“What is this...?”

I stared blankly at the Dagger in my hand. The Goblin that had been right in front of me literally evaporated. The bloodstains splattered on the grass were the only remaining traces of the creature.

Its effect was nothing short of destructive.

‘This is insane.’

The moment I stabbed with the Dagger, the shattered Goblin was erased by a grey energy. That was why no corpse remained.

‘...Didn’t they say it was Trash?’

In the Community, people definitely said its power was underwhelming. But having used it myself, the effect of Ambush was mind-bogglingly impressive.

‘With an attack Skill of this level, it seems better than most classes.’

I think I know why. It's not that the Ambush Skill itself is naturally this amazing. If it were, it wouldn't have been treated like Trash in the Community.

Then why was it so strong?

‘Is it because of my Aptitude?’

The effects of most Skills within the Tower change depending on the Player’s Aptitude. It was reasonable to assume that Ambush became such a powerful Skill under the influence of my own Aptitude.

Just like my Stealth Ability. It was still hard to believe.

‘Is my Aptitude as a Rogue really that great?’

I knew I had a faint presence, but I never imagined it was linked to a Rogue's Aptitude. I’ve never even committed a theft in my life. To be blunt, I feel like I would have been good at it if I had tried.

‘Thinking about it that way, I guess I might actually have the Aptitude...’

Anyway, I have the Aptitude of a Rogue. Now that even Ambush was showing such crazy effects, it was an undeniable fact. By 21st-century standards, I basically have the Aptitude of a criminal. It felt a bit awkward, but it wasn't bad.

‘It’s funny that this actually brings me comfort.’

I was in a situation where I was being forced into Floor 2 of HELL Difficulty. This was no time to be picky. I was just lucky to have the Aptitude of a Rogue.

‘If it feels like this, I might even be able to Clear Floor 2 easily.’

Regardless, I had confirmed the power of Ambush.

“Going back.”

Whoosh. The surrounding landscape was sucked into the darkness by the system, and my room was revealed.

Players of higher difficulties are not given rewards from lower difficulties—except for Points.

‘I guess it means I have to be entirely self-sufficient within HELL Difficulty.’

The reality of this insane difficulty was sinking in further. To obtain Items, I had no choice but to re-challenge Floor 1 or visit a Hidden Place.

‘Even if I Clear Floor 1 again, there are no Items to be gained.’

Survive for 5 minutes in a wasteland. There wasn't a single Item to scavenge there. While all Goblins are killed upon a successful Clear and drop Magic Stones, they didn't drop equipment Items.

‘Magic Stones are just meant to be sold.’

At this point, money didn't mean much. I couldn't buy Items from the outside anyway. Items obtained through purchase or exchange outside of HELL Difficulty were not recognized by the system.

There was a reason why the 13 Players continuing their progress in HELL Difficulty were treated like monsters. Still, there was a way out.

‘They definitely said there were useful Items in the Floor 1 Hidden Place.’

Following the Information I received from the Hell Players Morning Sunshine and Mad Dog, I planned to supply myself with Items from the Hidden Place as well. Of course, there was something to do before that.

‘Let’s sweep the remaining difficulties to collect Points and get a firm grasp of my abilities.’

Points are the only currency that functions in HELL Difficulty. It would definitely help to save them up. Furthermore, once I ascend to Floor 2, I won't be able to challenge Floor 1 at all, so I had to Clear the other difficulties now.

‘My body feels fine.’

It hadn't been long since I Cleared Floor 1, but perhaps because of the tension, I didn't feel any fatigue. Or it could be because my Stats had increased. The growth rate in HELL Difficulty was tripled. My condition had been good since the moment I Cleared Floor 1. Even if I tried to rest, my mind wouldn't be at ease.

‘Shall we go?’

I selected the next difficulty and entered the Tower.

---

Unlike EASY Difficulty, a forest thick with deep green foliage appeared.

Kieek?, Kieek—.

The ominous cries of Goblins echoed from within the forest. However, to me, who had experienced HELL Difficulty, they weren't threatening at all; they were just laughable noises.

Melting into the scenery instantly, I moved further into the forest.

‘The Stealth Skill is just a NORMAL Skill. No matter how great my Aptitude is, there must be a limit.’

So, when does the Stealth break? I needed to know that to be careful in the future.

Kieek.

A single Goblin appeared before me. The creature seemed to be searching for me while hiding behind some bushes.

‘Let’s see if Stealth holds even with contact.’

I kicked the Goblin hard in the back.

Kieeeek?! Thud.

With a loud scream, it tumbled onto the grass. It scrambled up immediately, its fierce eyes darting around the surroundings.

Kieek?! Kieek!

Yet, even though I was right in front of it, it couldn't find me.

‘Stealth doesn't break even with contact?’

In for a penny, in for a pound—I swung my Dagger.

Kieeeek!!

The wounded Goblin’s eyes shook violently. It had an Expression that said it couldn't understand what was happening at all. My eyes widened just as much.

‘What kind of Skill is this?’

It was literally broken performance. It made my previous anxiety while wandering through HELL Difficulty Floor 1 feel foolish.

Stab.

After finishing off the Goblin in front of me, I went looking for the others. I tested the Stealth Ability in various ways against the Goblins. I shouted, threw objects, and even bumped into them head-on...

The fact I discovered was this:

‘Stealth only breaks by my will.’

