Night descended quietly over the guild district, wrapping the streets in silver light and deep shadow. Inside his chamber, Rey lay upon his bed, one arm resting across his forehead as he stared at the ceiling. The air was still, yet his mind was anything but calm.
The memories of Floor 6 lingered like a bitter taste he could not swallow.
After several long minutes of silence, he finally spoke into the darkness.
"System, is my strength still not enough for me to explore Floor 6?"
The response came instantly, sharper than usual, carrying a distinct warning.
"The host's strength is still insufficient. The power of Floor 6 is extremely formidable. The host has already entered Floor 6 before. As a result, even with the host's full strength, you were unable to deliver a fatal strike to the powerful monsters within."
The words struck harder than any blade.
Rey slowly closed his eyes.
He could still feel it—the oppressive aura that had weighed down on him the moment he stepped onto that floor. The monstrous entities that roamed there were not like the creatures of the lower levels. They were ancient, dominant, terrifyingly resilient.
No matter how much power he unleashed, no matter how precisely he struck, he had failed to finish them.
A faint bitterness rose in his chest.
He felt like a failure.
Even Melvin—whose level was lower than his—had managed to defeat one of those powerful monsters. That image replayed vividly in Rey's mind, fueling his frustration.
After a while, he opened his eyes again, staring at the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains.
"I've been wondering… how did this Power Stone grant strength to Melvin? Isn't a Power Stone supposed to resonate only with its rightful owner?"
As he spoke, Rey reached into the drawer beside his bed and pulled out the Power Stone that had mysteriously appeared next to him while he was asleep. Its surface shimmered faintly, pulsating with a mysterious inner light.
The System responded after a brief pause.
"The System has accessed all available information and analyzed existing theories based on the current update. The Power Stone likely possesses an energy signature and aura highly similar to Candidate Melvin. Therefore, its power was able to resonate with him effectively."
Rey stared at the stone resting in his palm.
If the stone's aura aligned more closely with Melvin's essence, then its reaction made sense. Power Stones were known to synchronize with mana signatures, spiritual wavelengths, and even latent talent.
But that only deepened the mystery.
"Still… I can't stop thinking about who gave this Power Stone to me."
Silence answered him.
The System did not respond.
Rey narrowed his eyes slightly.
That silence felt deliberate.
After a few moments, he exhaled in mild frustration.
"System, don't I have any other way to increase my level quickly? I've used the Simulation Function twice now, and I've noticed that my level doesn't increase drastically."
He sat upright on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees.
The Simulation Function had sharpened his combat instincts. It had refined his timing and technique. But in terms of raw level growth, the progress had been minimal.
The System replied in its steady mechanical tone.
"That is correct. The Simulation Function only provides combat experience for the host. However, after the System upgrade, XP rewards will be activated. There are, however, several conditions that must be followed."
Rey froze.
XP rewards.
Real experience points.
His heartbeat quickened.
"What are the conditions?"
"The condition is that the host may not fight the same monster repeatedly. The restriction will reset after a cooldown period."
Rey frowned slightly.
"How long is the cooldown?"
"Cooldown lasts several days, typically three days depending on the monster's level."
Three days.
That meant he could farm experience through simulations—but only against different monsters, and only once per cooldown cycle.
It was restrictive, but it was a path forward.
Rey's eyes sharpened with determination.
"I'll try the Simulation Function again. I want to face Draconar using my newest item, the 'Basilisk Sword.'"
The name alone carried weight.
Draconar.
The dragon-tier entity that had dominated Floor 6 like a sovereign ruler.
Rey placed the Power Stone back onto the table and leaned back slightly, another question surfacing in his mind.
"System, back in the ruins of Floor 6… when Draconar mentioned 'Divine Arcanist,' do you know anything about that?"
The memory was vivid. After witnessing Melvin's attack, Draconar had uttered those words with unmistakable recognition.
Rey continued thoughtfully.
"I feel like the Memory Stone we unlocked earlier is connected to someone Draconar once knew—someone called 'Divine Arcanist.' But I don't understand why he said that after seeing Melvin's attack."
The System processed the inquiry.
"The System does not possess data regarding 'Divine Arcanist.' However, hundreds of years ago, there were indeed Players powerful enough to defeat monsters at Draconar's level."
