This is the basic framework of the plan.
Essentially, climbing one floor per day.
However, conquering each floor twice.
The first conquest aims for an S++ grade and is done quickly, without skinning.
Razix said he could skin one or two, but is there any need to rush?
Instead, they’d skin during the second conquest.
Slowly escorting Razix to let him work comfortably.
After exiting, everyone would have a cheerful dinner together.
End of the day’s schedule.
This is how they’d reach the 45th floor.
After that, they’d hunt there for a while.
[Entering the 42nd floor of Korea’s Black Tower.]
Long-tailed basilisk, again a mission to kill 15 of them.
Since they planned to hunt them quickly in groups, Juhyeok was looking for an opportunity to participate in combat.
As he casually pulled out the Cold Twilight Golden Flail and Warm Dawn Golden Aegis, his summoned beings sighed.
“Hmm…”
“Ahh.”
“Please don’t.”
“Hoeh…”
Even Razix.
He understood their concern, but a true man inside the tower never backs down.
With a face thick as steel,
Swat! Swatwat!
“Young Master! Please restrain yourself!”
“Hoeng!!!”
Long-tailed basilisks have blades at the end of their tails, making it tricky to approach from behind.
But Juhyeok’s Shadow Walker skill had already reached a profound level.
Spot! Papapapat!
Even the sound of his movements had changed.
He left so many shadow images in the field—dozens of them—that it was impossible to tell which was his real body.
He blocked incoming tail attacks with his shield.
Tang!
The shadows surrounded the long-tailed basilisk.
The real Juhyeok was already on top of the creature’s head.
Let’s go with the finishing move from the start.
Though it has a 10-minute cooldown, judging by the atmosphere, he’d only be able to kill one anyway.
‘Lightning Flash[1].’
Zwaaaack!
The flail crashed down on the basilisk’s head.
Electric attack from the skill.
Freezing attack from the weapon.
The basilisk’s head burned while freezing.
Chichik! Jjaeng! Kwajijik!
The creature’s body convulsed a few times before going limp.
A satisfying sensation he hadn’t felt in a long time.
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest on the 42nd floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
Look at that!
Just as expected.
It ended so quickly.
The mission was completed as soon as he killed one.
He nearly didn’t get to kill any.
Everyone exited together.
After resting briefly at home.
“Alright! Re-entering now.”
The second conquest was just for skinning.
Until Razix’s backpack was full.
Previously, with other materials combined, it held 6 hides, but with just leather, it should fit 7.
The repeated mission conquest began, and they killed up to 14 creatures.
They had filled the backpack with hides.
But they left one more.
“Mr. Razix, are you ready?”
“Hoee,”
“Then… let’s begin.”
Gobang locked the long-tailed basilisk’s head in a headlock, immobilizing it.
Gwak!
Following up, Kozak’s sword energy penetrated the creature’s eyes and turned its brain to mush.
The basilisk went limp.
“It’s dead!”
[Long-tailed basilisk elimination 15/15]
[You have succeeded in the 42nd floor mission.]
[Reward: 4.2kg of magic stones]
“Mr. Razix, quickly!”
“Hoeng!”
Gobang and Kozak hurriedly cleared the area.
Degurururu.
The furball rolled toward the fallen long-tailed basilisk’s corpse.
Serugek, sagak, seugeogek,
He cut the creature’s body in various places with his knife,
Grabbed its jaw,
Jjaa…
At that very moment!
[Exiting the Black Tower of Korea.]
Spot!
Juhyeok’s party returned to the officetel.
What a shame.
They failed to skin it in time.
If they had been just 2 seconds faster, they could have skinned it.
“Hueeeeng,”
He’s crying again. Crying again.
“It was just practice. You did well for the first try. You’ll do better next time.”
As Juhyeok offered comfort,
“Laborer Razix, you were just a bit late. Don’t be sad.”
“I’m sorry. I should have moved aside faster.”
“Laborer Razix, no crying. Did you lose your country? What doesn’t work must be made to work. Only give up when counting cabbages.”
“…Hoeng.”
There’s a reason they’re practicing even before reaching the 45th floor.
The Rainbow Basilisk boss on the 45th floor appears only after killing all 60 different types of basilisks for the primary mission.
Killing the boss completes all missions on the 45th floor.
Thus, in that brief moment between the mission success message and the exit message,
They must skin the hide and put it in the backpack.
If they’re late, they won’t be able to skin it.
That’s why Razix is practicing intensively.
They must skin the Rainbow Basilisk.
Just looking at its appearance, they could estimate how expensive it would be.
Maybe twice, no, more than three times the price of basic leather?
The next day.
43rd floor, Iron-jaw Basilisk.
It was the same process.
The day after.
44th floor, Spine-scale Basilisk.
The spines on its hide made it difficult to skin and process.
They just did the initial S++ conquest and passed.
