After Rey and his party entered the dungeon, time began to lose its meaning.
The underground world followed no sunrise or sunset, only the steady rhythm of battles, rest, and progression. For an entire week, Rey led his party through the corridors and chambers of Floor 10, deliberately slowing their pace.
This floor was not meant for him.
The monsters roaming Floor 10 were far too weak to offer Rey meaningful experience. Even elite variants barely registered on his status window. However, for Melvin, Elysa, and Luna, the floor was perfect—a controlled environment where they could sharpen their fundamentals without risking their lives.
And Rey made full use of it.
Floor 10 became their training ground.
Rey rarely interfered directly. Instead, he observed, corrected, and adjusted their approach in every engagement. He allowed them to struggle just enough to learn—stepping in only when mistakes could turn fatal.
By the end of the week, the change was unmistakable.
Melvin’s casting speed had improved.
Elysa’s movement was sharper.
Luna’s timing and support awareness had grown far beyond that of a novice.
Once Rey deemed Floor 10 fully conquered, the party descended deeper.
The moment they entered Floor 9, the atmosphere shifted.
The air felt heavier.
The mana density was thicker.
The dungeon’s hostility was no longer subtle.
Several monsters on this floor reached Level 20, a significant jump compared to the previous level. Unlike before, these enemies possessed more refined attack patterns and higher resistance.
Rey took a step back.
“This floor,” he said calmly, “is for Elysa.”
From that point onward, Rey limited his involvement to defensive support and emergency intervention. He allowed Elysa to take the lead in engagements, forcing her to rely on her instincts rather than his overwhelming strength.
Elysa struggled at first.
Her attacks lacked confidence.
Her positioning was sometimes reckless.
Her camouflage skill—while powerful—wasn’t always used efficiently.
But Rey didn’t correct her mid-battle.
He let her learn.
Only after each fight did he speak.
“Your entry angle is good,” Rey said after one encounter. “But you disengaged too late.”
Elysa nodded seriously, memorizing every word.
For Melvin, Rey’s focus was different.
“Raw power is meaningless if you waste MP,” Rey told him.
Instead of pushing Melvin to learn stronger spells, Rey instructed him to refine control.
Fireball.
Fire Spear.
Basic elemental magic.
“Accuracy increases your hit rate,” Rey explained. “And efficiency determines how long you can fight.”
Melvin began practicing precision casting—adjusting trajectory, compression, and mana output. His fireballs became denser. His fire spears flew straighter, piercing monster defenses rather than exploding prematurely.
“Also,” Rey added, “increase your INT slightly more than MP. Higher INT amplifies damage efficiency.”
Melvin followed the advice faithfully, and the results showed quickly. His damage output rose without draining his mana pool at an alarming rate.
Luna’s role was the most delicate.
“She’s our pillar,” Rey explained to the others. “Without support, damage dealers collapse.”
He advised Luna to focus heavily on MP and INT, allowing her to sustain buffs and provide mana regeneration over extended fights.
Her role wasn’t flashy.
But it was vital.
During one rest break, Luna hesitantly approached Rey.
“Lord Rey… about the staff you gave me…”
She held the weapon carefully, as though afraid it might vanish.
“This staff…” she continued softly, “it increases MP regeneration efficiency by eighty percent… and reduces spell cooldown by seventy-five percent.”
Rey nodded.
“There’s more,” Luna said, her voice trembling slightly. “When I cast buff-type magic, the effect increases by thirty-five percent.”
Melvin whistled quietly.
“That’s insane.”
Luna bit her lip. “I… I was scared to accept it. The value is far beyond anything I could afford.”
Rey smiled gently. “A tool is only valuable if it’s used properly. You deserve it.”
For Melvin, Rey provided a high-grade magic grimoire—one that boosted magic damage by eighty-two percent, MP regeneration by fifty percent, and possessed a devastating special effect that amplified area magic damage by Sixty-five percent when activated.
Elysa received a newly forged dagger.
The weapon enhanced her damage by eighty-nine percent and carried a poison activation effect that could be toggled at will.
Their reactions were immediate.
Joy.
Disbelief.
Determination.
While Luna still struggled with guilt, Melvin and Elysa accepted their equipment openly.
“We’ll give everything for this party,” Melvin said firmly.
Elysa nodded. “We won’t waste your trust.”
Several days later, after prolonged exploration on Floor 9, Rey left the party momentarily.
