Grrrrroooom—the ground shuddered.

THUD!

A pile of rubble slammed into the earth from the ceiling.

THUMP-thump—THUMP-thump—

Ha Gangwoo listened to the pounding heartbeats echoing in his chest, his gaze fixed on the armament blazing with intense light.

It burned like a raging flame, a furious radiance seething within it.

What effect did it hold? He’d gathered the Golden Feather, the Ego Golem’s Core, and passed ten grueling trials to reach this point.

The difficulty wasn’t overwhelming, but the path had been labyrinthine—and that complexity stoked his anticipation to its peak.

Gangwoo’s expression tightened as he checked the armament’s effects.

Ding-

[Stoss’ Masterpiece:破]

Grade: L-Grade

Durability: 410/410

Attack Power: 240 (48*5)

Strength: +96 (48*2)

Agility: +96 (48*2)

Vitality: +96 (48*2)

Mana: +96 (48*2)

Description: An armament Stoss forged to halt a threat that would menace Skypier. Compared to any other work he’s ever made, this stands as the unrivaled masterpiece.

Effects

-The weapon’s stats scale proportionally with level.

(Attack Power: Level x5 / Secondary Stats: Level x2)

-Upon achieving certain conditions, Stoss’ Masterpiece:破gains the ‘Annihilating Strike’ effect, capable of destroying anything.

(Caution! This item will automatically vanish upon clearing Scenario 1.)

“L-Grade?!”

Gangwoo blinked, doubting his own eyes for a moment.

Until now, the best-known items were S-Grade.

But whenever he browsed the DLC Shop, grades beyond that had shown up.

And here was not just a ???-Grade but an L-Grade item.

Yet Gangwoo’s brow furrowed.

‘Automatic destruction…’.

(Caution! This item will automatically vanish upon clearing Scenario 1.)

This item—worth hundreds of billions of won on the open market—was a consumable.

Still, he understood why it had been given to him.

They’d made him go through the trouble of finding the Golden Feather, the key, the Golem’s Core—all to grant him this armament.

There was only one reason.

‘Kill the boss.’

Scenario 1’s boss. This was the item meant to bring down Asrul.

‘Asrul…’.

From what he’d learned, Asrul wasn’t a monster designed to be killed. No matter how strong a Player came, an impenetrable barrier surrounded her.

But,

[-Upon achieving certain conditions, Stoss’ Masterpiece:破gains the power to destroy anything.]

This armament held an effect that could shatter that barrier.

Unconsciously, Gangwoo’s fist clenched, knuckles cracking.

‘I’ll kill it.’

The boss of Scenario 1—the one no one had ever managed to bring down. He now held the power to do just that.

Just as Gangwoo’s fighting spirit blazed,

Whoooosh—a massive boulder plummeted from above, straight toward his head.

Gangwoo took a step back, dodging the rock with ease. Then he stowed Stoss’ Masterpiece into his Inventory.

In an instant, the fiercely glowing blade vanished with a pop!

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Giant boulders crashed down all around him.

Ha Gangwoo calmly opened his Status window.

Ding-

[Ha Gangwoo]

Level: 48

HP: 3770/3770

MP: 301/301

Strength: 110(+201)

Agility: 110(+88)

Vitality: 80(+297)

Mana: 65(+236)

Sense: 60(+52)

Luck: 60(+52)

Unallocated: 21

‘Already 48.’

A satisfied smile touched his lips. Since entering the Scenario, all he’d done was follow the trail of Golden Feathers.

Yet here he was, already Level 48—Level 50 was right around the corner.

[Demonization]

Grade: ???

Description: A core that generates Demonic energy forms within your body. Grants the ability to use the power of the Demonfolk.

Effects

– All Status increased by 100%.

– Physical damage can be regenerated. (Consumes a large amount of HP.)

– Madness overcomes the mind.

– Grants the effects of the Demon Eye.

– [Unlocked at LV.50.]

– [Unlocked at LV.75.]

– [Unlocked at LV.100.]

– [Unlocked at LV.150.]

‘What’ll it give me?’

What kind of ability would he gain at Level 50? His curiosity burned—he knew all too well how broken Demonization was.

But there was no need to rush.

After all, if he just kept moving through the Scenario, his level would rise naturally.

‘First, let’s finish allocating.’

