5.

    A palace that permitted no intrusions, untouched by outsiders throughout its history.

    Overpalace.

    The dark, somber fortress remained quietly in place, shrouded in a heavy black mist.

    Within the still, lonely atmosphere, an old man knelt before the throne, bowing his head. He could feel the world’s suppressive force around Overpalace loosening.

    Bound by overwhelming strength and restrained by the world’s will, the old man realized—this was the moment.

    “Ah, finally.”

    But he did not allow himself to relax.

    The will of the world was capricious and could shift in an instant, like a flipped coin.

    The reason was clear: the fool, the descendant of the Hero, had begun to act.

    All information flowed into the old man’s grasp.

    Perhaps because of his immense power, or perhaps due to his meticulous nature, the world itself watched him constantly.

    The will of the world, as thorough as the old man himself, tolerated no breaches.

    It was a struggle even to use crude magic to pass a meager gift to the successor.

    Yet now, the force that had bound them for so long had weakened.

    For the first time, the old man—no, the Black Star—felt a sense of gratitude toward the foolish descendant of the Hero.

    This was an opportunity unlike any other.

    Thus, the Black Star gave his command.

    “Samhyung, attend.”

    He did not specify whom they were to attend or where they were to go.

    The command was simple: serve.

    Behind him, the shadows of a raven, a puppet, and dismembered corpses wavered like flickering candlelight before vanishing into the void.

    As they disappeared, the Black Star lifted his head with a faint look of regret.

    His gaze fell on the empty throne, steeped in solitude.

    He recalled the glory of the distant past as he stared at it, feeling a faint trace of his former companion’s presence.

    Once, they had walked the same path.

    Now, their paths had diverged.

    Sensing the aura of an old friend who had chosen a different road, the Black Star whispered softly.

    “Nocturnium... was it truly necessary?”

    His voice carried a subtle mix of reproach and self-blame for failing to prevent it.

    The desolate tone echoed through the empty audience chamber, but no response came.

    If the woman who had once been his master, his teacher, and his liege had still been alive—what would she have said?

    Would she have scolded him?

    Or praised him for his efforts, despite everything?

    There was no way to know.

    Too much time had passed.

    At the same time, he missed her.

    Even if she were to reprimand him...

    Even if she were to blame him for failing to care for their companions...

    He longed to see her one more time.

    His master, the one he would never see again.

    Now, he understood the choices of his estranged friend.

    The Black Star, too, felt longing.

    But—

    “I will remain here and serve the successor.”

    He would carry on the legacy of the woman who had been his master, his teacher, and his mother.

    Blindly, he would follow her will.

    The tear stains that had long since dried and faded would never vanish from his soul.

    They were etched into his very being, an eternal reminder of his sorrow.

    He would serve the new master.

    This time, he would become the teacher, guiding a new king, a new lord, a new master.

    As a foolish disciple and servant, all he could do was repay the warmth of the hand that had once reached out to him.

    That was all.

    6.

    The Canyon of Despair had become significantly more manageable.

    After clearing the area once, navigating it had become much easier.

    Could it even be called the Canyon of Despair anymore?

    Seong felt no guilt over his actions.

    Following the paper bird, Seong arrived at a cliffside on the edge of the canyon.

    “So this is the entrance?”

    “H-Heh, it seems like it.”

    Fiora nodded in agreement.@@@@

    Even the paper bird bobbed its head vigorously, its exaggerated politeness amusing to watch.

    Reaching the entrance, Seong didn’t need to ponder how to open the way.

    As the paper bird approached, a message appeared.

    [Conditions met. The door opens.]

    What had once appeared to be a solid cliff split open like a set of doors, revealing a path inside.

    [Critical Hit!]

    Acktura’s left arm exploded, the damage extending to its shoulder and leaving a gaping wound.

    Blood spurted as the demon roared in pain, glaring at Fiora with bloodshot eyes.

    But even as it struggled, new flesh sprouted from the wound.

    Squelch!

    The arm regenerated in an instant, though Acktura was drenched in sweat.

    The effort had clearly drained it, and its recovery wasn’t complete.

