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Chapter 36
Chapter 36
‘5000 Star Force if I defeat the Rake Barox within five minutes?’
A mysterious proposal by a Constellation he had never seen before.
Arash briefly thought about it, and soon grinned.
Not a problem.
In the first place, within 10 minutes was already possible..
Although a bit riskier, within 5 minutes is also definitely possible.
He might suffer some minor injuries in the process, but there was no such thing as a free lunch when it came to Star Force.
Besides, isn’t it possible that other Constellations might find it interesting and sponsor him if he suddenly clears a higher difficulty mission?
‘I’ll have to resort to a cheat.’
This world, or game, is full of bugs and easter eggs.
When he was developing the game, he couldn’t fix it all because he wasn’t able to.
However, now, it has all become the driving force behind his growth.
Arash slowly walked up to the Barox.
‘If I fight it normally, it would take at least 9 minutes. However, if I use the cross pattern, I can defeat it in 4 minutes.’
‘The yellow center foothold. If I step on that, exactly 2 seconds later, a cross shaped fire column will shoot out on both sides of the walls.’
Slowly drawing his long sword, Arash ignited it.
[Fisherman Chasing Stars: Using fire against a fire opponent?]
[Crackion Noise: What is he thinking?]
[Poisonous Plant In Greenhouse: Ah.]
The chat window was quickly flooded with questions.
However, Arash knew.
The Barox is impervious to normal attacks, but weak against fire.
That’s why the cross shaped fire column can damage it.
“Heup!”
Leaning forward and running towards the Barox, Arash swung his fire imbued long sword.
Fire against fire!
It seemed like a losing battle, but the moment the attacks collided.
Woosh!
The Barox’s body was engulfed in the flames.
[Tip Of An Iceberg: Fire monsters can be burnt?]
[Poisonous Plant In Greenhouse: That’s unusual for a fire monster to be burnt. I knew Arash was up to something!]
[Lost Snail: I just wanted him to be burned to death. What a shame.]
[Looking At Ants Through Magnifying Glass: His insight is very good!]
Not only did Arash overwhelm the Barox, he was also winning over the Constellations.
Although Arash is weaker than the Barox, its pattern was already seen through by him.
When it would use its fire attacks, when it would swing its tail in a 5 meter radius, and when it would leap three times before pouncing.
As well as its other patterns.
Arash knew it all.
Woosh!
Soon, the surrounding four walls near the Barox lit up.
‘It’s time.’
Currently, the Barox’s health has been cut by about 30% and three minutes have passed.
Despite efficiently attacking it and reading its pattern, it was quickly approaching 5 minutes.
Will Arash fail for the first time?
The Constellations began to flood the chat window again, thrilled at the thought, but they will have to be disappointed.
Heup!
Arash stepped on the yellow platform at the center of the area, counted exactly two seconds, and then jumped backwards.
Kung!
Barox, who lept forward to try and catch Arash, was now at the center of the platform.
Woosh…!!
Four fire columns shot out from the walls.
Then, a loud shriek strong enough to damage one’s eardrums shook the whole area, hitting Arash in the process.
However, he was fine because of his strengthened body.
‘Now!’
There’s no ‘hold’ on the fire columns, so he had to stop the Barox from escaping by himself.
He quickly rushed towards the Barox and continued his attacks, so that it couldn’t escape.
In the end, the Barox couldn’t do anything and quickly lost its remaining HP.
As such, 1 minute and 30 seconds passed.
Or, 4 minutes and 40 seconds in total.
{ 9th Stage – The ancient ruins of Marti’s final boss have been defeated! }
{ Solo Clear! Additional reward for this amazing achievement. }
{ Star Force gained. }
{ Shortest clear time! Additional reward… }
Countless system messages appeared.
[White Ferryboat Statue: So crazy!]
[Man Getting Up From His Feet: I’d never thought you could use a trap like that. Amazing.]
[Man Walking On The Edge: He judged all that in a minute? No way.]
The Constellation’s excitement also brought forth a considerable amount of Star Force sponsorship.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 5000 Star Force.]
