Morning light filtered softly through the window as Rey slowly opened his eyes.
For a brief moment, everything felt calm—too calm.
Then he felt it.
A warm, gentle aura pulsing beside him.
Rey turned his head, and his breath caught.
Floating quietly near his bed was a beautiful, spherical crystal. Its surface shimmered faintly, emitting a soothing yet powerful warmth, as if it were alive. The light within it pulsed slowly, like a sleeping heart.
Rey widened his eyes in shock.
“…What the—”
He immediately called out internally.
“Hey, System. Did you give me a reward?”
A short pause followed before the familiar mechanical voice replied.
“No, Host. This object was placed here by someone during the night.”
Rey’s heart skipped a beat.
“Someone… put this here?” he muttered. “Then who did it?”
“System is unable to detect the status or identity of the individual,” the System replied. “However, System confirms that the individual possessed no hostile intent.”
Rey fell silent.
Someone powerful enough to bypass detection… yet chose not to harm him.
After a moment, he asked again, his gaze never leaving the crystal.
“Do you know what this crystal is used for?”
The crystal hovered slightly as the System initiated a scan.
“Analyzing…”
Seconds passed.
“System is unable to detect the exact function of this crystal. However, an extremely dense and powerful force is sealed within it.”
Rey frowned. “Sealed…?”
The System continued.
“This crystal contains a fragment of locked power.”
Rey’s confusion deepened.
“Fragment of power? What kind of power is this? And why give it to me?”
Another pause.
“To obtain further information, Host must update the System to version 3.0.”
Rey exhaled slowly.
“So even you don’t know yet…”
Carefully, he stored the crystal and left his residence. The warmth lingered faintly against his chest, as if reminding him that it was still there.
Outside, the morning air was cool and fresh.
Rey noticed two familiar figures standing by the lake in front of the residence.
Tristan and Eris.
They stood close to the water’s edge, neither speaking. When Tristan noticed Rey approaching, he raised his hand and called out.
“Rey.”
Rey walked over—but his attention was immediately drawn to Eris.
Her expression was downcast, eyes filled with sadness she clearly couldn’t hide.
Rey stopped in front of them.
“What happened?” he asked gently, looking at Eris.
Tristan sighed and spoke first.
“Actually… Eris has been very sad. Emily is no longer like how she used to be. I feel it too, Rey. Emily feels like a completely different person now.” He clenched his fist. “What actually happened, Rey?”
Rey didn’t answer immediately.
He looked away, eyes drifting toward the lake’s still surface. His reflection stared back at him, burdened with things he couldn’t easily share.
After a moment, he spoke.
“You two don’t have to worry,” Rey said calmly. “I will find a way to restore her.”
Eris’s eyes trembled.
“Rey,” she said softly, her voice breaking, “I’m begging you. Please help Emily.”
Rey turned to her fully.
“Eris, I will do everything I can to help.”
Tristan swallowed, then spoke again.
“Actually… Eris and I had planned to get married after we successfully reclaimed what was lost on Floor 7.”
He paused, then continued slowly.
“But when we found out that Emily was still alive… we were completely shocked. So we decided to postpone the wedding until Emily recovers.”
Rey was stunned.
Wait… since when did you two make up again?
But as he thought about it more, memories surfaced—during their descent into Floor 7, the two of them had indeed been unusually close.
Rey asked carefully, “Why not just go ahead with it? Is it because Emily wouldn’t feel happy seeing her sister get married in her current state?”
Eris shook her head slightly.
“In the past,” she said quietly, “I promised Emily that when I get married, I would ask her to make my wedding dress. A beautiful one.”
Tristan nodded.
“Yes, Rey. I think the same way. We should wait until Emily recovers.”
His eyes softened.
“That memory… it’s something we want to keep forever.”
Rey said nothing at first.
He sat down on a nearby rock, his expression turning serious.
“I’ll be honest with both of you.”
Rey glanced around, scanning the surroundings. With a subtle movement, he activated a sound-sealing barrier.
