A deep darkness shrouded the cavern.

Drip — drip —

Water droplets wet the floor, and a cool breeze brushed past with a soft hush.

Ha Gangwoo kept moving across the thin ice—a floor that felt like it could shatter at any step.

Each time, a system window flashed before his eyes.

Ding-

[Level up!!!]

Ding-

[Level up!!!]

‘What the hell…’

Ha Gangwoo tilted his head at the unexpected situation.

The Cave of the Abyss was, by any measure, a horrifying place.

The Boss’s spine-chilling Mana prickled his instincts.

Violet crystals embedded in the damp cave walls radiated a grim, oppressive light.

But there was something strange about it.

In this Dungeon, there wasn’t even a single insect—let alone a Monster.

And the most puzzling part of all was—

Ding-

[You have acquired 500,000 EXP!!]

[You have acquired an additional 500,000 EXP due to the effect of your Perk.]

—this phenomenon.

Whenever the narrow tunnel opened into a wider chamber,

Ding-

[You have acquired 500,000 EXP!!]

[You have acquired an additional 500,000 EXP due to the effect of your Perk.]

Without fail, the EXP flowed in automatically.

Ha Gangwoo checked his level, a satisfied expression spreading across his face.

[Level: 76 →85 (↑9)]

All he’d done since entering the dungeon was walk after gearing up.

Yet his level was already racing toward 90.

‘This is insane.’

The reason wasn’t hard to figure out.

‘It’s got to be the Perk.’

The Special Player’s Perk. The effect of the Golden Altar.

*Golden Altar

-Increases probability of acquiring an advanced class.

-Simplifies class quests.

-Upgrades acquired class to Hidden class.

The second effect listed on the Golden Altar:

-Simplifies class quests.

Trash mobs were cleared, even traps vanished, making progress lightning-fast. And monster EXP came in full.

‘Broken.’

Ha Gangwoo smiled at the unexpected boon, then pressed forward.

Ding-

[Level: 85 →90]

As soon as he hit level 90, Ha Gangwoo stopped in his tracks and lifted his head.

Whoosh-

Two torches blazing fiercely.

A massive door at their center.

He’d finally reached the entrance to the Boss Room.

Thump— thump—

‘How hard could it be…’

Ha Gangwoo stood before the door, his expression darkening as he sank into thought.

The dungeon he’d just cleared hadn’t been a pushover.

The EXP from the auto-clear had been immense.

Judging by the level and number of monsters from that EXP—equivalent to about a thousand B-Rank Monsters.

That told him everything.

The Boss beyond that door couldn’t be beaten without that level of experience and growth.

Thump— thump—

But Ha Gangwoo placed his hand on the massive door without a moment’s hesitation.

As for experience—he’d stacked it plenty, from Antero’s training to his fight with Kang Seongbin.

And as for growth—the Golden Altar’s effect had handled that thoroughly.

So there was only one thing he needed now.

‘Let’s go.’

Just the courage to fight that monster.

Ha Gangwoo slowly put strength into his hand,

Creeeak—

The massive door creaked open bit by bit, an eerie sound filling the cavern.

Whoosh—

In that moment, thick darkness spilled out from beyond the door.

Ding—

[You have reached the End of the Abyss.]

[Ruin, the Destroyer, faces you.]

Ha Gangwoo began his final challenge for the job change.

***

“You gonna stand there?!?!”

Kang Seongbin bellowed as he followed behind Mimic and Jo Seunghyun.

As he stepped into that area, a single system window appeared.

Ding—

[You have entered a Melee Combat Job Exclusive Field.]

[Speak to Instructor Biske.]

Kang Seongbin looked at the system window and scratched the back of his head.

“Haah… Let’s finish this quick and get out.”

The irritation that had flared up subsided in an instant.

Because he figured it was more rational to focus on the test than waste energy on those bastards.

Kang Seongbin erased Mimic and Jo Seunghyun from his mind and scanned his surroundings.

“No way! How the hell am I supposed to win against this!!!”

A Player was complaining as he fought something.

“Cut a sword with a sword? Bullshit, have some limits.”

Another Player, wielding two swords, was scrunching up his face.

Just as he’d heard—the Instructor’s tests were twisted and cryptic.

‘What’s it gonna give me.’

Kang Seongbin was filled with anticipation as he imagined the test awaiting him.

‘Hope it’s a Hidden class.’

[Final Score: S-Rank.]

He’d lost the final match to Ha Gangwoo, but he was satisfied with the score.

An impressive S-Rank.

Even that psychotic father of his had only gotten an A on that test—and he’d scored an S.

If he just passed this test well, it was a grade that could net him a Hidden class.

Gulp—

Kang Seongbin was tense.

But as if mocking that tension,

“Woooow~! A puppy, a puppy!!!”

a noisy brat was jabbering, and

“Hello! Instructor. You’re as cute as I heard.”

Jo Seunghyun was grinning in front of the Instructor.

‘What a pain.’

It rankled, but for now, it was bearable.

