----------------------------
Unaware that his stealth skill was being observed,
Taehyun was aiming for his fifth examination ticket.
At that moment, a guy using detection skills targeted him from behind.
Taehyun lightly dodged and jumped straight into the center of the Colosseum.
If he were to subdue this guy and snatch the fifth examination ticket, the exam would end, but...
'I can't miss this great opportunity.'
It was a good chance to compete against S-rank awakeners.
Besides,
'There's no better sacrifice than an S-rank to make an impact.'
Since the proctors would be assigning scores, it was necessary to secure at least one S-rank examinee's ticket for later.
[Skill Stone Skin has been activated.]
Thud. Thud. Thud-thud.
With just three leaps, Taehyun approached the owner of the fifth examination ticket he had marked.
Simultaneously,
Crackle.
As if to protect the caster, blue electricity struck the area.
"Nowhere to go."
Shin Yunbok, using the skill 'Wrath of the Thunder God', snapped his fingers at the stealthed Taehyun.
He had a relaxed expression, as if he could see through that much.
'Not bad.'
He only grazed me while I was using Stone Skin.
Yet the grazed arm tingled as if it had been electrocuted.
"Come and get me if you can."
Shin Yunbok grinned and gestured, but Taehyun did not respond to the provocation.
Instead, he deactivated the stealth skill he had been using.
He knew that his location was being read anyway because of the sparks generated by 'Wrath of the Thunder God'.
It was better to save even a little bit of magic power.
"You've collected four examination tickets, yet you dare to challenge me. Are you crazy? Or..."
Whoosh.
Crack.
"You..."
Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.
Taehyun spun around and threw fragments of stone from the ground that were rolling around like pebbles.
What were mere stones combined with Taehyun's stats using Stone Skin, resulting in the force of a shot put.
Shin Yunbok frowned and surrounded himself with a barrier of electricity.
With his other hand, he controlled the skill and unleashed lightning strikes, but...
Bang. Bang. Bang. Ba-bam.
"Kkeuaak!!"
"What the hell!!"
Only innocent examinees around them were harmed by Taehyun's quick movements.
Crackle. Bang.
Crackle. Ba-bam.
"Heh heh... what is that..."
"His movements are no joke, are they?"
"Kim Taehyun. A C-rank awakener dodging S-rank skills..."
The proctors watching from beyond the Colosseum chuckled at the unexpected sight.
The Colosseum was a chaotic battlefield where countless skills were being used indiscriminately.
Even high-level active players would find it dangerous,
but two examinees had started to organize the chaos.
"You rat-like bastard!! How about dodging this!!!"
Shin Yunbok, who had been using a wide-area skill, was now chasing only Taehyun, and Taehyun was stirring up the Colosseum.
'Wrath of the Thunder God. If only I could devour it.'
Thinking that, he picked up and threw five more stones.
Crackle!! Crackle!! Crackle!! Crish!! Crack...
The violently flying stones could not penetrate Shin Yunbok's barrier and turned to dust.
Except for one.
The last stone he threw didn't turn to dust and bounced off beyond the barrier.
Taehyun's lips curled up as he watched it.
He sensed that it was finally time to end this tedious game of tag.
Dodging another incoming electric strike, he picked up a boulder about twenty times the size of the previous ones with both hands.
And.
Ba-boom!!!
"Keugh...!"
Shin Yunbok groaned as he blocked the boulder flying at tremendous speed.
Perhaps because his magic power had dropped to less than half, the boulder was not even half destroyed.
It was natural for that much damage to accumulate in his body through the barrier.
Ba-boom!! Ba-boom!! Ba-ba-boom!!!
It only took a moment for the battle to change.
Shin Yunbok was on the defensive, to the point where he had to focus on defense.
"Th, this bastard... using low-grade tactics..."
Having been famous as an S-rank awakener in Busan, there were many who challenged him.
But they all knelt before him with overwhelming skill.
Overwhelming talent.
Shin Yunbok, 19 years old, who had dominated Busan's teens with just that.
This kind of brawl was unfamiliar to him.
"Yunbok-ah. Did the Gwangan Bridge collapse?"
'What the hell... Keuheok...!!'
Perhaps his concentration was disrupted by the jeering provocation.
Shin Yunbok's barrier shattered, and at the same time, scattered fragments struck his entire body.
In that gap, Taehyun's hand struck the back of his neck.
Thud.
Shin Yunbok's body collapsed helplessly.
"Kid. Why would a perfectly good bridge suddenly collapse?"
Rummage, rummage.
He searched Shin Yunbok's unconscious form.
Taehyun, having added four examination tickets, raised his hand.
[Examinee No. 9200 Kim Taehyun. Passed the first test.]
Taehyun's name resounded throughout the Colosseum.
It was about 20 minutes after the start of the first test.
Thirty minutes after Taehyun headed to the waiting room for successful applicants.
The first test was over.
Out of nine thousand nine hundred and fifty applicants, eight thousand eight hundred and fifty had been eliminated.
'Whenever I see it, the difficulty of Korean exams is extreme.'
Looking at neighboring Japan and China, at least a thousand players are born each year.
The player mortality rate is also high, but the number of players is now considered a measure of national power.
Only the New Korea is going against that trend.
"No way! I also acquired four!!"
"Shibal!!! How long have I waited for this test!!"
"I, I'm a B-rank awakener! There's no way I could fail!!"
"Tell the chairman to come out!!"
Immediately after the test ended, applicants appeared who could not accept the reality.
An exam that only happens once a year.
Moreover, the results are released immediately, so the backlash was somewhat expected.
'It doesn't feel like someone else's problem. Still, it's dangerous to act like that.'
Taehyun clicked his tongue, watching the hundreds of examinees causing a ruckus.
Then, a man who spotted Taehyun, Shin Yunbok, shouted.
"You cowardly bastard! Let's fight again!! There's no way I could lose to someone like you!!!!"
Shin Yunbok, trembling, approached and grabbed Taehyun by the collar.
"Ha... you're being pathetic, Yunbok-ah. Busan must be far, let's not waste energy."
It was a simple provocation, but Shin Yunbok was not in his right mind.
It was natural for the string of reason he had been holding onto to snap.
"Die!!!"
Paji-ji-ji-jik!!!!
Befitting the name Wrath of the Thunder God.
Electricity began to scatter from Shin Yunbok's enraged body.
Papa-papa-pak.
Electricity struck Taehyun's body, which was using Stone Skin.
'Keuk... If I had been hit head-on when I was in good condition, I would have retired as is?'
At the same time.
The message he had been waiting for appeared.
Ting.
[Withstand a powerful attack. Stamina increases by 1.]
He grinned.
Messages that increase stats are always welcome.
But if he were to be hit by such an attack again, Stone Skin would not be able to withstand it.
Just then, a man walked out in front of Taehyun, who was getting up.
"That's enough, Examinee No. 202."
A man with a wooden sword slung over his shoulder.
He spoke to the irrational Shin Yunbok.
Taehyun's eyes widened at the sight of the man's face.
'Could it be... Park Sungjin?'
Park Sungjin.
An S-rank player in New Korea, and a top-ranked player who would reach SS-rank in the near future.
His swordsmanship was said to rival Nakata Shinji, a player from Japan at the level of national power.
A normal examinee would not fail to recognize him, but.
Shin Yunbok was too irrational to recognize Park Sungjin.
"Get out of my way!!!"
Paji-ji-ji-jik!!!
Dozens of strands of electricity aimed at Park Sungjin.
And.
Blink.
Swordsmanship so fast that no one noticed except Taehyun.
Without knowing what had happened to him.
Thud.
Shin Yunbok's body crumbled.
Gulp.
Taehyun quietly swallowed.
'That's a real S-rank player.'
Strength different from S-rank awakeners and A-rank players, of course.
Everyone trembled before that overwhelming power.
Taehyun was the same.
'That's the next stage I have to overcome.'
He clenched his fist.
Regardless, Park Sungjin, leaving Shin Yunbok behind, opened his mouth.
"Listen up, you brats. It's going to be difficult if you act like this."
"P, Park Sungjin..."
"Shi...bal..."
The troublemakers who had seemed like they would destroy everything a moment ago.
They began to tremble.
Everyone silently averted their gaze, but then.
A man boasting massive muscles stepped forward.
"Shibal!! Let me try to touch you too!! I'll go out and tell the reporters..."
The moment the man, who had shown reckless courage, emitted magical power to use a skill.
Sizzle.
Thud.
The man's arm fell off.
"Huh?"
"Is what I say funny? Examinee No. 1257."
Following a fountain of blood spouting.
The man, who had lost an arm in that fountain, cried out.
"Uwaaaaaack!!! My arm!!!!"
"Hey, is that all the determination you had to become a player?"
Park Sungjin, clicking his tongue, opened his mouth again.
"Player Test Law Article 12. Applicants acknowledge that they may lose their lives at any time during the test and agree to bear any damages for this. You all signed it, didn't you?"
He brought up the applicant agreement.
At the same time, tremendous magical power was emitted.
Kugu-gu-gung.
As if to strengthen gravity, the number of examinees kneeling everywhere increased.
'Keuk... Does he have some kind of intimidation skill...'
Headaches and dizziness washed over him.
Just as Taehyun's knees, which had been holding up quite well, were about to bend.
"Player Park Sungjin. Stop there. All the examinees are going to faint."
Another association official stepped forward and calmed him down.
Some were already unconscious, and even the S-rank awakeners were kneeling and gasping for breath.
'Unbelievably strong.'
Feeling the dizziness subside.
Taehyun looked at Park Sungjin.
A goal that he will surpass in the near future.
Park Sungjin was also aware of Taehyun.
It's only been 10 seconds.
Just by him releasing his energy, all the examinees knelt.
Even the so-called S-rank awakeners.
'But this guy, No. 9200, endured it?'
Even though he was closest to him.
Park Sungjin looked at Taehyun with an interesting expression.
He had been participating as a player test supervisor for 5 years.
Now, it felt like he had found someone who could become his opponent.
"No. 9200. What's your name?"
Park Sungjin, with a wooden sword slung over his shoulder, asked.
Taehyun's face twitched at the unexpected question.
"Kim Taehyun."
In the near future.
Asia Player Ranking TOP10.
It was the first meeting of two men who would make a name for themselves there.
----------------------------
Episode 22
The second test was held two days after the first test ended.
Originally, it was customary to proceed without any recovery time.
However, Park Sung-jin's momentum had rapidly depleted the examinees' energy.
Since they were planning to eliminate about half of the examinees in the second test anyway,
the association decided to provide examinees with sufficient rest.
As the association held the examinees' basic rights for a week, there were no further complaints.
The night before the second test,
while resting in his room,
Tae-hyun was reviewing his plans.
'Shin Yun-bok wasn't the type to drop out like that.'
In Tae-hyun's previous life before regression,
Shin Yun-bok had passed the player test without difficulty and had been on a successful streak.
But now, the test content had changed so much that he had fainted twice.
Once against Tae-hyun, and once against Park Sung-jin.
It was different from the future he knew.
He couldn't gauge what impact this subtle difference would have in the future.
'No. It might be too early to conclude that he's out.'
Those who passed the first test were assigned individual rooms for rest.
On the other hand, those who failed were moved to another location.
Usually, they would be isolated and spend time there until the end of the test, but
Tae-hyun knew that some of them would appear in the third test through a losers' round.
'This year's batch includes talents who were considered legendary even in my past life.'
A whopping ten S-rank awakeners.
Considering that usually only one or two S-rank awakeners apply each year,
it was an unbelievable pool of talent.
Of course, considering that six of them were teenagers, it was understandable.
'There will definitely be an opportunity to devour the skills of the S-ranks. Until then, I'll hold out with the remaining skills.'
Tae-hyun was still regretful that he hadn't devoured Lee Jung-jae's skill, 'Heart of Fire.'
There's nothing as foolish as missing an opportunity when it comes.
So, for that time,
it was necessary to fully unlock the seal of Devour.
Just as Tae-hyun was considering doing push-ups again,
Knock knock.
A familiar voice was heard along with the knock.
"Kim Tae-hyun. It's me."
Confirming that it was Im Ah-young outside the door, Tae-hyun opened the door.
"What brings you here at this late hour? How scary."
Tae-hyun said playfully, recalling the first test.
'Ice Age,' which he had used at the beginning.
