Among difficult dungeons, there are those known as "abandoned dungeons."These are no longer explored—either because they've served their purpose and been discarded, or because they were designed for one-time use and thus abandoned for various reasons.For these reasons, even adventurers don't usually seek out abandoned dungeons.
Usually, the lords clean them thoroughly and retrieve anything of value that could be turned into coins.So even if someone were to search them, there wouldn't be much to find.However, what if—
"I found it! Haha! I knew there'd be something left behind!""You did? Really? Then hurry up and run! Before others find out!""Wait a second—there might be something even better in here..."
What if these dungeons had been well-managed by their lords but were suddenly abandoned?What if they fled in such haste that they didn't even have time to retrieve the rest of the dungeon's contents?Then there's a good chance that valuable items still remain.That's when players, like hyenas catching the scent of prey, come rushing in.Such was the case with the dungeons opened up during the War of the Lords.
"No—please, stop... Aaaaargh!""I—I was going to share! We can split it, right? There's no need to kill...!""Heh, if we kill you, it all becomes ours. So why share?""Don't leave a single one alive—kill them all!"
These were once dungeons ruled over by the lords of war.Players, drawn by the treasures rumored to be hidden inside, explored the dungeons and killed each other to claim the spoils.But not everyone came for treasure.Some had different goals entirely.
"...Any traces? Did you find them?""Still nothing. I think this place is a bust.""Damn it! That's the third dead end already! If someone else finds them first, the lord's favor will go to those bastards instead!"
These were the Oathkeepers of Justice, gathered for a single purpose: to hunt down a fallen lord.The defeated Lord of War had fled for her life—hiding within a dungeon she once ruled, having bound herself to a relic.Their mission was to find her and offer her up to the Lord of Justice, Akilos.
"Especially that bastard Isuhyeo—he can't get to her first... Move out!""Yes, sir!"
Akilos had ordered his Oathkeepers to hunt the rogue lord, promising a generous reward to whoever succeeded.Driven by devotion to their lord, the Oathkeepers scoured dungeons day and night.But they weren't alone.
"Let's move. We follow them.""You understand we can't be seen, right? We have to track them discreetly.""I know. We will be the ones to take down the Lord of War."
These were Oathkeepers from another lord.The fall of the Lord of War was already well known, as was Akilos's hunt for her.Some lords, driven by ambition, had dispatched their own agents—not to help, but to sabotage Akilos and claim the fallen lord for themselves.
"They're being followed. Trackers are on our trail.""Those damn hyena bastards! Kill every last one if they show their faces!"
Some searched the abandoned dungeon.Some hunted in the shadows.And others fought off pursuers in the chaos that followed.
Amidst the pursuit of various lords and their Oathkeepers—
"There! I found it! It's here!""We've located the hiding place of the Lord of War!"
The Oathkeepers of Justice had finally found the abandoned dungeon tied to their mission.Its name: Sanctum of War.This dungeon was hidden in a place no one had expected—You could say it was right under their noses.
And from the very moment it was discovered—
"She's in there—the Lord of War is inside!""Go in! Crush anything that tries to stop you and break through!""Our lord has sent reinforcements! Isuhyeo is leading them! Hold out until they arrive—do whatever it takes to endure, even if it costs your life!""We can't let those cowardly bastards take her!"
Thus began a war soaked in blood and torn flesh.But what they didn't know—
"Brother Kangjun, go on ahead! We'll hold them off here!""Good. Clear out the guardians protecting the sanctum—we're going in! Let's move!""Advance!"
What they didn't know was that someone had entered the Sanctum of War before them.That someone was already watching the Oathkeepers of Justice as they fought their way inside.
"I was starting to think I'd rot waiting."
Han Yuseong.Moving silently with the help of concealment magic, he stepped forward with quiet precision.
His presence—his footsteps—vanished in an instant.
[Dungeon: Sanctum of War]An abandoned dungeon once opened by the Lord of War. A tangled sanctum built like a maze, guarded fiercely by its sentinels. Originally designed for a different purpose, the dungeon was hastily modified by the Lord of War. As a result, its construction is crude, and no rewards exist within.[Rule]: No lord except the Lord of War may gaze into this dungeon. This restriction was established at the cost of a sacred relic.[Entry Restrictions]: None.
The abandoned dungeon—Sanctum of War.To put its location simply:
"Right under the rice bowl." (Korean idiom meaning "hidden in plain sight")
The reason was simple.The Sanctum of War was located in Seoul.Not far at all—in fact, it was hidden beneath Gwanghwamun Station.Specifically, underneath the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, in a hollowed-out underground chamber.
"I should say it's impressive they even thought to hide it here."
As for why it had gone undiscovered until now, that was also simple:The Lord of War had used a myth-grade artifact to conceal the dungeon.But as time passed, the artifact's effects wore off—And the hidden dungeon was finally revealed.
"Yeah... it was right around this time."
He remembered clearly—It was during the chaos, when the entire world was in uproar over the Hunt for the Lords.
It was a golden opportunity to absorb a fallen lord.A perfect chance to offer up a broken monarch and receive a catalyst in return.That was why lords and their Oathkeepers came swarming in—and soon, war erupted.The entire area was reduced to a wasteland.
