Chapter 20

Chapter 20
## Chapter 20: Heavenly

“Is it finished?”

In a secluded alleyway marked by a collapsed stone wall, Massacre—his face hidden behind a skeletal mask—asked the question with a disdainful click of his tongue.

A man, drenched in his own blood, remained collapsed on the pavement before pulling himself into a desperate kneel, pressing his palms together.

“H-have mercy. We are fellow players. Killing each other in the real world is against the rules…!”

“Rules? And who established those?”

“G-Gracia did. He said that Player Killing in reality is something to be avoided.”

“Since when did Gracia’s opinions become the law of the land?”

“Well, it’s not exactly that…!”

“Tsk.”

Massacre made a sharp, horizontal motion across his own throat.

*Thud!*

The man’s head separated from his shoulders and rolled across the ground.

Massacre let out a weary breath.

‘Another failure.’

He had carefully arranged “phishing” traps at the hidden auction house, using high-value items as bait to lure out Phantom.

Yet, all he managed to hook were these insignificant pests.

He had executed this man in the physical world simply because he was in the vicinity. By utilizing the Fragment of the Broken Golden Rule to initiate a “descent,” he had tracked the man’s coordinates.

But this individual wasn’t Phantom either.

If he had actually found Phantom, a simple five-minute transformation wouldn’t have been enough to break the descent state.

Besides, the victim had been pathetic.

Massacre sank into thought.

‘What location will lead me to Phantom?’

Hunting within the real world had its restrictions.

Even with the specific options of the twin talisman concealed, there were no takers, making Massacre wonder if Phantom bypassed the secret auction house entirely.

The players falling for his “phishing” schemes were all nobodies.

Massacre rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

‘The tower.’

He brought to mind the requirements for Main Quest 3.

Scaling the tower.

‘A figure like Phantom wouldn’t settle for a mediocre tower.’

He wouldn’t choose something as rudimentary as the Tower of Basics. To secure the top ranking, he would seek out a higher-tier structure.

Something along the lines of the ‘Tower of Typhoon’ that Massacre himself had scaled, or the ‘Tower of the Immortal’ that Gracia had famously conquered.

‘The issue is, he might focus on leveling up before making a late run at the clear…’

Gracia had finished Main Quest 2 and pushed himself to level 7 specifically to challenge the Tower of the Immortal.

That aggressive power-leveling was a calculated move to dominate the tower and set a record score.

Conquering a tower meant for level 9 or 10 combatants while only at level 7 was still considered a legendary achievement.

Could Phantom actually beat Gracia’s numbers?

‘Towers that rank above the Immortal are daunting even for me at this stage.’

Massacre was undeniably powerful. Being level 10, he took pride in standing at the precipice of one-star transcendence.

Yet, even he would struggle to fully master the Tower of the Immortal. Anything more difficult? He would have to gamble his very life, and even then, success wasn’t guaranteed.

For a new player like Phantom, it should be a physical impossibility.

And yet, Phantom’s track record suggested he operated at an accelerated pace.

He wouldn’t spend months in hiding just to level up like Gracia did.

‘…The Tower of the War God. That’s where he’ll go.’

It was the only location where a player could achieve a maximum score regardless of their current level.

The Tower of the War God.

A literal playground for combat-obsessed warriors who lived for the fight.

Usually, the chasm between a gamer and a true player was an impassable obstacle. Success in a virtual environment rarely translated to actual combat efficacy as a player.

However, this was Phantom.

The living legend of Pangeniar.

‘His performance in Main Quest 1 is proof that he fights at an elite level, even in reality.’

Every person transitioning from gamer to player was tossed into a nightmare.

Evaluation scores were weighted on mental fortitude, survival instincts, and raw combat skill—and the man presumed to be Phantom, Randolph, had taken the top spot.

No signs of panic, a ruthless drive to survive, and a cold-blooded efficiency in killing.

‘He adapts even better than I do…’

Massacre briefly reflected on his own debut as a player.

Main Quest 1: Survival.

