Chapter 4

In the chaotic world of the Nether Realm, a new order had emerged—one where power was no longer measured by wealth or influence but by strength and skill. Players who had once been ordinary humans now held the fate of entire nations in their hands. And at the heart of this new era was the concept of Clans—organizations built by the most powerful players to nurture, train, and dominate.

With the rise of the Nether Realm, traditional entertainment like football and sports crumbled, replaced by the far more brutal and thrilling competitions within the Realm. Nations quickly realized the value of this new world. The resources brought back from the Nether Realm weren't just powerful—they held secrets, materials that could advance science and technology beyond imagination. Governments scrambled to invest in the players, understanding that the number of high-ranking players, especially S-rank, was now the new currency of global power. The more S-rank players a nation had, the stronger it was on the world stage.

Among the most anticipated events was the First Floor Trial, a brutal debut stage where prospective members of various clans displayed their strength. It wasn't just a competition—it was a showcase of a clan's potential power. The world watched with bated breath, eager to see which clan would rise to the top.

Five clans stood at the pinnacle, ruling over the trials with iron dominance: Nightwalkers, Inquisitors, Twilight, Twin Shades, and the Abyssal Vanguard. But despite their strength, the most anticipated force was the Players Association, a government-backed organization created to keep the power of the players in check. Unlike the independent clans, the Players Association served to ensure that national power stayed in the hands of the government, rather than being monopolized by rogue players or clans.

As the trials approached, a message from the system appeared in every player's mind:

[Prepare yourselves for the game.]

The air was thick with tension. Each player glanced around, aware that in moments, their strength, skill, and perhaps their lives would be put to the test. And then, with a sharp chime, another message followed.

[The game has begun.]

The First Floor of the Nether Realm was thrown into chaos as players began their ruthless climb to prove their worth. Among the hundreds of participants was a man named Gu Hyeok-do. Unlike the towering figures of the S-rankers, Hyeok-do wasn't famous—or at least, he hadn't been before the trials began. But now, he stood proudly under the banner of the Twilight Clan, one of Korea's largest and most prestigious organizations. The Twilight Clan boasted an impressive roster of top-tier talents and promising prospects, many of whom were expected to shine during the trials.

Hyeok-do, however, was a different story. Born an ordinary man, he had lived a life of quiet obscurity before discovering his talent—Turbo. This ability, which granted him the power to move at blinding speeds of up to 250 meters per second, had been his ticket into the Twilight Clan. It was a rare and coveted ability, one that could easily turn the tide of battle.

"Gu Hyeok-do," he muttered to himself, tightening the grip on his weapon. He knew he was an underdog, but that didn't matter. In this game, speed was everything, and if he played his cards right, even the most seasoned players wouldn't be able to react to his movements.

The Twilight Clan had high expectations for him, despite his seemingly unremarkable background. The pressure was on. But Hyeok-do welcomed it. His feet buzzed with energy, ready to launch him into action at a moment's notice.

He glanced around at his fellow participants. Many of them were already engaged in combat, showcasing their abilities and talents in dazzling displays of power. Swords clashed, spells crackled, and monstrous roars echoed throughout the realm. But Hyeok-do wasn't interested in showing off—not yet. He had a different plan.

I need to stay sharp. Stay low… until the right moment.

While others dove headfirst into battles, Hyeok-do focused on scouting, observing the movements of the other players. He would strike only when the opportunity was perfect. His speed gave him an advantage few could match. But it wasn't just speed he had in mind—there was something far more valuable in this trial.

The hidden objectives.

In every trial, there were hidden quests, rare challenges that, if completed, granted not just victory, but overwhelming rewards. These weren't for the brutes or the reckless—these were for those who thought ahead. And Hyeok-do had every intention of finding one.

But even as he moved with stealth through the battlefield, he knew the real challenge lay ahead. The top clans—Nightwalkers, Inquisitors, and Abyssal Vanguard—had all sent their best prospects. And beyond that, there was the ever-looming presence of the Players Association, the government's ace in the hole. Their eyes were on everyone, evaluating who posed the greatest threat to the balance of power.

