A Heinous Curse
Han Seonggil. The Berserker Trait he possessed was both the quality that made him shine and a curse.
S-grade
▶ When the threat of death is sensed, secretes extreme levels of adrenaline and dopamine.
▶ Temporarily raises all stats.
▶ Temporarily grants immunity to the status ailment: Fear.
▶ Temporarily reduces felt pain.
▶ The more blood shed and the longer the battle, the higher all stats rise.
▶ The stronger the effect grows, the harder it becomes to maintain sanity.
The more he was hit, the stronger all his stats became, and the less pain he felt.
This Berserker Trait excelled not only in raw aggression but also proved remarkably effective on the defensive side. After all, an “all-stats increase” naturally boosted durability and stamina too.
Yet this overpowered trait carried a fatal flaw.
The stronger the effect, the harder it became to maintain sanity.
As the power swelled, he devolved into a mindless fool incapable of distinguishing right from wrong. No matter how strong, how fast, or how tough his body became, without proper reason he was nothing more than a powerful beast—or a monster.
He couldn’t use proper techniques, couldn’t wield his amplified strength efficiently, and worst of all, he lost the ability to tell friend from foe, attacking allies and enemies alike. His combat efficiency in group fights plummeted.
This wasn’t a minor issue. It was a massive, crippling problem.
‘Can this damn curse actually be fixed?’
With that thought, Han Seonggil let an old memory surface.
“Han Seonggil, sword training again today? No matter how hard you try, you’ll never beat me, you know?”
“Don’t make me laugh, Pung Geonho. I’ve almost caught up to you.”
Han Seonggil and Pung Geonho had been childhood friends closer than anyone. They both loved the sword and had competed against each other since they were little. Han Seonggil genuinely liked the boy who was one year older. He never called him “hyung” out loud—his personality wouldn’t allow it—but he relied on him as both a rival and a friend.
“Hey, Han Seonggil. Did you hear? I awakened as an Epic-grade swordsman a while back.”
“No way. You awakened before me?”
“That’s right, kid. So from now on, you’d better call me hyung.”
“Bullshit.”
“Hah, there you go getting all prickly again. I’ll teach you some sword forms, so cheer up already.”
Thanks to Pung Geonho’s help, Han Seonggil—who already possessed outstanding talent for the blade—quickly awakened his own powers. He, too, became an Epic-grade swordsman.
“Congrats, man. Since you awakened, you owe me a meal.”
“…What do you want?”
“Whoa, you’re actually giving me the creeps. Why’d you agree so fast? It’s cringey.”
“Fuck off. If you don’t want it, then don’t eat.”
“Just buy me some meat~”
They were friends and rivals who pushed each other forward. Pung Geonho’s exceptional talent, skill, and sociability served as perfect motivation for Han Seonggil.
After awakening as an Epic-grade swordsman, Han Seonggil made a suggestion.
“How about we go into the Labyrinth?”
“The Labyrinth?”
The Labyrinth. An underground space teeming with monsters.
Any Awakened could enter the Labyrinth. Even if two Epic-grade students tried to go in together, the gatekeeper probably wouldn’t stop them just because they were young.
Pung Geonho spoke with worried eyes.
“With our current skills… isn’t the Labyrinth still too much for us?”
“Hah, you coward.”
Watching Pung Geonho hesitate, Han Seonggil secretly cheered inside.
‘So… there’s finally something I’m better at than Pung Geonho.’
Han Seonggil had always been the one left behind, the one who needed help. Now he realized he possessed something Pung Geonho lacked. Courage. His natural boldness and decisiveness were a special trait his friend didn’t have.
He shouted at Pung Geonho.
“If you’re scared, then stay out. I’ll go alone.”
“Hey—! We’re not strong enough to go in there yet…”
Ignoring Pung Geonho’s protest, Han Seonggil stepped into the Labyrinth. Left with no choice, Pung Geonho followed after him.
“Keeeeeek—!”
Thud.
“See? They’re weaker than I thought.”
“Han Seonggil, still… you can’t let your guard down. The Labyrinth is…”
“There you go again. If you’re scared, just stay behind me. I’ll show you how I slaughter these monsters.”
Slash—!
As he cut down monsters, Han Seonggil felt exhilarated. Unlike the fearful Pung Geonho behind him, he slaughtered the creatures without hesitation. It felt like receiving compensation for all the sword training he had endured and polished until now.
Cutting, slicing, feeling his own strength—the sensation was more thrilling than anything.
Huff. Huff.
After swinging his sword endlessly, Han Seonggil finally came to his senses. He caught his breath and looked around.
‘W-where… where are we?’
He had been so absorbed in the fight that he had gone far too deep.
Behind him, Pung Geonho followed with a grave expression and shouted.
“Han Seonggil—! You crazy bastard, listen to me for once!”
Grab.
Pung Geonho seized Han Seonggil’s shoulder.
“We have to get out of here. How far are you planning to go? From this point on, even if we scream, the gatekeeper won’t hear us. Are you actually insane? Let’s go back.”
