Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower conquest
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Excluding Aliamari and Sergeant V, who was in the middle of rank breakthroughs, everyone had been called to Joo-hyuk's family home.
The summoned beings were gathered in mourning clothes behind Joo-hyuk as he chatted with his family.
The living room was packed.
But his family still looked uneasy.
With a bunch of strangers filling the living room, it was only natural.
He had explained things, at least.
From the moment he first gained the Summoning trait and entered the tower, to successfully conquering S++, S+++ ranks with the help of his summoned beings, up to being called the world's top player—the whole process.
Summarized simply and easy to understand.
Of course, he skipped the details that didn't need mentioning.
"So these folks are the ones helping you out, Joo-hyuk?"
"Yep!"
"...W-Well, we're mighty grateful. Have you been repaying their kindness properly?"
"I'm taking good care of them, always."
Min-hyuk was glancing at the summoned beings while whispering softly.
"Whoa! My bro's got it made."
"...Can't argue with that."
He'd even given them permanent residency passes.
Issued in advance.
Handing one to each created the White Tower 17th floor entry skill, just like President Jeong.
He didn't forget to tell them to use the entry skill and head straight to the White Tower's 17th floor if anything dangerous happened.
"Hmm, a-alright. We'll head in slowly."
"Me too."
His family seemed burdened by the summoned beings.
Understandable.
To them, the summoned beings were still strangers.
It was their soul's dignity, perhaps.
Just making eye contact made them shrink back.
Especially since one of them claimed to be North Korea's Minister of People's Armed Forces.
Not a great first impression.
They probably still saw them as scary people.
"Min-hyuk, come visit often if you're bored."
And help out with some work while you're at it.
"W-Well, shouldn't we get to know them first?"
"You'll get to know them if you visit often."
Meanwhile, Razix was still cleaning, moving from room to room with his golden cleaning tools.
Roll roll, scamper scamper, scamper!
Swish swish, scrub scrub, roll roll, roll roll.
The family followed Razix with their eyes.
Sometimes with curious gazes, other times with warm smiles.
Razix had definitely succeeded in breaking down the family's wariness.
Anyway, they'd gotten acquainted.
And his family's safety was secured.
Now, even if the house caught fire, or they nearly drowned in the ocean, or the tower collapsed and the world ended, his family would be safe.
Just shout "White Tower 17th floor entry," and done.
It would take time, but eventually, they'd warm up to the others.
They'd drop by when bored, get familiar with the faces, and slowly adjust.
Finally, he came out to his family.
Telling them felt so refreshing.
Should've done it sooner.
Life went on unchanged after the coming out.
While Sergeant V secluded herself in closed-door training on the White Tower landmark's 61st floor for her rank breakthrough, bracelet production continued.
Razix Trading had given work to nearly every accessory subcontractor on Korea's precious metals street.
The massive quantity of bracelet bodies produced were airlifted to the 17th floor.
But it wasn't outright sales—it was a subscription model.
They had to control supply and always keep stock ready.
This sale was first-come, first-served for 3,000 units, just like before.
Requests to increase the quantity poured in, but he refused.
Even with plenty made, they just piled up.
Selling too many would mean they couldn't handle the massive replacements due in three months.
So they sold in staggered batches.
An addictive artifact you could never take off once worn.
Daily enchanting work continued to meet demand.
Foreman Kosak was pushing the workers hard.
"Hey, laborer Mack, what're you doing? Hurry up and chant that enchant spell to finish up."
"I have an apprentice."
"Mage Jeong's got a high defect rate. Three out of ten are duds."
"I'm handling the defects, so don't worry."
"If you did it from the start, there'd be no defects."
"Jeez! If you keep relying on veterans, how do newbies gain experience?"
Joo-hyuk still wasn't satisfied.
If they kept working like this, when would they have time to play?
"Looks like we need to hire more hands. Everyone's overworked."
Then Gyun Dal-rae spoke up.
"We appreciate the young master's kind heart, but you must choose people carefully. Otherwise, problems could arise..."
"That's right. These MZ kids are tough to handle. Not like former Chief Jeon or President Jeong."
