Episode 23: The Unidentified Adventurer
The chest landed with a heavy thud, suggesting considerable weight.
Another item unseen in the game.
‘The name and color suggest it’s tied to Lucifer…’
I touched the chest to check its details.
【Legacy of Apocalypse】
Description: A chest containing the Legacy of Apocalypse.
The description was vague, offering no clear hints.
Open it now? Or later?
The name felt ominous.
‘…Then again, my job and summons are already drenched in “Apocalypse.” What’s one more?’
《Would you like to open ‘Legacy of Apocalypse’?》
I chose YES.
The chest emitted a blinding light as it opened.
《Acquired ‘Treasure of Apocalypse’.》
Inside was a violet-black orb, looking like something from a shady fortune-teller’s shop.
Curious if closer inspection would reveal anything, I reached for it.
Swish—
‘Huh?’
The ‘Treasure of Apocalypse’ absorbed into my hand instantly.
Ding!
《By absorbing the power of ‘Treasure of Apocalypse’, a new unique skill for ‘Rebel of the Dawn Star’ has been unlocked.》
“Whoa!”
I yelped in surprise, glancing to see if my summons heard.
They were too busy arguing over who’s better to notice.
Relief mixed with excitement—my heart wouldn’t calm down.
A job-specific skill unlock? This was huge.
Unlocking the next skill usually required grueling conditions, but getting it as a dungeon reward? Pure luck!
I checked the new skill immediately.
【Remnants of the Dawn Star】
Description: Absorb the power of sin from entities hostile to the Seven Sins. Absorbed power unlocks new passive skills by stages.
Warning: Gaining excessive power may cause physical changes to the user.
A skill that grants passive skills as it grows?
This was…
‘Is this allowed?’
Insanely valuable.
Like top-tier summons needing low maintenance, passive skills—always active—were guaranteed to pull their weight.
‘I want to know what passives it gives…’
【Remnants of the Dawn Star】
Harvested Power of Sin: 0
Stage 1: Locked
Sadly, details on the passives were still locked.
The description was vague, but it sparked motivation.
Entities hostile to the Seven Sins? That’s practically every faction in Legend Seven!
‘…Not exactly something to brag about.’
Still, climbing the Tower would naturally grow this skill.
One line in the description nagged at me, though…
‘Physical changes? What does that mean?’
It bothered me, honestly.
But I wouldn’t stop climbing the Tower over one cryptic line.
You don’t avoid making kimchi just because of maggots.
‘Alright, enough about rewards.’
Next issue: Varg remembering Lucifer.
‘I thought Hertia and Caligo recognizing me was just a special reward’s effect…’
My awakening was unique, so I’d brushed it off casually.
But if a Tower boss, unrelated to special rewards, remembered Lucifer, it warranted deeper thought.
‘…Too few clues to dwell on now. Pass.’
Honestly, I don’t care much about the Tower’s secrets or their memories.
What matters is my survival, growth, success, and my family’s safety.
That’s been my goal from the start.
So, the real concern was…
‘The outside world must be in chaos by now.’
The world message announced the unidentified adventurer clearing Floor 50’s true boss.
Guilds and nations are probably hounding the Tower of Records.
Whether they caved to pressure or not, adventurers worldwide are likely being bombarded with, “Are you the unidentified adventurer?”
‘And I’ll seize this chance.’
My value’s skyrocketing right now.
Sure, my outrageous feats will draw suspicion.
They were achieved with villains, who’d get me executed if exposed.
‘But what if I reveal a strategy doable with normal summons?’
It won’t fully clear suspicion, but it’ll add plausibility.
‘Oh, he’s a former ranker. He knows strategies we don’t, so he got those insane results.’
‘Not for nothing did I record clears from Floors 1 to 10.’
I’m about to become a poisoned apple—suspicious but too tempting to resist.
And the best negotiation partner?
‘The South Korean government. They’re desperate for someone like me and perfect for requesting identity protection.’
With the Tower of Records, administrative power, and CCTV surveillance, they excel at managing adventurer data.
They need a ‘force’ like me; I need a ‘safe haven’ to act freely.
Our interests align, so it should yield good results.
Of course, I won’t just roll over.
“Ugh!”
How long’s it been since the clear?
The grim environment makes rest feel unrestful.
Checking the time, it’s been a while. Time to head out.
I’ve given the media, agencies, and government enough time to scramble—considerate, right?
‘But just walking out saying, “I’m the unidentified adventurer!” lacks credibility.’
I can’t exactly show off my villains either.
While pondering, an idea hit.
【Varg’s Spider-Eye Mirror】
Description: A mirror crafted from the spider eyes of Varg, lord of the Palace of Blood. Used as material for Mythic-grade equipment.
A material item from defeating Varg.
This should be proof enough. Any adventurer would recognize its authenticity upon appraisal.
‘Perfect.’
It’s negotiation time.
Stay sharp, Oh Hyun-woo!
《Descending to the Tower of Strife entrance.》
South Korean media was ablaze with stories of the Palace of Blood and the unidentified adventurer.
[The Palace of Blood Had a True Boss?!]
