The basic outline of the plan was this.
Climb one floor per day, as a rule.
But conquer each floor twice.
The first run is done fast for the S++ rating, without skinning.
Rajix had said he could manage to skin one or two, but there was no need to push it.
Instead, they'd skin during the second run.
Slowly, while escorting Rajix so he could work in comfort.
After exiting, everyone had a jolly company dinner together.
End of the daily schedule.
This is how they'd reach floor 45.
After that, they would hunt there for a while.
[Entering the Black Tower of South Korea, Floor 42.]
Long-tailed Basilisk, a mission to catch 15 of them, as expected.
Since they'd decided to herd and kill them quickly, Juhyeok also planned to join the battle, waiting for his chance.
As he casually pulled out the golden mace of cold twilight and the golden aegis of warm dawnlight, the summoned followers sighed.
"Uhh..."
"Aaah."
"Please."
"Hoeeh..."
Even Rajix.
He understood their concern, but the man of the tower never yields.
Steel-faced, Swat! Swat-swat!
"Young Master! Please restrain yourself!"
"Whine!!!"
The long-tailed basilisk had a blade on the tip of its tail, making it tricky to approach from behind.
But Juhyeok's Shadow Walker, Shadow Steps, had already reached the realm of mastery.
Spoot! Papapapapat!
Even the sound of his movement had changed.
Dozens of Juhyeok's shadows remained on the field; you couldn't tell which one was the real body.
He somehow managed to block the flying tail attacks with his shield.
Taeng!
The shadows surrounded the long-tailed basilisk.
The real Juhyeok was already on top of its head.
Might as well just go straight for the finisher.
He could use it again after 10 minutes, but judging by the mood, he'd only catch one anyway.
'Lightning Flash.'
Swaaaaeck!
The mace came down on the basilisk's head.
An electric attack from the skill.
A freezing attack from the weapon.
The basilisk's head burned and froze at once.
Crick! Clang! Kwa-jijik!
The creature twitched a few times, then soon went limp.
A satisfying kill, the first in a long while.
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ conquest rating for Floor 42 of the Black Tower (South Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: A Platinum Badge is granted.]
Look at that!
I knew it.
That was quick.
Finished the moment we killed it.
We almost didn't catch a single one.
Everyone exited together.
After resting a bit at home.
"Alright! Starting the second entry."
The second run was solely for skinning.
Until Rajix's backpack was completely full.
Before, with other materials included, he could fit six hides, but with only hides, it should hold up to seven.
The repeat missions began, and they caught 14 of them.
Rajix's backpack was stuffed full of hides.
But they left the last one alive.
"Mister Rajix, are you ready?"
"Hoeeeh."
"Then... let's begin."
Gobang locked the long-tailed basilisk's head in a headlock and bound it so it couldn't move.
Gwaak!
Then Kosak's sword qi pierced through its eye and turned its brain to mush.
The basilisk went limp.
"It's dead!"
"Mr. Rajix, hurry!"
"Hoeeh!"
Gobang and Kosak quickly got out of the way.
Rumble-rumble-rumble.
A ball of fur rolling toward the fallen long-tailed basilisk's corpse.
Scratch, scrape, screeeech—
He cut here and there across its body with a knife,
grabbed it by the jaw,
and shhhh—
Right at that moment!
[Exiting the Black Tower of South Korea.]
Spoot!
Juhyeok's party returned to the officetel.
So close.
He'd failed to finish skinning in time. If only they'd left two seconds earlier, he could have done it.
"Hoeeeeh..."
Crying again. Crying yet again.
"It's practice. You did well for a first try. You'll do better next time."
As Juhyeok offered comfort,
"Master Rajix, you were only a moment too late. Do not grieve."
"I'm sorry. I should have gotten out of the way faster."
"Worker Rajix, do not cry. Did we lose our country? What can't be done must be made possible. Save surrender for when you're selling cabbages."
"...Whine."
There was a reason they were practicing even before reaching floor 45.
The floor 45 boss, the Rainbow Basilisk, only appears after completing the first mission—killing 60 basilisks of every kind.
Kill the boss, and all missions on floor 45 are complete.
And in that tiny instant between the mission-success message and the exit message,
he must skin the hide and get it into the backpack.
Too slow, and the hide can't be taken.
So Rajix was training hard for it.
The Rainbow Basilisk's hide must absolutely be skinned.
Just from its looks, one could guess how expensive it would be.
Surely it would go for twice the price of a normal hide—no, three times or more?
And the next day. Floor 43, the Wrought-Iron Jaw Basilisk.
Same process.
And the day after that. Floor 44, the Thorn-Scale Basilisk.
Its hide was covered in thorns, making it hard to skin and even harder to process.
They only did the first S++ conquest and moved on.
Now the long-awaited floor 45.
They'd arrived.
Two things had to be caught at the same time.
