The Automatic Rooting Range Is Too Wide - Chapter 88

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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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Auto Looting Range Too Wide Episode 88

 

Episode 88: You’re Dead (3)

 

“Tae-hyun, wait a minute. What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

 

Lee Ji-hun asked while calming down the male employee.

 

“Zero-second mer… no, Zero-second Swordsman cleared floors 16 through 20 all in zero seconds? And on the highest difficulty?”

 

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?”

 

The male employee said with a bright smile.

 

Pure admiration was contained in his eyes.

 

On the other hand, Lee Ji-hun made a disgusted expression.

 

“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you know what kind of status the highest difficulty of trap floors holds?”

 

The trap floors had a total of five difficulty levels.

 

As the level increased, the frequency and danger of traps greatly increased.

 

Spears shot out faster, arrows increased in number, and poison needles became much more toxic.

 

Even Awakened from large guilds usually chose difficulty level 3.

 

Difficulty level 4 was only possible for special individuals even among large guild Awakened.

 

Difficulty level 5?

 

Only a very small number of Awakened could pass that.

 

World-class Awakened like Malcolm Bernard, Michael Alzen, and Haruki Miyuki.

 

“Not just passing it normally, but in zero seconds… that’s impossible.”

 

“It’s true! Please check the ranking board once!”

 

The employee didn’t need to convince Lee Ji-hun for no reason.

 

There was clear evidence provided by the system.

 

“Rank…”

 

Lee Ji-hun hesitated while trying to open the ranking board.

 

Suddenly, fear overwhelmed him. He was scared to confirm that those words were true.

 

“…Ranking board.”

 

Still, Lee Ji-hun suppressed those emotions and opened the ranking board.

 

Then he saw the record of 0.01 seconds consecutively marked on floors 16-20.

 

“…”

 

Lee Ji-hun felt his words getting stuck.

 

“My goodness… I really can’t believe it.”

 

What brought Lee Ji-hun back to his senses was a word from Yeonhui.

 

Yeonhui was exchanging stories about the male employee and Zero-second Swordsman.

 

“How exactly did he clear it in zero seconds?”

 

“I’m not sure either. Teleportation is the most likely explanation. But that alone doesn’t explain getting an EX grade in 10th Floor Area B.”

 

“I don’t know what kind of person he is, but I really want to see his face once.”

 

Yeonhui’s eyes sparkled like a child’s when talking about Zero-second Swordsman.

 

It was unlike her usual businesslike attitude.

 

At least Yeonhui never made such expressions for Lee Ji-hun.

 

“…Could you both step out for a moment?”

 

Lee Ji-hun barely squeezed out those words.

 

The two people left the CEO’s office while reading Lee Ji-hun’s mood.

 

“Why did the CEO tell us to leave?”

 

“I wonder. Maybe he’s thinking of ways to find Zero-second Swordsman.”

 

Yeonhui answered the male employee’s question.

 

“Zero-second Swordsman’s importance keeps growing. We still don’t even know which country he’s from.”

 

“I heard he might be Korean.”

 

“That’s still an unconfirmed rumor. There’s no law saying only one genius of a generation can appear.”

 

The current era was a prime example of this.

 

Malcolm Bernard, Michael Alzen, Haruki Miyuki, and so on.

 

Famous Awakened were already evaluated as having surpassed the legends of the 0th generation.

 

“Anyway, I’m really curious.”

 

Yeonhui said while walking down the corridor.

 

The male employee followed behind Yeonhui and casually said,

 

“Yeonhui, do you have time? Maybe during lunch…”

 

“I have work left to do. I’m sorry.”

 

Saying that, Yeonhui quickly entered the elevator.

 

The male employee stopped in front of the elevator and scratched the back of his head.

 

“She responded well to conversation for the first time, so I had some hope.”

 

Can’t be helped.

 

The male employee put aside his disappointment and turned around.

 

Meanwhile, Yeonhui who boarded the elevator took out her smartphone.

 

And opened an app.

 

【Hunter Community】

 

Yeonhui gripped her smartphone with both hands and began typing a post.

 

-Strawberry Cheese: Zero-second Swordsman set another great record!

 

* * *

 

At the time when Yeonhui and the male employee returned to work.

 

Lee Ji-hun was sitting at his desk, tearing at his hair.

 

“Highest difficulty? He passed level 5? Even I barely passed level 4?”

 

Just passing level 4 was enough to receive great admiration from people.

 

But in Lee Ji-hun’s case, he couldn’t be so proud.

 

Because he barely passed by spending a lot of money, not through his own skill.

 

If it was said that Seol-aeng’s successor couldn’t even pass level 4, he would have been everyone’s laughingstock.

 

“What the hell is it? What kind of unique skill does he have?”

 

His head felt like it would explode.

