I kneeled on the ground. Professional snipers used all sorts of equipment like tripods, a scope, and ear muffs, but I only needed aether. Click— I aimed towards the watchtower and spotted Jain with my thousand-mile eyes. I hid on a mountain ridge 5 km northwest of the World’s End Bridge. A cold wind blew as starlight sparkled in the sky.

Me: Are you ready?

I messaged Jain who prepared for the show.

PhantomThief: Yep, I’m good. How much is your bounty again?

Me: Crevon offered 150,000 TP. You can take all of it.

PhantomThief: Ooh, this is why you’re so great. That stingy Cheok Jungyeong would…

That amount felt like chump change to me. It only equaled my daily profit from Prestige, but I received less than 10% because of my various charitable services. The preparations seemed finished. I didn’t reveal my nickname to Jin Seyeon and Aileen. Instead, I loaned them a rare item called the [Lv.4 Infinitely Multiplying Communication Letter]. Jin Seyeon’s handwriting appeared on my copy.

[We’re standing at the bridge entrance.]

I examined my weapon. I brought 8 sniper bullets with me, magic bullets personally crafted by Prestige’s skilled blacksmiths. Naturally, they packed more power than factory-made bullets.

I infused stigma’s magic power into them, but didn’t add any special attributes. Magic bullets flew silently and stigma only amplified their original properties. If I had to modify the names of their properties… it would have to be something like increased fanciness and false bravado.

[Start.]

I wrote the above reply after amplifying my bullets with 2 streaks of stigma. Then I took out the Crane Feather Fan.

“Rise, fog…”

The Crane Feather Fan could control the wind and fog, so I made the Fog of Darkness in the surrounding area even denser.

***

[Start.]

That message signaled that the operation would begin. Jin Seyeon and Aileen looked at each other before stepping onto the World’s End Bridge. This bridge couldn’t be destroyed or damaged and seemed like the safest bridge in the universe. However, the two heroes walking on it thought differently. They felt tense and nervous like walking on thin ice because of the psychological pressure from Black Lotus. The surrounding atmosphere also felt eerie. The wind rustled the leaves and a dense fog hid the end of the bridge.

“What skill did he learn?”

Aileen suddenly spoke. She hated scary things and took her attention off the eerie atmosphere by thinking about the question on her mind for a month now. How did Fenrir break her barrier so easily? She decided to think about this until the warning arrow arrived. She even placed a hypnotic suggestion on herself with Spirit Speech.

“How can my barrier be broken so easily?”

Jin Seyeon earnestly replied to Aileen’s muttering.

“Fenrir relies more on weapons compared to other players. He isn’t the only ability user with this problem. People with weapon-related gifts all share this common flaw.”

These ability users could only display their power with weapons. They required weapons rather than preferring one. Most ability users could use any weapon with flexibility. For example, Chae Nayun and Kim Suho wouldn’t lose too much firepower as long as they held something with a sword’s shape. Jin Seyeon could also shoot magic arrows without bows and arrows.

However, ability users like Fenrir Kim Hajin and Weapon Master Kim Youngjin couldn’t do the same. They would be severely weakened to the extent that they couldn’t fight without their weapons. Such special, or perhaps inflexible ability users, often couldn’t wield magic power either.

“I might not look like it, but I placed in the top 300 in theory.”

“Then you should know that this flaw can also become their strength.”

Such ability users usually shined when their gift’s flaw acted as their strength. Their battle prowess increased drastically as their weapons improved because they relied so heavily on them. What if Kim Youngjin received Xiang Yu’s legendary sword Tai’e? Then he would become the Supreme Emperor Xiang Yu himself because his gift allowed him to wield all weapons to their extreme. Fenrir functioned the same.

“No technology in the modern era can strengthen guns. Guns also have a shallow history, which is why they rarely exist as artifacts. We don’t have the technology to create guns surpassing artifacts either.”

“I get it.”

Aileen agreed. They weren’t on Earth and the Tower of Wish had items and skills that could strengthen any equipment. Fenrir’s gift displayed amazing synergy with the tower and he managed to elevate his gun’s state of existence. However, Aileen still wondered where he obtained his bullets.

“So he turned his life around with a black ticket.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. He already did well before entering the tower. Anyways, let’s focus. It’s about to begin.”

Aileen nodded. Black Lotus’ warning arrow should arrive soon.

“I’m going to focus from now on.”

Aileen used Spirit Speech on herself and her perception of the world slowed. The wind blowing past her stopped and Jin Seyeon’s foot hovered in midair.

Aileen walked and felt every microsecond in detail. She had trouble moving properly in this state, but could perfectly observe anything around her.

