The moment their feet settled on the land of Crimson Rift Frontier, the difference became undeniable. This was not like the academy, not like dungeons, not even like the anomaly they had survived before. The air itself felt alive, heavy with layers of energy overlapping each other.
Mana flowed like a wild river, Qi pulsed through the ground in uneven waves, and beneath it all… a dark, suffocating demonic energy lingered like a shadow that refused to fade.
Lee Hyun took a slow breath, but even that felt different. It was dense. Thick. Every inhale felt like drawing in raw power and danger at the same time. Around them, the land stretched endlessly, broken terrain, scorched earth, and faint traces of old battles carved into the very ground. Far in the distance, flashes of light and shockwaves told a silent story, someone was fighting, and not lightly.
Min Seoah stood beside him, her eyes scanning the surroundings carefully. Even her frost aura reacted slightly, instinctively resisting the demonic pressure around them.
"…This place…"
She spoke quietly.
"…feels wrong."
Lee Hyun didn't deny it.
"It is."
And then, a notification appeared.
[System Notice]
[First Job Change Quest Activated]
His eyes sharpened instantly as the interface expanded before him.
[Main Quest: First Job Advancement]
— Objective: Defeat an Elite War Lord within Crimson Rift Frontier
— Difficulty: Extreme
— Time Limit: 7 Days
— Failure: Job Lock / Severe Penalty
— Success: Job Awakening + Stat Evolution + Skill Unlock
A faint silence followed.
"…Elite War Lord."
Min Seoah glanced at him.
"You got your quest?"
He nodded.
"…Yeah."
But before he could close it, another notification appeared. The voice of notification was was different and heavier.
[Hidden Condition Triggered]
[High Luck Detected: 200]
[Scanning for Hidden Path...]
For a brief moment, even the system seemed to pause. Then,
[Legendary Hidden Profession Discovered]
Lee Hyun's pupils narrowed slightly.
"…Oh?"
The information unfolded slowly, unlike normal system prompts, as if this was something far more rare, far more dangerous.
[Hidden Job Path: Abyssal Celestial Sovereign]
— Type: Legendary Hidden Profession
— Requirement: Dual Mastery of Divine and Demonic Authority
— Unlock Condition: Defeat an Elite War Lord while absorbing its core essence using compatible authority
— Additional Trial: Survive domain collapse during final phase
— Risk Level: Lethal
[Rewards]
— Unique Class Awakening
— Exclusive Skill Tree (Locked)
— Massive Stat Evolution
— Authority over Dual Energy Systems
— Future Path: Transcendent Sovereign Route
For a moment silence followed. Even Lee Hyun didn't move.
"…This…"
Was beyond what he expected. A hidden job. Not just rare, but legendary. And the condition? Dangerous, even for him.
Min Seoah noticed his expression.
"…What is it?"
He looked at her. Then spoke.
"…A better option."
She frowned slightly.
"…Explain."
He told her. Not everything, but enough. Her expression changed as she listened.
"…That's insane."
She said it directly.
"You're not just fighting an Elite War Lord…"
"You're trying to absorb it while fighting?"
He nodded.
"…Yeah."
She stared at him for a moment.
"…And you're actually thinking of doing it?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…I didn't come here to play safe."
A pause.
"…I'm going for it."
Silence followed. Then, he spoke again.
"You shouldn't come with me."
Her expression changed instantly.
"…What?"
"This quest…"
He continued calmly.
"…is dangerous even for me. I don't need you risking your life."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And you do?"
"That's different."
"How?"
He sighed slightly.
"…Because I have to do this."
She stepped forward.
"And I don't?"
A pause.
"…Our master told us to stay together."
He shook his head.
"This isn't the same. There's no point in finding death for yourself."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"…So you think I'll just die?"
"That's not what I said."
"Then what are you saying?"
A brief tension formed between them. He exhaled slowly.
"…If something happens to you… your mother will kill me."
She froze for a second.
"…And what about your sister?"
He didn't hesitate.
"That's none of your concern."
Her eyes sharpened.
"…Say that again."
He looked at her directly.
"You don't need to worry about me. You just need to stay safe."
Silence once again took place there. Then,
"…No."
She said it firmly.
"I'm coming."
He frowned slightly.
"…You're being stubborn."
"And you're being an idiot."
A pause, then she stepped closer.
"…We survived worse… together."
His expression softened slightly. But only for a moment.
"…Fine."
He turned away slightly.
"But listen carefully."
She crossed her arms.
"I always do."
"If things go bad…"
He looked at her again.
"…you follow my orders. And leave immediately."
A pause. Then,
"…Deal."
She answered.
They changed their appearance soon after, wearing simple, worn-out clothes to blend in. The battlefield wasn't just about strength, it was also about survival, and standing out unnecessarily could bring trouble they didn't need.
After hours of movement, they finally reached a guarded zone. A temporary settlement built near one of the safer entry points, surrounded by barriers and guarded heavily.
As they approached, a voice echoed.
"Stop."
The guards stepped forward, their eyes sharp, their presence strong.
"Identify yourselves."
Lee Hyun calmly took out the identity token given by their master and handed it over. The guard scanned it, then glanced at both of them again.
"…You two are registered as…"
He paused. Then looked again.
"…Husband and wife?"
Silence. Min Seoah froze.
"…What?"
Her voice rose slightly.
"What do you mean wife?!"
Her eyes widened.
"What the hell is my mother thinking?!"
Lee Hyun blinked once. Then, he laughed. A genuine one.
"…Didn't expect that."
He glanced at her.
"…But I don't mind."
Her face turned slightly red.
"Don't get any ideas."
She said quickly.
"…I won't."
He replied calmly.
"…Probably."
She glared at him.
"…Idiot. Basterd..."
The guard sighed slightly and waved them through.
"Go."
As they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed instantly. The pressure was heavier here, but not from energy, from presence, from death. From countless battles that had taken place. It felt like the ground itself remembered everything.
Min Seoah slowed slightly.
"…This feeling…"
Her voice lowered.
"…It's like… we're being watched."
Lee Hyun noticed it too. The faint chill. The silent pressure. Without saying anything, he reached out, and held her hand. She froze for a second. Then, the pressure eased, not completely, but enough. She looked at him. He didn't look back.
"Stay close."
He said calmly.
"You... Idiot."
She muttered. But, she didn't pull her hand away. And for the first time, she didn't want to. They moved forward together. After some time, they reached a desolate area, the ground covered in broken bones, old weapons scattered around, the air thick with a strange, ominous energy.
"…A battlefield."
Min Seoah whispered.
"…No."
Lee Hyun corrected.
"…A graveyard."
Silence followed. Even the wind felt heavy here. As if something had once happened here, something massive. Something unforgettable. They didn't stay long.
Moving forward again, they eventually reached a forest area, darker, quieter, safer for rest. The sun had already begun to set, and both of them were exhausted from travel.
"Let's stop here for today."
He said. She nodded. Lee Hyun quickly set up a small tent and took out food from his inventory. Simple, but enough. They sat together, eating quietly at first, the tension of the day slowly fading.
After a while, she spoke.
"…Tell me something."
He glanced at her.
"…What?"
"…Your family."
A pause.
"…Your life."
He looked at the fire for a moment. Then,he spoke, and as she listened. Something shifted in her expression. A faint emotion, subtle, but there. Jealousy.
He noticed it. But didn't say anything. Because, for now, this moment… was enough.
---
To be continued..