-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Explanation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
An endless sea stretched out before them.
The cave in the rocky cliff overlooking that breathtaking view turned out to be a pretty decent spot.
It was spacious enough that even in an intense game of hide-and-seek(?) with Shin Seo-yeon, she wouldn't get caught, cozy enough that the sea breeze didn't reach the back of the cave.
'Bigger than I thought.'
From the outside, he'd figured it was about 300 square feet at most.
Even when they first entered, he'd thought maybe thirty people could lie down comfortably.
But the space curved inward like a two-room apartment, opening up into an even cozier area beyond—a real gem.
'Wind's light here, so tents should go right in this spot. Huh? What's that light?'
At one end of the cave, light streamed down through a crack. Approaching and looking up, he saw a fissure wide enough for two or three people to climb stacked on top of each other, stretching straight up along the wall overhead.
'Looks about 650 feet high.'
Perfect. He'd been planning to have the group practice climbing, but throwing them straight into the real thing outside made him uneasy deep down.
'They can train right here.'
Now that he'd scoped it out, it was cozy, safe, and an excellent training ground.
He set his gear down in one corner and beckoned the group over.
"This'll be our campsite from now on. So-hee, tents."
As if she'd anticipated him claiming this spot for camp, Han So-hee pulled a tent from her open backpack and started setting it up with the Saintess.
Isera unpacked food from the Saintess's bag, while Shin Seo-yeon approached him and stuck out her hand.
"...Gimme firewood. Light a fire."
He handed her logs from his inventory for kindling.
"Still sulking? What were you even trying to say?"
"Dunno."
With a huff, the Crimson Flame Witch gathered them in a suitable spot and built a campfire.
She snapped her fingers, and flames roared to life on the wood. Soon, smoke rose gently and slipped right out through the ceiling crack he'd noticed earlier.
No ventilation worries here either.
'Let's see, everyone's allocated their stats, so maybe I should distribute my bonus points.'
His level had risen to 2, and his Strength stat—which had been neck-and-neck with Stamina—had shot up ahead of the pack.
'Strength at 78 already.'
It was a moment where he could plainly see the fruits of his hard work.
Others might barely scrape 70 combining all their stats, but he had one at 78 solo.
'Going according to plan. No, maybe even better than planned.'
He forced his pounding heart to calm. Getting elated or depressed during the selection process was the most dangerous thing.
'Speaking of...'
He clicked his tongue at the [Binding] values that had gone up.
'Seo-yeon's one stubborn kid. No compromise, just straight ahead. All-in on Intelligence again.'
He wondered how she even planned to live life like that.
You had to know how to bend a little to survive—not just stats, but Shin Seo-yeon was truly bullheaded.
He shook his head at the Crimson Flame Witch, still fuming with lips pursed out.
She was taking it out on the innocent kindling.
'No chance of hearing what she wanted to say earlier.'
At least she hadn't tried to burn him alive.
"Min-jun! Tents are up!"
"Good work, both of you."
The tents were pitched perfectly. As expected from an elite heiress—Han So-hee could do just about anything competently, executing every task thoroughly and flawlessly.
He ducked inside a tent and pulled a mattress from his inventory, laying it out.
'Sleeping arrangements complete.'
Alone, he'd have to handle everything, but with extra hands, camp was up in a flash.
Stepping back out, the group had gathered around the campfire, unpacking takeout food from the restaurant and waving him over.
As he approached, the women patted the ground beside them, each urging him to sit next to her.
"..."
Shin Seo-yeon was the only one pouting, so he sat between her and the Saintess.
Stubborn as she was, acting like this just meant her pride needed propping up to perk her right back up—she was simple that way.
"...Seat's cramped, why squeeze in here."
Yet the Crimson Flame Witch pulled out her portable cushion just before he sat and laid it down for him. Pride boosted, and she melted like this every time.
'Good, party mood sorted.'
Han So-hee handed the spare cushion to Shin Seo-yeon and asked him,
"Planning to skip the climb? No need to pitch tents if we're heading up and won't come back."
True enough.
