“Nothing has really changed. Except for people’s reactions.”
Back when I first arrived at this base, unaware that such a place even existed, I narrowly escaped death.
It was in the dead of night, after seeing many others beside me being eaten alive by monsters.
The emotions that ruled the base at that time were something beyond fear and terror.
No one could speak; everyone was in a daze, holed up in the base, listening to the cries of monsters and the screams of people.
All we could do was take the time to grasp what was happening to us and where we were.
It took three whole days before the bravest among us volunteered to explore outside the base.
“When they told us to learn the basics because we could be dragged into the tower at any time, I thought, ‘Surely, that won’t really happen.'”
But now, things were different.
Even on their first day in the tower, these people had already armed themselves with weapons from the base’s armory and were preparing to head out.
“But… since it has already happened, what else can we do? We have to try our best.”
Han Sunghoon muttered in disbelief, standing in front of the armory with a deep sigh.
Everyone except for us was already rummaging through the armory for weapons.
The mission was survival, but it was clear that those who dared to be braver could gain more.
“You know, right? While you can pass the tutorial just by surviving, there are hidden achievements. Completing them grants better rewards.”
“I think I’ve heard something like that before. I’m not sure about the details.”
I didn’t lie to him.
I had indeed heard about it but hadn’t paid much attention, thinking it wasn’t relevant to me.
What mattered to me wasn’t those minor achievements but the still-hidden secret dungeon.
Even if you manage to achieve those small feats, they only slightly raise your stats—things you can earn as you ascend the tower.
But the secret dungeon’s rewards were different.
They were unique powers obtainable only here and far more advantageous when acquired early.
“I’ll move out at dawn.”
As soon as the sun rose, I planned to head to that place.
What Han Sunghoon and the others did wasn’t my concern.
They were people who knew enough to survive on their own.
“Wait, is that the last spear?”
Just then, we heard raised voices ahead of us.
“Ah… Does this mean I can’t use a spear anymore?”
Han Sunghoon sighed as he watched two people argue over a single spear.
Among the weapons in the base’s armory, spears were known to be the easiest to handle.
For those without proper training, a spear, which could simply be thrust or swung while maintaining a long reach, was the most effective choice.
Learning advanced weapon techniques came after climbing the tower, increasing stats, and finding mentors.
Because lives were on the line, tensions ran high, and even minor disputes could lead to clashes.
“It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped. We were late to arrive, and just being accepted here is a relief.”
Han Sunghoon shook his head, signaling it was hard to intervene.
In the end, the only weapon left for us was a difficult-to-handle single-edged sword.
「Eyes of Insight」
From behind him, I subtly activated my power.
Even the faint magic I possessed moved according to my will.
The others, who had just entered the tower, didn’t know how to use such powers yet.
But I already had a certain amount of magic within me, enabling me to wield it.
“I think you could use the sword.”
“Me? A sword?”
Scanning his body, I recommended the sword to him.
The Eyes of Insight is a black magic ability that allows one to see the hidden magic circuits within a person’s body.
While its primary use is to read an opponent’s magical power or for dissection during experiments, it can also reveal unopened or unnoticed circuits.
“I’ve never even held a kitchen knife properly before.”
“Well, it’s not like we have other options, and my intuition says you’ve got talent.”
The talent I saw in Han Sunghoon was most akin to that of a swordsman.
Though most of his circuits were still closed, the sheer number of them was significant.
With proper refinement, he could become a skilled swordsman.
Though I cloaked my statement as intuition, he gave a wry smile and eventually picked up the last remaining weapon—a sword.
“What about you, Jia?”
“There are more people than weapons. It’s only natural we’re short.”
As for me, I was left with nothing.
Not that it mattered; there were no staffs or tools to assist magic use in the first place.
But this situation presented an opportunity.
I could now split off from Han Sunghoon tomorrow and operate solo in secret.
After all, no one here struggling to survive would bother caring for a fragile, weaponless burden.
“Hey, miss, how about joining us tomorrow?”
“?!”
But my expectation was shattered once again.
“Why are you asking?”
Even Han Sunghoon looked puzzled and kept silent as the unexpected group approached us.
“As you know, if you don’t meet the bare minimum requirements on the first floor, you’ll be treated poorly as you move up.
Even in the tower, we should be treated like people, right?”
Park Dongsik, flanked by four burly men, proposed with a gentle smile.
“The more we stick together, the easier it is to act. Of course, if the group gets too large, rewards get divided, which isn’t ideal. But the standard is 4–5 people. Anything over six is inefficient.”
“W-We already planned to move with others,” Han Sunghoon interjected.
