Level -99 Archmage

Chapter 21. The Savior

“…This is insane.”

Naturally he was in shock The moment he saw it, a tightness gripped one side of his chest. It felt as if all the fatigue accumulated from two days of forced marches had vanished in an instant. A top-tier latent ability! The probability of obtaining a top-tier ability from a “Potential Ability Granting Scroll” was less than 1%. It was already difficult enough to acquire the scroll itself, but to get the highest-grade latent ability as well? There was no greater joy. Taking a deep breath, Park Chan-woo focused his gaze on the World Tree Staff.

Name: World Tree Staff

Level: -98

Grade: Eternal

Description: A staff crafted from the World Tree by Agzoth, the god of blacksmiths.

It is said that in ancient times, when magic had reached its peak, only the greatest mages, the Grand Magicians, were able to wield this staff.

Equipment Slot: One-handed staff

Attack Power: 31

Durability: 1,500

Unique Options:

(1) Increases magic power by 10.

(2) Enhances the grade of all magic by one tier.

(3) Transcends a chosen magic into Great Magic.

Unlocked Latent Abilities:

(1) +10 Health

(2) +49 Attack Power

(3) +51 Attack Power

“……Perfect.”

Park Chan-woo closed his eyes after confirming the newly added abilities. The result of two days of relentless dedication. A reward for his sleepless, frenzied immersion in The Abyss. It was the final touch on a series of glorious rewards. A Potential Ability Granting Scroll randomly adds three options to equipment, and the range of those options is determined by the equipment’s level. As a result, he had gained a +10 health bonus and two attack power bonuses totaling nearly +100. True to its “top-tier” classification, the World Tree Staff had reached the limit of its potential.

‘All three options are exactly what I needed.’

Even more so because Park Chan-woo was suffering from severe status ailments: Weakness, Frailty, and Sickly, a threefold combo.

All his base stats were locked at 1, he was highly susceptible to diseases and curses, and he constantly felt drained. The best counter to these status ailments was Health. Yet, given his low level, it was difficult to find a way to supplement his lacking health. Likewise, increasing attack power at his current level was a struggle. But the Potential Ability Granting Scroll had solved both of these problems in one go. And more than anything, an attack power increase of 100 was by no means insignificant. At this moment, Park Chan-woo was certain, he now had the highest attack power of any human on Earth. Moreover, for a mage, attack power was an ever-welcome attribute.

‘At the very least, I can use this staff for another 20 levels.’

With +10 health and +100 attack power, catching up to this difference would require at least 10 additional levels. Considering the staff’s base attributes, it would remain viable for a minimum of 20 more levels. Even if he gained 20 more levels and searched for a new staff, he couldn’t be sure he would find anything better than this.

‘It was worth pushing myself nonstop.’

A satisfied smile spread across his face. He felt full without eating, and even the darkening sky seemed as bright as early morning. Everything had been a complete success. Without hesitation, Park Chan-woo invested his Class Level Points.

『You have used 1 Class Level Point.』

『Your “Mage” class has increased to level 5.』

His Mage class had reached level 5. A moment of surreal disbelief. Once upon a time, this would have been unthinkable. In his previous life, Park Chan-woo had transitioned to the Mage class too late, only at level 90. As a result, he had only managed to raise his class level to 9.

But this time, How far could he go?

Could he witness the ultimate, the very essence of magic?

“Status Window.”

To reorganize his thoughts, Park Chan-woo spoke the words aloud. At the same time—

Affiliation: Earth / Human / South Korea

Name: Park Chan-woo

Age: 27

Gender: Male

Height/Weight: 180cm / 68.5kg

Level: -95

Strength: 3 (1+2)

Health: 13 (1+12)

Agility: 3 (1+2)

Intelligence: 3 (1+2)

Magic Power: 21 (1+20)

Status Ailments: Weakness, Frailty, Debilitation, Nonexistence, Terminal

Total Attack Power: 159

Total Defense Power: 46

Class: Mage (Lv. 5)

Available Spells: Reflection (Great Magic, Rare), Divine Punishment (Lightning Magic, Rare)

Remaining Class Level Points: 0

Equipped Gear:

World Tree Staff (-98Lv, Eternal)

Frost Helm (-95Lv, Legendary)

Demonic Armor (-98Lv, Epic)

Demonic Pauldrons (-98Lv, Epic)

Demonic Gauntlets (-98Lv, Epic)

Cursed Belt (-95Lv, Unique)

Demonic Boots (-98Lv, Epic)

Iron Shield (-98Lv, Rare)

Abyss Items in Possession:

Easter Egg (001)

Mage’s Stone (+3 Magic Power, Legendary)

Void (Eternal)

Coins (7)

Pet: Radiant Anubis (Lv. 3)

Everything was perfect. There was nothing more to check. Park Chan-woo immediately collapsed onto his bed. Even though he had lost 2.5 kilograms in just two days, he couldn’t care less. Because he had achieved something far greater.

‘It’s been a long time since I last slept in a soft and warm bed…’

He couldn’t even remember the last time he slept properly. At the very least, it had been five years since he had fallen asleep with a mind at ease. Because he had always been afraid. No matter how powerful he was, even as the fourth person in humanity to reach level 99, sleeping peacefully in a world that had collapsed and was on the brink of destruction was impossible. The Abyss relentlessly emerged, and the twelve monstrous races hunted humans, treating them like slaves. For the past five years, Park Chan-woo had never let his guard down for even a single moment. The same was true for every other survivor.

