Linked Quest: The Bustling Metropolis of Camel at the 15th Floor Entrance
Camel, the grand metropolis at the entrance to the 15th floor, was a dazzling city. It boasted an enormous entertainment district to soothe weary adventurers climbing the Tower, along with a thriving commercial zone of decent size. Tucked within that commercial area was a large café street bearing traces of Earth, where a man sat at an outdoor table, sipping coffee and smoking a cigarette. It was none other than Namgung Seojun.
He was drinking an Americano, while Gisohee beside him had a strawberry latte, Lee Guho a vanilla latte, Kim Hoon just water, and finally Jo Jaehun sparkling water. The group was holding a casual meeting over their drinks.
"Our party will take a four-week break here."
They had pushed on from the 10th floor with almost no rest, reaching the 15th in just three months. Everyone in the party had explored the dark zones, and upon arriving in Camel, they cheered at the city's brilliant lights. After the stress of navigating the dim, humid maze regions, simply staying in such a bright city felt like a godsend. That was why Seojun had decided on this long, four-week rest with his party members upon arrival.
"But we still have work to do, right?"
Even among the party, Seojun and the four others gathered here had extra business: the linked quest. To complete the linked quest for the nameless god that had started on the 4th floor, they needed to clear the second dungeon on the 14th floor. So Seojun, Gisohee, Lee Guho, Jo Jaehun, and Kim Hoon—who all held the quest—had to head back down to the 14th.
"Time's short. We're leaving tomorrow, so get ready for a five-man party."
Jo Jaehun and Lee Guho nodded obediently, but Gisohee raised her hand with a point.
"Seojun, wouldn't roaming the 14th floor with just a four-man party be dangerous? Especially without a direction-finding skill?"
It was a valid concern. Wandering the 14th floor's maze in a dark zone without a direction skill, even as a five-man party, was highly risky—something no ordinary person would choose. Fortunately, Seojun had a solid plan.
"No matter how much it's a dark maze zone, the 14th floor is territory we've already passed through once. We'll stick to the path we took coming up, so getting lost won't be an issue."
Thanks to his Super Sense, Seojun retained a keen sense of the 14th floor's layout.
"Plus, I've already scouted a suspicious spot. We'll move fast, check it out, and come right back."
Knowing Seojun's capabilities, the others held their tongues. With the five-man party's departure settled, Seojun returned to the inn and summoned Li Zhangwei.
"Mr. Li Zhangwei."
"Yes."
He informed Li Zhangwei that he'd be away for a week at shortest, two at longest. And when he added that Gisohee, Lee Guho, Jo Jaehun, and even Kim Hoon would be gone too, the man immediately voiced his unease.
"Then the only official party member left will be Liudajing."
On the climb to the 15th floor, Li Zhangwei had witnessed plenty of Liudajing's trashy behavior. All the slave-status party members despised and distrusted him. Without Seojun and the core members, Li Zhangwei couldn't predict what Liudajing might do—it was enough to make anyone anxious.
"That's why I called you, Mr. Li Zhangwei. Take this."
Seojun handed over a pre-written letter of delegation.
"During my absence, you'll be the temporary party leader. It's even got provisions for if I and the others don't return."
With full authority delegated to him, Li Zhangwei asked with trembling hands, "And if I abuse this letter... what then?"
"I trust you, Mr. Li Zhangwei."
Though a slave, he was a trustworthy adventurer. Seojun had observed him closely, and his Super Sense confirmed the man was reliable.
Deeply moved by the trust, Li Zhangwei replied, "I'll guard the party well in your absence, Master."
Seojun patted his shoulder with a satisfied smile.
The next day, the Namgung Seojun Party gathered at Camel's south gate. It was the official members without slave status—a five-man party, excluding Liudajing, of course.
"Everyone ready?"
Jo Jaehun thumped his bag packed with camping gear and rations. Kim Hoon had an even larger one stuffed full. Even the attackers Gisohee and Lee Guho carried bags they hadn't used since the 8th floor. With just five people, they'd divided the load.
Seojun lit the lantern he'd prepared and said, "Let's move out."
With Seojun in the lead, the group headed for the city gates. But at that moment!
"Hold it!!!"
Someone shouted from afar, sprinting toward them. It was Liudajing. He'd sensed Seojun and the others preparing something and instinctively knew he had to tag along, rushing to the south gate.
