Gobang had returned.
That made things feel all the more secure.
Back when he was Algobang, his fighting style had been nothing but brutishly snapping, tearing, and smashing everything.
The new Gobang, however—the New SSR Gobang—had become remarkably skilled in combat.
He still fought bare-bodied, but he no longer relied simply on raw mass; he was now displaying properly refined martial techniques.
Drawing every minotaur's attention to himself, he would grab them, twist them, hook their legs to trip them, even evade with swift mobility, and when an opening came, seize their neck and snap it around.
"G-Gobang's f-fighting has gotten so c-cool, sir."
I'll admit it.
The brutish Algobang was gone.
The clever SSR Gobang had taken his place.
"His head's gotten smarter too, and his strength is even greater."
Well, I'm not so sure about the head... Anyway, the catalog description was wrong.
It said "ordinary(?) barbarian warrior," didn't it?
How is that anything like ordinary?
Even if it did come with a question mark.
Occasionally, the old Gobang's style would show itself as well.
ShaaAAAK!
SSR Gobang's charge.
Papapapak! Papapapapak!
The wave-four minotaurs went flying like mannequins the instant he touched them.
"We can just sit back, I suppose."
"That we can, sir."
It would take time, but since it was a repeat quest, there was no need to aim for an S++ clear.
"Hmm, if I'd known this would happen, I'd have brought popcorn. In any case, it was a good call giving Gobang that enhancement rune. Who knew he'd change that much?"
"This is a scam, it is! Total balance collapse! I got a rune enhancement too, so why is his twice as good? It's infuriating, it is."
Cossack lamented.
It almost sounded like jealousy.
At that, Gyeondallae spoke up.
"Lord Cossack, your jealousy runs far too deep. How could you expose such a vulgar sentiment before Young Master Bong?"
"...That's just it, though."
"Still, you are a useful tool for Young Master Bong, so you would do well to take pride in your station as a servant, Lord Cossack."
"Hehe, you think so?"
Cossack, swayed back and forth by just a few words from Gyeondallae.
It seemed Gobang and Cossack's intelligence had now become roughly equal. 'Still, I'm smarter than them, right? Hmm, I should be. ...I'd better be.'
I absolutely had to be.
※ ※ ※
The Floor 34 repeat quest was ultimately completed by Gobang alone, from start to finish.
Upon leaving the Tower, Gobang shrank back into his modest 190cm warrior form.
We had witnessed the power of the New SSR Gobang well enough.
So what about the Floor 35 Minotaur King quest?
"As I said before, it's a broken matchup. Gobang charges in alone, and the Princess rings her bell—game over."
This meant the accumulation of 35 Platinum Badges could already be considered achieved.
So what special privilege should I pick?
The random summon cooldown reset was drawing ever closer.
With one more pull, the catalog would have four entries. 'It has to be Trait Enhancement...'
Weapons, items, skills, miscellaneous tickets.
What use were any of those?
Only Trait Enhancement.
Please, let it be Trait Enhancement.
So, I asked,
"Um, Princess Gyeondallae?"
"You called, Young Master Bong?"
"There's something I want to ask... About that luck talisman you wrote for me before. You called it modest luck—modest how, exactly?"
Gyeondallae thought for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm, allow me to draw an analogy using items of Earth. When friends draw lots over a ladder game to decide who pays for lunch, you alone are exempted; in a packed shopping mall parking lot, a spot suddenly opens up for you; or you succeed in booking tickets to a popular trot singer's concert and become a filial child who takes their parents,"
That's amazing, though?
At this level, isn't that a jackpot rather than "modest luck"?
"If I get the luck talisman and clear Floor 35 with an S++ for the Platinum Badge, can I receive the special privilege I want?"
"Ahh, on that matter I cannot give a certain answer. Whether the privilege you desire would fall under the scope of modest luck, this girl cannot say, sir."
Judging by Gyeondallae's speech patterns, it might be difficult to obtain the privilege I wanted.
Well, fair enough!
Trait Enhancement was practically the greatest privilege a summoner could have.
The only thing that could rival it would be a guaranteed LSSR-grade random summon ticket.
"Then is there anything even more effective than a luck talisman? Something that guarantees a surefire jackpot?"
"This girl's power is meager; a luck talisman is her limit. However—"
However?
That meant something existed.
"If one receives Karma, it may be possible..."
"Yes?"
You mean the karma that Yu Cheolmin received?
"Depending on one's karma, the recompense due to you will arrive more swiftly, and all at once. If your karma is virtuous, you would immediately receive the overflowing reward of Great Fortune."
Karma, then.
Evil karma brings misfortune.
Virtuous karma brings jackpots.
Let me think.
Could I really afford to receive karma? 'Have I lived virtuously?'
Lukewarm at best.
Nothing to boast about.
At best... pushing an old lady's cart up a hill while she hauled scrap cardboard?
Bad deeds?
Pfft, I'm not that kind of—wait!
'Actually, no.'
I might lean closer to evil, if anything.
