I actually just wanted to rest.

Checking the posts on the Community was the catalyst.

---

---

I couldn’t help but look, as content related to Cheonha kept being posted.

‘...I have no intention of posting anything, though.’

Had I ever received this much attention in my life?

I don’t think so. I was always the type to quietly blend into my surroundings. Even if it was just my Nickname, I never expected the Community to be in such an uproar.

‘It makes sense, I guess.’

After all, it is the world’s first HL+ Difficulty clear. It’s dizzying even when I think about it myself. Damn it, what can I do? I just have to accept it.

If only there wasn't a Forced Clear Penalty, at least.

It was then, as I was scrolling through the System Message window.

‘...Hm?’

There was a rare Post that had nothing to do with Cheonha. That in itself wasn't strange, but what I was looking for was right there.

A post specifically about a Penalty.

---

---

‘Clear faster than the Penalty?’

It seemed certain that the Elf in the Post was also struggling because of a Penalty.

‘I don’t know if it’s the exact same Penalty as mine, though.’

The System Community I’m currently using is exclusive to the "Civilization" world. The System arbitrarily gave that Name to the world where 21st-century humanity lives. However, Players climbing the Tower weren't just from the Civilization world. I heard that various races from multiple dimensions were struggling to climb the Tower.

I heard that later on, we’d be able to use an Integrated Dimensional Community as well.

‘But seeing as even Morning Sunshine doesn't know about the Penalty... it might be useless even if I look through the Integrated Dimensional Community.’

Still, there would be more Information than there is now. Of course, that’s for later.

‘Right now, I need a way to remove the Penalty.’

I read the Post carefully again. It said that to remove a Penalty, one must Clear the Tower faster. So, instead of being dragged in by force, if I enter the Tower on my own feet, wouldn't the Penalty naturally be lifted?

It’s just a guess, but...

‘It’s worth a try.’

My heart wanted to delay entering as much as possible, but I couldn't stay still after seeing that Post. Hell Difficulty is basically self-sufficient. Unless I could obtain Items from the outside, there was no way to get stronger. This meant that delaying my entry wouldn't lead to any clever solutions.

‘My condition is...’

I’d rested for about an hour and a half. Honestly, it wasn't bad.

‘This should be fine.’

Now I understand why they say an Awakened’s body is different from an ordinary person’s. I had clearly been rolling, crawling, and Wall-Climbing like crazy inside the Tower, but my fatigue had already vanished as if it had been washed away.

“Tsk.”

All that’s left is the resolve. There was nothing more to prepare. I had already gathered all the information about the 2nd Floor thanks to Morning Sunshine and Mad Dog.

‘If I can lift the Penalty by challenging it early, then it’s right to challenge it.’

As I climb the floors, more dangerous enemies will appear, so it’s better to resolve the Penalty issue as soon as possible. After taking a light breath, I summoned the System.

‘...Let’s go.’

Strike while the iron is hot. Dragging it out wasn't going to solve anything.

After using the Stealth Skill, I brought up the system window.

My vision begins to change rapidly.

A sky darkening toward dusk.

Beneath the towering black castle walls stood three Goblins.

A Knight, an Archer, and a Mage.

‘Just as I heard...’

It was a composition that matched exactly what Mad Dog had said. In Hell Difficulty, there are two Archers, but in HELL+, one had been replaced by a Mage.

‘Mad Dog definitely has Information on HL+.’

I suspect he might even know about Players from other dimensions. I observed the Goblins before me while remaining in Stealth.

‘First, the Knight.’

The Knight Goblin was clad in sophisticated silver armor that left not a single opening to pierce.

‘The Goblins in the rear, too.’

The Archer and Mage Goblins also had sharp, formidable glares. Unlike the half-naked Goblins on the 1st Floor, the fact that they were wearing proper leather clothes and a Robe gave off a different vibe.

‘This isn't a composition that a Player who just reached the 2nd Floor can beat.’

They looked like they would have killed me the moment our eyes met if I didn't have the Stealth Skill.

Kieek, kieek...

They looked around, searching for me. Stealth still worked.

‘Just in case, I should move to a location they wouldn't expect.’

There would be no greater disaster than dying from being hit by a sword or magic they swung thoughtlessly. I quickly moved to the right.

At that very moment—

Boom—!

The Knight Goblin leaped in the blink of an eye, and its longsword struck the ground. The earth surged upward along with a blue energy.

‘Crazy, did he target the spot where I might have been?’

I would have died if I hadn't moved. Cold sweat trickled down my forehead.

The shock was brief.

Whirrr—.

A red energy began to flow from the wand of the Mage Goblin in the back, soaking the ground. In an instant, red light surged from the entire surface of the earth.

‘It looks like he’s preparing magic.’

Something unusual was happening. It was different from the 1st Floor in many ways.

Kieek.

