On the day Rey and Alex had decided upon, Clan Origin finally began to move.
Willson, together with the senior officials and every division that had already formed teams, entered the dungeon one after another. Their objective was clear—raise their levels as quickly as possible. The atmosphere within Clan Origin was tense yet focused, as everyone understood the importance of what lay ahead.
Meanwhile, Rey and Alex were making their own preparations to enter Floor 6.
At first, Eris was reluctant to accept Rey’s decision to bring Emily along. Concern was written clearly on her face. However, Rey reassured her calmly.
“Don’t worry. Your role is to protect Clan Origin from external threats.”
After Willson’s team returned from their training, it would be Tristan and his team’s turn to enter the dungeon and continue leveling.
Rey then asked Alex to gather all the necessary supplies. Melvin, Luna, and Elysa would also be joining them on their journey to Floor 6. Alex had already informed Rey that the three of them had grown significantly stronger. He wanted Rey to personally see how much progress they had made.
Inside Rey’s room, he took a deep breath.
“System,” Rey said, “redeem all the rewards I’ve obtained so far.”
A familiar sound echoed.
Ding dong.
“All rewards have been added to inventory.”
Inventory:
? Total Stats: 325
? Total XP: 75,000
? Mana Stone: 16
? Low-tier Potion: 25
? Mid-tier Potion: 18
? High-tier Potion: 17
? Grand-tier Potion: 8
? Gold Coin: 20,150
? Dragon Armor (Rare Equipment)
? Blade of Odyssey (Rare Equipment)
? Spear of Dragon Slayer (Legendary Equipment)
? Grimoire of Arcane (Rare Equipment)
? Staff of Destiny (Rare Equipment)
Rey stared at the list.
For a moment, he was speechless.
“So many rewards this time…” he muttered.
“That is because Host defeated a powerful monster such as the Frost Dragon, Level 124,” the system replied calmly.
Rey immediately used all his Total XP.
His level rose to 58.
Without hesitation, he allocated all his stat points.
Name: Rey
Level: 58
Race: Human
Role: Free
Title: Chosen One (All stats ×30)
Stats:
? HP – 7,850 ×30
? STR – 350 ×30 (+120%)
? AGI – 250 ×30 (+85%)
? SPD – 260 ×30 (+75%)
? INT – 170 ×30 (+89%)
? END – 160 ×30 (+95%)
? MP – 110 ×30 (+10%)
Note: Additional percentages are granted by Rey’s armor, “Absolute Veil.”
After finishing the allocation, Rey took out several pieces of equipment from his inventory.
? Dragon Armor
? Blade of Odyssey
? Grimoire of Arcane
? Staff of Destiny
Each of these items was something he intended to give to someone who truly deserved it.
Rey gathered everyone who would be entering Floor 6 with him.
Alex was given the Blade of Odyssey, since his previous weapon had been destroyed during the battle against the Orc Warlord. Rey also handed him the Dragon Armor for added defense.
Floryn already possessed high-quality equipment granted by Duke Edric.
The Grimoire of Arcane was given to Melvin.
The Staff of Destiny was handed to Luna.
The three of them were stunned.
Alex was the first to speak.
“Rey… this is too expensive. I—”
Rey cut him off.
“Alex, we’re entering Floor 6. The threat level there is far more dangerous than Floor 7. Take it. And the same goes for the rest of you—I want you to accept these to strengthen yourselves.”
Rey then looked at Elysa.
Before he could say anything, Elysa smiled proudly.
“It’s okay, Rey. The equipment you gave me before is already more than enough.”
Just then, the system spoke.
“Host, there is suitable equipment for Candidate Elysa available at Will Mall.”
Rey blinked.
“Really?”
The system presented its suggestion: ‘Nightfang’ – Dual Daggers, a Rare-tier weapon.
Its advantages included enhanced Stealth usage, Backstab amplification, and simultaneous Bleeding and Poison effects.
Rey was shocked.
Without hesitation, he purchased it for 5,000 Gold Coins.
