The Player Who Can't Level Up

A blue gate appeared before Gi-Gyu, and a creature exited it.

“Greetings to the Grandmaster.” Haures knelt respectfully and bowed.

“How’s your body? Are you happy with it?” asked Gi-Gyu. Old Man Hwang and Hwang Chae-Il had created Haures’ current body; under the circumstances, this was the best for him.

As expected, Haures nodded and replied, “I am more than satisfied with this body. However, I won’t be able to use all of my power.”

“That’s understandable.”

The same had happened with all the demons Gi-Gyu had collected, including Botis. If only they had kept their old power level, he would be so much more powerful now. Although their new bodies weren’t as good as the originals strengthened with experience and time, the final results were still adequate. They were all created with the best material available.

“But the extra addition helps, doesn’t it?” asked Gi-Gyu.

“Of course, Master.” Haures slowly rose and patted his back. He grabbed onto something invisible, but Gi-Gyu could see a faint outline of the invisible tool.

‘That spear…’ The spear resembled Haures’ old one, but Haures didn’t create this spear using his skill.

-Thank you for giving me a new life, Master.

The spear whispered to Gi-Gyu. The spear was actually the secret branch’s manager whom Gi-Gyu had egofied and injected into a spear.

Haures, an Ego, was now using a spear containing another Ego. It was an unprecedented arrangement and shouldn’t have been possible. In the past, Gi-Gyu had tried to get Hal and Hart to use Lou and El but failed every single time. No one other than Gi-Gyu could use El or Lou’s power.

Gi-Gyu said, “No matter how many times I look at it, I can’t help but be amazed.”

Haures and the branch manager.

The Egos were coexisting. One was the body, and the other was the weapon. This was another benefit the Ego Master title had brought him.

‘And I got lucky too.’ 

The Branch Manager had consumed the First Potion, which aligned his wavelength with Haures’, making this Ego-using-Ego phenomenon possible. Somehow, Haures and the branch manager became a pair. Old Man Hwang was trying to create another pair like this; so far, he had been unsuccessful.

-I would love to leave this bastard and serve you personally, Master.

“What?!”

Unfortunately, Haures and the branch manager did not get along well. It was perhaps because of their former relationship. Gi-Gyu smiled because their interaction reminded him of how he and Lou used to be when they first met.

-Don’t be such an idiot.

Gi-Gyu heard Lou mutter, but he ignored his Ego. Interrupting Haures and the branch manager’s bantering, Gi-Gyu ordered, “There is something you two need to do.”

Both Haures and the Branch Manager replied respectfully.

“Anything, Master.”

-Please tell us. I would do anything for you with utmost loyalty, Master.

The two answered separately, but they basically said the same thing. Gi-Gyu smiled and continued, “From now on, you will stay inside the Tower and subdue the Red Players. You must turn them to our side.”

Haures and the Branch Manager nodded calmly. The day the KPA disappeared was the day the Red Players had gained true freedom. Their wild nature exploded, and they began threatening every player they came across. Gi-Gyu had heard the Caravan Guild hunted down the Red Players from time to time, but…

‘The Red Players are being used for their experiments.’ Haures and the branch manager had told Gi-Gyu that the Caravan Guild was using the Red Players as guinea pigs for testing the First Potion.

Subduing and turning the Red Players would be difficult, as the KPA had already tried and failed to do the same.

But now, this was a necessary step. Gi-Gyu explained, “We can no longer have the Caravan Guild use them for their experiments. And if we use the Red Players effectively, then…”

This could boost the strength of Gi-Gyu’s team.

Haures roared, “Grand Master! Your wish is my command. I shall engrave your order on my bones and carry it out with my soul.”

“I don’t know why you Egos are so dramatic.” Gi-Gyu shook his head. He added, “Anyway, work on the Red Players on the lower floors until I contact you. And it should go without saying, but you absolutely can’t hunt regular players.”

