“Hm? Why do you ask?”
Flex narrowed his eyes.
“The truth is, I have met another user with the same Title. Since you have it too, I was curious.”
“…What?”
A deeper crease formed between Flex’s brows.
“When? Where? Ah, do you mean that user called Kiting, who appeared in the World Message with you?”
“That is right. Now answer my question.”
“Tsk.”
After pondering something for a moment, Flex slowly opened his mouth.
“You know how, before a game launches, they usually privately recruit people to test it? What was that called again?”
“Closed Beta? CBT?”
“Yeah, that. This game was the same. They picked talented people for a Closed Beta, and First Pioneer was a privilege given to the beta testers.”
‘Ah, so that was it? Everything finally makes sense.’
Rough nodded slowly.
Kiting’s cryptic remark in the Basilisk’s Nest.
And the reason Kiting and Flex, who stood before him now, had higher Levels and Stats than other users.
Flex had also overwhelmed things with money, but the common factor was that both of them had already experienced the game once through the Closed Beta.
“How many beta testers were recruited?”
“As far as I know, about five.”
“Alright. That answers that. Next, why did you challenge me to PVP?”
“I found a Hidden Dungeon and was looking for people to challenge it with me.”
“A Dungeon? What kind of Dungeon?”
Rough’s eyes gleamed.
“It is a Disposable Dungeon called the Ruins of the Fallen Kingdom. The entry requirements are pretty strict, and it is difficult too.”
“What are the entry requirements?”
“It has a three-person limit: two Players and one NPC.”
‘That is perfect, is it not? We already have two Players and one NPC here.’
The high difficulty worried him a little, but it did not matter much.
With a party of this caliber, they should be able to clear it without much trouble—even if it was as difficult as the Adult Basilisk.
“…”
Rough furrowed his brow, lost in thought.
‘I need to go do my Job Change Quest… No, but if I miss a Disposable Dungeon, it is gone forever, right?’
His hesitation did not last long.
‘I cannot let someone else take it! The Job Change Quest can wait!’
Just as Rough made his decision, Flex made an offer first.
“I have confirmed that you are skilled. If you clear that Dungeon with me, I will give you 5,000 euros—about 8.5 million won. Paid in advance, of course. And I will not touch your share of the loot.”
‘Euros? Is he European? More importantly, he is offering 5,000 euros just for running a Dungeon together.’
That was the spending sense of a rich heir.
There was no such thing as too much good fortune.
“Ah, my dear—no, valued customer. We will serve you well.”
Rough rubbed his hands together like a fly.
***
-You want us to travel with that person? I am not keen on it…
Jaar did not think highly of Flex.
That was understandable, considering their first meeting had gotten off to such a disastrous start.
-No! He says he will give us 5,000 euros!
-Hm? What are euros, for you to react like that?
-It is something. Something very good. Anyway, let us just put up with him this once.
After Rough’s persistent persuasion, Jaar reluctantly agreed.
-There was what happened in the cave before, and there are times when I cannot make sense of your actions. Still, you bear no ill will. I am sure this will be the same. Very well. I will follow your wishes.
After listening to Flex’s explanation of the Dungeon while traveling, Rough’s group found an abandoned city deep within a dense, deserted forest, just as he had described.
“Stop! Stop! Stop!”
As they reached a point where the entrance came into view, several users sprang out from the bushes and blocked their way.
“From this point onward, the area is under our control, so turn back—”
“Hey, it is me.”
Flex answered in a bored tone.
“Oh? Guild Master, you are here?”
At the words “Guild Master,” more users emerged one after another.
There were more than ten of them at a glance.
The Guild Members glanced at Rough and Jaar, then gathered around Flex and whispered among themselves.
“Wow, you really brought them?”
“Looking at their Status Windows, both their Levels and Total Combat Power are no joke.”
“With them, we should be able to clear it.”
“We are going in right away, so keep controlling the area until I come out.”
Flex smirked, walked through the excited Guild Members, and headed for the city.
‘He has over ten Guild Members standing guard at all times. This guy is no ordinary person.’
Rough clicked his tongue and followed after him with Jaar.
Since they were guests Flex had personally brought, no one stopped them.
Shortly afterward, the three arrived at the city entrance, which seemed to be the Dungeon.
A sinister crimson-black aura surged throughout the city.
Vines had grown all over the neglected walls, and beyond the ruined gates were traces of someone having stayed there temporarily.