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: I didn’t expect you to clear it, but that was amazing. Let’s have fun again next time.]
Looking at the reactions, Arash realized.
‘…Isn’t this pretty good?’
Before, he had only thought of steadily moving forward.
However, just now he realized that with just a little bit of effort and using his ‘secrets,’ it’s possible to elicit a positive reaction from the Constellations.
Crisis.
Impossible challenges.
And his self confidence in accomplishing them.
Arash’s heart was pounding.
He didn’t know it would be this exciting to be in the spotlight of all the Constellations.
‘This is an opportunity.’
Arash, with his arms wide open, spoke.
“Constellation Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day, of course! Thank you very much for the mission! It was a little difficult, but I had fun too. Let’s do it again another time.”
In a way, it was asking for more missions.
As if hearing his request, missions began to flood in from the Constellations.
The corner of Arash’s mouth slowly curled up.
After carrying out missions for the past two months, Arash has reached the 10th stage.
The 10th stage is three times larger than any of the other worlds on average.
There are also many more dungeons, all of which are being monopolized by the lone Arash.
The number of Constellations watching has also increased exponentially.
[A Thousand Bird Crossing The Line sponsors 500 Star Force.]
[A Thousand Bird Crossing The Line: I will add 3000 Star Force if you slap the boss five times.]
[Absolute Position sponsors 2000 Star Force.]
[Absolute Position: I will add 5000 Star Force if you only move diagonally while fighting the boss.]
[Submerged Hourglass sponsors 3000 Star Force.]
[Submerged Hourglass: I will add 7000 Star Force if you can defeat the boss without your armor.]
The missions varied and the difficulty gradually rose exponentially as well.
Sometimes the missions became too dangerous for Arash, but he had no choice but to accept them.
This is because a ‘tradition’ was established after the first mission was requested by a Constellation, so the others followed suit with a prepayment before giving a mission.
‘Damn it…This mission is a bit much.’
‘If I had a colleague…’
Arash soon shook his head at the thought.
He doesn’t intend to share his one wish with anyone else.
Only by monopolizing the information can he increase his chance of getting his wish.
In the first place, if Arash was selfless, he would have shared the information concerning Arash’s world with the other hundreds of thousands of challengers to increase everyone’s survival rate.
However, his wish was to one day clear all the stages and become a Constellation.
He had no time to care about other humans and only wanted to achieve his wish as quickly as possible.
‘I’m glad I could skip some of the mission.’
The really ridiculous ones like ‘just die,’ or ‘jump into that lava with your naked body.’
When he received such missions, other Constellations would tell the requester to cancel it because it would not be fun.
However, the missions to hunt the boss or certain dungeon had to be carried out unconditionally because he received payment in advance.
Fortunately, everything has gone smoothly.
He has cleared every dungeon thus far, and his level has risen quite high thanks to the huge sum of Star Force.
And, he can easily clear the 10th to 12th stage right now.
But he was waiting for Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day to give another mission before clearing the 10th stage final gateway.
Because this Constellation created the novel idea of giving missions, which became popular among the other Constellations.
So why shouldn’t he postpone clearing the stage if he’s getting such a generous amount of Star Force?
Even though this Constellation never sponsored in advance, Arash has no intention of rejecting any of its missions.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 3000 Star Force.]
This Constellation would show up every other day or every three days.
Arash, as if pleased, with a wide grin, spoke.
“You’re here! Are you giving me another mission this time?”
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: No. I just wanted to sponsor.]
“Is that so?”
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Yes. I’m bored of the 10th Stage now. Let’s move to the next stage. I’m curious how it’s going to be.]
“…!”
Seeing the message he had hoped, Arash smiled.
He’s been at the 10th stage for two months already.
It was good to have earned so much Star Force to the point where he has surpassed other challengers decisively, but in the end, his goal is to clear the final stage.
It’s time to continue climbing.
Most of the other Constellations also agreed that the 10th stage has become boring.
