Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Visit
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Seoul, Hannam-dong, Awakening Management Bureau.
Yesterday, yet another S++ Rank Clear for the 10th floor was announced to all.
Just because a floor is cleared doesn't mean an announcement message is broadcast to everyone.
There's only one case where a global announcement message is heard.
When a new floor is cleared.
That's how it's been until now.
But now I've learned for the first time that there's another case.
The S++ Rank Clear message.
It's probably the first time in the world.
And in Korea, no less.
We have to find them.
They're definitely a Korean Tower Player, but there's no way to know who.
All we can do is wait for a phone call.
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su asked Elite Management Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il.
"Team Leader Jeon, any progress? I heard there was another inquiry call yesterday."
p>"Yes, I sent staff to check, and it was a confirmed Player. A 27-year-old woman residing in Daegu."
"Could it be...?"
"I don't think it's the S++ record-holder this time either."
"Hmm, I wonder if they'll ever show up."
The number of Players always remains at a certain level.
If someone dies inside the Tower or gives up on clearing it entirely and has their qualification revoked, the opportunity passes to others.
So, one or two calls come in per week from people wanting to register as Players.
The method to verify if someone is truly a Player is to watch them enter the Tower from the side.
Since they suddenly vanish in a flash, it's easy to tell.
There's one more item added here.
Assessing the Player's talent.
How?
After obtaining consent, by having the Player record a video of themselves clearing the Tower and showing it to us.
It's possible because smartphones or cameras can be taken into the Tower.
Video recording is highly useful.
Players belonging to the Elite Team are strictly required to record.
That's how we can analyze and develop better strategies.
"Still, this Player seems quite competent. She said she got a B-rank on an 8th-floor mission clear. Watching the video, a B-rank definitely seemed plausible."
"Oh! Good."
"Yes. Moreover, she has a strong desire to join the Elite Team. She's fully qualified for the Reserve Force."
"Then that's settled. Have her sign the contract."
Talent is one thing, but the mere desire to join the Elite Team is already a pass. The most important virtue is the will to keep climbing the Tower.
Anything lacking can be supplemented by the state.
Players can take items into the Tower.
Large items are impossible, but personal-sized items are fine.
Clothing, combat-useful items, various potions, even things like handguns.
Other benefits received by Elite Climbing Teams are immense.
Salary goes without saying, and they receive protocol treatment equivalent to that of a member of the National Assembly.
They receive every special privilege the state can offer.
Even if they commit a major crime like murder, they are granted immunity.
The government specially manages about 150 Elite Team members.
Even within the Elite, there are the First Team and the Reserve Force.
They are the core personnel clearing new floors.
There's no other way.
We have to separate them by grade.
To avoid the tragedy of the Tower's collapse.
But the 'General' team is different.
Since they have no active intention to climb the Tower, they receive little support.
Compared to the Elite, it's a drop in the bucket.
Still, because they bring back Magi Stones and contribute to national development, they receive a monthly support stipend of 2 million won, consignment sales of Tower reward items, and legal support.
What if the Player who set the S++ Rank Clear record called to register?
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su was prepared to pour out whatever they wanted without hesitation.
Just then.
Bzzzt, bzzzt.
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il checked his smartphone message and spoke to Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su.
"Chief."
"Yes?"
"Another Player registration inquiry call has come in."
"Again? Location?"
"Seoul."
"Really?"
Seoul.
A close location.
"I'll go check it out myself."
"Alright, Team Leader Jeon. Please do the work. If that person is the one...",
"I will definitely bring them into the Elite Team."
"Present the highest benefits the Awakening Management Bureau can offer."
"Understood."
※ ※ ※
Bong Joo-hyuk's complexion wasn't very good.
"Haa..."
He had bravely made a decision, but regret and worry still lingered.
What could he do?
That's just the nature of an ordinary guy, a small citizen.
'...I should clean up first since a guest is coming.'
Even if it's a shabby one-room appartment, it should be kept clean.
He swept and wiped diligently, sprayed air freshener, did the dishes, emptied the trash, and moved busily, but...
'I'm nervous.'
Having someone he'd never met before visit this house.
'...Should I summon Kosak?'
No.
He can't call out high-level personnel for something like this.
They might get found out.
Right at that moment!
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of someone knocking on the front door.
'Wow, they're here.'
With a nervous heart,
"Who is it?"
"We're from the Awakening Management Bureau. May we come in?"