They weren't flustered by my absence; instead, they naturally assumed I had hidden myself and were trying to find me. I could rush the Mage right now to stop the casting, but I could feel the Knight Goblin keeping a close eye on the rear.

Tap, tap, tap! I ran quickly and climbed the castle wall on the right.

Almost at the same time—

Whoosh—!

Intense flames covered the ground in an instant.

‘What is this...’

Since I was up on the wall, I could see it even better. The entire field recognized by the System was burning fiercely. Trees engulfed in flames collapsed one by one.

The range and destructive power were immense. The intense heat made my face feel like it was burning. As I mentioned, there is no Mage in the original HELL Difficulty. There are only two Archers.

But by becoming HELL+ Difficulty, an Archer was changed to a Mage...

A drop of sweat rolled down my forehead.

‘How am I supposed to clear this?’

If I had been standing on the ground without knowing anything, I would have been caught in the surging flames and turned to ash. The flames lasted for about 20 seconds.

Kieek...

Only when the Mage Goblin lowered its wand with an exhausted Expression did the burning earth finally calm down.

“Not, kieek, on the ground.”

A voice came from the Knight Goblin, who was staring at the scorched earth.

‘They even talk?’

It wasn't surprising that I could understand them. There is no language barrier in the Tower. However, the fact that they could already use ‘language’ was shocking. I knew that Monsters with high intelligence could only be encountered after climbing a significant number of floors.

“Overhead... Kieek.”

The Knight Goblin raised his sword.

Swish, vroom—.

From the blade he swung lightly, a blue demonic energy stretched out into the air. He was a piece of work too.

‘I heard they don't release sword energy in Hell...’

In HELL+, there was no mercy. The Knight Goblin carefully swung his sword, aiming at the empty air. After firing sword energy in all four directions, the Knight Goblin lowered his sword, seemingly realizing it was futile.

“Kieek, next is the wall. Mage. Grrr, preparation?”

“...Need time.”

Their intelligence is no joke. Beyond just speaking, their communication was smooth.

“Grrr, doesn't matter. Player. Weak. Kieek, hiding and won't come out.”

The Knight Goblin began to guard the surroundings with his sword in hand. It seemed he decided to protect the Mage instead of recklessly moving to find me.

In this situation, I was the one getting anxious.

‘...I have to take out the Mage.’

I could see that the Mage was exhausted. It was probably because he had used a spell of considerable size.

‘I have to finish it before the Mage recovers.’

I climbed down from the wall and approached the Goblins. The Knight and the Archer were standing in front and behind the Mage, as if protecting him.

‘They’re practically acting as bodyguards.’

The moment I reveal myself, they’ll swing their sword and fire Arrows without hesitation. Stealth is not invincibility. There was a possibility that a random attack they swung could result in a fatal wound.

It’s obvious I’m targeting the Mage. Even if I take him out, I’ll 100% be attacked.

‘In that case...’

Dash—!

I ran toward the front of the Knight Goblin. It was a frontal breakthrough I would never have attempted if I weren't in Stealth.

The Knight wore Full Plate Armor. He was covered in armor from head to toe. Even his head was protected by a Helmet, leaving no visible opening to strike.

However, if there was one single gap...

‘The eyes.’

The tiny slit carved out to secure vision. In a normal combat situation, it would have been impossible to target and attack this part, but...

Now that I was hidden by Stealth, it was entirely possible.

Whirrr—.

Ash-colored smoke began to flow along the Dagger.

‘I’ll end this in one go!’

I thrust the blade of the Dagger into the Goblin’s Helmet. There was no fear of missing. With my other hand, I had firmly gripped the creature’s Helmet.

Stab!

The Dagger, thrust through the tiny gap, pierced its skull.

At that moment—

Splatter—!

The Knight Goblin inside the armor exploded into red blood. Just as the armor, having lost its owner, was about to collapse—

“Kieek?!”

“Kieeeek!”

Surprised by the sudden Attack, the Archer Goblin released its bowstring.

Whiz—! Clang!

The Arrow that flew through the air, cutting the wind, was deflected by the Knight Goblin’s armor. This was lucky. It would have been a direct hit if not for the armor.

Dash! I kicked off the ground and ran. My position was already compromised. I had to quickly change my location to prevent them from finding me.

Swish, swish-swish—!

Arrows fired in succession struck the ground a step too late. The Archer seemed quite flustered.

“Ch-Kieek. Lie. Knight. Dead.”

“Hold on, I will use magic...!”

Red energy began to rise from the Mage Goblin’s body. There was no way I would just let that happen.

They couldn't pinpoint my location anyway. Since I had already taken out the most threatening Knight Goblin first, there was nothing left to worry about.

Squish—!

The sharp Dagger emerged through the Mage Goblin’s chest.

“Kieeeek?!”

