Hell Difficulty Tutorial Chapter 791 - Internships

Just after the notification verifies that it's all finished, I finally let myself collapse to the ground, groaning as the remaining heat from the blue flames sweeps across me. While sitting there, I teleport nearer to Morwag and the Champion's corpse.

This simple move taxes my exhausted mind even more, and with the battle ended, I start sensing the impact of my injuries along with the massive strain it demanded. Still, I raise my hand toward Morwag, watching as black mana leaks from the Champion's body.

I prepare to flick it off, hurling it far away to become another person's issue. Exhaustion grips me too tightly to battle it and dissolve it back into mana.

"Don't!" Weslin warns sharply, rushing to my side to stop me. "We've stirred up massive chaos already. The remaining Champions are distant, but if bad luck draws one here, we're finished."

From my spot on the ground, I glance up at him, weighing the dangers in my thoughts, but ultimately I exhale deeply. My minds merge again, skills reignite, and I start clashing with the leftover black mana until I shatter it completely. Blue mana particles shower down nearby, yet I ignore absorbing them, leaving them to hover.

My crown has vanished, taking with it the enormous mana reserves I held and the boost from my brother, Rex. I can't... I push aside the logical parts of my mind for now and face Weslin.

"How's Morwag doing?" I inquire.

"I'm fine," Morwag responds from the ground instead.

"He's not fine," Weslin counters.

"Dying?" I probe.

"As if something like that could kill me," the demon snarls, ignoring the punctures riddling his body and the numerous other injuries visible.

"As if something like that could kill him," Weslin concurs. "But we need to rush him to the healers. Fast."

I nod, pausing briefly before murmuring, "The others?"

"They are..." Weslin starts, but Morwag cuts in.

"What the fuck is with that tone, you arrogant prick?" he snaps at me immediately. "Everyone stepped onto this battlefield aware of the dangers. So the plan went to shit, big deal. No one wants your pity. They gave it their all and lost to a stronger foe—nothing shameful there. You held up your end more than enough, and none of us will shoulder the burden of their deaths. Get that straight."

"What he said," Weslin adds, then nudges Morwag. "Shift over so he can take it. You know he's earned it."

"Weslin, don't confuse me with some worthless thief." Despite his battered condition, he slides aside.

As instructed, I advance and halt above the Champion's body, staring down. In defeat, that fearsome talent and the skills honed over years have faded. Strange to gaze at this now-vulnerable corpse, stripped of the brilliant mind that drove it. Even dead, it leaks faint mana radiation.

I prod the body with my shoe's tip, triggering a notification.

Would you like to claim the portal key? This key permits a single use, creating a teleportation gateway to the Sixth Floor of Beyond for one individual.

Upon claiming the portal key, a tattoo will be imprinted on your body and will remain until the key is used. The key may only be activated on the Fifth Floor of Beyond.

The tattoo can be transferred or retrieved from your body upon death.

I linger on that notification longer than necessary. One idea keeps surfacing in my head.

Could I take on a Champion solo? Pull off something like Nyssa and Adrian managed alone?

Then I review the battle. Despite my huge edge and perfect counters, I'd be dead facing him solo. Morwag and Weslin were crucial, as were the other A-ranks. Their support wasn't flashy like the S-ranks, but they bolstered Weslin and Morwag, channeling mana and primordial energies into arrays and formations.

I can ponder it later, and if I choose, sell the key. For now, I claim it.

Accepting triggers a sharp burn as the tattoo—with vivid red glowing lines—etches into my right forearm. It spirals around my wrist like a watch, then a single line runs up the inner forearm to the center, with key-like shapes branching sideways.

Arm... risky spot for it. Wonder if I'd lose the key if that arm gets damaged unexpectedly. What's with this? First the fragment on my left hand's back, now a key on my right forearm? Can't lose arms anymore? Feels like my fighting strength plummeted at least fifty percent.

The Champion's body vanishes too, as expected. I've inquired, but no slicing off parts to preserve. It all dissolves post-claim.

Sure, other ideas crossed my mind, but you can't haul it off this floor to claim later. Summoning experts risks drawing Champions and costs stats via sacrifices.

So irritating.

Next, I inspect the rankings.

Exploration Leaders

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

There I sit at the top of the 5th floor rankings, probably thanks to possessing the portal key. Means Voss and Orion below never snagged it, or grabbed but didn't use it, and I overtook via extra "performance points" from the fight. No clue, and the system won't spill.

I also verified an old rumor: you can switch your system alias once to your real name. That's me now. Never hid it much anyway.

