61st floor S++ grade conquest.
News erupted as soon as the general announcement appeared.
The commotion continued until the next morning.
- <Finally, 61st Floor S++ Grade Conquest, But It’s Not Time to Celebrate>
- <How Far Will This Go? A Time When Brakes Are Needed>
- <Tower Collapse Deadline Is 6 Months. The S++ Conqueror Must Not Forget This>
- <Brilliant Talent Could Actually Harm the Community>
- <Though Identity Unknown, Please Ask the S++ Conqueror to Moderate Tower Conquest Speed>
The content was similar across reports.
Tower conquests must be halted.
The 67th floor is absolutely forbidden.
Juhyeok understood why the media and citizens were concerned.
A player’s uncontrollable tower climbing.
Madly rushing up the tower isn’t necessarily a good thing.
One should climb according to schedule.
Juhyeok also planned to stop at the 64th floor.
Today he didn’t summon his summonees.
He had asked for their understanding yesterday.
When he mentioned he was planning to attend the showcase event, they all panicked.
Saying the outside world was dangerous, to be careful, extremely careful, and to call them immediately if anything happened.
Juhyeok had wanted to bring them along.
But since he had to move with security guards in a designated car, he couldn’t.
Unless he summoned them inside the venue.
‘What could possibly happen?’
The venue would be crawling with police, National Intelligence Service agents, and Management Office staff.
Plus, with the energy barrier and Blink ring.
He was probably the safest person in the world.
‘Should I get ready to go out?’
Ding!
A message arrived.
It seemed the car had arrived to pick him up.
Clean clothes, clean shoes, wallet packed… he was excited.
Who would have imagined receiving an invitation to a fashion event?
***
HG Hotel.
The venue for HG Fashion’s new brand showcase.
People packed the event hall.
Famous domestic and international celebrities, singers, actors, politicians, businesspeople, fashion industry representatives, and journalists.
But plainclothes police officers and NIS agents were also mingled among the crowd.
On the surface, it was an event hosted by HG Fashion, but since many elite players were attending, the NIS and Management Office had to be on high alert.
Especially since Player Nam Ga-eun would be attending as a surprise element.
Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il was slowly walking around the venue.
He spotted Player Bong Juhyeok entering the event hall.
However, he didn’t acknowledge him.
He was discreetly observing the situation.
Checking if security was being properly implemented.
Though no one would know, the true VVIP here was actually Bong Juhyeok.
Even more so than UAE Crown Prince bin Salah sitting over there.
‘But why does that man keep coming to Korea? Makes me uneasy.’
Anyway, security seemed to be under control.
With Crown Prince bin Salah also attending the event, he had brought quite a few personal security guards.
The event was being held on the top floor of the hotel.
A space not easily accessible to anyone.
As Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il was looking around, someone approached and spoke to him.
“Deputy Director.”
“Ah, Deputy Director, you came personally.”
It was Roh Young-geun, First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service.
“Don’t worry too much. The security check was thorough.”
“Haha, worried? Honestly, I’m just tired. I just want the event to end quickly so I can go home and sleep.”
“Same here. All civil servants are alike. By the way…”
Deputy Director Roh Young-geun glanced at Jeon Kwang-il and asked,
“Is the rumor true?”
“What rumor?”
“I heard the products being introduced today are made from tower monster basilisk leather.”
It would become public knowledge soon anyway.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Is the supply sufficient? Enough to release to the public?”
“It’s sufficient. That’s why we’re supplying it.”
“This time too, perhaps…”
Jeon Kwang-il shook his head.
Don’t try to find out, and I won’t tell you either. Both meanings at once.
So he slightly changed the subject,
“Is everything alright outside? Any incidents?”
“Ah! There’s a forest fire on Gwanak Mountain. Fire helicopters have been dispatched, so it should be contained soon.”
A forest fire.
Come to think of it, isn’t it forest fire season?
‘The firefighters must be having a tough time.’