True.
Was this some ordinary workshop?
You needed experience passes, monthly rentals, or residency to even enter.
How could he just bring anyone in?
'It'd be great if Min-hyuk came... Nah, that ordinary guy.'
He did plan to recruit one more.
The random summon date was approaching soon.
A new summoned being.
'Low odds, but if I pull a magitech engineer...'
He could build a factory.
A fully automated one.
Then churn out bracelets.
'Sergeant V still has ten days left.'
Only four days into seclusion.
Yet her absence felt huge.
The moment she returned, straight to the 84th floor.
Time to smash that bald eagle chick.
Thinking of the time Razix nearly died made his blood boil.
And avenge Hyeolrang too.
Oh! Why had Razix rushed out so frantically back then?
What smell did he catch?
When he asked Razix,
"Hoeh, it was a really intense smell."
"...What kind?"
"A really intense one. Hoeh."
Then?
"Maybe a high-grade magic stone vein?"
"Hoeh... it was intense."
So that's it?
Now Razix's actions made sense.
He'd ranted about needing high-grade magic stones to decorate the White Tower's 17th floor, so from Razix's perspective, it was irresistible.
'ultimate worker, just you wait.'
If he scored big on the 84th, he'd get two badges right away.
That'd make 25.
Five LSSR skills.
The minimum for an LSSR summoned being.
Badges earned steadily through contributions.
First among summoned beings.
He was so excited.
LSSR ultimate worker.
What would he look like?
Anyway, the White Tower 17th floor workshop kept running day after day.
Sometimes skinning hides, hard labor followed by drinks, the alcoholics gathering for a round.
"President Jeong, your skills are improving."
"Aw, thank you, Master."
"Hahaha, all this for our summoner's sake—how about it? Ready to learn other spells?"
"N-No, I'm good. The enchant activation spell is all I need."
"No ambition. Still, aim for 3rd circle. Gotta have at least that to pass as my apprentice anywhere."
Everyone knew the truth.
Why McKenzie was teaching Jeong Dong-hoon magic.
Just to make him easier to boss around—no one was fooled.
But the results were good.
President Jeong was satisfied too.
His little brother Min-hyuk visited the 17th floor occasionally.
Shy around everyone but family.
Even at his university, he hid as "DATEM unit"—a true ordinary guy.
"Oh! The summoner Bong's brother is here. Precious Bong bloodline."
"Welcome, Second Young Master."
"Visit often. This old man could teach you some decent martial arts..."
But,
"..."
He'd stand awkwardly for a bit, then
Poof!
Min-hyuk vanished.
Tsk tsk.
Would take a while to warm up.
Three more days passed like that.
Still churning out bracelets.
Got used to it after a while.
Working in the shop with summoned beings, Chief Jeon Gwang-il, and President Jeong Dong-hoon, chatting about this and that was fun.
'One week until Sergeant V returns.'
Joo-hyuk glanced at the building where Sergeant V was breaking through.
'Should I check on her?'
But worried about disturbing.
'Maybe sneak up and peek...'
Right then!
Whoosh!
The landmark building's top glowed like a lighthouse.
"Oh!"
"What's that?"
"Already...?"
Something happened.
Rank breakthrough?
'Still a week left.'
Did something go wrong?
Uneasy.
Rumble rumble.
Joo-hyuk and the summoned beings rushed to the White Tower landmark.
Entering the lobby,
"Gasp!"
"Hm?"
"M-Movement."
The elevator LED display showed an arrow going down.
61, 60, 59...,
Coming down.
40, 39, 38...,
Had to be Sergeant V.
20, 19, 18...,
How had she changed?
5, F, 3...,
Faster than expected—hope it wasn't a failure?
...1, ding!
Here.
Tense moment.
Slide,
Doors opened.
Sergeant V appeared.
- Manifestation Limit: 5 hours
- Satisfaction Rating: None.
- Resummon Cooldown: 3 hours (after release)
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber, hereby reports promotion to Sergeant Major as of 0:00 on 0 Month 0 Day by command of the Commander. Hooah!!!"
Aaaah.
