[The Undying Dark Castro's level has increased! Current Level: 105.]
[The Undying Dark Castro's level has increased! Current Level: 106.]
[The Undying Dark Castro's level has increased! Current Level: 107.]
…
…
[Level 120 reached! You have met the required level for promotion! Current Rank: Unique. Upon fulfilling all conditions, you may advance to Epic!]
Ding!
[All conditions fulfilled! The Undying Dark Castro is promoted to Epic rank! Level up! Current Level: 121!]
[Stats are being adjusted to match the new rank!]
[Upon reaching Level 200, you may advance to Legendary rank!]
[Unique Trait "Rapid Regeneration" has advanced to High Grade. Recovery speed from critical wounds increases significantly.]
[Unique Trait "Battle Frenzy" has advanced to High Grade. All stats increase for a period of time proportional to accumulated damage.]
[You have acquired the Unique Trait "Aesthetics of Death"! When receiving fatal damage, you may wield the Chill of Purgatory for one minute!]
"Ohhh."
That was one hell of a cool-sounding trait.
Though… the activation condition being "fatal damage" was a bit much.
Even if he were given a chance to engrave it onto a Blank Card, he'd probably pass. Jin-hyuk wasn't undead—he was immortal. A trait that required him to nearly die wasn't something he could use… or should ever use.
"Commander! Take a look at this!"
Jin-hyuk tore his gaze from Dark's status window and followed Kancho's call.
The Yodel Ranger was peering cautiously over a cliff. Jin-hyuk stepped beside him, careful not to slip.
A bizarrely shaped iceberg had formed below.
"It just appeared down there!"
Something brushed past him, and he turned. Dark was already approaching, stretching lazily.
"Care to take a look? Since you're the ice expert— Commaaaander?!"
Dark didn't stop. He stepped right off the cliff.
As he descended, he spread Eternal Cold Iron to either side. The moment it touched the iceberg—
Rrrrrrrk!
The iceberg trembled violently. Cracks raced across its surface before it shattered completely, releasing an icy aura so cold it stung the eyes.
The Eternal Cold Iron began absorbing it all.
The transformation didn't take long.
The once smooth metal grew rough, its surface darkening into a deep, midnight blue—the very color of the essence it had devoured.
Ding!
[Dark Castro's artifact, Eternal Cold Iron, has absorbed the Essence of Frostheim!]
[Artifact Awakening complete! "Eternal Cold Iron" has been enhanced to "Eternal Cold Iron – Froststorm"!]
[You may now use the Artifact Awakening Skill "Ten Thousand Hymns of Frozen Blossoms"! Requires sufficient surrounding ice. Activating the skill consumes all nearby ice instantly!]
Jin-hyuk clicked his tongue.
Compared to Seira's sword, it felt like an ignition-type skill—but calling it an "Awakening Skill," paired with that poetic four-character name, gave it a strangely romantic flair.
Seira approached, armor scraping softly. She stood beside Jin-hyuk, watching Dark's awakened artifact.
"At least now he'll be worth beating up a little longer."
"Have you seen this before? 'Froststorm' added to Eternal Cold Iron."
"I've seen worse," she replied evenly. "Before I dragged him to prison, he gave me quite the headache."
"Oh? You had trouble?"
She nodded lightly.
"Master, do you remember what Dark Castro said when we first met?"
"That you were the one who threw him into prison—and the first person he couldn't kill."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"It was the same for me. Dark Castro was the first existence I could not kill."
"That's just because he's undead, isn't it?"
"It's not that simple. The reason he ended up imprisoned wasn't because I won."
Jin-hyuk blinked.
Their battle had lasted over a week. No rest. No pause.
"It was the beginning of the second week," Seira continued. "He let my blade strike him—even though he could have blocked it. Then he muttered that he was bored. That he was sleepy. Not long after… he fell asleep in front of me."
Jin-hyuk swallowed.
For someone like Seira, who valued justice and chivalry above all else, a duel to the death was sacred.
And her opponent had simply… fallen asleep.
No wonder she had looked at him with disgust when they first met.
"So it was a draw," Jin-hyuk muttered.
Hard to imagine, considering how badly Dark had been beaten just an hour ago.
"Thank you, Master."
"Hm? For what?"
"For letting me defeat him one-sidedly this time. Once we leave the Tower, I'll have to beat him properly. Before he regains his former strength."
A bead of sweat slid down Jin-hyuk's temple.
You really want to go that far just to punch him?
"Commander, no need to worry," Kancho chirped, suddenly perched on Jin-hyuk's shoulder and patting him with fluffy hands. "People usually become friends by fighting!"
