Shopping Spree Before the 7th Floor Dive
We decided to blow some gold at the shop.
I had about 5500 gold on hand.
Five thousand came from the previous loot split, and...
The extra five hundred was the gold bonus from escaping.
Starting from the second run, successful escapes give skill experience and gold bonuses.
Five thousand gold was a hefty sum, even by top hunter standards.
No point hoarding it just to die and lose it all.
Time for some reinvestment.
"Show me artifacts worth over a thousand gold."
It wasn't the official term or anything.
But that's what people called the rare, powerful tower-made items you couldn't find on Earth—artifacts.
The Goblin Merchant caught on quick and pulled out a few pieces.
They didn't stock everything, though.
Inventory fluctuated in real time sometimes.
"Shall we start at the thousand-gold range? A small subspace pouch. I'm sure you already have one, Hunter. Yours for 1500 gold."
"Ah, this thing..."
The small subspace pouch I used constantly.
Dropped by the 5th Floor boss.
I hadn't killed the boss myself, but I'd snatched it from a goblin hightailing it with the spoils.
Tower subspace pouches weren't infinite storage like in stories.
Weight and space efficiency were about 120-130% better than normal.
Stuff felt lighter, fit more snugly.
Plus, just touch the entrance and think of what you want—it pops right out.
Picture a magazine, and it ejects into your hand.
Nothing beat it mid-fight for grenades or reloads.
But it was barely bigger than a vest pouch...
Capacity topped out at a couple mags and a few grenades.
Starting to feel cramped.
Especially after switching to heavier 6.8mm rounds.
"...How much for a bigger one?"
"This is a 40L backpack, but the subspace magic lets it hold way more. List price: 5000 gold."
"Five thousand?"
40L was solid hiking pack size.
Factoring in subspace efficiency, maybe 52L equivalent.
Still less than my current 60L pack.
But way lighter, so if I had the spare gold, I'd snag it.
'But 5000 is steep...'
When we'd cleared 50k per run, it hadn't felt like much.
But yeah, subspace bags were pricey.
After agonizing, I grabbed the 1500-gold small pouch anyway.
I could ditch the backpack in fights...
But the tactical vest stayed on.
Less weight made a real difference.
And damn, was it comfy.
Down to 4000 gold.
No weapons caught my eye, so I skipped 'em.
Artifact weapons usually had weird gimmicks—low versatility.
Why bother when I had a rifle that could drop anything with a finger snap?
I straight-up ignored the weapons, so the Goblin Merchant pivoted.
"We have armor too."
"Anything that stops bullets won't be cheap, right?"
"Of course it's pricey. But is it more than your life?"
This guy knew sales.
He showed me a slim bracelet.
"What's this?"
"An active mana shield. Channel mana, and it generates a small barrier. Blocks bullets easy."
Wooong!
I tested it—a blue shield flickered up.
But too small.
And my mana load was already heavy.
Body couldn't handle Transcendence fully yet.
Even transcended, it wouldn't stop full-auto fire.
"Not my style. Something else... Got any artifacts for mobility?"
"Sharp eye, as expected. Got just the thing, but it's premium pricing..."
The merchant teased, then brought out some boots.
"Boots of the Gale. Lightweight, tough build. Size adjustment, insulation, waterproofing, and that mobility boost you wanted..."
Listening to the pitch felt like a damn infomercial.
Call now for a free gift?
Goblins weren't that generous.
I tried them on, jogged a bit.
Fit was solid.
"How do I use it?"
"Step back a ways, then think 'launch'..."
"Launch?"
Next instant, my body rocketed forward.
Shwoooosh!
I skidded a good distance in a flash.
Not as instant as Kim Yu-na's teleport...
But longer range.
"Holy shit, what the—?"
"Rechargeable activation."
Rechargeable?
No mana drain, then.
Low body strain too.
Charge took about 30 minutes post-use.
Even that was fast inside the Tower.
Higher floors sped it up more.
"How much?"
"20,000 gold."
"What?!"
Way over budget.
But the price made sense.
Size adjustment meant anyone could wear 'em, and the ability was universally drool-worthy.
Mobility was king anywhere, anytime.
Miracle it was even in stock.
These usually went to auction...
Unlicensed hunter sale, maybe?
I groaned, and Go Ji-ho approached.
"20k? Want me to cover it?"
"N-no... You serious?"
"Strike when the iron's hot. Alpha Team funds."
"Ah, you had savings?"
Worth every penny.
We were hitting 7F for the Eye Key.
With it, direct 6F exit unlocked.
Then we could mass-produce S-rank hunters.
Enter 6F, straight to exit.
"Whoa, Hyun nailed the shopping."
"Thanks! I'll put 'em to good use."
Slipped on the new boots, clipped the subspace pouch to my vest.
The Goblin Merchant, hearing our destination, piped up.
"No plans for 8F, by chance?"
"8th Floor? Not right now... Why?"
"Got an item from there I'd like fetched. Compensation won't disappoint."
A goblin quest on 8F?
Tower Escape had those.
Dirty, sneaky ones—got tons of hate.
"...I'll think about it."
"Appreciated. Full intel if you head up."
Free info too?
These guys meant business.
Post-shopping, we did final gear checks before Tower entry.
Me and Kim Yu-na swapped rifles to 6.8mm.
Bigger, heavier rounds—couldn't carry as many.
