The Key to the Abyss
The purple lightning crackled at my fingertips as I flicked my wrist playfully.
Thunder God
“No way. You’ve already mastered the power of the Thunder God perfectly?!”
“Turns out it wasn’t that hard once I tried.”
I kept my tone light and teasing. Sun Wukong remained silent for a long moment, no text appearing above the manual.
He seemed genuinely shocked.
Still, a Taoist technique that strengthens reflexes using the power of lightning? Not bad at all. My agility had increased by fifteen percent, and my body’s reaction speed had sharpened noticeably.
Even better, it stacked cleanly with both Night Goddess’s Blessing and Fior’s Protection. Since the activation principles were completely different, the buffs applied without any conflict.
If I picked up a few more support-oriented Taoist techniques, my overall combat power would skyrocket.
「Heh heh.」
「As expected, this is entertaining. Teaching someone is usually a hassle, but with you… it might actually be worthwhile.」
「Congratulations on passing the test, mortal!」
For such a cheerful declaration, the gap in our conversation had been suspiciously long. I decided not to nitpick.
After all, Sun Wukong had repeatedly promised that if he won the bet, he would teach me with ‘utmost sincerity.’ A little slip-up like this was easy enough to overlook.
“So, what technique are you going to teach me?”
「After analyzing the Taoist energy infused in the manual, I found that lightning and fire attributes pair particularly well with you.」
“In that case, I’ll learn another lightning-based technique.”
「You may only receive two techniques per week, so choose carefully.」
“I already have something in mind.”
「Well, if that’s your decision, I shall respect it. The technique I will teach you this time is Thunder Net.」
It was the same spell the corrupted Imugi had used. Wide area of effect, considerable destructive power, and the ability to completely restrict an opponent’s movements. A truly powerful technique.
“So that’s the net you tried to trap me with.”
Nyx clicked her tongue, clearly remembering the Imugi raid as well.
「This is on an entirely different level of difficulty compared to the Thunder God you learned first, so stay focused.」
A short while later—
Thunder Net
“Done already?”
「You son of a—」
A string of archaic profanity in elegant calligraphy floated above the manual.
Taoist techniques proved incredibly useful.
The ten-to-seven conversion ratio when changing internal energy into Taoist energy was a bit disappointing, but the techniques more than made up for it.
“Hmm. From what I can see, they don’t seem all that different from magic,” Nyx observed.
“Unlike magic, they’re much better at deceiving an opponent’s senses.”
Magic always produced mana fluctuations during the casting process, making it impossible to use stealthily. That was exactly why mage-type players struggled with infiltration missions.
Taoist techniques, on the other hand, released almost no external waves until the very moment of activation. Perfect for catching enemies off guard and striking at their blind spots.
“And the buffs don’t overlap with existing skills either.”
“Have any of the skills you’ve learned so far suffered reduced effectiveness?”
“Not yet. But that’ll change later.”
There were drawbacks, of course.
First was the loss that occurred during the conversion process I’d mentioned earlier. Losing thirty percent was one thing, but every single Taoist technique consumed a massive amount of energy.
Even the basic Thunder God required internal energy equivalent to the first form of Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts. Thunder Net demanded several times that amount of Taoist energy to activate.
Thanks to Primordial Dragon Heart and True Jewel, I could convert mana, dark mana, and internal energy between each other. But changing energies with fundamentally different properties required extremely precise control.
Simply pouring energy into the True Jewel wouldn’t automatically transform mana into internal energy and then into Taoist energy.
“Even with the inconvenience, they’re definitely worth using in real combat.”
I wondered just how much stronger I could become once I truly mastered Taoist techniques.
At this rate, I might reach my pre-regression level within ten years. A realm where I could face one or two Old Gods head-on and still emerge victorious.
It had taken over thirty years to reach that point in my previous life.
But now, things were different.
No… one or two wouldn’t be enough.
I would keep advancing until I possessed the strength to crush dozens of them.
After finishing my training, I returned to the lobby.
Getting used to handling Taoist energy had consumed quite a bit of mana. Although Primordial Dragon Heart had restored most of the spent energy, it couldn’t erase the mental fatigue. I still wasn’t completely comfortable manipulating Taoist energy yet.
“Master! Big news!”
“What is it?”
Lee Jiyoung came running up to me.
“Since when do you watch the news?”
“It was trending on SNS, so I turned it on. But look at this!”
She pointed at the TV. A news segment was playing on screen.
“Those guys. They’re finally making their move.”
“Master, did you already know this would happen?”
“I expected Hwarang and Phoenix. But I didn’t think Mir would get involved too.”
It wasn’t hard to guess why.
The Mir Guild only had one Ranker as their guild master. With two new Rankers joining Yeokcheon, they must have been terrified of falling out of the top ten guilds. Hwarang had likely exploited that fear to drag Mir into their little scheme.
“I can already see how this is going to play out.”
“Master, please. We’re in the VOD era now, you know?”
“……”
“This is what they call a generation gap, ugh.”
For a moment, I was completely speechless.
Hey, how big is the age difference between us that you’re talking about a generation gap?
“Master, just give the word and I’ll crush them for you.”
“M-Master?! Master, when did he start calling you that?!”
The moment Ping Lei jumped into the conversation, Lee Jiyoung’s face filled with clear discomfort.
“Instructor and Master are two different things. Make sure you distinguish them properly.”
“Hmph. Then since I’m Master’s first disciple, that makes you my junior.”
Ping Lei’s jaw dropped. He’d made the same face when he contracted with Sun Wukong. At this rate, I was worried his jaw might actually dislocate.
“T-That’s…”
“In China, they call that ‘accident,’ right? From now on, you will speak to me with proper respect.”
“No! I joined this guild to follow Master, not because of you!”
