tattooed outline poking out beneath the sleeve and the apron looked anything but pleasant.
“Oh, is it already lunchtime? What’s on the menu today?”
“Soy sauce pork stir-fry.”
Oh, pork stir-fry is good. That’s hard to mess up.
His cooking skills were so atrocious that the menu options had been severely restricted. There was barely anything he could do.
Put the meat he’d bought into store-bought sauce, chop vegetables, and it’s done.
Looking at it now, the presentation was acceptable.
“Oh, it looks delicious?”
The onions were cut in a way he’d never seen before, but as long as it wasn’t undercooked or burnt, he should be grateful.
The man had never cooked a meal in his life wherever he lived, and couldn’t even get the water ratio right for rice—by this standard, it was remarkable progress.
“Boss, would you mind tasting it first? To see what else might need to go in, or what to adjust?”
“I should… taste it.”
To be honest, Sang Sik’s cooking so far had only defied all sense, so he was a bit anxious. But maybe today would be different. How could you ruin store-bought sauce?
He squeezed his eyes shut and popped a piece into his mouth.
The taste was…
“Huh? It’s actually delicious?”
Since leaving the cooking to Sang Sik, something edible had finally emerged.
The moment he said it was delicious, Snig shuffled over and sat down.
“Hey, what’s this? You’re supposed to taste it first. What, am I doing it?”
“N-no, my lord…! That Oaf Sang Sik’s cooking is truly awful, you understand.”
“Even so, really. How could you… to such a heavenly lord…! You agree, don’t you?”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“From next time on, you taste it first. Got it? That’s an order.”
“I-I shall accept the command, sir…”
The creature was trembling so badly, apparently terrified of tasting Sang Sik’s cooking.
“I’m joking, joking. You know how to season Korean food anyway, don’t you? That’s enough. Just clean up well.”
“Yes sir! I’m confident in that, sir!”
“Alright, gather at Bigo. Let’s eat.”
So they sat around a table that had been hastily set up in Bigo, continuing their meal, but something was visibly off about Roga’s state.
Whether he was eating rice or counting grains, it was impossible to tell.
He just sat there with a blank expression, grip loose on his spoon.
Ever since they’d freed the captives on Floor 14, he’d been like this the whole time.
“Why isn’t Roga eating? You’ll regret it if you don’t try this stir-fried beef.”
“There was some trouble with his kinfolk up in the tower. I don’t know the details myself.”
The goblins they’d freed on Floor 14—they were the problem.
It had started well enough. I’d saved them, after all, and while I couldn’t speak their language, Roga was the only one who could, so how could things go wrong?
But some of them seemed to recognize him. Then his brother’s name must have come up.
‘Then they shoved Roga aside and left on their own.’
I couldn’t understand what the goblins were saying, but I could piece together what had happened.
‘According to Roga, it was a misunderstanding… but who knows.’
At this point, I couldn’t help but start suspecting Roga’s brother.
Well, not that the goblins’ affairs were really my concern.
“Hey, Roga. Eat up. We’re climbing back up tomorrow to rescue more of your people. You need food for strength.”
“Keruk.”
Only then did he start forcing food into his mouth.
That was enough.
I wasn’t a therapist, and it was better to pretend ignorance than to meddle in family matters.
Once dinner was finished, I had them eat some snacks for dessert.
I’d gone out to buy groceries and picked up a few packages because they were on a bundle discount—and they devoured them like nothing else.
“Keru…!”
“Oooh…! This sweet and comforting delicacy—what on earth! Truly, it is the taste of heaven itself!”
“Oh, this is my favorite snack. Snig, what do you think? It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
I’d meant to show the goblins a taste of modern flavor, but it was the modern human who seemed to love it most.
‘Well, as long as they like it, I suppose.’
Leaving the group of hangers-on delighting over a single bag of snacks, I pulled an item from my inventory and examined it.
“Item information.”
[Faded Sun Bird Feather]
Grade: Advanced
Classification: Crafting Material
Description: A feather that fell from the body of a Sun Bird.
It originally contained light and warmth, but most of that power has now faded.
※ This item’s grade has been reduced by one level.
The most suspicious item among what I’d obtained today.
It wasn’t a reward—I’d picked it up off the floor. A high-grade material, no less.
‘If it were in its original state, it would be Rare grade.’
And a Sun Bird, at that. The name alone raised questions.
“Boss, what is that?”
“No idea.”
“Then why did you keep it?”
“Because I don’t know.”
“……I see.”
Sang Sik didn’t ask further, returning his focus to the snacks.
As if that guy doesn’t know anything.
Generally speaking, unknown objects in the tower are either dangerous or expensive—or both.
“Snig, listen while you eat. Do you know what a ‘Sun Bird’ is?”
Snig shook his head, his mouth stuffed full of snacks.
“Then ask Roga.”
Roga answered immediately after Snig swallowed the snack.
“Keru! Keru!”
“Oh, I don’t know!”
I was glad I’d kept him around after all.
“A Sun Bird is a bird that flies above the Great Forest, I’m told.”
“I could’ve figured that much from the name.”
“Keruk.”
Roga spoke again. This time, a bit longer.
“Keruk. Karuk. Keruk-keruk. Shiiaaak. Kaaa.”
Snig immediately translated.
“They say that when the Sun Bird sings, the rain stops.”
“The rain stops?”
“Yes. That’s what Roga has heard, at least.”
“Has he seen it himself?”
At my question, Roga shook his head.
“Krrk.”
“Roga hasn’t, but his older brother has, or so he says.”
“His brother? I think I heard about him before—his name was… Garok, right?”
For a moment, Roga’s eyes wavered slightly, but the explanation continued.
“Yes, that Garok saw an enormous bird resting on a high branch. He said it looked as if the sun itself were perched on the tree.”
“The sun perched on a tree, huh.”
Quite a poetic way to put it for a goblin.
“But Lizardmen hate the Sun Bird, according to him.”
“Because the rain stops?”
“Yep.”
Water-loving Lizardmen and a bird that stops the rain.
The puzzle fit together too perfectly.
“Hmm… That one called Sla was muttering something about the rain before she left. This whole thing has a rotten smell to it.”
“Krrk.”
Roga growled low then.
“Roga says that if the Sun Bird disappears, the rain doesn’t stop for a long time.”
“A long time? How long are we talking about?”
“Krrk. Kerrruk.”
This time Snig’s expression hardened slightly.
“It’s not just a long time… he says the roots rot, and sometimes the trees fall over.”
Ah, I see now.
What scheme these devious reptiles have cooked up.
And roughly what will emerge on Floor 15.
“A Sun Bird… I’m curious. What would it look like?”
Copy Skills from Shadow
Author |
Killing Part
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(주) Samyang C&C
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The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without written permission from (주) Samyang C&C – Dream Books.

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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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