At the Awakened Management Office in Hannam-dong, Seoul.
Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il reported to Commissioner Park Kyung-soo.
“Player Bong visited the shop again?”
“Yes, without my knowledge. If I had known, I would have gone down to assist him personally.”
“What did he buy?”
“A shield. A small hand shield, to be precise.”
“Tsk tsk, if he had just signed an elite contract, we could have outfitted him from head to toe…”
He had achieved S++ conquests up to the 18th floor.
The 19th floor shouldn’t be difficult either.
The problem was the 20th floor.
All types of goblins encountered so far would appear there.
The time limit alone was 10 hours.
They didn’t expect an S++ conquest on the 20th floor.
It would be fortunate just to conquer it within the time limit.
Some players wasted months trying to pass this floor.
“What could player Bong’s characteristic be?”
“Judging by his purchase of a mace and shield, I suspect it’s a close-combat type.”
“Hah, even full equipment would be insufficient in that case.”
Close-combat types.
They use powerful skills with each strike but are equally vulnerable, requiring full-body protection.
“Why isn’t he buying armor and a helmet? Even if he forgoes leg armor and greaves, he should at least protect his head and heart.”
“That’s what worries me too.”
Injuries to other parts of the body allowed some time margin.
There were healing potions for that.
But a hit to the head or heart meant instant death.
No chance to use a potion.
“Perhaps I should find an excuse to provide player Bong with a full set of armor…”
Just then!
Ring ring!
A phone call came in.
The caller ID showed it was from the police department dedicated to players.
“Excuse me, I need to take this call. It’s from the police,” Kwang-il said.
“Go ahead, answer it.”
“Hello, this is Jeon Kwang-il. What’s the matter? Ah! An attempted item robbery, hmm, armed with a gun…”
A crime between players.
Likely committed by someone blinded by greed for items.
It happened occasionally.
Kidnapping players with valuable items, torturing them, and emptying their tower-exclusive inventories.
These crimes were vicious.
Usually, to hide evidence, they killed the robbed player.
It was kept secret, but those in the know were aware:
A player’s corpse could be stored in the tower-exclusive inventory.
This made the probability of a perfect crime quite high.
It was only this manageable because skills and levels were blocked outside the tower.
If players could exert the same power in reality as they did inside the tower?
A calamity worse than the tower would befall them.
“The presumed victim mentioned my name? Who is it? 25 years old, male… What? Player B-Bong Juhyeok?”
What a bolt from the blue.
“Wh-what? The victim… Is he alright?”
Kwang-il’s face turned pale.
Commissioner Park, listening beside him, was also startled.
“My goodness! Is he injured?”
“Uh, no, apparently not. But they say he seemed a bit sh-shaken.”
“Go there immediately.”
“Understood.”
Kwang-il rushed out in a hurry.
Left alone, Commissioner Park bit his lip hard.
It was a mistake.
They shouldn’t have only considered the dangers inside the tower.
Players didn’t just die in the tower.
Many died outside too.
‘We should have signed an elite contract from the start.’
That would have perfectly resolved the security issue.
He had wanted to assign properly trained official security personnel.
But that wasn’t something the Management Office did directly.
They had to request security from the police or the National Intelligence Service.
However, they hadn’t even signed an elite contract with Bong Juhyeok.
The Management Office was a government organization.
There were established procedures.
To assign security to a regular player, they needed valid grounds.
For example, the fact that he was an S++ grade conquest record holder.
If they did that, it would inevitably be reported upwards, and his existence would be exposed externally.
Would the vulture-like scout brokers sit idle?
Bong Juhyeok would surely be placed in an even more dangerous situation.
He might be forcibly contracted or kidnapped and taken to another country.
They had thought it safer to leave him be, pretending not to know, rather than providing hasty security.
But for this to happen…
‘We can’t delay any longer.’
They had to bring him in somehow.
To the elite team, that is.
***
Juhyeok had tied up Choi Ho-seok with rope and called the police.
He had released Kozak from his summon and sent him back.
Kozak seemed somewhat disappointed, but what could be done with the police on their way?
The police arrived earlier than expected.
“Wow, that’s quite a blow to the back of the head.”
“He-he’s not dead, is he? …Would this be considered self-defense?”
