The world dissolved into swirling light, and when Ilwoo's vision cleared, he was standing on polished marble floors in what could only be described as a medieval throne room.
Massive stone pillars supported a vaulted ceiling, and Sunlight streamed through stained glass, depicting crowned warriors battling shadowy beasts.
"What the hell?" Hayeon spun, spear raised, eyes looking around the chamber. "Where are we?"
"Second floor," Ilwoo said, glancing at the others.
"So… we made it?"
Kim Donghyun froze with his axe raised, Minji stumbled and caught herself against a pillar, and Jinhyuk landed in a crouch like he'd been expecting the teleportation.
"Where... are we?" Kim muttered, his eyes flicking over the silken banners and saints frozen in colored glass.
"Wait," Ilwoo said, raising a hand. "We're not alone."
The throne room was filled with people, dozens of them, all wearing elaborate robes and gathered in a perfect circle around a complex pattern carved into the floor.
Fire burned at specific points along the design, and the air hummed with energy that made Ilwoo's teeth ache.
"Did we just get dumped into some medieval cult ritual?" Minji whispered, eyes darting from flame to flame.
Ilwoo's gaze swept the chamber, steady despite the tension. "They summoned us."
At the center of the circle sat a massive throne carved from what looked like a single piece of black stone. The man occupying it wore a crown that caught the light from the stained glass windows, casting rainbow patterns across his weathered face.
His beard was white as snow, but his eyes held the sharpness of someone half his age.
"Welcome, heroes of another world," the king said, his voice carrying easily across the vast chamber. "I am King Aldric, ruler of Valdris. We have called upon you in our darkest hour."
"Heroes?" Hayeon raised an eyebrow, lips twitching with a smirk. "Right. Let me guess… demon lord problem?"
A hush fell over the robed congregation. A few soldiers froze, and whispers rippled among the others, as if speaking the name were forbidden.
"You are remarkably well-informed for outsiders," the king said, surprise flickering across his face.
"Yes. The Demon Lord Malachar has risen from the Shadowlands. His armies march on our kingdom even now."
As the king spoke, a system notification popped up in front of them.
[MAIN QUEST: DEFEAT THE DEMON LORD MALACHAR]
[DIFFICULTY: UNKNOWN]
[TIME LIMIT: UNKNOWN]
"There it is," Ilwoo muttered, eyes narrowing as the system notification flickered before him, casting a cold glow across his face like a ghost lingering in daylight.
"The second floor of the Nightmare, where most players have failed to conquer."
"And if we fail?" Jinhyuk asked quietly.
Ilwoo didn't meet his gaze. The corner of his mouth twitched with bitter irony.
"We die."
Kim Donghyun stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, we need to understand the situation. What forces does this demon lord command?"
"Thousands of shadow creatures marched towards the kingdom," King Aldric replied, voice rough with sleeplessness.
He sat slumped on the throne as if the crown weighed too much.
"Our armies have fallen, our champions lie dead, and our walls will not hold another day."
"So you decided to gamble on summoning random people from another world?" Minji said it so casually, like she was asking what was for lunch, arms crossed and eyes unreadable.
"Not random," said the woman standing beside the throne. She wore the elaborate robes of a court mage, and her silver hair floated through the air as if moved by some invisible current. Her tone carried no apology, only absolute certainty.
"The ritual called for those with the potential to grow strong enough to face such evil. You were chosen because the gods have answered our prayers."
"This is totally insane," Hayeon whispered to Ilwoo, still looking at the throne room cautiously.
"Why do we have to defeat the Demon King even though we're not high-level players?"
"Because that's how the second floor of the Tower of Nightmare works," Ilwoo said, already aware of the scenario.
"They don't know it's a game. They think we were summoned by God."
The archmage beside the king inclined her head, voice firm.
"I am Archmage Lyralei. The summoning ritual seeks those who can transcend mortal limitations."
King Aldric rose from his throne, and Ilwoo noted that everyone in the room straightened immediately. This wasn't just a ceremony; this man commanded genuine respect.
"Heroes, I know this burden was not your choice. But please, help us save what remains of our people."
"Help us save what remains of our people."
Ilwoo stepped forward, performing a cautious bow. _Gaming taught me respecting local customs leads to better rewards,_ he thought. "Your Majesty, we'll need time to prepare. Equipment, information, somewhere to rest…"
"Of course. Lyralei will see to your needs." The king gestured to waiting servants. "You will be given rooms in the royal wing. Tomorrow, we'll discuss strategy."
As servants began leading them toward the chamber's exit, Ilwoo met Kim Donghyun's gaze and flicked two fingers down and left. A silent signal, and the kim's eyes narrowed slightly. A faint shift of his chin was all the confirmation Ilwoo needed.
Jinhyuk slowed, boots crunching softly over the soot-covered ground as he fell into step beside Ilwoo.
"Something's wrong," Jinhyuk whispered.
"What makes you say that?"
"The flames are still going," Jinhyuk said, low. "But look at the ash rings. Those fires weren't lit minutes ago, they've been burning for hours."
Sharp kid.
Ilwoo glanced back. The robed figures were whispering among themselves, and the king's subtle command to a mage didn't go unnoticed, but Ilwoo understood the message all too clearly.
"They're starting to move," Ilwoo thought as the mage vanished from sight.
"They've summoned heroes before," he said calmly as he knew what was happening here.
"We're not the first group."
"And where are the previous groups now?" Hayeon had been listening. "Because I'm betting they're not living happily ever after in the royal wing."