'If her reaction had been just a bit slower,'
she would surely have been eliminated without doing anything.
'Doesn't he intend to invite me in?'
As Tae-hyun stood blocking the doorway, she asked while standing outside.
"Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Shin Yun-bok. There was no need to go that far, was there? The provocation right after the test was clearly..."
Pfft.
He couldn't help but laugh.
He never expected to hear such words after coming this far.
"I'm asking seriously, Kim Tae-hyun. You've changed since you awakened."
Changed.
Im Ah-young emphasized that word.
"Im Ah-young. Is your smart head just for show?"
"What...?"
"Tsk. If you're going to nag, go to Player Park Sung-jin."
"......"
"Or, do you not have the courage to say such things to that person?"
Im Ah-young's face flushed at the taunt.
Tae-hyun didn't care and drove the point home.
"If you rely only on your skills and act recklessly, you'll end up like Shin Yun-bok, got it?"
Consideration, compassion, and kindness based on noblesse oblige.
These were things that didn't suit Tae-hyun, who had spent decades scraping by at the bottom.
Perhaps reading Tae-hyun's gaze,
Im Ah-young retreated obediently.
"The second test is a one-on-one duel. The first five hundred people to win five times in two days will pass."
It was tempting information, but
Tae-hyun also already knew this.
"Now you're saying something useful. More importantly, what's the guarantee that it's not false information?"
He knew it wasn't false information.
The source of the information was probably Nightwalker.
Her half-sister, the guild leader of Nightwalker, Yoo Ah-young, was also involved in this test.
However, Im Ah-young didn't seem inclined to answer Tae-hyun's question.
"Those with power must have a sense of responsibility befitting it. That's what I've learned."
"Oh, really?"
"So, if I meet you in the second match, I will give it my all."
'Why does it have to be like that?'
Contrary to Tae-hyun's thoughts, Im Ah-young's body radiated coldness.
In her own way, it was a grand declaration of war.
"From sermons to threats. You're even worse than Lee Jung-jae? But."
Tae-hyun took a step closer to her.
And whispered softly in her ear.
"Im Ah-young, you are not my opponent either."
"......!!"
Ah-young's face reddened as she tried to say something, but
Tae-hyun didn't listen and closed the door.
"Hoo... I hope this bluff works."
Tae-hyun smiled awkwardly.
With Devour unusable,
it was difficult to guarantee victory in a fight against S-rank awakeners with limitless potential.
"The second test will be quite bloody."
Tae-hyun clicked his tongue as he thought about his future plans.
The second test, which started the next day, proceeded as Im Ah-young had said and Tae-hyun knew.
[The second test will proceed with 1-on-1 duels. The duels will take place simultaneously in 500 cages, and the first 500 to achieve 5 wins will be passed. In the event of a surrender, loss, or draw, a penalty equivalent to 1 win will be imposed. Murder is, of course, prohibited. We will now begin the opponent draw.]
An automatic draw began on the giant screen.
Soon, Tae-hyun's opponent was determined.
9200 Kim Tae-hyun - 7777 Hong Jung-wook
'7777, that's quite a menacing number.'
When he arrived at the cage, a man in his early thirties was already waiting.
He was the man who used the skill 'Iron Body' in the first test.
'Probably a B-rank.'
Everyone's attention was focused on the S-rank or A-rank examinees, but
B-ranks were by no means negligible.
Even without obtaining a player license, they had sufficient specs to enter a large guild or corporation.
Especially if they were awakeners who had trained in martial arts.
They had to be considered to have above-average combat abilities.
'The second test focused on one-on-one combat capabilities that might occur in dungeons or the abyss.'
Other rules,
such as the cage or the watching eyes,
were known to be created to induce psychological anxiety in confined spaces.
Usually, the standard was to concentrate on battles where you could control your stamina and win, but
'I can't just let this good opportunity go to waste.'
Tae-hyun entered the hexagonal cage after the man in the martial arts uniform.
"Kim Tae-hyun. The impact of the first test was significant, but... I don't intend to give in easily."
As if already sensing his defeat, the man said, tightening his black belt.
Tae-hyun lightly nodded in response.
[Match Start.]
Crack.
Simultaneously with the use of the skill, the man's body became noticeably harder.
The fact that his skin turned silver was a bonus.
'Iron Body,' considered the higher version of 'Stone Skin.'
As you can tell from the difference between Stone and Iron, there was an insurmountable hierarchical relationship between C-rank and B-rank skills.
However.
Crack.
Tae-hyun nonchalantly used Stone Skin.
"It would be better to use your specialty, Stealth, quickly... Keuk!!"
Before the man could finish speaking,
Tae-hyun's fist came down over his guard.
"You talk too much, senior."
With Tae-hyun's preemptive strike, the second test began.
As was the case with the first test, the second test was also being monitored by supervisors.
In accordance with the size of the examinee pool,
a total of about a hundred supervisors were focusing their attention on hundreds of screens.
"Examinee number 9200, Kim Tae-hyun. Everyone is paying attention."
"He's the guy who beat an S-rank despite being a C-rank. It would be strange if they didn't pay attention."
"His skills were Stone Skin and Stealth, right? Stealth is a skill that you can only handle properly if you're at least a B-rank. Pearls before swine."
The supervisor predicted that a C-rank body wouldn't be able to withstand the two skills and evaluated him that way.
"I agree. If that guy was at least an A-rank, no, even a B-rank, he would have had the potential to be a top-ranked player. His rank is a shame compared to his natural talent."
"Should we say that the world is fair when we see things like this...?"
Most of the supervisors possessed measurement skills.
They were all seeing a common stat screen.
[Skills]
Stone Skin (C) - Can strengthen the body. Yomam power: 9
Stealth (C) - Can hide the body. Yomam power: 8
Just two skills.
That was no different for Go Tae-wook either.
'Tae-hyun, is he really not going to use the rest of his skills?'
The day Tae-hyun had come to him asking for an invitation,
he had expressed his desire not to have his information revealed.
The arrogance that those who have awakened high ranks or skills tend to fall into.
Tae-hyun didn't show any of that.
'Is this what they mean by a promising seedling?'
Go Tae-wook readily agreed and even lent him an item that could conceal his measurement skills.
And he registered Tae-hyun as a C-rank double-skill awakener.
'There's definitely something different.'
Stealth, an assassination skill, and Stone Skin, a tank skill.
Even his body was trained to efficiently use the two skills.
Tae-hyun was fully showing his worth in the player test, which was mainly composed of A-ranks and S-ranks.
Adding the new title of being the only examinee who withstood Park Sung-jin's momentum.
The hundred or so supervisors who were watching
thought that if Tae-hyun was showing the same appearance in the 1st test, he would show something special in the 2nd test.
However.
"W-what is this..."
"Why is that guy suddenly acting like that?"
"A dogfight?"
The image Tae-hyun was showing was a simple brawl.
Not even a counter-attack format that avoided attacks, but a low-level dogfight that literally relied on endurance to exchange blows.
"Is he nervous or something?"
"There's no way, right? He even withstood Park Sung-jin's momentum."
"Then how the heck are we supposed to explain that fight?"
Go Tae-wook was also tilting his head in confusion.
And one hypothesis flashed through his mind.
'Could it be that he's deliberately doing that to raise his physical stats?'
If that's true, it's a crazy idea.
To raise stats, you have to be exposed to stimuli close to the limit.
Even though there were healers on standby.
Would there be a crazy person who would do such a thing while taking the test?
'If he's really thinking that... what the heck is that kid...'
The flashy duels around them.
A dogfight that was stealing the attention from such duels.
Go Tae-wook could only chuckle and watch.
Crack!
Thwack!
Crunch!
Every time the skills Iron Body and Stone Skin collided, the sound of something breaking could be heard.
It was only natural that the two of them groaned each time.
And.
Ting.
[Withstand a powerful attack. Stamina increases by 1.]
[Overcome the limit of magic power. Magic power increases by 1.]
[The opponent expresses awe. Charisma increases by 1.]
As Go Tae-wook had predicted, Tae-hyun's stats were constantly increasing.
-----------------------------
Episode 23
The plan to raise my physical stats was progressing smoothly.
For opponents who were melee skill awakeners, it was mainly strength and stamina.
For magic skill awakeners, stamina, speed, and mana increased.
Unexpectedly, even my charm stat increased due to the awe I inspired from time to time, so the hardship wasn't in vain.
Other examinees and supervisors, unaware of this growth rate, shook their heads.
But Taehyun didn't care about such misunderstandings.
"Examinee Kim Taehyun. Will you continue to the next match?"
"Yes."
"Go over there and receive treatment. The treatment time is 30 minutes. I will inform you of your opponent's draw before that."
Although the schedule was tight, Taehyun didn't argue with the supervisor.
He knew this would happen, and it was his decision to continue the matches.
Thud.
He slumped down on one side of the treatment room and looked around.
With each match, the examinees became more battered, and the association's healers were busy running around to treat them.
While waiting for his turn, he turned his gaze to the arena where hundreds of cages were lined up.
The second test was underway, with skills clashing against skills, bodies colliding against bodies.
Among them.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
An ice pillar rose above one cage, drawing the attention of the surroundings.
It was Lim Ayoung, who had won her fourth match in less than 10 minutes.
Even her opponent was one of the S-rank awakeners.
'There isn't an S-rank skill I don't want.'
A smile spread across his face as he watched the ice pillar slowly melt.
The power she was displaying was truly overwhelming.
Over the past month, her skill control had improved more than he had expected, proving that she hadn't been slacking off.
Even Taehyun, whose stats had increased during the second test, couldn't guarantee victory.
'I can't assume defeat before even fighting.'
Taehyun shook his head and opened his status window.
Name: Kim Taehyun
Age: 19
Rank: C
Strength: 40 Stamina: 42 Speed: 40 Mana: 70 Charm: 13
Fatigue: 77%
Remaining Mana: 12/70
[Skills]
Devour (X) - Can devour the desired target. Requires demonic energy: 15
Stone Skin (C) - Can strengthen the body. Requires demonic energy: 9
Stealth (C) - Can hide the body. Requires demonic energy: 8
Paralysis (C) - Restricts the target's body. Requires demonic energy: 7
Lord's Heart (C) - Increases the stats of party members. Requires demonic energy: 10
'My charm points have increased a lot.'
Awe.
The emotion that Taehyun's opponents all felt.
'The kids have surprisingly strange tastes. Not that I'm a pervert.'
An emotion that bloomed in the muddy battle where they pushed each other's abilities to the limit.
That emotion was something more than just friendship.
Regardless of gender.
Those he had faced all offered a handshake.
Friendship blooming in hardship.
'Give that to the dogs.'
The healer in charge of Taehyun approached.
"Examinee Kim Taehyun, number 9200. You're overdoing it again."
It was a woman he had met after his second match.
She had a look of disbelief on her face.
It was only five hours since the test had started.
The fact that Taehyun was pushing his body too hard was already well known among the healers.
"There are no easy opponents."
When he showed an unconcerned attitude, the woman sighed.
"The player certification is important, but... healing skills aren't a panacea. If you compete this recklessly, your body won't be able to handle it."
This was advice from a B-rank healer.
Taehyun bowed his head in response to her kindness.
"Well, I'll keep that in mind."
"It sounds like you're only half-listening."
"Not at all."
While ignoring the grumbling healer, Taehyun thought.
'I need to learn a recovery skill too.'
Taehyun was making long-term plans.
At that moment.
A speaker in the treatment room announced that his fifth match had been arranged.
"This is too blatant to be a coincidence."
His fifth opponent was Lim Ayoung.
Lim Ayoung was waiting at the entrance of the cage.
"Is this a coincidence?"
"……."
Her silent gaze was calmer than before.
It was hard to believe that she had just fought an S-rank awakener in the previous match.
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter."
"Kim Taehyun. Are you fully recovered?"
She asked, scanning Taehyun's tattered body.
The training uniform he had been given had become a rag due to the rough four matches.
He had received treatment from a B-rank healer for 30 minutes.
His injuries had mostly recovered.
'I can probably output 80 percent of my full strength, excluding Devour.'
It was a fight worth trying.
"I'm curious. What are you thinking, putting on this show?"
Both were on their fifth match.
If they lost here, the hard-earned one win would be deducted as a penalty.
'I refuse to repeat.'
Taehyun steeled his resolve and entered the cage.
