“….”

Crrrrack—the arena groans in agony.

The entire area is swallowed by a moment of silence.

Ssshh—as the dust clears and Ha Gangwoo’s form is revealed.

“Wooow~!!!!”

Cheers fill the arena to the brim.

“Wooow~! He beat Kang Seongbin in under a minute!!”

“Whoa… At that level, he’s practically a Ranker already.”

Their jaws hang open as they gaze at Ha Gangwoo with admiration.

Jo Seunghyun, too, stares wide-eyed at Ha Gangwoo standing in the arena.

“He’s truly incredible…”

Jo Seunghyun recalled their first meeting.

That first encounter on the third floor—he’d just thought of him as a player who got a good Trait.

The moment he first cut into the jelly.

That was when he sensed something extraordinary.

Swish—

The moment Antero’s head fell, awe replaced that vague sense of the unusual.

Crrrrack—

Now, watching the screaming arena, he understood.

“He’s different.”

Different from everyone he’d seen in this world so far.

‘A Finisher.’

That word came to mind whenever he looked at his hyung-nim.

The person who would finish every Scenario—a Finisher.

Jo Seunghyun clenched both fists, his eyes sparkling as he watched Ha Gangwoo.

‘I guess I was worried for nothing.’

That ominous feeling? Pointless.

With someone that overwhelmingly strong, what was there to worry about?

‘I’m curious.’

Jo Seunghyun looked at the arena with a keen expression.

Only one match remained.

Lee Ayeon, with her unprecedented power—he was dying to see what kind of fight would unfold.

Seunghyun wasn’t the only one feeling it.

“Who do you think’ll win?”

“Man, up until a minute ago, I’d have said Lee Ayeon… but now? I don’t know.”

Everyone wore expressions of barely contained excitement, trading chatter back and forth.

Outside these walls, Ranker PvP footage already drew huge crowds. And this audience — every last one of them dreamed of becoming a Ranker themselves.

Of course they’d lap up every second of the match.

As if answering that collective anticipation — Ding-! A System window flickered into view.

[Next match begins in 10 minutes.]

Everyone waited, hearts wound tight, for the next bout to start.

***

Drip.

The sound of a water droplet hitting stone echoed through the dark.

“Hah… hah…”

Kang Seongbin gasped for breath, staggering through the shadows.

‘Where the hell am I…’

He’d wandered through a nauseating dizziness until finally he’d ended up here.

Drip.

Again, the sound of water pierced the darkness.

Seongbin stumbled toward its source.

And came face-to-face with it.

A faint, flickering green glow burning in the thick blackness.

“A… demon?”

Its body was roughly twice the size of Lucifel’s, with massive stakes driven through both arms, both legs, its solar plexus — even its head.

Gulp.

Seongbin swallowed dryly, staring at the entity before him.

‘What the hell is this…’

The moment the question formed in his mind —

Its eyes met his.

He flinched!!!

In an instant, goosebumps raced across his entire body.

Even pinned motionless by the great stakes, the green glow fixed its gaze on him.

Drip. Again, the sound of a droplet.

Blood seeping from the demon’s body — torn open by the stakes — made that sound.

The demon looked at Seongbin, then muttered low. A noise like nails on a chalkboard, crawling with dread.

“Pull out the stakes.”

“Wh… what?!”

Seongbin clutched his head, drowning in a vicious vertigo, his mind reeling in confusion.

“Pull out the stakes, and my power will be yours.”

“The hell are you talking about…”

Seongbin scowled, yet his ear still bent toward the demon’s honeyed whisper.

In that instant, an ominous energy oozed out from the demon’s body.

“Ah!”

The moment Seongbin was intoxicated by that force, the crippling dizziness vanished in a flash.

All that remained was a piercing thrill.

Again the demon intoned.

“Pull out the stakes, and my power will be yours.”

“My power…”

By then, a broad grin had already spread across Kang Seongbin’s face.

He placed his hand on the stake driven into the demon’s arm and began to pull.

Clang- The extracted stake struck the stone floor.

In that instant, an overwhelming wave of pleasure and power surged through his body.

“I have to pull them out!!!”

A bliss he could never break free from once he tasted it.

“Kuhahahaha!”

Laughing like a madman, Kang Seongbin wrenched the great stakes free.

*Clang—clang—*

The sealing stake hit the floor, its eerie sound filling the darkness.

The moment his hand touched the largest stake—the one driven through the solar plexus—

*Grriiin—* The demon bared a wide grin.

“You HAVE to pull it!!!”

But Kang Seongbin, already seeming to have lost his reason, moved without hesitation.

*Shrrrk—* The stake in his solar plexus slid out, inch by inch.

*Fwap!!!*

His field of vision shifted.

There was no jolt of pleasure, no nauseating dizziness.

Only silence existed there.

“Haaah… haaah…”

Kang Seongbin gasped for breath, his face twisted.

