Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105 - Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140 - Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142 - Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170 - Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202
Chapter 203 - Chapter 203
Chapter 204
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Chapter 207
Chapter 208 - Chapter 208
Chapter 209
Chapter 210
Chapter 211
Chapter 212
Chapter 213
Chapter 214
Chapter 215
Chapter 216
Chapter 217
Chapter 218
Chapter 219
Chapter 220
Chapter 221
Chapter 222
Chapter 223
Chapter 224
Chapter 225
Chapter 226
Chapter 227
Chapter 228
Chapter 229
Chapter 230
Chapter 231
Chapter 232
Chapter 233
Chapter 234
Chapter 235
Chapter 236
Chapter 237
Chapter 238
Chapter 239 - Chapter 239
Chapter 240
Chapter 241
Chapter 242
Chapter 243
Chapter 244
Chapter 245
Chapter 246
Chapter 247
Chapter 248
Chapter 249
Chapter 250
Chapter 251
Chapter 252
Chapter 253
Chapter 254
Chapter 255
Chapter 256
Chapter 257
Chapter 258
Chapter 259
Chapter 260
Chapter 261
Chapter 262
Chapter 263 - Chapter 263
Chapter 264
Chapter 265
Chapter 266
Chapter 267
Chapter 268
Chapter 269
Chapter 270
Chapter 271
Chapter 272
Chapter 273
Chapter 274
Chapter 275
Chapter 276
Chapter 277
Chapter 278
Chapter 279
Chapter 280
Chapter 281
Chapter 282
Chapter 283
Chapter 284
Chapter 285
Chapter 286
Chapter 287
Chapter 288
Chapter 289
Chapter 290
Chapter 291
Chapter 292
Chapter 293
Chapter 294
Chapter 295
Chapter 296
Chapter 297 - Chapter 297
Chapter 298
Chapter 299
Chapter 300
Chapter 301
Chapter 302
Chapter 303
Chapter 304
Chapter 305
Chapter 306
Chapter 307
Chapter 308
Chapter 309
Chapter 310
Chapter 311
Chapter 312
Chapter 313
Chapter 314
Chapter 315
Chapter 316
Chapter 317
Chapter 318
Chapter 319
Chapter 320
Chapter 321
Chapter 322
Chapter 323
Chapter 324
Chapter 325
Chapter 326
Chapter 327
Chapter 328
Chapter 329
Chapter 330
Chapter 331
Chapter 332
Chapter 333
Chapter 334
Chapter 335
Chapter 336
Chapter 337
Chapter 338
Chapter 339
Chapter 340
Chapter 341
Chapter 342
Chapter 343
Chapter 344
Chapter 345
Chapter 346
Chapter 347
Chapter 348
Chapter 349
Chapter 350
Chapter 351
Chapter 352
Chapter 353
Chapter 354
Chapter 355
Chapter 356
Chapter 357
Chapter 358
Chapter 359
Chapter 360
Chapter 361
Chapter 362
Chapter 363
Chapter 364
Chapter 365
Chapter 366
Chapter 367
Chapter 368
Chapter 369
Chapter 370
Chapter 371
Chapter 372
Chapter 373
Chapter 374
Chapter 375
Chapter 376
Chapter 377
Chapter 378
Chapter 379
Chapter 380
Chapter 381
Chapter 382
Chapter 383
Chapter 384 - Chapter 384
Chapter 385
Chapter 386
Chapter 387
Chapter 388
Chapter 389
Chapter 390
Chapter 391
Chapter 392
Chapter 393
Chapter 394
Chapter 395
Chapter 396
Chapter 397
Chapter 398
Chapter 399
Chapter 400
Chapter 401
Chapter 402
Chapter 403
Chapter 404
Chapter 405
Chapter 406
Chapter 407
Chapter 408
Chapter 409
Chapter 410
Chapter 411
Chapter 412
Chapter 413
Chapter 414
Chapter 415
Chapter 416
Chapter 417
Chapter 418
Chapter 419
Chapter 420
Chapter 421
Chapter 422
Chapter 423
Chapter 424
Chapter 425
Chapter 426 - Chapter 426
Chapter 427
Chapter 428
Chapter 429
Chapter 430
Chapter 431
Chapter 432
Chapter 433
Chapter 434
Chapter 435
Chapter 436
Chapter 437
Chapter 438
Chapter 439
Chapter 440
Chapter 441
Chapter 442
Chapter 443
Chapter 444
Chapter 445
Chapter 446 - Chapter 446
Chapter 447
Chapter 448
Chapter 449
Chapter 450
Chapter 451 - Chapter 451
Chapter 452
Chapter 453
Chapter 454
Chapter 455
Chapter 456
Chapter 457
Chapter 458
Chapter 459