“This is a huge secret,” he said firmly. “I don’t want either of you to leak this.”
Tristan and Eris froze for a moment, then nodded solemnly.
Rey took a deep breath.
“Emily is still Emily. But her current condition can be described as trauma.”
He paused.
“Alex and I have discussed this. We believe it may be connected to the ‘Master’ mentioned by the Frost Dragon monster some time ago.”
Eris gasped.
Tristan instinctively tightened his grip on her hand.
They both understood instantly—this wasn’t a simple problem.
Rey continued.
“So Alex and I will enter Floor 6. We’ll search for answers and increase our levels. I’m confident that Floor 6 will contain at least some clues regarding this matter.”
His tone hardened.
“I once told you about the aura that Duke Edric and I sensed—how it felt identical to Melvin’s, didn’t I?”
Both of them nodded.
“That’s why,” Rey said, “Alex and I are convinced that all of this is their doing.”
He looked directly at them.
“So if you plan to delay the wedding, think carefully. This situation may drag on for a long time. And we still don’t know who ‘they’ really are.”
Rey then turned to Tristan.
“Wilson already told you, didn’t he?”
Tristan nodded.
“Yes. I’ve heard everything. The Continental Alliance has begun moving. My team and I—assigned by Alex—will be entering the dungeon in a few days.”
Rey’s expression grew even more serious.
“If you encounter them, do your best to keep your distance,” Rey warned.
“It’s possible that some members of the Alliance are still doubtful about the explanation Wilson gave the other day.”
He stood up slowly.
“Alex and I will also be entering Floor 6 in a few days. However, our movement will take place at night.”
His eyes narrowed.
“That way, other parties won’t be able to detect our actions.”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind them.
“Hey, Rey, you’re here?”
Rey turned around.
Emily was standing there, walking toward him together with Luna. Before Rey could even respond, Emily rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
“I really missed you,” Emily said softly.
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Rey froze for a moment, then laughed awkwardly.
“Emily… everyone’s watching.”
Emily simply smiled, her arms still wrapped around him as if she didn’t care in the slightest.
Eris stepped closer, her expression gentle but cautious.
“Emily, are you feeling okay today?”
Emily nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes! Of course, Sister, I’m perfectly fine today,” she said brightly. “Besides, Rey is here with us.”
Everyone couldn’t help but laugh at Emily’s behavior. Her cheerful tone and innocent smile made it hard to believe she was the same person they had been worrying about just moments ago.
Rey then reached into his inventory.
He took out a piece of equipment he had purchased earlier at Will’s stall.
“Winter Armor.”
He handed it to Emily.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw it.
“This—!”
Emily held the armor carefully, excitement clearly written on her face.
“So this is it… I finally got this armor!”
Rey blinked, confused.
“…You know this armor?”
Emily froze.
For a brief moment, the smile on her face faded as she stared at the armor in her hands.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I just… feel like this armor is a part of me.”
Rey’s brows furrowed.
Before he could respond, Tristan leaned closer and whispered.
“Rey… looking at Emily right now, it feels like she already knows what’s going to happen.”
Rey turned slightly, listening.
“Before this,” Tristan continued quietly, “when Eris and I were training, Emily suddenly told Eris that I was going to attack her leg.”
Tristan clenched his fist.
“Right after that, I actually intended to attack Eris’s leg. And because of Emily’s warning, Eris managed to dodge.”
He swallowed.
“That attack was a blind spot strike. Even though Eris’s level is close to mine, I don’t believe her reflexes alone would’ve saved her once I had already launched the attack.”
Rey’s heart sank.
So what Floryn said before… was true?
He immediately spoke to the System.
“Hey, System. Does this world have powers related to space and time?”
The System paused.
“Searching…”
After a short delay, the answer came.
“Powers related to space and time are extremely rare. Their existence was recorded in the history of this world approximately several hundred years ago.”
Rey’s eyes widened.
“Several hundred years ago? You mean those powers really existed?”