“I’ll find us a safe resting spot,” he said. “Wait here.”
As Rey moved alone through a branching corridor, a presence emerged.
A Level 19 monster, one of the stronger entities on Floor 9, lunged from the shadows.
Rey didn’t even draw a weapon.
He stepped forward—and struck.
The impact was instantaneous.
The monster’s body collapsed under the force, disintegrating as shockwaves cracked the dungeon wall behind it. The corridor fell silent.
Rey exhaled calmly and continued walking.
Soon after, he found a defensible chamber and summoned the others.
By then, they had spent nearly two full weeks inside the dungeon.
They rested.
Melvin constructed a small campfire as instructed. The group unpacked supplies—beef cuts purchased earlier, clean water, and fried chicken Rey had obtained from the Will Stall.
For a moment, the dungeon felt almost… normal.
As they ate, Rey discussed tactics.
“Elysa,” he said, “be more proactive. Your camouflage is a weapon—use it to control the battlefield, not just to escape.”
She nodded seriously.
Then she hesitated before asking, “Lord Rey… if I form a combo strategy with Melvin and Luna… do you think it would work?”
Rey considered it.
“Combos are powerful,” he replied, “but only if you have an escape plan.”
He met her gaze. “From now on, I won’t interfere much. I’ll observe your engagements. If something goes wrong, I’ll step in.”
Then he added casually, “Also… stop calling me ‘Lord’ or ‘Master.’ Just Rey from now on.”
The three froze.
“But—” Melvin began.
“We’re all players trapped in this world,” Rey said quietly. “There’s no hierarchy here.”
Melvin scratched his head. “Alright then… Rey.”
After a pause, Melvin raised his hand.
“Can I ask something?”
“Of course.” Rey said.
Melvin took a breath. “Are you… Julian Rey? The gamer who ranked top three in RPG tournaments five years ago? The one who caused a global phenomenon?”
Rey chuckled, rubbing his nose.
“…Yeah. That’s me.”
Their eyes widened.
“I was actually ranked first,” Rey admitted. “But I stopped playing for a long time. Rankings fall fast.”
Elysa stared at him in awe. “That explains everything… your strategies, your commands…”
Rey sighed. “This VRMMO was released quietly. No announcements. No social media hype. I found it by chance and I struggle to follow the flow of playing this game .”
Luna smiled brightly. “That’s why you registered under a fake name on our party… Ace.”
Rey nodded.
“But keep it a secret,” he said seriously. “I don’t want other players knowing who I really am.”
He stood, his gaze firm.
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“Our goal is clear. I want all three of you to reach Level 30 and become Class C Adventurers within one-two months.”
Silence fell.
“After that,” Rey continued, “we’ll leave the dungeon and rest for a few weeks. Then we return to dungeon—pushing all of you to Level 50.”
Melvin swallowed. Elysa clenched her fists. Luna’s eyes burned with resolve.
“There’s a Clan Tournament coming soon,” Rey said. “And I intend to participate.”
The three of them fully understood Rey’s statement.
More than that, they felt genuine happiness.
The past few weeks inside the dungeon had changed them—not just in levels, but in confidence, teamwork, and trust. They were no longer beginners clinging to Rey’s shadow.
Their growth was real.
Melvin and Elysa had both reached Level 25, their progress accelerated far beyond what ordinary players could achieve in the same timeframe. Luna, while slightly behind due to her support role, stood proudly at Level 19—a remarkable achievement nonetheless.
After confirming their status, Rey ordered them to rest.
Several hours passed as they sat quietly, letting exhaustion drain from their bodies. Muscles relaxed. Mana pools stabilized. Even their breathing grew steady.
During that time, Rey focused inward.
He opened the System Interface, navigating through Will Stall—the marketplace that existed beyond conventional dungeon logic. Rows upon rows of high-grade equipment filled his vision, each displaying complex stat modifiers.
“…Not bad,” Rey muttered.
His gaze narrowed as he filtered the recommendations.
“System,” Rey commanded silently, “recommend accessories suitable for Elysa. Prioritize END and SPD.”
[Searching…]
[Recommendation Found.]
Several accessories appeared—rings, anklets, and lightweight charms, each offering exceptional stat bonuses.
Rey reviewed them carefully.
“END and SPD,” he whispered. “If her counterattacks are cleaner and more precise, her survivability skyrockets.”
Without hesitation, Rey purchased a set of accessories worth 50 gold coins.