When Rey handed the daggers to Elysa, she instinctively refused. However, after being persuaded by Rey, Alex, Melvin, and Luna, she finally accepted them.
The moment she did, light erupted around her.
Everyone gasped.
“I… I obtained a skill evolution,” Elysa said, her voice trembling.
Rey immediately asked,
“System, what just happened?”
The system explained,
“The system has already stated that the weapon is compatible with Elysa. She acquired the Stealth skill, which has evolved together with Camouflage into ‘Shadow Assimilation.’ This skill can be combined with Backstab to significantly increase damage.”
Rey nodded.
“So Elysa’s strength will increase from now on.”
Elysa looked at her own hands.
“‘Shadow Assimilation’ allows me to merge with shadows for a longer duration. Enemies will find it much harder to detect my movements.”
Luna and Melvin hugged Elysa in excitement. Floryn smiled proudly at Rey for giving Elysa such an opportunity.
Alex walked over and whispered,
“Hey… have you ever experienced skill evolution like that before?”
Rey shook his head.
“Not without leveling up the skill first.”
Alex frowned.
“Do you think Elysa has a Special Skill that allowed her skills to evolve?”
Rey had the same thought, but he replied calmly,
“She hasn’t told us anything, so there’s no need to speculate.”
Yet inside his heart, doubt lingered.
What is Elysa’s Special Skill? The system said she can’t use it yet because I haven’t obtained the ‘Bond of the Strong’ title…
After ordering everyone to prepare, Rey announced they would depart at 10:00.
Before that, Rey called Elysa into his room.
“Elysa, can I ask you something?” he said gently.
She nodded.
“Do you have a title in your status?” Rey asked.
“Yes,” Elysa replied. “It’s a very strange one. Melvin and I were confused when we first got it. But after Luna joined us, she told us she received the same title.”
She paused, thinking.
“Now that I think about it… Melvin and I obtained that title after meeting you.”
Rey’s heart skipped a beat.
Is it the Candidate title?
Elysa continued,
“The title is ‘Candidate for the Chosen One.’ I’ve been wondering if it has something to do with you.”
The system immediately spoke in a firm tone.
“Host is not permitted to inform the Candidate about this matter.”
Rey closed his eyes briefly, then said calmly,
“You’re mistaken, Elysa. I’m just an ordinary Player. I only hold the Duke title. It has nothing to do with the Chosen One you mentioned.”
Elysa fell silent for a moment.
“Oh… if that’s the case, then it’s fine,” she said with a smile.
She excused herself and left the room.
Rey watched her go.
Why was she smiling?
Deep in her heart, Elysa was certain the title was related to Rey. She understood that Rey was hiding something—to protect them from unnecessary burdens. So she decided to keep her conclusion to herself.
Once all seven of them finished preparing, they headed toward the dungeon.
When they arrived, they saw a large crowd waiting to enter Floor 7.
Just then, Willson’s team emerged from Floor 8.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Rey and the others approached them.
Willson spoke urgently.
“Rey, something happened inside the dungeon.”
Rey’s expression sharpened. They moved away from the crowd.
Alex asked,
“So… Floor 7 can’t be entered by any nation? Even those from the strongest continents?”
Willson nodded seriously.
“That’s right. I heard that a certain team has entered Floor 7 to search for something that was lost.”
Everyone was stunned.
Rey asked quietly,
“What are they looking for?”
Willson stepped closer. Alex immediately deployed a soundproof barrier.
“They’re searching for a valuable item,” Willson whispered. “I don’t know what it is. But they said if anyone enters Floor 7… they’ll be killed on the spot.”
Silence fell.
The dungeon, once again, revealed its fangs.
And Rey knew—
their descent into Floor 6 would not be just a search for answers,
but a step closer to a truth someone was desperately trying to hide.
For a brief moment, the world around him seemed to blur, as if the name itself had weight.
Alex was the first to react. His brows furrowed sharply as he turned toward Rey.
“What is that, Emily?”
