Demons (2): Rampage in the City
Whoosh.
A strange sense of levitation washed over me. At the end of that floating sensation, I entered the tower.
A bizarre labyrinth made entirely of stone walls, with every direction blocked except straight ahead. The Illusory Dream Tower has a unique structure. It's known as a 30-story tower designed for solo challengers only—at least for now.
"An odd feeling."
"It's the illusions. The Illusory Dream Tower shows illusions to everyone who enters."
This place is literally a world of illusions. But against the Black Heaven Demon Sword, infused with Reverse Heaven energy, they won't wield much power.
I looked around. A maze of stone walls blocking the ceiling and both sides. I strode confidently inward without hesitation.
Soon, a forked path in the shape of a U appeared. Instead of choosing either route, I headed straight for the wall.
"Found it."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Rather than answering, I placed my hand on the wall.
Black Mirror.
Reverse Heaven energy began gathering in my hand. Black energy fully enveloped it. Then, I lightly struck the wall.
Thud.
A soft sound rang out. But the Reverse Heaven surging from my hand rippled outward, dismantling the entire structure and shattering the illusory wall.
Boom!
Inside the wall was a small altar-like space.
Jackpot.
I quickly slipped inside. The broken wall was already regenerating rapidly.
"The Master knows quite a lot, it seems."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword murmured in a meaningful tone.
"It's precognition."
I'd already prepared an excuse for anyone else.
Precognition. A power that already exists in this world.
"Master, those with the Reverse Heaven Body find it hard for mysteries to take root. And for one as potent as precognition to dwell within?"
"Unfortunately, my precognition was innate, while the Reverse Heaven Body is acquired. Well, thanks to that, the precognition's gone now."
"……."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword closed its eyes for a moment.
"The Master is truly unique. Or rather, in this case, perhaps they gained Reverse Heaven power through precognition. Having experienced that mystery first allowed them to wield Reverse Heaven energy so adeptly."
The sword began theorizing. Completely wrong, but I nodded along for now.
"Then you know what's inside here too."
"Of course."
I nodded firmly. This hidden stage in the Illusory Dream Tower holds an item with extraordinary power.
I approached the altar. Atop it sat a single box—a pink one. Strange waves emanated around it. But compared to the wall earlier, it was negligible.
I drew out Reverse Heaven energy and wrapped it around my hand, then picked up the box.
Crackle.
Something shattered with a sound, and I opened the box. Inside was a single pink orb.
Appraisal.
Increases mana for the consumer.
• If mana ≤ 30 upon consumption: +10 mana.
• If mana > 30 upon consumption: +5 mana.
"Hm? Isn't this mana-related?"
"It has its uses."
I pulled out the inner core from the shadow snake. This was another spirit medicine that boosted mana.
I placed the snake's core on the box and set it back on the altar.
Flash!
A burst of light erupted.
"Offering a sacrifice on the altar to receive the true reward. Intriguing."
The Black Heaven Demon Sword murmured in quiet admiration. I waited a moment before retrieving the box. Opening the lid revealed text-like markings inside.
Appraisal.
Proof obtained from the Illusory Dream Tower. Tattoo it onto your body to unleash its power.
• +10 Spirit.
• Innate Skill: Illusion Within Truth
• ??? (Unlock upon clearing 10th floor of Illusory Dream Tower.)
• Qualification of Truth.
Having seen truth amid illusions, you are qualified to reach the tower's end.
• Acquire absolute mental resistance in the Illusory Dream Tower.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to climb the tower right now. I imprinted the Illusory Dream Imprint onto my right forearm.
I opened my status window to check. My Spirit had converted to Nian stat, then to Reverse Heaven once more—I wanted to confirm if Reverse Heaven had increased.
'It hasn't gone up.'
Still, I could now handle Reverse Heaven energy more easily. This fulfilled the bare minimum to face the heightened-difficulty demons.
With that, I exited through the portal.
"Oh? You're out already. Would you like to stay in the Magic Tower's exclusive lodging?"
"No thanks."
The Magic Tower lodging is ridiculously expensive. Over 10 million won just for one night.
I had the money to stay, but no need to waste it. I turned on my phone and searched for nearby hotels, picking the best one after checking reviews.
Hong Yuhwa headed to her dressing room. Thanks to her father, who wielded wealth on par with chaebols, her closet overflowed with glamorous clothes.
'Keep it simple.'
Her relationship with Lee Seoha was strictly rivals. Nothing more, nothing less.
She glanced briefly at Lee Seoha's photo pinned to one side of the dressing room, lost in thought.