Rey absorbed that information in silence.
So beings of that caliber had once existed.
Was Divine Arcanist one of them?
Was it a title? A class? A legacy?
The questions only multiplied.
After a brief pause, Rey asked another lingering question.
"System, can I use a different armor instead of 'Absolute Veil'?"
The answer came immediately.
"No, Host. 'Absolute Veil' has already become a part of the Host's soul."
Rey's eyes widened.
"My soul? What do you mean?"
The System responded calmly.
"'Absolute Veil' possesses its own consciousness. At present, its power and level remain low, which is why the Host feels that it does not provide significant defensive benefits. However, after it undergoes its second evolution, Absolute Veil will become extremely useful to the Host."
Rey fell silent.
The armor… had its own consciousness?
He instinctively glanced down at his body, as though he might glimpse the invisible barrier protecting him.
He had always regarded it as equipment.
Now, it felt more like a living companion bound to his existence.
"How many times can it evolve?"
"It can evolve three times. For its second evolution, the Host must reach Level 100. The evolution process will require several days to complete."
Level 100.
The number echoed in his mind.
It felt distant—but not unreachable.
Especially now that XP rewards had been unlocked within the Simulation Function.
Rey leaned back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling once more.
Draconar.
Divine Arcanist.
The Power Stone.
Absolute Veil.
Each mystery intertwined with his path forward.
Tomorrow, he and Alex had to finalize their agreement with the Arden Family. Political tension was rising, and external forces were beginning to move. He could not afford weakness—not in battle, not in negotiation.
He closed his eyes slowly.
If Floor 6 had humiliated him once, he would not allow it to happen again.
He would use the Simulation Function wisely.
He would rotate opponents strategically to maximize XP gains.
He would reach Level 100.
And when Absolute Veil evolved—
He would return to Floor 6 stronger than before.
The faint glow of the Power Stone illuminated the darkened room as if silently observing him.
For a fleeting moment, Rey wondered again who had placed it beside him while he slept.
Friend?
Enemy?
Or something far more complex?
The System remained silent.
Eventually, fatigue overtook him.
Tomorrow would bring diplomacy.
Soon after, it would bring war.
With that final thought, Rey allowed sleep to claim him—his resolve burning quietly beneath the surface, waiting for the moment it would erupt once more.
The next morning arrived with a pale golden light spilling across the rooftops of the guild district. Rey awoke slowly, the weight of last night's thoughts still lingering faintly in his mind. For a brief moment, he lay still, staring at the ceiling as he remembered the agreement scheduled for today.
The contract with the Arden Family.
He exhaled and pushed himself upright. There was no room for hesitation now.
After washing and dressing in his usual dark attire, Rey adjusted his gloves and secured his equipment. Though today's visit to the Adventurer Guild was meant to be diplomatic, he had learned long ago that peace talks in this world could shift into battle without warning.
Outside his residence, Alex was already waiting—along with several high-ranking members of Clan Origin.
A short distance away, Emily stood beside Luna, her expression filled with concern.
"Luna, are you alright? Weren't you still under treatment?"
Luna gave a calm smile, though her complexion was slightly pale.
"I'm fine. I just need a little more rest."
Her tone was steady, but inside her heart, a storm of confusion raged.
Why is it that after I found out Rey had returned… I'm afraid of losing him again? Do I… also have feelings for him?
Her cheeks suddenly flushed a deep red at the thought.
Melvin, who stood nearby, immediately noticed the change in her expression. She stepped closer, worry crossing his face.
"Luna, are you alright? Your body feels a little warm. Do you have a fever?"
She gently placed his hand on her forehead, feeling the faint heat rising from her skin.
Luna remained silent.
She could not bring herself to answer. Her mind was still tangled in questions about her own emotions.
Alex, watching the scene, burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Don't worry, Luna. Rey is perfectly fine. He stayed in his room the entire night. I'll keep an eye on his movements. You can rest in your room."
Luna's eyes widened slightly at his words, and she immediately waved her hands in embarrassment.
"Eh, I wasn't thinking about that! Even when they fell into the Valley, I already knew Rey would be safe. I was just thinking about something else!"
Her face grew even redder as she spoke.
Everyone present froze for a brief moment.
They all understood.
