You've Cleared the 50th Floor

A faint glow emanated from the spot where the minotaur—presumably Joo Tae-su—had fallen. Gulp. My heart pounding, I approached without even noticing if blood was trickling from my nose. What skill had taken down Joo Tae-su? Could it possibly be S-rank?

"Hmm..."

Still skimpy descriptions. But I could get a rough sense of them. No S-rank skills, disappointingly. I'd taken down Joo Tae-su, so I half-hoped for one, but no dice. Still, I could piece together his combat style. Labyrinth Deployment and Crushing Charge synergized perfectly... And the standout was Berserker's Bloodline. Explained why Joo Tae-su failed against the minotaur. He probably unleashed Flame Fury, but the beast survived that one tick. Then his attack power and speed spiked, making it impossible to hold out for the next 60 seconds until cooldown.

"Not bad for A-rank."

Skills I needed too. My issue was relying on a long-cooldown AoE. So Berserker's Bloodline—boosting my base tier—was essential. I selected it.

Oh, right.

1. Abyss of Hell: EX

2. Goblin Lord's Dominion Declaration: A

Number 2. Gotta be. Goblin-exclusive skills are best left to goblins...

Gulp. The most thrilling part of skill transfer.

Whoa! Blood God Transformation? Sounds badass. I immediately opened my skill window.

"Oho..."

The moment I acquired it, a surge coursed through me. Probably from low HP after Abyss of Hell. A simple stat booster, but perfect for my low base tier. Hit 'em first with Abyss of Hell, then if they're still breathing, pummel away with lowered HP.

"Kang Deok-su!"

Lost in thought, Choi Seung-rok came running ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up behind me.

"Yeah? Something wrong?"

"Huff... huff..."

Looked wiped from clearing trash mobs.

"It's not me—it's you! What the hell was that earthquake?!"

Choi Seung-rok gripped his sword tightly, tense as he faced me.

"Earthquake?"

Guess Abyss of Hell shakes the ground too. I was too dazed by the roar and vibrations to notice.

"Yeah! Earthquake! Where's the minotaur?"

He seemed rattled by his first-ever quake.

Classic Korean.

"Already handled."

"R-Really."

"Phew..."

Tension drained; he plopped down. Put up a front, but this was the 50th floor—even Joo Tae-su failed it.

"Skill transfer successful?"

"Yeah, already done."

"A-rank?"

"Yep."

Transferred A to S, so not lying...

"Ready to head out?"

"Hold up."

Choi Seung-rok pointed to the cavern's end.

"What?"

"Look closely."

Sure enough, a shimmering portal rippled on the wall.

"What's that...?"

"You see it now. Hidden stage."

Hidden stage?

"There's such a thing?"

"Yeah. Only two people know, including me."

A hint of pride in his voice.

"For real? How'd you know, Seung-rok?"

I stroked his ego right away.

"Woman who cleared 30th told me."

"Ah..."

Not his own clear, then.

"Let's clear it quick and bounce."

"Can't."

Blunt refusal.

"Why?"

"Hidden stages only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠visible to first clearer. I can't even see the portal."

"No way."

"Just pointed where it might be, and boom—there it was. Heh."

Smug chuckle.

Pride in the weirdest spot...

He plopped down like his job was done.

"Go on in. If you die in there, you pop out of the tower—no biggie."

"Oh, cool?"

Sounds fishy...

I eyed him suspiciously.

"For real... right?"

"Why lie about this? Nothing in it for me if you die."

True. He wouldn't think killing me transfers my skill, would he?

"Ahem... yeah, fair. I'll head in easy then. You staying?"

"Hmm. If I leave, you leave too. Gotta wait."

Over my tower knowledge, half-assed reply.

"Alright, be back quick. Nap if you want."

I approached the shimmering portal.

"Hey. Take my sword, just in case."

Bothered I was going in barehanded, he offered his blade.

Better safe with a weapon. Wiki said he treasured it, though. Must think I'm unreliable.

"For real? Can I use your item?"

"Myeongjeol Sword."

"Pardon?"

"It's the Myeongjeol Sword."

"Ah... got it."

Even named it? Kinda cute.

"Use it freely, bring it back."

"Thanks! Be right back!"

Like a kid off to school, I plunged into the portal boldly.

A low hum vibrated in my skull. The portal dumped me on damp dirt. I scanned around.

Dark...

Like a castle basement. Stairs led up nearby, faint light spilling down—enough to see a bit. But deeper in? Pitch black.

Let's head out first...

Up the stairs for intel. Then—

What?

Stepped outside, body faded—

"..."

Five minutes in, eyes met Choi Seung-rok's. He'd been lying down like he was napping for real, scrambling up now.

"Not cleared already, huh..."

"Haha... first hidden stage..."

So not upstairs—gotta go deeper into the basement.

Not thrilled, but orders were orders...

"Seung-rok, got a torch or something?"

"Torches? Nah... but a light item, yeah."

"Ooh! Mind if I borrow? I'll return right away."

Veteran for the win.

"Sure. Sword and gear already—why not."

"Thanks!"

He handed me a red orb. Straight to inventory for details.

Metal-reactive... should be fine.

"Heading in again."

"Yeah. Got the item now—focus, even if scary."

What bullshit.

Ignored him, dove back into the portal.

Back where I started. Pulled out the heartstone—dim glow. Good enough. Followed the light into the basement hall.

Castle interior? No monsters, hopefully. Gripped Myeongjeol Sword tight, just in case, and pressed on.

Ten minutes in, heartstone flared. Iron door ahead. Locked with a padlock—dead end.

Path ends here—must go through.

"Sigh..."

One way. Extended hands, unleashed Abyss of Hell.

Rumble rumble! Boom! Crash! Kaboom!

"Fuck... using an EX skill on a door?"

Dented like a rhino charged it repeatedly.

Thud! Forced it open; crashed opposite side.

"A... prison?"

Steps in—bars blocked the way.

"Incredible strength... Nokton spy?"

"What?!"

Low voice from the dark. Pulled heartstone again—lit up bright.

"Minotaur?"

"Grrr..."

One stared from its cell.

"Answer. Nokton spy?"

"Nokton?"

Acting weird, like roleplay.

"Not a spy, but..."

Thought it over. Basement led here—to imprisoned minotaur. Mission's gotta be freeing it.

"You don't bite people, right?"

Eyes bloodshot, demonic—not human, not cow.

"Grrr... You mocking me too?"

"Nah, not mocking."

Seems intelligent.

"I'm trying to free you. So don't attack me."

"What?"

Seemed surprised.

"What's your goal?"

"Goal? Uh, later."

"Grrr..."

Problem's how to free it...

"Hey, minotaur. Got a good way?"

"That door-smashing strength could pry these bars."

No more questions—trusted my intent.

"Yeah, but..."

Bars melt, you melt too.

"Just pry the bars?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Two skills. One unusable here. One option.

Stabbed my side with Myeongjeol Sword.

"Gahk!"

Blade piercing—eyes rolled back.

"Ow... hurts like hell."

"Wh-What're you doing?!"

Minotaur freaked at my self-harm freakout.

"Huff... huff... Got a plan."

Gamble I'd never take with life on line. Gripped bars, yanked with all might.

Creak grind!

Bars scraped wall, bent toward me.

"Wh-What."

Minotaur stared blankly at the gap.

"What're you waiting for? Out."

Pain surging, snapped irritably.

"I... I'll come out."

Suddenly polite, it stepped daintily through, one foot at a time.