n

n

n‘5000 Star Force if I defeat the Rake Barox within five minutes?’

nA mysterious proposal by a Constellation he had never seen before.

nArash briefly thought about it, and soon grinned.

nNot a problem.

nIn the first place, within 10 minutes was already possible..

nAlthough a bit riskier, within 5 minutes is also definitely possible.

nHe might suffer some minor injuries in the process, but there was no such thing as a free lunch when it came to Star Force.

nBesides, isn’t it possible that other Constellations might find it interesting and sponsor him if he suddenly clears a higher difficulty mission?

n‘I’ll have to resort to a cheat.’

nThis world, or game, is full of bugs and easter eggs.

n

n

nWhen he was developing the game, he couldn’t fix it all because he wasn’t able to.

nHowever, now, it has all become the driving force behind his growth.

nArash slowly walked up to the Barox.

n‘If I fight it normally, it would take at least 9 minutes. However, if I use the cross pattern, I can defeat it in 4 minutes.’

n‘The yellow center foothold. If I step on that, exactly 2 seconds later, a cross shaped fire column will shoot out on both sides of the walls.’

nSlowly drawing his long sword, Arash ignited it.

nFisherman Chasing Stars: Using fire against a fire opponent?

nCrackion Noise: What is he thinking?

nPoisonous Plant In Greenhouse: Ah.

nThe chat window was quickly flooded with questions.

nHowever, Arash knew.

nThe Barox is impervious to normal attacks, but weak against fire.

nThat’s why the cross shaped fire column can damage it.

n“Heup!”

nLeaning forward and running towards the Barox, Arash swung his fire imbued long sword.

nFire against fire!

nIt seemed like a losing battle, but the moment the attacks collided.

nWoosh!

nThe Barox’s body was engulfed in the flames.

nTip Of An Iceberg: Fire monsters can be burnt?

nPoisonous Plant In Greenhouse: That’s unusual for a fire monster to be burnt. I knew Arash was up to something!

nLost Snail: I just wanted him to be burned to death. What a shame.

nLooking At Ants Through Magnifying Glass: His insight is very good!

nNot only did Arash overwhelm the Barox, he was also winning over the Constellations.

nAlthough Arash is weaker than the Barox, its pattern was already seen through by him.

nWhen it would use its fire attacks, when it would swing its tail in a 5 meter radius, and when it would leap three times before pouncing.

nAs well as its other patterns.

nArash knew it all.

nWoosh!

nSoon, the surrounding four walls near the Barox lit up.

n‘It’s time.’

nCurrently, the Barox’s health has been cut by about 30% and three minutes have passed.

nDespite efficiently attacking it and reading its pattern, it was quickly approaching 5 minutes.

nWill Arash fail for the first time?

nThe Constellations began to flood the chat window again, thrilled at the thought, but they will have to be disappointed.

nHeup!

nArash stepped on the yellow platform at the center of the area, counted exactly two seconds, and then jumped backwards.

nKung!

nBarox, who lept forward to try and catch Arash, was now at the center of the platform.

nWoosh…!!

nFour fire columns shot out from the walls.

nThen, a loud shriek strong enough to damage one’s eardrums shook the whole area, hitting Arash in the process.

nHowever, he was fine because of his strengthened body.

n‘Now!’

nThere’s no ‘hold’ on the fire columns, so he had to stop the Barox from escaping by himself.

nHe quickly rushed towards the Barox and continued his attacks, so that it couldn’t escape.

nIn the end, the Barox couldn’t do anything and quickly lost its remaining HP.

nAs such, 1 minute and 30 seconds passed.

nOr, 4 minutes and 40 seconds in total.

n{ 9th Stage – The ancient ruins of Marti’s final boss have been defeated! }

n{ Solo Clear! Additional reward for this amazing achievement. }

n{ Star Force gained. }

n{ Shortest clear time! Additional reward… }

nCountless system messages appeared.

nWhite Ferryboat Statue: So crazy!

nMan Getting Up From His Feet: I’d never thought you could use a trap like that. Amazing.

nMan Walking On The Edge: He judged all that in a minute? No way.