Rough checked the Dungeon’s information first.
[Ruins of the Fallen Kingdom]
Just as with the Basilisk’s Nest, no information other than the Dungeon’s name was provided.
Of course, Rough could see everything through his Personal Trait.
[Recommended Entry Level: 30 or higher]
[Recommended Combat Power: 4,000 or higher]
[Entry Requirement: A party consisting of two Players and one NPC]
[Appearing Monsters: Captain of the Guard Frame, Senior Knight Redro]
[Main Loot: Hidden Class ??? Job Change Book, Ghost Steed, Sword of Extreme Cold]
[Exploration Rate: 3.4%]
“…”
Rough wore a puzzled expression.
‘Wow, the required specs are no joke.’
Level 30 and 4,000 Combat Power.
Of course, they met the system’s requirements.
But that alone was not enough.
What about the Basilisk’s Nest before?
Had they not nearly suffered a major setback after entering based solely on the system’s wording?
There was a considerable gap between what the system called “recommended” and the actual Combat Power needed to defeat a Boss Monster.
Moreover, there were only two monsters in this Dungeon.
The Captain of the Guard and the Senior Knight.
‘Going by their names, that means one is the mid-boss and the other is the final boss.’
In other words, there were no ordinary monsters in this Dungeon.
‘You could call it a boss-focused Dungeon. My RPG experience is warning me. If we get this wrong, we are screwed.’
He could not even guess how brutal the difficulty would be.
‘Ah, this is troubling.’
Rough hesitated.
If a Hidden Boss appeared like it had in the Basilisk’s Nest, they might truly fail this time.
But after seeing the next line, such worries vanished completely.
Among the Dungeon’s main rewards was an item that could grant a Hidden Class.
‘It is a shame it does not say what Class it is, but it is still a Hidden Class, right? That is worth the risk.’
“Are we entering now? Anyone object?”
“…”
Jaar and Flex alike remained silent.
“Looks like there are no objections. Good. Let us go.”
The three entered the Ruins of the Fallen Kingdom.
***
“A sinister and ominous aura hangs heavily over this place.”
Jaar frowned slightly, openly displaying his discomfort.
The Dungeon’s interior was even more desolate than it had appeared from the outside.
“Just like the Guild Members said, there really are no Monsters. It is creepy.”
Flex rubbed his arms for no reason.
“If there are none, that is a good thing. Let us hurry up and find the Boss Monster.”
“I will take the lead. You two watch the rear.”
With no obstacles blocking their path, the three ran straight toward the castle.
After running for quite some time, they finally arrived before it.
The situation here was not much different from the rest of the city.
The castle was on the verge of collapsing from weathering.
“There is someone over there.”
Jaar nodded toward the castle gate.
A warrior stood there with his eyes closed.
[Senior Knight Redro]
[Lv. 45]
[Total Combat Power: 5,500]
Rough clicked his tongue after checking his information.
‘If the mid-boss is that strong, just how powerful is the final boss?’
Four swords hung from Redro’s waist, two on either side.
The exposed parts of his face were so badly decayed that bone showed through the ruined flesh.
“Did he refuse to leave this place even after death? Or was he unable to?”
At the sight of Redro’s gruesome appearance, Jaar let out a brief sigh.
Maintaining their formation, the three slowly approached him.
“Stop.”
Redro, who had been standing rigidly like a statue, opened his eyes and spoke.
“Those without permission may not pass through this place. Turn back.”
He had clearly ordered them away.
At the same time—
A red notification window appeared.
[You must clear the Dungeon within 20 minutes from now. If the time limit expires, the challengers will be forcibly expelled by the Dungeon’s master.]
[If you fail to clear the Dungeon, you will never be able to enter it again.]
[20:00]
[19:59]
[19:58]
[…]
A time-limit condition had appeared.
Thanks to what Flex’s Guild Members had told them about the previous attempts, Rough’s group responded calmly.
“Time is short, so leave that man to me and head inside first. I will deal with him quickly and follow after you.”
Jaar swiftly equipped his sword and shield.
“Will you be alright?”
“Of course.”
Jaar was not the kind of man to make boasts beyond his ability or act recklessly.
Rough could safely leave the rear to him.
“Alright, I am counting on you. But do not overdo it.”
“Do not worry.”
The moment he finished answering—
Kwang!
Jaar shot forward from where he stood.
While Jaar tangled with Redro, Rough and Flex safely entered the castle.
