Ha Gangwoo stroked his chin, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face.

[Seismic Stomp]

Grade: B

Type: Active

MP Cost: 20~ (The more Mana expended, the greater the destructive force.)

Action: Shift weight onto one leg.

Effect: Deliver a powerful shock to the ground, destabilizing the stance of nearby enemies.

“Is this any good?”

A B-grade skill—maybe he’d hyped it too much? It didn’t feel that impressive on paper.

Attack Stance and Swift Movements had come from D-grade Catalogs.

And here was Seismic Stomp, a B-grade Catalog two tiers higher, yet its effect seemed underwhelming.

‘Is the damage really that strong?’

Gangwoo sprang to his feet and settled into a stance.

‘A B-grade skill can’t be a dud, right?’

Trying it would settle the question fast.

The effect was “destabilize stance.” In a fight, that looked useful.

Gangwoo recalled the action and shifted his weight onto one leg.

‘Seismic Stomp.’

The instant the activation word crossed his mind—

[20 MP consumed.]

*CLANG!!!!*

The sound roared out, and—

—a circular shockwave rippled outward from around Gangwoo.

A low, humming tremor lingered in the earth.

‘Huh?’

Gangwoo lifted his foot and looked at the ground.

The soil was dented in the shape of his footprint.

‘Not bad?’

It looked more useful than he’d thought.

After all, a B-grade skill—he’d barely put any force into it just now.

He’d only shifted his weight. Yet the destructive power exceeded his imagination.

At the instant the skill activated, if he added his own Strength on top of that, the damage would multiply.

Having reached that verdict, Gangwoo resolved to use the skill once more.

[1 MP recovered.]

[1 MP recovered.]

[1 MP recovered.]

…

..

.

[MP: 75/75]

With Reins’ Armlet, his MP shot back to full in an instant.

‘Just how strong can it get?’

Gangwoo took his stance again and closed his eyes.

‘Let’s max out the MP.’

This time, the skill wasn’t about condensing Mana—it was outputting it all at once.

The way he handled the Mana felt slightly different.

*Thrummm*—He could feel Mana gathering into his right foot.

‘Seismic Stomp.’

The moment the activation word crossed his mind—

*Thump*—a heavy force settled into his leg.

Gangwoo pushed more strength into that leg.

His Strength stat was 100. Maybe because of that added power—

[75 MP consumed.]

*CLANG!!!!!!!!*

A colossal shockwave hammered the ground.

*Crack*—the earth shrieked around Gangwoo’s feet.

‘Whoa?!’

A B-grade skill, after all—the destructive power was undeniable.

Gangwoo brushed the ring on his finger—the Red Ring—a faint smile tugging at his lips.

‘Should I try it?’

He felt it the moment he used Seismic Stomp.

To apply a skill, you first had to understand it.

So testing what Demonization actually did didn’t seem like a bad idea either.

Ha Gangwoo was just sinking into that debate—should he try Lucifel’s Ring or not?—when

people started pouring out of the buildings.

“What the hell? That was an explosion, wasn’t it?”

“Why’s it so loud?! I can’t concentrate!!”

They’d all come out at the thunder of his Seismic Stomp.

Their eyes landed on Gangwoo, standing at the epicenter of the screaming ground, and they swallowed dryly.

“What the… This is System-protected terrain. Barely even scratches, usually…”

“No way he’s the one who…”

“Yeah… Looks like it. Think I should just skip this tournament too.”

Everyone grimaced as they took in the devastation from Gangwoo’s Seismic Stomp.

Among them, a man carrying a green wooden sword scratched the back of his head and said,

“I gave up on this tournament the minute I saw Kang Seongbin. Might as well go train.”

As that man turned to leave, the rest grumbled and filed back into the buildings.

Ha Gangwoo watched them, then started walking toward the buildings himself.

‘Kang Seongbin? Train?’

The man with the wooden sword entered a building marked with a sword sign.

Was Kang Seongbin in there too, getting training from Antero?

‘What’s going on here?’

Ha Gangwoo, still puzzled, opened his quest window.

[Tower of Tutorial (5F) – For Victory Alone.][Main]

Rank: ???

Description: Antero is hosting a tournament~! Receive training from Antero within the time limit, then participate in the tournament!

Reward: ???

(Pathfinding)

He’d already checked the rewards and confirmed his items.

Now he needed to focus on the quest.

The description said he had to receive training from Antero for the remaining time.

Looked like he had to pick one of the several houses visible up ahead and make a choice.

Ha Gangwoo stroked his chin, lost in thought.

The signs were varied—sword, bow, whip, shield, and more.

Then Gangwoo started moving.

‘I’ll go with the sword.’

He’d just gotten a Steel Sword, after all.

The house with the sword sign seemed like the right call.

Just then—

“Uh?! Hyung-nim!!!”

A voice he recognized called out to him.

Ha Gangwoo turned his gaze toward the sound.

“Jo Seunghyun?”

It was Jo Seunghyun—the same one who’d stuck his neck out for him back on the third floor.

