The Player Who Can't Level Up

Gi-Gyu flinched and paused. Soo-Jung’s eyes had turned violet, indicating the activation of her Evil Eye.

She silently studied Tao Chen, who clearly looked confused and uncomfortable.

After a few seconds, Soo-Jung announced, “It doesn’t look like his body was taken over.”

“Why is Lucifer here?” Tao Chen turned toward Gi-Gyu and asked.

Gi-Gyu suddenly realized that he had never told Tao Chen about his association with Lucifer. Moreover, since his gate was saturated with Death and Life, players who couldn't use Life or Death had difficulty sensing anything. Consequently, Tao Chen’s senses must be out of whack at the moment.

Gi-Gyu had brought Tao Chen here before hearing about what had happened outside Eden.

Instead of introducing Soo-Jung as his teacher, Gi-Gyu replied, “She’s a friend.”

Tao Chen still looked confused.

Soo-Jung announced, “Hey, Pupil! Come on! Aren’t you happy to see me? Hurry up and come over here!”

Leaving Tao Chen behind, Gi-Gyu ran toward Soo-Jung.

***

Gi-Gyu said with a smile, “It looks like you’ve been doing well.”

“Of course, I have. Who do you think I am?” Soo-Jung shrugged. She continued, “It looks like you've also been doing well, huh? I understand that the situation has become complicated, but…”

She puckishly added, “I can tell you’ve grown into a fine young man.”

Gi-Gyu smiled back.

Soo-Jung exclaimed, “You crossed the 50th floor, didn’t you?!”

“Yup, that was why I was stuck in the Tower. By the time I got out, so many things had happened.”

Gi-Gyu had spent too much time on the 50th-floor test, giving Andras a lot of free time to cause trouble. His family was in exile, and many people got hurt.

He wondered if things would have turned out differently if he had stayed here. He surely couldn’t have changed everything, but he was sure things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

Soo-Jung clapped and replied, “It’s nice to see you become so strong.”

Soon, calmness entered her eyes as she muttered, “I guess only Lim Hye-Sook has come to you so far.”

Gi-Gyu became quiet. Lim Hye-Sook had said that Soo-Jung had told her about this place. Did Soo-Jung know about the whereabouts of everyone else?

Soo-Jung must have read Gi-Gyu’s mind because she smiled widely. She said reassuringly, “I’m sure your family is safe.”

“Do you know where they are?” Gi-Gyu asked impatiently.

Disappointingly, Soo-Jung shook her head. But before he could ask another question, Soo-Jung replied, “But I know who they are with.”

“...!”

“Yoo Suk-Woo.” Soo-Jung, looking confident, added, “And Oh Tae-Shik.”

Gi-Gyu’s lips twitched a little. ‘If only I could find out where they were… If only Soo-Jung could give me a clue…’

Gi-Gyu didn’t have to say anything because Soo-Jung quickly explained, “Before Association President Oh Tae-Gu was defeated and transferred to Gehenna, he said something. I didn’t get to hear it, but Oh Tae-Shik did. I think that’s where they went.”

Soo-Jung looked at Gi-Gyu and continued, “One thing I know for sure is that this place isn’t on Earth. Other than that, I don’t know anything else. Baal is trying hard to figure out where it is, and we’ve tried to contact them, but—”

Baal, who was standing next to Soo-Jung, took over the explanation.

“We were unable to make direct contact with them. At the very least, I know your family will be safe there, Master of Lucifer.”

Baal had addressed Lou by his old name. Was he doing this because the penalty no longer limited Gi-Gyu? Or was there another reason?

However, Gi-Gyu didn’t become wrapped up in it, as the news about his family was enough to overwhelm him.

His family was safe and with Suk-Woo and Tae-Shik. This was all Gi-Gyu could think of.

“You want to find out where they are, don’t you?” Soo-Jung asked knowingly. “If you wait, they will return in time. But knowing you, I’m sure you want to go out and find them right now. Am I right?”

Soo-Jung knew Gi-Gyu too well.

“There is one way you can locate them,” Soo-Jung suggested.

“How?” Gi-Gyu couldn’t hide the impatience in his voice.

“Ask Oh Tae-Gu.”

Gi-Gyu’s eyes widened in confusion. He asked, “But President Oh Tae-Gu is in Gehenna right now…”

Suddenly, he became quiet. Noticing the smile on Soo-Jung’s lips and realizing what she meant, Gi-Gyu muttered, “Are you telling me to go to Gehenna?”

“Well, if you’re in a hurry, that’s the only way I can think. I have no idea where they are, and neither does Baal,” replied Soo-Jung.

Baal added, “They aren’t on Earth, and I don’t have the power to search different dimensions. It’s not completely impossible, but it will take a very long time. If you ask me, you shouldn’t worry; they’ll return if you just wait.”

As concern filled Gi-Gyu’s face, a bright light abruptly appeared before them.

“Baal,” Lou, in his physical form, called out.

***

“I would appreciate it if you could give me some tips,” Tao Chen requested seriously.

The creature standing in front of him scratched his head as if he was troubled.

Tao Chen positioned himself for a fight and continued, “I didn’t get to fight you properly when we were in that gate.”

Botis awkwardly turned toward Gi-Gyu, who gave his permission with a nod.

During Tao Chen’s gate tour, what shocked him the most was Botis. It was their enemy inside the Gangnam Gate that Gi-Gyu had killed. Yet, it was here alive and well, serving Gi-Gyu. All this came as a huge surprise to Tao Chen.

Tao Chen had many questions for Gi-Gyu; instead, he asked to spar with Botis.

