In the deepest part of the Ruins of the Serpent, there lies a boss monster.Its lower body is that of a snake, while its upper body resembles a twisted human form—This grotesque creature is known as the "Fallen Venom King."
Once the leader of a prosperous martial sect, he was seduced by a misguided temptation, and now he has fallen into a pitiful monstrosity.In the end, he was reduced to nothing more than a plaything for the Archfiends.
And now, that being is—
[Shya-ma-ma-ma-mak!]
Solmaji was being overwhelmed by the creature's attacks.
The boss chamber where the Venom King resides is a highly toxic zone, comparable to Route 10.The ceiling, the walls, the floor—every surface is drenched in poison.It's a place where an average player would barely be able to survive.
[You can't take on the Venom King like that.][He doesn't even seem to care about the poison. Is he not afraid at all?][It looks like he's stacked a lot of poison resistance, but still...]
There, Han Yuseong was charging at the Venom King, closing the distance and unleashing relentless attacks—as if the poison didn't bother him at all.
But it wasn't that his body wasn't accumulating poison.
[You know this, right? The Venom King has a skill that partially ignores poison resistance. No matter how much resistance you prepare, you can't block it completely.][Of course. Especially in this kind of team-based dungeon, there's always a limit to how much poison resistance a player can stack...]
Han Yuseong possessed multiple items that grant poison resistance.He had even consumed the "Inner Pill of Single Poison", enhancing his resistance even further.
Yet, even with all that, it was impossible to block the poison entirely.
No matter what you do, the poison will inevitably accumulate.If that's the case—
[I can't believe a player would choose that strategy.][Should we call it bravery, or just recklessness?][What's even more absurd is—]
If you kill the Venom King before the poison fully spreads, that's all it takes.
That was Han Yuseong's judgment—and the onlookers knew exactly what he was thinking.It was a decision so bold, it bordered on insanity.Unless he had absolute confidence in his own abilities.
[Can you believe that this strategy is actually working?][It is. And what's more, it's all through his individual strength.]
The astonishing part was that his strategy was actually working.
The Venom King filled the area with a poisonous mist and launched venom-coated daggers at Han Yuseong.But Han Yuseong's response was simple:
Fwhaaamamamak!
[This lunatic... is he out of his mind?!]
He swept away the daggers with Bloodstorm Flow, ignored the poisonous mist, and pushed forward.Treading his unique footwork, he cut straight through the toxic fog and instantly closed the gap to the Venom King.
From his fingertips, a fierce martial technique exploded—striking the Venom King head-on.The monster's flesh was torn apart, and a piercing shriek echoed as its sinews split.
[The Venom King can't even respond properly.][Of course not. Maybe back when he was still human, sure—but after turning into that thing, his martial skills weakened. Poison became his main weapon.][Even so, his physical capabilities shouldn't have diminished that much…]
After transforming into a monster, the Venom King gained the ability to generate powerful poisons—But in exchange, he lost the ability to use more than half of the martial arts techniques he had honed throughout his life.His body had changed.His lower half had become that of a serpent, altering his physical structure, and the martial techniques he had used as a human were no longer viable.
The only skills he could still make use of were poison arts and stealth techniques.But the Venom King didn't care.
[Kahahamamamak!]
Now that he was a monster, poison alone was enough to kill anyone.What did it matter if he had lost his martial arts?That was what he believed—Until this incomprehensible situation began to unfold.
The lords watching the one-sided battle clicked their tongues.
[Anyone bet their coins on that human?][Of course not. Who would wager on someone they don't even know?][I bet on that Japanese player. What a shame.]
None of the lords had wagered their coins on Han Yuseong.Those who had placed heavy bets were naturally frustrated.But those who had bet modestly to test the waters were reacting differently—
They were now paying close attention to the player before them.
[He's hiding his face with a mask. But—wait, is this even possible?][Even when I try to see under the mask, the face won't reveal itself. For even us to be unable to perceive it, it must be under strong perception interference.][Impossible... Unless—if that is possible, then...]
The lords began to consider one possibility—There was only one item that could make this possible.
[A Mythic-grade item...?!][Wait, isn't this an event for Bronze or Silver-tier players? Are you telling me a player of that tier has a Mythic-grade item?][Impossible. And yet, it's unfolding right before our eyes.]
If even the vision of a lord is being obstructed, then it can only be a Mythic-grade item or higher.And such an individual—has remained unknown until now?
The lords exchanged confused and suspicious glances. One of them sank into deep thought.
[Hmph... Wait a moment. That martial art…]
One lord felt a powerful sense of déjà vu.That martial art—the Bloodstorm that raged around the player—it felt familiar.For someone like him, who rarely paid attention to humans, to feel this way meant it had made a lasting impression.Where had he seen it?
[…The Martial Arts Exhibition Tournament.][You mean that event that got wiped out unexpectedly? What about it?][Yes, the Bronze-tier Exhibition. I saw that martial art there.][You saw it there?]
A nearby lord asked in confusion.But that detail didn't matter.The reason he remembered the martial art so vividly was because he had seen it in that very tournament.