***

Jo Seunghyun had a popsicle dangling from his mouth—one he must’ve bought at the Auction House—and said,

“Hyung-nim’s going sword too? I saw you with gloves on the third floor.”

“Switched. Figured I’d learn this one.”

Ha Gangwoo followed Seunghyun into the building with the sword sign.

‘Perfect timing.’

He had a ton of questions, and now here was someone to ask.

As Gangwoo followed behind, Seunghyun pulled another popsicle from his Inventory and handed it over.

“Here, have this. Latte Co. just released it. It’s pretty good.”

“Uh—oh.”

Ha Gangwoo picked up the popsicle Jo Seunghyun had handed him.

[Rappiko]

Grade: F

Maker: Latte

Description: A new ice cream released by Latte Co.~! Enjoy the fragrant and sweet chocolate flavor.

Effect

-Recovers 20 HP / 10 MP for 10 seconds

‘So this kind of stuff exists too…’

It had been twenty years since the System appeared. Countless trait-holders had emerged, and now even manufactured goods like this were hitting the Auction House.

Ha Gangwoo tore open the popsicle, snapped off the stick end, and started sucking on it as he asked,

“What were you doing here? And what’s this about Antero’s training?”

“I was training here. I cleared Stage 1, but I just couldn’t get past Stage 2.”

Jo Seunghyun’s face crumpled as he went on.

“But then Kang Seongbin just waltzed through Stage 2 like it was nothing… I guess that’s what being S-Rank means… It’s a whole different league.”

“Kang Seongbin?”

How the hell did everyone know Kang Seongbin’s name? Gangwoo kept the popsicle in his mouth and asked flatly.

“How do you know Kang Seongbin?”

“Huh? You don’t know Kang Seongbin? He’s the son of Kang Hocheol, Rank 9. Got an S-Rank trait like his old man. It was all over the news.”

“Ah…”

It clicked instantly.

The demon-shaped ranker he’d seen on TV. So that was his son.

‘No wonder he’s famous.’

Gangwoo had already made it inside the building.

The moment he stepped in, a system window flashed before him.

[Quest received!]

[House of Training — Sword][Sub]

Description: You have arrived at the House of Training. Speak to Antero and pass the trial.

Reward: ???

(Pathfinding)

Popsicle still in his mouth, Gangwoo glanced around.

Shlump! Shlump!

A dozen or so people were swinging green wooden swords at a jelly-like liquid.

‘What the hell are they doing?’

That had to be the training, he figured.

Gangwoo’s gaze settled on a familiar face among them.

‘Antero…’

The master of this tower, the same Antero he’d met on the first floor.

‘Does he use some kind ofa clone technique?’

Because there wasn’t just one Antero.

Several figures in identical black robes, hoods pulled low, all wore that same hollow-eyed look.

Gangwoo tossed the finished popsicle stick on the floor and walked up to Antero.

White hair, half-lidded sleepy eyes — exactly as he’d looked on the first floor.

As Gangwoo approached, Antero spoke.

“You made it up. Chose gloves on the first floor, and now a sword?”

“Oh.”

Interesting.

He realized it by looking at the multiple Anteros in the room.

The Antero he’d met on the first floor wasn’t the one standing in front of him now.

And yet, he spoke as if recalling the first floor with perfect clarity.

So there was only one answer.

‘They’re all connected.’

They were all linked.

‘That’s kind of creepy.’

So this was the Tower’s master—a being of mystery.

Ha Gangwoo forced a composed expression and spoke.

“First, I want to learn.”

“The sword isn’t bad either.”

Antero snapped his fingers—*tap*—and the green wooden swords the others held appeared.

“Show me the spirit you displayed on the first floor.”

Antero handed the sword to Ha Gangwoo.

Ha Gangwoo picked up the green wooden sword. It was green, blunt-edged, and twisted in shape.

[Green Branch]

Grade: F

Durability: 10/10

Attack Power: 1

Description: A sword Antero roughly made from green wood.

As Ha Gangwoo took the sword, Antero set his hand on the jelly beside him with a soft *thump*.

“Cut this with that sword, and the first test is done. I’ll be waiting over there—come when you’ve cut it. *Haaah~* yawn.”

Antero yawned wide—*chwaaah*—and walked to the corner of the training hall.

Ha Gangwoo held the sword and stared at the jelly. A blue liquid with a small Catalog visible at its center.

‘Cut this…?’

What did this have to do with training? And with no instruction—was this even training?

Doubt swirled, but he decided to try cutting it anyway.

“Hoooh…”

Ha Gangwoo steadied his breath and gripped the wooden sword with both hands.

He raised the sword and brought it down with all his strength.

*Whoosh*—the blade split the air with an eerie sound.

*Thwack!!!*

The moment it struck the jelly—

*Squish~!*—the jelly rippled.

A sharp shock traveled up his hand.

As hard as he’d hit, the impact rebounded straight into his hand.

“Ugh…”

Ha Gangwoo grimaced and looked at Antero.

“Haaah~ yawn.”

Arms crossed, Antero was yawning wide, utterly idle.

