A short break.
Cossack turned on the TV, saying it was time for a drama, but nearly all the major networks were plastered with special coverage.
Nam Ga-eun, Player, succeeds in clearing Floor 65.
Floor 66 clearance coming soon.
Cossack burst into a rage.
"What the heck is that? What's so great about that measly 65th floor, huh? If it weren't for Lord Bong the Summoner bringing them the holy sword, they'd be nowhere! I'm angry, angry! Do they think a streak of 33 consecutive S++ clears is some kind of joke?"
Then Yeondalrae said, "Lord Cossack, please don't be so upset. It's all just temporary. Once the Floor 66 clear is over, they'll gradually fade from the news."
"Oh! Is that so?"
"Yes, in the end, only the young master's feats will remain. Kuh!"
"Hehehe, well said."
Feats, my foot!
It's all their own feats.
How much credit do I even get for it?
But Nam Ga-eun the Player was purely a solo player.
Of course, items are extremely important in clearing the tower.
As the saying "gear carry" goes, a single high-quality item can completely change the outcome of a clear.
But a player's personal ability was no less important than items.
An item's effects only shine when used well. 'It is impressive, though.' Honestly, he was jealous.
Even if he couldn't reach Nam Ga-eun's level, he at least wanted the ability to protect himself while in the tower. 'But right now I'm just dead weight.' Though the summoned ones would never think of him as a burden. It had been the same in the Floor 33 clear. He'd been overwhelmed by the size of the Stage 3 Minotaur and couldn't land a single proper mace swing. 'Let's just do what we can for now.' Juhyeok decided to attempt the tower again the next day.
Yesterday, Floor 33.
Today, Floor 34.
Two days in a row.
South Korea's Black Tower, Floor 34. The mission: clear the Stage 4 Minotaur.
The bull heads were now nearly six meters tall.
"...They're huge."
"Enormous, deul. You have to snap your head back just to see the bull's head."
Ahh!
Leaping up to smash their skulls was never going to happen.
So was he now completely unable to use the Honyeon Pillikgon (Mixed Origin Thunderbolt Staff) techniques?
The floors would only get bigger from here.
Was he destined to only hunt the orcs and trolls of the lower floors?
He suddenly felt gloomy.
This timidity of his, this cowardly personality—couldn't he fix it somehow?
While he fretted, the clear had already begun.
Doom doom doom doom!
Ding-a-ling-a-ling, shaaa!
Yeondalrae's buffs spread across Floor 34.
Riding that power, Gobang and Cossack were mowing down Minotaurs.
Juhyeok, on the other hand, couldn't bring himself to charge in.
He had made a firm resolution—timid but gentle weakling on the outside,
powerful real man inside the tower.
But upon facing the giant monsters, that resolution wavered like a reed once more. 'Let's just go for the legs. Hit it with some tricks a few times and it'll fall. Then I can finish it off.' Well, not the real man's way.
Seeing Juhyeok staring at the battlefield with a gloomy expression, Cossack abandoned his half-killed Stage 4 Minotaur and ran over.
"Lord Bong the Summoner, is the bull's head too big for you?"
"Yes. I've hit my limit."
"Don't you worry. Who am I? Ssril, Cossack will solve it for you."
"What?"
"In exchange, promise to hunt just one. There's barely any left anyway."
There's a way?
Intriguing.
"Alright. I'll hunt just one."
"A quick decision, excellent."
Cossack looked at Gobang.
"Gobang, don't you owe a beef debt? You ate the most, remember? For every piece the others ate, you scarfed down five!"
"I-I'll do anything."
"It's not hard. Interlock your fingers. No, not like that—like this."
Aha!
He understood.
He was supposed to make a foothold with his hands.
"Oh! So I jump off it?"
"Hehehe, Gobang will boost you up—boing!"
The scene formed in his mind.
Step on the platform, whoosh! Launch into the air, descend magnificently, and crush the bull's head.
How cool would that be? 'It's perfect!' Cossack, lovely no matter how you look at him.
How does he always scratch exactly where it itches?
