The More the Healer Gets Hit the Stronger He Become

36 – The Twenty-Ninth Trial (3)

After enduring all sorts of hardships, the King Slime faced at the end was grotesquely huge. 4 meters? No, 5 meters?

“Kkuheuheuk, heuheuheu-!!”

The sound of bubbling phlegm echoed in the cave.

It was funny. Laughter erupted.

Even though the taste of blood was felt along with the sound of iron boiling, as if the throat had melted down to acid, the adventurer couldn’t resist the laughter.

Seeing that figure, how could one not burst into laughter?

“Kkuheuk, he… heeuueuk.”

Through the long and treacherous cave, they had run to the point of exhaustion, all while focusing solely on the boss monster.

It was a time of desperation and horror, unlike any struggle they had faced in their life.

Yet, one of the reasons they hadn’t given up and managed to arrive here was the belief that reaching the boss, meeting the boss, meant surviving the trial.

That was the mindset.

“Kuk, daamn… Baal……”

What could that creature, seemingly about 5 meters in size, be?

“….”

Could they defeat such a creature with their explosion skill three times?

No, what if they couldn’t even use the explosion skill twice due to their magic deficiency?

Jumping into this unpredictable gamble with an unknown win rate here seemed unwise.

Perhaps it would be better to first completely heal their body with the remaining high-grade healing potions and spells, and then explore other options.

Anxiety tightened its grip around Gangwoo’s throat, narrowing his field of vision.

In the midst of such overwhelming thoughts, Gangwoo, swaying under the weight of his feeble reflections, was startled by a presence felt behind him.

The fact that he had momentarily forgotten about the pursuing slimes behind him while encountering the boss.

“Kku, kkuhuhuhu.”

In front, behind, there were slimes.

Where exactly had he tried to escape to?

Downing the last superior healing potion, his skin, sticky like melted candle wax, recovered to about third-degree burns.

It was a disappointing recovery, but it was the best he could manage.

And Rain pulled out his longbow.

“Kyaoooo!”

Drawing the bowstring, he aimed at the King Slime.

For a moment, he felt as foolish as a lunatic.

Running away?

The only way to escape this ordeal was to deal with that damn creature.

And just then, Rain, who had saved his magic solely for this moment, attempted to infuse the power into the disastrous ring, Fernices.

“Paat!”

One of the slimes that had surrounded Rain until now darted swiftly past him.

“…?”

Startled, Rain looked back. Following the first one, slimes began moving as if lured by a flute’s melody.

“What the…?”

Those persistent pursuers. It was eerie how suddenly they shifted from being like pebbles on the roadside to intruders…

It was ominous.

Rain, following the moving slimes with his gaze, tensed up.

The place where slimes moved as if possessed. In that place, a scene that felt strangely familiar was unfolding.

Kioooooo-!

On the 22nd floor, after defeating the skeletons, the fragments gathered and merged in real-time, a scene reminiscent of a remake.

Indeed, was it because it was a remake?

Unlike the Cockroach Skeleton King, who didn’t even reach 2 meters 50 after completing the transformation, the King Slime, rapidly absorbing slimes even after completing its transformation, was demonstrating the true power of metamorphosis.

“Ha….”

Before we knew it, the King Slime, who had completed the absorption of all the slimes and mergers, evolved to a size exceeding twice its original.

Kyaooooooo-!!

As the size grew enormous, even the cries became thunderous.

With a booming roar, the cave echoed, and dust fell as if in response.

Even when the size was 5 meters, there was concern that it would be dealt with as a disaster, but now it had become a monster of 10 meters.

However….

That fact didn’t change that the bastard had to be beaten to death.

Aiming at the roaring King Slime, Kang-woo pulled the bowstring.

“Just a bit….”

Wuuung-

As if expressing all the anger accumulated so far, an intangible force imbued the arrow pulled to its limit.

“Die, you bastard.”

Whizzzzz-!

The arrow left the bow at a rapid speed, heading straight for the King Slime.

Before the collision could occur.

Whoosh— Whoosh—!

Gangwoo, squeezing out every last drop of mana, sent two more arrows flying.

“hehehe, three skills… done.”

Gangwoo raised the corner of his mouth as he watched the arrows soar vigorously.

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Although the warning signs of mana depletion echoed through his bones, it couldn’t interfere with the moment of life and death.

———.

The initial arrow, followed by the second and third arrows.

A dazzling flash erupted consecutively around the arrowhead.

Inside the cave, which had become indistinguishable in front of him.

Within it, without blinking an eye, flames flickered in Gangwoo’s pupils as he stared straight ahead.

Kwaaang—!!

A single explosion followed by a chain of explosions.

Gangwoo, who had been watching with eyes wide open, determined to witness the death of King Slime, finally relaxed as the cave walls shattered into pieces, and green slime sprayed in all directions.

“It’s done.”

As the slime sprayed from all directions due to the aftermath of the explosion, there was no escape from the immense amount of slime that surged as much as the size of King Slime.

The passage behind him had already begun to collapse, and there was no way to escape backward.

Even though he should move his body immediately to try to prevent any damage, Gangwoo did not move.

Thud.

‘Done.’

Chiiiiiiiiik-

As acidic slime touched the already reddened skin, the wounds worsened rapidly.

However, as if his senses were paralyzed, Kangwoo, standing at a distance, didn’t even utter a painful groan.

[Trial concluded.]

[Measurement of contribution for rewards initiation.]

