Tutorial's a Breeze, But the Rewards Are OP (1)
For now, I'd kept my awakening a secret from Ajusshi too. If he found out, things would get awkward between us. I didn't want to distance myself from the guy who'd done so much for me just because I was an awakener now.
I'll have to quit the construction gig soon... but first things first, gotta establish myself as an awakener.
"Alright, time to hit the Tower."
And so, after taking the day off, the place I headed to was Seoul.
[Next stop, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 3-ga Station.]
Tapgol Park for a Tower? Real original naming, lol.
An hour on the subway, and I was there. Stepping off the platform, I could see the Tower piercing the sky.
This was Haanamja's Tower—the one I was gonna climb. Officially, it was the Beginner's Tower.
Despite the grandiose name, it looked kinda scrawny, which explained the mockery. But...
Doesn't matter. The inside's what counts anyway.
The real Towers were elsewhere, and this thing just warped you there. Like a portal in a game. Even accounting for its mana transmission tower role, it still looked pathetic.
Whatever, worked out great for me. Perfect for hiding my traits.
No shady folks around?
I casually scanned the area around the Tower.
I'd come all the way to Seoul to avoid running into anyone I knew, but I planned to stay cautious to the end. Luckily, just CCTV, nothing else.
"Phew..."
Makes sense—there were over a dozen of these in Korea alone. Climb all 50 floors, you just get a bit stronger. No way staff monitored every one; budget waste.
Plus, only the Easy Tower requires actually going to it in person.
Side note: Normal and Hard let you teleport in anytime, anywhere. Cute catch—they locked you in 5- or 10-floor chunks before you could exit.
Being able to bail after one floor made Haanamja's Tower feel like a fairy tale.
Free ride Tower really is the best.
"...Let's do this."
After scoping out the area thoroughly, I lightly touched the Tower.
Would you like to enter the Beginner's Tower?
Once selected, the Tower cannot be changed...
"Let's gooooo!!!"
Flash—!!
My vision went white. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a cave.
"Whoa!"
This is the Tower I've only seen in videos!
Fresh air despite the cave. Perfect temperature—not hot, not cold. And then,
"Oh, fresh meat."
"Welcome~ New awakener, right?"
Two guys spotting me and rushing over. Not management staff, thank god. Bus drivers.
"Tch."
Ignore 'em.
I had no intention of taking their help. One perk of this Tower: parties allowed. But begging with Mythic-grade traits? Nah.
"Sorry, no carry for me. Climbing solo."
That was the plan, but they were persistent.
"C'mon, hear us out~."
"Yeah. Coming here means you awakened a crap trait, right?"
They grabbed my shoulders, grinning, sweet offers laced in their friendly tones.
"We're combat types. Not Gate material, but we clear this Tower easy, even with deadweight."
"Stick with us, and we'll have you breathing 50F air in a month."
"Just 10 billion won! For full clear from 1 to 50. Bargain, right?"
Pay 10 bil for a bus ride. Seemed reasonable at a glance. They make bank in a month. Newbies recoup in 2-3 years post-Tower. Smart play if you're unsure.
Not for me, though.
"Just came from grinding labor. Can't afford it."
"Awakener loans exist!! Pay 10 bil, life's easy!"
"Others pay 15 bil..."
"I'm climbing solo."
10 bil ain't a puppy's name. No thanks.
I shook my head, brushing their hands off.
"C'mon~ Just hear the rest?"
"...Sigh."
These clingy bastards. They'd cleared all 50 floors, so shaking them off by force would be tough.
For now, anyway.
"Anything else? I wanna climb fast."
My tone turned curt. They smirked, amused.
"Tip for newbies: Check your status window. There's a 'Beginner Common Channel' now. Tap it."
"...?"
What's that? News to me.
I did as told. Status only visible to me, no issue in public.
Beginner Common Channel #KR
"See?"
"First time? It's our comms hub. Cocky solos like you end up sobbing for help there."
"News to me."
"Non-awakeners can't perceive it. Rewatch awakener interviews outside; it'll click."
"Hmm."
Awakener-only in-Tower community? Had no idea. Real talk, didn't know.
My opinion of the duo ticked up a notch.
"Thanks..."
"Don't wanna end up like that? Come with us. We don't mind late rescues, but dying before we arrive sucks."
"We charge extra 10 bil emergency fee too. Doubles your bill."
"Hear that? Better stick behind us from the start."
