Hwoong-

A cool breeze flowed through the open door, mingling with a musty, sour smell.

Ha Gangwoo stood dumbly, staring into the space beyond the threshold.

Pitch-black darkness. Though his eyes saw nothing, his Sense stat let him feel the shape of the interior.

‘Feels like the Tutorial.’

It was strikingly similar to the second floor of the Tutorial—the interior of what resembled a temple.

“Follow me.”

As Ha Gangwoo stood gawking, Hippo walked into the darkness and said,

Manager, he’d called himself. Despite his looks, he carried a surprisingly steady, reliable aura.

Ha Gangwoo sharpened his Sense and followed close behind Hippo.

The moment he stepped through the colossal door into the dark, a new Quest appeared.

Ding-

[Scenario.1: Mysterious Golden Feather (3)][DLC Hidden][Main]

Description: You have met the Manager, Hippo. Follow Hippo to the end of the location where the Armaments are hidden.

Reward: Armaments

It was a short, concise Quest window.

Just follow Hippo. Nothing to overthink.

Creeeak—Boom!

Just as Ha Gangwoo was checking the Quest window, the massive door behind him slammed shut.

A dizzying darkness swallowed him whole.

Thump—thump—

The thrill of adventure he’d felt since first arriving here. Maybe that was why his heart started pounding wildly.

‘What’s in there?’

Just as Ha Gangwoo was getting intrigued by the space,

Hippo gave a sharp snap of his tiny fingers.

Fwoosh—fwoosh—fwoosh— Flames burst to life in the braziers lining the walls.

In an instant, the darkness receded, replaced by a soft, warm glow illuminating the surroundings.

“There are many traps. Follow only me. My Master had a mischievous streak.”

Without hesitation, Hippo waddled forward, his steps unwavering.

‘Master?’

A question flickered through his mind. The being who created this space, who forged the Armaments—

That must have been Hippo’s master. But not enough to make him ask.

They were just Scenario characters anyway. Getting the Armament was all that mattered.

Then, Hippo spoke in a low voice.

“Hoo… I never thought I’d come back here. It brings back memories of passing through this place with my Master. He was such a kind person. As a legendary Blacksmith, he poured everything into creating relics. Myself, and even this very place. He was truly an incredible person.”

He started pouring out information no one had asked for.

Lost in nostalgia, Hippo dredged up memories with no room to cut him off.

The gist was a biography of Stoss, Hippo’s master.

At first Gangwoo listened seriously, wondering if it connected to the Quest. But most of it was useless rambling.

‘Annoying.’

Ha Gangwoo ignored most of Hippo’s chatter and followed behind him.

Hippo’s monologue had no end in sight.

He kept going on about his precious Master, and before long they reached the end of the corridor.

‘This is it.’

Gangwoo stared at the sight ahead of him.

A three-meter-tall door, plain in appearance. But it wasn’t carved from simple stone — it looked to be solid iron, heavy and imposing.

Hippo stood before the door, eyes squeezed shut, and began to speak.

“This is the first door. Oh, the trouble we had making it. Master and I spent four whole months forging it together. Ah—I forgot to mention something important. The armaments are kept behind a series of trials. Master always said the one who would wield them should at least have enough strength to pass. The first trial is simple: open the door and you’re through. But it won’t be easy. The door is immensely heavy.”

Hippo’s eyes even glistened with tears, as if overcome with sentiment.

But Gangwoo’s expression was sour.

‘Too much.’

Mixing useful bits with nonsense made it impossible to just tune out.

“So I just open it and that’s it.”

Gangwoo slowly approached the door. Meanwhile, Hippo still stood with his eyes shut, lost in recollection.

“In all this time, I’ve never seen anyone but Master open that door. But worry not — I prepared a device for emergencies. Using this mechanism—”

“What are you doing? Let’s go.”

That was when Hippo was enthusiastically explaining the first trial.

