Inside the discussion chamber of Clan Origin, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn.

  Every high-ranking member of the clan was present, seated in their respective places. The long table at the center of the room was surrounded by figures whose gazes carried authority, experience, and quiet tension. This was not a casual gathering—it was a meeting that could determine the future of the clan.

  At the seat reserved for honored guests sat the Hartz Family, led by Edric Hartz, a noble of Duke rank. His posture was relaxed, yet his presence alone exerted an invisible pressure throughout the room.

  Willson, standing at the head of the table as the public leader of Clan Origin, was the first to break the silence.

  “Welcome to Clan Origin, Lord Edric.”

  Edric smiled faintly, his sharp eyes observing Willson carefully.

  “Willson… you’ve changed, haven’t you?”

  Willson froze for a moment before responding.

  “What do you mean by that, my lord?”

  Edric closed his eyes briefly, as if recalling memories from long ago.

  “When you were still the Leader of the Adventurer Guild, I had the chance to observe you. Back then, your reactions and emotional control were nowhere near as refined as they are now.”

  Willson let out a small chuckle.

  “Oh… so you noticed. That’s because our party finally reunited. Though…”

  Before Willson could finish, Edric raised a hand and cut him off.

  “I understand. You and that Player already told me about it before. Don’t worry… I will help you.”

  Willson’s expression softened, and he bowed his head slightly.

  “Thank you, Lord Edric.”

  At that moment, Edric shifted his gaze—directly toward Rey.

  “You’re a Player as well, aren’t you?” Edric said calmly. “And… are you the true leader of Clan Origin?”

  The entire room fell silent.

  Rey stiffened. Alex, standing beside him, widened his eyes in shock. Even the other elites of Clan Origin couldn’t hide their surprise.

  Edric continued, his tone unwavering.

  “I can feel it. The pressure of your aura is far stronger than Willson’s. That leads me to believe that Willson is merely the leader on the surface… while you two are the true brains behind Clan Origin.”

  Without hesitation, Rey replied calmly.

  “Since Lord Edric already knows, there’s no point in hiding it.”

  Edric burst into laughter.

  “Hahahahaha! After waiting for so long, I finally get to form an alliance with a Player this capable.”

  Before the atmosphere could settle, a sharp voice sliced through the room.

  “Alex! Rey! Both of you!”

  Everyone turned.

  Floryn stood there, her gaze sharp and unyielding as it locked onto the two of them.

  Alex and Rey both felt a chill down their spines.

  Even Edric was visibly startled.

  “So… you know them?” Edric asked. “Wasn’t your name Ace?”

  Floryn replied casually, her tone almost dismissive.

  “That was just an alias. He was afraid other Players would discover his real identity.”

  Edric’s eyes widened slightly.

  “Ohh… so that’s how it is. Then what is your relationship with them?”

  At that moment, Elysa, Melvin, and Luna all stared intently at Floryn. Their expressions were filled with curiosity—and something closer to tension. They clearly wanted to know what Floryn’s connection to Rey was.

  Floryn spoke without hesitation.

  “Rey is my cousin.”

  The room erupted into silent shock.

  Then Floryn’s gaze shifted—cold and sharp—toward Alex.

  “And Alex…”

  Without saying another word, she suddenly dashed toward him.

  “W-Wait—!” Alex panicked, instinctively backing away.

  “Rey! Help me! You need to help me right now!”

  Rey quickly stepped forward.

  “Floryn! That’s enough! We’ve finally met again, haven’t we?”

  Floryn stopped just inches away from Alex. Her eyes trembled with suppressed emotion.

  “Then why didn’t you tell the truth?” she snapped. “I waited for you in the VRMMO… but instead, you both went into a dungeon without me!”

  Rey sighed helplessly.

  “Alright, alright… Alex and I will explain everything later. Right now, we have important matters with the Hartz Family. Besides…”

  He glanced at Edric.

