[Temple of the Sea (3).]
The grand name belied the truth. The Sea Serpent statue didn’t look anything like the legendary sea serpents—two-legged, snake-headed monsters. Instead, it was a sleek, sculpted humanoid figure with a long serpentine tail. At nearly five meters tall, it towered far above any normal human, its body carved from stone yet somehow radiating raw power.
Each muscle perfectly defined, every contour sharp and refined like a masterpiece. This was no ordinary guardian. This was the elite monster that protected the Temple of the Sea—the Sea Serpent Statue.
“Shouldn’t we try now?”
Yu Dahui had been quick to judge. The moment she touched the Sea Serpent Statue, she sensed the Return by Death ability kicking in. One month of brutal training and she still couldn’t even lay a finger on a single elite monster. It was a bitter reality, but she had no time for self-reproach. Elite and boss monsters were always the domain of raids—the player’s special event.
They headed straight for Second City. Lizardmen and fairies huddled together at the entrance, waiting.
“Here, take your share.”
Each person received 50,000 coins.
“Oye!”
The fairies spun around the lizardmen in a joyful circle, 100,000 coins clutched tightly as they danced and twirled. After only a few hours of staring blankly, earning 100,000 coins felt like pure joy.
“Sshrik… I don’t know why, but it seems we got what we wanted.”
“Yes. Thanks to you, exactly as promised.”
“Is that so?”
The lizardman flicked his tongue. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Kim Jinwoo, let’s go.”
“Sshrik!”
He’s calling me a “beast-like female” now? Hmph.
I’m not that kind of guy. Just let me have some fun.
Yu Dahui grabbed his arm and pulled, her expression uneasy. “Do you have a moment? We just earned 100,000 coins—let’s treat you to dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“Lizardmen have a custom of treating those who have helped us. Could you spare some time for our race?”
“Did I hear that right?”
Kim Jinwu couldn’t hide his surprise. ‘Such a custom? I’ve never heard of that in the novel.’
“It’s in the story. Not once did any lizardman mention it.”
“Just come with me.”
“Alright.”
Yu Dahui yanked his sleeve with a mix of annoyance. “Fine, but next time, treat us properly.”
“Humans are obsessed in a way that doesn’t suit their species. Males are supposed to spread their seed among many females…”
What the—
The lizardman grabbed his wrist and shouted at Yu Dahui, “Sshrik! As a female, act like one! Don’t try to steal a male’s seed!”
“Sshrik!”
Yu Dahui shoved him off, but the lizardman’s grip was surprisingly strong—nearly milking the strength he’d used to nurse his young.
“You filthy bitch…”
Enough. I can’t stand it anymore.
I’ll cut you down!
Pfft.
Whoa, that was fast. Never seen that before.
The lizardman staggered back, blood streaming from his arm. “Ah, damn it.”
Return by Death
Yu Dahui collapsed. [‘Return by Death’ has activated.] The world reset to the beginning.
[Return by Death activated.]
“The lizardman suddenly tried to court me… Was it the estrus skill?”
I don’t get it, but he definitely crossed a line. I should have pushed him off harder.
You’re way too soft. A lizard? Please.
At least a lizard. Not a human male. That would be terrifying.
“Let’s just leave.”
“Wait, at least greet him.”
“He tried to court you?”
“How was I supposed to know?”
I tried to explain, but she just glared. In her shoes, I would’ve been furious too.
“We’re not going anywhere.”
“What?”
“I need to get stronger so no one can look down on me.”
├─ Tier 1: Basic stealth technique ✓
├─ Tier 2: Improved concealment ✓
└─ Tier 3: Enhanced concealment — UNLOCKED ★
“Nothing special.”
They collected gear from Elena and reached First City. The duel with Horin had already turned into a massive coin explosion. Nothing out of the ordinary.
“Jinwoo. Let’s train again starting today. There’s nothing else we can do right now.”
Coin farming was possible through new players who graduated from the Academy, but the Sea Serpent Statue was an elite monster. Training was the only option at this point. Yu Dahui seemed to have other motives, so he kept quiet.
“Fine.”
He gave Elena her orders—not exactly a request. He wanted her help with training.
They began in earnest. In the first week, Yu Dahui trained hard, but her stats remained stuck. Motivation started to wane.
“I want to do something else.”
“Huh? Something else?”
You’re stuck at the same point after a week. We need a different approach.
Grueling training didn’t suit him. He and the regressor Yu Dahui had to grow in different directions.
├─ Tier 1: Basic stealth technique ✓
├─ Tier 2: Improved concealment ✓
└─ Tier 3: Enhanced concealment — UNLOCKED ★
“Black magic. And I should use humans to my advantage.”
Humans had the lowest skill requirements compared to other races. In other words, fewer restrictions on using the System.
Protective Camouflage was a skill I acquired by using my human body. Other races can’t learn it easily. It’s a privilege only humans can enjoy.
“Let me find some decent guys…”
He’d been in the first floor for nearly two months. Familiar faces. He would approach them and learn their race-specific skills.
This was his method of growth, alongside black magic—making it all work together.
“Keep Protective Camouflage active…”
The time had come to level it up. He hoped it would be useful someday.
Some races have traits humans can’t learn. Swim breathing? Impossible for humans, so I need races where the System correction allows it. Not super rare ones.
“Horin.”
