Movement beyond the senses.
It wasn't the kind of movement that could be stopped by seeing it and reacting.
'Either one has the talent to feel the sword.'
Or…
'Become a veteran who has memorized everything.'
Only one of those two types of players could survive before this queen, and Jin-hyuk already knew which path suited him better.
Rather than innate talent acquired through enjoyment, the veteran's path was the one he needed to take.
Kang!
A dazzling flame.
Jin-hyuk slashed his sword toward the queen's heart. The distance between them narrowed step by step.
"Kuak!"
When Pendariel's attack proved unsuccessful, it launched a second one.
[Second Form]
This time, the tip of the sword split into countless paths.
Divided into dots and lines.
[Deliver]
The remnants of the attack erased themselves and struck from the front, back, right, and left.
It was a storm-like sword attack with no blind spots.
Kakaka!
However, the result was the same.
Jin-hyuk moved the Twin Dragon Swords as if he had already measured everything.
Not a single attack touched him, and the distance between them closed once more.
"This time, it's my turn."
A streak of cold rose from Jin-hyuk's fingertips.
[Lv5 Glacier Formation and Black Ice are activated!]
Jin-hyuk used Glacier Formation to create an ice sheet, causing his opponent to lose balance.
"Kuak!"
[Lv1 'Sword Demon Emperor's Footwork' is activated!]
Kukuku!
With abnormal movement, he closed the gap instantly.
"Ack!"
Pendariel roared in fury. This was movement it couldn't even see.
Everything began to collapse.
Jin-hyuk wasn't even trying to block her attacks directly—he accepted them as part of the flow.
Just like that—
Kang!
He got the last laugh.
Kakang!
'!'
The gap he had been waiting for finally appeared.
Jin-hyuk stabbed his swords into the ground and grasped the scythe.
"Damn… it! This cannot… be! To a human!"
Pendariel was enraged.
How could a human, one who couldn't even live a hundred years, possess such flawless technique without showing a single opening?
No matter how arrogant or careless Pendariel had been, it was already too late.
The distance had fully closed.
Slash!
The first crack echoed— the first since the battle began.
A single drop of blood flowed along the cleanly cut line that marked the end.
[4th-floor boss monster 'Pendariel' has fallen!]
[The 5th floor of the Tower of Trials is open!]
[Time remaining until conquering the next floor: 98D: 23h: 59m: 59s]
[Level has risen]
[Level has risen]
[Level has risen]
[You have succeeded in defending the base! 'A-rank random box (5 pieces)' will be given according to base rankings.]
[You have acquired the 'Advanced Skill Enhancement Book (1)' as a reward for most kills.]
[You have obtained a '10% discount coupon for coin exchange fees (1 time)' as a popularity vote reward.]
[You have obtained the 'Magic Library Admission Ticket (1 time)' as a reward for defeating the hidden boss.]
Notifications flooded in.
Who could have expected this?
Anubis and the other gods, who had been certain of victory, were left speechless.
"Still, Pendariel was stronger than the 3rd-floor boss who hid behind its subordinates."
Jin-hyuk spoke quietly. Of course, Pendariel could no longer hear him.
The fierce battle of the 4th floor was over.
Considering the circumstances, this reversal bordered on a miracle.
Two hours later, in a bar in Hongdae.
Jin-hyuk and the others who fought in the Tower finally relaxed.
"Oppa! Here!"
Yoo Yeon-hwa waved.
During the battle, her knuckles had been dripping with blood from brutal close-combat martial arts.
Now, she wore a hoodie and looked relaxed—almost refreshed.
"Hyung! You came?"
Lee Taemin wore jeans, a black T-shirt, and a white cap.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late."
"No, we just arrived too. But… you look completely different. At first glance, I thought a celebrity walked in."
"Hyung, can't we climb the Tower like this?"
After resting, Jin-hyuk had visited a salon, bought new clothes, and changed everything.
Come to think of it, the hairdresser had suggested styling his hair with wax.
He'd thought she was joking—but judging by the reactions, she wasn't.
"If we dress like this, what floor do you think we'll reach?"
Jin-hyuk smiled.
"Miss Teresa?"
"She said she had something to handle for about an hour. She told us to start without her."
Unlike Jin-hyuk, Teresa had exited through the European gate.
She said something important had come up and couldn't join immediately.