*Creeeak—Clang!*

The tightly sealed door swung open with absurd ease.

“Without even using force… Wha—! That’s… impossible!”

Hippo gaped at Gangwoo, dropping the odd-looking device from his hand in shock.

“Ah… n-no, one-handed on that heavy thing… Am I still half-asleep? Or did the Lock on the door disengage?”

Hippo wore a puzzled expression as he inspected the door from every angle.

Eager to find the armaments, Gangwoo simply let the door go, as if annoyed.

*Screeee—Bam!!!*

For a mere door closing, the sound boomed through the chamber.

“Whoa!”

Hippo startled at the door’s slam and plopped onto the floor.

“No issue with the door, it seems…”

Hippo got up, brushed off his backside, and swallowed dryly.

“You’re truly someone of immense power. I’ll do my utmost to help you obtain the armament.”

Hippo doffed his cap and dipped his head in a deep bow, his tone earnest—as if he were standing before someone truly great.

Ha Gangwoo scratched the back of his head, annoyed, and shot back.

“Let’s just go. I don’t have time.”

Getting the core key should’ve been the end of it—now there was a manager and a trial.

‘What the hell is this armament that it’s this complicated?’

Doubt piled up, but a smirk spread across Ha Gangwoo’s lips.

Thump-thump—

Because the more complicated it got, the more he anticipated the reward waiting at the end.

“Yes. Right this way.”

With Hippo leading the way, the trial to find the armament continued.

***

Hippo pressed his eyes shut again, his face steeped in nostalgia as he began to speak.

“This is the second trial. If the first trial was Step One, this second one is grueling enough to be called Step Four. Ten golems, crafted with the Master’s own affection, block the path. But there’s still a way…”

Crunch— Crunch—

“Let’s hurry up.”

“Ah… no! The Master’s works…”

Starting from the second trial—

“The third trial demands keen observation. Among all those chests, only one holds the key to the next room. If you fail to find the key among three chests…”

Clang!

“Let’s go.”

“Ah… no! How did you find the key in a single try!”

The third trial. The fourth trial. The trials kept coming.

And every time a trial began—

“The sixth trial is…”

Hippo would start his rambling explanation, and Ha Gangwoo would finish the trial based on that talk alone.

“Ah… no! I simply can’t believe it. It’s like watching the Master himself. Truly remarkable.”

Every time, Hippo would gasp in astonishment and reminisce about memories with his Master.

And so they arrived at the tenth trial.

“This is the final trial. It’s no exaggeration to say all the previous trials were created just for this one. The guardian I mentioned at the beginning lies beyond this. Having seen your skill, Player, you undoubtedly possess extraordinary power—but this last guardian…”

As expected, Hippo launched into his explanation of the gate—

Crunch— Crash!

—and Ha Gangwoo dispatched the guardian in a single blow.

Ding-

[You have defeated the guardian Benpo.]

[You gain 25,500 EXP!!]

[You gain an additional 25,500 EXP from the Perk effect.]

[You gain an additional 12,750 EXP from the Aura of Growth effect.]

[You’ve leveled up!!]

‘Finally, the last one.’

Ha Gangwoo set the guardian’s savagely torn head down on the floor.

Thud! Even just the head hitting the ground sent tremors through the earth.

Ha Gangwoo narrowed his gaze, staring at the room beyond—clearly the next stage.

The creator of this place was definitely a mad genius.

‘From what Hippo said, he built it all alone… Is that even possible?’

First, this absurd underground space. Then the moving golems. And now the armament.

What kind of ability does it take to make something like this possible?

A flicker of curiosity stirred toward this person named Stoss.

Thump. Thump.

Ha Gangwoo was just about to lift his foot and head for the next chamber—the one where the armament supposedly slept.

“Th-this is insane… You keep surpassing my expectations. Truly incredible.”

Hippo knelt beside Gangwoo and gently closed the Guardian’s eye, its socket torn and ravaged.

