Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Grand Journey
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It was a grand journey.
Starting with the conquest of the 36th floor, climbing the upper floors every single day, I finally achieved the feat of enhancing my trait on the 40th floor.
Smiles never left the lips of the Summoned beings.
Kosak seemed to have truly let go of the weight on his shoulders.
“In this Kosak’s life, there have been exactly two times I’ve wet my pants. Once was when Master Bong was walking on air, and the second time was...”
“Click?”
“That’s right! A click! I soaked them thoroughly.”
“Hahaha. Surely you didn’t really...? It must be a metaphorical expression.”
“...”
“Y-you really did?”
“...Hehehe.”
Then Gobang spoke up.
“Gobang saw it clearly with his own two eyes. The assassin’s pants were wet.”
At the same time, Gyeon dal-rae’s thunder-like scolding erupted.
“You rascals!!! ...Haa, Master Kosak and Master Gobang, what in the world are you thinking? How unsanitary, in such a safe place! In any case, the master’s sincere wish must have moved the heavens.”
The exorcism ritual must have been a masterstroke.
I put more effort into the ritual than the actual conquest.
How solemn Gyeon dal-rae looked while riding the knife-blade ladder back then.
“I am ashamed. It is but shallow skill. If proper musicians, not just speakers, had accompanied me, there would have been no need to spin the wheel.”
Gobang also seemed eager to boast about his own achievement.
“I held the knives steady. So the princess balanced well on them.”
Kosak wasn't one to be left out either.
“If you wish earnestly, the entire universe helps you. That’s the truth. Day and night, I fervently wished, ‘Master Bong Summoner, please let me enhance my trait.’”
It was heartwarming.
When everyone united their hearts and minds like this, even the impossible became possible.
The wishes of all created a miracle.
“It was truly thrilling. When Summoner Bong raised both arms and shouted ‘Click!’, the strength just drained from my lower body...”
“Master Kosak, please!!!”
“Hehehe.”
At that desperate moment when the roulette needle had moved to the next slot,
The wheel, with a *click!*, moved 0.5 cm to the right.
‘Whew, I almost wet myself too.’
So this is why gambling addiction was dangerous.
Anyway, the result was good.
Very good.
So, starting tomorrow, the 41st floor?
No way!
I’m resting thoroughly for a while.
The protagonist of the previous Random Summon was Gyeon dal-rae.
That was at the 30th floor, right?
Since then, I’ve been running non-stop up to the 40th floor.
We rested in between, conquered, and rested again, so it’s been well over 20 days.
Thus, there are less than ten days left until the next Random Summon.
Exactly 9 days.
I’m going to laze around and eat until then.
“In that spirit, beef delivery?”
“Hrrp, ah, we should save it. I’m not hungry even if I don’t eat. Hehehe.”
“Hahaha, then how about chicken delivery for old times’ sake?”
“Caaall!!!”
Suddenly!
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang at Joo-hyuk’s officetel home.
“Shh!”
Who is it?
Checking the intercom screen.
‘Hmm...’
It was Jeon Gwang-il.
Then the Summoned beings...
‘Should I release the summon?’
If only I had a bigger house, how nice it would be.
They could just go into any room and lock the door.
The quick-witted Kosak stepped forward.
“Just release the summon for us!”
“Should I?”
“Yes, sir!”
“The time to return has come.”
“Summoner, take care of yourself.”
So,
“Summon Release.”
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Confirming they had left, Joo-hyuk turned on the TV, turned up the volume, then opened the front door to greet Jeon Gwang-il.
“Come on in.”
“Hahaha, congratulations on the 40th floor S++ conquest.”
“Oh, stop, you’re embarrassing me.”
“It’s chaos right now. The success of the 66th floor conquest has been completely overshadowed.”
Ha,
It would be troublesome if I kept getting famous.
I didn't know how long I could hide my identity.
“The reason I came today is because I have something to give you...”
“The penthouse? I told you I wouldn’t accept it for free.”
“It’s not that.”
Jeon Gwang-il placed the 007 briefcase he brought on the table with a *thud!* and opened it.
“This.”
“...Huh? I-is it a toy?”
“It’s the real thing.”
What came out of the bag was a silver metal pistol.
“Wait, why are you giving me a pistol?”
“For self-defense. If any suspicious person approaches, shoot them. Without mercy!”
“...Shoot? Just shoot them on the spot?”
“We will take full responsibility. You won’t be arrested by the police, prosecuted, or stand trial.”
“...”
He was granting me immunity.
“There was an attempted kidnapping of a Player not long ago. Fortunately, heaven intervened and it became a non-issue, but there’s no guarantee such a thing won’t happen again.”
“Ah! I see. But I don’t have a firearms license.”
“It’s fine. We’ve handled it legally.”
