Earth
A world once filled with city lights and the bustling rhythm of modern life had now turned into a stage of destruction.
Without warning, a colossal Tower emerged from the ground, towering high above the clouds—as if tearing the sky itself apart.
Violent tremors shook the cities. Buildings collapsed, roads cracked open, and human screams echoed everywhere. From the shadow of the Tower, monsters began to pour out—alien creatures with fangs and claws—hunting down anyone they encountered.
Panic spread within seconds.
People ran aimlessly, vehicles collided with one another, and sirens wailed amid clouds of smoke and dust.
That day, humanity realized a bitter truth.
The end of the world had begun.
---
Five Days Later
As humanity struggled to survive on the brink of extinction, a group of individuals suddenly appeared—people wielding magical powers and swords. They exterminated the monsters that had overrun the cities, allowing mankind to barely hold on.
From that day onward, those who possessed special powers were called Hunters.
The world changed.
The law of the jungle took over, and power became everything.
The weak were destined to be devoured by the strong.
---
Ten Years Later
Han-Seol sat inside a bus on his way to school, his face weary and his body heavy. There was no trace of motivation in his expression—only his eyes reflected the morning sunlight streaming through the bus window.
"Hah… I really feel like quitting school," he muttered softly.
"But I'm the only child in my family. If I quit, who will they rely on?"
He let out a long sigh.
"Well… I guess I'll keep going for now. Still, ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to become a Hunter."
Kim Han-Seol came from a poor family. His household income was barely enough to cover daily necessities. To help make ends meet, he worked part-time, though the pay was far from sufficient.
The moment Han-Seol stepped off the bus, a brilliant light enveloped his body. It was so blinding that pedestrians around him instinctively turned their heads.
"Don't tell me… that light," murmured one bystander.
"Yeah… that's the light of someone chosen to become a Hunter," another said, his voice trembling.
A transparent screen suddenly appeared before Han-Seol.
---
[Congratulations.]
[You have been chosen as a Conqueror of the Tower.]
[Would you like to perform a Class Gacha?]
▶ Yes
▶ No
---
Han-Seol froze. His eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat.
He could hardly believe what he was seeing.
Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his hand and pressed the option.
"Yes."
The system screen trembled lightly as new text appeared.
---
[Gacha in progress…]
[Processing results.]
[Congratulations.]
[You have obtained an SSS-Class: Time Loop.]
[Class Effect:]
[Upon death, you will return to the moment you first obtained this Class.]
[Warning:]
[Although time will reset, the pain of death will remain.]
[Repeated use may result in mental deterioration.]
[Do you accept this Class?]
▶ Yes
▶ No
---
Han-Seol stared at the system message in silence. Doubt briefly crept into his mind—the risks were anything but trivial. Yet the image of his mother surfaced in his thoughts, the woman who had worked tirelessly to support his education.
He clenched his fist.
He wanted to escape poverty.
He wanted to become someone acknowledged by the world.
With firm resolve, Han-Seol accepted the Class: Time Loop.
Suddenly, his body slowly lifted off the ground. Startled, Han-Seol reflexively looked up. From the darkened sky, a pillar of golden light descended, enveloping his body completely.
BOOM!
A violent shockwave erupted outward, sending civilians flying backward. Car windows shattered instantly, while screams and curses echoed from nearby buildings.
"That's… that phenomenon," someone said in a trembling voice.
"The one that happens when someone awakens a Class."
"But why is the wind this strong?"
"Don't tell me… that kid got an SSS-Class?"
The pillar of light gradually faded. Han-Seol's body gently descended back to the ground.
He slowly opened his eyes. But before he could summon the system again, an anxious voice called out to him.
"Han-Seol… Han-Seol."
The school principal stood before him, his expression tense.
"What Class did you obtain?"
"Why was your awakening phenomenon so intense?"
"Don't tell me… you got an SSS-Class?"
---
SSS-Class.
An extremely rare Class—only a handful of people in the world possessed one.
Yet even among SSS-Class holders, not all Classes were considered equal. The most famous and coveted ones were Holy Knight, Archmage, Saint, and Shadow.
The principal swallowed hard before asking again.
"Which SSS-Class did you obtain, Han-Seol?"
"Holy Knight? Archmage? Saint… or Shadow?"
"Yes, Principal. I did obtain an SSS-Class," Han-Seol replied calmly.
"But it's not Holy Knight, Archmage, Saint, nor Shadow."
He looked straight ahead.
"I obtained Time Loop, sir."
The principal fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"I see, Han-Seol," he said.