Sidearms more crucial now.
"Sticking with that one?"
"Yeah. 9mm pistol rounds drop more reliably inside."
2011 Nightfall Custom.
Gift from that American hunter last time.
One more new toy added.
"Radios issued?"
Tower-specific, Korean-made.
Refined from last field test.
"Prototype, so treat it like a bonus. Range won't be huge. Everyone eat well?"
"Whew, let's all make it back alive."
Month timer hit zero—we dove right back in.
"Entering 7th Floor!"
Flash!
You have entered the Tower 7th Floor. Successful escape will grant gold bonus and skill experience.
We dropped near the radio tower.
Tallest structure on 7F.
Secure it, overlook the whole ground level.
Prime sniper perch too.
But no greed—we beelined for the underground mall.
"Hyun leads. Training formation."
On 7F, stealth movement trumped all.
Monsters patrolled heavy...
Kill one, ten more swarm.
Clear a zone? Supplies burn fast.
Orc and goblin drops? Junk tier.
'That's why we timed for night entry.'
I activated Perfect Sense and took point.
Midnight black, but too early for NVGs.
7F underground mall, sewers, 6F tunnels... NVG spots everywhere.
Battery life maxed at 7 hours.
Had spares, but rationed for now.
"How far?"
"Radio tower's close. Even cautious, 1-2 hours?"
"Oof..."
Speed wasn't always best.
Mall had limited entries—escape traps in pinch.
Prepared to ambush nearby 2-3 days, scout.
Not long into the move...
"Patrol ahead. Four."
"Bypass?"
"Nah, too slow. Engage. I'll take the front two."
"Roger."
I drew my pistol.
Didn't expect to use it this quick.
Phut, phut!
Round the corner—two goblins dropped.
Panicked orcs reached for triggers, but Sang Ha-jun and Kim Yu-na sniped from above.
Smooth push—mall entrance soon appeared.
No rash entry; scouted first.
"...No ambushes outside. Inside unknown."
Huge two-level underground mall—my skills couldn't scan it all at once.
Sang Ha-jun hid a skill-spawned camera orb under a dumpster near the entrance.
"Installed."
"Ha-jun, max simultaneous cams?"
"Three. Reception solid. Where for the other two?"
"Check other entrances."
Mall had tons of doors, but we prioritized escape routes.
"Sewer ideal if possible. Links to descent exit..."
"Too risky—high hunter traffic. Ambush potential."
"Fair."
My skills struggled with perfectly still lurkers.
Unless real close.
Hid in a nearby building, rested, then committed.
"Over an hour, no noise. Clear to enter."
"Not already cleared?"
"Doubt it. Tons of idiots rush 7F, few can boss it."
Plus, mall boss—the Manager—was a ghost with physical resist...
Took dedicated prep.
Couldn't luck into it and bail.
"Roger, entering. Farm outer shops slow."
Whirr.
NVGs painted the world green.
Faint lights dotted the mall, but overall dim.
Wrecked storefronts littered with goods.
7F prime farm spot.
Artifacts popping up wouldn't shock here.
"Ooh, 9mm enhanced rounds."
Pocketed the small boxed ammo neatly.
More Tower bullets, the better.
"Ooooooh...!"
Eerie groan echoed from afar.
The boss. The Manager.
"Good, boss alive. No other hunter traces."
"Hit and run?"
"Yeah. Training drill."
"Whew..."
I stashed my pack in a safe spot, slipped off solo.
Shadow Walk Skill Transcendence, Hunchun's Curtain Skill activated
No skimping if it dragged—full send.
Shhht.
I vanished; Han Ju-won, the LMG gunner, targeted the second floor.
Screech!
Manager burst out at the sudden footsteps.
"Who... a customer?"
Customer? Sure.
But we weren't paying.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
MG barrage answered.
Normal rounds phased through...
Ghost bullets didn't.
"Grah, grrraaahk?!"
Hit registered.
But far from dead.
Ghost rounds were weaker than live ammo.
Tradeoff for 2-3x barrage volume.
I lurked on its flank, watching.
Itched to instant-kill dagger it...
But boss zone was bone-chilling cold.
Spreading chill aura—get close, it'd notice.
'Would the dagger even work on this thing?'
"Keeaak!"
Boss raised an arm, aiming the MG's origin.
Body briefly solidified.
I shifted the shadows cloaking me to my rifle.
Hunchun's Curtain bonus effect.
Damage scaled with remaining duration.
Phut!
6.8mm round nailed its head dead-on.
"Aaaak?!"
It reeled hard, genuinely stunned.
I yanked every incendiary grenade from my subspace pouch and lobbed 'em.
Sssshhh...!
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Trapped in thermite flames, eating more ghost rounds.
Still kicking.
Kim Yu-na crackled over the radio.
Same here.
Thermite underwhelming vs. expectations.
Weak to heat, sure.
But the chill neutered the grenades.
'Works in water, though...'
Just in case, I pulled my artifact prep.
Eternally Burning Heart.
This might differ.
Whoosh!
Cranked to max—heat blasted forward.
Would've scorched gloved hands normally...
Chill too fierce—no worry.
"What is that! A demon heart! Aaaah!"
Mana-infused flames hit different.
'Demons of Hell, please...'
I prayed desperately, thrusting the heart forward while squeezing the trigger one-handed.