After successfully clearing floor 33 with an S++ grade, they exited the tower.
Time for a break.
Kozak turned on the TV, saying it was time for his drama, but almost every broadcast channel was plastered with special coverage.
Player Nam Ga-eun’s successful floor 65 clear.
And her upcoming floor 66 attempt.
Kozak exploded in anger.
“What’s the big deal? Floor 65 isn’t anything special! Huh? Without Master Bong giving her the Holy Sword, she wouldn’t have stood a chance! Makes me mad, it does! Is a record of 33 consecutive S++ grade clears a joke?”
Then Gyeon Dallae said,
“Please don’t be so angry, Sir Kozak. It’s just a passing fad. Once the floor 66 clear is done, she’ll gradually fade from the news.”
“Oh! Really?”
“Yes, in the end, only Young Master’s achievements will remain. Forever!”
“Hehehe, you speak true.”
What achievements!
Those are all their achievements.
How much of that is really my contribution?
But Player Nam Ga-eun did it all solo.
Of course, items are extremely important in tower clearing.
As the saying goes about “item power,” one good item can completely change the tide of a clear.
But a player’s individual capability is just as important as items.
Even items only shine when used well.
She really is amazing.
Honestly, I’m envious.
Even if not to Nam Ga-eun’s level, I wish I could at least protect myself in the tower.
But right now I’m just dead weight.
Though surely the summoned beings would never think of me as a burden.
It happened during the floor 33 clear too.
Overwhelmed by the size of the stage 3 Minotaur, I couldn’t even manage a proper mace strike.
Let’s just do what I can for now.
Juhyeok decided to attempt another tower clear the next day.
Yesterday was floor 33.
Today would be floor 34.
Two consecutive days.
Floor 34 of South Korea’s Black Tower.
The mission to clear stage 4 Minotaurs.
Now the bull-heads were nearly 6 meters tall.
“…They’re big.”
“Really big. Gotta crane your neck way back just to see the bull head.”
Ah!
Jumping up to crack their skulls would be impossible now.
Could he no longer use the Mixed Origin Lightning Staff techniques at all?
They’d only get more gigantic as the floors went up.
Should he stick to hunting lower floor orcs and trolls?
Suddenly he felt depressed.
This timid, cowardly personality – was there no way to fix it?
While he was worrying, the clear had already begun.
Boom boom boom boom!
Ding ding
Chink chink!
Gyeon Dallae’s buffs spread throughout floor 34.
Empowered by this, Gobang and Kozak swept through the Minotaurs.
Meanwhile, Juhyeok couldn’t step forward rashly.
He’d made a firm resolution before:
A gentle wimp outside.
An alpha male bursting with charisma inside the tower.
But face-to-face with giant monsters, that resolve was wavering like a reed again.
Let’s try attacking their lower bodies. If I hit them with some quick techniques, they should fall. Then I can finish them off.
Well, not exactly an alpha male’s approach.
Seeing Juhyeok staring glumly at the battlefield, Kozak paused in the middle of taking down a stage 4 Minotaur and ran over.
“Master Bong, are the bull heads too big?”
“Yeah. I’ve hit my limit.”
“Don’t worry. Who am I? SSR Kozak will solve this for you.”
“What?”
“Just promise to take down one of them. There aren’t many left anyway.”
There’s a way?
Intriguing.
“Alright. I’ll take down one.”
“Quick decision – excellent!”
Kozak looked at Gobang.
“Gobang, you owe us for the beef, right? You ate way more than everyone else – four or five pieces for every one piece others ate!”
“I-I’ll do anything.”
“It’s not hard. Link your fingers together. No, not like that, like this.”
Ah!
I get it.
He wants to make a foothold with his hands.
“Oh! You want me to jump up from there?”
“Hehehe, Gobang will launch you up high!”
The scene played out in his mind.
Step on the foothold and whoosh! Fly up, then magnificently descend and smash the bull head.
How cool would that be.
This is genius!
Kozak just gets more lovely the more I see him.
How does he know exactly where to scratch my itch?
Good.
Let’s do it.
“Mr. Gobang, boost me up.”
“Got it. A warrior lifts his summoner.”
Gobang took his stance.
“Here I go.”
Pitter patter!
Juhyeok ran forward.
He planted one foot firmly on Gobang’s linked hands while fully extending his knee,
Ha!
And leaped skyward.
Gobang added his strength too.
Whoosh!
His body soared higher and higher.
Cool wind on his face,
A leap that shed all restraints and bonds.
This was incredible.
Glad he tried it.
Yes, this is what being an alpha male is about.
He kept rising.
Up and up,
And up…
Uh.
Why wasn’t he stopping?
How high was he going to go?
…Oh shit.
Gobang was strong.
But not very bright.
He followed instructions when given them.
Asked to lift, so he lifted.
But not knowing how much was needed, he probably gave it his all.
The fault lay with himself too.
When entering the tower, physical abilities improved according to level.
Strength, agility, magic power – all became tremendously enhanced.
Not knowing this, he put too much force into stepping on the foothold.
Even a normal human could go incredibly high with proper footing.
The synergy of action and reaction.
Because of that,
Whoooosh!
