Juhyeok sat in his officetel with his eyes half-closed, staring at the empty wall.
He had played well for a week.
So what did Juhyeok do with two days left until the random summon?
A shamanic ritual?
No.
A simple prayer offering?
He didn’t do that either.
Wall-facing meditation to cultivate his mind.
He needed to maintain his composure.
Just calmly.
Setting aside all desires.
Having barely obtained Trait Enhancement.
He needed to welcome a proper new family member.
This was the end of a long journey.
All’s well that ends well, after all.
Two days ago, Gyeon Dallae had said:
“We already performed a prayer ritual for Trait Enhancement. Perhaps that’s why we achieved great fortune.”
“But! The heavens are wary of those with excessive greed. If you ask for more without knowing satisfaction, you will receive punishment instead of fortune.”
Very logical.
If you ask for one rice cake and receive it, then throw a tantrum asking for more, you should get a slap rather than another rice cake.
“Therefore, this time it would be better to cut off desire through mental discipline. No shamanic rituals, no prayer offerings—just approach the random summon with a peaceful mind.”
As expected of Gyeon Dallae.
Did she get the top shaman position in the Heavenly Empire by clicking with her foot?
Following her advice, Juhyeok calmly began wall-facing meditation at home.
He had already called his family and turned off his smartphone for two days.
He even put a “Do Not Disturb” sign outside his officetel door.
He had spoken with Jeon Kwang-il from the Management Office two days ago.
During that conversation, he heard that Gerald Watson would enter the country through Incheon Airport, but whatever, it would work out fine.
A ten-million-dollar contract had already been signed.
The summoned beings were also temporarily unsummoned.
They had promised to gather on the day.
So he devoted himself to wall-facing meditation.
In truth, he didn’t even know what wall-facing meditation was.
It was just playing alone.
What Juhyeok did best.
The second day was the same.
Looking at the wall then sleeping, waking up to watch TV then sleeping again.
And finally today.
The day the random summon cooldown ended.
Soon a new summoned being would appear.
After calling everyone with designated summons,
“Welcome, everyone.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“…”
Everyone maintained a solemn, serious atmosphere.
Greed was forbidden.
Even a Rare would be enough.
After all, they said the current three-person system could easily achieve S++ up to the 50th floor.
‘But SR would be nice… if heaven takes pity, maybe SSR… or pretending to be crazy, perhaps LSSR…’
No, no!
Greed will lead to ruin.
Juhyeok stood up.
Then moved to the center of the living room.
The summon would begin the moment he opened his mouth.
Finally, the long-awaited moment!
As he was about to speak with a tense heart…
“Dugudugudugudugudu…”
The sound Kozak was making with his mouth.
Juhyeok burst out angrily.
“Really!”
“Assassin, be quiet!”
“Sir Kozak, that’s bad luck!”
“…I’m sorry.”
We were doing so well, and you had to overdo it like that.
‘Hmm.’
Regaining his composure.
“Random summon.”
[Random summon begins.]
It had started.
Fwaaaash!
A very small cluster of light appeared in the air.
Smaller than expected.
Maybe it would grow larger?
But,
Fwaaaash!
The summoned being appeared too quickly, without much effect.
Pong!
“…Huh?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
What’s this?
Is it a person?
What kind of person looks like that?
Resembles a fat hamster.
Small stature reaching only to Juhyeok’s waist, a round body like a ball, white fur, extremely short limbs, a small backpack on its back, and a round hat that looked like a safety helmet on its head.
“Hoe, Summoner. Nice to meetchu.”
“…What? Oh, yes, yes.”
What on earth?
<Catalog: A diligent and well-reviewed labyrinth worker of beastkin origin>
- Name: Razix
- Grade: R (Rare)
- Type: Worker (Beastkin)
- Manifestation Period: 10 hours
- Satisfaction Rating: None
- Re-summon Waiting Time: 3 hours (applies after unsummoning)
“…”
A worker?
And not even human, but beastkin.
I knew the range of summonable targets included humans and demi-humans, but…
A worker means a non-combat summoned being.
Which means they won’t help with tower climbing at all.
What is this?
I did wall-facing meditation for two days.
Maybe I didn’t do it properly and got bad luck.
It wasn’t just Juhyeok.
Everyone’s expressions were the same.
Worker Razix seemed to sense the atmosphere.
In a shrinking voice:
“Hoeee… should I go back?”
Sigh.
That innocent expression.