“Yes,” the System replied. “They did exist. However, the entity that controlled such powers is unknown. There are no historical records identifying that individual.”
Rey took a deep breath.
“…Do those powers still exist today?”
“System has searched all available data,” the System responded. “No owner has been identified since that time. There is a high probability that the power perished along with the entity that wielded it.”
Rey clenched his fist.
“Then… does Emily have any connection to that power?”
“Candidate Emily has lost her memories,” the System replied. “However, traces of those memories appear to be locked or stored elsewhere.”
Rey’s pulse quickened.
“…You mean someone deliberately stored them?”
“System cannot confirm,” it answered. “With System version 2.0, accessible information is limited.”
Rey exhaled slowly.
Then he turned to Emily.
“Emily,” Rey said gently, “I want to ask you something.”
Emily looked at him and smiled.
Rey hesitated internally, then decided to test the thought forming in his mind.
“You said you know about Clan Origin, right?”
Emily nodded.
“Yes.”
Rey continued, “Then do you know what Clan Origin’s greatest achievement so far is?”
Emily tilted her head, thinking.
“Oh,” she said after a moment, “of course I know. Clan Origin has long been recognized as the strongest clan in this world.”
Silence fell instantly.
Luna, Eris, and Tristan stared at her in shock.
Emily immediately panicked.
“Ah—! That’s just my guess!” she said hurriedly. “I don’t actually know those things. Sister told me that Clan Origin successfully cleared Floor 7, so I thought that meant Clan Origin is the strongest.”
She paused.
Then added quietly.
“But… in my memories, Clan Origin really is the strongest throughout history.”
Rey said nothing.
Luna, Eris, and Tristan were completely stunned.
But Rey wasn’t.
Something was clearly wrong with Emily’s memories.
This wasn’t guesswork.
This was knowledge.
Rey turned serious.
“Emily, Luna,” he said firmly, “go inform Floryn, Elysa, and Melvin to prepare. We’re moving tonight. We’re entering Floor 6.”
Tristan and Eris froze.
“Rey,” Tristan said quickly, “didn’t you say we’d enter in a few days?”
Rey looked straight at him.
“Tristan, trust me,” he said seriously. “I’m searching for answers to what Emily just said.”
They were stunned.
Rey excused himself and returned to his room.
Inside, he packed the essential items. As he finished, his gaze fell on the crystal he had found that morning.
He picked it up.
The warmth pulsed softly in his palm.
“This crystal… isn’t simple,” Rey muttered.
He was certain now.
The answer lay within Emily’s memories.
And Melvin’s power.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
That night, they moved silently toward the dungeon entrance of Floor 6.
The area around the entrance to Floor 7 had noticeably fewer people now.
Without hesitation, the six of them stepped into Floor 6.
The moment they were teleported, a dense and oppressive aura washed over them.
Something was watching.
Rey stood firm.
“Stay alert,” he said calmly.
Alex and Floryn positioned themselves at the back, maintaining their defensive formation.
As they moved deeper into Floor 6, something felt strange.
The monsters here weren’t aggressive.
“They’re not attacking,” Luna whispered.
Rey frowned.
“They might be less active at night,” someone muttered.
But that assumption was shattered the moment they reached a vast open area.
The monsters were gathering.
Then—
A deep, thunderous voice echoed across the land.
“I… I AM THE RULER OF THIS FLOOR.”
The ground trembled as a massive figure slammed its staff into the earth.
“ALL OF YOU SHALL BOW BEFORE ME.”
Rey’s pupils contracted.
He activated Invisible Sight.
What stood before them was an Orc General.
Level 147.
Its overwhelming presence crushed the air itself.
For now… I need to avoid a power like this, Rey thought.
He immediately signaled the others to move through an alternate route.
They retreated swiftly, disappearing into a quieter area.
Alex finally spoke, his voice low.
“Rey… that monster. Was it an Orc General?”
Rey spoke in a low, steady voice.
“That’s correct. It’s level 147.”
