The next day.
Juhyeok prepared to conquer the 60th floor of the Black Tower of South Korea alongside the Lesser Summoned Ones.
The final conquest before Raxies's promotion—and fortunately, Go Bang appeared in perfectly fine condition.
The wounds from the previous day had vanished without a trace.
It would be nice if he had boots or something, but nothing would fit him anyway.
Juhyeok's current level is 61.
Which means he can enter the 61st floor too.
But the 61st floor is on hold.
For now, he enters the 60th floor. Will the S++ grade conquest apply at level 61 on the 60th floor?
Fifty-fifty. At level 61, the 60th floor might count as a repeat conquest.
'In which case, I won't get it.' However, the 60th floor of the Korean Black Tower is unconquered for Juhyeok.
It's a tower of a different nationality, so shouldn't this count separately?
'In which case, I will get it.'
[Entering the 60th floor of the Black Tower of South Korea.]
The same environment, the same mission.
And the same conquest method.
The only difference is nationality.
"Let's go."
The Wyvern Lord appeared along with its venomous wyverns.
Splash, splash.
Go Bang weaving through the poison pools.
Ahh, his heart aches.
"A warrior feels no pain," he declares loudly, but there's no way he doesn't feel the agony.
He must be holding it in.
He won't do the 60th floor conquest anymore.
This is the end.
The Wyvern Lord's hide?
Too much of a hassle to skin it.
Surrounded by poison pools on all sides, the environment doesn't allow it.
Besides, the Wyvern Lord's hide isn't anything special.
Big body, sure, but the color is a dull shit-brown.
Not beautiful like the Rainbow Basilisk's.
Ordinary wyvern hide is excellent enough, so that's fine.
Time passed, and when Veronica's second large-scale magic missile struck after Kozak's slash—
"Kek!"
The Wyvern Lord collapsed, sprawling into the poison pool.
Conquest successful.
Now, the badge... 'Will it be recognized?'
[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ conquest grade on the 60th floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: A Platinum Badge is granted.]
"Oh!"
What a relief.
The conquest was recognized.
That makes 61 Platinum Badges. And even though it was a 60th floor conquest, one more was left.
The next perk is at the 64th floor. A spot!
Juhyeok and his party returned to the penthouse.
The moment they arrived, Veronica collapsed into sleep, Gyeon Dallae settled daintily onto the sofa, Go Bang and Kozak rummaged through the refrigerator, and Raxies started cleaning.
It's time to send Raxies off now.
I'll see him after his promotion.
Go Bang had jumped up more than two stages through Blessing Enhancement.
From S-rank to SS-rank. 'Was the summon-unavailable state four days?'
Raxies had a soul just as pure as Go Bang's.
There's a very high chance Raxies will also trigger a Blessing Enhancement.
"Raxies?"
"Hoeh."
"Take this."
"...Ho, hoeh?"
The Rank Ascension Rune placed in Raxies's hand.
"Go and come back. I'll wait without entering the tower until you return."
"...Huehh, don't even clean. I'll do it when I get back. I refuse to be a electronic servant."
Raxies, tears brimming.
Juhyeok gripped Raxies's short hand tightly and said,
"I will never buy an electronic servant. I'll hold my breath and wait."
"Hoeh? Please breathe."
I'm really looking forward to it.
What form will he return in?
His backpack capacity will definitely be bigger, right?
***
South Korea was in chaos.
Yesterday, the S++ grade full announcement message had popped up for the United Arab Emirates, but it still hadn't appeared for Korea.
It should show up within the day, but that would mean proving he hadn't naturalized...
Could it be that he'll never hear it again?
The anxiety only deepened.
Then, Crown Prince Bin Sala of the UAE's interview was abruptly released as breaking morning news.
The broadcast medium was America's news channel, CNM.
Bin Sala's face was full of excitement.
Naturally so.
He had miraculously revived after being on the verge of losing his crown prince status and being exiled abroad.
His popularity in the UAE was at its peak.
The interview content was nothing special.
Mostly his impressions of the UAE Black Tower being conquered, and his joy at escaping the tower's collapse.
Then—
- I will visit Korea again as soon as possible.
Bin Sala said in a trembling voice, overcome with emotion. 'Why Korea, of all places...?'
- To express my gratitude. 'To whom? The Korean government? Are you saying the Korean government approved a specific player's temporary naturalization?'
- That is not the case. There is someone else in the UAE who deserves the gratitude of its people. 'Crown Prince, please elaborate.'
- I cannot go into detail, but this is all thanks to Go Bang... Ahem, let's end the interview here. 'Now, wait a moment? Who did you just say? Go Bang? Who is Go Bang...'
Bin Sala abruptly rising from his seat and walking off-camera. 'There are still many questions remaining. Crown Prince, Crown Prince?'
That was the whole interview.
But the reaction was heated.
When the interview video was posted on a Korean tower-climbing community forum:
N: They took our player and now they shamelessly say they're visiting Korea?
N: This is straight-up teabagging.
N: Right. He's coming just to provoke us.
