Chapter 5
Chapter 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Ordinary Guy's Tower Conquest Method - 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was the 10th day since I started climbing the Tower.
The 9th-floor conquest yesterday was easy too.
To be precise, it was easy not for me, but for Kosak.
The 9th-floor mission was to eliminate 10 Jungle Cannibal Corpse Flowers.
Giant carnivorous corpse flowers that spread their petals on the ground in the dense jungle forest and snap shut on any human who passes by.
"What is this? It's a nuisance,"
They had no teeth, the force of their petals closing was weak, and although digestive fluid flowed out, it only stung a little even if it touched the skin.
John Kosak just stomped on them.
He crushed the corpse flowers into unrecognizable pulp.
"Should I try stepping on one too...?"
"Ah, don't come close, sir. They smell and will dirty your shoes."
Isn't this like raising a greenhouse flower?
On the other hand, since I have no proper combat skills, it's also right not to charge in.
Anyway, the 9th-floor conquest was also a success.
S++ grade was the default.
The Platinum Badge was a bonus.
How reassuring.
The fact that he was a mad assassin who brutally killed three people wasn't even an issue.
'Honestly, he did that to protect me too.'
Today is the 10th-floor mission.
First the Designated Summon of Kosak.
Satisfaction rating is an unconditional 5 points.
But then?
'...Huh?'
I didn't expect that.
'Giving the highest score paid off.'
John Kosak also looked pleased.
"Thank you, sir. I can assist you for one more hour from now on."
"As I always say, I'm counting on you."
"Just trust me, sir!"
Joo-hyuk and Kosak entered the 10th floor.
By the 10th floor, the feeling was different.
Now I could clearly sense it.
'I've gotten stronger.'
The physical ability recalibration inside the Tower.
Vitality overflowed, and strength surged up.
Along with the subtle magical power felt in the lower abdomen.
It's still useless since I haven't learned a skill yet.
There's an item called [Combat Skills] in the status window.
Since Joo-hyuk had a Summoning trait, he didn't get one, but other combat trait players usually acquired one from Level 1.
So, does a Summoner never learn combat skills?
That's not true.
As levels increase, or through reward items like Skill Runes, one can learn them.
Anyway, the 10th-floor mission,
[10th Floor Mission]
📍 Objective: Defeat 1 Giant Horned Mantis.
⏰ Time Limit: Within 2 hours.
🎁 Completion: Giant Horned Mantis 0/1
⚠️ Failure: Death or mission abandonment
"I'll help too."
"Uh-uh, no sir. If Summoner Bong gets even a single scratch by mistake, I'll have to bash my own head in."
"No, but I feel bad just sitting around. If I get hurt, I'll drink a Healing Potion. I got some as rewards."
"Save your potions and just cheer me on from behind, sir."
I don't want to be a greenhouse flower anymore.
I'll do something.
"No. This time, I must! I will definitely fight together..."
Suddenly!
Crunch, crunch!
A giant Giant Horned Mantis appeared, parting the forest.
"...Uh."
It's huge.
Just looking at it gives me chills.
The compound eyes of a giant insect.
A well-developed large mouth and jaws.
Sickle-like curved forelegs.
A horn protruding from its triangular head instead of antennae.
That's the 10th-floor monster?
How did other players catch it?
"...If I try to help from the side and just get in the way, Mr. Kosak will find it annoying, right?"
"Well, not particularly annoying."
"No. Cheering from the side is better than clumsily trying to help."
"Is that so?"
"Yes! Go for it, Mr. Kosak."
"Yes, sir!"
Whoosh!
Kosak charged at a terrifying speed.
Stab! Stab!
Two thrusts destroyed the mantis's compound eyes,
Slice! Slice!
Two slashes severed both forelegs,
Thrust! Shwoop!
A blue blade energy sliced through the mantis's abdomen, spilling its entrails.
It was over in an instant again.
The Giant Horned Mantis was defeated without even getting a chance to counterattack.
Pop!
Joo-hyuk returned to his studio apartment.
'...It's already over.'
Is this considered escaping beginner status?
Let's check the rewards.
1kg of Magic Stones.
A total accumulation of 5.5kg.
The Platinum Badge?
Since I received the special perk of Awakening Trait Enhancement when I had 5,
'...Again?'
A perk appeared.
What is it?
"...Wow."
Skill copy.
So that means I can learn one of John Kosak's techniques?
There are too many.
Which one should I choose?
"Summoner Bong!"
"Yes?"
"It must be Shadow Step, sir."
"What's...?"
"The skill to copy from me, sir. Don't ask, don't question, just learn Shadow Step."
Should I?
Let me ask the reason first.
"Why?"
"It's convenient for running away, sir. Even if something happens to me, you can slip away stealthily and quickly."
"..."
Running away?
What does he take me for!
Does he see me as someone who would run away to save my own skin?
"...Acquire Shadow Step."
[Skill: Shadow Step has been acquired.]
[Shadow Step has been registered in your status window.]
Fast movement is very important in combat.
Isn't speed life in a fight?
Of course, it's also useful for running away.
Anyway, the skill usage method entered my mind clearly.
Skill: Shadow Step
Description: Leaves a shadow behind and quickly flees. The effect improves as the level increases.
Usage method.
You can use it by uttering the name aloud or by moving your steps while focusing your will internally.
'How satisfying.'
[Combat Skills]: Shadow Step
Now I have one skill to use inside the Tower.
'What if in reality...?'
Just try it.
"Shadow Step."
I manifested the skill, but,
"..."
Nothing changed.
"It doesn't work."
I was secretly hoping.
"It's a mess."
The summoning skill was possible outside.
But why doesn't a combat skill work?
If you made summoning possible, you should make this possible too.
"No consistency. No consistency!"