‘Teach me something, or tell me what to do. Is he expecting me to figure it out myself?’

Ha Gangwoo scowled deeply and began hammering the jelly—*thwack*—in rapid blows.

“Hmm…”

Antero, mid-yawn, fixed a serious gaze on Ha Gangwoo.

That stare locked onto one spot.

A single ring glowing red. Lucifel’s Ring.

‘So that’s the one…’

And so Antero kept watching Ha Gangwoo.

***

*Bang!!!!! Bang!!!*

Brutal sounds echoed through the training hall.

“What the hell is that guy…? That jelly’s about to burst.”

“Isn’t he the one who smashed the floor outside earlier?”

“Yeah, his strength is insane.”

Everyone watched Ha Gangwoo beating the jelly, admiration in their voices.

Ha Gangwoo’s face twisted into a grimace as he struck the jelly.

‘Attack Stance.’

*Jiggle~!*

A red glow enveloped his body.

[Attack Stance has been activated.]

[Your next attack deals 2x destructive power.]

He swung the wooden sword with all his might.

*Thwack!!!*

A heavy impact sound rang out.

*Squish~!*

The jelly rippled. Again, a tingling pain shot up his hand.

“Haah… Haah…”

Ha Gangwoo steadied his breathing, his eyes fixed on the jelly.

‘Why doesn’t it cut? And since when does a blunt stick like this slice through anything?’

The questions kept surfacing.

As Gangwoo frowned, Jo Seunghyun approached calmly.

He must’ve finished his popsicle at some point—now he had a lollipop in his mouth.

“Whoa~! Hyung-nim, your strength is insane. It was the same on the third floor, but this is no joke!”

The words scraped oddly at his nerves, but they felt genuine, free of malice.

Gangwoo tapped the floor with his sword and looked at Seunghyun.

This time, Seunghyun held out the lollipop.

“Want this?”

“No, I don’t. Phew…”

Gangwoo regulated his breath, straightened up, and continued.

“You said you cleared the first stage, right? Show me once.”

Until yesterday, Gangwoo had been an ordinary civilian. When it came to technique, he was a complete outsider.

So far, he’d scraped by on overwhelming Stats and Gear-carried power, but here, he’d need something more.

‘I think I’ll get it if I see it just once.’

That’s why he asked Seunghyun.

Seunghyun scratched the back of his head, his face brightening.

“Huh?! Asking me to show you all of a sudden… That’s embarrassing.”

Gangwoo ignored the gesture lightly and held out the sword.

Seunghyun rolled the lollipop between his teeth, looked at the sword, then picked it up.

“I only got through by luck, so I’ll need a few tries. Kang Seongbin just sliced through with one hand. Don’t laugh if I can’t do it first try~!”

“Got it, just hurry up.”

Gangwoo waved his hand and watched Seunghyun.

Seunghyun gripped the sword with both hands and steadied his breath.

Gangwoo’s pupils contracted as he watched.

‘I’ll analyze every bit of it.’

Was it thanks to his Sense Stat? Every breath Seunghyun took, every muscle twitch, etched itself onto his retina.

In an instant, Seunghyun’s entire body’s muscles moved in unison.

He raised his arm high, then—woosh—slammed it down toward the floor.

Gangwoo imprinted each moment into his eyes.

Then, the moment Seunghyun’s sword touched the jelly—

*Shlick—*

The jelly split cleanly in two.

Seunghyun scratched the back of his head, looking proud of himself.

“Whoa~! Nailed it on the first try. Guess I need an audience to do my best, huh~!”

Seunghyun handed the wooden sword back to Gangwoo, his expression bright as he continued.

“You said today was your first time with a sword, right? I trained for three years outside and still couldn’t cut it cleanly. First, grip it with both hands like this, and then—shoosh!…”

Seunghyun, excited, rambled on to himself, but Gangwoo ignored him, replaying what he’d seen and felt.

‘I’ve got a rough idea. Good thing I asked him to try.’

Ha Gangwoo stood before the jelly, the wooden sword held in both hands.

“Hoo…”

His eyes sharpened.

‘Cut it.’

A blunt piece of wood like this couldn’t cut anything in the real world. But here, in the System’s world, the impossible became possible.

‘Speed.’

He’d reached his conclusion. Speed—enough to cancel out the bluntness.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

After all, he’d been fast enough when he was just pounding the jelly earlier.

Ha Gangwoo raised the sword high with both hands.

Then he brought it down with all his strength.

Whoosh—the wooden blade split the air with a vicious sound.

Shiiing—the sword descended toward the jelly.

Its speed, cleaving the air, grew faster and faster.

What was missing was—

The moment the wood’s velocity peaked, just as it tapped the jelly.

Shlick—before the impact could even register.

Thump—

It had already reached the floor.

Instantaneous speed, without a hint of wavering.

That was what created sharpness.

Sshhht—

The jelly let out a shriek as it split in two.

“Whoa~! That’s insane!!!”

Jo Seunghyun’s mouth fell open at the sight.

And at that moment.

Ding-

[You have passed the first test.]

He’d passed the first test.