N: I'm pissed. Ban Bin Sala from entering the country.
N: If they actually grant him entry, I won't stay quiet.
N: Exactly. I'll go throw a whole crate of eggs at the airport.
The end of the interview was also a hot topic.
The name that slipped out of his mouth in the heat of the moment.
N: But who's Go Bang? The top player's name? Family name Go, given name Bang.
N: Go Bang, huh. Never heard of him.
N: It does seem like it's the top player's name.
N: Isn't it Arabic? Or maybe he used an alias when he naturalized.
N: Probably that. If his real name were known, his identity would be exposed.
N: Did he make a new name from an abbreviation?
N: An abbreviation, so it's not meat shield... a noble shield?
N: Premium cushion.
N: Advanced equation.
N: High-fat sliced raw skate.
N: Cat fart.
N: Mackerel door-to-door sales.
Speculation about who Go Bang was continued.
N: Anyway, are we really not getting the full announcement anymore?
N: Probably. If it was going to ring, it should've rung yesterday.
N: No, he could be taking a day of rest, you know.
N: I'm anxious. He's clearly abandoned Korea and left.
N: Still, at least he didn't go to Japan or China.
N: Damn it, be happy! Thanks for the good times while they lasted.
Just as the forum was being dyed in a gloomy mood—suddenly!
N: Huh?
N: Gasp!
N: Hm?
N: Oh!
N: Whoa!
Short, single-syllable comments scrolling up one after another.
N: Huh? This is a situation I've experienced somewhere before.
N: A familiar pattern.
N: Right. It was like this before too. Could this be...
N: Did it pop?
N: Did it pop?
Reply comments flooded in.
N: It popped!
N: Oh yeah! Full announcement!
N: Korean Black Tower 60th floor S++ conquest.
N: I told you. He's just taking a day of rest.
N: Hey hey, call the landlady, tell her to reopen for business.
N: The shutters are already up.
N: A hot bowl of national pride, coming right up!
The forum's mood changed completely.
N: But who on earth is the player who conquered the UAE's S++?
N: True. They just popped up out of nowhere. Quiet from floor 1 to 59.
N: I really can't figure it out. How did they do it?
N: Well, Go Bang will know.
The media also exploded with breaking news.
And so, South Korea became peaceful again.
***
Juhyeok saw the breaking news too.
He was startled.
Because a completely unexpected name had come up.
"...Go Bang?"
No, why that name?
But he soon found out.
Why Bin Sala had mentioned Go Bang.
It was obvious. Who else would it be? 'Kozak, just what are you...'
It seems he'd swindled his way through the negotiation—no, the threat—with Bin Sala by giving his name as Go Bang. 'Incredible. Simply incredible.'
Well, he's a Kozak you can't hate, anyway.
In any case, tower climbing is on break for now.
Until our workhorse and quartermaster returns.
Would Raxies, like Go Bang, manage a two-stage Blessing Enhancement?
They'd said that if the soul is pure, there's a chance.
Even after sending him off through summon release, Juhyeok had been on pins and needles.
When time passed and he checked the status window:
[Catalog]: Raxies (Summon Unavailable)
Yes!
Just like Go Bang, it showed Summon Unavailable.
That meant the Blessing Enhancement was in progress.
Now all he had to do was wait.
For Raxies to appear two ranks higher.
Just then. Ring! His smartphone's message alert chimed.
- I have arrived now. The vehicle's license plate number is...
A message from Team Leader Lee Min-a.
Juhyeok was scheduled to visit the Management Bureau today.
So she'd come to pick him up. 'The car's plate number changed again.'
Probably because of security issues.
Juhyeok stepped out of the apartment.
A single car with dark tinting came into view.
He opened the door and climbed in.
"Hello, Player Bong Juhyeok. Congratulations on your 60th floor conquest."
"...Ah, yes, yes."
After that greeting, not a single word was spoken during the ride.
All the way past the front gate of the Awakening Management Bureau until they arrived at the Tower Materials Warehouse.
There are two women in the party.
He has no issues with Gyeon Dallae or Veronica, but honestly, he has nothing to say to Lee Min-a.
It'll get better gradually, eventually.
The car arrived at the Awakening Management Bureau.
Two people waiting at the Tower Materials Warehouse.
Director Park Gyeongsu and Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
Come to think of it, this is his first time seeing Director Park Gyeongsu.
Isn't he one of those high-and-mighty figures who even has private meetings with the President?
"...Ah, hello."
"Oh! Welcome. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Park Gyeongsu."
Greetings were exchanged, thanks given, and talk of looking forward to working together.
He said he's sorry he can't treat him better because he has to hide his identity.
He asked for a little more patience.
Well, it's what Juhyeok himself wanted.
As they conversed, Park Gyeongsu subtly asked,
"Player Bong, there's something I'd like to ask—"
"Ah! Anytime. And Director, you can speak more casually."
"Hahaha, I could never do that. Should a person be judged by age, after all?"
"Hmm."
Better to be judged by age.
