It had been a grand journey. Starting with the 36th floor conquest, climbing to the upper floors day after day, we finally achieved the feat of trait enhancement on the 40th floor.
The summoned ones couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces.
Kosak seemed to have completely set down the burden in his heart.
"In this Kosak's life, I've only wet my pants twice. Once was when Summoner Bong was walking in the sky, and the second time was..."
"Click?"
"That's right! The click! Soaked clean through."
"Hahaha. No way you really did? That's a figure of speech, right?"
"..."
"Y-you're serious?"
"...Hehehe."
Then Gobang spoke up.
"I, Gobang, saw it with my own two eyes, crystal clear. The assassin's pants were wet."
At the same time, Gyeon Dallae's shout came bursting out like an abstract painting.
"You rascals!!! ...Haah, Kosak-nim and Gobang-nim, have you no sense of propriety when you speak? Of all the safe things to say, such filth! In any case, the young master's earnest wish has clearly moved the heavens."
The gut ritual must have been the masterstroke.
We poured more devotion into the ritual than the conquest itself.
How reverent Gyeon Dallae looked riding the blade back then. "I am ashamed. It was but a humble skill. If proper musicians, not just speakers, had accompanied me, there would have been no need to spin the wheel."
Gobang, too, as if wanting to boast of his own achievement, said, "I held the blade well. That's why the princess balanced well on the blade."
And of course Kosak couldn't be left out.
"If you wish for it earnestly, the whole universe helps you. This is truth. Day and night, I earnestly wished, please let Summoner Bong's trait be enhanced."
How satisfying.
When everyone joins hands and hearts like this, even the impossible becomes possible.
Everyone's collective wishes made a miracle.
"It was so thrilling. When Summoner Bong raised both arms high and shouted 'Click!', my lower body just went completely slack and..."
"Kosak-nim, please!!!"
"Hehehe."
At the moment of sheer desperation when the roulette needle was about to move to the next slot, the wheel shifted 0.5 centimeters to the right with a click! 'Whoa, I almost got cooked too.' So this is why gambling addiction is dangerous.
Anyway, the result was good.
Very good.
So, the 41st floor starting tomorrow?
Nope!
Resting up for the time being.
The star of the last random summon was Gyeon Dallae.
That was around the 30th floor, right?
Then we ran all the way to the 40th floor.
Resting in between, conquering, resting again—over 20 days had flown by.
Which meant less than ten days until the next random summon.
Exactly nine days.
Until then, we'd play and eat.
"Which means, beef, anyone?"
"Hnngh, n-no, we must save money. I won't go hungry even without eating. Hehehe."
"Hahaha, then chicken for a change?"
"CALL!!!"
In that instant!
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang at Ju Hyeok's officetel.
"Shh!"
Who could it be?
He checked the intercom screen. 'Hmm...' It was Jeon Gwang-il.
Then the summoned ones... 'Should I unsummon them?' How nice it would be to have a big house at times like this.
All I'd have to do is go into any room and lock the door.
The perceptive Kosak stepped forward.
"Just unsummon us, please!"
"Should I?"
"Yes sir!"
"It is time for us to return."
"Summoner, take care of yourself."
And so, "Unsummoning everyone."
Pat-pat-pat!
After confirming they were gone, Ju Hyeok turned on the TV, raised the volume, then opened the front door to greet Jeon Gwang-il.
"Welcome."
"Hahaha, congratulations on your S++ 40th floor conquest."
"Oh, you flatter me,"
"It's chaos out there right now. The 66th floor conquest success has been utterly overshadowed."
Ha, it keeps becoming a problem how famous I get.
I don't know how long I can hide my identity, though.
"The reason I came today is that I have something to deliver..."
"The penthouse? I told you I wouldn't accept it for free."
"It's not that,"
Jeon Gwang-il slapped the 007 bag he'd brought onto the table—thunk!—and opened it.
"This is it."
"...What? Is, is this a toy?"
"It's the real thing."
What came out of the bag was a pistol made of silvery metal.
"No, why are you giving me a pistol?"
"It's for self-defense. If any suspicious characters approach, shoot them. Without mercy!"
"...Shoot? Just shoot them without hesitation?"
"We take full responsibility. There will be no arrest by police, no indictment, no trial."
"..."
Meaning they would grant him immunity.
"There was an attempt to abduct a player recently. Thankfully, heaven intervened and it came to nothing, but there's no guarantee it won't happen again."
"Oh! I see. But I don't have a firearms permit for that."
"That's fine. We've handled it legally."
Ju Hyeok picked up the pistol from the bag.
He'd done his military service, but it was his first time with a pistol.
"That goes into your inventory too."
"Oh! Then?"
