Today was the day for the 64th-floor clear. After this, he would return the Holy Sword and take a break for a while. He needed to earn some money from the rental fees. He also had to visit his family. It had been a while since he’d gone.
I wonder if they’re using the money I gave them.
He would have to go and tell them to spend it freely. He’d even threaten to gift them more money if they didn’t.
He had worked too hard for too long. It was about time he reaped the rewards. What was the point of being happy just looking at the numbers in his bank account? It was only meaningful if he took it out and spent it.
And then there was the perk he would receive for clearing the 64th floor. After this one, the next perk would be on the 69th floor, which could take over a year to reach. Acquiring perks through the normal Tower-clearing route had become difficult. Of course, if he used the International Tower Usage Ticket in the middle, it would be faster. If he was really thirsty for perks, there were other methods to consider.
For example, temporary naturalization. What if he temporarily naturalized to a suitable country and swept their Tower from the 1st floor to the highest floor? With S++ Rank clears, of course. He could probably get at least 55 Platinum Badges without breaking a sweat.
But even that wasn’t a sure thing. Was the Tower that easy? It wouldn’t just hand out perks like candy. Even if he got the ‘First Clear’ designation, the S++ Rank might not be recognized if the level difference was too great. Furthermore, temporary naturalization had to be considered carefully. It was an option to be considered only when there was a compelling reason to do so.
In any case, his expectations for this perk weren’t as high as before. Was it because of Razix’s fragment-collecting? He just needed to take it easy. No need to make Gyeon Dallae suffer by demanding a ritual.
In truth, the immediate challenge Juhyeok faced wasn’t the perk. It was the random summon. To pull, or not to pull.
“The deck is important, sir. The more cards you can use, the more varied your combinations, and the more advantageous it is for the clear. You should pull, sir.”
He was right. In a Tower clear that borrowed the format of a game, having a variety of cards was certainly an advantage, but…
“It seems it would be best for you to perform the random summon, my lord. This maiden will wholeheartedly follow your decision. Please do not worry about us.”
“Reinforcing troop numbers is the Commander’s prerogative. I hope you will recruit a good class to help strengthen our forces.”
“The warrior thinks the same.”
“Hoeng!”
His summons were all leaning towards pulling. It was because they only wished for his success. And because he knew that, Juhyeok couldn’t help but hesitate.
I’m tearing up. Seriously.
At this point, even the heavens should be moved enough to just drop a Trait Enhancement Rune on his lap.
“Let’s just get the perk first.”
“Yeahp!”
“It won’t be too hard, right?”
“The 64th floor should be manageable, my lord.”
Then let’s go.
***
[Entering the 64th Floor of the Republic of Korea’s Black Tower.]
On the 64th floor of the Black Tower, ghouls appeared. The terrain was a massive cave with a high ceiling. Holes were bored through the top, bottom, and all sides, like a honeycomb. Torches were hung sporadically on the walls, but their light was faint, making the cave environment very dark.
Dark Ghouls. One might think of them as an upgraded version of zombies, but from what he’d heard, the difference was significant.
“Zombies were originally human, sir. They’re based on the human body. Once you get rid of their aura, they’re weak. Same with mummies and skeletons.”
“Aha.”
“Plus, their brains are rotten, sir. They’re stupid and only move on instinct.”
Ghouls, on the other hand?
“They were born that way from the start, sir. Their species itself is Ghoul. Their movements are natural and strong. They don’t creak and groan like zombies. Their brains are fresh, so they’re clever.”
“Their bodies are tough, too, sir. They don’t cut easily, even with blade aura. If you don’t kill them properly, they revive with the power of darkness. That’s how demonic undead are.”
Gyeon Dallae nodded in agreement.
“Thus, the type of ritual must also change. From here on, we need not a cleansing ritual, but an exorcism ritual¹ to banish evil spirits.”
Then let’s get to it. Time to catch some evil spirits.
[64th Floor Mission: Defeat 15 Dark Ghouls.]
From the holes in the cave walls, Dark Ghouls began to appear. They didn’t charge in blindly. They crawled out in a crouched position, their bright yellow eyes glinting as they warily watched the summons.
“Come on!”
Gobang stepped forward alone.
“Kyaruk!”
“Kak?”
“Grrrr…”
“Kekek!”
Fwip! Fwip-fwip!
The ghouls lunged at Gobang with incredible speed, sinking their sharp claws into his back, shoulders, and legs. Gobang’s body was covered in them.
Pew!
Veronica’s magic rifle spat fire. Kozak closed in with Shadow Steps. Simultaneously, Gyeon Dallae’s exorcism ritual began. Razix had also already rolled to the front, seemingly to investigate the now-empty holes the ghouls had emerged from.