After their rest, the party advanced once more.
They were nearing the end of Floor 9—a zone where the dungeon’s hostility spiked dramatically.
At the far end of a wide stone passage, something waited.
A Level 35 Wolf-type Monster.
Its body was massive, muscles coiled beneath dark fur, eyes glowing with savage intelligence. The air itself felt tense as the beast growled low, scraping its claws against the stone floor.
Rey stepped back.
“This one,” he said calmly, “is yours.”
The party immediately moved into formation.
Luna raised her staff, her expression focused.
“Support buff—casting now.”
A soft glow enveloped Elysa.
[SPD +20%]
Another pulse of mana surged toward Melvin.
[INT +25%]
Melvin lifted his magic book, eyes sharp.
“Fire Arrow!”
Multiple streaks of condensed flame shot forward.
The wolf attempted to dodge—but Melvin’s improved casting accuracy made escape impossible. Fire arrows struck repeatedly, exploding along the monster’s flank.
Elysa moved.
Her enhanced speed turned her into a blur.
She activated Backstab, slipping behind the monster in a flash and driving her dagger deep into its body.
The blade glowed faintly.
Poison activated.
The wolf howled as its HP began dropping steadily.
“Poison effect will last five seconds!” Elysa shouted. “Melvin—finish it now!”
Melvin didn’t hesitate.
Mana surged violently around him.
“Area magic—Flame Destruction!”
A massive wave of fire engulfed the monster.
The impact was devastating.
The wolf collapsed, its body consumed by intense heat, the smell of scorched flesh filling the air.
Silence followed.
Loot scattered across the ground.
The three of them stood there, breathing heavily.
They were exhausted—but smiling.
They had defeated a Level 35 monster using their own combo.
Rey clapped his hands.
“Well done,” he said genuinely. “That was clean. No interference from me.”
They turned toward him, eyes shining.
“Thank you, Rey,” Elysa said sincerely. “For the strategy… and the equipment.”
Melvin nodded. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”
Rey smiled. “This is the results of the three of you training .”
Soon after, the party descended to Floor 8.
The moment they stepped onto the floor, the atmosphere changed.
The air felt oppressive.
The mana density was unstable.
Danger lingered everywhere.
High-level monsters guarded the entrance—but none exceeded Level 30.
Rey didn’t lift a finger.
The party handled everything.
Weeks passed.
They advanced steadily, reaching the midpoint of Floor 8 through relentless combat and refinement of tactics.
Then—
Rey stopped.
“…Something’s wrong.”
His instincts screamed.
He raised a hand. “Get ready.”
The ground trembled.
Without warning, a massive worm-type monster erupted from above, crashing into the stone floor.
[Monster Detected: Cave Devourer]
[Level: 48]
[HP: 5980]
Rey frowned.
“…A worm-type monster. High HP.”
He clenched his fist.
"With the level of the three of you,” he thought, “this is extremely dangerous.”
But Rey didn’t retreat.
“Prepare for offense and defense,” he ordered calmly.
Rey dashed forward, controlling his strength deliberately.
He slammed the monster into the ground—hard enough to disorient it, but not kill it.
Luna immediately cast buffs.
Elysa struck, her blade biting deep—but—
The poison stopped.
“What?” Rey’s eyes widened. “Its regeneration canceled the poison?”
“Melvin!” Rey shouted. “Finishing attack—now!”
Melvin began casting Flame Destruction—
But suddenly—
The ground shook violently.
His balance broke.
Another worm monster burst from the ground.
It lunged toward Melvin.
“Shield!” Luna shouted.
She cast a barrier—but the impact shattered it instantly.
The shockwave sent Luna and Melvin flying.
They were caught mid-air—
By Rey.
He landed smoothly, setting them down.
Elysa vanished.
Camouflage activated.
She reappeared atop the first worm, plunging her dagger straight into its eye.
The monster screamed.
Poison activated successfully this time.
“Now!” Rey commanded.
Melvin unleashed Flame Destruction once more.
The first worm burned slowly, its massive body turning black as flames consumed it.
Meanwhile—
Rey faced the second monster.
This time, he didn’t hold back.
One strike.
Boom.
The worm exploded under the sheer force.
The shockwave traveled far—cracking the dungeon wall over 100 meters away.
Silence returned.
Elysa collapsed to her knees, completely drained.
Luna and Melvin exchanged nervous smiles—fear still lingering in their eyes.
