The Sword Saint Under Siege
Master! The incident where an LV.89 player got into a street fight with someone lit up the newspapers and news like wildfire.
The media pounced on Ryu Ga-eul like they'd been waiting for it. All because of the karma she'd built up.
Ryu Ga-eul, with her arrogant and reckless personality, had been in Babel Tower for over a year.
This dealt a massive blow to the national economy, disrupting the supply chain of all sorts of rare resources only obtainable from Babel.
"What a joke, right? It's like the government holding a hearing just because a big corporation stops producing goods."
Ryu Ga-eul took that stance, but the reality wasn't that simple.
Her inactivity was like a single nation halting oil production or hoarding technology without sharing it.
From the country's perspective, they'd tried every trick to get this one-woman enterprise back to work. But Ryu Ga-eul just mocked their efforts and flipped them off.
"They're basically telling me to go die in Babel."
"Um... If it's dangerous, can't you just use a return stone?"
"Nah, can't. Return stones are banned from the 70th floor onward."
Babel's owners—whatever the hell they are—add rules on a whim just to spike their dopamine.
If players pull off something too boring, they slap on some bullshit rule right then and there.
"So, you gotta form a party, huh."
"Yeah, I used to run with some bitches back in the day. But they all retired. Got knocked up."
Her comrades, whom she'd figured would stay spinsters forever, retired after getting pregnant. So Ryu Ga-eul climbed the tower solo.
And became the highest-level player in South Korea.
She could've handled the floors she'd cleared with clones alone... but the escalating difficulty wore her down, and she quit.
"Politicians drag me in all the time, clueless about my situation, just to yell at me. Ugh, sick of it."
Three years ago, they actually summoned her to the National Assembly.
There were plenty of politicians there trying to score votes by chewing her out and giving the public some cheap catharsis. Ryu Ga-eul didn't let them off easy.
—Miss Ryu Ga-eul, aren't you ashamed as a player?
"Not at all."
—Show some restraint. Do you even know where you are...?
"Where else? A den of bloodsucking vampires who drag in busy people spending their money just to whine. Quit your bitching, you trash. That desperate for approval ratings?"
This incident sparked massive controversy for Ryu Ga-eul.
But no one dared touch her. Messing with Korea's strongest player? You'd need ten lives to survive.
"The current president's a player too. Lower level than me—LV.75. And that bitch steps up to 'fix player-related crimes.'"
"That's... pretty dangerous."
"Damn right. Who knows what that cunt'll pull."
With that, Ryu Ga-eul swirled her wine glass and chuckled leisurely.
"You seem pretty chill about it."
"Of course? I'm the strongest player."
"Ah, yeah..."
"That bitch from yesterday just dragged it out 'cause she had no weapon. Full power? Wouldn't have taken ten seconds."
It was obvious, and Hyunwoo accepted it easily.
"Haa... Exactly! Hyunwoo, sis might have to head into Babel soon too. Swatting annoying flies is easy, but only if it's just one or two."
"You said you can't go solo."
"That's why you gotta level up fast."
Forming a party with her master.
Not your typical party setup.
The disciple has to match the master's skill, prove they're strong enough to earn recognition.
Disciples who can fight alongside their master usually go independent. But sticking together means...
"Two-person parties are usually for close friends... or lovers, they say. Hyunwoo..."
It means master and disciple become one.
"Master... Isn't that a weird interpretation? Forming a party doesn't make us lovers."
"You really think that?"
"Yes! I really do, Master."
"Our relationship isn't normal, though."
Hyunwoo glanced down at his master's hand slithering up his thigh.
He was about to snap back sharply, but as it slipped between his legs, he lost his nerve.
"Your sex drive is just..."
Giving up, he let the stroking hand roam. Then she leaned in for a kiss.
Thick cigarette scent hit him. Her sticky saliva flooded his mouth.
"Hyunwoo's so cute."
"...More weird flattery."
"You take kisses so nicely like this? Even wrap your tongue around mine like I taught you. So cute."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere."
Ryu Ga-eul grinned, ruffled his hair freely, then grabbed his legs and spread them wide.
She climbed on top. And rocked her hips furiously.
"Grow up quick, Hyunwoo... Be this master's reliable ally."
Now, every purpose in Hyunwoo's life was for his master.
Natural law.
In this world, males devote body and soul to superior females. Common sense.
The LV.40 trait Valkyrie Reinforcement showed cheat-level performance.
Two Valkyries soared into the sky, spears piercing the massive dragonfly's body.
Dragonflies were called tyrants of the skies—ferocious carnivores. Yet this one couldn't fight back, hunted down by the Valkyries.
"This is insane."
One party member muttered. I thought the same.
Having two Valkyries wasn't just double the firepower.
They synced perfectly, wiping out foes, efficiency ramping up over time.
About 20 minutes in? Their combat power had spiked so much they could toy with named monsters.
You have cleared Floor 43.
You have cleared Floor 44.
First time hitting 45th floor this fast. Really...
"Why are they so strong?"
"No idea. I was shocked too."
Her stats probably aren't even close to mine. Strength-wise, less than me for sure.
One skill pulling off that performance? Mind-blowing.
'Wonder if I can get that strong someday.'
If my main was spear arts, I could learn it. Shame it's a giant scythe—no direct copy-paste.
So observe, adapt, make it my own.
The new Valkyrie eyed my form skeptically. But the original gave the opposite take.
Vague advice. Even with my talent, absorbing all their arts is impossible. Mimicking? Doable.
How much time passed?
A giant hornet over 6 meters buzzed in, mandibles clacking. Earsplitting noise as a bonus.
"Bind it for me."
On my cue, the mage swung her staff. Ice encased the hornet's body.
Worth the one Chae-young called. Perfect mez in that split-second window. Takes skill.
The frozen hornet thrashed to break free. I was already airborne.
Amodius's Scythe smashed down, caving in the massive head.
Current Level: LV.42
Leveled again. New trait soon.
"You're good, Hyunwoo."
"Obviously. Lots ahead."
"Lots... ahead?"
"Yeah. Lots to do."
To fight alongside Master, I need to get way stronger.
"Noble goal."
I couldn't get it, but couldn't spill the truth either. No sharing that...
Really...