The two waited at opposite ends for the start.
"I told you, you're not my opponent, didn't I? Prove it. I'm going to go all out too."
She said, burning with fighting spirit.
"Why so serious?"
[5...4...3...2...1...]
The match began as the countdown ended.
At the same time.
Crackle crackle crackle crackle.
The cage froze over.
"What are you doing?"
The cage froze over as soon as the match started.
No, it would be more accurate to say that it was surrounded by ice.
Unlike the ice pillars that soared to a thickness that couldn't be seen from the outside.
The inside of the cage was only covered in frost.
It was as if they were trapped in an ice prison.
"Kim Taehyun. Those twisted kids like you deserve a beating."
With those words.
She created a blunt weapon made of ice.
Whoosh.
Crack.
B-rank skills 'Weapon Enhancement' and 'Body Enhancement'.
Two skills were used in succession.
Triple skill.
It was difficult mana control even for active players.
But.
"Lim Ayoung. Are you really a kid?"
Whoosh.
Her blunt weapon cut through the air.
It was where Taehyun had been a moment ago.
At the same time.
Smack.
Ayoung's knee slammed into his guard.
A surprisingly clean move.
'Not bad?'
As Taehyun was pushed back, Ayoung followed up with a flurry of attacks.
Whoosh.
Crack.
The blunt weapon and kicks, enhanced with B-rank skills, constantly aimed for vital points.
'Is this how much she's holding back? She's damn strong.'
Ayoung would grow into an SS-rank in the future.
She was very different.
Even though she wasn't using her main skill, 'Ice Age', each attack was fatal.
'Well, I haven't been slacking off either.'
Crack crack crack crack.
As he injected more mana into Stone Skin, parts of his body turned into stone.
Like Bae Hyuksoo, it was an aggressive form of Stone Skin that hadn't been refined.
The difference was that parts of it were like sharp spikes.
Taehyun used Stealth to hide himself in the cage.
"Stone Skin and Stealth. Not a bad combination. But."
Snow began to fall around Lim Ayoung.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
"It doesn't work on me."
Stealth was canceled by the accumulating snow.
Her hand pointed directly at Taehyun.
"Ice Pillar."
Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Above Stone Skin.
Ayoung's mana began to freeze Taehyun.
[Skill usage detected. Affected by Ice Age (S). Speed is reduced.]
[Skill usage detected. Affected by Ice Age (S). Body temperature drops.]
[Skill usage detected. Affected by Ice Age (S). Stamina decreases.]
[Skill usage detected. Affected by Ice Age (S). Fatigue increases.]
[Enduring a powerful attack. Stamina increases by 1.]
Numerous messages popped up with a single attack.
'She's really... strong. This girl.'
Forcibly trying to move his body.
He belatedly realized the seriousness of the situation.
She wasn't aiming for just one defeat this time.
'Is she planning to completely freeze me and prevent me from taking the second test? This crazy moralist….'
Taehyun pounded on his frozen legs with his fists.
Cracks appeared and ice shards scattered, and the stiffening legs moved again.
"You think I'll let you!!!"
Zzzzzzzzzz.
As soon as he threw himself to the side, a new ice pillar was created.
It was the size that would have ended the match immediately if he hadn't avoided it.
Taehyun's mind began to spin quickly.
'Devour is sealed. Lord's Heart is useless right now.'
All that was left was the skill 'Paralysis'.
But Taehyun's achievement with the paralysis skill wasn't high.
Not only did it have to touch the opponent.
It would only be effective if injected into the body of someone with an S-rank body.
But in this blizzard.
Moreover, he couldn't possibly reach Ayoung in his slowed state.
'A way... a way to approach... a way to inject bodily fluids….'
Suddenly.
An idea flashed through Taehyun's mind.
A way to approach and inject bodily fluids at the same time.
In a desperate situation.
A strange smile appeared on his face.
He poured 70% of the remaining mana into Stone Skin.
And.
"Eureah!!!"
Taehyun charged towards Lim Ayoung.
It was time to make a gamble.
Buzz buzz.
"Hey. Camera number 250. Secure the view quickly."
The supervisor watching Taehyun and Lim Ayoung's match frowned.
Some supervisors even raised their voices.
Ice Age was used as soon as the match started.
They missed a good spectacle because of that skill.
The cold was so strong that matches in other cages were even suspended.
"Supervisor. Shouldn't we intervene?"
"Heh. I didn't expect an examinee to be able to use a skill of this level."
"It's a threat to even A-rank players. There's no way Examinee Kim Taehyun can endure it."
"Even if he endures it, the physical aftereffects will be severe. His body won't be in a state to compete in the next match."
"Tsk. What a pity. I guess the mud spoon's rebellion ends here."
The supervisors were optimistic about Lim Ayoung's victory.
They judged that it was impossible for an ordinary examinee, let alone a C-rank awakener, to withstand a skill of this power.
Just as they were about to stop the match.
Drip. Drip.
The ice that had frozen the cage began to melt.
"Oh, I guess the match is already over."
"Examinee Kim Taehyun, number 9200. Is he safe? Get the healers in quickly!"
While they were shouting to clean up the aftermath.
All the ice pillars surrounding the cage melted.
And.
The supervisors and examinees were at a loss for words at the sight that was revealed.
"Huh…?"
"What is that…."
What came into their eyes was.
Ayoung being pinned down with both arms restrained…
And Taehyun stuffing a chunk of ice into her mouth.
----------------------------
Okay, here's the translation:
Episode 24
Crunch. Crunch.
Forcing his frozen body to move, Taehyun rose from his seat.
With each movement, the ice fragments clinging to his body broke with an eerie sound.
'I almost died for real.'
Taehyun stopped shoving in ice chunks and exhaled.
His breath came out white in the cold, showing how low the temperature was.
Ting!
[Skill Paralysis (C) has reached its limit of enhancement.]
'Well, it's enough now.'
He used the skill 'Paralysis' on the ice chunks.
The melting ice chunks were steadily being injected into Ah-young's body.
Three seconds.
No, if he had been just two seconds later, it would have been him, not Ah-young, collapsing right now.
A belated chill ran through him.
'Lim Ah-young. Was she hiding this much power even in my past life?'
He had thought she was just one of the promising players at this stage.
He thought her full growth hadn't occurred yet.
Taehyun had no choice but to admit that he had underestimated her.
"Y... You... Gi... Tae...hyun..."
Lim Ah-young, unable to move due to the spreading paralysis.
She forced her stiffening mouth to move.
It seemed she had already lost sensation in her arms and legs.
But her glaring eyes were fixed on Taehyun.
"......"
He deliberately ignored her obsession.
Taehyun looked at the scoreboard.
Just as the match result was announced, an unidentified jeering and cheering erupted.
'Those guys should mind their own matches. Why is everyone watching here?'
He clicked his tongue and was about to leave the cage when.
Ting!
[You have inflicted a critical shock to the opponent's mind. Charisma increased by 3.]
An unexpected message popped up.
'Critical shock?'
At that, he looked at Ah-young's face again.
Her face was flushed red, and her eyes looked like they could kill.
Her eyes were also twitching.
'They say that if a woman holds a grudge, frost will fall even in the fifth or sixth month. Frost... wait, why is it suddenly so cold?'
Stagger.
Against his will.
Taehyun bent one knee and touched the floor.
Ting!
[HP has reached its limit. Vision blurs.]
[HP has reached its limit. Movement is restricted.]
[Fatigue has reached its limit. Skill use is impossible.]
......
......
......
Countless messages rang in his ears.
Each and every one was unpleasant.
'Damn it...'
His vision darkened, and sounds began to feel distant.
And then.
Thud.
Once again.
Taehyun ended up collapsing on top of Ah-young.
Taesan Group, which has countless affiliates.
Lee Jung-soo, the vice president of such a Taesan Group and the president of Taesan Electronics, a core company, threw down the newspaper he was reading.
[New Korea Player Exam Begins. Where is Taesan Electronics' eldest son, an S-Rank Awakened?]
'Where is Taesan Electronics' eldest son?'
Lee Jung-soo's face twitched at the article that shouldn't have been there.
He pressed the call button.
Beep-
"Hey. Bring me the editor of Korea Daily."
[H-How should I relay the message?]
Lee Jung-soo burst out at the voice coming through the receiver.
"Find the bastard who put out that article in today's newspaper without permission! Can't you even do that on your own?!"
[Y-Yes, sir! I'll tell them right away!]
Beep-
"Tsk. Morons. There isn't a single one I like. They should pay up after taking the bribes."
Lee Jung-soo was so agitated because his son, Lee Jung-jae, was mentioned in the press.
It wasn't just because his son was in self-imposed confinement due to a humiliating incident.
In any case, only a very small number of people knew that Lee Jung-jae was hospitalized at Taesan Hospital.
Even then, he had silenced all those involved.
Nevertheless.
Even if it was just a small article.
Lee Jung-soo would not tolerate any blemish on the name of Taesan Group.
'Why don't my children like any of them? I thought a kid who resembled me had finally appeared... Tsk, you pathetic bastard.'
Lee Jung-jae is the youngest of three children, one son and two daughters.
Unlike the two older daughters, he inherited Lee Jung-soo's blood and was born as an S-class, a golden spoon among golden spoons.
Perhaps that's why.
His disappointment was as great as his expectations.
"Kim Taehyun. That insignificant brat is getting on my nerves."
A pile of documents investigating Kim Taehyun caught his eye on the table.
It was the data reported for a month after the Black and White Brothers failed their mission.
A thorn in his side that he couldn't deal with because a Player from the Association was protecting him.
He was like an obstacle in a smoothly progressing plan.
"If I had known this would happen, I would have established a separate school."
Lee Jung-soo felt frustrated and muttered nervously.
Originally, Lee Jung-jae would have gloriously obtained a Player license.
The plan was to naturally recruit talented people entering GeonGuk High into the Taesan Guild.
"After the washed-up has-been and the fox, now even a little kid is getting in my way."
Lee Jung-soo gritted his teeth, thinking of Ji Jin-hee, the president of the New Korea Player Association, and Yoo Ah-young, the Night Walker Guild Leader, who was fawning over him.
No matter how much he controlled the Taesan Group.
It was not easy to openly ignore the checks of the Player Association President and the head of a large guild.
At that time.
"Vice Chairman, I'll come in."
Swish.
A man passed through the door despite Lee Jung-soo's lack of response.
Lee Jung-soo was not surprised, even though he literally passed through the door without opening it.
Rather, he stood up from his seat as if he had been waiting for him and greeted him.
He was a completely different person than before.
"Haha. Take a seat. I was waiting for you anyway."
"No. I'll just report the results and leave. First of all, I've completely erased the evidence that you contacted Maine. The Association won't bother you anymore on this matter."
"Good. You're definitely reliable when it comes to getting things done. I should have asked you from the start."
"You flatter me. And the second thing you asked for..."
The man frowned as if he was in trouble.
Lee Jung-soo asked again, seeing that look.
He was not used to this kind of dragged-on flow.
"Has the elixir that can restore my son been completed?"
"The pharmacist says there are a few more things to check, so they're asking for more time. It seems that there's something special about the skill that young master was hit with."
"Tsk. Is the skill that guy used that great? Isn't it just a C-rank?"
"Don't you know? There are many unimaginable skills that are still unknown. There could be skills that transcend ranks."
Lee Jung-soo's face hardened slightly at the man's words.
A C-rank skill that surpasses an S-rank skill.
What kind of nonsense was this?
If it were normal circumstances, he would have already scolded him several times.
However, Lee Jung-soo forced a smile and made a gesture as if he understood.
"I see. So that's why they couldn't handle the Black and White Brothers. I understand. I'll follow your advice."
"Thank you. I apologize for causing you concern because of those low-quality guys."
"Haha. Thanks to that, I met 'you'. I want to grow the Taesan Guild that I'll be establishing into a force no less powerful than your Malignant Guild."
"It's an honor that the head of the Great Taesan Group would say that. The Guild Leader is also looking forward to the Vice Chairman's business. In addition."
'Shadow', the vice guild leader of the Malignant Guild, took a moment to catch his breath.
His eyes changed.
"The Guild Leader asks that you refrain from excessive actions, as the movements of Night Walker have been unusual lately."
"Don't worry. I have that much sense. How about setting up a dinner appointment with the Guild Leader on this occasion? It would be nice if you could be the bridge."