And so cute too.
Seems to be a hamster-based beastkin.
It’s heartbreaking, but:
“I’m sorry, Razix. I’ll call you again later. We don’t have a position for you right now.”
“Hoeng, okay…”
“Unsummon.”
Swoop!
First summon: failure.
Nothing to be done.
If not now, when would he use it?
Juhyeok took out the Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket from his inventory.
How to use the ticket? Tear it.
“Let’s try once more.”
“Consider it an aversion of bad luck, Young Master. But he was so cute.”
“What good is cuteness? He must be helpful for Master Summoner Bong’s tower climbing.”
“Summoner, this time will be better.”
He did wall-facing meditation again for about an hour.
This time, he approached it very seriously.
Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.
…But let’s be just a tiny bit greedy.
“Sir Kozak,”
“Yes?”
“Dugudu.”
“Yes, sir!”
Riiip!
Tearing the ticket.
“Random summon.”
[Random summon begins.]
Simultaneously, Kozak’s drumbeat:
“Dugudugudugudugudu…”
FWAAAAAAASH!
This time was different.
Colorful lights filled the room.
Brilliant light swirled wildly in the center of the living room.
This phenomenon was a first.
‘Could it be?’
[Achievement: Successfully summoned an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) grade being for the first time.]
“Gasp!!!”
Did I hear that right?
I drew an LSSR?
‘Is this a dream or reality?’
This is crazy.
I really couldn’t have imagined this.
Maximum dopamine levels.
A thrilling feeling rising from toes to head.
Now, Trait Enhancement or whatever,
There’s no need to worry about anything.
By drawing an LSSR, the party is complete.
Plus, an achievement.
That’s right.
Drawing an LSSR naturally comes with an achievement.
[Achievement reward is being issued.]
Wow, a reward too?
‘Killing two birds with one stone.’
So much to be thankful for.
[You can now enter the tower twice a day.]
“…”
Well, I didn’t need this kind of reward.
It’s basically telling me to work twice a day.
Anyway, let’s welcome the LSSR.
The light cluster gradually taking human form.
Welcome, LSSR summoned being.
Papapapapat!
The form clearly revealed itself.
“Oh!”
An old man with a classical martial arts uniform, white hair, and a white beard appeared in a relaxed posture, hands behind his back.
‘An i-immortal coming to such a humble place.’
Juhyeok quickly checked the catalog entry.
<Catalog: Greatest of all time, hero of the martial world, most terrifying in the martial realm, perpetrator of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.>
- Name: Gwangma (Crazy Demon)
- Grade: LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare)
- Type: Martial Artist (Human)
- Manifestation Period: 3 hours
- Satisfaction Rating: None
- Re-summon Waiting Time: 6 hours (applies after unsummoning)
‘…’
Somehow, the catalog descriptors are eerie.
Hero of the martial world, mountains of corpses and seas of blood, most terrifying.
Even the name combines the characters for “crazy, gwang” (狂) and “demon, ma” (魔) to form Gwangma.
It’s a bit scary.
So he bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle in respectful greeting.
“Hello. Pleased to meet you. I’m Summoner Bong Juhyeok.”
“This old one is also honored to meet such a noble person. Please call me Gwangma.”
Wow!
He’s polite too.
I don’t understand why such a person would be called Gwangma.
Suddenly, Gwangma’s background story flashed in Juhyeok’s mind.
- There’s a saying that government and martial arts worlds do not interfere with each other. But the first martial artist to break this taboo was Gwangma. What began as a small conflict between Gwangma and the government spread like wildfire until it eventually reached the imperial palace.
- Gwangma, who stormed the imperial palace, beheaded the emperor and hung his head in the marketplace. Eventually, the Martial Alliance, the Unorthodox Faction, and even the Demonic Cult declared Gwangma a public enemy, and in a battle that lasted seven days and nights, Gwangma lost his life to the combined attack of the Martial Alliance Leader, the Four Clan Leader, and the Demonic Cult Leader.
Simultaneously, scenes flashed through his mind.
Countless warriors dying at his hands, Gwangma bursting into maniacal laughter with a face stained with blood and flesh.
Gulp.
This is a bit concerning.
But he must be incredibly skilled in combat.
Being a summoned being, he should at least be obedient.
Besides, there’s already another crazy summoned being.
That insane assassin.
Gwangma opened his mouth.
“Those fellows seem to be your existing companions.”