Chapter 460
Chapter 461
Chapter 462
Chapter 463
Chapter 464
Chapter 465
Chapter 466
Chapter 467
Chapter 468
Chapter 469
Chapter 470
Chapter 471
Chapter 472
Chapter 473
Chapter 474
Chapter 475
Chapter 476
Chapter 477
Chapter 478
Chapter 479
Chapter 480
Chapter 481
Chapter 482
Chapter 483 - Chapter 483
Chapter 484
Chapter 485
Chapter 486
Chapter 487
Chapter 488
Chapter 489
Chapter 490
Chapter 491
Chapter 492
Chapter 493
Chapter 494
Chapter 495
Chapter 496
Chapter 497
Chapter 498
Chapter 499
Chapter 500
Chapter 501
Chapter 502
Chapter 503
Chapter 504
Chapter 505
Chapter 506
Chapter 507
Chapter 508
Chapter 509
Chapter 510
Chapter 511
Chapter 512
Chapter 513
Chapter 514
Chapter 515
Chapter 516 - Chapter 516
Chapter 517
Chapter 518
Chapter 519
Chapter 520
Chapter 521
Chapter 522
Chapter 523
Chapter 524
Chapter 525
Chapter 526
Chapter 527
Chapter 528
Chapter 529
Chapter 530
Chapter 531
Chapter 532
Chapter 533
Chapter 534 - Chapter 534
Chapter 535
Chapter 536
Chapter 537
Chapter 538 - Chapter 538
Chapter 539
Chapter 540
Chapter 541
Chapter 542
Chapter 543
Chapter 544
Chapter 545
Chapter 546
Chapter 547
Chapter 548
Chapter 549
Chapter 550
Chapter 551
Chapter 552
Chapter 553
Chapter 554
Chapter 555
Categories Genre: Action, Adventure, All, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Ongoing, Supernatural Status: Ongoing Alternative names: HR, 영웅; 회귀하다, ______
Total Chapters in book: 555
Estimated words: 1462055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 7310(@200wpm)___ 5848(@250wpm)___ 4874(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1462055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 7310(@200wpm)___ 5848(@250wpm)___ 4874(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 555 Page No. 554 Page No. 553 Page No. 552 Page No. 551 Page No. 550 Page No. 549 Page No. 548 Page No. 547 Page No. 546 Page No. 545 Chapter 36
Chapter 36: Chapter 36
It was now 2021. The world had changed dramatically after 2020 had passed. The number of awakeners increased, and the corresponding number of dungeons drew a sharp upward curve.
The dungeons weren’t solely a social issue but were turning into a huge problem. Outbreaks were occurring more often since dungeon attacks aren’t executed earlier. Fortunately, there was no significant damage due to the swift action of nearby awakeners, but it had become a severe problem.
“In the future, there will be an increase in dungeons appearing and dungeon outbreaks. Although the number of awakeners is much higher than the dungeons right now…”
“You’re saying that the tables would turn later?”
“At least that’s what I think would happen.”
If it was according to Su-hyeun’s words, the situation had gone beyond a severe level.
Lee Ju-ho was one who had several years of experience as an awakener. He drew up the scene that Su-hyeun shared with him in his mind, where the number of dungeons outnumbered the awakeners.
Lee Ju-ho’s face turned blue in an instant. He put the chopsticks he had in his hand down on the table.
“…It’s over.”
What if dungeons appeared all over the world, and all of those had outbreaks?
There would only be one result. The end of the world.
<
When Su-hyeun brought up the story, he had wondered if Lee Ju-ho would ignore his words. As the proportion of dungeons to outbreaks increased, it had become a social problem.
That’s probably why Lee Ju-ho could not ignore his words. Furthermore, if assuming what Su-hyeun said was true…
“If that’s the case, this isn’t favorable at all. Of course, I’ll help.”
