Godhood.
Such a term referred to the absolute beings that existed within the Tower. They looked down at humans from their seats high above, searching for useful talent.
All to expand their realms on the upper floors of the Tower.
But…
Such a being wanted to ask him for a favor?
Takeshi's body trembled slightly. His mouth began to curl up into a smile as if he couldn't control his ecstasy.
'This is an opportunity of a lifetime.'
This was like the saying that one should endure everything the world throws at them just for that one eventual chance.
Once such a chance comes, do all you can to seize it.
'Indeed, that is the reason why he is unusually strong.'
It didn't make sense otherwise that he could easily surpass the rankers of large guilds.
His strength was at a level that broke past common sense, and he had attained it without the help of other players.
But…
That feeling of discomfort disappeared once Jin-hyuk said he was one of the gods from above.
All of this just had to be some kind of entertainment.
'The gods are beings who cannot be judged by human standards.'
Kwakwang.
Even this moment, where he had built an ice barrier to block the snake's breath, was something to be admired.
On the other side, his other barrier was also protecting the players of the other guild in this raid.
Takeshi's worries didn't last long.
He became convinced which side he needed to take to survive this situation.
"If it is a favor, may I ask what we are talking about?"
"It is said that your guild picked up a fun item a while back."
That item… yes.
"A cherished relic considered one of Japan's three sacred divine items."
"N-No…!"
"Right. Exactly that. That is what I want."
It was a relic obtained by the Samurai Guild while attacking a ruin.
The Sword of Kunashi— in other words, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi.
Go and bring it to sate Jin-hyuk's greed.
"B-But it is kept inside the guild. It is difficult to get unless one is the guild master…"
Takeshi blurted out.
A relic was a treasure possessed by each guild. It was a symbol of power that could not be surrendered.
Of course, the security around it would be strict.
"I know it isn't easy. But wouldn't a human I choose be able to fulfill such a request, even if it was difficult?"
The important thing here was to gently praise the target.
Persuade him that he was a unique human being so he would get it done.
The praise of a god. No one could stop such words from getting into their head.
"I thank you for that, but…"
A short moment passed.
Now, as the finale in this attempt to shake him—
A method used when selling goods or making a contract was to use a lot of jargon to ensure the other person came under control.
It was quite an effective method, especially in this case.
"Right now, the Nordic hammerhead is playing quack with the wolf cub over Ragnarok. But unexpectedly, our side is behind."
He referred to Thor, a god of Norse mythology, as well as fragments of the final war of Ragnarok. This was a story that would make the Nordic gods furious if they heard it.
They would probably get angry and descend.
"Should I say that it is difficult for another nation to exert power in a place where the World Tree is influential? So we need as many relics as possible?"
"Sigh…"
Takeshi looked dumbfounded at the information he had been given. But that confusion lasted only a moment.
"Alright. The sword… I will make sure to get it. Trust me."
"Okay. Before we leave, I will give you a special stigma."
To be precise, the Stigma of the Soul.
"It is a kind of contract, but not too risky. If you betray me, you will burn alive. But you will not betray me, right?"
"I-I won't."
Takeshi nodded with a stiff face.
He had no intention of betraying Jin-hyuk after all that had happened. Who would cut away a golden thread that wanted to bind itself to them?
"It will not hurt, so do not be afraid."
Jin-hyuk placed his index finger onto Takeshi's chest.
[Lv5 'Stigma of the Soul' is activated.]
A red stigma appeared.
Nice.
With this, a faithful intern inside a veteran rival's territory was born on the Japanese side.
Since the contract was also completed, there would be no use even if Takeshi realized the truth later.
"Then, let's go. I need to take care of the snake."
Jin-hyuk turned around.
The snake was already exhaling its breath attack for the fourth time.
The flame's temperature was dropping due to the amount of mana needed to repeatedly use the attack.
"Kiaaak!"
Had the snake taken drugs or something? It kept screaming.
'Still, since I'm being called a god, I can't show a struggle here.'
He had paid close attention to perfectly imitating the divine. If he couldn't even overpower one monster, wouldn't his words sound like bullshit?
Srng!
Chang!
Jin-hyuk slowly pulled out his Twin Dragon Swords, which now shone within the flames.
'If it can be finished in one hit…'
There was a way.
It was the skill that had burst through a named monster on the 3rd floor in a single strike. However, it had high magic consumption, so he couldn't use it carelessly.
But there was no better moment than this to show off his presence.
Jin-hyuk gathered his magic.
Psss…!
Blue magic began to coat his blades.
An indescribable light filled the narrow passage.
"Kiiik!"