-Get ready properly and come.
The message suddenly came to mind. Get ready properly? She wondered why he'd send her something like that.
She appraised Lee Seoha objectively. His fashion sense was truly awful, but his looks and proportions more than compensated.
But more than externals, Hong Yuhwa valued the inner qualities. An ability she couldn't even guess at. Like an onion—the more time spent together, the deeper into the maze you fell.
'What am I even thinking.'
Hong Yuhwa sighed and chose a crisp white blouse and a neat high-waisted skirt.
Korea Hero School was no place for dating. You had to at least graduate before romance was feasible.
Recalling lines to reject Lee Seoha, she called for the butler.
"Butler."
"Yes."
"Let's head out."
"Understood."
Hong Yuhwa summoned the butler in her haughty tone, rehearsing her rejections.
'We're still students, so let's focus on studies.' Too goody-two-shoes.
'If you want me, stay top of the class for at least three years, then confess.' No good. Lee Seoha actually had the talent to claim first place.
"Miss, we've arrived."
"……Got it."
Rehearsing her lines in her head, she'd arrived before she knew it. Hong Yuhwa sighed inwardly as she stepped out of the car.
In front of the coffee shop. Erhil was there. A black long-sleeved top clinging to her body, a checkered skirt in brown and white, and a brown coat draped over it. Clearly, effort put into her outfit.
"……Oh my, if it isn't Hong Yuhwa. Hello."
"Hi."
And then silence fell.
But the problem didn't end there. A tall woman, impossible to miss even from afar, came into view. A bodycon dress often called "missy look," but her overwhelming midsection made it feel even more provocative.
If Lee Seoha were here, calling her a giant wouldn't be out of place. Hong Yuhwa stared blankly. Her usual bangs didn't cover half her face; instead, they'd been swept to the sides, giving her an almost elegant air.
"Just to be sure. You got called here by Lee Seoha too, right, Hong Yuhwa?"
Erhil's chilling voice. Hong Yuhwa flinched involuntarily but nodded nonchalantly.
"Yeah. He told me to get ready properly."
"Ha."
An exasperated sigh. Chilling, but unwilling to show weakness, Hong Yuhwa put on a strong front.
With Kim Ara joining, the frosty atmosphere lingered in front of the coffee shop for a moment.
Then, in the distance, Lee Seoha appeared, yawning leisurely.
"What, you all got here early. I……."
Lee Seoha trailed off. His gaze fixed on empty air. He tilted his head, then wore a panicked expression.
Probably realized he'd said something wrong—Hong Yuhwa thought.
Snap— As Lee Seoha whipped his head around, Erhil reacted.
"Why?!"
Boom!
An explosion roared from the opposite direction.
"Kyaaah!"
"An explosion?! Why in Seoul of all places……."
Terrified citizens trembled. But the blasts didn't stop at one.
Boom! Boom!
Two more explosions followed, spaced apart in time.
Hong Yuhwa stared at the blast sites with trembling eyes. What reason could there be for this in Korea?
"Everyone, snap out of it!"
Lee Seoha shouted. Only then did they seem to regain their senses, turning to him.
"This attack is probably terrorism by demons. Korea's structure doesn't let monsters rampage easily."
"Indeed. With such a small landmass packed with powerful heroes."
"Right. The heroes already know about this situation. So we fight the demons and buy time."
"Time? Isn't it the opposite?"
"No, the more they rampage, the more dangerous it gets."
Lee Seoha's gaze fixed on one spot.
Chapter 2: Subjugate the Black Magic Alliance rampaging through the city.
◈ Reward: 5,000P
Rewards may be added or removed based on performance.
◈ Failure: Kim Seohyeon's death.
Black Magic Alliance. A group that absolutely shouldn't appear at this point.
"Probably……their identity is the Black Magic Alliance."
"Black Magic Alliance!"
Erhil cried out like a scream.
"That terrorist group? No way, do they have what it takes to terrorize Korea?"
"They shouldn't. But judging by the demonic energy I sense, it's them."
I had no idea. But right now, I needed an excuse to 'convince' them.
"So we head out now. If anyone's scared, you can stay here."
"Don't worry. I'm not so weak that I'd run from them. The rest of you too, right?"
"Of course."
"……Yeah."
Erhil answered, followed by Hong Yuhwa and Kim Ara. Good.
Lee Seoha sighed inwardly in relief.
Boom!
In the distance, a building collapsed as black light clashed with a crimson flame dragon. Kim Seohyeon was fighting a demon.
"Then let's move fast."
Lee Seoha prayed Kim Seohyeon would be safe.