Haures bowed and answered, “I shall turn those Red Players into your greatest army, Grandmaster! I know I will do the best job because…”

Haures thumped his chest and continued, “Hunting and training are my specialties!”

Haures’ sharp teeth shone beautifully.

***

A few days after Gi-Gyu had left Eden, Hal reported to Old Man Hwang, “We have defeated all the invaders. I will gather the hostages in one place.”

“Good job,” Old Man Hwang replied with a smile.

With a bow, Hal left the room.

Alone in the room, Old Man Hwang sat down. It had been a long time since he took a nice break. Eden had been under constant attack since Gi-Gyu’s departure. He understood why. The people outside had no idea what this structure was. Perhaps they believed this was a gate about to break.

But so far, none of the invaders had been dangerous enough to call for Gi-Gyu’s help. It appeared Rohan was doing his job well because the Iron Guild was sending only a few adequately-leveled players. The players so far had been just strong enough to merit an effort to capture them alive.

“Min-Su…” Old Man Hwang closed his eyes and whispered. He had been swamped, but he had never once forgotten about his grandson. Min-Su was the beloved heir to everything he had.

So where was the boy? Old Man Hwang believed Min-Su was safe, but he couldn’t help missing his grandson.

Suddenly, he stood up. Now that he had a little time to himself, he needed to use it wisely. According to Rohan, the Iron Guild wouldn’t send any more teams for a while. Old Man Hwang left the control tower and stood before the door that led to the gate.

He entered Brunheart’s gate and was greeted by the scene he had grown acquainted with seeing.

Sensing Old Man Hwang’s presence, Hart appeared and greeted, “Welcome.”

The Griffin King was busy rubbing its head on Hart’s side. Annoyed, Hart scolded the bird, “If you keep bothering me like this, I’ll turn you into a griffin skeleton.”

The Griffin King shuddered and flew away hurriedly.

Old Man Hwang commented, “It feels so relaxed here.”

“Well, all I have to do is focus on researching the First Potion, so I have nothing to stress over at the moment,” Hart explained. He was leading the First Potion research because he was a lich, an expert mage. He was the perfect creature for the job.

“Did you come here to see ‘that?’” Hart asked knowingly in the usual undead gloomy and sly voice. It could have creeped out some people, but…

Old Man Hwang grinned and replied, “Kekeke. That’s right.”

“Would you like to go straight to it?” Hart asked. He covered his mouth as if he was afraid someone might hear them.

“Kekeke.” Old Man Hwang only laughed without saying anything.

Hart’s empty eye socket shined as he waved his hand; then, he and Old Man Hwang began to float. Once they were high enough to see the entire gate, they looked at the area where the tower connecting the sky islands to the ground once was. A while back, the tower was moved to Eden, leaving behind a giant empty spot.

But now…

“I can see it’s going well,” Old Man Hwang spoke quietly.

Hart agreed, “Yes, indeed.”

A structure—much bigger than the tower—now occupied the empty spot. It wasn’t complete yet, but the framework was almost there, thanks to the skeletons and the players working without rest.

Old Man Hwang announced in satisfaction, “A man must have a castle, right? The tower looked a little too modern for my taste anyway! We will build a super luxurious medieval— no, hell-style castle this time!”

A castle was being built inside Brunheart’s gate. It was so big and extravagant that Old Man Hwang knew Gi-Gyu would be shocked.

Beside, the castle was…

“The construction of the canal is going well too. Kekeke.” Old Man Hwang chuckled again.

Hart shivered when he heard the chuckle. It sounded more undead-like than his own laugh.

Old Man Hwang continued, “It must be big! Huge! It has to be big enough to house a dragon! Make it big!”

“A-all right.” Hart shook his head. The thought that perhaps Old Man Hwang literally wanted to house a dragon flashed in his mind, but this couldn’t be, right?

Old Man Hwang continued to study the gate.

Meanwhile, Hart reported, “We have gathered the players who are too exhausted to work. We’re questioning them at the moment.”

