The entrance to Echoing Deep lay far beyond the bounds of South Glade Town. Without hesitation, Kaito activated a Speed Scroll. A surge of force erupted beneath his feet—his figure instantly blurred, streaking across the open terrain like a phantom.
"What the hell—!?"
"Who's that?!"
"Is he hacking?!"
"No way. This is Glory…"
Before they could get a clear look, he was already gone. The only trace he left behind were faint afterimages and the whipping gusts in his wake. Dozens of players along the route were left gaping.
"That speed… That has to be an assassin with full agility and maxed movement buffs!"
"But his gear didn't even look light!"
"He was faster than a damn sports car…"
They weren't wrong to be shocked.
Ever since Kaito reached Level 15, his combat strength had skyrocketed. Not only did every attribute rise by five points and his HP increase by 50, but his current build outclassed the average player by a mile.
With the growth-type Solstice Blade in his primary hand and the Gold-ranked Dragon Fang in his off-hand, Kaito's offensive power had doubled. Add to that his full Silver-grade set and additional independent silver pieces, and his stats weren't just high—they were absurd.
But what truly widened the gap was the movement technique he had brought from reality—one discovered in the ancient library ruins. A technique only possible to execute in Glory through synchronized mental precision and reflex mastery.
Until now, Kaito had avoided using it. He wasn't Rank 1 yet, and controlling it took a toll on his stamina and concentration. But this time—he didn't hold back.
He used every card he had.
Because they had touched his family.
…..
[Skill Unlocked – Windveil Steps]
Even at the beginner level, this skill increased movement speed by 15%, boosted attack speed by 5%, reduced stamina consumption during high-speed movement, and nullified terrain penalties from environmental obstacles like shrubs and brambles. It could easily be considered a god-tier skill for open-field combat.
Though Kaito had yet to master it, even as a beginner, Windveil Steps allowed him to glide across the terrain as if born to the wind. Normally, it would take over two hours to cross the wilderness and reach the Echoing Deep entrance from South Glade Town.
But with this technique combined with the Speed Scroll's temporary boost, he arrived in just under an hour.
A blur across open plains, a phantom in the forests—players could barely register his presence.
"Who the hell was that?!"
"I thought I saw afterimages..."
"There's no way that's normal speed—what class is he?!"
Kaito ignored the stunned murmurs left in his trail.
With Dragon Fang gleaming at his side, the Solstice Blade resting at his back, and his silver equipment glinting under the morning sun, his figure became an image etched into the minds of every player who happened to glance his way.
As he approached the outer perimeter of the Echoing Deep, the environment subtly shifted. The valley marked the transition from Level 13 monster zones to the inner Level 14 danger zone. While most of the outer mobs had been cleared out by earlier players, the remaining monsters now roamed in aggressive packs.
For an average solo player, approaching this zone alone would be suicidal.
But this was Kaito.
....
As expected, there was a sentry posted.
Kaito's enhanced five senses—trained both from battles—picked up on the disturbance almost instantly. Hiding amidst the thickets surrounding the valley were four figures cloaked in stealth.
Level 14 Assassins.
They weren't random mobs or independent scouts. Judging from their formation and emblems, they were clearly from Everhold Dominion—likely stationed here to monitor the dungeon's approach and relay any sightings.
They were bait triggers—scouts designed to alert Rhine in case of incoming threats.
As I thought, Kaito mused calmly. They've covered the outer approach. If I'd come barreling in like a fool, I would've walked into a prepared ambush.
Despite his rising fury from Aika's call, his mind remained razor-sharp.
But ambushing the ambushers wasn't the answer.
He reached into his inventory and equipped a special item: Veil of Echoes.
A ripple passed through his presence—like air slipping through mist. His figure shimmered once, then vanished completely from detection.
Without glancing toward the assassins again, Kaito continued forward silently, disappearing into the deeper part of the Echoing Deep's approach.
He could have killed all four of them easily.
But doing so would have revealed his arrival. That would only slow him down—and time was something he didn't have.
...
