Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

Inside the glass greenhouse, the party members stood bewildered before a floating clock, staring at the gate.

Tick, tock, their hearts beat in time with the second hand.

“What do we do? What do we do, unni?”

“That idiot…!”

I bit my lip hard at the system window that appeared before me.

It seems today is one of those days when nothing goes right.

They say a lifetime’s worth of rare events have been pouring down on me these past few days, but I never expected it to happen in the field too.

The gate connecting to the World Tower rippled before our eyes.

[Do you want to enter the 19th Floor, ‘Necromancer’s Mansion’?]

◆◇◆◇◆

Despite the chaotic start, we smoothly swept through the field.

Two close-range dealers of different types, one tank, and one ranged dealer. Everyone played their roles perfectly. Thanks to this, the party was able to defeat the field boss located in the central greenhouse without major crises.

Cha Taeyang’s performance, with her fire attribute skills, was especially brilliant. It was hard to believe it was her first time.

Though a bit hasty, Jo Sung-hyun also did his part well, befitting his academy background, and Seo Young-woon, despite his apparent reluctance, diligently protected the group.

‘It took less than two hours to clear, which says it all.’

The problem came after that.

While Seo Young-woon and I were sorting through the items and by-products dropped by the field boss, a giant clock appeared before the kids.

Before Cha Taeyang could stop him, Jo Sung-hyun reached out to the clock as if entranced.

“Jo Sung-hyun! Hey!”

“Mr. Kim, over here! Come here quick! It’s an emergency!”

I turned at Cha Taeyang and the goblin’s cries, but Jo Sung-hyun had already vanished without a trace.

In his place, a gate leading to the World Tower opened.

“Hunter Yun Gaho, this is…”

“Yes, you’re right. It’s an interference.”

The official term: Cosmic Gate.

A phenomenon describing the occurrence of fields and the World Tower.

It’s so rare that there aren’t enough cases to properly analyze its cause, yet it appears before us of all people. Talk about spectacularly bad luck.

“We need to request reinforcements quickly…”

Even with his conquest team experience, Seo Young-woon paced uncertainly in front of the gate. It was because the connected location happened to be the infamous 19th floor.

“Of all places to get caught up in…”

If we’re going in, we need to hurry.

If my memory serves me right, the 19th floor is a wave-type level where you need to survive for a set time while avoiding dangers.

It’s a place where particularly troublesome undead-type monsters appear.

Even if he’s an A-rank dealer, it’s not somewhere Jo Sung-hyun can handle alone.

‘Can we conquer it with this number of people?’

I heard even the conquest team at the time of clearing had a tough time. Maybe it would be wiser to wait for reinforcements.

Seo Young-woon and Cha Taeyang waited for my decision as the party leader.

“The chances of Trainee Jo Sung-hyun surviving alone in there are very slim. We have to go.”

“The difficulty temporarily increases right after an interference. Can we manage?”

“I’ve seen an interview video of ‘Hwolbin’ who conquered the 19th floor. They said there are several safe zones. If we utilize those, we should be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive.”

But we’ll have to take risks either way. At my added words, Seo Young-woon furrowed his brow.

Even as we deliberated, Jo Sung-hyun’s survival chances were dwindling by the second. We need to go now.

I placed my hand on Cha Taeyang’s shoulder as she looked at us with anxious eyes.

“This must be shocking for your first field. It’s dangerous, so Hunter Cha Taeyang should wait here. Reinforcements will arrive soon. So don’t worry.”

Cha Taeyang looked up at me intently and shook her head.

“No, I want to go too. You’re going too, aren’t you, unni? Why are you telling only me to stay behind? I can do well.”

I was at a loss for words.

This was Cha Taeyang who had swept through the battlefield, her fists wreathed in blue flames. Having only provided cover from behind, it was difficult for me to dissuade her.

Even with Seo Young-woon joining in to persuade her, Cha Taeyang remained adamant.

Swinging her gloved fists, Cha Taeyang declared:

“You said it’s dangerous, right? I’ll protect you, unni. Let’s go quickly!”

“…Alright. But you must absolutely not act alone. Don’t rush into danger trying to protect me either. Promise me that you’ll prioritize your own safety above all else, no matter the situation.”

“That’s right! Taeyang, listen carefully to Mr. Kim’s words! Absolutely no dangerous acts. Promise!”

“I promise.”

“Sigh, then let’s go.”

I wasn’t keen on taking a child in, but honestly, I was relieved she was coming along. Isn’t this a time when we need all the help we can get?

‘Actually, the real problem isn’t Cha Taeyang, but me.’

Though I ended up taking the leader role, in reality, I was the least helpful person here. It would be fortunate if I didn’t just hold everyone back.

I caught myself thinking pessimistically out of habit and pulled myself together.

There’s no time for this. I gripped the bow in my left hand tightly and headed for the gate.

[Entering the 19th Floor, ‘Necromancer’s Mansion’.

– Current entrants: 4

※ Difficulty increased due to connection with field ‘The Wizard’s Garden (C)’.]

[Main Quest ‘Dance with the Dead (B+)’ begins.

– Clear condition: Survive

– Time remaining: 01:53:19]

“Sunbae!”

“I see you had enough sense left not to forget the code of conduct.”

As soon as we entered the World Tower, Jo Sung-hyun rushed towards us. He must have been very frightened; his usually tanned skin looked pale.