 

Then suddenly, Lee Ji-hun grabbed his smartphone.

 

“Surely they’re not making a fuss about that bastard again?”

 

Sure enough, the Hunter Community was buzzing with talk about Zero-second Swordsman.

 

-Anonymous: In my lifetime, this is the first time I’ve seen someone clear five floors consecutively in one day.

 

-DTD: I was worried because Zero-second Swordsman hasn’t been climbing the Tower much lately. I guess it was needless worry.

 

-Jewelry Lover: No, but seriously, what’s his real identity? What makes this kind of thing possible?

 

Reading the posts, Lee Ji-hun trembled with rage.

 

Interest in Zero-second Swordsman had almost died down lately, which made life worth living.

 

But the spark had come back to life again.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Finally, Lee Ji-hun couldn’t contain his anger and posted a long message.

 

-Hae-dal: You idiots. Instead of wasting time caring about Zero-second Swordsman or whatever, live your own lives.

 

-Hae-dal: Whether that bastard sets the best record or not, what does it have to do with you guys.

 

-Hae-dal: Please focus on your current life. Live your real life.

 

After writing that long angry post, he felt somewhat relieved.

 

It was when Lee Ji-hun was making a refreshed expression.

 

-Strawberry Cheese : Huh? Aren’t you the one who was talking nonsense about Zero-second Swordsman yesterday?

 

-Strawberry Cheese : You were spouting all kinds of bullshit saying Zero-second Swordsman’s climbing has been quiet lately.

 

-Strawberry Cheese : What did you say again? That it’s over now? That he felt his limits?

 

Of all people, the person he hated most in the Hunter Community had left a comment.

 

-Anonymous: Oh, I saw that too lol They were talking complete bullshit.

 

-DTD : Friend, didn’t you get cursed at last time for badmouthing Zero-second too? How pitiful.

 

Centered around Strawberry Cheese, other people also started writing comments one after another.

 

“Vermin who can’t say a word in front of me…”

 

Lee Ji-hun trembled with rage and slammed his smartphone shut.

 

He tried to calm his anger but it was useless.

 

“Zero-second Swordsman… what the hell is this bastard really?”

 

At this point, he wanted to know the identity out of sheer stubbornness.

 

“Come to think of it, I think there was a report recently that this guy is presumed to be Korean.”

 

15th Floor.

 

An unprecedented score of over 2,000 points came out in the 15th Floor treasure hunt stage conducted in South Korea.

 

It was a score that defied common sense, but they couldn’t not believe it.

 

Because the Manager directly mentioned it and expelled all the Awakened.

 

People started connecting that incident with Zero-second Swordsman.

 

Saying if not Zero-second Swordsman, who else could produce such an absurd score.

 

“Honestly, it seems like baseless nonsense but…”

 

The Tower was a place with so many secrets that even such flimsy rumors couldn’t just be ignored.

 

Naturally, Seolangdo also investigated this incident in detail.

 

“I should have received related materials.”

 

Lee Ji-hun opened his laptop and started searching through documents.

 

He opened one of them to check.

 

-There is a possibility that the Awakened who achieved the great record of 2,000 points on the 15th Floor is Zero-second Swordsman.

 

-At the current point in time, Zero-second Swordsman is the most likely candidate who could produce a record of 2,000 points.

 

-Therefore, there is a possibility that Zero-second Swordsman is Korean.

 

-We will narrow down candidates from among the participants of that stage.

 

-Considering fame, skill, and various conditions, five candidates exist.

 

-Among them, the Awakened called by the nickname ‘Butcher’ is the most likely.

 

“Butcher, Butcher…”

 

After thinking for a moment, Lee Ji-hun made a phone call somewhere.

 

“Is Baek-ryul there? Tell him to come up.”

 

Shortly after, a young man entered the CEO’s office.

 

He was quite, no, extremely handsome.

 

The subtle smile he held at the corners of his mouth made his appearance stand out even more.

 

“You called for me?”

 

Baek-ryul said with a brightly smiling face.

 

Actually, Lee Ji-hun found Baek-ryul somewhat uncomfortable.

 

Unlike himself who had forcibly become a ‘genius’ through his grandfather’s influence, Baek-ryul was the real deal.

 

“Do you know that a Field Boss Event will be held soon?”

 

“Yes, I’m thinking of watching the seniors nearby and learning well.”

 

What insincere words.

 

Lee Ji-hun clicked his tongue inwardly.

 

It was a well-known fact that Baek-ryul didn’t get along well with the senior Awakened.

 

It was due to the personality clash between Baek-ryul, who had a nasty personality despite his scholarly appearance, and the seniors who couldn’t stand having such an arrogant junior.

 

“I heard you encountered Butcher during the Spring Event.”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

“Skip this Field Boss Event.”