"I don't know what it is, but you speak the truth, sir."
What a waste.
A skill that was extremely useful for running away.
If it were possible outside, there would be countless places to use it.
Still, being able to use it inside the Tower makes me gradually safer.
It's a desirable direction.
It was the 11th day since I started climbing the Tower.
It was also my day off from my part-time job.
I specifically took a vacation.
Because I had something to do.
A sudden thought.
Should I quit my part-time job?
'...Let's wait a bit longer.'
Tower conquest isn't difficult.
Just call John Kosak and it's over.
He said there would be no problem at least up to the mid 10s.
For the later 10s, I'll need to supplement with one more person.
When the Random Summon cooldown returns, that is.
Anyway, what I have to do this morning is decided.
Selling Magic Stones.
But I have to go through a special procedure.
The most difficult and arduous moment for Joo-hyuk.
Magic Stones, stones containing energy harmless to the human body.
Used across industries, and research is continuously ongoing.
You can sell them anywhere.
However, the moment you try to sell Magic Stones,
Your identity as a Player is exposed.
You are placed in an extremely dangerous situation.
A Player who is a warrior displaying their abilities inside the Tower but is no different from an ordinary person in reality.
You could be kidnapped, imprisoned by bad guys, and turned into a Magic Stone shuttle.
Players die a lot inside the Tower, but they also die a lot in reality.
Well, that case doesn't apply to Joo-hyuk.
Because he can summon John Kosak like a loyal bodyguard in reality too.
Even so, I can't be at ease.
What if something awkward happens after John Kosak's Summon Release?
What if, coincidentally, I can't summon him immediately due to the Designated Summon cooldown?
If you think about safety, there's only one choice.
Contract with the state.
In the past, deals were made with large corporations and players joined forces to create unions like guilds, but they have mostly disappeared now.
There are rumors that black markets or secret Player organizations still exist, but their existence isn't clear.
Contracting with the national government is the safest.
If you request directly, they provide personal protection.
The state also acts as an agent for selling mission success reward items.
Actually, there might be preconceptions.
That being affiliated with the state isn't free, or that you are unfairly exploited.
But that's only in dictatorial governments.
A normal government, especially the Korean government, grants Players broad freedom.
Because Players aren't dangerous in reality, they are strong only inside the Tower but weak outside, and without them, a Tower collapse might occur.
Rather, the state should step forward and protect them as a top priority.
'The sweet embrace of public authority is nice.'
Currently, there are two categories of Players managed by the state.
'Elite' and 'Ordinary'.
Elites are specially managed Tower climbing professional teams.
They move with the goal of un-conquered upper floors.
On the other hand, Ordinary, or the 'leftover' teams, are Players who have lost the will to climb and only play on lower floors.
Just don't join the Elite team.
Because duties and responsibilities arise.
What Joo-hyuk wants is the leftover team.
Over 90% of Players contracted with the state belong here.
They just park on a suitable floor and only perform repetitive missions.
How great is that?
A goal that perfectly fits the identity of the ordinary guy Bong Joo-hyuk.
However, there was one thing he was uneasy about.
The announcements that came while conquering up to the 10th floor recently.
[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ conquest grade for the △△ floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
I recently found out what this was.
After finishing the 10th-floor conquest yesterday, I accessed an internet forum called the Tower Climbing Gallery that Players occasionally visit to search for information on the 11th floor.
A global announcement that appeared to all Players.
Everyone knew.
A topic hotly discussed on various internet forums recently.
Naturally, the state must also be aware.
'If it's revealed that the protagonist of the S++ grade conquest is me...'
I could be forcibly dragged into the Elite climbing team.
What's wrong with that?
Wouldn't it be better to reveal myself and step forward confidently?
It's a perfect opportunity to gain fame and wealth at once?
'That won't do!'
A single act of boldness could change the direction of my future life by 180 degrees.
Let me remind myself once again.
It's not that I'm great and received an S++ grade.
It's because John Kosak is great.
Even Kosak can't guarantee what will happen past the 20th or 30th floors.
What if Random Summon doesn't go well and a lower grade than Mr. Kosak appears?
'I must join the leftover team.'
What's wrong with being a leftover?
Because of the Magic Stones they acquire, industries develop, the environment is protected, and the world becomes prosperous.
Alright! Now I just need to dial the number.
And just tell the responsible civil servant, 'I've awakened. I want to sell Magic Stones.' That's it.
But I need courage.
It's not easy.
Is this really right?
If I call, there's no turning back.
Can't I just live hiding like this?
Then what about future Tower climbing rewards.
I won't even be able to sell things like Magic Stones.
'5.5kg, that's 2.75 million won.'
I picked up my smartphone, then put it down.
I dialed the number, then erased it again.
Even now, countless thoughts are racing through my mind.
Ah!
The epitome of indecisiveness.
The pinnacle of pettiness.
It's the curse of paternal genes.
Father, why did you make to me like this?
No.
Let's trust my maternal genes.
While I was agonizing like that dozens of times.
'Right! I can hide it somehow.'
I conquered up to the 10th floor with an S++ grade, but from the 11th floor, I can tell Mr. Kosak to take it easy and play around.
"Hoo..."
Finally, Joo-hyuk picked up his smartphone and dialed 1111.
Beep...
As soon as the signal went through,
Click!
- Hello? Please speak.
"I, I'm Bong Joo-hyuk. Um, I, I've... awakened, so I'm contacting you."
I finally did it.
- Congratulations. May our government-affiliated helpers visit your home?
"Yes, that's fine. But I'm living separately from my family, doing my own thing. The address is..."
- Understood. We will come as quickly as possible.
The small citizen Bong Joo-hyuk.
It was the most courageous decision in his 25 years of life.
Even more than his first Tower entry.