Chapter 9: Crimson Gate
The Crimson Gate towered over the city like a bleeding wound in reality.
Red mist poured endlessly from its entrance.
[A-Rank Dungeon Confirmed]
Recommended Players: 50+
And yet—
More than 200 players had gathered.
Guild banners waved proudly.
Radiant Dawn.
Heaven's Balance.
Iron Wall.
Cameras floated overhead. Live streams were active.
This wasn't just a raid.
It was a show.
Entering the Trap
Lee Min-Seok stood at the front, radiant smile in place.
"Today," he announced, "we show the world what heroes look like."
Cheers erupted.
Then—
Kang Tae-Hyun arrived.
No banner.
No armor shining for the camera.
Just calm steps and cold eyes.
The crowd parted instinctively.
Whispers followed him.
"That's the ERROR rank…"
"He doesn't even have a guild…"
"Is he human?"
Seo-Ah stayed close to him, nervous but determined.
"Too many people," she whispered.
"That's the point," Tae-Hyun replied. "Stay behind me."
Lee Min-Seok approached, hand extended.
"Glad you came," he said.
Tae-Hyun didn't shake it.
"Let's get this over with."
For the first time, Lee Min-Seok's smile cracked.
The Gate Opens
The dungeon swallowed them whole.
Inside—
A ruined crimson city stretched endlessly. The air was thick with corrupted mana.
[Dungeon Rule Applied]
Exit locked until Boss Defeated
Monsters surged immediately.
Crimson hounds. Bladed wraiths. Mutated knights.
Guilds moved in perfect formation.
Orders shouted. Skills activated.
And then—
It happened.
The Betrayal
A Radiant Dawn signal flare exploded in the air.
Suddenly, formation shifted.
Iron Wall's defense line pulled back.
Heaven's Balance redirected monsters.
The pressure surged toward one spot.
Toward—
Kang Tae-Hyun.
Seo-Ah's eyes widened. "Bro—!"
Monsters flooded in like a tidal wave.
Lee Min-Seok's voice echoed calmly through the channel.
"ERROR rank Kang Tae-Hyun," he said.
"Show us your value."
Tae-Hyun exhaled slowly.
"So this is your test."
One Man, One Frontline
He stepped forward.
Alone.
The ground trembled.
Mana erupted—not explosive, not flashy.
Heavy. Absolute. Crushing.
The monsters froze mid-charge.
Then collapsed.
Hundreds—flattened as if pressed by an invisible god.
Players stared in horror.
"What… skill is that?"
"There was no casting time—"
Tae-Hyun kept walking.
Each step erased enemies.
He didn't swing wildly.
Didn't shout.
Didn't pose.
He simply advanced.
Behind him, Seo-Ah raised her trembling hands.
Light answered.
[Skill Activated]
Sacred Guard – Prototype
A translucent barrier wrapped around Tae-Hyun.
Her first battle.
Her first stand.
The Boss Awakens
The city shook violently.
A roar split the sky.
From the central plaza rose the dungeon ruler.
[A-Rank Boss]
Crimson Tyrant: Varkhaz
HP: ██████████
A giant armored monstrosity, blade fused to its arm, eyes burning red.
Lee Min-Seok swallowed hard.
"This wasn't in the intel…"
Tae-Hyun stepped forward.
"Stay back," he told Seo-Ah calmly.
She shook her head.
"I won't."
For a brief second—
He smiled.
"Then don't blink."
Hero vs Error
The Crimson Tyrant charged.
The impact shattered buildings.
Tae-Hyun met it head-on.
No fear.
No hesitation.
One punch.
The boss staggered.
The entire dungeon screamed.
[Warning]
Dungeon stability decreasing
Cause: Irregular damage output
Players watched in silence.
This wasn't a raid anymore.
It was an execution.
Lee Min-Seok clenched his fists.
"…Monster," he whispered.
Tae-Hyun raised his hand.
"This ends now."
🔥 End of Chapter 9 🔥