Steel slammed against stone.
The first Sentinel crumbled, its celestial armor shattered by a spinning back kick that sent echoes through the temple. Jae-won moved like a phantom, sliding between attacks with unnerving fluidity.
He didn't block.
He flowed.
Like he knew the outcome before the fight began.
The Absolute stat wasn't a gimmick—it was evolution.
> "They're slow."
Five more rushed him in formation. Halberds swung in a perfect arc, blades glowing white with starlight enchantment. But they weren't real warriors. They were old ghosts, reanimated commands.
Jae-won ducked under the sweep, palm striking one in the chest.
Crack.
A fracture raced through its body before it exploded into dust and fragments of light.
> "Two down."
Another came from behind—silent as death. It thrust its blade forward—
Too fast.
The edge pierced clean through his side.
Blood sprayed the polished marble.
> "Shit—!"
His vision dimmed. He dropped to a knee. The remaining Sentinels paused.
---
[HP: 18%]
[Critical Threshold Reached.]
[Immortal Misfire – ACTIVATED.]
---
Time snapped like a brittle twig.
The world stuttered.
The blade twisted in his gut—and phased out.
The wound vanished.
No pain.
No scar.
He stood, completely unharmed.
The Sentinels didn't understand.
But the Tower did.
---
[Constellation: "The Monkey Who Defied Heaven" cackles wildly.]
[Constellation: "Veiled Judge of Midnight Truths" pauses her wine.]
[Constellation: "Sunken Warden of the Deep Gate" watches… quietly.]
---
Jae-won cracked his knuckles.
> "Let's finish this."
He burst forward, sweeping into the group with a flaming elbow, the Emberheart activating on impact. His strikes ignited the air, each blow melting stone and celestial plating.
Predator Eye pulsed behind his irises, highlighting weak points—joint seams, fractured cores, enchantment runes half-faded.
He dismantled them.
One by one, like breaking a machine built by a god long gone.
Until none remained.
Only silence.
---
[Quest Objective Complete – Temple Sentinels Defeated.]
[EXP Gained: 150]
[You have leveled up!]
[You are now Level 11.]
[Stat Points Gained: 6]
---
The mirror unchained itself.
It floated down, settling before him. Its cracked surface pulsed with dull starlight.
Then… it spoke.
No voice. Just thoughts.
A whisper in a thousand languages.
> "Will you bear the memory?"
Jae-won didn't hesitate.
> "Show me."
The mirror shattered.
Stars spilled out—not light, but memory. A flood of celestial fragments poured into his mind. He saw glimpses of a Constellation long forgotten, a being who gave everything to protect the Tower's balance… only to be erased.
Name unknown. Symbol destroyed. But the temple remained.
A remnant.
And now it was his.
---
[Optional Objective Complete – Identity Fragment Obtained.]
[You have earned a unique reward.]
---
A mark formed on the back of his hand—a single white star etched in flame.
It didn't belong to any known pantheon.
It belonged to him.
---
[Title Gained: Keeper of the Forgotten Star]
Your actions resonate with the Tower's ancient will. Those who remember, now watch.
Effect: +5% resistance to Constellation interference.
---
The world rumbled.
Stone cracked. The temple trembled.
From above, a radiant beam of light tore through the chamber, latching onto him.
---
[You have cleared Floor 4.]
[Preparing transition to Midveil.]
---
As the light enveloped him, Jae-won whispered under his breath.
> "This time… I won't lose to anyone."
---
[SYSTEM INTERFACE – KIM JAE-WON]
Level: 11
Class: Apex Conductor
Core Stat – Absolute: 76
Stat Points Available: 0
Skills:
Adaptive Flow (Unique)
Predator Eye (Active)
Heaven-Shaking Step (Active)
Traits:
Bone Plate (Passive)
Emberheart (Passive – Flame Sigil)
Immortal Misfire (Passive – Constellation Gift)
Titles:
First Breaker
Bone-Fused
Arena Challenger
Fire-Eater
Keeper of the Forgotten Star
Status: Unbound
EXP to next level: 0/180
---