'What the Hell Are They Trying to Do?'
I had no idea what the Tower was up to, but I tried my best to act unfazed. If Mom saw me tense or trembling, her worries would only grow.
Separating the two of you for the trial.
The word "separation" hit, and an invisible, massive force yanked us apart. Mom and I ended up about five meters from each other, an unseen wall blocking us from getting closer.
The Tower proposes to Oh Mijin.
If you abandon Kang Minseong now, you will exit the Tower immediately and receive 10 billion won in your desired form. Do you accept the Tower's proposal?
Note: Abandonment means Kang Minseong's death.
This is insane! Choose your partner's death for an instant 10 billion payout. Now I got why they called it a "trial."
No matter how I look at it, this is the devil's temptation. The Tower dangles rewards. Plenty of people like Mom and me climb for the cash. Offering 10 billion to ditch your partner? That's hard to resist for most. No one outside knows what happens inside—no social backlash, no punishment. Betraying your ally would be a snap.
"No way! I won't abandon my son—not even a little! Don't even ask!"
If I hadn't come with Mom, I could've died here and it wouldn't have been weird at all. She made the obvious choice from her perspective. I'd seen this coming, so I wasn't tense at all. Just figured if it'd been someone else, my odds of dying would've been way higher, and that was that—hand over heart.
Oh Mijin has rejected the Tower's proposal.
The proposal target now switches to Kang Minseong.
The Tower proposes: If Kang Minseong abandons Oh Mijin, 100 billion won will be paid.
Do you accept the greater benefit?
O-One hundred billion? They offered Mom 10 billion, but me—the backup—100 billion? Ten times more. At that scale, even parent and child might waver. I could feel how ruthless this Tower was as I looked at Mom.
Why's Mom making that face? Saying that? No, this can't be right!
Mom was shouting at me. The Tower muffled the sound, but I read her lips.
- Son. Don't suffer because of shitty parents. Take the 100 billion. Mom just wants you living without money worries.
Watching Mom say that in this situation was pure horror. I bellowed back.
"Absolutely not! I'll never abandon Mom!"
My shout dissolved the invisible wall between us. We rushed into each other's arms, hugging tight.
The trial time has ended.
10,000,000 won rewarded to each of the two who chose one another.
Now commencing the final mission of Tower Floor 1.
The Tower is calculating contributions so far.
Kang Minseong, with the highest contribution, receives an action restriction penalty.
The action restriction message flashed, and I collapsed.
"Son! What's wrong?"
"I suddenly can't move. Guess this is the action restriction."
The final mission on Floor 1 is escape. Both players must reach the Floor 1 exit together.
The mission prompt updated the minimap, revealing a new path at the northern edge.
"Mom, a new path opened north. The mission is to get me there—since I can't move."
"Dragging you along?"
"Yeah. Looks like this one's a real ordeal."
The Tower, pissed we rejected the offer, hit us with a grueling final mission. I got immobilized; Mom had to haul her grown-ass son to the exit.
"Got it. I'll do my best. Can't have you getting hurt."
"No beasts seem to spawn. Just get me there—no need to stress, Mom."
"That's a relief. Really."
This is gonna be brutal.
I put on a bright face for Mom, but we both knew: this mission was hell. Especially for her. Dragging a young guy through this wilderness without tools? Nightmare fuel. The more I thought about it, the worse it got. My worries mounted.
"Son, Mom's fine. No danger? Even better. I can handle the hardship. So just hang in there even if you can't move, okay?"
Mom showed hope and resolve, not fear. As an adult, I saw again the fierce strength that protected me as a kid.
"Son, picking the shield was a godsend."
"Tell me about it."
I'd chosen the rectangular shield as Mom's weapon. Turned out brilliant. She lashed vines and wood to it, making a drag sled for me.
"Mom, take it slow. Better to do it right once than redo it."
"Gotcha, son. Forgive Mom if she's slow—don't get frustrated."
She propped me against a tree and bustled solo. Again, we realized: axe and shield were perfect picks. Sweating buckets, she worked on the drag board. By nightfall, it wasn't done.
"Huff... huff... We'll sleep and finish tomorrow, son. Huff... huff."
"You worked hard, Mom."
"Hard work? Hungry?"
"Yeah, a bit."
"Hold on."
Mom grabbed nearby fruits. With only talking and blinking possible, she fed them to me by hand.
"Son, no feeling in your arms or legs at all?"
Meal over, she checked me.
"Nah, I feel 'em. Warrior Mode just blocks pain."
"Right. Let Mom check your back."
"Go ahead."
Grunting, she flipped me onto my stomach. Probably checking after hours in one position.
"Son, HP dropped? What's it at?"
"95%."
Stuck still, blood flow sucked. Problems inevitable.
"Mom'll heal you right now."
She announced treatment, then licked my back.
Sensations sharper now. Her tongue on my skin felt vivid—immobility heightened it.
Wait—my dick's not restricted!
Her tongue tickled, sparking an erection. Wished the restriction hit my cock too, but no—it acted independently.
"Son, this is treatment."
She stressed "treatment." Didn't get why then, but soon did. She tugged down my panties and licked my ass.
Think of something else. Anything.
Her tongue on my ass was intense—precum leaked, almost like cumming. Tried distracting myself, but tough.
Smack!
Lost in the thrill, she spanked me. I jolted awake.
"Sorry. Your ass was too sexy—Mom couldn't resist."
"It's fine, Mom."
"My son's such an understanding filial son."
"I'm no filial son."
"Then what?"
"Just want to spank your ass later too."
Night fell. I was miserable.
Gotta piss like crazy.
The Tower halts bowel movements. Maybe from the apple-like fruits, but no big dumps happen. Blessing. But piss? Same as outside. Other perk: no bathing needed, stays clean. Sweat and spit purify somehow. Probably fruit diet—no foul waste. Just a guess; I infer from results.
I'd held it forever. Finally opened my mouth. Couldn't wet myself.
"Mom!"
"Son? You call?"
She hadn't slept—responded quick.
Embarrassing words incoming.
"Mom... I... I gotta pee."