The special privilege and the boss Rainbow Basilisk's hide.
Getting the Platinum Badge was no problem.
He just had to do what he'd always done.
But obtaining the boss Rainbow Basilisk's hide depended on Rajix.
He'd challenge in the first run, and challenge again in the second run.
If he succeeded, they'd get two hides today.
Rajix had practiced a lot; he would do well.
[Floor 45 Mission: Kill 60 basilisks of any kind and 1 Rainbow Basilisk.]
[Time limit: within 13 hours.]
[Completion conditions: Basilisks of all kinds 0/60, Rainbow Basilisk 0/1]
"Let's go!"
The conquest began.
First, the 60 basilisks.
Gobang's aggro, Kosak's damage, Gyeondallae's buffs.
Juhyeok didn't join the fight and stayed close to Rajix.
Focus, hyper-focus.
The kill count climbed rapidly.
Since time had to be saved for the boss, the trash mobs were cleared as fast as possible.
Rajix was staring at the battlefield with fierce eyes.
He looked thoroughly resolved.
In his backpack at that moment, he'd left space for the boss's whole hide.
"Hoeeh!"
I will skin it in time.
Peel it cleanly and put it in the backpack.
"Hoeeeh!"
That instant!
From far away, licking its lips, walking on all fours, a multicolored Rainbow Basilisk.
Tremble.
Rajix's round body shook slightly.
Then he began slowly rolling closer.
Roll, roll, roll.
He stopped now and then to gauge the distance.
Gobang and Kosak were struggling too.
Killing the boss wasn't hard, but they were straining with all their might not to wound it.
"Grab it! Argh, you missed!"
"The hide's too slippery. It's slipping away."
"Then grab the jaw, the jaw! Hold the upper and lower jaw and pry it open, stab into its throat."
"Got it."
Meanwhile, Rajix rolled slowly toward the battlefield.
Roll, roll.
Juhyeok followed behind him like a bodyguard.
If he got too close, he'd interfere with the hunt.
Keep enough distance to charge out instantly when needed.
Finally, the Rainbow Basilisk's two jaws were gripped in Gobang's hands.
His forearms and biceps bulged enormously.
"Nnngh!"
Creeeeeak!
The creature's mouth opened wide.
Rajix's movements began to speed up too.
Building up acceleration while rolling was far faster than starting from a standstill.
Kosak charged into the mouth of the Rainbow Basilisk that Gobang had pried open.
Shoving half his upper body inside.
"Die!"
Tweep!
Thud!
The dagger, laden with sword qi, pierced the roof of its mouth and ran it through to the brain.
"I killed it!!!"
[Floor 45 Mission completed.]
Then it happened.
Rajix accelerated furiously.
He shot out like a bullet.
"Hoeeeeeeeeeck!!!"
Swaaaaeck!
Just like that blue hedgehog from the games and anime.
Splat!
In an instant he arrived atop the Rainbow Basilisk's corpse,
Scrape, scratch, screeeech!
Cutting here and there across its body, slipping his hand between the cut skin and hide,
"Eeck!"
He rolled at a dazzling speed and pulled.
Shaaaaaak!
Complete separation of the inner skin and outer hide.
Flutter!
The Rainbow Basilisk's hide fluttered like a flag.
At the same time,
Swoooosh.
The whole hide was sucked into the backpack.
It was a success.
Rajix planted both hands on his hips with a proud expression.
"Hoek!"
Rajix was on fire.
Juhyeok too threw an uppercut into the air and shouted.
"Rajix is the best! Well done!"
Roll-roll-roll—
Rajix came running and plopped himself into Juhyeok's arms.
"Hoeeeeh!"
The other summoned followers also ran over, cheering.
"Well done."
"So cool! Magnificent!"
"You did wonderfully. A servant among servants."
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ conquest rating for Floor 45 of the Black Tower (South Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: A Platinum Badge is granted.]
[You may now challenge Floor 46.]
[Exiting the Black Tower of South Korea.]
***
It was a great success.
He'd skinned the Rainbow Basilisk's hide in the first run.
All thanks to Rajix.
"Aww, you're just too adorable. Let's sweat it out one more time, Mr. Rajix."
"Hoeeeh..."
The second run began.
The second one was easy.
No—from now on, it would all be easy.
Because they were repeat runs.
Because there'd be no more racing the clock.
The repeat runs were done, and he'd skinned one more Rainbow hide.
Next?
Now it was time to check the special privilege.
The moment he checked the 45 Platinum Badges in his inventory, the privilege message would pop up.
"...
Maybe tomorrow."
"Whatever you wish."
"Tomorrow's too late, isn't it? Better to check right away."
"Whatever you wish."
"No, actually, maybe I should do a gut ritual first..."
"Whatever you wish."
Zap!
Juhyeok glared hard at Kosak.
