Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Ordinary Guy's Decision
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Joo-hyuk watched the news until the end with a complicated heart.
He knew his mother had been fired from the company, but he hadn't realized she was suffering to the point of holding a one-person protest.
"Good grief!"
Anger welled up inside him.
Along with self-reproach.
What good are two sons...
When something like this happens, they can't even be relied on.
By the way, how did she even hire a lawyer?
For a firm like Park & Kim, a few pennies wouldn't even get you in the door.
Kosak seemed to have caught on to how the situation was unfolding.
His voice was cool.
"Summoner Bong."
"Yes?"
"I shall pay a visit to that Jin Springwater company."
"..."
Honestly, he was a little tempted.
But.
"Don't do that. From the interview, it looks like Mom hired a good lawyer."
"Aye..."
He should send money for the lawyer's fees later.
The magic stones he had saved up so far totaled 21kg.
That was about 10 million won in cash.
If that wasn't enough, he could sell the Energy Shield Kit...
Bzzzt!
Just then, his smartphone rang.
It was his father.
He must have seen Mom's interview.
- Joo-hyuk. Did you see the news by any chance?
"Yes, I did."
- Good. I called your mom too. Don't worry. She says she hired a top-notch lawyer, and even for free. Something about supporting the socially disadvantaged...
Free?
He'd heard that prestigious law firms sometimes did pro bono work as part of their social contributions.
It seemed heaven was helping them after all.
"That's good to hear. I was about to send money for the lawyer's fees."
- Hahaha, since when do you have money? Anyway, don't worry about your mom, just focus on what you're doing.
"I won't worry. I know Mom's personality. More importantly, how are you doing, Dad?"
- I'm fine. I also got a call from Ilseong Hospital today...
"Huh? Why from there?"
- Ilseong Hospital's orthopedic department is running a hip surgery rehabilitation project, and I was selected. They said all inpatient and rehabilitation treatment costs are free. So I decided to be admitted to the hospital.
What was going on?
- Both of us getting things for free, hehehe, heaven has helped us. It seems your mom and I are truly destined to be together.
Ilseong Hospital was a major corporate-affiliated hospital.
There was no better place in Korea.
He'd never even had surgery there,
so how did they get his father's information?
'...This is strange.'
It wasn't something he could just let slide.
'Should I look into it?'
As soon as he hung up with his father, another call came in.
It was his younger brother, Min-hyuk.
- Hyung! Did you see Mom's interview?
"Yeah, I did."
- Wow! I didn't even know about it. I'm such an unfilial son.
"Same here."
- That's why I'm calling. About the money you gave me before to buy a laptop, I'm going to send it to Mom. The lawsuit will probably cost a lot.
"What about you? Can you manage without a laptop?"
- Hehe, it's fine. I got a scholarship this time. A really hefty one. Enough to pay tuition and buy a laptop. It must be a blessing for being such a good person.
Well, would you look at that?
"...What kind of scholarship is it?"
- A national scholarship, they said. Given by the Awakening Management Bureau. I heard they give out a lot of scholarships.
By now, he could guess what was happening.
Joo-hyuk might be timid, but he wasn't a fool.
'It wasn't heaven helping us.'
He'd find out for sure if he checked.
Park & Kim Law Firm was handling his mother's wrongful termination lawsuit.
His father was getting free rehabilitation treatment at Ilseong Hospital,
and his younger brother, Bong Min-hyuk, was receiving a national scholarship at university.
All these events happened just yesterday and today.
There was no way this was a coincidence.
It was blatantly obvious who was intervening.
'The Awakening Management Bureau.'
Park & Kim handled legal counsel for players, Ilseong Group was the company that bought the most magic stones in Korea, and crucially, the scholarship was from the Awakening Management Bureau.
He was actually a little angry.
Doing something like this without his consent?
Part of him wanted to confront the Bureau Chief directly, but...
'That's too high up.'
Instead, he contacted Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il, whom he saw most often.
He was the easiest person to deal with at the Bureau.
"It's Bong Joo-hyuk. I'd like to meet somewhere quiet if you have time."
- Yes, of course. Have you eaten by any chance?
"Uh, not yet."
- Then I'll come pick you up. Let's have a meal together.
"...Okay."
How long had it been since he'd eaten with someone else?
Not recently.
'Come to think of it, not even before.'
Eating alone was the best.
He could eat whatever he wanted,
and he didn't have to wait for others to finish.
The restaurant Jeon Gwang-il took him to was a quiet Korean fine dining place with private rooms.
