Chapter 44
Officially—
Park Chan-woo was the fourth human in history to reach the level cap of 99.
And among the 99-level Awakeners, he was the only one who held a [Dual Class].
What’s more, he was an incredibly rare case—transitioning from the purely physical [Barbarian] class, which never used magic, into a Mage.
—How did he reach Level 99 with a Dual Class?
—Knight and Mage? He was even a Barbarian before that?
—That makes it impossible to reach 99.
—Isn’t max level something only those with peak potential in a single skillset can attain?
Some even called Park Chan-woo’s Level 99 achievement one of the [Eight Great Abyss Mysteries].
And rightly so.
Level 99 was the peak of humanity.
Even when devoting one’s entire life to a single path, only a handful of the chosen could reach it.
To achieve that with a Dual Class—especially two completely opposing ones—was believed to be utterly impossible.
[Barbarian].
Often referred to as ‘Barbarians’, these warriors valued nothing but physical might. They were openly hostile toward magic, considering it heretical.
Even if he had upgraded to [Knight] later, his essence would not have changed.
And yet, after changing classes to Mage at Level 90, Park Chan-woo reached Level 99.
—What I want to know is how he overcame that final breakthrough quest, the infamous trial of Pure Understanding.
High-level Awakeners were most curious about that.
To surpass Level 90 and enter 91, one had to complete the final capstone breakthrough quest.
It was of the highest difficulty, demanding profound mastery of one’s class—the kind of challenge that Park Chan-woo somehow overcame.
…A feat no one could even begin to understand.
That’s why no one believed his story.
To deny one’s essence. To discard purity.
That was a [forbidden act] to anyone striving for the ultimate.
‘Barbarian and Mage. People say the values they uphold are completely different.’
But Park Chan-woo thought otherwise.
People believed they were incompatible, but to him, Barbarian and Mage were fundamentally the same.
‘They’re both pioneers.’
Explorers of new lands, seekers of the unknown.
The core value both classes revered was the same.
To humanity, the Abyss was the greatest mystery and the most unexplored frontier. The Barbarian and Mage classes were merely tools for pioneering that world.
This was the decisive driving force that allowed Park Chan-woo to complete the final breakthrough quest.
‘The soul of the Ancient Barbarian King and the Tower Lord. Beating both trials nearly broke me.’
The quest was simple in design.
You met the “Ancient Souls” related to your class and overcame the trials they set.
This was what made it impossible for Dual Class users.
Those with two classes had to face two separate trials from two ancient souls.
Even clearing one trial was an enormous challenge—but both?
Especially after just switching to Mage?
…Absolutely unthinkable.
Anyone who had attempted the final breakthrough would say the same:
It was impossible.
Maybe he could barely survive the Barbarian King’s trial thanks to his past experience—but how could a newly minted Mage overcome the Tower Lord’s trial?
‘I… I had forgotten my beginnings.’
But back then, Park Chan-woo didn’t give up.
He never bent his beliefs.
With the spirit of a pioneer, he pierced through like a rhinoceros horn.
Seeing his unyielding determination, the souls of the Barbarian King and the Tower Lord acknowledged him.
As a pioneer.
As one who explored the values they held most dear.
‘After reaching Level 99, I felt despair.’
The problem was, even that firm conviction turned into despair after reaching Level 99.
He realized there were always higher heavens above.
He regretted discovering his magical talent too late and devoted himself only to magic afterward.
But—
Park Chan-woo’s essence was that of a pioneer.
And he had forgotten that essence for far too long.
‘I still walk the path of a Mage. That hasn’t changed. However…’
His heart raced.
So hard, it felt like madness.
…He was happy.
‘I’ll do it my own way. A path no one has walked.’
He would continue walking the Mage’s path, but not in the traditional way.
There was no rule in this world that said a Mage couldn’t wield hand axes.
Just as there was no rule that a Mage must only use magic.
If they revered the same values, then a Barbarian could be a Mage, and a Mage could be a Barbarian.
Park Chan-woo returned to his roots.
And from there, he took a step into the world.
‘I walk.’
One step, then another.
He continued forward.
Because he was a pioneer who explored the unknown.
An adventurer and seeker who traversed the pitch-black Abyss with no lantern to guide him.
《You have attained the Enlightenment of a Sage and awakened the Spirit of an Arahan.》
《The hidden option ‘Golden Mystery of the Arahan’ has been unlocked.》
《‘The Seeker’s First Step’ has been completed.》
《For every 10 Coins in your possession, all stats increase by 1.》
《You currently hold 41 Coins. All stats increased by 4.》
《The hidden option ‘The Seeker’s First Step’ applies to all equipment bearing the name ‘Arahan’.》
《……》
《O you who walk the Seeker’s Path!》
《Know that it is a path of arrogance and recklessness.》
《The Tower of Arrogance has sensed the presence of the Seeker.》
《The Tower of Arrogance has begun to watch you.》
—
“…Don’t you think something’s going on in there?”
The Seoul Union members tilted their heads in confusion.
Everyone who entered the tent had always undergone Lim Chang-yeol’s “entrance test.”
But never had anyone stayed inside this long.
It had already been over 30 minutes since Kim Byung-han and Park Chan-woo went in.
The Union members stared at the tent’s closed entrance with curious eyes.
It was far too noisy outside to hear anything from within.
It was obvious now—something different had happened inside.
“Shouldn’t we go in?”
“Union Leader will handle it.”
But the bodyguards standing at the entrance were like a steel wall.
They were called bodyguards, but in truth, they were the Union Leader’s elite personal guards.
Ignoring the murmuring Union members, they waited silently, with blind trust in their leader.
