Soohyun’s previous life as an adult was exceptional in every way.

Thanks to consistently exercising from a young age, not only were his overall stats outstanding, but he had also been aware of signs of awakening due to his mother’s influence and had received diverse training.

Understanding the characteristics of monsters, clearly identifying their weaknesses, and devising strategies to counter them were part of his skill set.

The ability to inflict wounds on the Mad Wolf and leverage the vampire wolves’ instincts in combat was thanks to this.

Despite bleeding out and life slowly draining away, the Mad Wolf still drooled and swallowed its saliva.

The instinct towards food was almost obsessive. Even in its dying moments, it did not think to flee.

“But that worked out better for me.”

If I could use quick movements to escape and counterattack, it wouldn’t be too hard.

Fortunately, it lived up to its name as a mad monster. Its intelligence wasn’t particularly high.

Pierce—

Soohyun’s sword penetrated deep into the Mad Wolf’s head through the eye on its forehead.

In that instant, the barely alive Mad Wolf died.

[You have earned 50 achievement points.]

[You have passed the trial of the first floor.]

[You have earned 300 achievement points.]

[All stats have increased by 5 points.]

The first floor was over.

Soohyun’s eyes widened.

“Such a grand reward…”

300 achievement points.

All stats had increased by 5.

The reward exceeded his expectations.

It was rare to receive rewards that increased all stats, in addition to achievement points.

Moreover, each stat increased by 5 points.

Even for the trial at level 10, the reward was beyond imagination.

“I knew rewards varied depending on the process and outcomes of the trial…”

But he hadn’t imagined the difference would be this vast.

Perhaps the stat increase for killing the first vampire wolf was because of the time it took to complete it.

Whatever the reason, Soohyun was satisfied.

If he continued to receive rewards like this, he could earn far more than in his previous life.

[You may use the first floor’s store.]

[Would you like to proceed to the next level?]

Another message appeared.

It was the message Soohyun had been waiting for.

At the store, achievement points could be used to purchase various weapons, shields, armors, and other equipment.

Soohyun’s total achievement points were now 380.

The achievement points earned on the first floor were substantial. It was thanks to Soohyun passing the trial swiftly and scoring high.

“Store.”

Soohyun immediately opened the store.

Equipment, consumables, medicines, food, and more categories appeared before him. With achievement points, anything was possible in this world.

Among them, there was only one thing on Soohyun’s mind.

“Here it is.”

[Lowest Grade Mana Catalyst: 300p]

What caught Soohyun’s eye was a small bottle in the consumables corner.

The small bottle containing a purple potion was the first item Soohyun had wanted to purchase for a long time.

“I thought it was only available from the second floor…”

His plans had been expedited thanks to the high achievement score.

“Purchase.”

[You have purchased the Lowest Grade Mana Catalyst.]

[300 achievement points have been used.]

As soon as the purchase was confirmed, a purple potion appeared in Soohyun’s hand.

He opened the cap of the thumb-sized bottle and swallowed the potion in one gulp.

Gulp—

The catalyst had no taste.

But later, a bitter aftertaste followed.

It was inevitable since the catalyst was diluted in water.

“Done—”

Soohyun then tossed the empty bottle onto the floor.

He slumped down, intending to sit.

“Done—”

Focusing on the catalyst spreading throughout his body, Soohyun took a deep and long breath.

Magic coefficient also indicates the maximum amount of mana present in his body.

While magic level measures the power level, magic power determines how much mana one can exert.

Awakeners cannot ignore either magic coefficient or magic level.

If the level is low, a high coefficient means the total power that can be unleashed is weak. And if the coefficient is low, even a high magic level means only a small amount of mana can be used.

“Firstly, it’s about the maximum limit of mana.”

Currently, there was no magical power in his body at all.

Mana catalysts act as a stimulant forcing awakeners to have mana.

Of course, if a normal person drank such a small amount, it wouldn’t make much difference…

Stir—

Because Soohyun had dealt with magic for a long time, he was highly sensitive to the magic-awakening effects of the catalyst.

“It’s done.”