[World Rank 3, Schattenlegion Guild’s Mascot Tobias Schulz’s Bruised Ego.]
Meanwhile, online communities were flooded with speculation.
- Yo, heard the true boss was found by someone from China?
- For real?
- No way lolol.
- Stop pulling aggro with this nonsense.
- Just take the joke as a joke lol.
- But srsly, how’d they find the boss? Why didn’t we know til now?
- No clue, but one thing’s sure: current rankers’ pride is trashed lol.
- Could it be… Korea?
- No way lol. Legend Seven’s a dead game here lmao.
Amid the fervor, one thing burned hotter: Jeon Myeong-il’s phone, the Adventurer Association President.
Bzzt!
Bzzt!
“Phew, these reporters are out for blood today. The guilds are like hyenas too.”
“President?”
“I know. We need to take the lead in negotiations.”
President Jeon Myeong-il, Team Leader Lee Jung-yul, and Park Tae-kyun headed to the Tower of Strife, armed with the government’s best terms.
‘This negotiation has to succeed.’
The association president was an elected position.
With an election a year away, a high-impact event was crucial for re-election.
“Team Leader Lee.”
“Yes, President!”
“Security team’s on standby?”
“Yes, they’re ready for any situation.”
“Good. Let’s move!”
***
The Tower of Strife was a chaotic spectacle, unprecedented in scale.
Adventurer industry insiders, curious onlookers—it was practically a dungeon break.
Police struggled to control the crowd, pushed back by the sheer numbers.
Even Jeon Myeong-il, the Tower of Records president and a government official, was shoved to the sidelines by zealous reporters.
“…Quite the crowd. They haven’t left already, have they?”
“I doubt it, sir. The chances are low—ow!”
Thud!
Team Leader Lee Jung-yul fell on her rear, bumped by a burly reporter who didn’t look back.
“Tch… that hurts…”
“Need me to grab him?”
“N-No, I’m fine.”
She stood, brushing herself off, and gazed at the Tower’s exit.
Every time someone emerged, reporters swarmed.
“Are you the unidentified adventurer?!”
“What’s the condition for finding the true boss?!”
“Uh, w-what? Sorry, I don’t know what’s going on…”
“His face says he’s a nobody! Next!”
The same questions, repeated dozens of times.
Yet no one claimed to be the unidentified adventurer.
“So, what’s your take?”
“…They’ve hidden their identity thoroughly but chose to reveal themselves now, like they’re ready.”
“Meaning?”
“Maybe they’re gathering attention. It’s been two hours since the clear, so now…”
Then—
Step.
A distinct footstep cut through the crowd’s noise.
A man in a black hoodie and jeans, tall with sharp eyes.
Nothing extraordinary about his attire, yet all eyes turned to him.
Lee Jung-yul soon understood why.
Unlike other adventurers, startled by the crowd, he walked straight toward the reporters, unflinching.
A quick-witted journalist thrust a microphone forward.
“Are you the unidentified adventurer?”
The man answered calmly.
“Yes.”
Click! Click! Click! Click!
Camera flashes erupted like a waterfall.
Yet the man didn’t flinch.
“P-Proof! Can you prove it?!”
Without a word, he revealed ‘Varg’s Spider-Eye Mirror’.
The awakened in the crowd confirmed its authenticity instantly.
But for the reporters, this was just the beginning.
“How did you find the true boss?!”
“Are you a former Legend Seven Pictures employee?!”
“Are you using unknown exploits or dangerous summons?!”
The man smiled, as if expecting their probing questions.
He pulled out his phone, displaying the Tower of Records guide screen.
“I didn’t use cheats. But I also didn’t use existing strategies.”
Another barrage of shutters followed.
“I want to ask: who wrote these shoddy guides? Are they taking responsibility for the damage caused?”
Faces of major guild and agency reps hardened.
Then a question came.
“So you know new strategies? How much to buy them?”
The man grinned brightly, almost mockingly, as if to shatter their entrenched privileges.
“My strategies are free. I’ll share them on my SNS, along with the summon combinations used, for everyone to see.”
The crowd erupted.
“B-But they must require expensive summons, right?!”
“Hero-grade.”
“…What?”
“As far as I know, Legend Seven can be cleared from Floor 1 to 100 with Hero-grade summons or lower.”
‘Whoa—'
The revelation shattered common knowledge like a bomb.
The man continued.
“I’m sure many are upset by me. That’s all for the interview.”
He moved to leave, reporters hot on his heels.
Before chaos could erupt, black-suited security surrounded him.
In the gap, Jeon Myeong-il cautiously approached.
“Could you come with us for a moment?”
“Your name?”
“…Jeon Myeong-il, President of the Adventurer Association.”
“Ah, President. Pleased to meet you.”
The man responded warmly to the government official.
“…May I ask your name? No pressure—”
“Oh Hyun-woo.”
“Oh, Mr. Oh Hyun-woo.”
“I was looking forward to meeting you today, President. In many ways.”
“…I’ll ensure you’re not disappointed.”
That cryptic remark made Jeon Myeong-il sweat inwardly.
The two entered a car, quietly heading to the Tower of Records.