“Thank you.”
It was a relief.
If Lee Ju-ho’s negotiations with the authorities were successful, this issue could be solved without much trouble.
However, the problem was that unlike Su-hyeun, who knew how the future went, no one could be certain what decision the authorities would make.
<>
The case was only a gamble of probability to a certain extent. It was up to him to prepare in case the gamble failed. The preparation was something which he had on his mind for quite some time.
“But… It’s certainly coincidental.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The period which you mentioned. It coincides with the green level dungeon attack that appeared at Ansan.”
It was sporadic for a green level dungeon to appear.
Not only did such dungeons require A-rank awakeners, depending on the situation, they might also need help from S-rank awakeners.
If the outbreak occurred in such dungeons, the whole city would be in immediate danger, forcing the nation and the Awakeners Authority to focus entirely on the green level dungeons.
In other words, it was also the period where Seoul and Gyeonggi province would have a lack of manpower.
“In fact, I had thought of going there if I couldn’t get to go on the dungeon attack with you…”
It’s not a good thing to say after hearing those words.
“Haa— It’s complicated.”
Even so, he couldn’t leave the green level dungeon alone. If there was an outbreak in the green level dungeon, it would also become a great danger to the city.
“Please don’t expect too much. It’s because it’s me — that’s why I believed it but isn’t it quite a groundless story?”
“I got it. I’ll make my preparations separately.”
Right now, there was a limit to what Su-hyeun and Lee Ju-ho could do, so they could only do their best within their boundaries.
<
Su-hyeun once again concentrated on his meal and continued his train of thoughts.
<>
* * *
They soon finished their meal.
Lee Ju-ho felt that he could not hold back Su-hyeun for long. He too had to challenge the next floor’s trial and also had to help Su-hyeun with his favor.
Su-hyeun thought over for a moment if he should head back home. It had been a while since he saw Shin Soo-yeong’s face, too.
<
Instead, it might be better for her to think that Su-hyeun was still focused and working hard on ascending the tower. However, he thought that a call would be alright.
Ring—
Su-hyeun called Shin Soo-yeong.
“Hello?”
Though he hadn’t heard her voice for some time, she sounded urgent. She must have been busy on the other line.
“Oh, mom. What are you doing?”
“I’ve been busy for a while with the guests. Your call came at a good time. I was just about to take a break from the guests who just left.”
Shin Soo-yeong had set up her own store. After selling gold for more than a decade, Su-hyeun presented her with a jewelry shop. After setting up her own shop, she did not stop working for a moment. Her shop was quite prosperous, perhaps because of her volubility and ability.
“Are you done with your work? I haven’t heard from you in a while.”
Su-hyeun left the house after getting a small studio. He thought that if he continued to stay with Shin Soo-yeong, he would still be concerned about her. Shin Soo-yeong, too, was more than ready to allow Su-hyeun to become independent.
Still, Su-hyeun still occasionally took time out to spend with her, but of course, he hadn’t had the time to do it recently.
“Yes, it just ended. But I think I’ll have to start on another now.”
“Right away? Wouldn’t it be tough?”
<
“It’s all right. I’m not hurt anywhere. People say that I’m a genius. Though I’ve said it before, I think I’m well-suited for this job.”
It wasn’t a lie. In fact, various communities, including Abyss Online, and other countless awakeners, called Su-hyeun a genius and a divinity. Of course, only one of them, Lee Ju-ho, knew Su-hyeun’s face.
“Son, don’t you think you’re too proud of yourself? Karma will get at you for being too conceited.”
“I know. Don’t worry.”
“How can a mom not be worried about her son? Oh, I have a customer. Son, let’s talk again!”
“Okay. Take care.”
And with that, Su-hyeun ended the call.
Vroom—
Su-hyeun drove back in a hurry. He soon arrived at a relatively tall studio apartment building. Su-hyeun was done for the day. He got a new sword, Gram, and met Lee Ju-ho to convey the story. He also had a brief talk with Shin Soo-yeong.
<
December 31, 2020.
There was only one month left. During that time, Su-hyeun had no intention of staying idle.
All preparations are complete.
The 20th floor.
The ordeal on that floor was bound to be tense.
“Let’s go.”
As usual, he muttered to himself and stretched his hand forward.
Rip—
The door opened to the other world.
