Chapter 10

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 010

Chapter Title: Transcendent Clear Reward

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Three days had passed.

The 3rd and 4th floors of the tower were cleared with SSS+ grades, just like before.
Low-floor monsters were swept away without resistance in 0.1 seconds before Drong's breath.

And accordingly...

Expectations and praise for Haegyeom naturally spread even further.

After four consecutive clears in Korea, the anxiety seemed to die down a bit.

And then...

Haegyeom had earned himself a grandiose new moniker: Dragon Emperor.

"Dragon Emperor..."

He hadn't thought much of it when calling someone else the Sword Emperor, but now that it was his own, it felt surprisingly embarrassing.

"...I'm just raising one dragon well, that's all."

His actual combat prowess was practically nonexistent compared to such a flashy title!
The disconnect only made it more awkward.

Of course, he didn't hate it.
This grandiose moniker meant he was carrying huge expectations on his shoulders.
It meant he was fielding countless offers, no matter what.

In fact, the number of contacts reaching out to Haegyeom grew day by day.
Clearing the 3rd and 4th floors with SSS+ grades had improved the offers even more.
But...

"...No place offers better terms than the Management Bureau."

The Korea Awakening Management Bureau had thrown out terms that were downright insane.
No one valued Haegyeom higher than that.

"...It was generous."

No matter how much of an SSS+ clearer he was, he was still just a 'promising prospect.'
He wasn't immediate combat power yet.
That's why everyone else offered contracts fitting a 'prospect.'
They had no choice.

But the Management Bureau was different.

"...Quasi-ranker treatment."

At that level, there were virtually no miscellaneous duties until he grew.
Virtually no other option matched the Bureau.

So Haegyeom had pretty much made up his mind.
The only reason he hadn't signed yet was this one thing.

To check what '■■ ■■' was.
That was it.

"If it's something great, awesome. If not, whatever."

He'd already asked the Bureau for time to think it over.
Three days wouldn't cost him anything.

So.

"Salvation Tower, enter."

It was time to clear the 5th floor first.

A flood of chats greeted him the moment he entered.
He was starting to get used to the real-time chat now.
Haegyeom suddenly chuckled.

'I used to be jealous of people who succeeded with Tower Streams...'

Just 50,000 subscribers was enough to make a comfortable living in this market.
Clear gates moderately, produce content moderately.
Everyone had their own struggles, sure, but...

'Either way, no worries about money.'

That was the reality.
And Haegyeom's current status?

Subscribers had already hit 140,000.
18,000 viewers jumped in the second he went live.

'...That's huge.'

Honestly, at this point, he could probably just stream from the real world without hunting and still make a living.
Of course, that wouldn't work.

'Most of these people came because of the SSS+ clears.'

He had to keep climbing the tower and hunting.

Pbam!

"......"

p......Not really?
Could he really just make a living showing off Drong?

Haegyeom was momentarily thrown into confusion, but...

'Drong needs mana stones for food!'

Raising Drong cost a fortune.
Especially the food bill.

He had to clear the tower.
There was no reason not to.

"Got it. Drong, wanna come out?"

Pyeaa-!

As the viewers wished, Haegyeom pulled Drong out of his inventory.
The compact-sized Drong fit perfectly in one hand.

The reaction was explosive.
Small donations kept popping steadily.

Haegyeom gently scratched under Drong's chin.

Piihii-

Drong's eyes closed in bliss.

In that state, Haegyeom looked ahead.

'A lot today.'

Up to the 4th floor, there were at most three of the same monsters.
But the 5th?

'Goblin great warriors, shamans, hobgoblins.'

A full combo of monsters—ten in total.
The difficulty went without saying.
Tough.

'That's why countless hunters breeze through the first four but stall at five.'

Compared to the 4th, the perceived difficulty was at least double.
Most skipped the 5th entirely or challenged it only after maxing experience and specs.

Of course...

"Drong. Those guys today. You got this, right?"

Pyeha-!

Not an issue for Haegyeom, who had a reliable dragon.

Haegyeom lowered his hand, setting Drong on the ground.
And...

Huuuup.

Drong took a massive breath, then unleashed a mighty blast straight ahead!

Kwaaaaaaaa─────!!

No surprises.

Another clean SSS+ clear!

Whoooosh-!

First, brilliant light enveloped Haegyeom, boosting his physical abilities.

"Thanks."

A quick thanks for the celebratory chats.
And then...

As the viewers said, it was time for his unique ability enhancement.

The unique ability enhancement options that appeared were as follows.

1 and 2 were self-explanatory.
But 3?

'...Kids Cafe?'

He had no clue what ability that was.
But one thing was clear.

'1 and 2 aren't much help for Drong.'

The only option with real potential for immediate combat boost was 3: Facility Addition!

'If Drong grows and gets heavier, 2 might come in handy...'

Not right now, though.
Haegyeom chose 3.

"Oh."

Latent ability awakening?
He'd have to test it to know for sure, but it seemed like a solid facility.

Of course, he had no intention of sharing.

Most knew asking about unique abilities was taboo anyway.

Anyway.

Haegyeom collected the base rewards, now pouring out too much to fit in his inventory.
Then he checked the main quest.

An achievement requiring five SSS+ clears.
Its reward!

"Newbie Shield...?"

What the heck was this?
Haegyeom checked the item info without much thought.
And...

"......Holy shit."

He couldn't help but be stunned.

What.

Something utterly ridiculous had just dropped.