Ha Gangwoo stroked his chin as he studied his stats closely.

Strength: 110(+201)

Agility: 110(+88)

Vitality: 80(+297)

Mana: 65(+236)

Sense: 60(+52)

Luck: 60(+52)

Strength and Agility were relatively high. Now, it seemed necessary to invest in other stats.

‘Should I put some into Luck?’

If he kept working with the Association from here on, party hunting would be inevitable.

Even just considering item distribution, it wouldn’t hurt to shore up his Luck stat.

Ding-

Strength: 110→111(↑1)

Sense: 60→70(↑10)

Luck: 60→70(↑10)

Ha Gangwoo finished his stat allocation and clenched his fist in satisfaction.

*Creeeak*—A pleasant grinding sound came from Barzel’s Appetite.

‘Looks like I’m about done.’

Now that he even had a weapon capable of killing the Boss, the Scenario was racing toward its end.

*Thump-thump*

Scenario 1’s Boss—Asrul—the one no one had ever managed to kill.

How strong would she be? Maybe she’d even surpass Lucifel.

And if he took down something like that… what kind of reward would he get? At the very least, something on the same level as Lucifel’s Ring, right?

His anticipation was already at its peak.

‘Let’s go.’

Ha Gangwoo wore a faint smile as he looked toward the entrance.

*BOOM!!!*

A massive deluge of debris rained down from the ceiling.

The entrance was now completely sealed shut. Yet Ha Gangwoo’s expression remained relaxed, unhurried.

‘Warp Ring.’

Ding-

[Please select your destination.]

– Warp Altar 1 – [Antero’s Resting Place]

– Warp Altar 2 – [Association]

– Warp Altar 3 – [Hope Repository]

– Warp Altar 4 – [Scenario 1]

– Warp Altar 5 – [Please specify a location.]

Hadn’t he already set up an altar at the entrance before coming in?

Whether the entrance was blocked or the space itself crumbled, he had nothing to worry about.

Gangwoo raised his index finger, about to select an exit point. Then, on a whim, he stopped and looked down at the floor.

‘Hmm…’

There lay Hippo, the manager, his body pitifully cold.

Gangwoo stared down at Hippo for a moment, lost in thought, then knelt and placed a hand on his forehead.

Hippo’s eyes were closed, his expression peaceful.

Gangwoo looked down at him coldly.

Should I eat him?

[Satiety: 34/100]

His satiety was high enough. But he’d realized something when he absorbed that Mid-Boss — monster flesh filled the gauge exponentially.

That’s why, with the boss fight ahead, he hadn’t Devoured the guardian of this place or even the Golem.

But Hippo was different.

‘Eat him.’

An NPC with a conscious ego, no less.

He didn’t know what ability it granted, but it would be useful.

‘Devour.’

The moment Gangwoo spoke the Activation word in his mind.

Barzel’s Appetite stretched out like liquid, wrapping itself around Hippo’s body.

Crunch-crunch— A grotesque squelching followed, like a stomach digesting a meal.

Crunch!

Gangwoo winced at the chilling sound, his face tightening.

No matter how artificial the being, it had breathed, lived, and tried to help him.

And now he was feeding its end to his weapon. Yet he didn’t hesitate.

Gangwoo had only one goal — to save his sister.

For that, this was nothing.

Just as Gangwoo steeled his mind with a murderous glare.

Ding-

[You have Devoured Manager Hippo.]

[Absorption Rate: 50%]

[Attack Power: +41]

The Devour was complete.

Gangwoo looked at the stat increase and clicked his tongue in disappointment.

‘Not Ego, huh.’

Hippo’s defining trait was Ego — he’d secretly hoped for that ability. But Devour was random. He hadn’t gotten what he wanted.

Gangwoo stared at his palm, where Barzel’s Appetite was embedded.

‘Maybe it’s better it wasn’t Ego.’

Barzel’s Appetite was ominous enough just existing.

If it gained a will of its own, it wouldn’t have a pleasant personality.

Gangwoo stood up and surveyed his surroundings.

Groooan— The ground shook violently, convulsing. The area was littered with massive boulders, leaving no foothold.

He really had to get out now.

Ha Gangwoo allowed himself a satisfied smile as he recalled the activation word.

Ding-

[Warp Ring activated.]

