Solo Max-Level Newbie

Chapter 256

While everyone was focused on the promotional video, Jinhyuk approached Elise, who was sulking in a corner. It wasn’t clear what she was discontented about, but she was muttering to herself in discontent.

“Chhh… even though I am… here…”

“Elise.”

“What?”

Elise responded with a still-sullen expression.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

“A favor? To me?”

Her eyes widened at the mention of a favor.

“Yeah. I’m about to start a live stream. We’ll interact, complete missions, and if the viewers like it, they’ll donate coins. We’re having a serious cash crunch, so go earn some coins.”

The atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Frankly, he had expected such a response to his words.

“You expect this noble of the night, this sovereign of the tower, to perform tricks before these worthless humans?”

Elise sneered as if the notion was preposterous.

“Hmm. No other option then. I’ll have to ask Teresa.”

“What?”

“The viewers will probably prefer someone soothing instead of someone sulking. Turns out, this is a good thing.”

A picture of saintly innocence with a warm smile.

She could dominate attention with content like a life advice session.

-Today’s life is too tough. I can’t see the future; each day feels insurmountable.

-Tell me everything. While I can only listen, I promise to hear your story to the end.

Ah.

A dead heart beating again.

As if angels were trumpeting overhead and scattering pollen.

No wonder the Saint who saved Amsterdam was so popular.

“I’ll do it! I can’t lose to that blonde idiot.”

Elise stepped up to the broadcasting system.

“I can only see a blue screen, how does this work?”

“Just wait. I’ve posted the notice, viewers will start joining soon.”

[Gang Jinhyuk’s Outdoor Broadcast #Healing #Advice #Deep_Waters_Corporation #Ask_Me_Anything!]

He had posted the notice a few minutes before. As his first post after quitting as a BJ, it felt especially meaningful. Back then, he’d have considered himself lucky if even 20 viewers tuned in…

But how about now?

-Conan: The vanguard departs.

The first viewer entered as soon as he finished speaking. Almost immediately, hundreds rushed in like a swarm for Jinhyuk’s live stream.

[Conan has left the broadcast.]

-Moon: Conan again?

-US: He’s always the first to enter, then leaves. Didn’t expect him to do it here too.

-als: I came because Jinhyuk was broadcasting, but why is it still on standby? This isn’t clickbait, is it? It’s so frustrating only seeing a chat on a black screen.

-AZXCY: It’s the same account according to the broadcast station. Wow. But when was the last time he did a live? Why’s he doing a live now?

-Jeong Geun-won: Just thinking of seeing Jinhyuk’s face makes my heart soar.

Primarily uploaders of edited videos, the viewers could hardly believe the current live broadcast. With anticipation mounting, the speed of the chat began to accelerate. What kind of incredible raid would he present? How amazing would the showcased treasures and artifacts be? Perhaps he’s exploring a labyrinth or ruins that no one has ever seen before. They were all insanely curious.

A few minutes passed.

[Number of viewers connected: 175,880]

Once a sufficient number of viewers had gathered, the previously dark screen finally lit up. There stood a proud vampire with snow-white hair flowing down to her waist.

It was Elise.

Though her red eyes were filled with dissatisfaction, even that expression was a shock to the viewers.

They had only seen the mysterious ranker through edited clips. Many exploits were displayed, but only her name Elise was known – her true identity was a mystery until now.

The disappointment of not seeing Jinhyuk vanished instantly. Viewers began flooding the chat upon seeing Elise.

-bbqchickenlover: Wait, where’s Jinhyuk? And this… huh? Where have I seen that face before?

-giantdumpling: Woah! It’s Elise! It’s actually her. Really Elise.

-tmd: OMG WTF. What’s going on? Not only does Jinhyuk start a live but the guest is amazing too.

-hi: Elha Elha. Greetings to Elise.

-rub: Sister! I’m dying!

-Today’sWendy: This is like being blackmailed to give up all my coins. Should I throw away everything I saved defeating goblins?

-(dark): Elise is my future wife!

-guywhodreamsofbeingacat’sbutler: I’ll allow this one.

The chat was exploding so fast even Jinhyuk with his sharp eyes had trouble keeping up.

“This, this… human? Everything’s moving so fast. Why is everyone happy to see me?”

“Don’t look at me. Focus on the viewers. Don’t look this way, dummy!”

“Uh? Okay. Ahead. Ahead is where the eyes lead. I am now looking ahead.”

“Try to read as much of the chat as possible and let them know you’ll take on any missions they propose.”

“Ah, understood. Just give me a moment.”

Elise strained her rabbit eyes to read the chat.

“Ugh…”

The swift pace made it impossible to catch every comment but she managed to pick out a few coin-attached missions.

moo: You look adorably perplexed. Wear cat ears, and I’ll instantly toss 2,000 coins.

lmg: Take that plus 1,000 more from me.

Dolunny: Yeah, make it a double for me.

Kim Ki-bum: Dance for 3 minutes with an idol song. 1,000 coins per minute, deal?

thelode1: I desperately want to hear the cringy morning call. Record it, and I’ll get up every morning listening to it. 4,000 coins invested.

(isio): You look like you enjoy mint chocolate. Finish a family-sized package alone, and I’ll toss 5,000 coins.

antimony51: Coins at stake, open wide!

“Stop laughing! How dare you ask me, a noble of the night and the absolute ruler of the tower, to trade my dignity for a few measly coins. Under the name of Ataraxia, absolutely not. I’d rather die!”

Elise backed away, her face turning pale, refusing the mission as if it were a knife to her throat.

Of course…

“I accept all of those.”