But Han Yuseong had already found the dungeon before all of that happened.
Srrrhhhhh—
And so, he entered the dungeon just as the artifact's effects wore off and the Sanctum revealed itself.The inside of the Sanctum of War was a complex maze.If it had only been a convoluted path, that might have been manageable—but there was one more annoying complication:
[Intruders… will not be… tolerated.][Protect… the Lord.]
The guardians of the Sanctum.Soldiers made entirely of steel, animated by magical energy,Vigilantly patrolling the corridors and reacting to any signs of intrusion.They were strong—high-level constructs, no doubt.
"It's not that I can't deal with them… but—"
There was no reason to expend the effort.It wouldn't be long before other lords uncovered the dungeon's location.Wasting strength on the guardians would only leave him vulnerable later.It made more sense to conserve energy for dealing with the Oathkeepers.
With that decision made, Han Yuseong activated his concealment skill again—Masking both his presence and his footsteps—And lay in wait for the Oathkeepers of Justice to arrive.
KRAA-BOOOOM!!
"Gaaack! M-My arm—damn it… my arm!!""Somebody do something about that goddamn hunk of scrap metal!"
"Healing can wait! We don't have time—move in!"
As expected, the Oathkeepers of Justice had arrived.They were the scouting unit—the advance party that had discovered the Sanctum of War.Without hesitation, they entered the sanctum and began unraveling the maze with speed and precision.They ignored their injuries and pushed forward relentlessly.Naturally, they were fast.
"They really don't have the luxury of slowing down."
Other lords' Oathkeepers were hot on their heels.There was no time to hesitate. And beyond that—there was another urgent reason.
"I can't let Isuhyeo take this glory from me…!"
It was competition.The Oathkeepers competed to win their lord's catalyst—and even if they served the same lord, it was still a contest.
"Not all Oathkeepers are equal."
Even within the ranks of Oathkeepers, there was a hierarchy.The highest rank typically attainable was Apostle—Those chosen as Apostles received the lord's direct favor and privileges far beyond those of ordinary Oathkeepers.
"As of now, the Lord of Justice hasn't appointed anyone as an Apostle."
In his previous life, Isuhyeo had been the one granted that title.But in this timeline, the position was still up for grabs.Whoever played the biggest role in this mission would likely win the Lord's favor—and gain the edge in the race to become Apostle.That's why they were so desperate to find the Lord of War before Isuhyeo did.
"If I remember right, in my past life… it was Isuhyeo who found her."
Han Yuseong searched his memory.He recalled that Isuhyeo had arrived late—coming from another region—took control of the situation, and was ultimately the one who found the Lord of War.
That moment had firmly cemented Isuhyeo's position and influence.
"Then... does that mean this advance party failed?"
Han Yuseong took a closer look at the members of the scouting unit.Most of their faces were unfamiliar.But among them—just one face stood out.A woman wielding two short daggers.
"Jung Seohyun! How much farther?""The presence is getting closer—shouldn't be long now! Let's hurry!""Good, just a little more! Move!"
Jung Seohyun—judging by her weapons and gear, she was clearly a rogue-class.When Han Yuseong saw her, his eyes widened slightly.A familiar face. And one not easily forgotten.
"So she was with Isuhyeo all along, huh…?"
Besides Seohyun, none of the others appeared in his past life.They had likely died here.But Seohyun had survived—And later, as one of Isuhyeo's closest allies, committed all manner of atrocities under his banner.
Han Yuseong clicked his tongue softly and continued moving.
"This might be easier than I thought."
BOOOOM!
"Guh—damn it!""Is… is that the last one?""Yes. I can sense the presence beyond that metal door."
The massive guardian collapsed with a heavy thud.It had been guarding a thick metal door—one that exuded a powerful presence so intense, it made their skin tingle.From beyond the door, an overwhelming aura surged outward.The door itself was laced with complex magical seals.
"Brother Kangjun, look at this.""Wards. They threw everything they had at it—stalling tactics.""Can we break through? Doesn't look easy. And this isn't just any ordinary metal either. No way we're just smashing it open.""It'll take some time… but it's doable. The enchantments aren't that advanced."
Yu Kangjun examined the metal door and let out a long sigh.There wasn't much time—and this kind of obstacle was just a waste.Fortunately, it looked like the seals had been hastily prepared.Complicated, yes, but not impossible.
"We'll leave the seals to you, then.""Yeah. But I'll have to concentrate to lift them, which means I'll be defenseless during the process.Seohyun, watch my back. Keep an eye out for any other signs of movement."
"Got it. Just leave it to us."
Jung Seohyun gave a slight smile as she turned around.Yu Kangjun placed his hands on the metal door and closed his eyes in focus.The Oathkeepers with him were comrades who had stood by his side for a long time.He could trust them to protect him while he worked.
"I'll break through as fast as I can—while they hold the line."
Yu Kangjun's mana seeped into the metal door.He could feel the countless seals layered over it.As his mana made contact, the enchantments responded—and one by one, he began to unravel them based on their difficulty.
