[Mahoraga]: If you answer my 3 questions correctly, you will receive one of my blessed items. But if you fail, you shall perish.
Lee Sung stood there, clearly nervous but trying to keep his cool.
"Okay then, let's begin, dumbass snake."
[Mahoraga]: Oh, you wish to begin.
'He's going to mess this up. No way he knows the answers,' Jinhoo thought, watching from the sidelines.
[Mahoraga]: First question: What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night?
Lee Sung looked visibly panicked. "Shit! I know this question... what was it again? What did that dumbass game let you pick?"
'This question is so easy, it's the one everyone passes... does this idiot really not know that?'
[Mahoraga]: You have four seconds left to answer.
"Oh yeah, I remember!! A dog!"
'Is this idiot for real?'
[Mahoraga]: You have answered incorrectly. You have failed and will be eliminated!
"F**k!"
Lee Sung tried to run, but the snake lunged forward, swallowing him whole.
"Haha, dumbass really got himself killed. I wanted to do it, but that wasn't bad," Jinhoo muttered to himself, trying to suppress a grin.
One by one, others stepped up to the challenge. Ten failed. Fifteen almost passed but slipped up at the last second. By the time the twentieth player had tried and failed, it was finally Jinhoo's turn.
"Guess it's my time."
Jinhoo tossed his coin into the pool, summoning Mahoraga.
---
[Mahoraga]: One more human has come for my blessed items, I see.
"I'm ready to begin."
[Mahoraga]: Very well, let us start.
[Mahoraga]: First question: What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night?
"A human. They crawl on all fours as a baby, walk on two legs as an adult, and use a cane in old age."
[Mahoraga]: Correct.
[Mahoraga]: Second question: What has keys but can't open locks?
"A piano," Jinhoo answered confidently.
[Mahoraga]: Correct! You are wiser than most who dare approach me.
Jinhoo braced himself for the final question, focusing on everything he'd learned from Legends Online.
[Mahoraga]: Final question: I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?
"An echo!" Jinhoo shouted, almost before the question finished.
[Mahoraga]: You have answered correctly once again. You possess wisdom worthy of my blessing.
The snake lowered its head, and from the depths of the pool, a shimmering bottle began to materialize.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have gained the Bottle of Strengthening Potion. This increases the user's physical strength by five stages temporarily for five minutes.
---
"Not bad. This will be useful, but I'm here for something else."
Without hesitation, Jinhoo drank the potion. He felt a surge of power rush through him as the effects began to kick in.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have consumed the Strengthening Potion. Your combat level has risen from level 10 to 15.
Combat skill: 10 + 5 (15)
MP: 5
Intelligence: 20
Speed: 11
Agility: 5
Sense: 11
Skills: None
Title: None
---
"The potion's working perfectly."
Jinhoo opened his inventory, pulling out a dagger given to all new players.
[Mahoraga]: Foolish human! Do you really think you can challenge me after receiving my blessing?
"Watch me."
With a sudden lunge, Jinhoo attacked. The adrenaline coursing through him pushed his reflexes to their limit, and he aimed for the serpent's vulnerable underbelly. The blade barely grazed Mahoraga's scales, but it was enough to make the giant snake recoil in pain.
[Mahoraga]: You dare strike me? You shall taste the venom of despair!
The snake lashed out, its mouth opening wide in an attempt to swallow Jinhoo whole. With a swift sidestep, Jinhoo narrowly avoided the strike, feeling the rush of air as the snake's jaws clamped down where he had stood moments before.
He countered with a spinning slash, striking the serpent's tail. The attack landed with a heavy thud, but Mahoraga twisted around, its eyes blazing with fury.
[Mahoraga]: Your strength is commendable, but it will not save you!
The snake's massive tail swung toward Jinhoo, but he ducked just in time. The tail smashed into the ground, sending debris flying everywhere.
"Stay focused," Jinhoo muttered, trying to keep his breathing steady. "I'm in control."
Climbing up a fallen pillar to gain the high ground, Jinhoo eyed Mahoraga's neck. If he could land a strike there, the fight might end in his favor. He leaped from the pillar, dagger raised, aiming for the snake's head.
[Mahoraga]: You shall fail!
But Jinhoo's timing was perfect. The blade sank into Mahoraga's skull with a sharp crack, and the snake let out an agonizing hiss. Its massive body thrashed violently as golden dust began to envelop it, slowly turning its form into shimmering particles.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have defeated the Snake King Mahoraga!
You have earned the Sword of Judgment and the title of First Slayer of the Snake King.
The title increases intelligence by six and sense by seven during intense battles.
---
"Not bad. This is the best title you can get from beating Mahoraga. Looks like it's my lucky day."
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Please enter your [Player Name] to be entered into the tower rankings.
---
"Huh, I forgot about this part. Maybe I should use my old gamer tag."
"Nah, better not. My viewers could find out who I am and try to target me. I'll just go with this."
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have entered the name [King Raider].
Are you sure you want to be named [King Raider]?
Press [Y/N].
---
"Yes."
---
"Time for me to head back before anyone else shows up."
After leaving the building, Jinhoo looked up at the monstrous tower scratching the sky.
"Maybe I'll come back tomorrow or tonight. I'm not raiding that thing now; too many players are in there."
Putting the Sword of Judgment into his inventory, Jinhoo headed back home.
After reaching home, Jinhoo washed up and sat back at his computer. He checked NewTube to see if anyone had streamed inside the tower.
"Huh, looks like one of the top players, Staff King, streamed in the tower 2 minutes ago. Let's see what floor he managed to clear."
"Huh, looks like he cleared Floor 2. Not bad."
"Maybe I should stream my raids too."
After watching NewTube streamers raiding the towers for a while, Jinhoo decided to make a new NewTube account under the name [King Raider].
"Huh, I guess I'll stream tomorrow."
"Who would've thought L.O. would become reality?"