"Eat a lot, my Cherry."
Jin-hyuk stroked the red-stained, man-eating plant.
It had eaten all the food in the warehouse, so its size and power exceeded his expectations.
And…
"Kuaaak!"
The huge plant, now over ten meters tall, roared loudly.
The air felt electrified.
Contrary to the name Jin-hyuk had given it, this was the most terrifying nightmare a player could see.
"H-here it comes!"
"Damn it, spread out now! If you stay together, you will be annihilated!"
Kwakwakwang!
Its large vines swept through the mart in an instant.
"What is all this!"
Hwangbo Gunak screamed as he moved forward without hesitation.
"Uh?"
"If this base is destroyed, the number of zombies that will hunt you will increase! Why did you do such a stupid thing?"
The 4th floor was a competitive stage and a floor that required at least minimum collaboration.
If someone openly trolled a fellow defender like this, everyone could die.
Even if they were members of the Murim from the 20th floor, they couldn't handle it all.
'That stupid player must not know this.'
If he knew the consequences of his actions, he wouldn't have dared to do something like this. Hwangbo Gunak clicked his tongue.
But…
"You must be afraid of the queen."
The words that came out of Jin-hyuk's mouth were unexpected.
"Q-queen? You know about that?"
"Of course."
There were two ways to get special rewards on the 4th floor. The first was to achieve the most kills.
And the second was to be voted the most popular defensive base by the subscribers.
Those were the two.
But in actuality, there was another way to get rewards. There was a third way.
The hidden quest, 'Womb of the Dead.'
Defeating the queen of zombies was the best way to get the biggest reward on this floor.
"…I cannot believe it. How did a human who just got into the Tower—"
"A special event will happen if one of the large bases guarded by over 200 players is destroyed before three hours have passed. And that is what is happening now."
'I found this method as a shortcut by bringing a cheap clay doll to life.'
There was no chance that a well-defended base manned by over 200 people would fall before the third wave.
Therefore, the queen of zombies would only wake up when it became known that humanity's power was weak.
In order to wipe out all unworthy enemies in one hit, it would move directly toward humanity's base.
At Jin-hyuk's actions, Hwangbo Gunak lost his composure.
It was true.
The opponent knew everything.
"You knew about the queen, but you intend to bring her here?"
"I don't want to block fifty waves of zombies one after another. It's boring and, needless to say, exhausting too."
Under normal circumstances, they would end up staying here for a few weeks. There was a way to avoid that suffering, and there was no reason to choose the difficult path.
Of course, at first, he had planned to go the long route. That was because destroying a large base within three waves would result in a massacre.
But the moment he met them—and after realizing they had chosen the best base on the floor—he changed his plans.
There was no reason to feel bad for those who had raised their swords against him first.
"With this, all of your base is destroyed."
No matter how powerful they were, dealing with zombies without a base was unreasonable. There was also a limit to their physical endurance.
"So for the remaining time, wherever you live, do your best."
His purpose for coming here had been fulfilled. Now it was time to return.
Jin-hyuk turned his back without hesitation.
"Where do you think you're running after saying whatever you want? Do you think you can get out of here alive?"
Kakang!
Sparks flew from Zhuge Cheon's sword.
However, Jin-hyuk paid him no attention as he walked out of the mart. There was no reason to fight anymore.
"Kieeik!"
The plant had already turned their base into ruins.
At the same time—
Bang! Bang!
At Sangam Stadium, a frantic black wave crashed against the rocky plants.
[The Rock Plant activates Lv1 'Deep Root'!]
The rocky plant had a steep body, so steep that even zombies couldn't easily climb over it.
This time, the zombies began climbing by using each other's bodies as footholds.
"Krrr!"
"Kuaaa!"
The zombies at the bottom were crushed by the weight, but they didn't feel pain.
But the moment the first zombies crossed the plant barrier—
"Kiik?"
A shadow fell over its head.
