Juhyeok’s ambitious journey to achieve Trait Enhancement through special rewards at any cost.
The resolute determination of three summoned beings not to lose their jobs by creating one more available position.
It all began from the 36th floor.
Large humanoid monster: Ogre.
Though smaller than a Minotaur, the Ogre’s strength lies in its speed.
Stage 1 of the 36th floor features just ordinary quickness.
But from Stage 2, that large body moves as fast as an Orc.
And Stage 3?
Almost at rabbit-level speed.
Moreover, they’re clever and cunning, quickly fleeing when things look bad.
In Stage 4, they use some kind of movement skill, hopping high above players’ heads to torment them.
Skills that bind their feet are crucial.
Players have control skills suited to their traits, but using them at the right moment is difficult—that’s why “talent” is so important.
Juhyeok doesn’t have any control skills.
Just his summoned beings.
Summoned being Gobang, much larger, stronger, and faster than an Ogre.
Crack! Crunch! Skewer!
“KUOOOOOOH!”
Summoned being Priestess Gyeon Dallae, who area-binds Ogres with debuffs.
“Evil ones, do not move!”
And Assassin John Kozak, raging with bloodshot eyes.
“HYAAAH!”
In truth, Kozak isn’t the only one in a hurry.
Who knows which summoned being might appear next?
One misstep, and they’d be fired.
No more enjoying team dinners paid for by the boss after working hard.
Of course they had to be desperate.
Juhyeok kept his promise.
He stood idly in the rear.
But his mind was troubled.
He had boldly shouted “Let’s proceed!” but…
‘What if Trait Enhancement doesn’t appear even by the 50th floor?’
With bad luck, they could be ruined.
‘No, it must appear.’
Besides special rewards, there’s one more way to achieve Trait Enhancement.
The Trait Enhancement rune.
But the odds are extremely slim.
It can only be received as a reward item on floors 40 or 50 and above, and they say it doesn’t even appear in the market these days.
‘Should I beg the Management Office? Ask them to get one for me?’
But that has drawbacks too.
It would mean owing them an even bigger favor than receiving a penthouse.
‘This is troublesome.’
Let’s check the special reward at the 40th floor and then decide.
And so, the 36th floor…
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of the Black Tower (Korea) 36th floor.]
The 37th floor too…
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of the Black Tower (Korea) 37th floor.]
Even the 38th and 39th floors…
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of the Black Tower (Korea) 38th floor.]
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of the Black Tower (Korea) 39th floor.]
It was an insane pace.
Once a day, in the morning, without fail, the public announcement would sound.
The citizens, watching their morning dramas,
Had to see the caption <Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 3X S++ Grade Conquest Record!> every day.
It had become so routine that it wasn’t even surprising anymore.
└ Nam Ga-eun VS the 39 consecutive S++ conquest record holder
└ I choose Nam Ga-eun.
└ Me too.
└ Well, ordinary people might not know, but any player would never choose Nam Ga-eun.
└ Right, you’d definitely choose the S++ conquest record holder.
└ How can you compare to 39 consecutive S++ conquests?
└ But aren’t they pushing too hard lately? Four conquests in four consecutive days.
39 consecutive S++ conquest records.
Four in a row, no less.
The national pride just wouldn’t diminish.
Meanwhile,
The biggest supplier of national pride quietly slipped out of his hideout.
※ ※ ※
Every time he used it, the identification interference patch proved remarkably effective.
Beyond simply making his face unrecognizable, it even dispersed others’ sense of vigilance.
Even walking right beside someone, he would be perceived as a familiar, non-threatening person.
In fact, security at Juhyeok’s officetel had been greatly strengthened recently.
The number of internal security guards had increased, as had the personnel monitoring the entire officetel from outside.
But they were useless against the identification interference patch.
Even when Juhyeok opened his officetel door at 4 AM when few people were around, they thought nothing more of it than a dog passing by.
Walking a fair distance from the officetel, he spotted early morning taxis.
Shyly raising his hand to stop one,
“Excuse me, driver… I want to go to Gongju Traditional Market in Chungnam.”
“Pardon? Where did you say?”
“Gongju City Traditional Market. Is that not possible?”
“That’s very far…”
“Ah, um, 500,000 won? In cash…”
“Please fasten your seatbelt.”
The taxi sped off.
It took 90 minutes to reach Gongju Traditional Market.
It was still dawn.
Quite a few people were already there.
Looking at his watch, it was before 6 AM.
Juhyeok entered the market’s public restroom and summoned Kozak.
“Young Master! Kozak has arrived.”
“Are you ready?”
“I’m thoroughly prepared.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
The reason for coming to the market… naturally, to shop.
“Shall we buy fruit first?”
“Besides that, we have many other things to buy. It’s going to be very heavy.”
“Oh my, I’ll carry it all. Master Summoner, just handle the payments.”
As promised, they bought an enormous amount.
After finishing shopping, they moved again.
Catching another taxi,
“Gyeryongsan National Park, please.”
