Stark advanced through the chamber, his boots crunching lightly on threads of silk that clung stubbornly to the stone.

The vast nest behind him was quiet now, littered with spider corpses.

At the very end of the cavern, bathed in a faint purple glow, sat his prize.

The chest, it pulsed faintly, the light breathing in and out.

The moment he laid eyes on it, Stark knew.

'Epic-rank.'

His lips curled faintly upward.

He walked closer, the glow spilling over his face.

He rested one hand against the chest, pouring mana into it.

The runes carved along its surface shimmered, clicking one after another.

Click!

The lock snapped open, and the chest's lid creaked slowly upward.

Ding!

[You have opened the "Epic Chest" and obtained the "Silk Bind" skill book.]

"…Oh shit." Stark blinked.

Another skill book. He reached inside and pulled it free.

The cover was bound with a silver spider emblem.

[Skill Book: Silk Bind (Epic). Mage-Type Skill Book Requirement: Level 28]

"Hm."

This was the third time he'd gotten a skill book from a zone chest.

First had been [Curse Flower]. Then [Lightning Strike].

Both had proven extremely useful. And now this.

'Can't use it yet.'

His current level was only 27.

But once he hit 28, it was his. And it looked good.

Stark already had damage. He already had defense.

What he lacked were ways to completely restrict his enemies.

This would solve that problem.

He slid the book carefully into his inventory.

Fwish!

As if responding to the chest's opening, a portal shimmered into existence beside him.

White light swirled like mist inside the frame.

Without hesitation, Stark stepped forward and passed through.

Fwish!

Light folded around him, and then he was outside again.

The [Spider Silk Nest] was still open, but it would take time for the boss to respawn.

"Good." Stark brushed dust from his sleeve.

Another zone cleared. Another reward in hand.

His level was climbing steadily. But he wasn't done. Not even close.

Level 27 was good progress. Still, he needed three more levels.

Only at 30 would he qualify to access the [Demonic Ruins], and with it, Olikar's quest.

He exhaled.

'Alright. Level up to 28 first, then return to [Shell City].'

There was another issue too. His inventory.

[Inventory: 147/152]

Almost full. He needed to sell soon. The problem was timing.

It had only been a few hours since the [First Calamity] ended.

Most players were still recovering, their lives drained.

Few would have enough to buy from him.

Still, Stark didn't want to lower his prices as he was already doing them a favor.

If buyers didn't appear, he'd have no choice but to sell to NPCs.

The lives NPCs offered for loot were pitiful compared to what players would pay.

But even worse than losing profit was the risk of his [Reputation].

Reputation between towns and NPCs could affect you, and if it reached the lowest level, you could even be banned from entering it.

Your reputation decreased if you commited crimes or repeatedly killed NPCs inside.

And on the other hand, it increased if you did good.

'My [Slayer] status shows faintly now,' Stark thought, eyes narrowing, 'But if it rises higher…'

Currently, at [Slayer I], NPCs didn't actually react.

After all, there was just a faint crimson outline when they stood close.

But at [Slayer II] or [Slayer III], things would change.

The crimson glow would deepen. NPCs would notice.

They'd recoil from him, fear him. Maybe even refuse service.

In this world, NPCs weren't mindless beings.

The higher your [Slayer] status, the more noticeable it would be after all.

And in the future, when players thinned out and NPCs became vital, reputation would matter.

Still, Stark didn't see how his slayer status could increase any more than it was.

Perhaps [Slayer II], but he hadn't even reached [Slayer III] in his past life, so he should be fine... right?

He pushed the thought aside. No sense worrying now.

Stark decided to check the leaderboard.

Ding!

---

[Level Leaderboard:]

[1. Oblivion: Level 27]

[2. Ghost: Level 25]

[3. SoulsGod: Level 25]

[4. Evil Demon: Level 25]

[5. Starfall: Level 25]

[6. CardMaster: Level 25]

[7. GodOfViolence: Level 25]

[8. DivineGoddess: Level 25]

[9. AwShucks: Level 25]

[10. AlphoxTheDragon: Level 25]

…

---

Thousands of names filled the list as many reached level 25.

But only one name stood at the top, ahead of them all: Oblivion.

Even Ghost and Evil Demon with their high speed and power couldn't match him right now.

And Stark wasn't about to let them close the gap.

Ring!

He shook the [Mount Belle] and his ghost wolf materialized beside him.

Stark swung onto its back in one motion.

"Let's head deeper," he said, patting its neck, "As close as we can get to the [Land of Mist] as that's where the strongest monsters are."

The wolf's body trembled faintly. Fear rolled off it. But it obeyed.

Whoosh!

It burst forward, sprinting across the ruined streets with supernatural speed.

Monsters rose from shadows, drawn by the sound.

Stark didn't even slow.

He fired spells off the back of the wolf, each one striking clean.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Notifications scrolled past.

Kills confirmed. But the experience was low.

[Experience Decay] hit hard against monsters close to his level.

Lives, though, those were always welcome.

Minutes passed. The wolf sprinted without pause.

Then, suddenly…

It slowed. Its claws dug into the ground, pace faltering.

'Here it comes.' Stark's eyes sharpened.

A wave of pressure rolled outward, unseen but undeniable.

The air itself felt heavier. Before them, the world shifted.

Mist curled across the cracked land.

Faint at first, almost nothing. But thicker with every step.

This was the threshold of the the [Land of Mist].

There was no barrier: the zone simply began.

No level restrictions stopped entry. Any player could walk in.

But that didn't mean they should. Inside, monsters were level 40+.

Stark's wolf stopped dead. Its ears flattened. Its body trembled.

The difference in the air was stark.

Just a few meters, but it felt like stepping from one world into another.

"Wolf," Stark leaned forward, patting its head, "It's fine. If anything comes close, I'll kill it."

The wolf shivered.

Then—

Ding!

[The Ghost Wolf's Loyalty for you has increased by 2%.]

[The Ghost Wolf's Loyalty has reached 90%. It feels safer and more brave when near you.]

Stark smirked.

"Nice."

The change was immediate. The wolf straightened, aura steadier.

Its fear dulled, loyalty carrying it forward.

Step by step, it moved into the mist.

"Don't go too far," Stark warned, tightening his grip, "If we cross the line, it's straight into the [Land of Mist]."

The wolf obeyed, advancing slowly.

The mist grew thicker. Vision blurred.

And eventually...

Ding!

[You are about to enter an extremely dangerous zone: "Land of Mist."]

[It is not recommended to enter until Level 40.]

"Stop."

The wolf froze instantly.

Stark exhaled. He wasn't reckless enough to charge in now.

Facing monsters far above his level would be suicide.

Still… curiosity tugged at him.

'Could I take one down?'

He pushed the thought aside, shaking his head.

"Alright. The stronger monsters are closer to here."

It would be more practical to farm on those to level up!

The wolf padded back, the mist thinning.

Stark adjusted his grip on the staff, eyes sharp.

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