nThe Constellation’s excitement also brought forth a considerable amount of Star Force sponsorship.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 5000 Star Force.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: I didn’t expect you to clear it, but that was amazing. Let’s have fun again next time.

nLooking at the reactions, Arash realized.

n‘…Isn’t this pretty good?’

nBefore, he had only thought of steadily moving forward.

nHowever, just now he realized that with just a little bit of effort and using his ‘secrets,’ it’s possible to elicit a positive reaction from the Constellations.

nCrisis.

nImpossible challenges.

nAnd his self confidence in accomplishing them.

nArash’s heart was pounding.

nHe didn’t know it would be this exciting to be in the spotlight of all the Constellations.

n‘This is an opportunity.’

nArash, with his arms wide open, spoke.

n“Constellation Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day, of course! Thank you very much for the mission! It was a little difficult, but I had fun too. Let’s do it again another time.”

nIn a way, it was asking for more missions.

nAs if hearing his request, missions began to flood in from the Constellations.

nThe corner of Arash’s mouth slowly curled up.

nAfter carrying out missions for the past two months, Arash has reached the 10th stage.

nThe 10th stage is three times larger than any of the other worlds on average.

nThere are also many more dungeons, all of which are being monopolized by the lone Arash.

nThe number of Constellations watching has also increased exponentially.

nA Thousand Bird Crossing The Line sponsors 500 Star Force.

nA Thousand Bird Crossing The Line: I will add 3000 Star Force if you slap the boss five times.

nAbsolute Position sponsors 2000 Star Force.

nAbsolute Position: I will add 5000 Star Force if you only move diagonally while fighting the boss.

nSubmerged Hourglass sponsors 3000 Star Force.

nSubmerged Hourglass: I will add 7000 Star Force if you can defeat the boss without your armor.

nThe missions varied and the difficulty gradually rose exponentially as well.

nSometimes the missions became too dangerous for Arash, but he had no choice but to accept them.

nThis is because a ‘tradition’ was established after the first mission was requested by a Constellation, so the others followed suit with a prepayment before giving a mission.

n‘Damn it…This mission is a bit much.’

n‘If I had a colleague…’

nArash soon shook his head at the thought.

nHe doesn’t intend to share his one wish with anyone else.

nOnly by monopolizing the information can he increase his chance of getting his wish.

nIn the first place, if Arash was selfless, he would have shared the information concerning Arash’s world with the other hundreds of thousands of challengers to increase everyone’s survival rate.

nHowever, his wish was to one day clear all the stages and become a Constellation.

nHe had no time to care about other humans and only wanted to achieve his wish as quickly as possible.

n‘I’m glad I could skip some of the mission.’

nThe really ridiculous ones like ‘just die,’ or ‘jump into that lava with your naked body.’

nWhen he received such missions, other Constellations would tell the requester to cancel it because it would not be fun.

nHowever, the missions to hunt the boss or certain dungeon had to be carried out unconditionally because he received payment in advance.

nFortunately, everything has gone smoothly.

nHe has cleared every dungeon thus far, and his level has risen quite high thanks to the huge sum of Star Force.

nAnd, he can easily clear the 10th to 12th stage right now.

nBut he was waiting for Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day to give another mission before clearing the 10th stage final gateway.

nBecause this Constellation created the novel idea of giving missions, which became popular among the other Constellations.

nSo why shouldn’t he postpone clearing the stage if he’s getting such a generous amount of Star Force?

nEven though this Constellation never sponsored in advance, Arash has no intention of rejecting any of its missions.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 3000 Star Force.

nThis Constellation would show up every other day or every three days.

nArash, as if pleased, with a wide grin, spoke.

n“You’re here! Are you giving me another mission this time?”

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: No. I just wanted to sponsor.

n“Is that so?”