"Hold on. Let's check the quest details first, then talk."
Nods all around.
They'd all been dangling from the cliff, so no one had checked the quest yet. They picked at lunch while reviewing it.
Stage: Second Trial
Content: Scale the Crimson Sea Cliffs to surpass 3,280 feet above sea level. (Current: 1,772 feet)
Background: Long ago, this land was said to be...
[View Details]
Background: Long ago, this land was said to be home to a mountain where gods shed their blood.
A place where two supreme ancient beings clashed to decide dominance but failed to settle the score. A solitary peak standing alone. A massive wall of blood.
That is why it is called the Crimson Sea Cliffs.
Some claim this red cliff is cursed. Not entirely wrong. It wasn't just some far-fetched myth of gods bleeding—the culprit was an oracle from an unknown source.
The oracle went like this:
'Climber of the cliffs, experience the anguish of the ancient gods and reach the end. Your efforts shall be rewarded.'
Thus, countless pilgrims seeking the gods' legacy headed to the ancient gods' battlefield, scaling the cliffs only to meet their deaths.
Now, with the sea god dominant and waters rising, the pilgrimage path is blocked, and its history fades. Yet the traces left by those pilgrims endure through time, unforgettable for generations.
He looked up and scanned the surroundings.
True to the myth of gods' blood, the rocks glowed with a faint red hue.
Whether actual divine blood had created the red stone, he didn't know.
One thing was certain, though.
'Not much different from what I knew.'
Fortunately, unlike the Lair of Evil Spirits, this trial had decent survival rates. Just climb the cliff. A bit of luck, and they'd move to the next area.
Even easier if you had relevant abilities.
"Finished reading?"
The women nodded.
"In short, reach the goal for rewards and proceed to the next trial."
"Right."
"We're at 1,772 feet, so halfway more to go."
"Pretty much."
Hearing the Q&A between him and Han So-hee, the women nodded in understanding. Whether they'd gleaned the same depth from the background as he had was questionable.
"So, pack up the tents? Or camp here tonight?"
Han So-hee glanced at the tents again and asked. He answered without hesitation.
"We're going up."
"Then dismantle now and—"
"But I'm going alone."
The women's eyes went wide.
"You saw the letter envelope? I'll summon you all once I'm up top. Wait here."
"Min-jun! Don't, let me come too...!"
"No. Solo's more efficient."
If it were just climbing, he'd bring them—especially since he hated separating from their adorable Saintess.
But he had separate business.
He pinched and tugged the Saintess's soft cheeks.
"You saw it earlier? Even asking for help, they could barely handle themselves."
Recalling the scene, they nodded in understanding. Right on cue, a scream echoed from above and faded downward.
Aaaaaaah!
'Another one bites the dust.'
At the scream, the women froze mid-bite, food in hand. Han So-hee glanced toward the cave mouth.
"Still, better together than solo. My Stamina and Strength are plenty—I'll support for emergencies."
"No, So-hee, you stay."
"Why?"
"Saw aerial mobs up there. Some might fly in here and attack."
Aerial mobs appeared past 2,300 feet, he'd heard. Closer to the goal, encounters ramped up.
Near 300 feet out, they swarmed mercilessly—mess up, and you're done.
"Especially at night, different types get aggressive, wider range."
About six hours till dark, but reaching the goal in that? Dicey. They'd camp here at least one night either way.
'No wonder this trial's brutal.'
"Other players might raid here too, so you tanking types need to stay."
"...Solo's still risky."
The other three nodded vigorously in agreement. Isera shot her hand up.
"Oppa, I'll go! Nothing for me here!"
"Ugh, showoff. Useless you tagging along? Dickhead, take me. Aerial mobs? I'll handle 'em."
He shook his head.
"Both denied."
"Why!"
"That means carrying you both. Gear's minimized as is."
The women backed off, stumped. The Saintess stepped forward, clenching her fists.
"Then I'll go! With my healing, no fatigue!"
"Hm."
Valid point. But after a moment's thought, he shook his head.
Party without a healer worried him, and solo was freer—especially here.
