Solo Max-Level Newbie
chapter-217

Chapter 217: New Forces & The Balance of the Mid-Tiers (2)

[Elise activates Lv?? ‘Heavenseam’s Blood Jade’!]

As she gestured lightly, the giants climbing the wall began to rise into the sky.

A grand magic defying gravity.

“Kaaaah!”

“My… body is moving on its own!”

Spheres made of blood droplets engulfed the entirety of the giants.

Spears forged from blood streaked through the air one by one.

Thud!

Thwack!

The spears pierced right through the giants’ joints, burrowing deep into their flesh.

It wasn’t to inflict a fatal wound but to crush their ability to move.

What followed was an overwhelming magical force that could shatter the very laws of physics.

The spheres compressed in an instant.

Crack-crunch!

Nothing could survive within.

It took less than a minute for the six giants to be reduced to the size of soccer balls.

‘I needed to stage a spectacle like this.’

The scene where Unknown and I appear at the same place.

I had no doubt that if this footage were uploaded, it would generate a tremendous response.

‘Especially now when I need coins to buy supplies for the war, this is the perfect chance to boost the views.’

Jinhyuk nodded in satisfaction.

Then, slightly belatedly.

“Huff. Huff. Huff.”

“They’ve arrived. Atop the castle.”

Knights from the Templar Order and the White Rose Order climbed the walls.

“Aren’t you too late to be of any use? Since it’s all over, why not go home, wash your feet, and get some sleep?”

Jinhyuk taunted them.

“…Insolent!”

“Stop.”

A knight was about to respond to the provocation, but another one quickly restrained him.

A familiar face.

“Sir Talmore! What a surprise to see you here again. You appear even more… lacking than when we last met….”

“McKensey!”

McKensey.

That was the name.

I had forgotten it, being so preoccupied with remembering other things.

“How was it? Were you okay in the council hall? You faltered so pitifully after putting on such a bold front… Ah! My apologies. I meant only to think it, but the words slipped out. This darn mouth of mine.”

Jinhyuk slapped his lips lightly.

It produced a rather distinct sound.

“Squeak!”

McKensey’s face flushed red with anger.

Only one more provoking line was necessary, right?

Suddenly, the perfect phrase popped into my head.

“Don’t raise your blood pressure too much. I’m starting to crave for a stewed octopus dish with a glass of wine. It seems a bit difficult to pick up with chopsticks because it’s so slippery… Hmm.”

Jinhyuk playfully reached for McKensey’s head with imaginary chopsticks.

“You’ve crossed the line.”

Elise uttered a gasp as if she’d seen a demon.

“You… damn…!”

Swoosh!

McKensey’s sword was halfway drawn, but that was irrelevant.

What mattered was that my recent statement had fulfilled all the conditions for copying.

[You have successfully copied the unique ability ‘High-Speed Sword’!]

[The copied ability will be stored in ‘The World’s Memory’!]

One of the great Grand Swordmasters of the Empire.

I had acquired Abraham’s hallmark ‘High-Speed Sword.’

‘Really, it’s more addictive than drugs.’

The crystallization of talent and effort bred by numerous formidable foes over a lifetime.

Being able to effortlessly snatch them away seemed almost like cheating.

Of course, I had no intention of chasing after something as absurd as fairness.

The world was inherently unfair.

And to prevent humanity’s extinction and ascend the Tower’s peak once more,

I needed to secure a position beyond the reach of others.

Right at that moment,

“Hooh…”

McKensey calmed his trembling body, fueled by rage.

“The Duke is calling for you. If you follow quietly, not only will your bounty be canceled, but you’ll also receive a reward for protecting the Empire from the giants.”

“First a threat, now a temptation…”

It was an expected turn of events.

After I’d demonstrated such might, if they continued to be hostile, they’d be no duke of the Empire but a fool with anger issues.

“Lead the way. Let’s hear them out.”

“Smart decision.”

McKensey led the way, and Jinhyuk and Elise followed.

＊＊＊

When they returned to the council hall, the injuries from before had been completely restored.

Arrayed with clean tables and chairs, the meeting room was occupied by the nobility faction’s heavyweights, including Duke Bainstern.

This time, there were no representatives from the Penheimer party or any of the minor factions.

Apparently, this was a meeting arranged by Bainstern himself.

It made me realize anew the immense power a duke of the Empire held.

“Welcome.”

Duke Bainstern, seated at the head of the table, greeted Jinhyuk warmly.

“So you won’t start by drawing your sword at me this time?”

“Ha, ha, ha, that was a bit of a misunderstanding. Who wouldn’t be unnerved by a stranger suddenly appearing with spatial movement? Moreover, there’s no way we could ignore the two who annihilated the giants. Naturally, under my authority, I will grant you a fitting reward, so have no worry.”

From the way he eagerly offered praise, I could guess everything that would follow.

You did great. You’re the best. Let’s join forces and prosper together. Once I become the Emperor, I’ll make sure to secure a place for you. And so on.

The typical, stale stench of conspiracy and intrigue he was likely to propose.

To save us both some time, let’s cut down his speech to the essentials.

“I’m not sure what you’re willing to promise, but frankly, I doubt any proposal could pique my interest.”

“I am the most powerful-man in the Empire. Wealth, honor, or information and items related to ascending the Tower… Or, if you wish, I could even arrange a marital engagement with the daughters of nobility. I assure you, you’ve never seen beauties like them.”

