“Kuheok…”

Madre clutched his abdomen and dropped to his knees on the floor.

Hot blood surged up his esophagus and splattered against the ground.

Madre Silvio’s face contorted in dizzying agony.

‘Wha… what the hell!’

The pain crushing his abdomen was utterly absurd.

More agonizing than when his lower body had been crushed by the Black Golem.

“Haah… haah…”

Forcing his mind to stay clear, Madre looked up at the man before him.

He was grinning, his form like that of some ghastly demon.

‘This is unbelievable.’

Madre couldn’t understand the situation.

A player who had emerged from the Tutorial less than seven days ago had managed to land a direct blow on him. It was impossible.

‘Just what kind of Trait does he have…’

He hadn’t understood it even when Ms. Nancy said she’d support the L-Grade player for as long as she wanted.

A mere rookie fresh out of the Tutorial. Grades could change at any time, couldn’t they?

But seeing Emily Nancy lose her usual composure over a single grade had been beyond his understanding.

No—he simply hadn’t liked this L-Grade player who had made Ms. Nancy act that way.

He had wanted to see for himself just how great this person was that everyone made such a fuss over.

‘I made a foolish move.’

Madre Silvio, ranked 919th in the world, had never fought Cha Yuseong directly. But now he could vaguely grasp it.

‘So this is what L-Grade means.’

Why Emily Nancy, who had faced Cha Yuseong, wanted this man named Ha Gangwoo.

“Hoo…”

Ding-

[Holy light imbues your body.]

Madre began to heal his abdomen, where the terrible pain was surging. A golden radiance filled his gut.

In an instant, the horrific agony subsided.

‘Enough.’

Madre Silvio was sufficiently convinced.

‘What now.’

But he had already provoked an L-Grade player. He needed to somehow make amends, even if just a little.

Madre Silvio bowed his head on the spot.

“I accept that completely. You really are on another level. My apologies if I offended you.”

Madre stated his opinion with formal courtesy, but Ha Gangwoo offered no reply.

He only clenched his fists and lowered his stance. In that instant, a chilling murderous intent saturated the air around them.

Seeing this, Madre stiffened his expression and scratched the back of his head.

“This is troublesome.”

Madre thrust his arm into empty space, then began pulling out a sharp longsword.

Ding—

[Zirsent has been equipped.]

He had drawn the S-Rank Artifact, Zirsent.

Gripping the longsword with both hands, Madre murmured lowly.

“Ms. Nancy has nothing to do with this. This was my own unilateral choice — I hope you won’t misunderstand. I’ll offer my apology again once things have settled.”

Ha Gangwoo looked at Madre and wore a sinister smile. Though polite, the man’s words bristled his skin with killing intent.

‘That’s how it should be.’

Ha Gangwoo had no intention of stopping — not after Madre had attacked so suddenly, only to try and end it just as abruptly.

“Haaah… Haaah…”

Ha Gangwoo’s breathing grew ragged.

[Demonic energy is eroding your body.]

[Demonic energy: +1]

[Demonic energy is eroding your body.]

[Demonic energy: +1]

…

…

.

As the Demonic energy accumulated, his heartbeat pounded faster — thump-thump.

‘Will it take?’

Ha Gangwoo narrowed his crimson Demon Eye and offered a smiling gaze.

[Demonic energy: 1,001]

Demonic energy on the verge of madness. The number had just surpassed one thousand.

And that number was the threshold for Brainwash.

It was a chance that might never come again — to try it on a Ranker.

‘Let’s do it.’

If it succeeded, he could manipulate a Ranker at will. He was unbearably curious whether it would work.

Unconsciously, Ha Gangwoo bared his teeth in a wide grin.

Ha Gangwoo’s lips slowly began to move.

“Brain—”

That was the moment he tried to utter the Activation word.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Along with the massive shout came a whoosh — an enormous wave of Mana that filled the entire area.

The sheer quantity of Mana was insane, enough to snap his dizzy mind wide awake.

Thud!!!

Suddenly, Madre Silvio’s body crumpled to the floor.

Ha Gangwoo slowly turned his gaze to the source of that terrifying presence. The world’s Rank 9 Ranker.