'Plus, separate errands.'
Thus, he set off alone, checking supplies.
First, simple rations for the group—vending machine water and snacks stocked in inventory, handed over.
'Take the 8 potions from Natasha too, just in case.'
[A special power envelops you. Strength increases by 10% for 1 hour.]
Decent effect. Useful for this trial.
Potion checked, he unpacked all his cliff-climbing gear from inventory and backpack.
Climbing shoes, rope, chalk, nuts, etc.
"Here. Yours."
"You got ours too? When?"
"Bought at the shop."
He could solo to the top and summon via envelope, but that might not count as completing the trial.
No point risking life on variables—he'd find a rest spot before the goal, summon them, then finish together.
So they needed gear too.
Problem: no experience.
"So-hee, any climbing background?"
"Of course. Plenty."
"Indoors or outdoors?"
Nod.
Elites like her—hard to find what they hadn't done.
"Can you train them? See that ceiling fissure? Leads up."
Han So-hee stood, checked it, and nodded.
"Looks good. Leave it to me—no falls on my watch."
Her confident expression earned his trust.
She examined the ceiling crack, then inspected the gear, hesitating before speaking.
"Been meaning to ask."
"?"
"Do you know how these trials go in advance?"
The Crimson Flame Witch chimed in eagerly, as if waiting.
"Right? Suspicious. How do you know so much? Unnie, not curious?"
"M-Me? I just... whatever Min-jun says is fine. You, Sera?"
"Yeah! I love it! So marry me, oppa!"
He eyed the four women.
Four with distinct personalities.
The Saintess, happy with anything he did.
Isera, nagging marriage daily.
Shin Seo-yeon, sharp-eyed, digging into everything about him.
Han So-hee, rational, demanding firmly when needed.
"Unnie, Dickhead suspicious?"
"Well... if it's our Min-jun, there's probably a reason."
"Hah? You're too naive. Build trust by digging deep and knowing exactly before believing."
They reacted to his actions per their personalities.
"Whoa, digging again? Half-dead hag move epic."
"Cliff? Wanna die? I said shut it."
"Yeah, slaughter hag scratched."
Shin Seo-yeon chased Isera; Han So-hee, knowing intervention just drained energy now, approached.
"Agree with Seo-yeon, but relationships last with some distance and overlooking secrets. No forcing it—fine if you don't wanna say."
'...But trust dips that much.'
The heiress who'd clung to his butt all night, serving eight hours straight for him.
Give and take mattered—especially trust in relationships.
'Can't dodge forever anyway.'
Time to clear misunderstandings once.
'Plus, today's events looked risky.'
Pre-aligning could've handled it safer.
So he spun a detailed, plausible tale.
"You know I get special shop privileges."
"Yeah. Joined challenges thanks to it, big gains."
"Extension of that. Shop lets me preview one next trial's info."
Women's eyes widened—even mid-chase Crimson Flame Witch and Isera. No wonder...
"Hey, that's cheating!"
Cheat.
Yeah, what else fit?
"Hah, seeing answers before the test."
"A-Amazing, Min-jun!"
"Whoa, oppa best!"
Admiration poured out, laced with envy and jealousy—content was that juicy.
Cheat key, answer sheet.
"Glad I teamed with you."
Now they couldn't leave him more.
Follow, minimize risks with prep.
'Explanation done. Before real climb, one quick errand.'
He dropped his pack, simplified clothes.
"Seo-yeon, cutting Binding briefly."
"Huh? Why?!"
Cut, re-bound to Isera. Handed Han So-hee an envelope.
"Exactly one hour after I start down, use this to summon me."
"Where to?"
"Quick detour."
"Farming method from that info?"
Sharp as ever.
"Got it. Precisely one hour."
Strict on time, she'd nail it.
At the cave mouth, vast dizzying cliff ahead, he took a deep breath. Waved to the group—he'd be back soon—and moved out.
'Alright, time to tackle the first goal for coming here.'
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Read 343 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
https://noveldex.io/series/ive-been-preying-on-s-tier-women-since-i-was-a-newbie
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━