His expression seemed touched with sorrow, but the hat’s brim hid it from view.

Hippo rose in one motion and started walking toward the next room.

“I’ll guide you right away. Now, at last, it’s my turn to step forward.”

Ha Gangwoo followed Hippo into the chamber where the armament lay dormant.

The space felt like a vast cavern. A single sword stood thrust into the ground beneath a solitary beam of light.

It brought to mind the legendary Excalibur from the old tales.

Hippo approached the sword, rubbing his small eyes with his hands. He closed them gently, overcome with emotion, and then spoke.

“It’s been so long. This armament—only Master and I can draw it. I remember the day we forged it. We ventured into the Dragon’s Domain together to mine the ore. How searing it was—the scar on my forearm still hasn’t faded from where it melted through.”

Shiiiing—

As Hippo sank deeper into his reverie, Ha Gangwoo pulled the armament free and held it in one hand.

A dizzying wave of weakness washed over him, and Gangwoo wiped his brow.

“What the hell?”

Before Gangwoo’s confusion could settle—

Ding—!

[Scenario 1: Mysterious Golden Feather (3) [DLC Hidden] has been cleared.]

[You gain 125,500 EXP!!]

[Perk effect grants an additional 125,500 EXP.]

[You have acquired ‘Sealed Stoss’ Masterpiece:破.’]

The main quest’s notification chimed in his mind.

Ha Gangwoo grimaced at the sudden fatigue, locking eyes with Hippo.

He was still reminiscing, brimming with excitement.

An administrator, was it? In the end—from the trial to retrieving the final armament—he hadn’t done a thing.

“Ah… No! The armament is something only Master and I can draw. Could it be—! Master’s blood relative?!”

Hippo floundered, baffled by the incomprehensible situation.

Ha Gangwoo brushed off Hippo’s reaction and checked the armament’s stats.

[Sealed Stoss’ Masterpiece:破]

Rank: S

Durability: ∞/∞

Attack Power: –99%

Description: Having been sealed for a long time, it has lost its original performance.

Effects

– All Stats –99%

‘ … ‘

Ha Gangwoo stared at the armament’s effects and twisted his face into a scowl.

“Negative stats?”

He found the source of the debilitation.

A max-tier penalty item, the kind you’d slap on a high-risk prisoner. That was the true nature of this armament.

‘Lost its performance? Or is it just a quest-required item?’

Ha Gangwoo frowned at the masterpiece. Hippo walked over to the spot beside him where the armament had been embedded.

Hippo took off his hat and knelt at the place where the sword had been pulled free.

That spot bulged up like a grave mound, a single fierce column of light falling down upon it.

“Master, it’s been a long time. Now I can finally follow in your footsteps.”

Hippo’s eyes glistened as he spoke in an extraordinary tone.

Groooan—

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble.

Crack—Crash!

Then the ceiling came crashing down.

“What the—?!”

The question slipped from Ha Gangwoo as Hippo bowed his head deeply in answer.

“The true owner of the armament has appeared, so this hidden space is collapsing. We must escape from here as quickly as possible.”

Hippo didn’t seem to know the armament had been under a seal.

“The armament’s performance is strange. It seems to have lost its power after being sealed for so long.”

But Hippo’s expression turned serious as he pulled his hat low, pressing it firmly onto his head.

“Don’t worry. The final trial still remains.”

“Huh?”

The moment Ha Gangwoo voiced his doubt,

Hippo snapped his fingers—Sharp.

Ding-

[Quest updated.]

[Scenario.1: Mysterious Golden Feather (4)][DLC Hidden][Main]

Description: The key to the seal. Defeat the administrator Hippo with Stoss’ sealed masterpiece and awaken the armament’s true power.

Reward: Stoss’ Masterpiece:破

(Time limit: 10 minutes)

‘….’

A quest that only ended when he killed the administrator Hippo.

Hippo fixed Ha Gangwoo with a terrible glare.