"Boss Gravemind! I don't think Raen will come here. Even if he does, we'll take care of him," the scout said dismissively.
"Don't let your guard down," a reply came coldly.
"Maintain position. If Raen enters the outer region, report immediately. Do not engage—do not even let him sense your presence."
"If this operation succeeds, I'll personally recommend you for elite squad promotion."
"Yes, Commander Gravemind!"
After finishing his report, the assassin grew visibly excited. He straightened his posture and silently crouched near the outer perimeter, waiting for Kaito's arrival with unwavering focus.
Unfortunately for him…
The person he spoke of had already slipped past and entered the inner perimeter undetected.
Using Windveil Steps and the Veil of Echoes, Kaito weaved through the towering tree trunks, each movement precise and silent. His heightened senses scanned the terrain ahead as he leapt effortlessly from branch to branch, eyes sharp and calculating.
Someone's there.
It didn't take long before faint sounds reached his ears—metal clashing, the screech of blades, and chaotic shouting.
It wasn't a minor skirmish.
Kaito narrowed his eyes and accelerated, closing in on the battlefield like a passing shadow. If it had merely been players grinding monsters, the forest wouldn't be this disturbed.
As the sound grew louder, so did the chill in the air.
Leaping onto a higher tree closer to the commotion, Kaito crouched low and observed the scene below.
A brutal battle was unfolding.
Two player teams were locked in fierce combat. One side had only six members remaining—battered, cornered, and without a single healer. On the other side, eighteen players stood strong with the crimson emblem of Everhold Dominion.
Of the eighteen, three were healers—two Level 12 Clerics and a Level 13 Druid. Each wore matching brown set equipment mixed with exotic, mysterious pieces of gear. The rest of the squad boasted full Bronze sets or higher, with no one below Level 12.
These weren't just elites.
They were stronger than any Everhold Dominion players Kaito had seen before—perhaps even stronger than the ones he'd personally wiped out.
What's going on…? Kaito's brow furrowed. Everhold Dominion should've been crippled. So where did all these high-geared elites come from? And why are they even stronger than they were at their peak?
Their current strength was enough to rival a third-rate guild in South Glade Town. The situation was far more complicated than he'd anticipated.
Down below, the commanding swordsman of Everhold Dominion sneered, his eyes fixed on a female assassin with a curvy, agile frame and provocative stance.
"Well now… Don't think you're slipping away this time," he jeered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Just be a good little girl and wait for death."
The girl met his gaze with a lazy smile. Her long, slender brows framed sharp eyes as clear as spring water. Her oval face glowed with rebellious charm—delicate yet lethal, like a dagger wrapped in silk.
"Are you mistaking me for a dreamer?" she said, lips curling slightly. "If I'm dying here, I'll make damn sure you die with me."
Despite the threat, the swordsman only laughed harder.
"You think you're still getting away? The moment we spotted you, we called in the rest of the squad. This entire area is surrounded."
He raised his heavy greatsword and pointed it toward her with a mocking grin.
"If you manage to escape… I'll eat this damn blade."
Not far from her, a muscular berserker leaned close and whispered urgently.
"Sister NyxBlade. You should leave while we hold them off. If this drags on, none of us will make it out."
He glanced toward the Everhold players, then added under his breath, "We're already red-named. If we die here, we'll lose atleast two levels and several pieces of gear. The penalty's too steep."
Though the words were soft, but Kaito—perched high above and blessed with extraordinary senses—heard every syllable.
NyxBlade.
His eyes widened slightly as recognition dawned.
No wonder she looked familiar.
It was the same assassin who had ranked first on the bounty board for Everhold Dominion kills—NyxBlade.
A faint smirk touched Kaito's lips.
So it's you. I was planning to keep going... but now?
He drew in a silent breath, feeling the storm of rage surge through him.
I think I'll make an exception.
He hadn't planned to interfere. His focus was rescuing his own people. But now that NyxBlade was involved, and Everhold Dominion had dared to flaunt its power again...
So Blood would flow.
And he would show Everhold Dominion what it meant to provoke him.