His body was exactly as it had been when he first entered the Tower. Twelve stakes in his shoulder, even the clothes he’d discarded were back.

‘…’

Kang Seongbin stared at the System window floating before him.

[You have completed the Tutorial.]

[Measuring final grade…]

[Floor 1: S Rank]

[Floor 2: S Rank]

….

..

.

[Player: Kang Seongbin]

[Grade: S]

[Congratulations~!!!]

[Try challenging various Scenarios from now on.]

The S-rank he had wanted so badly.

Even receiving it, Kang Seongbin ground his teeth.

‘Fucking shit…’

And so, Kang Seongbin’s Tutorial came to an end.

***

[You have stored Celeritra in your Inventory.]

*Shrrk—* The sword in Ha Gangwoo’s hand vanished.

Ha Gangwoo hopped down from the broken arena floor.

Antero, looking annoyed, scratched his head and stared at the arena.

“Tch, such a bother.”

*Click—* The moment Antero snapped his fingers, the shattered arena began to piece itself back together—*clack, clack.*

The arena restored in an instant. Ha Gangwoo watched, then clenched his fist and rubbed his chin.

‘Seriously, what is he…’

Suddenly, doubt crept in about Antero—about the existence of NPCs.

He could open System windows with a wave, even summon Orcs.

And now he’d repaired a broken structure.

Truly, a level of a god.

‘Should I ask?’

Knowing he probably wouldn’t get an answer, Ha Gangwoo walked toward Antero anyway.

At that moment, Lee Ayeon popped out.

“Wow~! You seem even stronger now~ What’s your Trait? Did you start at level 100 or something?”

Lee Ayeon spoke casually, but Ha Gangwoo ignored her and turned away.

She hopped in front of him, blocking his path.

“Hey~ don’t ignore me like that, it hurts my feelings. I have something to say.”

Ha Gangwoo’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Lee Ayeon.

Her usual cheerful expression turned serious.

‘She wants to say something.’

As Ha Gangwoo stared blankly, Lee Ayeon tapped her index fingers together and continued speaking.

“Hey—could we maybe go somewhere quiet to talk?”

‘Hmm…’

Ha Gangwoo lifted his head to check the time remaining.

[8 minutes 21 seconds]

About eight minutes until the match started.

He didn’t really feel like moving just to hear her out.

“Just say it here. I’ll give you five minutes.”

Lee Ayeon scrunched her face, then let out a heavy sigh.

“Haah… Could you… lose to me? I’ll make sure you don’t get hurt.”

“Pfft…”

Gangwoo couldn’t help but let out a laugh at the sheer absurdity.

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”

“No matter how I think about it, I’m just too anxious. I absolutely can’t afford to fail~”

“Fail what?”

“Can’t tell you that much. But I’ll make it worth your while~ How about 100 million Gold?”

Ayeon tilted her head as she made the offer.

She glanced back at Antero, then whipped her head around and leaned in close. A faint, sweet scent wafted over.

“What do you think? Don’t trust me? I guess without a contract… even I wouldn’t believe a verbal promise.”

Ayeon nervously bit at her nails—tap, tap—and was just about to speak when Gangwoo cut her off.

“I decline.”

He left it at that and walked away.

“Ah~! Wait a sec~! 200 million Gol…d.”

Ayeon reached out with a flustered look toward Gangwoo’s retreating figure, but she couldn’t stop him.

Her face twisted as she clenched both fists tight.

‘If that’s how it is, I have no choice.’

[Domination: 95%]

If the moment came, she’d have to release this.

***

“Hyung-nim~!!!!”

Outside the arena, Jo Seunghyun was waving his arms frantically.

Gangwoo glanced at Seunghyun, then gave a light wave back.

The people nearby started whispering as they looked at Seunghyun.

“Looks like he knows him~! He even waved back. Same guild member?”

“If you party up with someone that strong and hit a dungeon, you’d level like crazy. Being an acquaintance—damn, I’m jealous.”

Everyone seemed envious of Seunghyun for having ties with Gangwoo.

Catching the vibe, Seunghyun waved even harder and called out louder.

“Hyung-nim~!!! You’re amazing!!!”

Gangwoo waved his hand in acknowledgment, then turned away.

A smile spread across his face as he watched.

‘What a funny guy.’

Then his expression hardened.

‘100 million Gold…’

Ayeon’s offer wasn’t bad.

[DLC—Store]

DLC—Warp Altar Update — 5,000,000 Gold

DLC—Book of Job Change: Blood Devil — 100,000,000 Gold

—

100 million Gold was exactly the price to buy the [DLC—Book of Job Change: Blood Devil].

The moment I resell the Book of Job Change, 100 million Gold might turn into a billion.

But Ha Gangwoo turned down the offer.

Not only did he distrust Lee Ayeon, but Gold wasn’t what mattered to him.