Fine.
Let's do it.
"Mr. Gobang, please lift me."
"Got it. A warrior lifts the summoner."
Gobang took his stance.
"Here we go."
Tatatatak!
Juhyeok ran.
He stamped hard on the platform Gobang made with his hands, knees snapping straight—Ta-at!
—and soared into the sky.
Gobang added his strength too.
Shuuut!
His body shot upward.
Cool wind on his face—a leap that cast off all shackles and burdens.
This is the finish. Glad he tried it. 'Yes, this is what a real man is.' He kept rising.
And rising, and rising... 'Huh?' Why wasn't he stopping?
How high was he going? '...Crap.' Gobang was strong.
But dumb.
On the other hand, he followed orders to the letter.
He'd asked to be lifted, so Gobang had lifted him.
Not knowing exactly how much, he'd probably done his utmost best.
Juhyeok himself bore part of the blame.
Upon entering the tower, physical abilities were enhanced according to level.
Strength, agility, mana—everything became enormously stronger.
Unaware of this, he'd put too much force into his jump off the platform.
Even an ordinary human could launch absurdly high with a proper platform stomp.
The synergy of action and reaction.
And because of that—Shuuuuut!
He was still climbing.
"Hahahaha..."
Juhyeok laughed hollowly.
The situation was so absurd that maybe he was scared. 'Will I die if I fall?' Nah, no way.
His level bonuses were applied too.
It would hurt a bit, that's all.
He had healing potions, too.
Juhyeok tilted his eyes down to look beneath him.
Cossack was dropkicking Gobang.
Apparently trying to shift blame, claiming he'd been lifted too high. 'Why is he like that.' He's the one who suggested it. 'Suddenly reminds me of jungle trolls.' That must be how they felt when Gobang shook the trees.
His speed gradually decreased.
Finally, the ascent stopped.
But all that remained was to fall.
If it wasn't going to work, he should've just stayed put.
He'd jumped out for nothing, all to smash a monster's skull— Before long—Shuuuut!
Juhyeok's body began plummeting straight down.
"Whoa."
His nether regions shrank.
He was going to wet himself at this rate.
But contrary to his body's reaction, he wasn't terribly afraid.
Yeondalrae holding her talisman bottle ready to cast, and Gobang already stretching out both arms in a catching stance.
Yeondalrae would slow his fall, and Gobang would catch him.
With that bulk, a princess carry would probably land him safe and sound.
But it gave him goosebumps.
That shaggy fur, that hideous chest—he was supposed to be cradled in it like a new bride? '...' The more he imagined it, the more horrific it became.
Wasn't there a way to land coolly on his own, without being caught?
Then a movie scene came to mind.
The kind where a hero in an Iron Suit with rockets mounted on his boots flies.
Same with the robots that often appeared in animations.
He wished he could fly like that too.
Ignite a rocket from his foot—shwoosh! That instant! 'Huh?' What was this?
An energy gathering toward his soles as he imagined the rocket ignition scenes from movies and anime. 'Oh...' He thought he knew what it was.
Mana.
Mana was responding to Juhyeok's will.
At the same time, a sensation of resistance.
It even felt like he was falling slightly slower, 'Could it be?' Juhyeok instinctively activated Shadow Steps in midair.
Swat! Swat! Swat!
"Huh?"
He was walking.
Shadow Steps were unfolding in midair. 'It's working.' Swat! Swat! Swat!
The power of mana was pushing against the air.
That made it possible, however precariously, to plant his feet.
In a zigzag direction—Swat! Swat! Swat!
It was certain.
His falling speed had slowed further.
Juhyeok concentrated all the mana in his body into his soles.
Meanwhile,
Cossack, Gobang, and Yeondalrae stared blankly at the sight from below.
"The summoner's walking. In the sky."
"Y-yeah, I'm watching too."
In midair... a Shadow Walker?
That was possible?
Cossack recalled what the guildmaster of the assassins' guild had told him.
That when a Shadow Walker reached the extreme, they could walk the skies.
He'd snickered back then, saying that was just cheating.
