Juhyeok and his companions returned to the penthouse.
The table and chairs were restored to their original places.
‘No matter how I think about it, this is insane.’
Razix, now SSR-grade.
Two things had changed.
First.
Earth items could be placed in Razix’s subspace backpack.
It wasn’t entirely impossible to bring Earth objects into the tower.
Clothes, shoes, hats, smartphones, body cameras, pistols—some items were permitted.
This is called “personal item classification.”
Small, lightweight objects that could be held in hand.
However, no matter how small, such items could never be stored in the tower-specific inventory.
Players could only carry them in.
The tower-specific inventory was exclusively for items received from the tower.
Now everything became possible.
As long as the size was appropriate, limitations had effectively disappeared.
An all-purpose worker and an all-purpose porter.
Anything could be put into Razix’s backpack.
Second.
The ability to detect items.
When Razix was R (Rare) grade, he could only smell ore.
But now that he had become SSR, his item detection ability seemed to have advanced at least two levels.
That must be how he found the Blink ring and those fragments.
Juhyeok took out the ring from his inventory.
It was covered in scratches, likely due to age.
Fortunately, it hadn’t rusted.
‘A Blink skill, let’s try it?’
When he put on the ring, the usage method appeared in his mind.
A type of teleportation.
However, long distances weren’t possible.
About 3 meters was the limit.
“Blink!”
Flash.
Juhyeok, who had been in the living room, appeared in the kitchen.
‘Wow!’
Let’s continue trying.
Blink, Blink, Blink, Blink…
Flash, flash, flash, flash…
Juhyeok’s form appearing here and there throughout the house like a ghost from a horror movie.
“Ugh, I’m getting dizzy.”
“Hoeeeee.”
“Truly impressive displacement magic.”
“The warrior is relieved. The summoner has become safer.”
Used it about 5 times?
Up to 10 consecutive uses possible.
Though it would recharge every 2 hours, better not to use it all up.
And then the unknown rune fragment (1/7) and the unknown ticket fragment (1/5).
According to the item information, the rune was 1/7 of a piece, and the ticket was 1/5 of a piece.
So far, the runes Juhyeok knew were the level-up rune, the summonee grade enhancement rune, and the trait enhancement rune.
As for tickets: Tower Jumping Ticket, Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket, Multinational Tower Usage Ticket, Guaranteed Grade Summon Ticket.
Of course, these weren’t all that existed.
As one climbed higher in the tower, items that hadn’t appeared before would emerge.
What if the unknown rune fragment was actually a trait enhancement rune?
What if the unknown ticket fragment was a skill cooldown reset ticket?
What if these fragments could be combined?
‘That would be the jackpot of jackpots.’
In fact, he had been worrying about something while conquering the 60th floor.
The fact that opportunities to receive special rewards were gradually disappearing.
Currently, his inventory contained 61 platinum badges.
According to the calculation, he would receive a special reward at the 64th floor.
And after that?
The next turn would be the 69th floor.
If he used the Multinational Tower Usage Ticket, it would be the 68th floor.
But from the 67th floor upward, he couldn’t just conquer recklessly.
He had to ascend slowly according to the conquest time limit.
When would he reach the 68th floor?
Only one Multinational Tower Usage Ticket remained.
But with Razix’s ability?
Runes and tickets that could only be obtained as special rewards or tower conquest rewards, and even then with very rare probability, could now be acquired through “gathering.”
Knowing this, how could he just sit still?
First, he needed to find out if fragments of the same type could be combined.
“I think we should try entering other floors as well. To search for fragments.”
The summonees nodded at Juhyeok’s proposal.
“How about the 61st floor? I mean the unconquered upper floor.”
It was a good idea, but he also had to consider achieving an S++ grade conquest.
“Let’s go there with the holy sword.”
After coordinating the schedule with Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il.
“Then shall we go to the 60th floor? There must have been many deaths there.”
“I’m not sure.”
That wasn’t a very good choice.
The 60th floor was where the Wyvern Lord and Venom Wyvern appeared.
Naturally, many people would have died there.
But the question was whether anything remained intact.
“On the 60th floor, everything—corpses and items—might have completely dissolved due to the poison pools.”