He was still going up.
“Hahaha…”
Juhyeok laughed in dismay.
The situation was so absurd he wasn’t even sure if he was scared.
Will I die if I fall?
Nah, no way.
With level abilities applied.
It would just hurt a bit.
He had healing potions too.
Juhyeok looked down at his feet.
Kozak was delivering a dropkick to Gobang.
Probably blaming him for lifting too high.
Why’s he doing that?
When he’s the one who suggested it.
Suddenly reminds me of those jungle trolls.
They must have felt like this when Gobang shook their tree.
His speed gradually decreased.
Finally, the ascent stopped.
But now he just had to fall.
Should have stayed put if it seemed too much.
Getting ambitious about cracking monster skulls…
And then,
Whoooosh!
Juhyeok’s body began plummeting straight down.
“Oof.”
His lower half clenched.
Felt like he might wet himself.
But contrary to his body’s reaction, he wasn’t particularly scared.
Gyeon Dallae readied her bells to throw talismans, while Gobang somehow already had his arms outstretched to catch him.
Looks like Gyeon Dallae would slow his fall and Gobang would catch him.
With that bulk, he could safely catch him princess-style.
But it gave him the creeps.
That bushy fur – getting gently cradled like a new bride against that grotesque chest?
…
The thought made it even more horrifying.
Was there no way to land coolly by himself instead of being caught?
Then he remembered a scene from a movie.
A hero flying in an iron suit with rockets mounted on his feet.
Like the robots that often appear in animation too.
Wish he could fly like that.
Igniting rockets from his feet with a whoosh…
Suddenly!
Huh?
What was this?
As he imagined the rocket ignition scenes from movies and animation, energy gathered toward his soles.
Uh…
He thought he knew what it was.
Magic power.
The magic power responded to Juhyeok’s will.
He felt resistance at the same time.
Also felt like he was falling slightly slower,
Could this be?
Instinctively, Juhyeok activated Shadow Walk in mid-air.
Swat! Swat! Swat!
“Eh?”
It worked.
Shadow Walk manifested in mid-air.
This actually works.
Swat! Swat! Swat!
The magic power was pushing against the air.
That’s why he could barely get footing, however difficult.
In a zigzag pattern,
Swat! Swat! Swat!
It was certain.
His falling speed decreased even more.
Juhyeok concentrated all his body’s magic power into his soles.
Meanwhile,
Below, Kozak, Gobang, and Gyeon Dallae watched blankly.
“Summoner is walking. In the sky.”
“Y-yeah, I’m seeing it too.”
Shadow Walker… in mid-air?
Was this possible?
Kozak recalled what the Assassin Guild’s guildmaster had said.
That when Shadow Walker reached its peak, one could walk the skies.
He’d snickered then, asking where they were getting such nonsense.
Never thought he’d witness it with his own eyes.
Kozak realized with certainty.
“…Truly, our Master Bong’s talent is extraordinary.”
“Sir Kozak speaks true. Who would have thought we’d witness sky-walking here?”
Juhyeok was still uneasy.
Though his descent speed had greatly decreased, it was still fast.
Would he land properly?
Could he plant his feet coolly on the ground?
The ground was much closer now.
Right then!
He spotted a stage 4 Minotaur below his feet.
Simultaneously, an idea flashed through his mind.
…Hmm.
Might as well try.
As he fell, he drew back his mace-wielding hand behind his shoulder,
Lightning Flash.
And drove it straight down into the Minotaur’s head.
Crack!
Crunch!
A perfect form Lightning Flash.
Its power was beyond imagination as a result.
The Minotaur’s upper body completely deleted.
And using that recoil for a light landing.
Ta-da!
“Huff huff!”
His breath came up to his chin.
This counted as handling it well, but.
Did I maybe…
Juhyeok carefully lowered his gaze.
His pants were clean.
Thankfully, he hadn’t wet himself.
Clap clap clap clap!
The summoned beings ran over applauding breathlessly.
“A-amazing. Dazzling talent! Even I can’t do that.”
“The summoner should receive the title of warrior.”
“Ah, how can you be so exceptional – this girl fears Young Master’s tremendous talent. Please take care of yourself, I beg you.”
Geez! How embarrassing.
“I’m pretty… good, aren’t I?”
“Fantastic! Not only rising so high, but Shadow Walker in mid-air – beautiful. Look at my pants. Aren’t they wet? Soaked myself completely.”
“You wretch!!! N-no, Sir Kozak, how can you be so vulgar? This is absolutely uncouth.”
Thank you.
He wet himself instead.
Honestly, it was scary.
Thought he’d just flail helplessly and fall straight into Gobang’s arms.
But who would have thought?
That Shadow Walk would work in mid-air.
Honestly, he might have some talent.
Even he thought the mid-air Shadow Walk was fantastic.
He practically flew through the sky.
And what about that Lightning Flash?
He felt it the moment he cast it.
It connected perfectly clean.
Anyway, mission complete.
[You have successfully cleared floor 34.]
[Level has increased.]
[Reward: 3.4kg of magic stone]
[Reward: Summoned Being Grade Enhancement Rune]
Once again, magic sto- wait!