I was worried he might have wandered off in a panic, but thankfully he had been waiting by the gate.

After confirming Jo Sung-hyun’s safety, we split into two teams and began surveying the surroundings.

It was the same greenhouse we were in just moments ago, though somewhat more dilapidated.

Broken glass, bent doors, withered plants, creaking hinges. And unlike in the field, a clearly visible old mansion created an eerie atmosphere.

“I don’t like it here. It’s full of malevolent energies.”

“Ugh, I’ve never smelled such a foul odor before.”

Foul odor? I couldn’t smell anything.

Cha Taeyang recoiled as if sensing something I couldn’t detect.

[Monster wave begins in 3 minutes!]

“Everyone, quickly check your status and consumables.”

“Hunter Yun Gaho, where’s the nearest safe zone?”

“We need to head towards the mansion. There are no safe zones nearby.”

As we left the greenhouse, I checked my memorizing list.

My main skill, ‘Attribute Bestowal’. It was the trusty skill that allowed me into Hwangya, but in situations like this, it often put me in a difficult position. It can’t be used without advance preparation.

‘How much is left?’

I was lucky. Thanks to the party members’ rampaging in the field, I had quite a few uses left. This should be enough to avoid hindering the others.

“Activate ‘Cat’s Step’.”

[Your nimble movements are just like those of a predator!]

With that trite message, my body felt much lighter.

As the time limit decreased, the ground began to tremble. The thought of the undead buried throughout the vast grounds sent chills down my spine.

The others must have had similar thoughts, as our pace quickened towards the mansion.

Our destination was the maze forest between the mansion and the greenhouse. A faint light seeped through the trees forming the maze.

“Aah! What is this!”

Jo Sung-hyun screamed at the sight of a wrist emerging from the soft ground. Worried he might be scared, I turned to look at Cha Taeyang.

Contrary to my concern, Cha Taeyang was extending her hand for a handshake, her expression full of curiosity.

“Hey, you need a bath. You stink. Like, really bad!”

“Taeyang, that’s disgusting!”

“Sori, is this someone I shouldn’t be friends with?”

“That’s just an empty shell with no soul left. Don’t touch it. It’ll bring bad luck!”

At the goblin’s words, Cha Taeyang visibly deflated.

By the time the undead’s crowns were visible, even I could smell the intense chemical odor.

The safe zone is in the center of the maze forest.

We reached the maze forest without much trouble, but soon found ourselves lost trying to find the way to the center.

“Hey, we only have 30 seconds left. Can we make it?”

“Unni, we’re out of time. Can’t we just climb over this wall?”

“Climb over…?”

Climb over this wall that’s easily 4 meters high?

I started to question Cha Taeyang’s words but then realized. Ah, right, these people have surpassed human limitations due to the system.

We were still quite far from the safe zone. I could manage if I used a skill, but I couldn’t guarantee we’d reach the safe zone in time.

‘Should I at least send the others ahead…?’

Noticing my predicament, Seo Young-woon reluctantly suggested:

“We don’t have time to hesitate. I’ll carry Hunter Yun Gaho. Let’s hurry.”

Before I could respond, Seo Young-woon slung me over his shoulder like a sack. Then he leapt high over the maze wall.

Every time Seo Young-woon jumped and landed, I felt like my stomach was being crushed against his shoulder.

I faintly heard Cha Taeyang asking Jo Sung-hyun, “Hey, can’t you do that for me too?”

Though no one said it outright, they must have been accommodating me, as our speed increased dramatically after Seo Young-woon started carrying me.

It felt like we had barely taken a few steps, but suddenly the safe zone came into view. In the middle of a small clearing, an area about 5 meters in diameter glowed white.

[10 seconds until the monster wave begins!]

[You have entered the safe zone!]

That was close.

As soon as we entered the safe zone, Seo Young-woon dumped me unceremoniously.

‘No wonder he has the nickname “Seo Inseong” (heartless).’

I was annoyed, but thanks to him we arrived on time, so… I brushed off the dirt on my knees and surveyed the situation.

[The monster wave has begun!]

[Safe zone duration: 00:15:00]

With the system message, a thick fog settled over the entire floor, and dead bodies silently emerged from the ground. Near us, half-rotten animal carcasses and skeletal soldiers appeared.

Thunk!

A monster crashed into the safe zone’s wall and tumbled down.

Hearing the commotion, more and more monsters began to gather around the safe zone. There were more than I expected.

‘And the first safe zone only lasts 15 minutes? This is too much from the start!’

It was natural for me to grumble like this.

Once used, a safe zone is sealed. Moreover, true to the World Tower’s absurd nature, the duration of safe zones decreases over time, while monster waves arrive proportionally faster.

“Hunter Yun Gaho.”

“Yes, the situation doesn’t look good.”

As a test, I shot an arrow at the closest undead wolf.

Yelp! The wolf retreated a couple of steps but soon charged back towards us.

I shot at several other nearby monsters, but the reactions were similar.

An undead army of at least C-rank.

Seo Young-woon’s expression turned grave.

Even Cha Taeyang, who had been sitting at the edge of the safe zone watching the monsters, looked up at us with worried eyes.

My vision went dark.

I knew of only five safe zones in total.

If reinforcements don’t arrive within that time, we’ll be wiped out.