    Noticing this, Fiora prepared for another attack.

    Seeing Fiora’s relentless advance, Acktura realized something terrifying.

    "I-I can’t win."

    It wanted to flee.

    But as the Gatekeeper of this place, escape wasn’t an option.

    The only way to survive was to defeat the monstrous woman before it.

    Desperate, Acktura devised a plan—a typical move for a cunning demon.

    If it couldn’t defeat the beast, it would target the master.

    With that, Acktura feigned a direct clash with Fiora before abruptly pivoting and launching itself toward Seong.

    Its movement was swift, wings propelling it forward like a missile.

    Fiora hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the demon’s sudden change in target.

    This was it—Acktura’s gambit to turn the tide.

    Seong drew his sword as Acktura approached, and the demon sneered internally.

    "Foolish sorcerer. Kikikik."

    Acktura mocked Seong for pulling out a sword instead of preparing magic or defense.

    But Seong, watching the demon close in, smirked to himself.

    "Hmm, let’s try this."

    Recalling a memory from the knight’s training he had absorbed, Seong moved with precision.

    As Acktura lunged, claws outstretched, Seong sidestepped with a graceful motion, his foot sliding in an elegant arc across the ground.

    The movement was so smooth that Acktura momentarily believed Seong had teleported.

    Then, Seong’s sword swung upward in a clean, sharp motion.

    Startled, Acktura crossed its hardened arms in an X-shape to block the strike.

    But the sword seemed to shimmer and split into multiple phantom blades, disorienting the demon.

    The combination of Seong’s footwork and the illusory effect left Acktura vulnerable, opening a gap between them.

    Slash—!

    [Critical Hit!]

    [The effect of 『One Strike!』 has been activated!]

    "Kyaaaahhh!!!"

    A long gash stretched from Acktura’s shoulder to its abdomen, spilling black blood.

    Despite the demon’s attempts to pull back, blood poured uncontrollably from the wound, refusing to clot.

    Staggering backward, Acktura struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

    Seong’s blade carried the weight of centuries of knightly training—swordsmanship honed to perfection.

    Even the demon, with all its strength, found itself overpowered.

    As Acktura faltered, something sharp pierced through its back.

    "Guhhh!"

    Fiora’s spear-like arm had impaled the demon’s heart.

    Seong moved in for the finishing blow, his sword carving a smooth arc that severed Acktura’s head.

    Thud. Roll.

    [Critical Hit!]

    [You’ve defeated Acktura, the Lesser Demon Gatekeeper.]

    [You’ve gained experience points.]

    "The memories of that knight are incredible."

    Reflecting on the power of the swordsmanship he had absorbed, Seong couldn’t help but feel impressed.

    Still, the lack of proper swordsmanship skills limited the damage output.

    "Until I get an actual sword skill, I’ll hold back on using this."

    "Y-you were amazing, Lord!"

    Fiora, her voice filled with excitement, showered Seong with praise.

    Though a bit embarrassed, Seong smiled and patted her head before moving forward.

    Shortly after, Seong came across a massive door.

    It resembled the chamber he had seen during his second class advancement but lacked the glowing undead eyes or demonic aura.

    "This must be the place."

    At Fiora’s words, Seong nodded.

    Placing his hand on the door, a series of messages appeared.

    [Conditions met. The door opens.]

    [You’ve accessed the past.]

    [Fiora has returned to the Netherworld.]

    [While in the past, the Gates of the Netherworld cannot be opened.]

    [All levels in the past are adjusted to match user 『Seong』.]

    Before Seong could make sense of the notifications, the door pulled him in.

    The cavern was replaced by a sunlit forest, the scent of burning wood filling the air.

    Nearby, people were seated around a campfire, their faces unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.

    Among them was a man radiating a divine, otherworldly presence.

    His expression was kind, yet his aura commanded respect.

    The man turned to Seong and spoke.

    "Greetings, Seong. I’ve heard much about you. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Hindel, the one they call the Hero."

    Seong froze.

    "...Hindel? The Hero Hindel?"

    What was Hindel doing here?