It was true. Unless I intended to reveal myself, it was impossible for the Goblins to discover me first. Of course, I had to consider that the targets were Goblins, the weakest among Monsters.

‘No, it worked against the Goblin Leader in HELL Difficulty, too. I should assume the practical effect is at least at that level.’

Was it okay for a mere common Skill like Stealth to be this much of a cheat? Of course, I couldn't be 100% complacent. Various detection abilities exist in the Tower: a Mage's detection magic, an Archer's scouting Ability, a Rogue's tracking Ability, and so on. I couldn't be certain I'd be safe from those kinds of Skills.

‘But for now, it's a relief...’

>

To see if it worked for sure, there were things to test in HARD Difficulty as well. After exiting NORMAL, I immediately entered HARD Difficulty.

Since I had been strolling around using Stealth, my stamina consumption wasn't high. I had also already Checked the trial details through the Community.

The moment I entered, a wave of intense heat washed over me. If the heat in HELL Difficulty was a lingering warmth, this was the actual heat felt from a blazing fire.

‘...The forest is on fire.’

The once lush forest was burning with bright red flames. If these flames burned the entire forest down, wouldn't it end up looking like the landscape in HELL Difficulty?

I activated Stealth and moved forward.

Woof, Woof—!

Three Hounds with sharp teeth were roaming around the forest. A Hunter Goblin, holding a crossbow and wearing a worn-out hood, was prowling and scouting the area. Its gaze was quite sharp, sending a surge of tension through me that I hadn't felt in EASY or NORMAL. If not for my Stealth Skill, my position would have been compromised by scent.

‘They said many Players died in HARD Difficulty in the early days.’

Compared to HELL, it was better, but HARD certainly didn't look easy. However, HARD Difficulty was different in that you could receive support in the form of Items and Skills. Nowadays, most people challenged HARD Difficulty after equipping themselves with appropriate Items and Skills.

Kieeek...

I carefully watched my step as I headed toward the Hunter Goblin. I had heard that they sometimes set Traps. The Hunter Goblin was narrowing its eyes, scanning the surroundings. It seemed to have sensed that something was wrong.

The Goblin moved its hand toward its mouth. It looked like it was about to whistle for the dogs. I couldn't let that happen.

I plunged the Dagger, shrouded in grey smoke, into its side.

Crunch, Splat—!

The Hunter Goblin was no different. It vanished in an explosion of red blood.

Woof, Woof!

Perhaps having caught the scent of blood, the dogs began to rush back to where the hunter had been. Of course, their master was gone.

Stab, Yelp!

I disposed of the dogs one by one. Surprisingly, it was possible to adjust the power of the Ambush Skill. I could leave a corpse behind if I wanted to. It was an unnecessary action in this situation, but it would be useful later.

Thud, Thud!

I chased down and quickly finished the remaining two dog Monsters that were trying to escape. It seemed that even animal instincts couldn't overcome the Stealth Ability. With that, I had defeated all the Monsters.

“Whew...”

My clothes were drenched in blood, but I didn't care. It was a scene close to a massacre, but my hands didn't shake or anything.

‘The Stealth effect is truly reliable.’

It lacked the overwhelming pressure of HELL Difficulty.

And so, the HARD Difficulty Clear was complete.

I had succeeded in scraping together all the Points.

Now it was time to return to HELL Difficulty Floor 1 and enter the Hidden Place.

Of course, there was something to do before that.

‘Let’s eat first.’

Back in my room, I ordered food through a delivery app. I had already experienced Floor 1 once. Even with the Stealth Skill, I had to be fully prepared. I didn't know what might happen if I didn't approach it in peak condition.

‘Since I don't know when my last meal might be, I should eat something delicious...’

I washed the blood off my body, changed my clothes, and quickly finished the delivered chicken and sushi.

“Huh?”

While checking my Smartphone, I saw a video like this uploaded to Nutube.

— The Korea Awakened Management Bureau is urgently seeking Player ‘Cheonha.’

This was an actual official channel. When I clicked the video, subtitles appeared along with narration. It looked like it had been made in a hurry.

— If you are a Player from Korea, or if you are willing to naturalize to Korea...

— The Bureau can provide you with all Information regarding the progress of HELL Difficulty.

— Also, please be advised that the Awakened Management Bureau does not contact Players through the Community, so please use caution.

So the Management Bureau I saw in the Community really was something like voice phishing. No wonder it felt strange. The problem was that it was awkward to contact the Bureau right now. If I called that number, my identity would definitely be exposed.

‘I have to start the raid tomorrow.’

Even if they provided support, it would just be Information. In HELL Difficulty, receiving Items and such was useless anyway.

‘Let’s think about it again if I survive tomorrow.’

Contacting the Bureau was something to consider after Clearing Floor 2, perhaps when it was time to sell Magic Stones. After finishing my meal, I got up and tidied up. After a light warm-up.

“...Well, I should get going.”

I looked up.

‘The goal is the Hidden Place in HELL Difficulty Floor 1.’

Stealth and Ambush. Armed with these two Skills, I would definitely be different from before, when I had to move holding my breath just to run away.

The Skill was activated with the sensation of melting into the surroundings. If I used it in advance, the enemies would never be able to discover me. With this, the preparations were perfectly complete.

‘Let’s go.’

I took a light breath and said, “Enter.”

Whoosh—.

The pitch-black field, filled with intense heat, welcomed me once again.