Fourteen consecutive S++ grade conquests.
Not only was the grade impressive, but the fact that he had been climbing for 14 days straight without rest was also astonishing. Usually, due to mental fatigue and injuries sustained in the tower, consecutive daily conquests are very difficult. This is especially true after the 10th floor.
And then there are injuries.
What happens when a Player is injured in the tower?
It applies to reality as well. That’s why tower-exclusive healing potions are necessary.
They don’t have to be consumed only inside the tower. They can be taken outside too. The term ‘tower-exclusive’ means they can only heal injuries sustained in the tower. Internal injuries, external wounds, poisoning… all abnormal statuses can be cured.
On the other hand, they have no effect on injuries or illnesses obtained outside the tower. If that were possible, they would be invaluable.
Juhyeok also had 5 healing potions received as mission rewards. However, he hadn’t even taken them out of his inventory. There had been no need to.
First, I need to cash in these magic stones…
He had sold the 5.5kg received up to the 10th floor.
After conquering the 15th floor,
The method of selling magic stones was simple. Call, and a staff member would come to collect them.
No, before that, I should visit the Management Office.
He had been diving in without any equipment so far. He should at least wear some simple combat gear.
The Awakening Management Office had a specialized shopping area for Players.
It might be good to take some time to go shopping.
Anyway, let’s conquer the 15th floor.
Juhyeok designated summoned John Kozak. Though he was annoying for not listening, he still gave him 5 stars.
[John Kozak has been summoned by designation.]
“At your service!”
“Have you been well?”
“To give a perfect 5 stars to someone like me who committed the grave sin of disobeying orders and insubordination, I don’t know where to put myself.”
“I understand. You had no choice, right?”
“Yes. I only feel sorry. Someone like me deserves to die twice.”
It seemed he knew he was sorry,
“From the 15th floor, I won’t tell you to take it slow. Conquer comfortably.”
“Huh? Is that really okay?”
“Don’t worry about it. Nothing will change anyway.”
“I’ll do my best.”
It’s already exposed, what’s the use of hiding it?
There was one more reason for doing this.
If he recorded an S++ grade conquest on the 15th floor too, he would achieve 15 Platinum Badges.
There was a high possibility of receiving another special benefit.
At 5 badges, he got the characteristic enhancement benefit, at 10 badges, the skill copy benefit, what about 15?
He was getting greedy.
As the benefits accumulated, he could become safer…
“Um, but S-Summoner Bong. I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“From the 16th floor, it’s a bit ambiguous.”
“Does it get much harder?”
“The conquest itself is easy. But it might be difficult to achieve S++ grade… S+ is possible though.”
Meaning S++ was difficult, but S+ was possible.
“Does S+ also give a Platinum Badge?”
“No. Badges are rewards given only for the highest record. It’s impossible unless it’s S++.”
“I see.”
That’s fine.
He was planning to conquer up to the 15th floor and rest for a few days anyway.
He needed a break.
All this time, because Kozak had been doing everything, he had forgotten how dangerous the tower was.
He shouldn’t let his guard down.
Losing his initial mindset would be disastrous.
Thorough self-preservation.
Living boldly and progressively would lead to an early death.
Leisurely and comfortably,
With perfectly prepared conquests.
The 16th floor was ambiguous?
He might not be able to get a Platinum Badge?
That won’t do.
He should get Platinum Badges at least up to the 20th floor.
It’s okay to be as greedy as possible for safety.
Juhyeok had a plan too.
Utilize the special benefits to the maximum.
First.
The benefit received for collecting the first 5 badges.
Characteristic enhancement, ability to summon 2 simultaneously.
This was the core plan.
Wait until the cooldown of about 2 weeks is over.
Second.
The benefit received for 10 badges.
The Shadow Step skill copied from Kozak.
He needed to use the skill repeatedly to master it.
Third.
The benefit he would soon receive for 15 badges after conquering the 15th floor.
Well, he hoped it would be something good.
Lastly.
Visit the Player shop and get some simple combat equipment.
He was practically naked at this point.
After that, he could start the 16th floor.
Safety, and more safety.
One must live within their means.
That’s the way a low-tier man lives.
First, the 15th floor.
[Entering the 15th floor of the Korean Black Tower.]
Floors 15 to 20 were about subjugating goblin workers.
This was the point where human-form green-skinned monsters appeared.
The 15th floor had goblin workers, so their combat power wasn’t great.
The real challenge started from the 16th floor.
The 16th floor had poison-dart-shooting goblin scouts.
The 17th floor had shield and sword-wielding goblin warriors.
The 18th floor had goblin assassins hiding with stealth.