Now for the awaited 45th floor,
They’d finally arrived.
They had to catch two things simultaneously.
The special benefit and the Rainbow Basilisk’s hide.
Getting the Platinum Badge wasn’t a problem.
They just needed to do what they’d always done.
But obtaining the Rainbow Basilisk’s hide depended on Razix.
They would attempt it in both the first conquest and the second conquest.
If successful, they’d get two hides today.
Razix had practiced a lot; he would do well.
[45th Floor Mission: Kill 60 basilisks of any type and 1 Rainbow Basilisk.]
[Completion Time Limit: Within 13 hours.]
[Completion Conditions: All types of basilisks 0/60, Rainbow Basilisk 0/1]
“Let’s go!”
The conquest began.
Starting with the 60 basilisks.
Gobang’s aggro, Kozak’s DPS, Gyeon Dallae’s buffs.
Juhyeok didn’t participate in the conquest but stayed by Razix’s side.
Focus, extreme focus.
The kill count rose quickly.
They needed to save time for the boss, so they dealt with the minions as fast as possible.
Razix stared at the battlefield with fierce eyes.
He seemed thoroughly prepared.
Currently, he had left space in his backpack for the boss’s whole hide.
“Hoeng!”
He must skin it within the time limit.
Completely skin it and put it in the backpack.
“Hoeeng!”
Suddenly!
In the distance, a colorful Rainbow Basilisk approached on four legs, flicking its tongue.
Parurururu,
Razix’s round body trembled slightly.
Then he slowly began to roll toward it.
Roll, roll, roll.
He stopped occasionally to measure the distance.
Gobang and Kozak were also struggling hard.
Killing the boss wasn’t difficult, but they were straining to avoid injuring it.
“Grab it! Damn, you missed.”
“The hide is too slippery. It’s slipping away.”
“Then grab its jaw, the jaw! Hold the lower and upper jaws apart, so I can stab its throat.”
“Got it.”
Meanwhile, Razix slowly rolled toward the battlefield,
Roll, roll.
Juhyeok followed behind like a bodyguard.
Getting too close would interfere with the hunt.
He maintained a distance, ready to rush in immediately if needed.
Finally, Gobang grabbed both jaws of the Rainbow Basilisk with his hands.
His forearm and upper arm muscles bulged.
“Kkeung!”
Crack!
The creature’s mouth opened wide.
Razix’s movements also began to accelerate.
Starting with momentum while approaching was much faster than starting from a standstill.
Kozak rushed into the Rainbow Basilisk’s mouth that Gobang had pried open.
Inserting half his upper body,
“Die!”
Stab!
Thud!
His dagger, infused with sword energy, pierced the roof of the creature’s mouth and penetrated its brain.
“It’s dead!!!”
[You have succeeded in the 45th floor mission.]
That’s when it happened.
Razix accelerated ferociously.
He shot out like a bullet.
“Hoeeeeeek!!!”
Zwaaack!
Just like the blue hedgehog character from games and animations.
Tarak!
In an instant, he landed on the Rainbow Basilisk’s corpse,
Slash, slash, slash!
Cutting various parts of its body, inserting his hands between the gaps of cut skin and hide,
“Eek!”
He rolled with dazzling speed and pulled.
Jjaaaack!
Complete separation of inner skin and outer hide.
Peolleok!
The Rainbow Basilisk’s hide fluttered like a flag.
Simultaneously,
Seureureuk.
The whole hide was sucked into the backpack.
It was a success.
Razix put his hands on his hips and showed a proud expression.
“Huek!”
Razix, your form is incredible.
Juhyeok also threw an uppercut into the air and shouted.
“Razix is the best! Well done!”
Deguruuru,
Razix ran and leaped into Juhyeok’s arms.
“Hoeeeng!”
The other summoned beings also came running with cheers.
“Well done.”
“Magnificent! Fantastic!”
“You did extremely well. You’re the servant of all servants.”
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade conquest on the 45th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Conquest Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
[You can now challenge the 46th floor.]
[Exiting the Black Tower of Korea.]
***
It was a huge success.
They skinned the Rainbow Basilisk’s hide in the initial conquest.
All thanks to Razix.
“Oh, you’re so adorable. Let’s work hard one more time, Mr. Razix.”
“Hoee….”
They began the second conquest.
The second time was easy.
No, from now on, it would always be easy.
Because it’s a repeated conquest.
Because there’s no time pressure.
They finished the repeated conquest and skinned another Rainbow hide.
What’s next?
Now it was time to check the special benefit.
The moment he checked the 45 Platinum Badges in his inventory, the special benefit message would appear.
“…Shall we do it tomorrow?”
“That would be fine.”
“Wouldn’t tomorrow be too late? I think it’s better to check right away.”
“That would be fine too.”