The Guild Leader of the Malignant Guild.
An existence shrouded in mystery, whose name and face are unknown.
Lee Jung-soo was now requesting a meeting with such an existence.
Shadow nodded matter-of-factly at the suggestion.
"I will pass on the message. Then, I hope you have a pleasant time."
Just like when he came in.
The man passed through the wall and disappeared.
Truly a skill befitting the name Shadow.
A moment later.
Lee Jung-soo realized that he had been tense.
When was the last time he, an S-class Awakened and a second-generation chaebol, had been so tense?
Five years? No, ten years?
A smile came to his face with a sense of satisfaction beyond expectations.
"Huhu. So the Malignant Guild is finally moving. It's going to be interesting."
When the storm of blood subsides, there will be winners and losers.
Lee Jung-soo sensed that the day the Taesan Guild was launched was not far away.
'Warm.'
That was the first thought that came to mind when consciousness returned.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a white ceiling.
"Umm..."
It didn't take long for him to realize that he was in one of the treatment rooms.
Taehyun struggled to get up and got out of bed.
He clenched and unclenched his fists.
'Fortunately, it doesn't look like I got frostbite.'
His body was still heavy.
But the wounds he had sustained in the second test were nowhere to be seen.
Taehyun was about to check his status window when.
"You're finally awake."
Go Tae-wook opened the door to the ward and came in.
He had come less than three minutes after hearing the report from the nurse.
"Did I faint?"
"You fainted. And you did so quite spectacularly."
Taehyun raised an eyebrow at the subtle nuance, and Go Tae-wook burst out laughing.
"Don't worry. You definitely passed the second test. Five wins in five matches. It's an amazing feat."
"More than that... how much time has passed?"
"Two days. The second test ended yesterday."
Taehyun breathed a sigh of relief at Go Tae-wook's words.
He knew that a two-day break was given at the same time as the second test ended.
He also knew that the third test would be held tomorrow.
"The last thing you used was the 'Paralysis' skill, right?"
"Was I caught?"
Taehyun frowned as he asked that.
Only Stone Skin and Stealth were entered in the submitted documents.
It was not illegal to hide skills, but it was difficult to avoid additional investigation and explanation.
Especially if the rarity of the item he was using was taken into account.
Even Go Tae-wook's name might have to be mentioned.
'I don't want to cause any trouble...'
Unlike Taehyun's concerns, Go Tae-wook was relaxed.
"You don't have to worry too much about that. It seems like I'm the only one who noticed."
"......?"
"Everyone seems to have been too shocked, so they didn't think it was a skill. Wasn't that what you were aiming for?"
"Ah..."
Only then did he understand the cheers before he fainted.
"Oh, by the way, applicant Lim Ah-young also passed the second test."
Go Tae-wook told him the information he didn't even ask for with a playful smile.
"That's a relief."
"Well, I'll be going now. The people around us might misunderstand if a supervisor and an applicant are having a secret meeting. Good luck with the third test tomorrow."
Go Tae-wook disappeared quickly, just like when he came in.
The remaining Taehyun lay down on the bed.
"The third test... is it going to be a party play this time?"
What followed was the chain of dungeon breaks.
His brow furrowed again as he recalled his past life.
"Many people are going to die again this time."
-----------------------------
Episode 25
After meeting Taehyun.
Go Tae-wook sought out the chairman's office.
"Yes, Chief Go. I heard that Kim Taehyun, the student you recommended separately, has awakened?"
"You were aware?"
Go Tae-wook smiled awkwardly at Ji Jin-hee's question.
The chairman was particularly interested in talent.
His interest meant that Taehyun was no longer classified as just a candidate.
From underdog to a promising talent the chairman was interested in.
He had become such a presence after only two tests.
"That child, Kim Taehyun. After looking into him, I found many interesting aspects. Chief Go's eye for talent is truly remarkable."
Yoo Ah-young, who was beside him, said with a sparkle in her eyes.
Within the association, Chief Go Tae-wook, and externally, Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young, were publicly known to be Ji Jin-hee's confidants.
"He is still just a student in the candidate status. The test isn't over yet, so we must watch until the end."
"That's right. Well, since Chief Go is here, let's proceed with the discussion."
Yoo Ah-young nodded at Ji Jin-hee's words.
Go Tae-wook sat next to her.
"The final test starts tomorrow. To what extent do you expect the backlash?"
Ji Jin-hee looked at the two and asked.
Yoo Ah-young was the first to speak.
"We have secured enough reporters. The articles will be released as soon as the test ends, so finishing without any injuries should be our priority."
Yoo Ah-young subtly passed the ball to Go Tae-wook.
"We have thoroughly instructed the players participating in the test to keep quiet. Including Player Park Sung-jin, there are quite a few A-rank players mixed in... Unless a special incident occurs, there shouldn't be any casualties. As Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young said, if it ends safely, favorable public opinion will spread."
It was the expected answer.
"So far, so good. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this player test was planned for the third test, so let's put in a little more effort until the end."
"Understood."
Unlike Go Tae-wook, who bowed his head, Yoo Ah-young smiled faintly.
"Oh, are you worried?"
"Haha. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't while sitting in the chairman's seat. Ah, I showed a weak side. Please forget what I just said, Ms. Ah-young."
"Well, there's no need to forget. I'm with you because I like that side of the chairman."
"That's right. It's a low-level dungeon, so you don't have to worry too much. The Nightwalkers and the association have checked it several times."
The third test was a practical exercise in which 500 candidates and 100 players would jointly attack five recently discovered unofficial dungeons.
All five were enormous in size, but at most, they were D-rank dungeons.
Unless a major accident occurred.
Everyone could pass safely.
"More than that, what are you thinking of doing with the candidates who failed the first and second tests?"
Ah-young cautiously asked Ji Jin-hee about his thoughts.
She already knew that they had been transported by the association's vehicles.
She also knew that Ji Jin-hee had decided to give the 1st and 2nd test failures an opportunity, given how talented these candidates were compared to previous generations.
But the specific method was unknown unless Ji Jin-hee told them.
The same was true for Go Tae-wook.
Ji Jin-hee laughed heartily belatedly.
"Talented people need broad opportunities and support. When the third test begins, we will call them in and conduct a new supplementary test. If they pass, I plan to issue temporary player licenses."
"Ah."
Yoo Ah-young exclaimed softly at the term 'temporary player license.'
She thought she knew what Ji Jin-hee was planning.
Go Tae-wook also had an expression as if he understood the intention.
"As expected, both of you are quick to catch on. I'm thinking of creating a system where fiends and manas are converted into public service points that can be exchanged for a formal player license."
"You've finally made a decision."
Implementing a new system involves numerous trials and errors.
The Player Association's trials and errors are directly related to numerous lives.
Ji Jin-hee was particularly concerned with raising the survival rate of players by increasing the difficulty of the test.
But.
The temporary license and public service points system was a departure from the methods he had adhered to until now.
"Many people say that Shin Korea's player test is excessively difficult. It's not wrong. Not everyone with a player license explores the abyss."
"But it seems you've finally changed your mind."
"As you both know, the world has been changing rapidly for several years. The movements of manas, the movements of guilds. The uncertainty of the abyss as well. If the association can't play its proper role at times like these... In the end, the citizens will bear the brunt of the damage."
Ji Jin-hee was criticized as an idealist, but.
"For the safety of the citizens, I can change my beliefs at any time."
Yoo Ah-young smiled at his heart, which considered the people before his own safety.
Therefore, even more so.
The results of this test were highly anticipated.
The next day.
The final gateway to obtaining a player license.
The third test was underway.
The 500 2nd test passers lined up according to the instructions.
They listened to the supervisor's words.
[Did you all rest well?! You all passed the second test well. The final third test will be conducted as a practical exercise where you directly confront the fiends. The test location is... a dungeon!!!]
The candidates buzzed at the word 'dungeon.'
The supervisor, anticipating the reaction, continued.
[Don't worry. We're not soft enough to just throw newbies in there. Active players selected as supervisors for this test will be with you.]
Five warp gates opened at the front.
Each one was large enough for dozens of people to move through at the same time, and it would take at least five A-rank awakeners to open them.
[From now on, you will move to the third test location. Pass through the gate directly in front of where you are standing. The player in charge will be waiting for you there, so you can hear the strategy directly from them. That's all!! Start moving!!!]
'Am I on this side?'
Taehyun, located at the very back, slowly walked to the warp gate he was assigned to.
He saw the candidates rushing to cross the warp gate.
It was to secure a favorable position.
'It's no use going first.'
There were 500 second test passers and 100 supervisors.
Each party consisted of five candidates and one player as commander.
'The intention is good, but... Well, what can I do?'
This third test was a little special, unlike the previous methods.
It was meant to show that even young candidates had the ability to confront fiends, and to ease public anxiety caused by fiends and manas.
It was a one-hit-three-kill strategy to use this as a springboard for strengthening the association's power.
The intention was good, and the preparations were quite thorough.
The problem was.
'Accidents always happen without warning.'
Taehyun recalled the accident that had caused a stir in his past life.
The five lower-level dungeons where the third test was taking place.
One of them was a double dungeon, and the candidates and players assigned there would all meet their deaths.
The deaths of 100 candidates and 20 players.
This alone was undoubtedly a major incident.
But that wasn't the end of it.
The biggest problem was that numerous undiscovered dungeons would break out in a chain reaction, starting with the double dungeon.
Even if he gave them a heads-up, the association wouldn't believe him, nor could he reveal the source of the information.
For this reason, Taehyun was only watching.
But he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Taehyun shook his head.
'Let's focus. There are still many things to do even after getting the license.'
He was already right in front of the warp gate.
There was a time when he thought that becoming a player was enough.
It was different now.
A regressed life.
He wanted to be the best.
'I hope I get a good dungeon. Is the probability one in five?'
Taehyun finally crossed the warp gate.
And.
"This way."
When he opened his eyes, a man in his late thirties was waving his hand.
'That guy is...'
Taehyun frowned unconsciously as he recalled the man's face.
A-rank player, Madohak.
A veteran player of the association who could use three attribute magic with the skill 'Mana Spring.'
'Damn it. Of all people to form a party with, it's this guy.'
Five dungeons.
One hundred supervisors.
Only one of them was chosen.
But Taehyun's heart was not at ease when he saw Madohak.
That was because.
'This is the worst.'
The party he was leading would be wiped out in this test.
As the first discoverer of the double dungeon.
"Good. Since everyone is here, I will explain the third test. Kim Taehyun, you come over here and listen too. The third test is a supervisor evaluation system..."
Madohak began to explain, but Taehyun could no longer hear him.
'The difficulty of the double dungeon is S-rank. With my power now that the Gluttony is sealed...'
While he was thinking about various possibilities, Madohak's brief explanation ended.
"Okay, let's go!!"
Without delay.
The full-fledged third test began.
"Kueeeek."
Three orcs met their deaths.
By the skill 'Chain Lightning' cast by the candidate.
"Good. That was a very appropriate use of the skill."
The candidate who used the skill bowed his head at Madohak's praise.
The party was advancing smoothly.
It was an enormous size that could easily accommodate 120 people.
The level of the fiends inhabiting the area was not high either.
It was not strange for the association to give it a D-rank rating.
Considering the number of personnel deployed and the level of active players, it was definitely a level that was difficult to be dangerous.
Only Taehyun, who knew of the existence of the double dungeon, had a tense expression.
'The breakout progresses in the form of devouring the dungeon.'
He thought of several possibilities.
'If I step out unnecessarily, I might be suspected. Should I just go along with it for now...?'
At that time.
"Huh? What's this?"
Tilting his head.
One of the party members who was going ahead stopped.
Unlike the dungeon, which was in the form of a cave.
There was a gate of unknown origin.
That was.
'It's here.'
It was the gate leading to the double dungeon.
------------------------------
26th Episode
"Huh? Is that the exit already?"
"Stop!"
Towards the woman approaching the gate.
Taehyun shouted without realizing it.
It was the survival instinct of a human facing disaster.
"W-What is it?"
Applicant 1, flustered by the sudden shout, asked, and the other applicants and Madohak were the same.
They looked as if they were wondering why he was suddenly stepping up after being quiet all along.
Taehyun belatedly realized his mistake.
This was the first time a double dungeon had been discovered.
It was natural for them to react this way.
"Ah, I just meant it's dangerous if we don't know what it is, so stop."
