Chapter 299: Chapter 296: The Lost Language (2)

[The language of the Pillars reveals its true form.]

The characters representing the lost language bore a language that did not belong to this world.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Jinhyuk’s heart pounded wildly in his chest.

When he had climbed the Tower of Trials in the past, he couldn’t grasp any information on the lost language.

But now, he finally understood what this language implied.

[De Ferelium Hon Makardensia]

It was the language of the Cthulhu deities.

And it meant only one thing.

If one were to perfectly acquire the lost language…

…they could wield the power of up to the 50th floor.

Moreover…

It turned out there were other characters engraved within the lost language besides those used by the Cthulhu entities.

These characters remained a mystery even after the Pillars were unlocked.

‘Is there something more still?’

Saeyoung-eonhwan had said that the 50th floor was completely changed, but it seemed something even more significant was lurking.

‘Interesting.’

The corners of Jinhyuk’s mouth turned up.

This was why he couldn’t stop climbing the Tower.

No matter how dangerous or desperate the situation, it was these discoveries that kept tantalizing his sense of curiosity.

‘To think this kind of progression is possible… How intriguing. This part… I’m not sure about. Just how deep does this rabbit hole go?’

Jinhyuk absorbed the runes without missing a single one.

But merely memorizing the characters wasn’t enough to acquire the new language.

This wasn’t a language for communication; it was for creating barriers.

To see that which was invisible as a Rune Interpreter, the first change of profession in the path of a Barrier Master…

‘I must reach a level befitting of that purpose.’

The class change quest.

All of this was for the purpose of undertaking that quest.

Magic focused at Jinhyuk’s fingertips.

The Runes on the 12 pillars recombined, revealing the term for the “Final Curtain.”

Crackle!

The severed magical energy became whole again.

At that moment.

[You have met the conditions to learn the Lost Barrier.]

[Starting the second class change test.]

As if waiting for this, a status window appeared.

Whooom!

A bright light filled the area as starlight poured down from the heavens.

…The commencement.

＊＊＊

Footsteps sounded at just that moment.

A man with black hair, wearing a white robe, emerged from amongst the starlight.

No need for introductions; the identity was clear.

Beltor de Roanmask.

A man from an ancient kingdom that predated the current empire by thousands of years, a maverick who specialized in barrier magic in life.

He was also a legend who had ascended to an unrivaled height in the field of barrier magic.

‘So, the second class change quest is to face this man.’

Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed.

Beltor had been dead for a long time.

The figure before him must be a projection of the man from the past.

Though the presence was an illusion, the skills were not.

The entire area had been swallowed by his barrier.

‘Being called the strongest ever doesn’t seem to be an exaggeration.’

‘The Eye of Gluttony’ quickly scanned the opposing status window.

Ding!

Name: Beltor de Roanmask

Gender: Male

Age: ??? years

Level: 294

Strength 43, Agility 55, Stamina 36, Magic 36, Understanding of Rune Language 519

Stat Points Available: 0

Profession: Master of Runes

Unique Ability: Ancient Barrier

Skills: ‘Language Decryption’ Lv35, ‘Rune Linguistics’ Lv33, ‘Blink’ Lv33, ‘Magic Absorption’ Lv31, ‘Rapid Calculation’ Lv31,

[Copy Condition: If you pass the second class change test, you can copy one of his unique abilities or skills.]

As expected.

The copy condition was linked to the trial.

Being able to acquire unique abilities and skills through the change of profession was truly an opportunity to hit two birds with one stone.

This was a test he had to succeed at no matter what.

But at that moment.

“Ha, what kind of fool not only chooses to be a Barrier Master but also seeks a second class change?”

Beltor scratched his head in disbelief.

Though Jinhyuk did not expect a grave tone, he at least thought that a man who had greatly succeeded in his field would have some pride in his profession.

What’s with this reaction?

However, without time for Jinhyuk to feel flustered, Beltor pressed on with his question.

“Why did you do it?”

“…Excuse me?”

“No, why choose such a trashy occupation and walk a path of hardship? It’s unbearably hard and complicated, right? Moreover, all that effort hardly pays off. I nearly worked myself to death mastering this, and still, I couldn’t even look those in the upper floors of the Tower in the eye, I had to tuck my tail between my legs. It’s not too late to give up on the class change test and look for another job. You can still change before a second class change.”

He’d clearly been holding back a barrage of complaints about the profession.

It was no surprise the Barrier Master profession was unpopular.

Given the pitiful return on the investment, his advice made sense.

However…

“I may not have trained in this field as long as you have… but it was not bad. The idea of creating your own world through barriers has its own charm.”

Jinhyuk meant every word.

Initially, he chose the profession for the fun and to have a temper, but as time passed, the profession became increasingly precious to him.

He wanted to continue with it and aimed to reach higher realms.

“A rare breed. Even presented with advice, you don’t listen.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment from a senior.”

