“Haa… haa…”

Hua Yian knelt on the ground, gasping for breath.

A searing pain carved through his entire body from the shoulder.

Drip-drip-drip—

The greatsword lodged in his shoulder seeped crimson blood onto the ground.

‘No way…’

Ding-

[The effect of Cube #1 is fading.]

Crackle-

The current that had been coursing through Hua Yian’s body sputtered out and died.

‘Cube #1, and it still wasn’t enough…’

That Cube #1 he’d just used was none other than the Trait of Cha Yuseong—the sole L-Grade Player.

The All Cube’s reproduction rate might be fifty percent, but still. To be subdued this easily.

Unless the gap in skill was enormous, it should have been impossible.

‘Damn it…’

Hua Yian clung to his fading vision, dragging himself back into memory.

Four months ago. That first meeting with Kang Seongbin he’d wanted so desperately.

Academy PVP Tournament, second round.

Crash!

Seongbin had been trapped inside Hua Yian’s All Cube, flailing in a pathetic struggle.

‘He’s nothing.’

And that’s why Hua Yian had been overjoyed.

The man he wanted to beat to death was beneath him. If he’d wanted, killing him would’ve been nothing.

‘Not yet.’

But Hua Yian surrendered.

Revenge had to come at the perfect moment, when everything was absolute.

Only now did he realize everything had gone wrong.

‘Four months…’

Just four months had passed, and Seongbin had grown to a height he couldn’t even reach.

Grind-

Gritting his teeth in fury, Hua Yian clenched his jaw.

‘It’s not over yet!!!’

Besides Cube #1, there were Cubes #2 through #6. All Traits specialized for PVP.

Hua Yian’s eyes flashed as he tried to stand again, but—

Ding-

[HP is below 5%.]

The system notification chimed in his ear.

Thud-

His vision went dark.

***

Ding-

[The Golden King’s Blessing imbues your body.]

The Purple Crown in Seongbin’s hand dissolved into a halo of light and was absorbed into the Red Crown on his head.

Wooooom-

In that instant, the red-wavering aura shifted to a blazing gold and wrapped around his entire body.

Ding-

[Golden King’s Blessing]

Grade: S

Description: The power of the Crown bestows a blessing upon you. You are a person worthy of the King’s qualities.

Effect

– HP/MP recovery rate increased by 100%.

– All stats increased by 100%.

– King’s Judgment becomes available.

*King’s Judgment: An attack that fires a powerful beam of light.

Seongbin opened his palms and looked down at them.

A power he’d never felt before surged through his entire body.

[Red Crown]

Grade: A

Description: A crown that proves the king of the red team.

(Caution! If the crown is taken by an enemy faction, the trial for all team members ends immediately.)

Effect

– All stats increased by 100%.

– HP/MP recovery rate increased by 100%.

– Acquires King’s Aura.

*Set Effect (2/2)

– All stats increased by 100%.

*Set Effect (3/3)

– Acquires the effect of Golden King’s Blessing.

Plain stat boosts alone hit three hundred percent. On top of that, HP and MP recovery rates doubled, increased by two hundred percent.

‘That’s enough.’

Kang Seongbin had always been first place.

An outstanding Trait. A mind to back it up. He was always first.

But on the Tutorial’s third floor—the moment he met that man—everything twisted off course.

Even clearing an S-Rank Dungeon, unease had gnawed at him, but he’d still believed in himself.

‘If my cards fall right, I’ll win.’

That’s what he’d thought.

But the 5th-floor tournament shattered that confidence to pieces.

‘Second place again.’

Maybe he’d grown used to losing—even finishing second in the job-change exam barely registered.

That man was always above him, unreachably far, like a summit he couldn’t scale.

Crack—

Kang Seongbin clenched his fist, squeezing with every ounce of strength he had.

But not anymore.

Now it felt within reach. No—he was sure he could win.

‘Let’s go!’

The moment Kang Seongbin steeled his resolve and turned his head—

“Whoa!!!!!”

“Fucking insane! Number one!!!!!”

The Red team’s roaring cheers flooded the surrounding air.

***

Ding—

[The Purple Crown has passed to Red!!]

[Purple team’s trial is now concluded. Please wait until the trial ends.]

A colossal system window blazed against the blue sky above.

“That crazy bastard, how the hell did he collect them all?”

“No way he killed everyone? Knowing him, he probably did.”

Blue team members stared at the system window, swallowing dryly.

If anyone was Red’s leader, it had to be Kang Seongbin. The Red Crown’s owner.

He was already a Player with insane power. And now he’d gathered all three Crowns.

Kang Seongbin’s next destination was glaringly obvious.

“What do we do? Should we just run?”

“Run? We’ve gotta hold the line.”

Unease crackled through the Blue team members as they started muttering.

Just as anxiety began to seep into the formation’s core—

Rustle— Rustle—

The brush beyond the wide clearing in front of the formation twitched—

“Enemy!!!!”

The man guarding the gate bellowed.

“What?! Already?!”

“Everyone, get ready!!!”

