"W-what is this…?"
The professor staggered backward.
"You… died. You are alive. You should be dead. He was obviously dead."
Andrea was also shocked.
On the other hand, Jin-hyuk kept touching his shoulders and waist.
"Ugh. I was halfway through the Styx River and back."
He could even see the flower garden and amazing beauties that asked him to cross over. For a moment, he almost followed their request.
It was a shame that the song was from Ancient Greece. It would have been more exciting if they were singing trot.
'The curse of the Demon King has disappeared with this.'
Jin-hyuk nodded, feeling satisfied.
From the first meeting with the Demon King to receiving the hidden quest—from making the professor use his relic while simultaneously waiting for the Blessing of the Stars to revive him and lift the Demon King's curse—everything had gone as planned.
'The casting time of the magic book worked right.'
He could no longer use his unique abilities and skills now.
But it didn't matter.
He had suddenly lost his strength because of the professor's relic.
'Like a complete scarecrow being hit.'
The master of the gladiator arena was adept at using various weapons.
The master of the mine was incredibly strong, whereas the professor used a powerful magic relic, but…
Since the relic was used, its magic was now depleted for the moment, so there was no concern about how the rest of this would go.
"You bastard! Just who the hell are you—!"
The professor couldn't even finish his angry words.
"Why? Is this the first time you've seen someone die and come back?"
"Of course!"
"What kind of professor doesn't accept resurrection? Shouldn't you, of all people, trust this more than me?"
If they believed this, he would consider them even more insane—but they would survive longer too. Besides, what if he respawned and could suddenly shoot lasers from his eyes? Wouldn't that be interesting?
"Don't talk shit!"
The professor cursed as he picked up a surgical knife from the table. This meant he wasn't going to lie down quietly.
"You will regret this."
Jin-hyuk smiled and lowered his stance.
Srng!
A red dagger appeared in his right hand.
Kang!
The surgical knife and dagger crossed paths.
Jin-hyuk deflected the professor's attack aimed at his heart and countered by striking his thigh.
Puak!
On target.
The dagger went in deep.
"Kwak!"
The professor screamed in pain.
He had said Jin-hyuk would regret this. When someone who belonged on the back line stepped forward like this, victory and defeat were already decided.
No—just one more thing.
The professor still had a way to turn the situation around.
Of course.
'Even though that is exactly what I want.'
Jin-hyuk glanced at the jar and the professor.
Wasn't now the time to gamble?
If this continued, the professor would die. He knew that better than anyone.
Jin-hyuk continued provoking him, pushing him further into a corner.
Now the opponent had to choose whether he would die—
"Damn it."
In the end, the professor made his decision.
[5th-floor Professor activates Lv10 'Sacrifice'!]
Something resembling a human hand protruded from the professor's chest.
It had an eerie appearance and was made of smoke.
"If I don't have enough magic… all I need to do is supplement it!"
Right.
A method to replenish the relic's magic by sacrificing his own followers.
The professor's hidden card.
Swish!
The hand flew toward Andrea.
She couldn't react in time—she had never fought before.
"Ah…?"
Andrea looked down at her chest with trembling eyes.
Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
She saw a hand gripping her heart as the smoke thickened.
"Give up your powers, you humble servant!"
No matter how small her magic was, it would still be a useful variable.
But—
"Petria de Ame…"
The moment the skill began absorbing her magic—
"Peteria de Amerois. Theo pa Verisio."
Another familiar voice intervened.
It was Jin-hyuk.
"…!?"
The professor snapped his head around.
He was so shocked that he nearly bit his tongue.
"H-how do you know the runes…?"
"Those ancient runes are basic. Doesn't everyone speak at least three languages these days?"
What was more difficult was predicting which of the many spells the opponent would use.
From the professor's perspective, there was no time to think.
Kukuku!
From this moment on, a price had to be paid.
Kukukuku!
The Filth Eating Jar began to vibrate violently.
It would devour the target according to the caster's orders.
"Eik!"
The professor turned to run.
Unlike before, he decided escape was the correct choice—but the black hands from the jar were much faster.
Kwakwang!
They seized him completely.
Head, cheeks, waist, shoulders, legs.
A perfect capture.
"N-no! No!"
The professor struggled wildly.
He clawed at the stone floor and kicked the desk in desperation.
It was all futile.
Just holding on didn't stop the devouring.
Kakakak!
Ten nail marks were carved into the stone floor before the end.
"Ackkk!"
The professor's body was swallowed whole by the jar.
Crack!
Crack!
Crush!
The horrifying sounds of bones being crushed echoed.
The man who once ruled over countless followers as the Demon King's right hand met his end.
No—perhaps it was even merciful compared to being burned alive.
The entire process lasted less than thirty seconds.
Jin-hyuk stared coldly at the jar, then turned his head.
Andrea lay there, barely conscious.
"I-I… did you get him?"
"Do you know what I need?"
"T-that…"
Andrea touched her body, confusion outweighing relief.
"Doesn't your body feel lighter? Full of power?"
"Uh? Ah… now that you mention it… It's like waking up after a good night's sleep."
'As expected. It worked.'
The professor was dead.
Yet the message announcing the conquest of the 5th floor hadn't appeared.
That was natural.
Because the true head of the psychiatric ward hadn't died yet.
'When the professor dies during the sacrificial ritual, the relic chooses a new master.'
In other words—
Andrea.
'It's time she realizes it.'
"Ah…!"
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
She finally understood.
The succession effect.
The birth of a new master.
And that master—
'Will obey me alone.'
Jin-hyuk smiled.
Others might think killing the boss was the only way to clear a floor.
'I'm different.'
Veterans don't follow the obvious path.
They ignore conditions if it means better outcomes.
That was how veterans climbed.
That was how they reached the top.
"You were betrayed by the people you trusted most and abandoned here."
"That's… true."
"Those days are over. At least on the 5th floor, no one will look down on you again."
She was no longer a disposable believer.
She was the ruler of the ward, commanding power and subordinates.
This would be her domain.
"So live with a smile."
"Thank you… truly…"
Tears welled in Andrea's eyes as years of pain finally spilled out.
The stigma bound her loyalty.
But even without it, she would never betray the man who gave her freedom.
Still—
"I don't really like being thanked…"
Jin-hyuk muttered, waiting.
Andrea wiped her tears and stood straight.
It was decided.
"My name is Andrea. I am the master of this ward."
She knelt on one knee.
"All beings in this ward—including myself—will follow you. Even if your command opposes the rulers of the upper floors."
She bowed sincerely.
[The boss monster 'Andrea' of the 'Psychiatric Ward' on the 5th floor swears allegiance.]
[The Mine and Gladiator Arena have been released.]
[The 6th Floor of the Tower of Trials is open!]
[Time remaining until clearing the next floor: 89D 23h:59m:59s]
[Level has risen.]
[Level has risen.]
[Level has risen.]
Status windows poured in as the floor cleared.
'The authority of the 5th floor will be useful later.'
Lower-floor influence was essential for the future.
Jin-hyuk looked at the final reward.
[You are the first to receive the loyalty of a boss monster.]
[You have acquired the special item 'Mirror That Breaks Down Boundaries (Overrank)']
"…This."
Jin-hyuk frowned.
An absurdly massive reward.
The 5th floor was cleared.
The world erupted in cheers once more.
And once again, the name at the center was Kang Jin-hyuk.
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