return to earth

Volume 3: The Tower of Blood

Chapter 1: Return of the Vessel

One month had passed.

The sun shone bright over Seoul, casting golden rays over the skyline. But the world no longer looked the same to Lee Hwan.

Not after everything he'd endured in the tower.

He stood atop a tall building, his black coat fluttering in the wind. His eyes—no longer fully human—gleamed with faint gold as the Eye of the Dragon scanned the surroundings. Beneath that calm expression was a man who had slaughtered dozens, tamed two dragons, and now stood at level 105.

Ding!

[Current Level: 105]

[Strength: 227 | Speed: 210 | Intelligence: 160 | Mana: 1,245 | Stamina: 980]

[New Skill Acquired: Dragon Domain (Passive) – Increases all stats by 10% within a 50-meter radius]

[Title: "Rising Monarch" – You are now feared by all creatures below Level 100]

Lee Hwan took a deep breath. The real world air felt... different. Lighter.

"I haven't been back in over a month," he muttered, looking down at the street where cars rushed past. "I wonder if my old friends even think I'm alive."

The moment he stepped into the café near his old apartment, heads turned. A familiar face approached.

"You... You're Lee Hwan, right?" a man asked, looking shocked. "I thought you disappeared into the tower months ago."

Lee Hwan gave a small smile. "I went deep. But I'm back... for now."

But peace never lasted.

Alert: An anomaly has appeared nearby.

You are being watched.

Lee's pupils narrowed.

Outside, a shadow flickered across the rooftop. His Dragon Aura spiked.

"Even here?" he whispered.

Ding!

[Emergency Quest: Unknown Assassin Detected]

[Defeat the target without revealing your dragon form. Reward: Hidden Item & Reputation Increase]

Lee stepped outside.

The sky cracked with a sudden gust of wind as a masked figure landed ten meters away, dagger in hand.

"Lee Hwan," the assassin hissed. "You weren't supposed to return."

Lee's aura surged. Flames flickered at his fingertips—blue flames.

"You came all this way to die," Lee said quietly. "Let's get this