“If you want to go back, then you—”
Boom—!
Boom—!
While they were arguing, a massive vibration began echoing from far away.
Boom—!
Boom—!
The tremors grew louder and louder until, in an instant, the source stood right in front of them.
“F… fuck….”
A monster whose entire body was made of bone, wearing a helmet on its head, armor on its torso, and holding a sword in its hand.
A skeleton. And an especially gigantic specimen among them.
“W-why is a Giant Skeleton here of all places…”
Han Seonggil’s body froze. Cold sweat ran down his back. He was overwhelmed by the creature’s enormous size and the demonic energy radiating from it. He understood the moment he saw it.
I’m going to die.
If he fought, he would die. There was no chance of victory. The overwhelming difference in power was something he could feel in his bones.
While Han Seonggil stared blankly at the Giant Skeleton, Pung Geonho spoke to him.
“Run.”
“…?”
When Han Seonggil looked at him, Pung Geonho yelled.
“I said run, you idiot! I’ll hold it off—!”
It was impossible. Han Seonggil wasn’t a fool. Pung Geonho could never defeat a Giant Skeleton. If he fought it properly, he would die.
“I… I’ll…”
Han Seonggil tried to say the opposite—that he would hold it off and Pung Geonho should run—but the words wouldn’t leave his mouth. He was terrified. Even as empty bravado, saying he would fight that monster was too much.
“I know you’re scared. That’s why you need to run. I’m the older one, so I’ll protect you—! Run and get help.”
Tap tap tap.
While Han Seonggil trembled in fear, Pung Geonho charged at the Giant Skeleton. And then—
Whoosh—!
Kwaaaaaaaaang—!
One strike. With a single attack, Pung Geonho’s entire body was crushed.
“Aaaaaaaaagh—!”
Pung Geonho screamed in agony, every bone in his body shattered.
“Ah…”
Watching him cough up blood and writhe in pain, Han Seonggil’s eyes went blank.
“What the hell… are you staring at… ugh… I told you… to run… I’ll… handle this place…”
Whoosh—!
The Giant Skeleton’s attack came flying once more.
He would die. If that mangled body tried to block the next blow, Pung Geonho would be killed instantly.
The Giant Skeleton was terrifying. So horrifying he wanted to collapse. But he couldn’t let Pung Geonho die.
His feet, which had refused to move, finally stepped forward.
Han Seonggil ran toward Pung Geonho as if possessed.
Claaaaang—!
He blocked the Giant Skeleton’s attack.
Or so he thought.
Kwaaaaaaaaang—!
He had raised his sword to defend, but the impact sent him flying straight into a wall.
“Khhhuuu… it hurts… it hurts so much…”
Insane pain. A horrific, vicious agony as if his whole body was being torn apart and his bones crushed.
“Kueeeeeeek—!”
Whether all his organs were destroyed or not, blood poured madly from inside him.
Boom—!
Boom—!
The heavy-bodied skeleton drew closer and closer.
Fear. Terror.
The first terrible pain Han Seonggil had ever felt awakened a fear of death within him.
“I want… I want to live…”
The moment that thought crossed his mind—
Ding!
The Berserker Trait has activated.
You have sustained critical damage.
You are bleeding severely. The Berserker Trait’s effects are being enhanced to match the situation.
The Berserker Trait has activated beyond a safe threshold. Maintaining sanity is becoming difficult.
The pain gradually faded. His vision blurred. And power began surging through his body.
Before long, he completely lost consciousness.
“Han Seong…”
“Seonggil…”
It was noisy. Strange sounds swirled around his ears. His head spun. His mind felt distant. Indistinct shapes floated through the air.
“Seong… gil…”
He wanted to sleep. A hazy drowsiness wrapped around his entire body.
Drip.
Then he felt the sticky sensation of liquid on his face.
Swish.
Only then did he open his eyes. Pung Geonho was smiling in front of him.
“Han… Seonggil…”
“What happened?”
“You… you did it.”
Han Seonggil quickly scanned their surroundings. The Giant Skeleton had been torn apart and completely destroyed.
“Berserker Trait… you lucky bastard…”
Pung Geonho spoke with envious eyes. Han Seonggil hadn’t even known he possessed the Berserker Trait. He had only learned it now, after using it for the first time. Still, he felt relieved. Thanks to it, both Pung Geonho and he had survived. And he made a vow.
Using this chance as a foundation, he would never do anything so stupid again.
“Hyung… I’m sorry… because of me… let’s get back to the city quickly. If we get you treated, you can still live.”
Pung Geonho smiled at him.
“Kid… you finally called me hyung.”
Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.
“Go on ahead. Hyung will… rest here a little before following.”
Cough—!
Pung Geonho vomited a terrifying amount of blood. Only then did Han Seonggil look down.
“Ah…”
“Uwaaaaaaaaaagh—!”
Han Seonggil’s sword—the long blade Pung Geonho had given him as a gift—was buried deep in his friend’s abdomen.
