Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Coffee and the Shadows
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Bong Joo-hyuk's officetel.
The air once again vibrated with the scent of instant noodles today.
He'd said he'd be eating only ramen for a while.
Ramen after clearing the 34th floor, ramen again the next day while resting, and ramen once more right now.
When he summoned Gyeon Dal-rae and Kosak, they immediately headed to the kitchen and pulled out a pot.
How can you eat only ramen for three days?
When he suggested ordering delivery food instead, they insisted on being allowed to eat ramen for at least five more days.
Saying they'd feel more at ease that way.
If it was going to be like this, they should've just eaten in moderation back then.
What kind of meal is 150 servings for four people? 150 servings!
'And I couldn't even properly eat two servings myself.'
So he declined their invitation to eat ramen together.
He planned to order some fried chicken for himself later.
Currently, there were only two Summoned Beings boiling the ramen: Kosak and Gyeon Dal-rae.
Gobang?
He couldn't summon him.
The Catalog was like this.
Cannot Summon.
He had already asked about it.
What the "Cannot Summon" status in the Catalog meant.
That was, just yesterday.
In response to Joo-hyuk's question, Kosak had scratched his head and answered.
"Grade promotion is originally very dangerous, you see. Because you have to strengthen the soul. So, during the enhancement, um, there's a possibility of, uh, failure leading to... dissipation..."
"Gasp!"
Dissipation?
A feeling of extreme unease surged.
'...Did I give him poison?'
But Kosak had returned perfectly fine, hadn't he?
"What is this...?"
He had heard something similar from Kosak before.
That it was dangerous if done hastily, that he would do it after going back and preparing.
But he didn't know it was this dangerous.
"Is, is that really true? Dissipation?"
"...Well, I'm not entirely sure either—"
Sigh.
This is driving me crazy.
But then Gyeon Dal-rae spoke up.
"Worry not. If it were true dissipation, the name would be completely deleted from the list. The fact that it says 'Cannot Summon' and the name remains suggests another reason."
Another reason.
What could it be?
She wouldn't be saying this just to comfort him, would she?
"During soul enhancement, there is an extremely rare chance that the scale of the promotion becomes larger, leaping two or more grades at once. In such a case, the Summoned Being enters a state of being unsummonable for a few days."
Oh!
The anxiety vanished.
It might not be a bad thing, but rather a good one.
As expected of Gyeon Dal-rae, born into the royal lineage.
She knew so much.
Zzzt!
Joo-hyuk glared at Kosak.
'You don't even know for sure.'
Talking about dissipation and scaring him like that.
Kosak shrank back, avoiding eye contact.
Anyway, Joo-hyuk had heard of something similar too.
Enhancement content in games.
When you apply an enhancement scroll to a weapon or armor, a blessing and luck can trigger, causing what should be a +1 enhancement to become a +2 great success.
It's called a critical enhancement or a critical success enhancement.
If that was the cause, it was a huge relief.
"Hehehe, now that I think about it quietly, the Princess is right. That guy's soul is pure, playing in flower fields. A pure soul enhances well."
A sense of relief washed over him.
Wait!
If it's a two-grade enhancement...
"Is Gobang going to become SR?"
At Joo-hyuk's words, Kosak's shoulders slumped.
What should he do now that his material for teasing was gone?
That was yesterday's event.
He was still in the "Cannot Summon" state.
It seemed they had already finished boiling the ramen in the meantime.
Kosak and Gyeon Dal-rae naturally sat at the table and began eating the ramen.
It was peaceful.
No shouts of complaint were heard.
There was just one grievance.
Tsk, tsk.
Having over 3 billion won in the bank account, yet eating ramen.
At least their ramen-cooking skills had improved, so now the broth was just right, and the noodles were perfectly chewy without being mushy—truly exquisite.
From now on, even if they boil ramen, it won't be just ordinary ramen.
At the very least, abalone ramen, octopus ramen, king crab ramen, truffle ramen, giant shrimp ramen, wild pine mushroom ramen, Hanwoo beef ramen...
'I should go grocery shopping later.'
For now, I'll let them eat their ramen.
At least they added plenty of eggs and green onions.
In that sense, tower climbing was tentatively suspended until Gobang returned.
He was planning to take a few days off anyway.
Joo-hyuk opened his smartphone and searched for news.
Player Nam Ga-eun's scheduled conquest of the Korean Black Tower's 66th floor, was set for tomorrow.
Originally, they were afraid of failure like Japan and didn't plan to disclose the schedule, but due to Player Nam Ga-eun's strong insistence, the date was set.
'I am not afraid. If I fail, I'll just keep challenging.'
'I've already analyzed Specter's attack patterns. I've even done practice runs before the main assault.'
'Having the Holy Sword gave me confidence. I'd like to thank the owner who lent me the Holy Sword once again.'
What were people's reactions?