And now he was witnessing it with his own two eyes.
Cossack realized with certainty.
"...Truly, our Lord Bong the Summoner has staggering talent."
"Lord Cossack speaks rightly. Who would have thought we'd witness aerial treading here?"
Juhyeok was still anxious.
His descent had slowed considerably, but it was still fast.
Would he land properly?
Could he plant his feet on the ground magnificently?
The ground was now close at hand.
And right at that moment!
A Stage 4 Minotaur below him caught his eye.
At the same time, an idea flashed through his mind. '...Hmm.' Might as well try.
In the instant of falling, he stretched the hand holding his mace back behind his shoulder— 'Lightning Flash.'
He drove it straight down onto the Stage 4 Minotaur's head.
Kyaaaak!
Kwajik!
A Lightning Flash in perfect form.
And so its power exceeded imagination.
The Minotaur's upper body, utterly deleted.
And with the recoil, a light landing.
Tadat!
"Hah, hah!"
His breath shot up to his chin.
Under the circumstances, a solid performance. 'Don't tell me I...' Juhyeok stole a glance downward.
His pants were clean.
Fortunately, it seemed he hadn't wet himself.
Clap clap clap clap!
The summoned ones rushed over, applauding.
"Am-amazing, deul. Dazzling talent! Even I couldn't do this."
"The summoner must receive the title of Warrior."
"Ahh, how can you be so exceptional? This maiden trembles before the young master's tremendous talent. Pray, do conduct yourself with restraint."
Oh my! How embarrassing.
"I did pretty... well, didn't I?"
"Spectacular, deul! Not only did you rise that high, but a Shadow Walker in midair—beautiful. Look at my pants. Aren't they damp? I wet them thoroughly."
"You scoundrel!!! N-no, Lord Cossack, how can you be so filthy? Utterly vulgar."
Thanks.
He'd wet himself in Juhyeok's stead.
Honestly, he had been terrified.
He'd thought he'd flail his limbs wildly and fall helpless, only to be scooped right into Gobang's embrace.
But what was this?
Shadow Steps working in midair, of all things.
Honestly, it seemed he had talent.
Even by his own assessment, the Shadow Steps in the air had been fantastic.
He had practically flown through the sky.
And what about the Lightning Flash?
He'd felt it the instant he cast it.
That it had landed flawlessly clean.
Anyway, mission complete. [You have succeeded in the Floor 34 mission.]
[You have leveled up.]
[Reward: 3.4kg of Magic Crystals]
[Reward: Rune of Summoned Being Rank Enhancement]
Another Magic Crystals reward today, as usual... wait!
"Uing?"
What was that?
"Gah!"
A reward, a reward.
And not just some perk—a Rune of Summoned Being Rank Enhancement appeared as a reward item?
Was the tower giving him a commendation for putting on a good show? [Notice: You have achieved an S++ rating in clearing Floor 34 of the Black Tower (South Korea).]
[S++ Clear Reward: A Platinum Badge is granted.]
[You may now challenge Floor 35.]
[You are exiting South Korea's Black Tower.]
Spot!
Juhyeok and his party returned to the officetel.
The moment he emerged, Juhyeok flopped onto the sofa.
"Wow!"
He still couldn't believe it.
He opened his inventory to check. 'It's real.' First, he quietly called Cossack over.
"If you use the Rune of Rank Enhancement, can it go from SSR to LSSR?"
"No way, deul. Rank enhancement through a rune stops at ssril. Ell-ess-ess-arl is the exception."
So that's how it is.
He decided.
This Rank Enhancement Rune would go to Gobang.
"Let's get some rest now."
"Yes, deul!"
"Thank you for your hard work. But pray, do protect your body yourself next time. This maiden feels her heart being torn asunder."
"Fine, fine—let's have a staff dinner instead. What would you like to eat?"
He was about to turn on his smartphone and open the delivery app when Cossack said,
"Don't order. We're eating nothing but ramyeon for a while."
"Why?"
"We ate hanwoo, didn't we? Especially that Gobang brat could fast for days. How many servings did he wolf down all by himself?"