“Well, we’ll have to investigate, but it looks like a concussion for now. At least his heart is still beating.”
“Um, he won’t die, right?”
Seeing the police made Juhyeok nervous, even though he hadn’t done anything wrong.
Well, there was that thing Kozak did a while back.
But that was in the past.
In truth, once Choi Ho-seok appeared with a gun, he was as good as dead.
Moreover, he had repeatedly stated his intention to kill.
If this wasn’t suicide, what was?
In any case, Juhyeok would have been safe even if the gun had been fired.
He had already activated his energy shield.
But then?
“Nngh…”
Choi Ho-seok opened his eyes slightly, regaining consciousness.
Juhyeok breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, he wasn’t dead.
As the police put handcuffs on him, they said:
“Mr. Choi Ho-seok? You’re under arrest for breaking and entering and armed robbery.”
Ho-seok’s eyes darted around wildly.
“…Wait! This is a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding! I’m the victim here. He’s the perpetrator.”
What?
“He kidnapped me to his home and tried to rob my items.”
“Then what’s this gun with a silencer?”
“It-it’s for self-defense. He tried to kill me, so I had no choice… You know how dangerous players can be. Ah! And he’s not alone. There’s an accomplice, an accomplice!”
Wow!
Was it because he was an extrovert?
His words flowed like a stream.
The officer in charge turned to Bong Juhyeok and asked:
“Was there someone else here?”
“No? I was a-alone.”
The officer eyed Juhyeok suspiciously.
“It seems both of you will have to come with us.”
“No, he’s the thief, I’m telling you.”
Choi Ho-seok pounded his chest in frustration as he spoke.
“I’m level 34. One floor conquest yields over 3kg of magic stones. Why would I need to rob anyone?”
…I should have let Kozak dispose of him outside when he offered.
How dare he try to weasel out of this situation?
“On the other hand, this guy is only conquering floors in the 10s. He approached me and told me himself. You can check with the Awakened Management Office for his registration date.”
Just then,
Bang!
Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il burst through Juhyeok’s front door.
Seeing him, Choi Ho-seok brightened up and shouted:
“Team Leader! It’s me, Choi Ho-seok. You know me, right? I’m the victim here, but I’m being falsely accused…”
Slap!
A crisp slapping sound echoed through the room.
“Huh? Why did you slap my…”
It wasn’t just once.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap…
Choi Ho-seok’s head swung left and right in confusion.
His face had turned red,
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
“You bastard! How dare you tell such an obvious lie!”
“…Th-that’s not…”
Whack!
Kwang-il grabbed Ho-seok by the hair and growled.
“Choi Ho-seok, you son of a bitch! You’re going to jail from now on. How dare you try to kill a fellow player?”
“N-no, please listen to me.”
“Your registration is revoked from now on. I don’t care if you climb the tower in prison or not. Release? Don’t even dream about it. If you want to get out, die in the tower.”
“Uh… but, I’m telling you it’s not…”
Choi Ho-seok was utterly bewildered.
What was going on?
‘Won’t you even listen to me?’
Kwang-il turned to the police officers who had arrived.
“Take him away. The National Intelligence Service will be here soon, so hand him over to them.”
National Intelligence Service?
The state was very strict about crimes targeting players.
He might even be tortured.
‘N-no!’
Choi Ho-seok pleaded desperately.
“I was blinded. Pl-please show mercy…”
“Shut up! I know you’re a habitual offender. We’ll uncover everything you’ve done. Get a lawyer, you bastard, though I doubt anyone will defend you.”
Then, to the police:
“Oh! You know the player arrest manual, right? This bastard might try to enter the tower on the way to the police station. If he disappears, wait there, and if he reappears, arrest him again.”
Then, turning to Juhyeok:
“Player Bong Juhyeok, I apologize. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…I was just a bit startled, that’s all.”
Kwang-il bowed deeply, as if he might touch the ground with his forehead.
“We will ensure this never happens again by taking thorough precautions.”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
Kwang-il’s expression was grim.
“You should probably add a few more locks to your door for the time being.”
“…I will.”
He wanted to take more definitive measures, but there were too many eyes watching now.
Apart from asking the police to increase patrols…
It was frustrating.
Anyway, they couldn’t delay any longer.
The elite contract, that is.