“Alright, Constellations, I’ll head to the 10th stage final gateway!”
The preparation process was quick.
He knew every detail of the 10th stage, and his level is quite high, so there is no danger.
Actually, he’s worried that the final gateway would be boring because it’ll be too easy.
‘It would be good if I receive a mission at the final gateway.’
With such complacent thoughts, Arash arrived at the 10th stage final gateway.
{ Beepbeep! Another challenger is already challenging the final gateway. }
{ Please come back tomorrow! }
Then.
{ First time clear of the 10th stage final gateway! }
{ Challengers: Sajun, Jaesul, Gyulu, and Mayva. }
{ The 11th stage has opened. }
In front of Arash were four familiar figures who somehow managed to pass the final gateway before him.
They were breathing heavily with wounds all over their bodies while shedding tears and hugging one another.
Seeing them, Arash had many questions.
‘When?’
‘Already?’
‘So soon?’
‘What’s their levels?’
All sorts of questions were brewing inside his head, but the reality is in front of him.
‘Four challengers have successfully cleared the 10th stage before me.’
He felt a slight uneasiness.
However, he stayed here for two months.
It was enough time for other challengers to get here.
Dumbfounded and trying to grasp the situation, a message appeared in the channel without giving him a chance.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Huh…So the ones over there are first now?]
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Ah? They just went up to the 11th stage, right? I’m going to go over there and give them a mission.]
Arash is certain he’s the best.
His level, blessing, skills, proficiency, etc…are the highest by a big margin.
However…
If he starts falling behind in stage, what’s the use of all that in the end?
‘No, no…!’
Seeing Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day’s message, the other Constellations also began to waver.
They, who only seek pleasure, also wondered what was happening in the 11th stage right now.
And they were curious what mission Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day would give.
‘Once a stage is cleared, other challengers must wait a day.’
In other words, the Constellations currently watching his channel could be taken away by those four challengers within a day.
He can’t let that happen.
‘This might be a little dangerous, but…’
Arash looked up and widened his eyes.
No Constellations have left his channel yet.
Now is his last chance to retain them.
“Constellations, please wait. Do you want to see the most interesting broadcast?”
All the Constellations said yes.
Arash smiled widely, and with a confident look, spoke.
“Then, watch me use the ‘elevator system!’”
[Red Melody Destiny: What? Elevator? Are you serious?]
[Masonry Coming Down A Ladder: Whoa….! Something new again?]
[Call Me Three Times Before I Pick Up: That sounds interesting! I’ve never seen a challenger use the elevator system!]
The reactions from the Constellations became heated again.
Rightfully so.
Elevator system.
The system, which was to go up two stages in a single challenge, is considered virtually impossible to accomplish because of its ‘terrible difficulty.’
For example, if you use the elevator system at the 10th stage to go up two stages, the difficulty will be twice as hard since it’s the combination of the 10th and 11th stage.
And instead of extra rewards, you will only be able to climb faster than others…
So who would use such a method?
However.
It’s possible for the current Arash.
Due to staying on the 10th stage for a long time, he raised his level and equipment high enough to be able to challenge the 12th and 13th stage.
{ Using elevator system. }
{ Do you wish to climb two stages at once? }
“Yes!”
{ Elevator system activated. }
{ Head to the final gateway. }
Feeling the change in vision, Arash with a firm expression, grasped his long sword.
The real battle starts now.
{ Successfully cleared the 10th and 11th stage using the elevator system. }
Using the elevator system was much simpler and more enjoyable than Arash had thought.
In the eyes of others he was making use of his quick wit.
He was showing a combination of various skills, items, and the unusual idea of using the elevator system that has never been done before.
Despite having to face two bosses at once and defeating them seemed like an impossible feat, Arash never backed down.
He did not panic even after meteorites began falling from the sky.
It was indeed a flawless performance and result.
After defeating all the monsters and bosses, he gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and took a deep breath.
Then, he shouted.
“Aaaahhhh!!”
Trembling with excitement, he thought to himself that this couldn’t have gone any better.