"Hey, applicant Kim Taehyun. Do you know what this is?"
Taehyun gave an awkward smile at applicant 2's question.
"No. I don't know exactly, but isn't it better to be careful? Player Madohak, shouldn't we let the others know?"
He said, glancing at the gate in question.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary warp gate.
Deceived by that ordinary appearance.
Countless people in his past life had lost their lives.
Double dungeons always brought a storm of blood.
Taehyun hoped that Madohak would make a wise decision.
Because he was the leader of this party, no matter what anyone said.
"Hmm."
Madohak felt the gate's magic power and showed an interesting reaction.
'Is this guy thinking?'
Taehyun's eyebrows twitched at the unexpected reaction.
Just because he's the party leader doesn't mean his opinion is absolute.
Especially if he's a current player responsible for the safety of the applicants.
Not by Taehyun's standards.
Even by the player's standards, it wasn't common sense.
'Could it be... Madohak is worried about his contribution points?'
Contribution points.
Performance quantified to improve the current player's bonus and player rank.
The development of the Abyss was also included in that performance, so it wouldn't be any different for dungeons.
Taehyun belatedly realized that Madohak was a greedy player.
Madohak's lips curled up as he examined the gate here and there.
"It's not too late to report later. This may be a kind of test, so let's go in first."
"W-Wouldn't it be dangerous?"
"Are you sure it's included in the test...?"
Madohak shrugged his shoulders at the applicants' concerns.
"Everyone, I've been working as a player for over 15 years. I'm not called an A-rank player in New Korea, where licenses are difficult to obtain, for nothing. Besides."
Madohak paused for a moment and smiled.
"Have you forgotten? This test is graded based on contribution points in the dungeon. If we explore properly, we can get a better score than others. In the opposite case, it will be a mi.nus., of course."
Madohak emphasized the minus.
Greedy.
Taehyun realized that Madohak was subtly deceiving the applicants for his own benefit.
At this rate.
They would all enter the double dungeon and die instantly.
"Player. I have a bad feeling. Wouldn't it be safer to contact another party first?"
Taehyun expressed his opinion once again.
Madohak's forehead twitched.
"Applicant Kim Taehyun. I am the leader of this party. Have you forgotten?"
Madohak said, hitting his chest as if to emphasize.
An imposing attitude as if to confirm the difference in status between the supervisor and the applicant.
'This stubborn bastard is really...'
Taehyun turned his head to persuade the other applicants.
But.
"I'll follow Player Madohak's opinion."
"That's why low-level awakeners aren't good. They're too scared."
"That's right. Anyway, he won the S-rank with dirty tricks in the 1st and 2nd tests, right?"
"......"
Two men and one woman looked at him askance, and a middle-aged applicant remained silent.
Jealousy in a life-threatening situation.
Taehyun chuckled, knowing that the two men and one woman were wary of him.
"You're really just kids."
"Wh-What?!"
"Hey, applicant Kim Taehyun!"
"What did you just say?!"
Taehyun opened his mouth again at the reaction that did not betray his expectations.
"Get your heads straight, you old kids. Don't just think about getting points by showing off to the supervisor."
"Hey!!"
"Are you crazy!!"
Ignoring the applicants who were swearing, Taehyun turned his head to Madohak.
"Player Madohak. It's the same for you. It's a problem if the party leader is blinded by personal gain and acts like this."
Madohak's face contorted at Taehyun's blunt fact assault.
"Applicant Kim Taehyun. Are you daring to order me now?"
"You know very well that it's not an order but advice."
"Ha, ridiculous."
Silence flowed in the momentary confrontation.
Nevertheless, when Taehyun did not back down, Madohak shook his head.
He pointed to the gate and opened his mouth.
The tone had changed to a lower one.
"Everyone listen carefully. I can't feel any magic power from what appears to be this gate. I, an A-rank player, can be more confident than anyone else in that."
"It's not a problem to be so easily asserted."
Taehyun sighed.
One of the characteristics of a double dungeon is that you can't feel the specific magic power until you go inside.
'If an ignorant person has faith, they are brave.'
On the one hand, since a double dungeon has never been discovered so far, he could understand why he was so confident.
"Applicant Kim Taehyun's skills are Stoneskin and Stealth, right? What do you know about this, not being a magical type?"
Gulp.
Someone swallowed hard at the tense atmosphere.
Madohak smiled and spread his arms wide.
As if to forget the appearance just a moment ago, with respect.
"Okay. Let's decide by majority vote. But keep in mind. This 3rd test is a supervisor evaluation system. The better you perform, the better evaluation I can give you, of course. This 'unidentified gate' where 'no special magic power is felt' may be a 'bonus stage' prepared by the association. So, those who agree to explore, please raise your hand."
Three hands were raised quickly.
It was the two men and one woman from before.
Only the middle-aged man was still silent, shaking his head slightly.
As things went as expected, Madohak smiled with satisfaction.
The two men and one woman also clapped and celebrated the victory of false democracy.
Taehyun quickly used stealth at that moment.
Sssst.
"Okay. It's decided with this... Keuk!!"
Applicant 2 fainted as it was with a single surprise hand strike.
And once again turned back.
Thud.
Thump.
Another person.
"Th-This crazy bastard!!"
Thud.
Thump.
Taehyun, who knocked down three applicants in an instant, but the fourth attack aimed at Madohak was.
Crackle.
Did not succeed due to 'Lightning Barrier'.
Taehyun's stealth was released by the current that bounced off his body.
"Ahjussi. I'll block here, so find another player. A dangerous-looking gate has been found..."
Taehyun could not continue speaking and hurriedly bowed his head.
Something sharp passed over him.
It was 'Wind Cutter' created by Madohak.
'Wind Cutter. With that level of cutting power, even Stoneskin is dangerous.'
"Applicant Kim Taehyun. Are you crazy?"
Madohak asked, conjuring different magic in each hand.
The magic of wind gathered in his left hand, and the magic of electricity gathered in his right hand.
Skill 'Magic Spring'.
A skill that activates magic conceived by the user based on A-rank magic.
'Madohak can use wind, electricity, and fire. Three attributes. If I'm careful of direct hits, I can try.'
Taehyun, who had finished assessing the situation, retreated once again.
Unlike the three guys who had fallen, a clumsy attack would not work.
"Go!!"
Fixing his gaze on Madohak, he shouted at the man who was frozen behind him.
"Stop!!"
At the same time.
Crackle. Crackle.
Taehyun punched out 'Lightning Bolt' heading towards the man.
His hand was trembling even though he was wearing Stoneskin.
He could see that the magic he had conceived was different from that of the applicants.
'Magic Spring. A covetable skill.'
A skill that could be E-rank or A-rank depending on the user.
Madohak, who draws out the power of A-rank, was certainly great.
If it was Taehyun, he was confident that he could draw out more power.
Of course, right now when he can't use Devour.
It was just a skill that threatened his life...
Bang. Pow. Crackle.
Dodging the skills being fired from here and there, he narrowed the distance with Madohak.
And smash from below to above.
A fist like a rock was swung.
He expected to hear the sound of his jaw breaking.
Thump.
"Were you surprised? That I, a magic-type awakener, also have excellent physical abilities?"
Madohak, who had grabbed Taehyun's fist, smiled.
A silver ring on his hand shone.
"Have you heard of the Sage's Ring?"
A unique item that raises strength, stamina, speed, and magic stats by 10 each.
'Madohak had it?'
"A sage, by nature, knows how to respond to unexpected attacks. Applicant Kim Taehyun. I won't kill you."
Madohak smiled as he dodged Taehyun's attack once again.
Taehyun was smiling as well.
"What's so funny?"
'A pearl necklace on a pig's neck.'
Thinking so, Taehyun distanced himself.
Madohak's skills were better than he had thought.
The speed of activating skills was also fast, and he was well prepared for close combat.
He had the skills to take down the Black and White brothers alone without difficulty.
In a dungeon with limited movement.
Taehyun, whose Devour was sealed, was in a situation where it was difficult to win.
'There's no need to win.'
It was enough just to prevent the activation of the double dungeon.
He had achieved his goal.
Madohak, who had read his thoughts, burst into anger.
"Kim Taehyun! I won't kill you, but forget about leaving with all your limbs intact!!"
Madohak activated his specialty three elemental magics.
Taehyun also activated two skills to face them.
A feast of magic spreading through the dungeon.
At that time, unexpectedly.
Wooong. Woooong. Wooooong.
The black gate reacted to the magic.
"What...!!"
Madohak was momentarily flustered.
As soon as it seemed that the gate was swaying, black magic poured out like a tidal wave.
It was an event that happened in a split second.
The tidal wave of magic swallowed Madohak and Taehyun, and the other applicants who had fallen.
When Taehyun opened his eyes again.
"Crazy...."
He saw a knight statue surrounding a giant hall in front of him.
No, not like a statue.
That thing, armed with a black helmet and armor, was a creature known to inhabit the deep parts of the Abyss.
"A-rank monster Death Knight."
And.
What was on the throne located behind dozens of Death Knights was.
The ruler of the S-rank dungeon Apocalypto.
A monster that massacred hundreds of players.
"S-rank monster Death Knight Lord."
Madohak muttered in a trembling voice.
"Damn it."
At the future he couldn't change.
Taehyun spat out profanity.
---------------------------------
Episode 27
A dungeon's rank is determined by the number and level of inhabiting monsters and the strength of the boss monster that dominates it.
Initially, the Association and Nightwalker measured the dungeon's rank as D.
However, in the case of the dual dungeon Apocalypto.
It should have been rated S due to the dozens of Death Knights and Death Knight Lords.
The number of individuals is at least 30 or more.
It is a small number compared to lower-level dungeons, but to conquer it, it required at least one S-rank and ten or more A-ranks.
Perhaps that's why.
Madology, after confirming dozens of Death Knights, was noticeably flustered.
He shouted that he had been active as a player for over ten years, but he had never experienced hunting an S-rank monster.
Especially from the Death Knight Lord far away.
Gulp.
He could feel an aura that he, an A-rank, could not approach.
Unlike Madology, who was stiff and unable to move properly, Taehyun woke up the three applicants who had been dragged along.
Because even one person's power was precious.
"Ugh...."
"Kim Taehyun, you bastard...."
"What are you doing...."
"Let's figure out the situation first. Look ahead."
Taehyun ignored the glaring gaze and pointed ahead.
At the countless Death Knights lined up and the Death Knight Lord reigning like a king.
"Wh, where is this...."
"Wh, what kind of energy is this...."
The applicants trembled.
They were overwhelmed by the magical power emanating from the A-rank monster.
Although they had awakened to a high rank, they were still rookies without experience in Abyss and dungeon conquest.
It hadn't been revealed in the lower-level dungeon, but now that they faced beings at least equal to or greater than themselves.
Their true abilities were being revealed.
Taehyun sneered at the three frozen applicants and Madology.
"Congratulations. This is the place you wanted to enter so badly."
At that moment, two statues that had recognized the intruders shook.
Two Death Knights who had regained their original bodies, flashed red eyes, and took a step forward.
Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank.
As if their stiff bodies were not fully relaxed yet, the creaking armor echoed through the hall.
Taehyun and Madology shouted simultaneously at the applicants who were watching with blank expressions.
"Everyone, wake up!!"
"Prepare your skills immediately!!"
Whoosh.
Crack.
Wind attribute magic gathered in Madology's hand, and Taehyun used Stone Skin.
The other three people who had come to their senses prepared their respective skills.
Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank.
When two Death Knights approached within 300 meters.
Madology gave the signal.
"Now!"
With the shout, a total of four magic skills were used.
Madology's Wind Cutter, which maximized cutting power.
Applicant 1, an A-rank Awakener, cast the skill Earthquake.
Applicant 2, a B-rank Awakener, cast the skill Chain Lightning.
Applicant 3, a B-rank Awakener, cast the skill Fire Wall.
Whoong. Whoong.
Quadddd.
Paji-jik. Paji-jik.
Whirr-r-r-r.
The two Death Knights' eyes flashed at the oncoming magic.
Swish.
The skills were neutralized as the longsword was swung.
Only the Wind Cutter, which the swaying ground failed to block, cut off one of the Death Knight's arms.
Watching the Death Knights gradually increasing their pace, Madology shouted again.
"The Fire Wall is blocking the view!! Control the size!!"