Rey chuckled.
“So?” he asked casually. “That was pretty hardcore, right?”
Elysa groaned. “I’m exhausted, Rey…”
Melvin laughed weakly. “If you weren’t here… I don’t even want to imagine.”
Luna hugged her staff tightly. “That monster was terrifying…”
Inside her heart, she vowed silently:
I need to become stronger… faster.
Rey nodded. “That fight was a lesson. In a dungeon, anything can happen.”
He gestured ahead.
“We’ll rest here. After that, we’ll push just a bit deeper until all three of you reach Level 30—and I reach Level 50.”
“Then we leave.”
They all understood.
Melvin still looked shaken.
Rey noticed and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Melvin. We’re together.”
He smiled. “From now on, I’ll take the front.”
Melvin exhaled and smiled back.
They moved again.
Soon, they reached a familiar valley.
Melvin swallowed. “Rey… this is the valley we encountered before. High-level monsters start appearing here.”
Rey nodded. “We continue.”
“But—” Melvin hesitated. “Can we rest first? I’m exhausted.”
Rey agreed.
After several hours—
A deep, heavy roar echoed through the valley.
Everyone froze.
Rey signaled for silence.
The roar faded.
They resumed movement cautiously.
Then—
A colossal shadow emerged.
[Monster Detected: Earth Dragon]
[Level: 58]
[HP: 9,870]
[END: 982]
Rey’s eyes widened.
“…That HP is insane.”
He clicked his tongue.
“Why are Earth Dragons always this tanky?”
He turned to the party.
“Formation—standard.”
He faced Elysa.
“I’ll hold it. Find weak points. Aim for the eyes. Activate poison.”
“Alright,” Elysa said through a strained breath.
“Be careful, Rey… Earth Dragons are extremely strong.”
Rey nodded once, his expression calm but focused.
“Luna—buff Elysa.
Melvin—prepare a magic spell that can concentrate damage on a single point.”
He took a deep breath.
“…Three.”
The dungeon fell silent.
“Two.”
The Earth Dragon lifted its head, sensing danger.
“One.”
“Attack.”
Rey moved first.
In an instant, his figure blurred, covering the distance with explosive speed. His fist shot forward, aiming directly at the dragon’s torso—
—but the monster reacted.
Its massive body twisted unnaturally fast, narrowly avoiding the blow. A colossal claw swept through the air toward Rey’s head.
Rey dodged at the last moment.
Using the momentum, he grabbed the dragon’s thick tail with both hands, muscles screaming as he pivoted—
—and slammed the beast into the dungeon floor.
The impact shook the entire chamber.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the stone ground.
“Now!” Rey shouted.
Elysa was already moving.
Her body surged forward, boosted by Luna’s buff. She leapt, twisting mid-air, and drove her dagger straight into the Earth Dragon’s eye.
The blade pierced deep.
The monster roared in agony.
Poison activated.
Dark energy spread from the wound, continuously draining its HP.
“Melvin!” Elysa shouted.
“I’ve applied poison—hit this spot!”
Luna raised her staff, eyes glowing.
“Buff transfer—Magic Precision!”
A surge of mana flowed into Melvin.
He locked onto the damaged area.
“Magic Arrow—fire!”
A concentrated beam of destructive magic pierced the Earth Dragon’s skull.
The roar stopped.
The massive body collapsed, lifeless.
For a moment—
Silence.
Elysa exhaled sharply, relief washing over her.
“…We did it.”
She took a step toward the others—
Then—
BOOM.
A terrifying impact struck her side.
Her body was hurled violently across the dungeon, slamming into the wall with bone-rattling force.
“ELSYA!”
Blood sprayed from her mouth as she crumpled to the ground.
Rey froze.
That shouldn’t have happened.
His senses screamed.
There were no other monsters detected.
And yet—
A massive presence descended before them.
Ice spread across the stone floor.
Cold enough to sting the lungs.
A colossal figure emerged from the shadows.
[Frost Dragon — Level 75]
Rey’s pupils shrank.
“…What?”
He stared at the status panel.
“Why… are its stats this high?”
The numbers were absurd.
Far beyond reason.
Even higher than a Level 89 Frost Dragon he had once defeated.
The System’s voice echoed.
[System Alert]
Rare Species Detected.
Monster has undergone Evolution.
Stats increased exponentially.
Emergency Recommendation: Host should retreat immediately.
