[System Prompt]
World Announcement: Congratulations! Your team has completed the dungeon "Echoing Deep" on King-level difficulty. Would you like to reveal your party members' names in the world announcement?
[Yes] [Hide All Names]
The cavern rumbled with dying embers as the screen in front of Kaito faded to the world prompt. His eyes didn't flinch. Without hesitation, he tapped the option: [Yes – Display Names].
Far above the depths of the dungeon, the light of the midday sun fell across the crowded fields of South Glade. Scores of players had gathered near the dungeon entrance — some chatting about early runs, others frustrated by failed attempts. It had become a bustling hub of low-tier adventurers, regional guilds, and unaffiliated players all eager to conquer the first major dungeon.
At that exact moment, the air shimmered with golden system text.
World Announcement: Congratulations to the Genesis team for being the first to clear "Echoing Deep" on King-Level Difficulty!
Team Captain: Raen
Team Members: Mei Rin, Suzune, Kaede, Hiroto, Daichi, Aika
Silence blanketed the field like a frost.
A party of players who had just cleared the dungeon on Normal mode, laughing as they stepped out, halted mid-sentence. A team preparing to re-enter after a messy elite-tier run looked up, stunned.
Just outside the portal, Rhine of Everhold Dominion and his officers stood frozen. One of them muttered, "Boss… wasn't that the name of that boy?"
Rhine's eyes narrowed. "Mark that team. Genesis."
Final Boss Loot – Echoflame Sovereign (Lord Rank)
Loot Chest [King Difficulty – Full Clear]:
Weapons & Equipment
Crimson Talon Blade [Gold Rank – One-Handed Sword]
Molten Warden Boots [Silver Rank – Tank]
Igniswrap Gauntlets [Silver Rank – Monk]
Aetherplume Bowstring [Silver Rank – Ranger]
Volcanic Whisper Robe [Silver Rank – Mage]
Blazebrand Circlet [Silver Rank – Cleric]
Skills
Aerial Claw Slash [Swordsman]
Flame Arc Slash [Swordsman]
Blessing of Endurance [Support]
Backstab [Rogue]
Anchor Shot [Monk]
Forging Blueprint
Bronze:Echocore Emberplate — A heavy armor chestplate with resistance to flame and burst attacks.
Materials (19 Items)
Infernal Core
Scorchroot Stem
Cindershard Fragment
Obsidian Shell Scale
Echo Lava Pearl
Emberleaf Resin
Heat-Sealed Hide
Magmashard Ingot
Blaze-Touched Leather
Fiery Ember Clot
Charflare Sand
Smelted Iron Husk
Ashcore Dust
Enflamed Thread
Burnroot Bark
Ignition Oil Vial
Cracked Ember Crystal
Magma Lens
Charcoal Mote
The golden glow of the loot chest illuminated the scorched floor where the Echoflame Sovereign had fallen. Kaito stepped forward as the system confirmed their rewards — and one by one, the treasure inside spilled into categorized listings.
"Crimson Talon Blade..." Kaede's voice trembled. "That's a Gold-rank weapon."
"Molten Warden Boots! That's... that's mine!" Hiroto's eyes widened in disbelief.
Suzune pointed at the bowstring. "That's tailored for me. The Aetherplume—" she stopped short, overwhelmed.
Even Daichi, typically composed, let out a surprised exhale as the Igniswrap Gauntlets gleamed. "These are Monk-tier... flame resistant and lightweight."
Kaito's eyes lingered on the Crimson Talon Blade. Perfect replacement for the Obsidian Fang, he mused silently.
As they distributed the equipment and matched the skill scrolls to each member, Mei Rin stepped forward. "That robe is mine, right?" she asked, barely able to hide her excitement.
"And the circlet too," Aika chimed in, her usual quiet replaced with genuine delight. "It even boosts mana regen for healers."
Daichi unrolled the Forging Blueprint and gave a low whistle. "This isn't even listed in any known blacksmith registry. 'Echocore Emberplate'?
Kaede retrieved the potion scroll and read the header aloud. "Sunfire Vitality Draught — Unique Grade." He blinked, then looked at Kaito. "You know what this means, right?"
