[Time remaining until the boundary-breaking mirror dissipates: 0h:29m:59s]

With a brief status message, the view before my eyes completely shifted. A meadow bathed in dazzling starlight, and in the center, 22 armored Black Knights stood in formation. Even in their slumber, the magic emanating from their bodies was extraordinarymy skin prickled from their force, signaling they were leagues above the average threats.

They must all be named ranks. Jinhyuk assessed coolly.

Cheon Yuseong remained silent, sizing up the knights. He was likely weighing both his combat capabilities and those of the enemy.

They are strong, he briefly remarked. But if Cheon Yuseong spoke so, it was far from an exaggerationthe combined forces of five major guild raid teams would struggle to guarantee victory.

Theyre considerably strong. What do you think? Are they worth a shot?

I can probably handle up to five simultaneously. Any more would be risky. Of course, this all assumes that the monster at the end wont wake up.

Their gazes converged in one direction.

Yes, the most striking among them was the colossal statue positioned at the end of the Black Knights.

Its been a while since I saw that one, Jinhyuk said, his eyes filled with nostalgia. The bane of countless players in the [Tower of Trials], this undying boss of the 10th floor, a Guardian, whose sheer presence exuded an overwhelming intimidation. Combined, the other Black Knights could not hope to match even the base of this colossus.

Maybe its time to prepare?

This time, Ill clear it as Unknown.

[Sub-space Inventory activated.]

Jinhyuk pulled out a mask engraved with geometric patterns from his sub-space inventory. The identity he had chosen for Unknown was Barrier Master. He planned to edit out the use of his skills in the footage and focus on scenes showcasing the use of barriers.

There are viewers searching for Unknown even now, so its about time I made an appearance.

Moreover, to enter both the first and second rankings at the same time, it was essential to appropriately distribute the boss fight.

If I face all the Black Knights, itll just lead to unnecessary magic expenditure

This must be avoided. To dazzle with performance, power must be conserved, and for the execution, a clean build-up is essential.

Ultimately, to satisfy both

Go, Sword Saint Mon! Its your turn! Jinhyuk tapped on Cheon Yuseongs shoulder.

Dammit! What the hell do you think I am?

Ah, come on. Consider it training.

You want to be stronger, right? Then dont complain, just follow along. Even in martial arts novels, wielding a sword means a year of cleaning, a year of rice cooking, a year of laundering. Consider yourself lucky for the crash course.

Dont spout nonsense. I could join you in a fight, but I cant face all of them alone. Even I have my limits!

Hmm. The expected response.

How about this? If you can wipe out those knights and last 1 minute against the boss, Ill grant you whatever you wish.

At those words, Cheon Yuseongs pupils dilated rapidly.

Defeating Jinhyuk was his reason for climbing the tower and a long-standing ambition. Thus, this proposition held undeniable sway over him.

Are you serious?

Of course. You want a one-on-one duel with me, right?

If you change your mind later or pretend not to remember

Dont worry. If you succeed, whether its at the Jamsil Stadium or downtown Myeong-dong, Ill fight you anytime, anywhere you wish.

Keep your promise.

Swoosh!

Cheon Yuseong drew his sword, the rune-inscribed blade scattering blinding light.

[Cheon Yuseong activates his unique ability Song of the Sword!]

At that moment, the Black Knights began to stir in response to the intruders magic.

Over 2 meters tall, wielding greatswords 1.5 meters in length, the Black Knights, clad in dark armor, exuded a grave heaviness, yet their steps were light.

This is a place of rest for warriors.

Only those worthy may enter.

Those who have not built their legacy as warriors in life shall be denied entry.

Yet, you are unworthy.

With a grinding voice, the hackneyed lines about chivalry were exhausting to even hear, let alone from those who offered no experience points. However, when it came to being stubborn, Cheon Yuseong would make anyone second best.

If any of you hinder my duel with him, I will cut you all down!

With a deadly pronouncement, Cheon Yuseong closed the distance in a flash.

Boom!

The powerful force imbued in the Dejected Soul Sword collided head-on with a Black Knights sword. The knight was driven into the ground: a clear sign of defeat in the clash of strength.

Human!

A single exchange determined who held the upper hand. Yet, the problem was

This wasnt a one-on-one fight.

Attack!

How insolent!

Two Black Knights approached Cheon Yuseong from the sides, the dancers moves targeting his neck and heart.

Clang!

Sparks and droplets of blood flew amidst the clash.

A superficial wound. If he had allowed even a little more, Cheon Yuseongs heart would have been pierced.

Almost evenly matched.

Jinhyuk whistled softly. Did they say the thrill of a close match? Strong ones in combat made for an appealing sight. While newbie battles had their own charm, the real excitement came when the contenders were closely matched.

