Lucio and Adventure A
Clear name tags hovered vividly in the air. Next to Lucio's name, the deputy leader of Nessto, six red lines were etched like scars.
-?
-Adventure A?
-Why the hell are you here?
-Isn't Lucio the deputy guild master of Nessto?
-Did that bastard Adventure A bring the whole Nessto crew?
-Is this revenge for his guidebook getting trashed?
-Pathetic, so pathetic;
The sudden appearance of the two men shocked the viewers too. Hanbit, who had turned on the broadcast audio, looked at Adventure A and said,
"Seemed like you really wanted to see me. Guess you don't care about methods?"
"Tch."
Adventure A scowled at the question, which reminded him of the detective agency. He brushed the rain pouring down his face with clear annoyance and spoke in an irritated voice.
"Yeah, I was curious what the face of some lucky punk looked like."
"Well, if it's luck, sure it's luck. But is that really all it is?"
"...What?"
Adventure A's expression hardened at the loaded question. That reaction gave Hanbit confirmation. This guy's been to the isekai world, grabbed by the Goddess. Adventure A had sensed the same about him.
"You... what the hell are you?"
-Whoa, this guy's savage;
-What kinda freak are you?
-Don't say has-been, that's too mean lol
-Fact: He's a legit has-been from the vanguard team.
-His shitty personality made him an outcast on a deserted island.
-That baseless confidence is trash.
-He's getting pushed out soon. lol
The viewers unleashed sharp vitriol. But Hanbit could read Adventure A's thoughts crystal clear. He probably never imagined anyone besides himself had been to the isekai world. Or maybe he'd suspected but instinctively denied it. No idea why he'd do that, though.
"You two seem to have some secret connection? Kinda curious about that."
Lucio, standing beside him, spun the dagger in his hand and spoke up. His face said he found the situation intriguing, but it gave off a seriously weird vibe. Hanbit could guess why Haneul had called him dangerous. Fundamentally, no real emotion registered from him at all.
"Hear it from him yourself. The ambush is half-failed already—what now?"
"Dunno? Not my call."
Lucio flashed a grin. He didn't look like he planned to throw the spinning dagger their way. He really seemed content to just watch.
"But why's the guidebook guy acting like that toward Black Dragon? 'Cause his cheap fake got exposed?"
Grind—
Haneul's innocent question made teeth-gnashing echo loudly enough to cut through the pouring rain.
"Hey, what'd you just say?"
Adventure A pointed his oddly shaped sword at her. Something had clearly struck a major nerve.
"Jeez, such a small mind. Why snap at a kid like that?"
-Agreed
-Kids say the darndest things lol
-Must've hit a sore spot~
-Cheap
-Fake
-Trash
-Has-been
-Baldy
"You little shits...!"
Adventure A's rage spiked as he watched the broadcast. He lowered his sword and stepped forward.
"I'll just kill you all. Lucio, stay out of it."
"Do whatever."
Lucio shrugged at the fury-laced voice. Hanbit calmly asked the approaching Adventure A,
"You seemed curious about something. Just gonna kill me outright?"
"No need. Whatever lame trick you pull, Episode 3 will prove you wrong."
Shing—
A layer of gray coated his blade: Ashen Form, apparently a hidden skill. But honestly, its limits were way too obvious.
Whoosh—!
The downpour began whipping with fierce gusts. Adventure A advanced slowly through the rain, unhurried from sheer confidence. His eyes screamed he could take them all even if they rushed him, or catch them if they fled.
Hanbit glanced up at the clouds overhead, sheathed his sword, and said,
"This is your last chance, though."
"What?"
Adventure A furrowed his brow at the abrupt words.
"Your chance to kill me. Last one, I guarantee. Next time we meet, no shot."
"Ha."
He scoffed at the bold warning, then dismissed it like it wasn't worth responding to.
"Trying to psych me out or something? Just shut up and—"
Flash—!
Suddenly, yellow radiance blanketed the sky. Adventure A reflexively looked up, sensing something off, then turned to Hanbit.
"What the hell is that?"
"What else? Last chance is over."
"...!"
Boom—!
At those ominous words, Adventure A kicked off and closed the distance. His double-layered blade flew toward Hanbit's throat in an instant. Just as the sharp edge neared skin—
KABOOM—!
A massive bolt of lightning engulfed the ground. Right after, a message floated in Hanbit's vision amid the glow.
Ding—
[Dungeon: Whirlwind Tower entry ticket confirmed.]
[Entering Dungeon: Whirlwind Tower.]
***
"Huh?"
"W-What the hell is this?"
Confused voices rose amid the lightning-altered landscape. Black whirlwinds spun around them. They stood on a transparent platform before a massive door.
-??
-What?
-Whirlwind Tower?
-Dungeon out of nowhere?
-This place exists?
-Black Dragon had a plan all along?
-Adventure A got cocky and failed to kill. lmao
-Total moron lol
The chat exploded even louder at the sudden turn. Probably wiped out the two vanguards plus the rest of Nessto's crew. That death bolt had blanketed half a mountainside.
Hanbit, familiar with the sight, turned to the group.
"Entry went smooth."
Crumble—
The talisman-like paper in his hand turned to dust and scattered. The others checked their own hands too.
