Seo Jin-hyeok: The True Enemy

I sprinted back to the dark elf village at full speed, only to find it reduced to rubble. The sight was so devastating it made a mockery of everything we'd fought to protect from the serpent dragon. Even the towering spires were crumbling. My heart pounded in the face of this incomprehensible scene. I frantically spread out my mana, searching for Elenoir. And that's how we ended up here.

Stab.

A black spike, woven from shadows like the branches the serpent dragon had wielded. It pierced straight through Elenoir's back, protruding grotesquely, pulsing with a strange flow of mana. It felt eerily familiar. The spike extended from some distant, unknowable black mass. The mass writhed, taking shape—a filthy, humanoid lump of mud, lacking the components to truly be called human.

"I do not die. I shall never perish. Do you even know who I am?"

The voice leaking from what might have been its mouth revealed its identity.

It was him.

Drip.

The black figure yanked out the spike. Elenoir staggered and collapsed face-first onto the ground. Blood pooled everywhere.

"Elenoir."

I called her name, something I rarely ever did. No response. I hurriedly opened my inventory, pulled out a potion, and poured it over her wound. She was still alive. But her condition was clearly dire. Too much blood loss. Even if the wound healed—

No, don't think like that.

"Get it together, damn it. What the hell am I supposed to do if you go and die like this…?!"

I poured another potion, then stared at the wound. What the fuck do I do with this?

"Th-that… ba…"

Elenoir fluttered her eyes open faintly and called my name. But her voice was drowned out by another.

"I am the king of all elves, the one who shall cross the stars to lead the new elves, the one who rejects death and ruin!"

Its voice—mixed with telepathy—grated on my ears, probably because of its grotesque form.

Grind.

Listening to its rambling bullshit made my clenched teeth rattle with a weird sound.

"I am the embodiment of desire, the representative of the immortality everyone dreams of!"

"Shut your fucking mouth, you piece of shit!"

"Desire never fades. Your petty blade cannot touch me!"

I drew my sword, glaring at the jiggling lump of filth. It swung an arm that bent like a tentacle. The speed and force were no joke. I immediately activated Full Force to block it.

Boom!

Just the clash alone sent a massive shockwave through my body, hurling me backward. Elenoir's body, which I'd set down momentarily, got caught in it and rolled away. My sword hand was torn open, blood dripping. This couldn't be real—not even a world boss should hit like this anymore.

"Why… why always… why every damn time, why you fucking bastards! Why?!"

The words wouldn't come out right. Why did this always happen to me? Hidden bosses, world bosses, gimmick dungeons impossible solo—why did they all show up in my path? I'd gotten this strong, yet something even stronger always blocked the way. Always, every time, just me!

"Cut me some fucking slack, you assholes!"

My emotions surged, mana roiling in response. But the churning mana just leaked out uselessly, giving me no power. If only I could use Mana Reinforcement. If the pendant hadn't broken. If I weren't a goddamn solo player.

I could've handled it then. But why was I such a worthless piece of shit, Seo Jin-hyeok?

Bang!!!

"Guh!"

Another tentacle slammed into my shield, the impact crushing through my body. I didn't fly back this time. But Elenoir's body got dragged away again. Fucking hell. I couldn't win like this without Mana Reinforcement. This bastard was insanely strong.

"Fuuuuck!"

I sheathed my sword, hoisted Elenoir's bleeding body onto my back, and bolted. First things first—get out of here. I had no clue what was happening, or if I could even beat it. But I couldn't leave her like this. She'd get caught in the crossfire and die for sure.

Thankfully, its attacks didn't reach far. A few grazed me, but its movement was slow too, so I quickly put distance between us.

Bang! Bang!

The mud monster chasing me started wrecking the dark elf village indiscriminately, and I kept running farther.

Starlight Lake

I arrived at the place where I'd once danced with the fairies—a spot that had stirred something deep in my chest. A place laced with memories, perhaps. There, I held the dying Elenoir in my arms.

And slowly, she opened her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eyes.

**

The pierced wound had healed somewhat. But there was no sign of full recovery. Of course not. I'd survived near-death countless times not because of potions, but my regeneration. Potions from Floor 9 couldn't fix massive organ damage like this.

"Why did you come back, my dear? Was the quest not finished…?"

I shook my head. The epic quest was definitely complete. I'd been about to leave the floor.

"We agreed no separate goodbyes, so why come back… and get hurt again."

She couldn't even see the hole punched through her own body, worrying about my minor scratches instead. I had no answer for that. Hell, I didn't even know why I'd come back.

Whatever happened in the dark elf village wasn't my problem anymore. The quest was done. They were all just NPCs—hollow shells without souls. No reason to return. My head knew that, but—

My body moved on its own.

