Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: The Ordinary Guy's Tower Conquest Method 160
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Mackenzie Dronak, the 9th-Circle Archmage, felt completely drained, his soul thoroughly plundered.
He simply couldn't continue the conquest.
Thus, Summon Release.
Back to White Tower's 17th Floor.
Although he had arrived at the new home he so desperately desired, Mackenzie's mood was far from good.
He felt utterly miserable.
Even if it was supposed to be paradise.
"Please, rest for now. We'll go collect the hides and come back."
"Hmm, my apologies. I don't have the face to look my Summoner in the eye."
"Hahaha, it's fine. What's the big deal about some burnt hides?"
It was a mistake to have his weakness exposed.
He seemed to have taken it quite hard.
Well!
When ten people gang up on one simultaneously, what chance did he have to withstand it?
It was a merciless scene of survival of the fittest; even the Mad Demon would get torn apart if he showed weakness.
In the end, despite being a 9th-Circle Archmage, Mackenzie was excluded from the starting lineup and his name was placed on the reserve list.
"If you go into that house, there's a TV and some simple snacks in the fridge, so you shouldn't get too bored."
"Hmm, ah, understood."
Mackenzie replied in a dejected voice.
"And that house is where Mary lives, so try not to get too close if you can help it."
"...That foul-mouthed elf?"
"Hmm, she's good at cursing, but if you don't provoke her, it's fine..."
"Might I try to have a conversation with her?"
"Oh, she probably won't even let you get a word in? If you really want to, use this..."
Joo-hyuk handed Mackenzie a tablet.
"This is..."
"Have you used one before?"
"I fiddled with one a very long time ago."
"Then you probably know how to use it."
"Sending and receiving messages, at least."
Still, just in case, Joo-hyuk gave a brief explanation on how to use it, and then...
"Don't blame yourself too much. Please relax and stay comfortable."
"..."
But his spirit was already broken.
It would take quite some time to recover.
The flashy magic that was almost his identity didn't even manifest.
The man who used to act like the center of the world with fireworks, spotlight magic, and rose petals whenever he felt like it had been exiled to the outskirts in an instant, relegated to a spare.
How pitiful he looked.
It pained Joo-hyuk's heart too.
"Don't worry. I'll definitely call you when we ascend to higher floors."
"Ah."
"Well then, I'll be off!"
"W-wait a minute..."
Spot!
"..."
Mackenzie was left alone.
The quiet 17th Floor.
A landscape that seemed to have transplanted a small Earth village wholesale.
He slowly looked around, sightseeing.
Entered a house in the residential complex, watched TV.
Opened the fridge, had a cool can of beer.
But it wasn't very fun.
Even though he had regained his physical senses, he had no appetite.
A suffocating feeling.
If he could at least participate in strategy for the upper-floor conquests, he might be of some help, but he was told it would be just repetitive farming for a while.
"Hoo."
What is this?
He came out with grand dreams.
What is the basic role of a Summoned Being?
Isn't it to climb the Tower with the Summoner and save the world?
But it started off on the wrong foot from the beginning.
The first button was fastened incorrectly.
Suddenly, he remembered another Summoned Being in the same situation as him.
The one who was just waiting on the 17th Floor as a reserve, despite being LSSR grade.
Picking up the tablet and launching the messenger app, a friends list popped up.
He changed his display name, tapped Mary in the friends list, and invited her to a chat room.
And.
<Archmage Dronak>: Knock knock? Foul-mouthed elf.
Ding!
<Mari>: @#%&! Who the hell are you? What a nuisance, not working and doing what? Did you mess up?
<Archmage Dronak>: That's what happened. They said my magic was too strong and kicked me out.
<Mari>: Ha! Attention-seeking bastard, I could tell without you saying. All you know is how to set things on fire. What the hell can you do? #$&%$!
<Archmage Dronak>: Aren't you in a similar situation as me?
<Mari>: Don't get the wrong idea. You think I'm the same as a useless bastard like you? Potion brewing, demon core synthesis, I'm the one the Summoner trusts and relies on the most!
