Monopolizing Skills to the 666th Floor - Chapter 81

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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 081

81. Labyrinth Underground 93rd Floor

Collection mission materials are diverse.

Herbs, minerals, monster parts, magic stones, etc.

There are even missions where you have to collect living creatures.

[You have entered Labyrinth Underground 93rd Floor.]

《Type: Collection》

《Condition: Within 5 hours time limit》

《Mission: Collect 5 Training Herbs.》

[You cannot exit until you clear the mission.]

‘It’s herbs again this time.’

Training Herb is a material used in crafting special medicines.

I know the recipe from Clear Mind Like Still Water, but I can’t make it right now.

Since I need more high-grade materials.

‘I should slowly collect them and then tackle the Hidden Piece.’

The 93rd Floor is a floor where a Hidden Piece exists.

Moreover, it’s a floor that can only be cleared by Apostles of the Transcendent Spirit called Ancient Vampire.

‘Since the mission itself requires blood-sucking with the Bite skill.’

Whose blood do you suck?

It’s not a monster.

‘In a way, I guess you’d call it an NPC.’

There’s a hidden NPC here.

She’s an Elf, and if you suck her blood, you’re given a special skill as a Hidden Piece reward.

It seems random why there’s an Elf here, but.

‘The person who found this Hidden Piece is really amazing. To think of biting a gentle Elf instead of a monster.’

Honestly, I can’t tell if it’s an NPC or not.

Whether it’s a real living being or a virtual existence, I just need to get the reward.

‘Let me collect only up to 4 Training Herbs and then look for the Elf.’

First, I obtained one Training Herb that was beyond the thicket.

While doing Low-Altitude Flight and moving around quickly, I found one more.

When monsters appeared in the meantime.

Tss tss tss―

I took out a tree branch and transformed it into a long spear.

Screech! Crack!

I threw it with all my strength and pierced through its body.

‘One shot.’

Strength isn’t the only stat that affects damage.

The penetration stat that pierces through the opponent’s defense also makes a big contribution.

‘With strength and penetration exceeding 80, killing in one shot is natural in a way?’

With these stats, I’m at the same level as Regular Apostles who cleared the 160th Floor.

It’s amazing that I’ve already grown this much on the 93rd Floor.

‘This was a situation I couldn’t even dream of before Regression.’

This is all thanks to accepting Terra early on.

While flapping my wings again, I found another Training Herb.

Then when I saw monsters, I resumed hunting.

Hunting Irregulars occasionally gives me E-Grade Magic Stones too.

In the meantime.

[Training Herb Collection 4/5]

I filled the target of 4.

‘Now I just need to find one more and it’s over.’

But how could I do that.

Even if I see Training Herbs, I have to pretend I didn’t see them.

Because if I finish the strategy, I’ll lose the Hidden Piece.

‘I have 4 hours remaining.’

Since I have plenty of time, shall I slowly try to get the Hidden Piece?

Flap!

I spread my wings and flew around the forest to find the Elf.

I don’t know the exact location, but since I heard she’s hiding somewhere in the forest, it shouldn’t be hard to find.

However, I seem to have been too relaxed.

Even after wandering around for a whole hour, I couldn’t see even a shadow of the Elf, let alone the Elf herself.

‘This isn’t easy to find.’

I have information from before my regression, but the only clue is that it’s in the forest.

Perhaps because it’s a Hidden Piece that only one person can obtain, there wasn’t much information available.

‘I still have plenty of time. I’ll search as thoroughly as possible.’

I increased the speed of my Wing Flapping a bit more.

Deadlines are a good driving force that enhances people’s concentration.

But the downside is that they make people anxious.

That was exactly how I felt.

[Time remaining until mission end: 30 minutes 33 seconds]

‘What’s going on? I’ve been searching for 3 hours and 30 minutes, but I can’t even catch a glimpse of an Elf?’

Now only 30 minutes remain.

If I can’t obtain the Training Herb within this time?

I won’t be able to leave the Labyrinth.