“Ah! You’re right.”
“Such wise judgment as expected.”
“Hoe!”
So, what was the best choice?
“Let’s go to the 59th floor. This time, let’s avoid fighting wyverns and focus just on item searching.”
“Yep!”
[Entering the Republic of Korea Black Tower, floor 59.]
As soon as they left the safe zone.
“Mr. Razix, please.”
“Hoeng!”
Roll roll roll, Razix rolled at a rapid speed.
Juhyeok also followed, using his Shadow Step.
They paid no attention to the Lightning Wyverns floating in the sky.
Kozak, Gobang, Gyeon Dallae, and even Veronica—who wasn’t dozing off for once—provided cover with her magic gun.
It was quite a spacious area.
Yet Razix rolled around expertly.
Just then!
Halt!
He stopped rolling.
“Huee?”
Seems like he caught a scent.
Swoosh!
Taking out a golden pickaxe from his backpack.
He began digging into the ground.
‘He found something.’
What could it be?
An item? A fragment?
A tense moment.
Razix stopped using the pickaxe and plunged his body deep into the hole he had dug.
“Hoeaek!”
He pulled out a bent stick.
What could it be?
Juhyeok took the stick that Razix handed over and checked its information.
<Rotted Elven World…. ???>
- Effect: Damaged.
- Limitation: Repair is impossible.
“Hmm.”
It seemed to be made of wood.
Elven World, what? No further information was available.
“What’s this used for?”
Gobang extended his hand, saying,
“The warrior thinks he knows. I’ll show you.”
“Really?”
Juhyeok passed the stick to Gobang.
“This is a bow used by vegetarians.”
A bow?
“If I bend it like this and attach a string to both ends….”
Suddenly!
Snap!
The stick broke mercilessly in the middle.
“…Oh.”
“Gasp!”
“I-it broke.”
“Oh dear.”
“Ah!”
Razix’s body trembled as tears welled up in his eyes.
After all his hard work to dig it up.
“Hueeee….”
Kozak furiously berated Gobang.
“I knew this would happen. Always showing off your brute strength, Gobang must take responsibility. Worker Razix won’t forget this.”
“Gobang! How could you be so reckless! To so easily break an item our supreme servant worked so hard to find. Even cutting off your fingers as an apology wouldn’t be enough!”
“Damaging supplies is a serious offense. This calls for a court-martial. Sergeant Veronica, I am arresting you, Gobang, according to military law. Prepare for 100 days in the brig.”
Gobang appeared quite flustered.
He backed away, sweating profusely.
“I, the warrior, the warrior…, I-I’m sorry.”
Oh my.
To see him stumbling over his words like this.
The man who had grabbed a basilisk’s tail and slammed it to the ground.
“Come on, that’s enough. Let’s look for something else. It was just a mistake, so Mr. Razix, please forgive him.”
“Hoeng.”
Once Juhyeok intervened, the situation was quickly resolved.
Roll roll roll.
Razix resumed his search.
Halt!
He caught another scent.
Again with the pickaxe: dig, dig, dig, dig!
What is it this time?
“Hoe!”
Razix raised his tiny hand high.
“Oh!”
It was a stone fragment.
So?
Quickly, he took it and checked.
<Unknown Rune Fragment (1/6)>
It was indeed a rune fragment.
But the color and material were slightly different from what he had collected before.
Even the number of pieces needed for completion was different.
The previous one was (1/7), the current one was (1/6).
Just in case, he tried combining the two.
‘They don’t fit together.’
Different rune fragments.
No need to be disappointed.
Similar ones would eventually appear.
Razix continued searching.
During the process, another ticket fragment came up.
But again, it wouldn’t combine.
‘Could it be that we can only collect fragments?’
Were they not meant to be combined from the start?
And then.
“Hoe!”
Another paper fragment.
“Well done.”
Juhyeok received the fragment and tried fitting it with the ticket fragments he already had. Swishh.
“Huh?”
Finally, fragments connected to each other.
The item information, which had been unknown ticket fragments, changed to:
<Damaged???… Ticket(2/5)>
“It connected!”
“Stuck together like rice cake. Amazing.”