[You have responded to the magic power.]

[Your magic coefficient has increased by 1 point.]

[You have responded to the magic power.]

[Your magic level has increased by 1 level.]

A single point.

It was a bit humbling.

But not many on the first floor would react to mana. This special case wouldn’t typically occur until the third floor.

Initially, the level 10 trial on the first floor was just a test of physical abilities, unrelated to magic power.

Swirl, swirl, swirl—

Soohyun channeled mana into the sword he held in his hand.

He felt the grip of the sword improve in his hand, though wrapping the blade itself in magic was challenging.

“I can’t hold out like this for too long…”

Perhaps acquiring items like swords or armor might be more beneficial than increasing magic level or factor.

But Soohyun was thinking long-term.

“I need to become stronger here while I can.”

After all, items couldn’t be taken out of the Tower of Ordeal.

The only thing he could take out was the body he had forged here.

“For the future…”

As the magic in the sword waned, Soohyun lowered it.

“Magic power is still the most crucial.”

[Do you want to move to the next floor?]

The system, knowing Soohyun had finished using the store, asked if he wanted to proceed to the next level.

Should he?

Or should he pause the trial here?

Or…

“No.”

Soohyun declined the offer to ascend when the system inquired.

Growl—

Roar!

Hearing monsters growl in the Colosseum, Soohyun said, “Bring on the next one.”

Without pain, there is no gain.

One must endure corresponding hardships before acquiring anything.

This was a principle Soohyun had carried from his previous life, and it remained a truth in this life.

Even if it was unbearable, it was necessary.

“Shouldn’t we see it through before moving on?”

Act 3

In the Tower of Ordeal, there were a few rules to follow to become stronger.

—Choose higher levels.

—Clear higher floors.

—Deliver better performances.

While there were various means like the catalyst Soohyun used, those were merely additives.

The key was how high the level was, how high the floor was, and how to achieve better results in clearing the trial.

And sometimes, finding a method to achieve better results at a certain level was preferable to sticking to pre-set standards.

[Do you want to move to the next floor?]

There were two options to this question.

Yes or no.

Most would choose “Yes” to move quickly to the next level and start the next trial.

But occasionally, another trial similar to Soohyun’s happened.

A bonus mission that could be performed after completing a trial.

“Where does this Colosseum end?”

A fight that only lasted three battles.

Soohyun found it boring.

With all stats increased and magic awakened, the battle should have been much easier.

Stopping here felt regrettable. Moreover, the more bonus missions cleared, the higher the trial’s achievement would undoubtedly be.

The rewards needed no explanation. Besides, Soohyun was currently undergoing a level 10 trial.

Soohyun embarked on the next challenge in the Colosseum.

And then…

And…

[You have cleared the 10th stage of the first floor.]

[There’s nothing further here.]

[You have successfully cleared the first trial.]

[Your achievements will be ranked accordingly.]

[You are in first place.]

[You have earned 1000 achievement points.]

[All stats have increased by 1 point.]

[Your magic coefficient has increased by 2 points.]

[Your magic level has increased by 1 level.]

“Panting, gasping—”

Soohyun looked down at the enormous wolf the size of a bull lying on the ground.

He dubbed the heavily scratched wolf “Scratch Wolf.” It was a monster with relatively sensitive senses.

This beast was challenging even for skilled magic awakeners and had appeared on the first floor of the trial.

“I wonder what happened.”

He had expected it wouldn’t be easy to clear all 10 stages of the first floor.

But he never dreamed of encountering a Scratch Wolf on the first floor.

“But still…”

The rewards were plentiful in proportion to the difficulty.

It was natural for him to secure first place in the trial’s rankings. Soohyun had topped most records in his previous life.

But he hadn’t anticipated gaining 2 magic levels on the first floor.

“Status.”

[Name: Kim Soohyun]

[Magic Coefficient: 8] [Magic Level: 2]

[Strength: 28] [Agility: 29]

[Stamina: 28] [Reflex: 34]

[Fatigue: 55]

His overall stats had seen a significant increase.