Joo-hyuk opened the door to welcome the guests.
"O-oh, come in. Y-you can sit here."
A middle-aged man and a young woman.
Two people.
In an instant, searching glances were exchanged.
"Hello. I'm Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il, working at the Management Bureau."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Section Chief Lee Min-ah. I'm also a Player."
"...Ah! I see. I'm B-Bong Joo-hyuk."
The three people sat facing each other with a small table in the center.
"Let me ask first. Mr. Bong Joo-hyuk, are you truly Awakened?"
"...Ah, yes, yes. I've entered the Tower. I've even cleared some floors."
"Ah! Then up to which floor?"
"The 10th floor. Up to the beginner adaptation zone. Here are the Magi Stones I've collected so far."
Joo-hyuk took out a total of 5.5 kg of Magi Stones.
'The 10th floor.'
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il's eyes sparkled.
The S++ Rank Clear record was up to the 10th floor.
Could it be this person?
He was uncertain.
They went through the process of checking the weight with a portable electronic scale they brought.
"Player Bong, may I ask one more thing?"
"Yes."
"Have you been hearing the frequent global announcements lately?"
"Ah! The S++ Rank Clear? I've heard it too, but... I'm curious who it is. I'm sure it must be a truly amazing Player."
Jeon Gwang-il tilted his head slightly and continued.
"First, let me explain the contract terms. Our government manages Player-nims in two parts. The first part is the Elite Climbing Team, and the second is the General Climbing Team."
"Oh, yes, yes."
"If you belong to the Elite Climbing Team, your base annual salary is..."
A tedious explanation followed.
The core points were how the Elite Climbing Team is structured, what kinds of benefits they receive, how much the danger of clearing decreases with national support, etc.
But why was he passionately explaining Elite privileges that Joo-hyuk didn't even need to hear?
Was he suspecting that Joo-hyuk was the S++ Rank Clear record holder?
'The way he's looking at me too...'
No way.
The Elite Climbing Team? What!
"However, joining the Elite Climbing Team requires proof. We need to record a clearing video with the body cam we brought..."
This won't do.
He should state his intentions clearly.
"U-um, j-just a moment."
"Yes?"
"C-can I t-tell you what I think?"
"Please, speak freely."
Joo-hyuk took a deep breath and said,
"I'm satisfied with the General Team. I don't want to join the Elite Team."
"Huh? Really? What's the reason...?"
"Honestly, I have no talent."
This was the truth.
"And, i-it's scary, you know? I plan to stop at a suitable floor and just bring back rewards."
This was also the truth.
Jeon Gwang-il made a flabbergasted expression.
So blatantly?
The most basic condition for the Elite Team is the will to climb.
Without that, Elite is impossible.
"Don't judge too quickly..."
"No! I've already made my decision."
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il's disappointment was evident at Joo-hyuk's firm tone.
"...Alright, I'll respect your decision."
"Th-thank you."
"By any chance, can you enter the Tower today?"
"I can."
"Then, please enter the Tower here. It's a necessary process for Awakening verification."
"Okay."
Only then did the stiffness in Joo-hyuk's complexion ease.
Only the final procedure remained.
Once he goes in and out of the Tower, he can sell the Magi Stones and make money.
"I-I'll do a clear while I'm in there and come out. It might take close to two hours, so if waiting is inconvenient..."
"It's fine. That's our job. We'll wait."
"Well, then."
Putting on his shoes and properly adjusting his clothes,
Joo-hyuk activated his Tower Entry skill.
Poof!
Watching Joo-hyuk's figure disappear, Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il spoke in a bitter tone.
"He is Awakened, alright."
To Section Chief Lee Min-ah, who came with him,
"What do you think?"
"I don't know about talent, but he seems far too timid. His way of speaking is too cowed as well."
"Just as I thought, huh?"
"I wonder how many floors he'll reach. He might even give up on this 11th floor."
"Huh? Why?"
Section Chief Lee Min-ah spoke with a confident expression.
"I know from experience; the 11th floor is a floor that tests a Player's fear."
"The Long-Tail Burrowing Centipede, you mean?"
"Actually, it's a monster that's not as difficult as it looks. But it's really disgusting. The numbers are terrifying too, and the mission is to kill 100 of them... Can he do it?"
"Hmm."
That made sense.
"If you're right, it'll be over quickly."
"He'll probably run to the safe zone and give up the mission. I'm sure of it."