He hoped they would extinguish it safely.
***
Juhyeok was overwhelmed by the showcase environment he was experiencing for the first time in his life.
It seemed like he’d made the right choice to come.
Celebrities to his left, celebrities to his right.
Singers, actors, entertainers—people he had only seen on TV were everywhere.
It truly felt like being in a broadcasting station.
‘Should I ask to take a picture with them?’
If he showed it to his brother Min-hyuk, he would jump up and down in excitement.
If he showed photos of these TV personalities he’d met in person to his summonees, wouldn’t they be surprised with their eyes wide open?
But the first hurdle, just approaching them, was difficult.
And even if he passed that first hurdle, what if they rejected his request for a photo?
‘Better not.’
Well, just seeing them in person was enough.
‘Oh! Hallyu stars!’
A girl group that was wildly popular in Southeast Asia—all members had come.
‘I can’t resist this.’
As a fan, of course.
‘Hmm,’
He was torn.
If he approached and said, “I’m an elite player,” would they think he was crazy?
No, if you’re an elite player, you’re not inferior to celebrities.
Whether man or woman, elite players are the top candidates for marriage.
They earn well, and have a high mortality rate.
While he was hesitating, the event began.
Better to stay quiet for now.
There would be opportunities later.
CEO Go Yeon-ha appeared on stage wearing a neat formal outfit.
Holding the microphone,
“Hello everyone. I’m Go Yeon-ha.”
She immediately got to the point.
“Many of you might be wondering what the brand name ‘Wildflower & Basili’ means. Shall I explain that first?”
Go Yeon-ha operated a remote control.
Then an image appeared on the screen behind the stage.
It seemed to be filmed with a body camera worn by players.
In the video, a giant alligator—no, a basilisk—was moving with its massive teeth exposed.
“Yes, it’s a basilisk. ‘Basili’ in our brand name is taken from this creature’s name.”
People tilted their heads.
A tower monster as a trademark?
What’s the connection?
“I’ll show you a real basilisk.”
Suddenly!
The screen showing the video swiftly dropped down.
Simultaneously, multiple spotlights illuminated the stage, revealing the majestic presence of an enormous whole basilisk hide, accompanied by grand music.
Rumble, people gathered closer to the stage.
Click click click! Click click!
Photographers continuously took pictures.
“Is that, really?”
“A whole hide? Does that come as a reward too?”
“Maybe they collected all the hide rewards and pieced them together?”
“Right. It must be a replica.”
“No. If it were a replica, we would notice immediately.”
“It must be real. Would CEO Go Yeon-ha hold such an event to show a fake?”
Seeing it up close, it felt as if a real basilisk had leaped out of the tower.
“We’ve signed an exclusive leather supply contract with the Korean Awakening Management Office. Basilisk leather will be steadily supplied going forward.”
At those words, the faces of representatives from other fashion companies instantly hardened.
Steady supply?
What nonsense?
“Our HG Fashion has produced prototypes based on this leather. We plan to sell them as products.”
The attention of people who had been merely admiring the whole hide shifted to Go Yeon-ha.
Products meant… perhaps bags, wallets, shoes, that kind of thing?
Murmur, murmur.
The venue became noisy.
“Please enjoy.”
Then models walked out one by one from behind the stage.
Ten in total.
“These are Wildflower & Basili’s Light Quality products.”
Each model held a bag in their hands.
They displayed the bags, holding them with their right hand, then their left hand, or extending them out with both hands so people could see them well.
“Those are made from basilisk leather?”
“…Hmm, how much are they?”
“If they’re real, what does the price matter?”
“I want one.”
“But if they’re Light Quality…”
“That means there are higher grades too.”
People’s interest was explosive.
“Next, I’ll introduce Wildflower & Basili’s Luxury Quality products.”
Swoosh! Heads turned.
This time, six models.
No one cared who the models were.
All eyes were solely on the bags they were carrying.
“Different, definitely different.”