‘Other people probably don’t know what happens when you fail a mission. The dead tell no tales.’

But I know.

Because I heard it from the Three Gods.

‘They said you’d be trapped in the Labyrinth forever.’

Left in a Labyrinth without food, people die one by one from starvation.

Since these are the words of the Three Gods who possess eyes that see through the world, it’s certain.

But what I was worried about wasn’t whether I’d fail the mission.

‘If I can’t find it quickly, I won’t get the Hidden Piece.’

To come this far and return empty-handed?

My pride couldn’t help but be hurt.

I need to monopolize everything I can get my hands on.

‘Let me search just a little more. I have time.’

I set my deadline at 10 minutes and continued searching.

Then I suddenly remembered an interview with the Hidden Piece conqueror.

―This skill? I got it as a reward on the 93rd Floor. There was a hidden event.

―I used the Bite skill to drink some Elf’s blood, and an event triggered, giving me this skill.

―The Elf? I discovered it by chance in the forest.

―A monster? No, not at all. It had no aggression whatsoever. It was completely human. And incredibly beautiful too….

―Why I bit it? Well… no comment on that.

That was the interview with the Ancient Vampire Apostle at the time.

Since I recalled it with Clear Mind Like Still Water, I remember it without missing a single word.

‘The information can’t be wrong. There’s no reason to lie in an interview either.’

After all, Hidden Pieces are rewards that only one person in the entire world can monopolize.

There’s no reason to spread false information to prevent others from getting it.

If anything, they’d want to brag about it.

‘There are no other clues besides the forest….’

However, thinking about it now, there’s something strange.

‘Why was there no mention of it being hard to find? When it’s this difficult?’

I’ve searched through every forest faster than anyone, but there’s no sign of an Elf anywhere.

No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.

I’ve searched this thoroughly and it’s not showing up?

‘Or maybe… it’s not in the forest?’

The interview from before my regression was from several years after the Labyrinth was created.

Now it’s only been two weeks, so there’s a difference in the conquest timing.

‘If the timing is different… it might not be in the forest.’

What if the Elf is a special being and there’s only one?

And what if it’s always moving around?

‘It might be in a different location right now.’

I was buried in the clue about the forest and only focused on that area, but I was completely wrong.

At this different time, there’s a possibility it could be discovered in a completely different place.

‘If it’s not in the forest… it must be there.’

There isn’t much time left now.

I flew at maximum speed and exited the forest.

The place I headed to was a vast lake.

Looking down from high above, I searched for any sign of a person.

‘Found it.’

There was a small rock island in the center of the lake.

An Elf was standing on top of it.

Swoosh!

I folded my wings and dove down rapidly.

Thud!

As a person suddenly drops from the sky, she looks up with startled eyes.

She certainly doesn’t seem aggressive.

“Sorry, but I don’t have time.”

“Huh?”

I approached silently and used my skill.

‘Bite.’

Chomp!

“Ahh!”

As I bit her nape, the surprised elf woman.

“Ugh, uhhh…”

Her body goes limp, perhaps from having her blood sucked.

Thump—!

The collapsed elf couldn’t move due to the paralysis effect.

Despite it being an attack skill, the reason she didn’t die was simple.

I controlled my mana to minimize the damage.

‘There doesn’t seem to be any need to kill her.’

I made sure only the blood-sucking and paralysis effects remained in her body.

That alone would be enough to meet the conditions for acquiring the hidden piece.

[Hidden Event: Successfully absorbed blood of noble lineage.]

[You have acquired the skill ‘Blood Supply (S)’.]

I obtained the hidden piece I wanted.

Flap!

Without even having time to check the Skill Information, I quickly flew again.

Leaving the unconscious elf behind.

‘The paralysis will wear off with time. More importantly…’

The key is to quickly clear the mission.

If I can’t clear it, I’ll be trapped in the labyrinth forever.

‘There isn’t much time left.’

Fortunately, I had memorized the location of the training herb while flying.

I returned there and grasped the training herb in my hand.

