Global Obsession: The Ghost Guide Enters the Tower

Three minutes until I got banned. I went wild trolling. Thanks to that, all my anger melted away.

...Did I go too far? Too late for regrets now. I know my posts are legit, but to others? Like they said, it probably looked like typical troll bait.

1. Spouting brainfart theories after watching the news. No wonder they reacted sharply. And then I snapped back and trolled even harder. Guess that makes me a petty loser.

I'm an awakener now. Can't keep living with a normie's mindset forever.

Short reflection over. I put my finger back on the phone screen. This time, no bait—just something actually useful. But now, leveraging my Mythic-grade traits.

Just post for the really screwed-up spots, right?

The Strategy I'd write this time: the world's seven major gates. The ones that breached because no one could kill the boss, wiping out entire cities. Might not reach the locals right away, but it'll get dug up eventually.

New ID, and just in case, VPN too...

Tap, tok. Tap tap tap. I hammered away at the phone keyboard. Bonus: pausing to watch gate Strategy videos and activating my Dragon Eye trait.

The result?

Nemgle still ate it up. Not some urgent crisis like before, and none of the seven were in Korea anyway. Still, people read it. Some even analyzed it seriously with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me.

They were kinda decent guys after all. Sorry, dudes. I got heated earlier because you dissed manual labor. But if this post gets unearthed, it'll class up the site big time. Let's get along from now on. With my 127th account, SteelMinAwakenerAnalysis2.

"Se-rin-ah, bro's heading out now."

I left the hospital room feeling refreshed. If the value of that Strategy post ever got out, it'd cause a massive uproar... but that's way in the future. I'll worry then.

But the next day. I'd announced I'd quit the construction site after today, and while scarfing down the lunch Ajusshi bought to thank me for my hard work...

"Yeah, good call, kid. Manual labor's fine, but you should aim for something more legit... Hwi-min-ah?"

"......"

We gaped at the TV in the gukbap joint, mouths open. My nickname was plastered all over the news.

No, it's only been a day. Here I was, buzzing like whoa, my strength's legit jacked after some pork buns, and suddenly the whole world was obsessed with me. What the hell happened overnight?

Ah, that post from yesterday. It didn't take long to figure it out. The turtle Strategy I wrote. I deleted it quick, but someone must've passed it on.

So damn embarrassing... My face burned. My body twitched with secondhand shame. Seeing my community handle on the news? Way more humiliating than I imagined.

Ajusshi read my reaction differently.

"Kid, you still lose your shit every time an awakener hits the news. That exciting? Body shaking and all?"

"...Huh?"

"Don't envy that. Getting that much attention ain't all good."

Ajusshi stared at me.

High expectations mean massive pressure. Bearing that has nothing to do with awakening good traits. Bigshots like Hwang Hee-chan can handle it, but for most? Impossible.

"Well, that guy's got the confidence to pull it off."

"Uh... you think?"

"Why else would he do that crap? Obviously hyping his value."

"......"

Left me speechless. That wasn't my intent. I just saw those people suffering. And for me, it was no big deal. Thought it'd help, so I shared.

Pfft.Whatever, doesn't matter.

I wasn't too worried, of course. Think I'd do that without a plan? I already knew how to handle it.

"Ajusshi, what if that guy's just a fame whore?"

"Huh?"

"Even if the whole world sends love calls, he stays silent and anonymous."

Money-making ops are everywhere anyway. Earn too much, and the taxman—scarier than the Management Bureau—might come knocking. So I stick to wall-gall posting. Total indifference to the hype.

Put simply, "Like giving advice for free?" The hidden ghost advisor king. My community activity concept.

Ajusshi snorted in disbelief.

"You could get riches and fame, and you wanna do that?"

"For the concept?"

"Idiot."

"Wouldn't hurt to have an awakener like this. Everyone pulling Hwang Hee-chan weight makes it boring."

I grinned too. First good deed as an awakener felt pretty damn rewarding. News spotlight's still embarrassing... but I'll get used to it living as one.

Tap tap tap.

"...Why'd you check your phone all sudden?"