Joo-hyuk picked up the pistol from the bag.
He’d served in the military, but it was his first time with a pistol.
“That goes into the inventory too.”
“Ah! Then?”
“Yes, it’s made from Tower metal.”
Tower metal.
No wonder it felt incredibly light.
‘Should I try putting it in?’
After loading the magazine,
Click-clack!
And into the inventory... huh?
“...It’s not going in?”
“Umm, y-you need to remove the magazine first.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“The gunpowder isn’t a Tower item.”
“...”
If that’s the case, why make it from Tower metal?
If a Player carries a regular pistol and bullets in their pocket, they’re judged as personal belongings and can be taken into the Tower.
“I thought a Tower metal barrel would be more effective.”
“Is it better?”
“To some extent.”
This is why large firearms can’t be taken into the Tower.
What’s the point if the body is made of Tower metal?
You can’t load shells or rockets.
“I’ll hold onto it for now.”
“Oh! And also, security will likely be further strengthened. It might be inconvenient for your movements.”
What?
No way.
“The contract specified ‘loose security,’ didn’t it?”
“But given the times...”
“Please make an exception for me. I’ll be moving soon anyway. Somewhere without interference.”
“W-wait a moment. Please reconsider. For Players, it’s not inside the Tower that’s dangerous, but outside.”
That’s true, but...
‘I should show him.’
The time has come.
I’ve been hiding it until now, but I’ll reveal it clearly on this occasion.
How safe a person I am.
“There aren’t many people in the world safer than me.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I’ll show you.”
Joo-hyuk quietly chanted.
“Energy Shield activation.”
Then,
Zzziiing!
Starting from Joo-hyuk’s bracelet and spreading across his entire body,
A milky white, semi-transparent protective shield enveloped him.
“Gasp!”
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il was utterly astonished.
Just how many times has he been shocked because of Player Bong?
“...I-is that an item? Without the ‘Tower Exclusive’ modifier?”
“Yes, I received it as a conquest reward. It generates a shield that works outside as well. It’s very sturdy, it would probably block bullets too.”
Jeon Gwang-il nodded absentmindedly.
‘Like the Holy Sword, and now this protective shield item... S++ conquests really gave different reward items.’
A Tower item usable in reality.
Almost always materials received as conquest rewards.
Magic stones, metals, herbs, leather, monster bones, etc., can be applied in reality.
But since they were conquest rewards, the quantities weren't large, so herbs were sold for research purposes, and metals, leather, bones, etc., were sold for crafting Player items.
But it was not just materials that dropped.
Occasionally, completed items dropped too.
Accessories that cleared the mind, swords that cut through steel like butter, protective items like that shield.
Such items were priceless.
In a world where famous paintings or antiques traded for 4 or 5 billion dollars...
That shield item would be worth at least 1 billion dollars minimum.
What’s 1 billion dollars?
The moment its existence was known, Arab tycoons or American billionaires would come running with sacks of money.
“T-that item, absolutely hide it. Don’t sell it either.”
“Ugh, why would I sell this? It’s my lifeline.”
“Good thinking.”
Now that I’ve shown him.
“Please continue with loose security. No, don’t attach any bodyguards at all.”
“Umm, I’ll make the suggestion.”
Jeon Gwang-il left.
Then, three hours later.
I summoned the Summoned beings again,
“Alright, let’s rest up. No conquests for a while. If you need anything, just say the word. For now, shall I order some chicken?”
“Call, I say,”
“Call.”
“Click!”
And so we ate well and played well.
Going out occasionally too.
For a whole week.
American Player Gerald Watson entered Incheon Airport with Director Antonio.
Countless bodyguards surrounded him front, back, and sides.
The airport wasn’t very crowded.
For a celebrity of Gerald Watson’s caliber, reporters should have been camped out.
Actually, the media didn’t know when he was arriving.
Because it was kept completely secret.
“Hurry, hurry up, Antonio.”
“We’re going to try it today anyway, let’s take our time.”
“If you knew how long I’ve waited for the day to get revenge on that damnable Dark Specter, you wouldn’t say that.”
“Revenge? You conquered it in the end!”
“Look at the Korean Player Nam Ga-eun. She cleared it in 10 hours! What about my pride!”
Director Antonio chuckled.
Gerald had a point.
How hard was conquering the 66th floor?
The time limit was approaching, the Dark Specter’s dark aura meant even light-attribute attacks didn’t land well, it took over 2 hours to kill just one.
Later, after strengthening items and painstakingly reducing the time, I barely managed to conquer it right at the deadline.
But I had to do that difficult floor twice.
The Western and Eastern ones.
But a Holy Sword?
They say she killed the Specters in 10 hours with just one light-attribute item and a holy sword.