The Blue team tensed, eyes locked on the front—and there they saw it.

Roughly a hundred and fifty Players emerging from between the bushes.

“What the hell! Why so many?”

The Blue team froze, rattled by the overwhelming numbers.

Meanwhile.

Those hundred fifty players arriving at Blue team’s formation weren’t just Red—Purple and Green were mixed in too.

“Haaah… what a shame.”

“Still, third place isn’t bad, right? Player Hua Yian, are you okay?”

“Yes, the wounds were deep, but we had a Healer, so I’m stabilized.”

Purple team settled at the edge of the forest, tending to Hua Yian.

“Go Kang Seongbin!”

“Still, Blue’s probably gonna win.”

The Green team cheered for the faction they’d bet on, eyes glittering.

And so, before Blue team’s main base—

The two hundred Players who’d gone through the job-change exam together all gathered in one place.

“Whoa… a bunch of vicious bastards.”

“That’s the truth of it, but isn’t this a bit much…?”

The Red Team members scowled as they looked at the Blue Team’s fortress.

A wall about five meters tall, and around it, a deep trench.

Inside that trench, a rust-colored liquid. Even at a glance, it was a trap laid by a Poison-Trait user.

And the ground around the fortress was dark and discolored—traces of other traps having been installed.

The Blue Team had poured everything into their defense.

‘Can we do it…?’

‘Huu…’

The Red Team members’ expressions hardened as they took in the sight.

A fortress prepared to the teeth. And on top of that, the Blue Team was the force that hadn’t lost first place for six days straight.

Each and every one of their Players would be strong.

That was what made it terrifying.

No one would be surprised if someone died trying to clear that fortress.

The Red Team members waited, tension in their eyes, for Kang Seongbin’s order to fall.

A dizzying silence and tension filled the air around them.

Thud—

Kang Seongbin took a step forward.

Then, in a low voice, he opened his mouth.

“I’ll go alone.”

The Red Team members stared at his back, dumbfounded.

“What? Al-alone?”

“Even so…”

The back of their leader, who always stood at the forefront, burned into the retinas of the Red Team members.

A brilliant golden light flared intensely. A massive greatsword.

The Red Team members watched Kang Seongbin and felt something.

‘Fucking… cool.’

Normally, they would’ve stopped him, called it insane.

A fully prepared fortress. The lord of that fortress was an existence with higher combat power than theirs.

Even if the entire team charged in with their lives on the line, it was questionable whether they could break through.

And yet, he said he’d go alone.

It was bravado. Impossible. But the Red Team members couldn’t say a word.

‘He just might pull it off.’

The overwhelming power Kang Seongbin had shown so far. And now, with the Crown’s effect making him four times stronger.

The thought that he really might be able to break through alone crept into their minds.

The Red Team watched Kang Seongbin, who was growing distant, and lowered their weapons.

***

Wooong— The cold air swept across the wide clearing.

Thud— Kang Seongbin walked toward the fortress, alone.

Across the vast plain. A man’s form, a golden aura blazing fiercely.

‘What, he’s coming alone?’

‘Crazy bastard.’

The Blue Team members furrowed their brows at the sight.

Their preparations were perfect. From the walls to the traps to the team members’ Buff status—everything was flawless.

That’s why they were certain. No matter how great Kang Seongbin was or how buffed he’d gotten, he absolutely couldn’t break through.

But an inexplicable unease kept prodding at their instincts.

Just as the Blue Team began to feel fear, Kang Seongbin had arrived before the fortress.

“Ready!”

The moment Kang Seongbin entered attack range, Han Seongdae shouted.

Mana roiled violently around the weapons of Blue Team’s elite players.

Whoosh—

A fierce blaze erupted first,

Crackle—

followed by frost-laden ice arrows.

“Fire!”

The instant Han Seongdae’s signal fell, twenty condensed Mana projectiles streaked through the air toward Kang Seongbin.

BOOM!!!

A massive explosion gouged the earth, blasting outward.

Rumble—

The shock was immense; the ground itself trembled.

Scatter—

Thick dust spread from the crater where Kang Seongbin had stood.

Two hundred pairs of eyes fixed on the haze.

“Leader! What—what happened?”

“No way, is it over…?”

Red Team members grimaced, sensing defeat.

They glimpsed their leader’s back—an inexplicable confidence radiated from it.

But that concentrated barrage had far surpassed anything a Player could withstand.

Even a B-rank Boss Monster would have been instantly killed by that force.

No matter how exceptional Kang Seongbin was, taking that head-on should have left him finished.

Red Team thought it was all over.

But in that instant.

Humm—

A brilliant golden light flickered through the thick dust.

At the center of the meteor-cratered ground stood Kang Seongbin.

“Whoa… holy shit, that’s insane.”

“Is that what an S-rank Player looks like? Fucking nuts.”

Red Team members cheered at the sight.

“Prepare again!”

But Blue Team didn’t relent. No matter how gifted a Player was, there had to be limits.

“Fire!”

And so Blue Team’s volley continued.

