As the duplicate reached Finn’s side, Cha Yeri raised her hand and shattered space itself.
An otherworldly strike.
For a split second, the duplicate hesitated—creating an opening.
Han Taemin closed distance instantly, diving into the duplicate’s guard to swing the Ember Blade.
Though his strike sent sparks flying, air currents forming around the duplicate’s forearm blocked the black flames.
This was truly SSS-rank power.
It wielded raw strength with abandon while applying learned wisdom without reserve.
Like a monster compressed into human form.
But retreat wasn’t an option.
As Han Taemin summoned mana, the halo above him spun, radiating intense light.
“Ngh.”
Teeth clenched, he pressed forward. His arm swelled as the Ember Blade’s power expanded, threatening to overwhelm the duplicate.
A sudden gust blasted the black flames aside.
Neither combatant moved, yet the surrounding chaos showed their battle’s intensity. Their mere presence warped air and melted ground.
BOOM. The colosseum cracked, sinking around them.
The Ember Blade surged forward; the windstorm advanced.
A deadly dance of advance and retreat.
The duplicate twisted suddenly, targeting Han Taemin’s flank.
He turned the Ember Blade reflexively to block, then kicked the duplicate away.
Having created distance, both fighters squared off, murderous intent in their eyes.
Then arrows rained down in gentle arcs.
As the duplicate raised its hand to block, Han Taemin dove back in to trade blows.
Its overwhelming stats manifested as pure power.
Strength, stamina, agility, mana, durability, resistance—each stat maxed out.
But individuals differed from groups. One stood alone; the other didn’t.
“Yeri!”
“Got it!”
ROAR.
Space twisted as unstoppable devastation approached.
Han Taemin forced the duplicate into the attack zone with his blade. Finn, suddenly close, swung his staff with everything he had.
BOOM.
As the duplicate staggered, Gi Siwoo charged in from afar to plant his spear. Though it only scratched skin, it served its purpose.
Cha Yeri broke stance to block front, Gi Siwoo flanked, Finn targeted rear.
Jin Baekji’s supporting fire elevated their coordination. All that tedious training finally bore fruit.
But their advantage proved brief.
Just as they seized initiative, energy surrounding the duplicate erupted into a storm, sweeping everything away.
Fierce winds circled the duplicate. Air currents sharp as blades shredded everything like a blender.
Now fully employing its abilities, the duplicate gave no quarter.
As if an invisible line had been drawn. Han Taemin hammered the wind barrier and shouted:
“Ending this in one go. Clear me a path like before!”
Space tore instantly, destabilizing the wind wall. Gi Siwoo followed, ramming in to widen the breach.
Wedging his staff into the gap, Finn called out:
“Now!”
[ Ultimate Move — Single Step ]
Supported by his guild, Han Taemin charged forward, swinging the Ember Blade at the duplicate.
[ Ultimate Move — God Hunter ]
The elongated blade carved through the colosseum like butter.
Colliding with the duplicate, Han Taemin pressed forward without hesitation.
In that decisive moment, the duplicate rolled and threw a punch.
Though launched without windup, tremendous force lay within.
The approaching fist promised death.
Eyes wide, Han Taemin stepped forward instead of dodging. Not surrender—but trust.
Sure enough, an arrow struck the fist from behind with devastating force.
The sharpest supporting shot yet.
Jin Baekji’s power showed clearly.
Crisis became opportunity as distance to the duplicate vanished.
Weakened wind barrier, exposed duplicate—everything screamed counterattack.
“Ha!”
In that split second, Han Taemin slipped through the gap and brought down the Ember Blade mercilessly.
A mighty strike like splitting wood. Not a single wasted motion.
The duplicate deflected with its elbow, but the assault continued. Han Taemin had learned its weaknesses from Karina’s duplicate.
The moment distance closed, victory was assured.
‘Devouring Grip.’
An ability to consume mana and inflict devastating status effects.
Abandoning the Ember Blade, Han Taemin drove ash-colored fingers into the duplicate’s nape.
As mana flooded in, the duplicate’s form shrank exponentially. Storm became breeze, solid form withered to mummy.
Victor and vanquished decided.
Thud. The fallen duplicate crumbled to wind-scattered ash.
Gi Siwoo and Cha Yeri embraced, shouting:
“We did it!”
