Solo Max-Level Newbie

The Crown of Dominion.

A sacred relic that can only be possessed by the most violent and combative. The crown had always brought turmoil to the Tower.

After all, more than half of the major incidents in the history of the Tower were intertwined with the change of the crown’s ownership.

Therefore.

Jinhyuk was moving swiftly to get his hands on the crown before anyone else.

He knew a swarm of forces from the upper levels would descend upon the 19th floor if they caught wind of the information.

And now.

Within a sand dune on the 19th floor…

Two shadows faced each other.

The figure standing at two meters tall with a pleasantly uplifted corner of the mouth might remind one of a famous movie actor at first glance.

However, that appearance was merely a means to blend in among humans without arousing suspicion.

The true form hidden within was far, far away from pleasantness.

Nyarlathotep.

A messenger and herald serving Azathoth, he was a deity of the 50th floor, the only one besides the administrators who could freely navigate the Tower’s floors.

In front of him stood…

An elderly gentleman wearing a monocle and a homburg hat.

The white beard suited him well.

He was Rick Hennessy, owner of a trade association and a middle manager of the Tower.

“It was a mistake coming down here so soon after our last endeavor. You should have sent a representative or used another administrator instead.”

Rick did not hide his displeasure.

“Hehehe. Oh my, it seems I’ve managed to upset the great Mr. Rick Hennessy.”

Nyarlathotep chuckled mischievously in response.

Shrugging his shoulders, he settled into the plush sofa at the center of the room, not forgetting to pour himself a full glass of exquisite wine.

“How about a sip? Or was it that you wouldn’t have anything but that strange coffee of yours?”

“I’ll pass on the alcohol. Instead, answer me. Why did you leave the Crown of Dominion uncollected and abandoned?”

“Ah… that thing?”

Faced with the sharp question, Nyarlathotep toyed with the wine in the glass.

With a swoosh!

The wine was sucked through his finger, vanishing from the glass.

“I wanted to retrieve it quickly too, but Mother insisted it be left as a sort of amusement.”

“As a gesture of respect for the Demon Lords?”

“Hardly. More like a passing interest. In Mother’s eyes, those residing on the lower floors are hardly worthy adversaries.”

“That’s also true.”

Rick nodded, as if understanding the point.

“But what about the human? Gang Jinhyuk, was it? I understand he’s a favored human of yours, yet he’s been quite disruptive to our plans. It would be troublesome if the suspicion were to fall on you.”

“I have built a sufficient rapport with Gang Jinhyuk. His focus remains solely on Hastings. I’ve already spread the necessary information through Gabriel.”

“Oh? Even reaching out to Eden?”

“No. She’s unaware of the true story. She only believes that Hastings is behind everything.”

Rick waved a hand through the air.

Woosh!

A space appeared, unseen before and beyond imagination, revealing numerous items.

“Nice aroma.”

Rick relished the taste of his coffee.

“Wow! Even viewing it again, your subspace ability is astounding. Mother wasn’t exaggerating when she said you practically own the Tower itself.”

Nyarlathotep added, while whistling.

“Keke! Hastings would faint if he knew this truth. He’s so firmly convinced that he’s the only one chosen by us. You should have seen how subservient he could be.”

“That guy has to believe he’s controlling everything. I prefer to be one step behind.”

“Right. Right you are. It ensures a far more reliable control.”

“Enough with this trivial banter. This time you must retrieve the crown, Nyarlathotep. If things get more complicated, even you will have to pay the price.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already recruited some exceptional individuals. Just make sure the Necronomicon doesn’t fall into human hands. That book… Ah. I truly wish it would just disappear forever. It’s rather bothersome.”

“Got it. I’ll make arrangements for that.”

“Good. I’m counting on you. My eternal partner.”

With a delighted expression, Nyarlathotep refilled his wine glass.

＊＊＊

Whoosh!

A sandstorm raged with scorching winds.

The storm, mixed with fine sand grains, was threatening in itself.

Indeed, most monsters inhabiting this place burrowed into their lairs, avoiding even a glimpse out during the storm.

“It really is extraordinary.”

Cheon Yuseong murmured as he looked outside.

At the temporary base arrived at by the guidance of Yuasis, a cave full of stalactites provided excellent refuge from the storm.

“It’s a relief that we can store food from outside in our subspace inventories here in the 19th floor. We won’t be able to head out until the storm subsides anyway. In the meantime, I’ll treat you to an exquisite French cuisine.”

Teresa rolled up her sleeves, eager to showcase her culinary skills.

Marvelously marbled beef, Mediterranean sea urchin and lobster, accompanied by a fine red wine.

It was clear just from the ingredients that it would not be ordinary.

Adding spicy Arabiatta sauce to the scallops and shrimp, an enticing aroma filled the air.

At this rate,

One would hardly tell if they were here for a raid or a food show.

Even the usually stoic Ellisma seemed to cry out from within her ring.

Perhaps this might be an opportunity to relieve her sulkiness.

While cooking got underway.