Emily Nancy stood there with a fearsome expression on her face.

***

The situation was resolved in an instant.

“Sob… sob…”

Olivia, her two legs severed, sniffled quietly.

The severed legs were restored in an instant with a single touch from Madre.

But Olivia Ren hid behind Ha Gangwoo, glaring at Madre.

“I’m reporting this!”

Olivia shot the words at Madre in a furious tone. In response, Emily Nancy bowed deeply on Madre’s behalf and offered an apology.

“I’m truly sorry. He’s not usually like this… Madre. I’m disappointed.”

“My apologies.”

Madre Silvio bowed so deep his head nearly touched the ground—past ninety degrees—and offered his apology.

Ha Gangwoo stood with his arms crossed, watching Madre Silvio.

‘What a waste.’

Would Brainwash have let him control that man? He found himself regretting he hadn’t used the skill.

But if Brainwash had failed, he would’ve been the one on the ground.

‘So Gear-carried really does matter after all.’

The moment Madre drew his weapon, the pressure he gave off had more than tripled.

Still, this had confirmed something for sure. He was definitely growing.

Meanwhile, Emily Nancy watched Ha Gangwoo with a flat expression.

She wrinkled her nose and clicked her tongue. The distaste was unmistakable.

‘This is a problem.’

Emily Nancy dipped her head once more and spoke.

“I have no face left to show you. Let me apologize again. I invited you for a meal, and it turned into this. I’ll make it up to you separately.”

Ha Gangwoo looked at Emily, and a good idea flashed through his mind.

‘If I play this right, it could work out beautifully.’

The fight with Madre? He wasn’t actually upset or offended.

If anything, PVP against a Ranker was an experience you couldn’t get just anywhere.

And on top of that, this PVP had earned him a new skill.

[Force Discharge]

Grade: A

MP Cost: 10~ (The more mana consumed, the greater the destructive power.)

Action: Shift your center of gravity onto one leg, then transfer it into your fist and discharge.

Effect: Instantly releases a powerful force through your fist.

An A-grade skill—one that didn’t even show up in the Auction House.

All he’d done was use an Action-Skip Seismic Stomp and channel it into his fist, and an A-grade skill had been born.

An unexpected epiphany. That fight had been more than satisfying.

He didn’t know why, but Emily Nancy wanted him. So he’d need a little acting.

Ha Gangwoo glanced at his phone and spoke casually.

“Let’s forget about the meal. I’ll file a formal report with the Association. I’ll be going now.”

Ha Gangwoo put on a flat expression and turned to leave. Olivia scrambled after him.

“I’m coming with you!”

He’d taken maybe four steps when—whoosh—Emily Nancy’s figure materialized in front of him.

‘Teleport…’

Or had she just moved that fast? His stats were too far behind hers to tell.

What was certain was that his bait had worked perfectly.

“I won’t pretend nothing happened. Could I have a word with you? I’ll make sure to properly compensate you for what just occurred.”

Emily Nancy made her request politely. But the moment he met her eyes, goosebumps raced down his spine.

‘She looks like she’d kill me if I refused.’

He didn’t like the murderous edge in her tone, but things had turned out the way he wanted anyway.

Ha Gangwoo let out a resigned sigh, as if there was nothing else he could do, and opened his mouth.

“Fine. But I have a condition.”

He could’ve just accepted, but there was something he needed to know.

“Go ahead.”

“I want to see Madre Silvio’s Trait. Show me your Trait system window. Then I’ll come with you.”

“….”

The Trait of the world’s Rank-919 healer-class player — that was what he was curious about.

But Emily’s expression soured.

A Trait was a player’s core ability. Without the owner’s consent, even Emily herself couldn’t force it open.

Then Madre Silvio stepped forward, a single stride closing the distance.

Watching him, the corner of Ha Gangwoo’s mouth lifted.

“If that’s enough to earn your forgiveness, I’ll show you.”

Just as he’d expected — things were playing out according to plan.

‘That’s how you’re supposed to play it.’

Madre came to a stop in front of Gangwoo and began manipulating some system interface.

*Thump-thump—*

Gangwoo listened to the sound of his own heart hammering in his chest.

‘What kind of Trait will it be?’