It was probably fine to leave him be. Razix was also an SSR. He was smart and would never go anywhere dangerous. Even when he was digging, he was glancing around, wary of any approaching ghouls.
Alright, then…
Juhyeok was determined to participate this time. After this clear, the Holy Sword would be stored at the Management Office for a while. The reservation list was long. If he just stood by again, when would he ever get to kill something? He had to use the Holy Sword properly this time.
Of course, it was scary. Still, one of the effects of the Holy Sword was a steadfast spirit. Perhaps because of that, courage was welling up even in his cowardly heart. Besides, his summons were busy fighting the ghouls.
“Graaaaaah! Bring it on!”
“Sir Kozak, a ghoul is on me. Please take care of it.”
“Roger! Princess, please move a little further away, ma’am. The weakening debuff will apply even if you’re not close.”
“Quartermaster! Requesting ammo supply!”
“Hoeeek!”
Slink, slink.
Juhyeok moved closer to the battlefield. He had already activated his energy shield and was ready to use Blink magic.
That one looks about right.
A ghoul had emerged late from a hole and was loitering about. Target acquired. He gripped the Holy Sword tightly. An image of himself formed in his mind.
‘Shadow Steps, fwip-fwip-fwip, create an illusion, then Blink to…’
It was at that moment.
Swoosh!
“Kyaaaak!”
“Ugh, fuck, you scared me!”
From a hole right next to him on his right, a ghoul shot out like an arrow and lunged at Juhyeok. In the blink of an eye, the ghoul’s long, black claws slashed diagonally across his chest.
SHREEE!
CRACK! Fzzt…
The energy shield shattered into pieces. At the same time, it tried to sink its sharp, yellow fangs into his neck.
“You son of a bitch!”
Vwoom! Juhyeok instinctively backhanded the ghoul across the face.
“Get off!”
Slice! The creature’s head was sheared off at an angle. Thud!
“Oof.”
That startled me. The party had already swept through this area, but it must have been hiding in stealth instead of fighting.
“Didn’t even use your turn signal?”
If it weren’t for the energy shield, he would have been in serious trouble. That aside.
‘Its head got cut off with a single slap?’
He hadn’t expected that. It seemed Gwangma’s Blood Jade Aura had activated automatically. And the Holy Sword’s radiance, too. The radiance had neutralized the dark aura, allowing the Blood Jade Aura to cleave the tough ghoul’s head in two.
The core of the Holy Sword was its radiance. When wielding it, the user’s entire body was influenced by the radiance. It even applied to skills. He could tell from the Norwegian Player who had rented this sword. His trait was a ranged archer, not a melee fighter. He didn’t have a single sword skill. How did he kill anything? Apparently, he held the bow and the Holy Sword’s hilt together in his left hand and drew the bowstring with his right. It was extremely cumbersome, but the arrows he fired were imbued with radiance and could damage the specters.
It was the same for Juhyeok. A collaboration between Gwangma’s skill and the Holy Sword’s radiance.
Suddenly, the back of his neck tingled. He glanced behind him.
Hmm.
His summons had stopped fighting and were staring blankly at him.
They saw everything.
Their expressions were complex. A mixture of worry, pity, guilt, shame, self-reproach, and regret.
“Don’t worry. I’m saf—”
It was then.
“GRAAAAAAAAAAH!”
Gobang leaped so high he nearly touched the cave ceiling and then stomped down.
BOOOOM!!!
The impact sent the ghouls tumbling. Gobang mercilessly trampled the ones on the ground, then grabbed another ghoul by the hand and started slamming it around.
SWISH! CRACK! SWISH! CRACK! SWISH! CRACK…
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!”
Kozak, his face hardened, swung his daggers, which were shimmering with a chilling blue blade aura. Defense? Evasion? He wasn’t doing any of that. It was all-out attack.
Slice! Slice! Slice!
Ghouls were being carved up.
Veronica was in assault mode. She wasn’t even using cover.
“Aaargh! Die!”
She charged straight in and, shove!, jammed her magic rifle into a screaming ghoul’s mouth and fired.
Psh-sh-sh-sh-shoot!
The ghoul’s head exploded like a watermelon.
POW!
Gyeon Dallae’s exorcism ritual also changed. The rhythm grew faster and faster. Talismans flew from her hands, the yellow papers filling the cave. The moment a talisman touched a ghoul’s skin, it burst into flames.
And Razix? He was mercilessly smashing the heads of fallen ghouls with the golden pickaxe he used for mining.
“Hoek! Hoe! Hoek!”
They were all going berserk.
How dare a filthy, disgusting Dark Ghoul touch our Summoner!
It was understandable. This was the most danger Bong Juhyeok had been in up to the 64th floor. His energy shield had shattered in one hit, and he had almost gotten his neck bitten by a ghoul.
‘I’m going to get an earful for this, too.’