"Reduce the range of the Earthquake!! Are you trying to drag in the other guys too!!"
"Chain Lightning is a waste! Save your magic unless you can control it with Lightning!!"
"Ye, yes!!"
"Understood!!"
"Yes!!!"
It was finally starting to look like a party.
Taehyun, who had been watching, stepped forward.
"I will distract them. Use that opportunity to control your skills."
Swish.
Taehyun, using stealth, took out a dagger he had prepared in his chest.
One of the basic weapons given to the applicants before the 3rd test.
The rank was Normal, but it was better than nothing in this situation.
Taehyun quickly turned around and aimed for the Death Knight's back.
Chae-chae-chae-chae-chaeng.
The dagger tapped on the Death Knight's armor, but there was no critical hit.
'I can't suppress them with the skills I have now.'
Death Knights. Knights who have become the undead.
The orthodox method of conquering them is to destroy them with magic with overwhelming firepower, or to crush them with weapons techniques of A-rank or higher.
'The only one who can exert that kind of power here is Madology.'
Just in time, at Madology's instruction, Applicants 1, 2, and 3's skills were used in unison.
Taehyun, who had moved to the side, watched the results, but as expected.
Skills other than Madology's were not working properly.
'I could somehow handle two of them, but….'
Taehyun glanced at the monsters far away.
They were not moving, only shining their eyes.
'Is there some kind of rule?'
It was a dungeon that had been put on hold before a complete strategy could be developed.
The article only mentioned that countless victims were killed before Park Seongjin cut down the Death Knight Lord.
No details about the dungeon were revealed.
"Kuaaaaa!!"
The Death Knight, who lost both arms to Madology's Wind Cutter, roared.
"Now is the time!! Focus your attacks on that guy!!"
While Madology was dealing with the other Death Knight.
Three skills exploded.
Chae-chaeng!!
At the same time, Taehyun blocked the longsword of the Death Knight rushing towards Madology.
The normal-grade dagger broke in an instant, but.
Shwoong. Thwack.
In that gap, Madology's Wind Spear pierced the Death Knight's head.
"Th… That's…."
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
The Death Knight stopped moving only after being riddled with three Wind Spells.
Thud. Thud.
The sound of two Death Knights falling echoed through the hall.
They had defeated two A-rank monsters without much damage.
With only one A-rank player and four player test applicants.
"Sh, shi-bal thing…."
"Come at me again!"
"A, A-rank monsters are nothing special…."
The applicants, who had their morale boosted, shouted as they looked down at the Death Knights they had defeated.
But.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
This time, four Death Knights moved.
"Damn…."
Madology spat out profanities and prepared the skills.
'This is… something is wrong.'
Taehyun's eyes, watching all of this, quietly flashed.
"I, I can't do it anymore… My magic is depleted…. Haa…."
"P, Player-nim… We need to go back quickly…."
"Heok… Heok…. Cough… Save me…."
'Damn it.'
Madology frowned.
It was because of the applicants who were sitting down.
The four Death Knights they had fought earlier.
One applicant was seriously injured by a sword.
They had faced six infamous Death Knights.
This level of damage was considered a good fight, but it was a test where no casualties were expected in the first place.
Currently, everyone except Madology and Taehyun were practically unable to fight.
At that moment.
This time, eight Death Knights moved and approached.
"Heo…."
Madology's expression began to be tinged with resignation.
He did not have much magic power for a magic-type player.
That is why, even though he could use three types of attribute magic.
He only used Wind Spells with high cutting power when dealing with Death Knights.
'But even so, is it this much?'
More than half of his magic power was consumed just to deal with six of them.
It was logically impossible for only two people to handle eight Death Knights.
Gritting his teeth.
He regretted his decision late.
If he had given up his desire for contribution points, if he had given up his inferiority complex about S-rank, about Park Seongjin, this would not have happened.
Madology glanced at Taehyun.
Despite being an applicant, he was calmly looking at the approaching Death Knights.
'What the hell is that guy.'
Kim Taehyun.
The lowest-ranked Awakener among his party members.
Unfitting for his rank.
He is of a high standard in capturing the feet of A-rank monsters, as well as in stamina and magic control.
He is rational, cold-blooded, and does not fear monsters, as much as a professional player would not.
'What the hell is this bastard doing?'
While Madology was thinking that.
Taehyun opened his mouth.
"Madology Player. Something is wrong."
"What?"
"Have you ever fought a Death Knight before?"
"…No."
"As far as I know, Death Knights are not this weak."
"……!!"
At that word, not only Madology but also the two applicants who had collapsed raised their voices.
"Shi-bal, what the hell are you talking about!!"
"If what we defeated weren't Death Knights, what are they!!"
"So I'm going to check it out now. Just shut up for a bit."
Taehyun picked up the longsword that the Death Knight was using.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
His body disappeared with stealth.
It was instantaneous.
He had passed the eight approaching Death Knights and reached the Death Knight Lord.
Taehyun swung the longsword towards the Lord with all his might.
Whoong.
Clang!!!
The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed through the hall.
At the same time.
Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.
The Death Knights, who were shining their eyes, began to disappear one by one.
"Shi-bal… What the hell is this…."
"Illus…sion?"
"It's an Illusion Trap. It was created to weaken the intruders."
Taehyun, who had returned before anyone knew it, said to Madology.
With eyes as if to say, 'You didn't even notice something like this?'
"Let's… move. Get ready."
Madology avoided that gaze and turned his head.
'Damn it….'
Madology's face turned red as past events came to mind.
It was a gaze he had experienced before, one that he could not forget.
By Park Seongjin, who indiscriminately butchered dozens of A-rank monsters….
Therefore.
Gritting his teeth.
'I can't forgive him.'
Taehyun was leading the way.
Madology's face was distorted as he looked at his back.
"Haa… Haa…."
A middle-aged man was running alone through the dungeon.
He was the fourth applicant in the party that Taehyun had let live.
'That gate. It's definitely not normal.'
His age was 40.
It was the 3rd test that he had advanced to after 20 tries for the player test this year.
He prided himself on having a better developed sense of crisis than anyone else, having survived for 20 years in a test where applicants becoming half-paralyzed were not uncommon.
'Why is this lower-level dungeon so big?'
He had been running for over 30 minutes, but he still hadn't found another party.
However, seeing the monster corpses lying scattered around, it seemed that contact was not far away.
Sure enough.
After running for another 10 minutes, he was able to find a party taking a break.
"What are you?"
A woman who appeared to be the party leader looked at him with suspicious eyes.
The man breathed a sigh of relief after confirming the woman's face.
It was because he knew that she was a B-rank player with a broadcast skill.
"Player-nim! Bi, big trouble!!"
The man told her what he had seen.
The woman used her skill to urgently contact the other parties.
"The test is suspended!! From now on, we will prioritize the search for party number 19."
Unlike the future Taehyun had experienced.
The 3rd test was suspended earlier than scheduled.
------------------------------
Chapter 28
It was a temple-shaped dungeon.
Taehyun's party walked through the hall for 30 minutes.
During that time, not a single monster appeared.
It was eerily quiet.
Only the sound of Taehyun's group walking echoed through the dungeon.
Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared.
"Let's go this way."
Madology said nonchalantly.
"Understood."
"I'll trust the party leader."
Madology nodded at the two examinees' replies.
He belatedly came to his senses and was leading the party with a sense of responsibility.
At least, that's how it seemed on the surface.
"Are there any magic reactions?"
"Fortunately, I don't feel any. All I feel is the magic residue of the warp gate."
Madology answered Taehyun's question in detail, unlike before.
It was an attitude that would have been impossible just an hour ago.
But no one here found fault with his caution.
It was Taehyun who first mentioned the danger of the double dungeon and disarmed the Illusion Trap.
Jealousy and greed.
They were belatedly regretting pushing themselves into the abyss.
"We need to hurry. At this rate, we'll end up as corpses before we even find the gate."
"Ugh... cough...."
Just then, the man being carried by Taehyun groaned.
A line of blood flowed from his mouth.
Although it was an illusion, it was an attack from a being made of magic.
The wound was by no means light.
'At most, it'll be four hours.'
His past life as a porter.
He had watched countless deaths while exploring the Abyss.
The crisis was overcome with the mid-grade healing potion Madology had, but...
For complete healing, a B-grade healer seemed essential.
That's why the group was looking for the exit gate instead of waiting for rescue.
A player is an explorer.
Passively condoning the death of a comrade was an act that would cast doubt on their qualifications as a player.
"Don't worry. The gate's reaction is being felt not far from here. Everyone, don't let go of your senses."
Madology said calmly, taking the lead.
Dungeons usually have an entrance and an exit.
Its shape is generally accepted to appear in the form of a gate.
Lower-level dungeons allow free entry and exit, so there's no need to worry about retreat, but...
In the case of top-level dungeons, it's often impossible to get out easily once you've set foot inside.
The disappearance of the entrance gate that swallowed the group was proof of that.
Fortunately, Madology was able to sense the flow of the gate, and the group was moving to find the exit gate.
Taehyun followed Madology, glancing behind him.
Having consumed a considerable amount of magic power, they seemed to have difficulty taking care of themselves.
'Should I have used the Lord's Heart instead?'
The skill registered after devouring Lee Jungjae.
If they maintained the party system now, it would be able to exert its full effect.
After briefly weighing the pros and cons, Taehyun shook his head.
'There's no need to reveal my hand to these guys for nothing.'
They're moving as one again now, but...
They're the ones who attacked him before.
All four party members.
To Taehyun, they were potential enemies.
'I'll keep the basic etiquette, but I'll have to abandon them if it's unavoidable.'
The moment of choice came sooner rather than later.
A large hall similar to the one they first arrived at.
There, they found a gate that appeared to be the exit.
The problem was...
"Damn it.... Of all places, it has to be the boss room...."
It was the same as the Illusion Trap.
Death Knights densely lined the perimeter of the huge hall, with a Death Knight Lord sitting on the throne.
The one difference was...
'These guys are real.'
An overwhelming pressure that couldn't be compared to an illusion was felt.
The killing intent of an A-grade monster he had experienced in his past life.
Dozens of those things were glaring at the group.
Gulp.
The sound of dry swallowing could be heard here and there.
Taehyun was the same.
Then the Death Knight Lord shouted.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thirty Death Knights drew their swords and began to pound the floor.
Each of them had glowing red eyes.
"Shit... what are these things?"
"Wh-what are they trying to do?"
"......"
It was a monster language that humans couldn't understand.
But why was that?
Taehyun was able to understand what they were trying to say.
That was...
A duel.
"It seems they want a one-on-one duel."
Taehyun said, not taking his eyes off the Death Knight aiming a longsword at the woman with cold eyes.
"Shit... even though they're monsters... are they trying to imitate knights or something!"
"I, I can't do it! I barely have any magic power left!! I, I'd rather go back to where we were and wait for the rescue team."
The woman who shouted turned around and started running.
Unfortunately,
Her back, panicked and losing reason, was defenseless.
She was doing something she would never have done normally due to extreme fear.
"Wait there for a sec—"
Before Taehyun could finish speaking,
Swish. Thwack.
The flying sword aura split the woman's body in half.
Thud.
There was no scream.
The bisected body only made an unpleasant sound as it came into contact with the ground.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
A majestic sound echoed through the hall.
The Death Knight's longsword pointed at another examinee.
"Shit!! You monster bastard!!! Alright, I'll kill you!!!"
The excited man prepared the skill 'Chain Lightning.'
Taehyun, who was wearing 'Stone Skin,' also activated 'Lord's Heart.'
It was no longer time to worry about whether to reveal his hand.
Ding.
[The skill Lord's Heart has been used. All stats of party members increase by 3.]
"I cast a buff skill. The effect doesn't last long."
"Good!! Let's do this!!"
"This is...."
Unlike the man who boldly fired lightning at the Death Knight,
Madology, who checked the message, twitched his eyebrows.
'Kim Taehyun. Could this guy be... a triple skill awakener?'
To have three skills as a mere C-grade awakener.
Could such a thing even be said to be plausible?
Madology's thoughts didn't last long.
Thwack.
Even though his physical stats had improved,
The man's body was split in half by the sword aura.
It wasn't a level that even a B-grade awakener, let alone a player, could handle.
This time, the tip of the sword pointed at Madology.
"Ha... haha... How dare... a mere monster!!"