Someone else’s Trait — the first time he’d ever see one. A subtle tension climbed up his spine.

About three seconds passed.

*Ding-*

Madre’s system window flickered into view.

[Apollo’s Laurel Crown]

Type: Trait

Grade: S-Rank

Form: Active

Description: Summons a laurel crown imbued with Apollo’s power. Various abilities take root in your body.

Effects

– All stats increase by 50%.

– Converts Mana into High-Grade holy power.

– Light-attribute efficiency increases by 100%.

– Skill: Over Leviril becomes usable.

– Skill: Blessing of Radiance becomes usable.

……

….

Ha Gangwoo stared at Madre’s Trait, barely containing his shock.

‘What the hell is this.’

Stat boosts, attribute increases, and even skills — it was practically an all-rounder ability.

No wonder combat-type Traits existed as a separate category.

‘So this is an S-Rank Trait…’

Gangwoo had an S-Rank Trait too, but just looking at the Trait itself, Madre’s seemed outright better.

Was Seongbin’s Trait something like this, too? It was pure bullshit.

But what he’d wanted wasn’t there.

‘No Resurrection-related skills.’

Gangwoo furrowed his brow, disappointment flickering through him. Still, he’d gathered a lot of intel this time around.

“Thank you. I’ll keep your secret.”

Gangwoo bowed his head in a polite nod, offering his thanks to Madre.

Without a word, Madre gave a curt nod in return and left.

He did whisper something to Emily Nancy, but it didn’t feel suspicious.

“Well then, shall we head to the dining room?”

Ha Gangwoo and Olivia followed Emily, their footsteps falling in time behind her.

***

The dining room exuded an old-world charm — a dark interior lit by the soft glow of candles, setting the mood.

“This place is really famous. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Emily smiled wide, urging them to eat.

“Whoa~! This is amazing! It melts in your mouth…”

Olivia had already forgotten her leg had been severed. She tore into the food, wolfing it down. Well, after facing death itself in the Tutorial, losing a limb was hardly the end of the world.

The only thing that seemed to linger was the hostility she now held for the man named Madre.

Madre had disappeared from the room on Emily’s orders.

‘He’s in the next room.’

But he hadn’t truly left. Gangwoo’s Sense stat pinned his location exactly, letting him know.

“Not a fan of Western food? There are other options on the menu — if nothing suits you, just say the word.”

Ha Gangwoo hadn’t touched his plate, and Emily noticed, asking.

“No, this is plenty.”

Ha Gangwoo studied the dish in front of him.

It was clearly an old-world style of cuisine; even the plating screamed expensive.

‘How much does this cost?’

The thought flickered through his mind. Before his Awakening, he’d survived mostly on instant noodles. Even after, he’d spent long stretches barely eating. Once the Auction House opened, he’d filled his stomach with sandwiches.

Seeing food like this now stirred something strange in him.

Ha Gangwoo picked up his chopsticks, pinched a small portion from the wide plate, and took a bite.

The meat barely parted under his teeth before juice flooded his mouth. It was, without question, the best meat he had ever eaten in his life.

‘Delicious.’

He swallowed, then set his chopsticks down. His brow furrowed.

The finest taste he’d ever known — and it only soured his mood.

From the orphanage to grinding through society, the best meals he’d shared with his sister… now, eating this, not a single one came to mind.

He’d never once bought her a meal like this.

Ha Gangwoo put down his chopsticks and went straight to the point.

“What do you want? And I’d like to hear what you plan to offer for what Madre did.”

Emily covered her mouth with the back of her hand, chewed slowly, then swallowed before speaking.

“I don’t want anything. I just wanted to meet an L-Grade player.”

That was a lie. He could have probed and tested the waters, but he cut straight through instead.

“Just say it. I don’t like dancing around things.”

“…”

At Ha Gangwoo’s firm tone, Emily’s bright smile faltered.

“I suppose that’s the L-Grade in you — nothing holds you back. Fine.”

The warmth in her face cooled into something icy.

“It’s nothing grandiose. I need the best partner. Someone reliable who won’t betray me. Someone to finish the Scenarios with.”

“Finish the Scenarios?”

