[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-black-online":3,"chapter-black-online-black-online-chapter-176":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Black Online",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1462769,1913,"Chapter 176 - 16th Floor","black-online-chapter-176",176,"\u003Cp>A few days later, in the Rose Records mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And here...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock pointed at something on the General’s Game holographic screen, but Fang Raon wasn’t really paying attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was looking at the window, watching the snow fall in the dark world outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you paying any attention, you little shit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock snapped his fingers to try to get his attention, and his eyebrow twitched, as he hadn’t been ignored so much before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially not during training sessions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry... We’ve just been training for nearly ten hours straight, and my head starts to hurt. I can’t keep concentrating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said with a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t have much time to learn anymore. We’ll be heading over to the 6th floor in two days. We only have today and tomorrow to train!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, we can train tomorrow... But can we end for today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon put his hands together and was basically begging to stop for tonight, as his brain was just completely full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you have business elsewhere? What could be so important? I hope it’s not something to do with my granddaughter, you piece of shit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... Machary asked me to head over to the 16th floor with him. To check it out of curiosity. And I said yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...In this snowstorm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock looked out of the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snowstorm wasn’t as bad anymore, and it was definitely going to end tonight, just like the Weather Masters predicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow there should be a clear and sunny sky with a rather low temperature—but still in the negatives, but that was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was snowing only normal amount now, but because of the snowstorm, the roads were covered in snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon scratched the back of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t actually wise to go out in this weather, but they could cut through quarries and reach the tower pretty quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fine. It is obvious that whatever I teach you will just go through one ear and out of the other, so go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rock crossed his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh of relief, Fang Raon bowed and headed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once he was gone, Rock just smirked and cracked his knuckles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll just make you suffer more during the hellish training camp!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snow was furiously falling sideways, and through the blizzard, Fang Raon and Machary dragged their feet through the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were heavily dressed in warm winter clothing, and it helped to shield them mostly, but it was still very hard for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary pointed his lantern towards the distance, and the light carried through the blizzard and illuminated the front steps of the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon walked to the tower and only had to touch the door, and it automatically opened—he didn’t need the Tower Key anymore because he had already cleared the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t have to fight the monsters, etc., anymore or walk through the icy hallways to reach the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they opened the door, the stairs were right in front of them. Going up to the door. The 16th floor awaited there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope it’s not another freezing floor. Please have a beach...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said with a wry smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a chuckle, Fang Raon patted his shoulder, said, \"Come on,\" and they made their way up the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pushed open the door and stepped into the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash! Splash! Splash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, they heard the sound of water splashing against what seemed like the edge of a pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon and Machary felt the warmth before they even opened their eyes because they were wearing such heavy clothing that it was impossible to ignore the change in temperature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They then opened their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are we...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were standing on the deck of an empty boat, surrounded by nothing but ocean as far as the eye could see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, it’s hot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary unequipped his clothes and just stood in a light t-shirt, shorts, and sandals—which he also wore on the 6th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon did the same as before the heatwave got to him and looked at the endless stretch of ocean waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is not what I expected, but you got your wish, it looks like.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think I’ve read things about this floor. It is Ocean Floor. There is no land anywhere, only boats and ships, such as this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t remember that it was the 16th floor and thought that it was much higher in the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know there is an amazing Safe Zone here. There is a massive ship somewhere that has an entire city on its deck. It’s quite hard to find without a guide, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, I’ve always liked to visit that place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, I just know a way to find that place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon pulled out the Enchanted Compass, and its needle started pointing towards the southeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah right, you had this Enchanted Compass with you. That is extremely useful in here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he and Fang Raon were still partying with Abigail, Ragnar, and Poppy, he used to use this Enchanted Compass often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know how to steer this boat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon asked with a wry smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think the controls in these boats are very simple on the 16th floor. Just a steering wheel and lever to control speed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary walked inside the boat’s control room and looked around—it was exactly what he expected to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lever and a steering wheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These boats move with the help of a wooden propeller. It works with magic, so go to the back to the propeller, and pull the rope to start the boat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon went to the back, found the propeller, and there was a rope attached to it—a knot was tied at the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a magic knot, so when he pulled the rope with enough strength, magic would flow into the propeller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The propeller then wouldn’t stop unless Machary pulled the lever all the way down to zero speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll start it now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon shouted, grabbed the rope with both hands, and pulled it really hard—the knot opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SWOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic flowed into the propeller, and it started spinning faster and faster until it was a blur of motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary shouted, and then he shifted the lever into the first gear, and the boat started moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon went to him and put the Enchanted Compass right on the desk so Machary could use it as directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s evening currently, so hopefully we’ll reach the Safe Zone in a couple of hours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to do something after nine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was talking about the daily phone call with Chaewon, which he didn’t really want to miss, as he always liked talking with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"C’mon dude, we’re two young men in our prime. We should play all night and enjoy the adventures of the youth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon chuckled and thought about it, and then said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I’ll go eat and take a shower around nine. I can log back on after that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll do the same then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left Machary to deal with the steering, sat down on the deck, and looked at the vast expanse of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I do that move... my opponent can do that... and vice versa...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was reciting things that Rock taught him today, and he was trying to engrave those things in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’My brain hurts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought and rubbed his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training General’s Game was basically just training his mind, and in some cases, it was more exhausting than training the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mental exhaustion was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hours flew, but since it didn’t look like the two of them were anywhere near the Safe Zone, they decided to log off for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned off the propeller. Anchored the boat. And then logged out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For starters, Fang Raon put some food into the microwave, and while it was cooking, he took a quick shower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drenched from hair to toes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stepped out of the shower, the food was ready, and he quickly stuffed his mouth with food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the time struck half ten, and just like clockwork, his phone vibrated as he received a phone call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a smile, Fang Raon accepted Chaewon’s FaceTime call, and they talked for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the usual—what both of them did during the day—and they were also talking about meeting again soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a short while since they met the last time, and honestly, both of them wanted to see each other in the flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaewon had become a full-time home caretaker, and so far, it had been going extremely well for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was liked by everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She left it out, but she had also started to play Black Online properly now, and she was slowly learning more about that world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call then ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time to head back...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon climbed inside the Virtual Reality Pod and booted up the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rare for him to play this late, but even he wanted to see that Safe Zone that Machary mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>",1568,"2026-06-06T02:35:08.438Z",1,"novelbin.me","46f1eac80cec788d0cba3b5d184626365b1817aa3ddb95a355439696b8f718cc","black-online-chapter-177","black-online-chapter-175",270,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fblack-online-cover.jpg"]