Was it anger at the monster pretending to duel and mocking them?
Was it anger at the incompetence that had driven the party to the brink of annihilation?
It didn't matter either way.
A-grade magic power surged from Madology's angry body.
It was instantaneous.
The refined blade tore the Death Knight's body apart.
'Even when rotten, a crucian carp is still a crucian carp. Well done, Madology.'
A-grade awakener and A-grade player affiliated with the Association, Madology.
Although his brilliance had faded due to greed, his skills were certain.
Rather, his magic power control seemed to surpass even Seol Hundo, who was called Force Magician.
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
With all stats increased by 3, he took down the second Death Knight.
The surrounding Death Knights slammed their swords on the floor, and a new Death Knight stepped forward.
'At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we die.'
Whatever Madology's skills were,
There were too many of them.
It was an absolutely disadvantageous fight, with fatigue increasing with each use of a skill.
'I wonder if I even have twenty percent of my magic power left.'
The longer you use magic power, the higher the fatigue, and the higher the fatigue, the weaker the skill becomes.
As expected.
The third Death Knight's sword deflected Madology's Wind Cutter.
Then he cut his leg.
"Ugh! You bastard!!"
Madology, who fell backward, quickly fired a 'Wind Spear.'
Three Wind Spears were embedded in the Death Knight's face, chest, and shoulder.
Finally, a fist-sized 'Wind Bolt' pierced the Death Knight's face.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The watching Death Knights slammed their swords again.
The fourth Death Knight stepped forward.
Taehyun hurriedly shouted.
"Player Madology! It's too dangerous anymore. You should rather use a diversion tactic...."
"Shut up!! You lowly awakener!! Don't look down on me!!!"
Three types of attribute magic mixed in Madology's hand as he shouted.
Wind (風). Lightning (雷). Fire (火).
A wide-area magic that condenses and explodes elemental magic, Elemental Burst.
Having realized that there was no chance of winning, he chose to self-destruct with the remaining magic power.
'This damn bastard. He's trying to kill me too.'
The magic power gathering in Madology's hand was enough to collapse the entire area.
The severely injured man watching from the side had a blank expression, as if resigned to death.
At that time.
"Kikikik."
"Kikikikik."
The Death Knights began to laugh grotesquely.
They wore knight's armor, but they were still monsters.
They were laughing at the sight of humans struggling desperately.
"Shi-bal!!!"
The moment Madology, who knew the meaning of it, was about to explode the condensed magic power.
Swaeeek.
Thwack.
It was a sword aura that was on a different level than before.
The sword aura, which flew at an unbelievable speed, cut Madology's neck.
Even Taehyun had difficulty reacting properly.
Thud.
Rolling.
Madology lost his life without even screaming.
It was natural for the skill to be canceled.
Swoosh.
The Death Knight Lord, who put the longsword into the scabbard, sat down.
As if telling them to continue the entertainment, with a sly smile.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
It was like holding a festival.
The Death Knights' swords began to pound the floor maniacally.
All that was left were Taehyun and the severely injured man.
The Death Knight's sword was raised.
To designate the next opponent.
But before that.
Swish.
Taehyun, using stealth, approached Madology's corpse.
Swish.
Without hesitation, he took out the ring that was on his hand.
Unique grade item.
The Sage's Ring.
'Now this is the only way to survive. Please wake up.'
Taehyun carelessly put the Sage's Ring on his scarred hand.
At the same time.
Ding.
[You have equipped the item Sage's Ring. All physical stats increase by 10.]
[Compensated for lacking physical stats. Devour skill is activated.]
Taehyun's lips curled up at the message he had been expecting.
The skill he had been missing, which he hadn't been able to use for over a month, had awakened.
Taehyun activated his unique skill.
"Devour."
Ding.
[Unique skill Devour has been used. The target will be determined according to the user's perception.]
Hwaaaak.
Taehyun's eyes turned red.
At the same time.
Crimson magic power began to devour the Death Knights.
-----------------------------
Episode 29
Taehyun's eyes turned crimson as he used Predation.
Crackle. Crunch. Crackle.
A gruesome sound echoed.
A Grade A monster, Death Knight.
The body of the creature, classified as a high-level monster, began to contort.
Like a lion devouring a rabbit.
There was no mercy in that power.
Taehyun looked around.
The Death Knights, who had been moving one by one, revealed their true nature.
They charged at Taehyun all at once.
An unidentified roar struck his ears.
It was clearly a desperate moment.
Even so.
Smirk.
The corners of Taehyun's lips turned up.
"All done imitating humans, huh? You goddamn monsters."
Toward the Death Knight that approached first.
Taehyun used Predation once again.
Ding.
[Please select the area to devour.]
Was there any need to show mercy to monsters?
No.
The answer was already decided.
"Devour them all!!"
Taehyun shouted as he watched the bodies of the Death Knights turn red one by one.
Crack.
Predation opened its huge maw.
One Death Knight was swallowed whole.
Hearing the familiar sound, Taehyun leaped forward.
It took about 20 seconds to devour a Death Knight with Predation.
'I don't intend to rely solely on Predation.'
Following Predation, he used 'Stone Skin,' 'Stealth,' and 'Paralysis' simultaneously.
Mana was consumed rapidly as four skills were used at once.
Dizziness washed over him.
But only for a moment.
As soon as the Predation of the Death Knight was complete, the depleted mana was replenished.
'I can do this.'
Taehyun grabbed a longsword and struck one of the creatures down.
Clang.
It was a weapon usage method that resembled wielding a blunt weapon rather than cutting.
The effect was remarkable.
The Death Knight's waist was bent by the longsword that was struck down on the armor.
The paralysis skill added further, stopping the creature's movement.
He didn't miss the gap and slashed its neck with the longsword.
"Uryaah!!!"
The result of the bulging arm muscles and the overlapping stone skin was.
Crack!!
It appeared as the Death Knight's head, crushed along with the helmet.
It was a clear instant kill.
It was a strength that could not be said to be a Grade C Awakened.
'It wasn't in vain after all.'
Taehyun regulated his breathing.
Special training at the Blackhead Training Center.
Physical stats that had been slowly raised during the player test.
There, stats increased by the Sage's Ring effect.
All of this was starting to take effect.
'I can see it.'
Clang!!
Taehyun blocked the longsword that was aiming for his neck.
Taehyun did not stop and continued his explosive movements.
Clang!!
Predation for those blocking the longsword.
During the activation of Predation, the longsword with three overlapping skills.
The number of Death Knights quickly dwindled due to the skills used without rest.
As the situation turned out, the movements of the Death Knights also changed.
Nine Death Knights narrowed the encirclement with only instinct.
The stealthed Taehyun moved his feet busily.
Around it.
Nine longswords with thick murderous intent were wielded.
'It's a thank you if you come together like this.'
Now that Predation had tasted blood.
Taehyun also had no intention of adhering to one-on-one.
Whoa!
Dark red mana spread in a circle around Taehyun.
The nine Death Knights who were gathered together.
The moment everyone came into range.
Ding.
[Identifies multiple enemies. Transforms the form of Predation.]
Click. Click. Click.
Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.
It was like a swamp.
The mana attached to the ground began to draw in the Death Knights.
The monsters twisted their bodies from side to side in the sudden situation.
But the mana of Predation did not let them go.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
As if to release the sorrow that had been sealed until now.
The nine Death Knights were devoured in an instant.
Ding.
[Mana increases by 1.]
[Mana increases by 1.]
[Mana increases by 1.]
[Mana increases by 1.]
Drip.
It was excessive skill usage.
Unable to withstand the burden, he got a nosebleed.
'It's not enough yet.'
Taehyun specified the next target without concern.
It is common sense to make a decision in an instant if you have the momentum.
Taehyun quickly approached the Death Knight who was firing sword energy.
It was when the dark red mana was about to open a huge mouth.
Swish.
A sword energy of a different level than before flew towards Taehyun, who used stealth.
Slash.
Taehyun was knocked away as the longsword that had guarded was cut off.
Kwaang!!
"Kuk…!!"
Along with the recoil.
Taehyun was thrown against the wall.
Stone Skin and Stealth were released from the impact that seemed to ring in his brain.
[Human. You use truly interesting power.]
Death Knight Lord.
A monster that is the king of Death Knights and is rated as S-grade.
He swung his longsword.
A bundle of murderous sword energy flew to butcher Taehyun.
It seemed impossible to avoid.
'Tsk. I just need to use Predation a little more.'
Taehyun hurriedly unfolded the power of Predation.
Ggggrrrr.
Predation, which had turned into a beast's mouth, blocked the Lord's sword energy.
Crunch!!
After a brief struggle, each other's techniques were offset.
[Not bad. Human.]
"Crazy."
Taehyun spat out curses and hurriedly threw his body.
The same sword energy as before cut through the place.
The current Taehyun was a force that could not be blocked without Predation.
[Where did the momentum from before go? Struggle a little more.]
It was a voice like scraping metal.
The language of monsters.
I have never learned or used it.
Taehyun was able to understand its meaning.
The Lord's eyes flashed.
[So you can hear me.]
Swish.
The situation was reversed.
Taehyun avoided dozens of sword energies and grasped the situation.
There were ten Death Knights left.
He had captured dozens of Death Knights in just a few minutes.
It was a great achievement, but the situation was not good.
'There is no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation.'
It was only a moment that the Lord took out his sword.
Even so, the gap was realized.
Stats increased rapidly and he regained the power of Predation.
Even so.
He still hadn't reached the existence in front of him.
[You're distracted.]
Whoong. Whoong. Whoong.
While the Lord's sword energy was pressing Taehyun.
Unfortunately, the body of the examinee who had fallen was cut off as it was.
The Lord burst into a grotesque laugh.
[Human. I ask. Who gave you that power?]
Taehyun ignored the Lord's words and used Predation once again.
Hwaaak.
Chaeng!!
It was a sight that I didn't want to believe.
Predation, which was trying to swallow the Lord's body,
It was easily canceled by the sword he wielded.
'Grade C is not enough.'
For the first time, I had no choice but to acknowledge the limitations of Predation.
Even this great power.
In front of that monstrous monster, it does not have a restraining force.
That's why Taehyun modified the target.
The Death Knight that was closest was swallowed by Predation.
[Are you distracted against me? Human.]
Slash!
The Lord's sword broke through Stone Skin and deeply cut his shoulder.
Before he could even groan, Taehyun rolled his body.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
Every time he rolled his body, the floor was cut off as it was.
It was a cutting force that could not be endured unless it was an S-grade player.
[Hahahaha.]
The Lord's laughter filled with fraud echoed in the hall.
[You have been hit by Knight King's Roar (S). Resists with mysterious power. Partially successful in resisting.]
[You have been hit by Knight King's Fraud (S). Resists with mysterious power. Partially successful in resisting.]
That some resistance was successful meant that he had not blocked everything.
Blood was seeping from Taehyun's nose, eyes, and ears as he allowed a mental attack.
'You're the only one I can trust!!'
Taehyun, who had returned behind the Lord, poured out all his mana and activated Predation.
Rampage that maximizes the range and power by the user's will, not just activating skills.
Whoaaaaaak.
The huge hall was surrounded by dark red mana.
Not only the place where he was standing.
Predation reached out to all places, including the walls and ceiling.
There wasn't much time.
Taehyun shouted roughly.
"Devour it!!!"
The mana that flowed through the ground, the walls, and fell from the ceiling.
It covered all the remaining Death Knights and the Lord's body.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
When the Death Knights could not withstand it and ended their lives.
Only the Lord remained the same.
[You're doing a trivial trick.]
The mana surrounding his body was cut off as his eyes flashed.
The longsword containing ominous mana aimed for Taehyun's neck.
But this time.
Kakang.
Taehyun blocked the Lord's sword with a longsword.
[Is the bug struggling to the end?]
Ggggrrrr.
The Lord did not hide his malice and put strength into the longsword.
Ggggrrrr.
Even though the Lord's sword was approaching like a guillotine.
Taehyun was smiling.
Because of the message that appeared in front of him.
[Became Grade B. The grade of the skill increases.]
[Became Grade B. Body abilities increase.]
"Hey monster."
Kaaang!!
Taehyun's longsword deflected the Lord's sword.
"This power. Were you curious?"
Kaaang!!
The two longswords collided once again.
Neither side was pushed back, and sparks flew.
