The Tower's Hidden Path
That evening.
He still hadn't found the secret location.
It was already 11 p.m.
Fatigue was starting to creep in.
Just one or two more hours, he resolved, pressing on with the search.
Having already covered more than half, the spot he sought had to appear soon.
Clinging to that belief, he kept moving for another hour. Then Mu-hyuk caught a subtle difference in the texture under his hand.
----!
He halted mid-step.
Smooth.
He turned his head to inspect the wall.
It looked identical to the surroundings, but touching it revealed a faint variance. He pressed hard, but there was no reaction.
Hmm, not it?
He even channeled mana, but nothing changed.
Examining closer, he noticed the section protruded ever so slightly.
He gripped both sides with his fingernails and slowly pulled.
Kiiik.
The wall shifted.
Applying force to draw it fully out, the surrounding terrain transformed.
With a grrrumble, a secret space revealed itself.
Progress has increased.
You have cleared the quest.
Confirming the message, he stepped forward.
Thud.
But he bumped into a transparent barrier.
What the—?
He tried again, to no avail. Multiple attempts yielded the same result.
It might lead to a linked quest, but he couldn't be sure.
Staying here wouldn't resolve anything, so he decided to head to Kairon Baekjak first.
Emerging from the spot, Mu-hyuk looked up at the building.
He'd only circled the first floor, yet it felt like an eternity had passed.
Seven stories tall.
If this becomes a dungeon...
That was the moment.
A realization flashed through his mind.
--------!
He understood too late.
What this quest truly meant.
*
He went to Kairon Baekjak's mansion and explained the first floor's layout.
Kairon, listening quietly, lit up at the mention of the secret space.
“Ho, you found even that?”
“Yes, though it was quite the ordeal.”
“Impressive.”
You have acquired a large amount of experience.
You have acquired Weibra Empire 'Contribution Points (100)'.
Contribution points too. Nice!
Everything was satisfactory.
“Hmm, in any case, we must verify that spot you found. You said a transparent barrier blocked entry?”
“Yes.”
“Very well. I'll assemble a team—wait here.”
“Understood.”
The empire's hidden secrets were linked quests that demanded full completion.
Not only did they yield massive gains along the way, but finishing the chain brought even greater rewards.
Moreover...
New content, expected around level 70, was on the horizon.
This quest was the key to unlocking it.
I have to clear it.
Clutching his excited chest, he waited.
For Kairon to gather the team.
A short while later.
Kairon finally called him.
“Let's go.”
“Ah, yes.”
Heading out with him, a group waited in view.
Five knights, three mages, two priests.
Uncertain of the tower's interior, Kairon had overprepared.
After scouting, he'd likely adjust to a more suitable force.
“Go with them for now.”
“Understood.”
“One key point: if monsters appear upon entering the secret space, gauge their level roughly and report back. Can you manage?”
The quest popped up then.
Empire's Hidden Secret 3
📍 Objective: Enter the secret space on the first floor of the ruined building with the team assembled by Kairon Baekjak and conduct an exploration.
🎁 Success: Continued exploration
🎁 Failure: Trial to prove your worth
[Accept?]
[Yes/No]
Of course he accepted.
“Naturally.”
“Good. I trust you.”
Kairon shifted his gaze from Mu-hyuk to the NPCs.
“Everyone, good luck.”
“Worry not, my lord!”
“Yes, Veron. Lead them well.”
“Yes, sir!”
Kairon nodded, and Veron addressed the group.
“Move out!”
With him at the front, the NPCs marched confidently. Mu-hyuk trailed cautiously at the rear.
They ignored him now, but inside the dungeon, things would change.
They didn't know the secret space's location anyway.
That would be the starting point to build rapport.
I have to raise their favor.
Illusion's NPCs differed from other games.
Fixed NPCs like merchants adjusted to game logic during work hours.
If tasked to fetch something and they returned in a second, the system made it believable.
Mobile NPCs, however, acted like real people, demanding caution.
Gaining favor made them invaluable.
A mere knight today could become the empire's knight captain tomorrow.
“Halt!”
Lost in thought, they'd arrived.
“Final preparations before entry.”
“Yes, sir!”
Veron politely addressed the mages and priests behind.
“We request your buffs.”
“Of course.”
He approached Mu-hyuk last.
“You must be the mercenary.”
“Yes.”
“No monsters on the first floor, correct?”
“None when I checked.”
“Understood. Can you guide us?”
“Certainly. I'll take point.”
Veron nodded.
