Monopolizing Skills to the 666th Floor - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Skill Devouring to the 666th Floor Episode 046

46. Labyrinth Underground 66th Floor

‘After Joshua died, there was a villain who massacred people. That was Jason.’

He probably did such things from the shock of losing Joshua, but even so, why civilians?

I don’t understand it, but anyway, that was something that happened after a long time had passed.

‘He’s a person of interest, but I don’t need to worry about him now.’

What I wanted from the beginning was Oliver’s skill.

I achieved my goal.

By adding him to the Parasite list, I could also monitor his every move.

‘Should I check once?’

As a test, I closed my eyes, and I could hear voices from Oliver’s perspective.

―Father, will we get contact from that supplier Lee Tae Seong?

―We will. If not, why would he have bothered to meet us?

―But when I actually saw him, he seemed to be pondering? Was our offer too low?

―Didn’t we offer twice as much? We’re even paying the penalty fee.

―Then why isn’t he readily accepting?

―I don’t know. We treated him generously too, so I thought it was a positive sign….

―By the way, Korean food was really delicious. Especially Korean barbecue. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water now.

―It’s a small but amazing country. Their technological advancement is also cutting-edge. We did well coming to Korea.

―Let’s sleep quickly and go eat something more delicious tomorrow. The contact will come.

―Let’s do that.

The conversation between the Winterstone father and son could be heard vividly as if they were right in front of me.

‘Sorry, but you won’t hear the answer you want.’

I plan to rest today and send a text tomorrow morning.

A rejection text.

‘There’s no need to switch to another corporation.’

Severing my relationship with Joshua just to earn some pocket change?

It would mean losing a capable ally, and it’s also financially disadvantageous.

When Costech grows, I’ll be able to make contracts under more favorable conditions than now.

“Joshua. I said before, right? That I’d treat you to my favorite food when you came this time.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

“Let’s meet for lunch tomorrow and have a meal. We can also do the magic stone trade.”

“Oh, sounds good. I’m curious what kind of food it will be?”

I parted with Joshua after making plans for tomorrow.

Unlike Joshua who entered the hotel, I didn’t go home.

My steps were heading toward the sinkhole.

I needed to collect more magic stones.

I have some magic stones I collected while doing rescue missions on the 40th-49th floors.

But since Joshua came, it would be good to collect more magic stones.

Especially since I can collect a considerable amount of magic stones on this floor.

[You have entered Labyrinth Underground 66th Floor.]

《Type: Solve》

《Condition: None》

《Mission: Find and assemble the puzzle pieces.》

[You cannot exit until you clear the mission.]

This floor was also a mission to assemble puzzle pieces, but there was a difference.

There was a hidden piece concealed here.

Of course, not just anyone could obtain it.

‘Like the 44th floor, only apostles of specific transcendent spirits can obtain it.’

On the 44th floor, the floating island was the hidden piece.

Only apostles of the [Fallen Angel] with the ‘Flight’ skill could obtain it.

What about here on the 66th floor?

‘Only apostles of [Death’s Warden] can obtain the hidden piece.’

Specifically, the skill called ‘Prison of Death’ is needed.

‘I copied it in preparation for times like this.’

I can only obtain this floor’s hidden piece by using this.

Magic stones are just a bonus in the process.

‘Should I start by collecting the puzzle pieces?’

Flap!

Flying through the sky, moving quickly.

I arrived in front of the first stone monument.

Like I did before, I took a deep breath and then.

Kwaaa―!

When I melted it with Dragon’s Breath, only the puzzle piece remained.

‘I’ve obtained the first puzzle piece.’

Moving to find the second stone monument.

Kwaaa―!

Puzzle piece obtained.

The third and fourth followed the same sequence.

I proceeded like this until the ninth one.

I had collected all the pieces.

However.

‘I still can’t assemble the puzzle yet.’

I mustn’t finish the strategy until I get the hidden piece.

Flap!

I flew through the sky again.

Normally there shouldn’t be any more stone monuments, but the 66th floor here is different.