Willson nodded in agreement, clearly sharing the same confusion. Yet Rey felt something was off. If it were merely Emily, why did they not say they were searching for someone? Instead, they spoke as if they were looking for something.
A chill crept up Rey’s spine.
In his thoughts, a dangerous possibility surfaced.
What if… they’re searching for the Frost Dragon?
Has its master already learned about the monster’s death?
The thought alone made his chest tighten.
Rey immediately relayed his concerns to Alex and Willson. The moment the words left his mouth, both of them stiffened.
Alex spoke first, his voice low but urgent.
“So what do we do, Rey? Do we still enter Floor 6? If they know that the Frost Dragon was killed by you, they will definitely come after Clan Origin.”
Rey clenched his fists.
His mind raced, weighed down by pressure from all directions. The situation was spiraling faster than he had anticipated, and for the first time in a while, he felt the same suffocating helplessness he once swore never to experience again.
Finally, he made a decision.
Rey ordered all units to return to Clan Origin immediately. His own team would also retreat and remain on high alert, prepared to defend the clan should anything unexpected occur.
Just as they were about to move—
A powerful voice echoed from afar.
“CLAN ORIGIN!”
Everyone froze.
Rey and the others turned sharply toward the source of the voice. Standing there was Helberg, accompanied by Duke Yuri. Behind them were three individuals whose faces were completely concealed.
Their attire was extravagant—far too refined for ordinary nobles.
As they approached Willson, Helberg spoke with a measured tone.
“You are Clan Origin, the ones who last entered Floor 7 of the dungeon, correct?”
Willson answered calmly, though his guard was clearly raised.
“Yes, that is correct. Why do you ask?”
Duke Yuri stepped forward, his gaze piercing.
“There is a matter that requires clarification. After you exited the dungeon, did anything unusual occur?”
Willson and the others exchanged uneasy glances. Duke Yuri’s words felt strangely vague, yet ominous.
Unnoticed by most, Rey and Alex had already hidden themselves inside their horse-drawn carriage, suppressing their auras completely. They listened silently, careful not to reveal even the slightest presence.
Duke Yuri continued,
“Floor 7 is currently under the surveillance of the Continental Alliance. Therefore, Clan Origin must report everything you encountered inside. The three individuals behind me are envoys of the Continental Alliance.”
Then—
A deep, heavy voice emerged from the figure standing in the middle of the three.
“I wish to know—about the Frost Dragon you killed. Did you encounter that monster within the Crystal Territory?”
Willson swallowed before replying cautiously.
“Yes, that is correct.”
The man did not hesitate.
“What level was the monster?”
Willson answered,
“The monster was level 120.”
Suddenly—
The person standing on the left unleashed his aura.
“DON’T LIE!”
The pressure was instantaneous.
The surrounding air became suffocating, as though an invisible weight crushed down on everyone present. Several members, including Alex and others below level 70, struggled to breathe.
Even hidden within the carriage, Rey felt his chest tighten.
Willson gasped, forcing the words out through the pressure.
“That… that is true. We… we truly faced a level 120 monster.”
The aura was withdrawn just as suddenly as it had appeared.
The figure in the center spoke again, his voice calm yet oppressive.
“Then tell me—did you see a massive crystal formation alongside the monster?”
Willson shook his head.
“We did not find any crystal like the one you described.”
The three envoys fell silent.
After a brief pause, the central figure spoke once more.
“I wish to see the monster. I have heard from the Rosenveil family that you possess its corpse.”
Willson hesitated.
“The corpse is currently in our clan—”
Before he could finish, the man interrupted coldly.
“Show us the way.”
With no room for refusal, Willson turned and began leading them toward Beginner City.
From behind, Rey carefully observed them. The auras of the three envoys were alien—overwhelmingly powerful, far beyond anything he had sensed before.
Stronger than Katarina, Rey realized grimly.
Their levels… above 130, at the very least.
Suddenly, the three envoys stopped.
One of them spoke casually, yet the words sent chills down Rey’s spine.
“You have someone very strong among you.”
Rey remained completely still, pretending not to hear a single word.
