Chapter 5

02. The Teacher's Grace is Like the Sky (1)

Inside the glass greenhouse, the party members stood in front of the floating clock, at a loss as to what to do, staring at the gate.

Tick, tick, their hearts beat in time with the second hand.

"What do we do? What do we do, sister?"

"That idiot...!"

She bit her lip hard at the system window that appeared before her eyes.

It seems today is just not my day.

Although the past few days have been a series of once-in-a-lifetime events, I didn't expect it to be like this even in the field.

A gate to the World Tower was shimmering right in front of us.

***

Unlike the chaotic start, we smoothly navigated the field.

Two melee damage dealers of different types, one tank, and one ranged damage dealer. They all performed their roles admirably. Thanks to them, the party was able to defeat the field boss in the greenhouse at the center of the field without any major crises.

Especially, Cha Taeyang's performance with his fire attribute skills was dazzling. It was hard to believe it was his first time.

Although he was a bit hasty, as expected of someone from the training facility, Jo Sung-hyun did his part, and Seo Young-won, despite showing signs of annoyance, diligently protected the party.

‘We didn’t even take two hours to clear it, so that’s all said and done.’

The problem was what came next.

While Seo Young-won and I were sorting out the items and loot dropped by the field boss, the Flower Bud Demon, a giant clock appeared in front of the children.

Before Cha Taeyang could stop him, Jo Sung-hyun reached out to the clock as if entranced.

"Jo Sung-hyun! Hey!"

"Mr. Kim, over here! Over here! It’s a big deal!"

Before I could turn around at Cha Taeyang and Goblin's calls, Jo Sung-hyun had already vanished.

A gate to the World Tower opened where he had disappeared.

"Yoon Gaho Hunter, this is...?"

"Yes, it is. Interference."

The official name, Cosmic Gate.

It refers to the phenomenon where a field and the World Tower are connected.

Though rare, with few cases and difficult to analyze, it just had to appear in front of us. Our luck was truly terrible.

"We need to request reinforcements quickly..."

Despite his experience in raid teams, Seo Young-won was at a loss in front of the gate, especially since it connected to the notorious 19th Layer.

"Even if we go, it will definitely be like this..."

If we are to enter, we need to hurry.

If my memory serves, the 19th floor is a wave-type layer where you have to survive by avoiding danger for a set period.

Among them, it's a place where difficult-to-handle Undead-type demons appear.

Even as an A-rank damage dealer, Jo Sung-hyun can't handle it alone.

‘Can we clear it with this number of people?’

I heard that even the raid team that cleared it had a hard time. It might be wise to wait for reinforcements.

Seo Young-won and Cha Taeyang waited for my decision as the party leader.

"The chances of Jo Sung-hyun cadet surviving alone there are very slim. We need to go."

"The difficulty temporarily increases after interference. Is it possible?"

"I've seen the interview of 'Hwalbin,' who cleared the 19th floor. There are a few safe zones. We can use them to hold out until reinforcements arrive."

However, we have to take the risk. Seo Young-won frowned at the added words.

With every passing moment, Jo Sung-hyun's chances of survival are decreasing. We need to hurry.

I placed my hand on Cha Taeyang's shoulder, who was looking at us with anxious eyes.

"It's your first time, and you must be scared. It's dangerous, so Hunter Cha Taeyang, wait here. The reinforcement team will arrive soon, so don't worry."

Cha Taeyang, who looked up at me with wide eyes, shook his head.

"No, I want to go too. You're going, right? Why do I have to stay behind? I can do it."

I was speechless.

Cha Taeyang, who swept the battlefield with blue flames wrapped around his fists. It was hard for me, who only provided cover from behind, to dissuade him.

Even Seo Young-won tried to persuade him, but Cha Taeyang was stubborn.

Cha Taeyang swung his gloved fist and declared.

"You said it's dangerous. I'll protect you. Let's go quickly!"

"...Alright. But you must not act alone. You must not rush into dangerous situations to protect me. Promise me that you will prioritize your own safety in any situation."

"Right! Taeyang, remember Mr. Kim's words! No dangerous actions. Promise!"

"I promise."

"Alright, let's go."

I didn't want to bring a child, but honestly, I was relieved that he was willing to come. After all, even a little help is better than none.

‘The real problem is not Cha Taeyang but me.’

I ended up being the leader, but in reality, I am the least helpful here. It would be a relief if I don’t hold anyone back.

I gathered my thoughts, shaking off my pessimistic thoughts.

There's no time for this. I gripped the bow in my left hand and headed towards the gate.

- Current Entry Members: 4

※ The difficulty increases due to the connection with the field 'Magician's Garden (C).'

[Main Quest, 'Dance with the Dead (B+)' has started.

