{⏱️ System Countdown – Final Phase}
The system broadcast echoed across the battlefield:
> ⏱️ [30 seconds remaining – Final Results Calculating…]
All participants will be teleported to platforms in 30 seconds. Please remain still.
The ticking began.
00:29… 00:28… 00:27…
The sky dimmed slightly. Pillars of light descended from above as transportation runes activated beneath the survivors' feet.
Jin-Seok stood still, eyes calm, scanning the battlefield. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
> Jin-Seok (casually):
"Almost forgot."
---
{💰 Robbed by the Boss – Kale's Tragedy}
Kaleon Vass stumbled toward him, sack of tokens slung over his back like stolen treasure, beaming with pride.
> Kale (excited):
"Boss! We made it! What a haul! We're rich, we—"
Jin-Seok held out his hand.
> Jin-Seok (deadpan):
"Hand it over."
Kale blinked.
> Kale (confused):
"…Wait, what?"
Jin-Seok raised an eyebrow. No explanation needed.
Kale groaned like a merchant whose ledgers had just caught fire.
> Kale (grumbling):
"…At least let me keep enough to stay in top, okay?"
Without looking, Jin-Seok tossed a small pouch back at him.
> Jin-Seok (smirking):
"You're lucky I'm generous."
---
{🌿 Still Hiding – Lucien's Lament}
In the underbrush, Lucien Arkwright slowly peeked out from behind a bush like a field mouse checking for predators.
> Lucien (whispering):
"Okay… it's over. I can come out now. I survived. I—"
A shadow fell over him.
> Jin-Seok:
"Hi."
Lucien froze mid-crawl. He turned slowly to see Jin-Seok standing above him, hand extended like a tax collector.
> Lucien:
"Bro… c'mon…"
> Jin-Seok (smiling):
"You can keep just enough to scrape and pass the Trial. That's generous, right?"
With a dramatic sigh of betrayal, Lucien handed over his pouch.
> Lucien (defeated):
"…This Trial is rigged. I'm going to file a complaint with my father."
---
{🌩️ Teleportation – Return to the Colosseum}
The rune beneath Jin-Seok's feet blazed white.
⚡ FWOOOSH.
He vanished in a pulse of light.
One by one, survivors blinked out of the battlefield—and reappeared high above the Colosseum, standing on elevated, glowing platforms like gods returning from war.
The roar hit them instantly.
> RAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
The crowd was a tsunami. People screamed, cheered, and chanted Jin-Seok's name. The momentum was electric. After seeing the drone footage of the final fights—Jin-Seok's dominance had become a myth in real-time.
---
{📢 System Announcement – Leaderboard Reveal}
A golden interface appeared above the center of the arena.
> [TOWER SYSTEM – LEADERBOARD UPDATE]
Newbie Trial Final Rankings – Token Count
Rank Name Tokens
🥇 1 Ryu Jin-Seok 5,883+
🥈 2 Zephyr Karshem 1,979+
🥉 3 Noah Varnok 323+
4 Joshua 100+
5 Kaleon Vass 90+
6 Dante Dragunov 50+
7 Rokhan Zokhul 50+
8 Lucien Arkwright 50+
9 Elina Vel 30+
10 Zayna Malik 30+
11 Lady Evara Umbrea 30+
---
{🎤 Vox's Final Commentary}
Vox's voice boomed over the Colosseum, electrified with emotion.
> Vox (laughing):
"Well then! What an unbelievable showing! Ryu Jin-Seok didn't just survive—he dominated! Nearly triple the token count of second place… That's not just victory—that's annihilation!"
>
"And the Golden Generation? All made it to the top 11—barely, in some cases. But the gap is clear, folks. Ryu Jin-Seok is in a league of his own!"
---
{👧👴 Audience Reaction – Alfred & the Little Girl}
In the audience, the little girl gripped Alfred's sleeve, eyes wide in awe.
> Little Girl (shouting):
"That's him! That's Jin-Seok! He's the one who saved me!"
Alfred, still seated beside her in his neat butler's uniform, simply smiled. A rare, proud smile.
> Alfred (quietly):
"Master Jin-Seok… you truly are your grandfather's heir."
He adjusted his gloves and gazed toward the platform where Jin-Seok stood—alone, above everyone else.
---
{🟨 System Broadcast – Golden Light Floods the Arena}
Suddenly, golden script blazed across the sky—visible to all participants, drones, and even the Colosseum audience.
✅ Survival Trial Cleared – PvP Format (First Generation)
> [System Notification – Historic Clearance]
You have accomplished what none before you could.
This is the first record ever etched into the reformed Newbie Trial – PvP Survival Edition.
▸ Newbie Zone Trial – Jungle of Trials
▸ Duration: 4 hours
▸ Trial Type: Free-for-all PvP
▸ Token Count: 5,883
▸ Ranking: #1
You have set the first standard.
Title: Trailblazer of Chaos
"The one who carved the first mark on untamed ground."
+5% to all stats when fighting multiple enemies
+5% cooldown reduction on active AoE skills
---
Do you wish to leave your name as the First Victor of the PvP Survival Trial in the Tower Records?
[Yes] / [No]
Jin-Seok tilted his head slightly, lips twitching with amusement.
> Jin-Seok (smirking):
"Not even a question anymore?"
