A System Message echoed to every Player in the World. The ripples it caused were immense.

The hunter Community instantly began to burn with talk of Cheonha. The first in the world to achieve HL+ Entry. It was a choice no one in their right mind would ever make. More accurately, it was a realm that even the "insane" Players of Hell Difficulty had failed to reach.

The news spread from the Awakened to the general public across the World. A new Hell Player appearing after a year was already massive news, but they had started conquering a Difficulty that hadn't even existed in the Civilization dimension. The media and the internet exploded.

"Is the world's first HELL+ Difficulty for real? My heart is racing."

"It's ridiculous that HELL+ even exists."

"Isn't he just going to die before clearing the 2nd Floor?"

"No way, the fact that he unlocked HL+ Difficulty means he's not ordinary."

"He'll probably climb so fast he'll devour the other Hell Players."

"We’ll have to wait and see."

"LOL, he’s definitely going down in history regardless."

At the same time, the Mad Dog in the United States, who was checking the message and the Community reactions, was also struck with shock.

"Hey, is this for real...?"

It wasn't just a matter of unlocking HELL+.

'This message came after clearing the 1st Floor, so he must have already visited the Hidden Place... which means he survived the Monarch.'

A smile formed on the Mad Dog's lips. Surviving a face-to-face encounter with the Eternal Monarch—that alone was worthy of praise. Yet, as if that weren't enough, Cheonha had wiped out every Monster on the 1st Floor and stepped into HELL+ Difficulty.

'I’ve hooked a big fish.'

There was only one possibility: an overwhelming Class that defied imagination, coupled with extraordinary Aptitude.

'What Class is it? No, it’s clearly a Class that can't even be compared to the ones we've seen so far.'

Leo, the Mad Dog, who did not know Cheonha's actual Class, could only conclude that a new tier of Class had appeared.

"I've decided. I’m definitely putting you on my team."

HELL+ Difficulty was an enhanced form of Hell Difficulty. This meant it would be possible to raid together in the future. Chuckling, the Mad Dog pulled up his system window.

"To do that... first, I’ll have to make sure you climb up to the Floor where I am."

The check of Aptitude was complete. Cheonha was a Hell Player through and through. A powerhouse who had proven himself through the Monarch's trial and his own Ability. For such a man, the Mad Dog intended to spare no Information or support.

"Sigh..."

I returned to my room. Collapsing onto the floor, I checked my Information window.

HL+. Unmistakably the tier above HELL Difficulty. I wiped my face with my hands.

'This is driving me crazy.'

The unauthorized Player Penalty was, of course, still there.

[System Penalty]

Approximately 19 hours remaining until the start of the HELL+ Difficulty 2nd Floor conquest.

It was unfair enough being dragged there forcibly, but now it was HL+ Difficulty.

'Seriously, shouldn't there be a reward for killing every single Goblin?'

Of course, the item's effect did say "Enhanced Rewards (★)." The problem was that the difficulty had spiked along with it. In truth, getting angry was useless; there was no one to listen anyway.

'...Let's think positively.'

I took a deep breath to calm my thoughts.

'At least it's true that the rewards have increased.'

I wouldn't know how great those rewards were until I tackled the 2nd Floor.

'If I can easily bypass the 2nd Floor with Stealth and Ambush, the increase in difficulty might not mean much.'

Even the Monarch couldn't see through my Stealth, so there was no way a few Goblins could find me just because the difficulty went up a bit. So, couldn't I just view it as the rewards increasing?

'If I look at it that way, it’s a win... but...'

The problem was that with the shift to HELL+ Difficulty, the trials of the Tower themselves might have changed. I didn't know yet. It wasn't a brand-new difficulty; it just had a "plus" attached to it.

'Stay calm.'

I was lacking information in many ways. I pulled up the Community window. The message about challenging HELL+ Difficulty would have reached every Player this time as well. If so, then surely...

【HL】 Morning Sunshine

— Congratulations on entering HL+ Difficulty.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— You're a real lunatic, LOL.

I knew these two would have sent messages. I was glad I could talk to Hell Difficulty Players. At least I could throw some questions their way.

【HL】 Cheonha

— I have a question regarding the 2nd Floor of HL+ Difficulty. I was wondering if you know anything about it.

I sent the message to Morning Sunshine first. Although I was the first in the Civilization dimension to enter HL+, we aren't the only ones climbing the Tower. I knew that other races from other dimensions were climbing as well. If these Hell Players had contacts with them, wouldn't they know something about HELL+ Difficulty?

I put the Mad Dog on hold for now. I had a lot to say to him after what he pulled.

Ting!

Morning Sunshine replied at a speed that suggested she had been waiting.

【HL】 Morning Sunshine

— I understand that HL+ has the same structure as HL Difficulty. The Monsters just appear in an enhanced state. Did you ask because the difficulty felt too easy?

"..."

I re-read the last sentence several times. I had no idea what she was talking about. Logically, how could it be easy?

'No. Let's not try to understand the mindset of a Hell Player.'