"Isuhyeo… I have to finish before he gets here…"
The Oathkeeper currently favored by the Lord of Justice was Isuhyeo.There was no shortage of others who envied him.Any powerful Oathkeeper would want to take that position for themselves.Yu Kangjun was no exception—though he was ashamed to admit it.
"Finding the Lord of War first is a major accomplishment.That alone should earn me the Lord's recognition.I can't afford to let him take everything—not this time."
Yu Kangjun drew even more mana into his hands and focused.One seal after another came undone.How much time had passed?He didn't know—his sense of sight and hearing were both shut off as he worked.All that existed in this moment were the seals… and his magic.
"Just a little more. Almost there."
Only a few seals remained.Sweat dripped from his chin as he unbound each one, his breathing shallow but steady.Finally, he focused his energy into the last remaining barrier—Pouring his will and magic into the final lock.
How long did he concentrate?
Click.
"Okay, that's it!"
With a sound like a lock clicking open, the final seal was released.Yu Kangjun opened his eyes, relief washing over his face.The metal door, now free of its enchantments, began to slide open with a deep grinding noise.
Beyond it—A vast, empty chamber.
Silent.Vacant.Devoid of any presence.
No Lord of War.No treasure.No aura.
Just an echoing void where something—someone—should have been.
"Oppa, did you open it?""Y-Yeah! It's open! Inside the chamber, there's…""Looks like… there's nothing. No guardians, no traps."
The chamber was exactly that—empty.No traps. No sentries.None of the guardians they'd encountered up to this point.Only one thing remained inside:
A single altar, and atop it, a sword.
"That sword… I can feel immense power from it. That must be…""That must be the relic. You did well.""You too. But… where are the others?""They're sleeping.""…Sleeping?"
Yu Kangjun blinked, confused by the unexpected answer.He turned his head—And froze at what he saw.
"…W-What is this…?"
Blood.Blood covered the floor, pooling like spilled ink.His comrades—his longtime allies—lay sprawled across the chamber, their eyes wide open in disbelief, as though they couldn't comprehend what had happened.
Only one person remained standing.Only one had survived.
Jung Seohyun.Still gripping her blood-soaked daggers, blood dripping from the blades.
"Sweet dreams.""Guh—ka…!"
Two blades plunged into Yu Kangjun.One in the neck.The other straight through his heart.
Every strike had hit a vital point.Yu Kangjun didn't even have time to scream.He collapsed, blood gushing like a fountain from his wounds.His fading eyes locked onto Jung Seohyun.
"W-Why… Why…?""Because you're not the one who's supposed to offer up the relic.""W-What… what do you mean…?"
Jung Seohyun calmly wiped the blood from her daggers, a faint smirk curling on her lips.
"Suho oppa is the one who'll make the offering.""S-Suho… Mi… Suho?!""That's right. You didn't know? I've already joined him.I mean, I was always more aligned with his side from the start—guess you could say I was sent here temporarily."
Mi Suho wanted to be the only one.Within the Oathkeepers of Justice, many factions existed.Mi Suho had been quietly planting his people within those factions—turning allies into spies, turning rivals into victims.All to remove his competition and rise to the top.
Jung Seohyun was one of those tools.
"No way… The other Oathkeepers—""Don't worry about them. Suho oppa already gave me what I needed.All I have to do is take the relic, hold out until he arrives, and my job's done.Simple, right?And since it's all so dramatic, the Lord will definitely favor him more.""Y-You're… insane…"
Splurt!
Yu Kangjun coughed up a mouthful of blood.His vision blurred, the world around him dimming rapidly.The light in his eyes flickered, then began to fade.
As death crept closer, Yu Kangjun cried out—not aloud, but in the depths of his soul:
'Someone… please… anyone…'
Someone… avenge me… punish that traitor…But no one answered that plea.Yu Kangjun let out a hollow breath of despair and slowly began to close his eyes.
And then—he felt it.
FWHOOOOM!!
"...?!"
A raging storm exploded through the chamber.A crimson whirlwind followed, crashing in like a tidal wave of blood and fury.
CRACK!!
"Guh—AACK…!"
He saw it—A fist, drenched in blood, slamming into Jung Seohyun.A massive, spectral dragon's fang-like light tearing into her arms.
Was it a hallucination?Was he imagining things in his final moments?Yu Kangjun didn't know.He could only hope—it wasn't a dream—as he slipped closer to death.
"K-KAAAGH!!"
Jung Seohyun screamed in agony, her bones crushed under the force of the blow.There was no time to react—no time to defend.The wind struck, and in the blink of an eye, a brutal fist followed.
As she coughed up blood, her vision flickered—And in that haze, she saw a man's face.
"So… how does it feel to get stabbed in the back?""W-What the—?!"
Han Yuseong threw another punch.
CRACK!
Jung Seohyun's body was sent flying, crashing straight into the wall with a thud.Her limbs went limp as her body slumped to the ground—completely overwhelmed by the pain, her body finally gave out.
She didn't even have the strength to scream.Her breath hitched. Her consciousness wavered.
Broken.Defeated.