Nice bonus: info guilds can't profit from revealing Nathaniel Gwyn as Noname. Screw them.

I observe Weslin aiding Morwag to his feet. The towering, brawny demon hides it well, but his durability doesn't negate the grave wounds. Several A-ranks share that state, so we linger little and depart.

Half a day back in the Megacity, I sit across from Ruby. My injuries mended, though fatigue lingers. Fragment returned to my left hand's back.

Pressure from my Preeminence Eyes persists as their second strengthening applies. Permanently on—a drawback, sure—but the trait's might compensates. Mana Wavelength Iris evolution shifted much, and this strengthening alters my worldview more. Even facing Ruby here, she appears transformed.

Her eyes hold a subtle glow, as anticipated; those yellow orbs with intricate patterns screamed trait. Observing mana waves around her, I suspect this Ruby is no mere vessel or projection—her true form.

She's among rare Rulers mastering mana so flawlessly her presence spares me. Still, unleashing full power would end me instantly. As Lissandra's disciple, supreme control fits—LissLiss tolerates no "pitiful lack of restraint unworthy of noble ladies' pets' pets" or similar.

Thinking back, second floor me was far weaker, yet Lissandra's meeting barely registered. Even restrained, her shadow outshone any Absolute encountered.

What a vexing woman.

"You've been scammed," Ruby repeats, finally sinking in.

"You look different than before. Bold shift, Ruby. But disappointing—I enjoyed last time's brilliant spectacle. Honestly, feels like a step down. I was digging the 'giant household pest' vibe."

"I said you got scammed."

"Wow, why so ant-agonizing suddenly? Very un-pleas-ant."

"You could've scored two million shards per group member, probably you too. Push harder, a low pristine passive was doable—for you at least."

I slouch in the chair, sighing. "I know. Panicked when he excluded the others from other deals."

"Diligence is cunning."

"Expected from one who'd wreck the Ancient Armory just because—"

"Yes, yes. Realize how near death you came?"

"Which time?"

"..." Ruby blinks repeatedly. "Fair. Meant the Lycan."

"Who's that? Terrifying."

"Likely the deadliest living werewolf. Blood not as pure as Primordial Blood, but doesn't kill him like Nyssa, and rivals its power. Hell, surpasses some wyverns' bloodlines."

"Should've demanded more for the hand."

"Wouldn't exceed what I described."

"A destroyer and thief. I will—"

"Sure. Need trait selection aid?"

"Nope. Favorites chosen, but waiting for eye strengthening to finish before picking."

"If proceeding, do it post-Beyond quest—opportunities there might... won't elaborate. Best here at guild HQ after return, not 10th floor, but—"

I cut in. "Ruby, what's brewing on the 10th floor?"

"Quiet now, but chaos incoming. Your group's fault. Time left, not too risky yet."

I mull it, then reply. "I'll trust you. Why Diligence over you?"

"Petty politics. We four Rulers handled this tutorial cycle post-Tyven, but his Envy Master ascended, making five. Limits me when he acts up."

"I feel that. Quest details? Everwood involved?"

"Several, but perfect match for you. One week only, no direct Everwood, but he stocks it. Perform well, snag some."

"What's it entail?"

"Join others as assistants for him, follow orders. Probably low-risk if you play safe, but he's demanding—heed and excel."

"Quest with other attendees?"

"No. Solo attendee. Others intern-like, slim hopes of discipleship."

"His? 'He'? So secretive. Hiding details. Who?"

"Folks dub him the Magi. So, N-ant-haniel, accept?"

"That's lame as—"

"Do you fucking accept!?"

"Sure, why not?" I answer quickly.

Behind her worn wooden desk, she gestures, summoning a nearby door.

No reason to delay, so I rise and approach. Glancing back once, I catch her shooing wave, then step through.

Suddenly, a young lumoran man awaits. Taller, leaner than me, clad in a crisp suit, hands clasped behind. His gaze locks on my eyes with keen curiosity.

He nods, satisfied, then smiles. "Thrilled to meet you at last, Nathaniel Gwyn. I'm Noll." He motions to follow, and I trail as he guides down the hall.

"Why 'at last'?" I question.

Smile unwavering, noble stride intact, he replies, "Finished my tutorial twenty years back as S-rank like you, though short of your standout feats. Awkward maybe, but I track Beyond records to follow our generation's talents."

Black glass windows line the right hall, admitting odd light that catches my eye. I halt to peer out at a star, grasping we orbit it—likely on a spaceship. Naturally.

Noll waits calmly for my awe. Soon, he resumes. "Onward. Master Elian dislikes delays."