The 19th floor had goblin shamans tormenting Players with strange magic.
And the 20th floor had all types of goblins seen so far, plus the defeat of the boss, a hobgoblin.
Many Players died or sustained serious injuries in this section.
One needed talent to pass this section and advance to the 20s floors.
Even with sufficient information, conquering was troublesome.
Goblins had intelligence.
They were even extremely cunning.
Anyway, let’s start.
Kozak whispered to Juhyeok with a somewhat tense expression.
“Stay close and follow me slowly. Don’t get too far away.”
The 15th floor environment was a dark forest.
As they moved inside, the mission appeared.
[15th Floor Mission: Defeat 20 Goblin Workers.]
The mission appeared.
At the same time, the hunting targets came into view.
Chop chop chop chop!
Goblin workers were chopping trees with small hand axes.
There were 5 of them.
John Kozak whispered quietly.
“We must kill them in one go. If we’re not careful, they’ll run away. If even one escapes, it’ll bring others.”
“Then I’ll…”
Juhyeok took out the kitchen knife he had brought at his waist.
“Huh? Put that hideous thing away. You might cut your hand.”
Quickly putting the kitchen knife away,
“…R-right? It’s better not to, right?”
“Yes! But just in case something happens, be ready to use Shadow Step.”
Swoosh!
Kozak’s body became faint.
He started to blend in with the surrounding environment.
So that’s stealth.
It would be good to learn that too.
Stealthily.
Kozak approached a goblin who was busily chopping with an axe, dagger in hand,
Slash!
He mercilessly cut its throat.
The goblin worker couldn’t even scream.
Blood flowed from its neck.
This time, two at once
Slash! Slash!
Only then did the remaining goblins realize the situation.
“Krung?”
“Kkaek?”
They threw away their axes and scattered in different directions, but it was already too late.
He stabbed the heart of one trying to escape.
“Kroak!”
The last goblin desperately fleeing on short legs…
Tspit!
A dagger flew through the air,
“Kik!”
Thud!
It lodged in the back of its head.
…Wow!
5 goblins disappeared in an instant.
“Let’s move.”
“Hmm, you don’t tie ribbon knots on goblin heads?”
“I have a sense of time and place too. And I only use ribbons for humans.”
“Okay! Fighting!”
“Hehehe, thanks for the encouragement. I’ll work even harder.”
The conquest was easy.
The weakest among the goblin races, the workers.
It would be different for combat classes.
It took longer than before.
About 10 minutes to kill 20.
Still.
[You have succeeded in the 15th floor mission.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Reward: 1.5kg of magic stone]
[Reward: Tower-exclusive Healing Potion (5)]
Oh! 5 more healing potions.
A total of 10 in the inventory.
[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade in conquering the 15th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ conquest reward: You are awarded a Platinum Badge.]
[You can now challenge the 16th floor.]
[Exiting the Korean Black Tower.]
He did it.
15 consecutive S++ grade conquests.
15 Platinum Badges.
“Good work.”
“What work? I didn’t do anything.”
“Just being safely by my side is a great achievement.”
“Hahaha.”
Shyly.
“Let’s eat pizza today. Eat and rest well while watching TV.”
“Yes, sir!”
Time to check the rewards.
First, the magic stones.
Currently, there was 6.5kg of magic stones in the tower-exclusive inventory, obtained from floors 11 to 15.
If he sold this through the Awakening Management Office, it would be 3.25 million won,
Phew, this is why I can’t stop climbing.
The money earned from the tower in two weeks was more than two months’ salary from two part-time jobs.
This is why they call awakening a blessing.
If he could go up to the 20th floor without problems?
Just the daily magic stone reward would be 2kg.
If he sold it through the Management Office, it would be 1 million won a day.
No fees or taxes attached.
A daily wage of 1 million.
He would be living a 30 million won per month life.
In short, isn’t this sweet as honey?
Safe tower climbing.
Certain and steady rewards.
Let the talented Elite team take care of preventing tower collapse.
But Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il called several times a day.
He tried to persuade Juhyeok to just put his name on the Elite team and receive benefits, promising not to force anything.
How annoying.
Not a chance.
Where in the world is there something for nothing?
It’s obvious he’d be tied down.
Of course, as a citizen of South Korea, he didn’t lack the desire to climb unconquered floors and reduce the threat of tower collapse.
But he was only at the 15th floor now.
There was still a long way to go.
Leave it to the well-supported Elite team conquering the 66th floor.
Now, let’s check the reward he had been waiting for the most.
The special benefit given for every 5 Platinum Badges.
What could it be?