"Since you've awakened a Class, you are permitted to leave school and become a Hunter."
"Yes, sir. I'll be taking my leave," Han-Seol said, bowing politely.
"Goodbye, Principal."
Without waiting any longer, Han-Seol ran off. A joyful smile spread across his face—his long-held dream had finally come true. He was officially a Hunter now.
But just as his steps began heading toward the Tower—
---
Breaking News
Guild Demon Court has successfully conquered Floor 50 of the Tower with 100 guild members. We are now joined by the Guild Master of Demon Court, Mr. Park Han-Seo.
"How does it feel, Mr. Park, to conquer Floor 50—a floor no one has ever cleared before?" the reporter asked.
"Haha… I'm extremely happy," Park Han-Seo replied with a smile.
"Not only that, we also acquired an incredible item. But our journey doesn't end at Floor 50. My guild and I are determined to reach Floor 100."
---
Han-Seol watched the broadcast from inside a building, a faint smile on his lips. Hearing Demon Court's determination only fueled his own resolve.
"What a shame, Demon Court," he murmured.
"Because the one who'll conquer Floor 100… will be me."
Without hesitation, Han-Seol sprinted toward the Tower.
Fifty floors remained—before Demon Court would reach the peak of their ambition.
---
In Front of the Tower
Han-Seol finally arrived. Sweat soaked his face, his breathing was heavy, yet his eyes shone with excitement.
"I finally made it…"
He gazed up at the towering structure.
"All right," he muttered.
"Let's go in."
---
The moment he entered the Tower, Han-Seol found himself inside a dark, silent room. Confusion crept in, but when he looked up, a system window appeared in midair.
---
[Welcome to the Tower.]
[You will now begin the First Tutorial.]
[Please select a difficulty level: Easy / Medium / Hard.]
---
"Hard," Han-Seol answered without hesitation.
"I'll choose Hard. The current tutorial record holder is a woman who awakened a hidden Class—Sword God."
---
[Selection confirmed.]
[Difficulty: Hard.]
[A weapon has been provided for your First Tutorial.]
[May luck be on your side.]
---
The system vanished instantly.
Han-Seol frowned, but before he could think further, a bright light flooded the room. When it faded, his body tensed.
Goblins.
Dozens of them surrounded him from every direction.
"So this is Hard mode," he muttered.
"But why… do I feel excited instead of scared?"
"System, open my status."
[Affirmative.]
---
Status
HP: 120 / 120
MP: 80 / 80
Strength: 15
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 50
Mana Control: F
---
Han-Seol narrowed his eyes.
Within seconds, he reached a conclusion.
"No clear target. No limit on enemy numbers," he said calmly.
"That means this isn't a kill mission… it's a survival mission."
He glanced at the floating timer.
"Ten minutes. The goblins will attack in waves—individually at first, then in groups."
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"In that case, I just need to manage stamina and positioning."
3.
2.
1.
[Start]
"All right," Han-Seol said, gripping his sword.
"Let's begin the tutorial."
The first goblin charged forward. In an instant, Han-Seol dashed ahead.
SLASH!
[Congratulations. You have gained +1 Stat Point.]
"Oh, so that sound indicates a stat gain," he murmured.
Without hesitation, Han-Seol continued cutting down the approaching goblins.
"Come on!"
"I've been waiting for this!"
Goblin blood splattered across his face, covering one of his eyes. Even so, Han-Seol remained calm—he had already memorized all their movement patterns.
[Congratulations. You have leveled up ×6.]
The system's voice echoed repeatedly, widening Han-Seol's smile.
---
[50:00]
The timer displayed fifty minutes.
"Good," Han-Seol muttered.
"Now… it's my turn to go on the offensive."
He lunged into the center of the goblin horde.
[Congratulations. You have acquired the Skill: Swordman.]
"Sword Technique—First Form!"
"Sword Slash!"
---
[Congratulations. You have completed the First Tutorial.]
[Level increased: 1 → 10.]
"Straight to level 10," Han-Seol said in satisfaction.
"This tutorial really was a huge bonus."
He looked at the glowing doorway ahead.
"All right… can I move on to the first floor now?"
Han-Seol stepped forward.
---
When he emerged from the light, a lush green landscape spread before him. A village lay in the distance, fresh wind brushed past him, and grass swayed gently.
"Woooah… I finally made it to the first floor!" he exclaimed.
"I thought there'd be five tutorials—turns out there was only one."
He grinned.
"All right. Let's head to the beginner village."
With calm steps, Han-Seol walked forward, enjoying the fresh breeze and green scenery—the beginning of his long journey within the Tower.