Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 286

“Hee hee hee.”

[Blood of the Bronze Giant]

Blood extracted from the body of a Bronze Giant.

Upon consumption, Stamina and Stamina Potential increase by 10% each. (The maximum increase to Stamina and Stamina Potential is 100.)

Upon consumption, Talent: Herculean Strength may be unlocked.

The effects of the Blood of the Bronze Giant will not manifest if consumed again after the initial dose.

Expiration Date: None

Grade: S+

Sejun smiled as he looked at the glass bottle in his hand. A 10% increase in Stamina and Stamina Potential was amazing.

As Sejun examined the bottle’s properties,

“Phoo hoot.”

Theo eagerly licked his belly, waiting for Sejun to pet him. ‘No more shedding, meow!’

Plop.

As Theo preened himself, Sejun opened the glass bottle.

“···?”

A nice smell came from the bottle, like metal mixed with something sweet.

‘I hope it doesn’t taste weird?’

Usually, if something tastes very bitter or sour, it says so in the item description.

Since there was no warning, Sejun felt brave and drank the Blood of the Bronze Giant in one gulp.

Glug.

The thick liquid went into his mouth.

But…

···?!

It tasted indescribably bizarre and awful.

“Ugh!”

Sejun made a face and quickly grabbed some water.

Gulp. Gulp.

He forced the Blood of the Bronze Giant down. The flavor was grotesquely indescribable, like old metal mixed with something sour and rotten.

To make things worse, the liquid was so thick that even water didn’t help much.

“Big trouble, meow! President Park’s face is turning bright red and bumpy again, meow! It looks like it’s burning up!”

Tap tap tap.

Press. Press. Press.

Theo climbed onto Sejun’s shoulder and started kneading Sejun’s face.

“Ugh! Ugh!”

‘Hey! Don’t press!’

Sejun covered his mouth to keep from spitting out the Blood of the Bronze Giant because of Theo’s kneading.

‘I can’t waste a single drop!’

His taste buds were ruined. Sejun swallowed everything, feeling angry.

And then…

[You have consumed the Blood of the Bronze Giant.]

[Stamina and Stamina Potential have increased by 10%.]

[Stamina has increased by 81.]

[Stamina Potential has increased by 85.]

[Talent: Herculean Strength has been unlocked.]

The messages appeared. He hadn’t spilled any, so he got all the benefits.

“Heh heh heh. Alright. I need to check the talent too.”

Sejun smiled and looked at the details of Talent: Herculean Strength. He didn’t expect much since his stats had already increased a lot.

However…

[Talent: Herculean Strength]

-A talent with high potential for Strength.

-Strength increases by 10 each time you level up.

-Strength Potential increases by 500.

Even the talent was amazing.

“Oh!”

As Sejun celebrated,

‘Phoo hoot. President Park fixed his face now, meow!’

Theo, looking proud after kneading, flopped onto Sejun’s lap.

Pat. Pat.

“President Park, I’m ready, meow!”

He patted his belly confidently.

“Yeah, later.”

“Meow?”

Clang.

Sejun put Theo and the animals into the subspace warehouse and went to the 99th floor of the tower.

Meanwhile, back on the 79th floor, after Sejun left,

Rumble.

Blaze moved its roots again, going closer to the tree with the bird inside.

At that moment,

[Blaze, please give me a name!]

[What? You want me to name you?]

[Yes!]

The tree, now able to talk as a sacred tree, asked Blaze for a name.

[Hmm… Well, since I’m Blaze, let’s call you Sprout.]

And that’s how the tree with the bird on the 79th floor got the name Sprout.

Ooooooh.

As red mist came together, a demon appeared. His body was covered in flames, and he had black horns and red wings.

It was Melphix, the 4th Apostle of Destruction, the Demon of Ruin.

“Burn it all!”

Melphix attacked the Blue Tower as soon as he arrived.

Whoosh.

Giant black flames fell on the Blue Tower like meteors, thick with smoke and smelling of burning sulfur.

“Defend it!”

Krooooh!

The blue dragons, guarding their home, breathed out icy blasts, like freezing storms, to stop Melphix’s attack.

If they hadn’t doubled the number of dragons because of Halphas, they would have been badly hurt by Melphix’s surprise attack.

“Light of Ruin!”

Melphix prepared another attack.

Krooooh!

The blue dragons blocked Melphix’s attack again with their icy breath.

It was a tense standoff, a desperate defense.

“Hah… Hah…”

“Hang in there!”

“We have to hold out until the Chieftain arrives!”

They were getting tired from blocking Melphix’s attacks.

“Heh heh. Are you tired already?”

Melphix didn’t seem tired at all.