Kosak looked away, snickering.
And yet he was acting like he didn't know how nervous everyone was.
What a terrible reaction.
"Young Master, even if the thing you desire does not appear, what of it? Rather, it may become a blessing that brings you great fortune in the Floor 50 privilege."
That's Gyeondallae for you.
The model example of a proper reaction.
If something good comes out, great; if something bad comes out, you can hope for the next one—also great.
"Summoner, I don't care either way."
"Hoeeeh!"
Let's check now.
Juhyeok opened his inventory.
The radiant glow of 45 Platinum Badges met his eyes.
[For accumulating 45 Platinum Badges, a special privilege is granted.]
What is it?
It's not another random box or roulette, is it?
Just give it to me straight.
Don't toy with people.
[Privilege: One Multi-National Tower Access Ticket (single use) is granted to your inventory.]
...
Huh?
"What's this? Something good? Don't tell me—trait enhancement!"
Now what is this?!
"Ah, jeez..."
[The Multi-National Tower Access Ticket allows entry into any tower regardless of nationality. However, entry to floors above your level is not permitted.]
What am I supposed to do with this useless ticket?
I'd rather have gotten magic stones.
I didn't even hope for trait enhancement.
It would have been so nice if it were just a rune for summon rank-ups.
"Agh!"
Haah, I wanted to see SR Rajix.
Should have laid out a ritual mat before starting.
"Next time, for the Floor 50 privilege, let us definitely lay out a ritual mat."
"Y-yes, my lord."
"We drew bad luck, so next time it's bound to be good, right?"
"I believe your wishes shall come true, Young Master. I will prepare to the utmost."
Don't be disappointed.
The dung cart leaves and the Benz arrives.
There are plenty of chances.
No need for disappointment.
"Let's have a company dinner! Dinner!"
"Shall we go outside?"
"No. Delivery, and bring some beer out of the fridge."
Kosak scratched his head.
"Alcohol during duty hours is..."
"Absolute obedience?"
"I'll drink just one can."
"Let's drink two."
"Yes, sir!"
They ordered chicken, pizza, hot dogs, tteokbokki, hot dogs, jokbal... organic carrots and bell peppers too.
They had a fun time.
Though they couldn't laugh and play loudly because of the noise between floors,***And the next day.
Juhyeok waited alone in his officetel for someone.
His inventory was currently packed to the limit with Basilisk hides.
Thirty in total.
Twenty-eight regular Basilisk hides, and two Rainbow Basilisk hides.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang.
Juhyeok opened the door.
"Congratulations on clearing Floor 45, Player Bong. S++ rank, no less."
"Welcome, Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il. You always start with your congratulations."
"Hahaha, well, that's only proper."
Along with Jeon Gwang-il came one more person.
"It's been a while, Player Bong Juhyeok. My congratulations as well."
"...Uh, yes, yes, welcome. Um, Section Chief Lee Min-a."
Lee Min-a, a Management Bureau employee and also a Player.
The reason he'd called them here was to hand over the hides he'd accumulated so far.
Juhyeok pulled out whole hides one by one from his inventory.
Massive whole hides sliding out of thin air.
"...Wow! There's a long-tail one, and this is an Iron-Jaw."
"Yes."
Each time Juhyeok pulled one out, Lee Min-a tucked it into her own inventory.
Section Chief Lee Min-a was a talented Player who worked at the Management Bureau while clearing Floor 59 and currently challenging Floor 60.
When she'd first met Juhyeok, she was only at Floor 55, but in that time she'd cleared four more floors.
Because of that, her inventory space was even larger than Juhyeok's.
"Twenty-eight hides? That's a huge amount. How did you manage to get all of—"
"No. There are two more."
Finally, a silver-hued hide slid out of the inventory.
"Ah!"
"Th-the world—!"
Gasps of awe burst out.
A dazzling seven-colored rainbow pouring forth as the hide crumpled and smoothed out.
Section Chief Lee Min-a was left speechless.
So was Jeon Gwang-il.
Am I really seeing this with my own eyes?
"...A R-Rainbow Basilisk?"
"That's right. Please sell this one too."
Honestly, it was absurd. Who could have imagined seeing the whole hide of a Floor 45 boss, the Rainbow Basilisk, in the real world?
Well, by that logic, the regular Basilisk whole hides were no different—
Section Chief Lee Min-a gazed at the Rainbow hide with enraptured eyes.
It was simply beautiful.
Crocodile leather was nothing but trash by comparison.
'If I could just cut off a piece this big and make a wallet out of it, it would be incredible.'
What if this were released into the civilian market?
Say, for example, they made leather coats and sold them?
They'd be beautiful, of course, but above all, functional.
Each one would be a bulletproof vest in itself.
Bullets wouldn't penetrate them.
No one could even dare to guess what the sale price would be.────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────