Gu Hyeok-do's heart pounded, not from fear, but from anticipation. The trials had only just begun, and already the air was electric with potential. He wasn't aiming for mere survival. He had joined the Twilight Clan to rise, to claim a place among the strongest.

I'll show them all, he thought, the corners of his lips curling into a grin. I'll show them the true potential of speed.

And with that, he vanished into the wind, a blur of motion, ready to seize whatever fate the First Floor Trial had in store.

As Gu Hyeok-do sped through the chaotic landscape of the First Floor Trial, a sharp wind whipping past his face, his thoughts were focused on one thing: staying ahead. The battlefield was a storm of clashing players and explosive magic, with desperate combatants vying for dominance. But Hyeok-do wasn't concerned with the skirmishes erupting around him. His mind was locked on the boss room that lay deeper within the dungeon. He had scouted the area, avoiding unnecessary fights, and had been moving with pinpoint precision toward the heart of the trial.

This was his chance. The hidden quest had marked a path, and he was nearing the final challenge—the boss, a monstrous entity that, if defeated, would reward him with power far beyond what any of the other players could hope to achieve.

But as he darted around a corner, his senses flared. Something wasn't right.

A figure stood in his path.

"Who the hell are you?" Hyeok-do scoffed, sizing up the seemingly insignificant player before him. "You've got some nerve standing in my way."

Jihoon didn't respond. His eyes were cold, calculating, as he assessed Hyeok-do's abilities. Turbo was fast, yes, but not fast enough.

With Jihoon talent that let him absorb monster stats and abilities, he was far stronger than Hyeok-do, as he absorbed the stats of the monster's he killed before and used his achievement points to buy some potions to increase his stats.

Without warning, Hyeok-do charged, his body becoming a blur as he darted forward with inhuman speed. But Jihoon was ready. As Hyeok-do lunged, Jihoon sidestepped effortlessly, his movements precise and efficient. The sound of wind rushing past them was the only indicator of Hyeok-do's speed.

"What the—?" Hyeok-do gritted his teeth, his pride wounded by the dodge. He increased his speed, launching a flurry of attacks. To anyone watching, it would have seemed impossible to keep up with Hyeok-do's rapid strikes. But Jihoon was not like anyone else.

Years of surviving the apocalypse had honed Jihoon's instincts to razor-sharp perfection. He moved like a shadow, always one step ahead, his counters quick and brutal. Every time Hyeok-do attempted to land a hit, Jihoon evaded effortlessly, his eyes filled with a cold determination.

As frustration mounted, Hyeok-do's attacks grew more reckless. "Damn you! Hold still!"

And then, in a single moment, Jihoon struck. With a flash of his dagger, he disarmed Hyeok-do, the blade pressing against the Twilight Clan prodigy's throat. Hyeok-do froze, his breath caught in his chest as he realized the battle was over.

"How…?" Hyeok-do gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. "Who are you?"

Jihoon's grip tightened on the dagger as he leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm no one."

With a swift motion, Jihoon knocked Hyeok-do unconscious, leaving him crumpled on the floor. There was no need for unnecessary bloodshed. Jihoon had what he needed—he had proven that even the strongest players were nothing compared to the true threats lurking in the future. And now, the path to the first floor's boss was clear.

As Jihoon entered the boss room, the other players were none the wiser. News of Gu Hyeok-do's defeat would soon spread, but for now, Jihoon remained unknown, a shadow in the chaos. No one knew his name, nor did they realize the significance of his victory.

But as Jihoon faced the first-floor boss, a massive creature of terrifying power, he knew this was just the beginning. He wasn't here to claim fame or glory. His mission was far greater than that. He had returned to stop the end of the world, and the trial was just the first step.

The boss roared, shaking the ground beneath his feet. Jihoon raised his weapon, his eyes cold and unwavering. This was his fight now—his fight to save humanity from the destruction only he had witnessed.

And as he prepared to strike, one thought burned in his mind.

This time, I won't fail.

With a swift, deadly motion, Jihoon charged, ready to face the future head-on.