[Training Herb Collection 5/5]

[You have cleared Labyrinth Underground 93rd Floor!]

I barely managed to save myself with 5 minutes remaining.

‘Phew, that was close.’

Having returned to the sinkhole, I broke out in a cold sweat.

I almost got trapped in the labyrinth.

‘Just knowing information about hidden pieces isn’t everything.’

Unless you know specific and accurate information, future knowledge is nothing more than fool’s gold.

Didn’t I wander around on the 93rd floor because I didn’t know the location?

‘I overlooked the fact that the target could be a mobile entity.’

That caused the information discrepancy.

‘I’ll have to consider such variables in the future.’

And it would be good to have faster means of movement than now.

Searching for everything individually takes too much time.

‘Come to think of it, I have the Transcendent’s Clockwork Watch, don’t I?’

It’s a 20-minute flight from the sinkhole to home.

To save even a little time, I closed my eyes.

When using additional functions, there’s no need to take it out of inventory like with the Scales of Judgment.

I just need to go through the process of recalling a past location.

[Using Transcendent’s Clockwork Watch function.]

[Would you like to move to the location you just recalled? Y/N]

A message appears when I close my eyes.

I can answer mentally as well.

‘Movement.’

I didn’t feel any particular sensation.

When I opened my eyes to see if there was any change, I saw a completely different space.

‘I came home in an instant?’

If I were trapped in the Labyrinth, would I be able to return home with just this item?

‘If that works, it would be a completely overpowered item.’

I haven’t tested it, so I don’t know.

I never got to use SSS-rank items like this in the past either.

‘This is also my first time requesting something from the Three Gods.’

Before regression, even when I received sponsorship, it was A-rank or below.

The only time I received S-rank was when I survived alone.

When I became the sole survivor among the Twelve Apostles, S-rank sponsorship came in as if they were placing their last hope on me.

Even then, I didn’t receive much.

‘Still, I was close with Joshua and the other Twelve Apostles, so I knew information about SSS-rank items.’

Now it’s become mine though.

‘Whatever the case, let’s sleep for now.’

I’m tired since I haven’t slept a wink lately.

Even with my stats raised this much, it seems I can’t help the desire to sleep.

‘Joshua will have arrived by the time I wake up.’

I collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep instantly, unable to last even a few seconds.

When I opened my eyes, the sun was high in the sky.

‘I slept for a full 12 hours?’

This is the first time I’ve slept this much without waking up even once.

Looking at my mobile phone, there were several text messages and missed calls.

[Joshua: Tae Seong, I’ll arrive in Korea in 3 hours.]

[Joshua: They say there’s 1 hour left. I can’t wait to meet you.]

[Joshua: I’ve finally arrived in Korea! Where shall we meet?]

[Joshua: Tae Seong?]

[Joshua: I’ll be waiting at the airport. Please contact me.]

They were all text messages from Joshua.

There were also two missed calls.

‘This is embarrassing. Not even going to pick up someone who came all this way.’

Well, it’s fine.

Incheon Airport is close by.

Just changing clothes and I’m ready.

‘Since other people might see me.’

Swoosh—

I hid my body with Balance Gap.

Then I closed my eyes and visualized it.

The interior view of Incheon Airport.

And added one word.

‘Movement.’

Then.

Buzz buzz—

Noise suddenly heard in what had been a quiet house.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t at home.

I had already arrived.

At Incheon Airport.

After that, I was able to easily find Joshua by detecting Parasite’s location.

“Did you wait long?”

“Oh, Tae Seong! You’re finally here!”

“Sorry. I ended up taking a nap.”

“Oh no, not at all. You don’t need to apologize.”

“Still, you came from far away, so I’m sorry. In that spirit…”

I took out the Enhanced Steel Longsword from my Inventory.

“Please take this at least.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a gift I’m giving you because I feel sorry.”

Joshua received the longsword I gave him and his eyes widened.

“It’s E-rank, so it should be more useful than the Goblin’s Machete.”

Labyrinth weapons are precious wherever you go.

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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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