During the journey, Rey attempted to communicate with the system, but no response came. Silence was the only answer.
When they finally arrived at Clan Origin, the envoys from the Continental Alliance were escorted to the main hall.
Rey quietly excused himself and went elsewhere. From his storage, he retrieved what remained of the Frost Dragon’s corpse—only its massive head remained.
As he examined it closely, he sensed something was different.
The corpse had changed.
Rey narrowed his eyes.
The system… it altered it.
To suit my current needs.
After a moment, Rey handed the dragon’s head to Willson.
Not long after, Willson returned. His expression was noticeably more relaxed.
Rey immediately asked,
“What are they searching for?”
Willson shook his head slowly.
“I don’t know. But they’re looking for something that the monster left behind after its death.”
Rey remained silent.
Willson continued,
“They asked whether the monster dropped anything beyond normal equipment or standard loot.”
After a brief pause, Willson added,
“I told them we only received a large amount of loot and several pieces of Rare-tier equipment.”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Rey and Alex.
“But it’s strange. They showed no interest in the equipment or loot we obtained. It’s as if they were searching for something far more valuable.”
Rey’s heart sank.
Something more valuable…
The monster didn’t drop any exceptional loot or equipment.
Except one thing.
His eyes widened slightly.
Are they…?
The realization struck him like lightning.
Rey immediately instructed Alex to summon Floryn to his room.
He then ordered Willson to have Emily remain temporarily within Clan Origin. Rey informed Alex and Floryn that they would only enter Floor 6 after the Continental Alliance withdrew from Floor 7.
Alex’s expression darkened. He had realized the gravity of the situation.
Using his communication crystal, Alex warned Tristan’s team to be extremely cautious when entering the dungeon. If they encountered the Continental Alliance, they were to report that they had only entered Floors 10 to 8.
Later, Alex turned to Rey and asked,
“Did you obtain anything when you defeated that monster?”
Rey fell silent.
Floryn activated a sound barrier within the room, sealing them off completely.
Finally, Rey spoke.
“The loot left behind by the monster was not valuable. However… there were two pieces of equipment that I believe they are truly searching for.”
He retrieved an item from his storage.
“This is the Spear of Dragon Slayer. A Legendary-tier weapon. To wield it, the user must be at least level 100. That is why I have not used it for now.”
Shock spread across their faces.
Alex spoke carefully,
“It’s possible the Continental Alliance is after this weapon. A Legendary-tier spear would certainly attract them.”
Rey shook his head slowly.
“This is only a diversion. Something even more valuable exists.”
He lifted his gaze, eyes sharp.
“The monster’s power itself.”
He paused, then added quietly,
“You’ve already seen it, haven’t you?”
The room fell into heavy silence.
Alex froze.
The color drained from his face as realization struck him. His lips trembled before he finally spoke, his voice barely steady.
“What is that… the monster’s regeneration power?”
Rey nodded.
Alex had witnessed that terrifying ability firsthand during the battle. He remembered it vividly—the way the Frost Dragon’s wounds sealed themselves almost instantly, how even fatal blows failed to slow it down. That regeneration was not ordinary. It was monstrous.
Only Floryn remained silent, her expression unreadable. She had never seen that power in action when Rey faced the monster, and so its true horror did not fully register with her yet.
Alex swallowed hard before asking again,
“So… that power is now in your hands?”
Rey fell silent for a moment. He exhaled deeply, as if the weight of the truth pressed heavily on his chest.
“That’s right. That power has already entered my body. I have obtained that regeneration ability.”
For a brief moment, the tension shattered.
Alex suddenly smiled—and then laughed.
“That’s good, Rey. That’s the most valuable treasure you could’ve obtained.”
Yet Rey could not bring himself to smile.
His mind was clouded with unease. He knew better than anyone how dangerous the current situation was. That power was not something the Continental Alliance would ignore. If they discovered the truth…
Alex noticed Rey’s troubled expression and spoke again, trying to reassure him.
“Don’t worry, Rey. If you don’t use that power in public, no one will ever know about it.”
