"The young miss of the Yoon Group is ruthless, I tell you. She wiped out an entire guild just because they got on her bad side."
"You mean Yoon Haeun? The same one who outbid the Cha Group for that relic in real life?"
"That's her. Cold, calculating, and utterly merciless. If she sets her eyes on you, you'd better disappear before she decides you're in her way."
"I heard she had her own uncle forced out of the company."
"No, that's false. He disappeared."
"Same thing, isn't it?"
"Heh… She doesn't destroy you out of anger. She does it because it's efficient."
The voices of countless players from Seojin's previous life echoed in his mind — whispers traded in safe zones, taverns, and battlefields.Rumors — some exaggerated, some perhaps not enough.
Back then, he'd never met her personally.The Yoon heiress had always existed on a different level — a figure shrouded in influence and danger, both inside and outside the game.
He'd only seen her once — during a massive raid between several top guilds.She hadn't even spoken that day, but her calm, unflinching presence alone had made the air feel heavier.
Cold eyes. Not a shred of wasted movement. The kind of person who turns opportunity into weapon.
Seojin had once thought she looked more like a predator than a person.He never imagined he would meet that woman again — much less interact with her.
And yet, here he was.
[Friend List]
Imu-Ha
GuardKnight
'If even half of those rumors were true,' Seojin thought, closing the panel, 'then I can't get too deeply involved with her.'
After finishing his business in town, Seojin made his way back to the forest — to the area where he had spotted a boss earlier.
But as he neared the clearing, the sharp clash of metal and the rhythmic shouts of battle reached his ears.
[Cursed Blood Tree, Lv. 4 (Common)]
A massive humanoid of bark and bleeding sap towered before a small party.Its body was a grotesque fusion of flesh and timber — veins pulsing crimson beneath cracked bark, sap dripping like blood with every sluggish swing.
"Good job, everyone! Keep your guard up — I can take the hits! Just keep those attacks coming!"
The voice was steady, commanding — the kind that belonged to someone used to giving orders.
"Sergeant Han, my heal is ready again!" cried the priest, voice trembling from exhaustion.
"Heal the others first," he replied, blocking a heavy swing. "I can take a few more hits."
At the front stood two warriors, one with a great sword and the other with a shield and sword. Behind them, a mage and priest worked in rhythm, and an assassin darted between shadows.Their leader — a broad-shouldered man in his forties, armor broken and stained — stood at the center like an iron wall. His short-cropped hair was graying at the sides, his expression carved in calm resolve. Even in this nightmare, his posture was soldier-straight.
'is that... Sergeant Han Joonseok'
Seojin blinked, recognizing the man.
A righteous, steadfast officer — one who had organized survivors and protected the weak during the chaos of the early days.
'A good man who didn't live long enough.'
"It's slow, but the HP's going down! This is working, Sergeant!" the greatsword warrior shouted between swings.
"Don't get careless. Minho, keep an eye on our flanks," Sergeant Han ordered.
"Yes, sir! My [Vanish] is almost up — I'll strike from behind!" the assassin answered.
The fight was steady — hopeful — until the ground began to shake.
A deep, resonating screech tore through the clearing as the Cursed Blood Tree slammed its roots into the soil.
The soil cracked open, and dozens of twisted figures began to crawl out, their tiny bodies shrieking in distorted cries.
[Cursed Branch, Lv. 1 (Crude)]
Small, child-sized saplings with razor limbs and gaping mouths. Each step they took left trails of red sap on the dirt.
"Damn it—it's spawning minions!" Sergeant Han barked. "Watch your sides!"
He swung his sword in a wide arc, trying to slice one branchling in half, but all it did was push it back.
"Sergeant! There's too many!" the mage shouted, panic seeping into his voice.
"Pull back slowly," Han ordered, still holding his ground. "I'll hold them here."
"But sir—your Life Essence is low!"
"It won't reach zero. Now move!"
Even as the others hesitated, Sergeant Han's shield rose again, catching a blow that sent shockwaves through his arm. His stance didn't falter.
Seojin stood at the treeline, silent. His golden eyes watched the desperate fight.
He weighed his options. It wasn't his problem. He could walk away.
…But he didn't.
'I couldn't repay you before,' he thought quietly.
[Vanish]
[Poisoned Dagger]
'Let's fix that in this life.'
Seojin pulled his arm back and hurled the summoned dagger with unerring precision. The weapon spun through the air, a streak of green light that sank deep into the creature's back.
[Backstab Triggered]
[Weakspot Triggered]
[Passive 5 Activated — First strike after breaking stealth deals double damage.]
[Target has been Poisoned]
[Damage Dealt: 158]
[Poison Tick: -13]
[Poison Tick: -13]
[Poison Tick: -13]
A guttural roar burst from the monster's maw. Dark green liquid gushed from the wound, oozing down its limbs.
"What in the—! Over 150 damage?!" the greatsword warrior shouted, disbelief painting his face."Why is it bleeding green!?" the priest gasped, voice trembling.
Before they could recover, a golden blur flashed across their vision. Seojin appeared behind the tree, dagger drawn, his movement a blend of speed and precision that seemed almost inhuman.
[Critical Hit!]
[Backstab Triggered]
[Damage Dealt: 408]
His blade sliced upward, tearing through the monster's back. The towering form let out a hollow, dying shriek before collapsing like a falling tower of roots. The impact shook the ground.
The party froze.
The monster they had been whittling down for ten long minutes… was gone in seconds.
[Acquired 250 EXP]
[Acquired TLE: 130]
[Acquired NTLE: 150]
[Acquired 1 Evolution Point]
[You have reached Level 5]
[Congratulations! You are the first Player to reach Level 5!]
[Announcement will be made in Ashen Hollow Town]
[You have received: Free Attribute Point (4), Reputation Point (5)]
[Please head to town to unlock the Teleportation Gate to travel to other Cities.]
Seojin dismissed the glowing windows with a single motion and turned his dagger on the smaller saplings still crawling forward.
He moved without a word. Every strike was efficient — every motion silent and precise.By the time the others regrouped, it was over. The forest was still again.
Sergeant Han wiped the sweat from his brow, his armor splattered with red sap. He sheathed his sword and approached the man in black and golden, his expression filled with gratitude.
"Thank you," he said simply, bowing deeply. "We would've been done for without you, Loki-nim."
Seojin nodded, quiet and distant. "It was nothing."
His gaze flicked toward the pile of loot orbs glowing faintly near where the tree's corpse was. Sergeant Han noticed the look and smiled faintly.
"Please, help yourself. You did all the work."
The others sat where they were, exhausted but silent — not one dared to object. Whether from admiration or sheer disbelief, none could speak.
Seojin crouched, picked up a single ring, inspected it, and pocketed it.
"This will be enough."
Sergeant Han blinked. "Are you sure? That's all you want?"
"Yes," Seojin replied, standing. "Divide the rest among yourselves."
The group exchanged uncertain looks but didn't argue.
As Seojin turned to leave, he cast [Vanish] once more, fading from sight.Only his voice remained — cold and clear.
"I sell what I don't need in town for TLE."
Then he was gone — as if he had never been there at all.
For a few seconds, silence blanketed the clearing.
Sergeant Han stood still, eyes lingering on the spot where Seojin vanished. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"…He's a good kid."
Han turned toward his party, his tone shifting once more to command
"Patch your wounds. Collect the loot. Then we return to town."