 

At Lee Ji-hun’s words, Baek-ryul’s expression changed.

 

“Do you have something else for me to do?”

 

“Yes, I want to entrust you with the mission of revealing Butcher’s identity.”

 

Lee Ji-hun took out an item from his inventory and threw it to Baek-ryul.

 

“It’s a recording item. Unique grade. It can penetrate most recognition interference items. Use that to take a picture of Butcher’s bare face.”

 

Baek-ryul stared at the ring-shaped item intently and then smiled coldly.

 

“Just trust me. I’ll definitely complete the task you’ve given me.”

 

* * *

 

Mincheol conquered trap floors one after another.

 

It wasn’t particularly difficult. He could immediately clear difficulty level 5 just by clearing difficulty level 1.

 

【You acquire all ‘Ancient Labyrinth Power Source (2)’ within a 900m radius.】

 

【Mana is detected from the target. Ownership is seized by consuming mana.】

 

【1,500 mana is consumed by Auto Looting.】

 

This was thanks to the items that needed to be obtained not changing even when the difficulty changed.

 

Of course, difficulty 1 had to be cleared at least once.

 

The power circuits were slightly different on each floor.

 

But it wasn’t really a big problem.

 

【You acquire 5 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Arrows’.】

 

【You acquire 8 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Poison Needles’.】

 

Using Auto Looting, he could safely pass through difficulty level 1.

 

Of course, as the floors got higher, the number of traps increased.

 

【Solve the puzzle and open the iron bars to take out the key!】

 

【If you don’t take out the key in time, you’ll be crushed to death by the approaching walls!】

 

The trap where the left and right walls closed in was a typical case.

 

【You acquire all ‘Rusty Keys’ within a 900m radius.】

 

Of course, thanks to Auto Looting, he could pass through without any trouble.

 

【Pass through the corridor where flames shoot out!】

 

There were also traps where flames shot out, but when Kkwaekkwi deployed a wind wall, he could pass through safely.

 

【Pass through the room where arrows pour down!】

 

【You never know when spears jutting from the floor will pierce you!】

 

There were also cases where traps were combined.

 

In these cases too, Auto Looting proved extremely beneficial.

 

Just not having to worry about getting hit by arrows made the traps significantly easier.

 

Surprisingly, the easiest was the 20th Floor.

 

Unlike the 10th Floor which was a boss room, the 20th Floor simply ended after passing through traps.

 

There was even just one room.

 

Instead, the danger level was beyond imagination.

 

【Step on the stone pillars and claim the power source.】

 

A cliff bristling with countless thorns.

 

Stone pillars barely wide enough for one foot were lined up in a row.

 

He had to step on these stone pillars to reach the other side.

 

Of course, he had to pass through countless projectiles raining down.

 

【You have acquired 7 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Arrows’.】

 

【You have acquired 12 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Poison Needles’.】

 

【You have acquired 5 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Short Spears’.】

 

Of course, thanks to Auto Looting, it wasn’t a problem at all.

 

“This would be a good place to collect poison needles.”

 

He even had such leisurely thoughts while passing through the 20th Floor.

 

【You have passed floors 17, 18, 19, and 20 at difficulty level 5!】

 

【0.01 seconds! A world record!】

 

【You have passed these floors in an impossible time!】

 

【You acquire massive experience points.】

 

Lv.37 -> Lv.45

 

-All stats increase by 2 per level.

 

【You acquire massive skill experience points.</p】

-Unique Skill ‘Auto Looting’ Lv.9 -> Lv.10

 

-Range radius 900m -> 1km

 

-The number of designatable targets increases. 9 -> 10

 

-Your unique skill has reached level 10!

 

-You receive a Bound Unique Skill Enhancement Voucher!

 

【You acquire clear rewards.】

 

-All stats increase by 80.

 

-You acquire 4 ‘Inventory Expansion Vouchers’.

 

【You acquire a hidden piece.】

 

-You acquire 15 ‘Bound Coins of Fortune’.

 

【You have cleared the 20th Floor while possessing multiple ‘Coins of Fortune’!】

 

【You meet the conditions to open the Secret Shop!】

 

【You can use the ‘Secret Shop’ once!】

 

Looking at the messages appearing, Mincheol wiped away tears.

 

“The day of climbing the Tower comfortably has come.”

 

All the hardships he had endured flashed before his eyes.

 

“Yeah, after suffering that much, I deserve to enjoy this much.”

 

“Kkwak, kkwak.”

 

Kkwaekkwi nodded up and down as if agreeing.

 

“Let’s open the Secret Shop later.”

 

The Secret Shop was finished once you opened and closed it.

 

To use it again, he would have to reach the 30th Floor.

 

So he needed to think carefully before opening it.

 

“I should use all the Inventory Expansion Vouchers.”

