Chapter 29

Chapter 28: The Corridor's Fallen Master (2)

How long had they walked?

Finally, a massive door appeared before them.

The decorations evoked ancient Greece.

However, what caught their attention was not just the appearance.

'This is...'

Jinhyuk furrowed his brow.

Zing! Zing!

It was an overwhelming magical power.

Even with a door that blocked magic, the pressure was this intense.

Glancing to the side, Teresa's face had turned pale.

"Do you mean we have to face such a monster by ourselves?"

Her voice trembled.

It was only natural.

The magical power that pierced their skin felt like it was crushing their will to fight.

"There's no need to be afraid. We already knew the opponent would be strong, didn't we?"

"Y-Yes, but..."

"Besides, a battle isn't always won by the stronger side."

Strategies and tactics were created to overcome numerical disadvantages.

If the outcome of every battle was determined solely by the magnitude of magic...

'I wouldn't have been able to reach the final floor of the tower either.'

"Do you have a plan?"

"Just one. No matter what happens inside, you must trust me."

Jinhyuk briefly said as he drew his dagger.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

Teresa asked, but Jinhyuk didn't answer.

Instead,

Creak...

He reached out and opened the door.

***

A dazzling light revealed a grand scene.

The floor and pillars were made of gold.

A noble throne sat on a long red curtain.

"Finally, you've arrived. I've been waiting."

The woman, who had been resting her chin, smiled.

Jinhyuk looked directly at her.

'No matter how many times I see her, she's astonishing.'

Her long silver hair reached her waist, and her red eyes.

Her body exuded not just allure but a decadent charm.

Indeed, she had the appearance of a vampire blessed with immortality.

Just her presence was terrifying...

And there were twelve more vampires lined up beside Jinjo.

None of them looked like easy opponents.

"Are the people safe?"

"They haven't been touched, so there's no need to worry."

Ellis lightly gestured.

Then,

[Lv?? Dimensional Barrier is being dismantled.]

The veil lifted, revealing the captives.

"Ugh!"

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!"

They were bound, their senses blocked by gags and blindfolds.

From the attack team, including Song Cheon-hwa,

To Kim Bang-jang and the porters.

Most of them seemed unharmed.

...Thank goodness.

[Lv2 'Eye of Truth' activated.]

Jinhyuk used the 'Eye of Truth' to scan the people.

Dozens of status windows flashed by.

Despite the severe magical drain, Jinhyuk strained to confirm everyone's names and statuses.

He had to find...

Among them...

'That guy.'

Right then,

"Seeing the hostages are safe, it's my turn to ask questions, isn't it?"

Ellis, who had been waiting, spoke.

This wasn't just a question; it was a one-sided command.

Refusal meant she would kill all the humans in the palace.

"Go ahead. I'm curious about why you set up such a complicated situation."

"I invited you here because of the scent you emit."

"Scent?"

Not sweat, surely.

If it was a scent that could stimulate a vampire... could it be?

"Yes. The blood fragrance (血香) from your body! It's a sweet aroma that no ordinary human can match, and it stimulates me."

Damn.

He's just a common B-type guy, so why is he suddenly talking about sweet blood?

Jinhyuk pressed his temples with his index finger.

"You seem quite troubled."

"Wouldn't you be troubled if someone said they'd suck your blood and turn you into a mummy?"

"I'm not a fool who eats all the delicious things at once. I'll allow you to live for at least 60 years, so there's no need to be too afraid."

That didn't make him feel any better.

That's basically saying, 'I'll keep you around forever and stick a straw in your neck whenever I'm hungry.'

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't want to live as a vampire's gourmet lunch."

Find someone else with that kind of sadistic hobby.

There might be some who like it.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't give you a choice."

"I understand. I'm not suggesting that we do this the easy way... I'll give you something else instead of blood."

"Hmm."

Did the bold proposal pique her interest?

The smile on Ellis's face deepened.

But only for a moment.

"We have nothing more valuable than delicious blood. No matter what you offer, my mind won't change."

"What if that something is 'freedom'?"

"......!?"

Jinhyuk's words made Ellis's face change.

At the same time,

"How dare you!"

"To mention that word here!"

"I'll tear you apart, human!"

The vampires lined up on either side of Ellis shouted in unison.

Their voices were filled with murderous intent.

It was only natural.

To them, freedom meant more than just a word.

The endless darkness they had been exiled to.

The beauty of the stars and moon in the night sky.

The soft touch of the wind and the freshness of the grass.

They had lost all of these long ago.

"You... You'll have to take responsibility for those words."

"If I couldn't, I wouldn't have come here."

Jinhyuk took out a mask from his pocket.

It was a black mask with geometric patterns.

He had used it in the maze before, but this one was slightly different.

