The Flvemiers were desperately running away.
"Pl-please spare me!""Aaaaah! D-don't follow me! I said don't!""Stop chasing me and get lost!"
They didn't want to be hunted. They didn't want to die.Terrified, the Flvemiers were fleeing from the hunters — and from those who had once been Flvemiers themselves but had since become slaves.Some ran underground, others into alleyways, still others onto rooftops —The Flvemiers scattered throughout the city.
"H-huff, huff!""T-they're not following us, right? No one's coming after us...?""Q-quiet...! I think someone's passing by, shut up...!"
Those Flvemiers who managed to hide held their breath.Their bodies trembled uncontrollably.A divine trial — dragged into a trial known to kill more than half its participants!They didn't come here by choice. They wanted to escape right now.But there was no way out.
"Huff, huff huff...""Shut up! What if the hunters hear us and come?"
Is this how prey feels when it's being hunted?
They didn't even think about fighting back.They had just seen it — players wiped out in a single blow.And those who had been grotesquely twisted into slaves…They didn't want to end up like that.
"Hey, but… did you see it earlier? While we were running away.I think someone was actually fighting that monster..."
The Flvemiers recalled what had happened during their escape.Players scattering in every direction, the hunters pursuing them—And then, a mysterious player who had charged at one of those monsters.
"He's dead meat. I heard attacks don't even work on those things.What's the point of fighting? Well… thanks to him buying us some time, we did manage to get away.""He's probably dead now…"
What's the point of resisting?Fighting that kind of monster is just plain stupid.They only managed to escape because that man drew its attention, but that didn't change their opinion.The players who had successfully hidden lowered their bodies,thinking: I don't want to die like that.
"Idiots.""Do they think hiding is going to solve everything?""Whatever… let's at least try to find that quest or whatever."
While some Flvemiers remained hidden,others set out to find a way to overcome the divine trial.They were the ones who knew from experience that hiding was pointless.They had to go out and find a way to break the trial.Otherwise, everyone would die.
"Hey! Over here! I think this is the quest!""Alright, everyone gather up…"
The Flvemiers who had discovered the quest gathered together.They needed to act quickly. Without delay, the Flvemiers began the quest—And then, a message suddenly appeared before their eyes.
[The hunter,
"… Huh?"
It was a message completely different from what they expected.They should've seen something related to the quest—But instead, they were greeted with a message saying that the divine trial had ended.The trial is over? But it had barely even started!Not even an hour had passed.
[The Night of the Hunt has ended. 'Korea' has successfully cleared the Divine Trial. Now calculating contribution scores…]
"Wait, hold on—this is real?""The Divine Trial is over? How!?"
The Flvemiers were all stunned.Was something wrong? Were they hallucinating?But of course, it wasn't a mistake, and they weren't imagining things.
[Congratulations, Player XXX!][You've achieved 100% contribution!]
That message confirmed it was all real.The moment they saw the contribution score, every Flvemier's mouth fell open in shock.The ones searching for the quest, the ones who had hidden somewhere in terror—every single Flvemier in the city was left speechless.
"1-100%? What the...?""Is that number even possible? If it's 100%, then that basically means—""—they cleared the Divine Trial alone..."
Impossible. Unthinkable.Countless thoughts rushed through their heads.And all of those thoughts eventually led to one question:
"Who…?""Which Flvemier cleared this trial alone?"
It was the only question they could ask—
Their vision was blurry.Han Yuseong could barely make out the message through the hazy view in front of him.
[The hunter,
[Mmm, splendid! Truly splendid! I am pleased—very pleased!]
The message announcing the end of the Divine Trial.And the loud, excited voice of Kakasha echoing in his ears.Han Yuseong stood before the fallen hunter, breathing heavily.
[Kh... free… dom… is… so… close…]
The defeated hunter struggled desperately to lift itself,but its strength was gone — it could no longer move.
Han Yuseong clenched his fist.
"The harder the hunt, the more rewarding it is—was that the saying?"
[You… bastard…]
Blood-red eyes glared at Han Yuseong.What lingered on the hunter's face was thick resentment.Overwhelmed by fury, the hunter tried to spit out a curse—But he was too late.
CRACK!Yuseong's fist smashed into the hunter's face.
"Just like you said. This was a pretty satisfying hunt."
[…]
That was the end.The hunter's body gave a great shudder, then stopped moving.And it never moved again.
[You have leveled up by 10 stages.][Strength +10, Agility +10, Endurance +10.][Due to the effect of 'Battle God,' Agility +5, Endurance +5 increased additionally!]
A level-up message appeared before Han Yuseong's eyes.Ten levels at once — it seemed like a lot, but considering he had just taken down an 80-level boss monster, it wasn't excessive.When there's a big level difference between the player and the monster, a reverse penalty reduces experience gain—So this outcome was expected.Even so, this wasn't a bad result.More importantly—
[You have successfully defeated an opponent who should never be defeated.][You have met the activation conditions for the unique ability 'Battle God.'][You will receive an additional reward.]
[You have acquired the skill
There was also the reward from the Battle God.Han Yuseong's eyes widened slightly upon seeing the reward.It was an S-rank skill. And judging by the name, it was related to hunters.He immediately checked the skill.
[Predator's Sense (S)]
Type: Passive
Inherits the sharp senses of a predator.
Agility +10, Reflex Enhancement (Medium).
Can sense the presence of beings within a certain radius.
In specific situations, the movement of everything feels slowed down.