There had been one player who achieved a complete sweep victory in the Exhibition.The lords who had witnessed it had all tried to figure out who the player was and recruit them—But in the end, they failed to identify the individual.
[Ha! I thought he was a figure from the Murim (martial world)... but I was wrong?]
This lord had been one of them.He had seen Han Yuseong dominate the Exhibition with flawless martial prowess, and—mistakenly believing he was from the Murim—searched all over the martial world of another realm trying to track him down.
Even after searching endlessly, he had eventually given up.
[It makes sense now. Really, it all makes sense. If he's the same one who rampaged through the Bronze-tier Exhibition like that, then of course he'd be making a scene here too.][What are you muttering to yourself about over there?]
The lord chuckled to himself, muttering under his breath.The other lords glanced over at him like he was strange, but he didn't care.The situation was far too interesting.He hadn't wagered many coins anyway—so he had nothing to lose.
[You don't get it yet? Then just keep watching.][Keep watching? Watching what?]
The lord said nothing and simply pointed at the screen.
A little distance from where Han Yuseong was fighting—Someone else was pushing forward, cutting down every player that stood in their path.
It was Mametsato Oju.
[Now then… things are about to get very interesting…]
With eyes full of anticipation, the lord kept his gaze locked on the screen.He didn't even blink, eagerly awaiting what was about to unfold.
[Shaaah… Kihahahamamack!]
Flesh was torn, bones were broken.The Venom King screamed in agony, unleashing a brutal, toxic miasma.But the human in front of him did not retreat.On the contrary—he charged in even harder.
"How… How is this possible?!"
This was a situation the Venom King had never experienced before.A human—not afraid of his poison?Han Yuseong was pushing forward, repelling the miasma with sheer force, having consumed multiple Inner Pills of Poison Immunity.That sight stirred fear in the Venom King's heart.
"To be using that many Inner Pills of Poison Immunity…!"
Those pills, when taken in excess, carry severe side effects.There's no way Han Yuseong didn't know that.And yet, he was consuming them recklessly—which could only mean one thing:He intends to kill the Venom King before the side effects can even set in.
[Urgh... Krehuuuugh!]
This was getting dangerous.
The Venom King glanced at the wounds accumulating across his body and realized the truth.The human before him wasn't unscathed.Even with the pills suppressing the poison, there was a limit—The poison was still accumulating inside him.
Eventually, the side effects of the pills would erupt, and the poison would kill him.
The problem was:
"At this rate… I'll die before that happens."
The Venom King was certain.If he were still the man he once was—able to wield the full extent of his martial prowess—this might have gone differently.But now, as a monster, as one who had abandoned humanity in pursuit of stronger poison,To face an opponent who did not fear poison—He could only see him as a deadly and difficult enemy.
"I need to buy time. Somehow…!"
Even so—time was on the Venom King's side.If he could just stall long enough, the situation could still turn in his favor.He had to use every means available to him.
[Come forth! Protect me, my disciples!]
He just needed to hold out!That was the Venom King's judgment: summon his subordinates, buy some time, and heal his broken body.It was a perfectly reasonable and logical choice.
If only… his opponent hadn't been Han Yuseong.
[Shriiiik…!][Kyahahahahaha!]
From somewhere in the void, venomous disciples were summoned, taking position in front of the Venom King to guard him.But Han Yuseong, as if he had been waiting for this moment, reached into his dimensional backpack and pulled out a staff.
It was called
And from that staff—
KWAARRRRRRR!!!
Shadows erupted, and the boundary of the Abyss opened wide.In an instant, the surroundings were swallowed in darkness.Han Yuseong's body vanished into the shadows as though melting into them,And the venomous disciples began to die off one by one.
Falling silently into the shadows, their lives were extinguished.
The Venom King watched the scene—and was horrified.
PUUUUK!
[Kahahamamack!!]
A spear of the abyss pierced through the Venom King's torso.At the same time, shadows surged upward—Half of them twisted into chains, binding the monster in place,While the other half transformed into weapons, impaling his body.
KWAAMANG!The Venom King was slammed into the shadow-drenched ground.
[This... can't be... I am the Venom King… I wield poison stronger than anyone…!]
The Venom King desperately lifted his head.His eyes, filled with fury, obsession, and horror, locked onto Han Yuseong.Han Yuseong had approached, now standing right before him, his fist raised—
And in that moment, the Venom King realized something strange.
[You… you're not even looking at me?]
Han Yuseong wasn't looking at the Venom King.His attention was focused elsewhere.Not on the room they were in, but beyond—as if he sensed something waiting outside.
As if… killing the Venom King meant nothing to him.
[You're looking at something… that's not me…?!]
That realization filled the Venom King with humiliating despair.The crushing sense that he had become nothing more than a disposable mob—He roared in rage and tried to stand—
But Han Yuseong's fist struck first.
A storm of blood surged outward, tearing the Venom King's limbs to shreds.
[K-HAAA-MA-MAAAAACK!!]
Then, Han Yuseong calmly muttered:
"Stay still. I've still got one guest left to greet."
[G-Guest...? What the hell… are you talking about…!]