He had only one goal: saving his sister.

That alone made the offer impossible to accept.

‘So winning the tournament does get you something.’

A sharp smile flickered across Ha Gangwoo’s face.

Lee Ayeon’s ultimate goal in obtaining a powerful minion likely revolved around winning the tournament.

If so, she wanted whatever prize came from claiming victory.

And for someone as opaque as Lee Ayeon to show her hand like that—

‘Makes me want it even more.’

A craving for victory took root.

Ssseuk—

A black lucky pouch materialized in Ha Gangwoo’s hand.

Originally, he’d planned to play his best with what he had.

But his mind had changed.

[DLC – Test Product Pouch]

Grade: ???

Description: A DLC test product pouch. Experience the product before the update~!

(Caution! All test products are time-limited.)

‘No time to hoard.’

Ha Gangwoo tore the pouch open on the spot.

Poof—

A single item popped out.

A smile spread across Gangwoo’s face as he studied it.

[Madness of Temperance] [!Time-Limited]

Grade: A

Durability: 52/52

Vitality: +212

Description: A mask made from Engtra’s bones.

Effects

-Blocks malevolent energy.

(Remaining time: 23 hours 59 minutes)

Its surface resembled pale bone.

Shaped like the lower half of a skull, it seemed to grin with a fixed, unsettling smile.

“No way.”

A Grade A item. And on top of that, an Artifact.

‘How much does an A-grade item go for?’

Curious, Ha Gangwoo started searching the Auction House.

[Besti’s Gloves] – 140,000,000 Gold

“140 million Gold?!?!”

A-grade items were already rare on the market. And here was a non-Artifact piece going for 140 million.

If this item weren’t time-limited, it would easily clear 300 million Gold.

‘Nice.’

Was it thanks to his Luck stat? Ever since his Awakening, his fortune had been incredible.

Ha Gangwoo slid the grinning skull mask onto his face.

There was no strap or fastener, yet it adhered perfectly to his skin.

‘The fit isn’t bad either.’

Effect—[Blocks malevolent energy.]

He wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but the Vitality bonus alone was utterly broken.

Ha Gangwoo immediately opened his Status Window.

Ding—

[Ha Gangwoo]

Level: 33

HP: 4430/4430

MP: 86/86

Strength: 100(+76)

Agility: 70(+22)

Vitality: 76(+367)

Mana: 60(+26)

Sense: 60

Luck: 60

“Not bad.”

It didn’t fall short compared to facing the demon on the third floor. If anything, his Vitality stat was higher now than when he’d had Chae Seohyun’s Buff on him.

Ha Gangwoo’s grip tightened on the sword.

‘I can do this.’

He steadied his resolve once more.

But no matter how many times he steeled himself, anxiety kept creeping up from somewhere deep inside.

It was a feeling born from knowing exactly how strong Lucifel—the demon he’d faced on the third floor—really was.

Gangwoo ran his thumb over the red ring on his finger.

Still, he had one reliable ace.

[Lucifel’s Ring]

Grade: ???

Durability: ∞/∞

Description: A ring imbued with Lucifel’s madness. Wreathed in powerful Demonic Energy—beware of being consumed by the madness!

Effect

-Enables [Demonization].

An item he hadn’t used even once yet.

A ???-grade item with no stat bonuses whatsoever.

Just what kind of effect was Demonization, to warrant such uniqueness? That mystery only made his anticipation for it run higher.

Thump-thump—

His heart hammered—whether from the fear of facing the demon again or the anticipation of Demonization, he couldn’t tell.

As if answering that pounding,

Ding~!

a System window appeared.

[The finals will begin shortly.]

[Players, please step into the arena.]

The finals had started.

***

[Let the tournament begin!!!]

The match-start window appeared. Ha Gangwoo and Lee Ayeon stood facing each other on the ring.

Gulp—

The watching Players swallowed dry spit, their eyes fixed on the arena.

Eyes wide, as if they couldn’t afford to miss a single moment.

Thump— thump—

Ha Gangwoo closed his eyes, feeling his surroundings.

‘Different dimension, no doubt.’

And he felt the demon on the ring—its presence, a torrent of immense Mana.

An impossible, distant existence. He was afraid, but part of him was eager.

A smirk curled at the corner of Ha Gangwoo’s mouth.

‘I’m going all out!!’

Ha Gangwoo stepped forward with his right leg and lowered his stance.

[Swift Movements] [ON]

[Increases movement speed by 50%.]

A blue light ripples across his legs.

[Combat Stance has been activated.]

[Your next attack deals double destructive force.]

Red flames surge over his entire body.

Then—

Ha Gangwoo activated the ring gleaming on his right index finger.

*Demonization.*

A low *whir* — the moment a fierce crimson flash erupted,

a black aura shrouded his whole form. Ha Gangwoo’s appearance began to shift.