Cossack's scorching reproach, and Yeondalrae chimed in too.
"No matter how well one works, one does not employ a servant with a beggar in his belly. Ah! Of course, this is not directed at Lord Gobang in particular."
At her?
With that tiny mouth, how many lettuce-wrapped beef bites had gone in?
Poor barbarian Gobang.
Perhaps deflated, he hung his head low.
This wouldn't do.
He should give it to him right away.
"Mr. Gobang?"
"...I'll eat less next time."
"No, don't—take this instead."
"A warrior can starve. I won't eat it. The summoner should eat plenty instead... Huh?"
Go Bang's eyes went wide.
He seemed to know what this was.
"Go get your rating raised."
"..."
Go Bang lowered his head and fell silent.
His shoulders heaved. 'Poor guy?' He must have had it rough all this time.
Scolded for eating too much, ignored for being slow.
Drip, drip-drip-drip, drip-drip.
Teardrops as large as his frame fell to the floor.
"Crying again? Don't cry— hup!"
Go Bang suddenly wrapped Ju Hyuk in a tight embrace.
Due to the difference in height, Ju Hyuk's face was buried against Go Bang's stomach.
Go Bang had a lot of hair even on his belly.
He could feel the coarse, bristly texture against his face. '...Mmm.' What is this?
He'd been desperately performing a tap dance in midair, trying to avoid being hugged.
And yet here he was, getting embraced. But with a head that dim, could he even properly use runes?
It was worrying, that much was true.
※ ※ ※
Park Gyeongsu, Director of the Korean Awakening Management Agency, received an official request from the United States regarding the rental of the Holy Sword.
He accepted it immediately and set up a visit schedule.
Ever since Korea cleared the 66th floor—
"As soon as the 66th floor was cleared, we got word that Player Gerald Watson and Antonio Tapp, Director of Tower Conquest at the Department of Homeland Security, would be entering the country through Incheon Airport."
"That fast? What's the big rush?"
Jeon Gwangil had only spoken with Antonio on the phone four days ago.
When they offered a million dollars as the rental fee for the Holy Sword, he'd torn into them, telling them to think it over carefully and call back.
He knew why they'd done it.
They were testing the waters, probably.
Still, this crossed the line.
"They're coming this time to conquer the 67th floor, Phantom Reaper?"
"No, there's still plenty of floors left. No need to rush the conquests."
"Then what?"
"They said they want to repeatedly clear the Specters on the 66th floor and experience the Holy Sword's effects firsthand."
Gerald Watson.
America's highest-level player.
Even he had taken over thirteen hours to clear the 66th floor.
"What's the rental fee for a single use?"
"They offered ten million dollars."
"Anything else?"
"The withdrawal of anti-dumping regulations on Korean-made magic stone steel products."
"Hmm,"
Well, there was no point discussing it now.
The rental price was ultimately for Player Bong Juhyuk to decide.
"Oh, right! And..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"You know the penthouse Yu Cheolmin used, don't you?"
"What about it? Haven't cleared it out yet? Burn everything Yu Cheolmin ever used."
"We were planning to. But it seems Player Bong Juhyuk has taken an interest in that house."
"Ah..."
Director Park Gyeongsu pondered for a moment.
The penthouse's ownership had been forfeited and incorporated into government property.
A house, of all things—Player Bong Juhyuk was qualified for it.
If not to him, then to whom?
"I was already planning to give him something more anyway... a house would work nicely."
He certainly had ample justification as the owner of the Holy Sword.
The fact that Bong Juhyuk was an S++ rated record-holder was unknown even to the president.
The fewer people who knew, the better.
However, a report identifying him as the Holy Sword's owner had been submitted.
The rental fee would have to be deposited into an account, so his identity was bound to come out anyway.
"Good! Have everything in the house cleared out and hand it over. I'll take care of the approval from above."
"Yes, I'll get it moving."
The timing worked out perfectly.
It had been weighing on him anyway that they'd only given the man an officetel on a two-billion-won annual salary.
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