After completing the 51st floor conquest,
Juhyeok and his party exited the tower.
Having used up both daily tower entry opportunities… what to do now?
Why wouldn’t there be things to do?
They should hold a welcome party for the new member.
“Let’s have a team dinner to welcome Ms. Veronica. Take out the beef from the refrigerator. Today we’ll drink beer and soju to our hearts’ content… Huh?”
Snore, snore,
Veronica had already collapsed spread-eagle on the living room floor, sound asleep.
“Wow, falls asleep as soon as we come out. At this point, is she a sloth?”
“…Could be a panda or koala.”
The animal kingdom’s top three sleepers.
Veronica possessed sleeping abilities worthy of being among them.
It was pitiful.
She should eat before sleeping.
Knowing what Veronica had desperately craved before her death, they couldn’t wake her up.
“She must have been desperate for sleep. Better let her sleep deeply.”
“Still, it would be better to eat before sleeping. Even pandas eat bamboo before sleeping.”
“If we wake her unnecessarily, she’ll raise hell. You saw earlier, right? Tsk tsk, her face is pretty, but her personality…”
“Huh? Pretty?”
“…Pardon?”
“You just said it.”
“I did not.”
“You did!”
“Ah, yes.”
Kozak discreetly slipped away, saying he was going to grill the meat.
Look at that.
If things go well, maybe those two might develop feelings for each other.
‘That could be interesting?’
I’m not sure if romance between summonees is possible, but there shouldn’t be any reason why not.
When they come out, they eat, drink, sleep, and do everything else.
Let’s have the team dinner.
She might wake up later, so they set aside Veronica’s portion.
The beef sizzled on the large dining table.
Drinking, eating, laughing, and chatting…
It was a welcome party without the guest of honor, but today isn’t the only day.
They could do it again next time.
In truth, Juhyeok always found this situation fascinating.
He had lived without any substantial friendships until now.
Team dinner? What team dinner?
He hadn’t even expected to be able to laugh and chat with people like this.
For Juhyeok, being able to enjoy moments like these with his companions was more rewarding than succeeding as a player.
In fact, he had bought this spacious penthouse precisely to have fun together like this.
Right at that moment!
‘Gasp!’
Veronica, who had been sleeping in the living room, suddenly vanished.
‘…Where did she go?’
She had been soundly sleeping on the floor just a moment ago.
She hadn’t been dismissed from summoning either.
Then Gobang, who was eating meat, pointed under the dining table.
“The female sergeant is here.”
Looking down, there was Veronica.
This time she was sleeping under the table.
It seemed she had rolled over here from the living room while sleeping.
The more he observed, the more fascinating she became.
“Is it a sleep habit?”
“Hoeee…”
“It seems she was drawn by the smell of grilling meat even while asleep.”
That seemed to be the case.
Even in her sleep.
Sniff, sniff,
Her nostrils flared.
Smack, smack, she was even licking her lips.
“It appears we should wake her and feed her.”
Kozak stared intently at the sleeping Veronica. Then, as if he’d had an idea, he grinned and said,
“Summoner Bong.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t wake her, just wait a moment. I have something to try.”
“What?”
Kozak gently placed a piece of beef on the lips of the deeply sleeping Veronica.
Sniff, sniff, her nostrils twitched.
Then her tongue darted out! And brought the meat into her mouth.
Kozak sprang to his feet and applauded.
“Amazing! Incredible! She ate while sleeping. I’m truly astonished.”
The situation became more bewildering the longer he watched.
Wait, she’s chewing meat while lying down asleep?
Is this also a skill?
Intrigued, Kozak placed another piece of meat on Veronica’s lips.
Slurp, munch munch.
“This is astounding. Would you like to try, Summoner Bong?”
“…”
Gobang also watched intently.
Swish.
He placed two chunks near her lips.
Slurp, slurp, munch munch, smack smack.
“Hoehehehe?”
Razix also seemed fascinated.
He broke off a piece of the carrot he was eating and carefully placed it on Veronica’s lips with a hopeful expression. Slurp!
“Hoe, she ate the carrot too.”
“Well done. Worker Razix, meat and vegetables in a balanced diet…”
Ptooey!
Suddenly, bits of carrot shot out of Veronica’s mouth.
“Hoek!”
Razix was disappointed.
She may eat while sleeping, but her taste preferences were clear.
In any case, the welcome party concluded successfully.
She did eat, even if while sleeping.
Time passed, and when it was time to leave, Juhyeok didn’t wake Veronica.
Thus, she disappeared, dismissed from summoning while still asleep.