Jinhyuk approached Yuasis.

“Ms. Yuasis.”

“Yes?”

“May I have a moment? I have something to ask.”

“Ah. Of course! What is it?”

Yuasis sat up from her loafing cat position and beamed brightly.

“It’s not anything big, but I’m curious about the place we’re heading to.”

“The Sun’s Sand Dune, you mean?”

The Sun’s Sand Dune was the 19th floor’s hidden place, a location where the sun never set, all year round.

Proving the adage that all light converged there, the temperature inside rose staggeringly the deeper one went.

‘At its core, it’s said to be comparable to the sun.’

Jinhyuk had previously explored the place, but he had never reached its deepest parts. At the time, he had no specific goal such as the crown, and there had been far more interesting matters.

“I need a map of the chambers within the dune.”

“…A map?”

“I understand it’s something the Dryad race has passed down through generations. As tools for the forest guardians to fulfill their duties more smoothly.”

Due to the dune’s properties, items with strong magical power get drawn inward.

If the crown were there, it would currently be at the dune’s core.

To find the crown within the limited time, a map detailing the dune’s interior was essential.

“Indeed… Gang Jinhyuk, how do you know so much? How did you come to learn our tribe’s secrets in such detail?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t reveal that. What’s important is not the source of information but what we can solve with it… that’s the crux of the matter.”

Taking a moment after Jinhyuk’s response, Yuasis finally spoke.

“Understood.”

She reached into her hair and plucked out a flower.

Woosh!

As the petals scattered, they grew larger…

And soon, a large map made of petals was revealed, with every chamber and location marked within the Sun’s Sand Dune.

‘Good.’

Jinhyuk clenched his fist slightly in satisfaction.

With this map, finding the crown should be much easier.

But at that moment.

“…Huh?”

Yuasis suddenly looked up.

“What’s the matter?”

“Tha-that is…”

Her expression collapsed rapidly.

Her pupils shook, filled with deep bewilderment.

She had no choice but to react that way.

Even as they spoke, the Dryads she had stationed outside the waterfall were being massacred.

“My sisters… all of them… what sort of monsters could commit such a brutal act…”

Yuasis muttered blankly.

While it was tragic that her comrades were dead, there was an even more serious concern.

Jinhyuk’s mind began to race.

‘These aren’t just ordinary players or residents seeking the relic.’

If that were the case, they would have attempted dialogue with the Dryads or given up the raid.

The allure of the relic was undeniable, but only if the effort yielded a return.

Without a compelling reason, no one would slaughter a forest race to push forth.

Unless.

Unless there was something worth risking everything to obtain.

‘Hastings… did he know about the crown?’

No other explanation made sense.

They had to hurry.

They had to move… now.

＊＊＊

The meal was postponed as Jinhyuk briefed everyone on the recent events.

“You understand our circumstances. But to pass through that storm? Are you in your right mind?”

“Jinhyuk…”

Cheon Yuseong and Teresa expressed their concerns.

“…Survival probability doesn’t even reach 3%.”

Frei calmly conveyed the reality.

Even if being blinded were a secondary concern, navigating through those sandblades would shred their bodies in less than half an hour.

There was a limit to protecting oneself with magical power after all.

“It’s okay. Actually, there’s a way to travel through it.”

“Really? And you only mention it now?”

“Yeah, it comes with some restrictions… But since things have come to this, we might as well give it a try.”

Jinhyuk gathered the drops of water at the tip of a stalactite.

Fizz!

Infusing the droplet with a rune of magical power caused it to emit a cyan hue.

“What kind of restriction makes you keep quiet until now?”

“It requires a deep reserve of magical or internal power to be effective. I’ll probably be fine, but I worried that it might not work for the rest of you.”

“That’s something we can’t just overlook.”

Cheon Yuseong glared.

“It sounds like you think you’re better than me… Is that what you’re implying?”

“No, it’s not about undermining you. I’m just worried about the off chance it won’t work for you, okay?”

“Tch! That itself is an insult!”

Snatching the droplet, Cheon Yuseong activated ‘Defensive Energy.’

A subtle glow spread as his body became completely covered in energy.

Adding the effect of the droplet, he crafted what looked like a formidable armor.

“Watch closely. I’ll be the first to break through that storm, not you. Try to keep up.”

With these words, Cheon Yuseong strode confidently into the maelstrom.

“Aren’t you going to follow him?”

“Let’s wait and observe for a bit.”

Teresa asked, but Jinhyuk seemed in no rush to act, instead intently observing Cheon Yuseong.

A moment later.

“Argh! Darn it. Is this even working? It… it feels like I’m going to die!”

The sound of Cheon Yuseong’s screams resonated from beyond the storm.

Hmm.

It seemed to be too much for him.

If it caused so much pain to Cheon Yuseong, a much older stalactite would be required.

“Come to think of it, there seems to be another way inside the cave. It’s been so long, it’s a bit hazy, but that way should be safer.”

Jinhyuk quickly revised the plan.