My Dad is Too Strong-Chapter 342

Chapter 342
Adventurers descending deeper into the Core had to pass through numerous trials, and the Tutorial Zone marked the start of this journey. It served both as a beginner’s zone, structured to ensure that adventurers could survive within the Core, and as a filter. Those deemed unqualified from the outset could not proceed beyond it. Once the Encroachment of a planet was completed and the transfer to the Core began, fewer than ten percent of adventurers survived the tutorial.
Seasoned adventurers unanimously agreed that the tutorial was actually the easier part. The real trial began at the second hurdle: the trial of the seventh floor of the Core. Even if adventurers barely survived while making their way down through each floor, if they failed the mid-adventure evaluation, they would die.
To survive the mid-adventure evaluation, one had to accumulate “achievements.” In short, it was a system designed to eliminate those who merely got carried by others. That was why, in every discussion post on the Core Forum, adventurers constantly warned one another to earn achievements, no matter how difficult or dangerous they may be. Otherwise, they would never get past the second hurdle.
Of course, Behemoth was well aware of this, and even the viewers knew it. The Hunter’s Bureau had already released official information regarding the seventh floor of the Core, and adventurers had access to bits and pieces of information about other floors via the Forum.
***
Core seventh-floor entry, D-2.
As Behemoth prepared to enter the seventh floor, online communities ignited with discussion.
﹂I heard Behemoth might actually die this time.
﹂Didn’t the Hunter’s Bureau say the second hurdle is brutal?
﹂Oh my god! I don’t want Behemoth to die! It doesn’t matter what country we’re from—they’re already our heroes.
People across the world voiced their concerns in unison. However, no one’s fear was greater than those who had to face it themselves.
***
Core seventh-floor entry, D-1.
Behemoth enjoyed a brief break after finishing their exploration of the sixth floor, but now, stepping onto the seventh was just a day away. Do-Jun held a final prep meeting with them. Having personally faced the second hurdle before, he explained the evaluation criteria. In truth, Do-Jun had already warned them about this stage when Behemoth first entered the third floor of the Core. Since then, Behemoth had diligently worked to accumulate achievements, following Do-Jun’s instructions without question.
Well, Do-Jun had practically spoon-fed them the necessary information to earn those achievements, as clearing the Hidden Piece trials listed in his strategy guides was enough to be counted as achievements. But no matter how much one prepares for an exam, there’s always that lingering nervousness before the actual test, and Behemoth was no exception.
“There are three primary evaluation criteria: Tutorial ranking, the caliber of monsters you’ve defeated, and the grade of artifacts you’ve obtained. There are other minor factors, but these three hold the most weight,” Do-Jun explained.
Inside the Hunter’s Bureau conference room, the Behemoth members sat in front of a projected screen. Standing at the podium, Do-Jun used a laser pointer to guide them through the key details. Even Jun-Yeol, who usually took it upon himself to lighten the mood with jokes during meetings, had a grim expression as he diligently took notes.
“If we look at your Tutorial rankings, you each placed twenty-fourth, thirty-second, and thirty-seventh. That’s considered excellent. Your monster kill records are also solid. And as for Hidden Pieces, the three of you together have collected eighty-two—an overwhelming lead compared to other adventurers.” Do-Jun summarized.
There was no reason they should fail the mid-adventure evaluation. Just then, Kang-Hyun raised his hand. Do-Jun nodded, granting permission to speak.
Kang-Hyun hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, “You told us before, sir, that even if we fail the evaluation, we won’t die...”
“Oh, that. If you fail the evaluation, you’re immediately dropped into the Deep Realm. As you descend, the density of magical energy increases, requiring greater resistance to withstand it. Most adventurers entering the seventh don’t have nearly enough magic resistance to survive in the Deep Realm, so they usually die,” Do-Jun explained. “That’s why I provided you with these—just in case.”
Of course, he wouldn’t let them die. So, he had provided them with artifacts from the Deep Realm. Do-Jun had never been to the Deep Realm himself, but he possessed several relics from there. Among them were a few that Marvas had given him as bribes.
“With these, you’ll survive even if you fall into the Deep Realm.”
***
Core seventh-floor entry, D-day.
The number of viewers had surged to 1.5 times the usual count. The real-time viewer count displayed in the DTS hologram broadcast had already surpassed a hundred million. This was a life-or-death moment for Behemoth. Even those who never watched the stream tuned in.
[You have reached the seventh floor of the Core.]
Kang-Hyun, Jun-Yeol, Ae-Kyung, and even the viewers were holding their breath. Behemoth stood on massive floating rocks, the only platforms in a vast void. With no footholds beyond the suspended stones, their predicament seemed almost symbolic. Were they cornered? It certainly felt that way.
Then, with the crack of thunder, the clear blue sky darkened with ominous storm clouds. A red-purple sunset cast a fierce glow over Behemoth as the landscape started to shift. Suddenly, a figure appeared—Yeomra, the judge also called the Grand Supreme of the Afterlife. Three strikes of his staff marked the start of judgment.
[Rocard has donated $10,000.]
﹂If Behemoth dies here, humanity is doomed. Who else could possibly replace them?
Due to the sheer volume of viewers, regular chat messages were disabled to prevent server lag. Only those who donated a minimum of 10 million won could send a message. Of course, all proceeds were donated to appropriate charities. While people were willing to donate to the cause, the steep amount meant only a select few actually sent messages.
