Jeon Kwang-il went to Incheon Airport.
Important customers were leaving after finishing their business, so he had to see them off.
“I’m glad you enjoyed your Holy Sword experience.”
“Actually, I wasn’t that satisfied.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“I rented it twice, but you didn’t even give me a discount. I’m quite disappointed.”
Director Antonio’s complaint mixed with dissatisfaction.
It didn’t seem like a joke, but genuine.
Disappointed, my ass.
Trying to haggle over the rental fee?
I’ve felt this for a while, but Director Antonio is really stingy.
Before, he shocked everyone by proposing a mere million dollars for the Holy Sword rental.
But thanks to Player Gerald, we got the full amount.
He must have been thoroughly captivated by the Holy Sword’s effect.
He threw a tantrum right in front of me, insisting on renting it one more time—how could I refuse?
“By the way, where did the Holy Sword’s owner acquire the item?”
“Well, I guess as a tower reward? At least from above the 50th floor?”
“Hahaha, that’s quite a reward. …Do you get items like that when conquering with an S++ grade?”
“I wouldn’t know. The Holy Sword owner isn’t an S++ conquest record holder.”
Playing games again.
He’s been like this since yesterday.
Subtly probing to see if the Management Office knows the identity of the S++ grade conquest record holder.
Of course, Jeon Kwang-il absolutely refused to take the bait.
“If you’re that curious, Director Antonio, why don’t you find the S++ conquest record holder yourself and ask? And if you do find out, please let me know too. We’re also really curious about who it is.”
Director Antonio was persistent.
“Then if an opportunity arises… may I meet the Holy Sword owner separately to express my gratitude?”
“Here at the airport? Your flight departure time must be close.”
“It’s a private jet, so I can leave anytime.”
“Ah, I see. But the actual Holy Sword owner is also very busy, so even I only communicate via messages. I’ll convey your thanks on your behalf.”
Antonio smirked and said:
“Yes, please do that.”
We need to be careful.
The United States is more dangerous than Japan or China.
What would America do if Player Bong Juhyeok’s identity was revealed?
They would try to take him away by any means necessary.
“Oh! Mr. Jeon, I heard some good news…”
“Pardon? What news?”
“I heard you’re up for a promotion.”
“How did you know that?”
“I have ears too. Many people have been telling me—congratulations.”
“…Thank you.”
His information is quick.
That’s America for you, right?
That’s right.
For his contribution to the successful conquest of the 66th floor, Jeon Kwang-il was up for promotion.
He’s set to be appointed to the vacant position of Deputy Commissioner of the Management Office.
“Next time we meet, you’ll be Deputy Commissioner.”
“Hahaha, that’s embarrassing. Well, you have a schedule, so have a safe trip back. I have urgent business, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes. See you in a few months.”
The United States is currently working on conquering floor 67, where undead Phantom Reapers appear.
With plenty of time left, they’ll try a few times and eventually come back.
Now that they’ve tasted the Holy Sword.
How could they not return?
Anyway, the Holy Sword was rented twice.
A total of 20 million dollars.
About 26 billion won.
I’d like to share this good news with Player Bong Juhyeok, but he’s currently unreachable.
We talked earlier.
He said he planned to meditate for two days.
This is common among players.
For those who must conquer the tower alone, mental stability is the most important aspect.
Elite Team members do many things to recover mentally.
Some do yoga, listen to music, go camping, or like Player Nam Ga-eun, work out.
In Player Bong Juhyeok’s case, it’s meditation.
Let’s not disturb him and wait until he calls first.
※ ※ ※
Gyeon Dallae occasionally refers to Kozak and Gobang as “servants.”
But now a real servant has arrived?
After celebrating with a blanket toss and exchanging greetings,
As soon as the welcome ended, Razix began cleaning the house.
“Hoeo, lift your feet, feet!”
Razix rolling around while wiping the floor with a mop.
It’s hard to tell if he’s cleaning the floor with the mop or with his own body.
A house where a man lives alone isn’t usually very tidy.
Unless he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, Juhyeok’s officetel was quite messy.
But it’s getting organized in an instant.
So fast that the transformation of the house looks like a video played at triple speed.
With his short arms, Razix uses tools.
He organized things with tongs taken from his backpack.
When he picks up misplaced items and tosses them, they find their proper places automatically.
‘Is that a skill too?’