Only after hearing the notification of the trial’s completion.

He collapsed without strength.

‘… I did it.’

That was Kangwoo’s final memory.

***

29th floor Safe Zone.

A man appeared in one corner of the Safe Zone.

“Uh, ugh-“

The man, unconscious, looked desperately urgent at first glance.

It was evident he had gone through something severe during the trial, as his entire body was crimson to the point of disbelief in being alive.

Severe burns covered his entire body, and scattered among them were wounds where bones were exposed, likely leading to a life-threatening situation if left untreated.

Normally, the Safe Zone would be filled with screams and people rushing in such situations.

Unfortunately, at this crucial moment when someone’s help was desperately needed, the Safe Zone remained silent.

Not only because it was the time when most people were asleep, but also because the location where the man was moved happened to be an area surrounded by tents.

10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes…

The man’s breath, which had been hurried, gradually began to slow down.

It was the moment when the flame of one life was about to flicker away.

[Points: 64,599]

[You are in a state where you can use the VIP store.]

[The owner of the ‘VIP Store’ invites Mr. Choigangwoo to the VIP store.]

[If you don’t reject, the invitation will be automatically accepted.]

[5… 4… 3… 2… 1.]

[The invitation from the ‘VIP Store’ owner is accepted.]

[The move to Mr. Choigangwoo’s VIP store begins.]

Flash!

The abnormal notification from the system began to spread with a ring.

With a flash, the man’s figure disappeared.

***

Gradually clearing his mind, the first thought that came to him was how refreshing it felt, as if his body were about to soar.

“….”

Unlike the hard floor of the tent, the lying position was lush. It was as if lying on a bed.

Kangwoo, who slowly opened his eyes, scanned his surroundings.

It wasn’t the familiar ceiling of the tent.

Decorations hanging everywhere, a white ceiling, and as his gaze lowered, a plush bed came into view.

Slowly scanning the surroundings, Kangwoo made a judgment.

This wasn’t a safe zone.

A place where such items existed inside the tower…

“Have you woken up?”

A woman’s voice came from outside the open door.

“It’s Milena.”

Realizing that Milena, the culprit who brought him here, was the one calling, Kangwoo descended from the bed slowly.

Thud, thud.

Approaching the door, he opened it slightly. A familiar scene greeted him as much as the familiar voice.

“You woke up just in time; I was contemplating whether to wake you up since it’s later than expected!”

An 8-seater leather sofa, a 100-inch wall-mounted TV, and the ever-chatty manager Milena.

“The VIP store…”

“Yes! Well, to be precise, the VIP store is the department store from before, and this place is like my home. Anyway, you were transferred through the VIP store.”

Milena, kindly responding to Kangwoo’s muttering, gestured to him, standing a bit away.

“Come here! You’ve been through a lot; you should have a meal!”

…”

Even at Milena’s invitation, Kangwoo remained silent. He just silently stared at Milena, who was smiling brightly.

Then, perhaps Kangwoo’s unresponsive attitude was frustrating.

Milena, who had approached with lively steps, took Kangwoo’s hand and led him.

“Well, have a seat for now!”

Led by Milena, Kangwoo sat on the sofa and finally noticed the array of food laid out on the marble table.

Instant noodles, pizza, chicken, kimchi stew, bibimbap……

“I didn’t know the taste of the master of prophecy, so I just prepared whatever I could….”

Milena, wearing an embarrassed expression, glanced at Kangwoo.

“Don’t you have any preferences? Well, if you tell me what you want to eat, I’ll prepare it right away.”

If he just said the word, she was ready to arrange any dish for him.

Kangwoo nodded slightly.

“It’s okay.”

The warm bed, cozy blankets, comfortable sofa, a proper table, and the food prepared for him on top of it.

It was something he had longed for and desired as he climbed to the top.

But at this moment, Kangwoo wasn’t pleased with anything.

More precisely, he didn’t have the luxury to be pleased.

“Still, you should eat something….”

His body felt incredibly light, and all the wounds were undoubtedly healed.

Yet, breathing was difficult.

It felt like he was still wandering through that damn long cave, struggling for breath and trembling legs.

“Master of prophecy?”

With each step, the excruciating pain that had spread with every step vividly returned.

The fear of endlessly running through that dark path, not knowing when it would end, tightened his throat.

Now, it’s only the 29th floor, but what about the 40th? The 60th? How do you climb beyond that?

No, is it possible to climb up? Is conquering the tower something achievable?

Even if I form a team and challenge the trials from now on.

Once I go up beyond the 60th floor, I’ll soon be alone again.

At that time, if…

Going up floor by floor is as challenging as it is now, what should I do?

I want to escape.

I want to cling and beg to be sent out of the tower.

But…

‘If I run away? The imminent destruction that will follow? Our innocent family?’

Suddenly, after a short time since the start of the 29th-floor trial.

Realizing that the ore on the ceiling is not ore but slime, he recalled the moment when he took a step back and was blocked at a dead end.

‘What did I do back then?’

With just a shield hanging, he jumped into the pit full of slimes.

“Are you okay?”

Even if he leaves the tower, there is nowhere to escape.

A dead end, just like the 29th-floor trial.

Looking up, Kang Woo, with concern in his eyes, said to Milena.

“Can I see the items first?”

Unlike his past self who jumped in without anticipating the hardships ahead, he now knows how painful the path ahead will be.

“Here, now?”

“Yes, right now.”

Kang Woo leaped into the pit once again.