More than once or twice, I'd seen injustice and just let it slide.
Better not to receive karma.
But then the privilege, the S++ clear, everything would become impossible.
"...Being too greedy is an ugly sight, I suppose. Let's leave it to the will of heaven. I'll settle for the luck talisman."
"Understood, sir. I shall write it with utmost care."
Still, that's what I said—but please, Trait Enhancement.
Meanwhile, what were Cossack and Gobang up to?
Gobang was watching TV.
Some kind of comedy program—he was snickering away as if he understood every bit of it. 'His intelligence has definitely improved.'
And Cossack?
He was gazing outside through the officetel balcony window.
Was there some interesting spectacle out there?
His back looked a little unsettling, too.
"Cossack?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing? You were so quiet."
"Watching the scenery outside, sir."
"Don't tell me you're upset that Gobang became SSR?"
He waved his hands as if that were absurd.
"Of course not, sir. With Gobang becoming SSR, Summoner Bong has become far safer. He's a dependable fellow, he is."
What a relief.
So it wasn't jealousy.
But then,
"Um, er... Summoner Bong."
"Yes?"
"Might I ask one favor of you?"
"Anything you like."
"Please dismiss me now, and summon me again around midnight."
Huh?
"Why?"
"There is a football match late tonight in a far-off country. I simply must watch it, sir."
"Ahh... I didn't know you liked football."
"I do, sir. I want to watch this match live, no matter what."
"Well then, sure, I'll do it."
"Thank you, sir!"
The designated summon cooldown was only three hours.
He could be summoned at least twice a day.
What was so hard about granting a little favor? 'Might as well visit the Player Shop while I'm at it.'
The magic stones I'd received as rewards had piled up far too much.
Time to cash them out.
※ ※ ※
Juhyeok used the vehicle provided by the officetel security office to reach the Player Shop.
He went straight to the magic stone sales booth and had them weighed.
Rounded off, 54 kilograms—about 27 million won.
They'd transfer it all later.
Time to do some shopping, then.
There were no particularly notable new arrivals.
Still, he was browsing, thinking of buying gloves.
Suddenly—
"Player Bong."
He turned at the sound of his name.
"Oh! Team Leader Jeon."
Jeon Gwangil glanced around carefully, then spoke in a lowered voice.
"If you have time, perhaps we could have some tea somewhere quiet..."
"Of course."
Juhyeok accompanied Jeon Gwangil to his office.
Quiet, and just the two of them.
"Congratulations on clearing Floor 66. Player Nam Gaeun was impressive as well."
"It was thanks to the holy sword you lent us, Player Bong. Without it, we never could have managed."
Compliments exchanged, conversation flowing smoothly.
It was certainly easier to talk with someone familiar.
"I've prepared what you requested."
"Oh! I was just thinking I needed those."
Nam Gaeun's autographs.
Far more than he'd asked for.
"That's a lot."
"You did say it was for Juhyeok, so I had her sign quite a few."
How kind of him.
I'll have to thank him properly later.
"Have you decided on the penthouse ownership transfer?"
Here it comes.
"I'm sorry, but a freebie feels like too much of a burden."
"You needn't worry. There will never be any request made in exchange for it."
"It's fine. It's not as if I can't earn money. Once I make some, I'll just buy it then."
"Hmm..."
Jeon Gwangil looked troubled.
"Whenever you change your mind, please contact me. We'll keep the penthouse vacant."
"Thank you."
"But there is one more matter."
"What is it?"
"Several days from now, Player Gerald Watson of the United States will be visiting Korea."
"Ah—yes?"
Gerald Watson.
As if anyone wouldn't know that name.
A world-class American player.
His known trait: Magic Swordsman.
"Why?"
"The purpose is to rent the holy sword."
So foreign inquiries had finally come in.
"What are the conditions? How much are they offering?"
"Ten million per rental."
Ten million... ten million.
Surely not ten million won.
"Is it in d-dollars?"
"Yes, dollars. Ten million dollars."
Good heavens!
Isn't that 13 billion won in Korean currency?
"They claim it's for a trial, but Gerald will be using it himself."
Unbelievable.
Typical America.
The rich country that prints dollars.
Renting the holy sword wasn't like borrowing an electric scooter—and this was per single rental.
For one entry into and exit from the Tower.
"I know it displeases you—'merely that much money,' indeed. When the American negotiation team arrives, I'll drag things out. We won't accept a paltry ten million dollars."
Hold on a moment.
What do you mean we won't accept it?!
When they're offering, you take it right away!
If you blindly ask for more, they might say, "No, we won't rent at that price," and the negotiation could fall apart.
Besides, since it's for a trial, they're not in a rush.
And most importantly of all.
Was the holy sword really the only divine-attribute item out there?
Every nation was already scouring the world for them with hungry eyes.
What if another one was secured?
He might not even get ten million dollars.
Take the money while you can.
After all, they'd said the holy sword's effect would grow weak from Floor 68 onward.
It could only be used up to Floor 67.