He had regained consciousness in a horrific chimera laboratory, just one subject among many. Though momentarily shaken, he adapted quickly, murdering the lead scientist and the guards to make his getaway.

Despite that performance, he only earned 163 points.

He still found it hard to comprehend how Randolph had managed a score of 220.

Regardless, a monster of that caliber would inevitably be drawn to the Tower of the War God.

‘I’ll be waiting for him there.’

With a clear objective, Massacre’s lips curled into a smirk.

Phantom would die by his blade. No one else was worthy of that kill.

—

“Captain. I’ve reviewed every CCTV feed in the area, but there isn’t a single trace of him.”

A member of the union, who had been investigating the steakhouse in Cheongdam-dong, let out a frustrated sigh.

The man addressed as Captain merely shook his head.

“It’s as if a ghost played us. Even the patrons who were inside at the time claim they didn’t see a thing.”

They had scrutinized every camera within a one-kilometer radius. Interviews with the witnesses produced zero descriptions of the man who had neutralized ‘Chid Mamba.’

It wasn’t Phantom or an administrator, but someone who had systematically dismantled a raid boss with artistic precision. That level of talent alone made him a priority for union recruitment.

But there were no clues.

It was as if he had simply dissolved into the air.

“Should we attempt to speak with Jeong Jinwoo again?”

“Forget it. He’s completely lost his grip on reality.”

Jeong Jinwoo remained in a hospital bed, his mind shattered by the trauma of losing both his arms. It was a dead end.

The younger operative turned back to the Captain.

“What about Kim Hana? She definitely seemed to have some insight.”

“At the Storm CK broadcasting station?”

“Not inside the building, but… maybe we stake out the entrance?”

“Don’t go poking that hornet’s nest. It’ll only lead to a massive headache.”

“…? Is Kim Hana backed by someone powerful?”

“Are you aware that Gracia is currently visiting Korea?”

“Of course. The local player community is in a frenzy about it.”

“He’s agreed to a one-on-one interview specifically with her.”

“What? Why? Did he fall for her at first sight?”

“I don’t have the answers, kid. Just stay away from her.”

Gracia.

The undisputed apex of the player world.

A genuine hero held in global high esteem.

His sudden arrival in Korea during a time of worldwide turmoil caused by invasions and erosions was a massive event. Most countries were struggling to survive, yet here he was.

He had come despite the frantic requests of the U.S. government to stay.

‘There’s something very complicated going on.’

Kim Hana was off-limits.

Despite their curiosity, with Gracia in the picture, it was best to keep their distance.

If they irritated him, the entire union could be wiped out.

The Captain was the 4th ranked member of the union. He was level 10, standing just one ‘star’ away from transcendence. Even he doubted he could last three seconds against Gracia.

A Sword Star, someone who had transcended with a star.

No one even knew how many stars he possessed.

Rumors even suggested he could hold his own against a five-star transcendent like Wilhelm.

“But in a fight between Gracia and Wilhelm, who would actually win?”

“Wilhelm is gone. It’s a pointless debate.”

“I’m still curious, though. They’re both members of the ‘Eight Heroes’ after all.”

That was a compelling thought.

Wilhelm. The character Phantom had cultivated for the longest time.

He had been fed five stars and kitted out in one-of-a-kind gear—the peerless legend of Pangeniar. A mythic figure.

And Gracia?

He was busy writing his own legends as a player every single day.

His growth seemed infinite, almost like he was using exploits or cheats.

Nobody truly knew the ceiling of his power because no enemy had ever forced him to go all out.

‘There’s a rumor he acquired another star recently.’

If that was true, his power had surged again.

By how much?

‘For the moment, Wilhelm is still the stronger of the two.’

The Captain made a cold, objective assessment.

Wilhelm was an anomaly.

The Captain had actually witnessed him in action.

He had been part of the expedition into the demon world.

He remembered that overwhelming martial dominance as Wilhelm tore through demon hordes.

He looked like the god of war made flesh.