Kang Seongbin stowed his greatsword in his Inventory and walked toward the instructor.

Fluffy fur. Ears that perked up—sharp! Two bean-shaped eyes.

“Ahem…”

The instructor looked remarkably like a raccoon.

“Mungmung! Paw!”

Mimic reached out a tiny hand toward the instructor, curling her lips into a sly grin.

The instructor seemed nettled by Mimic and Jo Seunghyun’s rudeness—he pressed his lips tight, his brow twitching.

He looked ready to explode at any moment, but—

Peek.

He placed his paw on Mimic’s palm.

“Good job, Mungmung. Here’s some money, take it.”

Mimic had faithfully followed the give-and-take she’d learned from Ha Gangwoo.

“Ahem…”

Instructor Biske cleared his throat as he slipped the Gold Mimic had given him into his pocket.

“Enough games. Let’s start right away.”

A raccoon about the same size as Mimic.

The instructor wore a crisp uniform, but there was no dignity about him.

But in that instant—

A sharp pulse of Mana swept over Jo Seunghyun and even Kang Seongbin’s entire body.

Feeling that energy, Kang Seongbin clamped his mouth shut and swallowed dryly.

‘That NPC is Biske…’

Rumors about Biske were rampant, and they all said the same thing.

-Don’t provoke him if you can help it. That bastard’s a total psycho!

-Antero’s a saint compared to him. That raccoon prick’s pure mood-swing; just kiss his ass no matter what!

Truly, a hell of an instructor.

Despite his appearance, he wielded immense power, and it was said the trials he gave were just as twisted.

Gulp—

Kang Seongbin swallowed dryly as he recalled what he knew about Biske.

Biske stared at Kang Seongbin with cold eyes.

Just as a spine-chilling wave of Mana swept over Kang Seongbin’s whole body, Biske slowly opened his mouth.

“This batch has quite a few useful ones. Are you the first in the test?”

Biske pointed his long spear at Kang Seongbin.

At those words, Kang Seongbin’s brow twitched.

The first wasn’t him—it was Ha Gangwoo.

Grind—irritation surged up in an instant.

Kang Seongbin nearly snapped and shouted, but he bit his tongue and held back.

The instructor before him was a key figure who’d give out Job Quests.

One wrong judgment could decide his whole life.

‘Hold it together.’

Kang Seongbin forced down his anger and opened his mouth.

“No, I’m…”

“The first is Master!!!!”

Before Kang Seongbin could even answer—

Mimic shot her small hand up and cut in.

“What?! He’s not the first?!”

Biske asked, flustered by Mimic’s answer.

The rank Biske had seen on Kang Seongbin was S—no easy grade.

On top of that, the man before him possessed talent that ranked among the best he’d seen in twenty years of Players.

And yet some Player had stepped over someone like that to claim first place.

‘The time has come, hasn’t it.’

Biske stroked his beard, a meaningful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Right then, Ha Gangwoo’s words flashed through Mimic’s mind.

“Ah! Right!”

Mimic pulled a single book from inside her mouth—the one Ha Gangwoo had entrusted to her.

Red leather, elegant patterning.

It was the [DLC – Book of Job Change: Blood Raven].

The moment Mimic dropped the Book of Job Change onto the field.

*Ding-*

[A Book of Job Change has appeared!!!]

[The Tower of Job Change is connecting to the Gaia Net.]

[Initializing update.]

[Progress: 0.1%]

[Progress: 1.1%]

A single System window rose above the massive dome.

“Wh-what the hell!”

“Update? You mean that thing from Scenario 1?”

In an instant, every Player in the Tower of Job Change fixed their gaze on the System window.

‘Finally, this place too…’

Watching that System window, Biske wore a bitter expression, as if recalling something nostalgic.

And just as every gaze turned skyward.

Mimic saw the System window and realized.

“Ah!”

That this wasn’t the priority among the tasks Ha Gangwoo had asked of her.

Mimic hastily shoved the Book of Job Change back into her mouth and grabbed hold of Jo Seunghyun’s pant leg.

“Whoa…”

Jo Seunghyun’s jaw hung wide open in awe before he felt Mimic tugging at him.

“Huh? What? Something up?”

“Um…”

Mimic hesitated, then worked her small mouth open and shut.

“How do you get a Catalog?”

The first mission Ha Gangwoo had given Mimic was precisely that: acquire a Catalog.

The first step toward manifesting a Trait—skill acquisition.

***

*Ding-*

[500 HP consumed.]

[Restoring physical damage.]

Fresh flesh knitted itself over Ha Gangwoo’s torn shoulder.

His upper armor, ripped clean away, tumbled across the floor.

“Hah… hah…”

Crimson Demonic Energy rippled across Ha Gangwoo’s entire body.

The desperate struggle, pushing even Demonization, was still ongoing.

Ha Gangwoo stared at the Boss before him, his gaze turning cold.

‘Can I even take it down…?’

Ruin, the Destroyer.

It called to mind a medieval knight.