At that moment,

“You fiend! How dare you show up here?!”

Moring Aster, the chieftain of the Aster family, the Great Blue Dragon, arrived with all the blue dragons in the area.

“Where else would I be but where ice lizards live! Die! Wave of Ruin!”

Black flames rose like a tidal wave, ready to swallow the dragons.

“How dare you!”

Krooooh!

Moring breathed out towards the black flames.

As the leader, Moring’s breath was much stronger than the other dragons’.

Wham!

Moring’s breath hit Melphix’s black flames.

However…

“Eek!”

Moring’s breath was stopped by the Wave of Ruin.

Meanwhile, the blue dragons who came with Moring gave the essence of ice, a magical energy that quickly healed their tiredness, to the blue dragons fighting Melphix.

The essence of ice was used to balance the world, and also to restore the blue dragons’ strength.

And then…

“Support the Chieftain!”

Krooooh!

All the blue dragons breathed towards Moring’s breath.

Then, their breaths joined together with Moring’s, making it bigger and stronger.

Bang!

Moring’s breath, with the dragons’ help, destroyed the Wave of Ruin and attacked Melphix.

“Heh heh. The blue dragons are still good at fighting.”

Crack.

Melphix tore off his hand, which had been frozen by the blue dragons’ breath.

“But if that’s all you’ve got, you will all die!”

Melphix threw his severed arm.

CRASH! “Ugh!” Moring cried out. He blocked the blow, but the force ripped off some of his blue scales. A small, bleeding wound appeared on his side.

Melphex hissed, “Seal Release!” At the same moment, strange markings on his body glowed. Suddenly, three more pairs of wings burst from his back. He seemed to grow bigger and stronger instantly, like a storm was brewing inside him.

Then, a sickening CRACK echoed. Moring stared in horror as Melphex’s arm, which had been hurt, began to heal itself. Skin and scales grew back quickly, as if by magic.

“Attack now!” roared Moring. KROOOOAH! A blast of blue fire shot from Moring’s mouth towards Melphex. KROOOOAH! KROOOOAH! Other blue dragons joined in, sending streams of fire at the regenerating enemy.

“Hee hee. Is that the best you can do, little lizards?” Melphex chuckled, easily swatting away the flames with one massive claw. His other arm was already almost fully healed, scales shimmering as they reformed.

‘I must last until help comes!’ Moring thought desperately. He took a deep breath, smoke puffing from his nostrils, and scanned the brown and green towers nearby. They were tall and sturdy, like ancient trees made of stone.

Being closest, he hoped the dragons in those towers would see the attack on his blue tower and rush to help. But then, Moring’s eyes widened in shock. “No…?!” He saw brown and green dragons battling strange, shadowy figures in the distance.

Brown and green towers were also under attack by these shadowy creatures. ‘Could it be… are all nine towers being attacked?’ Moring’s heart sank. Looking around at the chaos, he felt a wave of despair wash over him. They were losing.

Just as Moring’s hope began to fade, a deafening CRACK split the air. “Ugh!” Melphex roared in pain. “What in the skies?!” A voice boomed, “Who else could it be but the magnificent Kaiser Fritani!” Suddenly, a huge black shape slammed into Melphex. It was Kaiser, the black dragon, arriving like a thunderbolt.

CRASH! BOOM! Kaiser unleashed a flurry of blows. Melphex was caught completely off guard, taking hit after hit without being able to defend himself.

Then, Melphex gasped, “Heh heh… This isn’t over, dragons…” SNAP! Kaiser’s teeth clamped down on Melphex’s neck. In a flash of red light, Melphex dissolved into a swirling red mist and vanished, leaving only the scent of burnt magic in the air.

CLINK. A small, gold coin fell to the ground. Kaiser quickly snatched it up. Turning to Moring with a cheerful grin, he asked, “Well, Moring, are you alright?”

“Uh… yeah, I’m fine,” Moring mumbled, trying to hide the pain in his shoulder. But Kaiser’s eyes widened dramatically. “Gasp! Moring, you’re wounded! Oh no, you poor thing! Don’t worry, Kaiser is here to heal you!” He pointed at the small wound on Moring’s shoulder with exaggerated concern.

Inside his mind, Kaiser was cheering. *Dragon blood! Perfect!* He plastered a wide, fake smile on his face and stepped closer to Moring. “Nonsense, nonsense! You must be exhausted! Let me take care of this.” Moring started to protest, “Really, I’m okay, I can–” But Kaiser cut him off. “Don’t be silly! A hero like you needs to be in top shape!” Then, with a sudden, sharp tug, RIP! RIP! Kaiser ripped off a handful of scales around Moring’s wound. Moring yelped in surprise and pain as Kaiser then SQUEEZED the raw flesh, trying to force out every last drop of blood.

