Chapter 21
“…Insane.”
The words slipped out instinctively.
Just looking at it made one side of his chest ache.
It felt as if the fatigue accumulated over two days of forced marches had been washed away in an instant.
A top-tier potential ability!
The chance of getting the highest tier from a [Potential Ability Granting Scroll] was less than 1%.
It was already hard enough to obtain one—getting a top-tier result on top of that?
What could bring more joy than this?
Park Chan-woo took a deep breath and focused his gaze on the [World Tree Staff].
Name: [World Tree Staff]
Level: -98
Rarity: [Eternal]
Description: A staff crafted by the blacksmith god Agzoth using the World Tree as material. Long ago, in a civilization where magic was highly developed, it is said that only those called the “Archmage,” the greatest of all mages, could wield this staff.
Equipment Type: Staff (One-Handed Weapon)
Attack Power: 31
Durability: 1,500
Unique Options:
(1) [Mana +10]
(2) Enhances the tier of all magic by one level
(3) Transcends one selected magic to [Great Magic]
Unlocked Potential Abilities:
(1) [Stamina +10]
(2) [Attack Power +49]
(3) [Attack Power +51]
“……Perfect.”
After checking the added abilities, Park Chan-woo closed his eyes.
The result of two relentless days without rest.
His obsessive dive into the Abyss without a single moment of sleep had paid off.
It felt like the final flourish on a series of brilliant rewards.
Applying a [Potential Ability Granting Scroll] adds three random options, and the range is determined by the quality of the equipment.
The result was the attachment of a [Stamina +10] and two [Attack Power] options reaching close to 50.
As expected of a “top-tier” designation, the [World Tree Staff] had reached the limits of its potential.
‘All three options are exactly what I need.’
Even the added potential abilities were perfect.
Park Chan-woo was suffering from crippling [Status Conditions].
The three-stage combo: [Weakest], [Frail], and [Feeble].
All his base stats were locked at 1, he was highly susceptible to disease and curses, and he was perpetually fatigued.
The one stat that could help offset these conditions, even slightly, was [Stamina].
He had been deeply concerned, lacking any effective means of supplementing such a low stat.
And due to his low level, even improving [Attack Power] was extremely difficult.
Yet this [Potential Ability Granting Scroll] solved both issues in one fell swoop.
Above all, [Attack Power +100] was no small number.
At least for now, Park Chan-woo could say with confidence that he had the highest attack power among all of humanity.
And for a mage, [Attack Power] was the epitome of “the more, the better.”
‘Looks like I can keep using this for at least 20 more levels.’
[Stamina +10] and [Attack Power +100].
To close that gap, one would have to level up at least 10 more times.
With the existing options being this well-rounded, it seemed safe to say he could keep using this gear for at least 20 more levels.
Honestly, even if he gained 20 more levels and searched for a new staff, there was no guarantee he’d find anything better than this.
‘I’m glad I kept moving without rest.’
A satisfied smile surfaced without prompting.
He wasn’t hungry despite not having eaten, and even the darkened world now looked as bright as morning.
Everything had turned out perfectly.
Without hesitation, Park Chan-woo invested his [Class Level Point].
《Used 1 [Class Level Point].》
《[Mage] class has increased to Level 5.》
His [Mage] class had reached Level 5.
What a transformation.
In the past, this would have been unthinkable.
Back then, Park Chan-woo had chosen the path of a mage far too late.
He had switched to the [Mage] class at Level 90 and had only managed to raise his class level to 9.
How far could he go this time?
Could he finally reach the extreme technique, the ultimate truth of being a mage?
“Status window.”
To get organized, Park Chan-woo muttered the command.
Instantly—
Affiliation: Earth / Human / Republic of Korea
Name: Park Chan-woo
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Height/Weight: 180cm / 68.5kg
Level: -95
Strength: 3 (1+2)
Stamina: 13 (1+12)
Agility: 3 (1+2)
Intelligence: 3 (1+2)
Mana: 21 (1+20)
Status: [Weakest], [Frail], [Feeble], [Nonexistent], [Terminal]
Total Attack Power: 159
Total Defense: 46
Class: Mage (5Lv)
Available Magic: [Reflection] (Great Magic, [Rare]), [Judgment] (Lightning Magic, [Rare])
Remaining Class Level Points: 0
Equipped Gear:
– [World Tree Staff] (-98Lv, [Eternal])
– [Frosty Helmet] (-95Lv, [Legendary])
– [Demonic Armor] (-98Lv, [Epic])
– [Demon’s Pauldrons] (-98Lv, [Epic])
– [Demonic Gauntlets] (-98Lv, [Epic])
– [Chwik Belt] (-95Lv, [Unique])
– [Demonic Boots] (-98Lv, [Epic])
– [Iron Shield] (-98Lv, [Rare])
Held Abyss Items:
– [Easter Egg] (001)
– [Mage’s Stone] ([Mana +3], [Legendary])
– [Void] ([Eternal])
– [Coin] (7)
Pet: [Radiant Anubis] (3Lv)
…Magnificent.
There was nothing more to check.
Park Chan-woo immediately lay down on the bed.
He had lost 2.5 kilograms in just two days, but that didn’t matter at all.
Because he had achieved far more than that in return.
‘Feels like it’s been forever since I last fell asleep on a soft bed…’
He couldn’t even remember the last time he had slept in a bed.
It had been at least five years since he’d had the luxury of sleeping peacefully.
…Because he had always been anxious.
Even if he had once been humanity’s fourth to reach Level 99—one of the strongest—there was no such thing as restful sleep in a world that had collapsed and been destroyed.
Abyssal monsters had kept appearing endlessly, and the Twelve Species hunted and enslaved humans like cattle.
