Chapter 17

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 017

Chapter Title: Tactical Newbie Shield, Drop!

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Originally, the basic reward structure for climbing the Tower was like this.

Physical ability enhancement (level-up) with every clear.

Mana stones distributed proportional to the floor cleared with every clear.

Unique ability enhancement every 5 floors cleared.

For the 1st floor (tutorial), it was an exception with a unique ability enhancement.

That was it.

Based on these, climbers would go on to conduct hunter activities in the real world.

But.

'Even on the 6th floor clear... I got a unique ability enhancement!?'

What had appeared before Haegyeom now meant there was an unknown aspect to this reward structure.

'Did the 100% reward increase affect some hidden condition...?'

There was probably something like that.

Of course, it wasn't important right now.

For the moment, what mattered was—

—checking how the enhancement would work.

'No options for changing usage or adding a kids cafe.'

This time, it was purely inventory expansion-related upgrades.

It might seem a bit underwhelming by comparison, but it was exactly what Haegyeom needed anyway.

'I didn't even have a good place to store mana stones. Perfect.'

Haegyeom selected 1. Inventory Expansion.

A second floor was added above the original four horizontal slots.

New vacancies from rooms 201 to 204!

"Nice."

He was extremely satisfied with the expanded inventory.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠viewers chattered away on their own as they watched him.

Haegyeom didn't feel the need to mention his unique ability enhancement.

After all.

"Well, that wraps up the 6th floor clear."

"See you all tomorrow for the 7th floor clear. Exiting Salvation Tower."

It was time to end the stream.

Meanwhile.

Around the time Haegyeom successfully cleared the 6th floor.

"Whoa. They actually pulled it off."

"What're you watching?"

"Dragon Emperor's stream."

"The team's all prepped. Time to head in, Guild Leader."

"Got it."

Korea's number one guild, Woosung.

Guild Leader Dohyeon Lee turned off the stream at his deputy guild leader's words.

Lifting his head, he saw about a dozen hunters ahead.

Woosung's sturdy guild members standing before the entrance to an A-rank gate.

They were the same guys who, not long ago, had whined about how dangerous A-rank gates were...

'Not a hint of tension on them.'

Dohyeon Lee chuckled.

"You lot ready?"

"Yes, sir!"

"We're itching to sweep everything clean!"

"Oh ho? Did all the scaredy-cats I knew up and die?"

"Guild Leader, that guy's off for the next week!"

It was hard to believe these were people about to tackle a life-or-death gate raid—their conversation was so casual.

The reason was obvious.

"Today's departure chant's gonna be different. I'll lead with 'Dragon Emperor,' and you all follow with 'Thank you so damn much!' Got it?"

"Ooooh, Guild Leader's got feelings, ooooh."

"You punks? Fine, suggest one yourself then!"

"Uh... Go God Dragon Emperor...?"

"That's a no-go, you idiot."

"Urk."

It was because the Dragon Emperor had activated the 'Newbie Protection Period.'

A gate that would normally risk casualties from a single mistake was now something they could tackle with some leeway.

"Alright, let's wrap this up quick and head back. Gate clear means a week off. You've all got Tower climbing to do, right?"

"Yes, sir! Can't miss this golden opportunity."

"Then grab your weapons!"

Dohyeon Lee raised his double-bladed axe—his weapon—and led the chant.

"Dragon Emperor!"

"Thank you so damn much!!!"

With that, the Woosung raid team entered the gate's rift.

"......"

Haegyeom fell silent.

He was probably a bit red-faced.

"What kind of chant is that...?"

After ending his 6th floor SSS+ clear stream, he'd tuned into the Woosung raid team's broadcast to check how other hunters were using the Newbie Protection Period.

Ppe?

Drong inside the inventory peered at him, as if asking why.

"Something like that exists..."

Haegyeom just stroked Drong.

The soft texture against his hand improved his mood a little.

"Anyway, let's see how effective it really is."

He'd expected the Newbie Shield activation to have a significant impact.

This viewing session was to gauge its ripple effects.

'The only thing I experienced personally was easier recoil control.'

Haegyeom wanted to see how other hunters perceived it.

And then.

"......Whoa."

As he kept watching the stream, realization dawned.

"This is insane."

A 20% stat increase.

Applied to reality, it wielded far more power than he'd imagined.

The Woosung guild members on the stream were going absolutely wild.

As if they couldn't contain their newfound strength.

The viewers' reactions weren't much different.

Half-dazed by the overwhelming performance.

And amid it all, praise for Haegyeom—the culprit(?) behind this—popped up everywhere.

In the midst of that, a tiny bit.

A few uncomfortable with Haegyeom mentions appeared, but.

Ppa-bam!

Channel owner Dohyeon Lee stepped in and quickly shut it down.

And.

Haegyeom, who had watched it all, muttered.

"......Gotta stop watching."

He turned off the stream.

Similar scenes unfolded across Korea, much like at Woosung Guild.

Gate raid teams crushed gates that once troubled them with their 20% boosted power.

Tower climbers broke through floors they'd been stuck on, emerging stronger hunters.

No—thanks to the 50% reward boost, 1.5 floors stronger.

And with no monster outbreaks from gates in the meantime...

It was a nationwide festival for all of Korea.

As the country buzzed with excitement, other nations were in a completely different state—as might be expected.

A prime example: the United States.

"Hey, Ryan."

"...Yes, Director!"

"Didn't you report that Korea's SSS+ clear was just a meaningless honor?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Then what's this? Newbie Shield?"

"......"

"Can't you see Korea going nuts right now? Got anything ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to say for yourself?"

"......I'm sorry."

"Haa."

Sara Caldwell, director of the US Department of Defense's Superhuman Management Bureau and a two-star.

She sighed deeply, glaring at the man before her.

Ryan O'Neil, in charge of East Asia intel.

After the intel on Korea's SSS+ clear notice, she'd ordered thorough surveillance for sure.

"What happened?"

"Well... to be honest, we had some mix-up in our intel lines right then."

"Mix-up?"

"...Yes. It's sorted now, but the timing was just..."

"Unbelievable."

Sara Caldwell stared daggers at Ryan O'Neil as she spoke.

"You think that's coincidence?"

"Pardon? ...Ah!"

"Sure, real convenient coincidence."

"S-Sorry!"

"...Hah."

Somehow.

Unlike before, it seemed Korea was going all-out to protect their talents.

That's what she thought.

"Anyway, get back on it properly from now."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Everything on that SSS+ awakener. Unique ability predictions, projected growth limits—everything."

"Y-Yes."

"And don't dawdle—make contact. Throw an offer first!"

"B-But whether more Newbie Shields are possible is unknown—"

"So?!"

Sara couldn't hold back anymore and hurled a bone spear at Ryan.

Puk!

"Guh!"

"Don't be dramatic."

"Y-Yes...!"

"We've got money. Uncertainty be damned, we can spend some, right?"

"......Yes."

"Recruit that Korean hunter, no matter what. Got it? Uncertainty my ass—start with a 100 million dollar salary offer or something. Huh!?"

"Understood, Director!"

With that, the discussion ended.

Ryan O'Neil left.

And immediately came back in.

"Uh... Director."

"What now."

"That Sword Emperor from Korea?"

"Baek Jihun, right? What about him?"

"He cleared the 68th floor."

"......"

"Says he's world rank 4 now."

"......"

"......"

"Out."

"Pardon?"

"Get out and scout that SSS+ clearer right now!!!!!"

"Eek!"