“Th-thank goodness.”
“Congratulations.”
“Supply Officer! Well done, sir!”
It was confirmed.
Collecting paper fragments of the same type would form a complete ticket.
The same would likely apply to runes.
All thanks to Razix.
Juhyeok couldn’t express how adorable he was.
He wrapped his arms around the dirt-covered Razix and said,
“Mr. Razix.”
“Hoeng?”
“Never go anywhere, and let’s stay together for a very long time.”
“Hoeeee…”
“Prepare for a celebration toss!”
“Hoeaek!”
The furball soared high into the air.
“Don’t throw him too high. Might aggro a wyvern.”
“Hueeeee?”
He was relieved now.
SSR Razix.
He was the special reward himself.
***
Beijing, China.
Tower Conquest Special Intelligence Department.
Even within China’s political circles, few knew of this department’s existence.
Even Central Party cadres were unaware.
Understandably so.
They were engaged in kidnapping players from other countries and deploying them for Chinese tower conquests.
Only an extremely small number of people knew: the Chinese President and a few members of the Standing Committee.
Director-General Lai Yuan of the Special Intelligence Department was receiving a report from Deputy Director-General Xiao Jun.
“Have you found out?”
Director-General Lai Yuan’s voice was indifferent.
Xiao Jun answered, sweating profusely.
“We’ve compiled a list of all Korean players. We’re investigating players related to the keyword ‘Gobang’ that Crown Prince bin Salah mentioned.”
“Hmph!”
Director-General Lai Yuan sneered and continued.
“So you still don’t know.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Let me ask you something.”
Gulp.
Xiao Jun swallowed dryly.
“For the 59th floor, we somehow managed to conquer it with the help of those Russian bastards, but do you think our current players are capable of breaking through the 60th floor?”
“…”
Xiao Jun couldn’t answer.
Because he knew it was impossible.
“I can forgive one failure. But not two.”
Failure.
The death of special forces soldiers who had infiltrated South Korea to kidnap elite players.
China’s Northeast Special Forces Brigade led by Deng Guanglin, the most elite operation team.
They had never failed any mission they’d undertaken.
They weren’t the type to be defeated by the likes of the National Intelligence Service, and even if they were, they wouldn’t have been helplessly annihilated.
But they were defeated.
By someone unknown.
“Xiao Jun, you go to Korea directly. Did you think this would end just by sitting here and giving orders? Bring them back by any means necessary, the Korean S++ grade conquest record holder. If you fail, die there.”
“…Yes, understood.”
In Japan, Prime Minister Kawaguchi personally took charge.
“Mobilize the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office immediately. Don’t bring back just the chaff; bring me the kernel.”
A presence absolutely necessary for Japan’s destiny.
“Also, check through political channels. Money is no object. While you’re at it, find out who the holy sword owner is…. They might be the same person.”
It wasn’t just China and Japan.
All countries gradually climbing to higher floors moved simultaneously.
Go to South Korea.
Find out who Gobang is, confirm if they’re the S++ grade conquest record holder, and identify the true owner of the holy sword.
UAE Crown Prince bin Salah also entered the country through Incheon Airport on his private jet.
Since he had announced his visit in advance, journalists gathered like clouds.
Bin Salah answered their questions one by one with a smile.
It was an exceptionally unusual event.
“Crown Prince, what is the reason for your visit to Korea?”
“I plan to discuss joint development between the Korean government and the UAE.”
“Is it to request temporary naturalization for the 61st floor conquest? Or to borrow the holy sword?”
“It’s not about temporary naturalization. However, I am considering borrowing the holy sword.”
Questions about Gobang as well.
“What does ‘Gobang’ mean? Is it a person’s name? Or the name of an organization?”
“Gobang? I’ve never heard of it.”
“But in the interview…”
“I never said such a thing. You must have misheard.”
The journalists were persistent, but bin Salah firmly denied it.
“What is your upcoming schedule in Korea?”
“Nothing is planned yet. For now, I’ll stay at the HG Hotel and decide.”
“When are you scheduled to depart?”
“That hasn’t been decided yet, but…”
Bin Salah’s expression, shown through the news, was very gentle and relaxed.