“Yes. The current Scenario is stalled at 3. The only L-Grade, Cha Yuseong, only plays solo. And the players from Rank 2 to Rank 10 are all stubborn, impossible to deal with.”

Emily leaned forward, holding Ha Gangwoo’s gaze steadily.

“That’s when I found it. The second appearance of what I thought was the only L-Grade. I need your help.”

“…”

Ha Gangwoo’s mind churned under the sudden shift in conversation. Still, he appreciated that she’d laid her cards on the table without holding back.

“Wow… That’s so cool… Does that mean you’ll take me on as a teammate too?!”

Olivia had her mouth stuffed full of food as she spoke.

Emily looked at Olivia and broke into another wide smile.

“Ms. Ren, I’m still considering it. Three hundred points on a Mana measurement sheet puts you in the top 0.1%.”

“Really?! Wow~. Still, being ‘considered’ is an honor in itself! I’ll work hard!”

What exactly she planned to work hard at was anyone’s guess, but Gangwoo stroked his chin and turned Emily’s words over in his mind.

‘Finish the Scenario…’

At those words, Gangwoo’s mouth tightened shut.

There were many hypotheses about the Scenarios.

Among them, that Scenario 3 was the last.

And the hypothesis that clearing the final Scenario would shut down the Gaia System. It had plausibility.

That’s why Emily Nancy’s declared goal—”finishing the Scenario”—didn’t sit right with Ha Gangwoo.

‘That’s a problem.’

The moment the Gaia System vanished, the hope of saving his sister would rot into an impossible delusion.

But refusing that condition outright would be hasty.

After all, a Scenario that had been failed for over twenty years wasn’t going to clear just because he lent a hand.

It seemed wiser to maintain a friendly relationship with Emily and search for clues to Resurrection instead.

Decision made, Ha Gangwoo. He curled the corner of his mouth into a smirk and spoke to Emily Nancy.

“Fine. Then let’s hear about the compensation too.”

And so the conversation with Emily continued.

***

“Hoo…”

Ha Gangwoo pressed a hand to his shoulder as he loosened up.

The talk with Emily had ended successfully.

‘I didn’t think she’d go that far.’

Wearing a satisfied smile, Gangwoo looked down at the ground.

A rectangular slab about knee-high. Inscribed within it, a string of characters he’d never seen before. It was a tombstone.

“This is the place, all right.”

Gangwoo stared at the tombstone and replayed the Quest window in his mind.

[Scenario.1: Final Battle][Main]

Description: You arrive at the end of the story. Please enter the Gate after completing your preparations.

Reward: ???

(Pathfinding)

‘Complete preparations.’

Just from reading the description, Scenario.1 had reached its final chapter. Hence the note about being fully prepared.

And the place the Pathfinding skill had led him to was this very tombstone.

A golden arrow pointed squarely at the stone slab.

‘So this is the entrance.’

Until now, every entrance had been a Gate.

But this time the entrance was a tombstone—it looked like some kind of mechanism.

Gangwoo immediately opened the Monument’s Status window.

Ding-

[Lightless Monument]

Description: ???

Nothing unusual was written, but he felt it.

Ha Gangwoo pressed his palm flat against the stele and channeled Mana into it.

A mechanism that, without Zenon’s Teachings, wouldn’t even budge.

A low hum — light coiled around a sequence of alien symbols.

The glow swelled, brighter and brighter.

Fwump-

A colossal pillar of light shot straight into the sky.

‘…’

Gangwoo watched the pillar and let an unreadable smile touch his lips.

“That’s unsettling.”

The vast corona lancing skyward — fiercer than any light-pillar he’d seen, and chilling to the bone.

A bloody red radiance. Just looking at it raised goosebumps across his skin.

All of it, the DLC’s doing. Another Story.

Thump. Thump.

Omens and atmosphere screamed wrong, but anticipation surged in his chest.

“What’s it gonna give me?”

He’d fought and won recognition from a Rank 919 Player.

Scenario 1 was no longer a danger zone — just a bonus stage for growth.

‘Let’s go.’

Mik!

Gangwoo scooped up the Mimic crawling on the floor and strode toward the eerie halo of light.

Ding-

[You have entered the Scenario — Another Story.]

[Main Quest has been updated.]