Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 16

The Tower of Trials.

This place, often called a “hunting ground,” is one of the publicly managed gates overseen by the government, allowing players under Level 20 to freely grow and develop.

Suho’s primary reason for coming here, as he told Jo Jin-hwi, was to clear the Tower. However, his more fundamental reason, naturally, was rapid growth.

After all, his level had essentially been reset to the beginning.

In addition...

“I have to get my hands on it here.”

A hidden piece concealed only within the Pangyo Tower of Trials. That was one of Suho’s objectives for coming to this place.

Suho then checked his status screen.

**[Ahn Suho]**

- Lv: 10

- Class: Healer

- Strength: 20

- Health: 20

- Mana: 20

- Senses: 10

- Bonus Stats: 0

He had deliberately not raised his Senses. Compared to other stats, the Senses stat—which activated features like dynamic vision and Mana Detection—was not immediately necessary.

Having finished his preparations, Suho held his freshly printed Hunter license and made his way to the entrance of the Tower of Trials.

“Tanker needed!”

“Looking for one melee dealer!”

“We have a supporter!”

As he approached the entrance of the Tower, he noticed a crowd of people. They were all waiting to form parties for hunting expeditions since party play was far more efficient than soloing in the Tower of Trials.

“Of course, with more members, the experience each person gains will decrease...but in the long run, it’s better to go in together.”

However, Suho had come with the intent to climb alone, as he’d told Jo Jin-hwi. He knew all there was to know about the Tower of Trials.

Suho handed his license to the entrance staff member and requested entry.

The staff member glanced back and forth between the license and Suho before asking, “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Your license number shows you passed the exam just yesterday... Are you sure it wouldn’t be better to join a party since it’s your first time here?”

Since the Tower of Trials was a public gate, all the staff managing it were civil servants—KHA members, in other words. Hence, the advice.

Although the Tower of Trials was meant for beginner hunters under Level 20, accidents still happened here.

“No, thank you. I’m more comfortable on my own.”

“Well...if you’re sure.”

Even so, they couldn’t force someone who insisted on going in alone. There was no rule against it.

After paying a small entry fee, Suho stepped through the door opened by the staff, revealing a portal beyond it. Without hesitation, he walked straight into it.

**[Entering the Tower of Trials.]**

**[You may quit the Tower of Trials at any time...]**

The related system messages appeared as he entered the tower.

He remembered all of this and quickly skipped through the instructions. There wasn’t much to worry about in the Tower of Trials since one could quit at any stage.

“The moment I declare my intent to quit, I’ll be teleported back to the entrance of the first floor.”

As long as he avoided pushing himself beyond his limits, there was minimal risk of death in the Tower of Trials—one reason beginner hunters favored this place.

Entering the first floor, he found himself in an area about the size of a small stadium.

**[You have entered the first floor.]**

**[The first-floor challenge will now begin.]**

With that notification, slimes started appearing in his field of vision.

“Right, slimes on the first floor.”

Suho pulled a sword from his inventory. It was the beginner’s sword granted by the system upon selecting his class. Although he’d purchased other weapons at Dongdaemun Market, for now, the beginner’s sword would suffice.

Suho began swinging his sword, ready for a full-scale climb.

***

“Is he crazy?”

After hanging up, Jo Jin-hwi stared at Suho’s phone number for a while. At first, he thought he must be a madman. But considering Suho’s high exam score and the way he spoke, he didn’t seem to be lying.

“What on earth is he planning?”

Despite the bizarre proposal, Jo’s gut still pointed to Suho, something that weighed on his mind.

Finally, after some deliberation, he made his decision.

“Well, who knows? If it works, great; if not, so be it.”

Jo Jin-hwi began drafting an article about Ahn Suho.