“With who? I’ve already checked, and everyone else has their groups. Why not team up with those folks over there? They’re a group of four, so adding you two would make a perfect five. I’ll even smooth things over for you.”
Whenever Han Sunghoon tried to protest, Park Dongsik dismantled his objections with ease.
“Think carefully. This is reality. Lives are on the line. You two just met today, right? You’re not even close. Is there really any reason to risk your lives for each other?”
His logic was flawless.
On the surface, it seemed like everyone could benefit without anyone being excluded.
“Are you really going to do this…?”
Knowing this, Han Sunghoon hesitated and turned to me, seeking my opinion.
Seeing his face, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Honestly, I still found this situation strange—the idea that someone earnestly wanted me by their side.
Whether the reasons were good or bad, pure or calculated, it was a stark contrast to the reactions I had grown used to—people avoiding me altogether.
‘Well, I can’t deny this body is beautiful.’
The form I now inhabited, Seo Jia, was undeniably stunning.
I couldn’t fathom why someone with such looks didn’t use her face for personal gain but instead lived an ordinary office life.
“Fine. It’s a good opportunity, so I’ll gladly accept.”
“Ha! Now that’s what I’m talking about! You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, miss. This is why social skills are so important…”
As I accepted the proposal, Park Dongsik grinned widely and laughed heartily.
Watching him, I too smiled faintly.
Unlike before, when I pushed everyone away, now I have the power to draw others in.
It feels different, but it’s a power worth using—a valuable one.
Perhaps this is the key to my future plans.
“Junseok, is one of the requirements to personally kill at least one of those monsters with this weapon?”
“Yes, boss. That’s one of the must-dos.”
In the early hours just before dawn, the camp began stirring.
It was time to hunt the monsters as they retreated to rest after a night of roaming.
“I don’t know much about bravery or whatever, but they say killing a monster with your own hands boosts random stats.”
“Let’s get moving.”
The group Park Dongsik had gathered prepared the same way.
Somehow, he had sweet-talked them into calling him “boss” as well.
Armed with spears, they stepped outside the camp.
I followed suit.
“Be careful; the path is rough.”
“…Yes.”
I felt his hand sneakily wrap around my waist as he stood close to me.
I thought he’d wait at least a day or two before trying something, but apparently, he was bolder than expected.
“By the way, what if we encounter the Alpha?”
“That’s unlikely… There’s only one of them here, and it’s especially rare to see it at this hour.”
About an hour into our search through the dim forest, one of them mentioned the Alpha.
The Alpha is the leader of the monsters here—several times stronger and more ferocious than the others.
While it’s not something you’re likely to encounter, as someone else pointed out, if a group of rookies ran into it, they might as well consider themselves dead on the spot.
“Don’t tempt fate by saying unnecessary things.”
Park Dongsik scolded them, his hands growing more brazen as he misunderstood my silence.
“…What’s that sound?”
There was a reason I had endured and waited until we were deep in the forest.
A chilling screech echoed, a sound more like metal scraping than a beast’s cry.
“It’s here!”
Finally, something burst through the trees at high speed, snapping branches as it appeared before us.
The creature, as large as a bear standing upright, wore what looked like black leather as a hood and cape.
It was a bipedal undead monster—the Alpha, also known as a Patrolman.
“So big…”
Before he could finish his sentence, the Alpha’s scythe swung, slicing a man in front of us clean in half.
A spray of blood drenched the ground.
“What makes you all so confident? You’re nothing but scraps begging for survival, deluded by bits of a strategy you barely understand.”
“What the hell?!”
I pushed Park Dongsik’s hands off me and smirked.
The Alpha was clearly after me.
It had the ability to track magic, and my use of spells, including the Eyes of Insight, had undoubtedly made me stand out.
“N-No! I can’t die here… Please, spare m—!”
“I gave up on such beliefs long ago, but I used to never harm people. That said, those who attacked me first… I made sure they died thoroughly.”
As the Alpha, who had just sliced through Dongsik’s henchmen like butter, approached us, Dongsik collapsed to the ground, clutching at my legs in terror.
His rough hands touching my bare legs disgusted me, so I kicked his face away.
I calmly watched as the Alpha tore the skin off his face while he screamed.
Whether it was the ones who died first or Dongsik, it didn’t matter what kind of life they’d lived.
Here, death was sudden and meaningless.
“Enjoyed yourself? Then it’s your turn to leave.”
When the Alpha finally discarded Dongsik’s mutilated corpse and raised its scythe toward me, I lifted my hand.
Magic flowed through my body, and a spell erupted.