“All right, since the grandmaster gave me his permission, I shall spar with you,” Botis announced while scratching his mucous-covered face. Botis mimicked Tao Chen’s fist-in-palm salute awkwardly before adding, “Let me introduce myself. I’m known as the Repulsive Earl, and I once held a Seat of Power… My name is Botis.”

“I am Tao Chen, code-named Beautiful Beard. Your presence humbles me,” replied Tao Chen.

The two of them greeted each other awkwardly using the fist-in-palm salute.

Botis offered, “I shall allow you to make the first move.”

It was a bold move, and Tao Chen didn’t refuse. During their conversation, he had already started pouring his power into the Green Dragon Crescent Blade. So, he promptly swung his weapon in a wide arc.

Clank!

‘Hmm.’ Gi-Gyu fell into deep thought as he watched Botis and Tao Chen fight.

Why did Tao Chen follow him here? His first thought was that Tao Chen didn’t trust him. He was certain that it wasn’t because Tao Chen doubted his ability.

After witnessing Lou descend into Gi-Gyu’s body, Tao Chen had been treating him coldly. Tao Chen was seemingly suspicious of his disposition. Yet, despite the doubts, Tao Chen had allied with him to save his country. And it appeared that Tao Chen had insisted on accompanying him here because he wanted to learn more about him.

‘And…’ 

Kaboom!

“Good job,” Botis announced.

“Ugh…” Tao Chen groaned.

The battle only lasted a few minutes. Tao Chen was now on the ground bleeding heavily. Botis awkwardly did the fist-in-palm salute again.

Watching them quietly, Gi-Gyu figured out another reason why Tao Chen came here: To become stronger.

***

After his sparring match with Botis, Tao Chen requested,

“I would like to spar with everyone inside this gate. No, not just them, but all of your creatures, Morningstar. I want to improve myself while I’m here.”

Tao Chen wanted to battle his creatures nonstop, and he was only happy to oblige. He didn’t fear Tao Chen becoming stronger. And on top of that…

‘Everyone here will benefit from fighting Tao Chen too.’ 

Players didn’t gain experience points through battles, but fighting powerful opponents could help them level up or awaken new skills. Sometimes, they could even perfect their existing skills. This had to be exactly what Tao Chen wanted.

But in comparison…

‘My Egos can gain experience points from any kind of battle.’

This was the big difference between Egos and players, which was also why his creatures could grow so much faster.

Resting his chin on his hand, Gi-Gyu fell into deep thought again. He was alone at the moment. Lou was talking to Baal somewhere while Soo-Jung was enjoying a long overdue break.

Gi-Gyu had also received a report from Rohan. The Iron Guild team was defeated miserably, but no one could blame Rohan because of Soo-Jung’s sudden appearance. The whole world became even more interested in the Bukhan River region because of her.

Meanwhile, El was busy taking care of Lim Hye-Sook and Shin Yoo-Bin.

“Hmm…” Gi-Gyu tilted his head, recognizing now he had the time to focus on himself. He needed to study what he had gained and lost after defeating Asmodeus.

‘Jupiter.’ Gi-Gyu thought about his other self hibernating deep inside him. Jupiter was slowly becoming stronger as he absorbed Chaos’ power from the First Potion. Gi-Gyu understood the Asmodeus fight wouldn’t be a one-off thing; he would need Jupiter’s help again.

So Gi-Gyu made a deal with Jupiter. He promised to let Jupiter borrow his body when necessary.

Despite being another form of Gi-Gyu, Jupiter was stronger than him. Jupiter could also tap into Gi-Gyu's full potential and wield Chaos’ power better.

‘But… he is hiding something.’ Gi-Gyu felt certain of this. There was another power Jupiter was hiding, and Gi-Gyu had to find out what it was. He would have to give up his body to Jupiter on numerous other occasions, so he could figure it out then.

‘Another option is using Lou or El’s data to make them descend into my body as Lou did inside the Gangnam Gate, but…’

Sadly, this was too dangerous. Neither Lou nor El were anything like Gi-Gyu. Their bodies and powers were very different from what he possessed, so making them descend could put too much burden on him. In the worst-case scenario, he could even lose himself.

But things were different with Jupiter.

‘Jupiter is me. We are one and the same. He’s just another me.’

Jupiter using his body was less stressful, allowing him to utilize his maximum power. All in all, Jupiter fighting his battles for him made perfect theoretical sense.

Just then, Gi-Gyu heard a knock. Familiar energy hovered outside the door. The door opened, and El appeared.

“Hello, El,” Gi-Gyu greeted.

***

Gi-Gyu remained quiet, his eyes dark with concern.

El declared, “I don’t think their shells can be restored.”

She was explaining Lim Hye-Sook and Shin Yoo-Bin’s conditions. Although the two women were still breathing, they weren’t exactly alive.

Gi-Gyu asked, “Then what will happen?”

El seemed to be thinking about something before she opened her lips.

“There are a few things we can do. Life can heal shells, but only when the damage is minuscule. The wounds these two women suffered, however, are too significant. What they need is…”

“The elixir.”

“Yes, only the elixir can cure them.”

It appeared that Gi-Gyu needed the elixir again.

“But there is another way. We can break their shells completely,” El suggested.

“What?”

“By doing so, they will lose all of their powers as players, but there is a definite chance they will get to live. This option, of course, will involve more risks than using the elixir. They could even die during the process.”

Gi-Gyu looked at Lim Hye-Sook and Shin Yoo-Bin quietly.

El continued, “The last option is…”

“I think I know what it is.”

Shin Yoo-Bin and Lim Hye-Sook’s shells were damaged badly. So if he killed them himself, he could…

Gi-Gyu continued, “You think I could turn them into my Egos.”

El nodded seriously.