He still has many weaknesses, but hes made quite the effort.

The title of Sword Saint wasnt granted for nothing. Considering each Black Knight approached near 8,000 in magic power, Cheon Yuseong was facing the equivalent of 22 rankers alone. His Dejected Soul Sword was now fully potent.

It will be over in a few minutes.

If there had been an audience, now would be the moment for a thunderous applause. A lion dominating dozens of hyenas wasnt a scene one witnessed often.

Thwick!

Three sword wounds marked the center of the Black Armor. No matter how strong, with the three stones that constituted their core shattered, they had no recourse.

To accumulatesuch sin as a human

Unbelievable.

To see a warriors pride crumble so trivially.

One by one, the Black Knights fell. As their numbers dwindled, the disparity in combat power increased. Finally

Boom!

The last Black Knight split in half.

It was at that moment.

Die!

Even in the throes of death, the Black Knight swung at Cheon Yuseongs legs, a surprise attack from his blind spot.

Clang!

Fortunately, Cheon Yuseong narrowly parried the strike.

Persistently dirty tactics.

Sweat trickled down his back. Any complacency would have spelled his doom. Despite the injuries, his rhythm remained undisturbed, as did his remaining magic power.

He succeeded in conserving his strength for the final minute against the last boss. Now, just one more step was left toward the rematch despised by that cunningly smirking bastard.

Just a little more.

If he could withstand it, hed achieve his longed-for goal.

Stand up.

Cheon Yuseongs sword pointed at the sole remaining enemy. Then

[The 10th floors boss monster Stone Giant awakens!]

The giant which had remained silent stirred to life.

Kukukukuku!

The earth trembled violently. The menacing aura was incomparable to anything hed felt before.

How could it be so

Having skipped floors too quickly, his growth remained incomplete, and defeating the opponent was out of the question, which he knew. But he certainly hadnt anticipated not lasting a mere minute. He had grown stronger, overwhelmingly so compared to his past self.

But facing the boss, Cheon Yuseong realized something. Why Jinhyuk had set the condition of simply enduring for a minute, and how greatly he had been deluded.

Damn it.

The power of the deep sea weighed heavily upon him, the difference in awakened and dormant magical intensity was incomprehensible

A complete monster.

To stand against such a being, even for 1 minute?

Impossible.

It couldnt be.

Without exchanging a single attack, Cheon Yuseong felt the immensity of the gap between himself and the adversary.

It was a completely different dimension.

To have come to this floor, subdued the Black Knights, and awakened me

The Stone Giant looked at Cheon Yuseong with genuine interest. For good reason. Many creatures challenged the 10th floor, but none alone had overcome the Black Knights.

So it seems. You must be the strongest of humans.

Having made up its mind, the Giant rose fully.

5 meters tall.

A shield and greatsword reminiscent of enormous rocks, both indestructible weapons, and an armor tightly sealed around it, leaving no openings. The defense was impeccable.

A mass of mountain not unlike Jinhyuk in his first encounter. But fleeing was no longer an optionnot with the scornful figure sneering behind him.

Sizzle!

The sword shone blue as Cheon Yuseong poured all his magic into his swordsmanship, barely embodying the third form of the Dejected Soul Sword.

The best defense is offense.

If he maintained a relentless assault, time would pass. He had to focus on survival.

Zoom!

Cheon Yuseong vanished, reappearing behind the Stone Giant. Swinging his sword horizontally

Boom!

No mark was left on the Giants surface.

[Invulnerability].

A unique ability that granted immunity to both physical and magical attacks. Even the swords energy, much less the blade, was powerless against this ultimate shield.

Energy of the sword A trifling parlor trick. Now, allow me to teach you something.

[The Stone Giant activates Lv15 Stone-breaking Slash ()!]

The Giants greatsword tore through the air.

Kwakwakwakwa!

An immense roar, and everything in sight began to pulverize. The ground split, the grass shredded, and even the shockwave alone had this much power.

What brute force!

Cheon Yuseong screamed, spinning his sword like a windmill to form a shield. Yet it was futile; the single swing trivially overwhelmed the Sword Saints defense.

Boom!

Argh!

Cheon Yuseongs footing crumbled from the blow. His senses reeled from the impact, and without time to breathe, the second attack followedan impaling thrust.

The over-2-meter greatsword, targeting a singular point, descended like lightning.

Too dangerous.

This could neither be blocked nor avoided.

Cheon Yuseong drew a shallow breath, feeling the approach of death, his grip on the sword weakening.

But then

Vmmm!

Something blocked the way. A crimson dagger surrounded by white frost. Incredibly, the large sword could not advance further, hindered by the small blade.

One minute.

A voice oozing leisure.

Too bad, its a failure.

It was Jinhyuk.