***
13 days remaining until the UAE tower collapse deadline.
The Multinational Tower Usage Ticket requires proper qualifications to be used effectively.
Climbing floors higher than the user’s level is impossible.
First climb to the 59th floor in the Korea’s Black Tower, then to the 60th floor of the UAE Black Tower.
So today was floor 52.
[Entering Black Tower of South Korea, Floor 52.]
[Physical abilities enhanced according to level.]
[Characteristics and combat skills are available for use.]
Floor 52, level 52.
His strength increased to match level 52, and magical energy was abundant enough to maintain Shadow Steps all day.
Let’s start moving.
His special reward items were taken, but he still had the mace and hand shield purchased when he started as a player.
A real man doesn’t blame his weapons.
Besides, Gobang fights well with bare hands.
Conquest preparation begins.
Veronica Caliber was summoned today, also in a sleeping state.
“Operation preparation comple… Ah!”
Veronica, who was inspecting her magic gun, cried out with a dismayed expression.
“Is there a problem?”
“C-Captain! Ammunition depleted. Self-resupply has failed. I apologize. Will rectify immediately.”
Ammunition?
Did she need ammunition?
“What kind of bullets do you need?”
“I need mana stones. The magic gun loads mana stones as live ammunition. Usually I extract them from monster corpses for self-resupply, but yesterday ended too quickly…”
“Is that so?”
Why worry when a mana stone tycoon is right here?
“Where do you load the mana stones?”
“Just pour them all in here.”
Veronica removed the top cover.
Now I understand why the rifle is so bulky.
The inside of the magic gun was completely hollow.
Pouring mana stones in here would easily fit 5kg worth.
“Mr. Razix.”
“Hoeng?”
“You have mana stones you’ve mined, right?”
“Hoe, I do. Lots.”
“Give them to the Sergeant.”
Razix opened his backpack.
From inside, he poured out a stream of mana stones.
“How’s this?”
“S-sufficient.”
“Can you reload during combat?”
“Affirmative. Loading time is brief.”
“Then Mr. Razix, when Veronica needs ammunition, immediately supply her with mana stones.”
“Hoeng!”
Veronica also added,
“When ammunition is depleted, I’ll raise my left arm to signal Supply Officer Razix.”
“Fire away to your heart’s content. Don’t spare ammunition.”
“Victory assured!”
How many shots can she fire with one full load?
“Two large magic shots or approximately 200 small magic shots, capable of single and rapid fire.”
200 small shots.
2 large shots.
Roughly 100 times difference in power.
“If you keep adding mana stones during combat, can you freely switch between large and small shots?”
“There are no restrictions for rapid-firing small shots, but large shots are limited to two.”
“Even with replenished mana stones?”
“Large shots put strain on the magic gun. After firing two, it requires one hour before firing again.”
A kind of cooldown. That’s fine.
Even small shots have decent power.
Plus, she said she could fire them continuously.
[Floor 52 Mission: Defeat 15 Steel-Beaked Jet-Black Griffons.]
[Completion Time Limit: Within 14 hours.]
[Failure Conditions: Death or mission abandonment]
Floor 52 went smoothly as well.
Veronica pulled enemies, chipped away at their health, and handed them over to Gobang, with Kozak finishing them off.
At this point, it’s less “smooth” and more “monotonous.”
Of course, unexpected situations do occur.
“Squad members, can I hand over two at once?”
“Go wild. Even if ten come at once, it’s no problem.”
“Roger! Wishing you good luck. Princess, please stay focused. Be careful, aggro might shift.”
“Have no concern.”
Pashook! Pashook! Pashook!
But instead of two, three came down.
Gobang blocked her path.
“There are three. Magic Gunner, retreat.”
“No! I’ll handle one myself.”
Zziiiing!
Veronica’s magic gun glowed white-hot.
After carefully aiming in a sitting position,
PASHOOOOOK!!!
A massive large magic shot hit the Talon Griffon’s body directly.
Thump!
The griffon, helpless after being hit by the large magic shot, plummeted.
Simultaneously, the kill count increased.
One shot was sufficient.
But the aggro from the other two was still active.
PASHSHSHSHSHOOK!
After impeding their descent with rapid fire,
Veronica rolled away from the battlefield.
The remaining two that pursued her…
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Gobang seized both their necks at once.
And Kozak plunged his shadow-infused daggers into their vital points, ending their lives.
“Hoe… amazing.”
Razix said with wide eyes.
He seemed smitten with Veronica, who fired one big shot and rolled away.