A rune carved with magic on his right cheek stood out.

"That's..."

Ellis's eyes narrowed.

Indeed, she recognized it.

The meaning of this mask.

Jinhyuk bowed deeply.

I've laid enough bait. It's time to get to the point.

"My name is Kang Jinhyuk."

I'll brainwash them.

"Representing the demons (魔人) in the tower."

The character I need to play.

And.

"I will take you out of here now."

Including the personality and goals of that character.

***

Demons (魔人).

They are those who have turned their backs on humanity for money, revenge, or personal beliefs.

The demons obstructed the players' ascent of the tower.

They even allied with the monsters in the maze and ruins.

Just like now.

After the Tower of Trials became a reality, the numerous atrocities, including [Coin Farm], have been widely reported, making the demons as well-known as any large guild.

"I've heard of them. But you're one of them?"

Ellis looked doubtful.

Well, a mask alone wouldn't be enough to convince her.

Then.

I'll give her more information.

Information only a demon would know.

"I've already been in contact with the [Temple] on the 27th floor of the tower. They told me about your presence here and how to bypass the seal surrounding the ruins."

The words flowed smoothly.

His calm expression was an added bonus.

"Indeed... If you know about the temple, it's not just empty talk."

"Then, do you believe me?"

"No."

Ellis shook her head.

"You know too much about us. And you claim to solve what was thought impossible for so long."

A beautiful rose has thorns.

"Besides, I can't easily trust someone who talks so smoothly."

Rejection.

If it were just a simple request or suggestion, they could have parted ways.

But here, rejection means death.

Ellis slowly raised her hand.

The vampires lined up around her shifted.

They were ready to capture Jinhyuk and kill Teresa.

This isn't as easy as I thought.

She's not someone to be underestimated.

"If I can prove that I'm not just talking, will you believe me then?"

"Hmm?"

Ellis paused her hand.

"Wouldn't it be a burden to dismiss the temple's information and our proposal based solely on suspicion?"

"..."

"I'll do anything. Just give me a chance."

"Very well. If you are truly a demon..."

Ellis's gaze shifted past Jinhyuk.

"You won't have any qualms about killing humans, will you?"

A blue status window appeared.

[Sudden Quest]

Objective: Kill your former comrades.

Reward: Ellis's trust

Failure: You will be unable to persuade Ellis no matter what you say.

Kill them.

Or die.

Two choices.

And Jinhyuk...

"I understand."

He gripped his dagger without hesitation.

Feeling a thrill as everything went according to plan.

***

"What are you doing?!"

Teresa shouted, her face a mix of betrayal and anger.

He had been a mysterious man from the start.

A porter, yet he showed overwhelming martial prowess.

A mysterious and somehow warm presence.

That's why she had endured, believing his words.

But.

When she saw him nod without hesitation at the order to kill his comrades.

Her doubts turned to certainty.

That he was indeed one of the demons.

"Did you plan to use me from the beginning?"

"Isn't that question meaningless now?"

Jinhyuk extended his dagger.

As if conversation was unnecessary.

"I won't go down easily."

Teresa shielded herself with her shield.

She intended to defend herself.

"I know Teresa isn't an easy opponent."

She wasn't a legend for nothing, having single-handedly stopped an outbreak in Amsterdam.

But that was against monsters.

"Have you ever fought a human?"

Thud!

Jinhyuk vanished.

"!"

Behind!

Teresa turned her head.

Clang!

A heavy impact on her shield.

The dagger scraped against the metal and disappeared.

'Fast!'

And his movements.

Not just unusual, but bizarre.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Teresa's face turned pale under the relentless attacks.

She thought she could hold out by focusing on defense.

It was a huge mistake.

At this rate, 5 minutes? No, 3 minutes...

Just as she clenched her lips.

"A..."

A sigh of regret escaped Teresa's lips.

She had miscalculated.

And her response was off.

Of course, Jinhyuk wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Thud!

The joint, left open for flexibility.

The dagger pierced the unarmored spot.

Teresa staggered.

With an artery severed, blood gushed from the wound.

A fatal injury.

"A... ugh..."

Teresa groaned and finally fell.

And breathed her last.

'One isn't enough.'

Jinhyuk wiped the blood from his dagger and turned around.

The trembling attack team.

He stood before a dozen of them.

He had confirmed their identities with the 'Eye of Truth.'

Crack!

Jinhyuk broke the gag and blindfold of the man at the front.

The man, who had been restrained, let out a cheer.

"Rescue... team! Thank you! Thanks to you, I'm al... Wait?"

The man's voice trailed off in shock.

His face twisted in horror.

Meanwhile,

Jinhyuk smiled.

"Hello?"

Long time no see.

You damn bastard.