Suddenly…

She felt the flow of air twisting from far away. Aileen could see it clearly. A wooden arrow flew towards them. Black Lotus had fired his warning shot. Aileen could also see something else. A white streak of light traced the wooden arrow’s path before it could even touch the ground.

Fenrir’s bullet… no, bullets. A total of 8 shooting stars perfectly tailed each other. The shooting stars far surpassed the wooden arrow’s speed and dyed the sky white.

It looked beautiful. Aileen widened her eyes and watched the mesmerizing display.

Meanwhile, Black Lotus’ arrow still hadn’t reached their location. It still flew through the air, yet Fenrir’s teeth had already reached the nape of Black Lotus’ neck.

Then the wolf bit the lotus.

A white explosion erupted. Each bullet continued the previous eruption of power, creating a chain explosion that amplified their destructive potential.

BOOOOOOM…

The eastern mountain ridge roared from the magic bullets. The earth split and trees crumbled. The mountain ridge shook and a heavy rumbling resounded. The mountain peak began to crumble and an avalanche occurred. As expected, the wolf thoroughly finished the hunt. He destroyed the mountain itself to eliminate Black Lotus’ path of escape and ensured his death.

“Ah…”

The mountain crumbled under the white light. Just 8 bullets devoured an entire mountain and left the bite marks of a beast. Aileen turned and faced Jin Seyeon, who clearly saw Black Lotus being struck by Kim Hajin’s bullets with her Divine Archer eyes. The subsequent explosion blocked her vision, but she knew Black Lotus had died.

Thud.

Only then did Black Lotus’ wooden arrow strike the ground. It all happened in a mere 3 seconds. Black Lotus’ arrow flew several kilometers and finally reached the ground in front of them.

“So?” Aileen asked nonchalantly. She quickly calmed down because she had witnessed far more preposterous scenes in her life.

“I think he died.”

Jin Seyeon picked up the wooden arrow and opened the letter tied at the end.

[I will allow only 10 steps forward.]

This arrow undoubtedly belonged to Black Lotus, but its owner had just died.

Aileen and Jin Seyeon stared at each other and exchanged a meaningful look. Then they mustered the courage to step forward. One step, two steps, three steps… ten steps. The attack they waited for didn’t arrive and nothing stopped them. Black Lotus had died.

[You have arrived at the Door of Calamity.] [You are the first to open the Door of Calamity. You have gained the qualification to defeat the 9th floor’s calamities first.] [You may not give up this qualification.] [The 9th floor’s calamities will now descend to the 8th floor.]

***

I climbed down the mountain as soon as I finished. The show met my desired conclusion. I caused a proper avalanche thanks to weakening the mountain’s foundation beforehand with the mystic key. Aileen and Jin Seyeon didn’t suspect anything from the looks of it.

“Whew.”

I sighed in relief. Now, I just had to sit back and collect the SP. I planned on returning home, but a shadow suddenly jumped out of the dark. The assassin grabbed me from behind and strangled me.

“Iiik!”

I felt genuinely surprised, but not from the asphyxiation. I hadn’t felt any presence and the shout came from a girl as well.

“What…”

Who is this girl? I lightly activated aether and easily pushed her away.

“Kiyak!”

The girl fainted after aether struck her chin. I rubbed my neck, coughed a few times, and stared at her.

“Who is she?”

The girl wore a mask and her NPC name remained hidden. I tilted my head and unmasked her, but still couldn’t figure out her identity. She just looked too average.

“The heck…”

I grew genuinely curious. She possessed an amazing stealth technique, but her follow-up felt sloppy. Stabbing me would’ve been much more effective than trying to choke me.

“Hmm.”

I checked my smartwatch since I should be able to view most NPCs with it. Surprisingly, nothing showed up. Was she too insignificant or the opposite? I carried her on my shoulder while feeling a bit confused. She might die if I left her since unimaginable monsters would start pouring in once the 9th floor door opened.

***

“So Hajin, why did you do all that?”

Jain asked 1 hour later at the Ironblood Duchess’ mansion. I felt sorry seeing all the wounds on her body. It had taken quite a toll even though she used a puppet for the job.

“Why not? It’s fun and we also made 150,000 TP for free.”

“You’re right, but… well, yeah, money is nice.”

Jain didn’t dig into it even though she had many questions. I liked her personality for this very reason. She didn’t ask questions that made the other party uncomfortable and never pressured them. She knew how to take a hint and always acted easygoing.

“Oh, Hajin, you have a martial tournament match tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m going to forfeit.”

“Why?”

“My opponent is Boss.”