Before the meal arrived, Joo-hyuk cautiously brought up the matter.
"Why did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Mom's lawsuit, Dad's rehabilitation, Min-hyuk's scholarship."
"..."
Jeon Gwang-il was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Because it was absolutely necessary."
As expected.
"If there's trouble at home, it's impossible not to worry. If you're worried, it affects your tower conquest, you can't perform at your best, and then climbing becomes increasingly difficult..."
His way of speaking sounded somewhat familiar.
"Isn't that the kind of care reserved for elite team players? I'm on a standard contract."
In an instant!
Tap. A contract was placed on the table.
"Then sign the elite team contract right away."
This guy had come prepared.
"...I still lack confidence. My talent isn't that great either."
"Do you really think so?"
"..."
He had nothing to say.
A 24-floor consecutive S++ grade conqueror lacking talent?
That was nonsense.
"I earnestly request you. You went through that Choi Ho-seok incident recently, didn't you? Please join the elite team and receive the proper treatment you deserve. Player Bong, you have earned that right."
Sigh.
What should he do?
"If you sign the elite contract, you'll immediately receive close protection equivalent to VVIP status. At the very least, incidents like before won't happen again."
Close protection.
"I don't want that. Having someone stuck to me every single day... Also, I won't do any conquest filming."
That was one of the biggest reasons Joo-hyuk hadn't joined the elite team.
The existence of Kosak and Gobang, and video recording.
"The protection issue can be negotiated. The video recording part can also be done as you wish."
"How would you negotiate it?"
"You can live alone in a thoroughly secure space. A place where your personal activities are guaranteed. Protection would only be provided during external activities."
That was tempting.
"Protection agents will also be assigned to your family members."
Ahhh!
His resolve was wavering.
In fact, it had been wavering since a while ago.
The firm determination he initially had to never join the elite team...
But there was no helping it.
This way and that, a life like a reed.
Wasn't that the defining trait of an ordinary guy?
"...If I sign, I get to move out, right?"
"What size apartment would you like?"
"Not for me, for my family. I plan to live independently, so I want to give my family a house instead..."
"We will provide one house each for your family members and Player Bong."
Wow, conditions that were impossible to refuse.
His wavering resolve was on the verge of completely crumbling.
"An officetel is enough for me."
"That's possible."
"F-for my family, a house with at least four bedrooms and two bathrooms?"
"Yes! Let's do that."
It was refreshing to see him answer so decisively, but...
Did he get approval for this and then come?
Wouldn't that be impossible for a team leader's rank?
"Don't worry. I've been granted full authority by the Bureau Chief."
"..."
"The signature line on the contract is here."
As if entranced, Joo-hyuk reached for the fountain pen Jeon Gwang-il held out.
Then, his senses snapped back to him.
"W-wait a minute."
"Yes? Suddenly..."
Jeon Gwang-il looked regretful, as if they were almost there.
"Give me a little more time."
"Ah, how much?"
"...I'll decide tomorrow."
"Very well. I'll wait."
Right! Since they were meeting anyway.
"I have some magic stones saved up..."
"Yes, please give them to me. I'll collect them."
He ate,
handed over the magic stones,
and now he had to reveal the truth about his awakening, which he'd kept hidden from his family.
And also about the elite contract.
More than his father's opinion, his mother's permission was key.
And he needed to talk with Kosak too.
Also, after conquering the 25th floor, he should find out what the special perk was when he got 25 platinum badges.
First, conquer the 25th floor.
Then meet with his family.
Most importantly, he needed confidence in himself.
Returning home, Joo-hyuk agonized all night.
True to his reed-like nature, he couldn't easily reach a conclusion.
The next day.
Having tossed and turned all night, Joo-hyuk woke up late.
Today was the day he planned to conquer the 25th floor.
Since it was Saturday, he'd finish in the morning.
He might have to go home in the afternoon.
Before that, he designated and summoned John Kosak.
"Bam! The Special Super Rare assassin has arrived."
It seemed his grade had gone up.
His appearance had changed a lot too.
His physique was larger, his eyes sharper.
His way of speaking remained the same, though.
"Welcome. Special Super Rare Mr. Kosak."
"Hehehe, are you not calling the R(Rare) Gobang-ie?"
So Gobang's surname had become 'R' now.
'R' for Rare.
Short for 'R Gobang'?
"Well, I have something to discuss separately before we conquer the 25th floor."
"Oh my, of course. Could one possibly converse with the ignorant R Gobang?"