For an instant, his body felt weightless as darkness swallowed his vision.

***

Whoosh—the lightness in his body settled as gravity reclaimed him.

Ding-

[Arrived at designated location.]

The Warp Ring’s system window thrummed against his eardrums, and then—whish—the world unfolded before his eyes.

‘…’

Cold sweat broke on Ha Gangwoo’s skin at what he saw.

“What the—?!”

The moment the question left his lips,

[!$@!$#ERROR!!!]

accompanied by a sickening system window,

[Unauthorized access.]

[Coercion activating.]

The bright world bled red.

“Hk!”

A crushing pressure slammed down on Ha Gangwoo’s entire body.

The System had frozen him in place.

But his open eyes kept projecting the horrific scene straight ahead.

“Aaaaargh!!!!”

Evan, clutching his head in agony.

“Khuk—”

Zelta, the lower half of his body torn clean away.

“Sir Evan! Pull yourself together!!!”

Shamiel’s desperate cry for Evan. But he was gripping Rain’s arm, dragging her onward.

‘What is this…’

Ha Gangwoo couldn’t make sense of the situation.

The Scenario’s Coercion had slammed down without warning, and the scene unfolding was beyond anything he’d expected.

‘…’

Ha Gangwoo burned the image into his mind.

Whatever the hell was going on, this had to be a clue to the Scenario. He couldn’t afford to miss a single detail.

So he stared, unblinking, at the sight before him.

Krrrr—

A phlegmy, rasping breath.

At the far end of where Evan had dragged Rain stood a demon. Its face was a nightmare, like something wearing a mantis’s mask.

‘A surviving Mid-Boss?’

Ha Gangwoo remembered this bastard.

One of the five that had descended from the sky after Serchel fell. The one that had taken Teil.

Demonic energy swirled around Evan’s body.

He yanked Rain by the arm, dragging her with brute force, his reason gone.

“Evan… I’m scared… Stop.”

Rain sobbed and cried, but Evan’s face showed no change at all.

‘Because of the Demonic energy still in his body?’

Ha Gangwoo etched that image of Evan into his memory.

The faint trace of Demonic energy lingering in Evan’s body. A snowball that had rolled and rolled until it became this.

With one hand, Evan grabbed Rain by the neck and offered her to the demon.

For a moment, he seemed to hesitate—then bloody tears streamed from his eyes.

But Rain slipped all too easily into the demon’s arms.

The demon accepted her, then smiled with that grotesque face.

—Kill them all.

It gave the command in a voice like scraping metal, then—whirr—spread its enormous wings.

And just like that, the demon vanished into the sky.

“Aaaargh!!!!”

Evan let out a roar of rage. The demon had vanished, but the Demonic energy swirling around him only thickened.

Shiiing—

Evan dragged the razor-sharp blade along the floor as he stalked toward Shamiel.

“S-Sir… Sir Evan.”

Shamiel sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she called out to him, but Evan didn’t stop.

That was the moment Evan raised his sword high into the air and brought it slicing down toward Shamiel’s neck—

Crackle!

A violent burst of sparks erupted around Ha Gangwoo.

Whoosh— The crimson world bled back into blue.

Ding-

[Coercion ends.]

[Quest updated.]

System messages clamored at his ears, but Ha Gangwoo kicked off the ground without a second thought.

Clang!

Because he had to shield Shamiel from Evan’s descending strike.

“Grrrr—”

Evan snarled like a beast, his face twisting into a scowl.

Locking Evan’s blade with Barzel’s Appetite, Ha Gangwoo sank into thought.

‘Kill him? Or just subdue him?’

The sudden turn of events left him uncertain.

‘Let’s check.’

If his opponent had been strong, he wouldn’t have had the luxury—but Evan wasn’t that formidable.

Ha Gangwoo lashed out, kicking Evan square in the stomach.

Thud! Craaaack—

Evan’s body tore across the ground, gouging a trench, and slammed to a halt.

Ding-

[Scenario.1: Corrupted Evan][Main]

Description: You have been attacked by a demon. Demonic energy has corrupted Evan’s body. Subdue Evan.

Reward: Small amount of EXP.

(The ending of this Scenario changes depending on whether Evan survives.)

Ha Gangwoo narrowed his eyes at the quest window.