As time passed, humanity’s extinction became more evident. Especially toward the end, all sorts of “Creators” began to torment the survivors. Unless one chose to act as bait by signing an Avatar Contract. Or unless one hoarded mountains of coins. There was no such thing as sleeping peacefully. This was one of the reasons why Park Chan-woo utterly despised the Creators.

“……”

Swish.

Lying down, Park Chan-woo shifted his posture, leaning against the wall.

He curled up in the corner, pulling his knees to his chest and burying his head. Within arm’s reach, he kept the World Tree Staff ready to react at any moment. For the past five years, this was the only position in which he could sleep, even briefly.

Perhaps that was why. Despite the plush mattress and warm blankets, despite being in a situation where he could afford to relax. It was only in this posture that Park Chan-woo could finally fall asleep.

* * *

Three Days After the Abyss Appeared. Humanity had no choice but to accept that the world was changing. They had already experienced it firsthand over the past two days. Countless people had died. Men, women, children, the Abyss spared no one, regardless of class or status. Survivors went through hell, and even those fortunate enough to avoid it were gripped by unbearable fear. The “Abyss” could appear anywhere, at any time, in any form. It was an unpredictable terror that rendered nations, and all of humanity, powerless. But on the third day, a bigger change occurred.

“…What the hell is that?”

“Dungeon Abyss?”

For the past two days, the “Abyss” had appeared randomly. It had no regard for time or place. But on the morning of the third day, changes took place worldwide. Gates leading into the Abyss, so-called “Dungeon Abysses” appeared.

These gates predominantly manifested in front of landmarks of historical and cultural significance. In Seoul alone, gates to the Abyss materialized in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bongeunsa Temple, the King Sejong Statue, and the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Statue.

“…If we don’t clear them within the given time, we’re screwed.”

“If we fail to clear the Dungeon Abysses within four days and accumulate enough points, a ‘Siege Abyss’ will open nationwide…?”

When the synchronized message appeared before everyone’s eyes, people were thrown into panic. A Siege Abyss?! It meant that if the dungeons were not cleared, monsters would invade.

‘It’s begun.’

And at that moment, Park Chan-woo was leisurely sipping coffee on a café terrace near Gwanghwamun. He had already known that today’s cataclysm was coming. It was the signal that marked the true beginning of the war against the Creators. Slowly, he read the message.

『Join forces to clear the “Dungeon Abyss”!』

『This Abyss event is conducted on a “national” level.』

『Citizens of each country must work together to clear the Dungeon Abysses and accumulate points within four days.』

『Dungeon Abysses that appear in front of landmark structures have varying point values (100–1,000 points).』

『If South Korea achieves a total of 5,000 points within four days, a “Siege Abyss” will not appear.』

『However, if South Korea fails to reach 5,000 points within four days, a “Siege Abyss” will open nationwide, releasing all the monsters from uncleared Dungeon Abysses at once.』

『The Siege Abyss event will last for 24 hours, and if all dungeons are breached simultaneously, the estimated death toll in South Korea within 24 hours is 3,810,000.』

『Do your best to clear as many Dungeon Abysses as possible!』

『With unity and determination, nothing is impossible.』

‘…What a bunch of trash Creators.’

No matter how many times he read it, it was the worst. Work together?

Then everything would be fine?

‘Just don’t get in our way, damn deities.’

These bastards would do anything to sabotage the 5,000-point goal. Having already experienced the horrors of the Siege Abyss, Park Chan-woo knew exactly how miserable this “game” was.

‘We were just 500 points short, and the Abyss opened nationwide.’

Back then, South Korea failed to reach 5,000 points, and the uncleared Dungeon Abysses unleashed their monsters onto the country, slaughtering civilians. More than 200,000 people died, marking the beginning of South Korea’s descent into darkness.

‘North Korea had it much worse.’

Still, South Korea fared better than North Korea. In North Korea, Dungeon Abysses spawned in front of the statues of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un. Forget clearing them, no one even dared to attempt it. As a result, every uncleared Dungeon Abyss in North Korea was unleashed at once, leading to over one million casualties, an utterly absurd tragedy.

‘I just need to clear one.’

Park Chan-woo wasn’t aiming for more or less, just one dungeon.

The Water God Abyss.

Connected to the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Statue, clearing the Water God Abyss would grant exactly 1,000 points. Among all the “public” Dungeon Abysses in South Korea, it had the highest point value and an overwhelming difficulty level.

‘…I have to do this.’

If he didn’t clear the Water God Abyss, South Korea would never reach 5,000 points. Especially since the deities were about to run amok. The “Chosen” who had contracts with the Creators would do everything in their power to sabotage the 5,000-point goal. And among them…

That bastard was there.

‘The strongest of humanity. The first to reach level 99.’

Park Chan-woo’s eyes darkened. The so-called savior, the most evil, and strongest “Chosen” of them all.

‘That bastard is here, too.’

Without a doubt he was somewhere in Gwanghwamun.

“Is there a brave citizen willing to enter the Water God Abyss with me?!”

“We must not run away! We cannot turn a blind eye! We must fight together!”

“Let’s show those damned demons what we’re made of!”

Just then, from somewhere in the distance—

A very familiar voice rang out.