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Yes. I’m bored of the 10th Stage now. Let’s move to the next stage. I’m curious how it’s going to be.

n“…!”

nSeeing the message he had hoped, Arash smiled.

nHe’s been at the 10th stage for two months already.

nIt was good to have earned so much Star Force to the point where he has surpassed other challengers decisively, but in the end, his goal is to clear the final stage.

nIt’s time to continue climbing.

nMost of the other Constellations also agreed that the 10th stage has become boring.

n“Alright, Constellations, I’ll head to the 10th stage final gateway!”

nThe preparation process was quick.

nHe knew every detail of the 10th stage, and his level is quite high, so there is no danger.

nActually, he’s worried that the final gateway would be boring because it’ll be too easy.

n‘It would be good if I receive a mission at the final gateway.’

nWith such complacent thoughts, Arash arrived at the 10th stage final gateway.

n{ Beepbeep! Another challenger is already challenging the final gateway. }

n{ Please come back tomorrow! }

nThen.

n{ First time clear of the 10th stage final gateway! }

n{ Challengers: Sajun, Jaesul, Gyulu, and Mayva. }

n{ The 11th stage has opened. }

nIn front of Arash were four familiar figures who somehow managed to pass the final gateway before him.

nThey were breathing heavily with wounds all over their bodies while shedding tears and hugging one another.

nSeeing them, Arash had many questions.

n‘When?’

n‘Already?’

n‘So soon?’

n‘What’s their levels?’

nAll sorts of questions were brewing inside his head, but the reality is in front of him.

n‘Four challengers have successfully cleared the 10th stage before me.’

nHe felt a slight uneasiness.

nHowever, he stayed here for two months.

nIt was enough time for other challengers to get here.

nDumbfounded and trying to grasp the situation, a message appeared in the channel without giving him a chance.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Huh…So the ones over there are first now?

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Ah? They just went up to the 11th stage, right? I’m going to go over there and give them a mission.

nArash is certain he’s the best.

nHis level, blessing, skills, proficiency, etc…are the highest by a big margin.

nHowever…

nIf he starts falling behind in stage, what’s the use of all that in the end?

n‘No, no…!’

nSeeing Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day’s message, the other Constellations also began to waver.

nThey, who only seek pleasure, also wondered what was happening in the 11th stage right now.

nAnd they were curious what mission Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day would give.

n‘Once a stage is cleared, other challengers must wait a day.’

nIn other words, the Constellations currently watching his channel could be taken away by those four challengers within a day.

nHe can’t let that happen.

n‘This might be a little dangerous, but…’

nArash looked up and widened his eyes.

nNo Constellations have left his channel yet.

nNow is his last chance to retain them.

n“Constellations, please wait. Do you want to see the most interesting broadcast?”

nAll the Constellations said yes.

nArash smiled widely, and with a confident look, spoke.

n“Then, watch me use the ‘elevator system!’”

nRed Melody Destiny: What? Elevator? Are you serious?

nMasonry Coming Down A Ladder: Whoa….! Something new again?

nCall Me Three Times Before I Pick Up: That sounds interesting! I’ve never seen a challenger use the elevator system!

nThe reactions from the Constellations became heated again.

nRightfully so.

nElevator system.

nThe system, which was to go up two stages in a single challenge, is considered virtually impossible to accomplish because of its ‘terrible difficulty.’

nFor example, if you use the elevator system at the 10th stage to go up two stages, the difficulty will be twice as hard since it’s the combination of the 10th and 11th stage.

nAnd instead of extra rewards, you will only be able to climb faster than others…

nSo who would use such a method?

nHowever.

nIt’s possible for the current Arash.

nDue to staying on the 10th stage for a long time, he raised his level and equipment high enough to be able to challenge the 12th and 13th stage.

n{ Using elevator system. }

n{ Do you wish to climb two stages at once? }

n“Yes!”

n{ Elevator system activated. }

n{ Head to the final gateway. }

nFeeling the change in vision, Arash with a firm expression, grasped his long sword.

nThe real battle starts now.

n{ Successfully cleared the 10th and 11th stage using the elevator system. }

nUsing the elevator system was much simpler and more enjoyable than Arash had thought.

nIn the eyes of others he was making use of his quick wit.

nHe was showing a combination of various skills, items, and the unusual idea of using the elevator system that has never been done before.

nDespite having to face two bosses at once and defeating them seemed like an impossible feat, Arash never backed down.

nHe did not panic even after meteorites began falling from the sky.

nIt was indeed a flawless performance and result.

nAfter defeating all the monsters and bosses, he gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and took a deep breath.

nThen, he shouted.

n“Aaaahhhh!!”

nTrembling with excitement, he thought to himself that this couldn’t have gone any better.