"Got some texts."

"No manners at the table, you punk."

"Sorry~ Ah, more kimchi on the way!"

After that, we finished lunch with Ajusshi. Mythic-grade awakener or not, free food still hit different.

And the next day. The world lost its shit again. One of the seven gates—the demon realm in New Delhi—cleared for the first time in about 10 years.

Know the weakness, it's free real estate~. Kinda like that turtle boss from the other day. Break the gimmick, and it's nothing. Of course, clearing in two days took India's awakeners grinding raids hard. But without my tip? Impossible. That's why everyone was hunting for me...

Knock yourselves out. I'm climbing the tower.

The guy everyone's seeking? Me, heading back to Beginner's Tower. Quit the job, straight to climbing. Easy mode, so 20 floors in about three days. By then, folks would get it. I don't answer contacts.

Alright, time to climb again.

"Enter!"

Fwaaah—!

Hand on the Easy Tower, blinding white light enveloped me. Teleported inside in seconds.

First to 10F... Then Magical Elevator up. Straight to inventory.

Shring— Pulled the Rare-grade sword I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fused two days ago. Confidence surged.

Honestly, overkill even for Normal Tower.

My level: 201. With title buffs, real power nears 300. Meanwhile, Beginner's Tower 2nd stratum clear spec? Average 60. Common gear only. 2nd stratum's a backyard stroll for me.

"Do-hwa, summon."

"Kyeng!!"

"Wanna come?"

"Kyaeung!!"

"Good girl. Let's go."

Even summoned Do-hwa. Folks trashed her at 45, but she's a free pass to 15F here. Not relying on her for Strategy, though.

"Alright... here we go."

"Kyeng!!!"

Straight to the portal. Whoosh— bright light swallowed us... and we were somewhere new.

Just like the intel.

Small cell barred with iron. Moss beyond. Orc warriors chugging beer in the hall. Pilgrim's Tower 2nd stratum, 11F—the "Prison Level."

Realizing the situation, the alert popped late.

Just like they said. Gripped my sword, scanned the cell. Target NPC right nearby.

The tower's 11F NPC. Name...

"Luca?"

"......Huh?"

The huddled girl in the corner slowly looked up. Dull, lifeless eyes reflected my face.

—Swish.

"Let's go home."

I extended my hand gently, like I had no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠intent to harm her.

Not the proper guide. Normally, use her to snag the key.

Escape method: Lure the orc guards. They ignore awakeners yelling, so standard is holding Luca hostage. Ruthless types even kill her to force the orcs to open the door.

No need for me.

"Do-hwa-ya? Just in case, guard her?"

"Kyeng!!"

"E-eh!?"

Do-hwa planted herself in front of the girl. Luca blinked in confusion. I stood ahead, raising my sword.

Shick, swish— Two light swings, and the bars sliced like butter.

Now!!

Shoulder-checked the bars and burst out. Sliced top and bottom floated away, clanging harmlessly.

Orcs spotted me only when I reached their pig snouts.

—Screeeeech!!!

"Heatwave Slash—!!!"

Swing hard through the air. Blue energy gathered on the blade, arcing as a crescent across the hall. My Rare sword's trait: Once every 10 min, channel mana for a shot leagues beyond normal weapons.

The qi gouged beast-claw marks into walls...

Kwaaaang—!!!!

Blasted to the end, scarring the wall vertically.

"Kweek..."

"Kuh, kruk."

If walls took that, how could orcs? Thud. All bisected, collapsing. Green blood fountaining late.

Watched a sec, slung sword over shoulder, turned back.

"Two guards down. 11F clear."

"...Eh? Uh, eh?"

"Kyeng!!"

Luca looked bewildered. Do-hwa wagged, thrilled. Pink fur all over Luca's rags—I smiled warmly.

Reminds me of Se-rin. Feels good protecting.

"C'mon, with bro."

Thud. Started leading them to the portal... but

—Halt.

"......Huh?"

Stopped mid-step, spotting something. Turned, face probably shocked.

"...Whoa!!!"

Artifact drop!!!!