Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Ordinary Guy's Tower Strategy - 42
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Jeon Gwang-il came to Incheon Airport.
His precious customers were finishing their business and departing the country, so he had to see them off.
“I’m glad you enjoyed the Holy Sword experience.”
“Actually, I didn’t quite enjoy it.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“We rented it twice, and you didn’t even give us a discount. That’s a bit disappointing.”
The complaint from Director Antonio, laced with dissatisfaction.
It didn’t sound like a joke; he seemed serious.
Disappointing, my foot.
Where do you think you are, trying to haggle the rental fee?
He’d felt it before, but Director Antonio was a real cheapskate.
Even before, he’d thrown out a ridiculous figure of one million dollars for the Holy Sword rental, leaving people speechless.
But thanks to Player Gerald, he got the full amount anyway.
He seemed utterly captivated by the Holy Sword’s effects.
He insisted on renting it one more time, throwing a tantrum right in front of him—how could he possibly talk him out of it?
“By the way, where did the Holy Sword’s owner acquire the item?”
“Well… Probably as a Tower reward? From at least the 50th floor or above?”
“Hahaha, a tremendous reward indeed. …Do you get items like that for an S++ clear?”
“I wouldn’t know. The Holy Sword owner isn’t the S++ clear record-holder either.”
He was up to his tricks again.
He’d been like that since yesterday.
Subtly probing to see if the Management Bureau had identified the S++ clear record-holder.
Of course, Jeon Gwang-il absolutely refused to be drawn in.
“If that’s the case, Director Antonio, you should find the S++ record-holder yourself and ask them. And if you happen to find out, please let me know too. We’re also very curious about who it is.”
Director Antonio was a persistent man.
“Then, if the opportunity arises… Would it be possible for me to meet the Holy Sword owner separately to express my gratitude?”
“Here at the airport? Your flight departure time must be soon.”
“It’s a private jet, so we can leave anytime.”
“Ah, I see. However, the actual Holy Sword owner is also an extremely busy person and only contacts me via message. I’ll convey your thanks on your behalf.”
Director Antonio chuckled as he spoke.
“Yes, yes, please do.”
He had to be careful.
The U.S. was more dangerous than Japan or China.
If Bong Joo-hyuk’s identity as a Player were revealed, how would the U.S. react?
They would probably mobilize every means possible to take him with them.
“Oh! Mr. Jeon, I heard some good news…”
“Huh? What news?”
“I heard you’ve been put on the promotion list.”
“How did you know about that—”
“I have ears too. Lots of people tell me things here and there. Congratulations.”
“…Thank you.”
Fast with the information, as expected of the U.S.
That’s right.
Thanks to the success of clearing the 66th floor, Jeon Gwang-il had been placed on the promotion list.
He was scheduled to be appointed to the vacant position of Deputy Director of the Management Bureau.
“Next time, we’ll meet as the Deputy Director.”
“Hahaha, I’m flattered. Well, you have a schedule, so have a safe trip back. I have some urgent matters, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Yes. See you in a few months.”
The U.S. was currently attempting to clear the 67th floor, where the Undead Phantom Reaper appeared.
They had plenty of time, so they’d probably make a few more attempts and eventually come back.
They’d gotten a taste of the Holy Sword.
Did they really think they wouldn’t come back?
Anyway, a second Holy Sword rental.
Combined total: twenty million dollars.
260 billion won.
He wanted to share this happy news with Player Bong Joo-hyuk, but he was currently unreachable.
They’d spoken on the phone earlier.
He said he planned to meditate for two days.
It was a common thing for Players.
For those who had to clear the Tower alone, maintaining mental fortitude was the most crucial part.
Elite team members also did many things for mental recovery.
Yoga, listening to music, going camping, or like Player Nam Ga-eun, working out.
In Bong Joo-hyuk’s case, it was meditation.
He shouldn’t disturb him and just wait until he called first.
Gyeon Dal-rae often referred to Kosak and Gobang as ‘hired hands.’
But now, a real hired hand had arrived?
After the welcoming cheers and greetings,
As soon as the welcome was over, Razix started with cleaning the house.
“Hueo, lift foot, foot!”
Razix rolled around, wiping the floor with a mop.
It was hard to tell if he was wiping the floor with the mop or wiping the floor with his own body.
A house where a man lived alone usually wasn’t that tidy.
Unless he had obsessive-compulsive tendencies, but at the very least, Joo-hyuk’s officetel was on the messy side.
But it was getting organized in an instant.
So fast that the changing state of the house looked like a video playing at 3x speed.