"Are you becoming friends with Elia and Camella, then?"
"There are always exceptions."
Jin-hyuk stared at him.
Why did this guy scream double standards?
"Kancho."
"Yodel Ranger Kancho!"
"Now that Dark's artifact awakening is done, how about we eat something? Enjoy the blossoms."
"Sounds great! Momo! Where's Momo?!"
Kancho leapt down and ran toward the campfire.
Jin-hyuk turned.
Cherry blossoms swirled beautifully through the snowstorm.
A collaboration between the sturdy seeds of the Hanamori family and the Star Alchemist Elia Posen.
As soon as petals fell, new blossoms bloomed in their place.
'An infinite cherry blossom tree…'
He rubbed his chin.
'Maybe when we move, I should try growing fruit trees.'
Ordinary seeds wouldn't survive the medicinal enhancements yet—but with enough testing, it might be possible.
An infinite apple tree…
Just imagining it made him grin.
"Commander!"
Kancho waved from the firepit. Dark had already climbed back up.
Jin-hyuk walked over.
A flower-viewing party.
He'd never done that before.
During blossom season, the famous spots were always packed with people—and he'd never had anyone to go with anyway.
'I always thought it was just for couples and social butterflies.'
Not anymore.
Time to step into that world.
Jin-hyuk nodded solemnly.
A flower-viewing party in the barren land of Frostheim.
Until the system announced their departure from the 12th Floor of the Mythical Tower—
He was going to enjoy it to the fullest.
Seoul Player Hunter Association, Strategic Headquarters.
Director Han Ji-won took a sip of tea.
"So. What floor is Runner on now?"
"Floor 62."
"And the rating? Don't tell me…"
Her secretary scratched his head.
"Yes. SSS+ again."
She set the cup down and leaned back in her chair.
How disappointing.
Not because Runner had done poorly—but because he hadn't.
Every day, she prayed—not for failure, but at least for a slight drop in rank.
'They're going to strut into the next meeting again.'
Just imagining HR Director Lee Chang-gi and his right-hand man, Team Leader Jin Yun-ho, smirking about Runner made her irritation spike.
'Damn his luck.'
Not Runner's luck.
Lee Chang-gi's.
It had always been like this. Things that shouldn't work somehow did. Things impossible to find appeared in his hands.
Not because of skill.
Because circumstances bent in his favor in ways that made onlookers question reality itself.
If there were a Goddess of Fortune, she was firmly on his side.
Runner was no exception.
No one in the Association knew much about Runner's true identity—but rumors said Jin Yun-ho hadn't found Runner.
Runner had sought him out.
'Why him…?!'
She ground her teeth.
Out of all the team leaders—why Jin Yun-ho?
If it was money Runner needed, she could have provided truckloads.
Regardless, thanks to Runner, Lee Chang-gi and Jin Yun-ho were rising fast within the Association.
They alone held a connection to Korea's new hope—an existence the world knew nothing about.
The more Runner accomplished, the higher their standing climbed.
And the more theirs rose, the more Han Ji-won's own position slipped.
'Damn it… I'm jealous.'
She admitted it plainly, brushing back her hair.
But she had no intention of giving up.
If she couldn't have Runner—
She'd build her own answer.
"The bags?"
"We secured two."
Han Ji-won reviewed the documents.
[Felts, Master of the Infinite Warehouse – Bag / Rank: Transcendent]
Felts is said to possess everything in the world.
A bag with limitless storage capacity.
Can store non-Tower items as well.
Items exceeding certain size, volume, or weight cannot be stored.
The internal storage structure can be freely designed and configured.
The owner—or those permitted by the owner—may directly enter the warehouse. While inside, the bag cannot be moved. Even with permission, entry requires the owner's accompaniment.
[Rasvelt the Trickster's Picnic Bag / Rank: Epic]
A bag used by Rasvelt, a spirit who despises peace and tranquility and loves mischief.
A small, adorable crossbody bag.
The opening is small; oversized items cannot be stored.
Maximum capacity: 500 kg.
Features classification functionality, allowing quick retrieval of desired items in any situation.
"Nice."
A satisfied smile curved her lips.
Spatial inventory items were nearly extinct on the market. Money alone couldn't buy them.
And yet she had secured two.
"Contact Player Ryu Seung-kwon and Player Yeom Chang-seok. Tell them what they requested is ready."
"Yes, Director."
Han Ji-won's smile sharpened.
If she couldn't claim Runner, she wouldn't abandon the competition.
Instead, she would gather the best talents available—
Forge them into an elite team that could rival Runner.
And perhaps, one day, surpass him.
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T/N:
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