1.

The very first thought that came to mind was this:

'Is this the 2nd Floor?'

I got goosebumps for a moment.

Has the hologram gone so far as to use bait-and-switch tactics to increase the difficulty?

While I thought it was ridiculous, I flinched at the notion that it wasn't an impossible assumption. Still, seeing the sounds and monsters approaching from afar was a relief. If monsters stronger than those on the 1st Floor had ambushed me while I was relaxed, thinking only of enjoying a sauna and relieving fatigue?

Even Kim Buja might not have been able to avoid it and might have given an arm or a leg to the first monster that ambushed him.

"Phew."

I quickly steadied my breathing and summoned my weapon.

Of course, the background was the same as before entering the Tower of Trials, and there were plenty of rational reasons why this wasn't a hologram's trick. But if there was even a 1% possibility, I shouldn't ignore it.

My life was at stake.

I carefully scanned the approaching figure and the monsters.

Evidence leaning toward this not being the 2nd Floor of the Tower of Trials:

'There shouldn't be people in the Tower of Trials, right?'

Nevertheless, I didn't completely let my guard down. That was because the momentum of the monsters behind the person was substantial.

Memories that had subsided during the three weeks began to surface.

Information ranging from Dungeon Breaks to the fact that such secluded spaces were definitely good places for monsters to run wild.

However, the monsters showing that level of movement didn't quite match the information remaining in my memory.

'Just looking at them, they're 3-Star? They look to be at least 4-Star.'

Even if the world had become chaotic due to the update, would monsters of that level pop out in less than a month?

This was the confusing part.

The hesitation wasn't long.

The method to resolve the two confusions was simple.

Kim Buja gripped his sword and dashed out.

The figure—a short woman with a rather cute, cat-like face—was being chased by only three monsters.

Even if it was only three, their movements, which appeared to be nearly 4-Star grade, could certainly be a burden for Kim Buja, who had just reached level 14. But there was no hesitation.

Because I had tested it.

Just a few minutes ago.

'They're weaker than the 1st Floor.'

Similar.

But weaker.

Those two convictions were enough.

Kim Buja's sword, sharper and more sensitive than ever, brushed past the woman and dug into the monsters.

In the situation that instantly transitioned from a chase to combat, the woman stopped and watched in a daze.

"Wh-who…"

A prince on a white horse suddenly appearing to protect her.

"Hey. You're in the way. Get lost."

"Huh? Yes!"

It wasn't exactly spoken like a prince, and he didn't look like one either, but even those roughly spat words couldn't have sounded more dynamic to the chased woman, Kang Seulgi.

She hurriedly ran to secure a safe distance and hid herself. In her eyes, the image of Kim Buja, who was not being pushed back by the three monsters but rather dismantling them one by one, came into view.

Cool movements like those seen in videos.

Clean dodging.

Attacks following up.

It was a scene not easily seen in the small-to-medium guild she belonged to.

"Wow."

Every time she let out a gasp of admiration, one monster fell.

The moment the number reduced from three to two, Kim Buja's movements became faster. When only one remained, the last monster, seeing how its comrades had died, turned its back and started to run.

"Ah!"

Only then did Kang Seulgi remember why she was here and why she was being chased by monsters, and she shouted.

"We have to catch that monste—!"

Before she could finish her sentence, the monster's desperate scream rang out.

Kang Seulgi swallowed dryly as she watched Kim Buja, covered in monster blood, nonchalantly flicking his sword clean as he walked over.

He was infinitely cool, but seeing him approach her with a sword was terrifying.

He was that strong.

The strong man pointed the tip of his sword at her.

"Name."

"K-Kang Seulgi!"

Even though his senses were dulled by the dazzling blood, she shouted her excuse as if pleading to the sharply honed blade.

The thought 'Will he kill me?' couldn't even raise its head after seeing his overwhelming martial power.

"Age."

"24 years old…"

"Nationality?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Nationality."

"I-I'm Korean. By any chance, are you from another…"

"Measurements."

"…Uh, 32…"

"Done. I'm really back."

Along with a few absurd questions, the sword tip lowered slightly, and Kang Seulgi's gaze lowered with it.

Because she saw that the gaze directed at her had dropped slightly from her face.

"You just tilted your head, didn't you!"

I felt it at the same time.

Kim Buja's head tilting ever so slightly.

At her indignant remark, Kim Buja shrugged his shoulders.

Then he took a step forward.

Since his unhesitating stride didn't pay any attention to Kang Seulgi, the flustered woman hurriedly followed.

"It's dangerous to go that way! A 4-Star Dungeon Break occurred right now, so this is a restricted area. We have to hurry outside the guidelines."

At the words fulfilling her duty with a stabilized mind, Kim Buja's steps stopped once again.

His head turned.

With a deeply frowning expression, he asked.

"What year is it right now?"

* * *

Seriously, no matter how crappy a situation I faced in life, I never dreamed a day would come when I'd utter these words.