“Alright, going hiking? Hop in.”
“We have a lot of luggage, could you open the trunk…”
Juhyeok and Kozak got into the taxi together.
They didn’t say a word during the journey.
Arriving at Gyeryongsan National Park.
After finding a secluded spot, they also summoned Gobang and Gyeon Dallae.
“I have been waiting, Young Master.”
“I’ll carry all the baggage. Give it to me.”
Gyeon Dallae took the lead.
“Although this is a different world, seeing the similar mountain landscape, I believe that place will still exist. Please follow me.”
First, they climbed up the hiking trail, then Gyeon Dallae turned sideways.
A rugged valley appeared.
They continued walking.
“It’s here.”
“Where should we put the items?”
“Hmm, around here… Oh!”
As if remembering something, she looked at Gobang.
“Could you move this rock aside?”
“Understood, Princess.”
A rock that looked incredibly heavy was effortlessly lifted by Gobang.
Beneath it was a flat stone surface.
“We need to clean it thoroughly. Draw water from the valley and scrub it hard with the brush we brought.”
“Yes, sir!”
Without a word of complaint, they did as instructed.
Gobang and Kozak diligently cleaned the moss-blackened rock.
And Gyeon Dallae?
She had her own task.
With mulberry paper in her mouth, she sharpened a knife with dignified posture: swoosh, swoosh.
‘Hmm,’
A woman in white mourning clothes sharpening a knife.
It’s a bit eerie.
Food was placed on the cleaned flat rock.
A pig’s head in the center, fruits and various ritual foods on both sides.
“I shall begin.”
Quickly!
Juhyeok, Gobang, and Kozak knelt before the ritual table.
Simultaneously, Gyeon Dallae placed a speaker in front and started playing.
Jjaeng, jjangjjaejaejjaeng, jjaejjangjjae jjangjjaejjaeng.
Dung! Dungdeokung, deodeong deongdeo deongdeokung!
A shamanic ritual began with the jajinmori rhythm.
Gyeon Dallae started vigorously shaking her body, holding a bell and knife.
“Eoheo, eoheoee, eohi, I beseech the heavenly gods, look upon Young Master Bong, and fill his future with great fortune.”
No one was laughing.
The atmosphere was solemn, serious, and dignified.
“We pray, we pray, for Trait Enhancement we pray.”
As Juhyeok led the chant, everyone joined in unison.
“We pray, we pray, for Trait Enhancement we pray.”
It was a shamanic ritual.
A prayer ceremony for the special reward to be received upon accumulating 40 Platinum Badges.
Will this work?
Is believing in superstition too ridiculous?
What does it matter if it doesn’t?
What’s important is making an effort.
And performing a gut (shamanic ritual) isn’t that unusual.
People do it when starting companies, shooting films for the first time, or when politicians run for elections.
It’s all to find peace of mind.
Let’s get it this time.
I don’t want to disappoint the summoned beings.
A situation might arise where I have to beg the Management Office.
A gut is better than that.
The ritual reached its climax.
Gyeon Dallae’s dance movements grew even more intense.
Whish!
A blue knife thrown high into the air.
Kozak quickly caught it and passed it to Gobang.
Kneeling, Gobang firmly gripped the back of the blade with both hands and raised it with the edge facing up.
Gyeon Dallae, who had removed her socks, stood barefoot on the knife’s edge.
Gracefully.
Gyeon Dallae walking on the knife.
It feels good.
This will probably work out well.
※ ※ ※
Again by taxi, Juhyeok arrived alone at his Seoul officetel.
He touched his card key and entered.
After completing this day trip and returning home, Juhyeok began to meditate with a solemn heart.
Since he had unsummoned his summoned beings right after the ritual, he could call them again soon.
Actually, achieving S++ conquest of the 40th floor isn’t an issue.
Conquest success is predetermined.
But what if he fails to achieve Trait Enhancement again?
Honestly, he has no intention of dismissing any of them.
Even if he drew a legendary.
He’d rather give up on S++ conquests.
He’s only doing this for Kozak and the summoned beings who worry about losing their jobs.
Alright! Time’s up.
Designated summon for everyone.
“Are you ready?”
They all nodded with grave expressions.
“Let’s go in.”
[Entering the Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 40.]
They had finally reached the 40th floor.
Receiving the mission.
[Floor 40 Mission: Defeat 80 Ogres of any type and 1 Twin-headed Ogre.]
[Completion Time Limit: Within 13 hours.]
[Completion Conditions: All types of Ogres 0/80, Twin-headed Ogre 0/1]
Is defeating monsters a problem?
The real issue is checking the special reward afterward.
Ogres were of no concern.
All he could think about was defeating them quickly and checking the special reward.
Woooooo,
The aura rising from Gobang and Kozak.
Sensing danger, the Ogres hesitated to charge forward and began to back away.
But could they escape?
The Ogres were torn apart, and as soon as the Twin-headed Ogre appeared.