  “Wasn’t it the Hartz Family who saved you?”

  Floryn shook her head immediately.

  “No. I was the one who saved Duke Edric’s daughter.”

  The entire room was stunned.

  Edric coughed awkwardly.

  “Ehem… Lady Floryn… must you say it so openly?”

  Floryn crossed her arms.

  “We made an agreement. If I found the people I was searching for, I would leave your household.”

  Edric’s expression darkened slightly.

  With Floryn by his side, the combat strength of the Hartz Family had increased drastically. Losing her was not something he welcomed.

  Floryn then turned back to Alex, her eyes narrowing.

  “I want to join Clan Origin. I want to know what you two have really been doing. And Alex…”

  She leaned closer.

  “Are you looking for another woman?”

  Alex turned pale.

  “N-No! Never! I’ve never looked for another woman! If you don’t believe me, ask Rey!”

  Rey immediately raised his hands.

  “Floryn! Alex! Take this somewhere else. We have guests right now, and there are important matters to discuss.”

  Without another word, Alex hurriedly grabbed Floryn’s hand and dragged her out of the room.

  As the door closed, Rey rubbed his temple.

  He already knew—his cousin loved Alex deeply.

  Taking a deep breath, Rey turned back to Edric.

  “Duke Edric… regarding the issue of one of our members being trapped inside a crystal, we truly appreciate the Hartz Family’s willingness to help.”

  Edric waved his hand dismissively.

  “Don’t call me Duke. You’ll soon obtain the Duke title yourself. That makes us equals.”

  Rey was visibly shocked.

  Then he continued carefully.

  “As for the alliance… does the Hartz Family truly agree to ally with Clan Origin?”

  Edric’s expression turned serious.

  “That is correct. From this point onward, the Hartz Family will support Clan Origin in matters involving other noble families.”

  He paused, clenching his fist slightly.

  “However… we ask for something in return.”

  Rey’s body tensed.

  “What is it?”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Edric’s voice carried suppressed anger.

  “I want Clan Origin to win the Tournament that will be held in a few months. And I want the name Arden Family to fall.”

  Rey exhaled in relief and smiled confidently.

  “Don’t worry, Edric. I will personally handle that matter. I was already planning to take first place in that competition.”

  Edric looked at Rey with satisfaction.

  “Good.”

  He then gestured for Rey to follow him.

  “Come. I’ll show you the crystal.”

  Everyone rose from their seats and left the discussion chamber together.

  Outside, Alex and Floryn were already walking toward the others.

  Floryn was holding Alex’s hand tightly, her grip firm and unmistakable.

  Rey could only rub his forehead.

  This was going to be troublesome.

  Yet, without another word, he motioned for them to follow.

  There was still one more problem left to solve.

  Emily.

  After some time had passed, Rey and the others finally arrived at a vast underground chamber.

  The moment they stepped inside, a biting cold assaulted their senses.

  The room was enormous—its ceiling stretching high above, illuminated by flickering magical lights. At the center stood a massive ice crystal, towering like a frozen monument. Dozens of Clan Origin members surrounded it, chanting spells and pouring mana into stabilization arrays carved into the floor.

  However, the situation was far from stable.

  The crystal suddenly released an intense wave of freezing air, far colder than before.

  Several members staggered backward.

  “Pull back!”

  “Those below Level 60 can’t endure it!”

  One by one, lower-level members were forced to retreat, their bodies trembling as frost crept across their armor. Even seasoned fighters struggled to remain standing.

  When Rey and his group arrived—accompanied by Edric and several elites of the Hartz Family—the pressure inside the chamber shifted.

  Edric stopped in his tracks.

  His eyes widened as he stared at the colossal ice formation.

  “This… this was created by a high-level monster.”

  His voice was heavy with disbelief.

  Slowly, he turned his gaze toward Rey.

  “Rey… the monster head you brought when you arrived at Beginner City. What level was that monster?”

