Chasing the Unbreakable Record
“Gonna take first place? You crazy?”
“He got a hidden skill, though. Probably thinks he's invincible.”
“People only realize after smashing their heads in. 'Oh, I'm just fodder.'”
Voices murmuring around the dungeon entrance. Half of them weren't even bothering to lower their tones.
“The reaction's pretty heated, huh?”
-lmao
-That's just the normal reaction.
-Does Black Dragon look like a joke to you?
-Yeah.
-Top 10 is a stretch...
Even after watching Kang Hanbit's exploits, public opinion remained mostly negative.
Ignoring the reactions, Hanbit stepped right up to the entrance.
*Ding-*
[Challenge Dungeon]
This dungeon requires an entry fee of 500 gold.
Records update immediately upon achievement, and cumulative entry fees are awarded to the #1 player every Monday.
Level limit: Lv.30 or below
*#1: Kim Hanseop (19:25)
#2: Nowaki (19:38)
#3: Odin (19:41)
…
-Info) #1 record unbroken for a year.
-Time attack 'Demon'
-He was a promising GOAT back then.
-Thought he'd make the advance team too.
-Odin who hit #3 made it into the advance team lol
-Odin's just a talent freak.
'#1's got a solid lead.'
The gap between first and second was 13 seconds. Most others were within 5 seconds of each other—impressive stuff. Unbroken for a year was surprising enough, but the leader not being from the advance team? That was unexpected.
“How many advance team folks are in the top ranks?”
“Almost none. Server's still early days, and they focused on story and building strength instead of grinding here.”
Yeonwoo's explanation made it click. No need for the advance team to waste time on records like this. Especially not in the early server days with no guides.
“What about that #3, Odin? Chat says he's advance team.”
“Odin's a special case. He set that record on his first try, then joined the advance team half a year later.”
“Didn't go for #1?”
“That's how tough it is. Shaving off even a second takes insane effort. Odin never explained, though.”
-But Odin really is a talent freak.
-Started a year ago, now mid-tier advance team frfr
-Fastest non-launch player to make it?
-Luna was faster, right?
-Blood was quick too.
Various advance team names popped up in chat. Non-launch players hitting advance team status was big news, apparently.
Anyway, the real focus was the dungeon record.
[#10: 20:03]
The mission benchmark—10th place—was around 20 minutes. But Hanbit, gunning for first, only had eyes for the top spot.
“Solo, right?”
“Challenges are always solo. I'll watch on stream, so you just go ahead, hyung.”
“Mm. All the guides public?”
“Tons out there. RPG forums are full...”
Yeonwoo quickly pulled up data. Took less than a minute.
“Sent the link.”
Hanbit clicked the message link. The community post was loaded with dungeon interior pics and guides.
'Exactly the same.'
He'd checked just in case, but it matched the dungeon he knew perfectly. Traps everywhere from the start, maze-like paths. Even the unphotographed nooks were crystal clear in his mind.
“Hyung, ignore the mid-quest.”
“Quest?”
“NPC named Plona shows up inside. Brutal difficulty, crap rewards—standard is to skip it.”
-Fr real, it's brutal af.
-Ditch Plona?
-Cant clear without ditching.
-Only like 5 cleared with her?
-Advance team might've?
Sure enough, midway through the guide: a quest. Clear the dungeon while rescuing Plona, kidnapped by monsters. But the hellish difficulty and worthless rewards turned everyone off.
“Someone cleared it, right?”
“A few did. But they chugged items like crazy. Took over an hour.”
“And after rescue?”
“What else? Clear the dungeon, get rewards, done. Cheap herbs and scraps of XP?”
“...And that's it?”
Hanbit's voice came out baffled. Rescuing Plona massively impacted the early story. Clearing such a brutal quest and wasting the opportunity? He'd grill them himself if he could.
“You sure you're good? Fail the mission, and your day's stuck teaching viewers.”
Yeonwoo eyed Hanbit glued to the post, worry creeping in. Maybe thought it'd be a cram-session clear.
-lmao too late?
-Watching won't help anyway.
-Black Dragon panicking later? Gold.
-I'll spam advice.
-Go go go
Viewers were already revving up. Advice or whatever—fine by him. If he had the time.
“I'm good. Just watch. Be right back.”
Turning away, Hanbit stepped into the entrance.
*Ding-*
[500 gold entry fee deducted.]