"I see… You were worried about us? Your heart guided you."

Elenoir's hand touched my chest. I thought the same. Something I'd decided to discard long ago, but still clung to. A sentiment that directly defied my will to climb the Tower—it had turned my feet around.

Pathetic, so fucking pathetic, Seo Jin-hyeok. Beaten down like that, and still not over it. How many more times do I have to go through this to finally let go?

No, damn it. At this point, I had to admit it. Why was fooling myself so hard?

I'd discarded so much. Trivial desires. Built-up habits. Humanity. Options. Complacent happiness.

After discarding and discarding—

"Heh, I suppose I should thank that specter."

Only what I couldn't discard remained.

"For giving me this chance to leave you with the words I'd prepared."

Surrounded by death, Elenoir smiled clearly.

"Don't grieve, my dear. Haven't I been dead for ages?"

Before that smile, I couldn't utter a word.

**

A brief silence passed, and Elenoir slowly stroked my cheek.

"I'm actually content now. Not fading away quietly like some forgotten tin can, but departing in your arms like this."

Her hand trembled violently. And it was cold—already like a corpse.

"Not that I'm complaining. I've done plenty of that. I just… had something I really wanted to tell you."

Overjoyed that the dead could convey something to the living, she smiled with her eyes again. The hand stroking my cheek, the strained smile—they felt like gestures to soothe me.

"You shouldn't have come here. If you meant to stick to your resolve, you should've gone straight to the next floor without a glance."

She asked why I'd rushed back. I'd already admitted through her lips that it was a heart at odds with my will, yet I stammered anyway.

Because of my heart. Because of this weakness I couldn't discard. Because pathetic human trash, utter fuck-up Seo Jin-hyeok still hadn't gotten his shit together.

She blinked at my outpouring, then lightly tapped my cheek.

"Oh dear… no strength in your hand anymore. I wanted to smack you hard."

Her hand stroked my cheek again.

"That's not it. You're wrong."

It wasn't the touch or tone of rebuke.

"I've seen all your memories and feelings. I know exactly what you need to hear right now."

With that, Elenoir forced her dripping body upright—wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and pulled me into an embrace.

"You did nothing wrong. You're not weak or pathetic. None of it is your fault."

Squeeze. Weak but firm, she held me and whispered.

"You've never once wished for death. Even now, I feel it from your heart."

Something felt off. My stomach churned. Just a few words, and—

I felt like puking. I swallowed hard. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But it welled up from elsewhere. My cheeks burned.

"You've always wanted forgiveness, haven't you?"

Something I'd long forgotten, the first thing I'd discarded. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

**

I had no idea what was happening. Amid countless pains, these transparent tears that never showed—why now? Why from words I couldn't even comprehend? I didn't understand—and hating myself for it made me pathetic.

Elenoir slowly patted my back, whispering bit by bit.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

It's not your fault.

"Wh-what… what the hell are you talking about?"

I asked hoarsely, voice shaking.

"It's not your fault."

"What the—?!"

"You did nothing wrong."

No matter how I pressed, no real answer. What did she want from me? I had no clue. None at all.

"You didn't kill your mother. It's not your fault. Not because you're weak."

Her hand now stroked my healing wound. It stung.

"I told you, I saw all your memories. You think I didn't see how you torment yourself?"

She caressed various spots on my body. Not her usual groping. Every place she touched was where I'd repeatedly self-harmed to build tolerance.

"You wanted punishment, right? So you could be forgiven after. But you could never forgive yourself."

The truth I'd painfully averted was shoved in my face. Yeah, that was spot on. Of course it was. Who could forgive me? No one in this world had the right.

Only dead Mom did.

I killed Mom. I got her killed. Until she died, I made excuses and did nothing. I knew that better than anyone. So I could never forgive myself.

"No one can truly examine themselves. Looking back, you only see 'past you'—a stranger."

"Those who live reflectively are even more so. They constantly look back, find flaws, and try to fix them."

"But I dare say: that's no flaw. Don't confuse it. Were your actions truly wrong?"

What actions was she talking about? I racked my brain, but no answer came.

"What did your mother want?"

My heart sank.

"Did she want you to torment yourself and rush to death?"

Elenoir had seen my past. My entire life on film, stained with Mom's image.

Mom wanted me never to feel inferior anywhere. She wanted me to see only the good, enjoy only the good. So she diminished herself, giving me everything good.

Even when I was rotting in my room, trapped in the Tower. She begged for help everywhere, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ran herself ragged for me, and died of overwork.

"Did your mother resent you?"

I shook my head. No way. Even when I was a worthless NEET doing jack shit, she loved me ridiculously.