“If you want to call my master ‘Master,’ then we’re connected whether you like it or not.”
Ping Lei, you’re never going to win an argument with her, so just stay quiet.
“We’ll sort out your title issues later. For now, gather all the guild members in the lobby.”
A short while later, every member currently staying at the guild house had assembled.
I shared the news segment we had just seen.
The room immediately filled with murmurs.
Kim Youngsoo and Lee Jiyoung looked burdened by the news, while Ping Lei and Enrique didn’t even try to hide their fighting spirit. Karla, as a guest member, remained her usual calm self.
“I have one question,” Kim Youngsoo said.
“Yes, go ahead, hyung-nim.”
“Guild Master, what do you plan to do?”
“We fight, obviously.”
I answered without hesitation.
“As expected.”
“Do you lack confidence, hyung-nim?”
“If it were just me, I might hesitate. But if the Guild Master is confident, then that changes everything.”
The unwavering trust shining in Kim Youngsoo’s eyes was almost blinding. He looked like he would believe me even if I told him I could make soybean paste out of red beans.
This guy is way too easy to scam. I should check his salary details later.
Bzzzz—!
The caller was Team Leader Han Suchang. Perfect timing.
I answered and immediately switched to speakerphone.
“I saw the news.”
—I never expected those three guilds to form an alliance. This is the Association’s oversight. We failed to anticipate it.
“Oversight is a bit harsh. The Association doesn’t interfere with power struggles between guilds anyway, right?”
—But this involves the guild you founded, Jinho-nim.
“Anyway, has anything official come through the Association?”
—Yes. We just received an official document. They want to compete with the Yeokcheon Guild in a race to clear the 35th floor.
“Did everyone hear that?”
I lifted my phone so the guild members could see the screen.
—J-Jinho-nim?
“I was actually in the middle of discussing this matter with the guild members.”
—Ah, I see. Then…
“Please wait a moment. We’ll reach a decision quickly.”
I set the phone face-down and looked around at everyone.
“Should I handle this alone, or do you all want to join me?”
Even if they were the promising talents raised by those three guilds, I was confident I could defeat them by myself.
But.
It was time to raise the name of Yeokcheon rather than just the individual reputation of Yu Jinho.
“Master, please give us twenty days.”
“I swear I won’t tarnish your reputation.”
“I want to fight them.”
“I’ll definitely repay everything you’ve invested in us!”
“I only believe in you, Guild Master.”
Excluding the already Ranker-level Shin Junseok and Hong Yunsu, everyone else was still at Bronze rank. None of them had even entered the 30th floor range that the three guilds were challenging.
There were still about fifteen days left until the next promotion test.
Just as Ping Lei said, twenty days should be more than enough.
“Did you hear that?”
—Yes. I will adjust the date to twenty days from now.
I ended the call and looked up again.
The guild members were staring at me with burning eyes.
“Hehe, everyone has the same look in their eyes as you do, partner.”
“It’s the look of someone ready to devour their prey.”
“Look in a mirror. Then you’ll understand why I said that.”
“I politely decline.”
Twenty days, huh.
Looked like climbing the Tower normally was off the table for a while.
The guild members would need to focus on clearing Gates rather than training if they wanted to raise their levels in time.
In that case…
“This timing seems perfect.”
“Master, what do you mean?”
“I’m going to be away for about ten days.”
“Huh?”
All the guild members’ eyes widened in surprise.
The next day.
After giving Kim Youngsoo Han Suchang’s contact information, I logged into the Tower.
—Isn’t the 33rd floor somewhere you’ve already cleared?
Nyx, now in her spirit form, clung to my shoulder.
The 33rd floor’s mission was rock climbing. Or more accurately, descending a cliff.
The goal was to reach the ground hundreds of meters below.
“Yeah, I’m going somewhere.”
With a mysterious smile, I skillfully climbed down the cliff face.
Strong gusts of wind occasionally swept past, but I easily deflected them with Wind Path.
My steps were so light it felt like a casual stroll, and I soon reached the bottom of the cliff.
The clear reward was 3,000 CP. Since I had already received the first-clear bonus, even breaking the record would only grant additional CP.
The real prize was only just beginning.
I reached into the Pocket of Desire hanging at my waist.
My fingers closed around a long metal key.
It was the item I had obtained in the Pit of Demons and Monsters — the Key of the Netherworld.
—Didn’t you say that key opens the door to the Tower’s underground?
“That’s right. And that door is right here.”
Hidden doors scattered throughout the Tower.
The common feature of all hidden doors was that they were located on sheer cliffs that seemed to touch the sky.
Mortals believed hell lay beneath the earth. A place far from the heavens, untouched by light — that was the perfect dwelling for the fallen Old Gods who had lost their starlight.
—Didn’t you say it would be difficult to challenge before reaching Gold rank?
“I did.”
—Will you be alright?
“I’ve gained a lot of new abilities. It should be manageable now.”
Taoist techniques, Void Mirror, and Fusion Qigong.
These were powerful skills I had never obtained in my previous life.
With only my original abilities, obtaining what I wanted would have been nearly impossible…
But with these opportunities stacked together, I had finally met the minimum requirements to survive in the Tower’s underground.
And above all—
“I have you with me, Goddess.”
My greatest ally and the strongest asset I possessed.
My friend, Nyx, was here.
—Hehe, in the end, the only one you can truly rely on is me.
“Yes, yes. I’ll be counting on you.”
—Anyone who seeks to harm you is my enemy as well. Leave it to me.
Nyx proudly puffed out her chest and patted it with her tiny hands. The sight was so adorable that I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Let’s begin.”
The moment I thrust the purple key into the ground—
A small hole appeared and swallowed more than half the key.
Clunk—!
The sound of a lock disengaging echoed.
I gripped the key tightly in my right hand.