Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower Clear 164
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Anyway, failed to pass the buck.
Tch! That's why summoned beings with quick wits are troublesome.
'Eh, just open it.'
If he stepped on a landmine, he'd get blamed, but wasn't Kosak someone who's toughened his mental resilience from countless curses?
Is there a law saying it has to be a landmine?
On the contrary, the odds are low for that.
If he pulled something good, it's a chance to get praised.
"N-No, I absolutely won't open it. Please..."
"I won't hold you responsible. Don't you trust me?"
"The other summoned beings won't stay still. Look at those gleaming eyes. If I get cursed again, it'll trigger my trauma."
Tch.
Joo-hyuk acknowledged it too.
Hasn't it happened once or twice?
Actually, he could force it open.
Just infuse a bit more will, and the Absolute Obedience principle would activate.
But demanding absolute obedience just to open a box felt petty and cheap.
"Why isn't Summoner Bong opening it?"
"I have a bad feeling about it."
"Same here."
Really? Then...
"What about our trusty Gobang?"
"Summoner."
"Yes."
"Spare me."
"..."
What could he do?
If he's begging to be spared, he has to spare him.
"What about Lord Mad Demon?"
"...N-No, this old man has carpal tunnel syndrome, so I can't spread my fingers."
"Ah, okay, okay."
The Sea of Blood and Mountains of Corpses, Invincible Mad Demon with carpal tunnel? Bullshit.
Next up was Gyeon Dal-rae.
As a fairy, maybe she had a way?
"It's only natural. You've ridden the wave of great fortune until now. But great fortune can't last forever."
So?
"The direction of your great luck has temporarily shifted. It's wise to accept the misfortune—consider it a step back for even greater fortune ahead."
So, accept the misfortune now?
Then the great luck will come next?
"What if I slap on a ton of luck amulets?"
"Hm, not just amulets—even prayer rituals seem tough... Waiting for the flow to shift might be one option."
Wait it out.
So, when would that be?
He wanted to open it fast.
For an ordinary guy, immediate gains mattered more than the future.
"Fairy Dal-rae, you have to open it yourself. If a fairy opens it, maybe it'll be different..."
Suddenly!
Gyeon Dal-rae's eye twitched.
"Ack, sudden dizziness..."
She collapsed with a thud.
"Princess Dal-rae!!! What is this!"
Veronica nearby swiftly supported her and hoisted her onto her back.
"I'll carry her inside."
"..."
Bardin also feigned shock.
"Gasp! I-I'll help. Light!!!"
"..."
All three bolted at once.
Tsk tsk tsk, perfectly in sync.
So, who was left?
The super-extroverted Mage Tower Lord who loved stepping up.
How attention-starved was she?
If successful, he'd bask in everyone's acclaim—so shine the spotlight and let her open it.
But...
Gone?
"Where'd Mackenzie go?"
"He bolted already. Blink magic."
"..."
No pop sound? Silent Blink?
A chance for attention—why?
Not just Mackenzie.
Jepetto and Diarmat fled too.
Always at crucial moments, no one useful around.
How nice if someone raised a hand: "I'll do it!"
Tablet message alert right on time.
Yes!
Mari was there.
'...'
Sigh,
Of course, one didn't flee.
Blood Wolf sitting demurely beside, tongue out, panting.
'Have the dog do it?'
As Joo-hyuk's gaze turned, Blood Wolf whined, tail curled, backing away hesitantly.
Dog won't either.
Meanwhile, Razix gazing innocently at Joo-hyuk.
"Hoe?"
Oh! Our ultimate worker.
However,
'...No, not Razix.'
Didn't want to get him dirty.
What if it was a bad pull and he got cursed?
No choice.
Had to open it himself.
Joo-hyuk reached for the box.
Still he had a bad premonition.
Almost a certainty.
If he opened it now, it'd definitely be multinational tower usage ticket.
'...Hold off.'
Fortunately, there was no deadline to open it.
He could open it leisurely.
For now, focus on bracelet crafting.
Was there no effect yet?
He'd have to ask Chairman Kim In-jung and CEO Jeong Dong-hoon.
US Department of Homeland Security, Tower Climbing Division.
Secretary McMillan, Director Antonio, and Player Gerald were watching the 83rd-floor monster footage sent from the Korean Awakening Management Bureau.
"Now they've even brought out giant spiders... with minions this time."