He started with the beastmen he knew best—tiger, pig, cat, rabbit. They never seemed to fit together.
“Why did you call, human male?”
I’m friends with you now. But that doesn’t mean I trust you with anything important.
“Teach me your skills.”
“Skills?”
“Yeah. The ones you’ve had since you were summoned.”
“Of course. Even the highest level.”
├─ Tier 1: Basic stealth technique ✓
├─ Tier 2: Improved concealment ✓
└─ Tier 3: Enhanced concealment — UNLOCKED ★
“Humans don’t have that?”
“Yeah. We’re a super weak race.”
“Interesting. Can I actually learn it from you?”
“I’ll teach you and think about it. I’ll handle the learning myself.”
Skills beyond human limits? Kim Jinwu wasn’t sure, but these beastmen all walked on two legs, so they might be able to learn something.
“You all?”
Are you serious? These idiots?
“Pig, cat, rabbit… there’s no overlap.”
…Ugh, why am I the one teaching them?
“Give us carrots and we’ll think about it.”
“Carrots?”
“You can’t buy decent ones with this.”
“Look, I don’t have a single coin.”
I know how you turned Horin into a slave and made a fortune. You know we were all betting on her.
“You don’t like being broke. I get it.”
“That’s all stored by Yu Dahui.”
“Slave life, huh?”
“It’s not slavery… Anyway, I won. I’m just letting you win. For peace.”
“You don’t have to say it. I already know. Males are supposed to lose to females. It’s not like I lost.”
The rabbit beastman stared at him with a serious face, eyes full of complicated emotions.
Shiba… this guy…
The rabbit beastman took a carrot from his inventory and handed it over.
“Carrot, carrot, carrot…”
[I miss my daughter.]
“If you go up, maybe we’ll meet again? When you reach the end of the Tower of Struggle…”
“I know I’m not that far. I’ll just stay on the first floor and wait for my daughter to be summoned.”
“Even if she’s summoned, there’s still the tutorial.”
“Then I should just wait on the first floor.”
“Then let me get coins from the female Yu Dahui and buy you stuff.”
“I’ll get them later. First teach me.”
“I believe you.”
“Our rabbit race is born with exceptional hearing and strong legs.”
“I met a rabbit beastman once. Her survival instincts are crazy. They live longer than other races and climb the Tower of Struggle.”
Their kicks are insane.
“Their skills are essentially race-corrected martial arts.”
Kim Jinwu and the rabbit beastman practiced together. Skills were acquired.
├─ Tier 1: Basic martial stance ✓
├─ Tier 2: Enhanced footwork ✓
└─ Tier 3: Advanced martial arts — UNLOCKED ★
Skill fusion confirmed.
├─ Tier 1: Basic martial stance ✓
├─ Tier 2: Enhanced footwork ✓
├─ Tier 3: Advanced martial arts ✓
└─ Tier 4: Rabbit Beastman Martial Arts Lv.8 — UNLOCKED ★
“Martial Arts has been absorbed. Nothing changes—only the range expanded.”
“Why is the level so high?”
It was ridiculous. A brand-new skill at level 8?
├─ Tier 1: Heat cycle triggered ✓
└─ Tier 2: Seed boosts pregnancy ✓
Another skill appeared automatically after fusion.
“What… Estrus?”
Estrus Lv.1
Rabbit Beastman Rank → Human Kim Jinwoo
● Triggers heat cycle on schedule.
● Heat cannot be released until climax.
● Seed during heat massively increases pregnancy chance.
“Shiba…”
This is disgusting. But the rabbit beastman gave it to me. I have to take responsibility.
The world blurred. Especially the male beastmen in front of him. Horin became crystal clear.
“Ah, what is this?”
“You have a decent cock. Is this because the female is visible?”
“Yeah, only Horin is clear. What the hell?”
“It’s the estrus. When a rabbit beastman enters estrus, they charge at any female and mate.”
“Mate? I’m human. I.M.Human. Estrus? That’s ridiculous.”
Estrus Lv.1
Rabbit Beastman Rank → Human Kim Jinwoo
● Triggers heat cycle on schedule.
● Heat cannot be released until climax.
● Seed during heat massively increases pregnancy chance.
“I’m a human male. Managing a dick is hard enough.”
“Rrrroar.”
“You’ve become a beast. Go find Yu Dahui. If we’re going to mate, it should be with your own woman.”
“This shiba skill… I can’t even remove it and it’s fucking me up…”
I can’t see a thing. The scent from Horin is intoxicating. I just want to bite, suck, and fuck her right now.
He waved his arms aimlessly.
“Carrots. Absolutely no carrots.”
“Promise me. I trust our friendship.”
“Friendship my ass.”
Miyaoong. Why are you spitting on me?
“Ah, sorry.”
I can’t see a damn thing. Everything but Horin is fogged over.
He turned his head and changed direction. Everywhere he looked, females radiated lewd scents. His cock was rock-hard and throbbing painfully.
Yu Dahui… Yu Dahui…
“She’s probably with Elena.”
“Send Yu Dahui to me.”
Shiba…
He rushed into his room as fast as he could. Outside, he didn’t know what he might do.
Scrape. Scrape.
[Intense scent filling the entrance.]
A sweet, sweaty scent from Yu Dahui. “Hey, Kim Jinwoo… mmmph!”
He couldn’t hold back any longer. He pulled her close and crashed his lips against hers, rough and desperate.