The price had to be reasonable precisely so it could be rented out even for trials like this.
"Um, ten million dollars sounds about right. Take it and rent it out."
"...I'm sorry? We could ask for more."
He put force into his voice.
"I was afraid that getting greedy would cost us everything. I've decided. Please accept the ten million dollars."
"U-understood. Ah, yes! And one more thing we secured at the national level."
"What is it?"
"The withdrawal of anti-dumping regulations on magic stone steel products exported by South Korea."
With that, Jeon Gwangil studied Juhyeok's face.
"I am deeply sorry that we have leveraged your personal holy sword for national gain..."
But Juhyeok said,
"Oh! That works out great."
He meant it.
They were handling the rental on his behalf and even bringing customers to his door—this much was nothing.
After a few more words exchanged,
"You'll be taking your time with Floor 67, I trust?"
"Yes. I plan to start planning only after at least four months have passed. Please maintain your pace and climb safely as well, Player Bong."
It seemed he'd found considerable breathing room—before, he'd been begging us to reach the 60s as fast as possible.
At the rate Player Nam Gaeun was growing, clearing Floor 67 would be feasible.
"I'll be going, then."
"Please contact me whenever you change your mind."
Juhyeok left the Awakening Management Agency in the same car he'd arrived in. 'Phew...'
Thirteen billion won.
His salary could just be treated as pocket money from now on.
If he'd known this was coming, he could have paid for that penthouse outright. '...No, actually, that wouldn't work.'
Even thirteen billion wouldn't be enough, would it?
Maybe if he rented it out twice.
Juhyeok returned home.
He considered ordering chicken, but just made ramyeon instead.
He should share in the suffering of his summons.
And then, at midnight—
"Designated summon: Cossack."
[Cossack has been designated-summoned.]
"Chuu!"
"Watch all the football you want. Don't bother seeing me off when it's time to go back—I sleep like a log once I'm out."
"Yes, sir!"
Tsk. What was so fun about watching people kick a ball around anyway?
He might as well sleep his fill.
Cossack watched the football match.
But after a while of staring at the TV screen, hearing Juhyeok's steady breathing from the bedroom, he rose from his seat.
And then—
Pip! He vanished.
※ ※ ※
A basement in a building in Seoul's entertainment district,
not far from Juhyeok's officetel.
The sign read:
It appeared to have gone out of business long ago.
The door was locked tight, the floor littered with mail that had gone uncollected for months, and even the lights were out.
But there were people inside.
Eight in total.
Leaning on the faintly lit lamps, they were deep in conversation.
Not in Korean, but in Chinese.
"Let's take one last look at the candidates we've selected." One of the eight laid photos out on the table, one by one.
"Name: Kim Misuk, female. According to our records, she signed an Elite Team contract three months ago. Estimated to have reached at least the 30th floor."
"Next?"
"Name: Jang Dongsu, gender is—"
"Next."
The photos kept coming down.
When about fifteen had been laid out, "Name: Bong Juhyeok, male. Signed with the Elite Team just over two months ago. Estimated to be somewhere in the late 20th floors."
Bong Juhyeok's photo was placed on the table as well.
"Everyone checks out fine."
Of course they did.
They were all talent-verified players from the Korean Elite Team, after all.
The leader lined up the players' photos, Bong Juhyeok among them, and spoke.
"All of them are suitable targets, so grab whichever ones you like. But! A minimum of three to five people, and the operation happens simultaneously. It's a plan we'll only get one shot at anyway, so we should take as many as possible."
If Elite Team players went missing, the Management Bureau would be thrown into an uproar.
This was an entirely different matter from voluntary naturalization.
But there was no other way.
Not if they wanted to prevent the collapse of the tower near Shanghai.
They would abduct these people and, once a day without fail, equip them with bodycams and throw them into climbing the Chinese tower. Until the 59th floor was conquered.
"Once you've mapped out each of their routes, adjust the operation time to within one hour and—"
But at that very moment!
"Wow, our Summoner Bong looks incredible even in a photo. He's the most handsome one here."
Deng Guanlin, a senior officer of the Northeast Special Forces Brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, frowned and snapped angrily.
"Who said you could speak Korean? When we're among ourselves, we speak Chinese—gasp!"
Deng Guanlin was utterly stunned.
There were eight people in this room, including himself.
But right now... 'Nine?'
At some point, a man was standing beside him.
A perfectly ordinary-looking man.
Who on earth was this guy?
When did he even appear?
The elite soldiers of the Special Forces Brigade hadn't noticed a thing.
"Y-You... who are you?"
"What? Say it in Korean."
"...Who are you?"
Kozak bared his teeth in a bright, gleaming smile.
"Not telling~."
He looked exactly like a demon.
"Y-You little bastard, kill him!!!"
At Deng Guanlin's cry, the Chinese Special Forces Brigade soldiers sprang to their feet.
Fwoosh!
A sudden blinding light illuminated the dark room, and—
Tssit!
Srrrk.
Thud, thud.
A head rolled across the table.
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