“What are you doing? Run!”
“Good grief.”
The world’s top Player.
But due to his young age, he had this impulsive side.
In front of the airport exit, pre-arranged escort vehicles and the bulletproof car Gerald would ride in were waiting.
That car the US President rode around in.
It had been airlifted via a US Air Force transport plane before his arrival.
Arriving at the management office by car, Gerald and Antonio.
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il came out to meet them.
“Welcome. Mr. Watson, Director Antonio, I’m Jeon Gwang-il.”
“Nice to meet you. Just call me Gerald, and show me the Holy Sword quickly.”
“Hahaha, are you in such a hurry?”
“Yes, hurry.”
Jeon Gwang-il guided them to his office.
“Where’s the sword?”
Tsk,
He’s so impatient I can’t even say anything else.
“The rental fee hasn’t been deposited yet, though.”
Then Director Antonio stepped forward and spoke.
“I was going to do it upon arrival. Where should I send it?”
“To here...”
“Hmm, the account name is the Management Office. Not the owner.”
“Yes, we are acting as agents.”
Antonio looked disappointed.
Tapping his smartphone a few times.
“Transfer complete.”
Jeon Gwang-il also tapped his smartphone.
“Yes, confirmed.”
Then, opening the large safe placed against the office wall,
“Here it is. Let’s check the information first.”
Gerald hastily grabbed the sword.
“Oh!”
The sword’s information appeared in his mind.
Undead Attack Power Increase, Firm Mind, Holy Flame, Critical Hit, and also... Radiance.
The downside was that the sword was old.
Also, that it was very large and heavy.
It would feel different inside the Tower.
“I can enter now, right?”
“You must adhere to the terms written in the contract. Loss or...”
“Don’t worry. That will absolutely never happen.”
Putting the Holy Sword into his inventory,
Spot!
Gerald vanished in an instant.
He probably moved to the Western or Eastern Tower in the US.
Regardless of Player location, you entered the Tower based on your nationality.
First, the light-attribute equipment before drawing the Holy Sword.
Whooosh!
A brilliant light shimmered over Gerald’s body.
Enough to blind the naked eye.
He drew the Holy Sword too.
Oooom!
A faint light was superimposed.
‘Is this Radiance?’
Amazing.
The hazy radiance was consuming the brilliant light of the light attribute.
It was definitely different.
Conquest preparation.
Magic Swordsman Gerald cast his spells.
“Strength. Haste. Barrier.”
[66th Floor Mission]
📍 Objective: Defeat 10 Dark Specters.
⏰ Time Limit: Within 15 hours.
Grayish, semi-transparent birds were flying about in the distance.
They were also enormous.
Like pterosaurs.
As large as they were, the range of their Dark Aura was wide.
Physical attacks didn’t work at all.
Only light-attribute attacks could deal a bit of damage.
After first conquering the 66th floor, I swore I’d never do a repeat conquest.
But to think I’d break that oath myself.
Let’s check quickly.
If I can really give these guys a beating.
First, pulling aggro.
Magic Swordsman Gerald raised his hand and cast a skill.
“Magic Bolt!”
Zzap!
One Specter hit by the Magic Bolt.
Shraat!
It stopped flying and turned towards Gerald.
Shra-ra-ra-raat!
The Specter charged at him along with its Dark Aura.
It was the largest undead monster he’d faced so far.
Even without the Dark Aura, its size was overwhelming.
Moreover, it was a flying monster.
“Sharpness.”
After sharpening the sword with a magic enchantment.
He used a Blade skill to slash down at the left wing area of the creature.
Skreeeek!
The end of the Specter’s spectral wing was severed.
Shwa-ra-ra-rak!
Losing its balance, it flailed wildly, glowing and thrashing as it flew erratically.
Charging in now was dangerous.
After evading for a while,
The Specter, sitting on the ground, taking off, persistently chased Gerald.
But he kept running.
Slipping in magic spells here and there.
‘Now.’
This time, the opposite side.
Skreek!
The right wing, was half severed.
After robbing it of mobility.
Gerald began his full-scale attack.
Cutting off the tail, cutting off the legs, stabbing the torso, and finally, the creature’s head—
Shluk!
The thrashing Specter momentarily stopped moving.
Whooosh! It even burst into flames.
‘...Unbelievable.’
Is this really the 66th floor?
To defeat one this quickly,
About 20 minutes passed?
Holding the sword, it was as if there was no Dark Aura.
It was even fun.
‘One rental won’t satisfy me.’
I’ll have to postpone my departure.
He'd spend another ten million dollars and borrow it one more time, no matter what.
It wasn't like I was climbing the un-conquered upper floors.
Ten million dollars for the Holy Sword experience.
But for Gerald, it was money not wasted at all.