The landscape shifted with the auto-deduction. Inside was a glowing-crystal-lined cave tunnel.
[00:02]
Timer ticking at the top. Estimated clear time showed, but no harm in hustling.
*Thud-!*
Hanbit kicked off immediately, charging straight ahead. Speed got him to the first checkpoint fast.
-1st gate.
-Technically 0th.
-Newb filter section.
Looked like a plain tunnel. But ceiling, walls, floor hid all sorts of traps. Plenty in number and type—but this was where he'd shave time.
*Shing-!*
Drawing his sword, Hanbit lowered his stance.
*Tweet-!*
Sylph, sensing intent, chirped. Wind gathered at his legs—the effect of his hidden skill, Wind Movement.
Passive boosting physicals, but spirit power was a natural add-on.
*Crunch-*
Power in his back foot, eyes locked ahead. Then he launched dead center.
*Thud-!*
Body shot out at startling speed. Sword slashed diagonally in his right hand.
*Swoosh-!
*Clang-!*
Cheerful metallic ring as arrows ricocheted mid-air, heads severed.
*Shwick-!*
Iron spikes erupted from the floor next—like it was just starting. But Hanbit's legs were already past.
*Whoosh-!*
Next: sharp spears thrusting from ceiling and walls. Lethal enough to skewer—but knowing exact spots and timing made dodging feasible.
*Whoosh-!
*Whoosh-!*
Hanbit twisted head and body, evading. Speed barely dropped the whole time.
-?
-Wtf bug?
-Dodged or just missed?
-Knows every trap spot?
-Bs
-Didn't he ace Asla's test? Trap master.
-Just a bug, noobs.
Chat mixed confusion and shock. Amid the chaos, Hanbit pressed on. Hit the goal quick.
“Hop.”
A side path off a bend. Knees hugged, a red-haired girl sobbed there.
[Plona]
Familiar name and face floating above.
Hanbit crouched close.
“You okay?”
“...Huh?”
She looked up at the noise, eyes locking. They widened instantly.
“Ah...!”
Shock, faint relief, sheer terror mixing on her face. She clocked him as an adventurer but couldn't speak—fidgeting hands like she wasn't sure she should ask for help.
“I'm adventurer Black Dragon. You?”
“P-Plona...”
“How'd you end up in the dungeon?”
“Went out for herbs... *sob*. Ran into a monster...”
Her teary answers pieced together simply. Slum girl Plona snuck out for herbs to help an injured friend. Bumped a monster, fled into this side path.
-T_T
-Cant leave her. Save her.
-Yall ditched her;
-Had to.
-Quest too hard.
Viewers who'd run it ditched Plona guilt-free. Just skipping a bad-reward quest to them.
'Don't even wanna remember.'
Leaving her here ended horribly. Knowing her gruesome death and the absurd tragedies that followed? No one could pass by.
'Gotta get out fast.'
Old memories stirring, Hanbit steeled himself. She'd ask for help soon, but hustling her back to town was best.
“C'mon. Clear the dungeon to get out.”
“Y-You're helping me? But I have no money...”
She trailed off, hesitant amid sobs. Slum kids knew their place—no easy handouts. Especially from money-driven adventurers.
“Don't need anything. I'm Liora's friend.”
“Huh? Sister Liora?”
Slum celeb Liora. Her name lit Plona right up.
-Liora outta nowhere?
-They are friends.
-Cleaning quest too.
-Playing with the cat was adorable lol
-Say 'purrfectly cute'.
Their friendship was common knowledge. Easy to spot them playing in the slums.
“Really... nothing at all?”
“Yup. Helping out a friend of a friend.”
“But...”
No reward? Plona pondered.
“Ah!”
Clutching her head, then digging in her bag. Pulled a red leaf.
“Take this!”
Common cheap Red Herb. Precious to a slum girl, though.
“I'll take it outside. That cool?”
“Yes!”
*Ding-*
[Quest]
Plona, the girl swept into the dungeon by chance.
Escort the terrified girl outside.
Objective: Clear the dungeon while protecting Plona
Rewards: Red Herb, 500 EXP
Time Limit: None
Quest popped with her bright reply. Hanbit closed it, checked the timer.
[05:31]
On track with estimates. Real攻略 started now.
“Gonna carry you.”
“Eh? O-Okay...!”
Hanbit scooped her up easily. Secured the startled girl, then kicked toward the path.
“Hold tight. Here we go.”