***
Time passed.
The commotion had ended.
The police offered to increase patrols around his house, but he declined.
They would knock on his door every so often to ask if everything was alright.
‘Who could be safer than me in this world?’
Even when Choi Ho-seok broke in, he had been more worried about the intruder dying than himself.
Time to return to daily life.
He gave both Barbarian Gobang and Kozak 5-star ratings each, then:
[John Kozak has been summoned by designation.]
“At your service! Was everything alright yesterday?”
“Thanks to you. That guy was taken away by the police.”
“Will he be executed?”
“Of course not. He’ll probably serve a few years and get out.”
“…Hmm, do you happen to know the location of the detention center?”
“I don’t know. And don’t try to find out.”
“Yes, sir.”
Next.
[Barbarian Meat Shield has been summoned by designation.]
“…It’s a first.”
“What is?”
Gobang counted on his fingers one by one.
“Fi-five stars.”
At least he could count numbers.
Today was the 19th floor conquest.
“Let’s go,” Juhyeok said.
[Entering the 19th floor of the Black Tower, Republic of Korea.]
The mission was to defeat goblin warlocks.
[19th Floor Mission: Defeat 30 Goblin Warlocks.]
In truth, they weren’t particularly threatening.
What could goblins do, cast Ice Spear or Chain Lightning?
At best, they could use curses, bindings, or weak fire arrows.
Among these, the most dangerous was the curse.
It was extremely harmful to mental health.
It could cause hallucinations, weakness, loss of motivation, depression… all sorts of effects could pour out.
Curses were especially dangerous because they could stack, so they had to be dealt with quickly.
However, this only applied to players of the same level range. For an assassin whose mind was already unhinged, or a meat shield who had endured all kinds of attacks with sheer physical toughness, it didn’t matter.
Thump thump thump thump!
Gobang charged forward.
The size difference between him and the goblins was like that of an adult and a newborn baby.
Ignoring curses and bindings, he just ran in and smashed them.
Kozak hid behind Gobang to avoid the curses, then struck like lightning when the opportunity arose, ravaging the warlocks.
Slash! Slash slash slash…
Blood and flesh scattered across the 19th floor battlefield.
‘Well then, my turn.’
Juhyeok raised his mace and shield.
Zing!
The energy shield was a given.
Now, time to join the battle and confirm his talent with flashy skills…
[You have successfully completed the 19th floor mission.]
‘Huh?’
What?
Already?
In the distance, John Kozak grinned, covered in red blood.
‘Damn it all!’
Did he deliberately finish it quickly?
‘To prevent me from participating in combat?’
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ grade conquest on the 19th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: A Platinum Badge is awarded.]
Fine.
I’ll let it slide this time.
And the next day.
The long-awaited 20th floor conquest.
[Entering the 20th floor of the Black Tower, Republic of Korea.]
Known as the 1st Talent Detector, it boasted an extreme level of difficulty.
It was said that even the 21st floor was easier than this one.
“It’s extremely dangerous here. All types of goblins appear. Scout poison needles, tactically skilled warriors, stealthy assassins, warlock curses, and the huge hob goblins, whew, it’s terrifying,” Kozak explained dramatically.
“…”
Kozak was making a fuss, trying to scare Juhyeok about how frightening the 20th floor was.
“If it were me, I’d wait in a safe place.”
As he said this, he nudged Gobang’s side.
“Summoner, you don’t have to do anything. I’ll kill them all,” Gobang chimed in.
[20th Floor Mission: Defeat 100 goblins of any type and 1 hob goblin.]
[Time Limit: Within 10 hours.]
[Completion Condition: All types of goblins 0/100, Hob goblin 0/1]
[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]
“Gobang, you go first. Block everything with your body. When you’ve drawn enough aggro, I’ll join in. Got it?”
“I’ll draw all the aggro.”
“Okay! Good!”
After that, Kozak subtly moved to block Juhyeok’s path.
As if trying to prevent him from going forward.
Thump thump thump thump.
Barbarian Gobang charged like a tank.
Poison needles flew.
Warrior units blocked the front.
Assassins targeted the rear.
Curses and fire arrows rained down.
At that very moment!
Zing.
Juhyeok sprang forward.
Energy shield, basilisk petrification leather combat boots, mace, and hand shield.