Floryn nodded in agreement.
“That’s right, Rey. You only need to hide that power and the weapon from them.”
Even so, Rey’s heart refused to settle.
The strength of the Continental Alliance cannot be underestimated……
Could there be someone behind the Continental Alliance—the ones who created the dungeon in the first place?
The thought sent a chill through him.
Alex saw the look on Rey’s face and frowned slightly before speaking calmly.
“Rey, don’t worry. We already gave them all the information they wanted. They didn’t suspect anything.”
Rey looked up at Alex and spoke slowly,
“Alex, I need to tell you something. That regeneration power existed in the form of a core before I absorbed it. And now… I’m wondering.”
Alex narrowed his eyes.
“Are you worried that power might cause problems in the future?”
Rey’s expression darkened, anxiety clearly written across his face.
“That’s… that’s right, Alex. Don’t you find it strange? Why would a power that immense not be used by them directly, but instead given to a monster?”
Alex fell silent.
He sat down, folding his arms as he carefully considered Rey’s words. The logic was unsettling, yet undeniable.
Before he could respond, Floryn spoke first, her voice calm but firm.
“Rey, if what I think is correct, then they may not be able to use that power themselves.”
Alex looked at her sharply.
“Then why put it inside a monster?”
Floryn hesitated. She had no answer.
Rey’s eyes widened slightly as a crucial thought surfaced in his mind.
“That monster said something before it died. It said its master was searching for something. If they were willing to give away a power like that… then whatever they’re searching for must be far more valuable, right?”
The room fell silent.
Alex and Floryn exchanged glances. Rey’s conclusion was disturbingly logical.
Finally, Alex spoke again.
“For now, remember this—hide it from the public. Don’t use that power at all.”
Floryn added,
“I think this mystery can be solved through Emily’s lost memories. She was imprisoned by that monster, wasn’t she? So she might know something about this.”
Rey’s expression turned serious.
“If we want answers, we have to enter deeper floors.”
Alex sighed softly.
“There’s only one and a half months left. The Tournament will be held soon. We’re running out of time. Are you sure you still want to go in, Rey?”
Rey was overwhelmed, his thoughts tangled in uncertainty.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
“Host, the system recommends that the Host enter Floor 6 only after reaching level 70. This is related to the monsters on Floor 6 being extremely powerful.”
Rey stiffened.
“Why did you only appear now? I almost entered Floor 6 earlier.”
The system responded calmly,
“Host, the existence of the System must be concealed. Powerful forces have begun to move, therefore the System will hide itself more frequently.”
Rey’s eyes widened.
“Are they… the ones who created this dungeon?”
The system fell silent.
That silence was more frustrating than any answer.
Rey clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. After a moment, he instructed Alex and Floryn to prepare to enter Floor 6 as soon as the Continental Alliance withdrew from Floor 7. The original plan would remain unchanged—they would enter with seven people.
That night, Rey wandered through the marketplace alone.
The lantern-lit stalls lined the streets, their warm glow contrasting sharply with the storm brewing in his heart. As he passed a small stall, an item caught his attention.
A rare piece of equipment.
Without hesitation, Rey purchased it.
Winter Armor
Tier: Rare (For Support Only)
Abilities:
? Sanctuary Domain – Creates a safe zone where damage taken by allies is reduced.
? Royal Benediction – Converts all negative status effects into minor buffs and increases attack power by 45%.
? Last Stand (Passive) – When the user is on the brink of death, the armor grants 100% defense to the user and 65% defense to nearby allies.
Rey examined the armor closely.
This armor suits Emily, he thought.
With her power that deals damage like a mage… this will keep her alive.
That night, as Rey slept, unaware—
A figure stood quietly in the darkness, watching him.
Rey did not sense anything.
The mysterious figure gently placed a faintly glowing object beside him. Then, in a soft and affectionate voice, it whispered,
“We will be together again.”
And just like that, the presence vanished—
leaving behind only unanswered questions and a destiny slowly tightening its grip.