He almost felt sorry for the ghouls in the face of his summons’ fury. Thanks to them, the clear ended quickly.
[You have successfully completed the 64th Floor Mission.]
[Your level has gone up.]
[Reward: 6.4kg of Mana Stones]
Mission complete. And of course, the clear rank.
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ Rank Clear for the 64th Floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Clear Reward: You are awarded a Platinum Badge.]
****
Juhyeok’s Penthouse.
The summons wore grave expressions.
“The warrior is still a fool. Hit me.”
“I am the one who deserves to die, sir… I will return my position as the right arm.”
“It is because of this maiden’s meager skills. Blame me.”
“My field of vision was narrow. I am not qualified to be a ranger. I deserve a dishonorable discharge.”
“Hoe-eh…”
What is wrong with you people? It’s not like we failed the clear.
He knew why, of course, but…
“Now, now, it was an excellent clear. And I’m perfectly fine.”
I even killed one myself.
“My carelessness put Master Summoner Bong in danger, sir. I have committed a crime worthy of death. Sob, sob, sob.“
Kozak was crying.
“H-hic, sob, I am a useless assassin who is good for nothing. Please abandon me and summon a more competent dealer to fill my place.”
He was actually crying.
“A clever knight would be more stable than a foolish warrior.”
“A soldier who fails in his mission cannot be forgiven. I will return my badge. V-victory!”
“This maiden’s heart is torn asunder. Ah, please take my head and make an example of me.”
Even Razix.
“Huu-eh, hu-eh-eh-eh… huu-eh.”
This is driving me crazy. They’re acting like they’ve committed high treason.
‘They’re really overdoing it.’
Were they doing this on purpose? Because he had participated in the battle? That seemed highly likely.
“Alright. I won’t step forward from now on. I promise.”
And then,
“Yeahp!”
Sniff! Kozak stopped crying instantly.
“A man’s word is his bond, my lord.” Gyeon Dallae bowed so deeply she almost flew away.
“The warrior is hungry.” Gobang walked over to the fridge.
“Khooool…” Veronica had already fallen fast asleep.
“Hoe-eh…” Razix slyly started cleaning the room.
Well, I’ll be. I knew it. It was all an act.
“You people, seriously!” Juhyeok exploded. “I’m, what? Level 64! I have an energy shield, Blink, and even the Holy Sword! You saw Gwangma’s Blood Jade Aura! I can fight a little, too! Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”
The summons fell silent.
“Who are we? We’re comrades who have come together as one across the boundaries of dimensions! If that trust between us breaks down, then climbing the Tower is meaningless!”
The summons bowed their heads so low they nearly touched the ground.
“If you overreact like this just because I fought once, how can we ever work together in the future, huh?”
Honestly, these people. There’s a limit.
The mood was set. Now was the time…
“From now on, I’ll be participating in clears from time to time, so just know that—”
Suddenly, their expressions turned serious.
“That’s not right, sir.”
“And if I participate anyway?”
“We’ll go on strike, sir. A united struggle.”
“This maiden might faint, my lord.”
“Sergeant Veronica Caliber! I will commit insubordination and go to the stockade!”
“Hoek!”
Their expressions were firm, showing they would never back down.
‘It’s not working.’
He had no choice.
“Fine. Fine. I’ll act like the wimp man I am. Happy now?”
“Aigoo, what do you mean, wimp? Master Summoner Bong is the ultimate top-tier man, sir. Hehehehe.”
Well, whatever. Let’s check the perk. Juhyeok opened his inventory.
[As you have accumulated 65 Platinum Badges, a special perk will be granted.]
He wished they would just give it to him directly. Roulettes and ladder games were dizzying.
…What is it?
[Perk: One Restore Scroll has been granted to your Tower-Exclusive Inventory.]
“Hmm.”
He’d never seen this before. The information?
- Restores a damaged item to its original state.
A simple explanation. But he had a feeling he knew what it was.
“What did you get, sir?”
“A Restore Scroll. It says it restores items.”
“Oh! That’s good, sir.”
“Congratulations, my lord.”
“Hoe?”
Where should he use it?
“You can fix the Holy Sword, sir. It’ll be perfect. The undead will melt like butter.”
The Holy Sword…
‘No way.’
He could just leave the Holy Sword to Razix. The Restore Scroll had another use.
Juhyeok took out the half-matched rune fragments from his inventory.
Alright! Which of these three is the Trait Enhancement Rune?
He couldn’t tell yet. Its identity would be revealed once he had more than half of the pieces. If the letters formed karma, it was a <Rune of Level Up>… if it was Seung-grade, it was a <Rune of Summon Rank Up>… if it was Hwa-grade, it was a
Once he confirmed it, he would use the scroll immediately.
The Holy Sword? Please. The Restore Scroll was obviously meant for the Trait Enhancement Rune.