The memory still sent shivers down his spine.

Even Gracia had avoided a direct confrontation with Wilhelm.

But Wilhelm was dead.

Gracia was alive, and he was still evolving.

‘Why is Gracia even considered one of the Eight Heroes? He didn’t even participate in the expedition…’

—

Upon entering the Spirit Tower, Isabella and Hudson faded from view.

I was on my own from this point forward.

Entrants were directed to spirit doors that resonated with their deepest inner desires.

The Spirit Tower responded only to those who were truly desperate. If Hudson’s yearning was genuine, he would find what he sought during the climb.

The same applied to Isabella.

At the entrance stood a colossal stone portal featuring a protruding face.

This was the door spirit and the tower’s administrator. It evaluated those who entered and opened the door that best suited them.

-Remarkable. You possess an affinity for every attribute.

Its stony lips moved, expressing shock as it scanned my capabilities. Having all affinities was a talent in itself.

It was trying to determine which specific affinity was the strongest so it could open the corresponding path.

A water affinity would lead to the water spirit door. Fire to the fire door.

But having all of them presented a puzzle.

-You hold opposing attributes as well. A Void affinity…? And yet, there are too many variables for it to be just Void.

The door spirit fell into deep thought.

Under normal circumstances, a living being cannot harbor polar opposites.

Like fire and water existing together.

The only exception was a holder of the Void, which allowed for such contradictions.

But even with Void, my composition was too complex.

I had every affinity.

Even the ‘Void Door’ wasn’t a perfect match.

-When all elements mix, they become chaos. But the Chaos Door has never been opened…

The door spirit’s expression soured.

The Chaos Door: a path that had remained sealed since the tower was first built.

“Then open it.”

I was another enigma to this place.

There was no turning back.

Once I made my decision known, the spirit stopped its internal debate.

-…You are a bold druid. Very well, I shall open it. You meet the criteria.

*Creaaaaak!*

The stone door spirit split open.

-Watch yourself. Chaos consumes all; there is no path back once you are lost.

I ignored the dire warning and walked through the opening with a steady stride.

—

The Tower of Chaos.

A place where curses twisted the mind.

It was a realm of absolute, pitch-black emptiness.

《’Iron-Blooded Lord’s Heart’ provides a mental fortification.》

《’Giant’s Magic Resistance’ renders the curses ineffective.》

《’Mutation’ allows you to perceive the truth within the chaos.》

I could see it clearly.

The concealed trail winding through the Tower of Chaos.

The door spirit was unaware that I possessed 13 hidden traits.

Because of those traits, even this chaotic void was something I could navigate.

-The chaos has no effect?

-What manner of creature is this human? A druid?

-Form a contract with me!

Immediately, spirits of chaos began to swarm around me.

I paid them no mind.

As I ascended to higher floors, the chaos spirits grew in size and intensity.

-You arrogant brat. You think you can climb this place?

-I will drown you in the void.

They were significantly more hostile than the ones on the lower levels.

One of them expanded to a gargantuan size, bringing a heavy blow down toward me.

It was an illusion—a mental strike designed to crush the weak-willed. It was a battle of pure psychology.

*Whoosh!*

I met the strike without flinching, and the spirit dissolved into a cloud of smoke.

-Are you chasing the shadows of your former glory? Do you think it’s possible?

On the next level, I saw him: Wilhelm.

*Shing.*

I unsheathed Michella’s Sword.

I stood my ground against the chaos spirit wearing Wilhelm’s face.

*Clang! Sching! Tsss!*

It was like fighting a mirror. It mirrored my slashes, my thrusts, and my parries perfectly.

But I didn’t back down. Was this the real Wilhelm? No, that would mean instant death. This was a reflection of ‘me’ wearing Wilhelm’s appearance. It possessed my own power, my own techniques, and my own habits.

How many hours had passed? Days?

The passage of time became a blur.

Two days, three days, ten days.

Perhaps even longer.

-You disgusting wretch!

*Whoosh!*

Another spirit of chaos evaporated into nothingness.