Another ten minutes passed.
Thud!
The flap of the tent was thrown open, and a man stepped out.
“M-Mr. Kim Byung-han?!”
The member who had escorted him widened his eyes in shock.
Kim Byung-han emerged, covered in blood.
It wasn’t unheard of for someone to get injured during the entrance test.
But the expression on Kim Byung-han’s face was strange.
More importantly, he hadn’t gone in alone.
The two had entered together—so why had only Kim Byung-han come out?
“Where’s the other guy?”
“…Go look for yourself.”
Kim Byung-han shook his head like he’d had enough and walked off.
Then muttered under his breath, “Bunch of lunatics…”
Something was clearly off.
The bodyguard and the escort at the entrance rushed into the tent.
“……!”
“……!!!”
Both were stunned by the scene before them.
The inside of the tent was a complete mess.
All the boxes and weapons were scattered in chaos.
And then—
“U-Union Leader!”
…Union Leader Lim Chang-yeol was lying unconscious on the floor.
Alongside Park Chan-woo.
Both with incredibly satisfied smiles on their faces.
—
Night.
The air had turned chilly.
Under the moonlit sky, Lim Chang-yeol stared blankly upward.
‘He really was a monster.’
He had used every weapon he could.
Unleashed every technique in his arsenal.
He gave it his all, with no regrets.
They fought like madmen possessed.
Though both fell at the same time, Lim Chang-yeol considered it his loss.
‘Monstrous regeneration, perfect judgment, unmatched reflexes…’
There wasn’t a single thing he lacked.
That overwhelming composure—as if he’d faced hundreds or thousands in battle.
And the refined ability to redirect enemy attacks like water flowing over stone.
‘His weakness was strength and stamina, though.’
Park Chan-woo’s stamina was surprisingly poor.
He tired quickly and never took attacks head-on.
He focused purely on deflection and redirection.
He clearly understood he couldn’t match brute force.
Yet even that weakness was offset by absurd regeneration.
‘…He moved better as the fight went on.’
Was he holding back his true skill?
Pretending to be weak to bait an opening?
‘Hah.’
Lim Chang-yeol almost laughed aloud.
To think someone could hide that level of strength in a fight against him.
The proof came when Park Chan-woo’s eyes gleamed just as Lim tried to seize the upper hand—and suddenly began to pressure him instead.
As if he’d found clarity. His entire presence changed.
‘He’s dangerous.’
No one had ever made Lim Chang-yeol feel like this.
He had fought countless opponents, but Park Chan-woo was in a class of his own.
Not just his skill—but his entire aura.
If that man ever turned into an enemy, he’d be a nightmare to deal with.
So, he had to decide now.
‘Nip it at the bud—or bring him under me.’
Lim Chang-yeol had survived in the underworld by distinguishing ally from enemy without fail.
If someone had potential to become an enemy, he uprooted them early.
If they became an ally, he protected them and showed favor.
But—
‘…Park Chan-woo’s not someone who can serve under another.’
People like him—whether they wanted to or not—always ended up on top.
They were born to rule.
It was only a matter of time before he and Park Chan-woo crossed paths again.
‘……What do I do?’
He had never hesitated like this before.
Lim Chang-yeol was a man of first impressions. A man who could instantly judge others. Who always knew friend from foe.
But Park Chan-woo was the exception.
He couldn’t read him.
He slowly rubbed his chin.
“…I’ll watch him a little longer.”
Even that—delaying his judgment—was unlike him.
He was the type to act immediately: yes or no, black or white.
Tsk.
He clicked his tongue and shook his head, then stepped back into the tent.
—
The next day.
A party was formed.
Fifty people, led by Union Leader Lim Chang-yeol, were set to climb the [Tower of Arrogance].
All of them had broken past the first level cap at Level 11.
Among them were Kim Byung-han and Park Chan-woo.
‘So he’d been hiding his level all along.’
That was the conclusion Kim Byung-han came to.
What Park Chan-woo showed during his fight with Lim Chang-yeol three days ago—
No one below the first level cap could have displayed that level of power.
He had passed Level 11 but kept it secret.
‘A sly bastard, through and through.’
But Park Chan-woo’s strength was real.
Kim Byung-han didn’t know where or how he had suddenly become so strong, but one thing was clear—there was no point in turning him into an enemy.
Still, it left him with a bitter feeling.
He should’ve been the one in the spotlight.
Yet the “subordinate” he had introduced outshined him instead.
‘I’ll have my chance. I’ll get stronger in the Tower of Arrogance.’
Kim Byung-han clenched his fist tightly.
At the entrance to the tower, Lim Chang-yeol stood at the front, now wearing a mask.
“No one knows what’s inside this tower. The only ones we can trust are each other—so don’t scatter.”
There was no need for a long speech.
Everything had already been explained beforehand.
As he neared the entrance of the tower—
《Entering Floor 1 of the Tower of Arrogance.》
《Entry Requirement: First Level Cap Breakthrough.》
《Requirement met.》
《Select your faction.》
《Orc Master Kankun, Death Witch Adora.》
《You will climb the tower alongside the leader of the faction you choose.》
《At Floor 10, the two factions will clash.》
《Until Floor 10, empower your faction’s leader.》
《Only the victorious faction may advance to Floor 11.》
Choose your faction—Orc Master Kankun or Death Witch Adora!
Climb to Floor 10 while strengthening the faction leader you choose.
Kankun was a warrior. Adora, a mage.
And of the 50 gathered Awakeners—all were warriors at heart.
The answer had been clear from the beginning.
“…Everyone, choose Orc Master Kankun.”