***
Already the third day of tower searching.
Today, they thoroughly examined two tower floors since morning, but with little significant results.
A few damaged and corroded non-functioning items.
If only they had an explanation saying they could be repaired like the holy sword, but they were clearly marked as irreparable.
Fragments rarely appeared either.
It seemed necessary to climb to higher floors.
Perhaps more would appear in the 60s floors?
Anyway, they had used up all their tower entry opportunities for the day.
The summonees were lounging around in the penthouse.
Ding!
Suddenly, a message notification sounded on his smartphone.
- This is Jeon Kwang-il. If you’re not busy, I’d like to see you. I’m in the apartment’s underground parking lot, and the car number is…
Perfect timing, as he had nothing else to do.
Juhyeok went down to the underground parking lot to find the car.
“Welcome.”
“Yes, Deputy Chief.”
Juhyeok got into the passenger seat.
“I’ve brought something for you.”
What could it be? Something good?
Jeon Kwang-il handed over two large paper bags from the back seat.
“These are…”
“Yes, high-end luxury bags made by HG Fashion. One is a men’s pouch, and the other is a women’s handbag.”
Oh!
Even at a glance, these were extraordinary bags.
With rainbow leather mixed in, they were incredibly flashy.
‘But they’re too conspicuous.’
How could he go outside with these?
‘Give them to my mother and father?’
They wouldn’t suit their age.
“And this too….”
Jeon Kwang-il showed a card that looked like a wedding invitation.
“It’s an invitation. In a few days, the Wildflower & Basili showcase will be held at the HG Hotel. The Management Office received quite a few, and many elite players are expected to attend.”
Showcase.
An event for celebrities he’d only heard about.
“…I-I guess many celebrities will come?”
“Yes, it’s a showcase after all. It seems mainly top stars have been invited.”
Meaning he could see with his own eyes people he’d only seen on TV if he went there.
‘Wow… that would be amazing.’
His ears perked up. It was tempting.
“If you’re not interested….”
“No, I’ll keep it for now.”
Juhyeok took the invitation and carefully placed it in his inner pocket.
“Oh! Deputy Chief, what’s the schedule for reserving the holy sword?”
“In three days, a player from Norway will visit. Then a week later, Russia, followed by Saudi Arabia.”
Three days later.
“Then after the Norwegian player uses it, could you pass the holy sword to me briefly? I have a use for it.”
“Ah! Are you planning to conquer the 61st floor?”
“Yes. I want to try climbing up. Just to the 66th floor.”
“Understood. I’ll have Team Leader Lee Min-ah bring it to you in three days.”
It would be better to search for fragments on higher floors.
Business concluded.
Juhyeok said goodbye to Jeon Kwang-il and returned to the penthouse.
Click.
As he opened the door and entered.
Gobang was watching TV with a stern face.
As soon as he saw Juhyeok.
“Summoner, something’s strange.”
“What is it?”
“My name keeps appearing on TV.”
“What?”
His name is appearing?
It turned out to be an interview with UAE Crown Prince bin Salah who was visiting Korea.
Juhyeok glanced sideways at Kozak.
However, Kozak’s expression didn’t change at all, as if it had nothing to do with him.
He’s really shameless. So shameless.
At this point, he seems to deserve another forehead flick.
Juhyeok casually told Gobang,
“Maybe someone is using your name without permission?”
“Using without permission? You mean they stole it?”
“Yes, they used your name instead of their own.”
At those words, Gobang’s face turned bright red.
“Stealing the sacred name given by the summoner, the warrior is furious. Very, very angry.”
The atmosphere grew tense.
“…What would you do if you knew who it was?”
“I would snap their waist in half.”
That’s too severe.
“Wouldn’t a forehead flick be enough?”
“Understood. If the summoner thinks so, I’ll settle for a forehead flick.”
Juhyeok grinned and said,
“Let me explain what happened. To negotiate for a trait enhancement rune…”
Pop!
Kozak rushed over using Shadow Step and whispered,
“P-Player Bong.”
“…What?”
“Please forgive me just this once. I’ll live righteously from now on.”
Well.
What should I do?
Should I let him off the hook?
***