"Yes, it's made of Tower Metal."
Tower Metal, huh.
Maybe that's why it's remarkably light. 'Let's see if it really goes in.' He attached the magazine—clack!
Then into the inventory... huh?
"...It won't go in?"
"Hmm, y-you need to remove the magazine for it to fit."
What's that supposed to mean?
"The gunpowder isn't from the Tower."
"..."
Then why make it out of Tower Metal at all?
Ordinary pistols and bullets, if carried in a player's pocket, count as possessions and can be brought into the Tower.
"We made it this way because we thought a Tower Metal barrel would improve performance."
"Did it improve?"
"To a degree."
This is why large firearms can't be brought into the Tower.
What's the point of making the body out of Tower Metal?
You can't load shells or rockets anyway.
"I'll keep it for now."
"Oh, right! And security will be getting tighter going forward. It may be somewhat inconvenient for your movements."
What?
That's not acceptable.
"The contract clearly states 'relaxed security,' doesn't it?"
"But given the circumstances,"
"I want an unconditional exception for me. I'll be moving soon, anyway. Somewhere with no interference."
"Wh, wait a moment. Please reconsider. For players, the danger isn't inside the Tower—outside is far more dangerous."
True words, but... 'I should show him.' It was time.
He'd been hiding it all this while, but he'd reveal it fully on this occasion.
Just how safe a person he was.
"There aren't many people in the world safer than me."
"Pardon? What do you—"
"I'll show you."
Ju Hyeok quietly murmured.
"Energy Shield Activation."
And then—
Vvvvmm!
Starting from Ju Hyeok's bracelet and spreading over his entire body—
a milky-white translucent protective barrier enveloping him.
"Gasp!"
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il was flabbergasted.
Good grief, how many times was he going to be shocked because of Player Bong?
"...I-is that an item? Without any Tower-exclusive modifier?"
"Yes, I received it as a conquest reward. It generates a shield that works outside as well. It's very sturdy, so it could probably even block bullets."
Jeon Gwang-il nodded, almost involuntarily. 'The holy sword, and now that barrier item—S++ conquests really do come with different reward items.' Items from inside the Tower that could be used in reality as well.
Mostly materials received as conquest rewards.
Magic stones, as well as metals, herbs, leather, monster bones, and so on—all applicable in reality.
But since they came as conquest rewards, quantities were limited, so herbs were sold for research purposes, while metals, leather, bones, and the like were usually sold for crafting player items.
But it wasn't just materials.
Occasionally, finished items came out too.
Accessories that cleared the mind, or swords that sliced through steel like it was nothing, or protective items like that barrier protecting its target.
Such items were priceless.
This was a world where famous painters' works and antiquities traded for 400 or 500 million dollars.
That barrier item would be worth at least a billion dollars. What's a billion dollars?
The moment its existence became known, Arab princes and American billionaires would come running with fists full of money.
"That, that item—you must never reveal it. Don't sell it either."
"Goodness, why would I sell it? It's my lifeline."
"A wise decision."
Now that he'd shown them.
"Please keep the security relaxed. No, don't assign bodyguards at all."
"Hmm, I will make the suggestion."
Jeon Gwang-il left.
Then, three hours later.
He summoned the summoned ones again. "Alright, everyone, let's rest up. No conquests for a while. If you need anything, just say the word—shall we order chicken first?"
"Call, I say,"
"Call."
"Click!"
And so they ate well and played well.
Occasionally going out too.
For a whole week.
※ ※ ※
American Player Gerald Watson entered the country at Incheon Airport along with Director Antonio.
Countless bodyguards surrounded them front and back, left and right.
The airport wasn't crowded.
For a celebrity of Gerald Watson's caliber, reporters would normally be camped out in force.
In truth, the media didn't know.
When he was entering the country.
It had been kept strictly confidential.
"Hurry, hurry, Antonio."
"We're only going to try it today anyway, let's take it slow."
"If you knew how long I've waited for the day I get revenge on that damned Dark Specter, you couldn't say that."
"Revenge? You did conquer it, in the end!"
"Look at Korea's Player Nam Gaeun. She cleared it in 10 hours. What about my pride!"
Director Antonio smirked.
Gerald had a point. Just how hard was the 66th floor conquest?
The time limit kept closing in, and because of the Specter's dark aura, even attacking wrapped head to toe in light-attribute gear barely landed—taking down one took over two hours.
After reinforcing his items further, he'd barely managed to whittle down the time, finally succeeding right at the time limit.
And he'd had to do that brutal floor twice.
Western and Eastern.
But a holy sword, they say—
holding one light-attribute item and a sword, he took down Specters in 10 hours.
"What are you doing? Run!"
"Good grief."
The world's greatest Player.