[Special benefit awarded for accumulating 15 Platinum Badges.]
[Special Benefit: An Energy Shield Kit item has been deposited in your tower-exclusive inventory.]
Energy Shield?
What’s this?
Taking it out of the inventory,
It was a plain metal bracelet without any decoration.
It fit perfectly when he put it on his wrist.
+++
<Energy Shield Kit>
Effect: Protects the user with a shield that absorbs damage.
Limit: The shield disappears after absorbing a certain amount of damage. It takes 5 hours to use again.
Characteristic: The shield effect is adjusted according to the level.
+++
My goodness!
How could it be this good?
It was exactly what he needed most.
It was good that he collected the badges.
It’s practically full body armor.
And that’s not all?
It’s an item without any modifiers.
There’s a rule for tower items.
If there’s a modifier ‘tower-exclusive’ in front, it can only be used related to the tower, and if there’s no modifier, it can be used in reality too.
For example, tower-exclusive healing potions are only for wounds received in the tower.
On the contrary, magic stones don’t have the word tower-exclusive, so they can be used in reality.
Then this too?
Juhyeok carefully muttered.
“Energy Shield.”
Suddenly!
Zzing!
A transparent energy shield enveloped Juhyeok’s entire body.
“…Hahaha.”
It works.
He received a treasure of tremendous value as a special benefit.
If he sold this on the market, how much would he get?
10 billion? 20 billion? 30 billion?
Should I sell it now and quit tower climbing right away?
No.
Use it as much as possible, and when a difficult moment comes, it’s not too late to sell it then.
Now, should I take a break?
Postpone climbing for a while.
During that time, he could repeat conquering the 15th floor.
Juhyeok really took a good rest.
Until the random summon cooldown returned.
While only repeating the 15th floor conquest.
Two weeks passed like that.
Therefore, for two weeks, there was no tower-wide notice of S++ grade conquests.
***
At the Awakening Management Office in Hannam-dong, Seoul.
Director Park Kyung-soo was talking to Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il with a serious expression.
“It’s been two weeks already?”
“…Yes.”
It had been two weeks since the last tower-wide notice of an S++ grade conquest record after the 15th floor.
“What’s the reason? Why isn’t he conquering the 16th floor? …Or has he already conquered it but failed to record S++ grade?”
The tower’s difficulty isn’t constant.
There are sections that suddenly become difficult.
The current 66th floor that South Korea is conquering is like that.
Even after two months, they haven’t found a way to conquer it.
The 16th floor is a similar section.
The difference between the goblin workers on the 15th floor and the goblin scouts on the 16th floor is insurmountable.
“That’s not it. A few days ago, I casually asked Player Bong, and he said he hadn’t even entered the 16th floor. He said he wasn’t ready yet…”
“What preparation?”
“I couldn’t get detailed information. He just said he was repeating the 15th floor conquest.”
“Huh, repeating the 15th floor conquest, he’s not saying he’ll permanently park on the 15th floor, is he?”
“W-well…”
It’s entirely possible.
Even if he just plays on the 15th floor, there’s no problem with making a living.
It’s becoming more worrying.
For an ordinary Player, they wouldn’t even worry about this.
They would just think, well, they gave up climbing, and cancel the contract.
But Bong Juhyeok is different.
He’s the record holder of 15 consecutive S++ grade conquests, isn’t he?
To settle for the 15th floor with that incredible talent,
“Ah, it’s disappointing. Even the heavens are cruel, to give such talent to a timid Player…”
Just then.
Zing.
A vibration sound from Jeon Kwang-il’s smartphone.
“…Huh?”
“What is it?”
“A message has arrived. From Player Bong Juhyeok.”
“W-what does it say?”
“He says he’s coming to the Awakening Management Office? He wants to use the Player shop.”
Suddenly?
Player shop.
“…Player shop? Ah! C-could it be?”
A thought suddenly struck him.
“Team Leader Jeon, Player Bong Juhyeok has never used the shop, right?”
“That seems to be the case. Even when we went to confirm his awakening, he was bare-handed.”
“Haah, then the ‘preparation’ he mentioned was actually to get conquest equipment.”
“That’s right. Because equipment is expensive, he was probably intending to raise money by repeating the 15th floor conquest.”
Director Park Kyung-soo’s face flushed red.
“How could I be so stupid!”
He felt ashamed.
Not realizing this, he had been about to criticize Bong Juhyeok.
Why isn’t the tower-wide notice ringing? Has he given up climbing? What a waste of talent. He’s timid. He had been complaining, but he hadn’t thought about what situation the Player was in while conquering the tower.