Juhyeok watched the news until the end with a heavy heart.
He had known his mother had been fired from her company, but to think she was suffering so much that she was even holding a one-person protest.
"Unbelievable!"
Anger surged up.
And with it, guilt.
What good was having two sons?
They were unfilial sons who couldn't even be leaned on when something like this happened.
By the way, how did she manage to hire a lawyer?
If it was the Park & Kim law firm, a few won certainly wouldn't cut it.
Kosak seemed to have caught on to the situation as well.
In a cold voice.
"Summoner Bong."
"What is it?"
"I'll go visit Jin Sammul once, sme."
"..."
Honestly, he wavered a little.
But.
"Don't. Watching Mom's interview, she's hired a decent lawyer."
"Yes, sme..."
I should send her the lawyer fees later.
The magic stones he'd saved up alone totaled 21kg.
About 10 million won in money terms.
If that wasn't enough, he could sell the Energy Shield Kit too—
Jji-ing!
Right on cue, his smartphone rang.
It was his father.
He must have seen Mom's interview.
- Juhyeok, did you happen to see the news?
"Yes, I did."
- Yes, I called your mom too. She says not to worry. Says she hired a solid lawyer, and it's even free. They went on about supporting the socially vulnerable—
Free?
He'd heard that prestigious law firms occasionally provided pro bono service as a form of social contribution.
It seemed heaven was helping them out.
"That's good to hear. I was about to send lawyer fees anyway."
- Hahaha, and where would you get money? Anyway, don't worry about your mom and just focus on what you're doing.
"I'm not worried. I know Mom's personality. But what about you, Father?"
- I'm doing fine. I got a call from Ilsung Hospital today...
"Hm? Why from them?"
- The orthopedics department at Ilsung Hospital is running a rehabilitation treatment project for hip joint surgery, and they said I was selected. The treatment costs for hospitalization and rehabilitation are free. So I've decided to be admitted to the hospital.
What?
- We're both free, hehehe. Heaven's helping us. Your mom and I must be a match made in heaven.
Ilsung Hospital was a hospital affiliated with a major corporation.
There was nowhere better in Korea.
But he'd never had surgery there—how did they know his patient information?
'...Something's strange.'
This wasn't something he could just let slide.
'Should I look into it?'
The moment he hung up with his father, another call came through.
It was his younger brother, Minhyeok.
- Hyung! Did you see Mom's interview?
"Yeah, I did."
- Wow! And I had no idea. I was an unfilial son.
"Same here."
- So, about that money you gave me to buy a laptop—I want to send it to Mom. A lawsuit is going to cost a lot.
"And you? You'll be okay without a laptop?"
- Hehe, I'm fine. I got a scholarship this time. A pretty substantial one—enough to pay tuition and buy a laptop. I must be being rewarded for living so virtuously.
Well, look at that.
"...What scholarship is this?"
- They say it's a national scholarship. From the Awakening Management Agency. They hand out lots of scholarships there.
By this point, even someone as timid as Juhyeok—who was no fool—could figure out what was going on.
'It wasn't heaven helping.'
He'd know once he checked.
※ ※ ※
A Park & Kim law firm had taken on his mother's unfair contract termination lawsuit.
His father was being given free rehabilitation treatment at Ilsung Hospital,
and his younger brother Bong Minhyeok was receiving a national scholarship from his university.
All events that had happened within the last day or two.
How could this possibly be coincidence?
It was obvious where the interference was coming from.
'The Awakening Management Agency.'
Park & Kim handled all legal counsel for players, Ilsung Group was the corporation that purchased the most magic stones in Korea, and decisively, the scholarship came from the Awakening Management Agency.
Honestly, he was a bit angry.
They pulled this stunt without even getting his consent?
If it were up to him, he'd want to take it up directly with the agency director, but...
'That person's too far above me.'
Instead, he contacted Team Leader Jeon Gwangil, whom he saw regularly.
He was the easiest among the agency people to deal with.
"Um, this is Bong Juhyeok. If you have time, I'd like to meet somewhere quiet."
- Of course, anytime. Have you eaten lunch yet?
"Hmm, not yet."
- Then I'll come pick you up. Let's have a meal together.
"...Alright."
How long had it been since he'd eaten a meal with someone else?
Not recently, at least.
'Not back in the old days either, huh.'
Eating alone was the best.
He could eat whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted,
and didn't need to wait around for others to finish.
The restaurant Jeon Gwangil took him to was a quiet hanjeongsik restaurant with private rooms.
Before the food arrived, Juhyeok carefully brought up the matter.
"What brings you here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Mom's lawsuit, Father's rehabilitation, Minhyeok's scholarship."