“Huh?”
What was that?
“Gasp!”
A reward, a reward.
Not even a special bonus,
A Summoned Being Grade Enhancement Rune as a reward item?
Was the tower giving out praise rewards for showing off cool moves?
[Notice: You have achieved grade S++ in clearing floor 34 of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ clear reward: Platinum badge awarded.]
[You may challenge floor 35.]
[Exiting the Korean Black Tower.]
Spot!
Juhyeok and company returned to the officetel.
Juhyeok immediately collapsed onto the sofa.
“Wow!”
Still couldn’t believe it.
He opened his inventory to check.
It’s real.
First, he quietly called Kozak,
“If we use the Grade Enhancement Rune, can it raise from SSR to LSSR?”
“Not a chance. Grade enhancement by rune only goes up to SSR. LSSR is the exception.”
I see.
Decision made.
This Grade Enhancement Rune would go to Gobang.
“Let’s rest now.”
“Yes sir!”
“You’ve worked hard. But please, next time take better care of yourself. This girl’s heart nearly tore in two.”
“Alright, alright, let’s have a team dinner. What would you like?”
He was about to turn on his smartphone and open the delivery app when Kozak said,
“Don’t order anything. We should just eat ramyeon for a while.”
“Why?”
“We ate Korean beef, didn’t we? Especially that bastard Gobang could go without food for days. How many portions did he eat by himself?”
Kozak’s heated criticism, and Gyeon Dallae joined in.
“No matter how well one works, you don’t keep a servant who’s a beggar in their stomach. Ah! Of course, I’m not specifically referring to Sir Gobang.”
What about her?
How many wrapped meat pieces disappeared into that tiny mouth?
Poor Barbarian Gobang.
He just hung his head, looking dejected.
This won’t do.
Better give it now.
“Mr. Gobang?”
“…I’ll eat less next time.”
“Don’t worry about that, just take this.”
“A warrior can go hungry. Won’t eat. Summoner should eat mo- huh?”
Gobang’s eyes went wide.
Looks like he knows what this is.
“Go raise your grade.”
“…”
Gobang lowered his head in silence.
His shoulders trembled.
Is he crying?
Must have been tough all this time.
Getting scolded for eating too much, looked down on for being slow-witted.
Plop, plip plop, plop plop.
Teardrops as big as his frame fell to the floor.
“Are you crying again? Don’t cry- eek!”
Suddenly Gobang grabbed Juhyeok in a hug.
Due to their height difference, Juhyeok’s face was at Gobang’s stomach level.
Gobang had lots of hair on his stomach too.
The scratchy sensation touched his face.
…Mmm.
What is this?
He tap-danced desperately in mid-air to avoid being hugged.
To end up being hugged here,
But would he even be able to use the rune properly with his low intelligence?
It was concerning.
※ ※ ※
Park Kyung-soo, Director of Korea’s Awakened Management Office, received an official request from the United States to borrow the Holy Sword.
He accepted immediately and set up a visit schedule.
After Korea cleared floor 66,
“They contacted saying Player Gerald Watson and Department of Homeland Security Tower Clearing Director Antonio would arrive at Incheon Airport right after the floor 66 clear.”
“That fast? What’s the rush?”
Jeon Kwang-il had spoken with Antonio on the phone just four days ago.
When they offered a million dollars as a rental fee for the Holy Sword, he firmly shut them down, telling them to think it over carefully and call back.
He knew why they did it.
They were probably testing the waters.
But this crossed a line.
“Are they planning to challenge the floor 67 Phantom Reaper with this visit?”
“No, there’s still a lot left. No need to rush the clearing.”
“Then?”
“They want to repeatedly clear floor 66 Specter, experience the Holy Sword’s effects.”
Gerald Watson.
America’s highest level player.
Even he took over 13 hours to clear floor 66.
“What’s the rental fee per use?”
“They offered ten million dollars.”
“Anything else?”
“Removal of anti-dumping regulations on Korean magic stone steel products.”
“Hmm,”
Well, no point discussing it now.
The rental price would be decided by Player Bong Juhyeok anyway.
“Oh! And…”
“Yeah? What?”
“You know Yoo Cheol-min’s penthouse?”
“Why? Haven’t cleared it out yet? Burn everything Yoo Cheol-min used.”
“That was the plan. But Player Bong Juhyeok seems interested in the place.”
“Ah…”
Director Park Kyung-soo pondered for a moment.
The penthouse’s ownership had been confiscated and transferred to government property.
As for the house,
Player Bong Juhyeok was qualified.
If not give it to him, then who?
“I was thinking of giving him something more anyway… a house would be good.”
The justification as the Holy Sword’s owner was sufficient.
Even the president didn’t know that Bong Juhyeok was an S++ grade record holder.
The fewer people who knew, the better.
However, the report about him being the Holy Sword’s owner had gone up.
His identity would be revealed anyway since the rental fees would need to be deposited to his account.
“Alright! Clear out everything inside and transfer it to him. I’ll handle the upper level approval.”
“Yes, I’ll proceed with it.”
This worked out well.
He’d been feeling guilty about only giving him a 2 billion won salary and an officetel.