Prove yourself (1) (Bonus)

The first message Gongja sent in the chat wasn't anything special.

"I'm talking to the real Liam Han, right?"

I replied with: "And I'm talking to the guy who only knows how to die?"

And from there… the conversation flowed like we were childhood friends who hadn't seen each other in years.

We exchanged a few lines, laughed — well, I laughed, he sent emojis — and left it at that.

It had been two days since then.

Long enough to rest.

Long enough to decide.

I was leaving that afternoon.

I thanked the Alchemy Master properly.

She pretended not to care, of course, but her expression visibly dimmed.

With a few nods, she wished me luck, barely looking at me. I did the same.

Then I headed to Sang-Ryun's house, where Gongja was. We needed to talk.

The sky on the first floor was overcast. The kind of weather that fits goodbyes.

But he didn't know that yet.

As soon as I walked in, he crossed his arms and got straight to the point:

''So,'' he started. ''what the hell is this chat thing?''

''A communication channel. Duh'' I elaborated. ''Like... a closed group. Limited access.''

I sat on the couch like it was no big deal.

''Limited to who?''

''Me. And whoever I choose... or Luxxion choose.''

He scoffed, arms still crossed.

''Sounds like something that didn't come from the Tower. Not even a little.''

''Bingo! You nailed it!'' I gave him a thumbs-up. ''Because it didn't.''

He stared even harder.

It was like he expected me to explode into confessions.

But I didn't.

''So where's it from, then?''

''It's complicated.''

''You always say that.''

''Because it's always complicated'' I replied.

He clicked his tongue.

''There's nothing you can tell me about it?''

I paused for a second.

I still didn't know how much I was allowed to say.

''It's like an extra feature of a... power I have. I have access to it. No one else, apparently.''

I'd been vague again.

He seemed to be getting used to it.

But even so, Gongja sighed.

''Fine, so why was I added to it?''

''Because even though we haven't known each other for long, I trust you.''

He was the protagonist of a story.

He'd definitely be a valuable asset.

Luxxion had been right to invite him — but I wasn't about to admit that to that insufferable AI.

''You killed me, Liam'' his voice was heavier now.

''And you've died enough times not to get hung up on it.''

He stared at me for a second.

Then let out a short laugh, shaking his head.

''You're an asshole.''

''So are you.''

There was a pause. He looked out the window.

I followed his gaze.

The curtains were half open, just enough for slivers of light to slip through.

''You know… the Sword Emperor said you smell like lies, but that he kind of gets why.''

''...is that supposed to be a compliment?''

''Take it however you want. I don't care.''

The conversation went quiet for a few seconds.

Until I took the lead.

''I'm leaving today.''

Gongja raised his eyebrows.

''Leaving? What do you mean? You're leaving the Tower?''

''No, no. That's impossible. I just… won't be here tomorrow.''

''That doesn't make sense'' the lines on his forehead deepened.

''It does,'' I insisted. ''Just not in the way you're thinking.''

He went quiet.

''The Liam you see tomorrow might not even remember this. Or maybe he will. I don't know how it'll work. But… the me standing here? Right now? It'll be gone.''

''Why?''

''Because I can. And because I have to. The world's calling me, you know?''

''That was cheesy as hell.''

''Get used to it.''

Gongja made a face.

''…''

''I'm not going to die. I'm not disappearing... in a sense, actually. I just… won't be here. Not in this…'' I paused, waiting to see if any warning would pop up. ''world.''

Gongja looked at me like he was trying to solve a broken puzzle.

It was good that the tower was basically a tangle of several worlds compiled together.

He kind of accepted what I'd just said quickly.

''Just to clarify, Luxxion's part of this. He's what makes the group chat possible. Among other things.''

''The spirit?''

''Yup.''

Luxxion being a spirit.

It was easier to let him believe that.

Would save me some trouble.

''So that means the chat is… like a link between worlds?''

''In part, yeah. But I'm still too weak to use it the way it's meant to be used.''

''Then why create it?''

''Because one day, we're going to need it.''

He closed his eyes for a moment, like he was tired.

''How many people are in the chat?'' Gongja asked.

''For now? Just you and me.''

''Isn't that kind of sad?''

''Totally. But more people will show up soon.''