Its defining feature was the black armor covering its entire body—antique patterns, a massive frame.

One glance made clear it held a high-ranking position.

But what was truly astonishing was the power Ruin possessed.

*Clank-*

Ruin took a heavy step forward. Each time, a sinister metallic screech accompanied the trembling ground.

Ruin swung its massive sword with casual ease.

A meaningless motion, cutting through empty air.

But the moment the blade struck the floor—*Thud!*—

*Crack!!!!*

An ominous dark energy surged up from beneath Ha Gangwoo’s feet, erupting violently.

Hwoong—thump—hwoong—thump—

As Ruin’s meaningless motions carved through the air and slammed into the ground,

Crack! Shrrrk—Crack! Shrrrk—

Darkness-forged blades sliced into Ha Gangwoo’s flesh.

‘Invisible.’

Shrrrk—

He hid his body,

‘Seismic Stomp!’

Clang!!!

Shattered the earth.

Neither worked against Ruin, the Destroyer.

“Hahh… hahh…”

Gangwoo put distance between himself and Ruin, regenerating his torn body.

[HP is below 30%.]

HP was nearly drained, his body pushed to its limit.

Thump-thump—

The sensation of death began to seize him. His heart hammered; each second stretched into an hour.

In that chill of dread, Gangwoo sensed the end.

‘This is all I have left.’

Ding-

[Summoning Fortune Coin [Flame God] from Inventory.]

His greatest power now—his last resort.

“Haaah… haaah…”

Ha Gangwoo gasped for breath as he balanced the coin on his thumb.

“Last one!”

Ding!

He flicked it—the coin spun madly through the air, whirring—before it tapped the floor.

[You have acquired the Flame God effect.]

[Demonic energy amplifies the Flame God effect.]

[You have acquired the Demon God (Transformation) effect.]

Whoosh—

An eerie fire erupted across Ha Gangwoo’s entire body.

***

[Progress: 100%]

Ding—

[Update complete.]

[Update Details]

– 180 new classes added.

– 10 new Hidden classes added.

– 2 new Legend classes added.

A massive System window rose across the sky, signaling the end of the update.

“No fucking way—Legend classes?”

“What the hell is this?!”

“I heard Scenario 1 had some kind of update too, and it looks like the job-change system got updated as well.”

The Players clenched their fists, their faces alight with excitement.

The same phenomenon had unfolded back in Scenario 1.

– Scenario 1. First update in twenty years! New items appearing!!!

– After the update, a transformed Scenario 1. Special skills emerging from the revamped Quests!

Headlines like these had flashed across everyone’s minds, and Scenario 1 had become a treasure trove.

Newly appeared items sold for three times the price of their standard-tier equivalents, and information about special Quests traded hands for tens of millions of Gold.

That was why those at the heart of the update wore knowing smiles.

Right now, at this very moment, a single piece of fresh intel could earn them millions of Gold.

At the center of that thrill—

Whoosh—

Mimic cupped her tiny hands together, her eyes sparkling.

“Wow~! It worked!!!!!”

A fierce flame flickered and danced atop Mimic’s palms.

The Trait that Ha Gangwoo had so desperately wanted—she had finally manifested it.

“Master! I did it!”

Mimic clenched the flame tight in her grip, then smiled.

While Mimic was celebrating, Jo Seunghyun slumped onto the floor, gasping for air.

“Hah… hah…”

‘Incredible…’

When Mimic first asked for a Catalog, he’d been puzzled.

‘A Catalog?’

But the reason came faster than he’d expected.

“Master said to learn a skill so I can create flames! “

She wanted to learn a skill for a Trait.

‘She still can’t use her Trait?’

That was what confused Jo Seunghyun.

The place they were in was the Tower of Job Change.

Which meant Mik had cleared everything from the Tutorial through Scenario 1.

How had she made it here without a Trait or skills? Could a kid even enter this place in the first place?

All kinds of thoughts ran through his head, but with an L-Grade Player’s power, it wasn’t impossible.

‘I’ll teach her.’

Jo Seunghyun bought Mimic a Catalog and planned to explain Traits to her.

His own Trait demanded similar Mana control to Mimic’s, so he understood well.

Just how hard Mana control was without a skill.

But Jo Seunghyun didn’t need to step in.

Mimic learned the Catalog he bought her, tried the skill once —

*Fwoosh—*

—and succeeded at that famously difficult Mana control in one shot.

‘Is that… talent…’

From the position of someone being consumed by their own Trait, Mimic’s genius made Jo Seunghyun’s mood sink.

‘I can do it too!’

But Jo Seunghyun didn’t give up. He’d known for ages that he had no talent.

He clenched his fist, then forced himself upright.

*Fwoosh—*

The Golem, radiating blistering heat, looked down at him with contempt.

‘I’ll cut it!’

The trial Biske had given Jo Seunghyun was to defeat the Magma Golem.

“Rraah!!!”

Seizing his sword, Jo Seunghyun charged toward the Golem.