It died instantly with the sound of boiling metal.

“Grrr, Grrrr!”

The panicked Archer Goblin began to fire Arrows randomly.

Thwack!

Arrows were lodged in the Mage Goblin’s corpse. A few Arrows even almost hit me. One grazed my cheek narrowly, and another passed by, leaving a long scratch on my shoulder.

There was no wound, thanks to the defensive power of the assassin's Robe I obtained from the Hidden Place.

“Ki, kiek.”

Soon, the Archer Goblin ran out of Arrows. It pulled out a small knife from its belt and began to swing it wildly. It was a final struggle to escape from an invisible opponent.

“...”

There was no need to indulge that struggle. I wasn't a swordsman or a warrior who fought head-on. I had to hunt thoroughly in the manner of a Rogue.

It wasn't difficult. I just had to wait for the prey to get tired.

“Ki, kieeeek...”

At the very moment the swinging dagger slowed down and the creature panted, exhausted from its own efforts—

I pierced it with my Dagger.

Splurt—.

Red blood splattered on the ground, and it was over.

“Phew...”

I exhaled the breath I had been holding. I did it. HL+ Difficulty. There were a few dizzying moments, but I’d say this was a pretty decent Clear.

System Messages appeared one after another.

Come to think of it, just like before... there is a Constellation.

It’s a term for the transcendent beings existing in the Tower; I know they can be helpful by sponsoring Players they like or granting them abilities. I heard you can only see them once you reach high floors.

Having a Constellation watching me from such an early stage was a good thing.

‘Just their existence increases the rewards.’

I don’t know which Constellation it is yet. I think the system related to Constellations unlocks at the 10th Floor.

“Well, anyway...”

I turned my gaze to the system window.

Along with a red light, a Dagger with a black blade floated up. The reward for the 2nd Floor was a weapon.

---

---

Compared to the Dagger I had, it was a vastly superior item. The one I was using originally was just a normal Dagger, not even an Item. That’s why I was able to bring it into the Tower, but now I don't need it anymore.

‘A Unique weapon from the 2nd Floor. HELL+ Difficulty really is different.’

In Normal, it was a grade that appeared after the 40th Floor, and in Hard, after the 30th. Getting it on the 2nd Floor is honestly ridiculous.

Grip.

I tried holding the Dagger. It felt incredibly smooth in my hand. Yet, it stuck firmly, as if it wouldn't slip.

‘Even a healing reduction debuff...’

It means that if I deal damage with this Dagger, the wounds won't heal easily. I wonder what the price would be in reality. It might easily exceed 1 billion.

While it’s impossible to bring items into Hell Difficulty from the outside, there’s no problem with me selling items for money.

‘I have no intention of selling it, though.’

It’s practically my lifeline. I plan to use it effectively until the end. I broke through HL+ 2nd Floor with even a plain Dagger, so I’m looking forward to how far I can go with a Unique Dagger—

‘Wait.’

I quickly cooled my excitement. What did I just say? That I’m looking forward to how far I can go?

That’s ridiculous. Go where?

I was practically dragged into HL+ Difficulty, and now I’m grinning just because I got one Unique Item?

Damn, is this why environment is so important? One slip-up and you die; that’s the Tower. I’m different from those Hell Players. I’m not some crazy guy who’s dying to climb the Tower.

‘This clear was also strictly to get rid of the Penalty.’

It’s just good that I got a Dagger and my survival rate went up. Yeah, that’s it.

After steeling my heart, I picked up the Magic Stones dropped by the Goblins and stood up. Shall I head out now?

I had to check the most important thing—the Penalty.

‘Wait, 4 times?’

The stat increase for Hell Difficulty is 3 times. It seems HELL+ Difficulty is higher at 4 times. Honestly, the rewards are amazing.

That’s probably why I keep thinking this is doable.

So, if you’re asking if the Penalty disappeared.

It was the same.

‘No, it’s useless.’

I cleared it believing in that Community Post, but the result was completely unsatisfying. I guess it can’t be helped since I tried it with a "nothing to lose" attitude.

“...At least it’s 3 days this time.”

I got two more days. I don't know if I should be happy about this or not. Still, two days was plenty of time to prepare various things.

‘Coolly speaking, HL+ is more doable than I thought.’

I’ve gained confidence after clearing the 2nd Floor. The Stealth and Ambush abilities are exceptionally outstanding, too. At this rate, I’m not that afraid.

‘Can’t I do something about the Penalty, though?’

I pulled up the Community. Since I cleared the 2nd Floor in a single day, the reaction would obviously be explosive. I should check the Community and also the messages. Morning Sunshine or Mad Dog will probably contact me again.

Thinking that, I checked the message window.

‘Wait a minute.’

【HL】 Last Chance

— If you’re worried about the penalty, reply. I know the solution.

This message had arrived from another Hell Player.