Even the snake sensed something unusual and lowered its posture. At that moment—
[Glacier Formation 'Sword of the Sky' is activated!]
A stream of ice fell from the sky.
[Glacier Formation 'Sword of the Land' is activated!]
A stream of ice rose from the ground, and the two streams collided.
There were no more flickering flames.
Before everyone's eyes stood a massive pillar of ice shaped like a snake.
"T-that is huge."
Takeshi gulped at the sight of this overwhelming power.
Even named monsters of the lower floors were nothing more than punching bags to Jin-hyuk.
That was how strong he was.
This was the result of relentlessly growing both his magic and strength.
'Not bad.'
Jin-hyuk looked at the ice statue with an expressionless face.
For him, this wasn't surprising at all.
'This is only the second round. Of course I had to showcase this level of power.'
If he hadn't done this much, he had no right to call himself a veteran.
"Why aren't you going?"
"Ah—nothing. I was worried… about what we will do with them…"
Takeshi glanced toward the players behind the barrier.
He seemed concerned that they might be eavesdropping.
He wanted to be the sole recipient of this favor— a man whose greed filled him to the throat.
That would make things easier.
"The barrier protecting the Fathers of Fighting team blocks both sight and sound. If they see us talking after it drops, won't they find it strange? We aren't close enough to chat casually, are we?"
Jin-hyuk added calmly.
In other words, this act had to end before anyone else noticed.
After all, the Japanese players had been wiped out. No one would question Takeshi fleeing now.
"Ah… I see. Right. Let's leave immediately."
Takeshi nodded and hurried off alone in the direction he had come from.
At the same time—
Woong!
The ice-covered barrier vanished. The blocked senses returned as the Fathers of Fighting raid team stepped forward.
"Everyone, get ready for battle!"
"Damn it! Focus your skills on attack— uh?"
"W-what happened here?"
"Gasp!"
"No way. The snake…?"
Everyone was shocked.
After the breath attack, their barrier had sealed them off completely.
They couldn't see or hear anything, like being trapped in an airtight box.
So much had changed in that short time.
"Player Kang Jin-hyuk… did you take care of it?"
Lee Young-kwon asked.
He already knew the answer.
"Yes. It's more comfortable dealing with this thing alone than fighting in a group."
"I… see."
A monster that had wiped out the elite raid team of a large guild— defeated instantly by a single player.
Without even a scratch.
'Just how strong is this man…?'
Lee Young-kwon bit his lip, overwhelmed.
'Can we… even get a little closer to him?'
They were nothing more than a ticket to legally enter the labyrinth.
To Jin-hyuk, that was the sole value of the Fathers of Fighting.
An invitation to ride the bus— and get off at the last stop.
Clench!
Lee Young-kwon's fist trembled with shame and frustration.
But no matter how bitter it felt, this was reality.
And he understood this was exactly why the raid had been planned this way.
"Phew. First, let's do some maintenance. We'll talk later— work first…"
But just as Lee Young-kwon was about to continue—
Shhhh!
Something slithered across the ground.
A sound that crawled along their spines.
'Is it here?'
Jin-hyuk sensed it instantly. That intense magic made his skin prickle.
"Ugh."
Then, from between the pillars—
"You are a human who was not harmed by my pet's attack. You were also able to find my location. Interesting. I haven't been this excited in a long time."
A shrill voice.
The master of the labyrinth.
A magical beast infamous in myth.
Medusa.
"B-Boss!"
"Shit! Don't look her in the eyes! Floor— look at the floor!"
The legend of Medusa turning those who met her gaze into stone was well known.
And yet, despite knowing this, the labyrinth had never been successfully conquered.
Kill the boss without eye contact?
Fight the most critical battle with your eyes averted?
Even using objects to block vision was nothing more than a crippling handicap.
After all, this raid would be decided by individuals— not numbers.
And now, it was Jin-hyuk's turn.
"It is you. That human?"
Medusa smiled at Jin-hyuk.
Her reflection in the Shield of Perseus was grotesque.
"Huhuhu. Don't hide behind that iron. Look at me properly. It isn't polite to avoid a lady's gaze."
She certainly sounded like a lady.
But no one should be fooled by Medusa's pleasant tone.
She was a snake— a predator.
"I'll refrain from engaging with a ravenous lady who devours people. I can understand one person, one chicken policies, but one snake, one person is quite frightening."
"Oh my. You seem rather knowledgeable."
Of course, he was.
"How could we not know of the unfortunate princess who lost all her sisters?"
At those words—
"You."
Swish…
The atmosphere of the labyrinth shifted instantly.
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