He pressed [Yes].
A heavenly chime echoed across the Colosseum and entire Tower. The system responded with a declaration for all to hear.
---
{🌐 Tower Broadcast – All Climbers, All Floors}
> A new milestone has been set in the Newbie Zone Trial – Free-for-All PvP Variant.
Challenger: Ryu Jin-Seok
Total Tokens Collected: 5,883+
Previous Record: None (First Instance of This Trial Format)
A name has been etched into the Tower Records.
---
{🧬 Legacy System Reward – Objective Complete}
> [Legacy System Alert]
Objective Complete: Win the Tower's Newbie Trial — Achieve 1st Place
You have conquered the chaos.
You stood above all.
You are the first.
Rewards Unlocked:
• +1,000 Legacy Points
• 1× Additional Active Skill Unlock Card
---
[Legacy System Update – Delayed Reward Delivery]
> You have chosen to reveal your name during the
Newbie Maze Trial (Nightmare Mode).
> System has now processed your reward.
Reward Granted: Unique Skill – "Sage's Eye"
---
{🧿 Skill Unlock – Sage's Eye}
Skill: Sage's Eye
Classification: Unique
Tier: A
Status: Partially Locked
Description:
A rare skill born of insight and intuition. Grants the user limited access to:
Target status screens
System interfaces normally hidden from climbers
Obscured clues, traps, etc.
---
{🔥 Golden Generation Reactions – Rivalry Ignites}
Joshua, arms crossed, locked eyes with Jin-Seok across the platforms.
> Joshua (coldly):
"You're not untouchable.
Next time, I'm coming for your crown."
---
Noah Varnok laughed, tossing a pebble up and down, wide smile on his face.
> Noah (grinning):
"A rival worthy to chase… finally."
"Don't die before I catch up, Jin-Seok. That'd be boring."
---
Dante Dragunov cracked his neck and stepped forward, fire in his eyes.
> Dante (grinning wide):
"I missed my chance this time—but next time, I won't."
---
Rokhan Zokhul, quiet and colossal, looked at Jin-Seok with unshakable intensity.
> Rokhan (calm, but firm):
"I'll face you soon. Be ready."
---
Zephyr Karshem said nothing at first. Then, just before turning away:
> Zephyr (quietly):
"Next time… it won't end the same way."
"I'll wait for you at the peak."
And with that, he turned, cloak snapping behind him.
---
Lady Evara Umbrea sneered, rage simmering in her noble posture.
> Evara (venomous):
"How dare you toy with me... I'll kill you next time."
---
Kaleon Vass stood with his arms crossed, giving Jin-Seok a thumbs-up with one hand and clutching his much lighter pouch with the other.
> Kale (grinning):
"Stole from me like a proper boss—proud of you, damn thief."
---
{🏛️ Tower Holding Zone – Post-Trial Waiting Room}
The room was spacious, elegant, and humming with tension. Velvet banners marked different recruitment guilds—some mid-tier, some elite.
Dozens of recruiters stood waiting, eyes locked on the legend who just broke the Tower's Trial record.
Jin-Seok stepped in.
Instant silence.
A few mid-tier guild members stepped forward eagerly, offering scrolls, skills, relics, and contracts.
> Flameroot Rep (grinning):
"Mr. Jin-Seok! We're from Flameroot. Full benefits, private training zone, a contract worth—"
Jin-Seok walked past without a glance.
> Moonveil Rep (desperate):
"Moonveil Guild offers a heroic class relic—just for signing!"
Still ignored.
---
{🌀 System Space – Aris Appears Beside Jin-Seok}
Aris appeared in a flicker of light, hovering beside Jin-Seok as only he could see him.
He whistled softly, scanning Jin-Seok's reward list.
> Aris (genuinely impressed):
"Well, well… Sage's Eye, huh? That's a rare one—even by my standards. Can't believe they handed you that so early."
He leaned closer, smirking.
> Aris (eager):
"C'mon, activate it now. I want to see what it does. Just a peek."
> Jin-Seok (smirking):
"Not now. First, we focus on what's next…"
> Aris (mock gasp):
"You're denying me, the great Aris Telvahn? What a shame."
Jin-Seok chuckled softly.
> Jin-Seok:
"There are still other rewards too. I forgot with all the chaos going on."
> Aris (grinning):
"Now that's the spirit. Let's cash in the rest before another meathead tries to offer you a golden toothbrush."
{Sudden Shift – Iron Fang Appears}
A group pushed forward, black and silver armor marking them clearly. The room tensed again.
Then came the smug voice, loud and deliberate.
> Iron Fang Captain (calder):
"I'd say you owe us a bit of gratitude, brat."
> Calder (smirking):
"You humiliated our members outside. Out there might've been chaos... but in here?"
He jabbed a thumb at his chest.
"We hold the leash."
> Calder (stepping closer):
"Don't think anyone can bully Iron Fang and walk away smiling."
Jin-Seok turned to face him.
Expression flat.
Eyes unreadable.
> Calder:
"Join us. We'll ensure no one makes your climb hell."
He leaned in, voice sharp now.
> Calder:
"Or else."
A beat of silence.
Then—
> Jin-Seok (calmly):
"Or else what?"
_______________________________________________
{An Original Series by Celestial Raven}