He would never have thought he had just cleared the first floor of the trial.

The situation had far exceeded his expectations.

“Shall we go to the second floor?”

As the thought crossed his mind, Soohyun shook his head.

“No. Let’s stop here for today.”

He could no longer ignore his fatigue level.

He needed adequate rest, had to manage his achievement points wisely, and had to maintain himself. Moreover, he couldn’t ignore the realities outside the Tower.

“I’ll return.”

[Your qualification is clear.]

[You have cleared the first floor.]

[You will now exit the Tower of Ordeal.]

The world before Soohyun’s eyes changed once again.

Chop, chop, chop.

Simmer, simmer.

Entering what was now a familiar room, sounds from the living room greeted Soohyun—the sound of broth boiling and the skillful chopping of ingredients.

Soohyun stepped out of his room and into the living room.

“Ah, son, you’re home?”

Shin Sooyoung, who was preparing dinner, turned around.

Soohyun nodded slightly, his gaze drifting over the dishes laid out on the table, speechless.

“Pork ribs stew, stir-fried vegetable noodles, soybean paste soup… why did you prepare so much?”

The small home hosted a feast that many would envy, evident from the array of dishes that required extensive preparation.

“It’s only natural to prepare this much since you’ve just been discharged.”

“Didn’t you just get back from work?”

“That’s okay. The soup is almost done, sit down. I’ll serve you a bowl.”

“I can get it myself.”

Soohyun glanced at the wall clock hanging on one side of the living room. It was past 10 PM.

Shin Sooyoung usually arrived home around 9 PM after work.

In another family, at this hour, a son might be eating alone. Despite this, Shin Sooyoung seemed to have been preparing dinner late into the night every day after returning from work.

Soohyun, as soon as the soup was ready, took a bowl and sat at the table. They turned on the TV and started their meal.

—Recently, the number of dungeons has been increasing. Comparing the dungeons that first appeared in 2013 and 2018, their number has tripled.

As expected, the latest news issue was about dungeons and magic awakening. Soohyun showed little interest, accustomed as he was to such matters.

“Weren’t you fascinated by that?”

“How so?”

Soohyun answered Shin Sooyoung’s question about fascination casually while focusing on his meal.

Her inquiry about charm had a predetermined answer for him. To him, it was a way of life, a daily routine.

“Suddenly, monsters and people with strange superpowers appeared. Stuff that used to be in cartoons when we were kids.”

“Well, now it’s reality.”

Indeed. It had become reality.

—Meanwhile, the price of energy sources and Aether stones found in dungeons continues to surge as they find various uses. While some have mentioned the dangers of the astounding dungeons, they still have a positive impact on our society…

Of course, reality wasn’t as hopeful as the TV broadcast suggested.

“Hope turned out to be more about despair.”

This happiness wouldn’t last long.

The dungeons, which had emerged with a hopeful image, would soon turn into a tremendous catastrophe.

Aware of this fact, Soohyun couldn’t accept that these matters were being reported as trivial stories.

After finishing the meal, Soohyun insisted on doing the dishes, pushing Shin Sooyoung into her room.

He returned to his room after finishing the dishes.

Creaking noise—

“Mom, I’m done with everything.”

Soohyun’s voice softened.

In that short time, Shin Sooyoung had fallen asleep in the closet.

She looked so exhausted that she didn’t even realize how she had fallen asleep.

Soohyun gently looked at the sleeping Shin Sooyoung, then spotted a folded blanket nearby and covered her with it.

“Mother.”

Looking at her face made his heart turn over.

He still felt awkward about the term. Even though he had decided to live as Soohyun, something felt off.

But…

Certainly, the extent of her dedication towards Soohyun, why it was so immense, would be hard for anyone to understand.

“Just wait a little longer.”

He wanted to repay what he had received.

It wasn’t entirely about his dedication…

The end of this dedication shouldn’t lead to the end of the world.

“Even if I can’t be your real son…” he thought, closing his eyes and holding her hand.

“I’ll definitely make you happy.”

Without a doubt.

He didn’t want anyone to die under his watch.