“Huh?”
John Kozak, who had been idly picking his nose, jumped in shock and cried out desperately.
“S-Summoner Bong! You mustn’t!!!”
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Juhyeok advanced in a zigzag pattern.
Swoosh! Swooooosh…
Shadow Step unfolded magnificently.
Afterimages left behind with each change of direction.
1, 2, 4, 8…
Juhyeok’s shadows were everywhere.
‘Am I crazy?’
It seemed so.
At least in this moment, he wasn’t a timid wimp.
He felt utterly free.
Swoosh!
He got behind a warlock and struck with his mace.
Crunch!
Swoosh!
He smashed a warrior’s head with his mace.
Crack!
He deflected incoming poison needles with his hand shield,
Ting ting!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Moving at a speed the eye could barely follow.
Kozak let out a sigh.
A perfect Shadow Walker, difficult even for him to replicate.
He had thought this summoner knew how to take care of himself, which was fortunate.
He must protect him at all costs.
Even if it meant burning his very soul.
Juhyeok danced through the battlefield, his movements a blur of precision and power. The goblins, caught off guard by his sudden aggression, fell in droves. His mace sang through the air, each strike finding its mark with deadly accuracy.
The energy shield flickered and flashed as it repelled attacks from all sides. Poison needles, curses, and fire arrows alike dissipated harmlessly against its shimmering surface.
Gobang and Kozak, momentarily stunned by Juhyeok’s display, quickly snapped back into action. They flanked him, forming a deadly trio that swept through the goblin ranks like a scythe through wheat.
“Summoner Bong!” Kozak called out, a mix of awe and concern in his voice. “Your skill is impressive, but please, be careful!”
Juhyeok barely heard him, lost in the flow of battle. He felt invincible, untouchable. Each goblin that fell to his mace only fueled his confidence.
Then, through the chaos of battle, a massive figure emerged. Standing nearly three meters tall, with bulging muscles and tusks protruding from its lower jaw, the hob goblin let out a bone-chilling roar.
For a moment, the battlefield fell silent. Even Gobang hesitated at the sight of the monstrous creature.
But Juhyeok didn’t falter. With a determined glint in his eye, he charged forward, his mace raised high.
“Summoner, no!” Kozak cried out in horror.
The hob goblin swung its massive club, the air whistling as it cut through the space where Juhyeok had been just a heartbeat before.
Swoosh!
Juhyeok’s Shadow Step carried him behind the beast. Before it could turn, he struck, his mace connecting with the back of its knee.
The hob goblin howled in pain and rage, swinging wildly. But Juhyeok was already gone, reappearing on its other side.
Strike after strike, he chipped away at the monster’s defenses. Gobang and Kozak joined the fray, their coordinated attacks overwhelming even the mighty hob goblin.
With a final, thunderous blow from Juhyeok’s mace, the creature fell.
As the dust settled, Juhyeok stood panting, surveying the carnage around him. Goblins of all types lay strewn across the battlefield, with the massive form of the hob goblin at his feet.
[20th Floor Mission Complete!]
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ grade conquest on the 20th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: A Platinum Badge is awarded.]
Juhyeok’s chest swelled with pride. He had done it. He had conquered the infamous 20th floor, the 1st Talent Detector, with an S++ grade.
Kozak approached him, his expression a mix of admiration and worry. “Summoner Bong, that was… incredible. But also incredibly reckless. Please, don’t scare me like that again.”
Gobang, less eloquent but no less impressed, simply nodded and grunted, “Summoner strong.”
As the adrenaline began to fade, Juhyeok felt the weight of his actions settle in. He had pushed himself to the limit, taken risks he never would have dreamed of before. But he had also discovered a strength within himself he never knew existed.
“I… I did it,” he murmured, more to himself than to his companions.
Yes, he had done it. The timid wimp had become something more. Something stronger, braver.
As they prepared to leave the 20th floor, Juhyeok couldn’t help but wonder: What other challenges lay ahead? And more importantly, was he ready to face them?
With Kozak and Gobang by his side, and his newfound confidence burning bright, Juhyeok felt ready to take on whatever the tower might throw at him next.
The wimp’s conquest strategy had evolved. Now, it was time for the next chapter of his journey.