“What are you waiting for? There’s no time! You have to defeat me for everything to be complete!”

Was this also something left behind by that so-called ‘master’?

Hippo looked dead serious.

Ha Gangwoo gripped his sword tightly and closed his eyes.

Groooan—the earth heaved. The power that had been flowing through his whole body vanished.

His stats bottomed out to Level 1. But he’d never felt more exhilarated since entering this Scenario.

‘Interesting.’

The Scenario he’d thought of as just a playground—now the biggest crisis had arrived.

Yet there was no worry.

His stats had hit rock bottom, but he knew the skills he’d lacked before would fill that gap.

Ha Gangwoo slowly opened his eyes and looked at Hippo.

Hippo wore a fierce expression, holding a spear the size of his own body.

‘Let’s do this.’

Fwoosh—

Ha Gangwoo charged straight at Hippo.

The speed that had split the ground was gone. But there was no hesitation in his movements.

Shoosh—

In an instant, Ha Gangwoo reached Hippo’s side.

Shing—the sword carved a smooth, clean arc.

But Ha Gangwoo’s Agility stat was in single digits.

Clang!

Hippo blocked his sword without much trouble.

“Truly incredible. Just looking at swordsmanship, you surpass my Master!”

Hippo planted his sword against Gangwoo’s with a broad grin, locking them together.

Gangwoo didn’t stop his blade. He was outmatched in Strength, Agility, and Vitality—every stat. But there was one thing.

Swordsmanship honed to its absolute limit by Weapon Mastery. That alone tipped the fight, inch by inch, in Gangwoo’s favor.

Crack! Exchange after exchange flared and broke, and each time—a wet tear as viscous fluid seeped from Hippo’s body.

“Good! Not much left!”

Even as his body was torn to pieces, Hippo cheered Gangwoo on, like a man who’d been waiting for this day.

Gangwoo’s sword never stopped.

Swoosh—the blade carved another arc, and Hippo moved to parry once more.

But.

*Shunk.*

Gangwoo’s blade cleaved through Hippo’s flesh.

‘Ka-*hack*…’

Hippo spewed oil-thick liquid and *thumped* to his knees.

He barely kept himself upright with his sword, but the wound was fatal.

“This… your skill is no joke. My heart feels much lighter now.”

Hippo gave a bitter smile and *flopped* onto his back, outright.

“Please destroy the core. Otherwise, I won’t die.”

Hippo let out a deep breath and spoke.

Gangwoo’s expression stayed flat. *Tick*—he touched his blade to the core lodged in Hippo’s chest.

‘This feels wrong.’

During the trials, he’d heard Hippo’s whole life story.

Hippo had adored his Master, filled with memories. Maybe it’d be easier if he hadn’t known—but knowing the truth made killing him unsettling.

‘This is just the flow, too.’

Gangwoo forced his feelings down. It was an inevitable event in the Scenario, after all.

“I heard your story well. It was a pleasure, brief as it was.”

There was no real need to talk, but he offered at least a minimal farewell.

“Ahahaha. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now I can finally rest easy.”

A satisfied smile settled on Hippo’s face as he gently closed his eyes.

Crunch!

Gangwoo drove his sword straight through Hippo’s core.

Whoom—a brilliant corona of light blazed from the blade piercing Hippo’s chest, blindingly bright.

*Ding-*

[You have defeated the Manager: Hippo.]

[You gain 55,500 EXP!!]

[Perk bonus: You gain an additional 55,500 EXP.]

[Aura of Growth bonus: You gain an additional 27,750 EXP.]

[Scenario 1: Mysterious Golden Feather (4) [DLC Hidden] cleared.]

[You gain 75,500 EXP!!]

[Perk bonus: You gain an additional 75,500 EXP.]

[Level up!!]

[Level up!!]

[The seal on Stoss’ Masterpiece:破 has been released.]

The cheerful chime rang at his ear.