“Kwup!”
And so.
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of the Black Tower (Korea) 40th floor.]
[S++ Conquest Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
Swoop!
The party returned to the officetel.
“I’m excited.”
“Shh! That’s bad luck. Please refrain from speaking.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Juhyeok took a deep breath,
Then checked his inventory.
[Special reward issued for accumulating 40 Platinum Badges.]
Let’s go! I’ve waited long enough.
If it doesn’t appear this time, tower climbing will be temporarily suspended for a while.
Will it be Trait Enhancement…
[Reward: Roulette Spin Ticket (1-time use) has been deposited in your inventory.]
“…Huh? What is this?”
Juhyeok’s expression was bewildered.
“W-what is it? What appeared?”
“Is it Trait Enhancement, Young Master?”
“Summoner, I’m curious, please tell us.”
Juhyeok didn’t answer.
He just stared blankly at the image that appeared before him.
[Tear the Ticket (1-time use) to spin the roulette. If not torn within 1 hour, the opportunity will disappear.]
It was a round spinning wheel.
With a needle at the top.
Densely packed with colorful sectors of different sizes.
Similar to the Random Box received before, but the method was different.
The text written in the sectors.
Magic stone, Herbs, Item, Potion, Skill, Various tickets…
‘Trait Enhancement?’
It was there.
But in the narrowest sector.
‘Now after all this, it’s spin the wheel?’
Could the needle even land in that tiny space?
“…Is it hopeless?”
In response to Kozak’s question,
“I have to spin the roulette.”
“Huh? R-roulette? The spinning thing?”
“Yes. There’s a Trait Enhancement sector too… but it’s quite narrow.”
“How narrow?”
“This much.”
“Oh no!”
Let’s not get excited.
Even now, the summoned beings were staring at his face like baby owls.
“Wait a moment. I’ll come out after a shower.”
Juhyeok took clean clothes and entered the bathroom.
First brushing his teeth, as a way of reflecting on his earlier cursing.
Cleaned his ears thoroughly.
Wiped every corner dry, changed his underwear, changed his clothes, and came out of the shower room.
“…”
All eyes were on him.
The pressure of having to spin the roulette while everyone had high hopes.
Wow! This is really burdensome.
“…W-who wants to tear the ticket for me?”
The gathered gazes dispersed.
Suddenly, the summoned beings were pretending not to notice.
They looked away as if staring at distant mountains.
Trying not to make eye contact with Juhyeok.
“…Oh, come on.”
Cowards.
They don’t want to take responsibility?
‘It was better when I just hoped for anything to appear.’
In any case, he had no choice.
After going so far as to hold a gut…
Juhyeok took out the Roulette Spin Ticket (1-time use) from his inventory.
His hand trembled.
After taking several deep breaths,
“No cursing if it doesn’t work out, yes or no?”
“No!”
“No, sir.”
“How could this maiden do such a thing?”
Rrrrrip!
He tore the ticket mercilessly.
Chararararararack!
The roulette started spinning.
Spinning, spinning, and spinning more.
The Trait Enhancement sector as tiny as a mouse dropping.
Chararararararack!
Spin, spin.
Not just the roulette, but his eyeballs were spinning too.
His head was spinning.
The endlessly spinning roulette.
When would it stop?
It’s spinning for a really long time.
Spinning insanely.
Eventually.
Chararara, chararack, charack.
The speed began to decrease.
Srrrrrr.
The wheel rotated slowly from right to left.
“Go, go! We even did a gut.”
Srrrr…
Very slowly.
Almost stopped.
Just a little more, just a bit.
Juhyeok’s body twisted.
He followed the direction of the spinning wheel.
To the left, to the left,
The summoned beings, watching anxiously, also twisted their bodies in sync.
To the left, to the left,
‘Ohhh! Getting closer. Just a little more.’
Was the prayer ritual effective?
The Trait Enhancement sector and the needle were getting closer.
It seemed possible.
No, it was almost certain.
The nearly stopped wheel.
Now the needle was at the Trait Enhancement sector.
“S-stop!”
If it stopped right now, it would be over.
But it was still slowly moving to the left.
It might go past.
“This damn rouletteee…”
Juhyeok twisted his body in the opposite direction.
The summoned beings’ bodies followed, twisting in the opposite direction,
“Don’t go any further!!!”
If it went past, it would land on the unknown herb sector.
Would a special reward give herbs?
Go the other way!
Spin right! Right!
Jiiirit! Juhyeok curled his right toes with all his might.
Suddenly!
- Click!
Huh?
He heard a sound,
‘Click?’
Simultaneously, the wheel stopped completely.
The needle’s position was…
“Whoa.”
It was Trait Enhancement.
“Click!”
[Your Awakening Trait is enhanced.]
“Click!!”
Juhyeok raised both hands.
“Click!!!”
The summoned beings all cheered together.
They jumped up and down.
“Click, sir!”
“Click, Young Master!”
“Click it is!”
And so the status window showed: