Chapter 3
Step… step…
Kim Joon passed through the gates of Thebes and slowly raised his head.
Massive walls built of white marble towered above him. Beyond them, red brick rooftops were bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
Torches burned atop each watchtower along the walls, their flames contrasting against the darkening sky.
‘Just the same.’
It looked exactly as it had before his regression.
Kim Joon glanced at the buildings lining both sides of the street.
Two-story wooden houses emitted warm light from their windows, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Clang! Clang!
From one building came the steady rhythm of a blacksmith’s hammer, while from a nearby bakery drifted the rich scent of freshly baked bread.
Further ahead, an NPC merchant was closing up shop, tidying their sign.
Beyond that, the wooden sign of an inn creaked softly as it swayed in the wind.
“Oh my, someone’s already made it here!”
“That was fast. Did he get here in just one day?”
Passing residents whispered among themselves, casting curious glances at him—but there was no hostility in their eyes.
Kim Joon looked at them for a moment.
The “residents” who had fought beside him until the very end in his previous life.
The ones who stood atop the walls with swords in hand when monster waves surged in.
The ones who tried to defend the city to the very last moment when the catastrophe of the 25th floor struck.
He smirked faintly—
then turned away, suppressing his emotions with a short breath.
As he moved deeper into the city, the buildings grew more grand.
Beyond the marketplace lay a district of noble residences, where three-story stone buildings lined both sides of the road.
Stained glass adorned the windows, and magical lamps cast a soft glow between the structures.
At last, he reached the city center—a vast circular plaza.
‘Still overwhelming.’
At the center stood five towering spires.
Temples of different designs rose toward the sky, dominating his field of vision.
The most striking was the Warrior’s Temple.
A massive structure of rugged granite, built like a fortress with sharp, straight lines.
Without hesitation, Kim Joon walked toward it.
Two guardians stood at the entrance.
Clad in full armor, greatswords strapped to their backs, they stood like statues.
“Challenger. Do you seek to walk the path of the warrior?”
“Yes.”
“Then seek Lord Valderion. He will judge your worth.”
Creeeak—
The massive doors slowly opened.
Inside, a grand hall unfolded, filled with towering pillars and a high ceiling.
Portraits of past warriors lined the walls, alongside the weapons they had once wielded.
Kim Joon paused briefly to look.
Blades worn with age but still sharp. Axes heavy and solid.
All relics of once-great warriors.
Looking ahead, he saw a man seated on a raised platform.
‘Valderion…’
The master who had taught him swordsmanship before his regression.
Though only level 70, his skill had reached the pinnacle.
Even at EX rank, Kim Joon had not surpassed him in pure technique.
“…It’s been a while.”
Kim Joon muttered.
“Hmm?”
Valderion lifted his head.
A man in his mid-sixties, with short gray hair, a beard, and sharp eyes.
“You say that, but I’ve never seen you before.”
“My apologies. It’s my first time meeting you, Lord Valderion.”
Kim Joon bowed.
“Hmm.”
Valderion examined him from head to toe.
“You’re a swordsman?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ve come to the right place.”
Valderion stood and approached him.
“Do you wish to become a warrior?”
“Yes.”
“Then pass my test.”
His expression turned cold.
“But be warned. This is no game. It is a trial that demands your life.”
Kim Joon nodded.
He already knew.
He had experienced it before.
Ding—
[Class Advancement Quest]
- Quest Name: Qualification of a Warrior
- Objective: Survive for 5 minutes in the Red Dragon’s Nest
- Difficulty: ★★★★★
- Reward: Warrior Class
- Failure: Death
- Accept? [Yes / No]
Click.
He didn’t hesitate.
Another one going to die.”
The coachman looked at him with pity.
“Young man, must you really go? The Red Dragon’s Nest? No one has ever returned from there.”
“I have to go.”
Kim Joon climbed into the carriage calmly.
The coachman sighed.
“This is the third one this month. All of them wanted to become warriors… but…”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
Kim Joon already knew.
Thebes housed 50,000 residents.
Only four had ever obtained the warrior class:
Valderion.
Lord Garentos.
Hena, commander of the northern wall.
Draconis, commander of the southern wall.
Hundreds had tried.
None returned.
“Pay upfront. I won’t be retrieving your corpse.”
Kim Joon handed over a pouch of coins.
“…That’s a lot.”
“For round-trip. And future use.”
“…You think you’ll come back alive?”
“Of course.”
He smiled confidently.
The coachman couldn’t understand.
A hunter who reached Thebes alone in a single day—
clearly strong.
Yet choosing the warrior path?
There were safer options.
‘I thought he might save us…’
The coachman sighed.
The residents had long hoped for a hero.
But this one—
would likely die too.
“…It’ll take four hours to reach the Scorched Earth. Get some rest. Though… you’ll be resting forever soon anyway.”
Clop clop—
The carriage sped forward.
Kim Joon stepped down and looked ahead.
Scorched Earth.
A black wasteland stretched to the horizon.
No life remained.
Smoke still rose in places, and ash swirled in the wind.
Even the sky was stained red.
A hellish landscape formed by a dragon’s breath.
In the distance—
a massive crimson cliff rose from the land.
Its surface glowed like molten lava.
From a cavern midway up, flames periodically burst out.
[Red Dragon’s Nest]
The surrounding rocks had melted into glass.
‘I only learned about hidden classes at the 50th floor…’
Expensive information from a broker.
Every class quest had a hidden truth.
Not just completing it—
but fulfilling a special condition.
Kim Joon clenched his fist.
If I had known from the start…
He stepped forward.
Ash crunched beneath his feet.
Hot wind scorched his skin.
“You’re really going in?”
The coachman asked one last time.
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Tch.”
“I’ll wait an hour. Though you’ll die in five minutes.”
“Haha. See you soon, Redel.”
“…Huh?”
The coachman froze.
He had never given his name.
But Kim Joon had already turned away.
‘Who is he…?’
Confused, Redel watched him go.
Kim Joon crossed the scorched land.
The air grew hotter.
Breathing burned his throat.
At last—
he reached the cave entrance.
Wooooom—
A deep, resonant breath echoed from within.
A shimmering golden barrier covered the entrance.
Like liquid, it rippled.
Beyond it, red light flickered.
[Red Dragon’s Nest]
- Warning: Cannot exit for 5 minutes after entry
- Enter? [Yes / No]
Click.
A vast cavern unfolded.
Molten lava dripped from above, painting the cave like hell.
Kim Joon looked down—
…and fell silent.
The ground was covered entirely in bones.
Human. Beast. Unknown giants.
Hundreds—no, thousands of skeletons layered like a carpet.
Remains of those who failed.
Rusty weapons and shattered armor lay scattered among them.
Hope, reduced to scrap.
He took a step—
Rumble—
Bones shifted like waves.
Then—
something moved deep within.
He was ready.
His level was lower than before.
But his resolve was greater.
“Hoo…”
He steadied his breath.
Gripping his greatsword—
taking a stance.
“Hooo…”
He exhaled slowly.
And fixed his gaze ahead.
Thud—
Thud—
THUD THUD THUD—
“GROOOOOOOOOAR—!!!”