Moring’s dragon healing was already working fast, so not much blood was coming out. This wasn’t healing; it was robbery disguised as kindness.

“OW! Hey! That really hurts!” Moring snapped, finally losing his patience. “Why are you ripping off my scales and squeezing me? You can heal it with magic!” He was angrier about Kaiser’s rough “healing” than he had been about the actual wound.

“Oh! Right, right! Healing! Silly me!” Kaiser said with fake innocence. Now that he had his dragon blood, he waved a hand and a soft green light washed over Moring’s shoulder, instantly closing the wound. And in the brown and green towers, the same strange “healing” was happening. “Oh dear! You’re injured! Let me help!” Kellinon cried out in the brown tower. “Good heavens! A scratch! Allow me!” Lamter exclaimed in the green tower. Both of them were also busy “healing” their fellow dragons, while secretly collecting precious dragon blood.

Far away from the dragon towers, on the 99th floor of the tower… The ground rumbled gently as the giant earthworm moved slowly through a peaceful, sunlit field. Scritch, scritch went Theo’s claws as he kneaded Sejun’s lap, purring loudly. “Hehe. Good meow!” Theo murmured, his green eyes half-closed in bliss. He was finally getting the long petting session he deserved.

A soft grumble came from Kkuenge, who had fallen asleep with his head resting comfortably on Sejun’s backside. Beep beep went Bbyot, snuggled on top of Kkuenge’s warm belly, also fast asleep. [Hehe. I like the sun because it’s warm,] Fire thought happily, basking in the sunlight from his perch on Sejun’s shoulder, his leaves glowing a vibrant green.

“Earthworm,” Sejun said softly, “let’s take a slow route today. Just enjoy the sunshine with everyone.” -Yes, Master, the earthworm rumbled in agreement. Responding to Sejun’s wish for a peaceful time, the giant worm slowed its pace, meandering along a winding path through the fields instead of its usual direct route.

After a long, relaxing journey, -Master, we have arrived, the earthworm announced, its voice a low rumble in the ground. It had taken a path that was almost an hour longer than usual, just as Sejun had asked, bringing them to the peaceful farm on the 99th floor.

“Alright, Vice President Theo, time to wake up,” Sejun said gently. “Meow… no wake up yet!” Theo whined, clinging to Sejun’s clothes. “More pets, meow!” He had been enjoying the petting for nearly two hours and wasn’t ready to stop. CHUCK. Sejun gently but firmly lifted Theo by the scruff of his neck. “That’s enough relaxing for now, little buddy.” “Nyaa… fine,” Theo grumbled, defeated. Sejun chuckled, scooped up the still-sleeping Kkuenge and Bbyot in his arms, and slid down the earthworm’s smooth head. WHOOSH. THUD. “We’re here,” Sejun announced, stepping onto the soft earth of his farm. “Dinner time, everyone!” He quickly cooked some fried eggs and served dried sweet potatoes, a simple but satisfying meal. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the peaceful farm, Sejun went to bed early, feeling content.

Sejun stretched and yawned, feeling completely rested after a good night’s sleep. As he opened his eyes, a familiar message shimmered into view: [10% of the life force you had while sleeping has been saved.] [The Orb of Life is 0.1% complete.]

He realized that by sleeping, he was slowly filling the Orb of Life. “One thousand days… that’s how long it will take to create one extra life,” Sejun murmured to himself. Three years for just one extra life. It was an incredible gift, but a small voice in his head whispered, “*Will I even survive that long in this dangerous tower?*” The thought cast a shadow over his otherwise peaceful morning.

“Come on, sleepyhead, time to start the day, Vice President Theo,” Sejun chuckled, gently nudging the still-drowsy cat. “Nyaa…” Theo mumbled again, but this time, he slowly opened his eyes. Sejun picked up the whining cat and placed him on his lap. SCRATCH. He marked another day on the rough stone wall – day 363. Another day in the tower. “Right, black beans first,” Sejun said to himself, heading towards the entrance to his subspace warehouse. CLANG! The heavy door swung open. CLICK. He opened the Golden Box of Abundance, carefully taking out two plump black beans before closing it with a soft click. As Sejun stepped out of the subspace warehouse, carrying the six black beans he needed for the day, he was greeted by a chorus of cheerful dragon voices. -Kahaha! Look who’s here! It’s Sejun! -Woohahaha! Sejun, you’re here! -Sejun, you lucky farmer! The dragons swooped down towards him, their faces beaming, and each one carrying a heavy sack overflowing with coins.