Sergeant V—no, now Sergeant Major V.
"Faster than expected. Probably because I attempted the breakthrough with a physical body in the White Tower."
The environment affected the breakthrough time.
Definitely not a failure.
Visible proof.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Her gear had upgraded a notch.
The magigun especially.
Now it looked like something out of a sci-fi flick.
Defense and mobility seemed boosted too.
Her skintight suit had turned into glossy black latex material.
'...Will that outfit even breathe?'
Dizzying.
Truly capable of crushing allies and foes alike.
Sergeant Major V.
He was doomed.
Black Tower management room.
The Designer was anxious.
Because in their previous talk, the Maker had mumbled about a magitech engineer joining, saying weird things.
What if he actually pulled one?
Magitech engineer wasn't that impressive.
Just an engineer making golems or machines.
But if a mage, alchemist, and magitech engineer teamed up?
All three fully committed to one goal?
The trinity of magitech.
That insane synergy.
A disaster from the tower admin's view.
So he ordered the Engineer.
Check if any magitech engineers were waiting in the soul world.
It was a relief.
He would've been uneasy with even one.
That crazy-lucky summoner might've pulled it.
But none in the soul world.
No chance of summoning.
Safe now.
But...,
Yes.
A lingering unease in his heart.
Why?
What was it?
This anxiety?
Wait!
But ther was nothing he could do.
Even admins couldn't directly interfere with climbs.
He'd just pray it didn't happen.
No need to wait.
Joo-hyuk and the group dove straight in to getting revenge.
Condor chick.
They brought Sergeant Major V.
You're done today.
[84th Floor Mission: Defeat 1 Giant Beast Frozen Colossus Condor.]
⏰ Time Limit: Within 15 hours.
🎁 Completion Condition: Giant Beast Frozen Colossus Condor 0/1
Mission received.
"Sergeant Major V,"
"Sergeant Major Veronica Caliber."
"Let's give 'em one to remember."
"Hooah!"
The upgraded magigun had a clear drawback.
Potentially serious.
It required only high-grade magic stones as ammo.
Making maintenance costs astronomically high.
Of course, power exploded.
As expected from LSSR attack power.
Plus, this gun's hidden secret.
Ultimate after 48-hour cooldown.
[Near-light-speed bullet].
Fired at speeds approaching light.
Just one shot.
But the near-light-speed bullet's flaw was even worse.
Required 1kg of top-grade magic stone per shot.
Per shot.
Refined via alchemy, 1 ton of high-grade yields 1kg top-grade.
1 ton high-grade power in one bullet.
The Ultimate firepower.
But 48-hour cooldown.
Large rounds were sealed during that time too.
It was a strain on the gun.
No homing either.
Too fast.
There was a risk of missing.
Still, they had to try.
How could he resist?
Mari had scraped together one kg of top-grade stones with difficulty.
Clunk,
She loaded the top-grade chunk into the magigun.
"Targeting. Watch for the backblast on fire."
Gulp.
It was a tense moment.
The Giant Beast Frozen Colossus Condor floated leisurely in the distant sky.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz...,
V's magigun glowed white-hot.
"Countdown... 3, 2, 1, fire! For the Commander!!!"
The backblast was insane,
Krrrrrrrrrrrrr...,
It almost sent them flying,
And at the same time,
Boom!
The condor exploded mid-air.
The gunshot sounded after it burst.
The bullet many times faster than sound.
Pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew!!!
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!!!
It just popped.
Like a giant balloon.
Boom!
That was it.
Anticlimactic.
Hard to believe it was the aerial battleship condor that tormented them.
Even if it was slow and house-sized easy target...
The summoned beings forgot to clap.
"In-insane!"
"What the...?"
"It exploded? One shot?"
"...Turns out it was chump change."
"Truly terrifying. Even for an ultimate."
"Hoeh."
"Grr, woof woof!"
This much power.
Like a massive railgun.
'Wanna see it again.'
Go to 85th?
Why not.
He was curious.
If near-light-speed bullet worked on the 85th floor giant monster.
'We can do the 85th floor later.'
Now, repeat the clear.
See what Razix grabs.