Luna had been the one most worried about Rey during his disappearance. Her sleepless nights, her silent prayers—none of it had gone unnoticed.
Elysa, Melvin, and Emily exchanged glances.
The same conclusion formed in each of their minds.
Luna had feelings for Rey.
Just then, the door behind them opened.
Rey stepped out of his residence—and immediately stopped in surprise when he saw the crowd gathered outside.
Alex grinned widely.
"Rey, finally. I've been waiting for you for several hours."
Before Rey could respond, Floryn folded her arms and glanced meaningfully at Emily.
"It was already good when Emily used to wake you up. I told you before—you need someone to take care of your daily life."
Rey blinked, momentarily speechless. A faint crease formed between his brows as he tried to process the teasing implication.
Alex burst out laughing again.
"Hahahahaha! I agree with that. You really do need—"
Before he could finish, Floryn swiftly grabbed his ear and twisted it.
"Don't talk about other people when you're exactly the same!"
"Ow—ow! Alright, alright!"
The others laughed openly at Alex's exaggerated reaction.
The lighthearted atmosphere, however, did not last long.
Willson stepped forward, his expression turning serious.
"Rey, I've received information. The agreement with the Arden Family will be carried out at noon. I've prepared all the arrangements for us to head to the Adventurer Guild."
Rey looked slightly surprised.
"Eh, I don't think that's necessary. Let Alex and me just go together."
Before Willson could respond, Drax stepped forward, his face tense.
"That's not possible, Rey. Things are in chaos right now. You may not know this, but I've heard from other adventurers—outside forces from Christope are monitoring Clan Origin's movements."
Rey's expression hardened instantly.
"What do you mean? Alex, is that true?"
Alex's usual carefree demeanor faded. His gaze lowered slightly.
"Ever since the news spread that you had disappeared, the Arden Family began making moves—moves that even the Royal Family and the Hartz Family cannot fully oppose."
Rey felt a chill crawl down his spine.
Even the Hartz Family could not stop them?
"Did Helberg call upon the noble families of the major nations to pressure Clan Origin?"
Alex closed his eyes briefly before answering.
"Your guess is partially correct. But it's not Helberg. It's the Head of the Arden Family. He has already started moving. Lord Edric once told me that the Head of the Arden Family is extremely powerful. He is currently the strongest figure in the nation of Christope. Beneath him are three powerful elders. Helberg isn't even included among those three."
Murmurs spread among the members present.
Alex then pulled out a sealed letter.
"I ordered my subordinates to gather all information regarding this matter. It has become serious. Even noble houses from the Southern Continent have begun making movements. I don't know how the Arden Family formed alliances with families from the south, but one thing is certain—the Rosenveil Family has begun a thorough investigation of Clan Origin."
Rey's mind flashed back to his time in the nation of Xylandra. He remembered meeting Duke Yuri. Even then, Rey had sensed that the duke was hiding something—but he had been in too much of a hurry to probe deeper.
Now, that memory felt significant.
Alex continued, his tone heavy.
"The Head of the Arden Family has already reached an high level. I received information that he can defeat the three strongest mages of Christope by himself."
Shock rippled through the group.
Rey's eyes widened.
"You mean Katarina once faced the Head of the Arden Family?"
Alex nodded.
"Yes. It happened long ago. At that time, Katarina had just received her title. The three of them were already aligned with the Rosenveil Family. Due to the close ties between the two families, the Head of the Rosenveil Family granted permission for the Head of the Arden Family to spar against all three of them."
Willson, Drax, Tristan, and the others were visibly shaken.
Tristan spoke carefully.
"I remember Katarina's strength being overwhelming… If he defeated power at that level, has the Head of the Arden Family reached the Advanced Stage?"
In this world, power was divided into four stages:
Early Stage (Level 1–65),
Middle Stage (Level 66–135),
Advanced Stage (Level 136–199),
Superior Stage (Level 200+).
Alex gave a grim nod.
"That's correct. However, his exact level cannot be determined. There was once someone who discovered it… but shortly after, that person disappeared."
Silence fell.
Then Alex placed a firm hand on Rey's shoulder, his voice lowering.