"I met with a team leader from the Management Bureau yesterday..."
Joo-hyuk told Kosak exactly what he had discussed with Jeon Gwang-il.
"What do you think? Should I join the elite team? Or stay standard?"
Kosak nodded and answered.
"I am in favor."
"In favor?"
"Summoner Bong is a national power-level player. You must receive the proper treatment."
National power-level, what was he talking about?
If it weren't for Kosak and Gobang, he'd be nothing.
"Can I do it? If I join the elite team, I might have to conquer the floors in the 60s, or who knows how high."
"It is absolutely possible. Provided Summoner Bong lives safely for a long time."
"...My abilities don't matter?"
"The summoner's safety is the ability."
What was he saying?
Why was his safety the issue here?
"Where I came from, there were a plethora of Legend Special Super Rare grade summoned beings. If Summoner Bong remains unharmed, you can eventually summon all of them."
"Ah..."
"They will all pledge absolute obedience to Summoner Bong. They will do as you command. As long as it doesn't violate the three principles."
He understood now.
What if a party was formed with them?
"And not only that? Beyond grades, there are also several demi-god level monsters that transcend human limits."
"...You can't summon beings beyond grades."
"That is the case now. But later, when your summoning ability rises, it will be possible."
Demi-gods that transcend human limits.
'I can't even imagine.'
This was exactly why he needed to stay safe.
"You will command a powerful army of summoned beings. A single gesture will be enough to command them. The 60th floor? The 70th? Or even the 100th? It will be a piece of cake."
He was right.
It was a matter of time.
"Live safely for a long, long time, and just keep performing random summons diligently. That is Summoner Bong's ultimate finishing move."
Considering the cooldown, that was 12 times a year. If cooldown reset ticket items appeared, he could do even more.
Of course, if his gacha luck was bad, it would all be for nothing.
'How long until the next random summon?'
He checked. About 19 days.
If he could manage to strengthen his trait within that period, it would be perfect.
John Kosak continued speaking.
"However, I demand one thing firmly."
"What?"
"That the decision to climb unconquered floors follows solely Summoner Bong's will. There must be no interference from the outside. This is important."
"I decide on higher floor conquests?"
"It must be explicitly stated. Otherwise, all sorts of trash will raise hell, asking why you aren't climbing unconquered upper floors. Then you'd be dragged off unprepared... Ugh."
As if a painful memory surfaced, he frowned,
"...You must never be dragged off. Anyway, as long as that condition is guaranteed, receiving state support is also good."
Kosak's reaction was positive.
"Let's conquer the 25th floor first. Let's see what the special perk is. We should be able to get the platinum badge, right?"
He laughed with a pfft.
"Why is it like this! I am an SSR. SSR, Special Super Rare, SSR."
Kosak's advice was quite helpful.
A sufficient answer.
'Asking was a good idea.'
Joo-hyuk designated and summoned the savage warrior Gobang.
"Welcome."
"I, warrior, obey summoner absolutely."
Then Kosak said,
"Hey! You punk Gobang, aren't you going to greet me?"
"Warrior does not greet just anyone."
"Listen here! I'm an SSR! SSR!"
"..."
"Two S's in front of the R! S! S! R!"
It was strange.
The savage warrior flinched and avoided Kosak's eyes.
"Just a measly R."
"Assassin, you, you bad."
"Shut up! This is the difference in our level, you R punk!"
Was it because there was a two-grade difference? Even a savage warrior couldn't help it?
'Poor guy.'
Next time he got another Summoned Being Grade-Up Rune, he'd give it to Mr. Gobang.
Who knows?
Maybe he'd become smarter.
"Then I'll be counting on you again today. I'll take it easy and... uh, kill about two?"
"Oh my, do whatever our Summoner Bong desires. I, the SSR, will protect you."
"Then can I kill about ten?"
"Summoned Being Principle, Article 3..."
"Okay! Three."
"Only this once."
Kosak, now more confident after his promotion.
The final section of the Orc zone.
Similar to the 20th floor, which was the final Goblin section.
'The mission...'
25th Floor Mission
📍 Objective: Defeat 100 Orcs of any type and 1 Orc Chieftain.
⏰ Time Limit: Within 10 hours.
🎁 Progress: All Orc Types 0/100, Orc Chieftain 0/1
Orcs swarmed out.
Forest Orcs, Desert Orcs, Cave Orcs, Volcano Orcs.
Three of those were his share.
Well, should he just kill three?
If he had energy to spare, he could sneak in one or two more.