[The Fleshy Plant uses Lv1 'Whole Body Leap'!]
Woong!
A massive fleshy plant slammed down on the zombies. At the same time, the frozen plants radiated cold, drastically reducing their movement speed.
An efficient and clean defense.
The four remaining players only needed to handle cleanup.
"…This is seriously amazing. This system can defend itself without players even intervening. Did Mr. Jin-hyuk calculate all of this?"
Teresa murmured in awe.
"If it's hyung, anything is possible."
"We used to go around with oppa, so I thought I knew him, but seeing this makes me realize I know nothing."
Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeon-hwa spoke in unison.
"…"
Chun Yuseong frowned deeply.
The more he saw, the more irritated he became.
Facing an enemy who was so far ahead in knowledge and foresight was terrifying.
And then—
[Large base 'Mart' has been captured.]
A status window appeared.
"W-what?"
Teresa gasped.
"If it's the mart, isn't that where the Chinese players were?"
"No way…"
"No… it can't be something oppa did, right?"
Jin-hyuk had left with a smile. Above all, it made no sense for the strongest base on the floor to collapse during the second wave.
There was no doubt.
Something had happened.
And to confirm it—
[A special event has occurred.]
[Pendariel, the master of the 4th floor, moves to punish the weak players.]
A red status window glowed ominously.
"The master of the 4th floor…?"
"Don't we already have enough trouble with the waves?"
The existence of a boss monster on the 4th floor was news to Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeon-hwa.
In fact, no other players on the floor knew either.
"Looks like something huge is coming."
Chun Yuseong stared upward.
Meanwhile, Jin-hyuk climbed onto the roof of a nearby building.
He needed a suitable location to use an item.
After moving higher—
'Here.'
Jin-hyuk stopped.
Multiple bases surrounded the area, and the flow of magic was chaotic. The stadium was still nearby.
Perfect.
Jin-hyuk took out a small stone and the special item he obtained after defeating the 3rd-floor boss.
The Stone That Blocks the Sun.
[Stone That Blocks the Sun
Acquisition Difficulty: Unknown
Description: A ceremonial relic used in the ancient Mayab Empire. When activated, it blocks the sun, reducing the effectiveness of water, fire, earth, wind, and light elements by 50%, while increasing dark attributes by 100%.]
[The fury option is forcibly activated.]
An item that should never be used on the 4th floor.
Most players relied on elemental abilities. This item also strengthened the zombies.
But—
Puak!
Jin-hyuk crushed the stone in his hand.
Woong!
Darkness swallowed the sun, blanketing the city in shadows.
The difficulty of the 4th floor skyrocketed.
But he hadn't used it for thrills.
Another event would be triggered by intentional risk.
And immediately—
[Human. What are you thinking?]
As expected.
A direct message from the boss monster appeared.
"It looks like your subordinates are turning bases into wastelands."
[They could not even stop the scouts. There is no need to conserve strength against humans.]
"That's funny. Don't touch the other bases. Come to me instead. The stadium behind me is the base."
[Human. Alone. Do you seek sacrifice?]
"Even if a million zombies come, they won't do a thing."
[Cannot do a thing? Come forth, my children!]
Pendariel's anger surged.
"Send everything you have. I'll wipe them all out."
[Very well. Human. Your base will be destroyed first. A warning to all humans.]
The connection ended.
Soon, all of its forces would converge on the stadium.
'Did it record properly?'
Jin-hyuk checked the broadcasting system.
[The edited video from the large base 'Mart' is being uploaded.]
He clenched his fist.
'Nice.'
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
The Chinese players had failed, triggering the hidden quest.
Now came preparation for the worst-case scenario.
Kang Jin-hyuk would risk his life to protect everyone.
He would draw all zombies to himself.
He would look like a hero.
But—
'Most kills. Popularity votes. And the boss reward.'
Jin-hyuk smiled.
Saving people was just a bonus.
The real goal was to take everything.
No one else.
'With my strength alone.'
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