***

BOOM!!! Another colossal blast hammered the earth.

The dust settled, and sure enough, Kang Seongbin stood there.

Ding-

[You have recovered 1,000 HP.]

[You have recovered 1,000 HP.]

………

……

…

.

Kang Seongbin’s torn flesh knitted back together in an instant.

‘Good synergy.’

He heard the welcome notifications and curled his lips into a smirk.

Kang Seongbin’s Trait demanded massive HP consumption.

That was why he’d equipped an HP recovery set.

But now, with the Crown’s effect boosting HP recovery by 200%,

he was virtually invincible.

“Whoa… that’s insane.”

“Is he really going to break through solo?”

A full hour of concentrated fire.

As Kang Seongbin weathered Blue Team’s onslaught, Red Team, and even Purple and Green Teams, were stunned.

That level of barrage would’ve taken down most A-rank Monsters.

Yet Kang Seongbin’s expression remained calm. Could even a Crown’s effect make this possible?

‘……… ‘

For a moment, an unnatural silence settled over the clearing where only explosions had roared.

‘Ugh, I’m dizzy…’

“We’re low on MP!”

Blue Team’s attackers frowned, worn down by an hour of constant Mana expenditure.

‘He’s a monster.’

Han Seongdae, leading the assault team, had no choice but to admit it.

The man before him was a true monster—but the situation wasn’t bad.

“We’ll rest for ten minutes. Anyone with more than 20% MP remaining, be ready to attack at any moment.”

All Kang Seongbin had done was tank their attacks—he hadn’t even breached the dungeon’s first trap.

The Blue Team’s goal was defense, pure and simple. Drag this out, and first place was theirs.

Han Seongdae, certain of victory, tended to his exhausted teammates.

But then—

“I request a one-on-one PVP.”

Kang Seongbin had challenged him to personal combat.

“Ah, dizzying. What the hell is he saying? That crazy bastard.”

“We just have to hold out to win—is he brain-damaged?”

The Blue Team members, panting for breath, jeered at Kang Seongbin.

From the Blue Team’s perspective, first place was secured by merely holding the line—there was no need to accept Kang Seongbin’s demand.

And Kang Seongbin knew that perfectly well. So he sent the signal.

“Now. Convince him and bring him along.”

Blue Team couldn’t grasp what he meant.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“He’s spouting nonsense. Just charge your MP already.”

Ignoring Kang Seongbin’s words, they started their preparations.

But one man on Blue Team furrowed his brow at Seongbin’s remark.

‘Here? All of a sudden?’

It was Jo Seunghyun.

On Day 2, Jo Seunghyun had made a promise to Kang Seongbin—that he would grant him any request.

And now, Kang Seongbin was calling in that favor.

Jo Seunghyun, stationed at the entrance, rubbed his forehead.

‘What do I do…’

Kang Seongbin had saved his life. He couldn’t break the promise to do anything.

‘Should I try to convince hyung-nim? That’s really not an option. Ah! What the hell do I do…’

Jo Seunghyun, looking tormented, clutched at his hair, wrestling with the dilemma.

It was in the midst of Jo Seunghyun’s agonizing moment that—

“I’ll accept.”

Ha Gangwoo suddenly stepped forward in front of his teammates.

“What?”

For an instant, the team members tilted their heads, puzzled.

“You’re accepting it? Don’t tell me—PVP?”

Kang Seongbin’s terms. Hearing that he’d go along with them—it didn’t compute.

“Even for Ha Gangwoo-nim, this is too much.”

“Right. Kang Seongbin has three Crowns, you know.”

The team members tried to hold him back.

But Ha Gangwoo, as if his mind was already made up, stood before them with a cold, settled expression.

For a moment, the Blue team’s eyes fixed on him.

Their leader—always stepping forward to guide the team. Still at the front, he opened his mouth with that inscrutable look.

“You’ve all worked hard. Let’s end this here. We’ve given it our best.”

“……”

The Blue team exchanged glances at Gangwoo’s words.

One man stood there, his face drained pale from over an hour of Mana depletion.

Another Player had hollow cheeks from not eating properly in days.

A woman with sunken eyes from lack of sleep.

A seven-day epic. The Blue Team had reached its limit.

Yet the results were top-tier.

They hadn’t let go of first place for six straight days.

Something that would’ve been utterly impossible without the man standing before them now.

The Blue Team members’ expressions — furrowed brows, desperate hunger for victory — finally loosened.

“Haah… I guess second place isn’t so bad for the finale.”

“Why’re you assuming the leader loses? It’s obviously our win!”

They were already nodding along, as if they’d agreed with Ha Gangwoo’s intent all along, smiles tugging at their lips as they set down their weapons.

Ha Gangwoo caught the sight, turned his back, and stopped before the massive gate.

“Take care.”

“Make sure you win!”

The cheers from his teammates at his back lifted his mood.

“Then I’ll be off.”

*Creeeak—*

And so Ha Gangwoo stepped out of the castle, toward the final battle of his job-change trial.