"Damn! Even one alone is hopeless."
Antonio glanced at Gerald and asked,
"Gerald, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"The Arachnoid on 83F."
"Big. Creepy, and baby spiders too."
"That's your take?"
Gerald shrugged.
"What else is there to say? Floor 83 is impossible anyway— that's set in stone."
Gerald's current level: 81LV.
Meaning he'd cleared the 80th-floor boss monster.
By smashing through the relatively easier 70s batch and using the Dream Resistance Kit bought from the Korean Awakening Management Bureau.
That he'd conquered the 80th floor.
Nightmare Black Mage's top unique ability was trapping players in dreams—but it was blocked from the start.
After clearing 80F, Gerald had gained confidence.
He entered the 81st floor full of hope, but retreated immediately.
81F Giant Monster Behemoth.
Just facing it shattered his mentality.
A colossal frame that didn't even let conquering cross his mind.
My god!
You need some hope to even charge in.
Before the Behemoth, his sword looked like a toothpick, his magic like fireflies.
"81F's impossible. Same for 82F—it's not just me, for all players."
Gerald's tone was self-deprecating.
"Except that one—the man who saved my life, the world's top player."
McMillan and Antonio fell silent.
They felt it fully, even without Gerald's confirmation kill.
"So normal players' limit is 80F."
"Yes, barring miracles."
"Sigh."
71F to 80F.
Ten floors total.
If all were cleared, overlapping collapse timers: it was 60 months.
Five years.
After five years, towers worldwide might collapse one by one.
Except Korea's two.
Prototype Obesity Escape Bracelets: two made.
One worn by North Korea's Chairman Kim In-jung; the other delivered via Jeon Gwang-il to Razix Trading CEO Jeong Dong-hoon.
Two days had passed.
Mackenzie said changes would be noticeable after just one day of use.
'Too early?'
Right then!
"Summoner Bong!"
Kosak, auto-released from North Korea and appered in the White Tower.
"Welcome."
"Chairman Kim slimmed down. The scale showed over 600g gone in two days."
"Oh! Really?"
600g in two days.
Not a lot.
The key was he'd just worn the bracelet and done nothing.
Yet still lost weight.
What about CEO Jeong Dong-hoon?
He was mildly obese, unlike Kim's severe case.
'He'd said there were better effects for severe obesity.'
It was a mild case, so no results yet?
Suddenly!
Bzzz!
The smartphone was ringing inside the White Tower.
He answered the call.
- H-Hello? Jeong Dong-hoon here.
"Bong Joo-hyuk speaking. CEO Jeong, how've you been?"
- Y-Yes, th-thanks to you. Actually called the former Chief first, but he told me to call Bong Player directly.
"Ah! Got it."
Jeong continued.
- That bracelet worked. About 300g weight change in two days.
"No attempts to lose weight?"
Jeong's voice growing excited.
- None. The opposite, actually. I ordered midnight snacks when I got hungry at night.
Nice.
If effective, no waiting was needed.
"Does Razix Trading have a jewelry or accessory distribution division?"
- Of course. Name's Trading, but fashion's the main sector.
Perfect.
It was time to start production.
But first.
"CEO, if you're not busy, come to my place? We've important stuff to discuss."
- On my way now.
It'd bugged him for a while.
Razix Trading.
The company was named after his ultimate worker.
Its CEO should know the basics, at least.
It didn't matter if he didn't, but it was worth doing.
CEO Jeong Dong-hoon, who'd taken the call, arrived at Joo-hyuk's house quickly.
"Player Bong, sorry—I rushed over empty-handed."
"No worries. What're we, not family?"
Family?
Jeong felt a strange mix at Joo-hyuk's words.
That meant he was accepted.
By Razix Trading's owner and the world's top player.
His mood lifted a tad.
"I've got a question."
"Shoot."
"This bracelet—was it a tower reward item?"
"No."
"Th-then?"
"It was manufactured. The name is the Obesity Escape Bracelet."
"Ah!"
A manufactured item.
He knew it.
It was what former Chief Jeon Gwang-il said when handing it over.
He was to wear it and provide feedback on any changes, especially weight.
And reason for summoning him here.
Manufactured meant he had sales in mind.
This outlandish jackpot bracelet.
Aaaah.
Weight control just by wearing it.
The Demand? He couldn't even guess.