"Rey, what you need to understand is this—the Arden Family is actually a branch of the Rosenveil Family. They share the same bloodline. I've learned that the Head of the Arden Family is Loid Rosenveil. The Arden name is merely a cover for his origin. He uses his wife's surname—Glenda Arden."
Gasps erupted among the group.
Willson and Drax turned pale.
Drax swallowed hard.
"I… Willson and I once faced the Arden Family directly. Helberg and one of the highest elders interrogated us. We were terrified at that time."
His voice trembled slightly at the memory.
He looked directly at Rey.
"Rey, I'm not trying to undermine Clan Origin or question your strength. But that elder's power was terrifying. Even his aura alone suppressed us when we were younger. His strength was far beyond yours, Rey."
For a long moment, Rey said nothing.
The air grew heavy.
Then—
A deep, oppressive aura erupted from his body.
The ground beneath their feet trembled.
Cracks spread across the walls of the residence behind him. The atmosphere thickened as if gravity itself had multiplied a hundredfold. Several members struggled to breathe under the crushing pressure.
Drax's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Rey… your power… it's far greater than before."
The aura gradually subsided, leaving only stunned silence in its wake.
Rey's gaze was calm—steady.
The Rey who had returned from the abyss was no longer the same as before.
And if the Head of the Arden Family truly stood at the Advanced Stage…
Then perhaps it was time for the world to realize—
Clan Origin was no longer weak.
Willson stared at Rey in stunned disbelief, his breath momentarily caught in his throat.
This boy… his power is terrifying. It even surpasses that highest elder.
The air still trembled faintly from the pressure Rey had released moments earlier. Cracks had formed along the stone walls, and the ground bore shallow fractures where the invisible force had pressed downward like a crushing mountain.
Rey exhaled slowly and withdrew his aura. The oppressive gravity vanished, and the atmosphere returned to normal, though the lingering shock remained etched across everyone's faces.
Alex's lips curled into a proud grin. He threw his head back and laughed.
"Hahahahaha! I knew it all along. You've been hiding your true strength. I could feel it before—your aura was different."
Rey merely gave a faint smile, but Alex's expression gradually turned serious.
"Rey, there's something you need to understand. The Arden Family has stood strong all this time because they receive full backing from the Rosenveil Family. But there's something that deeply confuses me. The Rosenveil Family even recognizes and forms alliances with powerful families from other continents. That doesn't make sense at all."
The others fell silent, listening carefully.
Rey lowered his gaze slightly, his thoughts moving quickly.
"There's a possibility… that they are one of the families that joined the Continental Alliance. I've obtained a bit of information about it."
He remembered clearly the conversation he once had with Leo inside the dungeon. At the time, it had seemed like casual talk. Now, it felt like a missing piece of a much larger puzzle.
In his memory, Leo had said:
"Do you know, Ace? Every Duke from any major family receives an invitation from the Continental Alliance."
Back then, Rey had been surprised.
"I didn't know about that."
Leo had laughed lightly.
"Oh? So you didn't know. They join the Continental Alliance and receive treasures and powerful items from them. But there are certain conditions. I don't know what the exact conditions are, but what I do know is this—when the Alliance gives an order, every family aligned with it must obey and carry it out. Otherwise, that family will disappear from the history of this world."
At the time, Rey had simply listened.
Now, everything felt connected.
The movements of the Rosenveil Family.
The pressure from the Arden Family.
The investigation targeting Clan Origin.
It all pointed toward one central force—the Continental Alliance.
And deep inside, Rey felt certain.
This had something to do with his Core Regeneration ability.
He remained silent about that conclusion. He did not wish to burden the others with the full weight of his suspicion—not yet.
After a moment, Rey straightened his posture and addressed everyone.
"Return to your respective duties. Alex and I will handle the agreement with the Arden Family."
However, the expressions on their faces told a different story.
They did not wish to stay behind.
Eris stepped forward first.
"Rey, you don't need to worry about the clan's internal matters. The division captains can manage everything."
Tristan nodded in agreement.
"That's right. With Alex's subordinates assisting, daily operations are already well organized. Even training sessions are now led by the captains of Divisions Three and Four."
Drax folded his arms.
"I've personally taught both of them the full training structure we implemented. Don't worry about it, Rey."