"Entry was lightning?"
"Thought we were goners for sure."
"I was bracing for respawn too."
The three men recalled the bolt. Meanwhile, Haneul tapped the transparent floor.
"Feels kinda familiar... Is this map in other places too?"
"...Familiar?"
Hanbit echoed her unexpected reaction curiously. She furrowed her brow slightly and said,
"Just a feeling? Like a sensation? Not sure. But the map's super pretty!"
Haneul shrugged and innocently scanned around, sharing her impressions.
No similar places exist, though.
The Whirlwind Tower stood apart from the entrance. At least in Hanbit's knowledge, nothing matched it.
Someone must've hit it first...
No info on this dungeon anywhere. But top vanguards likely visited. If they'd scouted it, they'd have the details. Way too early for the girl in front of him, though. So why the déjà vu?
"Let's sort things out before heading in."
He turned off broadcast audio again and looked at the twins. Noeul froze at eye contact; Haneul just tilted her head.
Hanbit showed his now-empty hand that had held the vanished talisman.
"The talismans I gave you? Two hundred million each."
"...Pardon?"
"Huh?"
The siblings' eyes widened at the sudden reveal. Honest reaction for their age. Even adults would freak.
"Can't expect you to pay cash. Billing your parents would be too harsh, right?"
"Ah, that's..."
Noeul's face darkened as Hanbit laid it out step by step. Haneul explained why.
"No parents. We live with grandma."
"...I see."
Hanbit faltered this time. No issue, but bad timing to bring it up.
"Sorry. Four hundred million... it'll take time, but we'll pay it back somehow."
Noeul offered compensation. Hanbit bowed slightly to meet his eyes and said,
"Told you, no cash payback planned. I gave the talismans."
"Huh? So we can come along?"
Still bubbly Haneul asked excitedly. Hanbit stood and threw another question.
"How're you playing now?"
"RP Space. Allowance barely covers it."
Shops with gear per room, like PC bangs for students. Made sense with level 1 gear at a million won cheapest.
Hanbit alternated glances between them.
"No broadcast audio now—be straight. Why'd you seek me out?"
"Uh? To be your... no, join DD Studio..."
"That's really it? Won't ask twice."
His blank-faced warning rang cold. Noeul started repeating but trailed off. Brief silence. Then, resolved, he spoke haltingly.
"Two reasons. First, the disgust from the guidebook faded watching Black Dragon's streams."
"Disgust?"
"Best word for it. Reading the strategy story... some deep, hard-to-shake feeling..."
Noeul's addition nailed 'disgust.' Adventure A's guide was crap, sure, but weird for a 16-year-old casual to feel that.
Hanbit turned to Haneul.
"You too?"
"Nah? Just didn't like it, that's all."
Weaker than her brother's. But only she felt the tower déjà vu. How to explain this oddity? Even if the Goddess's doing...
...Twins?
A word flashed in Hanbit's mind. Isekai twins weren't rare. But light spirit brother and wind sword sister? Only one pair.
Why hadn't he thought of it? Any link to these siblings?
He pushed down the swirling thoughts and asked,
"Other reason?"
"Wanna succeed in RP and get famous!"
Haneul piped up boldly this time. Perfect for a 16-year-old dream.
"Then join a big corp. I can intro you somewhere good."
"No way."
"Why not?"
"Others can't clear this game. We gotta find Erport no matter what."
Her straight gaze burned with zeal. Noeul matched it.
"Can you... take us to DD Studio?"
"Won't regret it, promise. We'll listen, can bring school transcripts if you want."
"..."
The twins' determination rang like a final plea. Seemed like more backstory, but Hanbit didn't wanna dig now. Needed time to verify the racing thoughts too.
"Here's the deal."
After a moment's thought, he decided.
"For helping, I'll buy each a level 3 gear set. Can't hit RP Space easily during our two weeks here."
"...Pardon?"
"Gear? For real?"
The twins gawked in unison. Huge for 16-year-olds to own personal gear. Level 3? Thirty million won range. Overkill for normal kids, but these two were different.
"But entering the tower's separate. Tickets are two hundred mil, but this info's worth billions."
"Billions..."
Noeul paled. Haneul's eyes sparked curiosity instead.
"Earn that much inside, right?"
"Up to you. Could earn more, or die first second and get booted. I'm just giving the shot. Results decide if I talk to DD Studio's CEO."
"Yes. That's enough."
Haneul grinned confidently. Shocked Noeul steeled himself too. Hanbit got their address and ordered two level 3 gear sets.
"Proceed till gear arrives. I'll brief, but rest is on you. Same for Jaeha hyung and Avant-garde."
"Huh? Uh..."
"Sounds good. Kinda thrilling."
The two men listening quietly had to prove themselves too. Hanbit approached the massive door at the tower entrance and placed his hand.
[Dungeon - Whirlwind Tower]
Rank: ?
Restrictions: None
Description: A tower standing tall amid raging whirlwinds. Each floor imposes trials on individuals or parties, with rest and prep floors available.
Simple info matched what he knew.
"Explanation as we go. Floor 1's easy—get a feel for it."
Creeeak—
The door swung open easily under pressure. Stepping inside triggered a message.
[Entering Whirlwind Tower Floor 1.]