I couldn’t beat her even if I died and reincarnated. Of course, I had grown a lot stronger and felt confident about beating anyone inside the tower. Even in the outside world, I would be at least high-intermediate rank. I would be surprised if I wasn’t at that level with my strengthened Desert Eagle and aether along with the new skills.

Even so, I couldn’t beat Boss. No sharpshooter could beat her.

“Boss is going to be disappointed.”

“Disappointed?”

“She felt happy about meeting you.”

“She likes bullying her subordinates?”

“No, I think she might lose on purpose if you ask.”

I smirked. Boss losing on purpose? I found that hard to believe considering how she hated going easy on people.

Wiiing!

A loud siren rang, most likely from the Door of Calamity opening. I left Jain behind and ran with my gun in hand. I quickly climbed up the stairs to Tomer’s room.

“Hmm…”

Tomer looked from her balcony at the western castle wall. A heavy atmosphere filled the air as I tapped on her shoulder.

“Yo, Ironblood Duchess.”

“Oh, you’re here.”

Tomer looked at me and smiled bitterly. I also looked at the horde of monsters rushing towards the western castle wall. Their red eyes shone with bloodlust. Only an hour had passed since the 9th floor door opened, but such a change already occurred. As I suspected, the calamities seemed stronger than in the original story.

“They’re doing surprisingly well.”

Tomer’s soldiers continued to defend the castle wall. I expected as much from the Ironblood Duchess’ elite soldiers.

“Just what are you?” Tomer looked at me with a piercing gaze.

“What.”

“Are you a prophet or some sort of reincarnator?”

“Oh.”

I thinly smiled. Was it three months ago? I told Tomer to train her soldiers more strictly so they could reach at least level 13. I also grilled her not to be cheap and invest in their equipment. Tomer didn’t understand, but trusted me enough to do so. I thoroughly prepared her soldiers since the royal family wouldn’t listen to an outsider like me.

“Are you a reincarnator? No, you must be a regressor.”

Tomer strangely misunderstood me now.

“Regressor? As if someone like that could exist.”

“Shin Myungchul was one.”

“Cough.”

I scratched my neck. Shin Jonghak’s grandfather, Shin Myungchul, was the world’s only regressor. Of course, it had never been confirmed.

“No one knows for sure whether that’s true.”

“It’s more or less a fact.”

“Regardless, I’m not a regressor or anything like that.”

I took out my gun. The 1-2 km distance between Tomer’s mansion and the castle wall wouldn’t hinder me.

“I can shoot from here. Should I help them?”

“No, leave them be.” Tomer shook her head. “They need real combat experience.”

Tomer’s soldiers overpowered the monsters on the battlefield. Her hellish training proved quite effective.

“Eh?”

She let out a strange sound. I didn’t even have the time to ask what happened. She suddenly hugged me and something soft touched my skin.

“Hey, you…”

Tomer unleashed her magic power before I could say anything. It surrounded me and burnt something off. Then she separated herself.

“What was that? A sudden confession?” I tried acting unfazed.

“Do I look crazy? You had a tracking spell on you.”

“What?”

At first, I thought she lied to hide her embarrassment. I found it hard to accept that aether couldn’t detect a spell on me. However, Tomer looked serious and I wasn’t the kind of handsome man who would receive confessions.

“I didn’t notice until up close. It should be Medea’s doing.”

“…”

I suddenly felt a chill down my back. Indeed, Medea would be capable of placing a tracking spell without me noticing.

“Be careful. It’s not like administrators can’t kill players.”

“Why would she do that? We’re not in a bad relationship.”

“Didn’t you take all her money? Don’t you know Medea loves money the most? Plus, she ranks in the upper echelons among administrators. Only a few can stop her if she sets her mind on something.”

I felt a bit nervous since I knew Medea’s personality better than anyone.

“You must’ve gotten on her nerves if she placed a tracking spell on you. Oh, did you see the craftsmanship tournament? Do you even know what that is?”

I nodded. Of course, I won the grand prize!

“Medea is eyeing the item that won first place.”

My eyes shot open. The Wolf’s Fragrance would soon return to me along with the first place rewards.

“She is?”

“Yeah. Try to get it for her if you can. She likes receiving gifts and always repays her debts.”

“Okay, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Medea played an important role in the tower. Her Sorceress title wasn’t just for show. Gaining her favor wouldn’t be disadvantageous at all.

“Oh, I forgot something.”

I told Tomer about the mysterious girl I picked up before leaving. She currently slept in the 2nd floor guest room.

“A girl? Okay, I’ll take a look.”

Tomer nodded without much thought as I opened the door.

“Ah, geez.”

I flinched at Boss standing right in front of the door.