Willson added calmly,
"I know you're concerned about diplomatic issues within the clan. But the captains of Divisions One and Two are excellent in that area. They used to serve under Eris, so they know how to handle minor disputes. They don't need to wait for our instructions—they can carry out their missions independently."
Alex laughed and slung an arm around Rey's shoulder.
"Don't worry, my friend. I've arranged everything properly. My subordinates will report to me immediately if there's any major issue. Besides, the division captains have grown rapidly. The captains of Divisions Three and Four are nearly at Eris's level now."
Rey blinked in surprise.
He hadn't realized how much Clan Origin had grown in his absence. Their development had accelerated beyond his expectations.
After a brief pause, he let out a quiet sigh.
"Alright. All of you may follow us."
Willson clapped his hands in satisfaction.
Moments later, the Captain of Division Five approached and delivered a formal report.
"All preparations have been completed. The guards and carriages are fully secured and ready."
Soon after, the group began moving toward the main gates of Clan Origin.
As Rey looked around, he noticed how many members had gathered to accompany them. The sheer number felt excessive for a simple contract signing.
He leaned slightly toward Alex and spoke quietly.
"Hey… what's really going on? Why are they all so excited? I think the two of us would have been enough to sign the agreement."
Alex smiled knowingly.
"You really don't know anything, do you? All this time, they've been waiting for a chance to repay the humiliation caused by the Arden Family. Many of them lived in hardship before joining the clan. After becoming part of Clan Origin, they finally saw a brighter future. When news of this agreement spread, they begged their division captains to let them attend. They want to show the world the grandeur of Clan Origin."
Rey frowned slightly.
"But isn't the clan already in a phase of rapid development? Many people in this country know that Clan Origin is the clan that cleared Floor 7."
Alex looked at him with mild exasperation.
"Didn't I tell you? Families from other nations—even other continents—are watching Clan Origin."
Rey suddenly remembered something.
"Hey… does Lucas know about this?"
Alex shook his head confidently.
"Don't worry. I've concealed our information as thoroughly as possible."
Rey felt a sense of relief at that.
Soon, they boarded their respective carriages.
There were three in total.
The first carriage carried Rey, Alex, Floryn, Elysa, Melvin, Luna, and Emily.
The second carriage held Willson, Drax, Tristan, Eris, Vincent, and Evelyn.
The third carriage was occupied by the captains of Divisions Fourteen through Twenty.
As the horses began pulling them toward the Adventurer Guild, the interior of the first carriage grew quiet.
After a moment, Rey spoke softly, yet clearly enough for everyone inside to hear.
"There's something I want to tell you."
All eyes turned toward him.
Rey met their gazes one by one before continuing.
"I can sense that the Continental Alliance is moving. They're targeting something that belongs to me."
Shock spread across their faces.
Alex reacted first.
"You mean your regeneration power? How could they possibly know about that?"
Rey's expression hardened.
"I can feel that they've known since their representative visited Clan Origin."
A faint unease settled inside the carriage.
Melvin's fists tightened slightly.
Luna's expression turned pale.
Emily bit her lower lip.
Alex leaned back against his seat, deep in thought.
But before anxiety could spread further, Rey continued firmly.
"However, we don't need to panic. As for dealing with the Rosenveil Family, I have an idea. We'll use someone on the inside to uncover the truth."
Alex blinked in surprise.
"An insider? What do you mean?"
Rey's eyes darkened slightly.
"I don't know if he'll be able to help… but we have to try."
Understanding slowly dawned on Alex's face. A grin spread across his lips.
"Hahahahaha! You're impressive. I didn't expect you to establish contact with someone overseas faster than I did."
Rey shook his head slightly.
"First, we settle matters with the Arden Family here in Christope. After that, we'll form a new strategy."
The others nodded in agreement.
They understood what was at stake.
This was no longer merely about pride, revenge, or clan reputation.
It was about survival.
Rey slowly clenched his fist.
Within his palm, he felt the faint pulse of his regeneration core—a power capable of restoring wounds that would kill ordinary people, a power that defied natural limits.
He murmured under his breath,
"I never imagined… this power would be so coveted by them."
Outside, the wheels of the carriage rolled steadily along the stone road.
Ahead lay the Adventurer Guild—and beyond that, the tightening web of the Continental Alliance.
Rey's gaze sharpened.
If they wanted his power—
They would have to take it from him.