  Rey scratched his cheek casually.

  “Hmm… Level 124.”

  The entire chamber fell into dead silence.

  Not a single breath could be heard.

  Edric froze.

  The members of the Hartz Family stared at Rey as if they had just heard something impossible.

  “Killed… a Level 124 monster…?” someone whispered.

  Edric’s expression hardened.

  “Did you enter the sixth floor?”

  Rey blinked in surprise.

  “Huh? No. I fought that monster on the seventh floor.”

  The shock doubled.

  Several Clan Origin elites gasped openly. Alex’s brows knitted together, sensing that something was very wrong.

  Edric took a sharp breath.

  “Seventh floor…?” he muttered.

  Then, with a grave expression, he spoke slowly.

  “On the seventh floor, monsters should not exceed Level 120. I’ve personally confirmed this information—not only within our country, but also from higher-ranked nations… even other continents.”

  He clenched his fist.

  “The strongest monster ever recorded on the seventh floor was Level 119. But you…”

  He stared straight at Rey.

  “You beheaded a Level 124 monster on the seventh floor.”

  The room erupted into shock.

  “That’s impossible…”

  “That’s never happened before…”

  Edric’s voice lowered.

  “This has never occurred in the history of this world.”

  Rey and Alex were stunned.

  They had always assumed that monsters on the seventh floor were naturally that terrifying.

  Trying to make sense of it, Rey asked carefully.

  “If I may ask… what is the strongest monster other nations and continents have ever defeated?”

  Edric exhaled and relaxed slightly.

  “An Orc General. Many believed that Orc Generals could evolve up to Level 150.”

  He paused, then added,

  “But that was on the sixth floor.”

  Edric’s gaze sharpened.

  “In all recorded history, no one has ever encountered a monster above Level 120 on the seventh floor.”

  Rey frowned deeply.

  No matter how he tried to process the information, he couldn’t find an answer.

  Alex spoke up after a moment of thought.

  “It’s possible… that the monster came from a depth no one has ever reached before.”

  Rey immediately objected.

  “But… hasn’t the Kingdom of Hyleos encountered this crystal before?”

  Alex hesitated.

  Edric nodded.

  “I’ve heard those reports as well. The Kingdom of Hyleos discovered a large crystal with someone trapped inside it.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “They claimed the area was guarded only by Orcs led by an Orc General.”

  Rey and the other Clan Origin elites were stunned.

  “But we did encounter Orcs,” Rey said slowly. “They were led by an Orc Warlord… but we never saw an Orc General.”

  Edric’s expression darkened.

  “This matter must remain confidential for now.”

  His gaze swept across the room.

  “Regarding that monster… you must keep it secret that it exceeded Level 120.”

  Everyone nodded solemnly.

  They understood the weight of those words.

  Then Edric stepped forward.

  “All of you, step back.”

  A powerful aura erupted from his body.

  Flames surged around him—High-Tier fire magic that distorted the air itself. The freezing pressure in the chamber weakened little by little as the heat pushed back against the cold.

  Edric raised his hand.

  “Flame Extinguish.”

  A torrent of roaring fire engulfed the ice crystal.

  But this fire was different.

  Unlike ordinary mage flames, Edric’s fire glowed with a deep, molten crimson, like flowing magma. The heat was so intense that even distant observers could feel their skin prickle.

  Slowly—very slowly—the crystal began to melt.

  Droplets of water sizzled as they touched the floor.

  Minutes turned into hours.

  Edric never once wavered.

  Finally, he spoke with a strained but controlled tone.

  “I cannot use my full power. I must regulate the output. If I lose control… the person inside will not survive.”

  Rey watched in awe.

  “Your control over magic is incredible,” Rey said sincerely. “Take your time. I expected this would take a while.”

  Edric nodded without looking away.

  After several more hours, the crystal finally shattered completely.

  Cracks spread across its surface—

  —and then it collapsed.