Someone at that position could be an old fart and it wouldn't matter.
"Pardon my presumptuousness, but the UAE Black Tower—wasn't that truly done by you, Player Bong?"
He knew this question would come up.
When the phone call came back then, he'd been too preoccupied with the Stair-Climbing perk and brushed it off vaguely.
"Honestly, among the UAE players, there's no one capable of that. No, in the whole world, I can't think of anyone but you, Player Bong."
Director Park Gyeongsu seemed certain that Juhyeok had conquered it.
"If it's difficult to answer—"
"Yes, it's a bit difficult. Hard for me to say."
An ambiguous answer.
He didn't say "That's right" or "That's not it."
At this level, surely he'd understand?
"Ah! I apologize. I overstepped."
"Not at all. When the opportunity comes later... hmm, I'll explain in detail then."
Park Gyeongsu waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh my, it's quite alright. I will never ask again."
There's a reason he can't say it outright.
If he said he conquered it, he'd have to explain the Multinational Tower Conquest Ticket too.
But only one ticket remains now.
And it's already reserved.
Moreover, the perks he'll receive going forward are limited.
At best, once at the 64th floor. The 69th floor needs to be conquered slowly.
There's no knowing when he could get this ticket again—it might never appear at all.
Unless more of them come out.
So he glossed over it. 'Still, they didn't ask who Go Bang is.'
Not that he'd answer even if they did.
"Oh, right! There's something I'd like to request from the Management Bureau."
"Anything you need. If it's within our power, we'll grant it however many times over."
At Director Park Gyeongsu's glance, Lee Min-a took out her notebook, ready to take dictation.
"Could I buy some land near the capital area? Quiet mountain land would be nice."
"Not an urban area, but mountain land?"
"Yes, somewhere with as few people as possible, a place where I can also set up a few containers."
"We'll look into it."
He'd been cooped up at home too much with the Lesser Summoned Ones.
Occasionally, he needs a villa where they can enjoy the outdoors with nature as their companion.
And one more thing.
"I'd like to gift money to my parents—around 10 billion won, with the taxes handled."
"That's possible. If we entrust it to a law firm, they'll take care of everything."
Filial piety must be done, after all.
All the business was concluded.
Just as he was about to head off, a scene inside the warehouse caught Juhyeok's eye.
"Hmm, quite a lot of the Basilisk hide is missing, isn't it?"
"I got them from HG Fashion. They're planning to unveil prototypes soon, so the showcase date has been set."
"Really?"
Good news while I was listening.
Soon I'll be able to start skinning not just ore but leather in earnest.
Once Laxus gets promoted, his subspace backpack will surely grow larger.
Now let's go home and get some proper rest.
If I get bored later, I'll call some people over and have fun.***HG Fashion.
The showcase date was tomorrow.
CEO Go Yeonha, along with the design team and the leather craftsmen team, had pulled an all-nighter to complete prototypes made from Basilisk leather.
For now, bags.
Starting with these, they planned to diversify into wallets, shoes, and other products.
First, the mid-to-low-end line was priced between 5 million and 10 million won.
They had only used the lower-quality Basilisk leather—materials with simple, faint patterns.
Even so, it was far better than crocodile leather.
With its self-restoring properties, it was a bag of such durability that once you bought one, you could use it indefinitely, unless you grew tired of it.
The second was the high-quality luxury line.
The smallest started at 40 million won.
It was made only from the highest-grade leather.
If it was a bit larger, it exceeded 100 million won.
And finally, the high-end premium line.
It started at 300 million won as the base price.
The most care had gone into the design as well.
Rainbow leather was used as accent points here and there.
Were the bag prices too expensive?
He wondered if they might not sell.
Quite the opposite.
The most expensive high-end premium line would sell the best.
With such limited quantities, they would sell out immediately.
The cries of wealthy buyers who failed to purchase one would come pouring in.
"Let's proceed with the showcase as planned."
"Shall we open sales at the same time?"
"Take reservations only. Limited quantities."
"How many... The production facility isn't complete yet, so meeting the quota will be tight."
"Only as much as we can make—there's no need to overdo it. Even other brands' bags take over a year from order. We need to take our time and focus on quality control."
What mattered was scarcity.
It had to become a luxury item that people couldn't buy even with money in hand.
There were no plans for mass production.
Even if they wanted to, they couldn't.
The tools made of Top-grade metal meant everything had to be crafted purely by hand.
The showcase would proceed with 10 mid-to-low-end bags, 6 luxury bags, and 2 high-end bags.
Invitations had been sent to famous celebrities.
A Nutube live broadcast was also planned.
Go Yeonha was already looking forward to it.
How would people react when they saw these bags?
It was obvious as day.
If he weren't the CEO, he'd want one himself.
"Oh, right! Make two more high-end bags and send them to the Management Bureau. One for a man, one for a woman."
"Yes, sir. We'll send them right after the showcase."
He needed to stay on good terms with the person supplying leather to the Management Bureau.
Since he didn't know whether the recipient was a man or a woman, he'd make both.────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────