“No. Maybe after holding a ritual first…”
“That would be fine as well.”
Jjirit!
Juhyeok glared intensely at Kozak.
Kozak flinched and avoided his gaze.
He knows how anxious I am, yet his reactions are terrible.
“Young Master Bong, even if what you desire doesn’t appear, what of it? It might be a blessing in disguise, leading to great fortune with the 50th floor special benefit.”
As expected of Gyeon Dallae.
She showed the perfect reaction.
If something good appears, it’s naturally good; if something bad appears, they can look forward to the next one, so that’s also good.
“Summoner, I don’t care either way.”
“Hueeng!”
Let’s check now.
Juhyeok opened his inventory.
Then, the brilliant light of 45 Platinum Badges entered his eyes,
[Special benefit will be awarded for accumulating 45 Platinum Badges.]
What?
Surely it’s not another random box or roulette?
Just give it to me directly.
Don’t make people anxious,
[Special Benefit: One Multinational Tower Usage Ticket (1-time use) has been added to your inventory.]
…Huh.
“What is it? Did something good come up? Perhaps a trait enhancement?”
What is this now!
“Ah, dammit…”
[The Multinational Tower Usage Ticket allows entry into any tower regardless of nationality. However, entry to floors above your level is not permitted.]
Did I get such a useless ticket?
I’d rather have received magic stones.
I wasn’t even hoping for a trait enhancement.
Even a rune for upgrading summoned beings would have been better.
“Aish!”
Haah, I wanted to see SR-ranked Razix.
Should have held a ritual before starting.
“For the next 50th floor special benefit, let’s definitely hold a ritual first.”
“Ah, I understand, my lord.”
“I’ve received bad luck now, so the next one will definitely be good, right?”
“I believe it will be as you wish, Young Master. I will prepare my utmost.”
Let’s not be disappointed.
A clunker goes and a Benz comes.
There will be many more opportunities.
No need to be disappointed.
“Let’s have dinner! Dinner!”
“Shall I go out to buy some?”
“No. Let’s order delivery, and take out beer from the refrigerator too.”
Kozak scratched his head,
“Drinking while on duty…”
“Absolute obedience?”
“I’ll drink just one can.”
“Let’s have about two cans.”
“Yes, sir!”
They ordered chicken, pizza, hot dogs, tteokbokki, more hot dogs, pork hocks… organic carrots and bell peppers,
They had a good time.
Though they couldn’t laugh loudly due to noise concerns for the neighbors,
***
The next day.
Juhyeok waited alone in his officetel for someone.
Currently, his inventory was filled to capacity with basilisk hides.
A total of 30 pieces.
28 regular basilisk hides and 2 Rainbow Basilisk hides.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang.
Juhyeok opened the door,
“Player Bong. Congratulations on your S++ conquest of the 45th floor.”
“Welcome. Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il, you always start with congratulations on conquests.”
“Hahaha, of course that should be the first thing I say.”
There was also someone else with Jeon Kwang-il.
“It’s been a while, Player Bong Juhyeok. Congratulations from me too.”
“…Oh, yes, yes, welcome. Um, Manager Lee Min-ah.”
Lee Min-ah, a Management Office employee who is also a player.
He called them to hand over the accumulated leather.
Juhyeok took out whole hides one by one from his inventory.
Massive whole hides emerging from thin air,
“…Wow! There’s a long-tailed one, and this is an iron-jaw!”
“Yes.”
As Juhyeok took them out, Lee Min-ah put them into her inventory.
Manager Lee Min-ah is a talented player who works at the Management Office while having conquered the 59th floor and currently challenging the 60th.
When she first met Juhyeok, she was at the 55th floor, but since then, she had conquered 4 more floors.
For that reason, her inventory space is larger than Juhyeok’s.
“28 pieces? That’s a lot. How did you manage to…”
“No. There are 2 more.”
Finally, a silvery hide emerged from the inventory,
“Ah!”
“My, my goodness!”
Exclamations burst forth.
When the hide unfurled, seven brilliant rainbow colors spilled out.
Manager Lee Min-ah was speechless.
So was Jeon Kwang-il.
Was this real?
“…R-Rainbow Basilisk?”
“Yes. Please sell these too.”
Honestly, it was baffling.
Who would have thought they’d see a whole Rainbow Basilisk hide in reality?
Well, regular basilisk whole hides are no different in that regard, but still.
Manager Lee Min-ah gazed at the Rainbow hide with enchanted eyes.
It was incredibly beautiful.
Alligator leather would be garbage in comparison.
‘If I could just tear off a small piece to make a wallet, that would be wonderful.’
What if they released this to the private market?
For example, if they made and sold leather coats?
It would not only be beautiful but, above all, functional.
It would be a bulletproof vest by itself.
It wouldn’t be penetrated even by bullets.
She couldn’t even dare to estimate what the selling price would be.