  However, the moment it broke apart, a strange pressure filled the chamber.

  An aura that tightened the chest.

  Edric frowned.

  “This aura… it’s not from a monster.”

  Rey felt it too.

  Yet neither of them could identify what it was.

  Then—just as suddenly—the aura vanished.

  A body fell forward.

  Emily.

  She collapsed, unconscious, and was quickly caught by Eris.

  “She needs medical treatment,” Edric said firmly.

  Before he could say another word—

  Emily’s eyes opened.

  She stared at Eris… then at the people surrounding her.

  Eris smiled gently, though her voice carried confusion.

  “Emily… it’s me. Your sister. We’re all safe.”

  Something felt wrong.

  Emily’s gaze was clear—too clear.

  Then, without warning, she stood up and rushed forward.

  She threw her arms around Rey.

  “You’re finally here.”

  Silence.

  Absolute, crushing silence.

  Everyone was frozen in place.

  Eris stood there, stunned—like a stranger watching from the outside.

  Alex, Melvin, Elysa, and Luna stared in disbelief.

  Emily… seemed to know Rey.

  Rey himself was shocked.

  “H-Hey… have we met before?”

  Eris stepped forward anxiously.

  “Emily… are you okay?”

  Emily smiled.

  “Of course I am, Sister.”

  She tightened her hold on Rey.

  “I’m even better now that my husband is here with me.”

  The room exploded into shock.

  “H-Husband…?”

  Rey’s mind went blank.

  What is she talking about…?

  He forced a laugh internally.

  She is one of the candidates, yes… but husband?

  Emily looked up at him softly.

  “Please don’t leave me again.”

  Rey stood stiffly, his thoughts racing.

  What does she mean…?

  At that moment, the system notification appeared.

  [System Notice]

  After analysis, it is highly likely that Candidate Emily has suffered emotional and neurological disturbance due to prolonged confinement within the crystal.

  Rey swallowed.

  This problem…

  was far from over.

  Rey’s expression turned grave.

  “Is that really true, System?” he asked inwardly. “But the way she acted… it feels like there’s something more to it.”

  Before the System could respond, Emily suddenly clutched her head.

  “Aa—!”

  She staggered backward, her face contorting in pain, before collapsing unconscious to the floor.

  “Emily!”

  Rey reacted instantly.

  “Eris! Take her to the treatment room, now!”

  Eris nodded, panic flashing across her face as she carefully lifted her sister. Luna stepped forward immediately, her expression focused.

  “I’ll take charge of her treatment.”

  Melvin, Elysa, and several support members followed Luna without hesitation.

  One by one, everyone began leaving the chamber.

  Only a handful remained.

  Edric stood silently, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on the shattered remnants of the crystal.

  After a long moment, he spoke with a serious tone.

  “I can feel it… this is connected to that aura.”

  Alex frowned.

  “Aura? What aura?”

  Several others echoed his confusion.

  Rey and Edric exchanged glances.

  They were both startled.

  “You didn’t feel it?” Rey asked.

  Alex shook his head.

  “No. There was nothing.”

  Edric inhaled slowly.

  “…It seems only the two of us sensed it.”

  He closed his eyes, thinking deeply, before continuing.

  “It’s likely that only those with power above Level 90 can perceive that aura.”

  Rey nodded.

  “That makes sense.”

  Alex stepped closer to Rey and lowered his voice.

  “Hey… what’s really going on?”

  Rey hesitated, then answered quietly.

  “There was an aura. Strange, but not hostile. It carried no killing intent.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “It was gentle… yet incredibly dense. Almost as if it was protecting Emily.”

  Alex fell silent.

  “I see…”

  Understanding dawned on his face.

  Before Alex could ask anything further, Floryn approached and tugged lightly on his sleeve.

  “Come on,” she said. “I want to look around Clan Origin.”

  Alex glanced at Rey, then nodded.

  “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  As they walked away, Rey remained standing still.

