Despairing North Town, It Should Never Have Been Unsealed

"Ding! Congratulations, player. You have successfully entered the North Town [Master Zone] map area."

"This is the final unexplored section of this Dungeon. The ultimate opportunity to revive the Sequence Lord is hidden within the map. Explore to your heart's content—"

The game announcement echoed in his ears before finally fading.

A drop of water fell, and a chill spread across the tip of his nose.

Ji Yan slowly opened his eyes and found his body freezing cold.

Both his hands and feet throbbed with piercing pain.

A hanging light bulb on the ceiling swayed, casting dim orange light.

It reflected the pooled water on the floor like snowflake silhouettes.

This was... a water prison?

Ji Yan froze for a moment before realizing that iron chains bound him. Sharp hooks had pierced through his hands and feet, while the torn flesh had long since scabbed over.

What was this?

Things were getting this intense right from the start?

Ji Yan tugged at the chains, his expression strange. This was a beginning he had never anticipated.

"Ding! Player notification: you have appeared within the North Town map. Your current location is—[Grudge-Born Tower]."

"This location is marked as a trial site. All players will automatically trigger the trial, with a difficulty rating of S Rank!"

"You are currently on the first stage. Players must find a way to break free of the chains and escape the water prison."

"The final method for passing the trial is—escaping [Grudge-Born Tower]!"

Ji Yan furrowed his brow.

This beginning was completely different from the other three town districts. There was no opening narration, no introduction, not even a moment to rest or prepare.

He had suddenly appeared at a trial site and was inexplicably about to begin an S Rank trial?

Ji Yan turned his head