{ Elevator a success! 12th stage open. }
{ Additional reward for being the first challenger to successfully use the elevator system! }
With the countless achievements came a huge amount of Star Force.
But more than that, he was excited by the positive reactions from the Constellations.
[Eternal Prisoner sponsors 500 Star Force.]
[Cow Running Like A Horse: Crazy, really crazy!]
[One’s Own Burning Heart sponsors 2000 Star Force.]
[A Thousand Year Old Ginseng: I had goosebumps watching! What a great warrior!]
[Fallen Moon On The Ground sponsors 1500 Star Force.]
Arash was speechless looking at all the messages pouring in.
He trembled.
‘Ah…Yes. This is it.’
He felt alive receiving the attention of the Constellations.
Right, a little setback could be overcome like this.
He suddenly realized.
‘I’m the protagonist.’
The secret even the Constellations don’t know.
Knowing everything about this world.
A unique existence.
{ Head to the 12th stage, Starry Subway }
{ Enter the safe zone to recover from all the damage and fatigue. }
After coming to his senses, he arrived at the 12th stage.
It was a place that had a beautiful starry night sky.
And a subway falling across it.
Once again, he will play an active role here.
That was the plan…
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: That was fun. Show me again.]
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 50000 Star Force.]
‘…Huh?’
50000?
He wondered if he had seen it wrong, but he didn’t.
Really, an enormous sum of 50000 Star Force was given to him.
No matter what a Constellation is, Star Force is a kind of energy that gives them their influence, so they never gave out a lot.
‘What the hell…?’
The happiness only lasted for a moment before he felt something was wrong.
‘Show you again? What?’
Feeling a sudden surge of anxiety coming from his chest, he tried to speak, but another message appeared before he could.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: I sent you a deposit for a mission. Let’s try 3 stages this time. 200000 Star Force if you succeed. Deal?]
Immediately.
The chat exploded.
Other Constellations became excited and started to sponsor.
[Man With Gold Colored Electricity sponsors 5000 Star Force.]
[Man With Gold Colored Electricity: I’ll make a deposit too! 10000 if you succeed!]
[Woman With Sharp Fingers sponsors 3000 Star Force.]
[Woman With Sharp Fingers: 5000 if you succeed. Deal?]
[Fighter Who Uses His Stomach sponsors 7000 Star Force.]
[Fighter Who Uses His Stomach: My heart is burning! Nothing is more exciting than an impossible challenge!]
[Man Who Died Standing Still sponsors 2500 Star Force.]
An endless amount of Star Force.
The Constellations were all hoping.
They want to feel that excitement again.
Going for an impossible challenge.
But…
‘I’m a dead man.’
If he accepts this mission, he’ll undoubtedly die.
There is no way the Constellations aren’t aware of this fact.
Nevertheless, they are hoping Arash will take the challenge.
“T-this…”
[Starry Eyes sponsors 2000 Star Force.]
“Impossible…”
[Twinkling Jewel In The Dark sponsors 4000 Star Force.]
Arash knew the reason.
‘Because it’s entertaining.’
Only now did Arash realize.
The Constellations don’t like him.
He was only their ‘toy.’
And it was fun to watch him.
That’s why they are still in his channel.
Affection?
It’s probably less than watching a hamster running on a wheel.
Watching the lower beings struggle as they throw sunflower seeds here and there when they’re in the mood.
Just that level of value.
If their hamster gets sick and dies, it’ll hurt, but…
They can get another hamster.
‘I’m…nothing…’
Arash’s hands trembled.
It’s because the eyes of the Constellations were putting pressure on him.
[Light Rain Falling Through A Crevice Of A Rock looks at you with interest.]
[Lost Snail looks at you with interest.]
[Hard To Catch Libra looks at you with interest.]
[White Wolf Crying Victory looks at you with interest.]
[Man Walking On The Edge looks at you with interest.]
Dead.
Definitely dead.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: You don’t want to?]
But knowing this fact.
“…The mission, I will accept it.”
He had no choice but to accept it.