I was breathing heavily as I continued the ascent.

-Your reach is impressive. We are satisfied with your worthiness.

-A contract.

-You are qualified.

The chaos spirits here were massive.

There were no more stairs to climb.

Was this the final floor?

“Not a single one of you interests me.”

These spirits were the most powerful I had encountered so far.

But they didn’t appeal to me.

Why would I settle for these beggars after such a grueling climb? It would be beneath me.

-Contract with me, and you will receive an effect equivalent to a star.

-Contract with me, and I will reveal the locations of ‘unique’ equipment throughout the world.

-Do you want power? I will grant you the ultimate chaos skill.

They were desperate to win me over.

The offers were enticing.

The promise of a unique item and a top-tier chaos skill was a heavy temptation.

But who could trust the word of chaos? They were deceivers who took the forms of giants or my own self while whispering lies. Any contract they offered was likely a trap.

Contracts required extreme caution.

Furthermore, I couldn’t bind myself to more than one.

-Where are you going?

-There is nothing left for you below.

-What a brainless choice.

-You will crawl back to us eventually.

Ignoring the frantic pleas of the chaos, I began my descent.

With every floor I moved down, the trials became more agonizing.

The tower was screaming at me to turn back.

But I refused.

The cycle of endless combat and trials began anew.

—

I fought two versions of ‘myself.’

Lower down, I faced four.

Then eight, then sixteen.

While my body didn’t feel the fatigue, the sheer weight of time was eroding my sanity.

The Iron-Blooded Lord’s Heart had its limits. Even superhuman willpower can be worn down by the grinding gears of time.

I felt the urge to just sign a contract with any of them to make it stop.

But I stayed firm.

I would not be forced into a bond.

The choice had to be entirely mine. If I gave in to the pressure now, I would be a servant for the rest of my life.

Time continued to slip away.

10 days.

20 days.

30 days…

I lost track of the count as I waged war against the chaos.

-You are absolutely sickening!

-Get out! Just leave!

The spirits of chaos finally broke.

They pulled back and revealed an exit.

Most people would have sprinted toward that light in a state of euphoria.

Not me.

These were the moments that required the most vigilance.

*Stab—!*

Sure enough, a spike of chaos lunged at me from behind.

‘Predictable bastards.’

They were treacherous to the very end.

I sliced through the shadow-chaos and saw a faint glow.

A spirit.

A light spirit?

That was a top-tier rarity.

What would something like that be doing in the depths of chaos?

‘It isn’t a light spirit.’

Something about it felt fundamentally different.

I pushed the surrounding chaos aside and moved toward the light, ignoring the designated exit.

-That isn’t the way out.

-Are you coming back?

-You moron. You’ll fight until you drop dead!

The chaos spirits swarmed to block my path with newfound desperation.

Their tone had shifted from mockery to genuine panic.

That only made me want it more.

The original exit was shrinking.

If I missed this window, I might be trapped forever.

But the light was calling to me.

It was distinct, untainted by the chaos.

-Stop! Don’t go any further!

-If you go past that point, there is no coming back.

-Do you truly wish for eternal chaos?

The air was thick with their frantic chatter.

I cleaved through the remaining chaos and pushed forward.

I reached out and touched the light.

《You have reached the true summit of the tower!》

《Main Quest 3 has been completed.》

《Calculating rewards.》

…This was the actual peak.

The method was to climb, then descend, while ignoring the false paths laid by chaos. My instincts had been right.

《Several Baekseong Constellations are showing intense interest.》

《The ‘Spirit Tower Owners’ are now observing you.》

In an instant, I felt the weight of countless gazes.

The arrogant constellations and the masters of the tower were all looking at me.

The Spirit Tower Owners were most likely the Spirit Kings themselves.

Was it because I reached the chaos summit?

No, that wasn’t the only reason.

There was something even bigger. I had already suspected it.

This entity, glowing right in front of me.

《You have discovered the ‘Heavenly Spirit.’》