n{ Elevator a success! 12th stage open. }

n{ Additional reward for being the first challenger to successfully use the elevator system! }

nWith the countless achievements came a huge amount of Star Force.

nBut more than that, he was excited by the positive reactions from the Constellations.

nEternal Prisoner sponsors 500 Star Force.

nCow Running Like A Horse: Crazy, really crazy!

nOne’s Own Burning Heart sponsors 2000 Star Force.

nA Thousand Year Old Ginseng: I had goosebumps watching! What a great warrior!

nFallen Moon On The Ground sponsors 1500 Star Force.

nArash was speechless looking at all the messages pouring in.

nHe trembled.

n‘Ah…Yes. This is it.’

nHe felt alive receiving the attention of the Constellations.

nRight, a little setback could be overcome like this.

nHe suddenly realized.

n‘I’m the protagonist.’

nThe secret even the Constellations don’t know.

nKnowing everything about this world.

nA unique existence.

n{ Head to the 12th stage, Starry Subway }

n{ Enter the safe zone to recover from all the damage and fatigue. }

nAfter coming to his senses, he arrived at the 12th stage.

nIt was a place that had a beautiful starry night sky.

nAnd a subway falling across it.

nOnce again, he will play an active role here.

nThat was the plan…

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: That was fun. Show me again.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 50000 Star Force.

n‘…Huh?’

n50000?

nHe wondered if he had seen it wrong, but he didn’t.

nReally, an enormous sum of 50000 Star Force was given to him.

nNo matter what a Constellation is, Star Force is a kind of energy that gives them their influence, so they never gave out a lot.

n‘What the hell…?’

nThe happiness only lasted for a moment before he felt something was wrong.

n‘Show you again? What?’

nFeeling a sudden surge of anxiety coming from his chest, he tried to speak, but another message appeared before he could.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: I sent you a deposit for a mission. Let’s try 3 stages this time. 200000 Star Force if you succeed. Deal?

nImmediately.

nThe chat exploded.

nOther Constellations became excited and started to sponsor.

nMan With Gold Colored Electricity sponsors 5000 Star Force.

nMan With Gold Colored Electricity: I’ll make a deposit too! 10000 if you succeed!

nWoman With Sharp Fingers sponsors 3000 Star Force.

nWoman With Sharp Fingers: 5000 if you succeed. Deal?

nFighter Who Uses His Stomach sponsors 7000 Star Force.

nFighter Who Uses His Stomach: My heart is burning! Nothing is more exciting than an impossible challenge!

nMan Who Died Standing Still sponsors 2500 Star Force.

nAn endless amount of Star Force.

nThe Constellations were all hoping.

nThey want to feel that excitement again.

nGoing for an impossible challenge.

nBut…

n‘I’m a dead man.’

nIf he accepts this mission, he’ll undoubtedly die.

nThere is no way the Constellations aren’t aware of this fact.

nNevertheless, they are hoping Arash will take the challenge.

n“T-this…”

nStarry Eyes sponsors 2000 Star Force.

n“Impossible…”

nTwinkling Jewel In The Dark sponsors 4000 Star Force.

nArash knew the reason.

n‘Because it’s entertaining.’

nOnly now did Arash realize.

nThe Constellations don’t like him.

nHe was only their ‘toy.’

nAnd it was fun to watch him.

nThat’s why they are still in his channel.

nAffection?

nIt’s probably less than watching a hamster running on a wheel.

nWatching the lower beings struggle as they throw sunflower seeds here and there when they’re in the mood.

nJust that level of value.

nIf their hamster gets sick and dies, it’ll hurt, but…

nThey can get another hamster.

n‘I’m…nothing…’

nArash’s hands trembled.

nIt’s because the eyes of the Constellations were putting pressure on him.

nLight Rain Falling Through A Crevice Of A Rock looks at you with interest.

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n

nLost Snail looks at you with interest.

nHard To Catch Libra looks at you with interest.

nWhite Wolf Crying Victory looks at you with interest.

nMan Walking On The Edge looks at you with interest.

nDead.

nDefinitely dead.

nRice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: You don’t want to?

nBut knowing this fact.

n“…The mission, I will accept it.”

nHe had no choice but to accept it.

n