“Your mid-adventure evaluation will now—” Yeomra began to say.
But before the evaluation could even start, a voice boomed across the seventh floor, announcing success. “PAAAAASS!”
The moment the word “Pass” echoed through the Core, the chat exploded.
﹂??????
﹂No way! Did they just say pass?!
﹂IS BEHEMOTH DIVINE?! IS BEHEMOTH DIVINE?! IS BEHEMOTH DIVINE?!
﹂Wait, fr?! Like, FRFR?
﹂The evaluation didn’t even start yet!
﹂Who the hell said pass?!
Yet the most shocked individual wasn’t the viewers or even Behemoth. It was Yeomra himself. Speechless, he turned to glare at the King of Equality seated beside him. His expression practically screamed, “What the hell is wrong with this guy?”
Kang-Hyun swallowed dryly. It was clear that Yeomra hadn’t spoken the words. Instead, it was the old man sitting beside him whose throne, at a glance, seemed smaller and less grand than Yeomra’s.
“Did we... pass...?” Kang-Hyun asked.
Still a bit flustered, Yeomra tried to explain, “Ah, well... The evaluation hasn’t even start—”
“PASS! Just pass them already! Look at these fine warriors! You can tell they’re extraordinary just by looking at them! There’s no need to waste everyone’s time and nitpick every little thing!” King of Equality roared with laughter as he gestured toward Behemoth.
Just yesterday, he had firmly opposed any favoritism toward Behemoth, but now, he was defending them as if they were his own family. How can someone change their stance so drastically?
What the hell is going on...?
Kang-Hyun tried to understand the situation, but soon decided it was best to just sit back and watch.
Even Yeomra looked bewildered, though he wasn’t entirely opposed to this outcome. It ultimately made it easier for him to pass Behemoth right through. Still, he had to keep up the formalities.
“I will now begin your mid-adventure evaluation.” With that, Yeomra struck the ground with his staff. “Adventurers Lee Kang-Hyun, Ryu Jun-Yeol, and Moon Ae-Kyung. Depending on the results of this evaluation, you may earn the right to descend to the eighth floor, or you may fall into the abyss. Now, I shall assess your achievements.”
Not that he planned to fail them.
A parchment detailing their achievements unfurled. Yeomra’s eyes scanned the extensive list. Since Do-Jun was supporting them, it wasn’t surprising that their progress was indeed remarkable.
Yeomra spoke. “First, the overall rankings from the tutorial. Twenty-fourth place, thirty-second place, and thirty-seventh place. This is truly—”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” King of Equality interjected.
“A truly impressive achievement. Now, let’s examine the monsters you have slain so far. On the second floor of the Core: Tukar, Aisith. On the third floor...”
“All of them are big ones! Every single one of them!
Kehaha
!”
Yeomra paused briefly, then continued with the assessment. “Next, I will assess the Artifacts you have obtained. Astonishingly, you have discovered at least ten Hidden Pieces on each floor. The list includes: Masamune, the Phantom Blade; Cloud Platform; Earth Manipulator; Over Sui—"
“Oooh! Definitely a pass, a pass!”
“Sht de hll up...” Yeomra said through ground teeth, his voice muffled.
His patience was wearing thin from the constant interruptions of what essentially felt like a pundit’s commentary. Only then did the King of Equality clear his throat with a loud “Ahem!” and promptly shut his mouth.
Yeomra composed himself and continued. “Thus! Your achievements are exceptional, not just in my judgment, but in the judgment of any who would assess them! Therefore, I grant you entry to the eighth floor! However, do not let your guard down. The trials ahead will be even more difficult and perilous. Never grow complacent. Always push forward!”
With three bangs of Yeomra’s staff, the mid-adventure evaluation was concluded. The result was that all three Behemoth Hunters passed without a single failure. Kang-Hyun, Jun-Yeol, and Ae-Kyung grinned from ear to ear.
The donation messages poured in nonstop.
﹂LESGOOOO!
﹂I’m literally in tears. Keep going, Behemoth! Don’t ever stop!
﹂Behemoth is only going to get stronger from here. I guarantee it. :)
﹂I swear I’m French, but why do I feel so proud of Korea? Am I crazy?
Kang-Hyun bowed politely to the viewers before temporarily ending the stream for a quick break. Three sheets of paper drifted down from the sky, and each member of Behemoth received their entry pass. Moments later, mist began to creep in, and Yeomra’s form slowly faded away.
“Ahem.” At some point, the King of Equality had sidled up to them.
He nudged Kang-Hyun’s side with his elbow and whispered, “Be sure to relay my work to your king.”
“Your work...?”
“Ah, how I stood beside the Grand Supreme and hyped you up. I insist. Please.” With that, he vanished into the mist.
Ae-Kyung blinked, then let out a small laugh. She finally realized that everything they had just witnessed was simply part of the art of sucking up.
Suddenly, the King of Equality reemerged from the mist. “Ah! By the way, do you happen to know what this is called?”
He pulled something half-eaten from his silk robe’s pocket.
Kang-Hyun glanced at the item and answered immediately. “It’s red bean rice cake.”
“I see.” King of Equality muttered, “Red bean rice cake, red bean rice cake...”
He once again disappeared into the mist.