“Perfect!”
Jin Baekji watched, satisfied. Their organic unity pleased her more than defeating a mighty foe.
The guild had truly shown its potential.
Finn rushed over, whispering urgently:
“Master, those wounds are serious.”
“Oh, these?”
Han Taemin glanced at his arm, waving dismissively.
Wind-cuts covered him, but none debilitating.
Drip, drip. Watching blood fall, Finn raised his staff anxiously, but Han Taemin moved first.
“We need to treat—”
“Don’t worry. Not deep enough to need treatment.”
“How can you say that with such severe—huh?”
Finn gasped as wounds began healing rapidly.
“What’s happening?”
“New ability. Don’t mind it.”
His body now bore Ultra Regeneration. He could fight through multiple injuries.
Dragon Guild’s unwitting gift. But not something to explain to Finn, so Han Taemin just smiled ambiguously.
The conversation ended as destiny’s cylinders rose between them. Three wheels stood indifferent as always.
“Someone needs to—”
“Not me.”
“Count me out too. You saw what happened, right? Might get another low number.”
Cha Yeri and Gi Siwoo shook their heads before he finished. They’d learned their lesson.
Then an unexpected voice:
“I’ll do it.”
“Baekji, you?”
“Why not? Sounds fun.”
As Han Taemin nodded and stepped back, Jin Baekji strode forward to spin boldly.
Thudung, thudung, thudung.
All eyes fixed on the settling numbers.
“That’s our Baekji!”
“Mm, can’t argue with that.”
Gi Siwoo and Cha Yeri grinned with satisfaction.
This time, Han Taemin had to agree.
[ 100 ]
No higher number existed. This marked their journey’s end.
The hundredth floor demanded nothing from its visitors.
Just silence sharp enough to hurt ears. Nothing but an endless plaza stretched before them.
Moving unhurried, Han Taemin spotted their host.
“Congratulations! You’re the first to make it—well, no, I came first, so you’re second… Anyway, welcome! Sincerely. Been boring with no one to talk to.”
The guild members instantly tensed for battle upon seeing his face.
The one they’d just fought stood before them. How could they not be nervous?
“Ah, bad memories, I see. Let’s forget those here. I get why you’re jumpy, but that was just the tower’s test, right? No need for hostility. Look—I surrender!”
The man raised both hands, chattering cheerfully.
He looked rough overall. Straw-dry hair, flaking skin, faded ragged clothes. Like someone who’d lived wild for years.
His duplicate had looked better, honestly.
Standing before the man—Kane—Han Taemin extended his hand.
“Han Taemin, master of Overlord Guild.”
Kane shook hands, responding brightly.
“Kane Bruce. Seems you know me…”
“Yes. No hunter wouldn’t know the first SSS-rank.”
“Embarrassing. Thought people would’ve forgotten by now.”
“Some reputations can’t be hidden.”
Kane tapped his head, noting something unusual about Han Taemin.
“Overlord Guild, you say? Hard to miss a hunter of your strength. Recently awakened?”
“Yes, oppa just became the eighth SSS-rank hunter.”
Kane’s eyes widened at Cha Yeri’s words.
“You? Oho…”
His gaze was sharp but his manner so casual it dispelled tension.
“Time really flows. To think such an amazing guild would emerge. And two suns, no less. Fascinating.”
Kane glanced meaningfully at Jin Baekji.
“How did you get here, Hunter Kane? The Association should have found this first.”
“Just wandered in. Got a nose for these things.”
He continued, grinning.
“Shocked me at first. Didn’t expect a dungeon I couldn’t solo. Stuck on floor one for days.”
“Other hunters came soon after?”
“Oh? You know?”
“Yes, probably the Association’s advance team, before the raid party formed.”
“Makes sense. Speaking of—raid party? How many came?”
“Many. Over fifty guilds.”
“Full-scale tower assault, huh? Haa, took too long I guess. Never thought I’d be found like this.”
“Found?”
“Exactly what I said. You know now, right? This tower’s different from others.”
He wasn’t wrong. Beyond its sudden appearance, the difficulty was insane. The setup horrifically precise. Almost hungry for sacrifices.
“Seems that way.”
“I hunt dungeons like this.”
“Like this?”
Clearly no ordinary dungeon.