"...Ah."
Affinity plunged like meme stocks.
Lives on the line, but no save till paid? Wreckers at least tow first, you trash.
"Gotta try solo as a guy. But if shit hits, I'll call you seniors."
Kept my real thoughts hidden. No need to burn bridges. Mythics or not, prep for worst-case.
They sighed at my polite refusal.
"What can ya do... Can't force it."
"Got spirit though, bro. Polite too, unlike kids these days. Not bad."
"Yeah. Here, borrow this."
Swoosh—one pulled a rusty sword from his back.
"No weapon, right?"
"Yeah. They give daggers up to 10F, and hauling an axe risks arrest pre-entry."
"Registration fixes that, but anyway. Daggers suck range. Use this."
"For real?"
"Return it after 10F for a new one. Eat and run, you're screwed."
"Thanks!"
Not total trash after all. Revised my take, gripped the hilt.
Sword God (Mythic)
Mastery of all martial arts with swords.
"...Huh."
Short exhale. Then, entranced, I swung slowly.
First time holding a weapon, yet it moved like an extension of my body.
Fluidly shifting stances—basic moves that flashed in my mind the instant I gripped it.
Like this?
Clink. Raised overhead, envisioning cleaving a foe skull to crotch.
Then hilt to cheek level, tip forward—thrust stance, instinctively known.
Waist-high guard, low to bait attacks. Each shift traced elegant arcs.
Every motion felt like millions of reps.
Dragon Eye (Mythic) appraises the item.
◈ Rusty longsword. Once decent quality, but chipping it on rocks ruined it.
◈ Now viable as a blunt weapon over a blade.
They gave me a busted one on purpose?
Sucks for a first sword, but whatever. Got All-Cutting Sword to slice anything. Better than a dagger—I'll take it gratefully.
"Thanks! I'll return it soon!"
"...Uh? Oh, yeah!!"
Dashed past them to the portal, heart pounding at the Mythic cheat preview.
-Mumble.
"What was that just now."
Someone muttered softly, but no need to care.
* * *
Actually, the duo had been ignoring Hwi-min.
Green as hell.
Early 20s? No military service.
Freshly awakened, cocky kid. Their shared view—until the sword dance.
"......!!!?"
What the hell was that?
Even they, no sword experts, saw it. Movements beyond normal. Like a lifelong swordmaster.
One shuddered under the pressure.
Fight him...? I'd lose.
His aura was meh. Levels and stats favored them, Tower veterans.
But imagining a fight? No path to victory.
Guaranteed loss. Or death.
Those words looped in their heads.
"Thanks! I'll return it soon!!"
"Yes!!!"
So when the dance ended, one instinctively went formal, bowing deep.
No trace of their earlier casual dismissal.
...What was that?
Sword trait? Legendary at least?
They even doubted his grade. He'd freak if he knew.
Luckily, they missed the full scam.
Reason: "Nah, no way."
Why come to Beginner's Tower with that?
Easiest difficulty. No switching Towers. No Legendary would slum it here.
"Sword dojo kid?"
"Sports uni, probably, bro."
"Why here then? Trait must suck."
That explained no suspicion... but irrelevant to Hwi-min.
...Shoulda gone Normal?
Floor 1 of the Tower. Hwi-min scratched his head after one-shotting a wooden dummy.
Tutorial: Scratch a moving dummy to clear. Too easy for him.
Woulda gotten military truck, not bus. Be grateful for the freebie.
Thud. He headed to the next portal.
Stepping through, warm air welcomed him.
Entering Safe Zone.
System 'Return' function activated.
"Hmm."
Safe Zone, huh.
Cave ringed by cliffs. Bed, table. Even a basket with bread, jerky, water.
-Munch.
"...Ptooey."
They said it tastes like ass, and damn if they weren't right.
One bite, and Hwi-min thought: Nope, can't do this. Feels like a nudge to move on quick.
The one trapped in Hard Tower survives on this? Poor bastard.
Tsk tsk. His gaze flicked to the table—specifically, the wooden box atop it.
Dragon Eye (Mythic) appraises the item.
Matches the interviews.
Hwi-min reached casually—but
1 trait available for use.
Your soul is not bound to one Tower.
Freely switch between Towers at the same floor.
Would you like to use it?
His fingers froze just shy of the box. Eyes wide, a luxurious brown alert glowed before him.
"......No way?"