But because of his young age, he had that impulsive streak.
Security vehicles and the bulletproof car Gerald would ride in were waiting outside the airport departure hall.
The same car the US President supposedly rode in.
It had been airlifted via US Air Force cargo plane before entry.
Gerald and Antonio arrived at the Management Bureau by car.
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il came out to greet them. "Welcome. Mr. Watson, Director Antonio. I'm Jeon Gwang-il."
"Pleased to meet you. Just call me Gerald, and show me the holy sword first, quickly."
"Hahaha, were you in such a hurry?"
"Y-yes, quickly."
Jeon Gwang-il led them to his office.
"Where's the sword?"
Tsk, so impatient, no wonder he can't say anything else.
"The rental fee hasn't been deposited yet."
Then Director Antonio stepped forward and said,
"We intended to do it upon arrival. Where shall we send it?"
"To this account—"
"Hmm, the account name is the Management Bureau. Not the owner."
"Yes, we handle it on his behalf."
Antonio's face fell in disappointment.
He took out his smartphone, tapped a few times.
"Transfer complete."
Jeon Gwang-il tapped his smartphone as well.
"Yes, confirmed."
Then he opened the large safe set into the office wall. "Here it is. Let's check the information first."
Gerald hastily took up the sword.
"Oh!"
The sword's information appeared in his mind.
Undead Attack Increase, Steadfast Mind, Sacred Fire, Critical Hit, and additionally—Radiance.
The drawback was that the sword was old.
Also, that it was tremendously large and heavy.
Though it would feel different inside the Tower.
"I can enter now, right?"
"You must strictly abide by what's written in the contract. If you lose it, or—"
"Don't worry. That will absolutely never happen."
Gerald stowed the holy sword into his inventory—
flash!
And in an instant, Gerald vanished.
He'd probably moved to America's Western Tower or Eastern Tower.
Regardless of player location, Tower entry follows nationality.
※ ※ ※
[Entering the Black Tower (NO.2) of America, 66th floor.]
[Physical abilities enhanced according to level.]
[Traits and combat skills are available.]
Light-attribute equipment first, before drawing the holy sword.
Fwooosh!
Brilliant light enveloping Gerald's body.
Blinding to the naked eye—
then he drew the holy sword too.
Vmmmm!
A soft glow layered on top. 'So this is Radiance?' Fascinating.
The faint radiance was devouring the brilliant light of the light attribute.
It really was different.
Conquest preparation.
Magic Swordsman Gerald cast his spells.
"Strength. Haste. Barrier."
[66th Floor Mission: Slay 10 Dark Specters.]
[Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]
Far in the distance, grayish translucent birds flitting freely about.
They were enormous, too.
Like pterosaurs.
And as large as they were, the range of their dark aura was equally vast.
Physical attacks didn't work on them at all.
Only light-attribute attacks could deal any measure of damage at all.
After first conquering the 66th floor, he had sworn he would never do repeat conquests.
And now he was breaking that vow himself.
Let's verify quickly.
Whether he could really one-shot these things.
Pulling first.
Magic Swordsman Gerald raised his hand and cast a skill.
"Magic Bolt!"
Zwip!
A bolt of magic striking one Specter.
Skree!
It halted mid-flight and wheeled toward Gerald.
Skreeeee!
The Specter charged, dark aura blazing.
The largest undead monster he had ever faced.
Even setting aside the dark aura, its sheer size was overwhelming.
And it was a flying monster, no less.
"Sharpness."
After sharpening his sword with magic enchantment—
he brought down a Blade Skill on the thing's left wing section.
Skeeeerunch!
The tip of the Specter's spectral wing was cleaved off.
Shraaaaaaak!
Losing its balance, the Specter flailed wildly, flying this way and that in fury.
Charging in at a time like this was dangerous.
He kept his distance for a while—
the Specter landed, took off, landed again, relentlessly hounding Gerald.
Still, he evaded.
Dishing out magic spells here and there. 'Now!'
This time, the other side.
Shff!
The right wing, half severed.
After stripping its mobility,
Gerald attacked in earnest.
He cut off the tail, cut the legs, stabbed the torso, and finally took the thing's head—
crunch!
The thrashing Specter froze in an instant.
Then it even burst into flame. '...This is ridiculous.'
Wait, this IS the 66th floor?
Killing it this fast—it's been what, 20 minutes?
With the sword in hand, the dark aura might as well not exist.
It's even fun. 'One rental won't be nearly enough.'
He'd have to postpone his departure.
Spend ten million more dollars and rent it once more, no question.
It wasn't even an unconquered upper-floor climb.
Twenty million dollars for the purpose of experiencing the holy sword.
But to Gerald, it wasn't money he minded spending at all.
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