I couldn't show weakness here. There was no benefit in being looked down upon. I sent a message, acting cool.

— Please provide detailed information.

【HL】 Morning Sunshine

— My apologies. I don't know much about the specifics of HL+ either. I can, however, tell you about HL Difficulty.

It seemed Morning Sunshine didn't know much either. It made sense, as clearing HL+ was unprecedented.

【HL】 Morning Sunshine

— If you're okay with it, I'd like to meet you in person to help. I also want to tell you about our guild.

I hesitated before replying.

'A guild...'

It was a team formed by an alliance of Players climbing the Tower.

【HL】 Morning Sunshine

— Currently, Hell Players are divided into two guilds for their conquests: the Monolith Guild, which I belong to, and the Berserk Guild, led by Mad Dog. To be blunt, I want to recruit you, Cheonha-nim.

It was a recruitment offer. It was something I’d have to consider eventually once I reached the upper floors, as it becomes possible to raid the Tower as a team from there. However, it was hard to make a decision right now.

【HL】 Cheonha

— I'll think about it.

The 2nd Floor conquest was the immediate priority. Besides, in Hell Difficulty, you can't even receive Item support. Since I had to climb the Tower by my own strength anyway, a guild wouldn't be much help.

【HL】 Morning Sunshine

— Yes, please contact me whenever you feel like it. You are always welcome.

With that, the conversation with Morning Sunshine ended. Next was the problematic Mad Dog. I checked the message he had sent.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— You're a real lunatic, LOL.

Aren't you the lunatic? I almost died because of the Monarch because you told me to ring that bell.

【HL】 Cheonha

— I feel the explanation regarding the bell was lacking. I wasn't told it was a bell that summons a Monarch.

I sent a message filled with anger.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— Sorry, sorry. But I didn't lie. It was true that the rewards would increase, wasn't it?

He was right, but for some reason, it was infuriating.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— Now, let's start talking openly. What's your Class? If you can clear HL+ Difficulty, it must be some insane cheat Class.

Cheat Class, my foot. I’m just a normal Rogue. Of course, there was no need to reveal that. I got straight to the point.

【HL】 Cheonha

— I need information on the 2nd Floor of HL+.

I decided to maintain a vague attitude, implying that if he gave me good information, I might tell him my Class.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— Hahaha, so you're not going to tell me easily? Fine. I'll tell you. The Goblin Knight on the 2nd Floor of HL+ wears Full Plate Armor. It'll be hard to pierce unless you aim for the gaps, especially since you probably don't have proper equipment.

"!"

Morning Sunshine said she didn't know, but the Mad Dog definitely had more information.

【HL】 Cheonha

— I hope there's no hidden information this time.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— Nothing hidden this time. Now I’m one of those people who wants you to climb higher. More importantly, join our guild. Where do you live? Give me your address. I’ll go there myself.

Address? Yeah, right. I had no intention of telling him. There was no telling what he might do.

【HL】 Cheonha

— I'll think about it.

I put the guild invitation on hold for the same reason as with Morning Sunshine.

【HL】 Mad Dog

— If you need anything, just say the word. Money, goods, buildings, people—I'll support you with whatever you need.

Seeing how aggressively the Mad Dog was acting, Hell Players must be truly rare. Thinking about it that way, it was natural that both guilds were sending recruitment offers. Currently, the conquest of Hell Difficulty was stalled at the 23rd Floor. Since those notoriously "crazy" Hell Players wouldn't be resting on purpose, it meant they needed every person they could get.

'Anyway... let's get some rest.'

A lot had happened today alone. Clearing the 1st Floor, clearing a different difficulty, re-entering the 1st Floor to the Hidden Place, and entering HELL+ Difficulty... Just thinking about it made exhaustion wash over me. To maintain my condition, I had to rest properly starting now.

'This damn Penalty.'

Just in case, I sent an additional message to Morning Sunshine, but the only reply was that she didn't know anything. Why does this person know so little? I didn't ask the Mad Dog because I felt like he’d find a weakness to exploit. If the Penalty didn't disappear after clearing the 2nd Floor, I'd have to ask again then.

'...Let's just rest for now.'

Maybe take a shower and browse the Community. Since it was the world's first HL+ Entry, the Community must be in an uproar. With that thought, I looked at the Community, and...

'...Huh?'

There was a post that looked unusual.

"Ahem."

Gu Do-hyeon, a team leader at the Korea Awakened Management Bureau, stood in front of the building's main entrance and cleared his throat. Just as he was about to press the intercom with a tense Expression.

"Aren't you being too nervous?"

Seo Ye-rim, a subordinate standing behind him, said with a smile. Gu Do-hyeon looked at her with total seriousness.

"That's because you've never met a Hell Player."

"Oh, come on. They're still human."

At his subordinate's naive remark, Gu Do-hyeon shook his head and spoke.

"Let me give you an example. Suppose you suddenly Awakened with an amazing Class. What would you do?"

"I'd quit the Management Bureau."

"And then?"

"Wouldn't I just pick Normal Difficulty, clear it easily, and make some money?"