"I'm coming too!"
Seojun shut him down firmly. "You stay at the inn. This is our five-man job."
"What? I'm a party member too! I should go!"
Liudajing tried forcing his way in, but Seojun shoved him back with brute strength.
"I said no. Stay in the city."
"What the—! That's cold! I'm a party member! You're leaving me out? That's not right!"
But Seojun and the others' expressions soured further. Liudajing kept whining even now.
"Take me with you!"
Finally losing patience, Seojun closed in and slammed a fist into his gut.
Thud!
"Gah!"
With his pathetic combat skills, Liudajing took the sudden hit full force and crumpled. Seojun leaned in quietly. "You wanna follow? Try it. If you want to die."
At the harsh warning, Liudajing faltered. Ignoring him, Seojun bellowed, "Party! Move out!!"
Thus, the five-man party filed out the south gate in single line, Seojun at the front. Clutching his aching stomach with a resentful glare, Liudajing watched them go.
"You'll regret this! Just you wait!"
Poison in his eyes, he stared until Seojun and the party vanished.
Descending straight to the 14th floor, Seojun said calmly, "Everyone, we're moving fast. Really fast. Steel yourselves."
The party members braced themselves. If Seojun was saying this much, they knew it'd be grueling.
Four days later—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Jo Jaehun and Kim Hoon blocked a sudden ambush by lizardmen. Lee Guho's magic followed.
"Firebolt!"
"Kyaaak!"
One spell dropped a lizardman. The pack of over twenty kept attacking but couldn't pierce the defense, dwindling one by one. And the bad luck didn't end there.
"Been waiting?"
Seojun approached leisurely, green blood coating his sword. The lizardmen recoiled at the sight of their chieftain's head in his hand.
"KEEK! KEEK!"
The chieftain had broken off to duel Seojun alone; he'd beheaded it and rejoined the fray. These human-hating monsters now filled with terror at their leader's death. And the source of that fear hurled the head while charging forward, shouting,
"Finish them!"
Seojun swung at the nearest lizardman. It tried parrying with its spear, but his blade was faster.
"Keak!"
Half its neck severed, green blood sprayed like an explosion. The other lizardmen's morale shattered.
"Keng!!!"
One flung its trident and bolted. That sparked the rout.
"Ekeke! Kekeng!"
They dropped weapons and waddled into the dark shadows, scattering. Seojun didn't pursue recklessly. Confirming via Super Sense that they were gone, he ordered,
"Clear the battlefield."
At those words signaling combat's end, the party sighed in relief. They'd defended flawlessly against over twenty lizardmen's ambush, even slaying the chieftain and five more.
As Kim Hoon sliced off a lizardman's nose for trophies, he chatted with Lee Guho nearby.
"Over twenty lizardmen ambushing us, and it was still manageable."
"Yeah... With hyungnim taking the chieftain, and Jaehun and you holding defense, no issues."
Gisohee chimed in from the side. "Truth is, Seojun's the amazing one. Even in this darkness, he supports us perfectly so we can hold."
That was the key. Seojun had solo-checked ranged dealers and heavy hitters, preventing breakthroughs of Jo Jaehun and Kim Hoon's line—letting Lee Guho's spells land effectively. Gisohee's occasional potshots sealed it.
"Honestly, if Seojun went all out... we could probably trim some party members and still be fine."
Kim Hoon and Lee Guho nodded at Gisohee's words. Seojun's combat prowess was immeasurable.
With the field cleared, they moved on. To keep spirits up, Seojun encouraged them.
"Not much left now. Two hours to the target. Let's push."
They knew his "two hours" was a white lie, but it motivated them toward the goal.
By evening, the Namgung Seojun Party arrived.
"Hold."
Seojun halted them and felt along the maze wall.
Should be around here...
Guided by Super Sense's subtle tug, he kept probing until he found the spot.
"Got it!"
The party crowded the wall. Jo Jaehun tapped it.
Thump! Thump!
It echoed hollow—space beyond.
"Guho, blast it good!"
They fell back. From a safe spot, Lee Guho chanted,
"Firebolt!"
The fiery orb slammed the wall.
Boom!
A hole punched through.
Linked Quest: Discovered the second dungeon bearing the traces of the god.
"Nice."
"Sweet!"
"Woo-hoo!"
The party cheered. Thus, the Namgung Seojun Party smoothly uncovered the second dungeon.