CHAPTER 62: HEADING TO THE THIRD LAYER

After leaving the [Fear Dungeon] rift, Sam headed straight back to the [Awakener Association] to report his success.

The receptionist immediately bowed to him multiple times, clearly relieved.

They had feared a potential breakthrough from the rift, but now that it was cleared, everything was safe again.

Sam quietly accepted their thanks and left without wasting time.

He had done what he came for, not only testing out his [Forsaken Clone] skill but also gaining a full understanding of how it worked in actual combat.

It was a complete win for him.

"Only six days until the expedition... I’m so nervous. I’m joining a team from my guild for it."

"Good luck, man. Expeditions might be safer with how organized they are, but who knows what could happen. I’m sitting this one out."

Because of all the excitement surrounding the [Third Expedition], which had taken over the entire northern region, Sam’s name wasn’t being mentioned as much anymore.

That actually worked in his favor.

After all, an expedition to conquer the [Third Layer] was a much bigger deal than news about the second-layer mechanic.

Even though Sam had killed the [Black Sun], the second layer’s main threat, humanity had a way of always looking ahead, not back.

That meant all the headlines now were about the third and even fourth layer.

Sam made his way back to his apartment and got comfortable.

’I guess all I can do now is wait,’ he sighed while opening the forum app on his phone.

...

Five days passed.

During that time, Sam occasionally left his hotel room to walk around, but there wasn’t much to see or do.

The only thing people talked about was the expedition, and the closer the date came, the louder those conversations got.

By the fifth day...

’It’s tomorrow,’ Sam grinned to himself.

He already had everything he needed. He wasn’t someone who relied on gear anyway, and in terms of power, he was more than ready.

---

[Alicia Union:] I barely cleared my advancement task in time... but seriously, "Defeat ten level 15 bosses"?! That’s insane.

[Lily Gremoir:] Mine was to upgrade one of my skills, we got lucky it wasn’t to "Clear the Second Sub-Layer." We would’ve died for sure!

---

Sam had spoken briefly to Chloe Vinelord during the [Guild Meeting], but hadn’t thought to exchange contact information.

Still, he was sure she was prepared.

After all, the [Viper] guild was among the top in the region.

They wouldn’t miss something like the expedition. It only made sense that they’d send their daughter again with another elite team.

[Hell-Mode Analysis: It would be funny if her whole team died again.]

"I..." Sam opened his mouth to respond, but stopped himself.

He was about to say that people dying wasn’t funny, but [Hell-Mode Analysis] was literally just his subconscious. There wasn’t much of a point arguing.

That day passed quickly too.

But something strange was happening.

The closer he got to the [Third Expedition], the stronger that sense of "death" became.

At first, it had only been [Hell-Mode Analysis] warning him. But now, he could feel it on his own.

It wasn’t overwhelming *, just a faint whisper at the edge of his senses, but it was definitely there.

Still, Sam knew he couldn’t run from it.

He had to push forward, conquer the [Third Layer], and help move humanity one step closer to survival.

And maybe... just maybe, someone would find the third sub-layer for him and share its location.

With that thought, Sam laid down to rest.

...

[Today is the day.]

The moment Sam opened his eyes, a crimson panel greeted him. He sat up and exhaled quietly.

[All awakeners and guilds selected for the "Third Expedition" may now head to the second "Outer Ring."]

[May the will of the gods guide us in conquering this forsaken realm.]

"...Hm," Sam stared at the final message and rolled his eyes. "I think the gods gave up on me a long time ago."

Still, he got ready and headed outside.

The bullet train to the [Outer Ring] was noticeably more crowded than usual, but it didn’t affect the speed.

Ding!

[We have arrived at the Outer Ring. Please depart.]

Sam stepped out and, just like when he went to the [Fear Dungeon], immediately dashed toward the second [Outer Ring] at full speed.

"—H-Holy crap! Is that guy flying?!"

"Is he using an item? No way someone in Adept or Expert rank is that fast naturally, right?"

"Must be one of the top guilds. Good to know we’ve got people like that with us."

Of course, Sam remained unaware of just how ridiculous his stats were, not just Speed, but Strength and Soul as well.

Along the way, any monster that got in his way was quickly destroyed.

After about an hour of uninterrupted movement, just like last time...

Ding!

[You have reached the second "Outer Ring."]

"Alright," Sam came to a stop.

Nearby, he noticed other teams opening blue portals and jumping through them one after the other.

’I guess I should do the same.’

[During an Expedition, each portal connects to the same instance of the third layer, allowing many teams to explore simultaneously.]

Sam nodded and closed his eyes, connecting to the aura of the [Forsaken] realm that coursed through him.

[Which layer do you wish to enter?]

[→ Third]

He had already seen how others summoned normal portals by choosing the third layer.

So by all logic... his should be fine too, right?

He selected the third layer.

A blue portal appeared in front of him, calm, glowing softly.

He braced himself to jump, but just before he could—

[An impending sense of doom takes over your being. You feel like going inside will cause the death of many.]

"..." Sam stared blankly at the panel.

This was the first time it had ever been so specific about a warning.

But...

Would the deaths of others really stop him from entering? Would it stop him from getting stronger?

Not a chance.

Without hesitation, Sam jumped forward into the portal.

But the moment he did that... It changed.

Green veins began swirling around its edges, corrupting the portal entirely. The glow turned unstable.

It wasn’t [Corruption], but something else.

Sam had no idea what he had just triggered.

But the world around him did.

Snap!

[First step to the "Forsaken" path initiated.]

Elsewhere, something twisted deep within the fabric of reality.

But Sam didn’t see that. He was already being pulled into the vortex.

He flew through the tunnel of distorted energy, traveling toward the unknown.

Eventually, his feet touched solid ground.

And then, two panels appeared in front of his eyes.

[You have entered the "Third Layer" of the "Forsaken" Realm: The Roaring Cliffs]

[Good luck, Primordial.]