It would have a bigger impact than tower leather goods.
If mass-distributed, Razix Trading would ascend to a global top tier corporation.
"H-How's the manufacturing..."
Jeong's body heating up.
"To show that, we need to set up the procedure."
"Procedure?"
"Security maintenance too."
"Don't worry. I'm tight-lipped despite my looks."
"Hm."
Joo-hyuk pulled a sheet from inventory.
White Tower 17F 1-Day Pass.
"This?"
"Take it—you'll see."
Jeong puzzled.
What's on that thin paper.
He took it anyway.
Tssst!
Text engraved on the paper.
"Gasp!"
'What?'
Jeong's eyes widened in shock.
Then.
"Any changes?"
Joo-hyuk was curious too.
He was the first civilian to receive a 1-day pass, right?
"Y-Yes, a temporary skill window appeared..."
Jeong explained the messages he'd heard and the temp skill window.
'Aha.'
So that's how it worked.
Even civilians got a skill window activated.
Unlike players, just one skill slot.
And only temporary, for 24 hours.
'Family too?'
White Tower 17F invitations were possible now.
'Gotta give them residency permits.'
They'd have a safe place even if the world ends.
'But...'
First, prior matters.
His true identity, and the summoned beings' existence.
'He should reveal it.'
It was not a secret anymore anyway.
Most people knew.
His family should too.
He'd set a date and disclose it.
He'd introduce the summoned beings too.
Joo-hyuk turned back to Jeong.
"Shall we enter?"
"...W-Where?"
"It says in your temp skill window. White Tower 17F."
"Ah, do I shout 'White Tower 17F Entry'?"
"Yes. You exit the same way."
And so.
"White Tower 17F Entry!"
Flash!
Jeong Dong-hoon entered the White Tower.
The first thing he saw upon entry: a building.
A massive skyscraper piercing the sky.
"Eh?"
What was that?
Familiar sight?
He'd seen it while commuting.
'Gangnam?'
No?
In White Tower 17F, there was only one building that tall.
The rest were all single-family homes.
And that facility looking like a comm tower over there.
"Surprised?"
Bong Player was standing beside him before he knew it.
Of course he was surprised—how could he stay calm?
"Th-that, is it...?"
"Yep. Razix Trading's HQ building. ...Think of it as twin towers. One in Gangnam, the other here in the White Tower."
Right at that moment!
Flash flash!
"Loyal! Summoner Bong, you here?"
Kosak appeared swiftly via Shadow Step.
"Ah! Let me introduce—CEO Jeong Dong-hoon."
"Oh! That so? Heard tons from former Chief. I'm Kosak."
"...Y-Yes."
Who was this?
Was he a visitor too?
The badge on his chest like an employee ID—said "Residency Permit" or something.
His curiosity was piling up.
"Where's our ultimate worker?"
"Cleaning. See? He started from 61F downward. Just lobby is left."
"True Razix cleaning skill prowess."
"No one matches our hamster's cleaning skills."
Hamster,
Not medieval—21st-century modern society?
Kidnapping folks like salt farm slaves?
And,
Joo-hyuk yelling loudly at the building.
"Razix!!!"
Jeong doubted his ears.
'Wh-who?'
Razix?
He heard it loud and clear.
Razix.
"Razix, come here a sec."
Right then!
"Hoe e e e..."
Roll roll roll roll.
A white fluff ball was rolling madly from the distant lobby toward them.
"..."
Jeong was half out of it.
Finally.
"Hoeng!"
The fluff ball revealed its true form before him.
'...Hamster? Not a person?'
He seemed familiar...
Ah! Pyongyang terror live feed?
Joo-hyuk continued.
"CEO Jeong, say hi. The root, founder, spiritual pillar, supreme dignity, and ultimate worker of Razix Trading—Razix."
At last, Jeong Dong-hoon met the 'Razix' of the company he managed.
Originally, Black Tower had three managers.
Designer, System Engineer, Item Maker.
Designer held the highest status.
So the newly replaced manager was just one Designer.
The engineer and Maker were retained.
Mage and alchemist.
Different fields, but collaboration yields massive synergy.
If they really pulled a magitech engineer?
They couldn't lift a finger.
The new manager finally understood why the predecessor took such desperate gambles.
There was no helping it.
They had to do something.
The intent was clear, but
Now they would watch and see.
How the sown seeds sprout.