Jinhyuk wasn’t one to refuse a coin-earning opportunity.

“Hey. It’s me who’s doing this. Why are you accepting on your own?”

“Accept.”

“But…”

“Accept.”

In the end, Elise was forced to perform all the missions proposed by the viewers.

Hmm.

She could tolerate the cat ears and dancing, but the morning call and mint chocolate were a bit much.

Still, it was true that such cosplays suited her quite well, and the viewers’ reaction was unprecedentedly positive.

“You did well. I personally think it suited you really well. I thought you only had a haughty side, but you also have a cute charm.”

“Really?”

Elise’s eyes sparkled.

The sullen look she had just a moment ago seemed like a lie.

That’s when it happened.

“Ugh.”

A new figure approached Jinhyuk with a curious sound.

It was Teresa.

But Teresa looked different from usual.

Her makeup was heavy, and her clothing was shockingly revealing.

Above all, the aura she radiated was quite alien.

‘This feeling… could it be?’

Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed.

Definitely.

It was Teresa when her personality changed due to using corruption.

“The little sheep was too timid so I came myself, but the concerned party seems distracted somewhere else?”

Her sultry voice echoed in Jinhyuk’s ears.

“Teresa… Miss?”

Swallowing hard, Jinhyuk gulped down his saliva.

-koook: Whoa. This lady is fiery.

-Black Dragon from the Abyss: Ha. I definitely did not get distracted.

-Cookie’s Palace: Going all-in buying Saint Teresa’s coins.

-Rule: 22222.

-Ganada: 33333

-Mischievous Boys: JinhyukS2Teresa

“What’s going on? Is it a live broadcast?”

Teresa glanced back and forth between the status screen and chat.

“Ugh. 100,000 coins. Not bad. But it’s a pity you asked a little kid. I could have earned you ten times the coins.”

Teresa stroked Jinhyuk’s cheek with her fingertip.

“Kid? Little kid?”

“Oh dear. Was it too rude to speak the truth? But isn’t it obvious to anyone?”

“Dea…dead. You’re totally dead. I’ll tear you to shreds!”

Suddenly, Teresa’s intrusion turned the live stream into a battlefield.

-Black Dragon from the Abyss: LOL. This is the real spot.

-Anz: Ah, another peaceful day at Deep Waters Corporation.

-Sla: Betting 6,000 on Elise’s victory.

-Jeong Yun-hee: Betting 7,000 on Sister Teresa’s victory!

-Seo Seung-hee: Even amidst this, Jinhyuk’s not stepping in. Look, he’s actually taking bets on the side!

Booom!

Pow!

The ground exploded with red rain as Elise, unleashing her unique holy spear, and Teresa, clad in dark armor, fought like the ultimate villain and cursed hero of any universe.

It was quite regrettable that the carefully prepared food turned to ashes…

Nevertheless.

‘…This is pretty profitable.’

Jinhyuk was smiling.

The live broadcast had brought in over 400,000 coins in donations.

And the promotional video produced by the Deep Waters Corporation was set to earn even more.

He couldn’t help but laugh.

＊＊＊

An eventful week’s vacation concluded.

While many things happened, looking back, it wasn’t a bad break. They had a precious time filled with laughter and deepened companionship.

There was only one challenging aspect: refusing Dustin, Teresa’s father, who tried every possible way to hold an engagement ceremony.

Afterward, everyone split up.

Cheon U-seong left for a labyrinth on the outskirts of the 15th floor, seeking a skill exclusive to the devoted, and Teresa followed him to help.

Andrea returned to her floor, having been away from her psychiatric ward for too long.

Goguma and the nature spirits also needed several days of rest after manifesting and overusing their magic.

And now.

Jinhyuk had arrived at one of the most notorious places on the 15th floor.

The ruins where the Wailing Witch resided.

Standing about 1 km from the entrance of the ruins, Jinhyuk surveyed his surroundings.

‘It’s really been a long time since I came here.’

The nostalgia was fresh.

It felt like just yesterday he was exploring a labyrinth with minotaurs after the Tower of Trials first merged with reality.

Yet he had already reached the 15th floor.

Of course, he still had a long way to go, but the fact that he was steadily conquering each floor was quite encouraging.

That’s when…

“Bro, I bought everything you asked for.”

“Food, sleeping bags… even got budget weapons and scraps from the blacksmith’s shop.”

Lee Tae-min and Yoo Yeon-hwa approached.

The residence of the Wailing Witch was incredibly vast, so there were a lot of things to prepare.

“Thanks for your hard work. If we’re all set, let’s head in.”

“Ah. But, bro… there’s something.”

Lee Tae-min hesitated as if he had something on his mind.

“What is it, what’s going on?”

As Jinhyuk questioned, Yoo Yeon-hwa added her concern.

“The competition inside the ruin seems pretty fierce.”

“Fierce? What do you mean?”

“The other guilds are already positioned inside. It seems like more than three have joined forces. I saw some familiar faces.”

That didn’t make sense.

The other players shouldn’t have had the specs to reach the 15th floor by now.

Before coming here, Jinhyuk had checked the Tower of Trials community and the ranking videos on ViewTube, but nothing caught his eye.

Even the large guilds were only managing B-class dungeons on the 13th and 14th floors.

So, it meant…

‘They’re either recklessly challenging.’

Or.

‘Some [reason] has given them enough force to target this place now.’

Either way, an interesting variable had emerged.

They would have to compete for the Wailing Witch.

Of course, how they would utilize this variable depended entirely on one thing.

“So, which guild are we talking about?”

Jinhyuk finally spoke up.