- Clear Condition: Survival

- Remaining Time: 01:53:19]

"Senior!"

"You seem to have enough presence of mind to remember the action guidelines."

As soon as we entered the World Tower, Jo Sung-hyun rushed over. His tanned skin looked pale, indicating he was quite shaken.

I was worried he might have panicked and wandered around, but fortunately, he was waiting by the gate.

After confirming Jo Sung-hyun's safety, we split into two teams to check the surroundings.

It was the same greenhouse we were just in, albeit a bit worn out.

Broken glass, bent doors, withered plants, and creaking hinges. An old mansion, more visible than in the field, added to the eerie atmosphere.

"This place gives me the creeps. It's full of the aura of the wicked."

"Ugh, I've never smelled such a foul odor before."

Foul odor? I don't smell anything.

Cha Taeyang seemed to sense something I couldn't, and he showed disgust.

"Everyone, quickly check your status and consumables."

"Yoon Gaho Hunter, where is the nearest safe zone?"

"We need to go to the mansion. There are no safe zones nearby."

I checked the memorizing list as we left the greenhouse.

My main skill, 'Attribute Grant,' which allowed me to enter the wilderness, often put me in a bind in such situations. I couldn't use it without prior preparation.

'How much is left?'

I was lucky. Thanks to the party members' antics in the field, I had quite a few uses left. This should be enough to not hinder the party.

"'Cat's Step' activated."

With a silly phrase, my body felt lighter.

As the time limit decreased, the ground began to tremble. The thought of Undead buried all over the vast area made my spine shiver.

The other party members seemed to have similar thoughts, and their pace towards the mansion quickened.

Our destination was the maze forest between the mansion and the greenhouse. Faint light seeped through the trees forming the maze.

"Ugh! What is this?"

Jo Sung-hyun screamed at the wrist that emerged from the soft ground. I turned to Cha Taeyang, worried he might be scared.

To my surprise, Cha Taeyang was extending his hand with curiosity.

"Hey, you need a bath. You stink. A lot!"

"Taeyang, don't touch it!"

"Hey, can't this guy be a friend?"

"That's a shell with no soul left. Don't touch it. You'll get cursed!"

Cha Taeyang looked visibly disappointed at Goblin's words.

The smell of strong chemicals became noticeable as we approached the Undead's heads.

The safe zone is in the center of the maze forest.

We arrived at the maze forest without any issues but struggled to find the path to the center.

"Hey, we only have 30 seconds left. Can we make it?"

"We don't have time, sister. Can't we just climb over this wall?"

"Climb over...?"

This wall is at least 4 meters high.

I realized they had transcended human limits with the system.

We still had a considerable distance to the safe zone. I could use my skills, but I couldn't guarantee we would reach the safe zone in time.

‘Should I send the others first...?’

Noticing my dilemma, Seo Young-won suggested with a reluctant expression.

"We don't have time to hesitate. I'll carry Yoon Gaho Hunter. Let's hurry."

Before I could respond, Seo Young-won picked me up like a sack and leaped over the maze wall.

Each time Seo Young-won jumped and landed, my stomach felt like it was being squished.

Hey, can't you do that for me too? I faintly heard Cha Taeyang asking Jo Sung-hyun.

Although no one showed it, they seemed to be considerate of me, and our movement speed increased significantly after Seo Young-won carried me.

Before I knew it, the safe zone was in sight. A small clearing, about 5 meters in diameter, glowed white.

It was a close call.

As soon as we entered the safe zone, Seo Young-won threw me to the ground.

‘Now I understand why he has the nickname Seo In-seong.’

I was annoyed, but thanks to him, we made it on time. I brushed the dirt off my knees and checked the situation.

With the system message, thick fog spread across the entire layer, and dead bodies silently emerged from the ground. Near us, half-rotten animal corpses and skeleton soldiers appeared.

Thud!

A demon was pushed against the wall of the safe zone and rolled around.

The noise attracted more demons to the safe zone. There were more than expected.

‘And the first safe zone lasts only 15 minutes. This is too much from the start!’

My grumbling was justified.

Once a safe zone is used, it is sealed. As expected of the World Tower, the duration of safe zones decreases over time, and the monster waves come faster.

"Yoon Gaho Hunter."

"Yes, the situation is not good."

I tested the nearest Undead Wolf with an arrow.

Clang! The wolf retreated a few steps but soon lunged back at me.

I shot several more demons nearby, but the reaction was similar.

A minimum C-rank Undead army.

Seo Young-won's expression turned serious.

Cha Taeyang, who had been sitting at the edge of the safe zone, watching the demons, looked up at us with an anxious expression.

The world went dark.

I know there are five safe zones in total.

If reinforcements don't arrive in those, we will be wiped out.