As a ranker, she was bound to have her own plans.
And finally—
A man sat quietly at the corner of the table.
"Did you see that guy?"
"Talk slower."
"Wow… I think he just looked at me."
Pubfuture Ads
Perfect proportions. Clothes that suited him too well.
A chic aura, as if he had no worries in the world.
Naturally, he drew attention.
"You're here?"
"As you can see."
"I thought you wouldn't come. Or at least be late by a few hours. You actually kept your promise?"
Jin-hyuk smiled as he sat down.
He remembered the message that had dragged this man here.
—Come to the bar at Exit 3 in Hongdae tomorrow at 7. We're having a beer.
—Funny. Why would I come?
—You want a pick from the random box, right?
And just like that, Chun Yuseong showed up.
Honestly, Chun Yuseong talked and acted like a neighborhood gangster.
Jin-hyuk knew he was a medical student at Korea University, but he genuinely worried for his future patients.
Because it was obvious he'd swing a sword before a scalpel.
"Call a healer or kill me if I ever get hurt."
"What nonsense are you saying?"
"I think dying slowly might be easier…"
"Don't worry. Merit is merit, and life is life. I'll save my patients properly."
…He can't even joke about this.
Jin-hyuk clicked his tongue and drank his beer.
Cold beer slid down his throat, still hot from running.
He tore into spicy fried chicken—crispy outside, tender inside.
"Kuak."
Pure bliss.
Fatigue made the taste even better.
And then—
[Give me some too. Don't eat alone!]
A sharp voice rang from the ring.
It was Elise.
After the 3rd-floor battle, she'd stayed quiet to recover her magic.
It seemed she was fine now.
After being trapped in the Corridor of the Fallen for so long, she was curious about modern food.
"I'd love to eat together, but it's expensive. It's a burden on my wallet."
[Expensive? How much?]
Jin-hyuk put on a serious face.
"At least a thumb-sized diamond. Still cheap compared to alcohol, but considering our relationship, I'll cover it."
Be kind. Be gentle.
Appeal to Elise's pride.
[That! I am not someone who takes things for free.]
As expected—wealthy and proud.
Especially when alcohol was involved.
"Oh? Is this drink made by humans?"
Elise's eyes sparkled.
She wore a black dress with intricate lace, a necklace of rubies and gold.
Her appearance alone proved how much effort it took for her to manifest.
"It's called draught beer."
"Mm! Not bad. It doesn't compare to the finest blood I've tasted through centuries, but it's enough to make me want more."
She was clearly overestimating it.
This was a 2,500-won mass-produced beer—on a 1+1 sale for clearing the 4th floor.
"Try this too."
"This…?"
"Chicken. Soy sauce flavor."
"Meat… I dislike it. But since you recommend it, I'll try."
Elise delicately pierced a chicken thigh with her fork.
Her eyes changed instantly.
Like a predator.
Jin-hyuk reached for another piece.
Clack!
Elise blocked him.
"…."
Not a single piece would escape.
Right—meat makes everyone crazy.
"Eat a lot."
"Thank you. I won't forget this."
Elise lifted her beer with an innocent smile.
Who would believe this small being was one of the Tower's oldest and strongest entities?
"Everyone! I'm here!"
Teresa arrived shortly after, and the atmosphere grew lively again.
But then—
Chik!
The TV volume suddenly rose.
A Tower of Trials special report.
[With the successful conquest of the 4th floor, attention now turns to the 5th floor.]
[Yes. Despite many ups and downs, Korea ranked highly this time. Thanks to Kang Jin-hyuk, humanity reached the 5th floor.]
[Before discussing the 5th floor, shall we show a brief summary for viewers?]
[Of course. Below are the players who played major roles in clearing floors 1 through 4.]
Patrick of the American Titan Guild — 1st floor.
Maria of the European Olympus Guild and the Chinese guild — 2nd floor, alongside Teresa.
Unknown — 3rd floor.
Kang Jin-hyuk — 4th floor.
The pillars of humanity.
[Just hearing those names is reassuring.]
[Indeed. It feels like they'll somehow lead mankind forward.]
[Then, please explain the 5th floor.]
The announcer smiled.
[I understand.]
The 5th floor.
The place they would spend the next 90 days.
[The 5th floor…]
…had been revealed.
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