Chapter 509
He knew better than to expect a straightforward answer.
In fact, Jinhyuk even suspected Coffindance might not know that man’s true identity either.
After all, “that man” was a being wrapped in layers of mystery—existing beyond even the ancient ones.
“I get why you’re curious, but sorry—I can’t tell you that. Honestly, it’d be more fun to spill the internal details… but the system’s restrictions are in place.”
Coffindance flapped his lips like a fish.
Just like with Sleeper Owl, only fragmented hints could be shared.
“You’ll run into him soon enough whether you like it or not. The higher you climb the Tower, the fewer beings remain.”
“Come on, just a little more. I did win the bet, and this much info feels kinda cheap.”
“Hm… true. You did win. I suppose I can throw in a little extra.”
Coffindance stroked his chin, then continued.
“Rick Hennessy.”
“……!”
Just a name.
But the weight behind it was anything but light.
“That guy knows a lot more than he lets on. He’s also dangerous. Even I don’t fully understand what he’s thinking.”
“Rick… huh…”
“Hm? You’re not all that surprised. Had a hunch, didn’t you?”
“His timing was always too convenient. The odds were way too perfect to be coincidence.”
“Kukuk. That’s our Jinhyuk. Sharp as ever. I feel reassured now.”
Coffindance nodded, even more pleased.
That was truly the end.
Ah—before that…
Jinhyuk turned to look at Benetty, who was still mumbling through frozen lips beside him.
She hadn’t yet escaped the aftereffects of Coffindance’s ice magic.
She was desperately trying to shake the ice off, but perhaps due to her low magic resistance, it wasn’t going well.
“She’s not necessary, right?”
They’d clearly been bickering from the start.
So taking care of her now wouldn’t be a problem.
“Do what you want. I don’t care about the Original Sins.”
Coffindance turned away like it was none of his business.
“Mmph! …Mmmph!”
Benetty frantically tried to chase after Coffindance into the gate.
Of course, not a chance.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Jinhyuk grabbed Benetty by the shoulder.
Killing intent surged from his fingertips.
How much trouble had this one caused?
Alice, Chun Yoosung, and even Teresa.
Sweet, kind people all pushed into madness.
Now that [Dreamlike Fantasyland] was broken, everyone had returned to their senses—but letting Benetty go would just mean repeating this all over again.
In other words, there was no way he’d let her walk free.
Benetty trembled all over as she felt Jinhyuk’s killing intent.
She had strengths in illusions and barriers, sure, but in terms of pure combat strength, Benetty was the weakest of the Seven Original Sins.
Without preparation, she wouldn’t even dream of facing Jinhyuk in a fight.
“So then, what should I do with you?”
Jinhyuk cracked his knuckles with a loud pop.
“Mmmph… mmph…”
“What? You’re saying you’ll become a meek little lamb if I let you live?”
“Mmmph mmph!”
Benetty nodded violently.
She radiated the resolve to do absolutely anything to stay alive.
With this much enthusiasm and drive, she might even make a great recruit.
“Congratulations. You’ve earned a spot as the second member of the Seven Sins in this season’s recruitment round. Interested?”
Fwoooosh!
[Brand of Fiery Loyalty] activated, and red flames burst forth.
It was a skill wrapped in ominous restrictions, and Benetty’s face turned ghostly pale.
She’d realized that once branded, she’d become a slave for life.
This time, she shook her head so fiercely it made her earlier nodding look calm by comparison.
“Mmph!!!”
“Oh, what’s that? You’ll do your absolute best if I give you a chance?”
“Mmph?? Mmmph mmph mmph…!!!!”
“Understood. Let’s get that contract signed then. I’ll explain the benefits and salary… maybe ten years from now.”
Her mouth was sealed, so she was legally incapable of giving clear consent.
But—
In the Old Veteran Corporation’s contracts, fairness and consent were irrelevant.
Whether by coercion or free will—
Once the stamp was affixed, the deal was done.
“Mmmmmmph…!”
Ssssssh!
Jinhyuk smiled with satisfaction as the brand etched itself into her flesh.
With [Sloth] and now [Envy] in his grasp—
He was one step closer to flipping the rest of the Original Sins on their heads.
Just then—
Drip…
As the ice melted, Andrea emerged from within.
“Huh…?”
Her eyes widened.
Like someone who had just stepped out of frozen time.
To think she could tilt her head in confusion after being sealed for hours—
‘So he never intended to kill her.’
Jinhyuk glanced in the direction where Coffindance had disappeared.
“Mr. Jinhyuk! You really did come to save me! I knew you would!”
Andrea grabbed Jinhyuk’s hand with tearful eyes.
Tears welled up as if she were about to burst into sobs at any moment.
“This place isn’t just important… No—of course I had to come. A precious comrade was in danger. You held out until we arrived, and for that, I’m the one who’s grateful.”
“Jinhyuk… sir…”
Andrea lowered her head, seemingly at a loss for words.
But only for a moment.