Rey clenched his teeth.
“Retreat…?”
His gaze snapped to Elysa, collapsed and bleeding heavily.
“…And leave her behind?”
His heart pounded.
“No.”
He inhaled sharply.
“I’ll hold it.”
His voice was calm—but his thoughts were screaming.
“Luna! Melvin!” Rey shouted.
“Take Elysa and get out of the dungeon—now!”
The pressure radiating from the Frost Dragon was suffocating.
Luna’s hands trembled.
Melvin’s legs felt like they were bound by chains.
Fear rooted them in place.
Elysa forced herself to move.
She tried to stand—
The Frost Dragon moved.
Too fast.
Its claws tore through the air, aimed directly at her.
“NO—!”
Rey exploded forward.
He pushed his speed to the limit.
He caught the dragon’s tail—
—but he was too late.
The claws struck.
Elysa screamed.
Her shoulder was ripped open.
Blood poured out uncontrollably.
Time slowed.
Rey’s chest tightened painfully.
I promised…
I said I would protect them…
Rage ignited.
With a roar, Rey yanked the dragon backward with monstrous force and smashed his fist into its body.
The Frost Dragon activated a barrier.
CRACK.
The barrier shattered—
—but the damage dealt was only thirty percent.
“Damn it!”
The dragon opened its mouth.
A torrent of Frost Magic erupted.
Rey crossed his daggers, blocking the attack head-on.
Ice exploded outward.
Using the dagger’s special effect, Rey redirected the frost magic back at the dragon.
The spell hit—
—but the damage was minimal.
The monster barely flinched.
Its tail whipped forward.
Rey blocked—
—but still took massive damage.
He slid backward, boots carving trenches into the stone.
“…Its strength,” Rey muttered.
“It’s far beyond that Level 89 dragon…”
His eyes flicked toward his party.
Luna and Melvin were desperately trying to stop Elysa’s bleeding.
Melvin was crying.
Luna’s face was pale with terror.
Rey snarled.
He lunged forward and struck the dragon with a brutal punch, sending it flying back.
Then he sprinted toward his party.
“Take this!” Rey shouted, throwing a High Potion to Luna.
“Give it to Elysa. Heal her—then leave!”
His face hardened.
“I’ll hold it here.”
For the first time—
Rey felt true danger.
The System spoke again.
[System Notice]
Host Level: 44
Unused stat points detected.
Would you like to allocate remaining stats?
Rey shook his head.
“Not yet.”
His voice was firm.
“I need better control. I won’t rely on brute force.”
He lowered his stance.
The Frost Dragon attacked again.
Rey charged.
Fist against claw.
Speed against speed.
The dragon evaded—its absurd SPD and INT making it difficult to predict.
Rey chased relentlessly.
He grabbed its tail again, spun, and kicked its head—
—but the barrier reactivated.
Its HP regenerated rapidly.
“Annoying…”
Rey unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks—
—and failed to notice the tail swinging back.
WHAM.
The blow struck his head.
Rey’s vision spun.
“Gah—!”
Meanwhile—
The High Potion took effect.
Elysa’s wounds began to close slowly.
Melvin lifted her carefully.
Luna cast buffs on Melvin.
“Movement boost—now!”
They turned to run.
Then—
The Frost Dragon shifted.
Its gaze locked onto them.
It lunged.
“DON’T YOU DARE!”
Rey forced his body to move despite the dizziness.
He grabbed the dragon’s horn—
—and smashed his fist straight into its eye.
The eye exploded.
The dragon screamed.
Its HP dropped to half.
But it wasn’t dead.
With a furious roar, the dragon slammed Rey into the ground.
The stone shattered beneath him.
Then—
Another presence appeared.
Behind the corridor where Melvin and Luna were escaping—
A second Frost Dragon emerged.
[Frost Dragon — Level 63]
Rey’s breath caught.
“…No.”
It was too close.
Too close to them.
Fear flickered in his eyes.
I miscalculated…
Was this my mistake?
I can’t reach them in time…
The second dragon attacked.
Rey tried to move—
But his body was too slow.
His speed wasn’t enough.
He watched—
Helpless—
He saw the dragon's attack almost hit his party members.
“NO—!”
Rey screamed.
His vision blurred.
Darkness crept in.
I can’t…
I can’t lose them…
The world faded.
Black swallowed his sight.
And for the first time—
Rey felt true despair.