<Archmage Dronak>: That's a bit...
<Mari>: Where does a talentless nobody like you get off, $%@#!
<Archmage Dronak>: Look, don't be like that, us outcasts should stick together...,
Ding!
'Damn woman.'
She really knows how to twist the knife in a person's heart.
Mackenzie felt lonely.
Autumn was coming.
The next day, the hide collection work continued.
Joo-hyuk entered the White Tower's 17th Floor.
Spot!
As soon as he appeared, the Summoned Beings swarmed around him.
The labor market was open.
"Recruiting personnel for hide collection. One tank, laborers essential..., anyone else with time, lend a hand!"
Before the words even finished, the Summoned Beings shouted "Me!"
Especially the new recruits' desire to participate was fierce.
They needed to catch the Summoner's eye and earn merit quickly.
Mackenzie also stamped his feet and eagerly raised his hand.
His goal was to somehow make up for his mistake.
But Joo-hyuk ignored Mackenzie.
It wasn't to punish him.
It was for his own good.
The atmosphere among the Summoned Beings wasn't great to begin with; what if he messed up again?
This time, he might be the one hung upside down and paraded.
He judged it was better for him to rest for a while.
To get used to the flow of things.
"...And, Mr. Jepetto, and Diarmat, yeah, Hyeolrang, you come too."
Mackenzie despaired with a look of disbelief.
Now he was even being passed over by a dog.
Spot! Spot! Spot!
People leaving the White Tower again today for a fulfilling day's work.
The White Tower's 17th Floor fell silent once more.
Mackenzie, left alone, standing dumbfounded.
After pondering for a long time,
He seemed to have made a decision.
'I can't go on like this.'
Trudge, trudge. He walked towards the residential area.
And stopped in front of a certain house's door.
"Aliamari, the Alchemist Elf, I beseech your aid."
Mackenzie spoke with sincerity.
"I wish to restore my honor. My self-esteem has fallen so low I feel I might go mad."
But there was no response.
"Please, I beg you. You must have a way, right? I also want to be of help to the Summoner."
It was still quiet.
"Hoo, I'd rather go back to the Infinite Prison..."
That's when it happened.
Ding!
A message notification sound rang from the tablet Mackenzie was holding.
"Huh?"
He hurriedly checked it.
<Mari>: Fine. I'll help. I don't like it, but it's all for the Summoner's sake.
Tap tap tap.
He quickly tapped on the tablet to reply.
<Archmage Dronak>: Thank you for giving me a chance. I'll become a useful person.
<Mari>: Do you know Enchantment magic?
<Archmage Dronak>: A little... It's not my specialty, but I learned a few for the purpose of gifting artifacts to acquaintances.
<Mari>: Really? Then...,
Swish!
Mary sent a link in the chat.
It was a newspaper article.
He tapped and read it.
- The global obese population has surpassed 1 billion, with one in eight people worldwide being obese..., especially childhood obesity is more dangerous than adult obesity, cited as a leading cause of various metabolic diseases like diabetes, hypertension..., global pharmaceutical companies are developing obesity treatments... -
Obesity, out of nowhere?
<Archmage Dronak>: Why this article? Did you gain weight?
<Mari>: What nonsense are you talking about! Have you ever seen an elf get fat?
But why the obesity issue...,
<Mari>: The Summoner needs money right now. He has to buy high-grade magic stones.
<Archmage Dronak>: I know that too.
<Mari>: Give up on getting recognition through Tower conquest strategy. No matter how much amazing crap you pull, you can't beat Razix.
Every word was true.
No wonder the other Summoned Beings called him the Cosmic Bald Musclehead.
<Mari>: Make items and sell them.
<Archmage Dronak>: What?
<Mari>: Apply Enchantment magic to create items that can treat or prevent obesity, like bracelets or necklaces.
Oh!
<Mari>: They'll sell like crazy. Obesity is a huge problem in this era. It's a prosperous world that hasn't collapsed. But don't make the performance too good, keep it at a reasonable level.