I realized. The one who could forgive me wasn't Mom.

Because from the start—

"Mom never blamed me…"

The thought slipped out for the first time. Tears came with it.

Elenoir nodded. And said: Forgive yourself now. Stop tormenting yourself.

But I couldn't contain the boiling in my gut. What the hell was I supposed to do with this?

"Think: What did your mother truly resent? Surely not you."

"I don't know."

"No, you do. And ironically, I resent it too. More than anything."

A word flashed in my mind. Something I'd long excluded from view.

"And you know that the emotion boiling in your heart was aimed at it from the beginning."

Then Elenoir whispered the name of that emotion to me.

**

After that, she spoke more directly, repeating the same theme. Once I got it, I understood what she meant right away.

"Ahh, it's coming… the end, for real. But we had enough time. Good thing I trained for this."

We both felt her life reaching its limit. Thanks to this lake. The night elf secret art link had deepened again, sharing emotions.

"Now, wipe those tear tracks—there, your eyes look even cooler now. Just my type."

I felt her faint hesitation. I said nothing, just waited.

Mwah.

A shy kiss, utterly unlike her sensual teasing, touched my lips. Her pale face flushed slightly.

Yeah, well, all that experienced act—figures. With a fiancé set since forever, no freedom to date anyone.

"Yeah, last chance… wanted to try it. Sorry if my nagging old-lady act annoyed you."

Not at all. She knew best why I'd walled her off.

"No."

But I felt her intent vividly, so I answered right away. Supporting her neck, I leaned in carefully—

This time, I kissed her.

"Heh, as expected of the man I chose. Perfect fit."

Acting casual, but her embarrassment poured through. Hell, even without the link—her beet-red face said it all.

Then, her fingertips began to glow white. The light when monsters die.

"Ahh, nailed the timing."

As she faded from the extremities, at the very end—

She shed a tear.

"Still, if possible… I wanted to go past kissing."

With those final words, her body vanished completely—

And her soul flew off somewhere.

I wouldn't lament failing her last wish. I'd conveyed it through our hearts.

**

The high elf king—a mud lump specter returned from death—was still rampaging in the village. I re-equipped my sword and shield, walking calmly toward it.

"Fled with your tail between your legs, now lost your mind, foolish human swordsman?"

In that short time, it'd sucked life from others—its telepathy brimmed with immense mana. As always, this thing transcended Floor 9 specs. What context spawned it? What backstory gave it this power?

Didn't care. Could ignore it and leave, but I chose to fight.

"Pitiful weak human, you think that frail sword can kill me—the immortal desire?"

"Yeah."

"Oh ho, you've steeled your resolve? Resolve is nothing before infinite desire."

The specter kept babbling. Demanding I voice my resolve.

I'd felt much, but no grand new oath. Just realization.

Since entering this Tower—

I'd always been angry at something.

The target shifted slightly each time, the reasons too—nothing clear.

But now I knew for sure.

What my rage truly targeted.

Shing.

I slowly drew my sword. Stared at the enemy before me.

Insanely strong. Maybe stronger than anything I'd faced.

Couldn't take it without Mana Reinforcement. And the pendant that enabled it was shattered.

But it was fine. I didn't need that anymore.

Rumble!

Mana exploded inside me, surging through blocked paths. Mana is heavily influenced by its master's emotions and will—my conflicted heart had prevented reinforcement.

No more.

No confusion now.

Elenoir taught me.

What tormented me. Bound Elenoir. Killed my mom.

I'd sworn never to blame environment or others again, so I couldn't face it—my true enemy.

This Tower of Trials itself.

I didn't know the method. If one even existed. If it was possible.

But I'd do it anyway. Smash this fucking Tower, make it pay every price.

"Will is the arrow, heart the flame."

Until I shatter this Tower and go beyond, I'd never stop.

This was my arrow, my self-sworn resolve.

And the flame fueling it—

Not some heavy resolve it demanded, but a light promise.

"I'm gonna take it past kissing with that busty dark elf beauty."

The desires I'd castrated myself became flame. Now my heart and will faced the same direction.

"Can't have trash like you blocking me."

With self-achieved Mana Reinforcement, I batted away the specter's incoming attacks. I'd grown beyond mid-floor rankers, but since the Tower itself was my goal—that wasn't enough.

I needed to get much stronger.

I knew how.

Press on without hesitation. Not content with growth's masochistic pleasure from self-abuse.

Chase this thrill to the front no one can follow, the highest peak.

Kaboom!!

Watching the mana from my swing pulverize the specter's left half, I vowed.

To become a fire arrow piercing this Tower's ceiling, soaring beyond.