Still polite, even to a merc.
Many knights used informal speech with users. As quasi-nobles, they grew arrogant over time.
Yet Veron, despite his age, spoke formally to Mu-hyuk.
Seems decent.
But such types often built walls.
Better target the others first.
Preparations complete.
“Entering!”
Veron glanced at Mu-hyuk.
Step.
Understanding, Mu-hyuk advanced.
Pressing the dark brick on the right, the massive door groaned open.
As discussed, he took the lead.
Whoosh.
Light burst from both sides, illuminating the path as before.
“Moving out.”
With that, he proceeded.
Toward the secret space.
*
They arrived.
“Here it is.”
“Hmm.”
Veron reached out but hit the white barrier.
Stepping aside, he eyed the mage.
“If you would.”
“Certainly.”
The mage stepped forward, forming hand seals.
A magic circle etched in the air.
Mana flowed from his fingers.
At its peak—
Hwaaaak.
Brilliant light enveloped the invisible barrier.
Dispel...!
A 5th-circle spell.
Fitting for the count's mage.
At least level 250.
The knights and priests matched him.
Feels solid.
The barrier dissolved like melting ice.
“Phew, barrier dispelled.”
“Well done.”
Veron tested again.
Smooth.
No obstruction.
“No stamina drain—entering now.”
Veron led, knights beside him, mages and priests behind.
Mu-hyuk brought up the rear.
Stepping in, a new world unfolded.
“...!”
Eyes widened.
“Where is this...?”
“Hmm. Seems like another place.”
They rushed to the left window.
“Second floor!”
“Second floor?”
“Yes!”
Veron checked himself, confirming the undeniable truth.
“Hmm...”
The secret space was an entrance to the second floor.
As expected.
Only Mu-hyuk had anticipated it.
This was the quest to unlock the Tower content.
“What now?”
“What else? We scout!”
It was Kairon Baekjak's personal request.
They needed results.
“Move!”
The group's dynamic shifted.
Mu-hyuk, once detached, joined them.
Mu-hyuk clenched his fist.
Grip.
Experience would be distributed by contribution, but joining alone held great meaning.
Now he could attack monsters under the guise of helping, without glares.
How far had they gone?
Krrrr...
Unlike the first floor, monsters lurked here.
Variant Mad Dogs.
Like rabid hounds larger than tigers—level 60 powerhouses.
Hmm...
But Mu-hyuk felt disappointed.
Weaker than expected.
The tower's levels were low.
This derailed his plans.
Strong monsters would justify his aid, but here? Nothing to do.
Interfering would just draw ire.
Best stay quiet on this floor.
Report low-level threats to Kairon.
He'd reform the team, then tackle the third floor together.
*
The Variant Mad Dogs melted away pathetically.
Level 250 NPCs made it inevitable.
Mu-hyuk waited at the back, dissecting corpses at the end.
“Short break!”
Even they accumulated fatigue, it seemed.
Perfect timing!
Mu-hyuk approached a regular knight.
Xavier, was it?
“Sir Xavier?”
“Hm?”
“Your sword and shield are quite damaged.”
No waiting for a reply.
“I know repairs. Shall I?”
“Ah, really?”
“Of course.”
“Much obliged.”
Mu-hyuk took the proffered sword and shield.
Before him, he unpacked repair tools and began.
Tang! Tang!
The sounds drew attention naturally.
Knights approached one by one.
“Ho, you handle repairs.”
A tone noting his utility, but he ignored it.
They'd part after this floor anyway.
Just affirm positively to the count.
Internally scoffing, he continued.
Tang!
Finished.
“Done.”
“Hmm.”
Xavier inspected them, his expression brightening.
“Not bad at all.”
Another knight stepped up.
“Ahem, mind doing mine...?”
“Haha, leave it to me!”
In about ten minutes, even Veron's gear was repaired.
Then, cooking tools.
“Hmm...!”
Not just knights—mages and priests took interest.
Five hours of combat had left stomachs rumbling.
Mu-hyuk smiled softly, tossing in premium ingredients liberally.
Even the proudest bent before instinct.
Especially hunger before tantalizing food.
They'd ask awkwardly, even from a disliked person.
Can I eat?
Human nature. Food meant survival.
A primal drive.
And permission?
Favor skyrocketed.
Mu-hyuk exploited it masterfully.
Aroma boost.
More stimulating scent.
“O, oooh...”
A swallow echoed.
Gulp.
Mu-hyuk set down a bottle of liquor from his inventory with a thunk.
His trump card.