Another miss.
"I should call the Chief."
No matter how he looked at it, Bong Joo-hyuk didn't seem to be the S++ Rank Clear record Player.
So he should tell him not to get his hopes up.
※ ※ ※
He summoned Kosak.
As always, spirited and eager, Kosak.
"Let's go."
As soon as they left the safe zone.
[11th Floor Mission]
📍 Objective: Defeat 100 Long-Tail Burrowing Centipedes.
⏰ Time Limit: Within 3 hours.
✅ Progress: Long-Tail Burrowing Centipede 0/100
❌ Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment.
"...Ugh."
It's just an Awakening verification clear, but,
"Why did it have to be centipedes?"
A full 100 of them.
Well, it's not like he'll be fighting them directly anyway.
That won't do.
"No, this time we go very slowly."
"Stall for as much time as possible. Over an hour. So an S++ clear record isn't set."
Why did he specifically say he'd go in and clear it?
He could have just shown them entering the Tower.
It was to hide.
To show he wasn't the S++ Rank Clear record holder.
He'd show a clear proof with 1.1 kg of Magi Stones.
Then he'd completely escape suspicion of being the S++ record holder.
"And today, I'll release your summon inside the Tower, Mr. Kosak. There are eyes watching outside."
A perfect plan.
Confirm Awakening, and also erase suspicion that he's the S++ Rank Clear record holder.
Swish!
The mad assassin John Kosak dashed forward.
Then, from the ground, slithering out came Long-Tail Burrowing Centipedes, about 3 meters long.
They weren't poisonous, but their fairly large bodies and countless wriggling legs made them extremely disgusting creatures.
Moreover, their numbers were immense.
Even from a distance, his hair stood on end.
"Uuugh..."
Wriggle, wriggle.
The ground surface seemed alive and moving.
But John Kosak didn't seem scared at all.
Hopping around, slowly, one by one.
'...Is he too fast?'
So,
"Mr. Kosak, kill them even slower."
The hunting speed became much slower.
'He's doing well.'
Kosak, who obeys unconditionally whatever he's told.
How reliable.
But right then!
Whoosh! Slither!
"Huhk! Sh-shit!"
A swarm of Long-Tail Burrowing Centipedes rose from right under Joo-hyuk's feet.
From this side, whoosh!
From that side, whoosh!
A completely surrounded situation.
Like king cobras, they raised their upper bodies stiffly and stared at Joo-hyuk.
Their yellowish eyes met Joo-hyuk's.
"Eeeeek..."
The creatures had somehow approached this far, outside John Kosak's attack range.
He hadn't even noticed because they moved underground.
'D-did I stall for too long?'
His body froze stiff.
What to do?
This was a first.
Until now, he had only watched from behind.
He should use a skill, but his mind went completely blank.
In an instant!
Papatpat!
John Kosak, his eyes bloodshot, charged in like a madman.
The daggers in both hands were swung at an invisible speed.
Seeing Joo-hyuk in danger, John Kosak went berserk like a madman.
Tsipit! Tsupipit!
Serek, seregek, seregegek!
The centipedes' necks were chopped off one after another.
Joo-hyuk snapped back to his senses.
"W-wait!"
The kill count was rising rapidly.
"S-slowly! You're too fast."
"It's an order. Slow the tempo as much as possible."
"D-damn it..."
Ahhh!
The damn Summoned Being Principle, Article 3.
Serek, seregek, seregegek...
"Ah, no! If you try that hard, again..."
.
.
.
🏆 You have achieved an S++ Rank Clear for the 11th Floor of the Black Tower (Korea).
🎁 S++ Clear Reward: Platinum Badge has been awarded.
"Dammit!"
He was screwed.
Another global announcement had sounded.
John Kosak scratched his head with a sorry expression.
"...Summon Release."
Swish!
Poof!
Joo-hyuk returned to his one-room.
Less than 10 minutes had passed since he entered the Tower.
Section Chief Lee Min-ah stared at Joo-hyuk with wide, surprised eyes.
She was also a Player.
"P-Player Bong, c-could it be?"
She must have heard the global announcement, of course.
"Hmm, I think there's some misunderstanding..."
He had to deny it no matter what.
"Anyway, it's not me."
"..."
"Really! It's a coincidence."
"..."
"The 11th-floor clear probably overlapped at the same time by chance. Wow! Who cleared it? What an amazing Player!"
"..."
Please believe me.