{ Legacy character Awakening }
As Jin-Seok stepped through the rune-covered portal, Aris materialized beside him, translucent arms crossed in what could have been approval or exasperation.
"You could've killed him," the skeletal Legacy said. "It would've been easier."
"That's why I didn't."
Aris paused, then smiled faintly. "Hmph. You're more foolish than you look... Good. Keep being that way."
**[Legacy System Notification – Sync Resonance Triggered]**
*A Legacy Soul stirs in response to your decision.*
*Your kindness toward the Sealed Minotaur has awakened a buried fragment of memory within a dormant Legacy Character.*
*"He did not swing the blade... even when he had the right."*
**[New Legacy Sync Opportunity Detected]**
*A powerful Legacy Character has been moved by your resolve and restraint.*
*Should you succeed in freeing the Minotaur's curse in the future, this character will unlock permanently.*
**🔓 Hidden Legacy Character – ??? [Mythical Tier]**
**⚠️ Status: Locked**
**🧿 Condition to Unlock: Break the seal upon the Sealed Minotaur**
**🧠 Sync Link: Emotional resonance established.**
*"One bound by chains will one day be unshackled by another who refuses to bind."*
## { System Interference }
Jin-Seok blinked as the notification faded. "Wait... that actually unlocked a Sync Link?"
"Congratulations," came a dry voice from behind him. "You made a ghost cry."
Aris appeared more solidly now, his skeletal jaw set in what might have been a grin. "Legacy Characters aren't just cold data or summoned tools. We were all once real—Tower climbers like you. Each of us had our own path, our own regrets..."
**⚠️ [LEGACY SYSTEM ALERT – BEHAVIORAL BREACH DETECTED]**
**📡 Legacy Character [Aris Telvhan] has attempted unauthorized information disclosure.**
**🔒 System Rules have been violated. You are ordered to stop immediately.**
**⛓️ Disciplinary Protocol Armed**
*If repeated, punishment will be applied:*
- *Aris will be sealed for 1 day*
- *Duration increases with each violation*
- *During seal, praise to the system will be mandatory*
- *(Every 10 minutes. No exceptions.)*
**🧾 Praise example:**
*"System is wise. System is kind. I am grateful." 😊*
Aris went completely still. Then, slowly, he turned to stare at the floating notification with what could only be described as horror.
"...Wait, that wasn't a warning. That's *real?*"
He whirled to face Jin-Seok, skeletal features somehow managing to convey outrage. "I have to worship the system like some brainwashed bard?"
Jin-Seok couldn't help but grin. "You'll get used to it."
"Like hell I will," Aris muttered.
The system's response came with an almost audible chirp of satisfaction:
**[Compliance Restored. Stay grateful, Aris 💖]**
As they moved deeper into the Tower's mysteries, Jin-Seok found himself thinking about Asterion's words, about the weight of promises, and about the strange bonds that could form even in the most unlikely circumstances. The Minotaur would wait, and Jin-Seok would find a way to honor that trust.
Behind them, the cathedral fell silent once more, but this time the silence held hope rather than despair.
**Time Taken to Clear: 9 minutes, 26 seconds**
{ System Notification}
As Jin-Seok stepped through the exit, golden text materialized in the air before him.
**[Tower System Notification]**
**You have achieved an unprecedented feat.**
**Nightmare Maze Trial – Cleared in 19 minutes, 26 seconds.**
**Previous Record: 1hour ,49 minutes, 30 seconds.**
**Record Holder (Hidden): ???**
**Do you wish to leave your name in the Tower Records?**
**[Yes] / [No]**
A second prompt appeared, this one edged in purple light.
**[Legacy System Prompt]**
**Reveal Your Name and make history — Gain a random Unique Skill.**
**Hide Your Name — Gain +1000 Legacy Points.**
Jin-Seok paused. "What's the point of records anyway?"
"Top 10 Records are tracked for every major Tower Trial," Aris explained. "Fastest Clears, Solo Clears, No Damage Clears... all of it. They're maintained for fame, mostly. Fame brings both wealth and danger."
"You show your name now? You'll have a target on your back. Groups will try to recruit or eliminate you. Some may even hunt you to suppress your growth."
Jin-Seok smiled beneath his mask. "They'll come after me either way. Might as well give them more reason. Besides, that Unique Skill looks tempting. I might strike it rich."
Aris laughed, the sound full of approval. "Good kid. I'm liking you more and more. Go wild. And remember... the great Aris Telvhan walks beside you."
Jin-Seok pressed **[Reveal Name]**.
**Tower Announcement:**
**Name Confirmed: Ryu Jin-Seok.**
**New Record etched into the Tower Record Hall.**
🏅 Title Gained: Nightmare's End
Effect: +5% movement speed and perception in illusion-type zones. Immune to Fear
{Global Tower Broadcast}
Across every floor of the Tower, in guildhalls and safe zones, in the middle of battles and quiet moments of rest, the same message appeared:
**[Tower Broadcast – All Climbers, All Floors]**
**A new record has been set on the Newbie Maze Trial (Nightmare Mode).**
**Challenger: Ryu Jin-Seok**
**Time: 19 minutes, 26 seconds**
**Previous Record: 1 hour,49 minutes, 30 seconds.**
{ Reactions Outside the Maze}
The waiting room erupted in chaos.
The Administrator's jaw dropped. "That record...! And that too in Nightmare mode?!"
The crowd exploded into frantic whispers:
"Who is he? Is he really from some famous heir of a noble house or guild?"
"Did you hear that? The previous Nightmare clear time was more than1 hour, 45 minutes, but he cleared it in less than 20!"
"It has to be a fluke. He must have gotten lucky."
"Maybe he cheated somehow?"
The Administrator's internal monologue was less charitable. *Do these fools think Nightmare difficulty is so easy that someone can clear it by fluke or luck? This just shows how simple-minded they are. Even though they know the truth, they don't want to admit it.*
Jin-Seok emerged from the portal gate, looking exactly as composed as when he'd entered.
{Ripples Across the Tower}
The broadcast reached far beyond the newbie floors, creating ripples that would change everything.
**Scene 1:** Inside a frozen throne hall on Floor 700, a noble woman from the Vanirhal Family dropped her crystal wine glass. The liquid froze before it hit the ground. "...He is alive?" she whispered, her breath misting in the suddenly colder air.
**Scene 2:** In a volcano battlefield on Floor 900, a massive figure from the Karshem Bloodline paused mid-swing, his war hammer crushing the ground instead of his enemy. "...So, he chose to climb. Good. I'll wait at the top." Lava hissed around his feet as he grinned.
**Scene 3:** Deep in the Tower's highest reaches, an ancient being opened eyes that had been closed for centuries. "Ryu... again. The cycle repeats." The very air around the creature began to shimmer with power.
**Scene 4:** A youth polishing his sword in a mountain monastery stopped mid-stroke. "Time to sharpen my blade properly. I want to meet him." The sword began to glow with anticipation.
**Scene 5:** A cloaked figure in the Tower Library looked up from a book that had been written in a language forgotten by time. Eyes like stars opened beneath the hood. "He has come." Ancient pages rustled without any wind.
**Scene 6:** Somewhere near Floor 500, a drunk middle aged man sitting in a tavern grinned widely, his scarred face crinkling with amusement. "Took ya long enough, kid." He raised his mug in a solitary toast before downing the contents in one gulp.
The name Ryu Jin-Seok was now etched into Tower history, and with it, the attention of powers that had slumbered for decades began to stir. The quiet rookie in his grandfather's suit had just announced himself to the entire Tower.
The real journey was only beginning.