 

For Mincheol who used Auto Looting, inventory capacity was especially important.

 

The larger the capacity, the more freely he could use Auto Looting and collect more materials.

 

【Your inventory is expanded.】

 

-70kg -> 90kg.

 

Mincheol tore all four expansion vouchers. Thanks to that, his capacity increased significantly.

 

“I didn’t know they’d give a unique skill enhancement voucher for reaching level 10.”

 

This was information most Awakened couldn’t know.

 

Unique skills were extremely difficult to level up.

 

In Mincheol’s case, he was able to reach level 10 early thanks to receiving multiple 0-second rewards.

 

“Let’s use this too.”

 

Since it was bound anyway, there were no other options.

 

【You have used the ‘Unique Skill Enhancement Voucher’.】

 

【New functions are added to ‘Auto Looting’.】

 

【Auto Looting】

 

-Grade: Unique Skill.

 

-Description: Acquires designated items within range.

 

-Designatable targets: 10.

 

-Range: 1km

 

-Additional Function 1. Acquires all objects within a cube (15cm×15cm×15cm).

 

-Additional Function 2. Forcibly steals ownership by consuming mana. Mana consumption increases depending on the item.

 

-Additional Function 3. Automatically mines minerals within range.

 

“Oh?”

 

Unlike the previous two, it wasn’t particularly groundbreaking.

 

But it was an ability Mincheol desperately needed.

 

Auto Looting couldn’t mine minerals.

 

So he had to cut them out with his carving knife or use a pickaxe.

 

“I can make a solid profit on floors with lots of minerals.”

 

The Soothing Thorn Flowers were becoming less profitable anyway.

 

In this situation, this unique skill was welcome.

 

“But it’s a bit inconvenient to call them without names.”

 

【Would you like to assign abbreviations to the additional functions?】

 

“Oh, you can do that too?”

 

That’s how the simplified version was organized.

 

【Auto Looting】

 

-Grade: Unique Skill.

 

-Description: Acquires designated items that exist within range.

 

-Designatable targets: 10.

 

-Range: 1km

 

-Additional Functions

 

1. Carving: Acquires all objects within a cube (15cm×15cm×15cm).

 

2. Plunder: Consumes mana to forcibly steal ownership. Mana consumption increases depending on the item.

 

3. Auto Mining: Automatically mines minerals within range.

 

The information window had become much cleaner.

 

Mincheol nodded his head in satisfaction.

 

“Now I need to collect poison needles.”

 

Having rushed to the 20th Floor, it was time to accomplish his real purpose.

 

【Entering 20th Floor Difficulty Level 5.】

 

Mincheol entered the 20th Floor again.

 

The reason he set the difficulty to level 5 was because more poison needles would be fired that way.

 

Mincheol stepped on the stone pillars and headed toward the center of the 20th Floor.

 

【You acquire 21 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Arrows’.】

 

【You acquire 37 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Poison Needles’.】

 

【You acquire 16 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Short Spears’.】

 

Befitting difficulty level 5, projectiles began pouring down like crazy.

 

“World-class Awakened passed through this? Just how amazing are they.”

 

Mincheol clicked his tongue and busily put his hand in and out of his inventory.

 

Only the poison needles contained rare metals.

 

The arrows and spears weren’t needed. They were just baggage taking up inventory space.

 

【You acquire 42 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Poison Needles’.】

 

【You acquire 19 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Arrows’.】

 

【You acquire 14 ‘Ancient Labyrinth Short Spears’.】

 

Still, seeing the poison needles accumulate in an instant made him feel good.

 

“I hope the 21st Floor is like this too.”

 

Mincheol said that while grinning broadly.

 

Was it because his tension had relaxed?

 

Mincheol ended up forgetting the most important fact.

 

That in the Tower, you never know what might happen, so you must never let your guard down.

 

【Trap operation rate is approaching 90%!】

 

【The labyrinth detects danger! Re-evaluating the intruder’s threat level!】

 

【The labyrinth recognizes the current situation as a ‘critical crisis’!】

 

【’Emergency Alert’ is activated!】

 

【The labyrinth’s guardian ‘Guardian’ is activated!】

 

Mincheol read the messages with a blank expression.

 

“Guardian…?”

 

Suddenly the ceiling opened and metal objects began tumbling out.

 

Suddenly the ceiling opened and metal objects began tumbling out.

 

Round bodies.

 

Spider-like legs.

 

The metal entities called Guardians began crawling across the ceiling and spreading out.

 

“What, what is that.”

 

Mincheol looked around at the Guardians in confusion.

 

A Guardian’s head opened and something popped out.

 

Mincheol squinted his eyes and looked at it.

 

“…A gun?”

 

As if confirming Mincheol’s suspicion, flames erupted from the muzzle.

 

Bang-!

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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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