"... "
Jeon Gwangil was silent for a moment before speaking.
"It was necessary."
Just as expected.
"If there's trouble at home, worry is inevitable. And worry affects your tower conquests, keeps you from performing at your best, and then climbing becomes harder and harder..."
That speech pattern felt oddly familiar.
"Isn't that kind of care only for Elite Team players? I'm on a standard contract."
In that instant!
Thud—a contract was placed on the table.
"Then sign an Elite Team contract right now."
This rascal came prepared.
"...I still lack confidence. My talent isn't all that great either."
"Do you really think so?"
"... "
He had nothing to say. A record-holder of consecutive S++ rank conquests on Floor 24, lacking talent?
That was pure deception, that was.
"I sincerely ask you. Didn't you already go through that incident with Choi Hosuk, that bastard? Join the Elite Team and receive proper treatment. Player Bong, you deserve it."
Hah.
What was he supposed to do?
"If you sign an Elite contract, you'll immediately receive close protection equivalent to VVIP status. At the very least, what happened before won't happen again."
Close protection, huh.
"I don't like that. Having someone attached to me every single day—and I won't do conquest livestreams either."
One of the biggest reasons Juhyeok avoided the Elite contract.
The existence of Kosak and Gobang, and video recording.
"The protection issue can be adjusted. As for video recording, you're free to do as you please."
"How do you plan to adjust it?"
"You can simply live in a highly secure space. Somewhere your private activities are guaranteed, and only receive protection when going out for external activities."
That's tempting, though?
"Bodyguards will also be assigned to your family members."
Ahhh!
His resolve wavered.
Actually, it had been wavering since a moment ago.
That firm determination to never join the Elite Team.
But it couldn't be helped.
This way, that way—a life like a reed.
That was exactly what a wimpy man was! Wasn't it?
"...If I sign, I get a house too, right?"
"How many square meters would you like?"
"Not for me—for my family. I plan to live independently, so I'd rather give the house to my family instead,"
"We will provide a house each for your family members and Player Bong separately."
Wow, terms impossible to refuse.
No longer just wavering—he was crumbling down completely.
"I'm fine with just an officetel."
"That's possible."
"A-and for my family, a house with at least 4 rooms and 2 bathrooms?"
"Yes! We'll arrange that."
The prompt answers looked good and all,
but did he get sign-off before coming here?
Shouldn't a team leader need approval for this?
"Don't worry. I've been granted full authority by the Director."
"... "
"The signature line on the contract is here."
Juhyeok found himself reaching, as if entranced, for the fountain pen Jeon Gwangil offered—
Then he snapped back to his senses.
"W-wait a moment."
"Yes? Suddenly..."
Almost there.
Jeon Gwangil wore an expression of disappointment.
"Give me a little more time."
"Ah, how long?"
"...I'll decide tomorrow."
"Very well. I'll wait."
Right! Since we've already met.
"I have some magic stones saved up,"
"Yes, hand them over. I'll collect them."
He'd eaten a meal,
handed over the magic stones,
and now he needed to reveal to his family the awakening he'd been hiding all this time.
And the Elite contract too.
Rather than his father's opinion, his mother's approval was the key.
And he'd need to talk with Kosak as well.
Plus, after conquering Floor 25, when he had 25 Platinum Badges, he'd need to find out what the special reward was.
First, conquer Floor 25.
Then meet with his family.
And above all, what mattered was his own conviction.
Juhyeok returned home and agonized all night.
Being a reed by nature, he couldn't easily reach a conclusion.
※ ※ ※
The next day.
Having slept fitfully, Juhyeok woke up late.
Today was the day he'd decided to conquer Floor 25.
Since it was Saturday, he'd finish in the morning.
He might need to go to his parents' place in the afternoon.
But first, he designated-summoned John Kosak.
"Chung! The Special Super Rare Assassin has arrived."
He must have ranked up.
His appearance had changed quite a bit too.
His build had grown larger, and his eyes had grown sharper.
Though his speech was the same as ever.
"Welcome, Mr. Special Super Rare Kosak."
"Hehehe, won't you call Al (R) Gobang-ie too?"
Suddenly Gobang's name had become "Al."
The R in Rare.
Al-Gobang, for short?
"Well, I have something to discuss before conquering Floor 25."
"Ay, of course, of course you do. How could you possibly converse with the ignorant Al-Gobang?"
"I met with someone called a team leader from the Management Agency yesterday..."
Juhyeok relayed the entire conversation he'd had with Jeon Gwangil to Kosak.
"What do you think? Should I join the Elite Team? Or stay standard?"
Kosak nodded and answered.
"I'm in favor, sme."