‘There’s one more stone monument. It’s quite far away though.’

After traveling for a while, I discovered the problematic stone monument.

It looked different from the stone monuments I had seen before.

It even had peculiar patterns carved on it.

Swoosh!

Gathering my breath.

Kwaaa―!

I tried using Dragon’s Breath, but it didn’t melt like before.

Tss tss tss―

Even when I transformed the tree branch into an axe and struck it.

Clang! Clang!

Not even a scratch remained.

‘I’ve found the right place.’

This was exactly the stone monument where the hidden piece was hidden.

To be precise, it wasn’t a stone monument but a stone called a magic crystal stone.

‘Magic stones are essences of magic power that can only be obtained from monsters. But…’

There are also ones made into stone monuments like this.

A stone created by condensing numerous magic stones.

That was a magic crystal stone.

‘I’m going to extract magic stones from the magic crystal stone.’

How, you ask?

Like this.

‘Prison of Death.’

Thud!

The magical prison that fell from the sky.

The stone monument was trapped inside it.

At that moment, a miraculous phenomenon occurred.

Thunk― Thunk― Thunk―

The stone monument began spitting out magic stones outside the iron bars.

The size of the stone monument gradually decreased as well.

‘It’s reacting. To the Prison of Death skill.’

Prison of Death is a skill that restrains enemies with magical iron bars.

What happens when you use it on the stone monument of the 66th floor?

You can extract magic stones like this.

Because the labyrinth system is designed to react that way.

‘Other skills won’t work. It only reacts to this skill.’

In the past, countless apostles had discovered this special stone monument.

But no matter what methods they tried, they couldn’t melt the stone monument and eventually gave up.

Then came the apostle of Death’s Warden.

‘That’s when they learned. That this stone monument only reacts to the Prison of Death skill.’

Thunk― Thunk― Thunk―

Magic stones falling like fruit.

Unfortunately, they’re all F-grade.

‘Still, this is amazing. Just casting a skill produces magic stones.’

There wasn’t much for me to do.

I just had to cast Prison of Death whenever the cooldown was up.

All I had to do was pick up the magic stones the stone monument spat out and store them in my inventory.

The stone monument gradually shrinking.

What had been taller than a person was now smaller than knee-height.

‘This should be ending soon.’

Sure enough.

Thud―

The stone monument that had spat out its last magic stone suddenly disappeared.

It had completely melted away.

‘This is faster than hunting monsters.’

The number of F-Grade Magic Stones gathered in my inventory was 80.

It couldn’t be anything but the best efficiency for the time spent.

‘But this is just a bonus reward, the real reward of the Hidden Piece is separate.’

Specifically, the purple orb that was inside the stone monument.

It’s a Dimensional Orb.

[Dimensional Orb (A)]

―Classification: Possession

―Effect: Allows unlimited use of the Dimensional Shop.

―Usage Restriction: Lee Tae Seong (Bound)

―Description: A mysterious orb imbued with dimensional power. Can open the Dimensional Shop at any time.

‘I finally got my hands on it.’

I had been planning this since I regressed.

That I absolutely had to obtain this on the 66th floor.

‘With just this one thing, I don’t need the Orb of Darkness anymore.’

The Dimensional Orb is a superior item to the Orb of Darkness.

Unlike the single-use Orb of Darkness, this can open the Dimensional Shop unlimited times.

‘Others would have to go all the way to the 160th Floor to barely open it. But I have this.’

Since I got it, let me try using it right away.

I have items to buy anyway.

‘Use.’

As I held the orb in my hand and spoke the activation word.

Kwaaa!

Space tore open with dark magic effects and someone appeared.

It was the specter I had beaten up before.

[Huk! You, you are!]

“Hello, Luster. I didn’t think we’d meet again this soon?”

Despite my friendly greeting, even calling him by name.

The guy backed away slowly with an expression like he’d eaten shit.

“Where are you going?”