An S-rank passive skill.It was obviously a very useful skill.Not only did it enhance reflexes, but it also had the effect of slowing the movement of everything in certain situations.It could give him an edge in battles against powerful enemies.It might create unexpected variables in combat.
"Phew..."
As Han Yuseong examined the skill, he staggered.A massive pain surged through his entire body.The effect of Unyielding Will had worn off.He exhaled and used the skill.The blood of the hunter he had absorbed turned into life force and mana within him, and his severe wounds began to heal.However, he wasn't fully recovered yet.
"This... I'll need to rest for at least a day."
The wounds were so severe that even the Blood Demon ability couldn't fully heal them.At this rate, he would have to rest for at least a day while taking potions.He found himself missing the effects of the Troll Lord's Blood.
[O Vowed One, are you listening to me?]"I'm listening, just barely."[Why?! I praised you so much!]"Be quiet. I feel like I'm about to faint."[How could you say such a thing?!]
Now that his body was healing, Kakasha's chattering started to register in his ears again.Apparently, she had been praising Han Yuseong the entire time.Unfortunately for him, praise was the least of his concerns right now.
[Congratulations! Player Han Yuseong!]
[You have achieved 100% contribution! The highest level of rewards will be granted. Enjoy the rewards for overcoming the trial!]
[Additionally, a portal to Earth has been opened!]
The rewards appeared.With the noisy sound of fireworks, the message popped up.And then, the actual rewards appeared.
[You have obtained the 'Divine Chest (Legendary)'!][30,000 coins have been rewarded to player Han Yuseong, and 100,000 coins have been given to your contracted 'Warlord' as a reward!][You are the first to achieve 100% contribution!][As a reward, you have acquired the 'Blessing of the Trial (Mythic)'!]
One reward after another appeared.An enormous number of coins were granted.Kakasha let out a cheer upon checking the amount that came in.
These were all rewards he had expected—Except for one. Just one.
"Blessing of the Trial? Was this even a thing?"
It was a blessing Han Yuseong had never seen before.When he checked the details, his eyes widened in disbelief.
[Blessing of the Trial (Mythic)]
This blessing only activates when participating in the Trial of the Gods.
All stats +15%.
Attack Power +15%, all skills consume 20% less mana.
Quest rewards within the trial are enhanced.
Occasionally allows the discovery of 'Hidden Pieces' during trials.
Han Yuseong blinked in surprise.First, because he hadn't expected this blessing at all.Second, because the effects were absolutely absurd.
"Enhanced quest rewards and hidden pieces, huh..."
Within the Trial of the Gods, there are things called Hidden Pieces.As the name suggests, these are elements deliberately concealed.Sometimes they take the form of quests, sometimes items, and sometimes other mysterious elements.But all of them share one common trait:
"They help you clear the trial when it counts most."
Han Yuseong let out a hollow laugh.Was this kind of reward even supposed to exist?It was a reward he had never seen, even in his previous life.But thinking about it, it made sense—There was no way anyone would have ever seen it.
No player had ever achieved 100% contribution before.Which meant—this blessing was utterly unprecedented.It was truly absurd in its power.
[Vowed One, why are you just staring at it? I am curious about the divine chest! Hurry and open it so we can see what's inside!]"…You're seriously rushing me."
Kakasha pestered Han Yuseong.Still, he had no reason not to follow her words.Han Yuseong opened the pure white Divine Chest.Light spread out in all directions, and from within it, three items slowly revealed themselves.
[Earthshatter (S)]
A skill book containing the skill Earthshatter.
Usage Requirement: Sword-type classes.
[Fang of Devouring (Legendary)]
Slot: None (Non-equipped item).
Attack Power +75, +5% casting speed for physical skills.
Grants access to the skill
Every time you devour a strong enemy, Attack Power +5 and Physical Skill Cast Speed +1%.
Devour Stacks: 0/15.
An S-rank skill and the Fang of Devouring.The latter was a special type of artifact—Much like the Quill of Oath.
Even without being equipped, it remained active.Just like the Quill, it would likely be absorbed into his body and provide permanent effects.A constant, always-active buff—Unquestionably valuable.
'It should be about time for the Battle God's bonus reward to activate.'
The amazing part?The rewards still weren't over.
Just as Han Yuseong expected,another message appeared.
[You have overcome a trial that should be impossible to clear at your current level.][You have met the activation conditions for the unique ability, 'Battle God.'][An additional reward will be granted.][Potential has been granted to the item
A light appeared in the air.That light wrapped itself around the Fang of Devouring, and then seeped into the fang itself.The item's potential—Han Yuseong knew exactly what that meant.
[Radiant Fang of Devouring (Legendary)]
Slot: None
Attack Power +75, Agility +5, Physical skill cast speed +5%
Grants use of
Every time you devour a strong enemy:
Attack Power +5
Agility +1
Physical skill cast speed +1%
Devour Stacks: 0/15
When all stacks are filled, it evolves into a 'Mythic' grade item.
A legendary item with the potential to evolve to an even higher grade—When Han Yuseong saw the transformed Fang of Devouring, a smile formed on his lips.He couldn't help it.There was simply too much to be gained.
"So much ahead of me…"
Han Yuseong absorbed the Fang of Devouring.He could feel a surge of strength welling up inside him.This was the first trial he had faced since returning—And already, the rewards were tremendous.
[They are coming… humans approach.]"…Guess it's about time I left."
Han Yuseong could sense players approaching from all around.It wasn't time to gain attention just yet.With that decision made, he threw himself into the return portal.