On the way to the ruins, Jin-hyuk walked next to Captain Kim.
Jin-hyuk was participating as a porter for the first time—and the raid itself was notoriously dangerous, with a low survival rate.
Perhaps that was why Captain Kim kept talking.He clumsily tried to give courage to the people under him.
It wasn't elegant, but the sincerity was clear.A warm-hearted attempt to make sure everyone returned alive.
"Did Mr. Kang also come here to earn money?"
"Yes. It takes a lot of money to live these days."
"Well, everyone's the same. I came here to feed my fox-like wife and rabbit-like kids."
Captain Kim took out his phone.
The wallpaper showed a middle-aged woman with a kind expression, and two children—a boy and a girl—who looked to be in middle school.Behind them was a messy, cluttered home.
It was just…
'These are usually the first people who die…'
The way he showed the photo felt like someone displaying their life before going off to war.
Jin-hyuk smiled faintly.
"So you're taking the risk."
"Yes. Even if I die, the reward will be huge. It can't be small."
Even if I die… it's for my family.
A typical father. Frustrating, silly, dignified——and sincere.
Jin-hyuk didn't dislike it. Everyone lived differently.
"Don't worry. At least those of you here will get back safely."
"What? Puahaha! Right, right. Thanks for the kind words. Mr. Kang is quite nice."
Captain Kim laughed heartily.
How long did they walk while talking?After traveling over seven hours with heavy backpacks, the porters finally reached their destination.
"F-finally…"
"We're here…"
"I thought I was gonna die…"
Fatigue hit everyone hard.
With no breaks allowed during the forced march, their stamina had plummeted, and most sat down on the ground, exhausted.
"You all worked hard. Rest until the raid members arrive."
Captain Kim encouraged the struggling porters, handing out ice water and chocolate bars.
'It's been so long.'
Jin-hyuk gazed forward. Endless cliffs and mountains spread out before him.
And the gate—the entrance to the Corridor of the Fallen, one of the most difficult ruins in the Tower of Trials.
Ting!
His skin tingled, as if something was already pricking him—even before entering.
Right. This was how it felt.
His heart thudded with excitement and anticipation.
But then—
Woooong!
A magical reaction flared from an empty space nearby.
"This…?"
Jin-hyuk raised his head.
The clouds above them parted.
And the reeds around them swayed violently.
Kwakwakwang!
Rays of light fell from the sky—the signature effect of space-movement magic.
"Ugh, my head… no matter how many times we do this, I never get used to it."
"How many people?"
"All safe. All fifty have arrived."
"Well. Who do you think used the magic?"
More than fifty people appeared, each carrying backpacks filled with weapons and armor.
This was the main raid team of the Balhae Guild, named after the ancient kingdom that rose after Goryeo.
"Is that the captain?"
"He looks young…"
"Don't underestimate him. He received AA rank in the test and even reached the 9th floor."
Everyone's gaze focused on the young man at the front.
A shield taller than himself. Armor with distinct engravings.Standing at the vanguard, he looked every bit the core tank of a raid team.
'That's the Balhae Guild's captain…'
Jin-hyuk activated the Eye of Truth.
Name: Song Cheon-hwaAge: 20Level: 14Strength 30 | Agility 18 | Stamina 19 | Magic 5Unique Ability: Item Weight ReductionSkills: Iron Shield (Lv3), Phalanx (Lv2), Tenacious Will to Survive (Lv2), Stoning (Lv1)
The abilities weren't bad.
But then—
[Copy Condition: During the raid period, gain the trust of Song Cheon-hwa.]
Jin-hyuk immediately lost interest.
Trust?That was always harder than hostility—especially in a raid where everyone was desperate for results.
More importantly…
'A top-10 guild member is only this level?'
His stats were lower than expected.He looked like someone who focused more on farming experience than real combat.
And if he was the strongest of the group…
'The rest must be even weaker.'
It made sense, though.
All major guilds were pouring manpower into attacking the 3rd-floor boss.
Lower-floor raids had been temporarily deprioritized.
Still—
The lack of power here was obvious.
At that moment—
"Come on, everyone, stop staring. The raiders are here. We've got work to do!"
Captain Kim clapped loudly.
The mining team would enter later, but…
Porters carrying essential supplies needed to enter first.
'Good timing.'
Jin-hyuk quickly got up.A chance to observe how the guild handled the ruins.
An hour after the raid team entered, the porters finally received the signal to move in.
[Corridor of the Fallen]Type: RuinsDifficulty: UnmeasurableDescription: A place where the original blood was sealed. At the end of the ruins, the purest weapons and the most grueling deaths coexist.