All six of them froze.
Even Elysa, who was usually calm in battle, began trembling slightly just from hearing the level of the Orc General. The pressure of such a monster alone was enough to crush one’s will.
“For now,” Rey continued firmly, “we need to find another route and avoid that Orc unit. They’re far too powerful.”
Alex nodded immediately.
“I agree. Facing them head-on would be suicide.”
They took a short break, allowing everyone to steady their breathing and recover slightly. After that, they resumed their journey through Floor 6.
As they advanced, powerful monsters began appearing one after another—most of them above level 70.
Rey deliberately stepped back.
“I’ll leave these to you,” he said calmly.
The others moved without hesitation.
Rey watched closely—and couldn’t hide his surprise.
Elysa, Melvin, and Luna had grown tremendously. Their movements were sharper, their coordination smoother, and their reactions far more refined than before. Each battle ended faster than the last.
After collecting the dropped loot and equipment, Rey sensed danger above.
A massive spider monster descended from the ceiling.
Level 92.
Rey’s eyes sharpened.
In the next instant, he dashed forward at blinding speed and struck.
The spider barely managed to evade—but one of its legs was torn clean off.
The monster screeched furiously.
From all directions, smaller spiders began crawling out.
Twenty spider units! Rey thought.
“Alex, defensive formation!”
Alex reacted instantly.
“Luna, Emily—buffs, now!”
Luna and Emily activated their support skills as Alex and Floryn charged forward. Within seconds, five spider monsters were cut down.
Then—
A freezing aura erupted from Melvin.
In desperation, Melvin released an overwhelming wave of ice magic, spreading across the battlefield. The spiders’ movements slowed drastically as frost crept over their bodies.
Alex’s eyes lit up.
“Now!”
He and Floryn struck decisively, cutting down the immobilized spiders one by one.
At the same time, Elysa vanished into the shadows.
With her newly acquired speed and skill, she single-handedly took down three spiders in rapid succession.
Not to be outdone, Melvin summoned multiple Ice Spears, now perfectly controlled, piercing through the monsters’ heads with lethal precision.
Rey watched silently.
Their tactics.
Their growth.
Their resolve.
Satisfying, he thought.
He stepped forward.
With a single, overwhelming swing, Rey obliterated the Spider Queen, leaving no trace behind.
While they rested and collected the spider loot, Rey called Alex and Floryn aside.
He told them everything—about the lake, Tristan and Eris, Emily’s strange knowledge, and the fragments of memory that didn’t belong to the present.
Floryn listened quietly, then spoke.
“I’m certain this is connected to the power of space and time,” she said seriously. “But I don’t understand how it could affect Emily.”
She frowned.
“I still remember my first login. I saw an update related to space–time abilities. But after the VRMMO was updated… that power disappeared completely.”
Alex looked at Rey and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Rey, we’re both part of Clan Origin. We’re friends,” he said firmly. “We’ll find the answer together. Don’t worry.”
Floryn nodded.
“For now, let’s focus on leveling up. The Clan Tournament starts in just a few weeks.”
Rey understood what they were saying.
Then they noticed Elysa and the others holding a strange object.
An artifact.
Webfang Core
Tier: Rare (Assassin)
Abilities:
? Web Bind – Restrains the enemy with webs, temporarily locking movement.
? Predator Thread – Enemies affected by Web Bind receive additional slow and increased damage.
? Silent Trap (Passive) – Enemies attacking Rey have a chance to be trapped in webs for several seconds.
Rey asked Elysa to take it.
But Elysa shook her head.
“My fighting style doesn’t suit it.”
Rey nodded and stored the artifact.
“I’ll give it to Wilson or Eris later. It suits assassins.”
For Rey himself, he was the same as Elysa—his combat style relied primarily on bare hands.
Melvin then spoke, slightly out of breath.
“We should rest. Our MP and stamina are low.”
Rey and Alex agreed.
But—
A massive axe suddenly swung toward them from the front.
CLANG!