[Do you dare to face me with a sword? You're just a human.]
The Lord bared his ugly teeth.
Taehyun was the same.
"I'm not human."
Hwaaaaaaaak.
Mana, which grew to Grade B and became stronger.
The mana of Predation swallowed Taehyun.
"It's the power of the king."
[……!!]
Dark red mana once again.
Devoured the Death Knight Lord.
The entrance to the dungeon where the magical party went missing.
Hundreds of association players were gathered.
"What is the remeasured mana?"
"It's S… grade."
"Are you even calling that a report?"
Go Taewook raised his voice at his subordinate's report.
A dungeon that was Grade D suddenly became Grade S.
The gap was too big to say it was a measurement mistake.
"Hoo… how many are missing?"
"There are four magic players and four applicants in charge."
Go Taewook's expression distorted.
It was because he knew that Taehyun was included in the magic party.
At that time, the gate expert who had been dispatched came panting.
"Deputy Chief. Dungeon encroachment is starting. At this rate, a break will occur within two hours. The world's first… double dungeon."
Double dungeon.
It was a hypothesis that was only mentioned in academia.
At that time, the player who was dispatched with him murmured.
"It's a relief, though. If the report was a little late, everyone who went in would have died."
Only an S-grade player can face an S-grade monster.
The only S-grade player currently participating in the exam is Park Seongjin.
Even he was assigned to another dungeon and was coming here.
Players who were watching the situation opened their mouths one by one.
"I hate to admit it, but we should assume they're all dead."
Everyone had a negative view.
Go Taewook ignored their words and concentrated on understanding the situation.
"When will the other S-grades arrive?"
"They say they are preparing for warp now. It will take 30 minutes. A total of three people…."
At that time.
The player who was reporting pointed behind him with surprised eyes.
The dungeon that was being encroached upon was shaking.
"B, break?"
"Already?!!"
"No. N, this is not a break."
While the players were panicking, the gate expert said in a flustered voice.
Go Taewook shouted hurriedly.
"Grade A players to the front! Prepare for the break!!"
"Yes, sir!!"
"Understood!!"
Five Grade A players stepped forward.
A little later, the gate of the double dungeon opened.
"T, that...!!"
"What...!!"
"No way...!!"
What came into their vision in panic was.
It was Taehyun, whose whole body was drenched in blood.
----------------------------
Episode 30
One day after the Double Dungeon incident.
An emergency meeting was held at the New Korea Player Association building.
The conference room was occupied by ten association executives.
Each one was a chairman with immense power.
Go Tae-wook opened his mouth in front of them.
"Thank you for coming despite the urgent request. As the matter is serious, I will start quickly."
"Where did the association president go and why is Chief Go sitting there?"
An old man wearing horn-rimmed glasses asked, looking uncomfortable.
As the chairman of the Player Association's Legal Committee, he was the center of the anti-association president faction.
He was famous for nitpicking even the smallest things the association president did.
However, Go Tae-wook smiled and bowed lightly, as if used to it.
"I apologize for not informing you in advance. The association president is currently away dealing with the aftermath of the incident. I ask for your understanding."
"Haha. It's not the first time Chief Go has presided over a meeting."
"That's right. Chief Go, let's start quickly."
Chairmen who were favorable to Ji Jin-hee gave strength to Go Tae-wook.
"Tch."
Some clicked their tongues as if they didn't like it, but the meeting began at the urging of other chairmen.
Go Tae-wook also opened the prepared materials and immediately got to the point.
"As you know, the dungeon investigation has just ended. As a result of a joint investigation with the Alchemist Guild, it seems clear that it is a double dungeon."
Sighs erupted here and there at the word "double dungeon."
It was because they knew that the word meant something more than simple.
"Haha... a double dungeon."
"Are you saying that an S-class dungeon suddenly appeared without a gate break?"
"How did the Nightwalker measure the gate?"
"No, we should take this opportunity to audit the association's measurement room for their lazy work ethic...."
"The interference from the great powers will become even more severe."
"This is unprecedented. We must report to the United States first...."
"Why the United States? China, maybe."
"Shouldn't we talk to Japan as well?"
High-pitched voices went back and forth in the chaotic conference room.
The position of chairman cannot be seen as unrelated to politics.
Therefore, statements prioritizing their own interests were being made.
'These chairmen are pathetic.'
Go Tae-wook, who was watching, quietly stirred up his magic power.
True to his experience of torturing countless demons as a precision machine.
He knew how to deal with these guys.
"Everyone, please pay attention."
Whoong.
A voice imbued with magic power swept past the chairmen.
The magic power, which had circled the conference room in an instant, returned to Go Tae-wook.
"Heot."
"Hup."
Putting magic power into words.
It was a skill that required more delicate control than one might think.
It was a realm that could only be used by top-tier A-class or S-class players.
The chairmen's gazes were focused on Go Tae-wook, knowing what it meant.
"It's a little quieter now."
"Cough...."
"Chief Go... we were too rude."
It was an action that Go Tae-wook could do because he had Ji Jin-hee's trust.
Separately from that.
How many people could release this much magic power with a smile?
Although the chairmen were also players, they were those who had chosen bureaucratic positions rather than the front lines.
They were not at a level to withstand Go Tae-wook's momentum.
Go Tae-wook smiled with satisfaction as the chairmen quietly closed their mouths.
"As I said before, we don't have much time. Since it has already happened, I hope you will face reality."
"I understand that well."
The Legal Committee chairman replied, not hiding his unpleasant expression.
After all, the political arena is governed by the law of the jungle.
Not having a knife like Go Tae-wook's was also a lack of one's own ability.
"As a result of the analysis, it seems that there were at least thirty or more demons in the dungeon named Apocalypto. According to the eyewitnesses, there were dozens of Death Knights and...."
Before he knew it, the meeting had become a situation where Go Tae-wook was speaking unilaterally.
And after a while.
"Each chairman should refrain from contacting the press as much as possible and not neglect their duties. This is the association president's will. Then the meeting will be...."
"Wait a minute!!"
The Legal Committee chairman took the lead, unable to watch Go Tae-wook end the meeting unilaterally.
It was to strike a blow to Ji Jin-hee at all costs.
"But Chief Go. Isn't it strange? An S-class dungeon was cleared, but there is only one survivor. And that's just an examinee!!"
The Legal Committee chairman's agitation was effective.
The other chairmen, who had shrunk back, regained their courage.
"Th, that's right. I was going to ask about that too."
"Haha. I'm not the only one who thought that."
"Th, that's right. An ordinary C-class examinee surviving in a place where even A-class players couldn't survive? It doesn't make sense."
"This is not a problem to just pass over."
Accusations targeting Ji Jin-hee began again.
Only the pro-association president faction and the neutral Inspection Committee chairman remained silent.
"This is... I think the chairmen are misunderstanding something."
Gulp.
The chairmen, feeling the thorns in Go Tae-wook's words, swallowed hard.
"It is certainly unfortunate that the magic engineering player and three third-round examinees died. But I am displeased to see you belittling examinee Kim Tae-hyun's life."
"Hmph! New Korea already lacks power. If you compare an A-class player and a C-class awakener, of course the A-class is...."
"He's not just a C-class awakener."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Examinee Kim Tae-hyun is currently classified as a B-class awakener."
"Wh, what is this...!!"
"Could it be...!!"
Go Tae-wook smiled as he scanned the surprised chairmen.
"Examinee Kim Tae-hyun. He is a growth-type awakener."
The conference room became noisy once again.
'Did I faint?'
Even in his unconsciousness.
Tae-hyun intuitively felt that he was dreaming.
It was because things that were imaged only by thinking were floating in front of his eyes.
The first thing that came to mind was his parents.
His parents, who had passed away without seeing him awaken.
Next, the colleagues he had met while working as a porter came to mind.
From lower-level players to upper-level players, and even top-level players.
There were those with good character, and there were those who deserved to be called human trash.
Nevertheless, Tae-hyun did not leave the Abyss.
Even though he was non-awakened, he worked as a porter, and eventually, he was recognized for his skills and had the honor of exploring the deep parts of the Abyss.
Only as a supporting role or an extra.
'This time. I will be the protagonist.'
When Tae-hyun was making such a resolution.
Some unknown memories began to play back.
Beyond the place where he found Asmodeus, to the deepest part of the Abyss that Tae-hyun had never been to.
There, those in the form of demons, angels, and dragons began to reveal their magnificent bodies.
Tae-hyun gasped at the presence.
'These guys... are they SS-class or... SSS-class?'
Even though it was clearly a dream.
Each one boasted a presence that surpassed Asmodeus.
Tae-hyun's body began to tremble.
As they gestured, tens of thousands of demons appeared.
There were plenty of demons marked as S-class and SS-class.
'The end.'
It was a word that flashed through Tae-hyun's mind in an instant.
Even if only half of those demons crossed over to Earth.
There would be no disagreement that humanity would face its end.
At that time, a gate opened in the blood-red sky.
A man appeared from the gate.
Red hair and red eyes.
The clothes were different, but it was a face Tae-hyun knew.
The King.
The being who had not only regressed him but also given him the mysterious power of Predation and disappeared.
Even though he was facing countless demons, no signs of tension could be found on his face.
Whirr.
Red. Blue. White. Black.
Colorful flames of magic power.
Flames of various colors swept through the demons, and hundreds of demons were annihilated with each step he took.
The angel swung a sword, the demon spewed out evil energy, and the dragon breathed.
Nevertheless, his steps did not stop.
S-class demons, SS-class demons melted away without even putting up a resistance.
And suddenly.
Time stopped.
The King's red eyes, which had turned his head, were directed at Tae-hyun.
[I will be waiting.]
'What?'
[In the deepest part of the Abyss….]
Unfortunately, without hearing the rest, Tae-hyun opened his eyes.
"Haa... haa...."
Tae-hyun breathed heavily and felt his body.
He touched the patient's gown, which was wet with sweat.
He belatedly remembered collapsing after escaping from the dungeon.
"I feel like I'm waking up in the hospital room too often these days... more than that."
What on earth was that memory from earlier?
It was too vivid to be called a dream, and it had no reality to say it wasn't.
After thinking for a while, Tae-hyun shook his head.
"Let the scholars worry about that."
He put aside the problem that had no answer and opened the status window.
Name: Kim Tae-hyun
Age: 19
Rank: B
Strength: 100 Stamina: 100 Speed: 100 Magic Power: 150 Charm: 30
Fatigue: 15%
Remaining Magic Power: 150/150
[Skills]
Predation (B) - Can Predate the desired target. Demonic Power: 40
Stone Skin (B) - Can strengthen the body. Demonic Power: 30
Stealth (B) - Can hide the body. Demonic Power: 25
Paralysis (B) - Restrains the target's body. Demonic Power: 20
Lord's Heart (B) - Increases the stats of party members. Demonic Power: 30
"Finally!!"
Tae-hyun shouted without realizing it as he checked the status window.
Just the fact that Predation's seal was released was a great achievement.
As a B-rank, his body stats had also increased significantly.
The problem was that the value was comparable to that of an S-rank player.
He had guessed when he fought the Death Knight Lord on equal terms, but now he was a legitimate S-rank.
"With this, I'm the twelfth..."
Currently, there are eleven S-rank players in New Korea.
If he received certification from the association, he would be given benefits that ordinary people could not even dream of.
It was bad for those who died, but the exam had only gains for Tae-hyun.
'But how did I understand what the Lord was saying? Is this also the influence of Predation?'
S-rank demons are different from lower-level demons without intelligence.
Even so.
Understanding the language of demons was something he had never heard of even in his past life.
'Besides.'
The status window had also changed subtly.
The percentage that appeared next to Predation had changed to an initial that represented the rank.
'Surely the growth doesn't stop here?'
He had now obtained a power equivalent to an S-rank player.
If that were the case, it wouldn't end with just a stomach ache.
At that time.
A dark red magic power overflowed from Tae-hyun's soaked body.
At the same time, a message window popped up.
Tring.
[Completely absorbed the Magic Power of the Knight King.]
[The Knight King's Spirit (B) has been registered as a skill.]
"Ha...."
He had never obtained a skill by Predating a demon before.
But isn't it a skill that is so whimsical that it even changes the status window itself?
"As expected, Predation is a blessing."
It was enough to know that he had grown now.
With a satisfying reward.
The final exam ended like that.
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