---
"Huh, third place... not bad," Jinhoo muttered, staring at the tower rankings window. His eyes scanned the names above his.
"ShadowBlade and FireMage... top players in Legends Online. Figures they'd be ahead."
He closed the system window, feeling the exhaustion from the day's events settle in.
"Time to hit the sack."
Collapsing onto his bed, Jinhoo's muscles ached from the Cerberus battle, but the comfort of sleep came quickly. It was the best rest he'd had in weeks, his mind finally at ease.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through his apartment window, gently rousing him from his deep slumber.
"Ahh man, best sleep I've had in a long time," he said, stretching as he got up. He rubbed his eyes and noticed something blinking on the system window.
"Huh, what's this? A notification?"
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have become the most viewed tower streamer in the world. Would you like to claim your reward points from your stream?
[Y/N]
---
"Most viewed? Already?" He laughed. "Guess Cerberus really did pull in a crowd."
Without hesitation, he tapped Yes.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Reward: 2000 Reward Points.
You can use your reward points in the system store.
---
"2000 points? Not bad at all," Jinhoo muttered, scrolling through the system store. "I can definitely grab something good with this... Maybe I should get that?"
His fingers hovered over a sleek, black shirt displayed in the store window. It was called The Shroud of Aetherium—a magic armor with impressive stats, providing enhanced defense and the ability to cloak the user for short periods.
"Yeah... Perfect, just like old times."
He clicked to read more about it.
---
[Item: Shroud of Aetherium]
Description: A rare magic armor forged from ethereal materials. Grants +20 Defense, +15 Agility, and the skill Ethereal Cloak, allowing the user to become invisible for 30 seconds.
Cost: 1800 Reward Points.
---
"Looks like it has the same stats as the game." Without a second thought, Jinhoo purchased it, watching the points drain from his balance. The armor materialized in his inventory, shimmering with a faint glow. He immediately equipped it, feeling the lightness and power.
"Guess it's time to head to the tower."
"But before that, let's see what's happening online."
Jinhoo picked up his phone off the bed and scrolled through Twitter.
---
ShadowBlade and FireMage have entered the tower. It seems they've formed a guild.
---
"Huh, the top two made a guild? Looks like they're trying to rush to the top floor fast."
---
Breaking news: The government has decided to back humans who became players. They've formed an organization called 'The Awakened,' though it hasn't been activated yet.
---
"Seems like the government's moving fast this time. Maybe they're feeling pressured."
As Jinhoo scrolled, another notification popped up from the system.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Worldwide notification:
Please complete the first floor of the tower in the allotted time [3 days] or humanity will be eliminated.
---
"Hmm, looks like the system's getting impatient."
"Okay, time to head out."
After leaving the apartment, Jinhoo ran toward Seoul Station on foot.
"Huh, seems like I'm way faster than before, and I'm not even getting winded."
He arrived at Seoul Station, the place buzzing with other players in gear, famous streamers, and government officials.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who decided to come to the tower today."
As Jinhoo neared the tower entrance, a notification from the system popped up again.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
ShadowBlade and FireMage are inviting players to join them in clearing the first floor of the tower.
Would you like to join?
[Y/N]
---
"Joining them would help clear the tower faster, but knowing how they play, they won't split the loot fairly. And I'm not a fan of guilds, so no!"
Jinhoo pressed No and headed inside the tower gates. As he passed through, he was greeted by a vast, open field. It felt as though he had entered another world.
"Huh, looks just like it did in the game. Based on the layout, the mini-boss should be to the left, and the main boss is northeast."
He veered left, moving away from the gate where the other players gathered, heading straight for the mini-boss area. As he moved, he opened his inventory, pulling out a mask and placing it over his face. Then, he opened the system window and started his stream.
---
[Chat]
Flm: "This guy's back at it again!"
GamerGal98: "He's back! Let's go!"
NoobMaster5000: "Solo run in the tower? Dude's insane."
MysteryGamer76: "ShadowBlade and FireMage are teaming up, and you're still going alone?"
---
Jinhoo chuckled, the mask hiding his grin. "Yeah, I'm not the guild type."
After a while, Jinhoo reached a massive, overgrown building surrounded by trees.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Name: King's Labyrinth
Type: Labyrinth
Difficulty: C
Story: This labyrinth was created to guard the resting place of the King of Lumina. It's known for its confusing mazes and numerous traps designed to keep people from stealing the king's treasure.
---
"This labyrinth was crucial for building your character in the later game."
"And the cornerstone for getting beyond floor 12."
"Man, I never thought I'd be back here for a third time."
"This is going to be a pain," Jinhoo muttered.
"Even though it's annoying, I have to beat it to pass floor 12."
Jinhoo placed his hands on the massive door, which was engraved with carvings of knights.
"What was it again? Right, I need to channel magic into it."
As he poured magic into the door, it slowly creaked open, revealing the dark interior. A system window popped up, confirming his entry.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have entered the King's Labyrinth.
Defeat the boss to exit.
---
"Alright, let's go."
The green, mossy walls and the dank, muddy smell hit him immediately. It was just like in Legends Online.
---
[Chat]
GamerGal98: "No way, it's identical! The moss, the smell, everything. So trippy."
NoobMaster5000: "I hated this dungeon in the game. All those traps... Good luck, bro."
MysteryGamer76: "Ugh, I can almost smell the mud through the screen."
---
"Guess it's time to stop reminiscing and start moving," Jinhoo thought, walking down the dim hallway. He turned a corner and spotted a group of three people wandering through the maze.
"Huh, looks like I'm not the only one in here."
As he approached the group, one of them turned around, their eyes widening in recognition.
"Holy crap, guys. Isn't that the King Raider guy?"
---
To be continued.....