“Oh? If they are such women then…”

Jinhyuk couldn’t finish his sentence, as Elise poked him in the ribs with her finger.

“Cough…”

For a moment, I almost screamed out loud.

It was like being charged at full force by an armored knight wielding a lance rather than a mere poke.

“…I’ll die. You.”

Elise glared with a murderous look in her eyes. That was a bonus.

“Thanks for the concern, but I’m not interested. Besides, it’s not about whom I side with, but shouldn’t it be a priority for the Empire to seize key positions before Wulin?”

Jinhyuk quickly shifted the topic.

“Hmm…”

“That is indeed a critical issue.”

“I agree with this man. Excellency.”

The nobles nodded in agreement.

Given that the giants had made a preemptive strike against the Empire, it was paramount that the Empire retaliated immediately, with such a significant pretext already in place.

Bainstern, aware of this, had been reluctant to make a move because he had been working behind the scenes with Wulin.

“The matter cannot be decided lightly. We understand the importance of the stronghold, but do you realize how many knights have fallen trying to attack it?”

“How many have there been?”

“Fifty, even among just the Swordmasters… and these were elite troops I nurtured personally!”

Hmm…

“Just… perhaps your men are all incompetent, your Grace?”

The blunt remark caused the duke to freeze in place, and the faces of the nobles paled as if they were blank sheets of paper.

Only Abraham, who sat beside Bainstern, chuckled.

His eyes shone with interest.

His mouth twisted slightly, giving me an unbearably heavy stare.

“You may be excellent.”

Bainstern finally managed to resume speaking through gritted teeth.

“But that’s because you haven’t been to their stronghold. Anyone can talk big here… “

“Let’s do it then.”

“What?”

“Taking on that stronghold. Let’s just do it ourselves.”

Jinhyuk’s statement figuratively poured cold water over the assembly, once again.

＊＊＊

As night deepened,

Jinhyuk and Elise, who had been escorted to a luxurious suite with over ten rooms, sated their hunger with a sumptuous dinner after a hot bath.

“Oh! I never thought I’d eat such a fancy dessert. The Empire guys have some surprisingly good points.”

Elise’s eyes twinkled as she looked at the ice cream resembling a tiny fortress.

I wondered when she’d picked up a taste for sweet things…

She once thirsted for blood as a respectable boss monster.

“Stop eating so much. If you eat like that at this hour, you’ll gain weight.”

“So what? Why do you have to nag about eating? Don’t you know anything eaten with delight is 0 calories?”

“Where did you learn that phrase?”

“It’s all on Youtoob.”

Damn it.

Now I’m not sure whether this creature is a genuine ancient or a freshman straight out of college.

“Hope you eat to your heart’s content and get an upset stomach.”

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue briefly and stood up from the table first.

Having eaten and drunk to satisfaction, it was time to handle accumulated work.

Lying in his own bed, Jinhyuk edited the video he had recorded since arriving at the Empire.

After a few minutes passed,

[The video has been uploaded.]

A brief message announced that a new video was uploaded to Youtoob.

Given Jinhyuk’s global popularity, views exploded within a minute of the upload.

An unexplored tier of the Tower,

Seeing firsthand the delicate balance and conflict among the Tower’s grand forces was sure to garner universal interest.

-The King: The more I see Jinhyuk, the more I’m convinced he’s not human. How strong do you have to be to pull off such feats?

-Chicken Mayo Mint Choco Over Rice: It was like a Zergling vs Ultralisk fight, but then suddenly a Carrier shows up.

-Techrates: ㄴㄴ. That’s like the developer inserting a bug unit into the game.

-Weakened Dwarf Clan: The dwarf getting jumpy in the middle is so cute. If he has blacksmith skills, isn’t he like an all-rounder?

-Neighbor’s Thieving Kid: Dwarves, Empire knights, court mages, he reduces them all to extras. ㅋㅋㅋ.

-Ordinary Class-3 License: I once heard a European ranker talking about the Empire and Wulin saying there’s a whole different level between them and players. But everything pales compared to Jinhyuk.

However, the shock didn’t end there.

When Unknown with the geometrical mask joined Jinhyuk on the same rampart, there was a chill sensation,

like a cold shiver spreading across the skin.

-Unknown is the future: Tell me I’m not dreaming right now?

-Japle longnight: Huh… ㅁㅊ.

-Mother’s Backhand Smash: Isn’t this like Marvel and DC coming together?

-Premier League All-Checked: It’s like Messi and Ronaldo meeting.

-A Latte is a CCL: Two of the strongest players in the same place, my chest feels like it’s going to explode.

Comments kept coming, and views climbed at a startling pace.

‘As expected, the response is good.’

Jinhyuk clenched his fist.

The encounter between the two most discussed players was bound to hit 5 million views by tomorrow at this rate.

Especially since it was already posing a threat to the currently top-ranked Gandhara guild’s raid video posted in the Hall of Fame.

But just when he was relishing in the joy,

Knock knock!

A knock sounded at the door.

“…!”

I should have been alerted by the barrier I spread around just in case someone approached.

The fact that someone reached my door without triggering it meant…

‘This is no ordinary room service.’

Jinhyuk reflexively picked up his fangs.