Razix, with his short arms, used tools.
He took out tongs from his backpack and sorted things.
He’d pick up misplaced items and toss them, and they’d find their place on their own.
‘Is that a skill too?’
Dust on the shelves—wiped clean. Clothes scattered everywhere—into the washing machine. Dishes in the sink—rinsed and into the dishwasher. Trash—into the bin. Various cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles—sorted by type, bundled up.
Gyeon Dal-rae was impressed.
“Among the hired hands this maiden has seen, he is undoubtedly the foremost. How diligently he works without even being told!”
After finishing the tidying, Razix placed both hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and admired his handiwork.
“Hueeng!”
His expression held an unmistakable pride.
It was impossible not to applaud.
Clap clap clap clap!
“Amazing, Mr. Razix!”
“Magnificent. Bestowing upon him the title of Chief Hired Hand Madang Soe would not be enough. Everyone should learn from him. This maiden shall give you a hug.” (Proofreader's note: Madang Soe is a fictional character from a Korean drama depicted as the epitome of the perfect servant.)
“Hue?”
“You cleaned up all the mess Gobang made. Impressive. You’re Madang Soe alright.”
“Huoeng!”
Joo-hyuk had fallen for Razix.
The Mad Demon?
If he took him around, he’d just talk about conquering the world and wander outside.
Threatening to kill fellow comrades and all.
But look at this sincere, highly praised, round dungeon worker Razix.
Were they even comparable from the start?
The background description also proved Razix’s greatness.
But it was a shame.
From the 51st floor onward, they’d have to part ways.
A little while ago, he’d gathered with the other Summoned beings, excluding Razix, for a whispered discussion.
“Razix, cute though he is, offers little benefit for Tower climbing. It’s not like we’re cleaning in the Tower.”
“Though he is cute, this maiden’s thoughts are the same. It would be advisable to keep him for the 30 days and replace him when the Random Summon occurs.”
“Razix is cute. Works well. But weak.”
That was the consensus.
They’d keep him only until the 50th floor.
For the 51st-floor S++ clear, they absolutely needed to add one more damage dealer.
A magic or ranged type would be ideal.
The basic framework for an S++ clear was mass hunting.
Up to the 50th floor, they were land monsters, so it was perfectly doable.
No matter how big and fast they were, with Gobang grown large holding aggro tight, Kosak dealing insane damage, and Gyeon Dal-rae’s buffs poured on top, the clear would be completed in the blink of an eye.
However, mass hunting flying monsters that appear from the 51st floor onward was no easy task.
Because they could fly.
Even when they came down to the ground, they hovered in the air, harassing the Player.
If they sensed danger, they’d just fly away.
The worst possible situation was if Kosak or Gyeon Dal-rae, being lightweight, got snatched up by a wyvern’s claws and carried off—Joo-hyuk was also exposed to that danger.
They had to clear them as quickly as possible.
The conclusion: burst damage.
If they had a magic or ranged type, they could attack even as the monsters descended, sapping their strength beforehand. Even just adding one more damage dealer would make mass hunting four or five of them a breeze.
They absolutely had to draw a damage dealer in the next Random Summon.
For that reason, from the 51st floor onward, Razix would be out of the picture.
Unless, by some chance, another Trait Enhancement occurred.
But that was very difficult.
“Anyway, to commemorate the new member’s arrival, shall we try clearing the 41st floor?”
As Joo-hyuk set the tone,
“Loyal! Confident for S++. Just trust this SSR Kosak.”
“SSR Gobang is here too.”
“This maiden shall always faithfully assist the Master.”
“Huoeng!”
Razix also raised his short arms in response, but…
What was he planning to do?
From the 41st floor onward, giant land beasts appeared.
The environment was a forest with short grass and dense trees.
[41st Floor Mission: Defeat 15 Steelclad Basilisks.]
Steelclad Basilisk.
A giant reptile that looked like a mix between a crocodile and a lizard.
Its size was terrifying too.
Body length about 7 to 8 meters.
If you met its gaze, your body would stiffen.
And then you’d get your head chewed off.
The cause was a paralysis ray.
If hit, you couldn’t even run.
You had to block the paralysis ray.
Many Players fell victim early on, but now items to counter it had been invented, making it relatively stable.
But for Joo-hyuk?
A paralysis ray was nothing.
He had three SSR warriors.
Plus one manly man and a cute hamster.
“Alright, let’s clear this quickly and have a team dinner. Team dinner! In that spirit, I’ll take three Basilisks. Call? Too few? I’ll take four.”