  His mind was restless.

  Turning inward, he called out again.

  “System… didn’t you feel that aura?”

  Silence.

  No response.

  Rey’s jaw tightened.

  Annoyance flickered across his face.

  “…System? Didn’t you hear me?”

  After a brief pause, the System finally replied.

  “Of course I heard you. However, regarding your previous question, the System was unable to obtain sufficient data.”

  Rey fell quiet.

  His thoughts raced.

  Unable to obtain data…?

  Then another idea surfaced.

  “If I upgrade the System to version 3.0… would I get an answer?”

  The System responded after a short delay.

  “That is possible. However, the System cannot provide a one hundred percent confirmation that the upgrade will succeed.”

  Rey frowned.

  “…Then what is the maximum upgrade level?”

  “Maximum System version is 5.0.”

  Rey’s eyes widened.

  “…Five?”

  He took a sharp breath.

  “Then what level do I need to reach version 3.0?”

  “Host must reach Level 75.”

  Rey clenched his fist.

  Still too far…

  His current level was nowhere near that.

  The truth behind Emily’s condition would have to wait.

  Letting out a slow breath, Rey turned and walked toward Edric.

  Stopping in front of him, Rey spoke firmly.

  “Lord Edric… I have another request.”

  Edric turned to face him.

  “Speak.”

  “I ask that you keep this matter confidential as well. And outside… please refer to me as Ace.”

  Rey met his gaze.

  “I hope you understand.”

  Edric smiled faintly.

  “The Hartz Family is now allied with Clan Origin. Naturally, I will keep this matter—and your true identity—a secret.”

  Then his expression darkened.

  “But don’t let your guard down.”

  He leaned closer, his voice lowering.

  “The Arden Family’s head is already above Level 100. He has lived far longer than I have.”

  Rey nodded.

  “I understand.”

  Afterward, Edric and his subordinates prepared to depart.

  Because Floryn—one of the Hartz Family’s knights—had officially joined Clan Origin, Rey offered compensation to avoid diplomatic friction.

  Three Mana Stones, along with a communication device, were handed over to ensure smooth contact between the Hartz Family and Clan Origin in the future.

  Once everything was settled, Rey finally returned to his room.

  However, the moment he reached the door, he saw Elysa and Melvin standing there.

  Elysa looked at him.

  Her expression was troubled, tinged with sadness.

  “Rey…” she said softly. “Is it true? Are you and Emily… husband and wife?”

  Melvin remained silent, but his gaze held the same question.

  Rey sighed.

  “Hey… think about it logically.”

  He gestured lightly.

  “We’ve only been in this world for a few months. Emily has been trapped inside that dungeon for five years.”

  They exchanged glances.

  They had thought the same—but Emily’s words still haunted them.

  Rey continued calmly.

  “Let’s wait until Emily recovers. Then we’ll ask her directly.”

  Elysa nodded slowly.

  “…Alright.”

  Melvin exhaled.

  “That makes sense.”

  Rey gave them a small nod.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

  He reached for the door—

  “Rey!”

  Alex’s voice echoed down the hallway.

  Rey turned.

  Alex was running toward them, his expression pale.

  “Rey! We have a problem!”

  Rey stiffened.

  “What happened?”

  Alex swallowed.

  “It’s Emily.”

  Rey’s heart dropped.

  “She doesn’t remember anyone,” Alex said urgently. “Not even Eris.”

  The world seemed to freeze.

  Elysa gasped.

  “…What?”

  Melvin’s eyes widened.

  Rey’s thoughts spiraled.

  How could this happen…?

  Without another word, Rey turned sharply.

  “Take me to her.”

  The group rushed down the corridor toward the treatment room.

  Rey’s fists clenched tightly at his sides.

  An unknown aura… memory loss… the System’s silence…

  None of this was a coincidence.

  Something far deeper was at play.

  And whatever it was—

  It had only just begun.