A sour, rotting smell hit their noses.
Wheik!
Magic users summoned flames, illuminating the interior.
"Everyone, follow me closely. Don't lose focus. Anyone who gets careless will die."
"Oh god…"
"That's… huge."
"Is this really the ruins?"
It looked like a massive Mayan temple—stone walls covered in moss, stretching endlessly.
As they walked deeper, murmurs could be heard ahead.
"Here! This way!"
"Cheon-hwa hyung! The porters are here!"
The path was littered with monster corpses.
Ghouls and skeletons—more than a hundred at a glance.
But no player corpses.
'Strange…'
With the Balhae Guild's modest power, clearing this many undead without a single injury made no sense.
"What are you doing?"
Captain Kim shook Jin-hyuk's shoulder.
"Uh?"
"Don't stand still. Hand out the water."
He said it naturally, calling a few others to help.
"You do the foreigners."
Captain Kim pointed at players with European features—members of the mid-tier guilds and several solo experts.
One group in particular caught Jin-hyuk's eye.
He recognized their emblem.
The Zion Guild.
A small but elite European guild reputed for its skill.
"The four of us will go over there."
"Got it."
Jin-hyuk handed out cold water and ice.
Short thanks. No small talk.
And then he reached the last person.
Unlike the tall Zion members, this one was noticeably smaller—barely over 160 cm.
Armor from head to toe.Could be a young man… or a woman.
"Here, have some water."
"Ah…!"
Clack!
The person removed their helmet.
Blonde hair spilled out.
Everyone froze.
"Ugh?!"
"Oh my god…"
Her beauty was breathtaking—porcelain skin, soft blonde hair, striking features.
But that wasn't the shocking part.
This woman had three traits that set her apart:
overwhelming skill
a sacred bloodline
and legendary achievements
'Saintess of Amsterdam…'
Teresa de Laurentia.
One of the most famous players in Europe.
Jin-hyuk narrowed his eyes.
She was the youngest daughter of the Laurentia noble family.
She had saved Amsterdam from total collapse during an outbreak.
No wonder…
No wonder the Balhae Guild came through the undead wave unharmed.
'Her efficiency against undead is unmatched.'
A paladin-type player who wielded divine power for both offense and healing.
It was rumored that Teresa was the reason Europe managed to clear the 2nd floor.
But…
'Why would she come here instead of the 3rd-floor boss?'
Unless this ruin held a holy relic, there was no reason for her to be here.
How did Zion even convince her?
Jin-hyuk pondered, then shook his head.
The priority now wasn't their motive—
It was copying her ability.
'This opportunity will never come again.'
He activated the Eye of Truth.
But—
[Skill activation canceled due to level difference.]
A red warning window blinked.
'Damn. Her level is over 20… she's already 29, isn't she?'
Then—
[Luck and Adaptive stats have neutralized the level difference.][You can now view the target's status window.]
Right. I had that.
His new stats kicked in at a critical moment.
The red window vanished, and Teresa's information appeared.
Name: Teresa de LaurentiaLevel: 29Strength 42 | Agility 31 | Stamina 25 | Magic 30Unique Ability: Blessing of the StarsSkills: Divine Power Enhancement (Lv5), Hidden Movement (Lv5), Blessed Hands (Lv4), Sign of Cross (Lv4), Illusion Barrier (Lv4)Occupation: None (Job Quest in progress)
[Copy Condition: Teresa is ranked in the top 100 worldwide. If you save her life, you may copy any one skill or unique ability.]
A perfect target.
'As expected—high risk, high reward.'
This was a buffet full of luxury dishes.
He also understood now why she joined this raid.
[A job quest is currently in progress]
'I see.'
She needed something inside this ruin for her class advancement.
Useful. Very useful.
[Communion Lv1 has been activated]
[The subject has slight affinity toward you.]
A warm aura spread.
Teresa smiled at him—light, gentle.
Eyes like calm turquoise seas.
"Thanks… for the water."
She was thanking him?
No—he should be thanking her.
'Blessing of the Stars… a top-tier paladin ability.'
But the condition…
He had to save her life.
Which meant she had to be in danger.
A lot of danger.
'Not easy… but worth it.'
Jin-hyuk wet his lips—a habit when thinking deeply.
At that moment—
"Ch-Cheon-hwa hyung! Come here! Right now!"
A panicked scream echoed through the ruins.
Everyone turned toward the sound—
And the real chaos was about to begin.
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