Su-hyeun’s feet stepped forward.
* * *
Amid the freezing cold, Su-hyeun moved his feet.
When he breathed out, cold air came out from his mouth. While looking at the cold air from his mouth, Su-hyeun walked towards the portal.
A middle-aged beggar sat crouched in front of a gigantic portal that was filled with magic. A familiar vibe came off from the middle-aged man. He felt somewhat similar to the gatekeeper who resided on the 10th floor.
“Are you asleep?”
“Hmm? Ah, um…”
The gatekeeper, who was crouched, raised his head at Su-hyeun’s call. The gatekeeper, who had been yawning, rubbed his eyes with one hand.
“Why? What is it, you called me?”
“If you’re tired, I’ll just go.”
“No, I’m not tired. More than that…” The gatekeeper extended a friendly hand to Su-hyeun.
“Money.”
Most of the gatekeepers’ habits were similar. There was no difference seeing how they were usually crouched and dozing off all day, or asking for money the moment they wake up.
Just what is it with them that they keep asking for money without fail? The achievement points they have had earned so far would be astronomical.
“How much do you want?”
At Su-hyeun’s question, the gatekeeper stared at Su-hyeun’s face. The gatekeeper, who had been looking at Su-hyeun’s face for a while, sighed quietly and said.
“You, you’re a freak.”
“If that’s the case, I’m well aware of that.”
“I’ll need to get a little more from you. 100,000.”
It was enough to be a jaw-dropping price if others heard of this.
100,000 achievement points was an amount that would take some awakeners their entire lifetime to collect, and they might even barely gather enough.
Su-hyeun, however, paid the amount without hesitation. The achievement points were transferred when he put his hand into the gatekeepers’.
[100,000 achievement points consumed.]
The gatekeeper looked at Su-hyeun with a distant look, as if he was contemplating.
“Huh, Euhuhuhuh!”
He grinned widely with his expressionless face and laughed out loud. The gatekeeper, who had been laughing for quite some time, placed his extended hand into his pocket and said.
“The freak is real. So, what do you want?”
“What do you think is waiting for me?”
“The question is too vague.”
“What should I be careful of?”
“None.”
“What?”
“There’s nothing for you to watch out for. You’re not going to die.”
It was a good thing.
There was nothing to watch out for and nothing to die from, which meant there was less danger.
It was good news if he could have his risks reduced while ascending the tower.
But that didn’t mean that Su-hyeun was pleased with what the gatekeeper said.
“Is that it?”
Lesser risks had also meant fewer rewards. Moreover, he had readily paid 100,000 achievement points, so how could he only have this much advice? He felt that he had gotten the short end of the stick.
“Don’t worry. I’m not frying.”
Where did he learn that phrase?
“Someone said this a while back. I took his money and ran away. Haha, it was his fault for not understanding the hint.”
“So there’s another hint?”
“It’s not you who should be careful, but the others. And if possible… Don’t kill anyone.”
“What do you mean don’t kill anyone?”
“That’s all for the hints. Now, get lost.”
The gatekeeper waved his hand and started dozing off after getting back in his crouched position. It was an ambiguous hint.
<
Hints for level 10 trials were always like this. As expected, the hints Su-hyeun got from the 10th floor were vague, too.
<
At least the hints given by the gatekeepers have never been wrong. Their hints had always been the keywords to the right answers.
Sometimes Su-hyeun wondered what kind of people they were before. Su-hyeun bowed slightly to the gatekeeper and walked towards the portal.
As he stood on the portal, a message appeared.
[Kim Su-hyeun, will you start the trial now?]
Su-hyeun nodded.
“Let’s start.”
[Kim Su-hyeun, your 20th-floor trial starts now.]
[Please select the difficulty.]
[Level 1~10.]
[The higher the level, the more difficult it becomes. The higher the level, the higher the reward of the trial.]
They were different floors, but the question itself was the same every time.
“Level 10.”
He answered with the same words as usual.
Immediately after making the decision, the trial’s scene appeared in front of Su-hyeun’s eyes.
Total Chapters in book: 555
Estimated words: 1462055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 7310(@200wpm)___ 5848(@250wpm)___ 4874(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1462055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 7310(@200wpm)___ 5848(@250wpm)___ 4874(@300wpm)
______