Scrubbing dust from shelves, putting scattered clothes in the washing machine, rinsing dishes in the sink and loading them into the dishwasher, throwing trash in the bin, and sorting various paper boxes, plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles by type and tying them together.
Gyeon Dallae exclaimed in admiration:
“He’s the finest servant I’ve ever seen. How can he work so diligently without being told!”
After organizing everything, Razix put his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and admired his work.
“Hoeng!”
His expression showed undeniable pride.
Applause was inevitable.
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
“That’s amazing, Razix!”
“Excellent. The title of Chief Servant Madangswoi isn’t enough to honor you. Everyone should learn from you. Let this maiden embrace you.”
“Hoe?”
“He cleaned up all the mess Gobang made. So cool. Truly Madangswoi.”
“Hoeng!”
Juhyeok fell in love with Razix.
Gwangma?
If I take him along, he’d just wander outside talking about world conquest.
And threaten to kill fellow teammates.
But look at this diligent and well-reviewed labyrinth worker, round little Razix.
Is there even a comparison?
- Razix was always among the first picks for labyrinth adventurers. It’s no exaggeration to say that taking Razix along reduced the difficulties of labyrinth exploration by more than half. Cooking, laundry, campsite construction, herb gathering, mining, tanning, weapon repair… there was nothing he couldn’t do. However, during a labyrinth exploration, he was eaten by the boss of the 93rd underground floor, the giant snake Apophis.
Even his background description proves Razix’s greatness.
But it’s unfortunate.
From the 51st floor, they’ll have to part ways.
Earlier, the summoned beings except Razix gathered separately to whisper among themselves.
“Razix is cute, but not much benefit for tower climbing. We’re not going to clean in the tower.”
“Though cute, this maiden thinks likewise. It would be advisable to keep him for 30 days, then replace him when the random summon becomes available.”
“Razix is cute. Works well. But weak.”
That’s how opinions converged.
Take him only up to the 50th floor.
For S++ conquest of the 51st floor, one more DPS must be recruited.
Magic-type or ranged would be ideal.
The basic framework of S++ conquest is drive hunting.
Up to the 50th floor, it’s possible because the monsters are land-based.
No matter how big or fast they are, if the enlarged Gobang holds aggro firmly, Kozak deals damage like crazy, and Gyeon Dallae’s buffs are added, the conquest will be completed in the blink of an eye.
But drive hunting flying monsters that appear from the 51st floor onward isn’t easy.
Because they fly.
Even when landing, they hover in the air to torment players.
If they sense danger, they fly away to escape.
The worst situation is when lightweight Kozak or Gyeon Dallae is caught by a wyvern’s claws and carried away—Juhyeok is also exposed to this danger.
It must be cleared as quickly as possible.
The conclusion: burst damage.
With magic-type or ranged, they could attack as monsters descend, wearing them down in advance, or even with just one more DPS, drive hunting four or five monsters would be quick.
In the next random summon, they must draw a DPS.
For this reason, Razix should be out from the 51st floor.
Unless another Trait Enhancement occurs.
But that’s very difficult.
“Well, to celebrate our new member’s arrival, shall we go in for a conquest of the 41st floor?”
As Juhyeok suggested,
“Young Master! I’m confident in S++. Just trust this Summoned being Kozak.”
“Summoned being Gobang is here too.”
“This maiden will always serve Young Master with absolute loyalty.”
“Hoeng!”
Razix also answered, raising his short arms,
But what could he do?
※ ※ ※
[Entering the Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 41.]
From the 41st floor, gigantic land beasts appear.
The environment is a forest with short grass and thick trees.
[Floor 41 Mission: Defeat 15 Armored Basilisks.]
Armored Basilisks.
Giant reptiles that look like a mix of crocodile and lizard.
Their size is terrifying.
Body length about 7 to 8 meters.
If you make eye contact with them, your body freezes.
And then your head gets bitten off.
The cause is their paralyzing beam.
Once hit, you can’t even run away.
You must block the paralyzing beam.
Many players fell victim to it initially, but now stable countermeasures have been developed.
But for Juhyeok?
A mere paralyzing beam.
With three Summoned being warriors,
Plus one alpha male and a cute hamster.
“Come on, let’s conquer quickly and have a team dinner. Team dinner! In that spirit, I’ll take three basilisks. Deal? Too few? I’ll take four.”
But Kozak shook his head.