‘Whether he survives.’

Those words alone told him exactly what he needed to do.

“Aaaargh!”

Evan writhed on the ground, clutching his stomach in agony.

With a cold, hardened expression, Ha Gangwoo slowly approached the suffering man.

***

Shhhh—

A stream of water flowed through the massive door Hippo had opened.

A shallow, vast expanse of water spread across the wide land, the sky reflected on its surface.

This place was still too peaceful. But the atmosphere was the worst it could be.

“Hngh… hngh…”

Shamiel directed a spell toward Zelta’s torn abdomen, where he lay. Intense light gathered in her hands.

Her face, pale as paper, told all too plainly how hard she was pushing herself.

‘Not bad.’

Ha Gangwoo looked at Shamiel with a bitter expression.

Zelta’s torn body was fully restored by Shamiel’s magic.

The woman who had been no different from an ordinary civilian when they first met had achieved astonishing growth.

But Zelta had already stopped breathing.

“Haaah… haaah…”

Shamiel strained to cast the spell, but Zelta would never rise again.

Ha Gangwoo’s expression turned icy as he stared at Evan lying on the floor.

Blood slicked Evan’s entire body, but the flowing Demonic energy was gone—quenched entirely.

The method had been simpler than expected.

Evan had no organ to generate Demonic energy. Only the residue left inside had kept multiplying.

That residue had dissipated each time his body took damage.

After a few brutal rounds of that, Evan had simply fallen asleep.

Gangwoo crossed his arms and looked at the new Quest window floating before him.

Ding-

[Scenario.1 Final Journey][DLC][Main]

Description: Rain, your last hope, has been taken by the Demon Lord Asrul. Recover Rain and restore peace to Skypier.

Reward: ???

(Warning! Time until the End: 26 hours 59 minutes)

‘Last hope?’

So Rain was a vital NPC for the scenario progression. But what just happened was the scenario advancing through Coercion.

If anything, everything was going smoothly.

‘Next is the last, then.’

He wasn’t sure, but judging by the Quest description, the next scenario would be the boss fight.

Thump. Thump-

He was reaching the end of a journey that had been, in its own way, long.

“Let’s go.”

Ha Gangwoo grabbed his neck and rolled his shoulders loose.

‘If I use Demonization and Swift Movements, it’ll take about six hours.’

He’d made up his mind. He was going to leave Shamiel and Evan behind here.

He’d heard the scenario changed depending on whether Evan lived or died? If that was true, bringing him along was the right call.

But he was tired now. The scenario had dragged on pointlessly long already, throwing every plan into chaos.

‘Once I’m out, I’ll have to start contacting people.’

The errand he’d asked Hwang Taeseong about. The message he’d left for Chae Seohyun. Come to think of it, hadn’t he also needed to decide on a Job?

Too much to deal with.

Before leaving, Gangwoo took one last look at Evan and the others.

Evan, battered with grievous wounds.

“Hngh… hngh…”

Shamiel, sobbing as she forced her magic beyond its limits.

Zelta, already cold and still.

The scene was so miserable it almost felt wrong to just abandon them and go. But when the scenario ended, this world would vanish anyway.

A world built from scratch. No reason to waste sentiment on it.

That was the moment Gangwoo was steeling his resolve.

“Kkhheok…”

A man gasped for breath and jolted back to consciousness.

“Huh?!”

Gangwoo stared at him, dumbfounded.

Thump. Thump-

His heart began to pound like mad.

“No way…”

Gangwoo slowly approached the awakened man, and Shamiel threw her arms around him.

“Master Zelta!”

Zelta, whom they had believed dead.

He was alive.

***

Thump. Thump-

Ha Gangwoo pushed down his racing heart and focused on the man’s energy.

The presence of Zelta, which had been utterly undetectable before, was now faintly felt.

It was so faint that it would have been no surprise if it flickered out at any moment, yet it was a stark difference from the deathly stillness before.

“Impossible… Did Shamiel save him?”

No matter how he turned it over in his mind, the situation made no sense. Even outside, there was no such thing as a skill that could bring someone back to life.

Yet an NPC had managed to do just that. This was absolutely not something he could let slide.

‘I’ll put the Scenario on hold.’

Ha Gangwoo’s expression hardened into a cold mask as he walked toward the revived Zelta.