“Yes, that’s right. Let me introduce…”
Hmm?
What’s wrong with them?
Gyeon Dallae with a face turned pale.
Kozak being intensely wary.
Gobang frozen in place.
“No need. I don’t wish to mix words with such insignificant beings.”
“…Oh.”
A sense of unease crept in.
Gwangma slowly walked toward the balcony window and spoke.
“Summoner, may I ask a few questions?”
“O-of course, as many as you’d like.”
“How many towers have collapsed in this world so far?”
Collapsed?
Well, that’s:
“Just one has fallen.”
“That’s somewhat fortunate. What’s the highest floor reached currently?”
“The 67th floor. It’s where the undead appear.”
“Aha! So that’s why there’s been only one.”
“Pardon?”
“Soon when people reach the 70s, collapses will happen everywhere. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Juhyeok didn’t answer.
He didn’t even want to imagine it.
“As the summoner knows, tower collapse is a harbinger of destruction. The collapsed tower will drive deep into the ground like a massive nail and change this world. Of course, since there’s only one so far, there’s no problem yet.”
Looking outside through the window, Gwangma slowly turned his body and continued.
“Do you know what’s the filthiest aspect of tower conquest?”
“Well, I don’t really…”
“It’s that towers are divided by nationality. Each awakened person can only conquer their own country’s tower. Truly a devious scheme.”
Towers with fixed nationalities.
Many people found this strange.
Even now.
“At the very least, Summoner, your country will be safe. Even with those pathetic fellows, you won’t have any problems climbing the tower.”
His tone was becoming increasingly unsettling.
“But what good is it if only your country is safe? When towers in other countries all collapse and the entire world is doomed.”
“This old one doesn’t want this world to end either. Now that I’ve come to this world, I’d like to stay with you, Summoner, for as long as possible.”
That’s a bit…
“So I will help you.”
“…With what?”
“World conquest. Placing this world at your feet.”
Suddenly…
World conquest?
He’s not some mastermind trying to rule the world.
Juhyeok just blinked his eyes.
“You must unify the world under one nation. Then you and I together can conquer all towers in the world as we please. Coincidentally, by summoning me, you’ve also received the benefit of tower re-entry.”
Wait.
That’s innovative.
No need for temporary or voluntary naturalization—just unite all countries into one.
For example, if all countries on Earth unified under South Korea, Juhyeok could enter any tower.
World conquest.
A clichéd theme that only appears in movies, novels, or comics.
But could there be a more justified world conquest than this?
“Let’s start by putting your country in order. I’ll kill the ruling class who deceive the people and only fill their own bellies. Even if there are hundreds of thousands of them, and I’ll transfer all power to you, Summoner.”
“Then we must go to another country. Starting with countries with the lowest tower climbing progress, similarly killing their rulers and subjugating one country after another—this will push back the moment of destruction significantly.”
Now he understood.
The source of his unease.
He was a madman.
Still insane even after death.
Compared to him, Kozak was a naive, normal person.
National pride?
This kind of national pride would kill you the moment you drank it.
It’s scorching, absolutely scorching.
“I’ll be the one to stain my hands with blood. You, Summoner, become the ruler of this world and create a single nation.”
Is that even possible?
Above all, he doesn’t want it.
Juhyeok clutched his pounding heart and barely managed to say:
“D-don’t do that. That’s an order. I don’t want to be a ruler or anything like that.”
“I must do it. I cannot obey your order. It’s something I must do to save you and your world.”
Then, with a smile full of pride:
“This is my third principle, third clause.”
This damned…
“Well, I should be going now. Time is short if I’m to kill this country’s leaders and politicians and place you at the apex of power. So…”
That’s when:
“Stop!”
Gyeon Dallae overcame her fear and shouted, holding up her bell.
Ding-a-ling!
“Such a thing cannot be justified by any third clause. What you’re trying to do goes against the heavenly order…”
“Heavenly order? A milk-smelling girl, merely shaking a bell, what would you know! This is all for the summoner’s sake.”
Then Kozak joined in:
“Shut up! You call that for the sake of the summoner? I cannot agree.”
“Hahaha! Haven’t you also stained your hands with blood to protect the summoner? So what’s the difference?”
“I only eliminated direct threats.”
“I’m the same as you. Only the scope of threats is broader.”
Gobang stepped forward too.
“Obey the summoner’s words. Otherwise, I’ll kill you.”
“…How absurd. A mere being who’s only reached the Transformation Realm dares to kill me?”