“Master Summoner Bong, you can’t.”
“Why not? Again?”
“You must protect Razix. Look! How cute is he?”
“Hoeng?”
“What if he rushes forward and gets killed by a monster? Master Summoner Bong, please protect Razix.”
Now using Razix as an excuse to prevent combat?
“Then sir Kozak can look after Razix.”
“Well, if I’m tied up, how will we achieve S++ grade conquest?”
“…”
Gyeon Dallae also added:
“This maiden would like to protect Razix too, but I must ring my bell. Young Master, please take on this crucial task.”
They’re really terrible people.
I clearly said I would participate from the 41st floor.
‘Should I call Gwangma one more time?’
Honestly, I was worried about Razix.
What if he gets killed by a basilisk, like he was eaten by a giant snake?
A weak little hamster worker,
I must protect him at all costs.
But thinking again, is this how the summoned beings felt about me?
‘…Hmm.’
No way!
‘I’m a talented alpha male.’
Anyway, I’ll step back just for today.
Because I’m worried about Razix.
The conquest began.
Gyeon Dallae’s bell sound buff.
Gobang, having grown his body, grabbing a basilisk’s tail with one hand and slamming it down.
Followed by Kozak’s finishing move.
He stabbed the basilisk’s head with his dagger, stirring its brain.
Paralyzing beam?
It had no effect.
Because Gyeon Dallae’s buff neutralizes the paralyzing beam and weakens it with debuffs.
The kill count rises instantly.
Ah.
Juhyeok wanted to participate in combat too.
He’s level 41, after all.
And he received special set items but couldn’t try them out.
It can’t be helped.
To protect the cute worker Razix…
“Gasp!”
Where did he go?
Razix disappeared in an instant.
Juhyeok looked around, scanning the surroundings.
‘He was right beside me just now.’
Right then!
A white furball was spotted on a dead basilisk’s corpse.
‘…When did he get there?’
Swoop!
He rushed to where the furball had been seen using Shadow Step, but,
‘…He’s gone again.’
This is quite elusive.
A speed impossible to achieve with Razix’s short legs.
Does he teleport?
“Hoeeeeng!”
A sound is heard.
Looking over:
“…Hahaha.”
This time, the furball is found under a tree on the opposite side.
‘What on earth?’
I don’t understand why he’s running around like that.
I ran over again, but too late.
The furball is spotted in various places.
Watching how he moves, I see he rolls.
‘Wow! So that’s how he moves.’
Roll, roll, roll, roll,
Too fast for Juhyeok to chase.
Well, since his body is naturally round, it’s much faster than walking with short legs.
Anyway, after just chasing him around,
[Armored Basilisks defeated 15/15]
[You have succeeded in the 41st floor mission.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Reward: Magic Stone 4.1kg]
The conquest ended.
As expected, the reward is just magic stone.
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of the Black Tower (Korea) 41st floor.]
[S++ Conquest Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
Swoop!
Juhyeok and the summoned beings returned to the officetel.
“Good work.”
“Your hard work is appreciated.”
“Thanks to the summoner, we finished well.”
“…”
What hard work?
I couldn’t even try out my set items.
But then.
“Hoeeeng,”
Razix was sobbing with tears.
…Why is he crying now?
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
“Hoeng, no.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“The conquest ended too quickly.”
“Isn’t it good that it ended quickly?”
“I could only gather this much. I’m so sorry. Hoeng.”
Gather?
Razix fumbled in his small backpack and took something out.
Plunk!
A massive whole hide of an Armored Basilisk.
“…I-it’s hide.”
“A whole hide.”
How did he bring this?
It’s not the mission reward.
Even if it were a reward, they wouldn’t give such a whole hide.
They’d toss a small piece of hide at most.
Next,
Plunk, plunk, plunk!
Magic stone weighing at least 20kg.
“…”
And.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Countless unknown herbs.
“…Herbs?”
Originally, herbs received as mission rewards are just a few bundles of dried plants.
These look like freshly harvested live herbs.
How on earth?
Razix just mentioned gathering.
‘So not reward items but…’
Gathered inside the tower?
‘Was that possible?’
That can’t be.
If gathering inside the tower were possible, there wouldn’t be shortages of materials.
Juhyeok realized.
‘I underestimated him too much.’
The worker’s abilities, that is.
Suddenly, small Razix looked more massive than Gobang.