Kaito nodded. "It means we're going to need better vaults."
Hahaha Everyone laughed full of joy.
As the last flames of the dungeon flickered low. Their bodies carried the sweat and ash of war,
One by one, the team stepped into the glowing exit portal. As they emerged into daylight, a wave of cold air greeted them — not from the environment, but from the frozen expressions of hundreds of players now staring directly at them.
Gasps echoed.
"There they are…"
"Genesis?"
"They really cleared it… at King difficulty?"
The system interface stamped a glowing GENESIS tag in front of each of their names. Their equipment shimmered with faint aura effects, the loot too fresh to have been forged or sold.
Dozens of guild representatives stood at the ready. Recruiters, auctioneers, and merchants alike.
Mei Rin leaned close to Kaito. "I've never been stared at this much."
Kaito cracked a dry grin. "Get used to it."
Kaito was actually not focusing on the people but on the new prompt infront of him
[System Reward – World First Clear: King Difficulty]
Congratulations, Captain Raen. As the first team to clear Echoing Deep on King Difficulty, you have been granted:
Echoing Deep Dungeon Proceeds (1 Month) – 30% of all entry fees collected from players entering this dungeon for the next 30 days will be transferred to your Bank.
Honor Points: +50
South Glade Reputation:
• Raen – Relationship Upgraded: Friendly → Esteemed
• All Other Team Members – Relationship Established: Neutral → Friendly
Kaito glanced at the golden flame icon in the corner of his interface. Normal difficulty costs one gold. Intermediate two. Hard three. Horror five. Nightmare seven. And King… ten gold per run. His lips curled into a faint smirk. At this rate, we'll earn more just sitting outside than clearing it again.
Somewhere near the edge of the plaza, Rhine of Everhold Dominion stood watching, arms crossed, eyes cold. His officers murmured plans, but he said nothing.
Not yet.
As the Genesis team regrouped in formation, Kaito spoke without turning his head. "Let's not waste time."
None of the Genesis members broke formation. They followed Raen quietly, leaving the recruiters standing in their own silence.
They didn't speak for several steps.
Even as the place buzzed and the recruiters whispered among themselves, none dared follow the Genesis team. The sheer aura they exuded, the faint gleam of armors, and the unmistakable [Genesis] tag—was enough to silence even the boldest.
Eventually, they reached the western edge of South Glade. Past the quest boards and merchant pavilions, a winding cobblestone lane stretched toward the back quarter—marked only by a single banner and a modest stairwell leading down into a shaded hallway.
Kaito stopped.
"This is where we part ways," Kaito said firmly. "You all know your advancement paths. Head to your instructors and complete your class advancements—you already have the materials you need."
With a nod to the rest, he turned and walked alone—heading toward a narrow alley hidden behind the alchemist's spire. Few players ever ventured there; fewer still knew what it led to.
He passed a rusted gate, followed a curving path beneath a flowering arch of Spiritvine, and arrived at a door carved from volcanic ashwood. It bore no sigil. Only a single rune that shimmered when touched.
Kaito placed his palm to the wood.
The rune pulsed once.
[System Prompt – Hidden Class Advancement Quest: Magic Swordsman]
The door creaked open.
Inside was a circular chamber lit by slow-burning candles. Scrolls lined the curved walls, ancient weapons hung in quiet reverence, and at the center stood a solitary figure—cloaked in dark indigo robes, her silver-white hair cascading down her back in gentle waves.
Her eyes, when she turned, were violet. Not glowing. Just… sharp.
"You returned," she said. Her voice carried the weight of still waters.
Kaito bowed slightly. "The Sovereign is dead. I've completed my task"
She studied him a moment longer. Then gave a slight nod.
"Very well. The contract stands."
She stepped aside, revealing a pedestal behind her—one layered with ancient glyphs and a glowing sigil suspended above it.
[System Notification]
Input registered. Task was designed for completion at Hard Difficulty. Execution at King tier exceeds baseline parameters. Updating protocol...
You have fulfilled the conditions for Hidden Class Acquisition.
Advance to: Magic Swordsman?