At that, Kosak shook his head vigorously.
“Bong Summoner-nim, can’t do.”
“Huh, why not again?”
“Must protect Razix. Look! How cute is he?”
“Huoeng?”
“What if he jumps forward and gets killed by a monster? Bong Summoner-nim, please protect Razix.”
Now he was using Razix as an excuse to stop him from fighting?
“Then Mr. Kosak, you can look after Mr. Razix.”
“Tsk, if I’m tied up, how can we get an S++ clear?”
“…”
Gyeon Dal-rae chimed in too,
“This maiden also wishes to protect Mr. Razix, but she must shake her bells. Master, please take on this crucial task.”
They were the worst.
He’d clearly said he’d participate from the 41st floor onward.
‘Hmph! Should I summon the Mad Demon one more time?’
Honestly, he was worried about Razix.
What if he died to a Basilisk, just like he was eaten by a giant snake?
The weak, tiny hamster worker.
He absolutely had to protect him.
But then, thinking about it calmly, was this how the Summoned beings felt about him?
‘…Hmm.’
Ah, no way!
‘I’m a talented, manly man.’
Anyway, he’d step back just for today.
Because he was worried about Razix.
The clear began.
With the buffing sound of Gyeon Dal-rae’s bells.
Gobang, his body grown large, grabbed a Basilisk’s tail with one hand and slammed it down.
Followed by Kosak’s finishing move.
He stabbed the Basilisk’s head with his dagger, scrambling its brain.
Paralysis ray?
It had no effect whatsoever.
Gyeon Dal-rae’s buffs neutralized the paralysis ray and applied debuffs to weaken them.
The kill count rose in an instant.
Ahh.
Joo-hyuk wanted to join the fight too.
Wasn’t he level 41?
Plus, he’d received that special item set but hadn’t even gotten to use it.
Nothing he could do.
To protect the cute worker Razix…
“Huh!”
Where did he go?
Razix had vanished in an instant.
Joo-hyuk looked around, scanning the surroundings.
‘He was right next to me just a moment ago.’
Right then!
A white furball was visible on the corpse of a dead Basilisk.
‘…When did he get over there?’
Spot!
He dashed to the location where the furball was seen using Shadow Step, but…
‘…He disappeared again.’
This guy was truly elusive.
A speed impossible with Razix’s short legs.
Was it teleportation or something?
“Hueeeeng!”
A sound was heard.
Turning his gaze…
“…Hahaha.”
This time, the furball was found under a tree on the opposite side.
‘What the?’
He didn’t understand why he was scurrying around like that.
He ran over again, but it was already too late.
The furball was spotted here and there.
Watching how he moved, he realized he was rolling.
‘Wow! So that’s how he moves.’
Degurururur, degurururur,
He was too fast for Joo-hyuk to catch up.
Well, his body itself was round, so rolling would be much faster than walking with those short legs.
Anyway, as he chased after him…
The clear was over.
As expected, the reward was just Magic Stone.
Spot!
Joo-hyuk and the Summoned beings returned to the officetel.
“Well done.”
“You all worked hard.”
“Thanks to the Summoner, we finished well.”
“…”
‘Well done’ what?
He didn’t even get to try out the set items.
But then.
“Hueeeeng,”
Razix was sniffling, shedding tears.
…Why was he crying again?
“Did you get hurt somewhere?”
“Huoeng, no.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“The clear ended too quickly.”
“It’s good that it ended quickly.”
“I could only gather this much. I’m so sorry. Huoeng.”
Gather?
Razix rummaged in his small backpack and pulled something out.
Thump!
A massive, single-piece hide of a Steelclad Basilisk.
“…It’s a hide.”
“Full hide, it is.”
How did he bring this?
It wasn’t a mission reward.
Even if you got a reward, they wouldn’t give you a full hide like that.
They’d just toss you a small scrap of leather.
Next,
Thud thud thud!
A Magic Stone that looked to weigh at least 20 kg.
“…”
And then.
Hududududuk!
An uncountable number of unknown grasses.
“…Herbs?”
The herbs you normally got as mission rewards were a few dried stalks.
These looked like freshly gathered, raw herbs.
How on earth?
Earlier, Razix had said ‘gather.’
‘So, it’s not a reward item…’
He gathered them inside the Tower?
‘Was that even possible?’
It couldn’t be.
If gathering inside the Tower was possible, there wouldn’t be a shortage of material supplies.
Joo-hyuk realized.
‘I underestimated him too much.’
The worker’s abilities, that is.
Suddenly, the small Razix seemed larger than Gobang.