[Th, there seems to be an error in the labyrinth system right now. There’s no reason for me to be summoned by you when you don’t even have an Orb of Darkness, so I’ll be going now…]

“It’s not an error. Look, see what I’m holding.”

Luster’s gaze wavered as he saw the Dimensional Orb in my hand.

[How, how did you already get that…]

“I happened to obtain it. I was lucky.”

With a smile across my face, I put my arm around his shoulder.

To his eyes, it must have looked like a demon’s smile.

Since he was now in a position where he couldn’t even escape from me.

“Don’t think about going anywhere. I can summon you anytime with this.”

[…]

“Don’t worry. You don’t think I summoned you just to torment you, do you? As long as you don’t get on my nerves, I won’t bother you either. So hurry up and open the Dimensional Shop.”

[Al, alright.]

Soon a shop window appeared before my eyes.

Next to it, 444,000 credits were displayed.

Luster’s eyes widened at seeing such an absurd amount.

[How, how did you already accumulate this many credits?]

“How? Don’t you know what floor I’ve conquered up to?”

[Ah…!]

The Dimensional Orb is an item that can only be obtained on the 66th floor.

Finally understanding the situation, Luster muttered in amazement.

[To already conquer the 66th floor in less than ten days… is this even possible?]

I ignored his words and flipped through the list.

Then I clicked purchase without hesitation on one item.

[You have purchased the item ‘Credit Booster’.]

[400,000 Credits will be deducted.]

What I chose was an item worth a whopping 400,000 Credits – the Credit Booster.

Actually, it’s more like a buff than an item.

[Credit Booster effect is applied.]

[Credit acquisition increased by 30%.]

[Condition: Must clear 10 floors without taking any damage to maintain effect.]

[Upon meeting condition: 400,000 Credits refunded.]

[If you take damage in the Labyrinth, the effect immediately disappears and no refund is possible.]

[Booster applied floors: 0/10 floors]

It was the optimal choice for gathering Credits.

‘However, the risk isn’t trivial.’

Not taking damage even once while clearing 10 floors.

Considering the monsters I’ll have to face ahead, it’s by no means a light condition.

‘But the return is huge.’

If successful, I get back the full 400,000 Credits I paid for it.

In other words, I can enjoy the 30% increase buff for free.

That’s why I pressed purchase without hesitation.

Though Luster looked like he couldn’t understand.

[You’re spending 400,000 Credits on that item? Are you insane, human? That’s an item that only becomes efficient when used in the later stages! Plus, unless you have considerable skill, you’re guaranteed to lose money…]

Luster quickly shut his mouth after receiving my glare.

“I’ll handle it myself. Don’t interfere.”

[…Fine. Whether you waste your Credits or not isn’t my concern.]

“Now get lost.”

I put the Dimensional Orb into my Inventory.

My business was done, so I ended its use.

The shop window disappeared along with the Specter.

“So talkative. Tsk.”

Having to see that guy every time I use the shop.

It’s really nothing but annoying.

“Let’s just solve the puzzle and get out.”

I took out the puzzle pieces I had stored in my Inventory and assembled them into one.

[You have cleared Labyrinth Underground 66th Floor!]

[‘Weak Essence of Magic Power’ is granted as the 66th Floor normal clear reward.]

[27,300 Credits (+6,300) are granted.]

[Booster applied floors: 1/10 floors]

Credits with the booster applied came in.

[You have cleared Labyrinth Underground 66th Floor for the first time!]

[‘Weak Essence of Life’ is granted as the 66th Floor first clear reward.]

Stats also came in as the first clear reward.

[Would you like to descend to the next floor? Y/N]

[Selecting N allows you to return to Earth.]

I pressed N and returned home.

‘I should get some sleep and then meet him. Joshua.’

Tomorrow I have a lot to do – selling Magic Stones and treating him to Jjajangmyeon.

I need to sleep early.

I lay down in bed with that thought, but a message interrupted me.

[10 days have passed.]

[Since no new record has emerged, you permanently acquire the ‘Labyrinth Hunter (F)’ Achievement effect.]

It was a message that I had successfully defended my title.

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