Gongja thought for a moment.

''Are they going to be like you?''

''God, I hope not. One's already too much.''

I stood up and looked out the window.

Gongja crossed his arms again. This time, more relaxed.

''So… what do we do now?''

''We agree to check in. At least once a week. Just one message. A quick check-in.''

''Every week?''he asked, pretending to be offended.

''Or would you rather I disappear and suddenly come back saying I killed another masked lunatic?''

He scratched his jaw.

''Fine. Once a week.''

''See? It's not that hard.''

He turned, as if about to leave the room, but looked over his shoulder and said:

''And try not to die. Even if you're not around anymore… it'd be a pain having to befriend the next Liam or whatever he ends up being.''

''You got it.''

I stared at his back until he disappeared behind the door.

Then I stood up.

It was time to leave for good.

_________

The world shook.

Reality cracked like glass under pressure, and in the next instant, I was being pulled inward — sucked through the fabric of existence itself.

I'd gotten used to the Tower's world resets.

That weird click in reality, like someone hitting F5 on a cursed server.

But this?

This was still a complete nightmare.

It was just like the first time.

My senses vanished.

My body was twisted, stretched, yanked in all directions like a strand of spaghetti.

Colors, sounds, memories — all mashed together in a steaming mess.

And then, suddenly…

THUD.

I hit the ground. Literally.

The hard floor of my own apartment in Seoul.

''Ah…'' I groaned, staring at the mold-stained ceiling above me. — You dropped me on the floor on purpose, didn't you?

[Coordinates adjusted with 97.2% accuracy. Given your current anchor point, the fall was unavoidable.]

''There's a bed in this room, you know?''

[It wasn't within the viable materialization radius.]

''Bastard...''

I got up with a grunt.

Same place as always: cramped room, tangled sheets, dirty laundry and books in the corner.

And still… everything felt different.

Or maybe I did.

I'd been away for a while.

Went straight to the bathroom.

Looked in the mirror.

My face was still the same — maybe more tired. But still there.

The messy hair wasn't the one that had fallen across my bloodied forehead days ago. It was back to the old cut.

But... my body...

The scars were still there.

The arm still burned.

The marks, the stitching, the skin stretched tight from battle.

''Luxxion… what is this?''

[Body reconstruction for dimensional travel does not nullify progress or physical damage. Memories and experiences gained are transferred to your original body.]

''Does that include almost dying?''

[Yes. Especially that part.]

I touched the scar on my arm. It still throbbed.

Took a shower.

The hot water didn't help much.

But the scent of soap, the steam, and the constant noise were enough to remind me: I was alive.

Alive.

And back.

I collapsed onto the bed the same way I always did: on my side, towel still wrapped around me, exhaustion settling in like a blanket.

''And now...?''

[You think you get to relax just because you completed one mission?]

Of course not.

I was hoping for a longer break, though.

[A new mission has been made available.]

The screen popped up, lighting my face in the dark room, like someone had turned a TV on full brightness.

[Main Mission – Prove Your Worth]

[Description:

You've left a mark. Now it's time to prove it wasn't just sheer luck.

To move forward, you must show that you're ready. That you can act, survive… and lead.]

-

[Rewards:

• Unlock a new world (?????).

• 50 Conquest Points.

• 1 Related Title.]

-

[Failure Penalty:

• Target world will be consumed by Corruption.

• 1-star reduction in one stat.]

-

[Objectives:

• Complete 3 D-Rank dungeons.

• Complete 1 E-Rank dungeon.

• Complete the Designated Instant Dungeon (key is unlocked after the first two objectives).

• Form a team with Hunter Sung Jin-Woo.]

-

[Time remaining: 1 month and 2 weeks (Note: the timer reaching zero will not instantly destroy the locked world, but failing to travel to it will result in its inevitable destruction.)]

I blinked, rereading the last part.

To make it worse, this mission had a countdown.

My expression hardened.

''You've got to be kidding me.''

The mission glowed in front of me. Solid. Unmoving.

And his name, clear as day.

Sung Jin-Woo.

I was going to have to convince the most closed-off guy in Korea to team up with me.

For the first time in a while, luck was flipping me off in full HD.

''What a shitty way to say welcome back...''

[Good luck, user.]

The countdown had begun.