I gained the class called Gold Maker, traveled back and forth to a fantasy continent, and truly lived a life like a fantasy novel protagonist. But that was strictly content I enjoyed alone in my own world; I had not the slightest intention of revealing all of this to other people in detail.

Above all, the lines spoken by protagonists in fantasy novels invariably sound lame.

Asking the year straight out of the gate upon returning.

Of course, it's possible, and it is the most important issue, but if you throw that at someone you've just met, how would the listener feel?

Naturally, they'd look at you strangely, and in a world where monsters run rampant, they might even harbor a reasonable suspicion.

An adventurer from another dimension!

The most ridiculous mistake of a protagonist trying to hide their power and avoid being discovered as different from others.

Yet, here Kim Buja was, uttering those very words.

He wasn't from another dimension, nor was he a returnee, but for this moment, he understood their feelings.

'Wow, I really ended up asking something like this.'

My pride, the issue of my abilities being discovered—none of that caught my eye.

What if more time had passed than I thought?

1 year, 3 years.

Even if just 10 years passed, it would be no different from landing in a completely alien world, even if it was Earth.

People like Jeong Seora, whom he knew, would have all aged, or might not even be in the world anymore. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that the wealth he had built up would remain intact.

Fortunately, such an unfortunate event didn't occur, but it was a more nerve-wracking situation than the moment in the Tower of Trials where I was pushed to the limit and thought I might die.

"How did a 4-Star Dungeon Break happen?"

The cause of all situations was ultimately the appearance of unexpected monsters.

If 1-Star Dungeons were constantly breaking and then suddenly a 4-Star one popped out, naturally, one has to calculate the time accordingly.

"They suspect it's because several dungeons broke at once and resonated."

"Ah."

So it proceeds this way.

Dungeon Breaks that slowly expand their influence and increase in difficulty.

Along with variables that will double the tension of the players.

Players who want more rewards and stronger monster corpses would have no choice but to welcome the event.

After gathering enough information about what happened during the three-week gap, I saw the guidelines and numerous players standing in the distance.

"Fortunately, it looks like we came the right way?"

"Phew, thank you."

People who spotted the two came running.

Asking if they were okay, if they were hurt anywhere.

Words of gratitude from a few players who recognized Kim Buja also poured in.

And after Kang Seulgi explained the full story, even more surprised gazes poured in.

"Well, I'm about that good."

I didn't bother being humble and showed off my arrogance to my heart's content.

At the same time, I slipped away behind the people organizing parties to advance inside the guidelines.

"Would you like to go together by any chance?"

A request cautiously contained in a question came, but I firmly refused.

"No. I just came back from practically dying. I don't want to go back and die for nothing. I'm only level 14."

A person, especially a player, must know their place.

Just because the social atmosphere is like this, if you think, 'I should lend a hand despite my lack,' you're liable to grab a one-way ticket to the afterlife.

Clearly, she said I saved Kang Seulgi and fought perfectly, but seeing Kim Buja's state, no one thought he was chickening out for no reason and let him go.

"You worked hard."

"Leave the rest to us."

His condition was just that bad.

Thinking they would take care of it well, I headed home.

2.

I woke up after sleeping soundly for the first time in a very long while.

"As expected, the bed has to be good."

Due to the power of the memory foam that wouldn't let go even when I opened my eyes, fatigue had accumulated enough that I rolled around even after waking up.

Checking the time, I had spent over 16 hours sleeping.

As I loosened my stiff body, I didn't try to hide the smile forming on my lips.

[You have achieved 'Achievement: Trial Challenger (U)'.]

[You have achieved 'Achievement: One Who Started on the Right Foot (U)'.]

Eight achievements and a reward of about 5,000 Gold.

An additional 5 VIP tokens as well.

The achievement rewards checked at home were plentiful enough, even after sleeping and waking up.

When would I gather that amount of Gold again?

No need to worry.

I gathered it again, and in the future, there's no need to rely on uncertain information like achievements.

The Tower of Trials.

Although the difficulty is the highest among existing content, if you just pass it, you can secure the corresponding Gold and rewards with certainty.

I looked forward to the future.

In fact, rewards aside, the most satisfying part was being able to fight with all my might at a heart-pounding difficulty for the first time in a while.

I will prepare more perfectly and clear the 2nd Floor a bit more cleanly.

Pledging that, trending topics caught Kim Buja's eye as he checked the community.

Most of the content was about the 4-Star Special Mission.

There were reports that similar events had occurred in a few other places—sometimes at the same level, sometimes higher or lower. There were also articles stating that a perfect conclusion to the crisis had been reached just a few hours ago.

[You have acquired 20 P.]

[You have acquired Stat Point (1).]

[You have acquired 500 Gold.]

[You cannot acquire additional rewards due to insufficient contribution.]

He already knew this, of course; he had checked the hologram the moment he woke up. He had logged into the community merely to see what the additional rewards were, or if any special items had dropped. There, Kim Buja discovered something unimaginable.

—Point Dungeon Open. Entry restricted to players who participated in the Special Mission.

He left the house immediately.

* * *

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