"In favor?"
"Summoner Bong is a national-power-class player. You deserve proper treatment, sme."
National-power-class, my foot—
when without Kosak and Gobang, he couldn't do anything at all.
"Can I manage it? If I join the Elite Team, I might have to climb to Floor 60, or who knows how many floors."
"Absolutely possible, sme. As long as Summoner Bong lives safely and long."
"...My ability doesn't matter?"
"Summoner's safety IS your ability."
What was that supposed to mean?
Why was my safety relevant here?
"The place I came from had legions of Legend, Special Super Rare rank summoned beings. If only Summoner Bong stays safe, someday you can summon every single one of them."
"Ah..."
"And they will all swear absolute obedience to Summoner Bong. They'll do whatever you command. As long as it doesn't violate Clause 3."
He understood what Kosak meant.
What if a party made up of them were formed?
"Shall I continue? There are even a few demigod-class monsters beyond rank, transcending the human level."
"...Beyond-rank can't be summoned."
"That's how it is now. But later, when your summoning ability rises, it will be possible."
A demigod transcending human bounds.
'I can't even dare imagine.'
This was exactly why he needed to stay safe.
"You will come to command a powerful corps of summoned beings. With a single gesture, you'll be able to command them all. Floor 60? Floor 70? Or even Floor 100? Piece of cake, sme."
That's right.
It was just a matter of time.
"Live long and safely, and keep up your Random Summons without fail. That is Summoner Bong's ultimate skill and trump card."
Accounting for cooldown, that was 12 times a year—and if a Cooldown Reset Ticket item happened to drop, he could do it even more.
Of course, if his gacha luck was bad, it'd all be for nothing.
'When's my next Random Summon?'
Checking—about 19 days left.
If he could also achieve trait enhancement within that period, all the better.
John Kosak continued speaking.
"But there is one thing you must firmly demand."
"What?"
"That the decision to climb unconquered floors follows solely Summoner Bong's will, and that there must be no outside interference. This is important, sme."
"I decide on upper-floor conquests?"
"You must absolutely make it explicit. Otherwise, all sorts of trash bastards will raise a fuss about why you aren't climbing the unconquered upper floors. Then you'd be forced to climb unprepared and—hmm."
As if recalling some painful memory, Kosak scowled,
"—You must never be dragged along. Anyway, if only that condition is guaranteed, receiving the nation's support is good, sme."
Kosak was responding positively.
"Let's conquer Floor 25 first. We'll see what the special reward is. I can get a Platinum Badge, right?"
Kosak chuckled with a "Pik!"
"Why the long face! I am SS-Rank now. Ssu-al—Special Super Rare, SSR."
Kosak's advice had been quite helpful.
A sufficient answer.
'Good thing I asked.'
Juhyeok designated-summoned the Barbarian Warrior Gobang.
[Barbarian Warrior Gogi Bang has been designated-summoned.]
"Good to see you."
"I, absolutely obey the summoner."
Then Kosak said,
"Hey! Gobang, you rascal, aren't you going to greet me?"
"A warrior does not greet just anyone."
"Hey! I'm SS-Rank! SS-Rank!"
"..."
"There are TWO whole S's in front of the Al! S! S! R!"
How curious.
The Barbarian Warrior was shrinking back and avoiding Kosak's eyes.
"Pathetic little Al."
"Assassin, you, bad."
"Shut up! This is the difference between your eyes and mine, you Al (R) rascal!"
With a two-tier rank gap, even a Barbarian Warrior couldn't help himself, huh?
'Poor guy.'
Next time a Summoned Being Rank Enhancement Rune drops, he'd give it to Mr. Gobang.
Who knows?
Maybe he'd get smarter.
"Then I'll be counting on you today too. I'll take it easy and... hmm, kill about 2?"
"Ay, our Summoner Bong, do whatever you wish. This SS-Rank will protect you."
"Then could I kill about 10?"
"Summoned Being Clause 3—"
"Okay! 3."
"Just this once, sme."
Having ranked up, Kosak had grown quite confident.
[Entering Floor 25 of the Black Tower of South Korea.]
The final stretch of the Orc section.
Similar to Floor 20, where Goblin had been the end of the section.
'The mission is...'
[Floor 25 Mission: Kill 100 orcs of any kind and 1 Orc Great Chieftain.]
[Time Limit: Within 10 hours.]
[Completion Conditions: All types of orcs 0/100, Orc Great Chieftain 0/1]
Orcs came pouring out.
Forest orcs, desert orcs, cave orcs, volcano orcs.
Three of those would be his share.
Well, should he just kill three?
If he had room to spare, he'd slyly take one or two extra.