Enchantment magic.
Mackenzie knew the principles and simple magical formulas.
'An artifact enchanted for obesity treatment...'
Pop!
A lightbulb-shaped light appeared above Mackenzie's head.
Just like in an animation.
'I think I can do this?'
If only he had enough materials.
<Archmage Dronak>: Do you have Tower metal?
<Mari>: Over there, there's a warehouse where Razix stores things.
<Archmage Dronak>: Magic stones?
<Mari>: Those are in the warehouse too. Absolutely do not touch the high-grade ones. Use only normal magic stones.
<Archmage Dronak>: Understood. One more thing, I need refined magic stone powder. Can you make it with alchemy?
<Mari>: I'll do it.
<Archmage Dronak>: Thank you. I will never forget this favor.
<Mari>: Let me say again, it's not because I'm worried about the likes of you. Don't misunderstand.
Mackenzie immediately began developing the artifact.
An artifact that treats or prevents obesity.
Since it might involve many formulas, engraving them on a large bracelet would be better than on a small ring.
'A magical formula to facilitate metabolism is essential,'
Scribble scribble scribble.
Mackenzie drew character formulas and patterns on the tablet with a pencil.
'A purification function to remove waste from the body, plus a detoxification spell, and an appetite suppression function would be good too, right?'
If successful, it would allow one to lose weight without harming their health, or even become healthier while losing weight.
It was actually a more difficult enchantment magic than one might think.
Combat magic formulas were much easier by comparison.
But he was an Archmage.
A 9th-Circle one at that.
It required not just effort but an innate talent for magic.
His mind worked quickly.
A rough sketch was already drawn.
Mackenzie went to the White Tower 17th Floor's material warehouse and took out one ingot of Orichalcum.
"Fire Hand."
Whoosh!
With his heated hand, he melted the ingot, stretched it long, and quickly fashioned a bracelet, then engraved the magical formula in intaglio on the inside.
He would embed a normal magic stone as a gem substitute, fill the intaglio part with refined magic stone powder, and after reciting the enchantment spell, an artifact would finally be complete.
Of course, it would require many failures.
Since he wasn't a professional enchantment mage.
Still, Mackenzie grinned.
He finally felt he had discovered his usefulness.
If he could just make this properly, no one would be able to look down on him.
The Cosmic Bald Musclehead would be envious, the Assassin would gape, the Mad Demon would be jealous, and the Summoner would smile with satisfaction.
Inside the dark warehouse.
Pop!
Finally, a spotlight magic meant only for Mackenzie manifested.
Today as well, Joo-hyuk climbed the Black Tower.
Three Tower entries a day.
Once for Apophis, once for Basilisk, once for Wyvern.
Sometimes he skipped Apophis and did Wyvern twice.
He collected diligently.
He had gathered quite a lot.
This should be enough.
But lately, Mr. Mackenzie was quiet.
He wasn't coming out of the White Tower 17th Floor warehouse.
When asked, Mary said he was making some artifact.
Suddenly, what item?
If you go to the warehouse, items are everywhere underfoot.
Well, he must be doing it as a pastime since he's bored.
Joo-hyuk planned to go out today for the first time in a while.
To get the Apophis hide appraised.
He could have asked Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il to do it for him, but he decided to go himself.
He needed to see the face of CEO Jeong Dong-hoon, who was responsible for managing and running Razix Goods.
It wouldn't be right to just pass by without acknowledging him.
When you think about it, isn't he also part of the family?
He didn't go out alone.
Due to the Summoned Beings' persistent pleas, Veronica was accompanying Joo-hyuk.
Instead of her combat tights outfit, she wore ordinary clothes.
Of course, even ordinary clothes became something special when worn by Sergeant V.
Joo-hyuk went with Sergeant V by car to his own 61-story building located on Gangnam Boulevard.
The first floor had a lobby, cafes, a bank, a convenience store, etc., with restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies, various company offices, a museum, and an art gallery on the upper floors. Razix Goods' headquarters was on the top floor.