“Excellent. I think you’re good enough to be the sole manager of this place.” Old Man Hwang praised Hart, but Hart didn’t know if he should be flattered or feel sad.

Hart rigidly whispered, “Sir…”

Hart appeared to have received a silent message from one of his subordinate skeletons. Hart relayed, “I was just informed that some players have arrived with their families.”

The Blue Dragon Guild, the Morningstar-Child Guild, and others… It looked like the ally guilds were here with their families.

“Guess it didn’t take long to convince these players to join us,” Old Man Hwang mumbled.

Hart’s empty eye sockets suddenly widened.

Realizing something unusual had happened, Old Man Hwang stared at the lich.

Hart explained, “The visitor the Grandmaster has been waiting for has arrived!”

Old Man Hwang’s eyes widened as well. He urged, “Hurry! I need to return to Eden right now!”

***

Only one word could describe what happened on every floor Gi-Gyu visited: Annihilation. He was hunting monsters so fast that they couldn’t regenerate in time; consequently, he cleared floors in minutes. Watching the crystal being collected, he said to Bi, “Bi, you need to rest too. It has been long since you hunted, so you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”

“Grrr.” Bi leaned against Gi-Gyu on the ground.

“By the way”—Gi-Gyu studied Bi carefully—“It looks like you’ve gotten a little bigger.”

“Grrr….”

Bi seemed larger than before. Gi-Gyu, a powerful player, could always trust his senses. Bi was probably bigger, but something felt a little different.

-Your training to learn battle strategy is going well.

Lou said to Gi-Gyu during the break.

Gi-Gyu had been hunting monsters using only his physical attributes, no weapons, no skills, no nothing. He was still only on the 50s floors, which meant the monsters weren’t overly powerful, but it still gave him valuable experiences.

Gi-Gyu replied, “I definitely feel much better. I can feel the difference in my movements.”

-You have great potential, which means you must work even harder.

Lou chose not to take his human form to help train Gi-Gyu. Everything was going smoothly. Old Man Hwang managed Eden while Rohan, Go Hyung-Chul, and others worked diligently outside.

Gi-Gyu’s Egos made it possible for Gi-Gyu to focus only on his training and growth.

“Let’s hurry up and climb the Tower,” Gi-Gyu announced. He was still on the 50s floors, and the hunt was way too easy for him. He was becoming bored.

Lou replied,

-It’s not the time yet; don’t be so impatient. You must grow slowly. And the Egos are leveling up here too, so slow down.

“Hmm.” Gi-Gyu wasn’t happy with what Lou had said, but he nodded. “Yeah, it’s true that the Egos are leveling up smoothly.”

It was best to grow at the same rate as his Egos. Gi-Gyu decided not to be stubborn and focus on collectively getting stronger.

“Kwerrk!” A monster roared from somewhere nearby.

“Guess the monsters are regenerating,” Gi-Gyu muttered and looked down at his wrist. Checking his watch had become a habit, but it was no longer there.

‘Kronos…’ Gi-Gyu didn’t know if he should call him Father anymore. Kronos had taken the watch from him; somehow, he felt naked without it. Gi-Gyu smiled bitterly and stood up.

Gi-Gyu announced, “I just have to do one more round here before going onto the next floor, right?”

Lou answered.

-That’s right.

The monsters Gi-Gyu had killed were regenerating. As part of his training, he needed to kill them all over again before ascending to the next floor. He felt a little excited, as he would soon get to hunt new and stronger monsters.

He grinned a little, wondering if he was being silly. But he couldn’t help enjoying himself at the moment. Currently, he was killing monsters to become stronger, which players were born to do. But nowadays, he killed humans and demons more often than monsters. Gi-Gyu felt more human now.

He was about to kick the ground when Old Man Hwang’s voice suddenly rang in his head.

-She’s here!

This was the first time Old Man Hwang messaged him since Gi-Gyu had left Eden.