“Worthy of being called luxury indeed.”
“Right. It’s incomparable to the Light range.”
“Can you tell the difference? I can’t really tell.”
“Look at the pattern. It seems to be from the belly part of the basilisk.”
“Alligator leather can’t even compare.”
Being an industry event, many professionals had attended.
As well as renowned celebrities.
People who could gauge the value of items at a glance.
Products of much higher quality than the Light range.
There was no doubt that these were the brand’s main products.
“Finally…”
There’s more?
Luxury wasn’t the end?
“Let me show you Wildflower & Basili’s High-End Luxury items. You’ll be able to experience what the finest leather truly is.”
Click, click.
A single model walked out with expert pacing.
Along with the mystical bag she carried.
No words were necessary.
A bag with colorful leather accents here and there on the basic leather.
“Ah!”
“Whoa.”
“Hmm.”
“Oh!”
“Such leather…”
“R-Rainbow, basilisk boss?”
Everyone was entranced.
The vibrant gleam of rainbow leather interspersed here and there on the traditional basilisk leather.
While people were in a daze, simultaneously another model walked down the red carpet carrying a high-end luxury bag.
Though her walk was awkward, people immediately recognized who she was.
She appeared wearing a form-fitting leather armor instead of ordinary clothes.
“It’s Nam Ga-eun!”
“Is our top player participating as a model too?”
“But what’s that outfit?”
“It’s full-body armor. Even the shoes are leather.”
The elite players in attendance were even more enthusiastic than the general public.
“Well-made. It’s just like a game character.”
“The era of fashion has arrived even for tower equipment.”
“But it wouldn’t be practical in actual combat. The sides are all exposed.”
“Still, it looks pretty.”
“It could be worn as a bulletproof vest.”
Desire smoldered among the people in the venue.
Whether bags or armor, they had to have them.
Price was no object.
Everyone gathered here had the financial means.
Crown Prince bin Salah, who had entered Korea specifically to attend the event, also marveled at the bags carried by the models.
Especially when the high-end luxury items with rainbow leather and Player Nam Ga-eun’s leather armor were introduced, he was so surprised he exclaimed “Ack!”
‘I should buy a few.’
With three wives, he should buy one for each.
He came to meet Gobang, but unexpectedly such luxury items… Wait!
‘Hmm, a whole basilisk hide.’
That’s also an item.
Someone must have brought it from the tower.
It wouldn’t be a reward that’s just given.
At minimum, it would require an S++ grade…
‘Could it be?’
Bin Salah stood up abruptly from his chair and looked around.
Could Gobang be here too?
***
The event was proceeding smoothly.
People’s interest was explosive.
Moreover, the showcase was being live-streamed worldwide on YouTube.
The number of simultaneous viewers was rapidly increasing.
Products made using tower monster basilisk leather?
How could anyone resist?
The event reached its climax.
Even Player Nam Ga-eun participated as a model for a surprise element.
Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il was confident in the event’s success.
Even he was tempted by the bags.
With recent frequent overtime, he’d been feeling guilty toward his wife. How happy would she be if he bought her a Light grade bag?
But it would be burdensome on a civil servant’s salary, and although CEO Go Yeon-ha had offered to give him one as a gift, there were legal issues.
‘A pie in the sky.’
Jeon Kwang-il shook his head and approached the window.
‘…Hmm.’
Something had been bothering him.
The helicopter noise.
While it was natural for fire helicopters to be dispatched to the Gwanak Mountain fire, the sound was too close.
Almost as if they had landed on the hotel rooftop right above the venue.
Well, they might make emergency landings due to malfunctions while extinguishing fires,
The fire helicopter visible in the distance.
It seemed to be scooping water from the Han River and heading toward Gwanak Mountain.
Evening was approaching.
He hoped to leave before the traffic got bad.
But just then!
Something caught Jeon Kwang-il’s eye.
A formation of flying objects…
‘Birds?’
That didn’t seem right.