As a backlash against Yu Cheol-min's sudden naturalization, favorable opinions about Player Nam Ga-eun were overwhelmingly dominant.
He even felt like he saw a comment he himself had written.
'Right! She said she'd give me an autograph.'
I should get it after she succeeds on the 66th floor.
I should also visit my parents' house for the first time in a while.
'I can give her the talisman Gyeon Dal-rae wrote for me too.'
Suddenly!
Bzzzt!
His phone rang.
It was Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il.
"Hello?"
- It's late, but congratulations on achieving the 34 consecutive S++ record.
What's with this formality.
There had been a lot of talk.
So-called experts on TV, newspapers, and the internet came out saying that the 30th floors were a turning point in tower climbing, that the difficulty spikes sharply, so achieving S++ clears would be difficult from now on, but he had accomplished it anyway.
"Player Nam Ga-eun is more amazing than me. Is her 66th floor preparation going well?"
- It's proceeding smoothly. We even managed to borrow and pass on a light-attribute items for her. Our support team's analysis believes she can clear it without a doubt. She herself is confident too.
"Yes, I also believe without a doubt she'll succeed. Please give her my regards and tell her to do her best."
- Haha, I will.
It wasn't empty praise.
She truly was an incredible player.
- Oh right! There's something I wanted to tell you...
"Yes."
- About the apartment where that bastard Yu Cheol-min used to live.
Suddenly talking about the apartment.
Could it be that Kosak's visit was discovered?
"Ah, what about the apartment...?"
- It's currently vacant. Since no one is moving in, if you're interested, we can just transfer the apartment to you. We can handle the title transfer.
"..."
What?
Did he hear wrong?
The place Yu Cheol-min lived in was a penthouse, wasn't it?
Transferring it just like that means...
"For free?"
- Yes, but you'll have to pay the maintenance fees separately, of course. Those aren't covered by support.
Even the penthouse maintenance fees alone would be astronomical, but...
What's the problem with maintenance fees?
They're offering to transfer the title.
However,
'Should I accept it? Or not?'
I need to choose wisely.
This isn't a decision to make on the spot, saying yes or no.
I need to carefully consider everything,
"Could you give me a little time? I need to think about it."
- That's fine. Even if you decide to take the apartment, nothing will change. It's just a token of our sincerity for lending the Holy Sword so generously.
Hmm,
Is it really just a token of sincerity?
I should discuss it with the Summoned Beings.
And then decide.
After finishing the ramen and doing the dishes.
Joo-hyuk called Gyeon Dal-rae and Kosak.
"I received a call a little while ago..."
He explained the details to them.
Then he opened his laptop, searched for photos of the penthouse Yu Cheol-min lived in, and showed them.
As punishment for breaking the contract, all his Korean assets were confiscated.
This house was one of them.
"You know it well, right, Kosak? Since you've been there once."
"Yes, sir!"
"How was it?"
"Words can't describe it. It was so magnificent, sir. It even had a rooftop garden. You could grow lettuce and eat beef there."
Gyeon Dal-rae also looked at the photos carefully and said,
"It looks even better than the palace this maiden resided in during her lifetime. It seems a dwelling befitting Young Master's status."
He thought the same.
However, more than status, he currently needed a larger house.
Joo-hyuk now had more family members than his original home.
If trait enhancements happen a few more times in the future, will there only be three Summoned Beings together?
How can we all live crowded in this small space?
"Do you all prefer to keep living here, or would moving be better?"
"I like it here too, sir. But wouldn't a bigger house be better if possible?"
"This maiden also agrees with Sir Kosak."
"Hmm..."
Honestly, his mind was made up.
He needed a bigger house.
The penthouse also appealed to him greatly.
However, his current dilemma wasn't whether to move or not.
Should he take it for free? Or buy it with money?
It wasn't an easy decision.
So when he voiced this thought,
"My opinion is, I'm against taking it for free, sir. Nothing in this world is free. Capitalism is ruthless. You'll have to pay the price in some other way eventually."
"This maiden believes it is acceptable to accept it. Compared to the favor Your Excellency has done for them, that house is but a trivial compensation."
Their opinions were divided.
Kosak's argument was valid, and Gyeon Dal-rae's argument also had merit.
What should he do?
Taking it for free felt like it would give him indigestion,
'Should I just buy it properly with money?'
The most expensive item Joo-hyuk had ever bought so far was the 40-million-won hand shield.
And he even took out a loan for that.
Since it was a matter of survival, let's exclude that.
He wasn't the type to splurge on things recklessly.
The "shopping god's descent" didn't apply to Joo-hyuk.
When he needed something, he would access an online shopping mall.
If he found an item he liked, he would first save it to the cart.
Then, he would search for products with similar specs and add them to the cart as well,
Comparing multiple items like this, weighing the cost-performance ratio, and selecting only the one product that seemed best among them.