Gwangma’s expression changed in an instant.
Wooooo…
A storm of qi swept through the living room.
An unbearable, enormous pressure pressed down on the three summoned beings.
“Kkeuk!”
“Heoeoek!”
“Eeeek!”
Of course, excluding only Juhyeok.
“Fine. I’ll kill you. Then it will be quiet for at least 100 days. Ah! Since someone needs to protect the summoner while I’m gone, I’ll just slice one of you as an example. If that’s not enough, one more.”
Swiiish.
From somewhere unknown, Gwangma was suddenly pointing a sword imbued with intense battle qi.
“Who shall die? The bell-shaking girl? The impertinent assassin? The foolish bear?”
That’s when:
“Master Gwangma?”
Turning his gaze, Gwangma looked at Juhyeok with a benevolent smile.
“I knew you would try to stop me. But this too is my third principle, third clause, stemming only from my sincere loyalty to protect you, Summoner.”
“Um, I didn’t call you to stop you.”
“Hmm? Then what were you going to say?”
Juhyeok quietly murmured.
“Gwangma unsummon.”
“Oh my…”
Swoop!
Gwangma disappeared.
Who cares if he’s LSSR?
The summoned beings were finally released from the pressure.
“Whew.”
“Haah, haah.”
“Huk huk, I, I thought I was going to die.”
It wasn’t good luck.
He had drawn something that should never have appeared.
“Salt! Where’s the salt?”
Gyeon Dallae hurriedly brought salt from the sink shelf.
“Ptui ptui!”
She sprinkled it liberally where Gwangma had been.
Then Juhyeok immediately opened his status window and catalog entry.
“Isn’t there a negative star rating? Or even zero points?”
“Unfortunately, 1 point is the lowest score possible.”
Honestly, even 1 point seemed too generous.
[Gwangma’s satisfaction rating has been set at 1 point.]
He took revenge with a 1-point rating.
Still, it was scary.
Maybe the summoned being’s grade indicates not their strength but their level of insanity…
Instead of prayer rituals for Trait Enhancement, he should perform a gut for random summons.
Juhyeok collapsed onto the sofa with an exhausted expression.
His heart was still racing from the shock.
The three who had partially lost their wits and recovered also sat on the floor.
“I’m absolutely never calling him again.”
But Kozak said:
“Um, Master Summoner Bong.”
“What is it?”
“No matter how crazy that old man is, he could be useful inside the tower.”
“Even if he’s useful, I won’t use him.”
“Still, it might be good to consider it after some time.”
What a generous heart.
Has he forgotten that the old man just tried to kill him?
“This maiden thinks so too. Even a rusty nail can be polished back to usability.”
“I also agree. We’ll need to use him when we reach higher floors.”
Even Gobang and Gyeon Dallae.
“Alright. I’ll think about it.”
Time passed.
They just sat quietly, trying to calm their startled hearts.
The summoned beings did the same.
Only after a considerable amount of time had passed,
Juhyeok opened his status window again.
[Catalog]: John Kozak/ Barbaric Meat Shield/ Gyeon Dallae/ Razix/ Gwangma
“Catalog entries can’t be deleted, right?”
“That is correct.”
What a shame.
If they could be deleted, he would have deleted it immediately.
‘…Has it been three hours?’
He selected Razix and gave 5 stars.
[Razix’ satisfaction rating has been set at 5 points.]
Simultaneously,
“Designated summon: Razix.”
[Razix has been summoned by designation.]
“Hoeng? Why 5 points?”
“Welcome, Razix.”
“Hoeeee, you’re welcoming me?”
“Of course! We’re colleagues now. Hahaha.”
Looking at Razix’ cute appearance, Juhyeok felt his heart being purified.
“Aww! Looking at you again, you’re an angel, an angel!”
As Juhyeok made a fuss,
“That’s right. Looks like a hard worker.”
“How can you be so adorable?”
“Let’s work well together. I’m Gobang.”
Razix didn’t know how to handle all the attention pouring in.
“Come on, let’s toss our new colleague in celebration.”
“Hoeng?”
Heave-ho! Heave-ho!
Round little Razix soared like a volleyball in the center of the living room.
Someone might spike him at this rate.
“Hoeee! Too high! It’s too hiiiiiigh!”
Well, even a worker who doesn’t help with conquests is a hundred, a thousand times better than Gwangma.
‘But is his ability really limited to just being a worker?’