For the past five years, Park Chan-woo had never relaxed for even a single minute.
None of the survivors had.
With each passing day, humanity’s extinction had become more tangible, and in the end, all kinds of creators had latched on and tormented the survivors.
Unless one volunteered to become bait by signing an [Incarnation Contract]…
Or unless one had a mountain of [Coins] stacked up…
…peaceful sleep had become an impossible dream.
One of the reasons Park Chan-woo abhorred the [Incarnations] to the core.
“…….”
Rustle.
Lying down, Park Chan-woo shifted position and leaned his back against the wall.
He scooted into the corner, pulled his knees close, and buried his head between them.
He kept the [World Tree Staff] right next to him, ready to react at any moment.
For the past five years, this had been the only way he managed to catch short naps.
Perhaps that was why.
Despite having a soft mattress and blanket, despite being in a situation where he could finally sleep in peace—
…it was only in this position that Park Chan-woo was finally able to fall asleep.
* * *
The third day since the Abyss had appeared.
Humanity had no choice but to acknowledge that the world had begun to shift dramatically.
They had felt it firsthand over the past two days.
Countless lives were lost.
Men and women, young and old—death spared no one, regardless of class or rank.
The survivors experienced hell, and those fortunate enough to avoid it trembled in extreme anxiety.
The [Abyss]—no one knew when, where, or how it would strike.
Against this unpredictable fear, nations and humanity were powerless.
But on the third day—
An even greater change occurred.
“…What the hell is that?”
“Dungeon Abyss?”
For the past two days, the [Abyss] had appeared at random.
It paid no heed to time or location.
But on the morning of the third day—
Changes began to appear all over the world.
What came to be called the [Dungeon Abyss]—entrances that led to the Abyss—manifested.
They were mostly located in front of nations’ or peoples’ historic landmarks.
Just in Seoul alone, [Gyeongbokgung Palace], [Bongeunsa Temple], the [Statue of King Sejong], the [Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin]—in front of each, gates to the Abyss appeared in plain sight.
“…They say if we don’t clear it within the time limit, we’re screwed?”
“From now, four days. If we don’t clear the Dungeon Abyss and secure the required points, an [Invasion Abyss] will open across the entire country……?”
The sudden appearance of these messages sent people into a panic.
An [Invasion Abyss]?
That meant monsters would flood out from dungeons to invade.
‘It’s begun.’
At that very moment, Park Chan-woo was calmly sipping coffee on a café terrace near Gwanghwamun.
He already knew today marked a massive upheaval.
The true beginning of war against the [Creators].
Park Chan-woo slowly read the message.
《Join forces to clear the [Dungeon Abyss]!》
《This Abyss will be carried out on a per-[nation] basis.》
《Citizens of each nation must work together to clear [Dungeon Abysses] and earn points over the next four days.》
《Each [Dungeon Abyss] appearing at symbolic landmarks carries a different point value (100~1,000 points).》
《If [Republic of Korea] accumulates a total of 5,000 points within four days, no [Invasion Abyss] will appear.》
《However, if 5,000 points are not reached, an [Invasion Abyss] will open throughout Korea, and all monsters from any uncleared [Dungeon Abysses] will pour out at once.》
《The [Invasion Abyss] lasts for 24 hours. If all dungeons invade, the projected casualty count in [Republic of Korea] after 24 hours is 3,810,000 people.》
《Do your best. Clear as many [Dungeon Abysses] as possible!》
《If we unite with one heart, there is nothing we cannot do.》
‘…Filthy Creator bastards.’
No matter how many times he read it, it was the worst.
Join forces?
Then there’s nothing we can’t do?
‘Just don’t get in the way with your damn Incarnations.’
They were the ones wreaking havoc to stop the 5,000-point goal from being met.
Park Chan-woo knew all too well how garbage this game was—he had lived through the devastation of an [Invasion Abyss].
‘We were exactly 500 points short when the Abyss opened across Korea.’
In the past, Korea had failed to reach the 5,000-point mark, and monsters from several uncleared [Dungeon Abysses] poured out and slaughtered people.
Over 200,000 people lost their lives—that was when the dark shadow truly fell over Korea.
‘North Korea had it even worse.’
Even so, Korea’s situation was better than North Korea’s.
Over there, [Dungeon Abysses] had opened in front of the statues of [Kim Jong-un], [Kim Jong-il], and [Kim Il-sung].
No one even dared to attempt clearing them.
As a result, every uncleared [Dungeon Abyss] erupted across North Korea, and over a million casualties followed—an unbelievable tragedy.
‘I only need to clear one.’
Park Chan-woo wasn’t planning to do more or less than that—just clear one.
The [Water God Abyss].
Clearing the [Water God Abyss] connected to the [Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin] would yield exactly 1,000 points.
Among all the [Public Abysses] that had appeared in Korea, it held the highest score and boasted overwhelming difficulty.
‘…I absolutely must succeed.’
If he didn’t clear the [Water God Abyss] linked to Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s statue, there was no way Korea could reach 5,000 points.
‘That’s when the Incarnations will start making their move.’
Those who signed contracts with [Creators]—[Incarnations]—would do everything in their power to sabotage the goal.
Among them was that bastard.
‘Humanity’s strongest. The first to reach Level 99.’
Park Chan-woo’s gaze darkened.
The worst, most powerful [Incarnation] who once played the part of savior.
‘He’ll be here too.’
Without a doubt, that bastard was somewhere nearby.
Here in Gwanghwamun.
“Is there any brave citizen willing to enter the [Water God Abyss] with me!”
“We must not run! We must not look away! Let us unite as one!”
“Let’s show those damn demons what we’re made of!”
And at that moment, in the distance—
…a very familiar voice could be heard.