At those words, Gu Do-hyeon snapped his fingers.

"Exactly. That's how a normal person thinks. But what about a Hell Player?"

"They chose Hell Difficulty. Why? Were they drunk?"

A choice a normal person would never make. Unless they wanted to die, there was absolutely no reason to volunteer for a harder difficulty.

"I wouldn't know. But the thing is," Gu Do-hyeon sighed and continued, "at the very least, the Saintess of Salvation we're about to meet volunteered for Hell Difficulty."

"She's out of her mind."

"...I didn't go that far."

Gu Do-hyeon shrugged. In truth, his subordinate was right. None of the Hell Players were sane. That was why Gu Do-hyeon was so nervous.

Beep beep beep beep.

When he pressed the intercom at the main entrance, a voice soon came through.

— What is your business?

The tone was incredibly cold.

"As we informed you, we are here to discuss the Player Cheonha."

— But why come all the way to my house...

"The Saintess told us to come to her home."

— Right. I did. Come in.

"..."

Whirrr. The glass door of the main entrance opened. Gu Do-hyeon breathed a sigh of relief and moved toward the elevator with his subordinate.

"When we get in, never make eye contact with her."

"Pardon?"

"The Saintess has the Ability to see other people's Information. Every piece of info you've accumulated from the moment you were born until now will be exposed."

"Gasp, then what about the bad things I said earlier?"

"I didn't say anything."

"Now that I think about it, you just asked a bunch of leading questions..."

Leaving his subordinate agape in shock, Gu Do-hyeon stood before the front door.

Creak—.

The door opened even before he could knock. The interior did not look like a normal home. A long gallery stretched straight ahead. To the right, lush gardens and statues were lined up.

"...Is this really inside a building?"

"She expanded it using spatial magic."

"How much money does she have? Is she a billionaire?"

"She is. She’s a tycoon that even people in politics and business can't mess with."

Following the gallery, a large main hall appeared. A grand, soaring ceiling and structures. Multicolored light filtered through stained glass. It looked like a massive medieval cathedral. In the center stood the Saintess of Salvation, Shin Ah-rin. Bathed in the cascading light, she wore a pure white veil over her head.

"..."

It was a hell of a concept. Gu Do-hyeon stood before her and stated his business.

"We need information on the Player Cheonha."

If he was a Korean Player, they could offer protection; if he was from another country, they could devise a response.

"Currently, countries all over the World are inquiring about Cheonha's whereabouts. Various national agencies are all dedicated to finding him."

The value of Cheonha, the first to enter HL+ Difficulty, was by no means small. They might even be able to use information on Cheonha for negotiations.

"If you could tell us his location, the Bureau would not only reward you greatly but it would also be a big help in maintaining our current cooperative relationship."

The Saintess's Ability was, as widely known, specialized in uncovering information. That was why the Bureau had come to her immediately. After listening to the whole story, the Saintess, Shin Ah-rin, spoke with a serious Expression.

"There are things in this world that one is happier not knowing. New knowledge does not always bring happiness."

"Pardon?"

"It's too late to regret after you find out. Whether this society can handle a monster like Cheonha... I have not yet made a judgment."

"What do you mean by that...?"

"I will speak plainly."

After spouting some suitable nonsense, Shin Ah-rin concluded.

"The time is not yet right."

In truth, the Saintess Shin Ah-rin didn't know anything either. She had been normally surprised when Cheonha cleared the 1st Floor and was shocked when she received the message that he had entered HL+ Difficulty. Aside from the fact that Cheonha's Class was Rogue, she was in the dark. However, she couldn't just say she didn't know. Doing so would destroy the image she had built up until now.

the Saintess of Salvation had to be flawless. This was also closely related to a Player's initiative. Naturally, it was easier to maintain control the more mysterious and unapproachable she appeared. Being able to conquer the Tower freely without being swayed by worthless interests and political situations was a result of this image. It didn't matter if she was perceived as somewhat eccentric as a result.

'Whatever happens, we must be the ones to take Cheonha.'

Hence the answer: 'The time is not yet right.' From the Bureau's perspective, it was a hard pill to swallow.

"We beg of you. We are also desperately—"

It was the moment Team Leader Gu Do-hyeon spoke as if pleading.

Ting!

"..."

"..."

Silence fell for a moment. It had only been about two hours since Cheonha entered HL+. Yet the 2nd Floor had been cleared. It was an incomprehensible notification.

The Saintess of Salvation and Team Leader Gu Do-hyeon.

"What on earth..."

"What the..."

The two Awakened froze simultaneously.

Clearing the 1st Floor. Entering HL+ Difficulty. Clearing the 2nd Floor. All of this had happened in a single day. Even after reaching HL+, Cheonha had not stopped. Not even the notoriously "crazy" Hell Players would conquer so recklessly. One could even sense a hint of Madness in that conquest speed. Both the Saintess and the Bureau team leader could only be bewildered.

"...You see?"

The only difference was...

"This is how unpredictable and dangerous Cheonha is. Do you understand now?"

...that the Saintess's reaction was just a little bit faster.