It wasn’t the movement of birds.
And the speed was very fast.
They were approaching closer and closer.
‘D-drones?’
That was it.
Dozens of drones were charging toward the windows of the hotel’s top floor.
“Crazy!”
Were those really ordinary drones?
No way.
Though it was a fashion showcase event, the attendees were illustrious.
Elite players, even Nam Ga-eun and Crown Prince bin Salah.
‘Terrorism?’
Jeon Kwang-il froze stiff.
Just before the drones crashed into the windows.
That’s when it happened.
Pop! Someone suddenly appeared beside him.
“Gasp!”
Player Bong?
“Hold tight.”
“…Y-yes!”
Pop!
Juhyeok and Jeon Kwang-il’s bodies instantly moved to a location far from the windows.
It was the Blink skill.
Simultaneously, the drones crashed into the hotel’s thick windows.
Bang! Boom boom! Bang bang bang bang!
Crash crash crash!
The large windows exploded outward.
“Kyaaaaa!”
“Kyaaa!”
“Huuuuh!”
“Wh-what’s happening?”
“Everyone, g-get down!”
Fortunately, not many people were injured.
Most had gathered near the stage to look at the bags.
However, people were panicking, not knowing what to do.
‘Phew.’
Juhyeok was relieved.
Not being particularly interested in the bags, he had turned his eyes to look at the outside scenery when he discovered the charging drones.
Drones.
There were an enormous number of them.
Were they just ordinary drones?
Absolutely not.
Whatever they were, they were undoubtedly dangerous.
And Jeon Kwang-il had been standing close to the large windows.
In that split second, numerous thoughts crossed his mind.
What should I do?
I think I can save him,
It’s scary, but Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il is one of my few acquaintances.
Just leave him be?
If I can save him, I should try.
So he activated his energy barrier and cast Blink.
Thanks to that, Jeon Kwang-il was safe.
But Nam Ga-eun wasn’t so fortunate.
Someone who looked like a hotel employee was embracing her from behind, pressing a blue dagger against her carotid artery in her neck.
In his other hand, he held a loaded crossbow.
“Aaaah….”
“P-Player Nam Ga-eun!”
The leather armor, designed with aesthetics in mind, left the neck area unprotected.
“Don’t move! Everyone put your guns down!”
The assailant’s threat stopped the security guards who were about to jump onto the stage.
“If you don’t put your guns down, I’ll slit this woman’s throat. Think I won’t do it?”
NIS agents and security guards slowly placed their guns on the floor.
Security checkpoints had been set up at the venue entrance, so weapons couldn’t be brought in.
Which meant?
‘A player.’
That’s right.
The man holding Nam Ga-eun hostage was a player.
He must have taken out weapons made of tower metal from his inventory.
‘They’re using players for terrorism?’
Regardless, no one could move.
South Korea’s top player, Nam Ga-eun, was being held hostage.
Suddenly!
Swish! Swish!
Ropes descended through the broken windows.
Assailants swiftly entered the venue by sliding down these ropes.
Tak! Tatatatak!
Click! Click! Click!
Automatic rifles were aimed.
“If anyone moves, we’ll shoot immediately.”
Xiao Jun, wearing a mask, grinned as he looked at the captured Nam Ga-eun.
‘Too easy.’
It was a truly perfect operation with the best outcome.
***
Juhyeok sighed deeply.
He had been enjoying sneaking glances at famous people, and now this unexpected misfortune?
At least he had saved Jeon Kwang-il.
‘The outside world really is dangerous.’
He should have stayed home.
What could he do? It was his own fault.
“John Kozak designated summon.”
Whooosh!
A mass of light appeared.
And then,
“Transcendence… Huh? Hmm.”
“As you can see, this is the situation.”
“We need to call Gobang too. We need a tank who can block bullets.”
Kozak immediately understood as soon as he was summoned.
What his role was.
And beside them, Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il was watching everything with his mouth agape.