Note: This path fuses martial and elemental disciplines. Cannot be reversed. Exclusive class. Only one instance exists per world cycle.
[Confirm Advancement]
Kaito pressed the interface.
The sigil descended, burning into his chest like liquid lightning. Power surged through his limbs—not overwhelming, but deep, like steel folding into itself.
[Class Changed – Magic Swordsman] [New Skill Unlocked: Spellblade Surge] [New Skill Unlocked: Elemental Channel] [Passive Unlocked: Arcane Core Fusion – +10% Mana Regen, +5% Weapon Affinity] [Weapon Compatibility Expanded – Can equip both Swords and Spell Devices]
[New Panel Unlocked – Class Skill Grid]
[System Reward Update Detected...]
User performance evaluated: King Difficulty Clear Confirmed. Executing reward adjustment...
[Legacy Points Increased: 10 → 50] [Legacy Mall Access Granted – Class: Magic Swordsman]
Legacy Mall: Magic Swordsman Skill Shop
Advanced Skills:
Chrono Rift Slash (50 LP) – Strike that bends time around the blade, dealing massive AoE damage and slowing enemies by 30% for 5 sec.
Astral Mirror Step (45 LP) – Creates a clone that mimics your movements for 6 seconds. Cooldown: 60 sec.
Crimson Nova Blade (40 LP) – Converts all mana into a massive explosion around the sword. Scaling with INT + STR.
Intermediate Skills:
Elemental Guard (20 LP) – Casts a rotating shield that blocks one elemental attack every 5 sec (Max 3 hits).
Phase Lunge (18 LP) – Dash through enemies with arcane force, dealing 150% weapon damage.Spellblade Volley (22 LP) – Launches a series of energy slashes from your blade over 3 seconds.
Basic Skills:
Arc Burst (10 LP) – Shoots a small arc of energy from sword, minor damage.Mana Step (8 LP) – Slight movement boost with brief invulnerability (0.5 sec).Focus Edge (5 LP) – Temporarily boosts crit rate by 5% for 10 sec.
After his advancement was confirmed and the sigil faded into his chest
Kaito browsed the Legacy Mall briefly, noting the skills—advanced, intermediate, and basic. The pricing made sense. He would need to prioritize.
[Selected Skill: Elemental Guard – Cost: 20 Legacy Points]
[Selected Skill: Mana Step – Cost: 8 Legacy Points]
[Confirm Purchase?]
Kaito tapped [Yes].
[Skill Acquired: Elemental Guard]
[Skill Acquired: Mana Step]
[Legacy Points Remaining: 32]
Good enough for early formations, he thought. I'll save the rest for post-level 20 advancement.
Just as the glow of the advancement faded and the Legacy Panel dimmed, another prompt slid into view.
[System Prompt]
You have unlocked class advancement and the Legacy Panel.
Experience Pool detected: 10,000 EXP stored.
Requirement to level up from Level 10 → Level 11: 10,000 EXP
Would you like to extract stored experience to level up?
Kaito tapped [Yes] without hesitation.
A surge of energy flooded his body—familiar, but denser now. His vision shimmered for a split second as new energy threads stitched themselves into his limbs.
[Level Up – You are now Level 11]
He opened his character panel to take stock of everything.
[Character Panel – Raen]
Class: Magic Swordsman
Level: 11 [0/15000]
HP: 1640
MP: 1220
Attack: 114–139
Defense: 88
Weapon Equipped: Crimson Talone Blade
Basic Attributes:
Strength: 24
Dexterity: 17
Intelligence: 22
Endurance: 18
Agility: 18
Unallocated: 2
Skills:
Cut [ lvl 4: 50% ]
Cross Slash [ lvl 3: 95% ]
Aerial Claw Slash [ lvl 2: 70% ]
Flame Arc Slash [ lvl 1: 10% ]
Class Skills:
Elemental Guard [ lvl 1: 0% ]
Mana Step [ lvl 1: 0% ]
Legacy Points Remaining: 32
Reputation: Esteemed – South Glade
Life Skill: Potion Brewing (Apprentice)
After his advancement his basic attributes increased significantly specially his intelligence.