But would he proceed to checkout immediately?
He had to look up reviews.
Why were the good reviews good?
Why were the bad reviews bad?
He would even suspect if they were viral marketing.
Only after weighing all these factors would he finally move the mouse to the checkout page.
Click immediately?
No way!
Just before paying, he'd hit the back button and search the online mall again to see if this was truly the best choice.
He had to go through this process multiple times.
Sometimes it took over three hours to buy a single item.
Ultimately, the price of the product he bought after such lengthy deliberation was usually under 10,000 won.
He even trembled while buying a 10,000-won item... an apartment?
Anyway, the discussion was going to be long.
His throat was dry, so he needed something to drink.
"Let's have some coffee or something while we continue. Via delivery app—"
Kosak spoke up.
"A delivery fee is a waste, sir. I'll go get it. I ate a lot of meat, so I should save money."
"Really, how much is the delivery fee anyway?"
"I'm faster than delivery, sir. It's right nearby, I'll be back quickly."
Well, if that's the case,
"Here, use this card to pay."
"Yes, sir!"
"Just in case, take the Perception Interference Talisman and the entry card key."
"Understood, sir. I'll take your orders before I go."
Kosak left the officetel alone.
A world that hadn't ended yet.
People busily moving about.
Cars filling the roads.
Over there, in the space of the Abyss filled only with souls,
Just being able to come out with a physical body was something to be immensely grateful for,
And to be able to freely enjoy all the goods of this real world like this...
Summoner Bong must live a long, long life.
Beyond the fixed human lifespan, like elves or dragons.
He just needed to conquer the Tower diligently.
Among the Tower's rewards, there were treasures that could extend a human's lifespan.
If he climbed to around the 80th floor or above, they'd probably start appearing one by one.
'By the way, which cafe should I go to?'
There are too many cafes in Korea.
Enough to cause choice paralysis,
There were plenty even near the officetel.
He didn't understand why people guzzled that bitter coffee like water, saying it was delicious.
Even Summoner Bong drank Iced Americano.
Meanwhile, Gyeon Dal-rae liked Strawberry Latte, and he himself preferred sweet and sour Grapefruit Ade.
'Let's go to the biggest one.'
To that cafe, Star-something.
It had the most people.
It must be popular because it's tasty.
Kosak, possessing the Perception Interference Talisman.
Opened the cafe door and entered.
'Where was the kiosk?'
He knew how to use it.
A few days ago, when they ate beef and went sightseeing in Seoul, he saw Summoner Bong operate it a few times.
He could order directly from the staff, but he should try using this too.
So as he approached the kiosk,
'Huh?'
Suspicious people caught Kosak's eye.
Two men sitting at a table with their drinks in front of them, tapping away at their smartphones.
'Oh...'
An utterly ordinary scene.
But he could sense it.
The thick scent of blood wafting from their bodies.
'Well, look at that?'
Kosak was an assassin.
When he met similar brethren, he could tell at a single glance just by looking at their eyes.
Instinctively, he began scanning.
The minor scars on their hands.
Probably from handling knives.
And the faint scent of gunpowder emanating from inside their jackets.
'Guns, perhaps.'
Their ankles were suspicious too.
They were probably carrying knives.
Not just one.
In their sleeve pockets, at their waists.
In this peaceful world, two people who have killed—no, likely killed dozens—and not just one but two of them, drinking tea in a cafe close to Summoner Bong's officetel?
A coincidence?
No way.
Still, they could be Korean soldiers or national intelligence agents.
Kosak subtly shifted his steps.
And passed by the table where the suspicious guys were sitting.
He didn't even turn his head.
First, he needed to place his unique mana-infused tracking marks.
Swish, swish.
On both of them.
Coincidentally, the guys were getting up to leave.
Kosak postponed his drink order and followed them.
The moment they stepped outside the cafe.
Vroom, screech.
A suspicious van stopped,
Clunk, the door opened and the two men got in.
Reflected in the cafe window, the van seemed to have quite a few people inside besides those two.
Kosak placed a tracking mark on the van as well.
Let's see.
If they show up tomorrow too.
Of course, they might have absolutely no connection to Summoner Bong.
But if he judged there was even a hair's breadth of association?
Heh,
The corner of Kosak's mouth twisted.
He was smiling, but his expression was terrifyingly chilling.
An icy, freezing-cold gaze.
His red tongue flicked between his lips.
'I should prepare a lot of ribbons.'
He planned to keep it a secret from Summoner Bong.
Because Summoned Being Principle #3 had already been triggered.
Kosak went back into the cafe and ordered the drinks.
Then, placing them on a tray, he returned to the officetel.
Click, beep beep beep!
Opening the door with a hearty voice.
"De-livery! Hehehe, Delivery Kosak has arrived!"
"Thanks for your hard work. Come sit down quickly."
"Yes, sir!"
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