“Hehe. Then as thanks, I’ll treat you to something nice. It’s a bit hectic, but there are still a few intact rooms left.”
Roughly three hours remained until their meeting with the administrators.
Plenty of time to rest up before then.
“Got it. Prepare some food that’s good for recovery.”
“Leave it to me!”
[Andrea activates boss monster privileges!]
[A modest party has been prepared in the ‘Mental Ward’.]
And with that—
The long string of chaotic events had finally come to a close.
⁕ ⁕ ⁕
Three sweet hours later.
Jinhyuk and the others who had received invitations arrived at the designated location.
“Hm. This always feels awkward, no matter when I wear it. I prefer clothes I can move around in.”
“Well, it’s not like you ever had to dress formally. You were just some guy holed up gaming at home.”
“What was that, punk?”
“Relax. The more you react, the guiltier you look.”
Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung, both sharply dressed in tuxedos, muttered as they adjusted their clothes.
“Fufu. You both look wonderful to me.”
Teresa walked over in an elegant black dress.
She’d clearly put a lot of effort into her appearance this time—it was on an entirely different level from anything she’d worn before.
“Ahem! Clearly, I’m the most splendid one here. Matching the dress code for a noble of the night? That’s as easy as breathing!”
Lastly, Alice stepped forward with pride.
A long gown that brushed the floor, lace handcrafted by artisans, and dazzling jewels that brought out the best in every detail.
With all that, she had every right to be confident.
Just then—
Bzzzt!
A green circle appeared before them.
[The Tower of Trials – ‘Nameless Room’ is opening.]
One of the Tower’s hidden places.
It was the chosen venue for tonight’s banquet.
“Let’s go.”
Jinhyuk was the first to move.
Vwoooom!
As he crossed through the gate, his vision went dark, and a cold chill wrapped around his entire body.
Then, in an instant—
The scenery changed completely.
“Hooh…”
“Wow…”
“This is… unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
Words of awe escaped everyone’s lips.
Floating islands of stone, a sky dyed in violet.
A world with seven moons—it was a breathtaking sight in itself.
“Welcome, Player Kang Jinhyuk, and all others. From here on, I’ll be your guide.”
Rick Hennessy greeted them at the entrance.
A red bowtie and a black wood cane.
He looked quite different dressed like this.
But—
‘Keep an eye on Rick.’
Jinhyuk recalled Coffindance’s earlier warning.
When asked for a clue about “that man,” Coffindance had mentioned Rick Hennessy.
Telling him not to trust him. To be careful.
And now, he had a perfect opportunity to observe him up close.
“Have many guests arrived?” Jinhyuk asked casually.
“Hmm. We’ve had arrivals from various floors. It’s a rare occasion for this many to gather, so attention is naturally high. Ah, there are a few rankers from Olympus and Chense who I believe will catch your interest. Since your interests are likely to intersect, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet them.”
Olympus, built around the Greek pantheon.
Chense, the great Indian mythological faction.
Meeting rankers from those two factions was certainly intriguing.
They’d soon meet again on the same floor anyway.
‘They probably have sweet abilities too. Hope some great fusion materials show up this time…’
The alternatives weren’t bad, but ideally, he wanted to fuse the most efficient abilities using the best ingredients.
And with so many high-tier factions gathered now—
It was like a buffet laid out just for Jinhyuk.
Step, step.
Following Rick deeper inside, the architecture grew ever more elaborate.
At the same time, familiar faces from past Tower encounters began to appear.
By the fountain up ahead, surrounded by statues—
Someone called out to Rick.
“Well, look who it is. The famous mid-level administrator Rick Hennessy. What brings you here? Don’t you usually have your hands full with your merchant guild or whatever?”
A golden-haired man raised his hand.
A handsome figure dressed in white with a green laurel crown—it wasn’t hard to guess.
Even without using [Eye of Gluttony], it was obvious.
He was a ranker supported by Olympus.
Beside him stood an administrator who had likely escorted him.
“Hehe. Probably feeling high and mighty after picking up some hot gossip from the lower floors. Sure, he’s talented, but he’s still just a human with little experience. Compared to the Apostle of Helios—Lord Gapellius—he’s just laughable.”
Giggle giggle.
The administrator, who looked like a cotton ball, covered their mouth with both hands.
A rabbit with a bowtie, talking like its mouth was wiped with spoiled milk.
“You’re as cheeky as ever, Gapellius. And Godirak—I don’t appreciate you speaking rudely to my guests.”
“I was just joking. No need to overreact.”
“It didn’t sound like a joke. Seemed more like you were trying to diminish me.”
“Hehe. Why would I bother? After all, you only care about trivial things like business and tasteless coffee. You’ve got no interest in power. Not that you’d stand a chance even if you did.”
“We’ll see about that.”
The two administrators exchanged tense glares.
It made things clear.
Just how immense the status of a senior administrator really was.
And then—
‘This is a jackpot…’
Jinhyuk barely held back a laugh as he checked Gapellius’s status window.