“Razix Worker, I look cool when fighting too. Did I tell you about the time I walked down from the sky?”
“Hoek? D-dangerous. Summoner is cool just by being still.”
That’s right.
Indeed, Razix is a worker who can see people’s true nature.
In any case, Veronica Caliber.
Perhaps because she was a soldier in her previous life, each of her movements is disciplined and efficient.
Especially when she stands and rapid-fires, relentlessly pumping small shots into the griffons…
But she had drawbacks too.
Her cost-effectiveness wasn’t as good as expected.
High mana stone consumption.
Gobang and Kozak only needed to be fed.
When Veronica raised her left hand, Razix darted out as if he’d been waiting.
Roll roll roll,
“Hoeeee!”
Rustle.
He opened his backpack and supplied mana stones.
“Thank you, Supply Officer Razix.”
“Hoeeeee…”
Razix, assigned the role of supply officer, participating on the front lines of battle.
‘Then I should join in too…’
Juhyeok took out his mace and hand shield.
Witnessing this, Veronica rushed over hurriedly.
“You cannot advance to the front.”
“Why not?”
“You might get hit by friendly fire from behind. In war, more people die from friendly bullets than from enemy fire.”
She’s doing this too.
Why are there so many different excuses?
“Then what about Kozak and Gobang?”
“Hmm, Kozak is agile enough to dodge bullets, and Gobang seems like he’d be fine even if hit.”
“…What if I order you, Sergeant?”
“I’ll recite the Three Principles of Summonees. One! The summonee prioritizes the summoner’s life above all…”
“Ah, that’s enough.”
Those darn three principles.
“Besides, if you go to the front yourself, Captain, who will command? A commander should not move recklessly.”
“Command my ass.”
“I must have misheard you.”
She calls me a commander.
Is sitting around in the rear considered commanding?
‘Hmm…’
Thinking about it, she’s not wrong.
Rather, it’s perfect historical accuracy.
If you’re a commander, staying in the rear is indeed appropriate.
Anyway, floor 52 too,
[Announcement: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of Black Tower (Korea) Floor 52.]
The next day as well.
[Announcement: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of Black Tower (Korea) Floor 53.]
And the day after that.
[Announcement: You have achieved S++ grade conquest of Black Tower (Korea) Floor 54.]
***
The United Arab Emirates is a federation.
While major power resides in the Federal Supreme Council, the Abu Dhabi King effectively governs the UAE as the most powerful force.
Abdul Bin Salah, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was under house arrest at his residence.
All external activities were prohibited.
It was essentially imprisonment.
This happened immediately after returning to Abu Dhabi from Korea.
Because of the failed temporary naturalization contract?
Absolutely not!
A mere contract failure could not be the cause of exile.
Especially for a crown prince.
The cause was the Characteristic Enhancement Rune.
The item that should have been given as a condition for the temporary naturalization contract with Saudi Arabia.
His crime was handing it over to an unidentified intruder.
All he received in return were two tower reward items and a verbal promise to conquer the 60th and 61st floors.
Bin Salah was banished to his residence to bear that responsibility in full.
Furthermore, he faced the crisis of losing his crown prince status.
Is that all?
Eventually, he would be expelled from the UAE.
Then eliminated by killers.
An exiled crown prince alive would burden the next power holder.
There was only one way to reverse his fortunes.
That man he met at the hotel.
If he could conquer the UAE Black Tower’s 60th floor.
Then he could escape his banishment and wield even greater power than before.
Suddenly!
Knock knock.
An attendant knocking and entering the room where Bin Salah was confined.
“How did it go?”
“Today the 54th floor of the South Korea’s Black Tower was conquered with S++ grade.”
“I see.”
Four consecutive days of climbing.
Honestly, he had been uncertain, but now he was convinced.
Gobang.
A mysterious player who could exert power beyond his tower abilities in the real world.
Gobang must be the S++ grade conquest record holder of the Korea’s Black Tower.
His consecutive conquests from the 51st to the 54th floor over four days were to keep his promise.
How generous he was to casually hand over extremely rare tower reward weapons and shields as gifts.
Omar, the player who equipped those items and climbed the tower, had already ascended two more floors and reached level 29.
If Gobang conquers the 60th floor as promised?
‘I must definitely go to Korea.’
Preparing gifts generously.
Somehow, he must meet Gobang again.
He needed to maintain an ongoing relationship with him.
The fact that Gobang was a chilling and spine-tingling person wasn’t a problem at all.
Perhaps having made an acquaintance with such a person was actually fortunate.