“Huff, huff!”
Flex climbed the long staircase, breathing heavily.
“Why are there… so many stairs? Is this some cheap trick to drain our stamina before the Boss fight?”
After complaining while climbing for a long while, the two arrived before the audience chamber, where the Boss Monster was presumably waiting.
“Can we go in now?”
“L-Let me catch my breath. Hoo, hoo!”
After waiting a moment, Rough urged him again.
“Are you ready now?”
“Wait. There is something I need to do first.”
“Something? Do not tell me…”
As expected—
“Enhanced Strength Potion, Enhanced Agility Potion…”
Flex pulled Potions from his Inventory and began drinking them one after another.
“Hey, what are you doing when we are short on time? Can’t you see the clock is ticking?!”
“I still need to buff up before we go in! Just wait a little! Emperor’s Feast, Tycoon’s Feast, Spirit’s Blessing…”
“We do not have time! We need to get in there now!”
Unable to endure it any longer, Rough exploded in frustration.
***
Clang! Claaang!!
Two blades collided.
Jaar and Redro. Neither gave an inch.
After exchanging attacks and defenses for a long time, the exhausted pair opened some distance between themselves and caught their breath.
“Hoo.”
Jaar let out the breath he had been holding and checked the timer.
[07:13]
[07:12]
[…]
‘There is not much time left. It is time to finish this.’
After recovering their breath, the two once again pointed their sword tips at one another.
“…”
Neither spoke as they watched their opponent.
The silence did not last long.
After briefly studying each other for an opening, they kicked off the ground at the same time.
Their figures rapidly closed the distance.
The instant they came within reach!
Jaar and Redro swung their swords at one another without either moving first.
Claaaaang—!
Sparks flew wildly from the weapons colliding in midair.
Their abilities were perfectly matched.
Their skill levels were similar, and neither side could gain an advantage.
“I will ease your burden.”
Jaar put more force into his sword and pushed Redro back.
Jaar did not miss the brief opening as Redro staggered backward.
He shot forward, taking Redro’s rear in an instant.
Swoosh!
Jaar’s sword thrust toward Redro’s neck.
‘This should create at least some opportunity.’
Jaar smiled confidently, but—
Claaang!
The other three swords hanging from Redro’s waist moved on their own and blocked the attack from his blind spot.
‘…How?’
Jaar’s eyes widened.
Then, in the very next moment—
“Delte Swordsmanship, First Form: Shadow Slash.”
Gripping his sword with both hands, Redro swung it powerfully from above.
Kraaaaaang!
“Kh…!”
Jaar groaned and was forced back.
“Delte Swordsmanship, Second Form: Reverse Shadow Slash.”
The next attack swept upward from below.
This time, too, it could not break through Jaar’s defense.
Redro’s fierce assault continued.
“Yes, against a strong opponent like you, I expected you to stop that much without difficulty.”
Swish.
Redro calmly loosened his grip.
The sword left his hand and flew high into the air.
‘He threw away his weapon? What is he planning?’
Just as Jaar found Redro’s inexplicable action strange—
“Delte Swordsmanship, Third Form: Sword Rain.”
The four swords became rain and poured down upon Jaar.
“…!”
Not even Jaar could knock away every one of them.
He immediately judged that he had to leave the area.
“Frenzied Charge.”
Jaar activated the charging Skill that had endured a High-Rank attack.
For him to reach Redro’s very nose took no more than a blink.
“Hah!”
Slaaash!
Using the momentum from Frenzied Charge, Jaar cut into Redro.
“Ugh…!”
As Redro staggered from the slash across his upper body—
Jaar kicked him with all his strength toward the castle wall.
Boom, cruuumble!
Redro’s body smashed through the wall and was buried in a corner.
“Not yet… You cannot… pass through here…”
Even with his body in ruins, Redro rose again and blocked Jaar’s path, as if determined to fulfill his duty.
“…It is time for you to rest in peace.”
Slaaash!
Jaar granted Redro his rest.
At the same time, Redro’s swords hanging in the air lost their power and fell.
Rumble!
One side of the inner castle wall, which had barely been holding together, could not withstand the impact and collapsed over Redro.
“The two who went ahead must be up there. There will be a stronger enemy, so I must hurry… What?”
Jaar lifted his head and stared blankly.
Rough and Flex, who had headed upward first. And a mysterious skeletal knight and horse.
The four of them were falling together in perfect harmony.