Rey reacted instantly, blocking it with his dagger.
For a split second, his dagger absorbed something.
Rey’s eyes widened.
“There’s magic in that attack… This monster can combine magic and physical power in a single strike.”
A rough, mocking voice echoed.
“HUMANS… SO YOU’RE HERE. I’VE BEEN SMELLING YOU FOR A LONG TIME.”
Standing before them was an Orc General.
Level 135.
Rey narrowed his eyes.
Lower than the previous one… so it must be one of the elite monsters of Floor 6.
The Orc laughed.
“OH? YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN WITH YOU. OUR KING HAS BEEN SEEKING WOMEN TO EXPAND OUR TRIBE.”
The moment Rey heard that—
His aura exploded.
In a flash, Rey struck the Orc’s chest with a lethal blow.
The Orc didn’t fall.
Instead, it grinned.
“HEHEHE… NOT BAD, HUMAN. YOUR POWER IS ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE MY ARMOR.”
The Orc slammed Rey into the ground.
Blood spilled from Rey’s mouth.
The Orc turned its gaze toward Luna.
“THE FIRST ONE.”
Alex and Floryn rushed in to block.
CRACK.
Alex’s arm bone shattered.
Floryn was sent flying, blood spilling from her mouth, her arm numb from the impact.
“Elysa!” Alex shouted. “Blind spot—now!”
Elysa vanished.
Shadow Assimilation.
Backstab.
Her dagger pierced straight through the Orc’s head.
The damage was immense—severe bleeding erupted from the wound.
The Orc roared in pain.
Melvin raised his staff.
“I’ve mastered this one.”
Frostflame Convergence
Type: Active Skill
Effect:
? Combines fire and ice into a single attack.
? Inflicts simultaneous fire damage and freezing effect.
? Enemy movement is slowed; follow-up damage increases.
The spell struck.
The Orc staggered, its movements slowing dramatically.
Then—
Emily stepped forward.
Lightning surged violently around her.
“Thunder Divine!”
The strike sent the Orc crashing to the ground.
They thought it was over.
But the Orc began laughing.
“HAHAHAHA!”
Its fangs elongated.
“Bloodlust Fang!”
In a blur of speed, it slammed Alex into the ground.
Floryn slashed at its neck—but her blade couldn’t pierce its skin.
The Dragon Armor Rey had given Alex absorbed most of the damage.
Alex, barely standing, shouted—
“Now!”
Rey raised the Blade of Odyssey.
One final slash.
A Fatal Strike.
The blade’s ability activated:
Critical Damage +100% when the user is in a near-death state.
The Orc staggered.
Rey activated Regeneration, his wounds rapidly closing.
His eyes burned with fury.
He lunged, grabbed the Orc’s head, and hurled it into the air.
With his dagger, he struck—using a skill absorbed earlier.
The blade sliced deep into the Orc’s neck.
The Orc roared and activated its domain.
“Hell Blood.”
Blood flooded the ground.
Alex and Floryn quickly used potions, restoring their critical injuries.
Rey shouted—
“Alex! Take them and leave! This monster is stronger than the Frost Dragon we faced before!”
Suddenly—
The domain expanded.
Luna.
Elysa.
Emily.
They were swallowed.
Everyone froze.
Melvin panicked.
He released everything he had.
A massive sun-like flame formed above them.
His MP was completely drained.
The crystal Rey had received that morning began to shine.
Rey’s eyes widened.
Melvin’s body glowed.
With his eyes closed, Melvin whispered—
“Blazing Sun.”
The attack struck.
Blinding light engulfed everything.
The ground shattered.
The earth collapsed.
Rey, Melvin, and Emily fell into the abyss.
Rey hurled a communication crystal toward Alex.
Clutching Melvin and Emily’s unconscious bodies, Rey fell endlessly.
Darkness consumed everything.
Am I going to die here…?
He screamed—
But the sound vanished into the void.
Only one truth remained.
Rey’s journey had only just begun.