How would CEO Jeong Dong-hoon evaluate the Apophis hide?
He hoped it had marketability.
But first,
'Copy.'
Copy the 61-story building for now.
It would be nice to copy and paste that into the White Tower.
A building purchased with trillions of won invested,
It seemed sufficient to become a landmark of the White Tower.
How much would the paste cost be?
'100 tons of high-grade magic stones? It's not going to be that, right?'
It would be problematic if it was expensive.
"Shall we go in, Sergeant V?"
"Yes! Commander."
"...Uh, rather than Commander, just call me Joo-hyuk,"
"Understood. Certain victory!"
Joo-hyuk entered the building.
To get to the Razix Goods headquarters, he had to pass through an unmanned access door at the end of the lobby, which required a pass.
'I'll just call.'
He had gotten the contact information too.
He dialed the number for a direct call to CEO Jeong Dong-hoon.
"Hello. Is this CEO Jeong Dong-hoon?"
"Uh, yes, yes, excuse me, who is...?"
"This is Bong Joo-hyuk. I'm currently in the first-floor lobby of Razix Goods."
A brief silence flowed, then.
From the other side of the phone came the sounds of a sudden commotion! Clatter! Bang! A noisy ruckus.
"Eeek? P-please wait a moment. Ahhh, I'll run right down."
'...'
A person who is the CEO of Razix Goods...
'He seems a bit flighty.'
Anyway, let's wait.
He was strolling around the lobby, looking here and there, when...
Suddenly!
A strong perfume scent wafted from beside him.
And then.
"...Joo-hyuk?"
A voice calling his name.
Joo-hyuk turned his head.
A young woman with long straight hair, tight jeans, and a white shirt came into view.
'Huh?'
She looked very familiar.
Who was she again?
The employee ID hanging around her neck.
<Razix Goods General Affairs Department: Employee Oh Jin-sook.>
"Oh my? It really is Joo-hyuk. How come we're meeting in a place like this?"
"J-Jin-sook... is that you?"
Ahhh.
Jin-sook, the object of his high school crush.
That Jin-sook was right in front of him.
In reality, not a dream.
Memories came flooding back.
She was a bit of a troublemaker but not too severe, just the playful type.
Memories of her asking why boys were so timid and tapping his head a few times as she passed by.
That's how the crush started.
But that was all in the past now.
Well, she appeared in his dreams a few times, but...
To think he'd meet Jin-sook in real life.
And as a Razix Goods employee, no less.
She probably couldn't go to college because she wasn't good at studying.
Was it a high school graduate special recruitment or something?
"Wow, you seem to have grown a lot taller. Your face looks more handsome too."
"...R-really?"
Well, thanks to the martial arts imparted by the Mad Demon, he did grow taller and his skin became smoother.
"What brings you here? For coffee?"
"Hmm, I have to m-meet someone."
"Who? Ah! Perhaps that woman? Is she your girlfriend?"
"No, she's not my girlfriend."
Right then!
From behind Joo-hyuk, Sergeant V whispered quietly into his ear.
'Commander.'
'What is it?'
'Is that Ms. Oh Jin-sook?'
'Hmm, yes.'
As she said that, she glanced up and down at Oh Jin-sook.
Pfft,
'Hmph! Nothing special.'
'...Shh! She might hear.'
But Joo-hyuk almost nodded in agreement.
Frankly, it was true she was nothing special.
Compared to Sergeant V, that is.
Who could beat Sergeant V?
In fact, because of her, Joo-hyuk's standards had become too high.
To the point where even a girl group center wouldn't make him bat an eye.
Even the Succubus Diarmat had to take a step back.
"But Joo-hyuk, you've changed a lot. I might not have recognized you if we just passed by."
You've changed too, Jin-sook.
The high school-era rebellious look is gone.
'...But do you still smoke?'
You do.
But you should quit.
You need to think about your health too.
Joo-hyuk's sense of smell was sharp.
Because he had trained in martial arts.
The smell of cigarettes mixed with perfume was making his high school memories feel even more bittersweet.