“Hmph… fine.”

Eventually, Beltor shrugged his shoulders in resignation.

“You want to change professions? The test is straightforward. Use all the barrier techniques you’ve learned to trap me. If you can hold me, even for a second, I’ll grant you a passing grade.”

“Just with barriers… you mean?”

“Indeed, I’ll only use basic countermeasures. It’s a test to see if you’re ready for the next stage, so no need to worry too much. A capable person can pass in about three months.”

“Hmm. Three months seem impossible. I’m a bit busy, you see.”

Jinhyuk’s gaze drifted in one direction.

At the foot of the hill, the mirror that broke the boundaries was violently shaking as if it would close at any moment.

Thanks to his growth, he was no longer limited to a 30-minute time restriction like when he first acquired it, but…

The time was still tight.

“How much time do you have?”

“Three hours.”

“…Not three months, but three hours?”

“Just that much time left. Now two hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds.”

“…”

Beltor looked at Jinhyuk in complete bewilderment.

“I’m a fool for expecting anything. Just go. You’ll have a hard time even performing a quadruple operation at your first class change level, let alone passing my test…”

But before Beltor could finish, he was interrupted.

White runes began to rise around Jinhyuk.

Triple… quadruple, and beyond, perfecting layers of barriers beyond the fifth.

“If a quadruple operation is… something like this?”

“Hooh…”

A strange exclamation slipped from Beltor’s lips.

＊＊＊

“Hoo…”

Elise sighed deeply.

Her pure white hair showed signs of damage here and there, and even the mask she wore had shattered due to the intense battle.

But as much as Elise had drawn out power, her opponent wasn’t intact either.

“Grrr… ah…”

The red spears piercing through the body made it dubious if the creature was alive.

However, the monster did not give up the fight.

Whooosh!

[‘The Specter’s Axe’ is summoned.]

An absurdly large axe appeared.

Even at a glance, a weapon with a black hilt and red veins running through it looked ominously powerful.

“It really is persistent. It can still move after that?”

Elise frowned in irritation.

After fully releasing ‘Blood Lord’ and striking direct hits, the creature was still in motion.

If an ordinary specter was this strong, it was impossible to imagine the power of Shub-Niggurath.

‘How does he plan to face such a monstrosity?’

Elise couldn’t comprehend what Jinhyuk was thinking.

Yet, for some reason…

She never felt anxious.

It was unclear why.

From the first day they made the contract in the corridor, until now…

She had never doubted her contractor would disappoint her expectations.

“I can’t afford to hesitate here either.”

Crackle!

A new spear manifested in Elise’s hand.

[‘Crimson SaeHwa (Blood SaeHwa)’ is summoned!]

A spear named after the blood-eating SaeHwa.

The ornately decorated holy relic revealed itself.

With a resolute expression, Elise hefted the spear over her shoulder.

‘I really didn’t want to use this in the middle of a city…’n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It was assumed everyone in the underground parking lot had evacuated, but there was still a risk of others being caught up in the aftermath.

Even disregarding this, the impact of the weapon could potentially erase part of the city.

But there was no choice.

At this rate, there was no end in sight to defeating the monster.

‘I have to restrain the power to its utmost and concentrate the force to a single point.’

Crease…

Tendons tensed across Elise’s white forehead, and her red pupils suddenly contracted.

“Groooar!”

The black goat raised its axe to the sky in response.

Then…

Boom!

A thunderous sound tore the air as a streak of crimson lightning bisected the heavens.

The ensuing gusts from the air pressure shattered building windows and contorted streetlamps and trees like taffy.

The spear of unimaginable force pierced through the black goat’s core and vanished across the opposite horizon.

A brief silence ensued.

Among crossed glances, an eternity seemed to pass before the quiet was shattered.

“Groooar…?”

The tall form of the black goat staggered.

Though the wound attempted to heal, it worsened rapidly instead.

[The special ability of ‘Crimson SaeHwa’ activates.]

[Unless possessing sanctity-based powers or absolute judgment healing capabilities, the wounds cannot be healed.]

Blood gushing from the wound stained the streets black.

“Truly an ugly creature from its mere existence to the moment it falls. Not a single aspect pleases the eye.”

Elise’s cold gaze settled on the black goat.

And it was over.

The colossal frame of the black goat fell backward.

“Grrroar…”

The street shattered under its fall, and the large demonic beast’s breath was cut short.

It was over.

Or so it was thought.

“Well, the true master of Ataraxia… no, worthy of the former master. I thought you were turned into a relic after the seal, but you’re not completely rusty after all?”

From between the buildings came a new voice.

A woman with long black hair reaching her waist appeared from the shadows, her sharp fangs and signature blood-red pupils unmistakable.

The vampire, and not just any vampire, but one from the most revered pure-blood lineage.

“…You.”

A tremor ran through Elise’s eyes.

A volcano of rage erupted, mingled with the elation of finally facing her foe.