A presence was approaching.Several presences—players.And among them, one exuded an aura that was especially strong and fiercely violent.There was no need to ask who it belonged to.
KWAAMAMAMANG!
The heavy door burst open with a thunderous crash.From beyond it stepped players, their bodies battered and broken.Judging by their equipment, they were likely rogue-class.
They glanced around the room and let out a sigh of relief.A breath born of liberation, believing it was all finally over.
Slice—!
"K-Kyok…!""W-Why…?!"
A blade's aura swept in from behind—And cut them down.
Their bodies shattered into light.And from beyond the glowing fragments stepped a man, his sword drenched in blood, practically sticking to his hand.
His hair, matted and dripping with blood, was brushed back as he looked up—
"Answer me."
Mametsato Oju.His eyes, chilling and unflinching, locked onto Han Yuseong.
But Han Yuseong could see something clearly:
"Who the hell are you?"
In those cold eyes—Was a murderous intent so intense, it was almost madness.
An ordinary player would have frozen the moment they met that gaze.But such murderous intent was something Han Yuseong was all too familiar with.
"You're later than I expected.""...What?"
Oju frowned.That tone—as if Han Yuseong had been waiting for him.Han Yuseong smirked at him, clenching the fist that had been aimed at the Venom King's head.
And then—
"I've been waiting long enough. Don't waste my time."
CRACK!
That was the end.
The Venom King died—Carrying nothing but rage and humiliation at being ignored.And truly, he had been ignored.Han Yuseong could've killed him at any time.But he deliberately waited—for Oju to arrive.
And the reason for that was simple.
"...I'll ask one last time. Who the hell are you?"
It was to provokeMametsato Oju.
That man had come here for one purpose: to clear the event and restore his public image back home.No one believed Oju could possibly fail.Not even Makiros, the one who had contracted him.
Had there been even a chance of failure, Makiros wouldn't have bothered watching the event unfold.
"You're really asking who I am… even after seeing the mask?"
"Not planning to answer? Fine then…"
But Oju had already failed—and that failure was now irreversible.His face twisted, monstrous and grotesque—like a murderous demon.
"I'll cut off your limbs one by one… and force the answer out of you."
Fwaaaash!
He unleashed a wave of sword aura as he charged forward.Three razor-sharp slashes, sharp enough to cut through steel, surged toward Han Yuseong.
Han Yuseong responded instantly, spreading Distortion and stepping into his footwork stance.
KWAAMAMANG!
Shadows erupted from the ground.They morphed into a barrier, rising in front of the oncoming sword strikes.Naturally, the shadow wall wasn't strong enough to fully block the deadly aura—But it was enough to disrupt the trajectory.
And that was all Han Yuseong needed.
He threw himself into the gaps between the distorted slashes.
"Is he insane?""No… that movement…"
Han Yuseong, like a raging wind, slipped through the sword strikes.With the bare minimum of movement, he weaved through the deadly range—A feat impossible unless he had perfectly read the attack patterns.
In a blink, Han Yuseong was right in front of Oju's face.
With a sound like the air being torn apart, his fist shot forward.
FWHAMAMAMAK!
A raging storm of blood—
The storming fist shot forward, aiming straight for Oju's face.Oju twisted his body and swung his sword in a curved arc.
The blade traced an almost miraculous trajectory, deflecting the incoming punch.
"Hup!"
Oju used the momentum of Han Yuseong's punch to spin his body,And then swung his sword wide, blade now crackling with aura.
The edge drew a beautiful, crescent-like arc through the air—Targeting Han Yuseong's waist.
This move—deflecting and countering in a single flow—was smooth as running water.It was quick, natural, and devastating.
"He'll pay the price for his arrogance."
Oju was certain.There was no way his opponent could deal with this strike.Han Yuseong wasn't even reacting.
With this, he would slice through his waist, and then go on to tear off his limbs.He would rip off that mask,Take whatever rewards he had claimed—And then…
"Return to Earth… with that bastard's corpse…"
But then—Oju experienced something bizarre.
Suddenly, as if the earth had quaked, his vision violently shook—Then collapsed downward, like the floor had caved in beneath him.
"What… is this…?"
Han Yuseong's face—just moments ago inches away—was now far above him,As if the man had grown taller, looming gigantically in the air.
Had he used some skill to enlarge himself?
No.That wasn't possible.There was no such skill.
While Oju scrambled to make sense of what was happening—He felt an overwhelming agony—
"U-Urgh…?"
Only then did he realize—He was kneeling on the ground.And something unknown had smashed into his face,While razor-sharp strikes had raked across his entire body.
There was no need to wonder what it had been.
"When… when did it…"
Oju looked up.
Blood was dripping from Han Yuseong's fist.
That fist.Somehow—without him noticing—it had slipped through, deflected Oju's blade,and struck him full in the face,knocking him to his knees.
Oju—who prided himself on elite reflexes.Didn't even have time to react.
"Was I… wrong about him…?"
In the silence that followed,Han Yuseong calmly shook the blood off his fist, and muttered in a quiet voice:
"You're easier than I expected."
Words so blunt and dismissive,Oju's eyes widened in disbelief, rage boiling behind them.